No offense taken, Sarah. I feel the same way. That's why I said they were being selfish. We have been under some of the strictest pandemic policies in the world in my country.

Even though things here are a lot better, the mask mandate hasn't been lifted and it seems like it will be around for a while. The Health Ministry is keeping an eye on countries like the US and UK that lifted the requirements and for now thinks it is too soon to do so. Fortunately, here, the whole mask thing is not political. There have been a few incidents of people reacting badly to being asked to wear a mask, but it's not to the extent in the US where is has co-opted a whole political party. It's similar with vaccines. We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. Much higher than the US.


Travel abroad and inbound travel are nearly impossible due to the many restrictions. The last thing we need is a delta surge and the increased stress on health workers that other places are seeing. Still, on sites related to expats in this country, travel, etc. there are always posts from people looking to come here get around the restrictions. I guess they think they are special. We have gone through hell to get the numbers down and to be able to live more freely. I don't want irresponsible people coming in to ruin it because they just HAVE to travel now.


I would love a vacation, I haven't had one since this all started and don't know when I will be able to. Of course I am pandemic fatigued, but I also realize that this isn't over and I don't think it is the right time, especially when my husband got the least effective vaccine and needs a booster soon.


We finally are at about 1,000 hospitalizations nationwide down from 4,000 a few months ago. Sadly, I don't know how much rest the healthcare employees will be able to get. There is a huge backlog of surgeries that were postponed due to Covid.

I am just amazed by people that your brother that have been able to keep going, working on the front lines with no breaks. I know I couldn't. At the same time it disgusts me that people won't take basic public health precautions to try to stop the spread. I mean how many of those overflowing hospitals now could have prevented it by getting vaccinated and using a mask?