COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[jamestroll]

I will not fight against indoor mask mandates. Especially in crowded venues.

I will! I’ve done my part — I’ve worn the masks, got the vaccine, did the year+ of social isolation and online work and online school. I’ve done everything asked of me, the whole time. And I’m done! No more. Vaccinated people are much less likely to shed virus, much less likely to contract it, and are almost never hospitalized. The only reason to impose a mask mandate on the vaccinated is security theater to coddle people who have already been offered and refused a vaccine.

We’re headed toward a country where half the people are unvaccinated and doing whatever they want, and the vaccinated half is stuck doing masks/isolation/whatever else in a futile attempt to accommodate the other half. I’m tired of it. If some antivaxxers want to risk it, that’s on them, but the rest of us need to stop moving the goalposts and get back to normal life. In the county I work in, we’re at 89.4% of 16+ year olds vaccinated. 99%+ of hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated, and we only have a dozen patients hospitalized with COVID. The hospitals aren’t being overrun, we’ve vaccinated nearly everybody, and the vaccines work. We can't let the small handful of unvaccinated take our lives hostage.

I am not going to push a mask mandate but I will not rally against one either. Bigger fish to fry.

I just DEMAND businesses and schools remain open.

[jamestroll]

There will never be any wide spread in the United States. The public will not tolerate it lol.

[jamestroll]

How likely is it the country locks down again? I recently got a job at our local movie theater and our business is booming. We had our best weekend yet with Black Widow and Space Jam 2. I would hate for us to close down again.

Biden has consistently said he's against nationwide lockdowns. Things may be different with your state/local officials.

Unless we start seeing hospitalizations and deaths skyrocket again, I imagine any local government would have a very hard time authorizing another lockdown without protests that would dwarf anything seen before.

There will never be any business closures in the United States. The political will is gone and lockdowns have been largely discredited. As soon as you lift restrictions, the virus comes surges back.

Covid eradication ain't gonna happen. Especially with the entire world not cooperating.  Learn to live with it.

[jamestroll]

https://twitter.com/DrewSav/status/1418235650101415943

I love drew!

[jamestroll]

https://twitter.com/DrewSav/status/1418235650101415943

I love drew!

Well, that is not exactly wrong. If there are renewed restrictions, the same idiots who ignored them earlier will also ignore them now.

However, it is effectively the same sort of argument as the argument that you should not bother voting (and voting for Democrats specifically), because even if you do vote for Democrats, and even if they do get a trifecta, they won't bother to do anything to stop "Republic"ans from rigging the electoral system (and the judicial system) in their favor, and consequently they won't be able to do anything regarding any policy issues in the future either, even if you continue to vote for them, and even if they suddenly changed to the point where they would actually do something if you did vote for them and if they did in the future actually manage to overcome all the obstacles that they previously (i.e. now) failed to eliminate that block them from doing anything - along with (probably/presumably) additional obstacles that "Republic"ans will probably add as soon as they re-gain power.

Likewise that appears not to be wrong either. It is also is essentially defeatist, and amounts to giving up. I can understand the impulse, but..... It is also like saying after Pearl Harbor that we may as well give up, because doing otherwise would be incredibly costly and difficult. And true, it was incredibly costly and difficult.

Or like saying at the start of the civil war that it is not worth bothering to keep the Union together and end the scourge of slavery, because the south would just continue to cause problems in the future (also not exactly wrong).

So you are advocating for lockdowns that still won't stop the spread ?

[jamestroll]

The St. Louis City and County mask mandate places me in an awkward situation.

I alway have pushed for common sense measures like masks when they were needed and today vaccinations. If I am pushing for the economy to be open I also need to support the measures that will allow it.  Therefore, I am not opposed to mask mandates in crowded venues.

However, I am also worried of the back lash. St. Louis County has county level elections in 2022 and the Democratic Party is on life support in Missouri and could lose further legislative seats in St. Louis County, MO..

I also fear its a slippery slope back into closing schools and businesses down again in the winter.

[jamestroll]

https://twitter.com/AmidPandemic/status/1419559568095449088

I am glad people are finally standing up for themselves in Australia! End the lockdowns world wide now!!!!!!!

[jamestroll]

The most amusing part of this pandemic to me is the embrace of remote work by the left. They will not be embracing it so much when all those jobs that are done in US Homes end up in random countries you have never even heard of. Oh and of course, it exacerbates inequality greatly.

[jamestroll]

I am not opposed to public measures but fear the agenda behind the people who advocate them the most.

its just a slippery slope... I am not against public health measures but fear the agenda behind it. The same people who want strong public health measures want to use it as an excuse to increase the surveillance state and overthrow capitalism. There is a hidden agenda.

The leaders in St. Louis City and County who reinstituted mask mandate will next shut down businesses within the next few weeks in an effort to mask to crime statistics and make an illusion of crime. That will only will only make crime rate worse.

The left has a weird obsession with winning Texas and Florida, so they will use lockdowns this winter in a ploy to get people from places like New York and New Jersey to move to move to Florida and Texas in a fruitless attempt to make those two states Democratic.

There will be a major backfire as all the people who move to those two states to escape lockdowns will be conservative leaning.

[jamestroll]

This situation is awkward for me as I know that masking in indoor venues that are crowded is a very good idea.

But I worry of the political fall out and the slippery slopes.

[jamestroll]

Ohh no I hope glenn youngkin does not win over this.. I hope Phil Murphy does not get held to a single digit over this!!

[jamestroll]

The CDC made another change to their guidance indicating that vaccinated people should get tested upon exposure, even if not showing symptoms. It's clear that the CDC now acknowledges at least one of the following is true: that either breakthrough infections are not rare events and more common than previously acknowledged, or vaccinated people can be contagious just like unvaccinated, or both.

So Democrats and others who take the virus seriously, if you refuse to put on a mask now, you're both endangering yourself and endangering others like the unvaccinated plague rats. Do the right thing. Wear a mask.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/health/cdc-covid-testing-vaccine.html

In addition to revising its mask guidance on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also quietly updated its testing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The agency now advises that vaccinated people be tested for the virus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, the health agency had said that fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to the virus unless they were experiencing symptoms.

“Our updated guidance recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms,” Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the agency’s director, said in an email to The New York Times. “Testing is widely available.”

Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces after exposure, the agency said. Three to five days later, they should be tested for the virus.

Stop putting public distrust in the vaccine! You are just making it worse.

[jamestroll]

I have been very consistent! I still believe that wearing a mask in crowded public indoor places is a great idea! But the CDC screwed up in May and now it is impossible to go back.

While I was arguing against lockdowns for the past year and a half almost.. I was also one of the latest people here to admit proper mask wearing is a good idea and great advice.

But the pro maskers tend to have a bigger agenda.

I care about reality and public health. Not fairy tales that the online left wants.

[jamestroll]

The CDC made another change to their guidance indicating that vaccinated people should get tested upon exposure, even if not showing symptoms. It's clear that the CDC now acknowledges at least one of the following is true: that either breakthrough infections are not rare events and more common than previously acknowledged, or vaccinated people can be contagious just like unvaccinated, or both.

So Democrats and others who take the virus seriously, if you refuse to put on a mask now, you're both endangering yourself and endangering others like the unvaccinated plague rats. Do the right thing. Wear a mask.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/health/cdc-covid-testing-vaccine.html

In addition to revising its mask guidance on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also quietly updated its testing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The agency now advises that vaccinated people be tested for the virus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, the health agency had said that fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to the virus unless they were experiencing symptoms.

“Our updated guidance recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms,” Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the agency’s director, said in an email to The New York Times. “Testing is widely available.”

Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces after exposure, the agency said. Three to five days later, they should be tested for the virus.

Stop putting public distrust in the vaccine! You are just making it worse.

"When I ran for President, I promised to be straight with you about COVID—good news or bad. And I promised to follow the science."

-Statement by President Joe Biden on CDC Guidance, 7/27/2021

Well said, Mr. President. The recent developments on COVID are unfavorable for the vaccine and bad for everyone, no doubt about it, but we need to know the facts and downplaying it or outright covering it up is a sure way to get an even worse result. Do you really want to return to the days of "We have it totally under control", "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero", "Anyone that wants a test can get a test", and "The risk is low to the average American"?

If the vaccine wasn't working why are all the covid hot spots in largely unvaccinated jurisdictions?

[jamestroll]

You just have an agenda to bring back lockdowns and have them go on forever

[jamestroll]

The CDC made another change to their guidance indicating that vaccinated people should get tested upon exposure, even if not showing symptoms. It's clear that the CDC now acknowledges at least one of the following is true: that either breakthrough infections are not rare events and more common than previously acknowledged, or vaccinated people can be contagious just like unvaccinated, or both.

So Democrats and others who take the virus seriously, if you refuse to put on a mask now, you're both endangering yourself and endangering others like the unvaccinated plague rats. Do the right thing. Wear a mask.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/health/cdc-covid-testing-vaccine.html

In addition to revising its mask guidance on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also quietly updated its testing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The agency now advises that vaccinated people be tested for the virus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, the health agency had said that fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to the virus unless they were experiencing symptoms.

“Our updated guidance recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms,” Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the agency’s director, said in an email to The New York Times. “Testing is widely available.”

Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces after exposure, the agency said. Three to five days later, they should be tested for the virus.

Stop putting public distrust in the vaccine! You are just making it worse.

"When I ran for President, I promised to be straight with you about COVID—good news or bad. And I promised to follow the science."

-Statement by President Joe Biden on CDC Guidance, 7/27/2021

Well said, Mr. President. The recent developments on COVID are unfavorable for the vaccine and bad for everyone, no doubt about it, but we need to know the facts and downplaying it or outright covering it up is a sure way to get an even worse result. Do you really want to return to the days of "We have it totally under control", "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero", "Anyone that wants a test can get a test", and "The risk is low to the average American"?

If the vaccine wasn't working why are all the covid hot spots in largely unvaccinated jurisdictions?

I never said vaccines don't work. 80% efficacy or whatever it is now is still much better than 0%. However, the prior messaging convinced many, including most on this forum, that the vaccine is an impenetrable COVID-repelling force field that would allow one to do anything safely with no protection. This was never true, but while in May it could be classified as a mild exaggeration, now with the Delta variant it is outright false and a dangerous lie. I applaud Joe Biden for having the courage to risk political blowback in order to do the right thing and allowing the CDC to amend the guidance.

I also never called for closing businesses or bringing back social distancing restrictions. Those cause economic damage while masks cause zero economic damage. You can go back through my posts in this forum, in May I called for removing the social distancing restrictions while retaining the mask mandate. Social distancing is absolutely not sustainable for long periods of time while masking should be.

One study that has Pfizer at 80%. Guess what? It is one study. Guess what, it still is an amazingly effective vaccine. Guess what? We could well have boosters for it. It was incredible we could develop such an amazing vaccine in less than a year against such a viral virus.  We may need a booster shot next year. We may need to have boosters every two to three years. But this is not the flu, coronaviruses can not mutate to the point of rendering a vaccine useless in less than a year. It will be evey two or three years after the third booster we need a new booster.

I have stated 100 times i am not against masks but I am against mask mandates due to the political fall back. Would you like to see Youngkin as Governor of Virginia who would roll back mask mandates anyway? Would you like to see Murphy face an surprisingly close race?

Problem with mask mandates is people will not wear them correctly. When worn correctly, masks are also highly effective but less effective than the present vaccines we have!

Electing Democrats is more important to me than public health. Especially since we have vaccines now.

[jamestroll]

The CDC made another change to their guidance indicating that vaccinated people should get tested upon exposure, even if not showing symptoms. It's clear that the CDC now acknowledges at least one of the following is true: that either breakthrough infections are not rare events and more common than previously acknowledged, or vaccinated people can be contagious just like unvaccinated, or both.

So Democrats and others who take the virus seriously, if you refuse to put on a mask now, you're both endangering yourself and endangering others like the unvaccinated plague rats. Do the right thing. Wear a mask.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/health/cdc-covid-testing-vaccine.html

In addition to revising its mask guidance on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also quietly updated its testing recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The agency now advises that vaccinated people be tested for the virus if they come into contact with someone with Covid-19, even if they have no symptoms. Previously, the health agency had said that fully vaccinated people did not need to be tested after exposure to the virus unless they were experiencing symptoms.

“Our updated guidance recommends vaccinated people get tested upon exposure regardless of symptoms,” Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the agency’s director, said in an email to The New York Times. “Testing is widely available.”

Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public indoor spaces after exposure, the agency said. Three to five days later, they should be tested for the virus.

Stop putting public distrust in the vaccine! You are just making it worse.

"When I ran for President, I promised to be straight with you about COVID—good news or bad. And I promised to follow the science."

-Statement by President Joe Biden on CDC Guidance, 7/27/2021

Well said, Mr. President. The recent developments on COVID are unfavorable for the vaccine and bad for everyone, no doubt about it, but we need to know the facts and downplaying it or outright covering it up is a sure way to get an even worse result. Do you really want to return to the days of "We have it totally under control", "You have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero", "Anyone that wants a test can get a test", and "The risk is low to the average American"?

How about what the left said.. such as

"Shut down until covid zero" - which is logistically impossible.

"CHECK YOUR TEMPERATURE!! BEFORE ENTERING PUBLIC PLACE" - which is useless.. literally literally useless.

"Close all outdoor parks to prevent the spread of the virus" - When it was obvious early on outdoor transmission was extremely rare and pushed more people indoors.

"close all non-essential businesses" - which pushed people into target and walmart and caused crowds there.

"J&J must be paused due to a 1 in million chance of a "blood clot"".

The left culture has demonized masks and now are demonizing vaccines for not being 100% perfect. Are you a teacher or something who does not want to go back to the classroom?

[jamestroll]

Man I am so sick of the gaslighting about "here's what the left said."

Like this wasn't even a year ago.  At least wait a few years if you're going to lie to my face about events I still remember vividly.

You know what doesn't get talked about enough?  What the right was saying.
"COVID is a hoax."
"Fauci should be in prison."
"The Democrats are exaggerating the COVID threat."
"Wearing a mask means you're a bitch."
"We're not shutting anything down."
"Hydroxychloroquine cures COVID."
etc.

Guess what.. only on Atlas would an entire forum be against someone like me just because I am telling the truth about the covid situation... a guy who still wears a mask and before getting vaccine practiced all mitigation measures and checked daily on number of cases and deaths in horror.

I will not stand for bullied just because I have slightly different position on covid compared to most of this site.

The covid debate feeds off of each other.  We live in an immoral that put us in this situation. The business owners who had to close down their businesses due to covid are not the same as the anti mask protesters.

[jamestroll]

Johnson and Johnson was paused for an absurd reason.

I am not the same as the people who are attacking fauci, refusing to wear masks, refusing to be vaccinated, saying to drink bleach to cure covid.

[jamestroll]

Washington DC is bringing back its mask mandate for indoor spaces.

Personally it strikes me as kind of an over-reaction given the low case levels (8 cases per 100,000 residents has been our average in DC), but it does seem that the racial gap in young Washington residents when it comes to vaccine is a concern (much fewer black teens/young people are vaccinated compared to their white peers).

However given the quick declines in cases we saw in India and the UK, plus given the very high vaccination rate in DC (I think 70% of adults here are vaccinated) I don't see this mandate lasting. Not to mention there's plenty of apathy and annoyance at this rule, which isn't too surprising.

oh no this is terrible.. it could cause huge backlash in nova and cause Glenn Youngkin to win.

[jamestroll]

The past year or so people have been arguing with me about covid  and they are arguing with a presently vaccinated and masked individual. I am not part of the problem cause the spread of the virus.

[jamestroll]

Unfortunately, I expect some restrictions/requirements, and maybe some lockdowns (in large gatherings, like concerts and sportut a games) to return.
It's all-ready starting.
Stay safe everyone.

Will not happen in Virginia. lol

In fact I expect that Virginia may be the only Biden state with a Democratic Governor without any covid restrictions this fall.

[jamestroll]

Coronaviruses can not

can not

CAN NOT

mutate  so fast that vaccines would be useless within a year.

[jamestroll]

I am excited that kids will be back in school nation wide this month! Almost unanimous.

Also I am pleased that Virginia law requires in person instruction now.

[jamestroll]

Just get vaccinated and wear a mask (for now) in crowded areas and live an other wise normal life is the best advice here.