Stupid shit in Medellin

[QUOTE=ChuchoLoco;2656638]Well, I am at home ready to leave in next couple weeks and I got it too but with symptoms. I thought I wouldn't get it do to vaccination and booster plus I wear a N95 mask and stay away from people to make sure but I still got it and it was a potent flu feeling that I have t had in years. Just adding my experience to Capo's so others who may be vaxed and boosted will keep their guard up. Am seriously thinking about travel insurance now.[/QUOTE]CL, there are two types of antibodies with Covid. [URL]https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-infection-antibodies-protection[/URL]#part_1.

There are two types of antibodies that we can test for:

Anti-and tests look for antibodies that recognise a molecule inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the nucleocapsid (N). Anti- and antibodies are only produced if you've actually been infected with COVID-19 (natural infection).

Anti-S tests look for antibodies against the spike protein (S) on the surface of the virus; these antibodies can be present after both a natural infection and a vaccine. This is because COVID vaccines are based on the spike protein.

End of quote. You can go to your doctor and have blood drawn and have the anti-and antibodies checked. My understanding is that it is a cheap test.

Dr. McCollough's opinion was that if you had Covid, you have lifelong immunity, and I think that is in general a very accurate statement with some exceptions.

About 10% of people with mild illness like El Capo had do not form anti-and antibodies. If you were sicker, you probably formed them. If you do not form anti-and antibodies IMO, you can catch a new form of Covid again.

An infectious disease specialist walked into a room with a patient with active tuberculosis without a mask. He explained that he already had known tuberculosis and said, "I am not worried about catching his tuberculosis. My concern is that my immune system is keeping my tuberculosis in check. ".

80% of older guys on here have antibodies to HSV 1 including me. HSV 1 is the virus that causes cold sores. I have never had a cold sore in my life but I do not have to worry about catching this from someone else. My concern is the small amount of HSV1 virus I have, a colony, does not grow to the point I have an infection, and the reason that is not happening is my immune system is keeping it in check.

Another way to look at it is with the PCR testing: [URL]https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/about/blog/2021/explained-covid19-pcr-testing-and-cycle-thresholds[/URL].

At PHO, we have developed a PCR test in our lab, with positive and negative cutoff points. The cutoff point for a positive result for PHO's developed lab test is 38 cycles. This means that if the virus is found at or before 38 cycles are completed, then the test is considered positive. The cutoff point for a negative result is 40 cycles. If the virus is detected between 38 and 40 cycles, we call this an indeterminate or inconclusive result. All inconclusive results are considered probable (likely) cases for public health reporting.

End of quote. The term negative means you think you do not have Covid but if they do 50 cycles, and they detect Covid, that means you do not have a Covid infection but a Covid colony, and you probably do have colonies of Covid left in your nasal passages.

The CDC does not distinguish between those who have anti-and antibodies and those who do not, and I think that is because they are profiting off the vaccine.

If I had my way and had anti-and antibodies, I would throw the mask in the trash, forget about social distancing, and refuse the vaccine. I do not have to work about other people's Covid. I have to worry about MY Covid, and that means keeping my immune system intact with all those boring things that are good for health: diet, exercise, sleep, lack of stress, regular health checkups ETC.

For the record, I would feel infinitely safer riding in an airplane with people with anti-and antibodies than the anti-S antibodies formed with the vaccine. As you can personally attest to, people with Anti-S antibodies get sick with Covid all the time.

[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2656746]CL, there are two types of antibodies with Covid. [URL]https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-infection-antibodies-protection[/URL]#part_1.

There are two types of antibodies that we can test for:

Anti-and tests look for antibodies that recognise a molecule inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the nucleocapsid (N). Anti- and antibodies are only produced if you've actually been infected with COVID-19 (natural infection).

Anti-S tests look for antibodies against the spike protein (S) on the surface of the virus; these antibodies can be present after both a natural infection and a vaccine. This is because COVID vaccines are based on the spike protein.

End of quote. You can go to your doctor and have blood drawn and have the anti-and antibodies checked. My understanding is that it is a cheap test.

Dr. McCollough's opinion was that if you had Covid, you have lifelong immunity, and I think that is in general a very accurate statement with some exceptions.

About 10% of people with mild illness like El Capo had do not form anti-and antibodies. If you were sicker, you probably formed them. If you do not form anti-and antibodies IMO, you can catch a new form of Covid again..[/QUOTE]Very detailed report, Thanks E but above my comprehension now at my age. My test was at the hospital and qtip in my nose but not brain. Nurse said it was new version. From what I do understand, I am supposedly pretty well protected now. My sister the Biochemist would love reading your report. Anyway, I'm on my way down soon and am hoping for the best. My amigos and amigos say all. Ls good at the moment, entonces voy a ver. Also had a video visit with my MD today and she says I'm good to go. Thanks again!

[QUOTE=Shagmeister7777;2656648]I have cancelled previous trips to Medellin due to safety concerns and have finally built up the courage to plan a trip. My biggest concern is being drugged with scopalamine or some other incapacitating chemical.

How does one take precautions apart from not leaving your drink unattended? Are there any precautions suggested while you have a girl in the room? Also, what kind of secondary phone should I buy that doesn't attract people with bad intentions? Obviously I won't be walking around with my Iphone 13 pro max. Thank you in advance for your input.[/QUOTE]You will hear of the one or two times somebody got drugged over the last 6 months but not hear anything about the 1 or 200,000 dates that happened without incident. Nevertheless you can take certain precautions.

For example, if you stay in a hotel that checks the girl's cedula carefully and either photocopies the cedula (San Peter) or checks the cedula on-line (Dorado) (and others do this as well) the girl knows that if she pulls anything like drugging you to get your stuff that she will be vulnerable. Could she have a fake ID? Sure but both the places I mentioned do a very detailed check, which greatly reduces the possibility.

Alternatively, there is a very upscale love hotel called Thematic Luxury on Avenida 33 (or Calle 34). You have to check in and pay for the room and the girl (and you too) have to show ID. You pay for the room and go to your place and it has an electronic lock. You do your business and when you want to leave you have to notify the reception. They send someone up on the other side of the wall to verify that you didn't take anything from the mini-frig. But before reception sends the person up they insist on speaking to the guy. If the guy is incapacitated, guess what. They don't open the electronic door until they send a guard up to check. No girl is going to pull something like this when she won't be able to get out of the room. There are a lot of these upscale love-hotels and they generally operate the same way.

Most of the drugging's occur at a bar and the minute you look away someone can slip the mickey into your drink. So if you aren't comfortable, do your drinking in your hotel room with the protections in place. Or go there with your wingman.

[QUOTE=Shagmeister7777;2656648]I have cancelled previous trips to Medellin due to safety concerns and have finally built up the courage to plan a trip. My biggest concern is being drugged with scopalamine or some other incapacitating chemical.[/QUOTE]You should probably stay home. The other day it happened to 3 businessmen in Santa Marta who are friends. If they could not protect each other, then you do not stand a chance alone.

"Tres personas que llegaron procedente de Bogotá a Santa Marta fueron, al parecer, escopolaminadas cuando iban a cumplir una cita de negocios. Los tres hombres solo recordaron a las 5 a.m. de este miércoles que estaban en una trocha cercana al aeropuerto Simón Bolívar y les habían robado sus pertenencias. Solo recuerdan que una persona en una camioneta los recogió para ir a la cita de negocio y desde entonces no recuerdan más nada. Lea toda la información en www.zonacero.com."

[URL]https://www.instagram.com/zonacerooficial/p/CZNYWNpP0DO/?utm_medium=share_sheet[/URL]

[QUOTE=Bigpipa69;2655291]Some of my Facebook girls (friends) are hustling hard, they are selling photos and videos now.

Do you guys have any experience paying for these? How to pay for them and are they unique or just does she send the same videos and photos to everyone? Since I'm not able to travel now I'm eager to buy some photos and videos from the girls. I know you can get porn for free online, but for me it's more like an investment to let the girls know you are serious and willing to spend some money on her and not be a dead fly in her friend list.

P.S. This is my first post, I've been a member for some time but never posted, I'm will try to be more active now.[/QUOTE]I've done it. In most cases you're getting the same videos as everyone else. In most cases, it's not a good investment if you think you'll profit with better service or a discount when you meet them. There are a rare few who will show their appreciation, but most will only remember you when they want more money. And they will always want more money.

If you're interested in buying videos, Facebook girls are a good option. You can get a more personal touch. If you're looking to meet up with girls, Facebook is a good option. However, you're better off keeping those 2 groups separate. You don't need to stay in contact with the girls, except when you're in Medellin. Just a quick note shortly before you arrive is sufficient.

[QUOTE=RamDavidson84;2655600]Burden? LOL. Dude I don't care that much. I judge shit by what I see in everyday life. As for you and JJB62, you lurk around here 24/7 scrounging through every little minute detail of guy's posts like Mr. E or JustTK, just to start an argument with them. It's so obvious you have absolutely nothing better to do with your life than live on this forum and spread hate to deal with your own transgressions. You appear very pathetic to me. Tell me, what do you do to contribute to your community and country that makes you so noble that you believe you have the right to label me as just some "uneducated guy who likes to shoot his mouth off"? I would bet you are some unemployed internet basement dwelling troll who couldn't lift a finger to help his neighbor, like most extreme left liberals who have nothing better to do than "hate" and "shame" instead of "contribute" and make a "difference."[/QUOTE]Lurk around here 24/7? Nope. Some days I check in several times, often I go days without checking in at all. It all depends on my schedule and current interest.

I'm employed, usually putting in 70 hours per week, although 80-85 hours isn't unusual. I know you were mostly directing at Paulie, but I probably lift more fingers, more often, to help people out than you do. Last year my cash donations came up to almost 25% of my income (and none of that went to a church or other non-profit group). Even here, on ISG, that's what I do, offer help. If someone has a question, if I can, I answer it. If I'm in Medellin and someone has a problem, I help them. I've even gotten out of bed, gotten dressed and went down to help clear up a situation with a friend in need, when I was sick. I've played wingman for dozens of guys, taken them around El Centro, the casas, to restaurants, to explore the metro system, even up to Parque Arvi and Comuna 13.

If someone posts something which is wrong, or potentially dangerous, I respond. I respond because I've talked to guys who took bad advice and ended up wasting time and money, occasionally putting themselves at risk. All because someone posted some bullshit. Why should someone else find themselves in a bad situation because of the people on here who can't be trusted?

If you're so interested in "lifting a finger" to help a neighbor, why aren't you doing the same thing? Instead of speaking out against the bullshit and lies, you support them. How much have you contributed? How big of a difference have you made? Go hop over into the Medellin thread and search for posts which mention your handle. How many times has someone publicly thanked you for helping them out?

Now compare that number (0) to the number of posts where you've insulted others, attacked others. How many of your attacks contain any truth? For example, Paulie is well educated. Read any of his posts and his education is quite obvious.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;2656797]Lurk around here 24/7? Nope. Some days I check in several times, often I go days without checking in at all. It all depends on my schedule and current interest.

I'm employed, usually putting in 70 hours per week, although 80-85 hours isn't unusual. I know you were mostly directing at Paulie, but I probably lift more fingers, more often, to help people out than you do. Last year my cash donations came up to almost 25% of my income (and none of that went to a church or other non-profit group). Even here, on ISG, that's what I do, offer help. If someone has a question, if I can, I answer it. If I'm in Medellin and someone has a problem, I help them. I've even gotten out of bed, gotten dressed and went down to help clear up a situation with a friend in need, when I was sick. I've played wingman for dozens of guys, taken them around El Centro, the casas, to restaurants, to explore the metro system, even up to Parque Arvi and Comuna 13..[/QUOTE]I rarely start the bullshit, this time I did because every time I hop on this forum, your posting away tearing into people. You going at Mr. E hard like a weirdo. You did the same to me a few weeks back. You pick out the smallest most insignificant things to criticize people about and its just weird bro. I never spit any false info. Look, the vaccines were not what they were promised to be. That's a simple fact. I am not anti vaccine, as I have stated so many times. I just don't think they should be mandatory and I think the vaccine shaming needs to stop, its not healthy for society. Is that so bad? And if you are still advocating lockdowns and travel restrictions at this point, I think your judgement is very clouded by your bias.

And if you donating 25% of your income after you pay your income and property tax, then you are an idiot LOL. 25% That's a little excessive man, unless you are making close to half a million a year, and if you are god bless you, but I highly fucking doubt that because it seems you spend way too much time on this forum. If I was making that dough, I certainly wouldn't be wasting a dozen posts a day on this forum like it seems you do.

I am no saint, and I would never claim to be. I do work a full time career helping people daily which required 6 years of education and other credentials as well. I pay my taxes and most of the time I am decent citizen and member of the community. I draw the line right there though, LOL I am definitely not donating 30-40 thousand a year to charity though lololol. Hell no! Love you guys so much, you make me so warm and fuzzy inside, especially T-king Osteo haha.

I cannot teach the unteachable, but I am willing to look at that as my inadequacy and not yours, so I will try and give you the basics on the background info you need to understand what is going on with Covid.

I am going to write this once, on the fly. I will not spend any extra time doing revisions, there will be errors of omission, and it will be far from purrfekt.

First off, to properly understand the issue, do you:

Have a basic understanding of population statistics, a bell curve, and standard deviations? Do you understand the important difference between a median and a mean (or average). Do you have the judgment to accurately identify and determine significant from insignificant variables?

Know the two basic immune systems of the human body, cellular and humoral, the main differences and which system has immune memory? Do you understand physiological cascades? Do you understand how vaccines work?

Off the top of your head can you name at least two of the most successful vaccines of all time? Which disease has been officially eradicated from earth solely due to vaccinations, and what other horrible disease is about to be wiped off the planet next due to vaccines? Do you even know the difference between and antigen and an antibody? What are the only two vaccines used to prevent STD's (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and are they working? Can you describe the difference between a successful vaccine program and not?

Understand what makes a screening test valid, and acceptable margins of error on test results? Can you accurately apply the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value?

Have a basic working knowledge of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinectics, and pharmacoeconomics? Do you understand the different classes and types of medical treatments that are being offered to treat Covid in addition to the vaccines?

Do you know what defines side effects? Do you understand the difference between outliers and sentinel events? Do you know what defines a successful vaccine program, for example, what are the threshold levels and how do you use attack rate to determine those thresholds?

Do you have a general understanding of how health care is delivered in the United States, for example, who depends on private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or the military, or how the uninsured get their vaccines? Do you understand the difference between delivering and assessing individual and population health interventions and outcomes?

Do you understand the inherent flaws introduced by the testing techniques being used for Covid, the differences in the results of the different types of testing, and how this all introduces error in the data results, including error introduction inherent in the reporting process itself?

Do you recognize your own personal biases that you interject into your argument? Do you have any idea about what it is you don't know? Knowing what you don't know is one of the highest, if not the highest levels of intellectual functioning, right next to Synthesis. Knowledge, Comprehension, and Analysis are lower levels.

Do you have any real world, professional, or educational experience and training about vaccines and public health other than just what you "read about" on the Internet and elsewhere? Do you understand mutations and their effect on testing results, and more importantly, on clinical outcomes? Do you or should you care that Covid vaccines may need to be repeated indefinitely and why?

I am sure I left at least a few more topics out, but this should give you an idea of the complexity of the Covid issue.

I will give you a minute to chew on this before my closing post about this subject.

[QUOTE=ChuchoLoco;2656763]Very detailed report, Thanks E but above my comprehension now at my age. My test was at the hospital and qtip in my nose but not brain. Nurse said it was new version. From what I do understand, I am supposedly pretty well protected now. My sister the Biochemist would love reading your report. Anyway, I'm on my way down soon and am hoping for the best. My amigos and amigos say all. Ls good at the moment, entonces voy a ver. Also had a video visit with my MD today and she says I'm good to go. Thanks again![/QUOTE]LOL. I should have done the cliff notes version. Yeah, I agree you are protected from getting Covid from someone else. Do not worry about travel insurance, a booster, or anything Covid related and have a great time.

The other topic that popped into my head after my previous post was, do you understand the demographics of the most effected population cohorts from Covid, and the implications that has on a vaccine program? Do you understand the contribution and burden of health care costs of those effected populations? Who is the largest single payer of health care services and durable medical equipment in the world?

[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2656263]One common error I see (of the many) argued here about Covid is that people confuse population health with individual health, or probably even more, don't understand the difference or even know there is a difference.

I won't respond directly to anyone's post about this, there is not one person taking an overall cohesive overall stance on this topic. The only recent post that came close was RamsButt or whatever his name is, his insane sounding rant was actually closer to the truth than anyone has acknowledged, but I think he is basing that on intuition and not knowledge, which is okay.

You are all a pack of rabid Pit Bulls who jumped into a pool of jungle piranha, and you don't know what you don't know.

Carry on like I know you will. Geez.[/QUOTE]I know most people do not click on links, but this post above is what I like to call a giraffe. There was this wonderful British TV comedy called the Simple Life, and if you watch here from the 8:08 mark to about the 14 minute mark, you will see what I mean by the term giraffe. [URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RPLX9w2d5E[/URL].

Bonus points if you can pick out which of the three men is Osteo.

Null and Void. Frick and Frack. Klackkity Klack. Poetry. ISG at the same time becomes the most meaningless and important construct in my life. Go figure.

[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2656887]There was this wonderful British TV comedy called the Simple Life.[/QUOTE]The Good Life. And the real star of the show wasn't even in those 6 minutes!

[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2656874]LOL. I should have done the cliff notes version. Yeah, I agree you are protected from getting Covid from someone else. Do not worry about travel insurance, a booster, or anything Covid related and have a great time.[/QUOTE]I will try like hell. Have succeeded so far. First time was in '73. Man was it different. Then. So much smaller and Parque Bolivar was the place to hangout especially at night. I just drive through in a taxi now just to see From Dusk till Dawn in person, hahahah. Thanks for the positive send off.

[QUOTE=RamDavidson84;2656725]Please explain what was crazy about my rant..[/QUOTE]I associate them together, it is my read, don't know what he meant.

[QUOTE=Osteoknot;2656263]... I see (of the many) argued here about Covid is that people confuse population health with individual health.

... The only recent post that came close was RamsButt or whatever his name is, his insane sounding rant was actually closer to the truth than anyone has acknowledged ...[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=RamDavidson84;2655888]Old people die Huacho LOL. It's part of life. You can't make all of society suffer for a virus we haven't been able to control for over 2 years...[/QUOTE]