exbayern

Wishing you a return to good health. I too have had long term and also permanent damage from COVID impacting access to non-COVID related care and treatment. It's important to remember that some of us cannot wait until this is all over to live life. Nobody is guaranteed a future but some of know that our future is already shorter. My winter decisions are based on similar ie where can I go that I won't be so impacted by restrictions, and if I need medical attention, I won't be facing closed hospitals and lack of access to medical care as I did in the springtime.

GUWonder

If you mean did big hospitals in the US get an administratively-planned, pre-emptive ramp-up in police presence to deal with the potential of lots of people being angry about the hospitals refusing to admit people that would have been presumptive Covid-19 patients? Not so much as in Stockholm. Did US hospitals suspend a lot of health care procedures because they wanted to preserve resources and capacity for Covid-19 patients? Yes, "elective procedures" paid the price (with being postponed, cancelled etc.) ... and that was even where having elective procedures may not have meant a lack of beds and staff availability.

If you mean did big hospitals in India get an administratively-planned, pre-emptive ramp-up in police presence to deal with the potential of people being angry about the hospitals refusing to admit people who would have been presumptive Covid-19 patients? Yes. Did Indian hospitals suspend health care procedures because they faced resources and capacity issues? Yes, and"elective procedures" there too were a sort of casualty of this pandemic.

That said, I have no doubt that it would have been easier to get admitted into a hospital with Covid-19 around NY during the worst of the Covid-19 peak there this year than it would have been to do so in Sweden or India at times this year.

People who ignore the access/availability and quality of emergency health care during their trips do so at their own peril, even at the best of times. Will this winter during a pandemic be commonly viewed as being among the best of times to seek emergency health care?

Uninhabited islands don't fly so well except for those who can make a go of being a survivalist hermit in the wild.

If a person is looking for a place to spend winter during a pandemic like this, try a place where good emergency health care access has been and remains less likely to be a problem.

Goaguy

Having lived for many years in Tanzania I can definitely recommend it! Very few countries will be able to offer you anything comparable to e.g. Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. The nature of this country is just absolutely incredible. It is indeed everything you have seen on National Geographic, and so much more!
On top of that, the people are just so relaxed and welcoming.

Negatives about Tanzania:
1) Expensive park fees, payable per day her head, and little competition makes it an expensive destination compared to e.g. South Africa.
2) Customer service is not what you would find in your usual crowded tourist destinations. Things are just slow and laid back, that the the entire culture.
3) Currently they act like Corona doesn't exist. I believe it is the right move for the country as a whole overall, but this also means that you will meet airport staff not wearing masks when you arrive.

Global Adventurer

I'm just going to jump in here and mention something that most people are forgetting. It can take up to 3 months for your body's immune system to increase if it is currently very low. So, the best thing we can do to help prevent viruses and bacteria from taking hold is the good intake of nutrition, especially in the coming winter months. Simple Prevention is very important at normal times especially now in uncertain times combining with travel.

I'm not a doctor, but there's mega scientific research that concludes Zinc, Vitamin D and Quercetin (which are all simple cheap vitamins) can greatly improve your immune system and prevent viruses from taking hold. Studies on deceased covid-19 patients revealed that the majority were deficient in zinc and/or vitamin D. Many of which had brown skin that can't easily absorb vitamin D by the sun. So, in addition to figuring out the best medical care where you're traveling to, it's better to try and prevent getting sick from the get go. Like getting your zinc and vitamin D blood levels tested and raising your immunity. Staying away from sugary drinks to prevent tooth decay. Or just making sure you brush after every meal to keep the dentist away. Prevention is the key. Happy winter travels.

The_Bouncer

Definitely my kind of place!

I spent 8 days in Moshi in 2017 and absolutely loved it. I am really looking forward to exploring more of the country. I am prepared for the price increase compared to my usual winter boltholes in South Africa and the relaxed pace of life is not an issue at all. If there's one thing I have in abundance this winter, it's time.

As regards the third point, that is one of the main reasons why I'm going. My opinions are well known (and rather unpopular) on this forum, so I won't revisit that.

Global Adventurer

Goaguy Thanks for the additional information on Tanzania. According to the "official" numbers Tanzania has less than 30 deaths related to covid-19. And less than 600 cases ever recorded. It's suspected that many people within the African continent may be naturally immune to the disease because of prior antiviral drugs taken for other ailments. It's only a guess right now. Hope they do some serious research to find out. I've added Tanzania closer to the top of my travel list now. Thanks again!

DaveS

Africa has certainly been less affected than the 'experts' predicted. A look at the ECDC images posted on the other thread shows that clearly. I spend a lot of time in Africa and was in Sierra Leone during Ebola. I am not convinced by natural immunity. However, many African countries are good at implementing simple, effective and comprehensible measures and following them. In Sierra Leone they made track and trace work well.

Back on Tanzania, I spent some time in Mwanza which is very nice and laid back. Not very many foreigners either. You are within easy reach of Zanzibar and Pemba by ferry or air. I am not sure if Zanzibar has any entry restrictions though. I have spent time in Dar and like most big cities anywhere it is better to get out as soon as possible!

GUWonder

Check out median age by continent to see a big part of why chances of death for the Covid-19 infections may be way lower: Africa's median age is close to 18 years of age. To put it in perspective: Asia and South America have a median age of around the low 30 years of age; and non-FUSSR Europe has its median age in the low 40s. On a country-basis, the US is around the mid-30s while Canada is in the low 40s (i.e. around the same median age as non-FUSSR Europe).

DaveS

I have no doubt median age is an important factor, as is weather. Southern Africa has a cool winter and they had problems during that, but things are improving along with the temperatures. I still maintain that simple measures that do not need a legal expert to understand or vary from one town to another are important.

fransknorge

Czech Republic goes back into full lockdown, effective tomorrow.

Adelphos

As many European nations enter full lockdown, cities/states as diverse as San Francisco, New York and Florida have announced further easing over the past week...

nk15

Greece has all night establishments close between 11pm and 1am right now, depending on location, but a midnight curfew for everyone is forthcoming nationally, along with other measures.

the810

The first round of lockdowns could be justified by buying time to asses the new situation, get some data and prepare health care services. Second round of lockdowns is simply a sign of incompetence and unability to come with any meaningful solution. Unfortunatelly, most of Europe is trying to use the same set of meassures that didn't work elsewhere (or before), instead of considering we may have to do it a different way.

Czechia is a fine example, with government essentially becoming a random restriction generator, losing public support with every new meassure, without achieving any improvement at all...

Meanwhile, Nordic and Baltic countries with light, non-invasive meassures are leading the score. Yet, no one wants to see it and follow their example. I might as well buy winter boots and plan to stay here until the spring...

Sjoerd

There are big differences between those countries: Sweden has many more deaths per capita than the others.
And could it be that 1) having lots of space (low population density) and 2) a culture in which people keep distance from each other in the best of times help a lot?

fransknorge

Norway is doing a good job too, as well as Finland. I assume as Sjoerd points out that mostly rural areas helps.