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Posts posted by 2wheelin

  1. 47 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:


    I can't wait to get a vaccine that is being rushed through development and safety testing, has been given blanket liability immunity in case it turns out to be not so safe after all, and is likely to be about 50% effective.  And where 300,000,000 doses are being manufactured right now before all of the rushed testing is even done.  Because I am sure that the huge investment in manufacturing those doses would never skew the regulatory decision process assessing its safety and effectiveness.

    This ranks right up there with conspiracy theories. Several of the vaccines in phase 3 trials have been in production for some time. When approved there will be millions of doses slated for rapid deployment. There are already plans drawn up for distribution.

    Vaccines being rushed through is mostly done by removing impediments of red tape. There is no waiting in line for approval after the backlog of other drugs. Think of it as leap frog rather than lowering of standards.

    All of the skeptics not willing to be vaccinated will certainly provide enough supply for the rest of us.

  2. 4 hours ago, wowzz said:

    The same question has been asked on a UK cruise line thread. Aruba is one of the least liked islands, with posters finding it hard to see what its appeal is. I suppose it's OK if you like US resort type holidays, but not much else.

    Spent a week in Aruba a few years back and had a great time. Lots of off-roading and cave exploration. Mining ruins, rock climbing. I think it has been resortified since then but still a lot of back country which we explored again on a recent cruise.

    We stayed at a time share resort along the beach and one day watched a flat bed truck drive slowly down the highway along the beach. There was an elephant standing on the trailer to promote a circus. Not something you see everywhere.

  3. 5 hours ago, tattoos said:

    Carnival will be going down a slippery slope if they place undue restrictions on older people because they are (health-wise) at high risk.  I have friends in their 30's and 40's who are diabetic, have high blood pressure, etc.  Is Carnival going to weed this group out also?  What about children who sail who have underlying health issues... don't let them sail?  If they are going to initiate a "no sail" health list, it better encompass all people who cruise.  Age and health issues touches people of all ages, not just the elderly..  Singling out older people and subjecting them to additional forms, testing, etc., will bring down a lot of lawsuits onto an already struggling cruise industry. 


    There are rumors that the cruise lines are investigating the feasibility of partitioning off areas on their ships exclusively for older cruisers, i.e., in the Lido buffet area, indoor venues such as the show theaters, bars, etc.  If you are an older cruiser that has been put on "The List" are you still going to sail?

    I don’t let age restrict anything I want to do on land so I don’t think I would patronize a cruise line that wanted to make restrictions based on age. Too arbitrary.

  4. 4 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:


    If there is no herd immunity then it means that prior infection does not confer immunity.  Which means that vaccines that simulate prior infection cannot confer immunity either.

    I am constantly amazed at the cognitive dissonance of people who ascribe little or no value to being antibody positive but have an almost magical belief in vaccines.

    IMO the key is going to end up being treatment, not a vaccine.  Unfortunately the most encouraging treatments to date have involved low-cost readily available drugs like the hydroxychloroquine cocktail, the steroid inhalation treatment and the treatments that were used and are being used in Japan and Singapore.  There isn't any big money to be made with any of these so they are essentially ignored.  But get a new PRICEY treatment showing any optimistic results and the potential of billions of dollars going to Big Pharma and it will be treated like the second coming.

    Vaccines don’t just simulate infection and can be made to target infections which do not produce effective natural immunity. They don’t just give you a dose of virus. They can be targeted to any portion of the molecule and can enhance the effectiveness of other components in the human body to fight infection.

  5. 24 minutes ago, ober134 said:

    Yes please. Where did you see that "air" is causing positive results?

    I also read that happened with swabs just waved in the air about two weeks ago. All of them tested positive. I believe it was a military base which may be why it cannot be found now, although I am not interested enough to look.

  6. 8 hours ago, clo said:

    It's so odd. Here in Reno we got an appointment for the following day and test results in 48 hours. 

    And I know people in Las Vegas who have serious symptoms. They have been in line on two days and still not tested. After hours in line, site closes because of lack of test materials. Seems all sites are different. News shows lines of cars miles long at some places. In our city we closed some sites and still about an hour wait max.

  7. 5 hours ago, Heidi13 said:


    We are now reaping the benefits of listening to and following the directions of our Chief Medical Health Officer and with only 10 to 20 new cases per day in the entire Province, we have been at phase 3 of re-opening for 3 weeks. We can now travel freely within our home Province.


    Social distancing is still being practiced and masks, although not mandatory are highly recommended.

    You did a good job of containment but in the States it is still highly recommended to stay within your home state.

  8. 26 minutes ago, clo said:

    And this is something we continue to think about. We'll be taking all manner of food. The place we're staying has a auto gate check-in. Things we would never have thought about a year ago. And thanks for weighing in. I agree with you.

    We do not agree. I advocate staying close to home while you are traveling to other states from a high incident state, purchasing gas and using facilities others will use. Where are your children and grands coming from? 

    Things are certainly different from before which helps but still a long way to go. I needed to make a purchase today in a store and they operate completely touch less to the point where to use my cc, they texted me a link for me to enter my information in front of them.

  9. Sounds like a lot of travel still happening. Things will not be safe until people take this seriously and stay home. Especially those is states with increasing problems. No need to spread it around to other communities. Travel should be restricted to one gas tank distance from home. RV and car travel, while slightly safer, still involve gas stops, site checkins and facility use among other things. 

    We are one of very few states with decreasing number of cases but our county has seen increases recently after reopening appts at a large medical facility which attracts traveling pts. We are now seeing 15-20 new cases per day.

    We shop for groceries only when necessary and during the early morning hour, have not eaten out or had take out since early March and most churches are still closed. Many restaurants, while allowed indoor service with fewer patrons since the end of June, still have not opened for indoor service. Travel for travel sake is still a long way off for most of us. (I did get my “travel” as a courier for swab samples from outlying clinics to the testing lab.) No more than 300 miles round trip so gas always purchased in home town.

  10. 6 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

    We do not think there is any right or wrong when it comes to the subject of tipping.  Tipping is simply cultural and varies around the world from the high 20% tips often given in the USA to zero in places like Australia.  As frequent world travelers (prior to COVID-19) we usually follow the local cultural practice.   


    As to tipping in advance (mentioned by the OP) I do not even think that is a "tip" but is more like a bribe.  A tip is something you give as a reward for services delivered.  A bribe is when you give money/gifts in advance as an inducement for future services.  I do not believe in bribery but have been know to drop a subtle hint such as "if you take good care of me I will take good care of you."  :).



    Good point. Where does that then put prepaying tips (charges) before even on the ship?. No service rendered. Not advocating either way. Just pointing out that absolute, black and white statements (of others) don’t hold water. Words—-Hmmmmm.

  11. 43 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

    I agree that the percentage should not increase - the same percentage should track the cost of living.  However - to the extent tipping is variable at the option of the tipper, it is not necessarily “madness”.  The amount of the tip  should reflect the quality of the service rendered - superb service rates a generous tip, while lackadaisical or careless service should get less, and dreadful service should get nothing.  


    There is is a lot to say for incentive pay - most employers will pay competent and effective employees more - either with higher base pay or with bonuses on top of base pay.  What is true “madness” is to pay the same amount to careless, incompetent or lazy employees the same amount as given to diligent, competent and hardworking employees.

    But in reality, the amount of a tip is more a reflection of the cost of service coupled with quality or service. Waiters in inexpensive restaurants get way less in tips even though they often work harder than those in expensive restaurants. I would rather tip based on service. Quality and time spent.

    it’s a little more equitable I suppose on a cruise where the daily norm for tips is the same regardless of cost of cabin—except for suites I think. Never stayed in one.

  12. 41 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

    You could very well be right.


    I'm just curious what data we're looking for that we don't already have in a half of a year. Seems like just more panic than anything. People are losing their mind because we are finding more people positive as compared to times when we had little to no testing. All the while we're finding people were asymptomatic and have been all of this time and no more people are dying.

    Right. In my state, number of positive tests has increased while hospitalizations and ICU use and deaths have decreased. (Even after allowing for lag time from increased positives). In spite of this my city just mandated mask wearing in all public buildings regardless of social distancing. Employees of a business may remove masks in private areas if distancing is observed but anyone in the public area must wear a mask. This applies even if you are the only person in say, a church or arena etc. So that means you cannot read on the second floor of the library if the only other person in the building is on the first floor. This is why people object to masks—ridiculous interpretation of recommendations.

  13. 40 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

    People are too worried about "cooties". So we have anti-bacterial soap, and instead of developing immunities, we become vulnerable, As kids we played  in the dirt and in the rain. And if we got sick we got over it.


    For instance, when we were kids did we ever hear about peanut butter allergies?  Now we have schools  with non peanut butter sections in their cafeterias.   

    I’ve been saying that for years. My kids and I had almost perfect school attendance and I never saw a doctor (except to get stitched up once) until I had my first job physical. I’m in my 70s and take no medications.

    And to the inevitable argument “that won’t stop Covid”——yeah maybe. But it could with heightened immune systems.

  14. 7 hours ago, bigrednole said:

    I was one that use to live pay check to pay check. Not that we didn't make decent money, something always came about that would impact savings. Just as we got to 6 months, a car accident happens because of someone else. Even through settlements we lost about $8,000 because of it. Braces for our daughter. Other things just happen. It was until a day of reckoning that we had to make a massive lifestyle change. I was laid off from work and it was the darkest of times for me. Luckily I was back to work in 4 months. It taught me a lesson though...never depend on  having your job. Regardless of your benefit to a company, you are nothing but an expense to them and that is how you are viewed. 3 months after starting my new job, I met with my financial adviser and mortgage broker. We reassessed my family's retirement plan. After looking at job stability, investments, mortgage, expenses, and everything, we concluded moving to a 15-year mortgage was critical. We were going to take a hit on our 401k to get rid of some debt. Built a 6-month next egg and got it up to 8-months currently as an emergency fund. Luckily for us, the money came out before CV-19 crashes, we went into a lot of cash temporarily, and the market crashed. 


    I know that was long winded, but it was a liberating experience. An experience I wish I had done 20 years ago when we were first buying a house, getting started, etc. Learning that being a slave to debt and putting 100% loyalty to a company is the wrong thing to do. Job choices mean far more than you know. If I knew more when I was looking for a career, I would have looked to other industries when I was younger...ones that have a pension. Very few companies offer it and it is extremely difficult to get enough in company sponsored 401ks to retire. Yes the pay was great, but still offers a difficult path to retire. 

    Congratulations on your new plan. I love the term next egg even though it was a typo. Lol  check out Dave Ramsey for living/saving plans. My 40 year old son with a family of four and mid wage job is entirely debt free. Own their house and two kids in college. Kids are helping with jobs for their expenses.

  15. 6 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

    If I had even the remotest suspicion that I had been infected I would get an anti-body test and find out one way or the other, definitively, rather than stay in a fog of uncertainty.  Especially as a positive antibody test would mean that I was now basically immune for both giving or getting an infection going forward.

    I don't know how it is in other countries, but in the US one of the ways you can get a free antibody test is to give blood.  They are required to test for covid antibodies.  And if you're positive you can, if you choose, donate plasma to be used to treat people with active infections.  And while I've been unable to give blood for years, I am now off blood thinners and can do it, and I am considering it, as I was a frequent donor in my younger days and none of my current meds disqualifies me.

    Your information is incorrect. The CDC does not consider you immune if you have antibody. You probably are but no one has proven o e way or the other. You would still need to wear a mask where they are required. 
    The Mayo Clinic blood bank does not routinely check donor blood for antibodies. Even if you have an antibody test and are positive, you need to have had a positive COVID swab test to donate for treatment. 

    Of the large number of people who swear they had COVID in Jan/Feb, not one has reported a positive ab test. This is based on the results of thousands of employees who have been tested 

  16. 8 hours ago, calliopecruiser said:

    I'm sure it does include a viral infection, just not this viral infection.



    Can you provide me a link about that serology test?  I'd love to know more about it.

    Sorry, I don’t have a link. I searched back through my emails and could not find the notice. It may have been proprietary since it was on work mail too. It is initially a dry spot test to determine reactivity and if positive will want a blood draw serology test to confirm. That is all I know at this point as I am also on furlough and do not have my normal access to publications. 

    You may want to try google and Mayo Clinic. And I was wrong on the numbers. It will be offered to all 65000 employees who want it.

  17. 6 hours ago, calliopecruiser said:


    Serology testing (to see if one has been exposed, whether or not there's an active infection) are being developed, but I don't  believe any are available yet with sufficiently accurate results.   That type of testing is a goal, but it's not available yet. 

    Highly accurate serology tests have been developed at my institution and are being offered to all 30000 employees.

  18. 3 hours ago, ldubs said:


    I suggested I was not worried about a DNA database because I feel the benefits outweigh the negatives.   Tests currently happen to identify hereditary illnesses. The tests are covered under our health ins policy.  A hereditary illness is not excluded in our policy.     Does your policy exclude cancer that is in your DNA?  

    Not yet but last year would you have predicted travel insurance would not include a viral infection?

  19. 2 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

    I would be fine with a recommendation to get a test.  Many have expressed concerns about being quarantined on a ship for a couple of weeks because a fellow passenger tests positive.  It's easy to see how some jurisdictions could use these apps to determine if someone should be quarantined.  That's scary considering how inaccurate and imprecise these apps appear to be.  

    This is a primary concern, that one would be detained, possibly in a foreign country to complete the waiting period—14 days—for symptoms or adequate testing to prove negative.

    People who recently participated in protests with 10000 of their closest friends went the following day and were happy to test negative. Total waste of a test and false security.

    To the person who included DNA testing as a non worry, how will you feel when your insurance company refuses coverage for your half million dollar or more cancer treatment because it was in your DNA?

  20. 2 hours ago, chipmaster said:


    Yup sad most that dying are somebodies mom/dad grandma/grandpa, lived a long life and gone earlier than expected.   


    The young and carefree get out spread and recovery.


    But there is a silver lining the social security liability and care for seniors is considerably reduced.  China had a ticking time bomb as does most developing countries with the burden of caring for the elder, fixed.  

    We probably should arrange for a pandemic every ten years to really cure that “problem”.

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