Covid And The Rest of Us

[Karin1984]

These are all good news!!

Mental disabilities--question on this. Is this for people in general who have these or only for people in facilities getting active treatment for them?

It's people living in facilities first. I have checked our roadmap and I assume people with mental disabilities living at home will be included in the group 'adults 18-60 years old with medical indication'. This group doesn't have a specific date yet, but the plan is for Quarter 1. My guess is mid February.

 

[ronandannette]

These are all good news!!

Mental disabilities--question on this. Is this for people in general who have these or only for people in facilities getting active treatment for them?

I have a similar question for @Karin1984 in that regard. Are they being prioritized as a vulnerable population or just being allowed vaccination within the general group they would belong to demographically? I'm hoping it doesn't imply that vaccinations were being withheld from individuals with mental disabilities previously.

 

[Karin1984]

I have a similar question for @Karin1984 in that regard. Are they being prioritized as a vulnerable population or just being allowed vaccination within the general group they would belong to demographically? I'm hoping it doesn't imply that vaccinations were being withheld from individuals with mental disabilities previously.

Not sure if I understand your question.
They are being prioritized because their health is generally speaking more compromised than those without disabilities.
The people in facilities are the first non-medical-staff to get vaccinated. We are only vaccinating since two weeks There is no previously.

 

[lanejudy]

They are being prioritized because their health is generally speaking more compromised than those without disabilities.

Interesting approach and seems to be an overly broad generalization (and medically incorrect at that). I understand vaccinating those who live in a group setting or facility. However, the only related diagnosis listed as priority here is Down Syndrome. Other "mental health" or "cognitive" disabilities aren't necessarily more prone to the medical conditions which are considered high risk with COVID. Personally I would hold my daughter back to her proper age group because she isn't any more high risk than most her age.

 

[Karin1984]

@lanejudy, I do not know the specifics of this group, but it is indeed broad. People with mental challenges is maybe a better word. On the news I also saw someone with autism who lived in a facility getting vaccinated. It is definitely not just down syndrome. I wouldnt be surprised when people with anorexia for example are also part of this priority group when living in a facility.
I think for some the reason to get the vaccin is just the living together, for others there is a second reason because of underlying conditions. In total there about 230k people in NL with this priority.

I also read it has to do with this group not being able to see their families. Either them going home for visits or families going to the facility.

Just to be clear, the vaccination is only for adults.

 

[elphaba91]

@lanejudy, I do not know the specifics of this group, but it is indeed broad. People with mental challenges is maybe a better word. On the news I also saw someone with autism who lived in a facility getting vaccinated. It is definitely not just down syndrome. I wouldnt be surprised when people with anorexia for example are also part of this priority group when living in a facility.
I think for some the reason to get the vaccin is just the living together, for others there is a second reason because of underlying conditions. In total there about 230k people in NL with this priority.

I also read it has to do with this group not being able to see their families. Either them going home for visits or families going to the facility.

Just to be clear, the vaccination is only for adults.

It could also be that many people with cognitive issues living out in the community are at greater risk because they struggle with understanding and following hygiene, social distancing and mask restrictions that are outside of their established routines. For example, my sister is a social worker and has a client who is schizophrenic with an acquired brain injury. His doctor has written him an exemption from wearing masks because while he is physically capable of wearing one when prompted, he simply does not fully comprehend that there is a pandemic and that he needs to wear a mask in the supermarket if he goes there without a carer. I also doubt he'd be keeping his distance from other people, washing his hands properly, etc. It would therefore make sense that he get the vaccine ahead of someone who is more likely to follow the safety measures and therefore be less likely to catch the virus.

 

[Karin1984]

Instead of Tuesday evening, we in NL get a Wednesday afternoon press conference. We have to take extra measures, mainly the British mutation (it jumped from 5 to 10% of the infections), but also South Africa and Brazilian mutations. The figures are going down as the majority of the cases are the 'original' virus, the R-figure is less than 1. The British mutation has an R-figure of 1.3.

To get a curfew (20:30 - 4:30) the government does need a majority in parliament. So it's not 100% sure yet. If they get approval it will start a few days after the decision.
Exceptions are: people who are travelling due to work (you do need a statement from your employer), and those who are 'informal carers' (the people who take care of elderly or sick family members etc.) You can still walk your dog.
You need a document with you stating why you are out. If you have a statement that is not essential or a faked, you will get fined.
They estimate that the curfew will bring back the R-figure with 8-13%.

Visitors at home going from 2 people to 1 person.

No flights from: UK, South Africa and the whole contintent South America.
Negative test results within 72 hours needed.

People at a funeral go from 100 people to 50 people.

In the category Dutch ingenuity (or stupidity): In the Netherlands the company TakeAway has their own signature (bright orange) coats for their delivery boys. These people are working out at night, and are very common. So there are now peoples selling these coats, so people can go out.
Also there is a rise in rent dogs...

Also things they said were: It's not just the single measures, but all the measures together. And a reminder to take care of each other, call each other, send a card etc.

 

[ronandannette]

It could also be that many people with cognitive issues living out in the community are at greater risk because they struggle with understanding and following hygiene, social distancing and mask restrictions that are outside of their established routines. For example, my sister is a social worker and has a client who is schizophrenic with an acquired brain injury. His doctor has written him an exemption from wearing masks because while he is physically capable of wearing one when prompted, he simply does not fully comprehend that there is a pandemic and that he needs to wear a mask in the supermarket if he goes there without a carer. I also doubt he'd be keeping his distance from other people, washing his hands properly, etc. It would therefore make sense that he get the vaccine ahead of someone who is more likely to follow the safety measures and therefore be less likely to catch the virus.

Many of these very same issues are what has made it so hard to maintain useful quarantines in our senior’s dementia care facilities. And the sheer cruelty of simply locking them in their rooms (which apparently became protocol) is heartbreaking.

Instead of Tuesday evening, we in NL get a Wednesday afternoon press conference. We have to take extra measures, mainly the British mutation (it jumped from 5 to 10% of the infections), but also South Africa and Brazilian mutations. The figures are going down as the majority of the cases are the 'original' virus, the R-figure is less than 1. The British mutation has an R-figure of 1.3.

To get a curfew (20:30 - 4:30) the government does need a majority in parliament. So it's not 100% sure yet. If they get approval it will start a few days after the decision.
Exceptions are: people who are travelling due to work (you do need a statement from your employer), and those who are 'informal carers' (the people who take care of elderly or sick family members etc.) You can still walk your dog.
You need a document with you stating why you are out. If you have a statement that is not essential or a faked, you will get fined.
They estimate that the curfew will bring back the R-figure with 8-13%.

Visitors at home going from 2 people to 1 person.

No flights from: UK, South Africa and the whole contintent South America.
Negative test results within 72 hours needed.

People at a funeral go from 100 people to 50 people.

In the category Dutch ingenuity (or stupidity): In the Netherlands the company TakeAway has their own signature (bright orange) coats for their delivery boys. These people are working out at night, and are very common. So there are now peoples selling these coats, so people can go out.
Also there is a rise in rent dogs...

Also things they said were: It's not just the single measures, but all the measures together. And a reminder to take care of each other, call each other, send a card etc.

Rent dogs?!? That is a rather determined way to stay within the rules while breaking them, isn’t it. One of the things that has become very apparent here is that most Albertans will conform quite well to restrictions, to a point, and will keep within the letter of the law if there is any practical way to do so, but patience were starting to fray. Our restrictions just relaxed slightly on Monday to allow outdoor social meetings again (maximum 6 people from 2 households) which have been completely prohibited for 6 weeks. This is very good because now the people who were breaking lock-down and sneaking around to see people in far more risky settings can legitimately go for a walk in the park with friends.

I can’t wait to finally see my BFF - we’re meeting for a walk on Sunday even though the forecast is -15 and ice-fog.

 

[NFLDERS]

Things change so very fast! We in Niagara are seeing those numbers in our county escalate once again.. sigh.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

In the category Dutch ingenuity (or stupidity): In the Netherlands the company TakeAway has their own signature (bright orange) coats for their delivery boys. These people are working out at night, and are very common. So there are now peoples selling these coats, so people can go out.
Also there is a rise in rent dogs...

The ways people have found to get around rules have been interesting to say the least but I must admit buying coats like you described is frown-worthy and yet there's a bit of to it as well.

 

[elphaba91]

Rent dogs?!? That is a rather determined way to stay within the rules while breaking them, isn’t it. One of the things that has become very apparent here is that most Albertans will conform quite well to restrictions, to a point, and will keep within the letter of the law if there is any practical way to do so, but patience were starting to fray. Our restrictions just relaxed slightly on Monday to allow outdoor social meetings again (maximum 6 people from 2 households) which have been completely prohibited for 6 weeks. This is very good because now the people who were breaking lock-down and sneaking around to see people in far more risky settings can legitimately go for a walk in the park with friends.

 

[ronandannette]

View attachment 551334

I absolutely LOVE that!

 

[mrs. magoo]

I love the rent a dog concept. My crazy dog would walk all day long if he could, but his hips are not great and we have to limit him to 1 walk a day. I was coming on to see if the poster from Israel would give an update. I am so interested to hear how things are going since Israel (while I know that there is political controversy) has embarked on the most ambitious vaccination campaign. Their numbers are still increasing but I read a story this morning that they expect the numbers to begin to decrease soon but they are also in a third lockdown. Just was wondering how people within Israel are feeling.

Again I appreciate this thread since it allows me to gain perspective outside of my state, city and county.

 

[ronandannette]

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/This is a very interesting article on vaccinations world-wide. (The charts take a very long time to load but the text alone is a good read. I’m not sure why the title is so weird here - the article is entitled “Global Covid Vaccine Distribution Tracker.) Some of the highlights and points worth pondering:

• 54 million shots have been given worldwide as of yesterday.
• 51 countries have vaccination programs underway which seems like a lot but with 195 countries in the world, vaccine is still out of reach for many.
• 75% of a population being vaccinated is required for heard immunity. As of now, Israel is closest with 33%; most other countries are way behind that number.
• A global consortium of countries called Covax has been formed to purchase vaccines for poorer countries that would have little chance to secure it on the (extremely competitive) open market.
• One single man, a mega-billionaire from Mexico has arranged for the vaccines needed for most of the Latin American population.
• Scores of pharmaceutical companies have different vaccines currently in development and testing. If and when they come to market, availability will sky-rocket.

 

[BadPinkTink]

This was just shared on Twitter by Ireland Health Department




The vaccination data has now also been added to the Irish Covid data tracking dashboard https://covid19ireland-geohive.hub.arcgis.com/

 

[Karin1984]

And NL Parliament has voted, there is a majority. We will have a curfew as of Saturday. Only difference: it will start at 21:00 instead of 20:30 till 4:30 in the morning. The curfew last till 9 February.
One of the reasons was also that the schools have to reopen on the 8th. To make that happen, the figures have to go down. Fast.

Other news:
- One province has already cancelled all events till 1 June.
- The major airline in my country is protesting. The current plan orders that also flight attendants have to test negative every time they fly. Many countries have fight attendants on the exceptions list. If it does go through, most international flights and some within Europe need to get cancelled, as the airline does not want to leave crew behind. (The airline also announced today another 800-1000 airline employees will have to go)
- 9 people got arrested today for trying to get on a flight with a fake test result.
- As of today we will get daily vaccination figures. We are at 66.5k people now, as of 6 January.

Oh and my mom might have Covid. Two weeks ago she got a message on the Corona app, but she tested negative.
This time, the daughter of her neighbour works in a hospital, and got tested positive. The neighbour's husband passed away 3 weeks ago (not covid) so that family was together a lot. The neighbour now is sick as well and will get tested tomorrow. But of course, in the meantime my mom has visited her to pay her respects. The neighbour only has mild ymptoms.

Fingers crossed again!

 

[BadPinkTink]

@Karin1984 oh no about your mom, hopefully she will be ok. Thats interesting about the curfew, we havent gone that far yet. The bug discussion this week is about a mandatory 14 quarantine at a hotel for incoming visitors, like what Australia have. Many Government ministers are in favour of it but the Deputy Prime Minister said it wont work here as even though we are an island, part of our island is Northern Ireland, which is part of The UK, and people will just use this as a back door into Ireland to escape the 14 quarantine at a hotel.

 

[Karin1984]

We got an update this morning about our blood research. The estimate is that 2,3 million people in NL have antibodies against covid in their blood. That's about 1 in 8 / 13% of the population.
Also, almost all of the 600 people (who had recovered from Covid) they started researching 8 months ago, still have antibodies in their system.

 

[Karin1984]

More interesting stuff:
A week or so ago we had a village where there were 30 infections at 1 school, all British mutations, this later rose to 46.
So they decided to test the entire village, 70% participated, which was 45.000 people. They are half way done, 242 people had Covid, some without symptoms. 12% was the British mutation, which is about average for NL. All those with the British mutation could be connected to that school. It didn't jump to other schools. It's not known what the source of the outbreak was.
What was also interesting, is that for the young children they tested (the tests were as of 2 year old), they had a little piece of cotton suck on for 10 minutes. I hadn't heard of that method for kids. I thought everyone had the stick up their brains.

And another case of 'whoops!' Officially there are 2 languages in the Netherlands: Dutch and Frysian. Frysian is only spoken in one of the Northern provinces. But as it's an official language, all the information the government sends out has to be at least in these two languages. For the new measures regarding the curfew, they had published it in 11 languages for all the expats and people who are not native Dutch, except their second official language ;-)

 

[ford family]

Just had an itinerary change on a September 2021 cruise.
The trip is Southampton to Quebec and back (24 nights).
The original journey had two US ports of call, Boston and Bar Harbour, but these are now gone. Instead we are adding an extra night in Quebec (now two) and a call at Gaspe.

I can see the rationale of avoiding US ports because of their fully warranted antipathy towards foreigners in this current climate, especially from the UK, but I am surprised that the cruise line (Princess) expects Canada to be any more accommodating.

ford family