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Thanks for this link.Daviewolf83 said:
This is exactly what I have been trying to say. People are going to start throwing up their hands and and just do what they want to do. I thought CDC was going to release after vaccination guidance today, but apparently they are still not ready.
Long term care(assisted living) in NC is still requiring a 14 day quarantine if a resident leaves the facility to go for a ride, get a hotdog, see family etc. even though its been well over 14 days since 2nd dose was administered (Feb 18).
Who are we protecting if the residents have had two doses and it has been well over 14 days since the 2nd dose?
I have contacted the State and was told to contact local health dept. My response to that remark was " the local health dept. is waiting on guidance from the state, what is the guidance?"
I am just here for the conspiracy theories
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html
However, vaccinated people with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
Additionally, individual and societal benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine may outweigh the potential but unknown risk of transmission and facilitate the direction of public health resources to people at highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to others. This recommendation to waive quarantine for people with vaccine-derived immunity aligns with quarantine recommendations for those with natural immunity, which eases implementation.
Vaccinated healthcare personnel, patients, and residents in healthcare settings
These criteria could also be applied as a strategy to alleviate staffing shortages when considering work restrictions for fully vaccinated healthcare personnel with higher-risk exposures. Of note, exposed healthcare personnel would not be required to quarantine outside of work.
As an exception to the above guidance no longer requiring quarantine for fully vaccinated people, vaccinated inpatients and residents in healthcare settings should continue to quarantine following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; outpatients should be cared for using appropriate transmission-based precautions. This exception is due to the unknown vaccine effectiveness in this population, the higher risk of severe disease and death, and challenges with social distancing in healthcare settings. Although not preferred, healthcare facilities could consider waiving quarantine for vaccinated patients and residents as a strategy to mitigate critical issues (e.g., lack of space, staff, or PPE to safely care for exposed patients or residents) when other options are unsuccessful or unavailable. These decisions could be made in consultation with public health officials and infection control expert
However, vaccinated people with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (i.e., 2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
- Are within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
- Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
Additionally, individual and societal benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine may outweigh the potential but unknown risk of transmission and facilitate the direction of public health resources to people at highest risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to others. This recommendation to waive quarantine for people with vaccine-derived immunity aligns with quarantine recommendations for those with natural immunity, which eases implementation.
Vaccinated healthcare personnel, patients, and residents in healthcare settings
These criteria could also be applied as a strategy to alleviate staffing shortages when considering work restrictions for fully vaccinated healthcare personnel with higher-risk exposures. Of note, exposed healthcare personnel would not be required to quarantine outside of work.
As an exception to the above guidance no longer requiring quarantine for fully vaccinated people, vaccinated inpatients and residents in healthcare settings should continue to quarantine following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; outpatients should be cared for using appropriate transmission-based precautions. This exception is due to the unknown vaccine effectiveness in this population, the higher risk of severe disease and death, and challenges with social distancing in healthcare settings. Although not preferred, healthcare facilities could consider waiving quarantine for vaccinated patients and residents as a strategy to mitigate critical issues (e.g., lack of space, staff, or PPE to safely care for exposed patients or residents) when other options are unsuccessful or unavailable. These decisions could be made in consultation with public health officials and infection control expert
I am just here for the conspiracy theories
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343?utm_source=silverchair&utm_campaign=jama_network&utm_content=covid_weekly_highlights&utm_medium=email
Good opinion piece on covid potentially becoming a new yearly flu and mitigation strategies
Good opinion piece on covid potentially becoming a new yearly flu and mitigation strategies
This is the way I think it should work...
If the CDC wants to give guidelines, fine... they are what they are, guidelines. Each State can institute policies they deem necessary. I would hope a state would do nothing as it's a freedom issue for people. Now, each business can implement policies they deem necessary.
If I go into a business and they say: mask required, then everyone should follow the businesses guideline for being there and the business should (I hope) hold everyone accountable to the guidelines. If a restaurant says: no mask required, then each of us have a personal decision to make about going to that restaurant or we can wear a mask if we want to...
It really is that simple. I never understand the people that think Government have to rule others with there thinking. People, in general are smart enough to make their own decision. That being said, if a Doctors office says: mask up or you're not coming in, you have two choices: mask up or find a doctor that aligns with your way of life...
If the CDC wants to give guidelines, fine... they are what they are, guidelines. Each State can institute policies they deem necessary. I would hope a state would do nothing as it's a freedom issue for people. Now, each business can implement policies they deem necessary.
If I go into a business and they say: mask required, then everyone should follow the businesses guideline for being there and the business should (I hope) hold everyone accountable to the guidelines. If a restaurant says: no mask required, then each of us have a personal decision to make about going to that restaurant or we can wear a mask if we want to...
It really is that simple. I never understand the people that think Government have to rule others with there thinking. People, in general are smart enough to make their own decision. That being said, if a Doctors office says: mask up or you're not coming in, you have two choices: mask up or find a doctor that aligns with your way of life...
On the illegal or criminal immigrants…
“they built the country, the reason our economy is growing”
Joe Biden
“they built the country, the reason our economy is growing”
Joe Biden
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Very interesting article. Thanks for posting. I tend agree with the following quote from the article:Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343?utm_source=silverchair&utm_campaign=jama_network&utm_content=covid_weekly_highlights&utm_medium=email
Good opinion piece on covid potentially becoming a new yearly flu and mitigation strategies
"A winter surge of infection with B.1.351 dominance may occur in 2021-2022. Hospitalization and death rates, however, may be expected to be lower, assuming vaccines remain more effective for preventing symptomatic disease and remain effective for preventing severe disease and death. "
The article did confirm what I have been saying with regards to cases. The vaccines will not prevent infection. So using cases to determine public measures to slow the spread is problematic. It the vaccines are truly reducing severity of illness and correspondingly reducing hospitalizations and deaths, wouldn't hospitalization metrics be a better measure than cases?
As to future mitigation strategies, one area the article did not mention was a heavy reliance on rapid-testing to identify those who are infected. In this case, the infected individuals would be isolated and he rest of society would be allowed to continue somewhat normally. I believe this is an area that the federal government should be investing heavily in now, in preparation for the most likely Winter surge.
As to mask wearing, I do not believe yearly mask wearing by the entire population during the Winter seasons will be accepted in the US and many other countries. As I have pointed out on several occasions, mask wearing is accepted in many Asian countries, but masks are ONLY worn by someone who is sick. Healthy people do not wear a mask. I do recognize that Covid-19 seems to produce a higher number of asymptomatic people, so knowing who is sick is difficult. However, having everyone wear a mask during Winter months will be difficult - even in the Asian countries. This is another reason why I believe at-home and employer administered rapid tests are critical in the future. Those countries that can employ this type of approach will have an advantage over those who are using social distancing/lock-down measures to control the spread.
As to yearly social distancing measures, I do not believe these are possible without significant impacts on the economy. Are we going to continue to limit attendance at entertainment and sporting events during the late Fall and Winter months? Are we going to limit seating in indoor restaurants? Are we going to shutdown schools during these months and only have online learning? I just do not see how this is possible and the way to avoid it, I believe, is through more consistent and rapid testing of the population. Let those who are not infected go about their lives unrestricted and restrict those who do become infected.
In the end, I think we, as a society are going to come to accept getting vaccinated every year (like we do with the flu) and come to accept a certain level of severe infection and deaths, just like we do with the yearly flu. Unfortunately, there are risks in living in our environment and these risks can never be zero. Those who believe we can eliminate all risk from Covid-19 are delusional. Just like other transmitted diseases, we will have to come to live with them, use medicine to mitigate the risks, and go about our lives.
Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343?utm_source=silverchair&utm_campaign=jama_network&utm_content=covid_weekly_highlights&utm_medium=email
Good opinion piece on covid potentially becoming a new yearly flu and mitigation strategies
Thanks much Mormad, interesting stuff!
Have you read either recently or during your medical education anything that discussed Spanish flu translating to a seasonal flu?
I briefly looked online and didn't see anything that directly addressed the topic. I assume that it it did not translate to a seasonal flu and would be curious to know what epidemiologists or the medical community think was the reason and how it compares in that regard to Covid. Was it because the Spanish flu penetrated the world population much more deeply and approached or achieved heard immunity?
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Here's a good article from an expert immunologist regarding the potential benefits of vaccinating people with long-haul Covid symptoms. It also goes into some of the potential causes for these long-haul symptoms which I found to be very interesting.
Vaccines Seem to Help the Symptoms of Long Covid
Vaccines Seem to Help the Symptoms of Long Covid
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Good news on the vaccination front. The US has now passed the UK in daily administered vaccine doses, normalizing for population.
Civilized said:Mormad said:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777343?utm_source=silverchair&utm_campaign=jama_network&utm_content=covid_weekly_highlights&utm_medium=email
Good opinion piece on covid potentially becoming a new yearly flu and mitigation strategies
Thanks much Mormad, interesting stuff!
Have you read either recently or during your medical education anything that discussed Spanish flu translating to a seasonal flu?
I briefly looked online and didn't see anything that directly addressed the topic. I assume that it it did not translate to a seasonal flu and would be curious to know what epidemiologists or the medical community think was the reason and how it compares in that regard to Covid. Was it because the Spanish flu penetrated the world population much more deeply and approached or achieved heard immunity?
I have no idea, my friend lol
Vaccine trends look like they're getting back on track. I heard on the radio that yesterday they administered 2.9MM shots.
Got a guy that works for me in the maintenance dept, guy was on a ventilator for nearly 2 weeks and lost 30+ pounds. He's got a couple weeks of respiratory therapy before he can come back but man I'm glad he made it.
Three (3) days away from being one (1) year since Rudy Gobert tested positive - and four (4) days away from the date the ACC Tournament was cancelled. What a **** show of a year.
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Coming out of the weekend, here are the latest vaccination updates for the US and NC (Data source: Bloomberg Vaccination Tracker):
US Vaccinations:
Total Vaccination Doses Available: 116,432,668
Total Vaccination Dose Administered: 90,351,750 <== 17.7% of population have received 1st dose
Percentage of Available Doses Administered: 77.6%
NC Vaccinations:
Total Vaccination Doses Available: 3,624,420
Total Vaccination Dose Administered: 2,830,672 <== 17.4% of population have received 1st dose
Percentage of Available Doses Administered: 78.1%
In other news:
1. While NC has made very good progress in getting shots in arms, the progress seems to have slowed slightly from the previous week. NC currently ranks 28th in the percentage use of available doses and currently ranks 36th in the percentage of the population receiving its 1st dose. Need to keep finding creative ways to get 1st doses in arms.
2. The CDC data reports and graphs do NOT include doses from the J&J vaccine. They should start reporting this data in the next updates.
3. With regards to SARS-CoV-2 mutations, I saw an interesting post today that suggests the virus' ability to evolve and mutate could be limited. It postulated that mutations involving the spike protein could be limited due to there not being a lot of space for the spike protein to change in ways that avoid antibodies. This would be very good news if it does become a reality. Researchers have recently mapped the variations available to the spike protein's receptor and found that most of the changes that would weaken the binding ability of our antibodies would occur at just a few sites. They suggest that the fact different variants have hit on the same mutations suggest the virus may already be at the limit of where it can go.
4. The CDC has finally provided guidance that those who have been fully vaccinated can gather together and not wear masks.
5. Moderna has recently signed an agreement with Baxter BioPharma to become a fill-finish partner. They should be able to contribute an additional 60-90M doses, once they fully tool up production.
6. Novavax expects to receive FDA clearance for its Covid-19 vaccine as early as May. In early trial results from the UK, they are reporting efficacy of nearly 90%.
7. While Merck's efforts to create a vaccine did not work out, they appear to be making very good progress on a drug that would be similar to Tamiflu. They have a drug that appears to reduce the viral load caused by the virus. This drug is currently in Phase 2/3 trials and results are expected in late April. This drug can be administered in pill form.
Below are the graphs showing the tracking of vaccinations in the US and NC for the 100M doses in 100 day federal target. As you can see, we are tracking head of this target in both the US and in NC and are actually on track to achieve more than 150M doses in 100 days.
US Vaccination Tracking for 100M doses in 100 days (Data Source: Bloomberg Vaccination Tracker):
NC Vaccination Tracking for 100M doses in 100 days (Data Source: Bloomberg Vaccination Tracker):
US Vaccinations:
Total Vaccination Doses Available: 116,432,668
Total Vaccination Dose Administered: 90,351,750 <== 17.7% of population have received 1st dose
Percentage of Available Doses Administered: 77.6%
NC Vaccinations:
Total Vaccination Doses Available: 3,624,420
Total Vaccination Dose Administered: 2,830,672 <== 17.4% of population have received 1st dose
Percentage of Available Doses Administered: 78.1%
In other news:
1. While NC has made very good progress in getting shots in arms, the progress seems to have slowed slightly from the previous week. NC currently ranks 28th in the percentage use of available doses and currently ranks 36th in the percentage of the population receiving its 1st dose. Need to keep finding creative ways to get 1st doses in arms.
2. The CDC data reports and graphs do NOT include doses from the J&J vaccine. They should start reporting this data in the next updates.
3. With regards to SARS-CoV-2 mutations, I saw an interesting post today that suggests the virus' ability to evolve and mutate could be limited. It postulated that mutations involving the spike protein could be limited due to there not being a lot of space for the spike protein to change in ways that avoid antibodies. This would be very good news if it does become a reality. Researchers have recently mapped the variations available to the spike protein's receptor and found that most of the changes that would weaken the binding ability of our antibodies would occur at just a few sites. They suggest that the fact different variants have hit on the same mutations suggest the virus may already be at the limit of where it can go.
4. The CDC has finally provided guidance that those who have been fully vaccinated can gather together and not wear masks.
5. Moderna has recently signed an agreement with Baxter BioPharma to become a fill-finish partner. They should be able to contribute an additional 60-90M doses, once they fully tool up production.
6. Novavax expects to receive FDA clearance for its Covid-19 vaccine as early as May. In early trial results from the UK, they are reporting efficacy of nearly 90%.
7. While Merck's efforts to create a vaccine did not work out, they appear to be making very good progress on a drug that would be similar to Tamiflu. They have a drug that appears to reduce the viral load caused by the virus. This drug is currently in Phase 2/3 trials and results are expected in late April. This drug can be administered in pill form.
Below are the graphs showing the tracking of vaccinations in the US and NC for the 100M doses in 100 day federal target. As you can see, we are tracking head of this target in both the US and in NC and are actually on track to achieve more than 150M doses in 100 days.
US Vaccination Tracking for 100M doses in 100 days (Data Source: Bloomberg Vaccination Tracker):
NC Vaccination Tracking for 100M doses in 100 days (Data Source: Bloomberg Vaccination Tracker):
Seems like there is more and more availability in smaller counties to get the vaccination. I know of several people that have been able to get vaccinated answering last call messages.
If you want to get vaccinated, but aren't in the groups being vaccinated now, I would suggest checking your providers and surrounding area providers daily or a couple of times a week. Better it goes in your arm than in the trash.
If you want to get vaccinated, but aren't in the groups being vaccinated now, I would suggest checking your providers and surrounding area providers daily or a couple of times a week. Better it goes in your arm than in the trash.
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I mark the start of the pandemic as the last day of the ACC Tournament. I was at he tournament the morning it was cancelled, so I could photograph the State vs Duke game for this website. One of my remote cameras was already in place and I was just waiting for the first game between Clemson and FSU to get started. Bands were already playing songs, teams were warming up, and parents/families were in their seats. Next thing you know, I hear one of the local reporters say that Duke just announced they were pulling out of the tournament. I immediately run out to the arena to get some pictures of the empty arena and pictures of the championship trophy being awarded to FSU. I upload the pictures to James for posting on this website, grab a quick lunch in the media center, and head back to Raleigh.TheStorm said:
Three (3) days away from being one (1) year since Rudy Gobert tested positive - and four (4) days away from the date the ACC Tournament was cancelled. What a **** show of a year.
Due to the restrictions put in place, I have been unable to photograph any NC State or high school sporting events, since the last day of the tournament. The high school I shot athletic and fine art events for many years would not allow me on campus to shoot any events for them (they are still restricting attendance, including restrictions on parents). Hopefully, this will all change soon. What an absolutely crazy year it has been.
With all that's gone on this past year, I remember the ACC tournament getting cancelled like it was yesterday.Daviewolf83 said:I mark the start of the pandemic as the last day of the ACC Tournament. I was at he tournament the morning it was cancelled, so I could photograph the State vs Duke game for this website. One of my remote cameras was already in place and I was just waiting for the first game between Clemson and FSU to get started. Bands were already playing songs, teams were warming up, and parents/families were in their seats. Next thing you know, I hear one of the local reporters say that Duke just announced they were pulling out of the tournament. I immediately run out to the arena to get some pictures of the empty arena and pictures of the championship trophy being awarded to FSU. I upload the pictures to James for posting on this website, grab a quick lunch in the media center, and head back to Raleigh.TheStorm said:
Three (3) days away from being one (1) year since Rudy Gobert tested positive - and four (4) days away from the date the ACC Tournament was cancelled. What a **** show of a year.
Due to the restrictions put in place, I have been unable to photograph any NC State or high school sporting events, since the last day of the tournament. The high school I shot athletic and fine art events for many years would not allow me on campus to shoot any events for them (they are still restricting attendance, including restrictions on parents). Hopefully, this will all change soon. What an absolutely crazy year it has been.
For me, the start of the pandemic officially begin on March 13th. It was a Friday and things were starting to get a bit frenetic at daycares and schools. That was the last day my kids went to daycare for about 2.5 months and I was not in a good place at the beginning of all this. I don't do well with change and obviously wasn't prepared for this.
I got my vaccine in Goldsboro last Friday. The guy that administered my dose asked me where I live and told him Raleigh. He said the majority of people he saw that day were from the triangle, not Goldsboro itself.
It's funny how we all have a story on "the first day". Mine was considered on March 14. My daughter and I had been to the Women's Championship the Sunday before (3/8). That Saturday morning we took my youngest daughter to a birthday party, met my parents for lunch and came home. About 3:00 that afternoon my wife got a text that the teacher at her school had tested positive and that was the start of WCPSS shutting down and it seemed like the whole world stopped.
I'm getting my first shot on Friday. Ready to get the world spinning again.
I'm getting my first shot on Friday. Ready to get the world spinning again.
"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack"
Follow me on twitter: @d_johnson13/@PackUniforms
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>75% of deaths reported today are from over 2 weeks ago. Keep going back to that peak well.
DJncsu13 said:
It's funny how we all have a story on "the first day". Mine was considered on March 14. My daughter and I had been to the Women's Championship the Sunday before (3/8). That Saturday morning we took my youngest daughter to a birthday party, met my parents for lunch and came home. About 3:00 that afternoon my wife got a text that the teacher at her school had tested positive and that was the start of WCPSS shutting down and it seemed like the whole world stopped.
I'm getting my first shot on Friday. Ready to get the world spinning again.
Yep. Several of us dads and daughters were camping in Uwharrie that weekend. Wife's a teacher and got a text from her (back home) about the same. We'd driven up there and back with five 9-year old girls and another dad shoehorned into my rig, obviously not a mask in sight. Sent a pic of all those happy girls all over each other in the back seats and told her it was the last time they'd all be hugged up like that for awhile.
Within a few days the whole world had changed. School and so many places shut down. A year later and I'm glad as hell there's a big light at the end of the tunnel.
In some ways it doesn't seem like that long ago, in other ways it seems like a looooong damn year. We're making some Spring break and summer travel plans and it feels damn good to be thinking about a return to normalcy over the next few months!!
March 16th was the day Covid officially became real. My business was going to hit the private equity market that day and I expected to be picking out a lot to build on down in Seabrook during our yearly July 4th vacation down there. Thankfully Covid canceled sending our packet out to the PE firms because I started only working 40 hours a week and fell in love with my company again. I realized I was just worn out. My wife helped me realize 41 years old is way to young for retirement without making each other crazy. So thank you Covid for blessing me with an adjusted perspective. Added benefit is the business kept growing over Covid so wins all the way around. Crazy times.
Good idea - have a friend that's a pediatrician so I started asking around and am now on a standby list for Monroepackgrad said:
Seems like there is more and more availability in smaller counties to get the vaccination. I know of several people that have been able to get vaccinated answering last call messages.
If you want to get vaccinated, but aren't in the groups being vaccinated now, I would suggest checking your providers and surrounding area providers daily or a couple of times a week. Better it goes in your arm than in the trash.
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A couple of positive developments:
1. As mentioned yesterday, a drug Merck has developed and is now in Phase 2/3 trial is showing good results in reducing the viral load and length of time someone is infected with Covid-19. It involves a 5-day dosing treatment. Could have results in April from the trial. Read more here:
Researchers see promise in Covid-19 pill treatment
Merck has better luck with 2nd Covie-19 drug attempt
2. In testing it appears the Pfizer vaccine does a good job at neutralizing the Brazil variant of the virus. This is very good news and helps to show that some variants can be inhibited by the current vaccines. Read more here:
Study: Pfizer vaccine neutralizes Brazil Covid-19 variant
1. As mentioned yesterday, a drug Merck has developed and is now in Phase 2/3 trial is showing good results in reducing the viral load and length of time someone is infected with Covid-19. It involves a 5-day dosing treatment. Could have results in April from the trial. Read more here:
Researchers see promise in Covid-19 pill treatment
Merck has better luck with 2nd Covie-19 drug attempt
2. In testing it appears the Pfizer vaccine does a good job at neutralizing the Brazil variant of the virus. This is very good news and helps to show that some variants can be inhibited by the current vaccines. Read more here:
Study: Pfizer vaccine neutralizes Brazil Covid-19 variant
Texas businesses receiving threats over mask wearing
An unfortunately predictable outcome when governors shift mandate responsibility from the government back to businesses, especially small businesses.
One of the many reasons why mandates aren't simply about how much risk each individual is willing to tolerate for themselves. There are many more downstream effects than that.
An unfortunately predictable outcome when governors shift mandate responsibility from the government back to businesses, especially small businesses.
One of the many reasons why mandates aren't simply about how much risk each individual is willing to tolerate for themselves. There are many more downstream effects than that.
Civilized said:
Texas businesses receiving threats over mask wearing
An unfortunately predictable outcome when governors shift mandate responsibility from the government back to businesses, especially small businesses.
One of the many reasons why mandates aren't simply about how much risk each individual is willing to tolerate for themselves. There are many more downstream effects than that.
What do you make of this paragraph in the article?
Another Houston Mexican restaurant, Cantina Barba, received similar intimidating messages, and staff members have been bullied by some screaming customers who refused to wear masks while it was required statewide, co-owner Steven O'Sullivan said.
Seems like it was happening even with a statewide mask mandate.
Maybe governments (state and federal) shouldn't be in the mandating businessCivilized said:
Texas businesses receiving threats over mask wearing
An unfortunately predictable outcome when governors shift mandate responsibility from the government back to businesses, especially small businesses.
One of the many reasons why mandates aren't simply about how much risk each individual is willing to tolerate for themselves. There are many more downstream effects than that.
I still don't get the logic behind saying you're for restaurants opening 100%, but being for a mask mandate. To me, it emphasizes the virtue signaling behind masks. I do not understand the logic behind allowing people to sit beside others maskless 3-5' apart or sometimes shoulder to shoulder, with restaurants operating at 100%, for 30 minutes to an hour, or however long you are there, but you need to wear a mask for the seconds it takes to walk to your seat or to the bathroom. That makes no sense to me.
Surely the science says you can't get covid while eating or drinking.
Just a guy on the sunshine squad.
The Gatekeeper.
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StateFan2001 will probably respond to this because he isn't smart enough to understand how ignore works.
The Gatekeeper.
Homer Dumbarse.
StateFan2001 will probably respond to this because he isn't smart enough to understand how ignore works.
packgrad said:
I still don't get the logic behind saying you're for restaurants opening 100%, but being for a mask mandate. To me, it emphasizes the virtue signaling behind masks. I do not understand the logic behind allowing people to sit beside others maskless 3-5' apart or sometimes shoulder to shoulder, with restaurants operating at 100%, for 30 minutes to an hour, or however long you are there, but you need to wear a mask for the seconds it takes to walk to your seat or to the bathroom. That makes no sense to me.
For me personally, this is why I say masks don't work. It's not that there isn't some level of protection between two people wearing masks in a controlled environment, it's the unfortunate fact that society isn't in a controlled environment and most people can't wear a functional mask properly.
Gracious, y'all, we can argue whether mask mandates help or don't all day long, but masks, themselves, do in fact work. We have study after study and lots of epidemiological data to prove that fact.
We know they lower transmission of COVID-19. No one can argue that.
We know they lower transmission of COVID-19. No one can argue that.
packgrad said:
I still don't get the logic behind saying you're for restaurants opening 100%, but being for a mask mandate. To me, it emphasizes the virtue signaling behind masks. I do not understand the logic behind allowing people to sit beside others maskless 3-5' apart or sometimes shoulder to shoulder, with restaurants operating at 100%, for 30 minutes to an hour, or however long you are there, but you need to wear a mask for the seconds it takes to walk to your seat or to the bathroom. That makes no sense to me.
Yep, in favor of opening and masking because I think it's the right balance to strike. It's imperfect but all choices during this pandemic are imperfect.
Last time I ate inside a restaurant, in September on a road trip not very near civilization and with few other options, it felt like we had our masks on around half-time. 15-20 minutes to order and waiting for your food (taking them down to sip on a drink) and then basically off for 15 minutes or so while eating.
That's not virtue signaling, that's just math. Wearing a mask half-time is better than wearing a mask none of the time.
And restaurants are the most extreme example; in virtually every other business type, clients and customers can wear their masks full-time with no problem.
I'm also very much in favor of governors not shifting the burden of mask communication to small business owners, who already have a ****-ton on our plate and who have already borne a disproportionate economic burden during the pandemic, just to score political brownie points with their constituents.
There are medical reasons and political reasons to keep mandates in place.
There are only political reasons to end mandates. There's no other reason of consequence to do so.
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