Life: covid test, lift of mask mandate at worksite (5/19/2021)

 I was down with a cold with no fever (allergy?) for a few days. Apparently it ran its course in 5 days like regular cold. But this time, due to university policies, I needed to take a covid test before permitted to return to work.

So they arranged a covid19 PCR test with nasopharyngeal swab, which happened to be my first time. I showed up in the test site at the university hospital yesterday, and got a nose swab taken. I sneezed once.

This morning they sent an email stating "negative" and "I am cleared to work". 

I wouldn't know what exactly the sickness was. But even if it was a covid, my vaccine-trained immune system kicked it in 5 days like a regular cold. As I took off at the first sign and started working from home, no one was exposed. Bad for the virus, good for humankind.

I showed up in my office after 7 days and took care of some unfinished work, including submission of a revised manuscript. Hope the manuscript is going to be accepted.

Then this evening my worksite let us know that they are going to lift mask mandate on campus for all vaccinated employee (with some exceptions. in clinic, etc). 

Situations are changing rapidly toward "back to pre-covid days".  

In the US, PCR test itself does not have much power other than taking a snapshot of possible patient and let doctors judge if a possible ex-patient may return to worksite. Only when PCR is combined with contact tracing and some enforcement of isolation, PCR will be an effective tool to stop infectious diseases. The Chinese did it to stop community spread, but it was with the governmental power unimaginable in the US.

The vaccine really was the game changer. But only for the vaccinated. Theoretically, the game has not changed much or at all for the yet-to-be-vaccinated, including the vaccine refusers. You be careful, until the herd immunity is established by the vaccinated. Over-the-counter antiviral med for covid has been slow to come and is still an unmet need in this pandemic.

There are some scenarios that can change the game again, like emergence of vaccine-overriding lethal variants. Yet, worrying about them is the big pharma' and public health officials' business. I am feeling somewhat relaxed about covid now. Sky isn't falling, it seems.

PS 

The revised manuscript was accepted in a day (5/20/21). Lucky us.

Dance: Reach dance studio salsa social (5/8/21); Most men and many women cheat (on steps in social dance)

Reach dance studio is a new dance studio in OKC, whose party notices started to pop up in my feed. 

Around here beginning April, dance parties are coming back. After one year Corona break. 

I checked out their salsa social this past Saturday (5/8/21). There were many salsa people I knew (Good to see you guys again); also new people I met for the first time (Nice meeting you).

Earlier the day, they were inviting Salsa instructor Gerisha Figueroa from Houston for workshops (that I missed).

Salsa party can be held in many different settings (club, pub, restaurant, for example). This place is a dance studio with hardwood floor, full wall mirror, and barre on the other side. 

It is a setting dedicated to dance training and practice, also a setting easy to watch dance under good illumination.

Actually, watching others dancing is my habit and hobby at any party. After this one year break, the habit still stays. It is something I appreciate, and I appreciate it more if good dancing is presented. 

Usually it is easy to find who the instructor/professional is, just by watching.

Most men and many women cheat on steps in social dance. You can tell which one is a professional by precision of their steps and moves. They look more purposeful in dancing.

After all, they have to demonstrate the steps and moves countless times.

This precision thing is true for all dances. In addition, good salsa instructors really can dance with hips. It was a nice demonstration.

Ballroom Latin instructors try to teach the "dance with hips" as cuban motion, and have their student practice with figure-8 motion exercise to loosen and liberate hips. But it is rare to see it well-danced in social dance floor around here. 

Another trait of good salsa dancers, I was reminded, is their high energy and agility. 

Probably this is a culture thing in salsa dancing. For example, tango instructors distinguish themselves with posture, poise, balance and precision of their technique. Then they can add energy.

Salsa energy is there at first. It is raw and strong. Then they add technique and precision.

I guess this is enough of dance culture comparison, for today. 

In summary, it's "precision, hip, energy".

Reach dance studio seems to be a good place to learn and enjoy dancing. I recommend the place.