Soonest/Safest return to South Africa?

[Bill DeHaan]

I read today that 80% of U.S. citizens will get the virus. It seems once you have had the virus and recovered that you should be free to travel since you are no longer a carrier but they're doing just the opposite in requiring a negative COVID-19 test. And I guess it means 80% of us won't ever be able to hunt Africa again! This is crazy.

mdwest and all,
The media and some politicians are using fear to boost viewership and garner influence. however, that stat is not correct. Multiple countries are seeing the majority of their citizens not contracting the disease. (So Korea - 75% have tested negative) Further, the odds of contracting the virus without close contact with a carrier is between 1-2%. Lastly, the mortality is being grossly misrepresented. In Italy, over 90% of the fatalities were to patients who had at least two serious pre-existing health conditions.

 

[YancyW]

mdwest and all,
The media and some politicians are using fear to boost viewership and garner influence. however, that stat is not correct. Multiple countries are seeing the majority of their citizens not contracting the disease. (So Korea - 75% have tested negative) Further, the odds of contracting the virus without close contact with a carrier is between 1-2%. Lastly, the mortality is being grossly misrepresented. In Italy, over 90% of the fatalities were to patients who had at least two serious pre-existing health conditions.

What time frame are you applying to claim the stat is not correct?

 

[Tanks]

I think the truth is in between those that say gloom and doom and those that say it is an election year manufactured crisis.

 

[shark_za]

So its official, SA placed in lockdown for 21 days starting midnight on Thursday.
Only essential services open. People still allowed to do essential shopping but all other businesses will close.

I wonder if hunting could be considered as an essential food service; I'd like to support a farmer in this time.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

So its official, SA placed in lockdown for 21 days starting midnight on Thursday.
Only essential services open. People still allowed to do essential shopping but all other businesses will close.

I wonder if hunting could be considered as an essential food service; I'd like to support a farmer in this time.

This is a great move. The sooner we can start this, the sooner we can beat it, and get back to normality.

 

[jacques smith]

Hang in there MoMo— hi to Kim—best to all

 

[Philip Glass]

Yeah, my wife and I had the photo safari booked for mid-May. Now we're considering late summer/early fall or May of 2021. Looks like it will be May of 2021?
I guess it could seem petty to some to be worried about a vacation at a time like this, but this will either pass this summer and recovery will follow, or it takes a full year or two. In that case, as some have mentioned, vacation will be the least of our worries.
To all, be safe. My household is praying for the world at this time.

I do not believe it is petty to be upset that you plans have been put on hold due to this overreaction to a bug.
I am fortunate that our anniversary trip to Bora Bora was a few weeks ago and we have nothing further planned for this year.

 

[sestoppelman]

Olympics were postponed today, not happening.. My home state of Washington is now on stay home order until April 6, so says our illustrious Gov. the idiot Jay Inslee.
I still am hoping to make my RSA trip in Sept. Time will tell.

 

[Philip Glass]

Olympics were postponed today, not happening.. My home state of Washington is now on stay home order until April 6, so says our illustrious Gov. the idiot Jay Inslee.
I still am hoping to make my RSA trip in Sept. Time will tell.

The world has gone insane! When this blows over these governors must be held accountable.

 

[lwaters]

The world has gone insane! When this blows over these governors must be held accountable.

I think the virus is real. But the people in power used it to their advantage. The virus was going to hurt the stock market. So they created all this fear to really tank it. They talked of the economy being shut down for months. Now they created this golden buying opportunity they come out and say. You older people stay in self quarantine and the rest get on back to work and drink water and take an aspirin. I notice stocks are surging this morning. Hell I'm paying the game and staying home and buying a little stock every once in a while. It's sad how they they screwed the general public.

 

[mikecatt13]

The world has gone insane! When this blows over these governors must be held accountable.

Our governor issues a stay at home order and literally said "over 70% of america will get the virus" and "michigan is the next Italy". My dang dog can read well enough to know those stats are beyond false. It should be criminal to make those statements in a position of power.

 

[lwaters]

Sounds like the governor wants to get into the market at a lower level

 

[mikecatt13]

She wants attention, went all crazy as soon as Biden mentioned he wanted a female VP. She's nuts

 

[sammo]

17,241 deaths worldwide as of this morning. Johns Hopkins Resource Center

 

[sestoppelman]

The stay home orders these gov's are issuing are no doubt legal orders and so the only way to make them pay is on election day. I suspect in our case this action will bolster his popularity and allow him an easy election to his THIRD term as Gov of WA.

 

[Roddy]

I read today that 80% of U.S. citizens will get the virus. It seems once you have had the virus and recovered that you should be free to travel since you are no longer a carrier but they're doing just the opposite in requiring a negative COVID-19 test. And I guess it means 80% of us won't ever be able to hunt Africa again! This is crazy.

After you have recovered you, will have a negative test. That is how they determine you have recovered.

 

[shark_za]

So people can afford trips to Africa but cannot afford a COVID-19 test?

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

So people can afford trips to Africa but cannot afford a COVID-19 test?

No the problem is here in Texas where I am, you can not get tested unless you are showing enough symptoms and meet certain criteria to be tested. If South Africa requires a negative test to enter many of us will not be able to go on safari since we can not get tested. Even if we wanted to pay for a test they will not do one.

 

[Hogpatrol]

So people can afford trips to Africa but cannot afford a COVID-19 test?

Affordability has nothing to do with it. You have to be actually sick to get the test.

 

[Charlie P]

My hunts were mid May to Ghanzi Botswana and Port Elizabeth SA. Looks like I couldn't go if I wanted. Debated later this year or move out a year. Delta Airlines and my lodging bookings offered me a one year out rebooking. I'm taking my wife and given all the uncertainty I chose the safer one year out. Keep in mind this is a pleasure trip, not something to create a life or death event over. When I went to change my flights in Africa I found out that South Africa Airways has severed relations with South Africa Airlink. I was flying to Maun and also back Joburg and Port Eliz. I received notification from nobody but discovered my bookings were canceled when I tried to reschedule. To rebook I need to do so directly with Airlink. The money I gave SA Airways is confiscated. All they will allow me to do is rebook to somewhere else they continue to service. Either this thing will be passed by next year or doing it will be the least of our concerns.