COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Adam Griffin]

Getting my second dose of Pfizer today. Two weeks from now, I'm ditching the mask and never looking back. I don't care about the "optics" because - if anything - I live in an area where still wearing a mask makes you a (literal) target rather than a savior (something many of our so-called woke urban whites don't seem to get).

I had one member of my family with pulmonary-related vulnerabilities and they died last year. Literally nobody in my life or social circles now is individually particularly vulnerable to the effects now, and after I am immune, I don't care who else might suffer: GA has had universal, free vaccination available in every corner of the state for 4 weeks now (6 weeks as of the time I'll stop wearing one), and whether - by statistical observation in my own state - any conservatives, Latinos, cretins or blacks want to avoid getting a vaccine, it's on them and that'll be their problem. If you don't care enough about those close to you, then I'm sure as hell not going to extend the courtesy. I'm done being a target for harassment by some and a target for guilt by others, neither of whom are doing their part to save themselves or those about whom they care.

[Adam Griffin]

A simplistic map that I think is still worth examining at this point in the rollout. This shows the percentage-point difference between fully vaccinated and one-dose populations (the lighter the red, the larger the gap).

In my opinion (at least in most states' situations), a large & growing gap between the 2 groups is still good, as this indicates there is still high demand for vaccination and lots of people are continuing to get their first shots. However, in select Deep South and Upper Midwest/Plains states, you're seeing an ever-shrinking gap (which implies a lot of the vaccines delivered were to seniors and that there is minimal interest among the non-senior crowd).

The second map simply shows whether the gap is greater than the national average (14 points; 40% vs 26%), with green states having a larger than average gap, red a smaller than average, and white being on par with the national average. With the exception of dutiful, conformist Utah, it's basically a presidential map (with MN/WI/MI/AZ/GA all within 1 point of the vaccine gap national average). WA, OR, NY & FL all being on par with the average isn't surprising either, given the former two didn't open vaccination to all until just a few days ago & NY/FL not opening until April (plus large states by definition disproportionately affect any national average).



And for fun, a 2024 EC map (lightest shades have gaps within 2 points of the national average; medium between 2-4 points; darkest <4 points). All of the ties in the previous map break for the appropriate party with the exception of WA (missed the cutoff by 0.3 points).

[Adam Griffin]

"DeathSantis" is trending on Twitter because the left is enraged that Florida has ended all remaining COVID-related emergency orders.  The real stats show that there is no correlation between lockdowns and rate of transmission.  California and Oklahoma, two states which took very different approaches, have two of the lowest rates in the country.  Michigan, Florida, and Colorado have the highest.  Texas, which ended their remaining COVID measures over a month ago, is still seeing a decrease in cases.  It is time to reopen America now.  To all the communists who think otherwise, you are still welcome to wear a mask in public and isolate yourselves indefinitely.

Thank you Gavin!

And.......


Thanks, Phil!™