COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[GregTheGreat657]

We need to repeal all mask mandates ASAP

[GregTheGreat657]

I fail to understand why Biden is holding off on starting to oppose mask mandates. We are clearly in a space where mask mandates are not necessary, and they are quite unpopular at this point.

[GregTheGreat657]

I fail to understand why Biden is holding off on starting to oppose mask mandates. We are clearly in a space where mask mandates are not necessary, and they are quite unpopular at this point.

As I said earlier, the CDC is supposed to be updating its mask recommendations, as early as this week. I assume that is the reason why so many businesses, colleges, and other institutions, as well as the Biden White House, have been holding out. Of course, that in itself tells you how much influence the CDC actually has, which is considerable.

I'd say we need to stop allowing the CDC to have this much power over our lives

[GregTheGreat657]

As long as I am not being forced to wear a mask, I will not wear a mask

[GregTheGreat657]

What do you guys think the odds are that NYS drops it school mask mandate on March 7th when it is set to expire?

[GregTheGreat657]

What do you guys think the odds are that NYS drops it school mask mandate on March 7th when it is set to expire?

Over 50/50.

I’ll be knocking on wood for that to happen

[GregTheGreat657]

Hawaii is now the final state with a mask mandate (and no final end date announced).

Masks might be permanent there as a cultural thing

[GregTheGreat657]

The CDC is no longer recommending masking in schools

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cdc-ease-masking-recommendations-70-country-including-inside/story?id=83111596

[GregTheGreat657]

NYC Public Schools have just gotten rid of their OUTDOOR mask mandate: https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2022/02/25/nyc-drops-outdoor-mask-mandate-for-public-schools

[GregTheGreat657]

Does anybody else find it at least a little bit creepy that there is a wastewater surveillance system?

[GregTheGreat657]

NYS will be dropping its school mask mandate effective Wednesday March 2nd

[GregTheGreat657]

After the first day of NYS' school mask mandate expriring, I was kind of surprised at how many kids still wore masks. My school could have done a better job of getting rid of the signs telling readers that masks were required. The principal of my school went on the announcements this morning to say that the mandate was officially lifted. A few observations that I made were that girls were more likely to wear masks than boys, and more introverted students were more likely to wear masks. I chose not to wear a mask, and it felt weird in a good way.

[GregTheGreat657]

What is going on in WV, to the point that 43 out of 55 counties are still recommended to wear masks indoors, despite 90% of the US population no longer being recommended to mask?

[GregTheGreat657]

Masking rates at my school in Upstate NY are around 35-40% in students, and less than 10% of teachers wear masks

[GregTheGreat657]

Hawaii is lifting its mask mandate March 25.

The final domino has fallen. Mandatory masking is gone, as far as the states go, outside of settings considered to be higher risks (at least for now, *knocks on wood*

[GregTheGreat657]

This should put to rest one of those COVID vaccine conspiracy theories:

Covid vaccines not linked to deaths, major US study finds

That would be true if the sorts of people who believe that the COVID vaccine killed people weren’t also the sorts of people who don’t trust medical studies

[GregTheGreat657]

When do you think we will stop quarantining positive cases?

I’m guessing we will stop it for the vaccinated by the end of 2022

[GregTheGreat657]

It's funny how the same politicians who screeched "follow the science" ignore the science about air on planes being the cleanest air you can breathe

[GregTheGreat657]

Even with muh "BA2", I will never wear a mask by own choice  again

[GregTheGreat657]

When do you guys think the TSA mandate will expire? I think they'll let it expire next month, but I said that before they extended it this month

[GregTheGreat657]

I think every county in Massachusetts is green on the CDC map.

Cases are creeping up again. There's going to be a surge.

[GregTheGreat657]

I'm really hoping they open up fourth shots for all adults soon. That being said, it's rather ominous that so many vaccinated people are refusing to get a booster. We've only gotten 29% boosted, which is pathetic.

Also, do you guys think we should be using vaccination rates to predict the 2022 results? If so, Michigan's going to swing way to the right, its vaccination rate is well below the national average.

If that were the case, Florida would be swinging significantly left.

So would PA, WI, NH, and ME

[GregTheGreat657]

Remember when they said it would be two weeks to flatten the curve?

Pepperidge Farms remembers

[GregTheGreat657]

Do you guys think the TSA mandate will be lifted? Their last decision in March did not seem to be based off science, and was instead based off pressure for flight attendants' unions

[GregTheGreat657]

Public transportation mask mandate extended for 15 days.

The CDC gained a lot of power during the pandemic, and they clearly love policing our lives, so they are trying to hold onto their power with every bit of strength they have