Covid testing in Cozumel

[drrich2]

50/50 IMO, I said it before I doubt that this virus is going to go away, we already have what a half a dozen different strains, some are worse than the original strain. I doubt we are ever going to get rid of this virus, it is going to whackamole like we play with the flu.

From what I've read, the virus won't go away but the pandemic will. Eventually vaccination will become a routine childhood thing. I think most people who catch it will have mild cases. If it's prevalent, we'll probably get it as children, when we're very unlikely to have serious complications, perhaps even more so with routine early childhood vaccination (by then, not an option now).

The degree of success that's been had against polio is astounding, but even it (and bubonic plague, which is not a viral illness) still exist. The flu kills many people each year...we've mostly gotten used to it.

Unless we get hit with another pandemic, I think the lifestyle alternations (masks and social distancing) and onerous travel restrictions will pass. The question is when (and how much damage by then)? But yes, the virus will still be there.

 

[ChuckP]

LDS near me just canceled their trip for early Feb. Fourteen divers. Apparently this announcement scared them off.

There's a lot of chatter like that - I hope that's only one of the few cancels I hear of.....

 

[Manatee Diver]

Unless we get hit with another pandemic, I think the lifestyle alternations (masks and social distancing) and onerous travel restrictions will pass. The question is when (and how much damage by then)? But yes, the virus will still be there.

You have more faith in government than I do.

 

[1967Goat]

UGH, we are supposed to go to Playa del Carmen on Feb 4. My son took the classroom and pool work for SSI Open Water at a LDS over Christmas break (Got 100% on the multiple choice test). I was going to have him take his 4 OW courses in PDC waters. We take the dive boat across the water to Coz to dive the good stuff. Dive company usually goes 3 times per week, depending on how many folks want to go (and pay a little extra).

I have access to the "rapid" tests I could bring with me, but I don't think those satisfy the requirements from CDC.

I looked it up on Google maps and there's a COSTAMED within a 10 minute drive from our resort.

This throws a wrench into what to do...

 

[ReefHound]

I would make sure that I confirmed that before traveling. The people checking docs in foreign countries may not be that well informed.

Seems suspect that they would accept something so easily faked. Pretty sure I could whip up in ten minutes an official looking test result and a letter from a doctor. Not like the gate agent is going to know the tens of thousands of doctors in the US or be calling numbers to verify it.

 

[BRT]

Seems suspect that they would accept something so easily faked. Pretty sure I could whip up in ten minutes an official looking test result and a letter from a doctor. Not like the gate agent is going to know the tens of thousands of doctors in the US or be calling numbers to verify it.

CDC says that airlines do not need to keep records of the documentation. So it's not like somebody is checking what they accepted. I suspect Carlos at the cigar shop will have negative tests for cheaper than one that might come in positive.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Seems suspect that they would accept something so easily faked. Pretty sure I could whip up in ten minutes an official looking test result and a letter from a doctor. Not like the gate agent is going to know the tens of thousands of doctors in the US or be calling numbers to verify it.

I was thinking the same thing, but people already think I think like a criminal.

 

[ReefHound]

This is good info! I have more questions ...

If I have antibodies, but never had a positive test (i.e., I donate blood and they say I have antibodies), legalistically I won't qualify for the above criterion.

What if I get both doses of the vaccine at least a month prior to travel (so I'm 100% immune)? I assume I'm still considered to be a possible carrier so I still would need the PCR test. Frankly, that 'science' is beyond my understanding. If I can't get it (or at least the purpose of the vaccine is so I can't get it) how would I transmit it? My non-sciencey brain says "you can't give what you don't have" - but virus molecules don't follow that logic? Anyone care to explain that? (Maybe that's for a different thread?)

The vaccine just teaches your body to produce antibodies. If you already have them, not sure what good a vaccine does for you. Antibodies doesn't prevent the virus from invading your body, it just means your body can respond to it before it build up and cause damage. But this virus is unusual in that it is contagious very early, before symptoms are expressed.

What I don't get is if proof of vaccination isn't accepted in lieu of a test then why is proof that you've already had it?

 

[ReefHound]

If you vaccinate 100 people, 5 will still get sick, so the vaccination is only 95% effective. The 95 people where the vaccination works will have "full immunity", the jury is still out if it will be what is called "sterile immunity" which means that you cannot spread the virus.

The 5 who get sick may get a whole lot less sick than they otherwise would have gotten.

 

[ReefHound]

I was thinking the same thing, but people already think I think like a criminal.

I should make it clear to Chuck that I have not and am not advocating people to forge negative covid tests or letters of recovery.