It has been about a year since we first entered the quarantine stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time we have experimental vaccines and enough of a decline in new cases that some states are beginning to relax restrictions. For the first time in about a year, you might actually be able to go out to dinner at a restaurant!
What does that mean for campers and Rvers? Well, in the first place camping and RVing and boating often allowed enough social distancing to continue during serious restrictions on other types of entertainment. Major event venues were virtually shut down as were restaurants and movie theaters.
There have been vaccines from at least three manufacturers made available. All have been "fast tracked", that is none of them have undergone the complete testing and certification normally required by the FDA. However, all three have been generally proven to be both safe and effective. The three I know of are Moderna, Phizer, and Johnson&Johnson. Moderna and Phizer both require two injections about 3 weeks apart. Johnson&Johnson is done in a single injection. Immunity is said to peak about 2 weeks after the final shot. There have been some reports of reactions to the shots, mostly after the second shot. Reactions range from the usual sore arm at the site of the injection to fatigue and flu symptoms. My wife and I, who are both volunteer firefighters and first responders, got our Moderna shots in January as part of the first wave. We experienced no symptoms after the first shot and only a little fatigue after the second one. My 96 year old mother got her Phizer shots in March and her only reaction was some redness and swelling around the injection site for a couple of days. My younger sister also got her Phizer shots in March and did have a mild reaction, but she is unusually sensitive to lots of medications.
One of the benefits of wide-spread vaccination is the creation of "herd immunity". What that means is the immunity among the population (herd) is sufficient to deter the spread of the virus. Lacking enough susceptible people to keep growing and spreading, the virus stops spreading. Herd immunity doesn't mean the virus is completely gone or that someone who hasn't been vaccinated might still get it. But it is another step back toward normal.
Some states area beginning to relax restrictions. Here in Oregon kids are going back to school in April and the restrictions on public gatherings are being relaxed. Restaurants are being allowed to reopen for in-house dining but are limited to 75% of their normal capacity, Church meetings are likewise able to function at 75%. It is sure going to nice to be able to go out to dinner again! Picking it up and eating in the car or having it cool while driving home has not been ideal.
You will soon see some camping venues become available once again. However, there may still be mask and social distancing recommendations. Just having access to some of our favorite campgrounds and marinas once again is cause for rejoicing.
If you haven't yet been vaccinated you should try to get on the list for it. Until you do you should still take all prescribed precautions. Also, it takes about 2 weeks after the last shot for the vaccine to become effective. Even after you have gotten your shot(s) you still need to comply with current government and CDC regulations.
While the number deaths and the overall number of cases of COVID-19 have been daunting, the percentage of who have been tested were positive for COVID-19, according to figures I saw on a government web site was a little less that 6%. I, for one, am a little surprised and very happy it wasn't a lot more.
So, campers, RVrs, and boaters, get ready to enjoy a wonderful new season of pleasant and healthy outdoor activity, hopefully with fewer and fewer COVID restrictions as time passes.
Stay safe and healthy!
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