NEW CDC CRUISE GUIDELINES /SENIORS WIYH UNDER LYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

[cruzsnooze]

19 hours ago, srpilo said:

 

Which pharmacy has that system online ?

CVS

[Kay S]

14 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

In todays world one should be very cautious  ;as it was the first time I ever heard of a cruise line putting a infected person off the ship to fend for themselves . Horrible imo  .why in this world couldn't the cruise line confined them to their cabin for the duration & bring them their food . for me very hard to understand that kind of treatment  .The cruise lines always  state that their passengers are their highest priority of safety . Well not in that case ?? 

The lady was too sick to treat on the ship.  She needed a ventilator.  That is a piece of equipment far too sophisticated (and expensive) to carry on a cruise ship.  She was transferred to a hospital in Belize where she was treated for her illness.  She was not just ceremoniously escorted off the ship and left on the dock with her bags.  The poor lady was very sick, and despite care in Belize and later in the US, she died.  Had she been kept on the ship without the intervention of the land-based doctors, she would have died sooner.  It was far from a case of "putting an infected person off the ship to fend for themselves." 

[KruzPrincess]

I am a senior and I’m fully vaccinated. I have underlying conditions, but I am not immunosuppressed. I have cancer, but I’m not receiving chemo therapy. I’m not eligible for a booster. Immunosuppressed people didn’t get a full response to their original vaccinations. Their bodies didn’t fully respond. For average people it’s expected that they got a full response. This is why immunosuppressed individuals are eligible for a booster early. The booster isn’t authorized for anyone else at this time. Yes, people can figure a way to work around the system. I will be eligible for a booster 8 months from the date of my second vaccination. I plan to get it then. 

 

If you have questions about your specific situation you should be asking your doctor.

 

Personally I really really really want to cruise this fall, but I think the risks are too high for me. I’m happy that I’m vaccinated and the odds of getting covid are low, but I’m not ready to take the chance yet. I have a cruise booked in March and I’m hoping for the best. It’s very depressing not to cruise and I’m jealous, but it would be much worse to get a breakthrough case. That’s for me. I’m not judging anyone else. 

 

I always buy an annual Medevac insurance policy when I’m traveling. This kind of expense could bankrupt some people. I just think the cost of the insurance policy is worth the peace of mind. 

 

 

 

 

[Kay S]

1 minute ago, KruzPrincess said:

I

If you have questions about your specific situation you should be asking your doctor.

 

Best response so far on this thread.

[KruzPrincess]

6 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I got my booster and am happy to have the protection. It may not be available in a month or two if the WHO has it's way.  The WHO president is asking that all boosters be halted so we can give it to countries that need first doses. I don't agree that we should put our citizens at risk. It seems that we are making enough vaccine to share after we take care of our own. Anyone at high risk should get their booster now because who knows if it will be available later.

"

The World Health Organization (WHO) is asking countries to hold off on administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to their populations.

During a conference on August 4, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said that while there are still populations that "need vaccines urgently" and millions of people are waiting for first doses, some rich countries are already administering or working towards giving booster doses."

The WHO doesn’t have control over administering vaccinations in the United States. 

[cruzsnooze]

33 minutes ago, KruzPrincess said:

The WHO doesn’t have control over administering vaccinations in the United States. 

who said they did not me, I merely quoted their request to have the US stop using doses for boosters to give them away. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by cruzsnooze

[KruzPrincess]

4 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

who said they did?

You said if the WHO has it’s way. I was quoting you. 

[nocl]

40 minutes ago, Kay S said:

The lady was too sick to treat on the ship.  She needed a ventilator.  That is a piece of equipment far too sophisticated (and expensive) to carry on a cruise ship.  She was transferred to a hospital in Belize where she was treated for her illness.  She was not just ceremoniously escorted off the ship and left on the dock with her bags.  The poor lady was very sick, and despite care in Belize and later in the US, she died.  Had she been kept on the ship without the intervention of the land-based doctors, she would have died sooner.  It was far from a case of "putting an infected person off the ship to fend for themselves." 

Actually part of the COVID protocols for cruise ships sailing from the US is the requirement for those cruise ships be equipped to treat Covid including having one or more ventilators on board.

[lbfluffy]

On 8/22/2021 at 11:20 AM, mnocket said:

It's important to understand exactly what the CDC is saying.  If people actually follow this advice it will kill the cruise industry. 

 

Here's the troubling part....

 

People with an increased risk of severe illness should also avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, regardless of vaccination status.

 

Now here is how the CDC defines people with an increased risk of severe illness........

 

• Cancer

• Chronic kidney disease

• Chronic lung diseases, including COPD

• asthma (moderate-to-severe)

• cystic fibrosis

• pulmonary hypertension

• Dementia

• Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)

• Down syndrome

• Heart conditions including hypertension

• HIV infection

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)

• Liver disease

• Overweight and obesity

• Pregnancy

• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia

• Smoking, current or former

• Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant

• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease

• Substance use disorders including alcohol

I'd wager this list covers an overwhelming majority of cruise line passengers.  Just look at the CDC statistics on overweight and obesity.....

         Percent of adults aged 20 and over with overweight, including obesity: 73.6%

 

or chronic kidney disease.....

       CKD is more common in people aged 65 years or older (38%)

 

or current/former smokers.....

      Former smokers represented about 21% of all adults and nearly 40% of adults aged 65 and over in 2018.  Current smokers represent about 14% of the US population.

 

It sounds nice to say that people at an increased risk should refrain from cruising.....  until you look at the actual impact that would have. 

 

The bottom line.......  the cruise industry is now totally dependent on customers ignoring this CDC recommendation.

I’m overweight, my husband considered obese. I need to lose 6 pounds to get out of the overweight category. My husband is working on his weight. He lost 20 pounds so far. We are fully vaccinated. So many restrictions 

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I got my booster and am happy to have the protection. It may not be available in a month or two if the WHO has it's way.  The WHO president is asking that all boosters be halted so we can give it to countries that need first doses. I don't agree that we should put our citizens at risk. It seems that we are making enough vaccine to share after we take care of our own. Anyone at high risk should get their booster now because who knows if it will be available later.

"

The World Health Organization (WHO) is asking countries to hold off on administering COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to their populations.

During a conference on August 4, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO, said that while there are still populations that "need vaccines urgently" and millions of people are waiting for first doses, some rich countries are already administering or working towards giving booster doses."

It would be funny except the WHO president is serious about this. No booster shots in the USA will NOT add a single shot in any other country.

 

It reminds me of a Doonesbury cartoon I saw once making fun of American parents who told their children to finish everything on their plate because there were children starving in China. The cartoon had a Chinese parent telling her child to finish everything on her plate because there were children starving in West Virginia.

[Kay S]

1 hour ago, nocl said:

Actually part of the COVID protocols for cruise ships sailing from the US is the requirement for those cruise ships be equipped to treat Covid including having one or more ventilators on board.

Maybe it was in use.  Maybe she had other issues that required hospitalization.  Who knows.

[nocl]

5 minutes ago, Kay S said:

Maybe it was in use.  Maybe she had other issues that required hospitalization.  Who knows.

Maybe the cruise lines just want to get back to their old mode of operation which is once a problem is off the ship it is no longer their problem.

[Kay S]

3 minutes ago, nocl said:

Maybe the cruise lines just want to get back to their old mode of operation which is once a problem is off the ship it is no longer their problem.

Well, there's that too...

[Belle]

Remember these are Guidelines only. Not rules. Everyone makes their own decision on cruising.

 

One thing that gets me, these guidelines are for cruises only. The CDC seems to have a dislike

for cruise lines.

 

Why don't they have guides for airlines (packed together, can't move) sport events, concerts ect.

More people getting the virus on land then ships. On ships we know people have had their shots

and have been tested. On land we don't know.  

 

I know on ships we can still catch it but to me very low compared to on land. My opinion only.

I'm still going on my cruises.

 

[billco]

42 minutes ago, nocl said:

Maybe the cruise lines just want to get back to their old mode of operation which is once a problem is off the ship it is no longer their problem.

Or maybe the cruise line listened to the doctor on board who felt she could be served better in the hospital 

[nocl]

6 minutes ago, Belle said:

Remember these are Guidelines only. Not rules. Everyone makes their own decision on cruising.

 

One thing that gets me, these guidelines are for cruises only. The CDC seems to have a dislike

for cruise lines.

 

Why don't they have guides for airlines (packed together, can't move) sport events, concerts ect.

More people getting the virus on land then ships. On ships we know people have had their shots

and have been tested. On land we don't know.  

 

I know on ships we can still catch it but to me very low compared to on land. My opinion only.

I'm still going on my cruises.

 

Actually for those states that followed the CDC recommendations indoor dining was stopped, entertainment such as plays and movie theaters were closed, bars were closed, etc.

 

Unlike cruise lines most other forms of travel are also used for essential travel not just recreational.

 

Unlike other forms of travel cruising is not just travel, but also dining, entertainment, bars, etc.  all of which takes place for multiple days with people intermixing in close quarters in farily tight hall ways, stairs and elevators.

 

You now have countries putting tighter requirements on cruise lines for port calls than the CDC.

 

As far as other modes of transportation mask are required.  For international travel (and cruises are by nature international travel) people from many countries (such as the EU) cannot even travel to the US unless they are performing essential travel. All people boarding flights to the US must be tested and must wear masks on the flight.

 

As far as the recommendation for those highest at risk to avoid cruise travel, keep in mind that recommendations include not to travel to some countries at all.  Including some that have ports where cruises are making port calls.

 

If you think the CDC has it in for cruise lines, where are they able to sail under less restrictions than currently in the US?

[billco]

2 minutes ago, nocl said:

Oh I expect the Doctor indicated the seriousness of the case. 

 

Would be interesting to know if they got offloaded to the public hospital in Belize City (not very good) or to one of the two private hospitals (pretty good care).  Belize is not exactly know for the quality of its medical system.

 

Would also be interesting that since cruise lines are supposed to be equipped for and able to care for serious COVID cases under the CDC protocols, including staffing and ventilators, if the patient was truly beyond the capability of the ship to continue to provide care for the couple of days getting back to Texas where far better medical care would be available.

 

Also to note if the person came back to the US then the port agreements would make the cruise line responsible even after the person was off ship.

 

In Belize no such agreement, no continued responsibility.

I’ll defer. Time after time you have showed you are one of the most knowledgeable and articulate posters on this forum. 

[mcrcruiser]

5 hours ago, KruzPrincess said:

I am a senior and I’m fully vaccinated. I have underlying conditions, but I am not immunosuppressed. I have cancer, but I’m not receiving chemo therapy. I’m not eligible for a booster. Immunosuppressed people didn’t get a full response to their original vaccinations. Their bodies didn’t fully respond. For average people it’s expected that they got a full response. This is why immunosuppressed individuals are eligible for a booster early. The booster isn’t authorized for anyone else at this time. Yes, people can figure a way to work around the system. I will be eligible for a booster 8 months from the date of my second vaccination. I plan to get it then. 

 

If you have questions about your specific situation you should be asking your doctor.

 

Personally I really really really want to cruise this fall, but I think the risks are too high for me. I’m happy that I’m vaccinated and the odds of getting covid are low, but I’m not ready to take the chance yet. I have a cruise booked in March and I’m hoping for the best. It’s very depressing not to cruise and I’m jealous, but it would be much worse to get a breakthrough case. That’s for me. I’m not judging anyone else. 

 

I always buy an annual Medevac insurance policy when I’m traveling. This kind of expense could bankrupt some people. I just think the cost of the insurance policy is worth the peace of mind. 

 

 

 

 

Well said  .We totally agree 

[abqmommyof4]

Hubby and I both have underlying conditions,   the CDC  recommendations  can kiss my A**

[billco]

38 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

https://www.aol.com/news/israels-covid-19-vaccine-boosters-050411443-123109211.html

 

Israel is giving boosters 5 months post the second vaccine with outstanding results. I personally like seeing practical results vs theoretical results. I feel better about my up coming cruise having had the booster.

Does your vaccination card now list three vaccinations? 

[Daniel A]

19 minutes ago, billco said:

Does your vaccination card now list three vaccinations? 

On a related issue, If boosters are approved for the general population, will the CDC and Cruise Lines re-define what constitutes "fully vaccinated?"

[nini]

This is such a tough time for everyone on our planet. From what I have seen on CC, we are all putting forth our best efforts to be safe, healthy, and hopefully be cruising again. I have learned so much on CC regarding Covid and of course what balcony is to be our favorite.

I also agree that we may be at a higher risk doing our grocery shopping than getting a 2 shot espresso drink at the International Cafe. (Yum!)

Some quotes I enjoy:

 

"Keep Calm and Carry On"- posted by the British government during WWII

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain"- Author, Vivian Greene

"Let everyone sweep in front of his door, and the whole world will be clean"- Writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[mnocket]

1 hour ago, abqmommyof4 said:

Hubby and I both have underlying conditions,   the CDC  recommendations  can kiss my A**

I fully support your right to make your own decisions based on your personal assessment of the risks and your risk tolerance.  This is the primary reason I am opposed to Vaccine Passports.  It's so easy for a vaccine passport to morph into a "Health Passport" and for your freedom to decide to be replaced by expanding restrictions.  Want me to show my vaccination records?  No problem, but let's not start down that slippery slope to Health Passports.  jmho

[Kay S]

3 hours ago, abqmommyof4 said:

Hubby and I both have underlying conditions,   the CDC  recommendations  can kiss my A**

How, exactly, does a recommendation do that?  😁 People can decide themselves what risk they are willing to take.  People can ask their own doctors for advice.  In fact, this whole thing could be better managed by people talking to their doctors rather than pitching rotten fruit at the CDC. 🙂  I asked my doctor.  He said go and be careful.

[Pamster]

On 8/22/2021 at 8:09 AM, mcrcruiser said:

My  only question here is between the time ot the 72 hour or less covid test  there is the possibility of this Delta variant infecting because what the cruise lines really need is a test at the pier & still that is not a guarantee  but  would imo provide even a more save environment aboard the ship .  This exact scenario happened on a rather small cruise vessel in the Bahamas & even cruise critic principles were on board that vessel .Two tests  were given one with in 72 hours from home & the 2nd test was the same PCR test at the pier . Well 6 or 8 people wound  up with covid  out of 58 passengers on that ship  .The only  difference was that there was no vaccine at that time for the 58 people 

 

Vaccines would make a big difference in that scenario.

 

The other thing is that even testing at the pier won't pick up the infections of those who acquire it in route - which is probably the biggest risk.  The unfortunate woman on the Carnival cruise was tested on the 4th day of the cruise - that is most likely wouldn't have shown up at the pier, either, if it was from travel.