Diving without predetermined buddy

[Altamira]

Altamira post #38 replying to @chillyinCanada post #37: Quote: Apparently @BLACKCRUSADER is not aware or does not understand the nature of viruses in general, and this one in particular. Now that you have attempted to educate him, hopefully he will chose to not travel and potentially infect others. I found his tag line at the bottom of his post to be quite ironic.

Don't you just love the condescending comments from some stranger who I have never met?
I've already been tested and do not have the virus thanks all the same.

Death is a part of life, the final frontier. The last adventure one should always look forward to.

I am sorry you perceived my comment as being condescending. That was not my intention. However, I am trying to point out the facts, not my opinion or belief, in the hope that you will not put yourself or others at risk for transmission and spread of this worldwide Pandemic. Fact: A Coronavirus test that shows a negative reading is only indicative for that specific time. It does not mean that a test administered the next day, or even later the same day could not give a positive reading. This information has been repeatedly emphasized by medical specialists, experts and scientists. There is an abundance of information available on this issue.

 

[Blackcrusader]

This information has been repeatedly emphasized by medical specialists, experts and scientists. There is an abundance of information available on this issue.

Well you see I am from Taiwan. We knew about the virus last year and warned other countries and the WHO. The head of the WHO has his head up China's ass so told the world to not accept anything from Taiwan without China's permission. China of course lied and now admits they knew about the virus in November 2019. So Taiwan already implemented screening measures since SARS 2003 because China lies all the time and all passengers coming into Taiwan are temperature checked since 2003. Many people who fly even with the flu were advised to seek medical treatment or taken to a hospital if they arrived sick.

Did not catch them all as some Wuhan Virus cases we have were brought in by travelers, the most recent Americans who visited their American friend in Taiwan infected him, and some people who had been in Europe. Taiwan also closed all schools several weeks ago. There were a million Taiwanese working in China and all of them are tested. So far the numbers are less than 60 and 1 death since last year. Pretty good for an island nation.
Taiwan has a geographical area of 36,193 square kilometers. With a population of 23,476,640, its average population density is 649 people per square kilometer (1,680 per square mile). This makes it the 17th most densely populated country in the world.

Of course I'm sure you knew Taiwan is actually acknowledged as having the best program about this virus already. Italy now regrets not following Taiwan's advise when their trade office staff in Taiwan were warned. The government used our ID card and National Health Insurance program to make sure everyone in Taiwan got masks and anyone who wanted could be tested including tourists. My wife an I also own a guest house business and we have been full with customers who come to the mountains to view the cherry blossoms and with regular hiking groups.

One guy who decided to break his quarantine was fine NT$ 1 million or US$32000 for breaking his quarantine. Since then the fine is raised to NT$ 2 million and a mandatory prison term.

Taipei man given NT$ 1 million fine over quarantine violation - Focus Taiwan

There is an abundance of information available on this issue and the CDC for Taiwan sends updated information everyday about any new changes to policy. And yet you think.....

"Apparently @BLACKCRUSADER is not aware or does not understand the nature of viruses in general, and this one in particular."

Good thing is we can use a QR code app from the government so when we travel we list where we have been. Quite nice saves on filling out paper forms.

Plenty of places to get tested as well.
Taiwan's health ministry unveils 167 loca... | Taiwan News

 

[Centrals]

Two persons who broke the quarantine regulation got away with nothing in HK.
I have a trip to Lanyu Island(Orchid Island) in Republic of China this May and looking forward to it.
WHO only takes advice/order from china. Absolutely clueless/useless. We do not need WHO to tell us anything.

We in HK and Republic of China know how to deal with contiguous disease promptly because of the painful experiences from SARS(2002/3). Any respiratory illness is treated with suspicious. Wearing a mask in public is NORMAL.

Republic of China has a lot less cases than HK on COVID-19 because they act independently unlike our pathetic Gov who needs to follow orders from Peking.

As for diving with strange buddy: I try to avoid it all the time. As a paying customer I do not see the reason to babysit an incompetent buddy(happened few times). It took the fun out of the dive.

 

[Altamira]

@BLACKCRUSADER. I appreciate the additional information you have provided reference Taiwan's aggressive policies to prevent and minimize the transmission of the virus. Your country should be highly commended. My comments were directed only at your statement, "If I had the virus I would not be allowed to travel I would be in a hospital. So not I cannot take and give them an infection." My point was this: According to every medical expert I have heard speak on the subject of the coronavirus test, a negative reading on a test administered today has no bearing on what the same test would show tomorrow, or any day following. The medical experts do not want people traveling about any more than necessary precisely because an individual could transmit the virus far and wide well before exhibiting any symptoms that might trigger a positive reading on the test. Having no symptoms, I do not believe I have the virus, but I have cancelled all travel plans and have minimized contact with others as much as feasible because I do not want to take a chance on infecting others should I develop symptoms in the future. Also, although I am a healthy, and still diving, 70+ years old, I want to minimize my risk, and the likelihood I will need to take up a precious ICU slot that might better be used by a patient that is older or has underlying complications. I hope you stay safe. Best wishes.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Still current at: 16 March 2020
Updated: 15 March 2020
Latest update:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to all of Indonesia. There is an ongoing global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and cases have been confirmed in Indonesia. (Summary and Health)


So for my friend he is fooked and as this trip was planned as a buddy diving vacation I just don't go without him. There's always later on.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Still current at: 16 March 2020
Updated: 15 March 2020
Latest update:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to all of Indonesia. There is an ongoing global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and cases have been confirmed in Indonesia. (Summary and Health)


So for my friend he is fooked and as this trip was planned as a buddy diving vacation I just don't go without him. There's always later on.

Who are you and what have you done with BlackCrusader?

 

[Blackcrusader]

I already live in quarantine in my mist covered mountains. No fears of being infected after having been inspected detected infected injected selected and neglected.

Time to go take a hike in the mountains where I live. Today is cool so not much chance of running across any spitting cobras, vipers, deadly wasps, black bears and other fine critters which can end my life much quicker than the flu version 19.

 

[Blackcrusader]

From a Taiwanese who just returned from the USA...... By the way 3 masks here costs US$ 50 cents or NT$15
In Sweden it is US$50 for 5 masks

Jeffrey Chen
3 hrs


I have arrived in Taiwan, which is treating the virus very differently. I was asked to fill out an online form for the Taiwan CDC accessible via QR code at check-in in LAX, which was a twilight zone between two worlds. Asians had masks and gloves while Westerners none. On the plane, announcements were made that fever and cough medication were available, and everyone required by law to wear a mask. We were told to call 1922 for the CDC if we develop any symptoms. After landing, I was given an express profiling card through inspection for swine flu (0 cases here), before going through corona inspection. Based on the form I filled out at LAX, a pass was texted to me by the CDC and I've been cleared from quarantine but am required by law to wear a mask for 14 days in public. I was told to go through CDC's "Self-Health Management", which means I'll monitor my own health, avoid public places for the next two weeks, and record my own temperature twice a day and the places I've been to in case I do become sick. The usual quarantine station that uses thermal imaging to check for fever amongst travellers (nonexistent in America) are now staffed with more people and there was a sick traveler there. From the airport, taxis are split into 2 groups. Normal taxis, and taxis for those who are being quarantined but do not have private transportation, which is being subsidized to twice the price of a high speed rail ticket for cross country trips (so 40 dollars, less than a taxi from LAX to my flat). Those quarantined are not allowed to take public transport. The taxi platform at the airport double checked I wasn't from a quarantine region (Europe, China, HK, etc). At the high speed rail station, there was another thermal checkpoint, and automatic hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere for the public. *Everyone* is wearing a facemask. I saw a guy wearing two. Masks are even required on public transport by law. The Taiwanese government is handing out masks to citizens and residents for an extremely cheap price, but they are being heavily rationed (2 per person per week) and there are strict rules about how much you can bring abroad. Our CDC is even updating people through LINE about new restrictions placed on other countries (currently US is Level 2, so no quarantine required yet). All these measures are in a country with less cases than some US cities, where people still believe "just wash your hands", "this is just the flu", or "masks don't work". This is why Taiwan doesn't need to cancel classes. This is how you respond to a pandemic. I'm so proud of Taiwan.

DISCLAIMER: I originally wrote this for my private insta. Please fact-check whether something is a law or not, my main source was my dad lol. I also think it's ironic how before Wuhan virus we begged to be included in the WHO. Who knew being excluded would be a blessing?

 

[chillyinCanada]

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this thread has wandered too far. Despite some of the subject matter being of interest due to current events, the thread needs clean up.

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