Covid raging in China. Canada needs to test all arrivals from China immediately

[SchlongConery]

Exactly. But no need to ban people who are not sick from travelling.

Except that most people are fucking selfish. As indicated by your own response focusing on the individual instead of society.

I have several first world friends, even a family member who travelled when they had COVID symptoms. My family member even said that he didn't want to take a COVID test in case he was positive,because he was going home no matter what. I never bothered to ask if he even thought about the other people on the plane...because I knew the answer.

Now... let's think what a Chinese person would do if they had the chance to come to Canada. They were just released from government ordered self-capitivity, living in a city/province with 90% infection rate and effectively NO healthcare and they get a cough in the taxi on the way to the airport?

Travel restrictions aren't an all or nothing-zero risk 100% efficacy thing. They are to slow the transmission into the region.

 

[krealtarron]

Except that most people are fucking selfish. As indicated by your own response focusing on the individual instead of society.

I have several first world friends, even a family member who travelled when they had COVID symptoms. My family member even said that he didn't want to take a COVID test in case he was positive,because he was going home no matter what. I never bothered to ask if he even thought about the other people on the plane...because I knew the answer.

Now... let's think what a Chinese person would do if they had the chance to come to Canada. They were just released from government ordered self-capitivity, living in a city/province with 90% infection rate and effectively NO healthcare and they get a cough in the taxi on the way to the airport?

Travel restrictions aren't an all or nothing-zero risk 100% efficacy thing. They are to slow the transmission into the region.

That is why I said ask for negative test to board a plane and then test them on arrival and quarantine if necessary.

 

[SchlongConery]

That is why I said ask for negative test to board a plane and then test them on arrival and quarantine if necessary.

The reality of the logistics of this is different than just typing on a keyboard.

 

[krealtarron]

The reality of the logistics of this is different than just typing on a keyboard.

Why? It isn't the first time this has been done. We were doing it until earlier in 2022 for all countries.

 

[SchlongConery]

Why? It isn't the first time this has been done. We were doing it until earlier in 2022 for all countries.

You are proposing something different. And from a country that is in an uncontrolled medical crisis.

The previous system required either a PCR or Antigen test, administered by professionals and securely reported through the airline's booking system. And random arrival screening.

You may have inside information but last I heard, China's medical system is pretty busy. Ok, can we agree to cut the shit and admit that it is in crisis and effectively non-functional. So who administers the test? Never mind at the Canadian airport of entry. Airlines are having a very hard time already with logistics.

Do you feel on balance, that the potential disruption to Canadians travelling on business or for personal and family reasons is worth risking to allow the priviledge of entering Canada?

What about the unknown risks and consequences of a mass influx of people from an area experiencing the absolute highest historical rate of pandemic infection of an unknown variant?

 

[krealtarron]

You are proposing something different. And from a country that is in an uncontrolled medical crisis.

The previous system required either a PCR or Antigen test, administered by professionals and securely reported through the airline's booking system. And random arrival screening.

You may have inside information but last I heard, China's medical system is pretty busy. Ok, can we agree to cut the shit and admit that it is in crisis and effectively non-functional. So who administers the test? Never mind at the Canadian airport of entry. Airlines are having a very hard time already with logistics.

Do you feel on balance, that the potential disruption to Canadians travelling on business or for personal and family reasons is worth risking to allow the priviledge of entering Canada?

What about the unknown risks and consequences of a mass influx of people from an area experiencing the absolute highest historical rate of pandemic infection of an unknown variant?

Firstly, I dont think there is going to be a mass influx of people. They are going to enter based on visas they possess. Secondly, the health system in China may be in crisis (or not, we dont know for sure), but to insinuate that a country like China, cannot have labs perform a basic PCR test for private individuals, is not reasonable.

Regardless, even infectious diseases experts agree that restricting travel does not do anything to contain variants. Even when we had the strictest travel restrictions, with everything shut down, the variants spread everywhere. So no real point.

Broadly, we are going to live with covid for the rest of our lives. We shouldn't be panicking when there is a surge in a certain country. Get vaccinated and get on with your life!