Living Life During a Pandemic - Casino Gambling Edition

Welcome to the second in my series of "How has life changed in the midst of a pandemic"

Today, we continue on with having fun, by trying out two area casinos. In Ohio casinos were allowed to open on June 19, and while I didn't race right there, it didn't take long as I went on June 20.

I started the day early in the morning at Jack Cincinnati (which is undergoing a transition to Hard Rock Casino).  I entered through the parking garage and as soon as I entered the elevator lobby, I knew things would be different.  In addition to Jack signage being covered replaced with Hard Rock signs, a greeter met me right inside the door.  He offered me hand sanitizer and a mask.  I had a neck gaiter on, so I asked if that counted as a mask.  The greeter wasn't sure so he handed me a mask just in case.  I then proceeded to the elevator, they have a rope and stanchion barrier and social distancing markers forming lines for the lifts.  Once in the elevator they limit each car to 4 people, and you are to stand in the corners, as indicated by the floor markers.  The inside of the doors double as a giant copy of the safety warnings.  

Once at the casino level, you enter the queue to enter.  There are floor markers, and several new steps have been added.  A second greeter asks you to remove your mask, and look at the camera.  I believe the camera is taking both your photo and getting a thermal scan.  He then tells you that you are to put your mask back on after you clear security.  After the thermal scan, they have added metal detectors.  Once through the metal detectors, you can replace your mask and enter the casino.  During my visit I did note a few people pulled aside and checked with a regular thermometer, and some of those turned away.  Oh, and turns out a neck gatier does meet the requirements. 

Ok, once inside the casino, the first big change you will notice is a lot of the slot machines have been placed Out of Service.  To make it clear they have also put a big sticker on the screen or over the reels that "This slot machine has been disabled for your safety" The idea is that if there are rows of slot machines right next to each other, at least every other one is turned off.  So in a row of 3 or 4 only the two end machines will be on. In longer rows they alternate.  In slot carousels alternating machines in the circle may be off depending on the radius and distance between seats.  Not only are the machines off, their chairs have been removed.  Now, it does look like some though was put into this process, as machines have been rearranged.  Some have been totally removed, other groups have been rearranged to allow for distancing.  Also, they said they changed out machines and there are 75 brand new ones among the mix.  But what I really mean by thought was put into this is it looked like in some areas they moved an unpopular machine next to a popular machine.  That way the unpopular machine could be "Sacrificed" as one of the games turned off for social distancing.  

Okay, but what about machine cleanlines, well every machine has a sign saying that every machine is sanitized regularly, but it also states that you can request to have any machine sanitized before you sit down. To this end there is a crew in hi-vis green t-shirts that are going around cleaning anything and everything.   During less crowded times, it seems as soon as you get up from a game they are over to wipe it down. If not they are on some kind of pattern to make their way around their zones.  For other parts of the slot machine experience, social distancing markers have been placed to form lines for the ATM/Ticket Redemption/Bill Breaker machines, and when there are two together there are physical barriers between machines.    The promotional kiosk have been set at angles, and the self serve player card machines, the center one in the banks of three have been turned off. 

Ok, so what about table games.  For some games like roulette and craps, the games remain much as they were with limited players at a table, with social distancing markers (Craps and Roulette).  For the card games at the traditional fan shape tables, hey have devised a pretty obnoxious looking physical barrier.  It effectively puts each player in an isolation booth.  There is room for a chair, a drink holder, and a place to rest your chips.  Between players there is a physical barrier, and in front of the player is another physical barrier separating you from the dealer.  At the bottom of this front barrier is an opening so you can pass money, player cards or chips under the barrier.  The opening is tall enough that you can manage your bets.  and stick your hand through to make hand signals to the dealer.  It seems as though a table that may have seated 6 now seats 4 with these barriers. I do like how the barriers here have guitar neck graphics on the outermost edges for visibility. Poker, to this point remains closed.  

Of course hand sanitizer stations abound, and enlarged distanced queue areas have been setup for the cashier and players club area. I was offered hand sanitizer when cashing in chips.  

How about the rest of the property - well as I said they are in the middle of a big transition from the local Jack Casino to becoming a Hard Rock,.  Right now the former party room is closed (this is rumored to become a Hard Rock Cafe, the casino has confirmed they are getting one, they just haven't revealed where.  Prism Steakhouse and Piano Bar remains, as does Basil Leaf which is one of those rapid pizza concepts combined with a deli.  They have greatly expanded their queue area, distanced of course.  It now goes from Basil Leaf, up through the former buffet exit, back around therough the buffet entrance area, and through the former buffet VIP queue area.  

What about the buffet?  Well, for now it is done for.  It's a sit down restaurant, you still go to the buffet counters, but they now serve you and for the ultimate gotcha, it is ala carte.  Instead of a pay one price all-you-care to eat concept, every item comes with a price tag.  Side dishes are $3 each, and it goes up from there.  It's new name is the Cincinnati Food Hall, and you would do well to forget it was ever a buffet, it is now a cafeteria.  . 

The Synergy gaming area (think semi live table games, where you bet on a terminal while live dealers run the games - so say you were interested in blackjack, every person in the Synergy Gaming arena would play the same hand.  The dealer will continue to hit the player hand as long as any player hits, you get paid out depending on what the player total was when you stood.  But limits as low as $3 at slow times make this popular. Alternating terminals in the arena are out of service. 

Continuing on the next major change is Bobby's Burger Palace is gone, the casino states that Bobby's Burger Palace decided to walk away during the shut down.  It is now a Mr. Luckys.  - its a casual service restaurant where you order at a counter, and then the meal is served to you..  They did little  to remodel the property in fact it still looks like Bobby Burger except for the menu.  So for the communal dining counters Bobby's was famous for, they put physical barrier shields up between parties.  These are portable and can move to allow for various party sized. While my platter was served on real china, the utensils were those imitation look like silver but they are not high end plasticware, and the drink was served in a carry out plastic cup.  One thing that did surprise me, was the drinks were still self service, using the same soda fountain that's always been there. I made sure to get a top off at the end of my meal as waitress service on the gaming floor was abysmal.  

Comtinuing along, Starbucks and the gift shop remain, valet parking is closed, and he valet lot is being used as a high roller self parking area.  Also closed is coat check but then it always closed in the summer due to lack of demand, 

Back to gaming, when you were fortunate to have a cocktail waitress actually bring you a drink, it comes in a plastic cup with a lid, if you want a straw those are available by request and are plastic wrapped. For those wondering how cocktails and masks work together, as the recording they play every so often states.  "Masks are required to be worn except in our dining rooms (while seated at your table), passing through security, or while enjoying your favorite cocktail at your table or slot machine.  When drinking on the gaming floor, please only lower your mask to take a drink,and wear your masks between sips"  The exception to this would be the Parlor - which is the casinos smoking room.  See, Ohio casinos are all non-smoking by state law, but they found a loophole.  If they put slot machines outside, they are not in a building.   So our casinos traditionally have a covered terrace outside with metal grates forming at least 2 walls.  They do climate control the areas as much as possible, but you are outside.  For this Hard Rock has substaintial grills, so except in the brighest of suns, glare on the game screens isn't an issue.  It seems the Parlor is now also a No Masking Zone, after all I can't mask if I have a cigarette in my mouth.  

One last detail is that in the Men's lounge, every other urinal is blocked off, so yes the unwritten social contract of the Men's room is now official law. Also every other sink is blocked off.  Social distanccing markers are in place in case a line develops.  

But wait, I said I went to two casinos!  I did, my uncle met me at Hard Rock, and then we moved on to Belterra Park (operated by Boyd Gaming) on the pretense of betting the Belmont as they have a race book.  We never made it to the race book, and the self servce racing terminals seem to have been removed from the gaming floor.  Now, in Ohio racetracks are allowed to offer VLT's (which look suspiciously like slot machines, and they have all your popular titles same as the casino), video keno, the state's networked statewide live Keno game, and race book.  The state was astute and banned them from having video poker from the start, as that has been the gateway to table games in other States. I think Racino is the term.  

Here things are much more laid back. We arrived, entered the building, at the top of the escalator (the whole building is on stilts due to the constant threat of Ohio River flooding) and were met by a greeter. The greeter just asked us "Have you had any of the symptoms listed on this sign in the last 14 days"  We don't really even look at the sign and say "No", "Okay, go on in!" As if anybody is going to say Yes.  The greeter is passing out masks but notes they are not required.

We get to the security podium and are asked to drop our masks as we enter, and can put them back on once we clear security.  Players Cub which doubles as the Cashier here, has expanded socially distanced waiting areas.  Here the same thing with every other slot machine, or the middle machines in rows of 3 and 4 have been turned off, here they also have huge stickers on the closed off machines stating that "This machine is social distancing!" Unlike Hard Rock they don't seem to have taken the effort to rearrange games to shift less popular games into the out of service positions, and they were more conservative when it came to closing off games on slot carousels, even pretty big carousels.  Here sme f the cash out machines were disabled for your safety, and in other places physical barriers were installed, without any kind of graphic on the outer edge to make the barriers more apparent.  This casino was more crowded, but even with a lot of the games off, we never really had trouble getting on machines we wanted.    There are signs throughout the casino with advice on slowing the spread, and stating that all guests should wear a mask.  Note the word should, not must.  We would estimate about maybe 30% masked. For this reason alone, I didn't feel as safe there, my concerns were further spread when I noted the self service beverage stations were open.  Yes, they have signs asking no refills please, please take a new cup for each drink.  

Also in the property, the gift shop is like it was, as is Stadium (sports bar/ casual dining) they have redone the bar so it has an organized distanced waiting area for walk up drinks, and have also opened the Favorites steak house bar for beverage service, although the steak house remains closed.  The buffet is also closed, and 2/3 of the buffet tables are available as tables for added seating for Burger Bros. (which had a tiny dining room) and the other 1/3 being used to enlarge their VIP lounge. for distancing.  As for the VIP lounge, the mini buffet has been replaced with a pre-plated courtesy meal.    I did not hit the restrooms here, so I can't say how they were, but I will note the valet and coast check were closed.  We also didn;t make it over to see how things were at the racetrack.  

I feel like I must give credit where credit is due at the end, Belterra Park is no longer a 24/7 operation.  The gaming floor closes at 4pm every night for a deep cleaning.  From Monday to Thursdays the first hours are reserved for high risk patrons.  

And there it is - getting your casino gambling fix in during a Pandemic 

    

Living Life During a Pandemic: Cincinnati Zoo Edition

Living Life During a Pandemic: The Zoo    

Ok, so my last return to the Blog lasted one whole post!  Yeah me.  So, to start the next doomed series - as the economy starts to reopen, I thought I would document living life in the midst of a pandemic.  

"Get busy living, or get busy dying, damn right!"  - Red

So, let's start with a fun topic - the Zoo!

Here in Cincinnati, the Zoo shut down in mid March, and finally reopened when the State gave them permission on June 10.  To the Zoo's credit they had a comprehensive plan in place and had their reservation system ready to roll almost right after the news release.  Not to say it was carefree, those of us who wanted to make sure to get quality Zoo time as soon as possible endured an exercise in patience, like 2 hours worth to get a reservation.  Waiting a day or so and the reservation system is running smoothly.

So I got a coveted June 10 reservation at 10am.  (Yes, to avoid everybody arriving at once, they are spacing out crowd arrival with timed ticketing)  The Cincinnati Zoo is mostly of the Duell Loop park design, meaning most of the major exhibits can be seen by making one long circle tour of the park, the idea being that spreading out the arrivals, would also spread out people working their way around the loop.

Arriving at the Zoo that first day, they asked everybody to park in the overflow lot and use the new second entrance.  By the weekend, they would be back in the main lot.  The main lot has the added challenge of having an escalator or elevator ride up to the bridge, which would both require constant cleaning.  So, right at 10AM I entered the new entrance.  Right inside was a welcome back banner, and soon after the social distancing markers from the street all the way up and through the gate.  About 3/4 of the way in you come to a worker who checks your reservation email, passing that check, you proceed up to the gate.  If there is a thermal check, it is hidden.  You proceed to the main gate as usual where they have mounted the scanner to one post on each lane and you scan your own ticket, while the worker standing at the other side of the lane watches a monitor.  

They have discontinued handing out park maps, instead there is a huge sign right inside the gate with a park map and a QR code.  You can either take a photo of the map, or use the QR code to get a digital version of the park guide.  Some of the changes they have made are obvious in the front of the park, dubbed "Historic Vine Street Village",  Since all tickets are online, all the ticket booths are closed, also closed are Member Services (you can get a digital annual pass for your smart phone), the Rental Center (sorry no stroller or wheelchair rental, bring your own if needed), the Gift Shop (there is a selection of merchandise in an open air marketplace outside the Gift Shop, including a Mask Kiosk right inside the main gate. The restroom building is open, but the water fountains are shut off, there is a water bottle filling station still available. 

Speaking of Masks, I know a controversial topic, all zoo staff are wearing them, and the Tortoise is highly suggesting guests wear them as well, but that is up to each guest to make that decision,  For my visits I masked, both out of courtesy for other guests, the staff and the animals, as well as to get used to it for Kings Island later this summer. 

Entering the zoo proper, I followed what is my typical path.  (We are creatures of habit, aren't we humans) So first up were the playful pachyderms, yes the elephants.  Both types of elephants were out and active.  Around the animal viewing areas you will see paw prints on the ground.  These are the Zoo's version of social distancing markers.  The idea is one group per pawprint, results on this seemed to be mixed.  As the zoo says, you Otter stay a Zebra length apart from others, and stay with your family herd.  (I love how they themed the safety warnings to animals), like "Wash your Paws" signs in the restrooms,.  And if that isn't enough I think they have a hand sanitizer dispenser near every major animal exhibit and food stand.  

So leaving the elephant area, I walked around Swan Lake, I noted they put the garbage cans in the center, suggesting traffic lanes.  They also parked the train on the trestle over the lake.  The rides are not open, but by my second visit you could see work on the train, and by the end of the second week, photos started coming out with plexiglass barriers being installed between every row of the train, so maybe they will be able to get this up in a socially distanced manner.  At the next corner on opening day the giant fan was on, but the water misting feature was turned off.  By week 2, the whole fan was missing.  I didn't bother heading up towards the Education Building as all indoor exhibits are currently closed. 

Instead I headed to the Giraffes, where I noted the signs advising that there would be no feedings.  I got to the overlook just as the giraffes were coming outside into their yard.  so perfect timing for hitting this exhibit.  I headed on into Africa,  To get threre you need to down a switchback style ramp, and here they have signs stating that for safety "Do not stop on the ramp, please keep moving"  

The flamingos were a hit as always, and when I got to the small animal encounter area I noted it was closed.  Also, the zoo is full of animal statues that people like to pose with or climb on.  They have always had signs warning that they may be hot to the touch, but they have new signs on them forbidding touching them at all.    I went up to see the lions (sleeping in I see), and noted that there would be no Cheetah/cat shows.  

As I made my way through the area, I noted that photographers were in full force with much better camera equipment than I was toting.  The big mixed animal savanah always reminds me of Lion King, moreso if you look to the big rock formation on one end that has the lions.  Heading back further I noted the activity hut is roped off, and the one narrow path back to Hippo Cove has directional signage and social distancing markers on the ground.  Once through the bottleneck you are advised the area is now a one way zone,.  The painted dogs were resting but the merkeets were active.  As you got closer to Hippo Cove signs warn that you are entered a potentially high congestion area, if crowded please return later.  I proceeded and there was maybe a three group wait if you wanted to look in the small window at Fiona (distancing markers here for the line) - and Fiona loves to face this one small window.  I went to the main area and got to see Fiona and Bibbi but noted they were much more active the second visit.  Thought he first visit I got a show of the fish cleaning the hippos skin).  

Leaving this area you double back around the merkeets and I note they have boarded up access to the crawl in dome that makes it look like it has been sealed off forever.  It looks aged and natural not like something they just put together.  This is in contrast to other areas where they have obviously errected new barriers further back from the exhibits, sometimes just with rope, and in a couple cases added sneeze guards above the railings.  

Leaving the area, I did see the Cheetah, so I didn't feel Cheetahed, And headed back to the main loop.  The restrooms in this area are open, even if both the cafeteria and ice cream shop in the same building are closed.  Those needing a snack can go to Tuskers across the way for light snacks or drinks..  Construction walls block access past the train tracks, so no access to Skyline or the Clubhouse,  

Moving right along the bird aviary is closed to walk throughs, but you can look in from outside the aviary. As well as the small area between the aviary and the bird house.  The bird house is of course closed, which also, sadly, means no penquins.   More construction walls block access to wolf ridge and the former animal pool.   The next point of interest is the Garden of Peace and then Bear Hill.  The black bear was sleeping my first vist, and missing the second, while the polar bear was much more active on my first visit.  

From here I entered Jungle Trails, Jungle Trails has always been suggested to be a one way experience, but they have added signs reinforcing this.  Jungle Trails is a walk through immersive area, where the path does not look like pavement and it honestly looks like you are in the jungle,  It is also full of interactives, which have been roped off, removed, or signs posted telling you to keep your paws off.  Jungle Trails has two indoor segments,, luckily both were built with a bypass, and they were sending you through the bypasses. In this area the gibbons and orangutang were really hamming it up and putting on quite the show,.  I think the only major thing here I didn't see was the Bonobo.  It was back here I started to notice a lot more "Do not feed the animals" signs, I thought this issue had been solved when self feeding the animals fell out of favor decades ago, apparently not.  

Coming out of Jungle Trails I noted Graeters, Larosas and Dippin Dots were all closed (Dippin Dots was open on my second visit) But that wasn't what concerned me. I had to take care of some other human needs, so I walked around to the back of Larosas, and was greeted by a closed restroom building.  Before panic set in, I noted the sign said the restrooms in the former ape house were open,.  Ahh, and they are air conditioned too.  A funny note in this area, there are signs by Larosas and Graters stating the stand is closed, and directing you to Base Camp which is also closed, when the Grove is much closer. 

Getting back on track, I headed to Rhino Reserve - on my first visit I missed the Rhino, but the rhino was there the second visit.  As I made my way around, I noted you can see into the Wolf exhibit from this side, and the view may be even better than the regular view.  This is an official viewing spot as evidenced by the social distancing markers.  I noted the Zebras were not staying a Zebra length apart from each other ;).  This group of flamingos was very popular, and I noted the Zoo Babies signs are up, so I guess its still Zoo Babies, which is my favorite time to visit anyway.  Coming down the other side out of this area, I noted they have replaced the kids music with a really neat atmospheric background track.  It almost seems like piped in animal noises and gives the place the right ambiance, like you are walking through a preserve. 

No chance of visiting the Manatees today or for the near future, one of my favorites, but I knew that in advance.  Major changes in this area, as the 4D theater is GONE.  Mai Thai's Market is going in, which will be a food court and gift shop.  They must have anticipated the pandemic as the food court also looks like it can be an outdoor walk up.  Both inside and outside facing service counters.  Accross from this it looks like they have taken an eclectic collection of shipping containers, an airstream trailer, and a food truck and have made a food truck zone.  The much talked about new taco place must not be ready yet, so I tried the Coop, which is a chicken tenders outlet.  I had the tenders basket with tater tots ($9), it only comes with two tenders, but they are massive and taste above average. 

In the area they have socially distanced tables, a barrier shield around the clerk.  They are encouagaing Apple Pay or Android Pay for touchless transactions.  Ok, I held my phone over the credit card machine, but I still had to touch the terminal when it asked Credit or Debit.  But it's mostly hands off. They have a sanitizer station right before the food pick up window.  They have done away with the pagers, and were calling out names when orders were ready,  I must give the zoo custodial staff credit, I mean as soon as a group got up from a table and walked away, the custodial staff was on it, like immediately.   The carousel is closed and covered over.   I took a look at the lemur, and noted the paths back the Kimodo dragon were closed off,.  As was the Wings of Wonder Theater, World of the Insect, and the Passenger Pigeon Memorial.  At least you can still admire the outsides of the zoos three historic buildings.   

Continuing along, Gorilla World is open, and the suggested one way path again is reinforced with additional signage.  This was a lively area on both visits.  Particularly opening day, the animals seemed just as glad to see us again as we were to see them.  The Zoo has been one of my happy places.  A refuge I can go to when I need to get away from people and contemplate God's creatures in a peaceful setting. I don't think I was the only one who had an emotional moment walking back into the zoo, after being denied it for three months, during a time when it would be most needed.   

Anyway, at the end of Gorilla World there is an virtually indoor section with no bypass.  Instead of turning you around, they are allowing you to walk through this area, but with no less than 4 or 5 signs telling you to not stop, please keep moving.  

One last major area to see, Cat Canyon.  The indoor Night Hunters section is of course closed.  On my first trip I think I saw just the owl and the snow leopard.  On the second visit the Tiger and other animals.  SO combining both trips, I got to see the entire Cat Canyon.  That long dead end path to the Tiger, there is a sign warning you it is a dead end, and to please skip it if crowded.    

Finishing up the main loop, I saw the Bald Eagles and Tortoises.  Wait, I don;t see the Tortoise wearing a mask :),    I then headed to see the Red Pandas, and ther Children's Zoo.  The entry to the children's zoo has changed yet again.  I really like how the park is replacing blacktop with pavers in a lot of places. The petting zoo is closed, but the animals can steill be seen in a distanced fashion.  Construction walls block off the major playground in this area.

Finishing this up I grabbed a soft drink at Tuskers and took it to Hippo Cove to sit and watch Fiona while I had a refreshing beverage,. On my way out I hit Gibbon Islands just as I think the Gibbons were going inside.  I took a look at the upcoming Roo Valley from the beer garden in back of Hops, and noted work proceeding on the ropes course.  Hey, I'm in a beer garden, I think this calls for a beer.   On visit 2, since it was 4:50. I don't know if alcohol sales had ended, but not to send the wrong message I reverted back to a childhood Zoo favorite, the red cherry ICEE.  Maybe its just not having had an ICEE in so long, but man, that was so great.  That distinctive texture and flavor takes you right back to being a kid.  I will say the straw I was offered with it (None!) was a lot better than the paper animal-safe straws the zoo used in my childhood.  Those things were useless.  

Speaking of my Zoo childhood it looks like the Zoo Storybooks are coming back for a new generation.  The most coveted zoo souvenir of my youth was the key to the zoo which you could use in Storybook boxes around the zoo.  It looks like those key operated boxes are coming back, better than ever. Solar powered, able to tell their story in either English or Spanish, and they look to be mounted more at kid level than I remember the old ones being.  I remember needing to have my Dad start some of the old ones, some were either so high or awkwardly placed.  Rumour has it if you still have a vintage Key to the Zoo, they are compatible with the new boxes.  

So, what's more to say, I finally got a deck of Fiona playing cards (2nd Edition!).  There is no re-entry at this time, so that is a big policy shift.  No more running back to your car to picnic, and with precious few places to cool off, I do hope the Zoo finds some way to open a cooling center.  I noted several places have stopped re-entry, and at first I thought this was part of capacity control.,  After all, if I leave with a hand stamp, they still need to hold a spot for me for when I decide to re-enter.  But then I am figured into the daily limit.  When I read Kings Island is going to use wristbands or something like that for re-entry it dawned on me.  Parks are afraid of spreading the virus through the readmission hand stamp.  

Exiting the park, I noted there is a sneak peak at the elephants outside of the main gate.  I also noted an exit attendant is keeping count of people exiting.  On both trips I received a hearty Welcome Back on my way in, and a Thank You on my way out,  It's the little things that really put the bow on a nice package.  It's like when you park in the hilltop parking lot at Kennywood, which you have to reach via chair lift.  When you board the chair and they lower the lap bar, they say  "Thanks for coming to Kennywood, Good Night!"    On my way back to the street you are looking directly at a big gate blocking the way to the Education Building.  The gate has a big sign "NO EXIT!"  which can be confusing as you can't really see the exit to right just before that gate.