There are a number of health warnings in Spain for the coming winter: influenza, Avian flu, African swine fever, Tetanus, and of course, Coronavirus is still a threat.
There are 3,000 new cases of AIDS diagnosed each year in Spain.
Plus freezing temperatures.
[CPWR]
This is all dangerous, particularly for older people. Which is what I am, according to my birth certificate, even though I feel much younger.
Action Plan
The fifth Covid-19 injection is now available for over 70-year-olds.
They don't contact you any longer, you have to ring your local health centre or ambulatorio to make an appointment.
I shall be doing that tomorrow.
[EL PAIS]
You also get a 'flu jab and a tetanus top-up at the same time. So three pricks in two arms!
Your upper arms are sore for two or three days and you might have a slight attack of Covid, but, in my opinion, it's better to be protected.
I don't have AIDS nor African swine fever. Touch wood!
Elsewhere
Some members of the German side of my family are refuseniks when it comes to Coronavirus injections and only get top-up Covid jabs if they really have to, for example to get into a restaurant or to book into a hotel.
I think they're nuts, but that's their choice, I guess.
So long as they don't infect me or the missus!
[BBC]
Here in Spain
The authorities are predicting more deaths this winter, because of the predicted cold. Two regions have re-introduced the compulsory wearing of masks, and others, like Andalucia, are recommending their use in medical settings, including pharmacies.
Most houses here are not well built. Cavity walls? "Forget it!" Insulation? "Ha-ha-ha!"
A professional friend of mine, a neighbour, has no heating whatsoever in her finca. She just wraps up warm!
She doesn't even have a brasera under her dining table!
I've offered to act as a human hot water bottle for her, but up to now she's not accepted!
What a shame! She's pretty, very "sexy", single, a good 10 years younger than me and Spanish to boot!
[Wikipedia]
Last word
These winter threats need to be taken seriously. I mean it!
© Pablo de Ronda
Links:
5 years of Covid-19 - The last post
Covid-19 is a thing of the past – or is it?
Is the Covid Crisis Over?
Pictures:
BBC, CPWR, EL PAIS, Wikipedia
Acknowledgements:
Diario Sur, Pablo de Ronda, Sur in English, TIME, Wikipedia
Tags:
AIDS, African swine fever, Avian flu, BBC, CPWR, Coronavirus injection, Diario Sur, EL PAIS, freezing temperatures, health centre, health warning, human hot water bottle, influenza, masks, medical settings, Pablo de Ronda, pharmacies, Sur in English, Tetanus, TIME, top-up Covid jab, Wikipedia