Life slowly but surely seems to be getting back to some sort of normality. Here in Mallorca I get the feeling that finally we are now living with the virus, rather than stopping everything to fight it. One of the factors that is helping is the push for vaccinations. Right now 73% of the population has had one jab and 63% have had two jabs.
Both of my boys have had one jab and have their second jabs next week. We gave them their own choice and both wanted to have it. We still haven’t seen our families since December 2019 and both the boys know that we will need to be double jabbed to travel and they are desperate to see everyone at home.
I have taken both of them for their jabs at Germans Escalas in Palma and there are lots of young people having their jabs which wasn’t the case when I went for mine. Once you get double jabbed you can pick up a certificate either online or at Son Espases Hospital in Palma. It’s very easy and you just follow the signs once you get there. Since Wednesday this week you can now go to certain centres without an appointment. This applies to the Son Dureta, Inca and Manacor centres only and there are specific times from 4pm to 7pm.
One thing that has gone under the radar in the past week is that the Balearic Government have said that any child over the age of 12 years that wants to compete in any sporting competition from September here on the islands will have to be double jabbed. As you may know my two play football and will be ok but I’m not sure denying kids the opportunity to play competitive sport if they’re not double jabbed is the right way forward? I’m not an anti-Vaxer as I’ve been jabbed twice but putting that pressure on kids? I’m not so sure. I fully understand that the clubs and authorities don’t want an outbreak amongst teams and therefore a possible halt to training and games like before. But I think we are all aware that whilst reducing the risk, the vaccine doesn’t fully stop you getting the virus. It’s a difficult call like it is with vaccine passports but if it’s the only way then I suppose we will have to go with it.
I think most countries around the World are pushing the vaccines as this seems to be the only way back to normality but there are a few that are offering “incentives” to get them done.
In the Uk ride-hailing firm Uber will send reminders to all users in August urging them to get vaccinated and will offer discounted rides and meals on its Uber Eats platform for young people who have the vaccine. Deliveroo will also offer vouchers, while Bolt, another taxi app firm, will offer “free ride credit” to vaccination centres.
In the USA President Joe Biden is urging local governments to offer $100 to the newly vaccinated.
In Hong Kong, which struggles with affordable housing, developers are raffling off apartments. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can enter the draw for one unit, which is 449 square feet and worth about US$1.4 million. Almost half a million people declared eligibility on the first day in June.
In Moscow, which is battling a surge in coronavirus cases, anyone who received the first of a two-dose vaccine up until July 11th were entered into a draw with five cars worth 1 million roubles being given away every week.
In Germany, stalling vaccinations prompted a search for new incentives. Among the most successful so far appear to be free sausages! At a vaccination center in the eastern state of Thuringia, the combo of Bratwurst and Pfizer, recently prompted a surge in appointments.
Could all this be seen as a jab seekers allowance? Sorry I’ll get my coat!
As I said above we seem to be getting on with our lives, yes of course there are still restrictions like face masks and everything shutting at 01.00 but it’s manageable. We’re now able to do things that we couldn’t 12 months ago. I went to the Kool & The Gang concert in Port Adriano and it was so refreshing to listen to great music in beautiful surroundings again. This weekend Real Mallorca start their La Liga campaign with a maximum crowd of 8,775 people not enough for all the season ticket holders which number 14,500 but another opportunity to watch something that we weren’t able to do this time last year. Probably for me the most enjoyable is watching my boys train and play football again. This time last year we weren’t even allowed in the ground but now things are different and long may it continue.
Take care everyone and enjoy your Weekend!
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
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