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Home » Musings » My Untimely Return To Los Angeles…
Musings

My Untimely Return To Los Angeles…

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 8, 2021November 14, 2023 58 Comments

a city at night with lights

Well, so much for that idea. After planning an extended trip to Germany until things calmed down in the United States, I’m back again in Los Angeles…right in the heart of the biggest COVID-19 hotpot in the world.

A Return To Los Angeles Weeks Ahead Of Schedule

A death in the family brought us back to Los Angeles sooner than expected. I will not go into detail except to say the death was due to cancer, not COVID related. The cost and logistics of flying back and forth did not make sense, so we decided to head home together.

This was not a decision made lightly. You can imagine my concern as a husband and father when one person dies every eight minutes in Los Angeles County from COVID-19 and the virus continues to spread rapidly. You can imagine my concern when hospitals are full and incompetent leaders seem wholly unable to efficiently vaccinate citizens (unlike, Israel).

But wait, there’s more. As I sat in the American Airlines lounge in New York between flights, I watched treason unfold before my eyes at the U.S. Capitol. Is this the country I want to raise my kids in?

I was incredibly comfortable in Germany and had absolutely no desire to leave. To be clear, I love my country, the United States, and would not have left it permanently. I cherish the grand aspirations of the American experiment and pray that it will overcome this turbulent era. I want to contribute to that endeavor, not skirt my duty as an American citizen.

But if you have the means and permission to live outside the United States, now might be the best opportunity. When it comes to civil unrest and when it comes to the pandemic, I predict it will get worse before it gets better.

As I sit in my living room typing this, the sun is rising and the birds are chirping. The morning dew is glistening on the orange tree and lavender bush. The weather will be perfect today and I’ve just made myself a delicious cup of coffee. But down the street, the hospital is full. Friends are grieving the premature losses of their loved ones due to COVID-19. This does not make the death in my family any easier to digest, but does make me thankful that my loved one did not have to gasp for final breath.

CONCLUSION

I cannot say that I am excited to be back in Los Angeles because I am really not. But here I am. And this time we’ll stay awhile. Maybe we’ll still be able to “live” in Germany one day. But this was apparently not the time…

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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58 Comments

  1. M.O. Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    I’m sorry to hear that, losing someone is never easy.

  2. Stuart Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    Condolences and prayers, Matthew.

  3. Kelly Loeffler Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    So why don’t you leave? This post makes absolutely no sense? You’re whining but not doing anything about it… not sure that’s any better signal or environment to raise your kids in either!

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      I don’t leave the USA because I have a house and family and business and church here and because going back and forth across the Atlantic is too stressful and expensive with my family in tow. My move to Germany wasn’t permanent, but it would have been several weeks…perhaps even longer. Now we are home earlier than planned and will just stay put.

      Pointing out the reality of the situation isn’t whining…and I cannot snap my fingers and fix the problem. But I will help those in need.

  4. MeanMeosh Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    I am sorry for your loss, Matthew.

  5. Jack Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Sorry for your loss. I recently learned that the US has given the most doses of the vaccine (not per capita) and I was surprised to learn that. Hopefully things get better soon.

  6. Willem Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    Sorry for your loss, Matthew. Brave of you to share it here

  7. Chris Carley Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    So sorry, Matthew. All the best to you and your family.

  8. Joe Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    I saw treason at the capital too – when our ruling class certified a fraudulent vote for an illegitimate “president elect”

    • Marc Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 2:51 pm

      @ Joe – It’s quite disheartening to hear your belief that Joe Biden was not legitimately elected. Pointing out the fact, that numerous court cases were filed by the Trump Administration, and all failed. The Trump administration, although claiming the vote was stolen, never ever produced any serious proof. Time and time again Mr. Giuliani claimed he had mountains of evidence, however never made this public. It is quite a difficult time for our nation, but the fact remains, that Joe Biden won this election by 7 million votes and he won it fair and square.
      I respect, that you are upset regarding the result. There has been, however, no credible proof that any type of wide-spread voter fraud occured.

      • Joe Reply
        January 8, 2021 at 3:07 pm

        Incorrect. There is ample evidence. From the midnight vote dumps, hundreds of witness testimony, video evidence of votes being counted after poll observers were told to leave, and envelopes with signatures being destroyed immediately to prevent verification. We are supposed to be the greatest democracy on earth and yet we have an opaque voting system. The courts didn’t pursue the matter because they would rather a cheater win than rock the boat. There was nothing fair about this election and half the country views the old usurping geezer as illegitimate.

        Try to govern that.

        • ghee zhong Reply
          January 8, 2021 at 3:34 pm

          Maybe you should leave LA and move somewhere nicer with fewer people

        • chiflyer979 Reply
          January 8, 2021 at 4:04 pm

          Kudos on being a complete moron. But I’m glad you’re keeping OAN in business!

        • UA-NYC Reply
          January 8, 2021 at 4:29 pm

          People, this is Q Anon come to life in the comments section…talks of a stolen election, calling everyone “pedophiles”, etc.

          Truly a mental illness (now represented in Congress btw).

          • Joe
            January 8, 2021 at 6:33 pm

            [deleted]

          • Matthew Klint
            January 8, 2021 at 7:14 pm

            Joe, please. I’m asking nicely. Attack ideas, not people. I’m not censoring what you wrote above (concerning the election irregularities). I just don’t want you calling others, especially anonymous posters, pedophiles.

            UA-NYC, please don’t bait him or others.

            Let’s try to keep the conversation on issues and not one another.

    • JW Reply
      January 9, 2021 at 7:37 am

      Only terrorists bring upon destruction to their own country.

  9. Joe Chivas Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    Did you even complete your quarantine in Germany?? Seems like you just left.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      We did complete our quarantine even though we were not compelled to.

  10. Marissa Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    Sorry for your loss Matthew, and sympathize with the awful bind you and your family are in.

  11. AlohaDaveKennedy Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    Do you now fall under the 10 day quarantine upon arrival in California?

    “Quarantine Post-Travel

    3. All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days [ii] after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this recommendation does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel [iii].”

    https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Travel-Advisory.aspx

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      I do. I have to keep my son out of school, which is quite annoying.

      • Nate nate Reply
        January 8, 2021 at 2:37 pm

        Why is it annoying?

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          January 8, 2021 at 2:47 pm

          Because his teachers are great at keeping him engaged and productive and I am not.

          • Nate nate
            January 8, 2021 at 7:37 pm

            When you travel out of state and come back, are you the only one in your household that quarantines? Seems like quarantines should apply to everyone who is in your household / quarantine zone. I guess the point I’m making is that this shouldn’t have been the first time your son is quarantining to keep other Californians safe, but I realize the law may not be written that way.

          • Matthew Klint
            January 8, 2021 at 7:44 pm

            I’m the only one that quarantines when I travel solo, but your point is not unreasonable.

            In this case, we are all quarantining.

          • cargocult
            January 8, 2021 at 8:48 pm

            My condolences.

            Perhaps you should reconsider your thoughts on “productivity” if you think that it is something to be expected of a four-year old.

            What would be so difficult and costly about flying back and forth? Couldn’t you have left your children with your in-laws?

          • Matthew Klint
            January 8, 2021 at 10:25 pm

            A bit complicated to leave them with in-laws. I’ll just leave it at that.

            As for productivity, my son is smart and full of energy. He’s learned to read and now is learning to write at school. He’s learning music and etiquette and all sorts of things the school has just been brilliant at teaching. He’s also made friends, even at age four. It’s quite humbling, but I’m just not cut out to be a homeschool teacher and neither is my wife.

          • cargocult
            January 9, 2021 at 4:25 pm

            I didn’t mean that a four-year old can’t do and learn all sorts of things at that age. I think speaking of such activities as “productive” puts them in the wrong context, making them out to be means in turning your son into a cog in the neoliberal capitalist machine (and I say this as a fervent capitalist). I would think this would be at odds with a Christian worldview, which I assume you espouse.

  12. Dave Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Sorry for your loss.

    May I ask how early you usually get up? (Sorry, pretty personal question)

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      Usually around 0600. Today it was 0330 since I am jetlagged.

      • Dave Reply
        January 11, 2021 at 6:02 pm

        Thanks for your reply.

  13. John Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    Condolences.

  14. Matthew Klint Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    Thanks to all the kinds wishes. They are greatly appreciated.

    • UA-NYC Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      Welcome back! Sorry it’s not under better circumstances.

      January 20th is (thankfully) the start of a new era, and hopefully the healing can begin. It will take time, after four years of damage and a botched Covid response, but at least the adults and scientists are back in charge.

      • Joe Reply
        January 8, 2021 at 6:35 pm

        Are you in for a shock XD

        • Rick Reply
          January 9, 2021 at 10:29 pm

          So sorry for your loss, and some questioning your decisions during a stressful time. Stay safe, and may God’s love be with you. This is a such a hard time for so many, and we are all doing the best we can.

      • Batchcaloupe Reply
        January 9, 2021 at 8:40 am

        Don’t worry. Its Sleepy, Creepy Joe and The Ho to the rescue!!! I heard so the “experts” saying a vaccine would take 18-24 IF e were lucky. It got done in less than a year. Was that not a super result??

        I am sure Trump will still get blamed 3 1/2 years of Sleepy, Creepy Joe and The Ho. Maybe he will tackle our problems like he did Cornpop!!

        BTW how had De Blasio worked out???

  15. Derek Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    So sorry for your loss 🙁

    • derek Reply
      January 9, 2021 at 1:02 am

      So sorry for your loss

      (and I am derek, not Derek)

      A trip report is in order. I presume, based on a comment or article today, that it was not a LH 747-8i.

      The US, though has its problems, is one of the leaders in Covid vaccinations, about on par with the UK and outdone by Israel, UAE, and Bahrain. The rest of Europe and Canada are far behind the US in terms of vaccinations per 100,000 people. However, still a long ways to go.

  16. Phil Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    My condolences.

    With all the plans in the world, sometimes the universe just has other ideas.

  17. PM1 Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    So sorry for your loss Matthew. Thanks for sharing your experience. Please don’t heed the peanut gallery whose only job seems to be to rile you.

  18. Christian Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    Condolences. Sorry you and your family had to leave comparatively safe and stable circumstances to come back to this.

  19. Shawn Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    Just wanted to add my condolences, too, Matthew. Good to know that you, your wife and child are all safe, though.

    My family and I just returned to the Los Angeles area, too. We drove down from Butte County, where we spent the holidays, as my wife needed to return for work purposes. (We’ve been a “pod” with my mother-in-law, who lives up north, and have been spending time at both residences.) It felt very surreal to be intentionally returning to LA County where the COVID situation is so bad. It’s not great in Butte County, but it’s nowhere near as bad as here! Hunkerin’ down …

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 8, 2021 at 7:14 pm

      Stay safe, Shawn. LA is wild right now.

  20. Heather Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 6:57 pm

    My condolences on your loss. It must have been a close person in your life to bring you back.

    I live in an area of PA that was not impacted by COVID until recently and now it is a crisis. I can empathize with your concerns.

  21. ThomasK Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    Sorry for your loss in the family and that you had to suddenly change plans. Not easy anytime, even harder now. May God comfort you.

  22. Sexy_kitten7 Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 8:49 pm

    Very sorry for your loss. I was also shocked to learn that LA went back into lockdown. Found out bc a BoA phone rep mentioned it on a call. She also said she got covid and still doesn’t have her smell back(!) We should probably lockdown up here….

  23. Santastico Reply
    January 8, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    @Matthew: there are tons of incompetent people leading cities, states and the country in the US. However, they are not the problem. The problem is the people that voted for them. Until Americans learn how to vote and vote for a person and not for a party, this country will never evolve. Yes, one can say it is the most important country in the world but that title will soon be gone because the world evolved and the US still lives in the 1800’s. The election system here, fraudulent or not, cannot be trusted. How come the country that has the most important technology companies in the world can still mail votes and count them manually? That is a complete joke. That system also plays a role in the incompetence of the leaders elected. Nobody should care what party the candidate is representing. As long as the ideas, values and competency of that candidate matches what the voter believes that should be enough. But no, the outdated mindset here is “chose one party and no matter what the other party does, it is wrong and bad.”

    You chose a fantastic state to live in terms of natural beauty, weather, opportunities, etc.. but California has the most stupid politicians of the country and now its population is paying for their bad choices. I live in a state where our Governor is not very smart but my kids are going to school full time since August, hospitals are under control and although some mild lockdown we are still living our lives. I can chose many places to live since I carry 3 passports but I chose to stay here and give this country another chance. The current administration is bad. The upcoming one is also bad. Both extremes are bad. Thus, I hope that Americans wake up after two bad ones and learn how to vote for an administration that brings transparency and our people together again.

    • Jgrl Reply
      January 9, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      What’s that state please? CA ex-pat in the making!!

  24. Mark Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 1:49 am

    Sorry for your loss.

    Not sure if you are aware, but just this past summer hundreds of anti-coronavirus measures protestors attempted to storm the Bundestag in Berlin. I remember thinking at the time I couldn’t imagine that happening in the US!

  25. Paolo Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 8:04 am

    It appalls the rest of the world ( and no doubt a vast number of Americans) that the USA appears to be descending into a state of perpetual disarray. One hopes the incoming president will be able to heal some of the wounds and govern in the national interest, not least for the 75 million Trump voters .
    Sorry for your loss and hope your businesses return to strength soon…

    • Santastico Reply
      January 9, 2021 at 9:43 am

      No matter if Republican or Democrat, no president can heal a country when the checks and balances are gone. A system that allows only two parties that could not be more far away from the center and also allows the same party to have the president, Senate and Congress, cannot allow any type of heal. It won’t be heal but hell. Again, no matter what party is in control but when they have all the power it is hell.

  26. GUWonder Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 10:46 am

    My condolences to you and your family and family friends in mourning.

    Life has a way to throw plan-disrupting curveballs.

  27. Wayne Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    My condolences to you, Matthew, on your loss. It seems like there is so much loss right now in our nation and world.
    How people handle loss is pivotal. You can grieve or you can become angry and enraged. We see the choices clearly right now in the news. Fear would be the defining emotion and how people respond to their fear is what will define us.
    I can’t control other people’s behavior, but I can try to make sure I act in a right and respectful way. People who blame everyone else are lacking any sense of self-worth and so can never own their own need to grow and change. Politicians are, for the most part, unable to reflect this because they live for the popular vote. A person of integrity and truth pays little attention to whether they are popular or not in the eyes of others.
    I have so much respect for you and I wish you and your family health and peace

  28. derek Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    Consider in this time of loss having an encore of previous articles instead of writing new ones.

  29. Jgrl Reply
    January 9, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    Good idea Derek, Matthew, take some time, we all need some reflective pause. Maybe Valentine’s is a good point to look up again.

    I’m sorry for your family’s loss of a loved one. Your respect to come back to grieve is admirable.

  30. Christine Hall Reply
    January 10, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Heartfelt condolences, Matthew.

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