Coronavirus

[____no5]

47 internal transmitted cases in a country of 1.4b with almost 80% vaccination rate and it’s kind of a big thing. Additional measures have been taken. In some places, large groups of people are required to take up to 2 tests /week in hospital and there are some travel restrictions /prerequisites too. Marathons are indefinitely postponed, even in places with zero cases.

But even when it’s normal and there are no cases at all, masks still need to be worn by all workers as public servants and/or in public spaces and by all people in places of public interest such as Metro. In Malls, restaurants customers typically are not required to.

On the good side of things the third jab round has started and I’m expecting to be eligible in December.

 

[GhostofCain]

New Zealand is an example of how to manage a pandemic.

 

[Perun]

And Spain reportedly might have achieved herd immunity.

 

[The_7th_one]

New Zealand is an example of how to manage a pandemic.

Absolutely right!

 

[mtmccox]

Was in Taiwan December 2020 and January 2021. Was like being in heaven.

 

[Forostar]

Has the number of tests per 100000 increased significantly in recent times?

Hmm not sure, I don't think so to be honest.

So I just saw a headline on a British news site about Berlin introducing tough Covid measures.

I never thought of them as tough.

But maybe that's because there is zero change for me.

Because I'm motherfucking vaccinated.

I was wondering about this 2G policy going on in Germany. It is looming here as well. In the Netherlands, for some reason, it is really a difficult matter. It is said to be a measure that will increase polarization in society (big time). However, I am not against it myself. I expect it to happen if the 3 week lockdown, that will be officially announced later today, will not help much.

 

[Perun]

Honestly, at this point I have no sympathy for those affected by restrictions. You can get vaccinated whenever you want. If you choose to throw yourself on the ground pounding your fists screaming, you are free to do so, but don't be surprised that you won't get treated like a child, but have to bear the consequences like an adult.

 

[GhostofCain]

And Spain reportedly might have achieved herd immunity.

That would be great news. Shame it has taken such a high death toll to get there.

 

[mtmccox]

throw yourself on the ground pounding your fists screaming, you are free to do so, but don't be surprised that you won't get treated like a child

Nice analogy, gonna remember that for later.

 

[LooseCannon]

Yeah, I am not overly worried about coronavirus on the personal level. I worry more on the broader level. We're expecting a 10% increase in take rate once 5-11s can get vaccinated, which should start any day now.

 

[Magnus]

motherfucking vaccinated

Now that's a vaccine I'd never heard of, I have to admit. Live and learn. Poor Oedipus might have wanted one.

 

[____no5]

New Zealand is an example of how to manage a pandemic.

Too much closeness for too long. I liked China's super fast containment of decease back then and I like the openess of UK now. But now way China can be reproduced and UK has been a mess for too long. So I'd go with S. Korea's management overall from start to now. With the asterisk that S. Koreans are very disciplined people, mass level disciplined.

Was in Taiwan December 2020 and January 2021. Was like being in heaven.

But what about the quarantine? Wasn't too hard? I.e. food, space, cleanliness? Where you've been in Taiwan? I envy you being there for 2 months.

 

[Jer]

I liked China's super fast containment of decease back then

Keep in mind that China was notorious for lying about their actual numbers (people in China saw the crematoriums running 24/7 with a huge backup of bodies and were trying to extrapolate actual deaths based on how many bodies could be cremated per hour!), and part of their containment strategy was literally boarding people up in their own apartments and nailing their doors shut from the outside in many places. So, yeah. “Go China”…?!

 

[____no5]

I know what happened I was there, I still am.

The measures were very radical but there was not much of a choice. China is the factory of the world and you cannot work remotely in a factory. The fact that in 2 months everything was up and running helped not only them but the rest of the world too that suddenly had their masks back and all.

In any case, I witnessed all this with an awe. It was like living in a war zone. But no issues with then. That was somehow necessary. Now I'm living in a covid free environment and it's 2 years I haven't exited the country. Haven't seen my parents or close friends. And this is what starts to get me.

We can continue offline if you want.

 

[Brigantium]

That would be great news. Shame it has taken such a high death toll to get there.

There's bits of speculation (wishful thinking I think) that Britain might be reaching that point. It wouldn't surprise me if immunity levels were high in schools now, actually, the kids of so many people I know caught covid (parents got it too) in the first few weeks of the new academic year. Still a lot of people potentially have never been exposed to it, though, and people are getting it twice, not always milder the second time around.

 

[Night Prowler]

What should I go for for the 3rd dose? As far as I know, 3rd dose of AstraZeneca doesn't exist so I have to go with something else. Thinking of going with Moderna cause it only just became available here for the first time.

 

[Brigantium]

I'd personally go for Moderna if offered the choice. Maybe it's still comparatively early days for the rollout of the Moderna vaccine, (and it was given to younger people) but it appears to be much more be effective than Pfizer. Just any mRNA one really, though, great backup to the AZ one.

I don't think under 50s or people without one of a handful of medical conditions are going to be offered a booster here. There's talk that over 50s will get a second booster in January now.

 

[mtmccox]

But what about the quarantine? Wasn't too hard? I.e. food, space, cleanliness? Where you've been in Taiwan? I envy you being there for 2 months.

I stayed in Kaohsiung, even though my wife is from Taipei, because of the cheaper price. I had a small room in a hotel with a double bed, shower, TV with 2 Japanese porn channels, a tiny window. It went much smoother than I thought - enough time to sleep, no stress, nothing do do, internets all day, a little exercise here and there.

Their fines are super high, so I was really convinced not to step outside my door.

Every day at 10 - 12 and 17 I got a plastic bag with food hung on the door handle from outside. Usually more that I could eat. I hated some of their ideas of the sweet breakfasts, the rest was normal.
If not for the toothache that fucked me up for first 3 days and then disappeared, I would say the stay went almost too quick.

Not sure if you can view this video, I made a small summary.

https://www.facebook.com/mtmccox/posts/3578761122245632

Pics of some of the quarantine food I was served:

 

[____no5]

I stayed in Kaohsiung, even though my wife is from Taipei, because of the cheaper price.

Man! I was living in Kaohsiung (City Council Station) in 2016 -2017, best time of my life! After that I was returning each year at least once to see my friends, up until Corona hit the fan..
Next time if you go there or in Kenting you can PM and I'll give you restaurant and bar tips. For Kenting, there are some cheap apartments to rent for the weekend, nothing to do with the normal "butcher" Taiwan prices

You have a Taiwanese wife? This is fantastic you are bound with Paradise for life! Taiwanese women are very smooth comparing to those from Mainland hahah.
Haven't you considered to go and live in Taiwan with your wife for the rest of your life?

Not sure if you can view this video, I made a small summary.

https://www.facebook.com/mtmccox/posts/3578761122245632

Of course I can, I have VPN, thanks!

Coming back on topic.. I haven't done quarantine yet, I've heard the worst. I'm straight 2 years in China. And here depending from where you return quarantine can be up to 4 weeks (it keeps changing). So it's a no no for now. I hope next summer will be better.

 

[mtmccox]

You have a Taiwanese wife?

Yeah, thinks she's a princess. Love her to death but sometimes she's the biggest challenge in my life. The best and the worst. With the "good" winning. I think we all know.


We thought about looking for jobs there, I am fluent in Chinese - with the hated mainland "standard" accent but my disadvantage would be no university degree. Also some aspects of the society are not perfect - just working too much, too much focus on status/property LV bags and what not. Also raisin a kid is much smoother in Europe - prices of everything, and our calm childhood compared to insane asian competitive drill.

If nothing gets fucked, I will go to Amsterdam to look for a job in January and she will join me later. Taiwan introduced an exception around lunar new year - if you come in some dates between December and February, the mandatory quarantine is only 7 days. So she is gonna do that with our little dude.
We are both in Prague now but looking for a new challenge.

Coming back on topic.. I haven't done quarantine yet, I've heard the worst. I'm straight 2 years in China.

Sorry, I must have missed, where do you live now? I lived in Qingdao for 2,5 years, precious precious memories.