Covid And The Rest of Us

[mommasita]

And Manitoba is back in a hard lockdown…

Most businesses are closed for delivery or curb side pickup only. Anything open has a 10% capacity guideline. Movie theatres and casinos, that type of thing have been closed for pretty much a year now.

This is in effect until at least May 30.

Schools remain open although most people want them closed to online learning only. We have started to see transmission numbers rising in schools. My niece and nephew are in the middle of an isolation because there were cases at their school, but luckily they aren’t considered close contacts.

My BIL is full on crazy for coco puffs on anti masking and anti vaxxer and believes the virus is part of a worldwide conspiracy. I want to rip him but it wouldn’t make a lick of difference. So, we just keep away from him. He actually needs mental health help but he doesn’t see it that way.

Good to stay away from your BIL, totally agree. May 30th is not so bad. Hopefully it helps, and numbers go down as shots go up. I know how it feels. We (Quebec) have had our curfew since January 6th. It is 9:30pm now, but was 8 for a lonnnngg time, but it must have done some good I’m guessing. Hugs to you,

 

[NAB]

My Uncle died last night I feel so bad for my Aunt losing a son and now husband. She is getting better but her daughter is on oxygen in the hospital still . Not a good Mother’s Day for her.

Hoping people take care today. So we can get out of this soon. It’s real people even if it hasn’t touched you and your family.

 

[mommasita]

My Uncle died last night I feel so bad for my Aunt losing a son and now husband. She is getting better but her daughter is on oxygen in the hospital still . Not a good Mother’s Day for her.

Hoping people take care today. So we can get out of this soon. It’s real people even if it hasn’t touched you and your family.

oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, I know that words cannot come close enough, but my heart is with you and your family. Sending love. You are very right in what you say,

 

[BadPinkTink]

Updates from Ireland

The next phase of the reopening of society starts Monday 10 May

After almost four months in a strict lockdown, it is welcome news from much of the country that further restrictions will ease from tomorrow, May 10.

From getting your hair done to appointment-based shopping, here is what you can do from tomorrow:

Shopping
Click and collect and appoint-based shopping for non-essential retail will resume from tomorrow, with full reopening commencing on May 17.

Appointment-based shopping is not something we have seen yet during the pandemic.

Many shops in Ireland including Penneys, Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Zara will be doing appointment-based shopping in the lead up to full re-opening.

Inter-county travel
Inter-county travel for non-essential reasons is allowed from tomorrow.

However, rental accommodation is not allowed resume until June 2, when hotels and B&Bs will also reopen.

Personal services
Hairdressers, beauticians and barbers can reopen from tomorrow. However, only on an appointment basis.

Social visits
A maximum of three households or six people from any number of households can visit a private garden.

People who are fully vaccinated can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people, but with a maximum of three households.

Fully vaccinated people can also meet indoors with unvaccinated people from one household, as long as they aren’t at risk of severe illness.

Cultural attractions and libraries
Galleries, museums and other cultural attractions may reopen from tomorrow.

Libraries will also reopen for lending purposes, however, study spaces and reading areas are not permitted.

Outdoor gatherings
Up to 15 people can meet outside for organised outdoor gatherings.

This includes outdoor sports training for adults in pods with a maximum of 15 people.

Public transport
Public transport will run at 50pc capacity from tomorrow.

Religious services
Religious services can resume with a limit of 50 people. However, communions and confirmation are not to take place.

Funerals
Funerals will also be allowed have up to 50 mourners. However, no other events are to take place afterward.

Weddings
Up to 50 guests will be allowed at wedding ceremonies from tomorrow. However, only six people can attend indoors celebrations afterward or 15 outdoors.

Property viewing
Property viewings can resume on an appointment-only basis through licensed Property Service Providers.

 

[Karin1984]

Today in NL an initiative has started from GPs / Hospitals / Institutions where they vaccinate: People who are officially not eligible yet, over 18, no underlying illnesses, not sick etc. can check the website to see if there are today locations in their neighbourhood where vaccines are leftover. It's first come, first serve, and there is an additional check done by a doctor to make sure you can come and get it.

But I think it's a good idea to prevent vaccines being thrown away.

Figures are looking better, the delayed easing of measures will probably happen next week, but government will wait till a day before to make a decision in case figures change again.
It's about reopening museums, zoos, themeparks etc.
All the experiments we had with theater, sport matches etc. were all positive to show HOW we can reopen, it's now up to government how to use this information.

 

[NFLDERS]

My Uncle died last night I feel so bad for my Aunt losing a son and now husband. She is getting better but her daughter is on oxygen in the hospital still . Not a good Mother’s Day for her.

Hoping people take care today. So we can get out of this soon. It’s real people even if it hasn’t touched you and your family.

So very sorry NAB my heartfelt condolences to you and your loved ones..

 

[lisaviolet]

My Uncle died last night I feel so bad for my Aunt losing a son and now husband. She is getting better but her daughter is on oxygen in the hospital still . Not a good Mother’s Day for her.

Hoping people take care today. So we can get out of this soon. It’s real people even if it hasn’t touched you and your family.

I am so very sorry NAB to hear about the loss of your uncle and cousin.

---------------

Love sent to your family. And I hope your aunt and cousin continue to improve. I can't imagine that fight and mourning as well.

 

[Karin1984]

We had another press conference about easing our measures, they should have started yesterday, but are now postponed till the 19th. However, if on the 17th it appears our figures went up again, we will step on the brakes.

- Outdoor team sports allowed again.
- Gyms reopen
- Outdoor museum/zoos/themeparks etc. reopen, however, no indoor rides/attractions/exhibitions.
- Sex workers back to work.
- Outdoor dining from 6:00 - 20:00 allowed again, at the moment it's 12:00 - 18:00. So, breakfast & dinner will also be possible again.
- There is something about choirs & orchestras etc being allowed again, but I do not entirely get their conditions

- As of the 15th our travel discouragement ends, some countries will be considered safe again, like Finland, Portugal, some parts of Greece. Of course measures and conditions of that country still need to be followed, like negative tests.
- In 2 weeks we will have a look at fully reopen the high school for in person education.

Next step about indoor dining and indoor rides at themeparks, is planned for the 9th of June, we should hear more about that on the 1st of June.

I am going to Antwerp this weekend, and I just did my first Covid test not a pleasant experience, but not painful.

 

[BadPinkTink]

We had another press conference about easing our measures, they should have started yesterday, but are now postponed till the 19th. However, if on the 17th it appears our figures went up again, we will step on the brakes.

- Outdoor team sports allowed again.
- Gyms reopen
- Outdoor museum/zoos/themeparks etc. reopen, however, no indoor rides/attractions/exhibitions.
- Sex workers back to work.
- Outdoor dining from 6:00 - 20:00 allowed again, at the moment it's 12:00 - 18:00. So, breakfast & dinner will also be possible again.
- There is something about choirs & orchestras etc being allowed again, but I do not entirely get their conditions

- As of the 15th our travel discouragement ends, some countries will be considered safe again, like Finland, Portugal, some parts of Greece. Of course measures and conditions of that country still need to be followed, like negative tests.
- In 2 weeks we will have a look at fully reopen the high school for in person education.

Next step about indoor dining and indoor rides at themeparks, is planned for the 9th of June, we should hear more about that on the 1st of June.

I am going to Antwerp this weekend, and I just did my first Covid test not a pleasant experience, but not painful.

Oh The Ntherlands, lol, gotta love how this is part of the reopening of society, don't think I have seen that in any other countries reopening plan

 

[Karin1984]

Oh The Ntherlands, lol, gotta love how this is part of the reopening of society, don't think I have seen that in any other countries reopening plan

That's what you get when sex working is legalized
I read the other day a story of a sex worker who specializes in people with mental disabilities. There it was extra tough to explain to her clients she couldn't visit them.

 

[ronandannette]

That's what you get when sex working is legalized
I read the other day a story of a sex worker who specializes in people with mental disabilities. There it was extra tough to explain to her clients she couldn't visit them.

I also find it completely surreal that sexual contact between strangers would be considered less risky then being served dinner indoors. And as for it being a legitimate commercial enterprise, well so is providing a haircut - have your salons also been reopened?

 

[Karin1984]

I also find it completely surreal that sexual contact between strangers would be considered less risky then being served dinner indoors. And as for it being a legitimate commercial enterprise, well so is providing a haircut - have your salons also been reopened?

Other contact workers reopened late March, I think. Hair salons, beauty parlors etc.
I think with sexual intercourse there is a lot of breathing in each other's face that makes it more risky ;-)
Last year there were positions that were advised ;-)

 

[mom2rtk]

Other contact workers reopened late March, I think. Hair salons, beauty parlors etc.
I think with sexual intercourse there is a lot of breathing in each other's face that makes it more risky ;-)
Last year there were positions that were advised ;-)

But high school still needs to be evaluated?

 

[Karin1984]

But high school still needs to be evaluated?

To go back full time in person without 1,5m distance.
High schools are open at least one day a week for in person education. Schools focused on practical studies (I have a high school in my street with a focus mechanics and also sports) do more days a week.

Because this group is not getting sick, usually, but is a concern when spreading.

 

[mom2rtk]

To go back full time in person without 1,5m distance.
High schools are open at least one day a week for in person education. Schools focused on practical studies (I have a high school in my street with a focus mechanics and also sports) do more days a week.

Because this group is not getting sick, usually, but is a concern when spreading.

It boggles the mind that sex workers can go back to work but that there would be limits on schooling at all.

 

[Karin1984]

It boggles the mind that sex workers can go back to work but that there would be limits on schooling at all.

I get that, but I think it just comes down to math.

There are no hard figures on it, because there is still illegal prostitution. The estimates are there are in the Netherlands 10.000 sex workers. There are about 1.5 million kids in highschool age.

Let's say on 1 day a sex worker with covid has 8 contacts (1 per hour, regular 8 hour work day ;-) ) and everyone gets infected, that is 8 infected people. All these people have 3 people at home, who they also infect. At the end of the day the sex worker has infected 32 people.

Also on 1 day a kid with covid goes to high school.. This kid will easily get into contact with more than 8 people, class mates, teachers, other friends, the janitor, the principal, taking the bus to school. The contact might be more superficial, but an infected kid probably infects more than 8 people who all have 3 people at home. The children probably won't get sick, but the infections can spread faster and wider.

Maybe also important to note. In NL we have vaccinated about 26-30% now, and go by birth year, at the moment we are at 1958. Teachers do not have priority.

 

[Karin1984]

In the news here today, this overview of the willingness of the EU public to take the vaccine.

One of the reasons for the differences between Eastern Europe and Western is probably media. In Eastern Europe people are very reliant on social media for news, but social media also contains a lot of fake news.
People between 35 - 49 years old, unemployed, and those with a disability are more often skeptical than people with a job, retirees and students.
I think people with a disability make the most sense to be skeptical as there is too little information on how many diseases and disabilities react to the vaccines.

Research done by Eurofound
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/data/covid-19/vaccinations

 

[mrs. magoo]

In the news here today, this overview of the willingness of the EU public to take the vaccine.

One of the reasons for the differences between Eastern Europe and Western is probably media. In Eastern Europe people are very reliant on social media for news, but social media also contains a lot of fake news.
People between 35 - 49 years old, unemployed, and those with a disability are more often skeptical than people with a job, retirees and students.
I think people with a disability make the most sense to be skeptical as there is too little information on how many diseases and disabilities react to the vaccines.

Research done by Eurofound
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/data/covid-19/vaccinations

Do you think it might also have to do with which vaccine is being used in those countries? The former soviet countries might be less inclined to trust something from Russia or from China. I love graphs and charts so thank you for posting.

 

[NAB]

Well Ontario,Canada extended there stay at home order to June 2 from May 20th which is our long weekend.

I guess I know it was coming but groups are getting mad they can’t do group sports for kids , not to mention the golfers. Said they can’t golf because the group would have to travel to a golf course and figures the group will carry on after the golf game and go drinking together.

I think we are just over 50 % of adults vaccined with one shot.

 

[Karin1984]

Do you think it might also have to do with which vaccine is being used in those countries? The former soviet countries might be less inclined to trust something from Russia or from China. I love graphs and charts so thank you for posting.

I'm not an expert on Eastern Europe. I do know that at least the Czech Republic ordered the Russian vaccine because they didn't get the European orders (not exactly sure what happened there).
My feeling is that for Eastern Europe might think they are on their own. They don't want to belong to what was the Soviet Union, but also know that they are not seen as important by Western countries. They are not rich = not important.

Well Ontario,Canada extended there stay at home order to June 2 from May 20th which is our long weekend.

I guess I know it was coming but groups are getting mad they can’t do group sports for kids , not to mention the golfers. Said they can’t golf because the group would have to travel to a golf course and figures the group will carry on after the golf game and go drinking together.

I think we are just over 50 % of adults vaccined with one shot.

With 50% vaccinated, the figures of infections and deaths must be dropping. Are the thresholds for when to ease the measures very strict in Ontario?


Our health minister just tweeted we have reached our 7th million shot, and did 1 million shots in 1 week. Things are picking up here.
We have roughly 19 million people in NL, about 20% are younger than 18, and if we go by 70% of the adults willing to get the shot. We need a total of 10,6 million shots x 2 = 21,2 million shots if we use vaccines that need 2 shots.