COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Zohranism is OUR future]

Here's some good news using the NYT data. This is the percent of hospitalized COVID patients at the start of each month since August 2020 that are in the ICU. Omicron and improved treatments have brought that number to an all-time low in a way that even the vaccination of most of the country was unable to achieve.

That’s the final straw, it’s time to end all mask mandates with practically no exceptions.

[GeorgiaModerate]

It has come to the forum managers attention that some people are not pronouncing 'Omicron' correctly.

They have asked me to make a small presentation on the correct annunciation of 'Omicron'.

Pronouncing Omicron

https://youtu.be/-GjMbMQGOpA

(Paul Simon imitation) Mama don't take my Omicron away...

[Calthrina950]

I still call it the South Africa variant instead of using these contrived code names.

Where do you think we are headed at this point? I'm been hearing some talk about how there will "more variants", and some seem to be convinced that restrictions will be renewed if we have another surge. Do you think that might happen, and what would the consequences be? I'm hopeful that we may finally be headed out of the pandemic.

[Dr. Arch]

I still call it the South Africa variant instead of using these contrived code names.

Where do you think we are headed at this point? I'm been hearing some talk about how there will "more variants", and some seem to be convinced that restrictions will be renewed if we have another surge. Do you think that might happen, and what would the consequences be? I'm hopeful that we may finally be headed out of the pandemic.

An imminent conflict or war in Ukraine might be enough red meat to distract the media for long enough to have other variants come around and leave without so much as a peep.

[Doomer]

Here's some good news using the NYT data. This is the percent of hospitalized COVID patients at the start of each month since August 2020 that are in the ICU. Omicron and improved treatments have brought that number to an all-time low in a way that even the vaccination of most of the country was unable to achieve.

That’s the final straw, it’s time to end all mask mandates with practically no exceptions.

Agreed, except that private businesses should continue to be allowed to require them (and patrons of those businesses should respect that right and follow it or go elsewhere).

[compucomp]

My assumption is that the most notable spikes over the next year will be more related to seasonality than new variants, and that we're not likely to see another prolonged fuss with national relevance until mid-November or so when it may once again become a problem for the business models of hospitals in the northern parts of the United States.

I see how you cleverly expressed hospitals running out of capacity as a "problem for the business model", as if we were discussing a grocery store that didn't secure its supply chain and constantly runs out of stock or something like that. Maybe one day you'll need emergency healthcare during a COVID surge, you'll sit in the waiting room for hours waiting to be seen, and you'll change your mind. Never mind that changing the "business model" means that the country needs to build many new hospitals, causing medical costs to rise for everyone one way or another.

[Raccoon]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

[Trump Is A Maoist]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

How so?

[MATTROSE94]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

The weirdest I’ve seen is a lot of higher risk people doubling or even tripling up ineffective masks like neck gators and the blue surgical masks. It puzzles me why they don’t just use an N95 if they are that worried.

[compucomp]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

The weirdest I’ve seen is a lot of higher risk people doubling or even tripling up ineffective masks like neck gators and the blue surgical masks. It puzzles me why they don’t just use an N95 if they are that worried.

The effective combination should be cloth mask on top, surgical mask underneath. The main issue with surgical masks is that they have large gaps on the sides and the bottom, so if you put the cloth mask on top of the surgical mask it seals up the gaps and the result is an effective double mask. I remember in late 2020 estimates had the double mask at 80-90% effectiveness at filtration.

[GregTheGreat657]

Why do you think vaccination rates in 5-12-year-olds are lagging, compared to older minors after they were eligible for the vaccine for the same amount of time?

[RINO Tom]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

[Horus]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

[Arizona Iced Tea]

Most of us conservatives want to go back to normal like it was in 2019. This means no masks and restrictions at all. I find it very disturbing how a good amount of people are content wearing a mask in public for the rest of their lives, which is fine its their right, but don't force it on us normal people who are moving on.

[compucomp]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

LMAO, this is a new one, practicing social distancing to own the libs? Which is exactly what they want you to do?

I think the recent uptick in outdoor masking is because it also serves as a face warmer and the weather has been cold.

[Horus]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

LMAO, this is a new one, practicing social distancing to own the libs? Which is exactly what they want you to do?

I think the recent uptick in outdoor masking is because it also serves as a face warmer and the weather has been cold.

Everyone has always practiced voluntary social distancing of one sort or another. Certain people are undesirable to be around and for me, those people are anti vaxxers/forever maskers.

Mandated social distancing of any form is appalling.

[Crumpets]

For some good news, here's an updated map of the 14-day trend in case numbers by state. 10% increments starting at zero (so, 30% = 1-9% growth/decrease, 40% = 10-19% growth/decrease, etc.).

That was Thursday, this is today:

As of today - it's so pretty!

[emailking]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

I hope wearing a mask in the parking lot is OK with you guys. Because I do that.

[Trump Is A Maoist]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

I hope wearing a mask in the parking lot is OK with you guys. Because I do that.

It's VERY important that they wait until they're 2 feet in the door or an establishment before putting the mask on, otherwise they aren't virtue signalling to everybody that they aren't a lib.

[Lurker]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

I hope wearing a mask in the parking lot is OK with you guys. Because I do that.

It's VERY important that they wait until they're 2 feet in the door or an establishment before putting the mask on, otherwise they aren't virtue signalling to everybody that they aren't a lib.

In Scandinavia, wearing masks outside has more or less never been a thing (and would look utterly bizarre to most people), nor has wearing masks in schools ever been widespread. All restrictions have now been removed, and somehow society hasn't collapsed. It's really fascinating (and sad) observing the mass hysteria so widespread among American leftists.

[Trump Is A Maoist]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

I hope wearing a mask in the parking lot is OK with you guys. Because I do that.

It's VERY important that they wait until they're 2 feet in the door or an establishment before putting the mask on, otherwise they aren't virtue signalling to everybody that they aren't a lib.

In Scandinavia, wearing masks outside has more or less never been a thing (and would look utterly bizarre to most people), nor has wearing masks in schools ever been widespread. All restrictions have now been removed, and somehow society hasn't collapsed. It's really fascinating (and sad) observing the mass hysteria so widespread among American leftists.

Sad stuff. I really love Scandinavia and Finland, but I love science more.

[Horus]

I will say the double masking and requiring masks even outdoors in Peru has done nothing to slow the spread there.

Wearing a mask outdoors is hysterical behavior that has much more in common with a phobia than “being cautious.”

I stay far away from people who wear masks outdoors. They're obviously not quite right in the head.

I hope wearing a mask in the parking lot is OK with you guys. Because I do that.

It's VERY important that they wait until they're 2 feet in the door or an establishment before putting the mask on, otherwise they aren't virtue signalling to everybody that they aren't a lib.

In Scandinavia, wearing masks outside has more or less never been a thing (and would look utterly bizarre to most people), nor has wearing masks in schools ever been widespread. All restrictions have now been removed, and somehow society hasn't collapsed. It's really fascinating (and sad) observing the mass hysteria so widespread among American leftists.

Sad stuff. I really love Scandinavia and Finland, but I love science more.

Scandinavia and Finland are pretty clearly following the science. Masks outdoors make no sense and masks in schools are absolutely despicable.

[emailking]

Big difference though between wearing one makes no sense and wearing one => insane.

[Horus]

Big difference though between wearing one makes no sense and wearing one => insane.

Wearing a mask outdoors is absolutely a sign of neurosis. It makes no sense from a scientific or sociological pov. (No, I'm obviously not talking about walking from the car to the store, I'm talking about people who mask when walking down a street, at parks, or trails. Thought that was evident.)

[Trump Is A Maoist]

Sad stuff. I really love Scandinavia and Finland, but I love science more.

Scandinavia and Finland are pretty clearly following the science. Masks outdoors make no sense and masks in schools are absolutely despicable.

Masks in schools are important. I've never been a fan of outdoor mask mandates, personally, once you understand how the virus works. I don't like people walking by me breathing on me during the pandemic so I sometimes wear a mask on a busy street as to "do unto others as you'd prefer they do unto you". Sometimes I'm walking from a place where I need to wear a mask to another place where I need to wear a mask, so sometimes I'm just too lazy to take it off and put it back on again. It's really not a big deal. People that get triggered by that make me laugh (not accusing you).