I'm sure this is already known BUT

Very sorry for your loss. Thanks for the head's up. That is way too young.  DOH is reporting that both the more contagious UK and South African variants are in Manila, based on their genome sequencing of 100 samples.

Arcadieus wrote:

Avoid Manila for the time being. We just lost our friend who was 34 years old to covid. The guy was in perfect health, worked out and had no preexisting conditions. He lived right outside Manila and went there to pick up some bulk food for his animals. Whatever is going on in Manila, just try to avoid it.

Something is going on, both ends of our street (500 meters) have temporary barriers with check points manned by local young men.

St. Luke's Hospital Manila (Mayo Clinic Affiliate) is out of bed space for Covid patients.

Too bad the government is not making use of this protocol, proven in studies to work.  Until vaccines are widespread, why not use this?

https://covid19criticalcare.com/flccc-a … l-english/

BI is closed in Manila until April 5th.

moonunit0103 wrote:

Too bad the government is not making use of this protocol, proven in studies to work.  Until vaccines are widespread, why not use this?

https://covid19criticalcare.com/flccc-a … l-english/

Perhaps because there are very few studies, and those were very small. Results mixed and only beneficial in mild cases. And there are several warnings against it, including from the FDA.

Probably not a good idea  to post unproven treatments on this forum that someone might use incorrectly and cause themselves harm. There have been several cases of people obtaining the wrong type of Ivermectin - the stuff used for de-worming horses for example, and causing themselves or others harm.

On the other hand, Ivermectin worked for me when I got scabies mites 3 years ago in a Mactan hotel, but note that I couldn't actually get it in Cebu, I had to wait until I got back to the US where my dermatologist prescribed it. It took two rounds of the stuff to knock those dastardly things out.

Some links to review:

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/2021030 … t-covid-19https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines. … vermectin/https://apnews.com/article/fact-checkin … 9768999400

Here is a link to numerous peer-reviewed studies showing effectiveness.  NOT UNPROVEN.  These doctors are on the front lines, widely published, medical school affiliated.

Your studies are promoted by Big Pharma, and it is all about the money.

https://covid19criticalcare.com/covid-1 … medicines/

Please reply after you have read the studies in the link. 

What harm is there to administering cheap vitamins and a safe drug in the meantime to save lives of those sick?

Well Moonunit, there is no harm, if administered properly.  I did read through most of that, and I personally have no issue with the early MATH+ protocols that were developed in response to COVID-19.  Based on all that case data, they are common sense and seem to work. I'm personally a fan of the vitamins and even corticosteroids (I use an inhaler occasionally myself) for asthma and got one for Cebu family too, just in case of breathing issues. I am not generally a huge fan of Big Pharma and don't take meds, except an occasional Paracetamol.

But I have two concerns here:

1. What you are casually calling a safe drug -Ivermectin - is not something to be messed with - I have had to take it as mentioned in previous post and the doc in Cebu would not prescribe it, as it can do liver damage and cause other problems. Even my US doc didn't want me to take it until she realized nothing else was working against those dang mites in my hands. But that's the sort of thing it's generally used for. And ringworm, lol. But if a doctor prescribes it then fine.

2. Putting a treatment protocol on the internet that is based on Ivermectin, which is unapproved and in fact discouraged by our FDA (See prior link) and saying it is a "proven therapy", is unwise in my opinion. Too many idiots will try it. Maybe get the wrong type.  Not to mention that it was also listed for prophylactic use in your link. We have vaccines for that now. Certainly the original MATH+ protocols work,  for those who are sick, in the hands of professionals.

That's really the crux of the matter for me.  I agree 100% on the need for DOCTORS to have tools like this at their disposal, it could save lives perhaps,and I DO agreee about the big money driving things. But I just think we should be cautious what we post in the context of it being a safe, simple and proven remedy for Covid, where it might be experimented with by the uneducated general public. Remember what happened with hydroxychloroquine and some of the other miracle cures.

And while you and I may not be big fans, big Pharma have in fact brought us the vaccines, which ARE proven effective against COVID-19, and will hopefully allow a return to normal at some point.

I'm happy to read the opinions of Moonunit0103 and Pnwcyclist.

In the past Moonunit0103 opinion on Covid was always squashed, now it's answered with rebuttal.  As far as vaccines being effective, we have to wait and see. Some clinical tests are still ongoing. It may be proven that Covid virus is smarter than the medical professions.

The fact that both opinions are out in the open, each person can decide what's best for themselves.

Painting people as Idiots is no reason to take away available information, they should have their freedom of choice to make a decision.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles … d-patientshttps://www.pulmonologyadvisor.com/home … -covid-19/https://covid19criticalcare.com/ivermec … vermectin/

Many doctors prescribe medicines off-label for different conditions, but you would prefer the doctor be prevented from using all the tools at his/her disposal to alleviate suffering and death, simply because the government has not approved it?

Vaccines are available under an emergency use waiver, meaning they are not fully tested and approved, as has been such for other vaccines.  Maybe they are safe, maybe not. Many countries have suspended Astra Zenith vaccine due to deaths from blood clots. The Philippines continues to give it out, anyway.

moonunit0103 wrote:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-27/south-africa-allows-use-of-parasite-drug-to-treat-covid-patients

https://www.pulmonologyadvisor.com/home … -covid-19/https://covid19criticalcare.com/ivermec … vermectin/

Many doctors prescribe medicines off-label for different conditions, but you would prefer the doctor be prevented from using all the tools at his/her disposal to alleviate suffering and death, simply because the government has not approved it?

Nope, and not what I said. Fine for doctors to be trying all of these therapeutic interventions. I told you twice now my only concern is posting the "recipe" for something that is still experimental, onto an online forum where the general public might try it and hurt themselves. That being said, you will note that I left your post up. You're welcome.

moonunit0103 wrote:

Vaccines are available under an emergency use waiver, meaning they are not fully tested and approved, as has been such for other vaccines.  Maybe they are safe, maybe not. Many countries have suspended Astra Zenith vaccine due to deaths from blood clots. The Philippines continues to give it out, anyway.

European countries have resumed the A-Z vaccinations because the clot incidence is extremely low - 13 events out of 1.6 MILLION cases, far less than the death rate from Covid.  AND they found it is a rare autoimmune disorder that is causing the reaction, and treatable.

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronaviru … -clot-link

So with that, I will not argue this further and I encourage you to do the same so we do not hijack this thread any further. The original post was about the prevalence of Covid in Manila.

pnwcyclist wrote:

Nope, and not what I said. Fine for doctors to be trying all of these therapeutic interventions. I told you twice now my only concern is posting the "recipe" for something that is still experimental, onto an online forum where the general public might try it and hurt themselves. That being said, you will note that I left your post up. You're welcome.

European countries have resumed the A-Z vaccinations because the clot incidence is extremely low - 13 events out of 1.6 MILLION cases, far less than the death rate from Covid.  AND they found it is a rare autoimmune disorder that is causing the reaction, and treatable.

So with that, I will not argue this further and I encourage you to do the same so we do not hijack this thread any further.

Since the thread is already hijacked, I'll put a little more mileage on this vehicle.

The first paragraph is your opinion and others. Opinions are cheap and we all have one. I really think the general public has not made its way to this forum and doesn't need to be protected by moderation.

If we had 1.6 million readers on this forum and we had 13 events of these Idiots (Your labeling from a previous post) harming themselves, that would be an overstatement.

With all the fake Covid blather available in the news media and social media, I don't think we need to be protected here.

I am planning to return to the US in about a month.  Are there incoming domestic flights to NAIA and departing international flights at this time?

Should I depart from Cebu instead, and bypass MNL altogether?

moonunit0103 wrote:

I am planning to return to the US in about a month.  Are there incoming domestic flights to NAIA and departing international flights at this time?

Should I depart from Cebu instead, and bypass MNL altogether?

That's probably what I would do. Fly out of Mactan and avoid it all together, but it puts you on longer flights in most cases. At least to the West Coast.

Like via Taipei, Incheon or HKG the leg to West Coast is 12-14 hours, depending on prevailing winds.

From Manila one can fly through Japan or HNL, where that second leg is only 8-10 hours. That's my normal route because I can't take more than that in a plane seat.

One person with Covid and 10 others without are in an enclosed area for 20 minutes and are 2 feet apart. What are the chances of the 10 catching the virus if:

1. the one with Covid and those without are not wearing masks
2. the one with Covid is the only person wearing a mask
3. the one with Covid is NOT wearing a mask, but the other ten are
4. all are wearing masks
5. all are wearing masks plus face shields.

I truly believe that #4 and #5 are better at preventing the spread of Covid than the first 3.

A real incident caught on camera: a woman riding an MRT train takes off her mask and face shield. She then tries to fix her hair, and then takes a selfie, ignoring those who told her not to remove her mask and face shield.

Mask and face shield wearing are mandated by the government, which is great.  And this will help slow down the spread of Covid if everyone follows the rules. But the chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

Why is there a spike in Covid cases in Metro Manila? It's partly due to actions of stupid and selfish people. Will the selfish woman catch the virus if one of those in the train has Covid? Or if she has it, how many in the train will get infected? Only time will tell. I truly hope that she doesn't catch the virus. But if this woman does catch it from this incident, then passes from Covid, this will be another one of those stupid "death by selfie."

I choose #6 - not be there. 😷

moonunit0103 wrote:

I am planning to return to the US in about a month.  Are there incoming domestic flights to NAIA and departing international flights at this time?

Should I depart from Cebu instead, and bypass MNL altogether?

About a month ago I checked PAL website.
You can now book flights which was not possible a couple of months ago.
I like the straight flight MNL-JFK on PAL
It takes 16 hours flight time.
The total travel time is a lot less.

FilAmericanMom wrote:

Why is there a spike in Covid cases in Metro Manila? It's partly due to actions of stupid and selfish people.

Very true.
This behavior is inline with the "one second rule".
If adults can practice everything they learned in kindergarten, the world will be much better.
I will buy the book again and gift it to my children to bring back common sense.
The young people sometimes think they are invincible.

Saw this article.  FDA is under investigation by Congress.  There is a human version of ivermectin available by prescription, but the article only mentions veterinary version, for reasons unknown to me.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021 … s-covid-19

moonunit0103 wrote:

Saw this article.  Philippines FDA is being quizzed by Philippines Congress.  There is a human version of ivermectin available by prescription, but the article only mentions veterinary version, for reasons unknown to me.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021 … s-covid-19

Corrected that, just so there's no confusion for the many American expats here or others who think of the US FDA when seeing the acronym. And no one is "under investigation".

Hopefully they can look at studies where it has been used and determine efficacy. If it works then by all means use it, imho.