26 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – July 28 2021”

  1. Good news for me (and other WHW persons like Amy and North, who’ve been planning trips to England). Fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. may now visit Britain without having to quarantine. Still need a pre-trip negative test, proof of vaccination, proof of U.S. residency, a Day 2 test in Britain, and a test before returning to the U.S. Even though that sounds cumbersome it’s much easier now without the strict, mandatory quarantine, and the Days 5 and 8 tests. Just spoke to my daughter. She’s thrilled. I also don’t have to stay with her in her tiny room. I can stay at an AirBnB that is close by.

    My daughter told me that when her mother visited last month, not only did the authorities call twice to make sure her Mom was quarantining, they also went in-person to the address to check; a 340 pound ($472) fine for each violation.

    1. The new rules go into effect on August 2nd, 3 days before I depart from Logan (well, if Logan lets me depart, as I will be checking on the rain gauge guy at the airport just to make sure he/she is doing his/her job – this may disqualify me from flying).

      1. Needless to say, I will be extremely careful during my trip and visit. Double masking, distancing, doing practically everything outdoors. Daughter will also be testing to ensure she’s negative prior to and during visit.

        Reason for such caution is evident in the U.K. numbers today: https://westbridgfordwire.com/uk-covid-update-28-july/

        Dilemma for me is that if I wait it could get worse and I wouldn’t be able to see her at all. I do consider my trip essential in this regard. It’s hard when families are separated by a virus. My son finally got to see his mother after 20 months. We felt that this was the moment for him to go to Holland, because we don’t know what the fall or winter will bring.

        1. Switzerland was very lax, guess lack of density of the population. Felt safe everywhere. We all work masks inside.

    2. That’s wonderful news, Joshua! I’m so glad. How much flexibility do you have with timing for your pre-departure test here?

      1. Must be within 72 hours of arrival in Britain. I’ve booked a test for next Tuesday. It’s a PCR test, but they say results will be known within “a few hours.” So, that should be good. Then I’ll have a PCR test Saturday, the 7th in London, and a rapid antigen test in London at a local pharmacy near my daughter’s on Tuesday or Wednesday, the 10th or 11th. I’d rather to that than wait until I’m at Heathrow on the 12th and wait in a very long line for testing. There’s also a form to fill out – passenger locator form. I’m okay with all this, as it is not the mandatory quarantine with even more testing. I just set aside 20 masks for the trip. I kid you not.

        1. That’s good news Joshua. Do you need to “rush” back to the US, or can you visit with your daughter in the UK as long as you like? I certainly hope it’s the latter.

  2. Scott Gottlieb just said the Delta wave will be over in 2 or 3 weeks. Have no clue what that’s based on. Perhaps he means we’ll peak in 2 or 3 weeks. Even then it still wouldn’t mean it’s over. Strange statement from a former public health official. Gottlieb does work for Pfizer, so there’s a conflict of interest.

      1. I will be delighted if I’m wrong. I don’t doubt delta has been here longer than our folks in power have let on. Even with lack of testing, hospitals know the numbers they are seeing….are these increases not being reported?

        I sure would love to see it end in 2-3 weeks. I’ll be shocked if it does

        As happy as I would be to see this over that quickly, it would also mean that our health experts knew and never mentioned it. It would in effect be another nail in the coffin of trust

        1. To be clear. I wouldn’t doubt delta has been here longer than we have realized. I just have trouble thinking it has been here that much longer to say it is almost over.

  3. I hope I heard this correctly over the radio. The Justice Department has ruled that mandatory vaccinations are LEGAL! 😀

    Joshua, please tell me that I heard correctly…

  4. Get ready to show “proofs of vaccination” in the coming months for the remainder of the year.

  5. Philip, thanks for asking. I’m staying for 6 days, which is plenty of time to see my daughter and her new place. Wish I could stay longer in London, but I have a family/sibling visit planned in the middle of the month. Haven’t seen my siblings since my mother’s funeral in early 2020.

  6. Joshua. Just catching up here. I am so happy for you. What wonderful news that you will be able to see your daughter.

  7. Vicki, thanks! There are risks associated with my travel. But, I feel that if I don’t go now there may not be another opportunity until next spring.

    1. I think you may be very right about next spring. I think there are some things that cannot be put off so we just have to do them now…..or miss being able to do them altogether. I wish you safe travels and many warm moments with your daughter, Joshua.

  8. We know (hope) there will be better days ahead for the world. But, it’s depressing to see the shape the globe is in at the moment. Heading for >10,000 deaths today worldwide. In the U.S. deaths may reach 500 today, and cases 80,000. Hospitalizations are rising steadily, as well, ICU cases, too. I recall all those folks who wrote on Twitter and other places that Delta wouldn’t impact the U.S. as much. Many wrote “we have more immunity.” Others said, “we use better vaccines.” Yeah, I certainly hoped that all that was true. But, it became obvious to me that there would be a considerable problem – also in highly vaccinated states – when things in the UK and Israel got progressively worse.

    1. Sadly, the road to the United States has been through Europe and other countries. We not only didn’t learn the other times, but it seems we have yet to figure that out

  9. Apologies to Cuomo for photo but was focused on man on right. Joshua, do you know who he is. First name I believe is David

    He is the first person I have heard who has called out cdc for not being forthcoming. He said it’s lack of full disclosure makes people nervous. And the fact the vaccine isn’t fully approved gives people pause. I’m paraphrasing. He believes cdc needs to openly state it is not fully approved, vaccines have breakthroughs and the efficacy is lower.

    https://imgur.com/a/xxw7gq5

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