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

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:06 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:10 pm Never before has white America been more oppressed than when asked to wear a mask. I hope we can make it through this.

Just another expression of the fear of the elimination of white supremacy.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:12 pm

WaPo

When the coronavirus pandemic hit and restaurant owners faced difficult decisions, the Richards family that owns Picos, a Mexican restaurant in Houston, quickly adapted to continue sharing their Latin cuisine — from selling to-go margarita kits to stationing a mariachi band at the curbside pickup.

This week, after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Tuesday that he would rescind the statewide mask mandate while the vast majority of residents remain unvaccinated, the tough choice to enforce public health guidance fell to business owners, and Picos announced it would continue requiring masks. But, after such a challenging year, the reaction to their decision was disheartening, co-owner Monica Richards said: Several people sent hateful messages through social media and called the restaurant, threatening to report staffers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 5:00 pm

Yeah, parents are encouraging children to burn masks now.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 ... k-burning/

That's so late 1930s

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 5:09 pm

$iljanus wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 5:00 pm Yeah, parents are encouraging children to burn masks now.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 ... k-burning/

That's so late 1930s

Illiberalism is around us everywhere now.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:05 am

The other day I took my kids to a popular playground in Naperville. They both just stood at my side, stunned that nobody was wearing masks. They made no effort to play, although we were all wearing masks. I asked them if they wanted to go to another playground, and both said, "yes daddy." We went to a much less crowded (and smaller) playground a few blocks away. Still no masks on anyone there, but there was space for my kids to avoid them. They made no effort make friends with any of the kids...something they normally do on the playground. When it started getting a little crowded, they were done and we went home.

Remus West · Post by **Remus West** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:02 pm

Jeff V wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:05 am The other day I took my kids to a popular playground in Naperville. They both just stood at my side, stunned that nobody was wearing masks. They made no effort to play, although we were all wearing masks. I asked them if they wanted to go to another playground, and both said, "yes daddy." We went to a much less crowded (and smaller) playground a few blocks away. Still no masks on anyone there, but there was space for my kids to avoid them. They made no effort make friends with any of the kids...something they normally do on the playground. When it started getting a little crowded, they were done and we went home.

We took Jasmine to the playground several times the last few days but made sure we were meeting a trusted friend there since she is an only child. Fortunately the playground wasn't over crowded in spite of the nice weather and she got a lot of running around in. The kids that were there wore masks about 50/50. Jasmine and her friends just stayed away from them each time.

I'm not as bothered by the maskless children as I am adults. There were more than a couple adults without masks each time. I, and the kids, stayed well away from them.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:27 pm

Politics? What politics?

https://twitter.com/FrankLuntz/status/1 ... 4038287360

𝟮𝟴% of Republicans say they will “definitely not” get the COVID vaccine.

That number is 𝟮% among Democrats and 𝟭𝟴% among independents.

"Independents"

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:58 pm

https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status ... 2719396871

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:33 pm

My college students are once again dropping like flies.

Out of 50 people at the start of the semester, I now have seven who are Zoom-only because they've tested positive. (These numbers aren't self-reported but from the university itself.)

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:56 pm

Yeah, it's been a particularly active semester - lots of them getting it or dealing with family members or roommates that have it. I fear with Spring Break starting this Friday, the end of the month is going to be worse. I have ~120 students this semester and I think it's been about a dozen that have had issues that they've communicated. We're fully remote, fwiw.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:36 am

Smoove_B wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:56 pm Yeah, it's been a particularly active semester - lots of them getting it or dealing with family members or roommates that have it. I fear with Spring Break starting this Friday, the end of the month is going to be worse. I have ~120 students this semester and I think it's been about a dozen that have had issues that they've communicated. We're fully remote, fwiw.

Locally, it's St Pat's weekend which is the first mass party of spring and it's still cold enough that people will want to huddle in doors breathing heavy and loud talking late in to the morning.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:07 pm

I bet this would work awesomely in the United States and absolutely no one would get shot.

https://twitter.com/SBSNews/status/1370168865930407942

Professional wrestlers enforce the face mask rule at the Central de Abastos market in Mexico City.

I actually think this is a great idea in terms of raising awareness and having a little fun.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:54 pm

I won't bother to look up a source, but people are noting that Trump is the only living ex-president who has not spoken out in favor of vaccination. He even went so far as to get the shot in January (while he was still POTUS) without announcing the fact.

Trump touting vaccination would be an enormous encouragement for Republicans to go along and build national herd immunity. But Trump won't do it because it would help the country in 2021, and therefore it would help Biden.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:01 pm

Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:54 pm I won't bother to look up a source, but people are noting that Trump is the only living ex-president who has not spoken out in favor of vaccination. He even went so far as to get the shot in January (while he was still POTUS) without announcing the fact.

Trump touting vaccination would be an enormous encouragement for Republicans to go along and build national herd immunity. But Trump won't do it because it would help the country in 2021, and therefore it would help Biden.

It's also against the base narrative. The COVID vaccine is a deep state plot. Better some of the faithful die than risk alienating more than some.

malchior · Post by **malchior** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:13 pm

Here's MTP being bad at its job. Unless I had a fever dream he said we might be able to have a cook out with a close group of friends. Not a return to normalcy.

https://twitter.com/MeetThePress/status ... 9990615044

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:28 pm

Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 6:54 pm I won't bother to look up a source, but people are noting that Trump is the only living ex-president who has not spoken out in favor of vaccination.

I'll note that not one single ex-living ex-president has spoken out in favor of vaccination, so really, you're just suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome by attacking him when he's part of the overwhelming majority. /MAGA

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:32 pm

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:01 pm

I'd pay good money to listen to Jimmy Carter losing his religion and going on a righteous flame-throwing tear against Trump and what he did to the presidency.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:03 pm

Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:01 pm I'd pay good money to listen to Jimmy Carter losing his religion and going on a righteous flame-throwing tear against Trump and what he did to the presidency.

Why would he need to lose his religion to do that? Florida Man is an affront to Christianity in almost every way.

I'd like to hear JC give him both barrels, too.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:09 pm

Kraken wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:03 pm
Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:01 pm I'd pay good money to listen to Jimmy Carter losing his religion and going on a righteous flame-throwing tear against Trump and what he did to the presidency.
Why would he need to lose his religion to do that? Florida Man is an affront to Christianity in almost every way.

I'd like to hear JC give him both barrels, too.

(In Southern parlance, "losing one's religion" means "going apeshit.")

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 11:39 pm

Gov Polis now saying our final non-everyone phase will begin 3/19, and everyone 16+ will be eligible starting 4/15.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 12:05 am

Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:09 pm
Kraken wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:03 pm
Holman wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:01 pm I'd pay good money to listen to Jimmy Carter losing his religion and going on a righteous flame-throwing tear against Trump and what he did to the presidency.
Why would he need to lose his religion to do that? Florida Man is an affront to Christianity in almost every way.

I'd like to hear JC give him both barrels, too.
(In Southern parlance, "losing one's religion" means "going apeshit.")

OK, thanks for that. Now REM makes more sense too.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:59 pm

kind of a thought experiment: out of all the people who are not getting the vaccine (and not just saying they're not, but will anyways, and maybe not even those already infected previously), i wonder how long it would take to achieve the equivalent of vaccination quote herd-immunity unquote from this pool who will inevitably get infected. (with the assumption that the Venn diagram of those taking appropriate PPE measures and the anti-vaxxers is not large)

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:23 pm

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:59 pm kind of a thought experiment: out of all the people who are not getting the vaccine (and not just saying they're not, but will anyways, and maybe not even those already infected previously), i wonder how long it would take to achieve the equivalent of vaccination quote herd-immunity unquote from this pool who will inevitably get infected. (with the assumption that the Venn diagram of those taking appropriate PPE measures and the anti-vaxxers is not large)

One school of thought says that we aren't seeing another spike now because we're already there. Their hypothesis says that the actual number of infections is 10x the number of reported cases and natural immunity is already widespread. That idea will gain credence if there isn't a spike after spring break.

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:28 am

https://twitter.com/tomaspueyo/status/1 ... 1535694854
https://twitter.com/tomaspueyo/status/1 ... 4698204161

Science: Beware, the B117 variant is now predominant in Europe! Let’s vaccinate! Quickly!
EU: Yes, but blood clots.
Sc: Same in the test groups as in controls, right?
EU: Hmm... Just in case
Sc: Hasn’t the UK vaccinated *millions* with that vaccine?
EU: We can’t risk it
Sc: What about the 1000s who will die of COVID?
EU: No worries, we’re going to lock down again
Sc: But that’s going to destroy the economy *again*
EU: Sometimes we need to make sacrifices
Sc: But not clot sacrifices
EU: Duh
Sc: OK so let me get this straight.
You hear some blood clots, which are to be expected just by chance when you’re vaccinating millions, and you decide to stop vaccines, just in case, to prevent them.

Meanwhile you stop vaccinating, which will kill many more, create a new wave of deadlier B117,...

...destroy the economy again, and make it much harder to vaccinate ppl later because of their fear?
EU: Hundred points symbol
Sc: But that makes no sense!
EU: Who needs to make sense when we can just follow other countries?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:18 am

Yup. At least the EU's approach to vaccination makes me feel comparatively good about American governance on this, as hugely flawed as it has been.

Max Peck · Post by **Max Peck** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:24 am

You know what else actually does cause blood clots? COVID-19.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:02 am

hitbyambulance wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:59 pm kind of a thought experiment: out of all the people who are not getting the vaccine (and not just saying they're not, but will anyways, and maybe not even those already infected previously), i wonder how long it would take to achieve the equivalent of vaccination quote herd-immunity unquote from this pool who will inevitably get infected. (with the assumption that the Venn diagram of those taking appropriate PPE measures and the anti-vaxxers is not large)

No one's going to know because it's already been shown that as the vaccinations go on, less and less people are hesitant about getting one. And as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine rolls out and you only need one shot, I think you'll see even fewer people be hesitant. I don't think they'll make that assessment until August at the earliest.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:06 am

The government recognizes the problem and is working on it.

But about 30 percent of adults are not getting in line, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center reported March 5. About 15 percent of people said they would probably not get vaccinated and an additional 15 percent said they would definitely not get a shot. That’s enough people to dash any hopes of ending the pandemic through vaccination. It’s also enough to ruin the Biden administration’s plans of celebrating our independence from the virus on July 4.

...

In a 20-person focus group of Trump voters held this weekend, GOP pollster Frank Luntz worked to figure out how to crack the partisan barrier to vaccination. “These people represent 30 million Americans,” Luntz told The Washington Post. “And without these people, you’re not getting herd immunity.”

After the two-hour session, 19 participants (one person dropped out) said they were more likely to get vaccinated. What worked to change their mind was straight and honest facts about the vaccines—such as that an overwhelming number of doctors have chosen to get vaccinated and that the long-term health effects of COVID-19 could be much worse than vaccine side effects. The participants also appreciated hearing points such as, that, although the mRNA vaccines were developed and tested at “warp speed,” the underlying research for the vaccines have been in the works for decades. Also, although experts consider the vaccine safe, there’s no way to know long-term risks.

“We want to be educated, not indoctrinated,” one participant said.

What absolutely didn’t work was political-based appeals or appeals by politicians. The members of the focus group were annoyed by a video advertisement promoting the vaccines that included former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. They also, surprisingly, said they wouldn’t be swayed by an appeal from Trump himself. Luntz speculated to the Post afterward that perhaps “people are beginning to move on.”

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:09 am

I just think that people want to see what happens to other people first. And I can understand that, although already knowing what could have happened to me had I got Covid (61% death rate for severely obese people like myself) made me get vaccinated as soon as possible. Johnson & Johnson is just now ramping up, we'll see what it looks like in six weeks. I think they are worrying prematurely.

Jaymon · Post by **Jaymon** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:06 pm

I have an alternate theory, but no proof.

The first couple of vaccine were made by companies not in the general public knowledge, and required the 2 doses and such, it was scary and new and Different.
But Johnson & Johnson, thats practically a household name, they make about half the products in the baby aisle at the grocery. And needing only one shot, suddenly its not as scary any more.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 4:55 pm

The 30% refusing vaccination likely shares a lot of population with the people refusing masks and social distancing. We may be able to add another 10% of the country getting immunity the hard way.

Dramatist · Post by **Dramatist** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:49 pm

My wife got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week from her school. She had a teacher neighbor that told her all the usual nonsense and told her she wasn’t getting the vaccine.

Well it turns out the other teacher got the vaccine anyway even after telling my wife that she wouldn’t.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:49 pm

Dramatist wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:49 pm My wife got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week from her school. She had a teacher neighbor that told her all the usual nonsense and told her she wasn’t getting the vaccine.

Well it turns out the other teacher got the vaccine anyway even after telling my wife that she wouldn’t.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Covert vacinees.

Yet for every immunization that sparks public joy, there’s perhaps another that blips silently by, shaded with guilt, frustration, or fear. Many of the recipients of these early jabs have chosen to hide them from even close friends and family—some of the people who stand to benefit the most from the protection that immunization affords.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:42 am

I guess a Chicago hopsital executive bragging about vaccinating Eric Trump is the politics of COVID-19:

CHICAGO — A top executive of a West Side hospital in Chicago bragged about vaccinating Eric Trump the same day the hospital vaccinated workers at Trump Tower Downtown — where the executive owns a condo.

In a photo obtained by Block Club Chicago, Dr. Anosh Ahmed, chief operating officer of Loretto Hospital, poses with a smiling Trump, the son of former President Donald Trump. In a text message, Ahmed bragged about vaccinating Trump that day: “Vaccinated Eric Trump,” he said after sharing the photo. He also shared a message praising Trump, calling him a “cool guy.”

Ahmed shared the photo with people on March 10 — the same day Loretto Hospital held a vaccination event at Trump Tower, where Ahmed owns a unit. Metadata from the photo confirms it was taken the afternoon of March 10 at or near Trump Tower.

Hospital officials said the vaccine event held at the luxury hotel Downtown was meant to benefit predominantly Black and Brown hotel workers, and later said they made a mistake by offering doses meant for West Siders to hotel employees before they were eligible.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:27 pm

No screaming on California theme park rides, guidelines say

20 hours ago

The California Attractions and Park Association is supporting a plan to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The plan is to ask patrons not to scream on park rides. This includes rides at Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags and Knott's Berry Farm.

Dont think this is possible or enforceable

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:30 pm

Please scream inside your heart - what most of my public health peers have been doing since March of last year.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 1:32 pm

Use your inner scream. Thats it. Dont let it out...dont let it out. There, now dont you feel worse?

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 2:07 pm

I'm a big roller coaster nerd and have spent the past several years going on various coaster trips with a big group of fellow enthusiasts. Unfortunately one of our group passed way a few years ago, so as a tribute to her the year she passed we had a totally silent night ride on THE VOYAGE at Holiday World. That was such a strange experience. This coaster is extremely intense, and to ride it with nobody uttering a sound was very surreal.

(After the silent tribute ride, we then had a "go nuts scream your head off" ride, also in her honor).

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:01 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 12:30 pm Please scream inside your heart - what most of my public health peers have been doing since March of last year.

But Smoove, how could a scream transmit on a roller coaster going so fast?? I'm just curious. Disneyland only has a couple of rides where you would scream maybe and one of them is inside, and I could understand it there. But all of Magic Mountain's coasters are outside, still not safe?