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message 1601:
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Margo
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Sep 08, 2021 01:36AM
I've had my passport for some time and I haven't used it yet. I expect it to be useful during the winter though when less outdoor activities are possible
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I just got my passport yesterday. I won't be using it for a little yet, I don't go to sit down restaurants much and I'm still not okay with any of the other uses you need it for.
Alberta is in bad shape. I would have to write an essay to explain everything so I'll try to be brief.Another state of emergency was declared the other day. Our hospitals are in crisis and at the point of collapse. Our ICU beds are almost at over capacity. Surgeries and procedures have been cancelled. Alberta Health declared 60% cancellation but the two major cities have set it even higher. This impacts me.
I'm to have another angiogram on Monday morning. As of yesterday, my procedure is still scheduled. My radiologist had to review all the charts to decide which ones would be cancelled and he said they needed to do my procedure. In a way, I'm glad because I just want this over and done. On the other hand, it tells me how critical it is for me and that is scary. The department is now closed for the weekend and I won't know until I get to the hospital on Monday if it's a go ahead. The clerk told me that department has lost 6 nurses to other departments and may lose another 5.
My son is under quarantine and cannot take me. He was visiting with his ex-wife and she and her boyfriend (both unvaccinated) now have Covid. His work sent him home and he's been tested, but results are really slow in coming. He's quarantined until he gets his results.
I had arranged for another woman to drive me to the city. She now has Covid. It's her second time, and I don't know if she's been vaccinated or was relying on natural immunity.
I am driving again, but I'm not confident to drive in the big city in congested traffic. So my only recourse is to fly. It's costing me $825 CDN for a return flight. And there's a possibility, my procedure will be cancelled on Monday morning.
I'm so angry with our provincial government for their lack of leadership in declaring the pandemic was over at the beginning of July. Their slogan was "The Best Summer Ever". Their issues manager (probably better known as their Twitter troll), posted that the pandemic was over and people just needed get on with it. The premier is claiming that they never said that, but they created an "issues manager" position and hired Matt Wolfe to the tune of $180,000 a year to disseminate their viewpoint on social media. He speaks on behalf of the government and he stated it very clearly. This would never have gotten to this state if they had kept some responsible measures in place.
I'm also angry with the anti-vaxxers. Over 80% of people with Covid in the hospitals in Alberta are not vaccinated. 90% of people in ICU are unvaccinated. So the vaccines work! It's the unvaccinated who are putting our hospitals in crisis and jeopardizing it for people like me with other serious medical conditions.
No kidding Janice, it’s brutal 🤬 Open for Summer, Closed for Fall 🤦♀️I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts ❤️
I'm sorry to hear all the stress you are having right now. I hope the procedure doesn't get cancelled, and God, I'd totally drive you if I were closer!Disappointment is one of the predominant feelings during this pandemic. People's reactions, government management, everything is a disappointment.
What a stressful situation Janice. Wish I could help too. Add feelings of helplessness to the list of predominant feelings.
Janice, I have no words for the amount of stress you are under. I am so very sorry. I live in middle Georgia and our numbers are greatly appreciating. There have been several deaths this week in our small town. One of those deaths is a man who lived across the street. Even though he was extremely healthy and in good shape, albeit 86, he was unvaccinated. He passed away, alone in the hospital except for health care workers who are overworked and over stressed. He had to be taken by ambulance to another town because we have no hospital space because of Covid. So no matter what is wrong or right with you, you are put more at risk because the beds and equipment are full of Covid patients. Meanwhile, our small town had their normal Friday Night Lights football game. Many were squeezed into the stadium, no masks and at least some, if not the majority, unvaccinated. Here, it is a political issue. People are equating taking the vaccine as either a way for the government to control you or as a remnant in supporting the past administration. Neither makes sense. I am not sure when I have been as disappointed by my fellow man. My prayers that all will go well, and that the tests will be what you need them to be.
Thanks everyone. I'm less agitated this evening. My friend's daughter is an RN at the hospital here and she said that she's worried for people in a vehicle accident or other emergency because they don't know what they will do with them. Patients are being transferred to other hospitals, and now they are talking of sending them to other provinces.
I just wish this carnival ride would stop and let me off.
Janice wrote: "Alberta is in bad shape. I would have to write an essay to explain everything so I'll try to be brief.Another state of emergency was declared the other day. Our hospitals are in crisis and at the..."
Oh Janice, all this stress is not good for you! I hope your procedure went ahead today, apart from from the exhaustion element that's a hell of a lot of cash to waste if it didn't happen. If sounds like a real mess in Alberta.
I don't blame you for being pissed off with your gov, though I think we all reckon our own govs should have handled things differently. I can't think of any national authority who have had their finest hour over the past 18 months and the infuriating thing is that insist on clapping themselves on the back and telling us what a great job they're doing *grrr* But I think all around world economic forces have scared them into reopening countries quicker than most feel comfortable with.
Our covid figures are exactly the same as yours - 20% of new cases are fully vaccinated - so yes, it worked! Our vaccination programme was very successful, 92% of over 16s took the shots. Parents of over 12s now have to make the tough decisions as to whether it is safer to get kids done. My cousin visited yesterday and her eldest turns 12 next month. She is in two minds about it. I think in her her position I'd follow medical advice but it's not a simple decision.
Sharon wrote: "Janice, I have no words for the amount of stress you are under. I am so very sorry. I live in middle Georgia and our numbers are greatly appreciating. There have been several deaths this week in ou..."Oh Sharon, that is so sad. Be sure to look after yourself, unfortunately we can't influence the actions of others.
oh my, Janice. I hope everything is going well from you.
That totally sucks Janice. I can say that the people in BC are also pissed with your government, because our medical systems are already overwhelmed and taking on any extra is going to be taxing. Apparently nurses are just quitting or going from full time to casual, because it is all so stressful for them. They are more tired than anyone else, they need a break.
I wish I was close enough to offer you a ride!
Janice, I hope you got your procedure. This is such a long slog with no end in sight. It’s overwhelming. I’ve been in a Covid vortex as well. My daughter has Covid right now. She lives alone in another state so my initial instinct was to get to her as quickly as possible. But, and life seems full of competing interests right now, my son and Daughter in law are due to have a baby soon and need me to come out and help with that so if I went to my daughter and got exposed my son would be screwed. My DIL’s mom lives in Malaysia ( and because of Covid is unable to travel) so I’m their only option.
Fortunately my daughter is fully vaccinated and recovering but it’s been stressful.
I too am becoming so jaded by people and their life choices that affect us all.
I noticed that you hadn't posted in a bit, Marnie. Sorry to hear that your daughter has Covid. Super excited for you about the new grandbaby though.
My ex-daughter-in-law, in spite of recovering from Covid still thinks it's a hoax. I just can't engage with these people any more.My sister and I went to Earl's on Monday after she picked me up from the hospital. We showed our "passports" and were seated. I put it in parentheses because our government is bending over backwards to call it anything but a passport. I think the official term is "exemptions from restrictions". It was comforting to know that everyone around us was vaccinated.
Funny thing is that our vaccination rate tripled after the announcement. Image that!
I hope your daughter fully recovers soon, Marnie. I remember when you let us know your son and his wife were expecting a baby. I can't believe she's due at any moment! Time flies.
Hope your daughter recovers soon Marnie. The big news here is that anti-vaxxers may finally be accused of murder! We had a 75 year old man in hospital with covid. Some covid deniers actually filmed themselves persuading him to sign himself out despite medical advice that he would die within a week if he did. They posted this video on social media. He did sign himself out and died three days later.
One of our ex attorney generals is maintaining that they should, and could, be charged with manslaughter at the least. I doubt if it could be made to stick though, the man clearly knew what he was doing.
That's disgraceful. It's fine to have your own beliefs and convictions. It's quite another to push them on to someone else. What did they gain by influencing that man like that?
That is horrible, Margo. Why can't people just let others be?
I don't understand these people either. I have some friends who are anti all vaccines and we've had some lively discussions on the subject. They hafe their reasons and some of them are valid but they don't push them down other peoples throats. They are mostly herbalists coming from holistic healing POVs. I've been afraid to ask about the covid jab but I can't have them round unless they've been done - too much risk for my mum.
I was booked in my booster jab (3rd one) along with my flu jab on Monday but they just texted to cancel it. I'd planned and prepared myself for a double whammy of side effects. So now i don't have anything booked, they said not to call the surgery, that they'd get in touch.
Oh I'm not looking forward to that one either Sarah. I had to cancel my appt last week due to sprained ankle. The told me to re book when I'm ready.The number of new cases per day is getting out of control again here. We were planned to have more restrictions eased next week but that is in doubt now. We have, on average, x3 cases of reast of EU. There is a war of words going on between health experts and the gov as the gov is thinking, understandably, about the economy. So many people have lost their livelihoods already.
I had the booster and flu jab on Saturday! One in each arm. I didn't plan anything for Saturday just in case and just had a Sunday lunch planned for a friend's birthday the following day. I felt queasy aand had a headache on the Saturday but that could have been coincidence and been a migraine like I get anyway. On the Sunday my arm ached and I felt a bit tired. But that's it. So I'm pretty happy with that. So now I'm extra covered.
Good for you Sarah! I got the flu shot on monday. I had to cancel 2 appointments for my booster due to my broken ankle. The vaccine centre is gravelled and it's thick gravel! I'm back in the chair for now and it's impossible to push the chair through gravel so I've had to to book a home visit and lord knows when that will be.
I'm not too worried though as I'm not out and about. We're seeing another wave here - not as bad as britan but worse than the rest of Europe. Strangely enough the surge here happened just after we reopened night clubs an live music venues, coincidence we're assured ;-p
I keep forgetting to book my flu shot!
There is a covid spike across Eurupe with a rise of 10% in new cases reported. In Austria, those who have decided against a vaccine will be on lockdown from Monday in an effort to deal with the surge.Here on ireland it's predicted to increase 3 fold before xmas. Hospitals are struggling to cope with no-covid patients and elective procedures are being cancelled. Our gov are meeting today or maybe tomorrow to have a chat about what to do - well, they don't work weekends and there are so many
This is a reminder that we should be wary.Here things are gradually easing down. Public employees are slowly going hybrid and will gradually spend a few days/week at the office. Restaurants can go back to full capacity.
There is a feeling that we are reaching the end of this. I really hopes it does not back fire.
Stay safe everyone. Thinking of you all and make sure you're looking after you and yours.I have been watching you all with interest, as we are all emerging out of lockdown with (here in the ACT) 96% vaccination rates and reckless abandon.
People are thinking I am weird exercising caution. But knowing what happened to my uncle in hospital a month ago in the UK, with underlying conditions, I am not risking Lexx who is approaching eligibility for a booster (only announced as a thing last week, and he booked within hours). But just generally, this thing mutates crazily and quickly, and vaccines help a LOT (love vaccines) but doesn't make you superman.
I'm still masking up 90% out of my house, 99% in public. They are predicting we will have another wave in April when we hit the same season you are now. But we are stupidly ripping off our clothes and running into the sea with the hint of summer.
Enjoy it while you can Rus, it does seem to be seasonal.@Esther, glad to hear things are under control in Quebec.
I'm so angry with our gov. Despite warnings from the experts they went ahead and reopened night clubs and guess where most of our new cases are coming from? You got it, 18 to 30 year olds!!!! the newest government advice is propably going to to antigen test twice weekly if you go clubbing or pubbing frequently - don't they know all 18 year olds think they're immortal?
I know a guy who has just got covid. he was double vaccinated. And he's really poorly. It's definitely on the up here and much closer to home than it has ever been. I really don't think I can handle a lockdown though.
I don't think anyone has the appetite for a full lockdown Sarah. A few extra measures have been introduced here today.
We have to work from home yet there is access to bars and night clubs till midnight. What a crazy country we do have!
I got my booster today! So far so good ;-)
yay Margo. everyone I know who has had the booster have only experienced an achy arm, both those that had astra and pfizer.
Omnicom is rising very fast here. Our medical experts are calling for all hospitality venues to close at 5pm. They might as well shut them down. Whos going to go to a bar earlier than that? I was expecting 8pm or even 10pm but 5pm is crazy.We're waiting for gov announcement this evening.
Yay Margo. We received our boosters 3 weeks ago. We are planning on flying to Minnesota for the holidays on the 22nd (all our family members have been vaccinated and boostered - condition on getting together), but may end up driving - still discussing. The airplane is very safe with everyone masked up, but sitting in a crowded airport for 2 hours between flights...
Jayme wrote: "The airplane is very safe with everyone masked up, but sitting in a crowded airport for 2 hours between flights..."You don't have to wear a mask in the airport? Our aviation authority has had masks mandatory in airports and on planes since March 2020. Even when we had no cases in the community in most of Australia for months (like when we traveled in May), you HAVE to wear masks on airport grounds, inside the airport, and on the plane.
we've had 3 days of record cases. today 93000 new cases. it really isn't looking good. I know lots of people who have had it recently or know someone who has it. it's as close to home as it ever has been. The good thing is hospitisations and deaths are massively down on last year even though more cases so the vaccine is working.
Rusalka wrote: "Jayme wrote: "The airplane is very safe with everyone masked up, but sitting in a crowded airport for 2 hours between flights..."You don't have to wear a mask in the airport? Our aviation authori..."
We do have to wear masks in the airport, but I noticed when I flew a couple of weeks ago that a lot of people pull up a chair and take their masks off to eat or drink something and then leave them off. I didn't see anyone telling them to put their masks back on. Maybe they will be more vigilant with this new variant.
I think we may double mask in the airport and wait until we have our rental car to eat or drink something. This girl is not taking her mask off.
Sarah wrote: "we've had 3 days of record cases. today 93000 new cases. it really isn't looking good. I know lots of people who have had it recently or know someone who has it. it's as close to home as it ever ha..."I know, the amount of cases in the UK is scary and the spread is exponential. We are going the same way. We officially have new restrictions. Hospitality must close by 8pm and a bunch of other places too. Is this our 4th of 5th lockdown, I'm losing track?
We had record cases a few weeks ago and went in evening lockdown (everything except essential stores close at 5 pm, and some other rules came back). Last Tuesday during the press conference it was announced that it will last until mid January, but right now it was on the news that an immediate full lockdown has been advised. The goverment will discuss it tomorrow. Yay.
It's so much closer to home now too, indeed. I knew of people who had it before, but a few, but now it's many more people in my immediate circle at once. My sister's partner tested positive today as well.
Cases are getting up here as well. Not as bad, but we are usually a week or 2 behind Europe. Some restriction will be applied starting monday. Not too bad, less people in public place like restaurants, theater etc.... But it might get worse... What I really hope it that the curfew does not come back.
Yeah I don't think I can cope with another proper lockdown.
I think the mid-January thing has been agreed across europe. I don't mind the lockdown for myself but it is very hard on small business and on the mental health of young people.I don't think I could cope with a curfew.
We're back in full lockdown, until at least January 14. Schools might reopen again after the christmas holidays, so January 10.Next week I'll go back to online teaching. The two weeks I have off for Christmas will be very quiet with everything closed down.. I guess I can make a good start with the road trip challenge ;-)
Oh, and after her partner, my sister and her two boys tested positive too. Not sure if we can celebrate Christmas together, best case scenario they can leave the house again on Saturday..
Oh my, there we go again. I hope your sister and her family doesn't have any bad symptoms and ac enjoy Christmas with you, guys.
I hope your sister and her family are OK. Yes I saw you'd gone into lockdown on the news Peggy. They've been discussing things here this weekend, it would not surprise me if we didn't follow suit in some way, shape or form, although I think there's going to be an uproar here
Peggy wrote: "Oh, and after her partner, my sister and her two boys tested positive too. Not sure if we can celebrate Christmas together, best case scenario they can leave the house again on Saturday.."I hope every one is ok and do not get sick. Sorry about the lockdown. Then again, better safe than sorry.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Catch-22 (other topics)The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories (other topics)
