Urban-Rural Safety Divide

Mia Sullivan shares her perspective on traveling across America during the pandemic, highlighting the contrasting approaches to COVID-19 safety measures between urban and rural areas, while documenting these differences through journalism.

• Travel Safety Preparations:

  • Purchased masks with filters and gloves
  • Planning to maintain social distance
  • Interested in getting antibody tests when available
  • Expects less human interaction than in city life

• Regional Differences in COVID Response:

  • Anticipates varied reactions to safety measures
  • Expects some small towns may not wear masks at all
  • Interested in documenting rural-urban divide regarding pandemic fear
  • Plans to study how smaller towns approach the crisis differently from cities

• Documentation Plans:

  • Launching a podcast called "Places" in mid-June
  • Original focus was on small town stories across the US
  • May adjust focus due to coronavirus situation
  • Aims to collect stories about rural life during pandemic
  • Interested in exploring how smaller communities view the crisis compared to urban areas

• Travel Strategy:

  • Modified original route due to closures
  • Starting with Montana and Idaho instead of West Coast
  • Planning to use dispersed camping in national forests
  • May stay in one location for extended periods (up to 2 weeks)
  • Focusing on isolated areas during peak pandemic periods

• Accommodation Setup:

  • Using a 2015 Mercedes Sprinter van (170-inch wheelbase)
  • Installing self-contained amenities:
    • Running water with 35-gallon tank
    • Heat system
    • Portable toilet
    • Outdoor shower
  • Designed to minimize dependence on public facilities