I wish I had more to tell you
One person on a European board says their agency posted that the CCAA will finish March with this batch. That’s the first I’ve heard mention of them getting past the 29th, so that’s still down in the R1 or R2 range until we get someone else saying it.
Most agencies are remaining silent about when referrals may arrive. The ones who are talking are all saying it will be after the CCAA returns from their holiday. There is one agency reporting something on the way, but we don’t know what is in that package.
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In other news, the U.S. State Department has posted a new warning regarding H1N1 and quarantines in China:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4238.html
It basically says pretty much what the last travel notice on this said, but the important thing I see here is a sort of warning that China could begin to more actively enforce this again at any time, especially as travel for their upcoming holiday picks up.
There is advice given about travel insurance. If you opt for travel insurance you should read the fine print and make sure it will provide coverage caused by a pandemic. Many have exclusions for that.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I think that the package is not referrals. I am resigned to waiting another couple of weeks.
Keep smilin!
LID 03/28/06
September 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Sigh. Well, with the exception of the people who were next in this batch (and I can’t even go there as to how they are feeling right now), if they finish March in the next batch when they return, we’re pretty much where we thought we’d be at this point. I think many of us thought they would finish March in October. If they finish it in early October, that’s a good thing. Um, I guess….
September 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
One other note, as much as I had every intention of taking our daughter to China with us for #2, there’s no way I’d take her now. The thought of her being quarentined and being administered medical care without my consent is way too big of a risk to take. I hope agencies are communicating the risks to families who are considering taking their older children at this time.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
With an LID of 4/11/06, I’m hoping we receive our referral by December. Our daughter, who will then be seven, is coming with us. She’s been looking forward to this for years, so I can’t tell her she can’t come. This potential quarantine is very disturbing to me, though, especially considering how often first graders get sick.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I guess I don’t know what to think or feel. My stomach is a nervous wreck and my head is spinning. This part of the wait is crazy. I am trying to get prepaired for a let down. If this pkg. is not referrals, whats another 2 weeks. We have almost been at this for four years. I don’t see how China can keep this up. Ok I better go while befor I start rambling.
LID 3/27/06
http://www.ourchinaangel.com
September 29th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
chickensoupforchina, I totally agree w/ you. We may just end up where we thought we’d be anyway – finishing March w/ an October batch. I’m super sorry for everyone in this next batch having to wait but I’ll trade places w/ you! : )
September 29th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I’m wondering if this agency is counting 3/30 and 3/31? Since those days were weekends, and very few people get logged in on weekends, maybe they figure that 3/29 is finishing the month? Or maybe they meant March ’06 is finished for their clients, if they don’t have any LID for the 30 or 31? But, if they truly do mean all of March, thru to the 31st, and referrals come this week, that would be a good thing!
Does anyone know if China would accept proof of vaccination for H1N1? That way if for some reason you have flu-like symptoms, but can produce a statement from your doctor that you had the vaccine, then they know it’s not Swine flu, and will not quarrantine you.
For anyone thinking about traveling to China this fall or winter with minor children, I strongly recommend contacting your pediatrician now and ordering a dose of the H1N1 vaccine for your child. The vaccine is available starting Oct. 1, but supplies may be limited. So, doctors need to prioritize who gets it. Right now, priority is set for children age 6 months to 5 years, since they have no immunity at all to it and have immature immune systems. As always, health care workers and those working with young children also have priority. For swine flu, the elderly actually are not considered a priority population like they are for regular flu. The reason for that is that a similar strain of swine flu was around several decades ago, which gives those over 60 some limited immunity to this strain. But, if you explain you’re travelling to China in the next few months, you could get priority, too.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
The main problem with vaccination is it is not proof of immunity. Every year, countless people who have had various types of vaccines end up with the illness. It’s most commonly heard about the flu vaccine not being protective, but also with each whooping cough or measles outbreak, a good number of the cases are people who have been vaccinated.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I could be wrong, but I haven’t seen anythink that would indicate that China would not quarantine anyone with proof of the H1N1 vaccination. Now, that could certainly change once all the hoopla is over, but as of now I don’t know if that would make a difference.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
luvbugsmom – 3/30 and 3/31 were light login days but they were not the weekend – the weekend days were 4/1 and 4/2 – so once they get through 3/29 the next big login day is 4/3.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
DCmomtobe:
Oops! Thanks for the correction! It’s still possible the agency in question doesn’t have any clients for those days and so for them, March 06 is finished if 3/29 is in.
To everyone else on the vaccine issue: You’re probably right. It probably wouldn’t make a difference to China if you have proof of vaccination or not. But, getting the vaccine is still probably a good idea, if you can get it.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
luvbugsmom – the 30th and 31st of march were a thu/fri.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
this flu is more deadly than the one that was around in 1978. but the one in 1978 (a milder strain of the same flu) resulted in one death in the US from the flu and over 300 deaths from the vaccination. i think that’s why they’ve taken so long with the vaccination – they don’t want to rush it.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I guess I am confused about the severity of H1N1. My daughter had it last week (confirmed by testing), along with a case of strep with it. Honestly, I’ve seen her more sick with other bugs. However, I guess the fear is that it could potentially mix with Bird Flu and form into a whole other more deadly bug. Other than that, I really don’t see how it is more deadly than any other seasonal bug, but then again I’m not a doctor.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
ChickensoupforChina you are SO lucky that your daughter was okay. H1N1 is nothing to take lightly. I would imagine there are varying degrees of severity. An 18 year old, very healthy young man from Massachusetts died on Saturday of H1N1 after being sick for three weeks. This young man had no underlying illnesses.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Yes, Diane I have heard it’s really hitting the young adult population and not so much as severe with the kiddos and the elderly which is so different from other bugs, from what I understand.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
It isn’t any more deadly than a “regular” flu. It strikes a little different though. The big thing with it is mainly that so many will get it, that it could do harm to society, for example if lots of hospital staff get sick at the same time. Or, you could imagine the effects of lots of police officers being home from work at the same time. I know of someone who had it (confirmed) early this summer. She – a young woman, 18 I think – had a very slightly higher temperature than normal for a couple of days. That’s it. She didn’t feel sick at all.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I’m a bit confused about the severity of the N1H1 as well. I personally know 5 people w/ confirmed cases – 2 were pre-teen boys and all were sick, but not more than a regular flu. Only 2 were in the same family or even knew each other. One of my bosses, a doctor, didn’t take a since day off work (although he should have one day) and the two boys only missed 2 days of school each. The strength of the virus seems to vary a great deal I guess. I think it’s a lot more common that people realize.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I wouldn’t even had known if DD had swine flu if it weren’t for the strep. She began to show signs of strep, so I brought her in. By the time we got the results of her H1N1 and Strep culture, the fever had broken and she was bouncing off the walls as usual. Our neigbors had H1N1 this summer, as did some other friends. Same thing. Fever, aches, etc. Gone in a few days.
September 29th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I can’t believe we don’t know the cutoff date yet. Hugs to all those waiting for their referrals this round… hopefully you will hear something soon!!
September 30th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Man! I’m not even waiting for a referral anymore and this wait is killing ME! I can’t imagine what you all are going through!
Keep the faith – it’s so worth it in the end!
jc
mom to Sophie Joy Xiucheng