The Covid-19 Pandemic Thread

[Libertas]

There is a eugenicist heading up the CDC, Dem mayors are forcing public teachers, students and staff into unsafe schools; and now Dr. Fauci is saying all of us are going to get infected. We are on our own.

I do NOT understand why the defense prod act is not right now engaged to make a billion masks a month, or whatever number is reasonable, a billion tests a month, or whatever number is reasonable, and why we dont have many more test sites.

JESUS CHRIST is Joe STILL afraid of what the cons or the media will say? WE are gonna DIE if you dont do something!

[carmenjonze]

Somebody please make this make sense. Another insane school policy from another city with a Dem mayor.

‘Profoundly Senseless’: Mpls. Public School Teachers Will Be Forced to Work Remotely… From School - Racket MN

Leaders from the teachers union warned of a strike authorization vote.

Minneapolis Public Schools announced a move Wednesday to go digital for two weeks beginning this Friday.

The plan was enacted due to spiking staff absences related to the COVID-19 blizzard currently hammering the city, according to Superintendent Ed Graff. Earlier this week, Graff says, around 400 teachers called in—double what’s expected during non-pandemic times. Similar moves have been made by districts around the metro, from Fridley to Farmington.

Minneapolis teachers aren’t happy.

Greta Callahan, president of the teachers chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, says that’s in part due to a lack of coordination between district officials and the actual teachers. “This new online plan was not co-created with those who will be implementing it,” she said Wednesday night during a Zoom press conference, noting that remote learning is “a safer option” than continuing with in-person lessons.

The biggest point of contention? The district’s expectation that educators must commute to their physical schools only to teach from a computer. If that sounds dumb as hell to you, you’re not alone.

[Libertas]

We have outlived our welcome on the planet and it is time for us to go.

That is the only thing I can think of.

[carmenjonze]

California allowing COVID-positive health care workers to treat patients - Mercury News

[ZoWie]

Fauci put his foot in it trying to explain that Covid is going to moderate over a period of years to decades, becoming just another nuisance virus like colds and flu that people get every year and live with. So he got spun as saying he was waving the white flag, when in fact he was trying to say to get your shots, take your precautions, and live with the new reality.

He's been in damage control mode ever since.

There is still no alternative to vaccines, masking, social distancing, and just not being stupid. We are on top but it will take months to years to finish the process and we just have to wait it out meanwhile. We have the tools to cope, but for whatever reasons, we've done a really shitty job of using them. I'm tired of not having a life, but so it goes on the planet of the damned.

[carmenjonze]

Available Jan. 19th!

https://www.covidtests.gov/

[ZoWie]

We saw tests available online. The order filled, they're in the mail. They're the quickie home tests. You can still order a real fancy one from LA county, though they say there'll be a delay getting it. Days, not weeks. Then FedEx comes and picks it up and you find out in a couple more days.

Right now the appearance is that everyone in LA has it, though I personally do not know anyone with an active case, and I know a lot of people. I know a few people who had it, or who are isolating because they were with someone who had it. The closest one to me had all the symptoms, but not for long, and then tested negative twice. ???????? People do get colds, I guess.

It is still canceling just about every show we try to publicize, though in the latest one it was another partner who had to call/e-mail all the Nooz reporters to tell them that another one bites the dust. Thank goodness for little favors.

A little birdie tells me that it's peaking.

[Number6]

Available Jan. 19th!

https://www.covidtests.gov/

The local news had a story about this last night. They were saying if you have health insurance you can go to their website and order free tests; you can order them from your in-network pharmacy; or you can buy the rapid tests and get reimbursed up to $12 per test. You can get up to 8 tests per person per month.

Eight tests per person, per month, for free; or 32 tests per month for a family of four. That’s the promise of the federal government starting January 15.

If you do not have health insurance, the government plans to launch a web site as soon as next week, where you can order eight free tests per person, per month. The URL for the site has not been announced.
CBS8

The only thing the report didn't address was how military personnel, especially those who are retired, will get the tests. With San Diego being a military town, you'd think they would have looked at this but they didn't. Retired military personnel are on Tricare or Tricare for Life and get their medical care at local base medical facilities and the military normally sends emails to us with updates on things like COVID. I'll probably order them off the government website.

[carmenjonze]

These tests should be free for everyone.

[ZoWie]

Right, you can order free tests or get reimbursed. As promised. Late, but they finally made good on their rhetoric, or so it looks today.

[Number6]

Right, you can order free tests or get reimbursed. As promised. Late, but they finally made good on their rhetoric, or so it looks today.

That's fine, but 500 million rapid tests means if everyone is promised eight tests per month then only 62.5 million people would get them. I'm thinking the government is going to need to make that at least 1 billion available per month and maybe limit them to four per person so at least 250 million people can be tested.

[ZoWie]

That's fine, but 500 million rapid tests means if everyone is promised eight tests per month then only 62.5 million people would get them. I'm thinking the government is going to need to make that at least 1 billion available per month and maybe limit them to four per person so at least 250 million people can be tested.

I believe that in fact the government types are talking about a billion tests for free and more if you pay for them. I'm skeptical. We will see if they can deliver.

Presumably demand is at an all time high right now and will drop off with the seasonal variation, until the next variant we could have prevented or mitigated with more equitable vaccination in the third world/global south/whatever comes around.

[marindem01]

Australia Deports Djokovic For Being Unvaccinated.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus- ... b8f8849477

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia on Sunday after losing a bid to stay in the country to defend his Australian Open title despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

A masked Djokovic was photographed in a Melbourne airport lounge with two government officials in black uniforms before he left for Dubai. It’s not clear where he will go from there. Among the possibilities are Spain, Monaco or his native Serbia, where he has an almost iconic status and would likely be greeted with a hero’s welcome.

The No. 1-ranked tennis star has spent the past 10 days at the center of a dizzying drama over his vaccination status that has polarized opinion worldwide and struck a chord in Australia, where coronavirus cases are surging.

[Libertas]

Rightwing SC based on zero law will cause massive suffering and death


https://slate.com/news-and-politics/202 ... tough.html

Surgeon General on COVID: “Next Few Weeks Will Be Tough”

Murthy also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden administration’s vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers. “The news about the workplace requirement being blocked was very disappointing,” Murthy said. “It was a setback for public health. Because what these requirements ultimately are helpful for is not just protecting the community at large, but making our workplaces safer for workers as well as for customers.” The administration is now “strongly encouraging” companies to put in requirements voluntarily. “Many have done so already,” he said on ABC. “A third of the Fortune 100 companies have put these in place and many more outside have, so we are certainly encouraging companies to put these requirements in place voluntarily.”

You no good fucking scum...
All of this madness because of something uttered by the proven dumbest human being on earth. I and others have proven there is nobody dumber.

Just IMAGINE that YOUR life or the life of someone you love DEARLY is dependent on something said by the stupidest human being on earth. And the millions of people who vote for any republican thus keeping said stupidest in power.

[bradman]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/australia-de ... 23165.html
Australia has decided to 'let Covid rip.' Is that a good idea?

SYDNEY — As 2021 drew to a close, many Australians were cautiously optimistic that the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic was behind them.

The country had surpassed ambitious vaccine targets, meaning its rolling lockdowns could cease, both internal and international borders would reopen, and as Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared, it was now possible to “live with this virus.”

But as Australia moved to change course on its pandemic strategy, the highly transmissible omicron variant hit. In just over a month, cases have risen from around 1,000 a day to more than 100,000 a day. Hallmarks of the pandemic that Australia mostly avoided began to emerge. The health system is buckling. Many supermarket shelves are bare as sick workers stay home.

Despite this surge in cases, most Australian states and territories are holding the line and allowing the virus to circulate in their communities, which critics have labeled the “let it rip” approach. But is it all bad news?

Round here the expression is "let er buck".

[ProfX]

You know my position on this, but the answer is no.

Besides there still being plenty of people hospitalized, straining medical resources, and some (almost all unvaccinated) still dying ...

Every infection is a chance on the cosmic dice roll for a new mutant variant strain to emerge. Omicron can also apparently cause "Long COVID" including, yah, possibly setting up kids for a lifetime of (type 1) diabetes ... yay.

And kids seem to be doing worse (if not dying) from Omicron than Delta.

I do think the Omicron wave will peak soon (if not already) and there will be plateau or decline in February. That said, there was no good argument for inaction. Never was before, and hasn't been for the last two months.

"Let 'er RIP" (caps on purpose) is not a strategy.

That said, if you're looking for silver linings, I think by Nov., we'll (hopefully) be out of the pandemic phase, and more into the endemic phase.

There will finally be plenty of self-testing kits and that new Pfizer treatment pill in pharmacies ... because demand will have finally stopped being insane.

[gounion]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/australia-de ... 23165.html
Australia has decided to 'let Covid rip.' Is that a good idea?


Round here the expression is "let er buck".

The only people that want to see this are the ones that believe they would survive with no problem. It's a very stupid "survival of the fittest" bullshit.

You asked the question, Brad. Where do YOU stand on the answer?

[ZoWie]

That's like saying that, since we can't stop the sun from shining, we don't need to worry about sunburns.

More denial.

We have the means to reduce covid to yet another of several diseases that are always with us but which do not shut society down every time a new strain comes around, which is likely to be several times a year. Forever and ever, amen. This will happen, but in its own good time. Meanwhile, we can't just ignore it, as much as conservative politicians wish we could.

[bradman]

The only people that want to see this are the ones that believe they would survive with no problem. It's a very stupid "survival of the fittest" bullshit.

You asked the question, Brad. Where do YOU stand on the answer?

i didn't ask the question, Gounion. The article i posted did.

[bradman]

That's like saying that, since we can't stop the sun from shining, we don't need to worry about sunburns.

More denial.

We have the means to reduce covid to yet another of several diseases that are always with us but which do not shut society down every time a new strain comes around, which is likely to be several times a year. Forever and ever, amen. This will happen, but in its own good time. Meanwhile, we can't just ignore it, as much as conservative politicians wish we could.

For ever and ever. It's what i have been telling the kids. Don't be afraid of it. But for gods sake, don't be an idiot. Take precautions. Minimize the problem. Test. Track. Isolate. Mask. Be aware of your surroundings. If it resembles a covid party, don't go. And above all, follow the science. Get your f'ing boosters.

[Libertas]

From the SF Chronicle

Deaths have remained relatively low in the Bay Area through this surge, which no signs yet of an increase. The region is currently reporting about six deaths a day on average. But deaths are spiking in other parts of the state, including Los Angeles County, which recently reported its highest daily death count since last March, according to state data.

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, said he’s encouraged by signs that this surge is slowing down, and that if the peak is soon to arrive it’s come earlier than he anticipated. But several Bay Area factors may have improved outcomes here, he said.

Zowie may be interested in this, as in deaths are spiking still in LA.

My colonoscopy is Thursday and I might reschedule to let Omicron pass. Will talk to them today.

And following is from local paper, local nurses, and thanks to TRUMP assholes, it is far worse than it needs to be

“It’s frustration and anger, because they already know what’s coming,” she said. “You don’t have to be clairvoyant. Nurses understand scientific information and infection control. They understand how to prevent disease. And people aren’t getting vaccinated. They’re not wearing masks as much as they once were. We can see this train wreck coming.”

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/i ... ain-wreck/

[Number6]

Hello fromLas Vegas. I’m here until Saturday fora bowling tournament. There is an indoor state mandate for hotels and casinos. When I checked in yesterday the clerk asked if i wanted housekeeping services during my stay and I said no. It’s not big deal since I keep my room neat anyway and since I’m away from the room most of the day there’s no need to clean it daily. Also, it means no one comes into my room, that I know of, which reduces the chances of contacting COVID from one of the housekeeping staff.

As for people being masked, I’d say about 95% of the people are masked. In the bowling center, you can have your mask off only if you’re eating or drinking and, again, about 95% comply. I feel comfortable here with almost everyone masked and seeing the staff disinfecting the slots and chairs. The have 11 restaurants and you can unmask to eat and drink.

I played a session of Bingo, this afternoon. They have 40 tables that seat 16 people each, for a total of 640 players, with no seating sectioned off for social distancing. However, the players are socially distancing themselves. Between sessions, they close the bingo hall and clean it for the next session.

Also, I ordered a COVID tests from the government website COVIDtests.gov. The website says they’ll start mailing them out at the end of this month.

That’s it for now. I’ll keep checking in to see how things are going.

[Glennfs]

Hello fromLas Vegas. I’m here until Saturday fora bowling tournament. There is an indoor state mandate for hotels and casinos. When I checked in yesterday the clerk asked if i wanted housekeeping services during my stay and I said no. It’s not big deal since I keep my room neat anyway and since I’m away from the room most of the day there’s no need to clean it daily. Also, it means no one comes into my room, that I know of, which reduces the chances of contacting COVID from one of the housekeeping staff.

As for people being masked, I’d say about 95% of the people are masked. In the bowling center, you can have your mask off only if you’re eating or drinking and, again, about 95% comply. I feel comfortable here with almost everyone masked and seeing the staff disinfecting the slots and chairs. The have 11 restaurants and you can unmask to eat and drink.

I played a session of Bingo, this afternoon. They have 40 tables that seat 16 people each, for a total of 640 players, with no seating sectioned off for social distancing. However, the players are socially distancing themselves. Between sessions, they close the bingo hall and clean it for the next session.

Also, I ordered a COVID tests from the government website COVIDtests.gov. The website says they’ll start mailing them out at the end of this month.

That’s it for now. I’ll keep checking in to see how things are going.

I hope that the tables are more generous to.you than the ones in Cherokee NC were to me today

[Number6]

I hope that the tables are more generous to.you than the ones in Cherokee NC were to me today

I stay away from the table games and keep to penny slots and bingo. I’m up a little on the slots and I won $600 playing Bingo this afternoon. I’m way ahead already but I don’t spend much time gambling. With the $600 I won, I bought a new bowling ball from one of the sponsors of the tournament. The ball normally runs $180 but they were selling it for $100. This is a new ball released in the past six months or so. I’ll get it drilled as a full-roller which means it should go long down the lane and then break sharply. i have a friend I bowl with who has a ball drilled this way and I like the action it gets. Like I tell my teammates, this will be my ‘fun’ ball.

[ap215]

White House to Give Out 400 Million Free N95 Masks Starting Next Week

The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings.

The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government's Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country. They will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week, the White House said.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/coro ... n/2940559/