Given the weather, Elaine decided to watch a “girlie” movie in her cabin, following which she spent the afternoon updating her notes required for a future website article; she has definitely got rather behind on these, specifically the Australian ones, but will catch up eventually, no doubt.
Roy spent his time working on the enhancement to the Anchor Plus application, as well as continuing his research into a possible lithium battery solution for us, given that our current batteries will reach end of life before we set sail across the Indian Ocean, and the possibility of newer technology at a reasonable price is proving to be rather appealing. The challenge is ensuring everything will integrate with our existing equipment onboard.
The disappointing news for the day, though, came via an email from the US Embassy in Thailand informing us, and turning down a direct appeal in the process, that they would not be making arrangements to vaccinate US citizens in Thailand, although France’s embassy started vaccinating its citizens today and, of the 1 million vaccines donated by China, 400,000 are earmarked for its nationals.
This announcement came after four U.S. citizens’ groups wrote to the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, asking for Thailand to be made a pilot project for vaccinating US citizens abroad. What’s more infuriating for us is that we are bound to continue to submit US tax returns and pay our taxes every year, although we’re not in the US, and our tax dollars are being used to pay for the 7 million vaccines the US is donating to Thailand, never mind all the other countries that will be receiving donations too.
The embassy message indicated that the State Department could not provide vaccines to the millions of US citizens living abroad, but did say that it “would advocate for equitable access locally”, which, at this point, translates to: After all the locals and foreign work permit holders have been vaccinated first, leaving retirees and tourists high and dry, since the Thai government has yet to confirm that it will indeed vaccinate non-work permit holders, although we would not be expecting a free handout and would be prepared to pay for our vaccinations!
Their other bright solutions was to suggest that we travel back to the US to get vaccinated. So, let’s get this straight; two individuals, one over 60 years old, one immunocompromised, both in the high risk category, must get on a plane, to spend 14-16 hours in the company of other individuals with a high probability of already being COVID-19 infected, to get a vaccine, to prevent severe infection. It seems the US Embassy, just like the Irish and UK Embassies during the Malaysia fiasco, is as useful as a chocolate teapot!
It’s fair to say the weather was definitely a reflection of our mood after that email!
