COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Inmate Trump]

WSJ: EU Set to Recommend Halting Nonessential Travel From the U.S.

This is just embarrassing. They obviously have to do what's necessary to keep their people safe, so I don't fault them, but it's still humiliating for all the anti-vaxxers to be dragging us down. COVID is going to be the straw that broke the camel's back for US-EU relations.

The US needs to mandate the vaccine and give stiff punishments for anyone refusing it.  It's the only way out of this.  It may cost Biden the election, but I see no other way to get us passed this.

[Inmate Trump]

Just curious…

Any vaccinated people starting wearing masks again when going out?  Any choosing not to mask up?

[Inmate Trump]

Just curious…

Any vaccinated people starting wearing masks again when going out?  Any choosing not to mask up?

I stopped after being fully vaccinated, but have started masking again in places that request it for all customers (the local Kroger and Walmart recently started doing this).

I was just wondering.

I’ve stopped wearing it at work, which no longer requires it.  But there’s been 4 fully vaccinated people in my office get sick recently so it worries me.  We all work in one big room, distancing isn’t possible.  Really not sure what I should do.

[Inmate Trump]

For those Moderna recipients like me…

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/570177-moderna-vaccine-creates-twice-as-many-antibodies-as-pfizer-research


A study showed it produces twice as many antibodies than Pfizer.

[Inmate Trump]

Unless we have a vaccine mandate ASAP, covid will become the new normal.

I think this IS the new normal.  We'll have periods of relative calm followed by periods of hell.  Variant after variant and new boosters unable to keep up.

[Inmate Trump]

`I'm drinking a little bit.so I'm sorry for any typos and the display of feelings.

This feels like we aren't getting anywhere. We get 1 step forward then 3 steps back. The mu variant is going to end up being worse than delta. then there'll be another variant after it that'll take us completely back to the beginning and make delta seem like no big deal

I haven't seen my family in months. I guess I won't be see them anytime soon. All I do now is work and eat and sleep. I don't see anyone, I don't go anywhere. There's got to be a light at the end of this tunnel right?  Why aren't we seeing it yet?   I'm starting to think we never will

the goalposts keep getting pushed back.

[Inmate Trump]

`I'm drinking a little bit.so I'm sorry for any typos and the display of feelings.

This feels like we aren't getting anywhere. We get 1 step forward then 3 steps back. The mu variant is going to end up being worse than delta. then there'll be another variant after it that'll take us completely back to the beginning and make delta seem like no big deal

I haven't seen my family in months. I guess I won't be see them anytime soon. All I do now is work and eat and sleep. I don't see anyone, I don't go anywhere. There's got to be a light at the end of this tunnel right?  Why aren't we seeing it yet?   I'm starting to think we never will

the goalposts keep getting pushed back.

Mu appears less contagious (it carries the same transmissibility mutation as Beta variant) and has not been able to out-compete Delta--which in fact has already stopped 2-3 other variants from becoming established.

Stop sensationalizing literally every single strain as if it's the end of the world especially when data to the contrary has already been posted--it helps nobody.

I'm not sensationalizing. I'm worried. There's a difference.

Plus I'm drunk.

[Inmate Trump]

Sorry for my drunken post.


Now for a sober post…

Does anyone know if it looks like Delta has peaked in Georgia, or if it hasn’t peaked here yet?

[Inmate Trump]

For me, I have an anxiety disorder.

What sparks my anxiety? I work in a high stress job, so it’s not that.  GERMS and illness set me into panic mode.  I don’t need any judgment, it’s just the truth.  I take medication to reduce my anxiety but it doesn’t always work.  Covid especially has been very hard on my mental state.

Masks never bothered me. I mean, yea I don’t LIKE them but it’s no big deal to wear one.  The thing that bothers me is never knowing when I can safely be around family.  My biggest fear during all of this is unknowingly giving covid to my grandmother or to an at risk nephew and niece.  My concern for them far outweighs my concern for myself.  But I can’t go on not seeing them either.

[Inmate Trump]

When you go get your third COVID booster shot, ask for Moderna:

https://twitter.com/business/status/1432548424067518465

This explains why those of us who took Pfizer had far less side-effects than those who had the other vaccines -and why it has a hidden cost:

https://twitter.com/DrJasmineParker/status/1435682376282161159

Hence the need for a booster apparently.

Pfizer and J&J recipients definitely need a booster. I wonder if Moderna recipients are really in need yet though.

[Inmate Trump]

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/09/biden-to-detail-new-six-pronged-plan-to-increase-us-covid-vaccination-rates-fight-virus.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=algorithm


This article says

“Biden is also expected to ask the U.S. Department of Labor to issue a rule that employers with more than 100 employees must require vaccines or testing, according to NBC News.”

Does that mean exactly what it sounds like? Any business with over 100 employees has to require vaccines/regular testing now?  So…not just federal employees?


And I wonder if this would apply to local county governments…

[Inmate Trump]

Moderna did a review of people who were 13 months out from their trial and found only 1% breakthrough infection rate(162 out of 14,000) and even lower numbers of severe cases and hospitalizations.

Great news, for Moderna recipients like myself.  Do you have a link to this review?

[Inmate Trump]

Covid is never going away. It's sad but this is a permanent pandemic now.

It's a massive indictment on both rugged individualism (lack of vaccine mandates by Biden) and neoliberal internationalism (borders and flights not shut down by Trump).

Long past time for a reckoning.

It is more accurate to describe it as endemic at this point. This does not mean that we should be subjecting ourselves to restrictions (i.e. mask-wearing) permanently.

Surely covid can’t stay this severe and widespread forever, can it?  For it to transition to being endemic, I’d hope it’d be much less constantly widespread and severe than it is currently.

[Inmate Trump]

This is ridiculous. The data is clear that a booster shot is needed.

This is a dangerous decision.

[Inmate Trump]

Obviously none of us know better than the “experts” but their decision is concerning in light of all the many articles containing data of waning protection that boosters might make up for.

And it is true that the experts downplayed the need for masks early on only to backtrack later. When it should have been more than clear (as it was to many in my circle) that masks were a layer of protection.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect some transparency regarding their decision and why they came to it.

[Inmate Trump]

Wow

Where do these people come from?

[Inmate Trump]

Last century saw both "people being told to do "the right" thing" by "experts" along with resulting piles of corpses. Why tf would anyone sane or historically informed listen to "experts"?

What are you talking about

[Inmate Trump]

Just had a guy come look at my AC unit. Was in my house for around 20-30 minutes. Neither of us wore masks. Who knows if he’s vaccinated but fortunately I am. Probably very careless on my part, and hopefully not a huge mistake.

[Inmate Trump]

https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1445220954813128705

This is discouraging.

The vaccines are a lifesaver, but they need to last longer to be practical.  Most people aren't going to get a covid shot twice a year.

[Inmate Trump]

I think it’s a bit premature to start declaring victory. People were saying similar things back in June, and look what happened after that. I certainly hope this will be the last major wave, but I find it hard to believe that.

dOn’T bE a DoOmEr!


But yea, I agree. I want this to be the last wave but we’ve been here before and then Delta happened.

[Inmate Trump]

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211104-grave-concern-over-covid-in-europe-as-german-cases-soar


Cases soaring again in Germany.

[Inmate Trump]

COVID-19 hospitalizations rising in parts of California, a potentially ominous sign

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/covid-19-hospitalizations-rising-in-parts-of-california-a-potentially-ominous-sign/ar-AAQuNrG

[Inmate Trump]

I'm getting my Moderna booster next Wednesday.  Kinda nervous, given I felt so sick with my second shot.

But it's better than getting covid.

[Inmate Trump]

They say the booster restores effectiveness back to 95% or so.

Does that include against variants like Delta?

[Inmate Trump]

Just got my booster of moderna (switched from pfizer) and the flu shot. Some studies have shown the flu shoot boosts immune response indirectly.

Now off to peru in January.

Interesting. I got my flu shot a couple weeks ago. Decided against doing them both at once.