COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I think that Texas Rangers game might really get the ball rolling against mask mania. Major League Baseball ostensibly requires fans to wear masks, but numerous photos and news stories show many (perhaps most) fans simply didn't follow this. When it gets to be 90 degrees outside, are people really gonna sit there in masks?

The Cincinnati Reds (my big regional team) had their season opener with limited attendance, and just as many fans there went without masks.

Apparently, amusement parks have much higher compliance, but I think certain amusement parks (especially really expensive ones) attract more compliant types.

I went to a high school baseball game a week ago, and masks weren't even required.

I'm not saying any of this is good or bad, but mask mania might be on borrowed time.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

"Mask mania" is really a cringeworthy expression.

Cool! Now I know I should use it more!

[Bandit3 the Worker]

The fact that you received a vaccine despite downplaying the virus for months while millions of hardworking American people who actually acted like human beings this past year did not is proof our distribution was a bit flawed in some ways.

When did I ever downplay it?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

One in 4 U.S. adults is now fully vaccinated
New Mexico and South Dakota lead the country in full vaccinations.

It would be interesting to find out why these two relatively poor, rural states are leading the pack.

In New Mexico, the tribal nations have been really good with vaccinations.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Luckily, I think Michigan is leveling off a little bit, and New Jersey clearly is. I know Texas is doing better though.

I'm surprised the U.S. overall isn't doing much better, since the vaccines are rolling out.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

The online left says a lot of things (Whoever the "online left" are)

They are social media totalitarians. The real left laughs right in their faces.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Is there any chance the FDA/CDC emergency meeting on Wednesday may allow for continued usage of Johnson and Johnson?

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing they'll probably allow it again.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Why are there all of these fears that we're about to get plunged back into lockdown, simply because of the issues with Johnson and Johnson? We have two other vaccines out there, and we are on track to have the vast majority of the population immunized.

The chattering class wants lockdowns and mandatory masks forever - literally.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Two days from now, it will be 2 weeks since my second dose. I shouldn't have to be locked in my home wearing 2 masks after that. If some people refuse to get the vaccine (who are otherwise eligible), that is their choice, but it's not my problem. Why should I miss family events, personal milestones, or properly breathing the air inside Kroger because of others' choices? (I don't think our Kroger enforces masks, but still.)

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Grocery stores were one of the few forms of recreation we had around here.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

95% of the left isn't like this but there is a small, very vocal group who want permanent online schooling and permanent masks.

People like that are not leftists. They are weirdos and trolls.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Video: Ted Nugent contracts Covid-19 after saying 'it's not a real pandemic.'

Click here to watch ... https://us.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/04/21/ted-nugent-covid-orig-jk.cnn

This idiot, even after getting the virus, talks to his followers/audience and downplays the virus, vaccine, sickness dangers, etc.

I'm not generally a fan of Ted Nugent's politics, but I thought it was great when he said "I'm going back to f---ing America" after he got arrested in Cincinnati.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I've noticed in the past few days with cases in the U.S. dropping rapidly again, the drop this time really isn't fueled by the South, except maybe Texas. This time, it's big states up north like Michigan and New York.

Those are states with more people vaccinated. Alabama and Mississippi don't have as many people vaccinated, and the drop in cases there is starting to taper off.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I remember when Michael Jackson made his kids wear masks it was the liberals calling it abuse and the conservatives calling it parental freedom.

If adults want to wear masks outside, that's their choice, and I can't stop 'em.

But if anyone physically forced a mask onto any child of mine, I'd see them in court.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Cases in the U.S. are in another sustained decline. Today the 7-day positivity rate is 3.65%, which I think is another record low.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

I have a feeling it may not be too much longer before the 7-day average drops and stays below 50K.

In only 2 days, it's fallen from 56,095 to 53,654. the lowest since Oct. 14.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

The 7-day positivity rate in the U.S. inches downward to 3.62% today.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

The 4000 cases in PA were from backlogged cases. So the total case numbers actually declined today.

There was a similar backlog in Colorado a couple days ago, and possibly other states too.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Went to watch Godzilla vs Kong in IMAX today, it felt so nice to be back in the movie theater. Of course I’m fully vaccinated and wore a mask the whole time.  Things are definitely slowly creeping forward normalcy.

Since late March, I've been to some small outdoor concerts and a high school baseball game. These events were in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. One of few signs of COVID was that the performers at one of the concerts wore masks. Performers who played a wind instrument wore a mask with a hole in it, which defeats the whole purpose of masks.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

7-day positive rate fell further to 3.57%.

But the one-day positive rate yesterday was only 2.85%.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

7-day positive rate is now down to 3.52%.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Some of us have been waiting for the day when the 7-day average drops below 50,000.

Well, today it's 49,138.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

How will the Democrats' future electoral prospects be affected by their failure to reopen schools?

The school situation is absolutely inexcusable, and people know it. It's not "progressive" to deny kids a normal school experience for a whole year.

The Democrats need to put up a sign on their door that says "Closed for repairs."

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Most schools are partially open at least, stop concern trolling.

Our schools and colleges are in ruins, except in a few very rural areas.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

7-day positive rate crashes down to 3.48%.

7-day death average plummets to 674, lowest since JULY 10.