COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[DabbingSanta]

Well, I came back from work about an hour ago, and I can say that nobody has changed their masking habits (as of yet). I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of people ignore the CDC guidance and continue on as before. And it's highly unlikely that there will be any new mask mandates in Colorado at this point.

This is a massive political loss for Democrats, and if it continues into 2022 it will greatly impact their performance in the midterms.  Most people have moved past COVID.  The hysterical people on Atlas or Twitter claiming Republicans are death squads are a very small minority of Americans.  The new masking rules are confusing and aggravating to many.  Why get vaccinated if you still have to mask up?  People are waking up and moving on.

[DabbingSanta]

Well, I came back from work about an hour ago, and I can say that nobody has changed their masking habits (as of yet). I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of people ignore the CDC guidance and continue on as before. And it's highly unlikely that there will be any new mask mandates in Colorado at this point.

This is a massive political loss for Democrats, and if it continues into 2022 it will greatly impact their performance in the midterms.  Most people have moved past COVID.  The hysterical people on Atlas or Twitter claiming Republicans are death squads are a very small minority of Americans.  The new masking rules are confusing and aggravating to many.  Why get vaccinated if you still have to mask up?  People are waking up and moving on.

In your dreams (or your Trumpist bubble): a poll from a few weeks ago found that 68% of people reported wearing a mask outside their home, including 77% of vaccinated:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/08/mask-wearing-plummets-especially-among-unvaccinated--but-delta-variant-creates-growing-anxiety-about-covid-19-polls-find/?sh=6546d3276b85

The poll also found 68% of respondents said they wore a face mask outside their home in the past week, down from 79% in May.

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their guidelines on mask wearing for the fully vaccinated, the share of fully vaccinated Americans who reported wearing masks plunged from 90% in May to 77% in June.

Ok, masks are still mandated in a lot of places including airports, transport vehicles, hospitals, etc.  In places where the mandates have expired, like retail stores, bars, and concert venues, the vast majority of people are now going maskless.  Compliance does not equal support.

[DabbingSanta]

This entire thread is a dumpster fire.  I just wanna grill, for God's sake.

[DabbingSanta]

Louisiana is a prime example of why you do not elect "moderate" Democrats.  Their "moderate" governor just passed a mask mandate.  Disgusting display of government overreach.

[DabbingSanta]

Louisiana is a prime example of why you do not elect "moderate" Democrats.  Their "moderate" governor just passed a mask mandate.  Disgusting display of government overreach.

...and what's the problem with a mask mandate?

Are masks so expensive that they're taking a big chunk out of your paychecks?

No, they violate our freedoms.  It's no different than burqas or hijabs being mandated in Islamic nations.  If you think masks work, you are welcome to wear them.  They obviously don't work given how they literally did nothing to slow cases last year, but that's another story...

[DabbingSanta]

Louisiana is a prime example of why you do not elect "moderate" Democrats.  Their "moderate" governor just passed a mask mandate.  Disgusting display of government overreach.

...and what's the problem with a mask mandate?

Are masks so expensive that they're taking a big chunk out of your paychecks?

No, they violate our freedoms.  It's no different than burqas or hijabs being mandated in Islamic nations.  If you think masks work, you are welcome to wear them.  They obviously don't work given how they literally did nothing to slow cases last year, but that's another story...

Do you also tell the policeman that you don't wear a seatbelt because it violates your freedom?

The argument is not going to fly.

Seat belts actually work though.

[DabbingSanta]

Louisiana is a prime example of why you do not elect "moderate" Democrats.  Their "moderate" governor just passed a mask mandate.  Disgusting display of government overreach.

...and what's the problem with a mask mandate?

Are masks so expensive that they're taking a big chunk out of your paychecks?

No, they violate our freedoms.  It's no different than burqas or hijabs being mandated in Islamic nations.  If you think masks work, you are welcome to wear them.  They obviously don't work given how they literally did nothing to slow cases last year, but that's another story...

I'm reporting this as false information that could hurt/kill others.
Mods please delete.
I would really like to tell you what I think of you, but it would most easily be infracted.

If masks actually work, you can just go and wear a mask?  It's not mask wearing I have a problem with, just people forcing their stupid "scientific" (religious) beliefs down other peoples throats and mandating it like it's actually going to help at all.  After 18 months we adults can make our own informed decisions thanks!

[DabbingSanta]

If masks actually work, you can just go and wear a mask?  It's not mask wearing I have a problem with, just people forcing their stupid "scientific" (religious) beliefs down other peoples throats and mandating it like it's actually going to help at all.  After 18 months we adults can make our own informed decisions thanks!

Ok don't wear your mask then if you don't want to. You're not in LA, so.

That's my point.  There shouldn't be any mandates forcing people what to do at this stage.  We know the facts and what's going on, our health should be our own personal decision.  I don't believe masks ever slowed or prevented the spread of COVID because cases soared in places that mandated them just like they did elsewhere.  Mainstream media won't say it, but I just did.  You can look at the stats on Google and judge for yourselves.

[DabbingSanta]

If masks actually work, you can just go and wear a mask?  It's not mask wearing I have a problem with, just people forcing their stupid "scientific" (religious) beliefs down other peoples throats and mandating it like it's actually going to help at all.  After 18 months we adults can make our own informed decisions thanks!

Ok don't wear your mask then if you don't want to. You're not in LA, so.

That's my point.  There shouldn't be any mandates forcing people what to do at this stage.  We know the facts and what's going on, our health should be our own personal decision.  I don't believe masks ever slowed or prevented the spread of COVID because cases soared in places that mandated them just like they did elsewhere.  Mainstream media won't say it, but I just did.  You can look at the stats on Google and judge for yourselves.

I'm confused though, particularly with your comment about seat belts working. So were mask mandates ok before then? If you did think they worked, would you be OK now with the LA mandate?

Seat belts actually reduce the risk of death and serious injury, and they are not a major inconvenience, so having it as a law makes sense.  Mask mandates are much more intrusive, so they are not ok, especially when their effectiveness is so hard to prove. 

[DabbingSanta]

We need a vaccine mandate. Life can't fully return to normal unless everyone, or at least like 90%, is vaccinated.

It's been normal in Republican areas for months.  Maybe unnecessary restrictions are making life harder than it needs to be for a virus with a 99.7% survival rate....

[DabbingSanta]

So now there's a lambda variant? This is just getting silly.

I can safely say this coming up right when I'm finally feeling confident to go out again really isn't good for the anxiety.

Turn off the news and you'll be fine.  Fully vaccinated people are not dying in record numbers.  In fact, they aren't really dying at all.  You might get a cold... so what? You're more likely to get into a fatal auto accident or be a victim of gun violence.  Seriously~!  Assuming you're fully vaccinated, you're fine.

[DabbingSanta]

So now there's a lambda variant? This is just getting silly.

I can safely say this coming up right when I'm finally feeling confident to go out again really isn't good for the anxiety.

Turn off the news and you'll be fine.  Fully vaccinated people are not dying in record numbers.  In fact, they aren't really dying at all.  You might get a cold... so what? You're more likely to get into a fatal auto accident or be a victim of gun violence.  Seriously~!

I have literal anxiety and panic disorder so rationalizing it away doesn't work unfortunately. I've also permanently ceased going on various main roads around here due to a few close calls. If anything checking the news (at least Atlas, I've avoided cable news already for years prior) is removing unknowns and what ifs that I'd otherwise dwell on.

It's just frustrating feeling just as I feel able to overcome one worry, here comes another possible one.

This is really rough...  I hope you feel better soon.  Sometimes I find taking a break from the news when things are stressful helps.  It's been a wild couple years.

[DabbingSanta]

Vaccines wouldn't be such a big political issue if Democrats didn't use fake science to impose authoritarian health restrictions in the first place.  It's obvious vaccines work great in preventing serious illness and death, but a lot of people are lost right now. Four years of demonizing Trump supporters, branding them as "literal terrorists" and "deplorables" has resulted in half of America literally not trusting any credible news sources.  To be fair, I don't blame them, as these same sources pushed mask mandates and lockdowns last year, and look how that turned out for everyone.

[DabbingSanta]

https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1425086627232325632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Not only are Republicans the most dangerous enemy to American democracy, they are also an enemy to the health of the American people.

You're insane.  Seek mental help.  Seriously, there's no other way to put it.  We are all Americans, George W Bush "fan".

[DabbingSanta]

https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1425086627232325632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Not only are Republicans the most dangerous enemy to American democracy, they are also an enemy to the health of the American people.

You're insane.  Seek mental help.

Anyone who opposes vaccine mandates is an enemy to the health of the American people. And this currently includes every politician on both sides of the aisle with the exception of Bill DeBlasio.

Democrats and the fake news media got America into this mess.  Mandates are just going to make it worse.  Private businesses might be able to get away with it for their employees, and it makes sense in certain settings like health care, but otherwise strong pass.

[DabbingSanta]

Love watching the college football games.  Cornhuskers vs Sooners last Saturday. 100,000 plus people, all in a tight space, but no masks in sight.  No vaccine passports or "social distancing".  Just some Americans havin good old fun.  Freedom over Faucism!! 

[DabbingSanta]

Amazingly, once you leave middle America, there are very few places around the world where you can go without experiencing ridiculous COVID restrictions. You got Sweden, Finland, parts of Mexico and the Caribbean.  That's about it.  China and the WHO have won, hard not to believe tyranny is here to stay and we are just fighting for time.

[DabbingSanta]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XF5F2XrHHw

Get this man in the White House!!!!

[DabbingSanta]

damn it.

you all need to stop whining online and go out and get your boosters now.

Nope, I got the two shots to "return to normal" and we are still dealing with this crap.  Omicrap is a mild cold at best, why should I be worried?  Not giving big pharma or communists any more support.

[DabbingSanta]

damn it.

you all need to stop whining online and go out and get your boosters now.

Nope, I got the two shots to "return to normal" and we are still dealing with this crap.  Omicrap is a mild cold at best, why should I be worried?  Not giving big pharma or communists any more support.

Does that mean you're willing to forgo hospital stay or any treatment should you become sick with any sort of illness or infection? If you buy cold medicine or prescription drugs or antacids or antibiotics, you're still "supporting big pharma"

It's getting pretty close to that point, especially given the number of times Canada's so-called "amazing" universal health care system has failed me.  We would be healthier without all the drugs big corporations push on us.  Natives treated these illnesses hundreds of years ago with mixed results.  I'm willing to try it...

[DabbingSanta]

I love how this single issue is going to help Republicans win in a landslide.  Don't believe me?  Just ask Governor McAuliffe.  And that election was before all this Omicron madness.  

[DabbingSanta]

There are many aspects of COVID that are not well known:

1. That "mild" symptoms are anything short of SpO2 < 94%/hospitalization and are not what would be considered mild by the general population
2. That many people suffer long term effects from COVID even if they weren't hospitalized, and that the vaccine does not prevent this fully
3. That if you're hospitalized, even if you survive, there's a good chance you'll suffer long term effects
4. That there is no safe way to dine indoors
5. That there is no safe way to gather in large unmasked groups
6. That 6 feet was just a guideline and airborne transmission is actually more like how cigarette smoke would propagate

This was off the top of my head. Give the CDC/NIH a day and I'm sure they will come up with more. Give them what are effectively unlimited funds (for comparison, total spending on the 2020 campaign was $14.4 billion) to make every ad on every TV and radio station a PSA about COVID, maybe even buy out entire programs and turn them into long COVID documentaries, and I believe they can sway 20-30% of the population to take COVID seriously, on top of the say 30% that are already taking it seriously. There will be something like 40% that will not be swayed, like this forum, but at that point the market forces will have to favor the 60%.

This is nonsense.  It's been two years, the risks of COVID are well known by this point.  I am "fully vaccinated" for now, two jabs, and I tested positive this week.  The risks of hospitalization and death are very low if you are younger than 65, vaccinated, and not immunocompromised.  It is literally just a flu like illness.  If you are scared of getting sick, stay home, but you folks really need to stop trying to dictate how other people should live their lives.  It's getting tiresome.