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

[coopasonic]

My employer, with 50k employees and billions in annual profit: Sorry, we aren't comfortable bringing folks back to the office at this time, we are now targeting November and will require vaccinations for ANYONE coming on campus when we do come back... Oh and hey let's just do 3 days a week on site because this remote thing has worked pretty well for us.

My governor, with 5 million public school students and over 300k teachers: Yeehaw get your asses back in school tomorrow and don't you dare mandate masks or vaccines!

Guess which one of these people I admire more? Yeah, even if he is a billionaire.

[LawBeefaroni]

Buckle up:

Aug 11 (Reuters) - Three new conditions reported by a small number of people after vaccination with COVID-19 shots from Pfizer (PFE.N) and Moderna (MRNA.O) are being studied to assess if they may be possible side-effects, Europe's drugs regulator said on Wednesday.

Erythema multiforme, a form of allergic skin reaction; glomerulonephritis or kidney inflammation; and nephrotic syndrome, a renal disorder characterised by heavy urinary protein losses, are being studied by the safety committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), according to the regulator.

[Isgrimnur]

Erythema multiforme

looks up pictures

Yummy...

[Daehawk]

Dont have. Not looking.

[LawBeefaroni]

I'm afraid it's going to embolden "vaccine hesitancy".

[msteelers]

It seems like the Florida Department of Health is taking this COVID thing very seriously.

https://twitter.com/HealthyFla/status/1 ... 63018?s=20

[El Guapo]

Well, that's probably the most responsible thing on COVID to come out of Florida's government this year.

[malchior]

Responsible press coverage as always.

https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1 ... 2275356677

Evidence that DeSantis does not want to kneecap the virus (or help kids) - I'm not going to post it but a Florida paper has a front page with actual kids presently in the ICU as well to just hammer this home.

https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1 ... 3715523586

[Daehawk]

Evil and dumb.

[Victoria Raverna]

I'm all in support of getting kids vaccinated sooner, but remember - even if we could vaccinate every single kid tomorrow, there's still 5+ weeks of time that must pass before they're fully protected.

Don't put all your eggs in the vaccine basket. We still need to be universally masking indoors, increasing ventilation in the schools, doing out best ot minimizing crowding, etc... Don't let a school say kids can be vaccinated now so we're removing all other protections.

The vaccines will help, but they don't mean we should stop all the NPI efforts (contrary to what the CDC said back in May).

Now do schools that are removing all other protections and also include kids who can't get the vaccine.

I don't think anyone here is looking to put all eggs in the vaccine basket, but rather lots of us have kids whose districts have decided that baskets are out of fashion--we don't need eggs anymore, anyway.

It is not possible for parents to not allow their kids to go to school if it is not safe? No freedom for that?

[Smoove_B]

It is not possible for parents to not allow their kids to go to school if it is not safe? No freedom for that?

You would need to designate your child as "home schooled" and I don't know how that works in every state (what's involved, paperwork certifications, etc...). More problematic is not every parent or guardian is even a little capable of home schooling a child. Not just skill, but a need to work. Just keeping a kid out of school could result in fines and jail time for the parents.

So once again, the pandemic is putting people in a position where they're forced to send their kids into an environment that is potentially high risk.

[Victoria Raverna]

It is not possible for parents to not allow their kids to go to school if it is not safe? No freedom for that?

You would need to designate your child as "home schooled" and I don't know how that works in every state (what's involved, paperwork certifications, etc...). More problematic is not every parent or guardian is even a little capable of home schooling a child. Not just skill, but a need to work. Just keeping a kid out of school could result in fines and jail time for the parents.

So once again, the pandemic is putting people in a position where they're forced to send their kids into an environment that is potentially high risk.

It is strange to me that you have freedom to carry gun when there are so many mass shootings, you have freedom to sabotage the vaccination process, you have freedom to endanger the children, but you don't have freedom to just keep the children at home to keep them safe.

[Defiant]

You know, I was watching the film noir "Out of the Past" the other day, and this line came up when the Detective was trying to track where someone left for: "You don't get vaccinated for Florida, but you do for Mexico.", and as soon as I heard that I was like, "well, that line didn't age very well."

[Zaxxon]

It is not possible for parents to not allow their kids to go to school if it is not safe? No freedom for that?

You would need to designate your child as "home schooled" and I don't know how that works in every state (what's involved, paperwork certifications, etc...). More problematic is not every parent or guardian is even a little capable of home schooling a child. Not just skill, but a need to work. Just keeping a kid out of school could result in fines and jail time for the parents.

So once again, the pandemic is putting people in a position where they're forced to send their kids into an environment that is potentially high risk.

It is strange to me that you have freedom to carry gun when there are so many mass shootings, you have freedom to sabotage the vaccination process, you have freedom to endanger the children, but you don't have freedom to just keep the children at home to keep them safe.

Indeed it is strange. But this is Murica, where things must be unnecessarily complicated. Keeping the kids home was a choice (in our district) that had to be made in February. As Smoove mentioned, it's not realistic for lots of families, and the most salient point from my perspective is that it's completely avoidable. The reason our kids are at higher risk is because our educators are choosing to forego the obvious mitigations that would lead to their safety. (And, to a lesser but still important extent, because the FDA is slow-rolling a key mitigation for kids, despite there being no strong medical reason to do so in the face of Delta ((thanks for the expert opinion cover on that one so I'm not yelling at clouds, AAP!)) )

Our system has failed our kids, top to bottom. It's a travesty.

[Daehawk]

Around here the school system is allowing the parents to decide on masks. Have they never attended a parent / teacher meeting?

[Unagi]

Around here the school system is allowing the parents to decide on masks. Have they never attended a parent / teacher meeting?

Have you ?

[Daehawk]

Around here the school system is allowing the parents to decide on masks. Have they never attended a parent / teacher meeting?

Have you ?

Actually yes. As a small kid I was dragged along to one. I dont remember it. Either it was really boring or I blocked it out for dire reasons.

[LordMortis]

It is not possible for parents to not allow their kids to go to school if it is not safe? No freedom for that?

You would need to designate your child as "home schooled" and I don't know how that works in every state (what's involved, paperwork certifications, etc...). More problematic is not every parent or guardian is even a little capable of home schooling a child. Not just skill, but a need to work. Just keeping a kid out of school could result in fines and jail time for the parents.

So once again, the pandemic is putting people in a position where they're forced to send their kids into an environment that is potentially high risk.

It is strange to me that you have freedom to carry gun when there are so many mass shootings, you have freedom to sabotage the vaccination process, you have freedom to endanger the children, but you don't have freedom to just keep the children at home to keep them safe.

Indeed it is strange. But this is Murica, where things must be unnecessarily complicated. Keeping the kids home was a choice (in our district) that had to be made in February. As Smoove mentioned, it's not realistic for lots of families, and the most salient point from my perspective is that it's completely avoidable. The reason our kids are at higher risk is because our educators are choosing to forego the obvious mitigations that would lead to their safety. (And, to a lesser but still important extent, because the FDA is slow-rolling a key mitigation for kids, despite there being no strong medical reason to do so in the face of Delta ((thanks for the expert opinion cover on that one so I'm not yelling at clouds, AAP!)) )

Our system has failed our kids, top to bottom. It's a travesty.

What does not kill them makes them st... into angry shells that distrust everything and everyone, lashing out at all leadership more and more they get older...

[YellowKing]

1. Kids are the younger generation, and will likely grow up to be more progressive
2. Progressive thought is the enemy of conservatism
3. Give kids COVID so they die and don't grow up to vote
4. ???
5. Profit!

[LawBeefaroni]

1. Kids are the younger generation, and will likely grow up to be more progressive
2. Progressive thought is the enemy of conservatism
3. Give kids COVID so they die and don't grow up to vote
4. ???
5. Profit!

In Florida it's a move to expand the voucher system. Can't ban masks? Then in the name of freedom you must allow parents to choose to send their kids to [private] schools that share their fundamental values.

MIAMI SHORES, FLA. (WSVN) - The Florida Department of Education has approved an emergency measure allowing parents to transfer their children out of schools that impose mask mandates using private school vouchers.

Parents will now be allowed to access vouchers for private schools if they feel COVID protocols “pose a health or educational danger to their child.”

[malchior]

A [self-made] crisis is always an opportunity, amirite?

[Blackhawk]

Around here the school system is allowing the parents to decide on masks. Have they never attended a parent / teacher meeting?

Have you ?

FWIW, my youngest is a senior this year. I don't think I've been to a parent-teacher meeting since they were in the 5th grade. They just don't happen with this school. I've largely compensate by addressing any hiccups or concerns with the teachers via email, and making it clear that we're here and receptive should anything ever come up (and a few teachers have taken good advantage of that.)

[Unagi]

Around here the school system is allowing the parents to decide on masks. Have they never attended a parent / teacher meeting?

Have you ?

Actually yes. As a small kid I was dragged along to one. I dont remember it. Either it was really boring or I blocked it out for dire reasons.

Ok.
I just have no idea what you meant by invoking the image of a parent/teacher meeting, which is normally not a disciplinary event, but an annual meeting (usually limited to grade school and middle school, I believe).

So, yeah, I didn’t get what you were trying to say would be like a parent/teacher meeting.

[gilraen]

I just have no idea what you meant by invoking the image of a parent/teacher meeting, which is normally not a disciplinary event, but an annual meeting (usually limited to grade school and middle school, I believe).

So, yeah, I didn’t get what you were trying to say would be like a parent/teacher meeting.

I'm pretty sure he just means that plenty of parents are complete idiots and get a chance to put it on full display during parent/teacher meetings, among other things.

[YellowKing]

My wife works for an elementary school, and every time I hear that "parents know what's best for their children" I clarify, "MOST parents." There are a LOT of bad parents out there that are absolutely clueless, willfully neglectful, or both.

[Unagi]

Just from my own experience and from those shared with me throughout my life; the vast majority of teacher/parent - "little jimmy needs to do Y a little more" type meetings are generally reasonable requests about things that both parties agree, at the very least, are borne out of genuine concern for the well being of the kid.

I mean, I realize with the political split and 'masking the kids' beliefs/disbeliefs being what they are - that "allowing the parents to decide on masks" is basically the school district washing their hands of the whole thing, and avoiding being chewed out by parents that want no masks... Personally, I think that stand is bullshit, etc., but in the context of the parent/teacher meeting, it just seems to me that these people have indeed been to a parent/teacher meeting and that this policy actually put's their mind at ease more than a mask mandate would... specifically in regard to parent/teacher meetings. Their choice will make parent/teacher meetings with pro-mask parents difficult, but anti-mask parents have proven to be more vocal, aggressive, and unhinged.

[Zaxxon]

but anti-mask parents have proven to be more vocal, aggressive, and unhinged.

...so fuck the kids, amirite?

Basically where we're at these days.

[Blackhawk]

The biggest problem with allowing parents to choose in an anti-precaution region is that parents don't get to choose. If there's no masking rule, then once your kid gets to school, is the only one in the halls wearing a mask, and is the focus of everyone's laughter, how long do you think that mask is staying on?

Kids will be kids, peer pressure is still a thing, and they're pretending that parents get a vote.

[Zaxxon]

The biggest problem with allowing parents to choose in an anti-precaution region is that parents don't get to choose. If there's no masking rule, then once your kid gets to school, is the only one in the halls wearing a mask, and is the focus of everyone's laughter, how long do you think that mask is staying on?

Kids will be kids, peer pressure is still a thing, and they're pretending that parents get a vote.

Not even that part (though that is a part). Rather, your family choosing not to mask raises the risk to my children (by a greater amount than my family choosing to mask lowers it). Family having the right to choose is a red herring--that gives the choice in only one direction.

[Octavious]

I'm super grateful that my daughter was old enough to get the vaccine. I can't imagine having a kid under 12 and being forced to send them to school with a bunch of idiots trying to get themselves killed.

[LordMortis]

Not even that part (though that is a part). Rather, your family choosing not to mask raises the risk to my children everyone around them (by a greater amount than my family everyone around them choosing to mask lowers it). Family having the right to choose is a red herring--that gives the choice in only one direction.

And that is what stopped me from shopping at several locations, possibly for life now. That disregard for the safety of their patrons to give a choice in only one direction exceeded my comfort zone by much, even as I am vaccinated.

[Skinypupy]

I'm super grateful that my daughter was old enough to get the vaccine. I can't imagine having a kid under 12 and being forced to send them to school with a bunch of idiots trying to get themselves killed.

Salt Lake County just overturned the mask mandate for K-6.

My two third graders start school next Tuesday.

[Smoove_B]

Yesterday I was reading a passage in a book on WW2 and discovered there is indeed a German phrase for what I'm feeling right now regarding kids and schools.

"Die schwere Leidenszeit beginnit nun abermals"

Spoiler:

The difficult time of suffering begins again

I wish I could somehow quantify the amount of sadness and dread I feel for what's coming; it's not right what's happening across America right now, and that it's being encouraged is...I just can't. Every time I think I can't take any more, it gets worse.

[Isgrimnur]

CNN

Justice Amy Coney Barrett declined a request to block Indiana University's vaccine mandate, signaling that similar policies going into effect amid a Covid-19 surge could pass legal muster.

Barrett, who has jurisdiction over the appeals court involved in the case, acted alone without referring the matter to the full court.

Barrett's action marks the first time the justices have been asked to weigh in on the legality of a mandate that private and public entities increasingly believe will combat the spread of Covid-19.

[malchior]

No problem - just throw 3 more teachers and an assistant into the fray. There are always more Covidiots for the COVID god.

https://twitter.com/JoeRoetz/status/1425958389952262150

[El Guapo]

I heard that Nurgle is the second most likely Republican nominee in 2024 after Trump.

[Isgrimnur]

Nah, he’s not photogenic enough. He’s much more of a power behind the curtain kinda guy.

[Smoove_B]

DeSantis is saying he doesn't know anything about the ventilators sent to FL from the national stockpile, the governor of TX is begging medical community outsiders for help, and now the state of Mississippi is begging the feds to send the military hospital ship that was sent to NYC.

Again, at what point does the federal government realize that states rights during a pandemic endangers us all?

I cannot even imagine what things would look like right now had Trump been reelected.

[Isgrimnur]

#RepealThe10th

[Smoove_B]

Rather, your family choosing not to mask raises the risk to my children (by a greater amount than my family choosing to mask lowers it). Family having the right to choose is a red herring--that gives the choice in only one direction.

Exhibit A

https://twitter.com/ashtonpittman/statu ... 2782588931

BREAKING: After one week, Pearl River Central High School has quarantined 40% of its entire student body.

When classes began, the school board made masks optional for a more "normal" school year.

Now, the entire school district is going virtual.

If you dig through the tweets, there's commentary from the hospital community in Mississippi suggesting their entire system could collapse within 10 days.