Sorry that I've been away so long, but here's a quick update.
The hubs and I are both fully vaccinated and happy! We received our first dose in June and our second dose in September. Admittedly, the second dose kicked my butt. Within 24 hours of getting the Sputnik V vaccine, I started experiencing some of the worst muscles aches I have ever felt in my life. The aches were followed by severe chills, but the symptoms subsided about five days later.
I still have to wait until September 29 before I'm considered fully vaccinated. They say it takes two weeks for the immune system to learn all it needs to learn from the second dose. That's great news for us because we're looking forward to going out in October to start shopping for Halloween decorations and new masks.
Another bit of good news is that the number of Covid cases have dropped dramatically in Argentina in recent weeks.
- On September 18, 2021, the overall reported infections were 1,451 and 82 deaths. From that number there were only 136 new reported infections in Cordoba province.
- On September 19, 2021, the overall reported infections were 622 and 61 deaths. From that number there were only 76 new reported infections in Cordoba province.
- On September 20, 2021, the overall reported infections were 2,162 and 90 deaths. From that number there were only 175 new reported infections in Cordoba province.
And these were the numbers back in May and June.
- On May 20, 2021, the number of cases nationwide were at 35,884, of which Cordoba had 3,516.
- On June 2, 2021, the number of cases nationwide were at 35,017, of which Cordoba had 4,996.
Also, the Argentine Ministry of Health announced on September 21, 2021 that masks will no longer be required outdoors starting on October 1, 2021, but will still be needed in enclosed spaces like movie theaters. Regardless, the hubs and I are going to play it safe and continue to wear our masks for now. I know that some of the people we're acquainted with in our host province think we're insane for being so cautious. But we've seen what happens when people get complacent. In my home state of Florida, the numbers surged a couple of weeks after President Biden lifted the mask mandate in the States. We don't want to end up intubated in a hospital bed because we let our guard down.
Luckily the Argies have managed to keep the Delta virus from spreading, which is surprising given the number of irresponsible people that were roaming around the streets without masks back when it was mandatory to wear them.
Will life return to normal down here? I have no idea. As many countries have learned the hard way, this damn virus is resilient and capable of mutating. But let's call what's happening right now a temporary victory and hope that this virus becomes nothing more than a dark footnote in human history.
