MS Edge browser continues to press for pin ID before I am allowed to access TTOL.
I just switched to Chrome and had no problem.

We, too are scheduled for 2 weeks in November. We have some time to cancel or proceed but we know that many others are in the same spot. As much as we love SXM, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives right now. Hurricane/ Covid/ and last night I watched a special on Sargasso sea weed that has threatened the Caribbean islands and is expected to get worse in the future.

No, not willing to give up yet but sure do hope for some good news soon.
Tom/Lisa

Remember that 99 percent of the population on the Dutch side does NOT have COVID.

Who said that Jazzgal?
Where are you getting your information from?
I happen to know people who passed from it.
Seriously.
i

According to the sintmaartengov.org/coronavirus website:

Dutch side population: 62,323
Active cases: 322 as of August 25

That's 1 percent that has COVID, leaving 99 percent that doesn't.

Irina, I know people who passed from Covid as well, here in North Carolina. Family members, actually. Does that mean I'm afraid to be here? Nope.

Dutch side population is estimated right around 44,500 as of July 1, 2021. That estimate is supported by many international sources, ie., cia world factbook, countrymeters.info, statistictimes.com, worldometer, etc.

Total of 3580 cases since the start with 47 deaths on Dutch side alone.

Georgia--sorry to hear about your family members. I have known several people who have passed and frankly I AM scared to be here in Florida. Even though we're vaccinated, I wear a mask all the time in public. SXM is probably safer than here, although of course we will have to navigate Miami airport, as well as trying to find somewhere to get tested, which may be a problem..

Wont say I am scared to be in Florida Carol, more concerned. Walgreens have virtually cut out(here) all free testings for the time being so found a place locally that does a rapid antigen test with results in 30 minutes for $170.00( ). What staggered me was that this was a hospital/outpatients/emergency/doctors offices and nobody apart from me was wearing a mask! Managed to grab a drive through PCR test though with CVS for the 4th of September for a trip to the UK. Would suggest that you nearer your time of travel chk out CVS(can book up to about 12 days in advance) make an appt and do the same with Walgreens(up to only 4 days in advance I believe).

Anyway, life really is too short to worry, so if we get through the UK ordeal(which involves multiple testing and form filling) come back safe and well, then SXM in Nov/Dec should be good to go, unless there are more lock downs and restrictions. I have found that not watching the news, or rather watching less, be it the weather or the situation in general has helped to have less stress and as you know our media really do take liberties at times and work everyone up to fever pitch.

bran--Our county currently has a 29% positivity rate. I don't need to listen to the news to hear about Covid, as everyone here is talking about how many of their friends and neighbors are positive, in the hospital, etc..

You are free to believe whatever source you choose. My information came from the SXM "official website of the government of Sint Maarten."

I was talking about CURRENT cases which, as of yesterday, are down to 312.

Correct .

Still not good.

By October ; my guess the government will impose mandatory covid vaccinations for most of the working population as Tourism is the lifeblood of the Island and they cannot afford to lose another year to it's economy. We spent all last winter in St Maarten and willl spend this winter there as well. Make sure you are vaccinated and when the booster shots are available get one.

Never happen.

I know the people on the French Side better than I do those on the Dutch Side. IMHO, knowing just a little bit about vaccine resistance of the French, they're already doing protests in the street over vaccine mandates for healthcare and public service workers, as well as for vaccine passes. A mandate on the entire French Side population will never happen.

Dutch Side, I don't see much difference in acceptance of a mandatory vaccination. Dutch and French residents are not all that different.

When it comes to both your survival and your livelihood, things change. People will do what is necessary and most will take the vaccine either through mandates or their for their families sake.
I know a lot of people who resisted taking the vaccine but who now have received theirs reluctantly due to the rapid rise in new cases around the world especially on the unvaccinated.

I didn't say anything about being afraid. I just asked where those numbers were from.
My understanding it that it is way more prevelant.
i

Our small city in Ontario is roughly the same population as the Dutch side
- 83% vaccinated (minimum 1 dose 18yrs and older)
- 70% total population vaccinated
- FOUR cases
- masking is still mandatory

I definitely would not feel comfy cosy on the island right now

This board is like an echo chamber. The unquestioning loyalty to the "vaccine" and upcoming endless booster shots.
Am I the only one that knows people that have had serious adverse reactions to the "vaccine"?

I expect this is the beginning of the end for this thread, but to answer the question, I don’t know anyone that has had serious adverse reactions to the vaccine. Some reaction, yes. But nothing serious and no one has ended up hospitalized or in the ICU.

You are correct, this is the end of the thread.