BrettGC

Given what I've read from reputable news sources externally of PI reported by journo's in PI, testing rates were very low up until recently so yeah, that could explain it. The deaths would in theory work as a benchmark but the sources I've seen seem to be understating it there but I can't be sure of that. Here's one expample of a site that I can't speak to the voracity of the data for PI specifically but it does match that has been reported on other countries: Scroll down for country specific data. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Same but different here... I'm not full time there yet but since the Angry Midget hasn't been working, I've had to send her money. She's left Dumaguete and moved back into our place about 2 hours north in Guilulngan City. So we're feeding Momma, Bro (normally working but lost his job with the lock down) and neice which I don't mind at all. Makes you wonder how those that don't have income from any source are fairing. The crunch is it's made us realise how much the place needs some finishing off after the rennovation so that's costing, but on the upside, she's there to supervise. Just means the impending buying of the lot in Dumaguete will be postponed, but that was going to happen either way due to COVID.

The Angry Midget just told me that they opened up alcohol sales again last week, so it's not all bad

Due to restrictions on incoming flights and the fact I'll be on a tourist visa, I'm not planning on being able to visit PI until January 2021 at the earliest and I reckon that may be optimistic. Internal lockdowns may be winding down but international travel is going to be severly restricted for some time to come. At least that's the rhetoric coming from most countries. Even if I apply for the spouse visa, and it's approved before January, I imagine I'll be in lockdown for 14 days at my point of entry. I may be pleasantly surprised, who knows.

I'm in a similar situation, wife is stuck in PI thanks to bad timing, she was due to be here in Australia a month ago for a visit which obviously didn't happen. Given the rhetoric coming from the Australian government I can't see her being allowed into the country until December at best and that's being optimistic as she has no residency status here and it'll be on a tourist visa. Our government has stated international tourism into Australia won't be happening until sometime next year but things change so we'll just have to wait and see. As for your situation in the US and the restrictions there, from what I've seen from reputable news sources it seems to be in flux on a daily basis so I guess it's just a "wait and see". As for travel to PI, I've have the impression that El Presidente (Duterte) is trying to make his reaction to the pandemic part of his legacy and will probably maintain his current hard line for some time to come so again, it's a case of "wait and see". Realistically, I don't think the Angry Midget (wife) and I will be seeing each other until at least February 2021 regardless of who's doing the travelling but things I've heard in the last couple of days make me believe that's being overly optimistic.

At the risk of sounding synical: Breaking news!! "Westerner scammed by man impersonating as a woman in The Philippines!" Not to belittle your exprience mate but you're not the first, if it did happen as you say, nor will you be the last.

Yeah, now that I think on it, I was was still studying when it changed so you're probably right. Regardless, it's been the same for a very long time in one form or another.

Was only 2 years until about 4-5(?) years ago, but basically very hassle free compared to other countries, yes.

"All this has happened before, and it will happen again"

Saw this on DW's Engish service last night when I finished work, at first I was quite shocked then I thought about it for a microsecond.... Editorial staff are probably lucky they haven't been arrested on some trumped up charge.

Go further right for me!

My heartfelt condolences Paul. Aines and I are thinking of you and your family.

Rock and a hard place is exactly it for developing countries mate, it's gonna be a tragedy.

If anyone thinks that this is going to be over in a couple of weeks they are living in a place where unicorns fart rainbows i.e. Happy place with no grasp of reality. Most governments that are taking this seriously are talking September as a best case scenario.

We opened a Citibank account last year mate, transfers between our AUD and PHP accounts only take minutes, our cards work where ever; Times have indeed changed. Even using the money transfer services (Western Union, World Remit etc) from/to our respective local Aussie/PI banks only takes an hour max - down from 2-3 days only 4-5 years ago. We set it up the Citibank accounts to avoid the exorbitant bank transfer fees eg: If I was to transfer money from my Bank of Queensland account to an overseas account, BOQ charged a percentage of the transfer amount. Transferring from our AUD to PHP account with Citibank costs nothing. ING is another good option that I researched.