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DJsMrs

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Everything posted by DJsMrs

  1. I'm SO impressed that you're cruising, with 4 monkeys and a husband, during covid and have written such a great blog! I'm super grateful as we look forward to travelling in December with one kiddo that can't be vaxxed yet. You've allayed a lot of my concerns. Thanks!!!
  2. This is amazing! Where do you live that Shopper's will do a quick test for 40 bones? The cheapest Antigen test I can find in Vancouver is $129 - and they go up from there.
  3. The idea is to ship it to my hotel in Florida - I realize they don't ship outside the US... this is the crux of our struggle.
  4. I believe we have a two day window to be tested before boarding. Our family is cruising on the 12th. We will fly on the 11th. We will get rapid tested late evening at the airport on the 10th. One test should work for entry to the states and boarding. The only other option is to fly down two days early and get tested once you land. You can book most at most airports... but it's a real gong show. I also wonder if you could get the Binax tests shipped to your hotel and book an appointment for after you land and get to your room? Can you pre-book the invigilated test appointments or do you have to be in possession of your test kit?
  5. While true - the fact that it technically "can" detect small amounts of dead virus, and will detect small amounts of the virus at the tail end of an infection after an individual has fought off the virus, I think I was trying to stress that PCR is the gold standard at detecting the virus at the beginning of an infection. For this reason it is recommended that if you've had covid you do not have another PCR test for 90 days post-recovery. You commented: While true, PCR tests don't tell you if you're infectious or not, just if you've been exposed to the virus at some point in the last several months. I believe this explanation of the test to be hyperbolic - PCR is the literal global gold standard and will tell absolutely you if you're infectious - not "just" if you've been exposed. For this reason it is recommended that if you've had covid you do not have another PCR test for 90 days post-recovery. I'm not wanting to debate the intricacies of the virus vs the disease (a la HIV and AIDS) as I understand the distinction and is a very different conversation than we were having. I was trying to point out that the PCR test does not only detect if you've already had COVID. It is used internationally and has been deemed to be the most effective test on earth by scientists and researchers that have far more knowledge and education than most of us (combined) and I will defer to their expertise. I just wanna cruise.
  6. Does anyone know if they are offering PCR tests on board for those who need that test to fly home? I realise we will have to pay.
  7. Untrue - the PCR test (according the the Cleveland clinic) indicates if you have COVID-19. An antibody test tells you if have been exposed to the virus (not if you are infectious). It's a very distinct and important difference as a PCR will indicate if you are infectious and is also why an antibody test will not suffice for travel. PCR is the gold standard and is more sensitive and accurate than antigen testing which is commonly accepted in the US for travel (and unfortunately not in Canada as PCR are double the cost) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21462-covid-19-and-pcr-testing Also untrue - the covid virus has been isolated (last year). See link for details. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/grows-virus-cell-culture.html
  8. So we are all fully vaccinated (except for my 11 year old)... fly out of Canada on the Dec 10 for a cruise on the 12th. Have to have antigen tests done to enter the US... with the three day window we could have used that same test to board... now we have to find somewhere to get tested when we land in Florida. So instead of basically staying in our hotel room and self-isolating and ordering in takeout we now have to go out in public to a testing site, thus increasing our exposure risk, to obtain another test in a state where masking doesn't seem to be a commonly accepted measure of caution. It's a smidge bonkers. The change was posted minutes after we made our final payment. Awesome.
  9. As of August 9 the Cdn border is open to vaccinated Americans - and all visitors (vaccinated or not) must present a PCR test (NOT antigen) that was administered within 72 hours of arrival for non-essential travel. If visiting for non-essential and not vaccinated, visitors will be refused entry. This doesn't apply to Cdn citizens or permanent residents who may enter regardless of vaccine status. However, if unvaccinated citizens are returning home they are required to quarantine for 14 days. Looks like the US gov't will soon impose similar restrictions on Canadian visitors to America - if the US Feds choose to open their border on the 21st.
  10. And the WHO subsequently clarified their quote after the message was not correctly conveyed. The WHO was not advising people to avoid mixing vaccines under the advice from scientists. They were answering a question about whether a third vaccine was needed after Pfizer announced its application with the FDA about a booster shot. The advice was to encourage people to not decide by themselves to get a third shot or to receive extra doses. The quote did not apply to people who have had AZ-mRNA, Pfizer-Moderna and the like and part of their vaccination programme. The headlines did not accurately reflect what was said, nor did they reflect the true message being conveyed by the WHO. The tragedy here is that the unintended consequence of this click bait will result in people not being vaccinated. And the decision by cruise lines will have an impact on people holding out for vaccines if there is uncertainty about whether or not people will have access to two of the same type of vaccine when scientific evidence is showing that it is safe to do so.
  11. I’m in this boat with you. We also sail in December and have had 2 different vaccines. I feel like they’re going to have to revisit the science on this and realize that their policy doesn’t reflect facts and people can receive 2 different vaccines (under the advice of doctors, scientists around the world) and still be vaccinated. It’s disappointing in the mean time.
  12. This isn’t true. WHO suggests that if you’ve had AZ first and cannot get a second AZ then by all means to go ahead with an mRNA vaccine - which is actually showing an excellent (perhaps even stronger) immunity response than 2 AZ or 2 mRNA I know RCCL has this policy now - but so did Barbados and they updated it to include mix and match very quickly. It’s like trying to catch water with a sieve right now in pinning down and keeping track of constantly changing information as more and more research becomes available. Quote from Reuters story - I’m not inclined to disagree with the WHO strategic advisory group of experts I wish I was that smart ?? I’ve looked them up and they are impressive The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines said in June the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) vaccine could be used as a second dose after an initial dose of AstraZeneca (AZN.L), if the latter is not available. A clinical trial led by the University of Oxford in the UK is ongoing to investigate mixing the regimen of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. The trial was recently expanded to include the Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) and Novavax Inc (NVAX.O) vaccines.
  13. I'd calm down and take the written word on their website rather than the word of a rep in a conversation that was posted on Reddit. I think we all know that if we talk to three different people we will get three different answers - especially when the rules are fluid and changing constantly. See above - there are source documents (from Royal and WHO) stating that mixed vaccines will be acceptable.
  14. I just pulled this from the RCCL FAQ vaccine page - it states it will accept any vaccine recognized by the US FDA and/or the WHO. I'm pretty sure mixed vaccine recipients will be fine. Keep in mind the US FDA never approved Astra Zeneca - but RCCL is accepting AZ recipients as fully vaccinated. Pulled from the WHO website: The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines said in June the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) vaccine could be used as a second dose after an initial dose of AstraZeneca (AZN.L), if the latter is not available. Pulled from RCCL FAQ: Acceptable Proof of Vaccination For Ports Where Vaccines Are Required In order to present proof of vaccination for our cruises, the guest must show eligible documentation on boarding day at the terminal in the form of the vaccination record issued by either (1) the country’s health authority that administered the vaccination (e.g., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card) (2) electronic vaccination records where country policy requires the use of electronic documentation via app or health agency site (e.g. UK NHS App, NHS Certificate, Israel Green Pass, EU Digital COVID Certificate), or (3) a letter from the guest's medical provider that administered the vaccination, which meets the following criteria: The Proof of Vaccination must include the name of the vaccinated person matching the registered cruise guest with date of birth (DoB), the dates of the completed vaccination cycle, the administering physical or medical services provider, and the manufacturer of the vaccine issued. The full vaccination cycle must be completed at least 14 days before your sail date (e.g., received the second dose in a two-dose series such as Pfizer or Moderna or a single dose of J&J). The vaccine is recognized and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and/or the World Health Organization (WHO). NOTE: Royal Caribbean will accept a laminated original vaccine card from your country’s health authority as acceptable proof of vaccination, providing it meets all the aforementioned criteria.
  15. Buy Art - I don't understand this aspect of cruising at all... it's very strange to me. Other than that - never say never... especially after Covid. There are things that I said I would never do on a cruise and after missing cruising for so long I've warned they family that we're doing ALL OF IT! lol Except cupcake making, sushi, and guacamole classes. ?
  16. Our PHO said that there are discussions happening and it looks like all vaccines recognized by the WHO will be accepted, whether they are approved in certain countries or not (she specifically referenced US recognizing AZ) The VAST majority of UK has been jabbed with AZ - so a minority of Canadians that received it (me included) need not worry.
  17. I’ve stayed in the 2BR grand suite in Anthem and it’s massive inside. You’d easily have room for the scooter. And you can never go wrong with your own bedrooms ? not sure about room for a stool in that shower though.
  18. Truth. - but it certainly lessens the chances in vulnerable populations, which is why we typically vaccinate for chicken pox, measles, meningitis, rubella, etc. Very few people die of measles, but it is insanely communicable and certainly makes for an uncomfortable journey as your body fights the virus. Similar with covid, no?
  19. Yes - but having unvaccinated people on board doesn't make the outcome better. It exacerbates the issue. At least if people are vaccinated the chance of them becoming critically ill or dying are almost zero. The chance of passing it on are less if you're vaccinated - so if I were a cruise line I would be doing every single thing I could to ensure the safety of my crew and passengers, not less. For now. Not forever.
  20. Of all the things that you think you're going to read - an employee being attacked with a cucumber was definitely not on my list (I don't mean to make light - but some things are so ridiculous). This is horrific and my heart goes out to your mum. I think this story is a perfect example of why mask mandates should remain in place until 75 or 80% of people have been fully vaccinated to offer real protection to those who are unable to be vaccinated because they are either immunocompromised or under age. This pandemic has really shown people's true colours - both good and bad - but seems to have emphasized that a fair chunk of people will do what they want regardless of the consequences to others. I hope she's okay.
  21. That's crazy! We can fly on WJ from Vancouver to Toronto all summer for about $300 round trip as they try to drum up travel. I think Air Canada has similar deals.
  22. I'm crossing everything for you (fingers, legs, toes, eyes - all of it!) I'm getting anxious to travel and our cruise isn't until December. Gawd willing all of this is sorted out by then!!! Youtube cruise videos just aren't cutting it.
  23. Maybe - but the gov't is going to have to get through a mountain of red tape to figure out what they will and won't accept as proof of vaccine from non-Canadians (never mind proof of vaccine from Canadians vaccinated elsewhere)... and not just Americans, but travelers from the EU, Africa, etc. Can you imagine the bureaucracy? I'm hopeful, and would be happy about it, but I'd be shocked if it was prior to August or September... although I know tourism sector is pushing HARD. Fingers are crossed for them! I think they will look at it more openly once more Canadians have been double vaccinated.
  24. ONLY for Canadians. Not tourists. Regardless of vaccination status non-Canadians will still have to quarantine with unvaccinated Canadians. Still need a Covid test when you land and must self isolate while awaiting test results (they say three days, but usually sooner). Trying to temper my excitement (as my 11 year old isn't old enough to be vaccinated yet, so it's all irrelevant)... but holy this is an exciting first step back to travel!!!!!!! Woot!!!!!!!!
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