General Info

[Soapy Smith]

BTW, I live in Florida, which is one of the 6 states that is not initially on the list of states allowed into CR in September. Yeah, we have pretty high Corona numbers and it amazes me frankly, but the vast majority of Floridians know how to take care of themselves and stay healthy. We don't want the government to tell us what we have to do. We like out freedom here.

Maybe it depends what your definition of "freedom" is. At one extreme some libertarians think that freedom means no constraints on behavior, "you should be able to do whatever you want. " From another perspective individual freedom ends at the tip of the other guy's nose, and it's government's role to balance out various interests. Did I hear that a judge in Florida recently ruled that the Governor cannot compel schools to open up face-to-face? I suppose the judge's rationale may have been that only local school districts have that authority.

An alternative argument could be that other families, teachers, janitors, lunchroom staff, bus drivers, and administrators have a right not to be forced into covid spreader contexts. Children lack the discipline to not congregate, yell, cough and sneeze, and rub up against each other. There's one guy who keeps insisting that kids are "practically immune. " Not true. Kids' symptoms are less severe, but they are often asymptomatic spreaders. "Wow, let's truck some of this stuff home to grandma. ".

My daughter teaches autistic kids in a state near yours. They have not resisted their Governor's directive for face-to-face instruction. The school district is providing masks for teachers and kids, but they will not mandate wearing them. Teachers would like to do what retail businesses and doctors' offices are doing, putting up plexiglass shields around their work stations, but there is no budget for it. So the only way they'll get plexiglass is if they pay for it themselves. On teachers' salaries, in addition to the money they already spend out of pocket to provide things the school budget doesn't pay for – Kleenex, pens and pencils, snacks, etc. -- and that poor kids' families can't afford. Seems like teachers ought to have some freedom rights in this equation too.

[SaltyPete]

Why do you say hate Salty? Did you read the news and see the statistics or do you inhabit a different world where stats and facts are never believed.

Sadly it is fact read the news as it is all there and I state the basics facts unlike many world leaders who seem to think the public are stupid.

Read the news Salty as this gives an insight into the world. I know for a fact that you can't travel to the Philippines as a monger yet as no tourist visas so far, that USA tourists have been dobbed in by others as they don't obey self ISO rules.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/w...uarantine.html

https://www.thejournal.ie/bars-resta...48431-Jul2020/

Read those and then Google for others Salty LOL as most places in the world don't allow USA citizens to visit their countries and why should they? Now if we have a vaccine that works then things change but until then I will only see my family in the USA using Skype etc sadly.

I have family in the USA (southern states) some of whom are old / frail and high risk so I read the news and clearly understand that while I would like to go see them I can't and would not risk travel to a country that clearly has no idea how to handle a pandemic.

Like I said in my OP, Delta's flights will be contingent on the Philippines (and other countries) opening up. Perhaps I should have said "letting in foreigners, or issuing Visas" to be more clear. The "lol" at the end of your second paragraph led me to believe you were laughing at the misfortune of others. I see now it was about the US Tourist in Ireland.

Of course I believe in facts; they are as ugly as the nose on my face. Here are some more. US doesn't allow citizens of most other countries to visit. Most other countries don't allow citizens of most other countries to visit. The WHO says masks are useless. No, they protect you. No, they protect others from you. The media says Hydroxychloroquine cures! No, it kills! The CDC says that a 14-day travel quarantine is essential. That is, until yesterday.

The motto for 2020 should be "Who the Fuck Knows!" But I agree that the current US Government (both sides of the aisle) has failed the country in this crisis. What I wouldn't give for an Eisenhower, someone with strong leadership, who prioritizes country over party, and has the will and ability to unite. But all that we will get is a Trump or a Biden. Maybe we get what we deserve.

I hope your family stays healthy.

[Locamotive]

An early start. Thailand planning a small tourist re-opening.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/artic...vid/index.html

Still 14 day quarantine. Bummer. I miss the pre COVID-19 days when you just went though customs and start texting and cutie at hotel when you get there. I guess that is still a ways off. Its a start, I guess.

[Bushes]

Well. Anyone notice the news that over a quarter of New Delhi residents are suspected to have been infected with Covid19? That is one country that is actively practicing "don't test don't tell". As well as forcing a mass migration of poor workers during the beginning of the epidemic. Images of officials hosing the trapped and stranded victims.

Not funny at all. In Canada we are barely keeping a lid on the virus. Barely. So many are worried about their rights on things like wearing a mask or holding large parties that the virus keeps percolating just below the surface here. Governors in the northern US states have been putting pressure on the Canadian Government to reopen the Canadian boarders. Thankfully to date this has been rejected. Canadians recognize that the last thing Canadians want is to have that stew circulated and brought across our boarders to Canada in greater numbers.

Americans are known for their arrogance of flouting the law once they gain entry to Canada. Right now, one of the few reasons they are allowed into Canada without quarantine is to drive directly to Alaska and even then they are encouraged to not use hotels and use drive through restaurants only. Recently it has been found that Americans have been using their stated direct trips to take a leisurely sightseeing side trips even stopping in our National Parks. It has become a significant enough problem that the R.C.M.P have started charging Americans with fines in the range of $2,500. And yes Canadians are calling the police when they see American licence plates where they ought not be seen. And yes Canadian authorities are following up..

[WestCoast1]

An early start. Thailand planning a small tourist re-opening.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/artic...vid/index.html

[Member #4698]

Why do you say hate Salty? <snip>

Read those and then Google for others Salty LOL as most places in the world don't allow USA citizens to visit their countries and why should they? Now if we have a vaccine that works then things change but until then I will only see my family in the USA using Skype etc sadly.

I have family in the USA (southern states) some of whom are old / frail and high risk so I read the news and clearly understand that while I would like to go see them I can't and would not risk travel to a country that clearly has no idea how to handle a pandemic.

Of course you are entitled to your opinion, WR, but you should be aware that it does come off as a little nasty and political.

Anyhow, Here is a bit of good news: Starting in September Costa Rica will waive it's 14 day quarantine for US Citizens / tourists from 6 American States provided these visitors can provide evidence that they tested negative for the Corona 48 hours prior to arrival and carry required medical insurance. I guess some country had to be the first to reopen. This sounds like a pretty good policy not just for tourists and mongers, but for everyone concerned. I hope the Philippine government gets smart and copies it. Costa Rica is a very beautiful country and it has many great beaches. I used to spend a lot of time there when it was really a treasure back in the 70's & '80's before I discovered SE Asia. Today I prefer Asian girls, however, 555. Still, this is good news. It shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel as more countries follow suit and open their borders to healthy visitors, lower fatality rates are being achieved due to a greater knowledge of the virus, yes even in America (OMG), and quite possibly there will be a vaccine by the end of the year.

BTW, I live in Florida, which is one of the 6 states that is not initially on the list of states allowed into CR in September. Yeah, we have pretty high Corona numbers and it amazes me frankly, but the vast majority of Floridians know how to take care of themselves and stay healthy. We don't want the government to tell us what we have to do. We like out freedom here.

[Golfinho]

Not funny at all. In Canada we are barely keeping a lid on the virus. Barely. So many are worried about their rights on things like wearing a mask or holding large parties that the virus keeps percolating just below the surface here. Governors in the northern US states have been putting pressure on the Canadian Government to reopen the Canadian boarders. Thankfully to date this has been rejected. Canadians recognize that the last thing Canadians want is to have that stew circulated and brought across our boarders to Canada in greater numbers.

Americans are known for their arrogance of flouting the law once they gain entry to Canada. Right now, one of the few reasons they are allowed into Canada without quarantine is to drive directly to Alaska and even then they are encouraged to not use hotels and use drive through restaurants only. Recently it has been found that Americans have been using their stated direct trips to take a leisurely sightseeing side trips even stopping in our National Parks. It has become a significant enough problem that the R.C.M.P have started charging Americans with fines in the range of $2,500. And yes Canadians are calling the police when they see American licence plates where they ought not be seen. And yes Canadian authorities are following up.

Viet Nam shares a border with China. Viet Nam experiences China at close quarters. Should it be any surprise that they know what goes on there and what to do about it? And you notice how all other Southeast Asian countries remain closed. These people have experience in living memory of epidemic disease and they are aware of the capacities of their public health systems. Americans, comparatively, are living in a bubble where for generations they've felt they've conquered every disease that's come their way. So, why wouldn't they react by shrugging this one off and clinging close as possible to their sense of normality. In 20-20 hindsight, North Americans should not have welcomed people from Asian countries back in late 2019. This virus — and others sure to come — will cause people to change their habits and thinking. In the meantime, best get it straight that ultimately it's best to rely on your own most-informed judgement here.

[Amanut]

LOL, that's funny when they see American they call the police.

Not funny at all. In Canada we are barely keeping a lid on the virus. Barely. So many are worried about their rights on things like wearing a mask or holding large parties that the virus keeps percolating just below the surface here. Governors in the northern US states have been putting pressure on the Canadian Government to reopen the Canadian boarders. Thankfully to date this has been rejected. Canadians recognize that the last thing Canadians want is to have that stew circulated and brought across our boarders to Canada in greater numbers.

Americans are known for their arrogance of flouting the law once they gain entry to Canada. Right now, one of the few reasons they are allowed into Canada without quarantine is to drive directly to Alaska and even then they are encouraged to not use hotels and use drive through restaurants only. Recently it has been found that Americans have been using their stated direct trips to take a leisurely sightseeing side trips even stopping in our National Parks. It has become a significant enough problem that the R.C.M.P have started charging Americans with fines in the range of $2,500. And yes Canadians are calling the police when they see American licence plates where they ought not be seen. And yes Canadian authorities are following up.

WR is correct, North Americans are clueless about the ways to properly handle this pandemic. A case in point is how Vietnam dealt with their first outbreak. They locked down the country, provided testing and tracing, and in some cases locked down whole cities when a single new case as discovered. Within a couple months their citizens were out and free to wander the streets and party. They were more than three months without a new case. Ninety million people with less than 500 cases and no deaths. Recently they have had a new outbreak and they are going thorough the same process. I predict they will obtain similar results although this time they have suffered about 25 deaths. There are times when acting for the "the greater good" has to supersede individual rights and freedoms and it seems most Asian countries understand this. If North Americans understood this we would be out enjoying football and baseball rather than looking for a political excuse for exemptions.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52628283

https://vietnamnews.vn/society/771541/covid-19-figures-in-viet-nam-on-tuesday-morning.html

I was booked to go back to Vietnam in February and cancelled my trip. I was concerned how a developing country would be able to handle the virus. In hindsight I wish I had gone as I suspect I would have been safer there than I am in North America where our leaders are afraid to lead. Had I gone I would still be enjoying my time there. Instead I suspect it will be late 2021, or longer if a vaccine is not available, before North Americans will be welcomed back to Asian countries.

Nut.

[Wicked Roger]

I feel bad that you live a life blinded by hate.

Why do you say hate Salty? Did you read the news and see the statistics or do you inhabit a different world where stats and facts are never believed.

Sadly it is fact read the news as it is all there and I state the basics facts unlike many world leaders who seem to think the public are stupid.

Read the news Salty as this gives an insight into the world. I know for a fact that you can't travel to the Philippines as a monger yet as no tourist visas so far, that USA tourists have been dobbed in by others as they don't obey self ISO rules.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/w...uarantine.html

https://www.thejournal.ie/bars-resta...48431-Jul2020/

Read those and then Google for others Salty LOL as most places in the world don't allow USA citizens to visit their countries and why should they? Now if we have a vaccine that works then things change but until then I will only see my family in the USA using Skype etc sadly.

I have family in the USA (southern states) some of whom are old / frail and high risk so I read the news and clearly understand that while I would like to go see them I can't and would not risk travel to a country that clearly has no idea how to handle a pandemic.

[JohnReter335]

I feel bad that you live a life blinded by hate.

LOL, that's funny when they see American they call the police.

[SaltyPete]

Says nothing about being allowed to enter the country and be given a visa on arrival. Which is the main issue for anyone coming the Philippines.

But was a good list to tell others where not to go. As shows where Americans are allowed to go so best avoid those places as the infection rate there etc is the highest (or one of top 3) in the world and given the reaction to it is clueless ways to control this pandemic would you want to be close to any source of infections (or would the cuties either? In Ireland the locals have called the police at times when see an American tourist LOL.

But in the end there has been no mention that tourist visas will be reissued so all this is speculation at best.

And of course your balls must be super blue if you must fly Delta anywhere LOL.

I feel bad that you live a life blinded by hate.

[Wicked Roger]

https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...pacific-t.html

Delta is looking to resume scheduled MNL service from Inchon, Oct 25th. That is a good sign, but still subject to postponement if countries don't open up.

Says nothing about being allowed to enter the country and be given a visa on arrival. Which is the main issue for anyone coming the Philippines.

But was a good list to tell others where not to go. As shows where Americans are allowed to go so best avoid those places as the infection rate there etc is the highest (or one of top 3) in the world and given the reaction to it is clueless ways to control this pandemic would you want to be close to any source of infections (or would the cuties either? In Ireland the locals have called the police at times when see an American tourist LOL.

But in the end there has been no mention that tourist visas will be reissued so all this is speculation at best.

And of course your balls must be super blue if you must fly Delta anywhere LOL.

[Turgid]

...........Why leave India, Korea etc is you don't want to work for a better future? Cheers. G.

That's right they don't leave SEA to monger in the US.

[SaltyPete]

https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...pacific-t.html

Delta is looking to resume scheduled MNL service from Inchon, Oct 25th. That is a good sign, but still subject to postponement if countries don't open up.

[Bushes]

Been told a general observation that the paler or whiter the higher it floats; excluding present company. LOL.

As for the vaccine. The vaccine candidates are already beginning distributed as in tests and production. If you sign up for a trial, you will get one. Best place to sign up might be Brazil as trials need the virus spreading or deliberately given to test subjects; like the boy who got the polio vaccine and then the virus. Americans, Germans and Japanese have tested on people without consent.

As for travel, the Thai king and Duterte have shown that travel is possible. Both are examples of people escaping their home country. The anti globalization might not happen right away so I suspect there has to be travel to keep economies going. Just look around and read. Another British government official was caught travelling and setting a bad example, as if he really cares.

As for pussy, there are always some around. Maybe one or two paper shopping bags required. Otherwise it is time to get a nice Kindle and rediscover the joy of reading.

As for the Asian groceries stores, unfortunately, Trump might force them to sell to cvs, pathmart or Walmart.