Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2552378]Unfortunately Colombia is a long way off from it's population becoming fully vaccinated, and as your aware a lot of people in the Country got the Chinese vaccine wth an admitted low efficacy, and those people are now going to want to get the Pfizer vaccine. The actual question is whether a Country can actually vaccinate it's way out of the Pandemic which the USA is attempting to do right now, but may never achieve given that a lot of people are reluctant to get vaccinated, so nobody really knows at this point in time. As far as Colombia, it may end up that the virus will just run it's course thru the Country versus being eradicated thru the population being vaccinated.

As far as vaccination passports, I am perplexed when I hear people who are against them for whatever reason, and a lot of people are against them. I see no difference with the "Yellow Fever Shot" required for entry into certain Countries and don't know why this hasn't been worked out already but am guessing the authentication of those people being actually vaccinated is part of the reason. It will eventually become a worldwide requirement, it's just a matter of time, and Countries are already starting to accept them as a basis for entry.[/QUOTE]Anyone out there who believes it is going to be left up to individual choice as far as Enternational travel is concerned is kidding themselves and doesn't really understand the ramifications of moving around the world unfettered. You will have to show proof of vaccination or you won't be allowed entry to Colombia and just about every other country in the world, sooner than later, is my prediction, and that doesn't take a degree in epidemiology. I don't give a flying fuck about the politics or effectiveness of the vaccine. I happen to believe the risk of the vaccine harming you is much less than the risk of catching COVID and the harm that can do, which is small. Even though I don't need it, I am getting my second dose of vaccine in anticipation that proving vaccination status will soon be the new standard requirement for international travel.

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2552378]As far as vaccination passports, I am perplexed when I hear people who are against them for whatever reason, and a lot of people are against them.[/QUOTE]People do not want to be marked and segregated according to their willingness to accept the vaccine. A vaccine passport seems to be an irrelevant thing anyway seeing that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting covid or spreading it. All a passport would be saying is that you probably won't die from getting it. The yellow fever card, however, says that you can not infect the mosquitos which would in turn infect other people.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2552433]It seems to be kind of a moot thing seeing that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting covid or spreading it.[/QUOTE]And nothing in that statement matters because the government is pushing hard for people to get the vaccine, and if they have to "incentivize" you to do it by restricting you from getting on an airplane and traveling internationally, the will do it.

So far, I haven't found a single health agency, from the Catron County New Mexico Health Department to the WHO, or governments, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, which are basing pandemic responses and recommendations on what they're reading on the ISG Medellin forum. Maybe that's the whole problem.

Or maybe most of us here lack the qualifications (or are too damn lazy) to fully understand the data and draw reasonable conclusions.

On the subject of mongering, for those who use Facebook, Yennifer Taborda recently split up from her pandemic boyfriend and is back on active duty, although she's apparently keeping pretty busy.

During the total lockdown periods (Fri-Sun morning / afternoon), it sounds like the girls can still come to us, but can we go out to them (in a taxi)? In other words, if we book a taxi, and go door to door, is that a risk?

TIA.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2552433]People do not want to be marked and segregated according to their willingness to accept the vaccine.[/QUOTE]True, but this is a sensational evidence of how some press and some people twists facts to mislead.

If I allow people to travel to my home country depending on their skin color or religion, I am discriminating arbitrarily. But if I allow only vaccinated people to enter my country, I am keeping out those that are more likely to bring infections to my citizens. We do it for Yellow Fever or other diseases, I do not see why we should not do it with COVID.

So, all you no-vax guys, stay happy and relax at your home, travel to third world, but I will not allow you to enter my borders, neither I will allow you to get on my aircrafts, because my passengers must travel safe!

I can't wait such vaccination pass will be introduced. Not a panacea, but definitely it will help me a lot to travel.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2552433] A vaccine passport seems to be an irrelevant thing anyway seeing that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting covid or spreading it. [/QUOTE]You are probably wrong on this. This is not known yet, at least for the moment. On the contrary, I read there is some preliminary evidence that at least some vaccines are quite effective also in preventing the infection (you know that in medicine the 100% success probability does not exist, never, in any therapy).

What you wrote above is the prudent current assessment, based on empirical data collected in these few last months. Next year we will know more. We can hope vaccines will also help to prevent infections, but nobody knows yet how effectively.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2552433]People do not want to be marked and segregated according to their willingness to accept the vaccine. A vaccine passport seems to be an irrelevant thing anyway seeing that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting covid or spreading it. All a passport would be saying is that you probably won't die from getting it. The yellow fever card, however, says that you can not infect the mosquitos which would in turn infect other people.[/QUOTE]Well it's interesting that you think that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting COVID, as a lot of Countries are relying on it in hopes of re-opening sooner. And in Thailand, if you've been vaccinated, they reduce how long you have to be quarantined to enter versus those who haven't.

Regardless, I think your in the minority, in that eventually I see it as being a requirement to enter many Countries, no different than the Yellow Fever shot. And for those who have not been vaccinated, they may be subject to quarantines and other limitations to enter Countries that don't require you be vaccinated.

Anyways, you may find yourself in a pickle, and it won't be the first time, because if you refuse to be vaccinated, and are barred from those Countries requiring it, you will have to get a new handle, as you will no longer be able to be the one and only Mr. International on ISG! LOL.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2552447]True, but this is a sensational evidence of how some press and some people twists facts to mislead.

If I allow people to travel to my home country depending on their skin color or religion, I am discriminating arbitrarily. But if I allow only vaccinated people to enter my country, I am keeping out those that are more likely to bring infections to my citizens. We do it for Yellow Fever or other diseases, I do not see why we should not do it with COVID.

So, all you no-vax guys, stay happy and relax at your home, travel to third world, but I will not allow you to enter my borders, neither I will allow you to get on my aircrafts, because my passengers must travel safe!

I can't wait such vaccination pass will be introduced. Not a panacea, but definitely it will help me a lot to travel.

You are probably wrong on this. This is not known yet, at least for the moment. On the contrary, I read there is some preliminary evidence that at least some vaccines are quite effective also in preventing the infection (you know that in medicine the 100% success probability does not exist, never, in any therapy).

What you wrote above is the prudent current assessment, based on empirical data collected in these few last months. Next year we will know more. We can hope vaccines will also help to prevent infections, but nobody knows yet how effectively.[/QUOTE]Vaccine potency varies for sure. Take one look at Israel (mostly PFE) v Chile (Mostly Sinovac) and their current numbers. Both nations are well on their way to vaccinating their populations.

However to say that they don't work is utter bullshit. Have a look at Israel who has vaccinated about 60% of their population with Pfizer bioNTech vaccine. Alos bear in mind that this vaccine is not approved for the under 16(roughhly 20% of the population). So only 1/4 have not and likely will not. They barely get 20-30k people a day to take the shot now.
Their case numbers are next to zero. I think they had like 30 cases and a couple of deaths today. If you get the vaccine especially one of the mRNA ones. You stand an above 90% chance of not getting the disease. If you do it is likely to be milder. This has been shown to be the case against most of the variants as well. What is more it remains unclear but very likely that even if you do get the disease you are less likely to be a heavy spreader. This is the case with other vaccinations. I am baffled at why the CDC is taking this long almost 5 months since mass vaccinations with these mRNA vaccines started to come up with that information. The press is not doing their job on that By pressing the CDC officials, who are notoriously risk averse, IMHO.
Finally, the rapid antigen tests that we are using to allow people to travel are not without their own shortcomings. There are false negatives associated with this test. In addition there is 5 days incubation periods to consider. So when you are using a non-bullet proof method to allow international travel why can you not do so with a highly efficacious vaccine. Politics more at play more than science IMHO.

[QUOTE=BlackPage;2552447]True, but this is a sensational evidence of how some press and some people twists facts to mislead.

If I allow people to travel to my home country depending on their skin color or religion, I am discriminating arbitrarily. But if I allow only vaccinated people to enter my country, I am keeping out those that are more likely to bring infections to my citizens. We do it for Yellow Fever or other diseases, I do not see why we should not do it with COVID.

So, all you no-vax guys, stay happy and relax at your home, travel to third world, but I will not allow you to enter my borders, neither I will allow you to get on my aircrafts, because my passengers must travel safe![/QUOTE]You assume that a vaccine passport will only be used for those that want to travel abroad. It could just as well be used to discriminate against citizens of your own country. So because I chose not to take the vaccine and get the passport I am looked down upon and can only go to grocery stores on Tuesdays between 3 and 4 pm. It could be used as a mark of the beast of sorts where when you do not have it the mundane things you used to do with relative ease have been made very difficult. [blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue]

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2552451]Well it's interesting that you think that the vaccine does not prevent you from getting COVID, [/QUOTE]It is not my thinking. I know a lot of things, but medicine, diseases, and vaccines are none of the things I am well versed in. But I do know how to look shit up and research. What I said was according to the CDC, not according to me:

"scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not have symptoms. Early data show the vaccines do help keep people with no symptoms from spreading COVID-19, but we are learning more as more people get vaccinated. Were also still learning how long COVID-19 vaccines protect people. For these reasons, people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should keep taking precautions in public places, until we know more, like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often. "

[URL]https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html#:~:text=Although%20COVID-19%20vaccines%20are,you%20do%20not%20have%20symptoms.[/URL]

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2552451]Anyways, you may find yourself in a pickle, and it won't be the first time, because if you refuse to be vaccinated, and are barred from those Countries requiring it, you will have to get a new handle, as you will no longer be able to be the one and only Mr. International on ISG! LOL.[/QUOTE]LOL. Just because I am not getting the vaccine, does not mean I do not have a vaccine card! You forget that I am a highly educated streetwise dude. I stay ready so I will not have to get ready.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;2552411]Man, that is a steep fine. That's about as much as you can pull out of the ATM there at one time.

Also will be a huge deterrent for chicas to try to risk such a heavy fine to try to come and visit you during curfew.

I enjoy all of my chicas, but I can't think of one that I would want to have stay with me Thursday through Monday. You might as well say you are married at that point, LOL![/QUOTE]The fine is not 900,000 Pesos, but 90,000 Pesos for being caught.

[QUOTE=Queens35;2552446]During the total lockdown periods (Fri-Sun morning / afternoon), it sounds like the girls can still come to us, but can we go out to them (in a taxi)? In other words, if we book a taxi, and go door to door, is that a risk?

TIA.[/QUOTE]See this post:

[QUOTE=JohnnyO;2551819]When I first arrived during the first weekend shutdown a couple of weeks ago I asked my regular driver to pick up my regular girl and he advised against as it could be problematic. I was able to get her an uber later.

Today ber prices are almost triple the usual fare. Normal fare to pick up my girl around 8000, uber wanting 22000 due to high demand although this fluctuates every 10-15 mins or so. I prefer uber as card payments are easier and I am having issues with didi.

Also when I sent an uber for my regular today I got a message from him asking if she had permission to move as there were a lot of police controls and stops. So this along with recent reports from Tall Man and it seems like its getting tougher to move either yourself or girls around at the moment during these shutdowns.[/QUOTE]So it does not look like it is possible, but I will like the OP chime in if he has any new intel.

Also this post:

[QUOTE=Andres901;2552330]Well I just got the news that the toque de queda or curfew will extend for the the following weekend. If you are caught you may get fined 900 mil peso. Well what can we do? I'll be there that weekend but will follow their strict rules.[/QUOTE]So given that most guys here would never agree to give a chica $200+ USD, it is highly unlikely most chicas will risk getting fined to come and see you and then not get help from you to bail them out of the fine if they do get caught.

[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2552427]Anyone out there who believes it is going to be left up to individual choice as far as Enternational travel is concerned is kidding themselves and doesn't really understand the ramifications of moving around the world unfettered. You will have to show proof of vaccination or you won't be allowed entry to Colombia and just about every other country in the world, sooner than later, is my prediction, and that doesn't take a degree in epidemiology. I don't give a flying fuck about the politics or effectiveness of the vaccine. I happen to believe the risk of the vaccine harming you is much less than the risk of catching COVID and the harm that can do, which is small. Even though I don't need it, I am getting my second dose of vaccine in anticipation that proving vaccination status will soon be the new standard requirement for international travel.[/QUOTE]Thanks Surfer and Osteoknot. You are speaking for the majority of us and I disagree with Mr Enternational about the vaccines and the covid passport.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2552458]You assume that a vaccine passport will only be used for those that want to travel abroad. It could just as well be used to discriminate against citizens of your own country. So because I chose not to take the vaccine and get the passport I am looked down upon and can only go to grocery stores on Tuesdays between 3 and 4 pm. It could be used as a mark of the beast of sorts where when you do not have it the mundane things you used to do with relative ease have been made very difficult. Ask the Jews that were in the Holocaust, the Cambodians under the Polpot regime, or the apartheid era South Africans how this vaccine passport thing could go very left.[/QUOTE]I'm pro vax I recd Moderna at the you of Chicago in Sept and anti vax passport.

Its never good to give govt more power over our lives, I don't even think I should need a fucking passport period.

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2552409]This is sad to hear of so many people within your family becoming ill, and you would think that especially those who partake in our "sport" (not you or I) would take getting vaccinated seriously, but there are members who won't which defies logic to me. Our sport exposes us to so many unknown people so I kind of view the Vaccine somewhat similar to a condom.

What I can tell you as to what I experienced being in Medellin in November 2020 prior to being vaccinated, versus in late February to early April of this year after being vaccinated was a whole different mindset for me.

In November I stayed off the Metro and away from people as much as possible and basically was a bit paranoid, especially when in El Centro about getting infected.

Upon returning in February after being vaccinated, I basically put COVID in the rear view mirror, not meaning that I wouldn't wear a mask or abide the rules, but more in the sense that I'm supposedly at least 90% protected with no underlying health conditions so the odds of getting sick and dying were very low. Hence I operated while in town exactly as before the Pandemic, riding the METRO, and banging away in El Centro besides other places.[/QUOTE]I love vaccines and hate condoms jajajajajaja.