Rio de Janeiro Reports

Devils go where angels fear to tread.

Or it may be fools.

I dreamed I was running through Rio whoring while Wearing a gas mask with contractors and operators from my old unit.

As is I know where to get first rate medical care (university or the hospital next to the bombeiros hq).

Good prevention is key.

Exercise (Transamerica triathlon, fighting fucking and futbol), diet (homemade moqueca!

It is a great time to be in Brazil. Unless you die haha.

[QUOTE=UniversalX;2538450]I concur with The Cane.

I cannot find the will-power to pull the trigger, I guess I am a Scaredy-Cat. I see videos and Brazilian news shows and it looks like the mask wearing (and social distancing) seems to be non-existent as though COVID does not exist.

The NYT article linked by The Cane is no joke. I must applaud the bravery of those (of the forum) who have traveled to and plan on traveling to Brazil in addition to those on extended stays. As Spock says. "Live long and Prosper".

I found this quote in the NTY article is telling [URL=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/world/americas/brazil-covid-variant.html]"The immunity you get with your cemeteries running out of room, even that will not be enough to protect you.[/URL].

I do not know when it will be a good time to travel maybe 4 QTR 21 or sometime 22. [U]For Anyone on the sidelines when do you guesstimate when the coast to be clear to travel to Brazil?[/U].[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=UniversalX;2538450]I do not know when it will be a good time to travel maybe 4 QTR 21 or sometime 22. [U]For Anyone on the sidelines when do you guesstimate when the coast to be clear to travel to Brazil?[/U].[/QUOTE]My guess is sometime in 2022, without a full worldwide recovery all around until 2024. I plan to do some domestic travel this year, then get in some international in 2022. I hope!

[QUOTE=UniversalX;2538450]I cannot find the will-power to pull the trigger, I guess I am a Scaredy-Cat. I see videos and Brazilian news shows and it looks like the mask wearing (and social distancing) seems to be non-existent as though COVID does not exist.[/QUOTE]I do not know what videos you are watching, but in person Brazil looks like everywhere else in the world that I have been during these times; most people wearing masks and a couple of people not.

Maybe stay away from the videos. I was in Thailand from the beginning of the pandemic until the end of September. There were only about 3000 cases and 58 people that died there during that time. The news and videos would have me believe the west was in an apocalypse and people were falling out in the streets. When I got back to the States, the only differences I saw was that people were wearing masks and some restaurants being take-away only. Maybe if I worked in a hospital I would have seen some apocalyptic things inside, but being a regular joe on the street what really are you seeing different that is putting so much fear into you?

When I got into T65 I had on my mask. The lady in the locker room told me I didn't need to wear a mask in there. So I took it off and went to kiss her. She kissed me on the cheek. I said no we are kissing in the mouth. She fought that. I said exactly. Until you are willing to kiss me in the mouth, don't say I don't need to wear a mask. I will not run around willy nilly without a mask in close quarters, but I am not going to live in a bubble either.

[QUOTE=UniversalX;2538450]...I cannot find the will-power to pull the trigger...[/QUOTE]Neither can I, just don't feel comfortable travelling now.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2538500]I was in Thailand from the beginning of the pandemic until the end of September. There were only about 3000 cases and 58 people that died there during that time. The news and videos would have me believe the west was in an apocalypse and people were falling out in the streets. When I got back to the States, the only differences I saw was that people were wearing masks and some restaurants being take-away only. Maybe if I worked in a hospital I would have seen some apocalyptic things inside, but being a regular joe on the street what really are you seeing different that is putting so much fear into you?[/QUOTE]I always factor in that I suspect a significant amount of under reporting, especially in developing countries. And in some places (Spain & Italy), it seems that it was indeed the "virus apocalypse" in the west. And regardless of where you are, anybody with pre-existing conditions or at an age where they might be more susceptible to serious illness from this virus should be playing it safe. The risk factors for each individual are going to be different, and they should act accordingly. I know of somebody with an auto-immune deficiency for example. She needs to be living in a bubble. At the very least, everybody should be social distancing where possible and wearing a mask to protect other people from getting sick.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2538516]And regardless of where you are, anybody with pre-existing conditions or at an age where they might be more susceptible to serious illness from this virus should be playing it safe. [/QUOTE]I have asthma, which is a pre-existing condition. But I am saying there is a difference in being safe and being paranoid. Being safe is wearing a mask. Being paranoid is being afraid to go somewhere because you think you are going to catch it and die.

I went out to eat with my cousin back in November. She had on 2 masks and a face shield. I could not even hear her talking. When we ordered food, she got hers to go. I was confused. Turned out she had not been out anywhere since the thing started and she was paranoid to be out in public. She did end up taking one bite, but took the rest of her food home.

I have been to like 8 countries since this thing started and have not come into contact with anything that is making me fear for my life. I can practice a reasonable amount of safety and keep living my normal life at the same time.

Quality cheap ppe.

Don't overlook gloves.

5 are for mask with filter.

Ditto gloves.

Ditto eye pro.

[QUOTE=Vagabundo1;2538465]Devils go where angels fear to tread.

Or it may be fools.

I dreamed I was running through Rio whoring while Wearing a gas mask with contractors and operators from my old unit.

As is I know where to get first rate medical care (university or the hospital next to the bombeiros hq).

Good prevention is key.

Exercise (Transamerica triathlon, fighting fucking and futbol), diet (homemade moqueca!

It is a great time to be in Brazil. Unless you die haha.[/QUOTE]

I concur!

I would add:

Hydrate or die (coco water is 6.99 r at Pedro health store. I forget the exact name).

Sleep 6+ hours daily.

Exercise especially swimming.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2538567]I have asthma, which is a pre-existing condition. But I am saying there is a difference in being safe and being paranoid. Being safe is wearing a mask. Being paranoid is being afraid to go somewhere because you think you are going to catch it and die.

I went out to eat with my cousin back in November. She had on 2 masks and a face shield. I could not even hear her talking. When we ordered food, she got hers to go. I was confused. Turned out she had not been out anywhere since the thing started and she was paranoid to be out in public. She did end up taking one bite, but took the rest of her food home.

I have been to like 8 countries since this thing started and have not come into contact with anything that is making me fear for my life. I can practice a reasonable amount of safety and keep living my normal life at the same time.[/QUOTE]

This is what the professionals (fireman, bus drivers) wear.

[QUOTE=Vagabundo1;2538575]Quality cheap ppe.

Don't overlook gloves.

5 reais for mask with filter.

Ditto gloves.

Ditto eye pro.[/QUOTE]

And the data is the data, although everyone has their own risk tolerance level, so I won't criticize anyone who follows a more risk averse path than myself or someone who is more risk tolerant.

I know people who have had the virus. We probably all do. One 52-year-old friend, in good health, caught the virus and he said it was the worst 8 days he ever experienced with severe migraine headaches and overall body weakness. He said couldn't do anything for a week. Another 55-year-old friend who is also in good health caught it and he said he barely felt a thing. He knew he had it because his wife also had it, but she was in real bad shape for 10 days. Then I have a 45-year-old cousin, in good health, who got it and he said he felt weak and lethargic for about a week and then he got better fast. Lastly, I know a couple of younger American girls, in their early 30's and very healthy. They caught it but told me they felt nothing more than some slight flu symptoms for a few days.

So, with all the CDC data and the anecdotal information I mentioned above and realizing that although I am in very good health, I am over 60 (fuck), I decided to play it safe through out 2020. Meanwhile a good friend of mine, in his 50's and in good health went down to Sao Paulo in October. I could have easily gone with him. He told me he had a great time and was not affected adversely in any way. I chose not to go down with him to Brazil not because I was afraid of dying. Dying from this virus is rare unless you have a pre-condition or are over 70. But I didn't want to risk getting laid up with this BS in a hotel room in a foreign country for a week to 10 days feeling like shit. So, I waited at home while my friend did 2 chicas a day in SP. Good for him!

But now I have had the Moderna double shot and my decision is to wait no more. Wait for what? The end of the virus Worldwide or just in Brazil? That might take years. No, not me. I am willing to take some risks now and face whatever the consequences which, BTW, I think will be minor post-inoculation. I could be wrong. But that's the risk I am now willing to take which I wasn't willing to take pre inoculation due to my age.

The good news is most of us will have the opportunity to get vaccinated in the next few months, so waiting a little longer is not the worst thing in the world, but hey, my situation has changed so I am going, but my risk tolerance is such that if I were in my 40's or low 50's, I would not have waited out 2020. I would have travelled. But that is just me. Everyone is free to make their own decisions based on the data and their particular risk assessments.

One more thing concerning RJ & SP girls: I think a lot of them have already had the virus and had few if any symptoms. They are young & healthy! This is just speculation on my part, but herd immunity is real and it is occurring in the USA with the aid of the vaccine and in Brazil without. Just saying.

I still plan to play it relatively safe when I am in Brazil and not take too many risks, but when I am with a young, pretty Brazilian girl who looks healthy, acts healthy, says she feels good, then she probably is good, ha ha, for me. But yeah, life is a risk. Just leaving your house in the morning and driving down the freeway to the office has a certain amount of risk to it. And remember, pre-Wuhan, going down on your favorite Asian of Brazilian hookers and barebacking them had certain risks albeit different risks as well. I am tired of being on pause. I played it safe and conservative until I was finally vaccinated. Now, it is time for me to go out and have some fun again and yes to take some calculated risks. Be safe & keep on rockin'.

NB.

This is just a request for mongers with boots on the ground to keep us all updated in high resolution on the current state of closure, or lack thereof, of institutions of procurement. I will be coming down in May for the first time and I'm sure the situation will be changed by then but it will be nice to know how the various Termas, Privates, Boates, etc respond to lockdown orders in general-however transient they may be. It seems like there is a healthy trade in escort sites as well so I'm telling myself that would be a decent failsafe if everything else gets shut down. Being healthy and in my mid 40's I'm less concerned with the virus but more interested in how this will affect my extracurriculars.

Sounds like Thailand has decided to reduce / eliminate the quarantine so it's a bit frustrating committing to Rio only to have restrictions descend upon my back-up trip plan while loosening on my primary. I suppose this whole year is a crapshoot.

-also if anyone can enlighten on the travel restrictions from Brazil to Colombia would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance my friends.

While I'm at it- I've RTFF quite a bit (50+ pages) but still can't get a complete sense of the natural occurrence in Rio of my preferred physique- The Spinner.

My preference is for rail thin petite Asian girls and so I find mongering locations like the DR to be bleak deserts of unpalatable giant ass.

I was able to find spinners in Bogota / Medellin but it really took some work. Is Rio isometric to Colombia in that regard?

One commenter here said that there are plenty of spinners to be found in Rio, and that they are not as in demand and so perhaps demand LE $$.

Anyone care to chime in and confirm or deny?

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2538660]

The good news is most of us will have the opportunity to get vaccinated in the next few months
NB.[/QUOTE]That's right. Like you said, most people will be able to get their shots. While that still leaves a 5. 5% risk to contract the disease, the vaccine is said to protect close to 100% from severe forms, which is what any sane person should be concerned with, IMHO. There is one remaining issues though. If you test positive before your flight home, you'll miss your flight. Now I know many worse places than Rio to be stuck in, but if there is even a slight chance to lose your job over this slim possibility I'd think twice (not my case, though).

But even then, the CDC is waiving the testing requirement if you've been vaccinated within 3 months. And they may extend it if new studies show that immunity stays longer than that (and it probably does).

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2538660]...But now I have had the Moderna double shot and my decision is to wait no more. Wait for what? The end of the virus Worldwide or just in Brazil? That might take years. No, not me. I am willing to take some risks now and face whatever the consequences which, BTW, I think will be minor post-inoculation. I could be wrong. But that's the risk I am now willing to take which I wasn't willing to take pre inoculation due to my age.

The good news is most of us will have the opportunity to get vaccinated in the next few months, so waiting a little longer is not the worst thing in the world, but hey, my situation has changed so I am going, but my risk tolerance is such that if I were in my 40's or low 50's, I would not have waited out 2020. I would have travelled. But that is just me. Everyone is free to make their own decisions based on the data and their particular risk assessments.[/QUOTE]

Congrats, on getting vaccinated. I hope to be soon. Overall I agree, If your vaccinated that changes the whole equation. I will once vaccinated assess my risk tolerance which also depends on the vaccination rate adoption of the city I plan to visit.

My reticence in travelling is not to spook anyone. Hell, what would ISG be like today if mongers stayed at home. Perhaps too many reports like mine haha. We all must live according to our level of caution. I rarely take risks which is why I never got rich or married. Getting married is much riskier than mongering. In any event I will travel as soon as I am comfortable doing so and that probably applies to nuptials as well. 60+ year old guy speaking.