I finally got my second vaccination Friday so in ten days, I'll be ready to start resuming a normal life and I am looking forward to it. Since it became apparent how serious the pandemic was, I have left the house only for necessary errands and to play golf. The latter makes it easy to social distance. The necesssary errands have mostly been trips to the grocery store. A couple trips to the doctor and the vet. Once in a while I've made a side trip to another retail establishment such as the LHS. I've done a lot of e-tail shopping the last year through Amazon, Walmart, and ebay. I've discovered how easy it is and how quickly I can usually get what I want. I will probably continue to do a lot of shopping online. I look forward to being able to go to a bar or sit down restaurant again.
Hopefully the rest of the country will slowly get back to normal too. Maybe this summer we will see in person train shows and the tourist railroads resuming their activities. I wonder if the pandemic has put any of the tourist railroads out of business. I looked on the UP steam schedule and they haven't announced anything for 2021. Looks like it might be 2022 before that starts up again. Would like to see Big Boy again.
Where are you located? I live in Delaware and bars and restaurants have occupancy limits but most are open. I've been enjoying both since the middle of last year, when they started opening up again.
I have not had any shots, mostly because these things have been rushed through through and bypassed most normal vaccine testing. I have lost any faith I ever had in Big Pharma and govermment.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Not to be the downer, but other countries have a much higher percentage vaccinated than here, and are again under lockdown. They keep having new outbreaks. Vaccines or not.
As much as I dislike it, I am afraid we may have a "new normal" and until everyone gets onboard with masks, social distancing, etc...., this isn't going to go away.
And until the vaccines have better information from the current'tests', I will be cautious about getting in line for one.
The safest answer, is masks, social distancing, limiting the number of people in any given location, not doing unnecessary travel, and avoiding crowds. Even with vaccines, CDC and WHO are both still recommending masks and limiting crowds.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
MisterBeasley Where are you located? I live in Delaware and bars and restaurants have occupancy limits but most are open. I've been enjoying both since the middle of last year, when they started opening up again. I have not had any shots, mostly because these things have been rushed through through and bypassed most normal vaccine testing. I have lost any faith I ever had in Big Pharma and govermment.
Our bars and restaurants have been open for quite a while too. I just haven't been willing to risk going to one. Even with social distancing, it has been too much of a risk. I check all the high risk boxes. Male. Over 60. Overweight. Diabetic. I'm going to give the vaccine a couple more weeks to take full effect and then I'll be willing to start venturing out into public more than what I have been doing.
ricktrains4824 Not to be the downer, but other countries have a much higher percentage vaccinated than here, and are again under lockdown. They keep having new outbreaks. Vaccines or not. As much as I dislike it, I am afraid we may have a "new normal" and until everyone gets onboard with masks, social distancing, etc...., this isn't going to go away. And until the vaccines have better information from the current'tests', I will be cautious about getting in line for one. The safest answer, is masks, social distancing, limiting the number of people in any given location, not doing unnecessary travel, and avoiding crowds. Even with vaccines, CDC and WHO are both still recommending masks and limiting crowds.
I've had these discussions in other online groups. Many are of the opinion that masks keep you from spreading the disease but not getting it. The people who make all these recommendations keep changing their mind so how is anybody to know for sure. I wear a mask because I figure it can't hurt and might help. Even after being vaccinated, I'll continue to wear one until this thing has subsided to the point it's no longer a signficant risk. Who knows when that will be.
They say the vaccine is 95% effective. I don't know how they could know that. I think they just picked a number in case somebody who gets vaccinated gets the disease. They'll say that person was in the 5%. The real test of the vaccine will be when we start getting numbers on how many people who got vaccinated got the disease anyway. Hopefully that will be extremely low but who knows. I know I feel a lot safer knowing I have been vaccinated than when I had not.
Its like the flu, every year, month, week there can and will be mutations and new strains. So live ones live, enjoy whats open and so forth and do it as safely as you can. There will be the first model train show locally since everything got put on hold last year this coming weekend. I will be going, hopefully finding some new projects and so forth. I will linger less and not hang out for hours visiting dealers and old friends as much. Maybe do that track side outdoors if the weather is nice. Pretty good traffic on the NS thru Peru, Indiana on the old Wabash main line. We cannot live in fear forever, lots of stuff can kill us or make us sick. Time to enjoy life a bit more now, as safely as possible and within reason. Mike the Aspie
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Don't know where you are located John, here in Maryland we seem to be only having "issues" in and around the two big cities - Baltimore and Washington DC - more so in the DC metro area.
Infection rates are low and in steady decline in the outer burbs and rural areas. We live out with the dairy cows and corn fields.......
And, everyone around here is pretty compliant with masks and distancing.
The nearby Strasburg Railroad has been reopened since this past summer, don't remember exactly when they opened back up. Yes they are limiting numbers, and have lots of rules, but we took the grand kids and felt very comfortable with the safety issues - I'm 63, my wife is 65 and high risk with several health issues. She gets her second shot in two weeks.
We still go out to eat, not as often, but we had breakfast at our favorite spot this morning.
I think everybody has to judge what is happening were they are and make their own choices.
Sheldon
Florida=Anything Goes!
All restrictions are lifted by the government. Most businesses wisely still have restrictions in effect.
I am so embarrassed by what we have done down here.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Don't know where you are located John, here in Maryland we seem to be only having "issues" in and around the two big cities - Baltimore and Washington DC - more so in the DC metro area. Infection rates are low and in steady decline in the outer burbs and rural areas. We live out with the dairy cows and corn fields....... And, everyone around here is pretty compliant with masks and distancing. The nearby Strasburg Railroad has been reopened since this past summer, don't remember exactly when they opened back up. Yes they are limiting numbers, and have lots of rules, but we took the grand kids and felt very comfortable with the safety issues - I'm 63, my wife is 65 and high risk with several health issues. She gets her second shot in two weeks. We still go out to eat, not as often, but we had breakfast at our favorite spot this morning. I think everybody has to judge what is happening were they are and make their own choices. Sheldon
It's encouraging that infection rates are in decline and hopefully that trend will continue. However percentages aren't what matters to each individual if they get infected. Your personal infection rate is either going to be 0% or 100%. Even though I'm vaccinated, I'm not going to let my guard down. I will be more inclined to venture out and be among people but I'm not going to pretend this thing has gone away because it hasn't. Fortunately for me two of my hobbies, golf and model railroading, have only been minimally impacted. On the downside, my bowling group has shutdown because our bowling alley has gone to restricted hours which doesn't include the morning hours when we used to bowl. This season looks like it's a wipeout. Hopefully we'll start up next fall and be back on our regular schedule.
Eventually the Spanish flu disappeared so hopefully this one will too but there's no way of knowing. Maybe we never will get back to normal. I'll know we've come out the other end when I see sporting events played before capacity crowds.
I'm hoping the Amherst show will be back in January 2022.
Going for the first (Pfizer) shot tomorrow.
The East Troy Electric RR. is running as usual, but, advanced reservations are encouraged, so they can keep control on the size of the crowd within their station, and on the trains.
Mike.
My You Tube
At Boothbay Railway Village in Maine, we are planning an opening with restrictions consistant with Maine CDC guidelines.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
It's been normal in Asia for many decades to wear a mask when you have (or are just getting over) a cold or flu so you don't make someone else sick. It's considered a common courtesy to other folks. It would be nice if that became the norm here.
ricktrains4824 Not to be the downer, but other countries have a much higher percentage vaccinated than here..
Not to be the downer, but other countries have a much higher percentage vaccinated than here..
Only Israel, United Arab Emerates, Chile and UK are above the US in terms of vaccination rates according to the tracker.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 ricktrains4824 Not to be the downer, but other countries have a much higher percentage vaccinated than here.. Only Israel, United Arab Emerates, Chile and UK are above the US in terms of vaccination rates according to the tracker.
I was searching for stats in the US regarding infection rates for people who had gotten both vaccinations. All I could find was the stats for Israel. I think they had 423,000 people who had gotten both shots and of those 68 had become infected. Of course that doesn't mean more won't get infected but so far that seems like a pretty low number. That's just 1 in every 6220 people which seems very encouraging to me regarding the efficacy of the vaccines.
Everyone has to decide for themselves whether to get vaccinated or not but it seems pretty clear to me you are much less likely to get infected if you get vaccinated. We have a pretty good sample size and the numbers of people who have had bad reactions has been quite low. Once I've given the vaccine the recommended 10-14 days to take full effect, I'm going to feel much safer venturing out in public and doing things like going to bars, restaurants, and places where crowds gather. There are some tourist railroads I would like to visit and I would now feel safe in such an environment where I didn't before. I would also be willing to attend a sporting event, even one with full capacity. I'd wear a mask just as an added precaution, but I think the risk is now low enough I would be willing to take it.
wjstix It's been normal in Asia for many decades to wear a mask when you have (or are just getting over) a cold or flu so you don't make someone else sick. It's considered a common courtesy to other folks. It would be nice if that became the norm here.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
SoCal Railway Museum (Perris) held their swap meet a couple of weeks ago. I was going to go because I'm dying to get to a train show then realized... that's nuts. A friend went and there were a couple of maskless folks, so I'm glad I stayed away. (Happily it's been two weeks and my friend is in the clear.) My attitude is: Why take a chance. And even once I get the 2nd shot (next week!!), I believe I could still be a carrier.
At my club we've been closed to visitors but are considering re-opening to non- and new members. We're looking forward to doing our first open house in the fall. We figure (and hope) most people who want to be vaccinated will probably have it by June or July, but we're waiting for fall because our air conditioners aren't up to the task. :)
Once the summer comes and everyone who wants a vaccine has it, I'll worry less about spreading. I figure if people don't want to protect themselves, that's on them. Meantime, I'll wait. Can't imagine anything worse than getting someone sick. I know a few people who had Covid and it was really rough.
Aaron
wjstixIt's been normal in Asia for many decades to wear a mask when you have (or are just getting over) a cold or flu so you don't make someone else sick. It's considered a common courtesy to other folks. It would be nice if that became the norm here.
I travel a lot for work and used to think the people who wore masks on planes were being overly cautious. I also used to get 2-4 serious colds a year. Since I've been home and not traveling, I've had 0 colds! I think when/if I get back to flying, I'll seriously consider masking, pandemic or not.
AutonerdSoCal Railway Museum (Perris) held their swap meet a couple of weeks ago. I was going to go because I'm dying to get to a train show then realized... that's nuts. A friend went and there were a couple of maskless folks, so I'm glad I stayed away. (Happily it's been two weeks and my friend is in the clear.) My attitude is: Why take a chance.
There are different issues with museum lines and tarins shows. A museum, with or without an assoicated RR, can make physical mods and other changes and then serve the public on a fairly well-assessed basis, with a regular schedule.
A train show tends to happen only every once in awhile, imposes a lot more uncertainty, and brings a much wider group of people from a wider series of places than a museum. A show also takes months of planning and the confidence of everyone involved, both substantial problems right now.
For shows, the problem isn't so much meeting current regs, it's predicting what regs will be in effect a year from now, or maybe a little less. Property opwners aren't exactly wanting to commit to dates in the face of such unknowns.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I read an article that said seasonal flu numbers for the past year are at historic lows due to precautions taken for Covid-19. It might make a lot of sense to continue these precautions even if and when Covid-19 is in our rearview mirror. Maybe not social distancing but mask wearing and hand sanitizing could reduce the spread of colds and flu.
John-NYBW ATLANTIC CENTRAL Don't know where you are located John, here in Maryland we seem to be only having "issues" in and around the two big cities - Baltimore and Washington DC - more so in the DC metro area. Infection rates are low and in steady decline in the outer burbs and rural areas. We live out with the dairy cows and corn fields....... And, everyone around here is pretty compliant with masks and distancing. The nearby Strasburg Railroad has been reopened since this past summer, don't remember exactly when they opened back up. Yes they are limiting numbers, and have lots of rules, but we took the grand kids and felt very comfortable with the safety issues - I'm 63, my wife is 65 and high risk with several health issues. She gets her second shot in two weeks. We still go out to eat, not as often, but we had breakfast at our favorite spot this morning. I think everybody has to judge what is happening were they are and make their own choices. Sheldon It's encouraging that infection rates are in decline and hopefully that trend will continue. However percentages aren't what matters to each individual if they get infected. Your personal infection rate is either going to be 0% or 100%. Even though I'm vaccinated, I'm not going to let my guard down. I will be more inclined to venture out and be among people but I'm not going to pretend this thing has gone away because it hasn't. Fortunately for me two of my hobbies, golf and model railroading, have only been minimally impacted. On the downside, my bowling group has shutdown because our bowling alley has gone to restricted hours which doesn't include the morning hours when we used to bowl. This season looks like it's a wipeout. Hopefully we'll start up next fall and be back on our regular schedule. Eventually the Spanish flu disappeared so hopefully this one will too but there's no way of knowing. Maybe we never will get back to normal. I'll know we've come out the other end when I see sporting events played before capacity crowds.
Checking in from southern Ontario. All model train show within reasonable distance of here in the last year have been cancelled. Our club is planning/hoping to host our show this November.
On a personal note I have my first Covid shot booked for early next week.
I feel I should clarify a few things I stated.
Masks help both ways, and have been encouraged by the experts in the field, WHO & CDC. Mask usage needs to be universal, by all, whether vaccinated or not, for us to have any sense of normalcy.
Vaccine issues - I am not 100% sold they will continue to be effective with all variants, and the concern over possible negative effects, along with the fact I have family with allergies who can't get vaccinated, make me hesitant on getting the vaccine.
Can someone vaccinated still get the virus? Yes. All of the vaccine makers admit this is possible. Can we be an asymptomatic carrier that spreads it to those not vaccinated? Who knows?
Until more information is available, I will be waiting on the vaccine. And until the actual numbers of infected ones drops, which it is again rising in my area, despite wide vaccination numbers, I will not be attending anything where a crowd will be present.
Trains or not, it is not worth the risk of my getting infected (again) by something that is as dangerous as it is. (It tried hard to kill me the first time. Can't afford to give it a second chance.) The long term effects of infection are wildly under-reported. At 35, I can no longer bring groceries in without becoming winded, and my back has never been as bad as it now is, with no real progress being made, even after many months since "recovery" have passed.
So, while I may come across as overly cautious, I have every reason to be overly cautious with this pandemic.
To me the choice to get vaccinated was an easy one. There are risks involved with either choice so one has to ask what is the greater risk, having a bad reaction to the vaccine or contracting Covid-19. The numbers of people having bad reactions to the vaccine is quite small.
Data: Severe reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are very rare | KRQE News 13
With over 30 million infections and over 548 thousand deaths in the US due to Covid-19, it seems quite clear to me the risks of not getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks of a severe reaction to the vaccine.
Is it possible the virus could mutate into strains which the vaccine is not effective against? Yes, but so far that hasn't happened. What we do know is the vaccine is highly effective against the strains that are out there now. Maybe getting vaccinated is something we are going to need to do on an annual basis like many of us do with flu shots. If that's what's needed, they won't have to ask me twice. I never used to get flu shots until a very popular local radio personality in Columbus, Oh died from the seasonal flu and he was a few years younger than me. Now I get my flu shot every year.
ricktrains4824 I have family with allergies who can't get vaccinated
I have family with allergies who can't get vaccinated
I have a friend with egg allergies that prevent them from getting the flu vaccine as well as many other vaccinations, but after consulting their doctor, they were able to get a covid vaccination without any allergic reactions. If being vaccinated is something your family members are interested in it may still be possible for them to do so.
ricktrains4824Can someone vaccinated still get the virus? Yes. All of the vaccine makers admit this is possible.
News out this week strongly suggests this is generally not the case. The two vaccines in widespread use in the US both prevent getting the virus and prevent its spread to others. The NY Times article on this characterized getting a case of the virus after getting the vaccine as "very rare" then cited something like 4 cases in more than 8,000 shots administered in one study and that having the vaccine reduced those cases to very mild from potentially fatal.
If you've had the COVID, another study suggested that even the first dose of vaccine resulted in improved immune response vs simply relying on the immunity provided by surviving the disease itself in preventing or limiting the possibility of being infected again. This becomes more important with age as the natural immune system weakens.
Vaccine effectiveness depends on getting enough of it into the population to create herd immunity. That is what will reopen train shows sooner, with their somewhat greyer population of atendees, not waiting around for others to get it.
Just got Pfizer number 2 yesterday. Planning on going to the GSMTS (normally at Timonium) on April 10, which will give ten days for the 2nd dose, pretty close to the time needed for maximum immunity. But will still take standard precautions of mask, hand washing and distancing as much as possible.
riogrande5761Just got Pfizer number 2 yesterday. Planning on going to the GSMTS (normally at Timonium) on April 10... But will still take standard precautions of mask, hand washing and distancing as much as possible.
Yeah, that's where I'm at, all vaxed up, but no place to really go...except the wilds of Indiana, which seems to have held train shows all along...at least the ones that weren't cancelled. Being a native Hoosier, I'm in no hurry to expose myself to that. Instead, I plan to take the precautions and go to shows around here when they start happening with a new confidence now that I have the vaccine.
Now if I can just get a date confirmed for our local show...I suspect this time next year is just a little too far out for making a commitment, but I'm willing to settle for a preliminary date.
One of my golfing partners told me he contracted Covid-19 early on in the pandemic. He's 55. He said he was very sick for about two weeks but was not hospitalized. Last summer he got tested and they told him he had no antibodies so apparently it's possible to get reinfected. Still he said he is not going to get vaccinated because he didn't trust the rushed process. I didn't argue with him but I would much rather risk a bad reaction to the vaccine than getting infected with a potentially fatal virus.
I'm glad I now have a level of protection I didn't have before. My two concerns are if the immunity lasts and whether the vaccine will be effective against new strains. If I have to get revaccinated every year, I'm more than willing to do that.
North Platte, Nebraska is having its show this month. Near Sighted Narrow Gaugers will be there.
Fred W