The Politics of Covid 19, mask wearing and the vaccination process

[Zaxxon]

Part of this I'm sure is that there are inevitable political limits on how many vaccine doses we can send abroad. I'm sure that there's some vague line where as soon as you send too many, or as soon as someone in some part of the country has to wait a week to get vaccinated due to some temporary local shortage, you'll wind up with a flood of stories saying in effect "BIDEN IS SENDING VACCINE DOSES TO BROWN PEOPLE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHILE AMERICANS DIE AT HOME".

Absolutely. We live in the darkest timeline, so there's no great answer. Sure seems like the right priority would have been getting kids eligible first, though, along with the 'full' auth, and a more solid plan for distribution outside the US.

[stessier]

Part of this I'm sure is that there are inevitable political limits on how many vaccine doses we can send abroad. I'm sure that there's some vague line where as soon as you send too many, or as soon as someone in some part of the country has to wait a week to get vaccinated due to some temporary local shortage, you'll wind up with a flood of stories saying in effect "BIDEN IS SENDING VACCINE DOSES TO BROWN PEOPLE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHILE AMERICANS DIE AT HOME".

Absolutely. We live in the darkest timeline, so there's no great answer. Sure seems like the right priority would have been getting kids eligible first, though, along with the 'full' auth, and a more solid plan for distribution outside the US.

Seems like the gating activity for the kids is just time - not sure how they can speed that up.

[Smoove_B]

Smoove, how does having people at various states of vaccination encourage variants? I'm guessing it's something like the virus gets 'practice' at people with partial vaccination protection or something and therefore gets more chances to mutate against the vaccine? How does expanding from 2 doses to 3 encourage that more?

Yeah, I guess that's a good way to generally think of it. Similar to how incomplete use of antibiotic medications encourage antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When you give a slightly resistant strain an opportunity to survive (by not completing the dose), it's is "selected" for survival. The theory would be the same for the vaccination - different levels of immunity + spread are encouraging situations that could "select" a strain that's better equipped to cause more harm and/or spread easier.

Even this seems to be up for debate in the scientific community right now. I think part of the issue is that we have no idea who is right. And we have no idea who is right because we've never had a newly emerged virus going pandemic that was addressed with a vaccination in about a year's time.

The experiment continues.

[Zaxxon]

Part of this I'm sure is that there are inevitable political limits on how many vaccine doses we can send abroad. I'm sure that there's some vague line where as soon as you send too many, or as soon as someone in some part of the country has to wait a week to get vaccinated due to some temporary local shortage, you'll wind up with a flood of stories saying in effect "BIDEN IS SENDING VACCINE DOSES TO BROWN PEOPLE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHILE AMERICANS DIE AT HOME".

Absolutely. We live in the darkest timeline, so there's no great answer. Sure seems like the right priority would have been getting kids eligible first, though, along with the 'full' auth, and a more solid plan for distribution outside the US.

Seems like the gating activity for the kids is just time - not sure how they can speed that up.

At this point, not sure they can. But the problem there was starting the larger trials in June (!) of 2021 (!!). That was just such a massive failure. Back in June of 2020 the plan to ensure that kids were approved by July of 2021 should have been a priority. It's not like we didn't know that politics would ensure that the adult situation remained a mess at that stage, or when kids would start the school year this year.

[Kraken]

In case anyone was wondering about fake vaccination cards; we're apparently importing them now.

Memphis' port director Michael Neipert said those who order the fake cards are wasting officers' time as they are trying to seize drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamines.

Losing both the drug and vaccine war in one swoop.

I just can't figure out how they cracked the vaccine card technology.

Well, Seth Meyers has designed a wallet, called MyWallet, with slots large enough to hold a vaccine card, and MyPants have pockets large enough for MyWallet.

[LawBeefaroni]

It's also an ethical issue as we are now going to be dispensing a 3rd vaccination at a population level when other countries still haven't received one. Along with the significant number of kids in America that are currently unvaccinated.

Yeah, both of those are just nuts. I'm all for as many doses as the folks who know what they're doing tell me to take, but expanding it now for 'regular' folks (as opposed to the immunocompromised who really need it) just seems incredibly inequitable. We're sending a token amount of doses to other countries, we have 50M ineligible here, but boost me up, I guess.

Getting booster shots into arms here is more likely to be successful than sending abroad. We have the infrastructure in place for the former. Not so much the latter. Why don't we send all our wasted food to starving people throughout the world? Or even those in the US?


Also, consider that if they are recommending boosters at 8 months, that means the frontline workers who received their shots on Dec/Jan would be due now. I think we'd want them prepared and properly boosted in the event that Delta and in-person school openings and the fall/winter season create a perfect storm.

[Freyland]

In case anyone was wondering about fake vaccination cards; we're apparently importing them now.

Memphis' port director Michael Neipert said those who order the fake cards are wasting officers' time as they are trying to seize drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamines.

Losing both the drug and vaccine war in one swoop.

I just can't figure out how they cracked the vaccine card technology.

Well, Seth Meyers has designed a wallet, called MyWallet, with slots large enough to hold a vaccine card, and MyPants have pockets large enough for MyWallet.

Don't see why we can't just scan the included microchip to determine status.

[stessier]

Our governor is just so....UGH!

GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Educators, lawmakers, doctors, and parents are writing letters, signing petitions, and showing up to meetings to express their concern with the lack of mask mandates at South Carolina public schools.

However, Gov. Henry McMaster says what many are asking him to do isn’t within his power.

“The law is the law, we must be careful, we must be smart, but parents know what’s best for the children,” McMaster said. “Under the state law, the school district can’t enforce such a mandate.”

***
“Gov. McMaster’s position remains unchanged – a parent has the ultimate expertise when it comes to the health and safety of their families, and it should be a parent’s decision alone that determines whether their child wears a face mask at school,” McMaster spokesperson Brian Symmes said.

[Zaxxon]

Getting booster shots into arms here is more likely to be successful than sending abroad. We have the infrastructure in place for the former. Not so much the latter. Why don't we send all our wasted food to starving people throughout the world? Or even those in the US?

Good question--why don't we? Because we suck.

Also, consider that if they are recommending boosters at 8 months, that means the frontline workers who received their shots on Dec/Jan would be due now. I think we'd want them prepared and properly boosted in the event that Delta and in-person school openings and the fall/winter season create a perfect storm.

Absolutely. I'm totally for boosters (as I mentioned earlier this morning). I think it's a false dichotomy, though. We've had the infrastructure for literally millions more doses/day for the past couple of months, which Americans have been foregoing. Now we're hearing that sending 400k doses is a big send-off to another country. We should have been doing both.

Just as we should have been testing in kids earlier than we did. I realize that I am but one of the unwashed masses in this area, but I have multiple doctors in the family including a pediatrician, and the fact that kids were slow-rolled as far out as they have been is something that they just can't fathom, either.

[malchior]

Seriously. Based on this statement, "a parent has the ultimate expertise when it comes to the health and safety of their families" there are no bounds to that family's expertise. The experience of civilization and all of 2020-2021 seem to indicate otherwise.

[TheMix]

So... if I don't want to, I don't have to put my kid in a booster seat? Or even use seat belts? Since clearly, as a parent, I know what's best. That's what is so damn frustrating and enraging about all of this sh#t. This isn't new. It's done daily, all over the place. But suddenly it's "oh no, the government can't tell us/parents what to do".

[Zaxxon]

So... if I don't want to, I don't have to put my kid in a booster seat? Or even use seat belts? Since clearly, as a parent, I know what's best. That's what is so damn frustrating and enraging about all of this sh#t. This isn't new. It's done daily, all over the place. But suddenly it's "oh no, the government can't tell us/parents what to do".

And this isn't even equivalent to those--here, your choice impacts my kids' health, unlike you not using a booster seat.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Our governor is just so....UGH!

GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Educators, lawmakers, doctors, and parents are writing letters, signing petitions, and showing up to meetings to express their concern with the lack of mask mandates at South Carolina public schools.

However, Gov. Henry McMaster says what many are asking him to do isn’t within his power.

“The law is the law, we must be careful, we must be smart, but parents know what’s best for the children,” McMaster said. “Under the state law, the school district can’t enforce such a mandate.”

Not to point out the obvious, but isn't it state law because McMaster signed it into law? So if he has the power to sign a law preventing mandates, certainly he can sign one allowing them.

[stessier]

Our governor is just so....UGH!

GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Educators, lawmakers, doctors, and parents are writing letters, signing petitions, and showing up to meetings to express their concern with the lack of mask mandates at South Carolina public schools.

However, Gov. Henry McMaster says what many are asking him to do isn’t within his power.

“The law is the law, we must be careful, we must be smart, but parents know what’s best for the children,” McMaster said. “Under the state law, the school district can’t enforce such a mandate.”

Not to point out the obvious, but isn't it state law because McMaster signed it into law? So if he has the power to sign a law preventing mandates, certainly he can sign one allowing them.

Yeah. His point there, that I kind of snipped out, is that the Legislature passed a Proviso that started this and it needs to be the one to lift it. I'm curious if he would sign it if given the chance...although I suspect if it got to the point that the Legislature made a move, there would be enough support to make him have to sign it.

[Zaxxon]

https://twitter.com/Bob_Wachter/status/ ... 23953?s=19

[Unagi]

My 14 year old kid doesn’t need a driver’s license and can ignore the posted speed limits.

[LawBeefaroni]

Getting booster shots into arms here is more likely to be successful than sending abroad. We have the infrastructure in place for the former. Not so much the latter. Why don't we send all our wasted food to starving people throughout the world? Or even those in the US?

Good question--why don't we? Because we suck.

I'd say it's because we haven't invented teleporters yet. There is no feasible logistical way for us to get a kid's uneaten broccoli from his plate or a soon to expire pound of ground beef to some famine victim across the globe.

Also, consider that if they are recommending boosters at 8 months, that means the frontline workers who received their shots on Dec/Jan would be due now. I think we'd want them prepared and properly boosted in the event that Delta and in-person school openings and the fall/winter season create a perfect storm.

Absolutely. I'm totally for boosters (as I mentioned earlier this morning). I think it's a false dichotomy, though. We've had the infrastructure for literally millions more doses/day for the past couple of months, which Americans have been foregoing. Now we're hearing that sending 400k doses is a big send-off to another country. We should have been doing both.

Absolutely it's a false dichotomy. And it being used by anyone and everyone to push their particular agenda.


[

[LawBeefaroni]

We're officially vaccine required at work now, by 10/31. Includes contractors, volunteers, students, etc. Our flu vax rate is 99% so I'd expect the COVID rate to be similar.

[Zaxxon]

I'd say it's because we haven't invented teleporters yet. There is no feasible logistical way for us to get a kid's uneaten broccoli from his plate or a soon to expire pound of ground beef to some famine victim across the globe.

For that case, sure. But the US wastes so much food before it even reaches the end consumer--that's the low-hanging fruit that makes me say we suck. Absolutely Kroger could find a way to send (literal) tons of food from each store to homeless shelters and the like. Though they apparently are trying harder than in the past.

[Smoove_B]

STIGGIN IT

https://twitter.com/Acosta/status/1427736896411607045

CNN: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from his office.

[$iljanus]

STIGGIN IT

https://twitter.com/Acosta/status/1427736896411607045

CNN: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from his office.

Thoughts and prayers I suppose. But he's probably vaccinated so he won't be getting up close and personal with an ICU team keeping him alive. Which is too bad...

[Smoove_B]

Yes, sorry. He's fully vaccinated. And yeah, I have no doubts Cadillac-level care will have him saying "No big deal" in a few weeks, firmly cementing his position that masks are useless because everyone is going to get A+++ medical care.

EDIT: Yeah, he's being given Regeneron. Just like everyone gets.

[malchior]

EDIT: Yeah, he's being given Regeneron. Just like everyone gets.

Isn't DeSantis promising that to everyone who can roll their ICU bed to that "mobile" clinic in Orlando? Easy peasy. It's the designer therapeutic for everyone*.


* Does not apply to the poor.

[El Guapo]

Yes, sorry. He's fully vaccinated. And yeah, I have no doubts Cadillac-level care will have him saying "No big deal" in a few weeks, firmly cementing his position that masks are useless because everyone is going to get A+++ medical care.

EDIT: Yeah, he's being given Regeneron. Just like everyone gets.

What's the deal with Regeneron? It sounds like a magic anti-COVID elixir that only rich people can get. Is there an issue with mass producing it?

[Isgrimnur]

Still under patent.

[Smoove_B]

What's the deal with Regeneron? It sounds like a magic anti-COVID elixir that only rich people can get. Is there an issue with mass producing it?

I think that's the issue - difficult to produce (hence the cost). It's also a medication you give after exposure, which then defeats the whole point of public health preventative efforts (vaccination, masking). Why should I do either if you're just going to give me Regeneron and send me home?

What's odd is that I didn't think it was approved for use in vaccinated people, so either his doctors are concerned -or- he's just being a wealthy a-hole. Possibly both.

The actual punchline is that this mother f-er is apparently tested daily and they're now doing contact tracing and notification of the people he was with. It's ironic because that's exactly what the EO he just signed for schools strictly prohibits.

[malchior]

A hallmark of our system - elite unaccountability and special privileges.

[Skinypupy]

Yes, sorry. He's fully vaccinated. And yeah, I have no doubts Cadillac-level care will have him saying "No big deal" in a few weeks, firmly cementing his position that masks are useless because everyone is going to get A+++ medical care.

EDIT: Yeah, he's being given Regeneron. Just like everyone gets.

What's the deal with Regeneron? It sounds like a magic anti-COVID elixir that only rich people can get. Is there an issue with mass producing it?

Have we discussed the fact that one of DeSantis’ top donors (to the tune of $5MM each of the past two years), Citadel, is the 2nd largest stakeholder in Regeneron? And that those donors stand to rake in truckloads of cash if they have a bunch of sick COVID patients they can funnel to their state-funded treatment clinics (which is exactly what DeSantis is currently doing)?

Maybe someone should look into that connection…just sayin.

[gilraen]

Have we discussed the fact that one of DeSantis’ top donors (to the tune of $5MM each of the past two years), Citadel, is the 2nd largest stakeholder in Regeneron? And that those donors stand to rake in truckloads of cash if they have a bunch of sick COVID patients they can funnel to their state-funded treatment clinics (which is exactly what DeSantis is currently doing)?

Maybe someone should look into that connection…just sayin.

I'm pretty sure I've seen this plot on network TV shows...whether or not it's true here, the fact that it's more plausible in real life is just soul-shattering.

[malchior]

Also no one seems to care that our politicians are trading away lives for cash. That's just business or something. Nothing personal.

[Zaxxon]

Against all odds, our Tri-County Health Dept passed a mask mandate for ages 2-11 tonight, and our district announced plans to follow it, despite the county commissioners already announcing that they'll fight it.

So, a microcosm of America, I guess...

[malchior]

I’d seriously love the zoom link to that meeting.

Here is a taste of a competing one in -- maybe San Diego? It's somewhere in this shit show of a country.

https://twitter.com/jerrysaltz/status/1 ... 1394006021

[Daehawk]

He needs to be in a mental ward.

[malchior]

He needs to be in a mental ward.

Yet people are cheering him on.

[LordMortis]

"I have the antibodies" "I've don't my research" guy seems to have switched over to "I'm allergic to most vaccines". Is this a thing, now?

[LordMortis]

He needs to be in a mental ward.

Or in the WWE.

[Blackhawk]

Don't be so hard on the guy. Acapella death metal isn't easy.

[LawBeefaroni]

He needs to be in a mental ward.

Yet people are cheering him on.

He could be up there saying anything, as long as it was tangentially anti-liberal "agenda", and he'd get applause. Someone could get up there and read Mein Kampf they'd get a standing ovation, so long as they sprinkled in anti-vax and anti-Biden nuggets.

Take the most insane, stupid sports rivalry, multiply it by 150 or so, and that's politics in 2021.

[Unagi]

He needs to be in a mental ward.

Or in the WWE.

I think you corrected this....

[Max Peck]

Here in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford is trying to have his cake and eat it too. While he says that he opposes vaccine mandates (because they are unconstitutional? ), his public health officials are rolling out policies for de facto mandates that stop short of actually making vaccination mandatory, but will require regular testing for hold-outs.

Ontario announces mandatory vaccine plans for health, education workers; 3rd doses for some

Employers in Ontario's public education and several key health-care settings will need to have COVID-19 vaccination policies in place for staff in the coming weeks, the province announced Tuesday.

As the provincial government navigates a fourth wave of the pandemic, it issued a news release saying the policies are required to help combat spread of the highly infectious delta variant as fall and winter approach.

Ontario will therefore remain in the final step of its "Roadmap to Reopen" plan for now, pressing pause on further lifting remaining restrictions and workplace safety measures — despite surpassing vaccination targets. The province will also offer booster shots to certain vulnerable populations and expand eligibility for vaccination to children turning 12 this year.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, announced the new measures at a news conference in Toronto Tuesday afternoon.

Premier Doug Ford has previously said he won't make vaccines mandatory in any sector because he considers it a constitutional right not to take the shots.