February 5, 2021
Was the Vaccine Worth it?
Yes and no depending on how you look at things.
It has only been a little over a month since getting fully vaccinated and most people haven't even got their first dose yet. It remains a mystery why I was selected for the first 0.1% of people to get the doses, but it doesn't really matter because nobody is interested in checking it. They are a lot more interested in covid tests. Of course you could argue that with a vaccine you have an almost guaranteed chance of getting a negative test, and it's just a routine matter to show up and do it when asked. But I still have to wear a mask and get temperature checks everywhere, travel history checks, and quarantine if needed, etc.. Technically I am not allowed to be doing this trip in the first place, vaccine or not
Second, what about this mass vaccination drive to the public? Indications are the current round of restrictions will last until March 31, so it seems they are either dragging their feet on purpose, or perhaps setting that date as when vaccination will start to take root.
Let's be fair, China has done an astonishingly good job in virus control up until this point. But why are they not also taking the same urgency and political will to get moving on this vaccine? There comes a point when the focus needs to shift gears. Then again it isn't exactly happening fast enough in other countries to notice a difference so far. So the question is when can this vaccine open doors for international tours without the need to quarantine?
[Update November 2020] Basically it happened in two parts. The vaccine helped generate immunity for sure and some places had vaccine mandates for travel initially, but eventually they were rescinded around mid-2022 with most countries simply moving on from covid and allowing quarantine-free travel. As for China nothing really changed.
There is also the possibility of travel bubbles or some sort of international health code or verification. But it doesn't really matter. This pandemic benefits the governments who won't give up their newfound power or control anytime soon. It's 90% political this covid. That's why this trip is the pre-recovery phase, it might go on for months
[Update November 2022] Actually years. Thankfully in 2022 most governments had no choice but to give up the covid restrictions as the pandemic moved into the endemic phase and the economies were suffering. But all except for one country.
If any positive international travel developments happen, even the smallest, you can be sure I'll jump on them at the earliest opportunity just like I did with the vaccine.
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I'm getting geared up for some BC bikepacking this summer since anything easily accessible will be busy busy busy. Indoor activities are very limited (no group fitness classes for sure; prebook your hour at a gym to work out by yourself with a limited number of others in the room, from whom you must maintain 2 m distance) and everybody in Greater Vancouver, it seems, is trying to get outside.
I am so looking forward to the end of this pandemic and the return of normal life.
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
The distribution plans seem reasonable, with those most at risk (seniors in care homes, older residents of remote communities) being first, then the general population (including us) in the third phase and broken down by age.
There have been a few cases of queue jumpers, though, including these entitled people from Vancouver: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-couple-vaccination-1.5889269
3 years ago