General Info

[OlderAndWiser]

Sadly the chickens are coming home to roost I've seen 3 RIP notices in the expat forums here in Cebu in the last couple of weeks alone. I had my own scare a couple of weeks ago (non covid) and bought a couple of Oxygen tanks (difficult to find a space in hospital here now and many don't have spare tanksanyhow.

The guy I bought them off had bought them for his Pinay wife (39) who sadly didn't make it leaving 3 kids. I lent the tanks to the grandpa of a GF here a week ago, but sadly he passed 2 days ago (mid 60's).

The anti-vax debate reminds me of a poem my father sometimes recited when teaching me and my siblings to drive. Although there are other variations, this was my father's version:

"Here lies the body of Thomas Grey.

Who died defending his right of way.

He was dead right as he sped along.

But just as dead as if he'd been dead wrong."

Seems fitting for the last testimonials of anti-vaxxers lying at death's door because of covid.

[Soapy Smith]

The anti-vax debate reminds me of a poem my father sometimes recited when teaching me and my siblings to drive. Although there are other variations, this was my father's version:

"Here lies the body of Thomas Grey.

Who died defending his right of way.

He was dead right as he sped along.

But just as dead as if he'd been dead wrong."

Seems fitting for the last testimonials of anti-vaxxers lying at death's door because of covid.

[Soapy Smith]

Should we start limiting resources to people who are overweight? Who smoke? People with STD's? A lot of people have allergic reactions to vaccines, and cannot take them at all. Others may not want to risk this new vaccine, in any case, it's really none of your business anyway.

It's everybody's business just like Typhoid Mary was everybody's business. I have four grandchildren between the ages of one and 10, and those who are too self-absorbed to get vaccinated endanger them. These kids have no defense against unvaccinated people communicating covid to them. The one-year-old has medical issues and would probably not survive covid.

Obesity is not mortally contagious to the non-obese. Where people smoke is regulated, and secondhand smoke is nowhere near as deadly as covid. Wearing seat belts is regulated, sometimes expensively.

Nobody I know is proposing that those who are allergic must take vaccines.

Here's another viewpoint; he doesn't exactly seem like one of the "liberal elite":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2Gq6ROvBkU

[WestCoast1]

I would say not.

To extend my thoughts.

Regarding tourists coming to Phils September 5. See first pic (A), this is the most recent set of announcements from the Phils Bureau of Immigration. Nothing listed there suggests tourists returning, in fact the Advisories claim that this or that item is intended to keep most foreigners out.

Second pic is an announcement of an extension of countries that are banned from traveling to Phils (as mentioned in the PAL article).

Last pic the recent Advisory. It lists the recent MECQ as the reason that the BI is running 30-50% capacity of employees (red box). The blue box mentions using the Online Appointment button for clients (like visa extensions; you can only get into the building with a previously-made electronic appointment, which you must show to the security guards to get into the BI). Frown face for the following reason. Once you click that button and go to make your appointment, you will see a calendar that shows for the next 2 months. However each appointment time will be in a red color, indicating that its already taken. GOOD LUCK!

I have a pinoy friend working in the BI. He lives in QC. Several times he has not been able to go to work due to local lockdowns in his Brgy, for several days at a time. When your skeleton crew forces you to limit client intake, then several of your employees can't come to work because of local lockdown, you and the clients are effed. Also I have noticed my last several visits to the BI that the guards outside are on a heightened sense of Covid (or other possible items). They can be brisk, aggressive, stand-offish, and unhelpful to even the simplest question. They are interested in only 1 thing: Can you confirm your appointment on your phone with your receipt (which has a QR code, your name, appointment date / time). If yes, fall in line and STFU; if not then go home and make an appointment online.

There really is a skeleton crew at the Intramuros BI. The place isn't overrun, its terribly understaffed. While everyone wants to come back, the idea of thousands of new tourists daily (many of whom will extend later) will just add to the chaos.

[SpirouleGroom]

I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.

You guys are hilarious. It's been 8 months now that this insane vaccine campaign have started and. You still keep your fingers crossed.

Have anything changed? Are you able to fly back to the Philippines?

Oh wait, yes things have changed. As a double vax you can't enter Portugal and Swede if you are from Israel.

Why? Because the situation there is out of control. The double vax are not considered vax anymore and not included in stats which is a relief since the majority of the hospitalized are double vax. Guys, you need your third jab to keep up with current events otherwise you are spreading the virus and I will ask you to keep your distance.

[PedroMorales]

It won't even get to that. Soon no airline will take the reputational risk of being flying Petri dishes and delivering 400 newly infected passengers because they accepted the unvaccinated.

Have a look at the decimated cruise industry after numerous onboard outbreaks.

Airlines are petri dishes. I note you cannot see that. You want some sort of caste system where the pompous- mongers ffs. Get to do as they like on the presumption they are not at risk. El Al probably think differently as Israelis, who will soon be on their fourth jab, are currently in global pole position for spreading Covid.

Have you seen the Argentina Brazil match got suspended because four of the Argentinians came from England which is on Brazil's red list? They lied they flew from Colombia which is on Brazil's red list. Brazil is a petri dish. As is the Philippines. Let's check.

Argentina v Brazil: https://www.google.com/search?client...-d&q=argentina+v+Brazil.

Global Covid rankings https://www.google.com/search?client...-d&q=argentina+v+Brazil.

Brazil in bronze place (the match was in Brazil). Israel and the Philippines motoring ahead.

Moral hazard says the guy who wants to go to the Philippines to bang paupers. I forget whether you are American (pole place in the covid wars) or Australian (Mad Max lock downs). Is self reflection against some Cheap Charlie code?

Trying to vaccinate the world is right out of a James Bond villain movie. As are the Bond villains who promote it. As regards mongers like you: you are just like kids who get jabbed tgo go to rock orgies or football supporters who take the jab to watch millionaires like Messi DFK after they score a goal.

[CrowExplorer]

I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.

[Deleted by Admin] Should we start limiting resources to people who are overweight? Who smoke? People with STD's? A lot of people have allergic reactions to vaccines, and cannot take them at all. Others may not want to risk this new vaccine, in any case, it's really none of your business anyway.

[BrizLad]

Hasn't forgoing moral hazard gotten us into trouble before? .

We don't tend to see moral hazard mentioned in the Philippines forums.

This travel ban has given me some time to consider some of my decisions while I've been in Ph. Can't wait to get back.

[Goferring]

I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.

Never thought of that but it's actually a good idea: those that want to self insure against getting ill should not rely on the public purse to bail them out if their bet goes wrong.

Hasn't forgoing moral hazard gotten us into trouble before? 😏.

[WestCoast1]

Should we understand that fully vaccinated can enter Phil but with a 7 days quarantine and PCR test on the 5th day?

I would say not. Reason: This web page is created by PAL, an airline. Those entering the information are interpreting Phils BI visa / immigration information. Mistakes have been made before. Better to look on the Phils BI website, contact your nearest Phils consulate in your country, or contact your country's Department of State.

Here is the Philippines Consulate website in LOS Angeles. That pic is what pops up in the consulate's website:

https://www.philippineconsulatela.org/

Phils Bureau of Immigration:

https://immigration.gov.ph/

[BrizLad]

It won't even get to that. Soon no airline will take the reputational risk of being flying Petri dishes and delivering 400 newly infected passengers because they accepted the unvaccinated.

Have a look at the decimated cruise industry after numerous onboard outbreaks.

I agree with that. I'm even advocating that we start limiting hospital resources. 80% of hospitals for the vaccinated people and 20% of health resources for the unvaccinated.

[Albert9989]

https://www.philippineairlines.com/e...xForTravelToPH

Filipinos yes. Foreigners if they are: 1) The spouse or parent of a Filipino; 2) Dual citizen; 3) Foreign government worker (possible Embassy staff, or NGO, and just guessing); 4) Seafarers with 9 (c) visa; 5) Those with eligible certificates, RC or CRPC (unclear to me what those are); 6) Those with eligible visas (seems unclear what that is); 7) Investors with special authority (unclear again).

#6 above, eligible visas. It does mention the 9 (a) visa. I think that is the normal Embassy-granted, 59-day, pre-arrival visa? It does mention having to follow IATF rules:

[I]Conditions of the IATF-EID:

Must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry unless otherwise stated in the table above.

With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility / hotel for at least 10 days at the traveler's expense*.

Should we understand that fully vaccinated can enter Phil but with a 7 days quarantine and PCR test on the 5th day?

[WestCoast1]

It kind of seems like we can go back after Sept 5th if we are vaccinated. Am I wrong? That would be fantastic.

Depends on who are "we"? We = mongers NO. Mongers = tourist NO.

https://www.philippineairlines.com/e...xForTravelToPH

Filipinos yes. Foreigners if they are: 1) The spouse or parent of a Filipino; 2) Dual citizen; 3) Foreign government worker (possible Embassy staff, or NGO, and just guessing); 4) Seafarers with 9 (c) visa; 5) Those with eligible certificates, RC or CRPC (unclear to me what those are); 6) Those with eligible visas (seems unclear what that is); 7) Investors with special authority (unclear again).

#6 above, eligible visas. It does mention the 9 (a) visa. I think that is the normal Embassy-granted, 59-day, pre-arrival visa? It does mention having to follow IATF rules:

Conditions of the IATF-EID:

Must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry unless otherwise stated in the table above.

With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility / hotel for at least 10 days at the traveler's expense*.

Must undergo RT-PCR testing on the 7th day of quarantine. Non-OFWs and non-Filipinos on PAL flights arriving in Manila will be swabbed by Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory for arrivals in NAIA Terminal 2, or by the Philippine Airport Diagnostics Laboratory for arrivals in NAIA Terminal 1. Those arriving in Laoag will be swabbed by Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. *.

*For fully vaccinated travelers, whether in the Philippines or abroad, stayed exclusively in Green list countries / jursidictions / territories in the last fourteen (14) days prior to arrival in the Philippines, may only hold a 7-night confirmed booking on a facility-based quarantine and shall undergo an RT-PCR test on the 5th day of their quarantine stay. The vaccination status must be independently verified / confirmed by Philippine authorities as valid and authentic upon the traveler's arrival in the country.

[Dg8787]

It kind of seems like we can go back after Sept 5th if we are vaccinated. Am I wrong? That would be fantastic.

Depends on who are "we"? We = mongers NO. Mongers = tourist NO.

[PedroMorales]

https://www.philstar.com/business/20...P55fNshDDJSRF4

I am surprised so few airlines have gone belly up. Anyway, this is just another nail into the mongering coffin.

I see no hope of banging LBFMs there for a long time (when I will definitely be past it). The first white trash to return would be the Ossies who have draconian lock down measures. Allowing Koreans have the keys to the candy store would lead to other issues when Covid outbreaks occur.