****CARNIVAL CRUISERS: HOW ARE THINGS WHERE YOU LIVE???

[Host Carolyn]

With all the talk re difficulty finding testing to be done before sailing I found it really bizarre that an arthritis specialist required me to get covid antigen test today! Not traveling, no one I know has covid! Kind of a nutty doctor, not sure will go back anyway.  Stay safe out there!

[marshhawk]

I trust common sense.  And Fauci offers common sense.  First there was the mention of a disease that was very contagious.  I was at my dermatologists that day... I asked him if he thought i should stay home for a week, and this is what he said-if you can drive your own car, work in an enclosed office and not be near anyone, go to work-if not stay home, and we will see what happens in two weeks.  I called my office, and told them my doc wanted me to stay home for two weeks, they were not happy. (Technically i am retired and work part time)   I called two weeks later and was told that Atlanta had come in with Police, and they closed our office.  And that was the first week of March 2020.

Mask or don't mask? Do you want to breathe in my germs, do I want to breath in your germs? No. So we wear masks.

 

A year and a half went by, and I was really retired.  And can barely pay bills, so I called my old boss, and he asked if I had wifi, which i did, then i could work from home.  I am in telemarketing and I hear stuff all the time.  Put it this way, last Thursday I only talked with 5 people, two of them had had covid, one was a long hauler.  She has been sick since LAST June.  Friday I talk with 4 people,, the first guy was home with Covid.    The second person said that since Covid was over, he would love to come back the the symphony (not Atlanta)..  Every one has a different view, but since I am not seeing it getting better, I wear a mask.  If it's the store or a large crowd, I wear two.  I dont need the government to tell me that things arent quite right with this world.  We asked DH's heart doc last week if he thought that we could or would need booster shots, and he said, yes you should be able to get one in a couple months, and guess what, they (you know who they are)said this week in the news, that we will need booster shots.

 

I have come to the conclusion that we are in a battle with germs.  They out number us, so we have to outsmart something without a brain.☺️

[Izena]

Things are the same here as across the country.  I’m not a mask fanatic but and not resistant.   I feel it is my responsibility as an human to be respectful of others.  A mask is just that a mask - it is not painful doesnt restrict my mobility.   I wear it to protect you to make you more comfortable.  I wear it to protect myself from The non mask wearing spreaders.   I got vaccinated and will get a booster.  I have a cruise scheduled Nov 8 have a balcony room  and like quieter activities - at this time feel it is one of the safer places for travel.  
 

everyone remain safe and healthy

[Aplmac]

Here in Barbados, our tourism business

is enjoying a resurgence, after 18 months of negative crapola.

 

Vaccination numbers on the island are considerably up

(despite the worst efforts of local nitwit anti-vaxxers!)

and vistors are arriving daily to have a good time.

 

No more cruise ships languishing in our waters

-that stopped LONG ago!

 

[pe4all]

Aplmac -

   Love seeing the pics of Barbados that you post.  Hopefully they will open up to cruise ships in the near future.  I would love to port there again!  Here on Long Island (NY) our numbers are slowly creeping up again - mostly due to schools doing in-person learning.  Our vaccination rate is high, and with kids 5-12 now being allowed to be vaccinated should hopefully keep covid numbers low.  We all got our boosters and I can't wait to cruise in January!

[Honolulu Blue]

Hi.  Michigan again.  Sorry for the lack of posts.  It's complicated.

 

Anyway, the CDC is stopping by Other Big University to study an epidemic of... flu!  It's both nice and not so nice to find out that other diseases are spreading in this environment.

 

Speaking of spreading, cases have been increasing more or less nonstop since the beginning of July here.  My county is doing a little better than most in the state, but it's still not good.

 

I'm off on a another cruise in two weeks, which seems like a fine time to get out of the state and travel to places that are (for sure) warmer and (probably) less hot.

[Aplmac]

2 hours ago, pe4all said:

Aplmac -

   Love seeing the pics of Barbados that you post.  

Hopefully they will open up to cruise ships in the near future.  

I would love to port there again!  

 

Starting a few weeks ago, cruise ships started the winter cruise season

and we've been seeing quite a few, already.

So keep hope alive, buddy -your time will come soon.

 

[RWolver672]

I had a Dr appointment last week.  On their door was a sign saying you had to be masked to enter.  I had on a brand new one.  I entered and signed in.  A worker came out into the waiting room and gave me a new mask and made me change mine even though it was brand new.

 

When the called me in, before I got to the room, they made me wash my hands.  Not sanitizer, actually wash with soap and water.  Things sure are a lot different than what they use to be.

[katiecat]

Numbers of covid are higher but I'm outta here!

 

[pe4all]

I see more and more people wearing masks in supermarkets, banks, malls, etc. here on Long Island.  Our covid positivity rate is up to 5% again, and unfortunately I am sure it will edge higher due to the holidays.  Weather is cold, people are indoors.  We spend Thanksgiving in Fort Lauderdale, where masks are non-existent.  Hope the warm weather there will keep numbers down.  Daughter and her boyfriend are getting their boosters Saturday, and then whole family is boostered up.  Hoping that helps, along with our vigilance in disinfecting hands, trying to social distance, and masking up in crowded places.  Looking forward to our cruise in January.

[RWolver672]

The numbers of new cases in our county are skyrocketing.  One particular hospital is at 98% capacity.  They are bringing in 22 military doctors and staff to help with the load.  They have 127 cases of Covid with close to 30 of those in ICU.  The lab at the MedExpress in the town next to ours has shut down so that they could transfer the staff to the hospital's lab.  

 

Wife and I got groceries yesterday.  Only saw a very few people wearing masks.  None of the store clerks wear them now.  Our local bank is strictly drive thru.  If you have to go inside, you have to make an appointment ahead of time.  

 

If I have an appointment with my podiatrist, when I get there, I have to call them and let them know I'm there.  Then I sit in the parking lot and wait for them to call me back when there's a room available.  I don't think I even know what's normal any more.  It changes daily.

[pe4all]

Covid rates here on Long Island still going up- rate of daily cases up 50% since Thanksgiving.   NY just put back mask mandate until 1/15/22 requiring people to wear a mask inside all public places that do not require proof of vaccination.  Supposedly they will be issuing penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation. (no idea how they will enforce this.).  Hopefully there won't be another giant spike after the upcoming holiday.

[Honolulu Blue]

BREAKING NEWS... (insert ticker tape noise) Big University and Other Big University have each announced booster requirements for students, faculty, and other staff starting in mid-January (BU) or February 4 (OBU).  There will be exemptions.  News at 11.

 

Statewide cases seem to be stabilizing at a very high level - just in time for the holiday surge and the Omicron-fueled surge.  Hospitals across the state are reporting being stressed.  This continues to be my biggest current concern about the pandemic.

 

Personally, I went on another cruise a couple of weeks ago (not on Carnival).  Tested negative pre-boarding and didn't hear another about the C-word (especially the O-word) until I got back to port.  I'm assuming no news is good news.

 

Also in personal news, the day after I returned, I went in for a booster appointment. 🎯  Moderna again, this time a half dose.  🎯  I only had the mildest of symptoms, which I will interpret as good news. 😃  So I'm good to go until the highly-anticipated Omega variant.  That one is going to be a doozy. 😁

[pe4all]

https://www.wowktv.com/news/u-s-world/rockettes-end-season-as-new-york-tallies-record-covid-cases/

21,000 positive cases in NY yesterday- most ever.    Many Broadway shows shut down for days.  Went into my local deli to get some sandwiches this a.m. - no workers wearing masks behind the counter., very few customers wearing masks - even with big sign on door "masks must be worn."  Girl behind cash register was coughing and just didn't "look well."  I walked out without purchasing anything.  

Lines at Citmd , Statcare, and Northwell locations are extending down the block.   We are heading to FLL for a few days, where cases are the opposite of NY's covid rate.  Wishing everyone who celebrates a healthy, safe Christmas.

[Laurab23]

On 12/17/2021 at 4:09 PM, Honolulu Blue said:

BREAKING NEWS... (insert ticker tape noise) Big University and Other Big University have each announced booster requirements for students, faculty, and other staff starting in mid-January (BU) or February 4 (OBU).  There will be exemptions.  News at 11.

 

Statewide cases seem to be stabilizing at a very high level - just in time for the holiday surge and the Omicron-fueled surge.  Hospitals across the state are reporting being stressed.  This continues to be my biggest current concern about the pandemic.

 

Personally, I went on another cruise a couple of weeks ago (not on Carnival).  Tested negative pre-boarding and didn't hear another about the C-word (especially the O-word) until I got back to port.  I'm assuming no news is good news.

 

Also in personal news, the day after I returned, I went in for a booster appointment. 🎯  Moderna again, this time a half dose.  🎯  I only had the mildest of symptoms, which I will interpret as good news. 😃  So I'm good to go until the highly-anticipated Omega variant.  That one is going to be a doozy. 😁

Did you have a reaction to the second shot? I was down and out for a day and am wondering what the booster will do to me.

 

Laura

[Honolulu Blue]

18 minutes ago, Laurab23 said:

Did you have a reaction to the second shot? I was down and out for a day and am wondering what the booster will do to me.

 

Not much of a reaction - just a sore arm and a bit of lightheadedness.  Both were gone within 36 hours.

[pe4all]

Terrible here on Long Island/NY.  Covid rate at 27% - highest ever.  Lines for testing 3-4 hours long.  No at home tests to be found.  Urgent care centers shutting down due to lack of staff.  Hoping this surge will dissipate a bit, but with school starting up again next week, and Christmas and NYE gatherings  who knows.  Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

[Honolulu Blue]

From the Things Are Tough All Over Department:  We haven't heard much from our Governor lately.  Well, we will hear a little less for the next few days because she's in quarantine.  Her husband recently tested positive.

 

Also, Big University's marching band is starting to see cases emerge after their performance in the Random Fruit Bowl.

[Honeyhas6]

I'm in central Alabama and there is quite a bit of political posturing and covid numbers a climbing w/omicron joining the fray but not having any supply issues we have felt yet. We are set for January 15th out of N.O. on the Valor. I'm really tired of worrying about it. If it happens great, if it doesn't... another time. 
I know we need a vacation badly. 
 

[Guest BasicSailor]

Our schools in NC coast border line took a five- day break as the virus has hit them hard. Mask will be required for the return. Schools on the SC coast have taken back to virtual teaching as the virus has overwhelmed the schools here.

[RWolver672]

A couple of weeks ago, our Meijer store had a sale on KN95 masks.  Buy two packs of three for $9.99 and you get one pack free.  Yesterday, they were giving out free packs of three  N95 masks for everyone that walked in the door.  

 

The numbers in our county are not going down.  We have twenty two military medical personnel stationed in one of our hospitals helping with the pandemic.  They were suppose to leave at the end of January but now has been extended to the end of February.

 

The week before Christmas, I was in the hospital for two days.  With all of the hard, long hours that the nurses have been putting in, I have to give them credit.  Every one of them were so friendly, upbeat and did an amazing job.  Gives you some perspective when you hear people complaining that they can't get bacon every day on a cruise.  

[RWolver672]

I forgot to add that our schools have canceled classes for yesterday and today.  Teachers, cafeteria, students and bus drivers are all sick.  But for some reason, the sports programs are still going on.  Makes you say "Ahhhhhhhhhh???"

[pe4all]

Mask mandate dropped yesterday in NY, except for schools/drs.  I would say 90% of people still wearing masks in supermarket, bank when I went yesterday.  Our covid numbers are rapidly dropping - probably due to the fact that people have stopped getting "official" tests and just do at home otc tests, so numbers aren't being reported.  Either way, we are cruising (again) in 2 weeks and plan to wear masks indoors - even if CCL decides to go the way of NCL and RCCL and drop wearing masks.  Have a great Super Bowl weekend!

[Honolulu Blue]

This just in (insert ticker tape noises here)... our Department of Health has officially thrown in the towel on statewide mask requirements, saying it's up to counties, cities, and individuals to make decisions that are right for them.  Sounds good to me.

 

P.S.  Much of the state (including where I live) is going through a warm surge today, followed by rain, followed by a cold front, followed by several inches of snow.  Just another day. 😧

[Z0nker]

Haven't been on a Carnival ship in 10 years, but we signed up for a Miracle cruise in May (SF to Catalina). How is Carnival these days? Anything I should know? Is the steakhouse worth $38? I remember it being very good back in the day. Does anyone dress up on formal night?