**** I have Covid. Just a low grade fever, tachy, and a small headache that all goes away with Tylenol.
We were down in the Yucatan. Took a taxi down to Tulum for a couple of nights. Then headed to Chichen Itza and stayed in a hacienda near there. We got to see the light show at night. It was pretty bad ass. I need to post the pics on here. Then we headed back to Cancun for the last night and stopped at a cenote on the way there. Also we bought some honey and limes from a road side vendor. I attribute the lime and honey to the negative covid test.
Just get a Mexican covid test. You will be negative. I was selfish and I didn't even think to tip the doctor . I should have gone back and dropped some pesos in the tip jar.
Made it to Singapore. It was a freaking bureaucratic nightmare getting so. When I changed planes in Zurich they had everyone go through the checklist of what Singapore requires before they let you board. 1. You have a vaccinated transit pass (VTP) 2. You have proof of vaccination, it can't just be in the vaccine card that we use in the US but has to be on an app with a QR code that is internationally recognized. 3. Download onto your phone Singapore's tracing app. 4. A negative PCR test within two days of departure. 5. Proof of travel insurance. In addition to those there was one more thing that wasn't on their website but in the fine print of the VTP. 6. A filled out online Singapore Entry Card. I didn't have that and there was a debate among the Swiss Air staff whether to let me board or not. They then told me I could apply online now. The official website was down. At that point they decided to let me board and take my chances. Given the potentially penalty was $10,000 SGD (about $8,000 US and /or 10 years in prison. I was about to just say "F^(& It" and not go. Luckily my mom texted me a private site that could get the arrival card (for about a $100 USD fee). I just managed to fill out the form and submit it as they were closing the doors on my plane. When I got to Singapore thankfully the form went through and I got my arrival card by email. Of course next they said that the COVID-19 test on arrival had to be booked in advance so spent another hour and about another $100 USD paying for that. Of course at first they wouldn't send a confirmation to my personal email account so had to redo it and use my work email. Then they wouldn't take my main credit card so switched to my bank ATM card. All of that done had to wait in interminable line to get PCR tested. Then they had cordoned off much of the airport including ATM's so could only use a handful of designated tourist info desk that were handling money changing, ground transportation and getting new SIM cards. Luckily I still had a lot of Euros so changed those to SGD. Good news is after about three hours of being stuck in lines or trying to get through Byzantine websites they let me out of the airport. Also just got confirmation my PCR test at the airport is negative. Now just have to make it through the daily testing this next week and hope there isn't a news story about me in a hot spot. The other day the authorities forced a Singaporean Cornell student into quarantine. Cornell just had a big outbreak and shut down school during finals. Apparently the government got hold from the news a pic of him sitting a in crowded classroom taking a final. Because of all that Singapore definitely has a different feel. Changi Airport was one of the busiest in the World and it was dead. Even though my flight was packed their are few other flights coming in and with restrictions on the airport they discourage people hanging the concourses between flights. There definitely seems like less traffic. The Hawker Centres (sort of like open air foodcourts) are still operating but of course everyone has to wear a mask in public (except eating and drinking) and they are supposed to check vaccination status if you choose to eat there or any restaurant. Like Amsterdam probably just going to spend most of my time here inside with family.
I knew something was up with me when my heart rate was elevated. It' was accelerated 3-5 days before I got real symptoms. I got moderna 2 shots in January. My brother in law also has covid and is doing worse. He got pfizer in August.
There are small bits of encouraging news from Europe and Canada. Hospitalization and ICU numbers haven't climbed in proportion to cases thus far (even adjusting for the lag tied to hospitalization). Also the average amount of time spent in the hospital per patient seems to be lower with Omicron when compared to Delta. I think its clear that this isn't March 2020 all over again and the surge in cases won't have the same impact on hospitals. Also one thing to note is that the original Spanish Flu ended because a mutated version ended up becoming the dominant strain but that new dominant strain had milder symptoms that mimicked the common cold. Way too early to even speculate if Omicron will go down that path but hopefully it does and this is how this ends.
Orchids are still blooming. The natural life in Singapore has really benefit from shut downs and reduced human activity. There are so many otters now they are getting out of hand. https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...oing-to-die-man-who-was-attacked-by-otters-at
Crazy. It’s been a dozen or more years or so since I’ve been there, but if Jim Thompson is half as good as it was then, it would still be twice as good as any Thai meal I’ve had since.
Holy ****. Tried scheduling to get covid testing with CVS but everything is completely booked this week. And the options on Amazon are over $80 per. What the hell?
I tested negative on the rapid Sars but I did it myself. Later on I got tested with the PCR and was positive. I'm hearing the rapids can miss alot.
I tested negative on the rapid test once and PCR twice. My doctor swore I had it. I'm not sure. That was a couple months ago. Now I'm getting a head cold again. Ugh. I hate that every time I get a head cold I feel guilty.
There are a lot of nasty non-covid viruses making a big comeback this year after lockdowns and social distancing last year.
You mightve had the metapneumovirus. That's the closest one I've seen that acts like covid. This omicron is a nasty little one that can reinfect you again fast. They need work on that vaccine right now. This sucker put me thru the ringer. I can't imagine a single person or elderly living by themselves and having no one to help them.
