Coronavirus in Fuerteventura - Discussion

[Ducks]

it’s a flu

CDC mortality estimate for the flu during the 2018–2019 influenza season: ~600,000*.

Mortality estimate for COVID-19 from discovery to present day (also about a year): 1,320,000+. 

That is hundreds of thousands of additional dead human beings. They are not the same thing, and conflating them is extremely dangerous. 

I agree with you that the "cure" (and it isn't even a cure, it's a crappy stopgap solution) has some terrible, terrible side-effects. I walk through the ghost town where I am living looking at shut-up shops, closed hotels, and sad-looking restaurants with three or four customers every day. I do this with a bottle of sanitiser on my person and a mask on my face. I no longer visit the restaurants and cafes I enjoy, and I haven't met with family since last November. I worry constantly about the economic future of this island, and the rest of the world. It's awful, the whole thing is awful. 

But saying "it's just a flu" is like saying a nuclear bomb is "just an explosive". It isn't even technically true: the flu is also a virus, but they're not physically the same, nor do they have the same impact on the body. Of course there are plenty of people like your family members who test positive without symptoms, but if you look at the mortality rate, you can see that there are a lot of dead people, too. There are also millions of people who had only mild or moderate symptoms, but who will suffer related health conditions for years to come. 

It also puts a huge strain on the health system of any country in general: COVID patients should be isolated so they do not infect others, but when the numbers get too big (and we are seeing this in the US), they are simply no longer able to keep the COVID patients away from others, so hospitals become unsafe. Doctors and nurses are working while infected, and the rate of people exiting the medical profession is becoming a concern in multiple countries, like the US and Australia and also in the UK. These are people on the frontline who are dealing with it every day, so I think we should take their insights quite seriously. 

It really, really isn't just a flu. It's important that we understand and accept this.

* Figures edited because I pulled the USA figures, not worldwide. My bad.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Following quote taken from a Government page`;

"It is estimated that obesity is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year. On average, obesity deprives an individual of an extra 9 years of life, preventing many individuals from reaching retirement age. In the future, obesity could overtake tobacco smoking as the biggest cause of preventable death."

Food for thought?

Serious info I know Emmi, but I had to chuckle:

'obesity could overtake .........' followed by 'Food for thought?'  

[Jakub]

Hi Sam, can You or any other member tell me what is the situation currently with face masks on Fuerteventura and other islands. Are they still mandatory outside everywhere? And if so is the situation possible to change in December this year, are there any government announcements about that?

[Ducks]

Hi Sam, can You or any other member tell me what is the situation currently with face masks on Fuerteventura and other islands. Are they still mandatory outside everywhere? And if so is the situation possible to change in December this year, are there any government announcements about that?

Mandatory everywhere outside of your private space within anything designated as an urban area, ie towns. You can take them off to eat in restaurants and once you reach your spot at the beach/pool, but otherwise you're supposed to wear one at all times. Compliance is about 90%, I'd say. 

I believe this situation is the same on all the islands. 

Doubtful this will change before the end of the pandemic; I've certainly seen nothing to indicate they are considering it. As a touristic destination with planeloads of people coming from the mainland, Germany, UK, and Ireland where infection rates are high, it would be crazy for them to do away with this. That said, the island government are obviously desperate for tourism, so who knows. If it's an absolute dealbreaker for you, though, I definitely would not plan to visit before the end of the year. Optimistically, there may be some changes by Easter next year once the vaccines start rolling out.

[Cotillo_Tom]

Hi Jakub,

Face masks required almost everywhere, once you step out of your accommodation. There are a few exceptions like on your towel on the beach if more than 1.5m from the next person etc., also exercising (jogging, cycling etc), and if you are outside a built up area, alone and not within many meters of anyone!

No plans at the moment to make any changes. We are on the lowest level of caution, so I don't see it changing very soon. 

Tom.

[Jakub]

Thanks Ducks and Cotillo_Tom for the information, this means that probably situation with masks will not change soon. I will have to wait for better time with my trip 

[Johnrgby]

Has anyone been contacted by their Medical Centre in relation to a COVID vaccination? a guy in the bar I use was telling all and sundry about his in Rosario yesterday, he was allegedly contacted on Monday, and his wife and he received theirs yesterday  this is the first mention I have heard about vaccinations on The Island, both the guy and his wife are circa 60 ish so not a priority I would have thought, ad he has a reputation for not letting the truth stand in the way of a good story

[classic]

They have been contacting people about their annual flu jabs which are being administered  - maybe a misunderstanding?

[Emmi Smith]

That sounds more feasible Classic...

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

https://radiosintonia.com/torres-asegura...covid-19/#