COVID-19 and expatriation in Hungary

SimCityAT wrote:

New cards are issued in Austria, Germany, France as well.

It's all common standard in the EU - there's a regulation on it.  So they all look the same.

Brexit was bad enough, but with COVID that has messed things up, in getting interviews and appointments. But here in Austria, we have a great core team and made a website. We have something like 13,000 Brits living here.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Now that I know my grandmother was born in Hungarian lands, something I didn't know when I first applied here, it might of been a longer , harder to prove claim to citizenship but could of been worth the hassle of collecting all the paperwork from what is now Poland.
Traced that side of the family to the same area for over 300 years.
I know exactly the house number where she was born and still have relations there who possibly could of helped me find all her records and those of my father.
Too late now, will just go the old route and see if they expect me or not on my own merit.
My husband is so lack in filling out these forms though.
With everything close down there isn't a rush t d them. Takes about 6 t 9 months anyways to get an answer, the President of Hungary decides on this, only he alone.

How is your Hungarian? 

This is the thing that would cause me to fail.  I'm totally rubbish at it.  Mrs Fluffy has thought about it too but I just think I cannot pass the language exam.  No way am I good enough.  I think if one is "connected", they'd skip over that bit.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Now that I know my grandmother was born in Hungarian lands, something I didn't know when I first applied here, it might of been a longer , harder to prove claim to citizenship but could of been worth the hassle of collecting all the paperwork from what is now Poland.
Traced that side of the family to the same area for over 300 years.
I know exactly the house number where she was born and still have relations there who possibly could of helped me find all her records and those of my father.
Too late now, will just go the old route and see if they expect me or not on my own merit.
My husband is so lack in filling out these forms though.
With everything close down there isn't a rush t d them. Takes about 6 t 9 months anyways to get an answer, the President of Hungary decides on this, only he alone.

How is your Hungarian? 

This is the thing that would cause me to fail.  I'm totally rubbish at it.  Mrs Fluffy has thought about it too but I just think I cannot pass the language exam.  No way am I good enough.  I think if one is "connected", they'd skip over that bit.

They are able to let the language part slide if you are either over age 60 or have mental issues, I'm good to go on both accounts!
If it happens it happens if not then no worries. I'm just a bit curious if they would give it or not, not a life or death issue.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....They are able to let the language part slide if you are either over age 60 or have mental issues, I'm good to go on both accounts!
If it happens it happens if not then no worries. I'm just a bit curious if they would give it or not, not a life or death issue.

No, definitely not life or death, more convenience than anything else.

If they let that language issue go, then I've got a good chance. We're in the same boat - married to HU citizens, parent of HU kids etc.  Been here a long while.   

Mental issues I can fake perhaps or is faking mental issues evidence of mental issues? 

Maybe I can cite Catch-22 as the paperwork for entitlement.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....They are able to let the language part slide if you are either over age 60 or have mental issues, I'm good to go on both accounts!
If it happens it happens if not then no worries. I'm just a bit curious if they would give it or not, not a life or death issue.

No, definitely not life or death, more convenience than anything else.

If they let that language issue go, then I've got a good chance. We're in the same boat - married to HU citizens, parent of HU kids etc.  Been here a long while.   

Mental issues I can fake perhaps or is faking mental issues evidence of mental issues? 

Maybe I can cite Catch-22 as the paperwork for entitlement.

Defo try.
The clerk who hands out the paperwork did ask if I spoke Hungarian or not before she gathered the papers up.
We mentined the clause about being over 60 and she wasn't negative about it.
I'm sure if there was no hope she wuldn't of wasted her time talking for about 5 mins with my husband about how to fill out the forms and such.
Go for it.
No, I will not admit to the mental issues. have a crazy story about trying that out as a teenager with my friend in Ca. Had the appoinment for the mental health center all ready to go. Got cold feet the day of the exam, thank God. Who knows what mess I would of created for my silly self by pulling a faker like that. Another chapter perhaps for my book.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....They are able to let the language part slide if you are either over age 60 or have mental issues, I'm good to go on both accounts!
If it happens it happens if not then no worries. I'm just a bit curious if they would give it or not, not a life or death issue.

No, definitely not life or death, more convenience than anything else.

If they let that language issue go, then I've got a good chance. We're in the same boat - married to HU citizens, parent of HU kids etc.  Been here a long while.   

Mental issues I can fake perhaps or is faking mental issues evidence of mental issues? 

Maybe I can cite Catch-22 as the paperwork for entitlement.

Defo try.
The clerk who hands out the paperwork did ask if I spoke Hungarian or not before she gathered the papers up.
We mentined the clause about being over 60 and she wasn't negative about it.
I'm sure if there was no hope she wuldn't of wasted her time talking for about 5 mins with my husband about how to fill out the forms and such.
Go for it.
No, I will not admit to the mental issues. have a crazy story about trying that out as a teenager with my friend in Ca. Had the appoinment for the mental health center all ready to go. Got cold feet the day of the exam, thank God. Who knows what mess I would of created for my silly self by pulling a faker like that. Another chapter perhaps for my book.

I thought the 60 thing exempted one from the constitution exam but nothing else.

We've been waiting for some years for your book(s) to appear!

I have a relative who has some issues with mental health and you're right, it'll follow you around if you tried to fake it.  That relative has refused to discuss mental health with anyone who is taking notes. Might lose a job on that basis.   Doing what I do for a living, I probably need my head examined anyway. Perfectly qualified it seems as  I am unfortunately working on something today, a public holiday.

You could always say the fake voices you hear are the true voices of reason.  They might say things like vote for anyone but Trump or Orban.   

Anyway, I've never understood why voices always want to push dark things.  Why don't they say, take up origami or do flower arranging or volunteer to read to blind people?

Enough of this, it's sunny and warm and we should all be outside!

A bit off topic but an interesting read A message to the Brits forced to return home from Spain: this is the Brexit you voted for

SimCityAT wrote:

A bit off topic but an interesting read A message to the Brits forced to return home from Spain: this is the Brexit you voted for

Doesn't surprise me. 

On the other hand, in the other reports, people had actually arrived to complete their registrations and had Spanish papers to show they were already registered.   But they were refused entry by the Spanish.  That seems entirely unreasonable and against Withdrawal Agreement despite of the COVID situation.

My own view is that it's fairly typical behaviour of the British Government to provide no real help to anyone in foreign parts.  We don't get invited to garden parties or other national day celebrations unlike other nationals.   

In my dealings with British embassies, I've always thought they thought a British citizen on their doorstep was someone to treat with disdain.  That's rather than think of themselves running a service on behalf of their nationals.   

Boris's agreement has left a lot of people up the creek without paddles.

We had awful problems with contacting the Embassy, not answering the phone etc... But now we have direct email addresses to staff members and one for an interior Austrian minister things have been plain sailing for when we have an issue. We also have contact with the Expat Centre in Vienna who are very knowable with facts.

On another note. I know people here that voted leave, and they are moaning that they have to apply for residency cards and in the end just thought sod it and returned to the UK.

SimCityAT wrote:

A bit off topic but an interesting read A message to the Brits forced to return home from Spain: this is the Brexit you voted for

Really wished to read this link but can't except any cookies. Too bad.
Only cookies I'm interested in these days are "homemade"...Greenie meanies!
Too bad on that also, can't indulge here...

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

No, definitely not life or death, more convenience than anything else.

If they let that language issue go, then I've got a good chance. We're in the same boat - married to HU citizens, parent of HU kids etc.  Been here a long while.   

Mental issues I can fake perhaps or is faking mental issues evidence of mental issues? 

Maybe I can cite Catch-22 as the paperwork for entitlement.

Defo try.
The clerk who hands out the paperwork did ask if I spoke Hungarian or not before she gathered the papers up.
We mentined the clause about being over 60 and she wasn't negative about it.
I'm sure if there was no hope she wuldn't of wasted her time talking for about 5 mins with my husband about how to fill out the forms and such.
Go for it.
No, I will not admit to the mental issues. have a crazy story about trying that out as a teenager with my friend in Ca. Had the appoinment for the mental health center all ready to go. Got cold feet the day of the exam, thank God. Who knows what mess I would of created for my silly self by pulling a faker like that. Another chapter perhaps for my book.

I thought the 60 thing exempted one from the constitution exam but nothing else.

We've been waiting for some years for your book(s) to appear!

I have a relative who has some issues with mental health and you're right, it'll follow you around if you tried to fake it.  That relative has refused to discuss mental health with anyone who is taking notes. Might lose a job on that basis.   Doing what I do for a living, I probably need my head examined anyway. Perfectly qualified it seems as  I am unfortunately working on something today, a public holiday.

You could always say the fake voices you hear are the true voices of reason.  They might say things like vote for anyone but Trump or Orban.   

Anyway, I've never understood why voices always want to push dark things.  Why don't they say, take up origami or do flower arranging or volunteer to read to blind people?

Enough of this, it's sunny and warm and we should all be outside!

People with problems often tend to be problems themselves.
I've known 2 different handicapped people who used to be ,"healthy ,active , normal" people who went a bit bonkers after finding themselves in a wheelchair.
I know, not PC but the truth. There is just so much one can sympathize with before they drag you down with them. Sad really.
My "mental illness" was not for real, had friends in the welfare dept. that told us we could get $$ for life by claming to be bonkers. Of course I was barely 18 and thought I had discovered a gold mine.
Thank goodness I came to me senses in time.
I wish I could have a good talking to to my teenage self.
It seemed nice outdoors today but we stayed in and chilled. Tomorrow we have to do a few things before aonther 2 days of,"holidays".
Not my thing any longer, never was a fan of any holiday but now I understand why they never sat well with me.
Hoping but not putting much faith into a slight reopening come April 8th. I would like my eyes fixed and move on from this stage of doctors.

Small article about Eastern Europe pandemic situation (includes sitrep on Hungary):

Covid pandemic peaks in Eastern Europe ruins Easter

fluffy2560 wrote:

Small article about Eastern Europe pandemic situation (includes sitrep on Hungary):

Covid pandemic peaks in Eastern Europe ruins Easter

Too bad these articels all have cookies to open.
Not ruining my holiday, I don't do holidays any longer.
Everyday is a holiday really.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Small article about Eastern Europe pandemic situation (includes sitrep on Hungary):

Covid pandemic peaks in Eastern Europe ruins Easter

Too bad these articles all have cookies to open.
Not ruining my holiday, I don't do holidays any longer.
Everyday is a holiday really.

Just open it in a Private Window (you find it  by clicking right) and then accept cookies, read it, then close it.   All the cookies will be deleted when you close the window and nothing is retained. 

You'll find all web sites require you to positively accept or reject the cookies - it's the law in the EU.

Been like that for some time.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Small article about Eastern Europe pandemic situation (includes sitrep on Hungary):

Covid pandemic peaks in Eastern Europe ruins Easter

Too bad these articles all have cookies to open.
Not ruining my holiday, I don't do holidays any longer.
Everyday is a holiday really.

Just open it in a Private Window (you find it  by clicking right) and then accept cookies, read it, then close it.   All the cookies will be deleted when you close the window and nothing is retained. 

You'll find all web sites require you to positively accept or reject the cookies - it's the law in the EU.

Been like that for some time.

Hmm, will have to look into it.
I am a spaz when it comes to anything with the computer.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

Too bad these articles all have cookies to open.
Not ruining my holiday, I don't do holidays any longer.
Everyday is a holiday really.

Just open it in a Private Window (you find it  by clicking right) and then accept cookies, read it, then close it.   All the cookies will be deleted when you close the window and nothing is retained. 

You'll find all web sites require you to positively accept or reject the cookies - it's the law in the EU.

Been like that for some time.

Hmm, will have to look into it.
I am a spaz when it comes to anything with the computer.

I know.

It's  just  a very tiring daily arms race to  try and defeat those intending to grab your data to try  and market rubbish you don't need or nag you death over this and that.  I'm working out how to stop it all the time but I can hardly keep up.

It's no coincidence I look up "car fuel pumps"  and then receive advertising in web pages telling me how to buy a fuel pump for completely the WRONG car.   Yes, sure, all fuel pumps are the same aren't they? One on a VW fits Ford.  Sure, in your dreams morons. 

I also bought some tools once from a company and now I'm spammed all the time to buy the same ones.  Yeah, right, that's sensible! I needed one spanner and yup, why not have two or three the same just in case! In fact, let's spend all my money on the same blinking spanners so I can have one for every occasion or day of the year. Yay!

I have had cause to complain about inline adverts I've seen pushing a particular country (the one with Winny the Poo as leader) as an investment country or that country's products when the actual article I've been reading is about ethic cleansing and displaced peoples.  How utterly inappropriate!

I have two e-mail addresses.  One I use for e-commerce only and never download, only in super tight security  web versions .  All the spam goes there usually - maybe 20 messages a day but they can catch a lot.   I never use the other one for e-commerce - it's a personal e-mail I share with very few people who have "graduated" to trustworthy.  I almost never get spammed at the personal e-mail and the mail provider catches all of the bad ones.  Worth thinking about how to organise it all.

I'm also not on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or anything else.  They are just data thieves.

try using adguard and adblocker.  I get virtually no adverts at all.

Cynic wrote:

try using adguard and adblocker.  I get virtually no adverts at all.

I was having a bit of a rant before.

I mainly  use non-mainstream browsers  although most of them are based on Chrome.  I rarely use Microsoft's versions.   Some of those add-ons cause other functionality problems and can break web sites or services that use Javascript.

The problem is as Marilyn says, accepting cookies.  They cross reference so hence a Google on spanners or fuel pumps will bring up adverts on other devices which have access to the same gmail account and unless you clear cookies periodically  and have encyclopedic knowledge of all their functions then the same nonsense will keep coming back.  Some cookies you do actually want but it's almost impossible to select those.

One way around the cookie acceptance nag screen is to use a screen reader browser extension (I use the one in Opera).  This basically sucks out the main text and renders it with a few photos as a cut down web page. It's very useful if you just want the story without the fancy overloaded graphics.  You only see the cut down pages but the cookies are still there.

Unfortunately because their Google world domination there's no way to use say, gmail without enabling some cookies and even though you can reject advertising, it doesn't always work.  It's just Noughts and Crosses (or Tic-Tac-Toe) - a no win game.  Best that can be done  is trying to trying to head them off at the pass each time and keep it to the minimum needed to work.

One of the worst annoyances  is the BBC app on Android when used outside the UK. They insert adverts before their video reports - usually spouting on about a certain US banned telco manufacturer. 

One way around that one is to use another free app called DNS66.  This works very well to block inserted video within apps.    It's useful if you read the news that way - not associated with DNS66, I just read about it elsewhere and it seems to work.  Naturally, YMMV.

This CNN article speaks directly to my dilemma.  I know another expat who flew from Netherlands to US primarily to get vaccinated.  I hear a ton of vaccines are coming into Hungary in the next several weeks, so it's hard to know what to do - take action now, or wait and see.  Though in other news I see Hungary is donating vaccines to other countries, so maybe I am further down the line here than I thought. 

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ … index.html

Just to back to Covid, a small update on how it goes with the vaccination and my experiences  so far.
I do not live in Heviz but close, I was called by my GP last week for an appointment and my wife was taken into the batch as well. I am not yet even 60 (but close) but in my favour some health challenges which might have put me higher on the list (also I registered online very early phases).
Perhaps not all go for Sputnik but me and my wife did.
There of course will be a topic of a EU card (vaccination) but I believe that will disappear in 5 months or so. (Especially if Germany and/or Austria will also take Sputnik)

Probably not organized everywhere as well as in Heviz, but people spoke German and English almost everywhere.
How did/does it work.
1. You come in, there is a lady who asks you to wash your hands with disinfection. The same lady takes your temperature (around the wrist, which was new for me)
2. Then you walk on and there is a German speaking guy insisting you give your coat to the garderobe (the lady there spoke English)
3. You are directed to the registration desk (better to bring your TAJ card, residency card and also the form this is available on internet (consent to being vaccinated, previous diseases etc (Korona Hungary)), having said that you could do it on the spot but will take time
4. Another desk where you get some forms (a few seconds)
5. You go for the vaccine (depending on age or health you will get eg Pfizer or Sputnik or ..) A few questions are being re-asked. (You have to deliver your forms)
6. You get the jab and escorted to a waiting area, in the waiting area you have to stay 15 minutes (only after that you get your forms back (I think that is good), the forms will include the next appointment (which in the case of Sputnik is 3 weeks)

I do not speak Hungarian at all and I must say I was impressed by how things are organized. (then again I am probably just lucky)

Junior Street wrote:

This CNN article speaks directly to my dilemma.  I know another expat who flew from Netherlands to US primarily to get vaccinated.  I hear a ton of vaccines are coming into Hungary in the next several weeks, so it's hard to know what to do - take action now, or wait and see.  Though in other news I see Hungary is donating vaccines to other countries, so maybe I am further down the line here than I thought. 

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ … index.html

The line is getting longer all the time - now they are considering vaccinating kids, the majority of whom are not at risk. 

That means anyone in the anyone else but with higher risk conditions category is pushed down even more.   I cannot see anyone not on the list being vaccinated until they've reached 6 or 7 million.  It'll take forever that the current rate.

Not helped by the medical personnel contracts debacle.  Reports say they lost about 5500 staff recently (said to be mainly doctors) out of about 100K in the public hospital system. 

The government says it will not lead to a loss of services but that seems not to fit with other reports - like some emergency and internal medicine departments do not have enough people to operate.

Latest from the government vaccine HQ (Kormányzati Tájékoztatási Központ)

Hungary remains at the forefront of vaccination in Europe. The number of people vaccinated this week exceeds 2.5 million. This allows us to take the first steps towards a gradual restart of life under strict safety rules. Accordingly:

- the curfew is amended for the period between 2200h and 0500h;

- the shops are open from 0500h to 21:30h;

- shops, including those closed since 8 March, can be opened according to strict rules: on average, there can be 1 shopper per 10 square meters in the shop;

- temporary protection measures related to services will be abolished, so hairdressers and cosmetics may be opened;

- takeaway service is still only possible in restaurants, guests can only enter restaurants for the necessary time;

- schools and kindergartens may reopen on 19 April following the vaccination of teachers.

More than 3 million 840,000 have already registered to be vaccinated. Based on the vaccination plan, all of our compatriots who have registered so far can receive the vaccine until May.

Note(s):  Cynics will note the reopening may be linked to Euro 2020 games or league games taking place in Hungary.  There's this Euronews article as well:  Hungary to ease lockdown despite COVID-19 surge

Me and my wife have been in voluntary quarantine for over a year (I regret missing out on the summer season when things were actually not too bad or risky), really difficult I have to say. We know many who go by the rules (which is good), but in my personal view being allowed to go to the hairdresser and alike does not mean one has to go.
We have been lucky to have received our first jab, but it does not mean we are fully protected and we will remain careful until we received our 2nd plus 8 days, indeed I know that even after that there is no full protection but we intend to take the "risk" after that.
Perhaps egoistic but I favour entrance in restaurants, concerts etc with a Hungarian green card. (I even favoured this approach without having jabs myself).
Just call me naive (and I probably am), but clear goals in life helps a bit.

Right now I am in quite a good mood (the (possibly) perceived perspective of normal life)

cdw057 wrote:

Me and my wife have been in voluntary quarantine for over a year (I regret missing out on the summer season when things were actually not too bad or risky), really difficult I have to say. We know many who go by the rules (which is good), but in my personal view being allowed to go to the hairdresser and alike does not mean one has to go.

True enough but it also depends on the density and vigorous nature of one's hair.   Some people I've seen really need to go and get something done. I saw one this morning - in the mirror. 

cdw057 wrote:

Perhaps egoistic but I favour entrance in restaurants, concerts etc with a Hungarian green card. (I even favoured this approach without having jabs myself).

I think it's all pointless.  Once the herd immunity kicks in, having vaccination cards inside the country would be unnecessary.  For international travel I can understand it might be needed but the governments as far as I can see are uncoordinated internationally.  Having apps for smartphones doesn't cover everyone. It'll have to cover all possible ranges of traveller.

I think many restaurants will not come back from this.  To be honest, they were all a matter of convenience if one was say down in Balaton.  Saved cooking yourself.  But these days I look back and think of them as not very good value for money.

On quality of restaurants I agree, some are very bad, but some others are VERY good (and my wife who cooks very good herself agrees). It is sad that in the area of West Balaton there are only Hungarian restaurants (with the odd Mexican or alike), really sad as I feel there could be a good business opportunity for Chinese/Indian/.....
Still as we (normally) have a car there are/were some VERY good restaurants around. (and I have to say at a reasonable price).
For the moment clearly no restaurants but some deliver and I have to recommend Smokey Burger (Heviz and Keszthely), we order once per week. (Typically good quality and service (also depends on staff at hand))
We are looking forward to go to our favorite restaurants once the green card is there for us.

I posted before and we are considering to move abroad (Batumi or Alanya) and restaurants are more varied, but apart from one-sided I do like the restaurants around in our area.

I got "lucky" and had my haircut a month ago before the big lockdwn and have another appointment this month already set up.
I look haggy when my thin straight hair gets to a certain length.
Just long enough to be able to tie in a pony tail when I swim.
My husband gets a full "barbering" at home. At least my many years of paying foor a cosmetology liecnse comes in handy for him.
He has a private styist on call... too bad his hair is getting thinner and my job is easy...
Vitiman D is very good for the immune system.
Saw a study about Sweden and C-19. Most serious cases were in a very small population of Samalian people. It was attibuted to their lack of going in the sun due to their style of clothing and covering up too much plus the amount of melanin.Maybe turning red like a lobster in the sun isn't so bad after all?

I hope they open up the pools this summer but who knows.
Guess I can always jump in a river....

fluffy2560 wrote:

cdw057 wrote:

Me and my wife have been in voluntary quarantine for over a year (I regret missing out on the summer season when things were actually not too bad or risky), really difficult I have to say. We know many who go by the rules (which is good), but in my personal view being allowed to go to the hairdresser and alike does not mean one has to go.

True enough but it also depends on the density and vigorous nature of one's hair.   Some people I've seen really need to go and get something done. I saw one this morning - in the mirror. 

cdw057 wrote:

Perhaps egoistic but I favour entrance in restaurants, concerts etc with a Hungarian green card. (I even favoured this approach without having jabs myself).

I think it's all pointless.  Once the herd immunity kicks in, having vaccination cards inside the country would be unnecessary.  For international travel I can understand it might be needed but the governments as far as I can see are uncoordinated internationally.  Having apps for smartphones doesn't cover everyone. It'll have to cover all possible ranges of traveller.

I think many restaurants will not come back from this.  To be honest, they were all a matter of convenience if one was say down in Balaton.  Saved cooking yourself.  But these days I look back and think of them as not very good value for money.

Hair - my wife has cut mine for the past 25 years.  When she trained as a nurse in the Netherlands, tonsorial (hair) care was part of the curriculum; she puts into 2 classes, there is a difference between hairstyling and haircutting.  She has her hair styled (and God help me if I go anywhere near her hair with a pair of scissors).  My hair is so short that any variation between 1>5 will provide a reasonable, layered result and is hair cutting.  I've even cut my own hair when there was no other option.

Covid19 vax cards already exist in the UK, my wife has had hers laminated and it hangs on her NHS lanyard.

My hair is very very long, since quitting my job many year ago I did not go to the hairdresser, having said that it takes some combing every single morning (ie hair is very very long by now). Some savings though

Funny, when I was in beauty school my brother was very young, like 10 years old. My mom dragged him into my school for me to,"practice" on him.
Now at age 52 his hair is down to his waist. I always ask if he wants a trim when I ever see him.
He says, no thanks, I remember that old cut from when I was target practice!
No, I've trimmed his hair in the past but he loves repeating that joke.
I'll believe these restrections have been lifted after my doctor is ready too operate on my eye.
Until then, I don't believe a thing.

Cynic wrote:

....
Hair - my wife has cut mine for the past 25 years.  When she trained as a nurse in the Netherlands, tonsorial (hair) care was part of the curriculum; she puts into 2 classes, there is a difference between hairstyling and haircutting.  She has her hair styled (and God help me if I go anywhere near her hair with a pair of scissors).  My hair is so short that any variation between 1>5 will provide a reasonable, layered result and is hair cutting.  I've even cut my own hair when there was no other option.

Covid19 vax cards already exist in the UK, my wife has had hers laminated and it hangs on her NHS lanyard.

My bro showed me his card and it was comparable to a Blockbuster video card.  At least it was a card. Here, from what I've seen, it's just a bit of paper.  Bit rubbish really.  I would like them to add it to my WHO model vaccination booklet.  I think this is the way to go as all countries (mostly) are signed up to the WHO system.   This is of course on the assumption I'll ever be invited to have the thing.

When one of my kids was 4 years old, there was an self attempt at restyling a fringe with some scissors.  No attempt to get it straight.  One thing in the Fluffy Family is we're all blessed with relatively luxuriant and prolific locks (thanks to my Mum who had a massively dense thicket of head hair).  We did a quick tidy up on the aforementioned sprog and three weeks later we were back to normal.  Same sprog also shaved off eyebrows in an attempt to style them - took a bit longer to come back from that one.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

....
Hair - my wife has cut mine for the past 25 years.  When she trained as a nurse in the Netherlands, tonsorial (hair) care was part of the curriculum; she puts into 2 classes, there is a difference between hairstyling and haircutting.  She has her hair styled (and God help me if I go anywhere near her hair with a pair of scissors).  My hair is so short that any variation between 1>5 will provide a reasonable, layered result and is hair cutting.  I've even cut my own hair when there was no other option.

Covid19 vax cards already exist in the UK, my wife has had hers laminated and it hangs on her NHS lanyard.

My bro showed me his card and it was comparable to a Blockbuster video card.  At least it was a card. Here, from what I've seen, it's just a bit of paper.  Bit rubbish really.

I would like them to add it to my WHO model vaccination booklet.  I think this is the way to go as all countries (mostly) are signed up to the WHO system.

When one of my kids was 4 years old, there was an self attempt at restyling a fringe with some scissors.  No attempt to get it straight.  One thing in the Fluffy Family is we're all blessed with relatively luxuriant and prolific locks (thanks to my Mum who had a massively dense thicket of head hair).  We did a quick tidy up on the aforementioned sprog and three weeks later we were back to normal.  Same sprog also shaved off eyebrows in an attempt to style them - take a bit longer to come back from that one.

Card - yep, that about sums it up, cardboard, it's why my wife laminated hers; she shows it to patients who ask the question "what record do I get?"; she is asked frequently and it was starting to get tatty from all the handling.  It's also in your data on the NHS app, so if you have the app on your phone, you can see your treatment records, included in which are details of all your vaccinations.  So the government already has the data on System1 (it's the NHS patient database); it wouldn't take a lot to write an app that would do what people have seen online - a vax record.  The issue is this national database that lots of stupid Brits think doesn't already exist in different forms (NI number, Council database, NHS records), 2 of those include a current address.  It's just stupid and the thing of note is that it's the anti-vaxxers who are the most vociferous about their rights and freedoms.

Hair - my wife reminds me that hair is easy to cut off, but not so easy to stick back on again if you screw it up.  Looking at photos of me going back in the years, I've had short hair since I was 12 when I joined the Cadets, then the military, then losing it.  What I have left is really thick and needs to be kept short, otherwise it sticks out like a brush.

Cynic wrote:

.....  It's also in your data on the NHS app, so if you have the app on your phone, you can see your treatment records, included in which are details of all your vaccinations.  So the government already has the data on System1 (it's the NHS patient database); it wouldn't take a lot to write an app that would do what people have seen online - a vax record.  The issue is this national database that lots of stupid Brits think doesn't already exist in different forms (NI number, Council database, NHS records), 2 of those include a current address.  It's just stupid and the thing of note is that it's the anti-vaxxers who are the most vociferous about their rights and freedoms.

I'm pro-vaccination but against attempts to make some kind of super database with joined up record keeping.  The problem with governments is that they always want to goldcplate and then they forget the original premise and then we have scope creep to use the data in other ways.  Question is if you trust government. Personally,  I simply don't trust them not to use it in nefarious or unexpected ways. 

Cynic wrote:

..... 
Hair - my wife reminds me that hair is easy to cut off, but not so easy to stick back on again if you screw it up.  Looking at photos of me going back in the years, I've had short hair since I was 12 when I joined the Cadets, then the military, then losing it.  What I have left is really thick and needs to be kept short, otherwise it sticks out like a brush.

Hair is like woodwork.  You cannot weld wood back on if you get it wrong.  With metal, you can always weld some back on and then use the angle grinder to tidy it up.   OK, hair does grow back.

If you have nothing in the middle and front and a bundle of it at the sides, with judicious styling and hair dye, you too can end up looking like Sooty. What's not to like?

fluffy2560 wrote:

Cynic wrote:

.....  It's also in your data on the NHS app, so if you have the app on your phone, you can see your treatment records, included in which are details of all your vaccinations.  So the government already has the data on System1 (it's the NHS patient database); it wouldn't take a lot to write an app that would do what people have seen online - a vax record.  The issue is this national database that lots of stupid Brits think doesn't already exist in different forms (NI number, Council database, NHS records), 2 of those include a current address.  It's just stupid and the thing of note is that it's the anti-vaxxers who are the most vociferous about their rights and freedoms.

I'm pro-vaccination but against attempts to make some kind of super database with joined up record keeping.  The problem with governments is that they always want to goldcplate and then they forget the original premise and then we have scope creep to use the data in other ways.  Question is if you trust government. Personally,  I simply don't trust them not to use it in nefarious or unexpected ways. 

Cynic wrote:

..... 
Hair - my wife reminds me that hair is easy to cut off, but not so easy to stick back on again if you screw it up.  Looking at photos of me going back in the years, I've had short hair since I was 12 when I joined the Cadets, then the military, then losing it.  What I have left is really thick and needs to be kept short, otherwise it sticks out like a brush.

Hair is like woodwork.  You cannot weld wood back on if you get it wrong.  With metal, you can always weld some back on and then use the angle grinder to tidy it up.   OK, hair does grow back.

If you have nothing in the middle and front and a bundle of it at the sides, with judicious styling and hair dye, you too can end up looking like Sooty. What's not to like?

[img align=C]https://images.uncyclomedia.co/uncyclopedia/en/thumb/1/10/Sooty-waving.jpg/250px-Sooty-waving.jpg[/url]

I already look like Sooty, thank you very much, there was no need to remind me.

As for the database issue.  If I ignore the nefarious use of data by criminals because it is already happening.  What do you think the Government would be able to do with your data that would be harmful?  I've carried an ID card of some sort since I was 15 years old; the nearest I've come to some kind of bodily threat (outside of the military) was when some fool thought I was a suitable target for physical violence.  The EU nations all seem to have some kind of National Database?

Cynic wrote:

....
I already look like Sooty, thank you very much, there was no need to remind me.

I'm more of a Sweep myself.   Bit of a rebel and living it large on my own terms.  I think Sue is just too nice to be hanging around with the others. How she puts up with it, I don't know. Izzy wizzy let's get busy!

Cynic wrote:

....
As for the database issue.  If I ignore the nefarious use of data by criminals because it is already happening.  What do you think the Government would be able to do with your data that would be harmful?  I've carried an ID card of some sort since I was 15 years old; the nearest I've come to some kind of bodily threat (outside of the military) was when some fool thought I was a suitable target for physical violence.  The EU nations all seem to have some kind of National Database?

Yes, it might seem like a good idea but it's one of those things isn't it?  If you've nothing to hide...nothing to fear.  But I think there is something to fear and that's overreach and expansionist thinking.  Why not have cameras in every house or put chips in people at birth?

We've always had rights in the UK to go and do what we wanted without bureaucrats or politicians interfering - everything that is not forbidden is allowed.

They (the government) work for us, not the other way around.  They govern by the consent of the people.  While government in the UK is relatively benign, in other places, they don't have the same values. 

A large database containing all sorts of details about someone (i.e. Facebook) could be soon used for mass surveillance.  If I want to have an affair with someone on the other side of town, I don't think it's anyone's business my car or my mobile being tracked routinely.  It's an invasion of privacy. 

Just the idea of being stopped on the street for "Papers please", it's just not the way we British run things.  Others elsewhere may accept "Ausweis bitte" but the vast majority in the UK don't. 

Anyway, sticking it all in one place makes it more susceptible for the criminals.  One breach and the whole database is tainted.

Green vaccine cards are being issued:

HU government is sending out green vaccine cards to those who have had a single jab. 

Each card is individually numbered, contains a QR code, name, date of vaccination and a few other things.   The QR code takes you to the following web site:  EESZT. 

There, the status of the person is shown after verifying a code - there's no password and it appears to be open to any enquiry without registration.

Latest from the government vaccination centre (Koronavírus Tájékoztatási Központ):

"The number of vaccinees in Hungary is constantly growing. More than 3 million of our compatriots have already received the vaccine. According to the World Health Organization, last week Hungary had the fastest vaccination rate not only in Europe but all over the world. This is also due to the availability of several vaccines.

Ninety percent of registered seniors have already been vaccinated. In many GP practices, therefore, all registered citizens, regardless of age, are already called for vaccination. Their vaccination schedule is decided by the GPs. Vaccines are also being vaccinated, with 80 per cent of those working in public education already receiving the vaccine.

In recent times, anti-vaccination sounds have intensified again. Please don't listen to them! All vaccines are effective and safe.

If you have a friend who is not yet registered, please encourage them to do so! The vaccine saved lives."

Interesting development is the Chinese admission that their vaccine is not very effective and Hungary will continue to use it:

Hungary Will Not Alter Sinopharm Vaccination

More Chinese ties... You heard about the secret Chinese highway deal... More corrupt shenanigans...
https://www.ft.com/content/55565169-98f … df30d814f9https://www.globalconstructionreview.co … iversity-/

Perhaps unsurprisingly, these are not made with local interests in mind, and the EU will not bail out bad deals with China: https://euobserver.com/world/151512

Vicces1 wrote:

More Chinese ties... You heard about the secret Chinese highway deal... More corrupt shenanigans...
https://www.ft.com/content/55565169-98f … df30d814f9https://www.globalconstructionreview.co … iversity-/

Perhaps unsurprisingly, these are not made with local interests in mind, and the EU will not bail out bad deals with China: https://euobserver.com/world/151512

I knew about the university plan.  The railway is quite old news. I've worked in several remote places where Chinese workers prevailed on construction projects.  There will be very few local personnel and indeed all the materials will be shipped in - everything from sand to cement and steel.   Their health and safety practices as quite unusual.  Most workers live in the buildings they are constructing.

I guess selling out to the Chinese or Russians is inevitable if it keeps O1G in power - he doesn't care  if it threatens the security of the EU as a bloc.   He's only interested in his own position and he's losing his friends all the time despite the apparent alignment of Poland etc.

I actually think there might be armed conflict US-China within the next 8 to 10 years but probably this would be limited to the South China Sea area.  I cannot see the EU staying out of it if it actually turns to fighting.  The EU would be stuck on picking a side - if in doubt obfuscate.   Then Russia would also have to think carefully about their own position.  Probably they'd stay out of it. 

Of course if O1G is out of business next year, then I cannot see any of these major projects surviving simply because they are tainted by him.

Maybe if China was crippled, any debt would just be ignored.  Perhaps a risk worth taking for O1G.

BTW, I saw in HU Decathlon adverts that ethnic looking models are also being used - mainly people from Asia and possibly Chinese.  I've also noticed an upswing in Far Eastern people living in my area. I see them walking in the forest, driving cars or walking the streets.  Maybe this is part of the investment package hence the need for other businesses to market into the sector.

Not really on topic for COVID19.