Medellin Reports

[Rextor]

Exactly. Therefore to brand people without the vaccine with a scarlet letter is absurd. The only way to give it is if you got it. You can get it and give it whether you are vaccinated or not. If you have the vaccine YOUR chances are reduced on the receiving side, but they are the same as those without the vaccine on the giving side. They don't say if you don't get the vaccine you are going to give covid to someone. They don't say if you do get the vaccine you can not give covid to someone. You get the vaccine to protect yourself, not for you to protect other people.

Being vaccinated reduces your peak viral load, which means that there is less free virus floating around in your respiratory system, which means that when you cough fewer viral particles will be ejected, which makes it less likely that someone will get infected. In other words, vaccination absolutely makes a difference on both the giving and receiving ends.

The group of people whoare not vaccinated despite having the means and opportunity are, as a whole, partly responsible for the continuation of the pandemic and deaths of thousands. It's so selfish and entitled, there are countless millions in Colombia who would do almost anything to get a vaccine and so many privileged westerners decide not to get it. Sad.

[Osteoknot]

Welp, looks like I have COVID. I, and many others, will probably regret this post!

Jajajajaja. You called it.

[Osteoknot]

Exactly. Therefore to brand people without the vaccine with a scarlet letter is absurd. The only way to give it is if you got it. You can get it and give it whether you are vaccinated or not. If you have the vaccine YOUR chances are reduced on the receiving side, but they are the same as those without the vaccine on the giving side. They don't say if you don't get the vaccine you are going to give covid to someone. They don't say if you do get the vaccine you can not give covid to someone. You get the vaccine to protect yourself, not for you to protect other people.

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt" Do yourself a favor and back out quietly. Your misunderstanding and lack of comprehension on the topic is legion.

[Combo]

Thank you for stating what many here don't appreciate. We hobbyists are, on average, more of a health threat than the average person. Having sex with many partners (who themselves have sex with many partners) is a great way to spread lots of things (and not just STDs and Covid).

While I'm clearly in favor of getting the vaccine, people are going to do what people are going to do. My uneducated opinion, considering my medical history, and the difficulties I experienced even though I'm vaccinated, is that I would be in ICU somewhere right now, with about a 5% chance of survival, if I wasn't vaccinated.

And everyone on this board is a public health threat. We're out fucking multiple partners, almost all who are unvaccinated and many are having unprotected vaginal and even anal sex. And let's not forget the recent discussion of the joys of actually eating other people's shit.

It's easy to sit on your throne and point the finger at others, but if you're mongering, you're no better than anyone else who's mongering, regardless of vaccination status. I've already proven a vaccinated person can get infected and I've proven a vaccinated person can infect someone else, even without kissing or having sex with them.

[TheBMan]

The truth is nobody knows anything yet. Just like they said you can get it easily from surfaces which turned out to be bunk. Only n95 can help you. But wait medical staff are running out so yea, those cloth masks work fine too. Oh BTW we found out it's difficult to get it from surface contact. And on and on. Let people make their own choices on what they put in their body. You got the vaccine so you're safe right? I'm 39,smoke, drink, treat my body like a dumpster and have had colds worse than covid. If you want to be the Guinea pig to a rushed vaccine that would normally take years to be studied and approved then by all means do you, but I'll wait it out.

[Mr Enternational]

The bottom line is vaccines reduce death and serious illness, and also reduce infection.

Exactly. Therefore to brand people without the vaccine with a scarlet letter is absurd. The only way to give it is if you got it. You can get it and give it whether you are vaccinated or not. If you have the vaccine YOUR chances are reduced on the receiving side, but they are the same as those without the vaccine on the giving side. They don't say if you don't get the vaccine you are going to give covid to someone. They don't say if you do get the vaccine you can not give covid to someone. You get the vaccine to protect yourself, not for you to protect other people.

[Osteoknot]

Hey guys,

After getting robbed by cops recently in Mexico, I wanted to ask if it's common in Colombia for cops to use street walkers as "bait" to try to squeeze some dollars out of you. This is very common in Mexico.

I have heard of stings using underage streetwalkers where basically you have to pay your way out of it. I have not experienced that personally. That is why you ask to see her ID if you think the girl is young, but even that is not fool proof because in a sting she can use two different ID's. The "yellow shirts" or the cops who ride bicycles had a bad rep a couple of years ago on Avenida 70 for stopping you and emptying your wallet, but that seems to have died down. That happened to a couple of my Gringo acquaintances.

You will read here, don't carry more money than you are willing to lose in a robbery. I always change that to, carry at least enough money so you can pay off the policia without having to take a trip to the station. 300 mil COP will usually suffice, of course it depends on the situation. You don't have to say anything, just hand them your wallet, they will liberate the money themselves, jaja.

Gratuitous fotos.

[Surfer500]

The "betrayal" situation is quite easy to understand if you accept one of the cultural idiosyncrasies of Colombians. They don't like to say "no."

This applies not only to chicas, but to most Colombians. Giving a direct "no" goes against their nature. This is one of the reasons why so many girls flake or show up 2 hours late. They set up to meet you at 8 pm, but they know that mom won't be home to watch the kids until 9, so they tell you yes and make excuses for 2 hours because it's easier than saying "no, I can't be there until 10.".

So true what you have brought up about Colombians not wanting to say no. They don't like conflict and are not direct as you have mentioned, and I find it maddening at times.

[Knowledge]

I suspected as much. I hope you reconsider your vaccination posture.

No, I have not been vaxed. Haven't been home since New Year, and not really interested in the vax, anyway. One buddy has been vaxed, and both have had COVID. One got it a year ago, so he's not 100% confident, and doesn't want to spend his vacation quarantined, but it sounds like he's going to roll the dice.

I woke up today feeling fine. Congestion has improved, and fatigue is gone.

Based on JjBee62's terrible experience and information, it seems any test I do in the next 24 hours would come back positive. Thus, maybe I need to just make the decision based on how I feel. I'm not trying to be an asshole, but if I feel 100% in the morning, and my buddies have no worries. I'll probably consider going out. What could go wrong? Last time I was excited to go out in Medellin, I spent two days and $1800 replacing an iPhone!

Thanks to all for the comments, advice, & info. Not something I want to spend a half a day researching on Google!

[Nounce]

You have read the CDC text. You have noted the "may" and "can". .

Like many other discussions, people generalize a specific scenario. Vaccine being not 100%, people can generalize the imperfection. The bottom line is vaccines reduce death and serious illness, and also reduce infection. There are plenty of research on these. You need to make your point from the imperfection, then people can't generalize the specific against your point unless it is false.

[ChuchoLoco]

That is just not cool bro. Even if you "feel fine" you could be carrying covid19 virus in your nasopharyngeal cavity especially so close from symptoms onset and then spread it via respiratory droplets. So waiting the time like JJb or getting the PCR test to know you have cleared is the only safe way to do it. Otherwise you could inadvertently infect someone and that person could be dead a couple weeks later. You may never even know about it, but like I said, do you want that karma. Anyway, I think everyone has said their bit, just be smart. And re the vaccine, its been over a year and over 3 B doses given worldwide. Do you not want to be part of the solve so we can return to pre Covid times? Do your part.

Very well put GH! I was maybe a little crude but your words will hopefully be taken since you put it a non confrontation way. Next time I'll count to 10 like I was told in my 1 on 1 anger management that made sense but I never do so. Hard to teach an old dog.

I hope Slap Shot doesn't get any sicker and doesn't spread the Virus to anyone.

[GeneHickman]

No, I have not been vaxed. Haven't been home since New Year, and not really interested in the vax, anyway.
I woke up today feeling fine. Congestion has improved, and fatigue is gone.


Thanks to all for the comments, advice, & info. Not something I want to spend a half a day researching on Google!

That is just not cool bro. Even if you "feel fine" you could be carrying covid19 virus in your nasopharyngeal cavity especially so close from symptoms onset and then spread it via respiratory droplets. So waiting the time like JJb or getting the PCR test to know you have cleared is the only safe way to do it. Otherwise you could inadvertently infect someone and that person could be dead a couple weeks later. You may never even know about it, but like I said, do you want that karma. Anyway, I think everyone has said their bit, just be smart. And re the vaccine, its been over a year and over 3 B doses given worldwide. Do you not want to be part of the solve so we can return to pre Covid times? Do your part.

[Knowledge]

It's more about traffic than distance in my opinion. In the middle of the night the trip takes 15 to 20 minutes. I can take twice that long during rush hour. Savvy drivers cut through Little Caracas up the hill from San Diego to avoid the backups on La Oriental.

Parque Lleras is in Poblado. From Parque Lleras to El Centro is about 5 miles. From the south end of Poblado add about 4 more miles.

[Black Page]

Not at all. I do not know shit about viruses or medicine, but I do know English and I know how to read and understand it. What I stated is from what is said on the CDC website (my reason for putting in quotation what I directly copied and pasted and saying this stuff from the CDC) and has nothing to do with my thoughts, beliefs, or self-confidence. So if there is a dispute, take it up with them. I do not have a dog in the fight.

Ok. So I adjust my first words as "You SEEM to lecture on a topic. ".

You have read the CDC text. You have noted the "may" and "can". They are there, because of what I tried to explain. They do not write as "Being vaccinated does not stop you from spreading the virus" or "Being vaccinated stops you from spreading the virus". They write as "Being vaccinated MAY stop you from contracting or spreading the virus. ", where "may" means "it's possible".

The short story is that there is evidence that vaccines protect also from contracting, to some extent, but to what extent it is still not known. Most likely, to a lower degree than from falling sick, but there is some protection.

The reason why I am persistent in this is that we read too often the bullshit "If I don't get vaxxed it's my problem if I get sick, others should not tell me what to do, because however vaxxed or not I still spread the virus around, and for them it is the same". NO, it is NOT the same.

The truth is that not all infectious diseases behave the same. Therefore, only empirical evidence will help to understand.

[Golfinho]

No, I have not been vaxed. Haven't been home since New Year, and not really interested in the vax, anyway. One buddy has been vaxed, and both have had COVID. One got it a year ago, so he's not 100% confident, and doesn't want to spend his vacation quarantined,
Based on JjBee62's terrible experience and information, it seems any test I do in the next 24 hours would come back positive. Thus, maybe I need to just make the decision based on how I feel!

If you think you have it, get tested immediately. If you get a positive test result: wait exactly 14 days, then have doctor certify you recovered. Then, with the test result together with the doctor cert, you can travel without need to test for the next 90 days! For doc: Las Vegas Clinic in Poblado, Dr. Mauricio Alvarado. He specializes in covid. Walk in, $50 and he has you covered. Too many people talking out their ass on the forum. But, if you have it, thing to do is check into the best hotel you can afford for a week, one with proper infrastructure, room service and decent restaurant. Get some doloff. Even if its nothing but the fricking flu, with your immune system fighting covid, you are susceptible to picking up something else that can fuck you up. And face it, the casa rooms -- airless, fetid -- are full of virus. Don't think for a second the chicks don't have it. And if you think they'd tell you then you're a fool. Doctor Mauricio has some advice on that: no Colombian will tell you they have or had it.