Sort of agree. But not totally
[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2558533]Yeah, it depends on the number of Covid cases and demonstrations. If the demonstrations keep up and there is pressure to bend on Covid, the government might let up. But the best measure is the number of cases, and that has not gone down. Every day, Colombia is still at 17,000 cases give or take, and unless there is political pressure, my guess, and it is just a guess, is the government does not let up.
I also do not think the number of cases goes down anytime soon. Lockdowns do not work (and in fact are harmful. Even the NYT had a blurb today on how rare transmission is outside) and the Brazil variant is in Colombia, and it does not seem to be letting up in Brazil. In fact, the Brazil variant hits young people.
On top of that, Colombia is doing a shitty job with vaccinations. The vaccines are way more prevalent now (states in the USA are turning them down now), so maybe, maybe Colombia will start to get more, but that is the one ray of hope in a bleak picture IMO.[/QUOTE]I live on an island. More than 1 out of 20 people had Covid at the same time a few weeks ago. We did 1 month of night curfews, shutting businesses, not letting anyone meet with other people from different househilds, closed must businesses, and everyone was locked down unless they were outside and away from anyone from another household. We went from over 500 positive cases to 5 in 4 weeks. They lifeted the lockdown. We went to 30. Now back to 20 since the government went to businesses to check and change procedures where they though businesses could do better. The lockdown worked here.
In Colombia they do lockdowns, then open things up like the metro. Or they do the tax free days and everyone crowds stores. Or the people have demonstrations where they are not distanced from each other. They keep doing things that counter the effectiveness of the lockdowns. Its not that lockdowns don't work-its that they aren't done correctly in some places.
The rule should be: everyone is locked down unless you are outside solo or with members of your household-and moving-walking / running-and if you can maintain real distance from others not in your household during the lockdown.
I really think the game changer for where I live was the vaccines. And giving out the vaccines in much greater numbers-while people were locked down. It makes sense. While we weren't spreading the virus we were getting inoculated. And boom--the numbers dropped very very quickly and our systems are not overwhelmed now. They started driving into the local neighborhoods and pushing them-now more than 1/2 the island is vaccinated and its getting better each day. Of course, as more tourists come back--more virus and transmission and spread will happen. If more and more people get vaccinated-then the virus won't have anywhere to spread as much or as easily and will burn out.
I wish they would require vaccines for all flight travel and most group indoor activities like night clubs, bars, concerts, sports, etc. In all cases, its not entirely up to the government to fix this problem. Individuals need to do better. A this point there is no excuse for not understanding how masks help, how the mask goes over the nose, how to not congregate around non vaccinated people and how to stop the spread. Its been over a year--people can't be this dumb--they are just being lazy or obtuse with their defiance-and companies that communicate to masses-like Facebook need to do better to stop the spread of misinformation and disinformation on their sites.
I don't know why, while the USA is dealing with some potential fuel issues they don't go to Colombia and say: Here's 100 million vaccines-we'll trade ya for some cheap oil. Everyone wins (except the environment until we get off of oil).
Maybe we should create a new program: Free blowjob with your vaccine! Every man will be vaccinated in days! That would be some progress.
Maybe the headphones were a bad idea?
[QUOTE=ChuchoLoco;2558623]Sorry for your loss but you did right and are unharmed. I know Chicago so do you and that's why you did as you did. This place has good selection of iPhones and you pick the quality but you have to be back home I'm sure. You can check though but for now buy a cheap Chinese phone in Medellin. Back Market is the place. I've bought 2 1st gen SE's and am very happy. About $100 each a couple months ago, unlocked like new.[/QUOTE]If you were wearing your headphnes-you advertised that you likely had a phone or some device to play music. If not, why have them with you? Also, why the need to bring a phone everywhere we go? I tend to leave mine in the hotel safe in Colombia. On vacation why stare at a 4 inch by 5 inch or whatever little screen instead of looking at the world you are in while you are there? Are we all that addicted to our devices? Plus, these things create distractions and take away from hyper vigilance. If I meet a chick-I will give her my number for her phone.
The only time I use headphones or take a phone with me in Medellin is on Sundays when they close Poblado Avenue in the morning for people to walk and bike down the street. Its safe then and only then.
I only take just enough money that I need for whatever I am doing in that moment. Only some in the front pockets. Nothing ever in the back pockets, and some in my shoes or socks-spread out and hidden.
