COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

As I have said before and say it again it's the flu and there are many varients of the flu I had the flu a few days and took my over the counter medicine, regardless if you get vaccinated you are still gonna be subjected to Covid, it's transmission thru homeless people whom are all around us

[Roll Roons]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

Polis is among the best governors in the country...especially on Covid.

[Vaccinated Russian Bear]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

Biden's approvals would imo be positive, had he endorsed that message.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

This is the latest ranking from my spreadsheet document that attempts to estimate immunity in each state based on vaccination and infection numbers:

New Jersey   91.95
Rhode Island   91.76
New York   90.68
Massachusetts   90.60
Arizona   90.42
New Mexico   89.66
Mississippi   89.61
Florida   89.23
Alabama   88.90
Connecticut   88.63
Lousiana   87.53
Oklahoma   87.22
Pennsylvania   86.86
Georgia   86.32
Missouri   85.82
South Dakota   85.56
Nevada   85.51
Arkansas   85.43
Michigan   85.03
Delaware   84.45
Texas   84.41
South Carolina   84.34
Illinois   83.80
Montana   83.75
Kentucky   83.48
California   83.27
Maryland   82.99
North Dakota   82.93
West Virginia   82.72
Tennessee   82.67
Wyoming   82.43
District of Columbia   82.32
Indiana   82.30
Iowa   81.98
Kansas   81.80
Colorado   81.61
Virginia   80.89
Puerto Rico   80.79
Maine   80.68
Vermont   80.28
Minnesota   80.13
Ohio   78.73
New Hampshire   78.13
Wisconsin   78.10
Idaho   77.63
North Carolina   77.59
Washington   77.38
Nebraska   77.30
Oregon   76.39
Utah   73.83
Alaska   73.66
Hawaii   72.26

[Calthrina950]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Although Polis has consistently refused to return to a mask mandate, many of the jurisdictions in Colorado are taking another path. The Mayor of Pueblo is attempting to get a mask mandate implemented in Pueblo County. And Arapahoe, Adams, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, and Larimer Counties are all under a mask mandate. However, some of the local school districts in El Paso County are lifting their mandates.

[Lief 🗽]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

Biden's approvals would imo be positive, had he endorsed that message.

Look at the responses to the Tweet for why Biden hasn’t. Unfortunately the Democratic base has become totally unhinged and refuses to allow the pandemic to end. I really don’t know how Democrats solve this.

[It’s so Joever]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

This quote says a lot about Polis, none of it is very flattering.

[Calthrina950]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

This quote says a lot about Polis, none of it is very flattering.

Are you saying that Polis should reimpose a statewide mask mandate?

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

[Lief 🗽]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

I agree it’s stupid but psychologically as long as masks are worn people still feel like we’re in a pandemic. It’s just not worth the toll on peoples’ psyches, the political division, and the continued fraying of the social fabric at this point, especially as the cloth masks most people wear provide very little protection against the current variants anyway.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

I probably wear a mask more than the average person and I'm fine (even supportive of) businesses asking people to wear them. What I'm not fine with anymore is states of emergency and governors issuing wide-reaching fiats based on them. The endgame of that is insanity like in NYC last week.

[It’s so Joever]

https://twitter.com/Timodc/status/1469399268716777474

Polis is my favorite Democratic governor by a mile.

This quote says a lot about Polis, none of it is very flattering.

Are you saying that Polis should reimpose a statewide mask mandate?

More that I think it’s telling much of his support comes from those who are able to consciously def identify as Republicans in 2021.
I am not familiar with the situation regarding hospitalizations in Colorado, I’d say he should impose it on certain parts of the state if they reach a certain threshold of icu capacity due to Covid cases. What that threshold should be is debatable, but that way the goalposts don’t shift like they’ve been for so long.
TLDR: No, at least not without good reason

(But I do think it is still an American and human thing to wear a mask given circumstances regardless of mandates)

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

More great news out of Suid Afrika

https://mobile.twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1467151590129913865

https://mobile.twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1467152030212968450

https://mobile.twitter.com/sailorrooscout/status/1467184791506374660

Glad to see furries getting the respect they deserve

and especially Sailorrooscout for debunking all the BS since this started since they, yknow, worked on the moderna vaccine.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

[Roll Roons]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

I'm a staffer on Capitol Hill and the complex still isn't open to the public unless you have a staff escort. They don't even seem to have any sort of plan or timeline and it really pisses me off.

[Calthrina950]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

I'm a staffer on Capitol Hill and the complex still isn't open to the public unless you have an escort. They don't even seem to have any sort of plan or timeline and it really pisses me off.

As I've said before, the conditions of 2019 have not returned. We are nearing the end of 2021, and so much has changed. Mask mandates. Event delays or cancellations. Social distancing guidelines. Frequent coronavirus testing. Plastic or glass barriers. Quarantines. Vaccine mandates. Travel bans. More at-home work and less social interaction. Incessant and daily health advisories and updates about the pandemic. And now, we're hearing talk of a fourth, and potentially a fifth booster shot, with more to come.

[compucomp]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

At this point the only point where there is still government intervention is international travel, and issues are most likely due to the actions of foreign governments as the US travel policies are rather mild, just get vaccinated and tested. All the other points are the free market reacting to the new normal. So what's your problem? You want to force the free market to cater towards the old normal that no longer exists? Force conventions and concerts to be held despite lack of demand and at risk of legal liability for hosting superspreader events?

[Roll Roons]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

At this point the only point where there is still government intervention is international travel, and issues are most likely due to the actions of foreign governments as the US travel policies are rather mild, just get vaccinated and tested. All the other points are the free market reacting to the new normal. So what's your problem? You want to force the free market to cater towards the old normal that no longer exists? Force conventions and concerts to be held despite lack of demand and at risk of legal liability for hosting superspreader events?

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/08/02/lollapalooza-had-more-than-385000-people-officials-announce-after-lightfoot-defended-holding-fest-during-pandemic/

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/29/spider-man-no-way-home-ticket-demand-crashed-box-office-sites.html

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/01/michigan-football-vs-ohio-state-ratings-most-watched-college-football-game/

I'm seeing the new Spider-Man movie next Thursday night and the theater is almost completely booked. This is in Washington DC, not Trump Country Oklahoma. You may not be ready and probably never will be for the rest of your life, but most people are.

Last year, gas was cheap because people weren't getting out that much. But guess what? Gas prices have gone up this year because people are traveling again.

[emailking]

I'm seeing the new Spider-Man movie next Thursday night and the theater is almost completely booked. This is in Washington DC, not Trump Country Oklahoma. You may not be ready and probably never will be for the rest of your life, but most people are.

I'm seeing it in 3D next Thursday. Ordered my ticket on Fandago. Should be epic.

[CEO Mindset]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

At this point the only point where there is still government intervention is international travel, and issues are most likely due to the actions of foreign governments as the US travel policies are rather mild, just get vaccinated and tested. All the other points are the free market reacting to the new normal. So what's your problem? You want to force the free market to cater towards the old normal that no longer exists? Force conventions and concerts to be held despite lack of demand and at risk of legal liability for hosting superspreader events?

yes. the government should force the "free market" to cater to the old normal.

[compucomp]

I'm confused as to why you all are so strung up over wearing masks. You have the freedom to do literally whatever you did pre-pandemic, yet you're all acting as if we're still living under March 2020-era lockdowns because some places want you to wear a face covering.

Do you still have a hard time breathing with it on, or something?

It’s obviously not on the scale of March 2020, but it is definitely not true that everything that was open pre-pandemic is now available.  Concerts, festivals, and conventions are still being postponed.  International travel is still really difficult.  And many of the restaurants around me still have not reopened for in-person dining.

At this point the only point where there is still government intervention is international travel, and issues are most likely due to the actions of foreign governments as the US travel policies are rather mild, just get vaccinated and tested. All the other points are the free market reacting to the new normal. So what's your problem? You want to force the free market to cater towards the old normal that no longer exists? Force conventions and concerts to be held despite lack of demand and at risk of legal liability for hosting superspreader events?

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/08/02/lollapalooza-had-more-than-385000-people-officials-announce-after-lightfoot-defended-holding-fest-during-pandemic/

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/29/spider-man-no-way-home-ticket-demand-crashed-box-office-sites.html

lacK Of DeMAnd: https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/01/michigan-football-vs-ohio-state-ratings-most-watched-college-football-game/

I'm seeing the new Spider-Man movie next Thursday night and the theater is almost completely booked. This is in Washington DC, not Trump Country Oklahoma. You may not be ready and probably never will be for the rest of your life, but most people are.

Last year, gas was cheap because people weren't getting out that much. But guess what? Gas prices have gone up this year because people are traveling again.

You missed my point entirely. The post I quoted bemoaned that various concerts and festivals had cut back or cancelled their events, and that some restaurants had closed their dining rooms, clearly intending to blame the government, Joe Biden, and other Democrats. My point is that this blame is entirely misplaced as any "blame" for that is entirely on the free market. If event organizers felt they could hold the events profitably, then they would hold the events. Otherwise they will cancel. Clearly these events are being cancelled because of lack of demand or the risk of being sued is too high. This is the free market. Movie theaters are open because there is ample demand and there is just about no way to prove that you caught COVID while watching the movie, basically shielding them from lawsuits. Whether there should be demand or not is another story and entirely subjective but I'm making an objective statement that it's not the government shutting anybody down.

And by the way, I have watched movies in a theater during the pandemic. It's easy to stay safe. Just put on an N95 mask and don't eat or drink anything. See what happens when you get past "feelings" and come to recognize masks as the zero cost, low effort mitigation measure they are?

[Frodo]

If you want to wear a mask, and are so afraid for your health that you dare not take it off in a public place even for eating and drinking, then by all means you do you.  Just don't impose your preferences on the rest of us via a mask mandate.  I don't want to live in your world.  The rest of us want a return to normalcy.   

[It’s so Joever]

Why is it so wrong to base policy on actual hospitalization rates instead of “what Del Taco wants today”?