Coronavirus Vaccine Is Here - Right?

The end is near…in a good way.

The coronavirus vaccine has arrived!

Actually, not here in the US - but in other parts of the world. England vaccinated its first person with the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. Bahrain has also approved its use.

So when do we get the shot in the U.S.? Can I go to Spain next summer after canceling the trip last summer?

Looking at timelines, I was surprised that it takes approximately 30 days to be protected against the virus from the time you take the first shot. The two part shot has to be taken 3 weeks apart. I did not realize it would take that long. Considering the first to be vaccinated are healthcare workers, the elderly, and people at high risk, it could be well in to the summer before I can get my first shot. There goes Spain.

Looking on the bright side, by the time I am vaccinated any side effects should be ironed out.

It also means that means next summer will be a time for more awesome road trips. I have always wanted to drive across country. Time rack up those free hotel night rewards!

As I finished writing this post, I saw a headline that a FDA panel just approved the Pfizer vaccine for US use. Let the countdown to my vaccination begin.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly (usually Tuesday)

Coronavirus Cases Up Deaths Down

Coronavirus infection numbers are going up worldwide.

India had over 60,000 new cases reported from 10/10 to 10/11. Europe is having a tsunami of new infections. As a whole, the continent reported 100,000 new infections last Friday with France having the largest increase - 20,000. The Spanish Prime Minister instituted a partial 15-day lockdown on Madrid after the city had an increase of 12,788 new covid cases. That is three times as many as Los Angeles. 

Speaking of Los Angeles, we had 970 new cases and 3 deaths yesterday.  This is compared to one of Los Angeles' worst reporting days - July 14 when there were 4,244 new cases and 73 deaths. 

This leads me to my second point, the number of deaths per the number of infections is down in the U.S.

According to worldometers.info, the worst daily death toll in the U.S. was April 21, with 2,748 deaths. The last day the U.S. reported over 1,000 coronavirus deaths in one day was on September 23 at 1,116. On October 10, the US reported 723. 

While the deaths have dropped by 2/3rds, unfortunately our infection rate remains high: April 21 26,875, September 23 41,868, October 10 54,235. It's not all bad. The worst day was July 24 with 78,893.

So if we look at new cases vs deaths for each of those 3 days: April 21 10.22%; September 23 2.67%; and October 10 .92%.

The good news (although none of this is really good news) is that more people are surviving who become infected. The bad news is over 50,000 people a day are still being infected with the Coronavirus across the country.

Whether the factor for decreasing death rate is medical professionals being more familiar with treating the disease, the disease becoming less virulent, or new medicines, it is good to know that if you do become infected, your chance of survival is pretty good.

In conclusion, the coronavirus is still running rampant. Even though people have a better chance of surviving an infection today than they did a couple of months ago, many people report long term mental and physical effects during what can be a lengthy recovery. Take care and be safe.

Here is an interesting side note I learned while I was researching this blog post:

Per John Hopkins University, the country with the most deaths per 100,000 people is not the U.S. We are number 6 even with the improved statistics above. Nor is it India, Brazil, or the United Kingdom. The dark title goes to Peru. To put their numbers in perspective, the U.S. mortality rate is 65.64 per 100,000, Peru is almost twice that at 104.11. Why?

The Associated Press reported that Peru's high numbers were due to using coronavirus rapid antibody tests the Peruvian government purchased from China. 

The government took this option because the test kits were cheaper and samples did not have to be sent to a lab to determine the results. It sounded like a good option, unfortunately it was too good to be true.

First, antibody tests are tests that determine whether or not a patient's body had developed antibodies to defeat the virus rather than a test that would determine if they were currently infected. The problem is that it can take days before a person's body develops antibodies to fight the virus. When these rapid antibody tests came back negative, patients would be sent home or let into work or school under the assumption they were not infected.

The other two issues with these tests were that some providers administered the test improperly and it was learned that many kits were faulty. 

Sad.

Posts Tuesdays

Travel During the Great Coronavirus Reopening

Cities, states, and even countries are reopening to tourists. Not all, but many. 

On June 15, most European countries opened their borders to residents of its member countries. Spain waited until June 21. And on July 1, the Europeans will tentatively open their borders to international tourist for the first time in four months.

There are stipulations like a country's infection rates have to be held in check before they allow tourists from that country. Unfortuantely, the U.S. does not meet that criteria. Similarly, in the U.S. there are certain states and areas that are blocking residents of other states from visiting. Key West authorities arrested a woman and sent her back to mainland Florida for trying to visit. New Mexico said they love tourist, just not right now.

And cruise lines? Oh, the poor cruise lines. Spain has said no cruise ships can dock in any Spanish port for the foreseeable future. Norwegian cruise lines said all cruises are suspended at least through September. That is the entire summer season. Although they are making exceptions for the Pacific Northwest. And a week ago, the first Danube-Rhine river cruise made it without mishap.

https://www.cruisetradenews.com/first-european-river-cruise-resumes-sailings-post-coronavirus-recovery/

However, Greece welcomed one of its first international flights a couple of weeks ago from Qatar and 12 people on board tested positive for Coronavirus.

We are not out of the woods yet.

Last week, I cancelled my family's 3-week Spain trip that was to depart July 8. I poured over news reports daily grasping for an inkling of hope regarding Europe's reopening. But with a potential quarantine for travelers, U.S. infection rates increasing, the need for reciprocal travel arrangements (the U.S. is still blocking travel from Europe), and constant flight changes to a point where I would have to literally time travel backwards three hours to make a connection, I figured it was time to call it.

Fortunately, I was able to cancel everything and get full refunds except one hostel in Spain. Somehow I overlooked that property's no cancellation policy. If that is all it costs me, I am ok with that. 

Now to make new plans. Isn't that half the fun?

Take care.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus QR Coded Beaches

Europe, and Spain specifically, are churning out interesting travel rules everyday as they try to figure out how to restart the tourism industry. Tourism accounts for 10 - 30 percent of some countries' GDP. According to The Guardian, it accounts for 12.3% of Spain's GDP.

Some of the more interesting Spanish travel rules include:

• Popular beaches in Spain will be mapped into 6-foot-square grid pattern which visitors will have to reserve ahead of time using QR codes
• 14-day quarantines for international travelers
• Buffets banned
• Temperature controls at hotel entrances
• The Canary Islands requiring tourists to carry a digital health passport

Wow. Everyday brings out new travel news.

The outlook for my July trip to Spain continues to dim.

A month ago recreational travel between the US and Mexico was banned until May 20. Then two weeks ago, Mexico closed all non-essential businesses in Baja California until May 31st.

Two days ago, Delta airlines cancelled my June 4 trip to Cabo, although they have not cancelled my return flight.

When I called Delta, the recording said the wait time to speak to a representative was four-and-a-half hours. I decided not to wait. It's not like I was in a hurry to book the voucher or credit as there was nowhere I could fly. I wanted to ask where I could find the credit or voucher online for my cancelled flight as it had yet to appear in my SkyMiles account.

I see photos of people on full flights, but I wonder where these people are going? Hotels, museums, campgrounds, and national parks are closed.

My buddy is hoping to reschedule the Cabo trip for the end of August or September. Will travel restrictions be removed by then?

Los Angeles just announced that the ban on all non-essential workers has been extended to the end of July, but beaches and hiking trails have opened.

Is this a sign campgrounds will open this summer or remain closed.

Currently, you can run, walk and swim at a Southern California beach, you just can't sit on one.

Perhaps we will go the QR code route.

Crazy travel times indeed.

How have your travel plans changed because of the coronavirus?

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesdays and Saturdays

Coronavirus Border Changes, What To Do?

One day the news is filled with people advocating for the removal of restrictions on the economy and the next day it is filled with advocates wanting more restrictions on people's movements.

Madrid, Spain

Mexico, Canada, and the United States agreed to extend their border closure to nonessential travel through May 20, 2020.

Spain canceled its running of the bulls celebration this summer and Germany canceled Oktoberfest in Munich.

Royal Caribbean Cruises said that their moratorium on sailings has been extended to June 11,2020.

Trump put a 60-day stop on immigration into the United States.

People in Hawaii are asking mainlanders not to visit.

Segovia, Spain

This takes me back to an earlier post asking when can we travel again. While countries throughout the world are debating loosening economic restrictions including domestic travel, it appears that international travel will be locked down for the foreseeable future.

European leaders are calling for a summit to discuss the travel industry as it relates to coronavirus issues in September or October. If they're not going to be ready to discuss international travel issues until that time, I cannot imagine non-essential travel to Europe being allowed prior to that date.

I have yet to cancel my July trip to Spain in the hope of a miraculous turnaround, but know that the likelihood of my planning, mileage award accumulations, and bookings will have to be undone.

Puerto Nuevo, Mexico

Looking south of the border, Mexico's coronavirus cases are soaring. Allowing people from the country with the most cases in the world, the U.S., to travel to their country any time soon also seems highly unlikely. There goes my June Cabo trip.

Will campgrounds in the U.S. reopen this summer? Plenty of physical distance there. Usually, you are only close to people in the restrooms or the grocery stores. Not much different from restrictions we are living under now.

Today, I made a reservation for a Mammoth campground as a backup trip. A gamble I know, but we can't be locked down in our homes through July, can we?

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Lessening Restrictions

Brighter days ahead?

"Spain and Italy preparing to begin lifting restrictions as fatalities continue to decrease…" -  People

"Cuomo says he believes 'the worst is over'…" - Al Jazerra

"…improving China trade data." - CNN

(links to full articles below)

While the headlines are saturated with the negative consequences of the coronavirus - lockdowns, deaths, companies shuttering, the stories above and a number of others indicate that there are good times ahead.

China began lifting restrictions last week.Spain and Italy are starting this week. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it is over. Far from it. Restrictions are still in place in all three countries. But these countries are providing a glimpse of how life may slowly return to normal in the United States and the consequences.

One of the first things that happened in Wuhan, China was 50,000 citizens fled the city. That gave me pause. If the city was over the virus, why are its citizens fleeing.

Pictures of Spain showed police and metropolitan employees handing out masks to their very few passengers.

Some people say its too early. We need to have a vaccine in place before restrictions can be lifted.

The coronavirus era has been intense, but it is not unheard of.

On Joe Rogan's podcast, his guest remembered the Hong Kong Flu of 1968. According to the CDC, it killed 1,000,000 globally and 100,000 in the U.S., mostly individuals 65 and older. This virus continues to circulate worldwide as seasonal influenza A today.  Ten years before that flu, the Asian Flu had similar mortality statistics.

With swine flu in 2009, people were told to stay home if sick. I remember this one. It sickened one of my coworkers who I am thankful to say made a full recovery. This flu actually killed more people younger than 65 as well as those who were pregnant because the theory goes, they had not been exposed to the pandemic of the 60's. Yet, the economy did not shutdown. People were told not to go to work if sick, but that was the extent of the restrictions in my daily life. The CDC also stated this virus continues to circulate around the world as a seasonal flu virus.

Considering two of the most virulent pandemic viruses of the past 50 years are still circulating around the world getting people sick, waiting for a coronavirus vaccine before reopening the economy doesn't sound possible.

What happens during the next pandemic? More months of economic lockdown? Can the world economies afford another economic lockdown?

Current worldwide coronavirus deaths are 119,666 and in the U.S. 23,604 according to Wikipedia tonight.

When does the U.S. lift restrictions? Definitely a thorny issue. Government employees and politicians are definitely earning their salaries.

https://people.com/health/spain-and-italy-will-begin-lifting-coronavirus-restrictions-as-fatalities-continue-to-decrease/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/coronavirus-deaths-slow-italy-france-live-updates-200413000419105.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/13/investing/global-stocks/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-h1n1-pandemic.html

Coronavirus When Can We Travel?

"Americans may be able to take summer vacations, Fauci says," according to CNN 4/9/20.

 

This headline brought a smile to my face when I looked at my phone this morning.

 

Apart from being safe at home, one of my big concerns about the coronavirus is if I will have to or even be able to cancel a trip I have booked this summer. And the most important question, "Will it be safe?"

 

The trip is to complete the Camino de Santiago. Unfortunately, that destination is in Spain, one of the most adversely affected coronavirus hotspots in the world.

 

I have been reading Spain news daily everyday to see how the country's coronavirus rates have changed. Today, Fox News said Spain could be seeing the start of a coronavirus decline. That's good news.

 

Especially since, as of today, airlines are only allowing you to cancel or change your flights without a fee for trips that commence before May 31, 2020. 

 

What happens if travel bans are lifted at the end of May? Would you feel safe enough to travel in June?

 

What if you can only cancel with a fee?

 

Perhaps there may be more travel restrictions put in place as Dr. Fauci suggests: taking temperature readings at airports, wearing masks on planes, continued social distancing, and no handshaking.

 

As of today, if travel bans are lifted I am going. I will mind any restrictions and recommendations by government and travel agencies.

 

I feel that you have to maintain your goals for as long as you can. It gives you something to strive for, a sense of purpose during these murky days. To prepare for the Camino de Santiago, I workout daily in my living room thanks to all the free online content - thanks Barry's and Nike Training Club! I also walk daily practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.

 

I hope that Dr. Fauci's hopeful words come to pass and that we can all take vacations this summer safely.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Book Review: Invictus

In Simon Scarrow's 15th novel of the Macro and Cato series, Invictus takes us to Roman-held Spain. I really enjoyed yet another exciting adventure. Scarrow's ability to create great scenes so the reader knows where they are is again evident throughout Invictus. And as always, Scarrow makes it easy to understand both the protagonist and antaganoists' point of view. I was surprised by Cato's sudden vicious turn. Being the intellectual of the two main characters, his new attitude did make me pause. 

All in all, Invictus is a good quick read.