COVID-19 Surging Across Europe

[sanger727]

On 10/22/2020 at 2:15 PM, TeeRick said:

The second wave had been predicted and widely publicized since the spring peaks by many experts worldwide - for the autumn season in the northern hemisphere - and here it is.  Right on schedule.  Not sure why this is catching some off guard.  Or is it just pandemic fatigue for many of us?  Is it the grim realization that we cannot really get our lives fully back- and travel as we wish?  Without a vaccine and some effective level of herd immunity then these waves are predicted to keep coming.  Not good news but hopefully we are more prepared now, our governments are more experienced now, and are healthcare systems are better trained and equipped.  That is all we can hope for.  And an effective vaccine soon with a population willing to receive it.

completely agree. Pre-Covid we had planned to go to Southeast Asia in February. Once we began to understand the extent and impact of Covid we put off planning/booking the trip. People kept talking about the numbers peaking in May/June. Which was great, but we were well aware that the second peak in the fall/winter had the bigger potential to derail our trip. Luckily, vaccine development has outpaced early predictions so hoping for taking the trip in late 2021/early 2022 now. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

9 hours ago, ABoatNerd said:

Well here in Toronto, we are increasingly locked down.

I think they should just put the Greater Toronto Area under the Dome 🙂

We are 60 miles outside of Toronto we just had our Friday case in 20 days for a total of 46 since it started

 

 

Edited October 24, 2020 by Airbalancer

[PTC DAWG]

12 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Tonight, here in the US, Dr Fauci said masks will most likely need to be worn through 2021.  I don't mind them anymore, has become automatic for me as soon as I get ready to leave the house.  

So you walk around outside by yourself with a mask on?  WTH? I can’t imagine.  

Edited October 24, 2020 by PTC DAWG

[RickT]

Sadly this will be the case (Covid numbers increasing after Country’s relax rules) until a vaccine is found or Covid mutates into a less lethal virus.  Travel as we knew it is over, replaced by restrictions, risk and uncertainty.  And while we should be proud when infections are lower than they have been, any infection will allow the virus to exist and cause future infections.

 

Stay safe everyone.

[Ride-The-Waves]

COVID-19 cases in US up again today to 85,085.  Scary.  That's 15 percent increase from mid-week.  The federal US government has turned a blind eye towards COVID management just as infections are rising rapidly.  Several state also disavowing any knowledge of the increasing rate.  We are self-isolating and venturing out for groceries (every two weeks AM Sundays - fewer people) and medical appts.  It's worse than it was in May.  Be careful everyone.  It's going to be a long winter.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

On 10/21/2020 at 3:52 PM, LGW59 said:

But people can still go out and stay within 3 miles of their homes, and in small group with one other household, but not in their own backyards.  I read today that US is about 1 week behind Europe, so we will probably face something similar again.  And where I live, Boston just announced back to 100% remote learning starting tomorrow, no more indoor classes.

 

Not many flights, but the ones that are... are flying pretty full. Three seats across per side, but some towns, cities, counties do not allow one to attend church services. It's a weird world we live in these days.  

[nocl]

1 hour ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

Not many flights, but the ones that are... are flying pretty full. Three seats across per side, but some towns, cities, counties do not allow one to attend church services. It's a weird world we live in these days.  

If churches had the same ventilation systems as modern airplanes do they would probably be opened as well.

 

According to a recent study, a fairly large one run for the DOD, if everyone on the airplane is wearing masks there is very little chance of virus entering another passengers breathing space, even if the plane is full.  The reasons is because the airflow in modern aircraft enters at the top of the cabin and exits at the bottom. The air flow is downward away from passengers breathing area.  Also the study indicated that virus injected into the cabin was cleared within 6 minutes.  This compares to 104 minutes inside of a standard home.

 

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2020/10/dod-study-suggests-its-very-hard-to-contract-covid-19-on-an-airplane/

[Goodtime Cruizin]

8 hours ago, nocl said:

If churches had the same ventilation systems as modern airplanes do they would probably be opened as well.

 

According to a recent study, a fairly large one run for the DOD, if everyone on the airplane is wearing masks there is very little chance of virus entering another passengers breathing space, even if the plane is full.  The reasons is because the airflow in modern aircraft enters at the top of the cabin and exits at the bottom. The air flow is downward away from passengers breathing area.  Also the study indicated that virus injected into the cabin was cleared within 6 minutes.  This compares to 104 minutes inside of a standard home.

 

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-reporters-notebook-jared-serbu/2020/10/dod-study-suggests-its-very-hard-to-contract-covid-19-on-an-airplane/

 

At this point, I think there are folks that will find some report or create some report to justify actions or activities that are acceptable for Covid.  

[Goodtime Cruizin]

9 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

I thought this Celebrity forum was a place for having conversations and sharing opinions not posting lame memes? 🤔

 

Hard to opine on something that you can no longer do.

[hcat]

20 hours ago, Goodtime Cruizin said:

 

Not many flights, but the ones that are... are flying pretty full. Three seats across per side, but some towns, cities, counties do not allow one to attend church services. It's a weird world we live in these days.  

 

SW Air is still skipping middle seating..hope that helps when we fly on Nov 15th from NY to Fl .  Not crazy about flying but we decided driving  for 2 days not very appealing either.  We will continue to self isolate when we get there except for getting groceries  and take out dinners.  Hope to walk outdoors in the sunshin

 

Hope things improve as folks pitch in to lower the upward trends.

[sandancer]

It appears that Spain has announced a state of emergency which is in force until May 2021. Curfew from 11pm to 6am. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1352085/Spain-state-of-emergency-spanish-lockdown-canary-islands

Edited October 25, 2020 by sandancer

[nocl]

27 minutes ago, hcat said:

 

SW Air is still skipping middle seating..hope that helps when we fly on Nov 15th from NY to Fl .  Not crazy about flying but we decided driving  for 2 days not very appealing either.  We will continue to self isolate when we get there except for getting groceries  and take out dinners.  Hope to walk outdoors in the sunshin

 

Hope things improve as folks pitch in to lower the upward trends.

I seem to have read that SW is changing the open middle seat policy, though passengers can get refunds if they do not want to fly as a result of the change.

[LGW59]

23 minutes ago, nocl said:

I seem to have read that SW is changing the open middle seat policy, though passengers can get refunds if they do not want to fly as a result of the change.

On their site it says middle seat remain open thru Nov 30 but if traveling as a group can still together.  I flying SWA to FL on 11/15, so I shall see. 😬

[nocl]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

On their site it says middle seat remain open thru Nov 30 but if traveling as a group can still together.  I flying SWA to FL on 11/15, so I shall see. 😬

Yep it looks the will be starting November 30.  I had just seen that they were changing but had not caught the start date.

[LGW59]

37 minutes ago, nocl said:

Yep it looks the will be starting November 30.  I had just seen that they were changing but had not caught the start date.

totally get it, these situations are all changing so rapidly and regularly, who can keep uo totally?  Not me, that's for sure

[Gracie115]

11 hours ago, nocl said:

I seem to have read that SW is changing the open middle seat policy, though passengers can get refunds if they do not want to fly as a result of the change.

 

We received an email from SW last week that they will start filling the middle seats as of 12/1....

[hcat]

10 hours ago, LGW59 said:

On their site it says middle seat remain open thru Nov 30 but if traveling as a group can still together.  I flying SWA to FL on 11/15, so I shall see. 😬

 

We also are set to fly SW Air on Nov  15th as well.  We fly from  Islip NY ( never a crowded flight)  and change  planes at Baltimore.. Originally, we had a nice early flight but SW increased our layover there to 4 plus hr. Wearing the mask an extra 4 hrs , esp in that airport was not workable  for us, so we switched to a later flight with a shorter layover time,.  The flight from Baltimore to Florida will be more crowded but  we hope the empty middle seats will help a bit with overhead bin space and some distancing.  Hoping for the best!

 

I thought increased Covid numbers were always expected to rise  once the  "curve was flattened"  under the extreme lock down measures. Now things are back opened up gradually,  and the illness is spreading  again in  Europe, North America, Israel, etc.  Best folks can do is try to stay safe, wear the mask, wash hands and avoid groups indoors. We have been  doing that since March but the trip south will be a challenge, for sure.

 

[Cruise a holic]

Actually, covid seems to be getting worse in many US states.  I understand that most of us are getting covid fatigue, but it is important that we stay put for now.  Flying can be dangerous, and airports not great- going into a high risk states not a good idea. We need to keep the faith and until we all are successfully vaccinated stay home.  They were able to find a successful immunization for polio, DPT, etc.  We need to be diligent for the sake of ourselves and others.  Listen to science.

[ABoatNerd]

The virus is reporting to be increasing significantly in Canada as well - it is the end of the summer season in the US, Canada and Europe. To be expected. In Ontario we have had the highest reported number of cases since the pandemic started! We are in a stage 2 lockdown in the major urban centres, still.......

 

It is not just the USA, so try to not beat yourselves up so much!

 

It is my observation it is the young people in bars, the high school kids just off the property standing in big groups with no masks, the boys at the skateboard parks with people everywhere with no masks,..... it is not the older people in the stores with masks on etc.  The sheer volume of young people in the Greater Toronto Area with no masks is astonishing, have their parents not been successful in terrorizing them as to the consequences?  I wonder about that.

 

[bikerunner]

1 hour ago, Gracie115 said:

 

We received an email from SW last week that they will start filling the middle seats as of 12/1....

got the same, I fly out next week on the 6th and have a return flight of Dec 5th.  Same offered refund etc.  Not concerned either way.  Will have my mask on etc.  Use to them, since they are on most of the time anyway, work in Health care tho most of time from home but some days do have to go over to one of the affiliates etc.  

 

Was supposed to be getting on a cruise during that period but that all of course has been cxled.  Traveling down to Austin, Tx to visit a co worker and work down there (currently in NH) for a few weeks and do some travel over to the Grand Canyon etc.  

 

Overall the virus is not being controlled at all by any country.  Tho by watching most of the networks in the US we are the only country being affected right now and lets blame it on the current admin. Even if there is a vaccine, I will not be taking it the first few times around, definitely not enough study on long term affects of the vaccine etc that usual meds go thru.  Of course if that means no cruise Im good with that overall.  Best we can do is just be smart and safe for the long haul.  Everything has changed with the virus and when will "normalish" behavior return.  I think its going to be a long haul.  

Edited October 26, 2020 by bikerunner

[ipeeinthepool]

14 minutes ago, bikerunner said:

Even if there is a vaccine, I will not be taking it the first few times around, definitely not enough study on long term affects of the vaccine etc that usual meds go thru.  Of course if that means no cruise Im good with that overall.  Best we can do is just be smart and safe for the long haul.  Everything has changed with the virus and when will "normalish" behavior return.  I think its going to be a long haul.  

 

When the vaccine becomes available, I'll be the first in line.  If it helps to go cruising, so much the better but the real purpose of getting the vaccine is to start the journey toward a "normalish" life once again.  We will still need to wear masks for a while and maintain social distance but the vaccine will help reduce the stress level on an individual basis.  

[bikerunner]

2 minutes ago, ipeeinthepool said:

 

When the vaccine becomes available, I'll be the first in line.  If it helps to go cruising, so much the better but the real purpose of getting the vaccine is to start the journey toward a "normalish" life once again.  We will still need to wear masks for a while and maintain social distance but the vaccine will help reduce the stress level on an individual basis.  

Don't disagree with that at all and every person needs to do what they feel is best.  Also I have no reason to be stressed on the virus, more just needed to change how I approach things now but stress not really. Still low percentage of overall getting the virus.  Yes safety is very important, mask, no big gatherings etc. Still around only  3% or so of catching it and .06% of it being fatal based on US population.    Just I feel that it is being rushed with out enough testing on long term affects of vaccine.  Ill continue with the mask and other precautions as needed.  Only time when I really did not have a mask on is when I was doing my hikes/no one around and paddle boarding.  Just a choice but I also know I will probably have to get it sooner than later since I am in Health care but mostly work remote now (IT Specialist on the electronic med record).  Only time will tell what is going to happen.  

[DaCruiseBug]

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Actually, covid seems to be getting worse in many US states.  I understand that most of us are getting covid fatigue, but it is important that we stay put for now.  Flying can be dangerous, and airports not great- going into a high risk states not a good idea. We need to keep the faith and until we all are successfully vaccinated stay home.  They were able to find a successful immunization for polio, DPT, etc.  We need to be diligent for the sake of ourselves and others.  Listen to science.

 

No, actually flying is NOT dangerous.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/risk-covid-19-exposure-planes-virtually-nonexistent-masked/story?id=73616599

"a new study finds that when masks are worn there is only a 0.003% chance particles from a passenger can enter the passenger's breathing space who is sitting beside them"

 

Let's stop with the fear mongering.

Edited October 26, 2020 by DaCruiseBug

[DaCruiseBug]

2 hours ago, bikerunner said:

got the same, I fly out next week on the 6th and have a return flight of Dec 5th.  Same offered refund etc.  Not concerned either way.  Will have my mask on etc.  Use to them, since they are on most of the time anyway, work in Health care tho most of time from home but some days do have to go over to one of the affiliates etc.  

 

Was supposed to be getting on a cruise during that period but that all of course has been cxled.  Traveling down to Austin, Tx to visit a co worker and work down there (currently in NH) for a few weeks and do some travel over to the Grand Canyon etc.  

 

Overall the virus is not being controlled at all by any country.  Tho by watching most of the networks in the US we are the only country being affected right now and lets blame it on the current admin. Even if there is a vaccine, I will not be taking it the first few times around, definitely not enough study on long term affects of the vaccine etc that usual meds go thru.  Of course if that means no cruise Im good with that overall.  Best we can do is just be smart and safe for the long haul.  Everything has changed with the virus and when will "normalish" behavior return.  I think its going to be a long haul.  

 

The US news has a political agenda.

 

The reality is that the US has done some of the most testing of any modern country. Almost double what France and Germany have performed per capita. Since a vast majority of those that catch Covid do NOT have serious symptoms it's only reasonable to believe that the more you test the higher the positive rates you get.

 

We have been at around 50-60k cases per day now for at least 2-3 months. Nothing new...that's still where we are. There's some days it's only 40k and some days it goes up to 80k.

 

Yesterday we reported 60,000 new cases. We have 330 million people. France reported 52,000 new cases and they have 65 million people. Belgium is at almost 20,000 cases and they have 11 million people. Now go ahead and keep listening to US media that tells you we're worst off than anyone else out there...

[Ex-Airbalancer]

2 hours ago, ABoatNerd said:

The virus is reporting to be increasing significantly in Greater Toronto Area  as well - 

I fixed your post 😉