COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[GregTheGreat657]

We need to start ignoring public health experts and Big Pharma. I support the vaccine (and am vaccinated myself) but we shouldn't and don't need 500 boosters for it to actually work. At this point, it is pretty clear that politicians and executives are just trying to overstate how bad things are in order to hold onto power

[Hammy]

We need to start ignoring public health experts and Big Pharma. I support the vaccine (and am vaccinated myself) but we shouldn't and don't need 500 boosters for it to actually work. At this point, it is pretty clear that politicians and executives are just trying to overstate how bad things are in order to hold onto power

This is still very early in this virus's existence even though it feels like an eternity for us, so we're naturally going to see more boosters before this is over.

That said, research shows that getting too many too close together (and every fourth month as some here are either proposing or fretting over) is too close, and can actually backfire:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-11/repeat-booster-shots-risk-overloading-immune-system-ema-says

European Union regulators warned that frequent Covid-19 booster shots could adversely affect the immune response and may not be feasible. 

Repeat booster doses every four months could eventually weaken the immune response and tire out people, according to the European Medicines Agency. Instead, countries should leave more time between booster programs and tie them to the onset of the cold season in each hemisphere, following the blueprint set out by influenza vaccination strategies, the agency said.

[HillGoose]

imagine being able to believe they will ever let this end

[GeneralMacArthur]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

How about if we wait until COVID rates plummet just like they have in South Africa, and then end all restrictions, and you can just say it was your persistent pressure that scored the victory.

[emailking]

We need to start ignoring public health experts and Big Pharma. I support the vaccine (and am vaccinated myself) but we shouldn't and don't need 500 boosters for it to actually work. At this point, it is pretty clear that politicians and executives are just trying to overstate how bad things are in order to hold onto power

500 is an exaggeration but we may need several more boosters for this to work. That not aligning with how you want this to work doesn't mean we won't need them. Again, to early to know whether more boosters, or how many, will be needed. Of course if you don't want them, don't take them. But they're doing their jobs.

[Raccoon]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

How about if we wait until COVID rates plummet just like they have in South Africa, and then end all restrictions, and you can just say it was your persistent pressure that scored the victory.

There are virtually no covid restrictions in most of the United States. This discussion is moot.

[Doomer]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

Schools, colleges, and a handful of other places still have masks.

[Roll Roons]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

DC still has a mask mandate and the US Capitol still isn't open.

[Calthrina950]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

Schools, colleges, and a handful of other places still have masks.

Eight states and D.C. all have mask mandates in place, and virtually all "big-box" employers have employee mask mandates in force as well.

[OSR stands with Israel]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

Mask Mandates for one thing

[Raccoon]

I find it disgusting we spent 4.5 trillion in Covid Aid.. and ended up making zero planning during Spring of 2020.

We may as well have not shut down at all!

What if we spent on that impending climate change instead.

[MATTROSE94]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

Most states I think will end all COVID restrictions by the end of year (with the exception of California, Hawaii, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, DC, New York, and New Jersey), though I don’t think COVID restrictions are going to be over at the federal level until 2025. Some colleges and private institutions may keep COVID restrictions in place for another 10 years or longer however.

[Doomer]

the US Capitol still isn't open.

I really have no idea here, but I wonder how much of that has to do with you guys trying to kill people in your violent quest to overthrow democracy?



Anyway, any private entity that wishes to require masks are and should be free to do so.  If you don't like that, don't shop there; but if you DO shop there, don't be a turd and make it harder on employees who didn't make those rules to have to enforce them on you...just wear a f'ing mask and be a big boy about it.

As far as government institutions that still require masks?  I don't really care, but it also wouldn't bother me if they decided to no longer require them.  The masking issue is such a stupid thing for people to get upset over.  I'm fine with masks not being required on government property.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

You still have to wear a mask in any Las Vegas casino.  
You can’t claim America is a free country while this is true.

[Roll Roons]

the US Capitol still isn't open.

I really have no idea here, but I wonder how much of that has to do with you guys trying to kill people in your violent quest to overthrow democracy?



Anyway, any private entity that wishes to require masks are and should be free to do so.  If you don't like that, don't shop there; but if you DO shop there, don't be a turd and make it harder on employees who didn't make those rules to have to enforce them on you...just wear a f'ing mask and be a big boy about it.

As far as government institutions that still require masks?  I don't really care, but it also wouldn't bother me if they decided to no longer require them.  The masking issue is such a stupid thing for people to get upset over.  I'm fine with masks not being required on government property.

If you think I'm a Trump supporter, there's no helping you. Frankly, it's the People's House, not Antivaxxer Nancy's Castle. And if you want to keep it closed forever because of January 6, it means that you're conceding to the insurrectionists.

[Raccoon]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

DC still has a mask mandate and the US Capitol still isn't open.

There were certainly more then a handful of votes in Northern Virginia that for voted Youngkin in reaction to much of DC remaining closed and heavily restricted.

[Roll Roons]

All COVID restrictions should be dropped immediately

What restrictions?

DC still has a mask mandate and the US Capitol still isn't open.

There were certainly more then a handful of votes in Northern Virginia that for voted Youngkin in reaction to much of DC remaining closed and heavily restricted.

I'd 100% believe it.

[Calthrina950]

the US Capitol still isn't open.

I really have no idea here, but I wonder how much of that has to do with you guys trying to kill people in your violent quest to overthrow democracy?



Anyway, any private entity that wishes to require masks are and should be free to do so.  If you don't like that, don't shop there; but if you DO shop there, don't be a turd and make it harder on employees who didn't make those rules to have to enforce them on you...just wear a f'ing mask and be a big boy about it.

As far as government institutions that still require masks?  I don't really care, but it also wouldn't bother me if they decided to no longer require them.  The masking issue is such a stupid thing for people to get upset over.  I'm fine with masks not being required on government property.

Why do some "red avatars" on here continue to insinuate that all "blue avatars" are Trump supporters? Even those, like Rolls Roons, who voted for Biden, and who have explicitly and consistently denounced Trump? This is just as unfair as a "blue avatar" claiming that all "red avatars" are communists or socialists?

[Raccoon]

I have been less supportive of masking lately due to the fact that they seem ineffective against Omicron. Unless everyone is distributed a kn95 mask, which actually is effective, masking is essentially for show now.

As far as my comment on DC restrictions causing a few votes for Youngkin in Nova.. what DC impacts residents of Nova often times directly and almost everyone indirectly.

Something as simple as the stupidity below was an impact in itself:



primarily outdoor activities as well.

Half the museums are closed in regards to public health, you have to show your vaccine card everywhere, private businesses there are overly restricted.

Now museums are not exactly essential, but everything ads up.

It is one of the bizarre contrasts I have ever seen. Crossing from one wealthy Democratic jurisdiction to another and covid policy is dramatically different.

[compucomp]

I have been less supportive of masking lately due to the fact that they seem ineffective against Omicron. Unless everyone is distributed a kn95 mask, which actually is effective, masking is essentially for show now.

As far as my comment on DC restrictions causing a few votes for Youngkin in Nova.. what DC impacts residents of Nova often times directly and almost everyone indirectly.

Something as simple as the stupidity below was an impact in itself:



primarily outdoor activities as well.

Half the museums are closed in regards to public health, you have to show your vaccine card everywhere, private businesses there are overly restricted.

Now museums are not exactly essential, but everything ads up.

It is one of the bizarre contrasts I have ever seen. Crossing from one wealthy Democratic jurisdiction to another and covid policy is dramatically different.

You continually complain about this kind of thing and vaguely blame the government and Democrats. Are there any city of Washington DC social distancing or capacity requirements or events compelled to close by the order of the city government? I did a quick search and found no news articles indicating any such measures after June 2021. There's a mask mandate and a vaccine mandate but these do not close or restrict businesses. Businesses in NYC, LA, and other cities have been operating fine with mask and vaccine mandates. You said half the museums are closed, fine, but why are they closed? Maybe because their foot traffic and gate proceeds are down, and they don't have enough funds to operate, so they have to close? That's a function of the free market. If the government didn't impose any restrictions to restrict them or close them down, then you really don't have a logical case to blame the government.

[Raccoon]

https://twitter.com/FOX4/status/1484609330636861442

Don't tell me there isn't a movement among some liberals to make permanent remote schooling..

those pop up all the time.

[Raccoon]

I have been less supportive of masking lately due to the fact that they seem ineffective against Omicron. Unless everyone is distributed a kn95 mask, which actually is effective, masking is essentially for show now.

As far as my comment on DC restrictions causing a few votes for Youngkin in Nova.. what DC impacts residents of Nova often times directly and almost everyone indirectly.

Something as simple as the stupidity below was an impact in itself:



primarily outdoor activities as well.

Half the museums are closed in regards to public health, you have to show your vaccine card everywhere, private businesses there are overly restricted.

Now museums are not exactly essential, but everything ads up.

It is one of the bizarre contrasts I have ever seen. Crossing from one wealthy Democratic jurisdiction to another and covid policy is dramatically different.

You continually complain about this kind of thing and vaguely blame the government and Democrats. Are there any city of Washington DC social distancing or capacity requirements or events compelled to close by the order of the city government? I did a quick search and found no news articles indicating any such measures after June 2021. There's a mask mandate and a vaccine mandate but these do not close or restrict businesses. Businesses in NYC, LA, and other cities have been operating fine with mask and vaccine mandates. You said half the museums are closed, fine, but why are they closed? Maybe because their foot traffic and gate proceeds are down, and they don't have enough funds to operate, so they have to close? That's a function of the free market. If the government didn't impose any restrictions to restrict them or close them down, then you really don't have a logical case to blame the government.

I do not care what you covid hysterics have to say.

I am not going to sit around and watch people cheer on permanent social isolation. It is a sad way to live and I will not stand for it.

[compucomp]

I have been less supportive of masking lately due to the fact that they seem ineffective against Omicron. Unless everyone is distributed a kn95 mask, which actually is effective, masking is essentially for show now.

As far as my comment on DC restrictions causing a few votes for Youngkin in Nova.. what DC impacts residents of Nova often times directly and almost everyone indirectly.

Something as simple as the stupidity below was an impact in itself:



primarily outdoor activities as well.

Half the museums are closed in regards to public health, you have to show your vaccine card everywhere, private businesses there are overly restricted.

Now museums are not exactly essential, but everything ads up.

It is one of the bizarre contrasts I have ever seen. Crossing from one wealthy Democratic jurisdiction to another and covid policy is dramatically different.

You continually complain about this kind of thing and vaguely blame the government and Democrats. Are there any city of Washington DC social distancing or capacity requirements or events compelled to close by the order of the city government? I did a quick search and found no news articles indicating any such measures after June 2021. There's a mask mandate and a vaccine mandate but these do not close or restrict businesses. Businesses in NYC, LA, and other cities have been operating fine with mask and vaccine mandates. You said half the museums are closed, fine, but why are they closed? Maybe because their foot traffic and gate proceeds are down, and they don't have enough funds to operate, so they have to close? That's a function of the free market. If the government didn't impose any restrictions to restrict them or close them down, then you really don't have a logical case to blame the government.

I do not care what you covid hysterics have to say.

I am not going to sit around and watch people cheer on permanent social isolation. It is a sad way to live and I will not stand for it.

Fine then, stay in your echo chamber where it doesn't matter that your argument is illogical, blaming the government for something it did nothing to cause. You just can't get over the fact that there is a virtuous fraction of the population which takes COVID seriously and is still adapting their behavior to protect themselves, substantial enough that it has moved the market for the hospitality industry in a noticeable way. You claim to be on the side of freedom, but it's now abundantly clear that you're actually anti-freedom, as you would deny us the right to take COVID seriously. I don't know how it got lost in your mind that COVID is still a deadly disease, more contagious than ever, and still spreading out of control, but there are many who disagree with you and I won't stand for your efforts to silence and control us.

[Wrong about 2024 Ghost]

https://twitter.com/ehananoki/status/1487450030847971332

Laura Ingraham (and Fox News) helped kill this man, and countless others. Words fail at conveying just how utterly, deeply vile America's political right has become.