Is it possible to travel responsibly (during a pandemic)?

[Kimela]

Have any of you heard if the full vaccine will be accepted in lieu of testing negative in order to return to the United States? I have a friend in Honduras who has has the first of their vaccines (second one this week) and tested positive ... until they finally got a negative PCR test ... but they were told if they'd had BOTH of their vaccines that would have been acceptable to leave the country. (I've read that the first two weeks after getting the vaccine you may test positive for the virus - maybe that's what happened to them?).

If there has been a change in policy I'd like to know about it. My quick search did not show any changes. No updates at the CDC since January 12 that I could find.

EDIT: friend was making an assumption ... no evidence the policy was changed. But I do wonder when they'll get around to it.

 

[tarponchik]

Many organisms that reproduce asexually have mechanisms to increase genetic diversity. I suggest you read about recombinant viruses, when two strains that are replicating in the same host swap corresponding DNA segments and can combine mutations. In fact this is (apparently) how the virus came to be, by swapping with pangolin coronaviruses. Every time you have different virus populations in the same host there is an opportunity for recombination, though I'm not aware of any of the new variants doing that. I hope not to have to find out.

Coronaviruses can't because they bypass the DNA stage. Their RNA replicates directly into RNA.

 

[scubadada]

The Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will not give you a positive PCR or antigen test for Covid-19. A positive test would generally reflect infection, symptomatic or asymptomatic. As neither vaccine prevents symptomatic or asymptomatic infection, a negative diagnostic test lowers the risk of transmission of virus in a vaccinated individual. The PCR has better sensitivity

From a post in another forum: Cayman Will Re-Open Borders to Visitors in March 2021

 

[uncfnp]

Oxford vaccine could substantially cut spread Oxford vaccine could substantially cut spread

Although not completely apparent, to me at least, the people they are wheeling out on the radio news are saying that transmission is directly cut as well as reducing symptoms and death.

That is all good news, let’s not screw it up by encouraging new variants while we still have a hope to get a lid on it.

• Analyses of PCR positive swabs in UK population suggests vaccine may have substantial effect on transmission of the virus with 67% reduction in positive swabs among those vaccinated

I've read that the first two weeks after getting the vaccine you may test positive for the virus - maybe that's what happened to them?

The vaccines will not cause someone to test positive. Both the antigen and the PCR tests look for viral particles in the nose or mouth. The vaccine will not create these particles so will not cause a positive test for infection. But as @scubadada said the vaccine is not perfect and some will still get sick though less so. I have had two test positive after the first shot. Both within the time frame for infection prior to significant antibody protection, one in less than a week and the second near two weeks post vaccination.

 

[Jcp2]

I’ve consulted with Carnac the Magnificent, and swami says:
1. The virus changes constantly, and younger people in general manage this change better than older people.
2. We are learning about risk profiles including age, obesity, other comorbidities.
3. Vaccinations definitely reduce symptoms, but may only prevent infection in a group that would otherwise had a mild infection in the absence of vaccination. There will never be herd immunity in a sterilized measles and polio style, just herd resistance. Swami also claims that term.
4. People in the high risk groups as we learn about them should definitely get vaccinated, probably annually like the flu shot. They should wear a mask until they get vaccinated, and probably should continue to do so in crowded indoor spaces indefinitely if they cannot avoid those spaces. The masks should be to a certain medical standard and inexpensive and accessible. Maybe even a covered cost.
5. People who live with high risk individuals or who work with them for extended periods of time in close proximity should get vaccinated initially and wear a set standard mask around them until the at risk person gets vaccinated.
6. People who are not in a high risk group can be choose to be vaccinated as an option, but not required to do so.
7. If everybody agreed to wear a decent mask until people in category 4 and 5 get vaccinated, then we could move forward with fewer restrictions on movement and gathering quicker as the number of vaccinations required to reach this level would be a lot less than requiring all people to be vaccinated.

 

[wnissen]

Coronaviruses can't because they bypass the DNA stage. Their RNA replicates directly into RNA.

Please Google “viral RNA recombination”.

E.g. RNA Recombination - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Viral RNA recombination is one of the major forces in increasing variability of RNA viruses, enhancing viral fitness, and accelerating their adaptation to new hosts.

If you read the link I provided in the previous post, recombination is how the current virus originated. Both of your recent posts have been transparently incorrect, please consider a bit more research before making statements like that.

 

[tarponchik]

Please Google “viral RNA recombination”.

E.g. RNA Recombination - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics


If you read the link I provided in the previous post, recombination is how the current virus originated. Both of your recent posts have been transparently incorrect, please consider a bit more research before making statements like that.

Unfortunately, the paper you referred to is not in open access, but I did some reading and I admit I was wrong.

However, chances for an individual to be infected by more than one strain simultaneously are probably extremely low, so your point of "mixing" viruses is still mute. And if a single strain of the virus mutates, we do not really care if this happened in the process of replication or as a result of internal recombination.

 

[VikingDives]

Have any of you heard if the full vaccine will be accepted in lieu of testing negative in order to return to the United States? I have a friend in Honduras who has has the first of their vaccines (second one this week) and tested positive ... until they finally got a negative PCR test ... but they were told if they'd had BOTH of their vaccines that would have been acceptable to leave the country. (I've read that the first two weeks after getting the vaccine you may test positive for the virus - maybe that's what happened to them?).

If there has been a change in policy I'd like to know about it. My quick search did not show any changes. No updates at the CDC since January 12 that I could find.

EDIT: friend was making an assumption ... no evidence the policy was changed. But I do wonder when they'll get around to it.

The president ordered that vaccination be studied. Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel

"The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of HHS (including through the Director of CDC), the Secretary of Transportation (including through the Administrator of the FAA), and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall seek to consult with foreign governments, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and any other relevant stakeholders to establish guidelines for public health measures associated with safe international travel, including on aircraft and at ports of entry. Any such guidelines should address quarantine, testing, COVID-19 vaccination, follow-up testing and symptom-monitoring, air filtration requirements, environmental decontamination standards, and contact tracing."

So there's at least a possibility that vaccination will be considered at some point.

 

[Altamira]

It is hard for me to imagine why a vaccination record would be a suitable substitute for a negative Covid-19 test. Even with the best, currently available vaccines, a person still has a 5% change of contracting the virus, therefore possibly being a Covid-19 vector for others. A second Moderna or Pfizer vaccination should greatly increase your odds of not getting seriously ill or dying from Covid, but there is no guarantee that you could not get, transmit the virus, or have a positive Covid test.

 

[formernuke]

All of the vaccines have the potential to cut tranmission. Get vaccinated.

Can't, likely very bad results if I do.