COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Inmate Trump]

I have absolutely no problem with either of them getting the vaccine. 

I do have a problem with Trump getting it and keeping quiet about it, when making it public might have gone a long way toward lessening the resistance to it that exists among many of his supporters.

He knew what he was doing.

[Inmate Trump]

Good news out of Texas and Mississippi.  The pandemic is over, time to move on with life.

I really hope you're joking.

[Inmate Trump]

I don’t see a separate thread for it so I’m commenting here.

Biden’s address so far is just...wow.  This is a true leader.

I am so much more hopeful with Biden’s leadership against the crisis of covid-19.

[Inmate Trump]

There are times when history calls heroes into action.  History called on a leader to address the pandemic early on, Trump failed.  The Trump cabinet was called to invoke the 25th Amendment, they failed.  Congress failed to impeach Trump.

History is calling again right now, and Biden is answering the call.  He might be my favorite US president at this point.  Still very early to say but he has made it his mission to get the country through the single greatest crisis we have seen in modern times and no one can say he hasn’t stepped up to the plate; he’s still at bat even, and has pledged to remain at the plate to see things through.

Donald Trump never even got to the plate.  He didn’t go to bat for us.  He lied to us and he folded early.  Joe Biden is the polar opposite of Trump, and how much more secure we are with his leadership.

[Inmate Trump]

If covid turns out to be endemic, like many of thinking now, what exactly will that mean for our way of life going forward?  Are we gonna have to hole up in our homes indefinitely or will it end up being not that big of a deal even if it IS endemic?

[Inmate Trump]

Almost like clockwork for the 24hrs after my shot, my arm stopped hurting. I had a bit of sore throat last night but I’m not sure if it was allergies or a reaction to the vaccine.

Was that your second shot?

I got Moderna.  My first shot was no big deal, just some arm pain.  The second shot...at about 12 hours later, I got a fever, really bad chills, and body aches.  I also could NOT sleep that night.  The next day, just the body aches remained.  The third day was just a slight headache until around lunchtime and then I felt normal again.

Small price to pay for having some protection.

[Inmate Trump]

https://twitter.com/ArmstrongDrew/status/1370879433746305025

I hope the vaccine immunity in people who got the shot in early on (December-February) will retain immunity during the time it takes to vaccinate that many people.

[Inmate Trump]

Just when I was getting more comfortable.



Are we ever getting out of this?

[Inmate Trump]

I really hope we get a vaccination mandate soon. The sooner we're out of all this the better.

I doubt it will ever be directly mandated.

But I would support private companies mandating it.

Wanna take a cruise? Show your vaccine card.
Wanna shop for groceries? Show your vaccine card.
Wanna attend a baseball game? Show your vaccine card.

While it seems like an overreach for the government to force vaccinations, I think offering incentives to private companies that require them for access would be terrific.  All these rednecks and conspiracy theorists who support Trump need a good, continual kick in the nuts everytime they try to do something that puts others in danger simply because they’re too stupid to wear a mask or take a safe shot.

[Inmate Trump]

My second Pfizer shot is next week, and two weeks after that I plan to start resuming things I haven't done in over a year, like eating out, getting a real haircut, and going to my favorite walking trails.  But I'll certainly continue to wear a mask in any business that requires or requests one, or anywhere around other people as long as a significant percentage of people continues to do so.  I don't want others to feel uncomfortable around me if I don't wear a mask -- or worse, think that I'm a Republican.

If I recall, we're in the same general area.  I've been fully vaccinated since mid or late February.  I still don't feel comfortable going out to eat for some reason that I really can't explain.  But at the grocery stores, I *always* count more than one person without a mask...and I'm going earlier in the day when there are less people shopping.  I can only imagine in the evening there are lots more without masks.  I would personally be comfortable not wearing a mask because I'm vaccinated, but I do it to make others feel at ease.

And for my own little tirade....I think it's incredibly selfish and crappy of people not to wear a mask...even if someone doesn't personally believe in their effectiveness, I can't believe people don't possess enough empathy to understand that many others DO believe in their effectiveness and also believe that those not wearing one could potentially infect and/or kill them.  Like, feel free to thinks masks are bogus but why would you want others thinking you're a risk to them?

I blame Trump and the entire GOP for these idiots.

[Inmate Trump]

Feeling pretty crappy now.

It'll pass, but I know it sucks.  My second shot gave me fever, chills, and body aches.  The fever only lasted a few hours thankfully and the other symptoms faded after a few days.  Hang in there!

[Inmate Trump]

https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status/1381324384867127303

Sadly, some people seem to be incapable of embracing this combination.

Agree. I have been gradually getting myself more comfortable going out but I always wear a mask indoors or when I’m around people.

[Inmate Trump]

We need to stop with the shutdown talk. 

The vulnerable population has had ample opportunity to get vaccinated at this point.  Why would you punish those who have done the responsible thing and gotten vaccinated and who should now be able to behave normally with almost no risk because a bunch of crazy people refuse to believe in science? 

Compulsory vaccination would be much less harmful than shutdowns and no one seems to be even willing to consider it.

I don't think mandatory vaccinations are a good idea, but I am in favor of incentives to those getting vaccinated and "discriminating" against those who are unwilling.

-If you want your child to attend public schools, the entire family should have to be vaccinated.
-To enter ANY place of business, you must present a vaccination card (likewise to operate any business).  *If you aren't vaccinated and need groceries, your only option is contact-less instacart and/or clicklist.
-To board a plane or boat must require proof of vaccination.
-To cross state lines must present a vaccination card.
-Jail sentences and/or hefty fines for anyone refusing to wear a mask while in public places...while the vaccination card allows you to go on about your day.

I'm all about allowing someone the freedom to choose between vaccination or not, and I'm also all about declining service/certain freedoms if you don't get vaccinated.

[Inmate Trump]

https://twitter.com/DavidJollyFL/status/1381741680903262212

This is sheer idiocy by DeSantis.  Cruising is one industry that needs to take every possible safeguard against the virus.

He’s a moron, and he is literally setting out to kill more people.

[Inmate Trump]

Is there actually a sizeable contingent of liberals supporting permanent online schooling? What would even be the reason for that? I thought many wanted it until the Fall or maybe until next year at the latest.

I don't want permanent online school.  But I do think vaccination should be mandatary for kids and their entire families to be able to attend public schools.  I'm also open to holding back reopening to give everyone time to get vaccinated.

In addition, if a family won't get vaccinated it should be mandatary they enroll their child in private school AND face hefty, ongoing fines simply for not getting vaccinated.  A fine so hefty that they are, in a way, forced into vaccination.  Further, any private school not requiring vaccinations should likewise see hefty and ongoing fines.

We need to stop coddling these morons and start punishing them for being so stupid.

[Inmate Trump]

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.)

You shouldn't be stopped from visiting family, etc.  But I would still suggest mask usage in stores and whatnot.

For two reasons:

1. No vaccine is 100%.
2. Nobody else is going to know you've been vaccinated.  There are vulnerable people still worried who haven't been able to get the vaccine for whatever reason (there are still legit reasons as to why some people may not have gotten the vaccine yet).  You wearing a mask helps with their peace of mind, and since the vaccines are not 100% it helps to ensure both your safety and theirs.

So...continue masking for your own safety.  But also continue doing so for empathy purposes.

[Inmate Trump]

Just found out my work is ending all covid guidelines in mid May.

No masks.

No temperature checks.

No social distancing.

Visitors allowed.


I’m glad I got the vaccine in January and February but this makes me extremely worried.  I work in a small space with about ten other people for 12 hours.  Almost all of my coworkers are morons and most didn’t get the vaccine and say they never will.

[Inmate Trump]

Just found out my work is ending all covid guidelines in mid May.

No masks.

No temperature checks.

No social distancing.

Visitors allowed.


I’m glad I got the vaccine in January and February but this makes me extremely worried.  I work in a small space with about ten other people for 12 hours.  Almost all of my coworkers are morons and most didn’t get the vaccine and say they never will.

Who cares? Since you got it, you'll be fine.

Yea but no.  Not only is it still possible for me to contract covid (though my chances are lessened), I do still care about my coworkers even those who didn’t get vaccinated.

But again—I can still get it, especially with the mutations.

[Inmate Trump]

Private schools are jokes. Abolish private schools

If any school is going to do such a stupid thing as discourage vaccines, then yea they should be abolished.

[Inmate Trump]

It's astounding to me, being in close contact with these people, how many Republicans are truly very scared of the vaccines.

Fake news is a genuine problem in this country, but it's almost all propagated and spread by the right.

[Inmate Trump]

Biden might mandate the vaccine for the military.


https://www.today.com/video/president-biden-will-not-rule-out-ordering-military-to-get-vaccinated-111106629686

[Inmate Trump]

https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1388188124539465730

There seems to be a pattern here.

"Adults" who have not gotten the vaccine by choice are not adults.  They're children.

Or better yet, they're sheep.

[Inmate Trump]

I think it's a poor reflection on our populace that people need more incentive to get vaccinated. Apparently the health of themselves and society isn't enticing enough. But whatever, I get why these deal-sweeteners (sometimes literally) are being done. As long as it helps us reach herd immunity at all I can get past it.

I wonder how many of those who refuse to get the vaccine are/were perfectly willing to try hydroxychloroquine.

[Inmate Trump]

This feels like a huge turning point in the pandemic.

I'll continue to wear a mask in stores, but I'll do so more as a curtesy to others.

I do support requiring proof of vaccination for certain activities.  Let the responsible ones in our society get back to normal, and leave the non-vaccinated in the dust.

[Inmate Trump]

In my county which voted 80+% for Trump, only 2.7% is fully vaccinated.

Pathetic.