COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[Hammy]

COVID is the Democrat’s version of Iraq. And I will keep saying this until the hysteria stops- which it sadly won’t, until atleast January 20, 2025.

And the sane people on the forum will continue laughing at you. Your analogy has no less sanity behind it than those who claim Russia hacked the 2016 vote count.

[Hammy]

I remember when Delta began people here were saying it would be the last big wave.

Now we have Omicron, which makes everything before it pale in comparison.

So what reason do we have to believe there won’t be a variant behind Omicron that will not only be more infectious but also cause more serious illness and more death?  I’m not dooming so stfu about “dOoMeRs”…I am legit curious if there’s actually any reason to think we won’t have to deal with worsening variants even after Omicron.

Each variant seems to be less deadly per so many cases than the previous. Look at the death rate vs cases compared to the original wave for instance. Eventually we'll end up with a variant that is 100x more contagious than Omicron, but has less than 1% of the hospitalizations.

[GregTheGreat657]

I don't see the problem.

Obviously everyone is completely and totally free to do whatever they like.

It's the *job* of the experts to advise us on the safest course of action.  We can abide by their guidelines, or not.  If these same people didn't advise appropriate caution in the face of rising cases and disease, that'd be extremely horrible of them.  They're simply doing their job to tell us the safest course.

But some politicians take Fauci's word like gospel, and will institute gathering limits, based on this

[THG]

COVID is the Democrat’s version of Iraq. And I will keep saying this until the hysteria stops- which it sadly won’t, until atleast January 20, 2025.

And the sane people on the forum will continue laughing at you. Your analogy has no less sanity behind it than those who claim Russia hacked the 2016 vote count.

It has considerably more sanity to it than the Russia hysteria, if you really think about it. I even made a thread about listing various similarities.

Also, the so-called ‘sane people’ on this forum have laughed at me before, until I inevitably get vindicated and have the last laugh.

It’s honestly a tiring cycle at this point.

[GregTheGreat657]

Health experts always recommend the most absolute course of action, I don't know why this would be surprising. They also say avoid high fructose corn syrup entirely but most people still consume it.

That's different, because consumption high fructose corn syrup isn't outright banned, and I'm worried some places will force gathering limits

[GP270watch]

https://twitter.com/Kukicat7/status/1473743177806974977

[emailking]

Nah. I'm seeing my family. Fauci can go fxck a cactus.

He said it's safe to do that if everyone is vaccinated.

[Inmate Trump]

I don't see the problem.

Obviously everyone is completely and totally free to do whatever they like.

It's the *job* of the experts to advise us on the safest course of action.  We can abide by their guidelines, or not.  If these same people didn't advise appropriate caution in the face of rising cases and disease, that'd be extremely horrible of them.  They're simply doing their job to tell us the safest course.

But some politicians take Fauci's word like gospel, and will institute gathering limits, based on this

Let's say that's true.  Even then, a politician's actions does not negate the responsibility of the scientific community to issue safety guidelines and advise.  The two entities are entirely separate (think of it in the same manner as the separation of church and state).  Politicians will do whatever they think will win them the next election.  That should have no bearing on what the science shows.

But I don't think, after Biden's speech the other night, that many politicians will be left who'll be shutting things down or whatnot.  You might get some sporadic mask mandates here and there, but I think that's the most you'll see.

[Inmate Trump]

Nah. I'm seeing my family. Fauci can go fxck a cactus.

As I said above...you're free to do so.

Just because the scientific community gives advise (aka, doing their jobs) doesn't mean you have to follow it.  So calm the f down.

[President Johnson]

Obviously a correct statement from a scientific standpoint. He's not saying nobody should gather. Seeing family when all are vaccinated is pretty safe. If you want to be super safe or have vulnerable people around, an additional test makes sense and shouldn't be a big deal.

[Donerail]

Nah. I'm seeing my family. Fauci can go fxck a cactus.

He said it's safe to do that if everyone is vaccinated.

I don't see why being vaccinated would make that any safer. It's mostly about the spines.

[Santander]

Lol you guys know I hate Fauci, but he is talking about like office Christmas parties or other mass gatherings, which have been going on this year. My company had one where everyone was vaxxed and people still got COVID, and now all those people who attended had to scramble to get tests right before the holidays, which isn't easy to do right now. Those who tested positive have to quarantine at home away from their families...

[jamestroll]

My Peru trip is still moving forward next month. I am obviously still monitoring the possibility of border closures but I am inclined to believe Peru wouldn't do it at this point. In fact their initial hard lock down has been widely criticized in hindsight.

But I will get to see how a society with a strict vaccine passport requirement to enter indoor areas works in practice.

The vaccines in Peru do seem like they are poor in prevent omicron infections but still show strength in preventing illness.

[2016]

Not sure if this has already been discussed but as I predicted SCOTUS to hear Oral Arguments regarding Vaccine Mandates.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/22/supreme-court-special-session-vaccine-requirements-526030

My guess is that the Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers will probably stay while the Vaccine Mandate for Private Businesses having more than 100 Employees will I think be struck down.

[jamestroll]

https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/12/23/coronavirus-peru-ultimas-noticias-de-vacunacion-covid-19-cronograma-horarios-padron-del-minsa-y-cifras-actualizadas-hoy-jueves-23-de-diciembre-del-2021/

I am keeping track of Peruvian Covid updates.

Fortunately I can cancel very last minute if the situation looks bad there or if it there is a hint that Peru may shut down its borders or flights during my trip.

But hopefully I can see first hand how a society with vaccine requirements to enter public indoor areas nationally works in practice.

[Inmate Trump]

Lol you guys know I hate Fauci, but he is talking about like office Christmas parties or other mass gatherings, which have been going on this year. My company had one where everyone was vaxxed and people still got COVID, and now all those people who attended had to scramble to get tests right before the holidays, which isn't easy to do right now. Those who tested positive have to quarantine at home away from their families...

People hear Fauci's advise and think he's literally canceling Christmas or something.

[Hammy]

Nah. I'm seeing my family. Fauci can go fxck a cactus.

He said it's safe to do that if everyone is vaccinated.

I don't see why being vaccinated would make that any safer. It's mostly about the spines.

Hospitalization risk between vaccinated/unvaccinated is worlds apart.

[VBM]

Obviously a correct statement from a scientific standpoint. He's not saying nobody should gather. Seeing family when all are vaccinated is pretty safe. If you want to be super safe or have vulnerable people around, an additional test makes sense and shouldn't be a big deal.

Fauci (and Democrats) need to read the room better. Even if Fauci is right in that Christmas parties should be avoided, it’s clear that no one wants to hear that, and no one who was actually planning on having a large Christmas party is actually gonna listen to Fauci. The public has moved on from COVID. Dems should move on from COVID too if they want to avoid a backlash. Stop talking about potential lockdowns. Stop talking about mask mandates. Stop talking about social distancing. Just tell people to get vaccinated

[soundchaser]

Nah. I'm seeing my family. Fauci can go fxck a cactus.

He said it's safe to do that if everyone is vaccinated.

I don't see why being vaccinated would make that any safer. It's mostly about the spines.

Hospitalization risk between vaccinated/unvaccinated is worlds apart.

I think a few people (sadly) have missed the joke here.

[roxas11]

Not sure if this has already been discussed but as I predicted SCOTUS to hear Oral Arguments regarding Vaccine Mandates.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/22/supreme-court-special-session-vaccine-requirements-526030

My guess is that the Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers will probably stay while the Vaccine Mandate for Private Businesses having more than 100 Employees will I think be struck down.

Historically the Supreme court has been very pro mandate when it comes to vaccines

For example, in 1905, the Supreme Court ruled that a state can impose “reasonable regulations” to protect the public health, even when such regulations interfere with individual rights.

based on that fact alone, I think there is a good chance that the Biden administration will end up winning both cases

[Pericles]

Who really has a Christmas party with 100 people anyway?

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Who really has a Christmas party with 100 people anyway?

I had two this week. Idiots cancelled the third for some reason. We're all pretty peeved about it.

[Beet]

My workplace just had a big Christmas party - I'd say the demographics were such that pre-Covid, the Democrats would have won 75% of the crowd. But if you go there and tell them they shouldn't have the party, of course they won't be happy with you. Honestly I expect it will have been fine. Interesting that the Democrats' best defense here is "It's just advice! People still eat syrup, ya know."

Like, when you have to explain your own words by minimizing them, you realize it's a liability.

[emailking]

Obviously a correct statement from a scientific standpoint. He's not saying nobody should gather. Seeing family when all are vaccinated is pretty safe. If you want to be super safe or have vulnerable people around, an additional test makes sense and shouldn't be a big deal.

Fauci (and Democrats) need to read the room better. Even if Fauci is right in that Christmas parties should be avoided, it’s clear that no one wants to hear that, and no one who was actually planning on having a large Christmas party is actually gonna listen to Fauci. The public has moved on from COVID. Dems should move on from COVID too if they want to avoid a backlash. Stop talking about potential lockdowns. Stop talking about mask mandates. Stop talking about social distancing. Just tell people to get vaccinated

Even if no one wants to hear that, he should still say it if it's true. He's not a politician.

[Inmate Trump]

I remember when Delta began people here were saying it would be the last big wave.

Now we have Omicron, which makes everything before it pale in comparison.

So what reason do we have to believe there won’t be a variant behind Omicron that will not only be more infectious but also cause more serious illness and more death?  I’m not dooming so stfu about “dOoMeRs”…I am legit curious if there’s actually any reason to think we won’t have to deal with worsening variants even after Omicron.

Each variant seems to be less deadly per so many cases than the previous. Look at the death rate vs cases compared to the original wave for instance. Eventually we'll end up with a variant that is 100x more contagious than Omicron, but has less than 1% of the hospitalizations.

This does mean that literally everyone will get it.  I just really hope Im an asymptomatic case