Update From Rio De Janiero
Weekend Walks
with Social Distancing
On weekends,
I go for walks alone or with a friend. Regrettably, Leblon where I live, offers
few options for secluded and social-distancing walks. Last October, to improve his chances of
re-election, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro reopened all economic activities and as
expected, Covid contamination rose again.
Despite this, the mayor was defeated during the November elections. As a result, keeping social distancing when
walking has become a bit of a challenge.
The walk
along the iconic Ipanema-Leblon beach is a time-honored social activity for
Cariocas, as the local residents are known, but on sunny weekends it is mobbed. The stunning scenery is spoiled by a crowd of
bikers (including the reviled electric bikes), rollers, joggers, peddlers, strollers
with nannies and parents with unruly kids. Between April and September 2020, the worse
months of the pandemics, the Cariocas were forcefully weaned from their beach
addiction. The beaches are accessible
again, but many Cariocas are now favoring the lush city parks to improve their
physical and mental health.
The Penhasco
dos Dois Irmẩos (Two Brother Cliff Park) was one of these
little-known-park. Its spectacular viewpoints are becoming very popular to both
hikers and bikers. Since many choose to
drive instead, its famous lookouts can be crowded at times with selfie-taking
people jockeying for the best spot.
Lagoa and Corcovado
The gated community of Jardim Pernambuco is an out of-the-beaten-track option for quiet walks. Jardim Pernambuco is the Bel Air of Rio de Janeiro. The condominium complex is renowned for its eclectic patrician houses dating back to the 1930s and its charming meandering streets. Anybody can visit the complex on foot; by Rio’s standards, it provides very safe strolls. I like to go there and take pictures of the abundant tropical flora.Finally, I
can walk to Rio’s magnificent Botanical Gardens in the Jardim Botẩnico suburb, a 30-minute walk from my apartment. During the worst of the pandemic, the park was
closed. Visitor access is currently monitored
and one has to book ahead of time to enter the park. People like to congregate in some specific
locations but the park is so large that one can walk around without meeting
anybody. With no competition from
foreign tourists, Cariocas are re-discovering their green landmarks.
Two Brothers Cliffs
Avoiding
people, young people in particular, is becoming critical nowadays, making the
difference between a life and a ventilator.
The newly elected mayor Eduardo Pẩes rejects coercive rules to slow the
spread of the virus. He prefers to keep
the economy open and urges folks to follow safety measures and respect the existing
rules. I will have to plan my weekend
walks with greater care.
The Near
future: A New Mayor and Vaccines.
Rio is now
facing an increase in Covid cases and related deaths. A popular politician, Eduardo Pẩes is a mask-wearing and social distancing advocate. However,
and against the advice of his medical council, he is resisting curtailing
economic activities, the sources of contamination. Rather than trying to reduce the number of
people getting sick and in need of hospitalizations, the mayor is planning to
substantially increase the number of ICU beds.
I am being cynical: Pẩes doesn’t mind folks being sick as
long as there are beds for them in the hospital. I suppose it makes better political sense to
see people dying in a ventilator in a hospital than without care in their
home.
Compared to
President Bolsonaro’s attitude, he is a model of compassion. Bolsonaro who bragged of having defeated the
virus, “just a small flu”, by peddling hydro chloroquine, has never expressed
compassion for the 180 000 Covid victims.
The president also indicated that he has no intention of taking any
vaccine. Although, two of the most
promising vaccines were tested in Brazil: Astra Zeneca/Oxford and
Sinovac/CoronaVac, the federal government has yet to release its vaccine
strategy.
Vaccines are coming to Brazil
This being
said, the future availability of vaccines gives people a false sense of
security leading them to think that the pandemic is behind them. Negligence and Covid fatigue set in, so I
must continue to restrict my activities.
Having balanced risk vs benefit, I suppose Brazil will follow the vaccination
directives adopted elsewhere and make the vaccine available on a priority basis,
to front line workers and the elderly. As
we know, nursing home residents have been decimated by the virus and the vaccine
may save lives.
I am not a medical
expert, but this strategy makes me uneasy: are not vaccines intended for
healthy individuals? Only the seasonal flu shot is given to nursing home
residents. Safe and effective, it is nonetheless
given very selectively. Although the Covid
vaccine has been tested on older adults, its side effects on seniors with
multiple chronic illness are still unknown.
It is my understanding that vaccines have not been tested on the nursing
home population. As a result, many
seniors like me have a “wait and see” attitude.
Vaccine confidence is low all over the western world. In case of fatal side-effect disclosure,
confidence will be further eroded. Anti-vaxxers
like Bolsonaro will rejoice. The
scientific efforts towards rushing vaccines to a fearful population will come
to naught.
In spite of
my misgiving, I hope the vaccination of the senior citizens goes smoothly. But, would it not have been preferable to first
vaccinate the active adults? those who keep the economy churning but
contaminate the elderly? I am not in a
hurry to take the shot, Covid seems less frightening in summer. In case, the second wave hits Rio, I will stick
to my careful first wave routine. By the
end of summer, the vaccine safety and efficiency should have been proven and I
will certainly get the shot. I particularly
miss traveling, visiting my friends and discover new places. Meanwhile, I will have to plan my weekend
walks with even more care.
From France: "Bonjour Béatrice, J'ai lu votre blog "very sensible" avec plaisir. Une manière de découvrir les beaux parcs de Rio. Pour le reste, je pense que les comportements, les réactions, les peurs , les questionnements sont identiques partout. Vous mentionnez que le maire actuel préfère augmenter le nombre d'ICU beds que de bloquer l'économie. En France, même politique . Le confinement a été mis en place pour éviter d'engorger l'hopital pas pour sauver des vies. Mais cela ne me choque pas dans la mesure où je considère que la mort économique est à prendre aussi en considération. Et si l'économie ne tourne pas, il n'y aura plus d'hopital.....
ReplyDeleteMaintenant les vaccins ... Je suis un peu larguée. J'ai toujours entendu dire que les vaccins prenaient des années à être développés et hier il y avait un article citant le chercheur de BionTech qui avait mis une matinée..... Donc effectivement les vaccins à ARNmessager peuvent susciter la méfiance , ce qui ne veut pas dire qu'ils sont dangereux. Mais je préfère attendre ..De plus si ils ont des effets secondaires forts, je me pose la question comme vous de savoir si des personnes âgées et fragiles pourront les supporter.
Je lisais un article hier sur le vaccin de Pasteur, plus traditionnel donc plus long à mettre en place. Basé sur le vaccin de la rougeole, il s'appuierait sur quelque chose que l'on connait déjà.
Pendant ce temps, les médecins généralistes reçoivent des menaces de mort à cause des vaccins. ...
Comme qui dirait, on n'est pas sorti le l'auberge...."
From M. in France: "I think that I read that the vaccine prevents people from getting sick but that they can still transmit the virus.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, the best way to reduce the numbers in hospitals is by vaccinating the elderly.
Epidemiological studies were carried out to test 3 strategies on simulated populations
- those over 80
- those over 60
- hospital personnel etc
The first one reduced the number of cases fastest.
It's clearly a good idea to increase the number of ICU beds but when that was done in Europe, countries had trouble finding the specially qualified doctors & nurses to run them. Apparently it takes years to train an ordinary doctor in that specialization. (and others too)."
From A. in France: "Je suis pour la vaccination. Il me semble que le total des tests pour le vaccin mARN est déjà de l ordre de 100000 avec près de 3 mois de recul.
ReplyDeleteVu le nombre d Anglais et Americains qui seront vaccinés d ici début janvier date prévue ( sous réserve de l avis de la commission medicale)
Le nombre va exploser.
De toutes façons le rapport risque du vaccin sur risque du covid me semble epsilonnesque
Il reste la question de la durée de l immunité qui va être précisée avec le temps."
Looking forward to mandatory vaccinations happening in Australia early 2021 and potential international travel in 2022.
ReplyDeleteAustralia has managed the pandemic, we believe, very well - allowing us to match the pre-COVID behaviors - sport, shopping, gyms,etc. when some other countries are in either their second or third lockdowns.
Of course our anti - vaxxers are not happy but we are where we are today because we have observed good hygienic practice - let’s keep it that way. Suggest tagging/tracking those who haven’t been vaccinated and sharing their real time locations in Google maps/earth so they can be avoided.
I second your last paragraph! It doesn t seem to me that Melbourne did just a good job! Probably one of the longest lockdown of the world!!
DeleteFrom Brazil:" Je suis pour les vaccins, surtout etant bresilienne. Je pense que le vaccin sera obligatoire. Pour l instant aucun pays ne nous accepte. Je suis de l'avis d'A. entre les deux, Covid ou le vaccin, l'option vaccin est la meilleure. En attendant suivons toutes les recommandations."
ReplyDeleteThanks, as usual informative and enlightening. However, I don t think the mayor prefers to increase the number of ICU beds over locking down the economy. Of course there should be an ICU bed for everyone who needs it ... But you can t lock down everything indefinitely, and, until the vaccine comes along, we will have to learn how to live with this threat by staying away from each other, wearing masks etc. Can you imagine the massive economic consequences of such a radical lockdown, especially in an already problematic economic situation? And for this reason I agree with you: it would be better to start vaccinating active people who keep the economy going.
ReplyDeleteObviously, one must weigh the potential benefits of a vaccine, even if all its downsides are not yet known, against the dangers of the virus. The dangers are known and are terrible beyond anything the world has seen for many decades. So, in my opinion, I believe we should proceed with vaccinations. I think vaccination of health care workers should be the first priority; if they are not available to care for the sick, we have no hope. Here in the US, there are some states with few hospitals or other facilities, and positivity rates approaching 50%. The need for healthy people to work in hospitals and other health care facilities is vital. As for who should be next in line, this is a difficult question. There is much to be said for vaccination of younger people -- those who are spreading the disease. However, if you asked the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system -- those who are dying of the disease -- I think you might get a different response! Is it right to "sacrifice" the elderly or infirm in order to slow the spread a little quicker when the spread can be slowed, even if not quite as rapidly, through use of masks and social distancing?
ReplyDeleteFrom USA: " I am more in support of the CDC's recommendation regarding the priority staging of the vaccine. The death rate among the elderly has been statistically worse than among the young, active population and I think this is more of a public health than economic stimulus decision. While the economy and jobless/homeless/hunger issues are huge and must be dealt with, there are other measures that can be taken to address those issues. Central government can provide support for the economy, only the vaccine will ultimately deal with the health crisis. Central government can be more forceful with respect to restricting gatherings, requiring masking, addressing quarantines and providing financial support for businesses and individuals. The dual tracks would be most effective in resolving both the health and the economic crisis we face.
ReplyDeleteI trust you have generated interesting discussion and thoughtful input on both sides of this issue. Good for you."
I do not agree with you about the Covid vaccine. I do not have a “wait and see” attitude. I want to get the Moderna vaccine as soon as it is available for seniors as it has been proven 100 percent effective for this age group. But clearly before this, the first responders and nursing home residents should get it. The latter group is vulnerable as we saw with it spreading through the homes. Why should they be less protected than others? In addition, generally younger people have less serious effects from the virus and their mortality rate is much lower.
ReplyDeleteI believe that schools in the United States should have the same policy about this vaccine as they do about other vaccines. If one is an anti-vaxer your child should not be allowed in school and possibly affect others, especially those who cannot have a vaccine because of medical reasons.
From P. in France:" Hi Beatrice, I would gladly walk with you to these magnificent spots. I enjoyed reading the second part of your blog & its comments. I am writing from France, I can assess the gulf between the Americans and the Europeans, the French in particular. As we all know, the French are Covid vaccine skeptic. They are not anti-vaxxers per se; as you noticed, they are suspicious, they don't trust the Covid mRNA vaccine and look with suspicion at its speedy approval. We all seem to agree that front line workers, and nursing home staff should get the first batch of vaccines. I am not so sure about targeting the elderly in the EPHAD (French nursing homes). I have my reasons: my 98 year old mother with dementia lives in one of them. There is an undercurrent of doubt in nursing home staff; They believe that not enough testing took place. I hear that many workers are balking at taking the shots and will decline the vaccine, at least for now. If staff refuse the vaccine, where does this leave us? I will be at a loss to give my consent, a thorny issue for someone responsible for the well being of his mother. Hospital workers are not keen on vaccines either. Therefore, governments have to convince skeptical citizens, an uphill battle in France. In January, France will receive enough vaccines to inoculate 1 million people. Your point is well taken, if something goes wrong, a patient dies, it will be the end of it, contamination will not slow and our life will continue miserable. If I were an advisor, I would focus on a willing target population (ideally health workers), inoculation of which could quickly contribute to slowing the virus rampage and empty the hospitals of their Covid patients. I am not a prophet of doom, but Governments have mishandled the pandemic, I hope they don't mess up the vaccination campaign. "
ReplyDeleteVocê está se tornando uma grande colunista do Rio, suas belezas e mazelas, tudo com humor, clareza e sentimentos !
ReplyDeleteParabéns pelo Blogspot !
Beijos
From France: " Looking at your blog, it is interesting to look at the development of the virus in different countries. It is difficult to look at infections because of the difference in testing regimes across countries and through 2020.
ReplyDeleteI've compared the pattern of deaths :
1) Australia acted early and severely to control the virus when deaths were very low. They were able to track, trace and isolate the few cases.
2) France acted too little, too late, and infections became too numerous to track, trace and isolate.
3) US never managed to control the first wave and is failing with the 2nd wave.
4) Brazil is following US patterns, but with even less success.
The deaths / m indicates that the key is to take severe actions early."