The Debate is Over.

[John H]

It's apparent that there are completely polarised views on whether people should be allowed to travel or not at the current time and nothing further is to be gained from debating the topic on the forum other than members restating their view.

People are travelling to Spain quite lawfully.

Let's stick to folk sharing their experiences of their recent visits to GA, I am sure that the vast majority of members of the forum will find that far more useful in their decision making process of whether to travel to GA or not.

Regards all

John

[kevinb]

We flew from Stansted when we went out to GA in October, and there were signs up saying that airflow within the building has been increased to minimise infection, seating is reduced, alternate seats are blocked off, same at Alicante airport, there was a card in our rental car saying it had been disinfected. A thought I had was that as the virus likes the cold the higher temperatures in Spain likely help to suppress it. We found around GA that virtually everyone wears masks as required and follow the rules. Staff in restaurants and bars were wiping down tables with sprays after people leave.

[bertdove]

I don´t think the Covid virus is affected by temperature.  Some of the highest rates of infection have been encountered in places like Brazil and Spain itself.
As a resident I´m proud of and impressed by the level of mask-wearing here.

Bert

[kevinb]

Yes Bert, I was impressed by the Spanish people wearing masks, I don't think the Spanish population have this " it's my right to do what I like " attitude that is all to prevalent in the UK.

[gaveteran]

Yes, I've been impressed too. Spanish friends have told me that they think the general behaviour is somewhat linked to the time spent "doing what you were told" under Franco, which of course was not so very long ago. I've been amazed, and perturbed, at the seeming discrepency between the good behaviour I see every day, and the level of cases.

[dleafy]

I’ve been hugely impressed by how the virus has proved that mask wearing has been a totally and utterly pointless waste of time. Spain and France have had mandatory mask wearing everywhere for months and ‘cases’ keep rising.
I’ve also been hugely impressed by uk shops, bars, restaurants, and gyms etc who have spent a fortune on equipment to ensure that they are Covid safe.....so much so that all of these establishments count for less than than 5% of infections......yet the government chooses to ignore their efforts and shut them down?
I’ve also been hugely impressed by work places, schools and universities, who whilst accounting for around 75% of infections have managed to be allowed to stay open.
It’s a funny ol’ world.

[DaveG]

I think the scientific community is divided over the efficacy of mask wearing but my gut feeling is that if masks are worn correctly and the same one isn't used over and over if it's disposable then there must be some advantage. It was reported this morning that Australia and New Zealand who are just coming out of their winter have had the quietest flu season possibly on record and they have put that down to, in part, mask wearing.
I know cases are rising even though masks are being worn but is there any data on where the majority of cases are? Are they amongst the people who gather in crowds and don't wear masks, or perhaps in educational environments. I don't know but I'll keep mine on and it may even become a permanent item in winters to come in places like supermarkets and indoor shopping centres.
Dave

[kevinb]

I go with what you say Dave, if there is a chance a mask helps even if not a hundred percent efficient then we should use them, they help to stop the wearer spraying other people, have read that the virus can enter via the eyes, me and the wife bought cheap reading glasses for a couple of quid each to wear on the plane to hopefully stop that source of infection

[gaveteran]

"quietest flu season possibly on record" I might also put down to the fact that, to say it straight, Covid did away with some of those people slightly early.

[Tony Gillam]

Michael Jackson was wearing a face mask years ago. It is also quite common in the far east although I think that is a response to air pollution.

[DaveG]

Flu cases (not deaths) in Australia: -

Jan - June 2019 = 132000
Jan - June 2020 = 21000

Seems fairly quiet to me.

[Derek]

Come on surely you can see why. If people are not mixing and most wearing face masks then any virus will be prevented from being passed on. Resulting in less colds and less flu.

It is as simple as that.

Derek

[BeachLife]

Just the usual update - no debate, latest stats as of this evening

[bertdove]

Thanks, John.
Food for thought.

Bert

[Derek]

Brilliant suggestion "no debate" just what a good forum needs.

Derek