Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #103

[SA55]

All we can do is our very best and try to stay healthy and sane (and not flick dumb people in the head).

exactly how I feel

 

[IceIce9]

U.S. Navy sending team to Methodist Hospital to help with rising COVID-19 cases - Indianapolis Business Journal

 

[indicolite22]

The riddle of Japan's dramatic drop in COVID numbers

"We have had zero COVID patients in our hospital for two months straight," he explains, "so we've been able to concentrate on general medicine just as in pre-COVID times."

"We think it is due to countermeasures taken by many citizens and institutions, and accelerated vaccination, thanks to medical staffs' efforts and citizens' understanding."

"Even though I keep having no COVID patients, I haven't seen anybody on the street in Japan not wearing masks," observers Oka. "Even though they think it may not be necessary, there is pressure for people to do the same as everyone else."

"One hypothesis is that there is something intrinsically different about the immune cells that the Japanese people might carry that is able to fight off the infection," says Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University who, in a paper last year, tackled the question of "Why does Japan have so few cases of COVID-19?"

 

[indicolite22]

COVID: EU vaccine passports only valid 9 months without booster
The new rule — to come into force on February 1 — will be for traveling within the European Union, although the bloc's executive body recommends member states also apply it on a national level.

 

[MrX]

COVID: EU vaccine passports only valid 9 months without booster
The new rule — to come into force on February 1 — will be for traveling within the European Union, although the bloc's executive body recommends member states also apply it on a national level.

This sounds like a logistical nightmare waiting to happen. The problem with these things is that Covid will go away long before they figure out how to pull the plug on this policy.

 

[CharlestonGal]

This sounds like a logistical nightmare waiting to happen. The problem with these things is that Covid will go away long before they figure out how to pull the plug on this policy.

Not really. The EU passports are digital. When they expire they just stop working, like any other digital subscription would. imo

 

[indicolite22]

This sounds like a logistical nightmare waiting to happen. The problem with these things is that Covid will go away long before they figure out how to pull the plug on this policy.

I don't see much of a problem. For example, my 9 months would expire in March. In the meantime (due to Delta), I already had my booster shot.

Some EU countries have strict rules currently:

To enter Austria, the “2-G” rule (proof of vaccination/recovery) is currently in place. In addition, you need a negative PCR test OR proof of a booster jab.

Coronavirus: Entry Regulations to Austria

 

[Niner]

COVID: EU vaccine passports only valid 9 months without booster
The new rule — to come into force on February 1 — will be for traveling within the European Union, although the bloc's executive body recommends member states also apply it on a national level.

from the link:

Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Italy, Greece and Austria have also brought in emergency measures requiring even vaccinated EU travelers to take pre-departure coronavirus tests or quarantine on arrival.

re bold - if I'm reading this correctly - does that mean people coming into Latvia or leaving? The way I am reading it - is people coming in. Yes?

 

[Niner]

Not really. The EU passports are digital. When they expire they just stop working, like any other digital subscription would. imo

What if you don't have internet on your phone? How is that going to work? The reason I ask - is I'm going to Sweden in February.

 

[CharlestonGal]

FDA Expected to Authorize Pfizer and Merck Covid Pills This Week

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is poised to authorize a pair of pills from Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co. to treat Covid-19 as soon as this week, according to people familiar with the matter -- a milestone in the fight against the pandemic that will soon expand therapies for the ill.

An announcement may come as early as Wednesday, according to three of the people. They asked not to be identified ahead of the authorization and cautioned that the plan could change.

Pfizer’s pill, Paxlovid, and Merck’s molnupiravir are intended for higher-risk people who test positive for Covid. The treatments, in which patients take a series of pills at home over several days, could ease the burden on stretched hospitals with infections poised to soar through the winter in the U.S.

 

[CharlestonGal]

What if you don't have internet on your phone? How is that going to work? The reason I ask - is I'm going to Sweden in February.

You don't need internet on your phone. When you arrive in Sweden they will check your documents and issue a QR code for your phone. You then show that code, along with ID, to the place you're trying to enter.

 

[Niner]

You don't need internet on your phone. When you arrive in Sweden they will check your documents and issue a QR code for your phone. You then show that code, along with ID, to the place you're trying to enter.

But if I'm not connected to the internet on my phone - how are they going to put the QR code on there? I do have a paper QR code that I have to show to get into shops here.
I do have my 2 jabs & booster done. My QR code became effective today.

 

[CharlestonGal]

from the link:

Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Italy, Greece and Austria have also brought in emergency measures requiring even vaccinated EU travelers to take pre-departure coronavirus tests or quarantine on arrival.

re bold - if I'm reading this correctly - does that mean people coming into Latvia or leaving? The way I am reading it - is people coming in. Yes?

I read that to mean people arriving in Latvia have to take a test before they board the plane at their departure location. If they didn't have a test at their departure location they have to quarantine when they get to Latvia. jmo

 

[CharlestonGal]

But if I'm not connected to the internet on my phone - how are they going to put the QR code on there? I do have a paper QR code that I have to show to get into shops here.
I do have my 2 jabs & booster done. My QR code became effective today.

Your paper QR code should work fine. I don't think the digital ones are mandatory yet, but it might be a good idea to convert your paper to digital in case you lose the paper one. jmo

 

[indicolite22]

But if I'm not connected to the internet on my phone - how are they going to put the QR code on there? I do have a paper QR code that I have to show to get into shops here.
I do have my 2 jabs & booster done. My QR code became effective today.

I think the paper version of your EU Covid certificate is valid everywhere. You can also scan the QR code with the appropriate app to get it into your phone - what I did.

 

[Niner]

Your paper QR code should work fine. I don't think the digital ones are mandatory yet, but it might be a good idea to convert your paper to digital in case you lose the paper one. jmo

If I take a picture of it - would that work? I'll do that - and next time I'm at the store I'll use the picture on my phone - and "see" if they can "read it".

Ah - just read your post @indicolite22 ! I'll give it a shot then - QR code picture.

and Thanks for your help @CharlestonGal ! Much appreciated!!

 

[JDG]

from the link:

Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Italy, Greece and Austria have also brought in emergency measures requiring even vaccinated EU travelers to take pre-departure coronavirus tests or quarantine on arrival.

re bold - if I'm reading this correctly - does that mean people coming into Latvia or leaving? The way I am reading it - is people coming in. Yes?

Also pre-departure, so have your paperwork ready BEFORE leaving for Sweden.

both coming and going, Niner.

A photograph should be okay. I also do not have a data plan so will be using a photo.

 

[MrX]

Not really. The EU passports are digital. When they expire they just stop working, like any other digital subscription would. imo

Exactly. The passport expires but the policy doesn't. Leading to people potentially needing perpetual boosters for a disease the may no longer exist. Another road to you-know-where paved with good intentions.

 

[Niner]

Also pre-departure, so have your paperwork ready BEFORE leaving for Sweden.

both coming and going, Niner.

A photograph should be okay. I also do not have a data plan so will be using a photo.

Yes - have all my paperwork ready! I'll know more - if I need any additional paperwork from Air Baltic. My sister traveled here last October - and Air Baltic let her know "what" she needed. I'm already getting excited in visiting her! 2 weeks! Don't know "what" I'm going to do about following cases!?!!! Yikes!

 

[indicolite22]

Exactly. The passport expires but the policy doesn't. Leading to people potentially needing perpetual boosters for a disease the may no longer exist. Another road to you-know-where paved with good intentions.

Thursday’s recommendation does not yet address booster shots. The commission said that “it can reasonably be expected that protection from booster vaccinations may last longer than that resulting from the primary vaccination series.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/25/cov...-9-month-expiration-date-on-vaccine-pass.html

If Covid didn't exist there would be no need for any shots.