- Joined
- Nov 30, 2013
- Messages
- 13,432
- Reaction score
- 65,718
Deleted, wrong thread
Last edited:
Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #92
- Thread starter Amonet
- Start date
- Status
dixiegirl1035
I will do it, but I won't like it
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2017
- Messages
- 12,887
- Reaction score
- 99,770
Eric Feigl-Ding[URL='https://twitter.com/DrEricDing']@DrEricDing·[/URL]
2h
What’s worse than simple mutation? RECOMBINATION! Recombination is the large scale “copy and pasting” mixing of whole sections of genome
swapping from one virus to another. And the bad news is—many experts think it’s likely happening with #SARSCoV2.
The Coronavirus Is a Master of Mixing Its Genome, Worrying Scientists
2h
What’s worse than simple mutation? RECOMBINATION! Recombination is the large scale “copy and pasting” mixing of whole sections of genome
swapping from one virus to another. And the bad news is—many experts think it’s likely happening with #SARSCoV2.
The Coronavirus Is a Master of Mixing Its Genome, Worrying Scientists
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2009
- Messages
- 31,389
- Reaction score
- 88,016
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 33,209
- Reaction score
- 217,683
The police sergeant was welcoming us to quarantine, wedged in the doorframe of the bus.
"We've heard every excuse under the sun to get an upgrade, but the answer is no," he said. "Try picking up the guitar to pass your time."
After almost a year, five cancelled flights, possibly three cases of COVID and thousands of dollars, we had finally made it home.
Arriving in Australia is entirely different to landing in the UK, where borders have remained open and quarantine is completed at a nominated residence.
It has proven financially, mentally and physically testing for myself and thousands of other Australians. But it has been worth it. The death toll here is 909. The UK has passed 100,000.
Towards the end of the year, as people were forced inside with the cold weather, cases inevitably began to climb.
A friend who had been at home in an apartment for six months with her children went to one outdoor kid's party and contracted the virus within a week, along with all the attendees.
Another broke up with her partner after he refused to let her flatmate's asthma "dictate his lifestyle".
The "COVID fight" was a thing. How careful you were seemed to signify your values of community, respect, safety and hygiene. People around me were confronted by each other's judgment and hypocrisy.
And then, this abstract idea we'd been revolving around was happening. At dawn, we stood outside Heathrow, pulling down our masks to take the last breath of fresh air until we would be released in Australia more than 16 days later. It started snowing.
It was difficult to breathe on the plane, between the mask and recirculated air for 28 hours (we had to stay in our seats while refuelling in Singapore). And yet we were so relieved, knowing we were the lucky few.
The chaos of this past year makes the kindnesses stand out. Finding gifts from friends by our window in quarantine. Taking part in community projects. The neighbourhood banding together to make sure those who were vulnerable had everything they needed. Watching heroes show up everywhere.
Even the "Welcome Home/ Thank you for Keeping Australia Safe" drawn in colourful texta on a paper bag in our hotel room.
Five cancelled flights, three likely COVID cases and thousands of dollars later, we're finally home
"We've heard every excuse under the sun to get an upgrade, but the answer is no," he said. "Try picking up the guitar to pass your time."
After almost a year, five cancelled flights, possibly three cases of COVID and thousands of dollars, we had finally made it home.
Arriving in Australia is entirely different to landing in the UK, where borders have remained open and quarantine is completed at a nominated residence.
It has proven financially, mentally and physically testing for myself and thousands of other Australians. But it has been worth it. The death toll here is 909. The UK has passed 100,000.
Towards the end of the year, as people were forced inside with the cold weather, cases inevitably began to climb.
A friend who had been at home in an apartment for six months with her children went to one outdoor kid's party and contracted the virus within a week, along with all the attendees.
Another broke up with her partner after he refused to let her flatmate's asthma "dictate his lifestyle".
The "COVID fight" was a thing. How careful you were seemed to signify your values of community, respect, safety and hygiene. People around me were confronted by each other's judgment and hypocrisy.
And then, this abstract idea we'd been revolving around was happening. At dawn, we stood outside Heathrow, pulling down our masks to take the last breath of fresh air until we would be released in Australia more than 16 days later. It started snowing.
It was difficult to breathe on the plane, between the mask and recirculated air for 28 hours (we had to stay in our seats while refuelling in Singapore). And yet we were so relieved, knowing we were the lucky few.
The chaos of this past year makes the kindnesses stand out. Finding gifts from friends by our window in quarantine. Taking part in community projects. The neighbourhood banding together to make sure those who were vulnerable had everything they needed. Watching heroes show up everywhere.
Even the "Welcome Home/ Thank you for Keeping Australia Safe" drawn in colourful texta on a paper bag in our hotel room.
Five cancelled flights, three likely COVID cases and thousands of dollars later, we're finally home
NY
New York will allow people with some chronic health conditions access to vaccines starting on Feb. 15.
<snip> New York State will begin allowing people with some chronic health conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness from the coronavirus to receive a vaccine on Feb. 15, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday.
<snip> Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to Mr. Cuomo, later tweeted a list of the conditions that would qualify a person for a vaccine, though she cautioned they may change. The list included cancer, heart conditions, lung diseases, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, diabetes and pregnancy. (The C.D.C.’s advisory committee has told pregnant women to consult with their doctors before receiving the vaccine.)
Covid-19 Live Updates: New York Will Expand Vaccine Access to People With Some Chronic Conditions
New York will allow people with some chronic health conditions access to vaccines starting on Feb. 15.
<snip> New York State will begin allowing people with some chronic health conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness from the coronavirus to receive a vaccine on Feb. 15, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday.
<snip> Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to Mr. Cuomo, later tweeted a list of the conditions that would qualify a person for a vaccine, though she cautioned they may change. The list included cancer, heart conditions, lung diseases, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, diabetes and pregnancy. (The C.D.C.’s advisory committee has told pregnant women to consult with their doctors before receiving the vaccine.)
Covid-19 Live Updates: New York Will Expand Vaccine Access to People With Some Chronic Conditions
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 33,209
- Reaction score
- 217,683
This Sunday, on the Aussie version of 60 Minutes, we are going to hear from an Aussie doctor who has been able to speak with Patient Zero in Wuhan.
But in the last few days, the World Health Organisation has finally been allowed to send experts to Wuhan to investigate. And already there’s been significant progress, including by an Aussie doctor on the team who has been able to contact and interview the first known case of COVID-19, patient zero.
COVID, CHINA and TRUMP - This weekend on 60 MINUTES | TV Blackbox
But in the last few days, the World Health Organisation has finally been allowed to send experts to Wuhan to investigate. And already there’s been significant progress, including by an Aussie doctor on the team who has been able to contact and interview the first known case of COVID-19, patient zero.
COVID, CHINA and TRUMP - This weekend on 60 MINUTES | TV Blackbox
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2009
- Messages
- 31,389
- Reaction score
- 88,016
Phoenix couple dies of COVID-19 just seconds apart, days after 50th wedding anniversary
https://www.wtkr.com/news/national/...8z96rUgoCtf0AbYfWqKZENC2aDWvEOUcMQgSecLLAuI6U
https://www.wtkr.com/news/national/...8z96rUgoCtf0AbYfWqKZENC2aDWvEOUcMQgSecLLAuI6U
- Joined
- May 5, 2016
- Messages
- 3,681
- Reaction score
- 23,058
About 20% of new COVID cases in Mass. are people under 19
State health officials confirmed another 2,982 COVID-19 cases and 74 virus-related fatalities on Friday
There are currently 1,503 patients hospitalized with the virus, including 322 in intensive care, 196 of whom are intubated. The seven-day average of positive tests dropped to 3.16%.
There have now been a total of 510,148 COVID cases and 14,563 deaths in Massachusetts since the pandemic began.
Roughly 20% of new cases, or 10,332, over the last two weeks have been in people younger than 19, according to the state data. Twenty-somethings saw the second highest number of new infections with 9,334, or roughly 18%. Residents over the age of 70 accounted for less than 10%, data shows.
Conversely, residents over the age of 70 made up more than 80%, or 706, of deaths over the last two weeks. Residents in their twenties or younger comprised less than .5%, or four, virus fatalities, data shows.
Over the last 14 days, average age of death was 80.
Nationwide, cases have fallen roughly 30% over the last 14 days, with hospitalizations also declining, the New York Times reports. But COVID deaths remain elevated, with more 100,000 having died so far in 2021.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday said there’s been a “pretty significant downward trend” in viral activity statewide. Beginning on Monday, restaurants, gyms and museums, among many other businesses and venues, can up their capacity from 25% to 40% amid encouraging numbers over the last few weeks. Boston officials also announced Friday that they would follow the state’s lead in expanding capacity for those businesses.
A call center set up to help residents book appointments to get the vaccine went live on Friday following complaints from residents having trouble navigating the online system.
State health officials confirmed another 2,982 COVID-19 cases and 74 virus-related fatalities on Friday
There are currently 1,503 patients hospitalized with the virus, including 322 in intensive care, 196 of whom are intubated. The seven-day average of positive tests dropped to 3.16%.
There have now been a total of 510,148 COVID cases and 14,563 deaths in Massachusetts since the pandemic began.
Roughly 20% of new cases, or 10,332, over the last two weeks have been in people younger than 19, according to the state data. Twenty-somethings saw the second highest number of new infections with 9,334, or roughly 18%. Residents over the age of 70 accounted for less than 10%, data shows.
Conversely, residents over the age of 70 made up more than 80%, or 706, of deaths over the last two weeks. Residents in their twenties or younger comprised less than .5%, or four, virus fatalities, data shows.
Over the last 14 days, average age of death was 80.
Nationwide, cases have fallen roughly 30% over the last 14 days, with hospitalizations also declining, the New York Times reports. But COVID deaths remain elevated, with more 100,000 having died so far in 2021.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday said there’s been a “pretty significant downward trend” in viral activity statewide. Beginning on Monday, restaurants, gyms and museums, among many other businesses and venues, can up their capacity from 25% to 40% amid encouraging numbers over the last few weeks. Boston officials also announced Friday that they would follow the state’s lead in expanding capacity for those businesses.
A call center set up to help residents book appointments to get the vaccine went live on Friday following complaints from residents having trouble navigating the online system.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2009
- Messages
- 9,752
- Reaction score
- 75,447
This is one of a few cases where someone has died close in time to receiving
the vaccine-- i believe these few deaths are related to the vaccine and
frankly it scares the heck out of me-- these deaths are rare, but they do occur--it will
never be proven that these people died as a result of the vaccine, but the time period
between vaccine given and symptoms and death convince me these events
are related
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 158085
Guest
Lung health, I believe.
Reasonable & Just
United We Stand
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2019
- Messages
- 2,177
- Reaction score
- 21,469
Oh, no no no no no...
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2017
- Messages
- 425
- Reaction score
- 2,121
*****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****
Genomic surveillance teams have revealed that they have found evidence of actual human brain cells circulating amongst several UK government ministers and officials dealing with the coronavirus. It appears that the concept of quarantining foreign visitors (what?) and the successful vaccine rollout led to this discovery. Scientists have assured the British public that this is likely some kind of mutant variation and normal levels of bungling and ignoring the obvious will be restored shortly.
Honestly though, I never thought I would be sitting here in early Feb with nearly 17% of the UK pop having had at least one dose of vaccine. I like the Guardian's ticker on covid stats in the UK, clear info and updated vaccine info too now. My sister (a nurse) had her first shot Dec 17th, my pharmacist niece had hers before Christmas, my care worker friends and the residents of the last elderly home I worked at had theirs early Jan and my only close elderly relatives a couple in their 80s had theirs two weeks ago so all this tallies with what is supposed to be happening (priority groups etc).
I have some concerns about delaying the second jab, but have seen reputable drs on both sides so I think the proof of the pudding over this is just going to have to be in the eating. On balance in the UK situation I think I would plump for whacking any safe vaccine out to as many people as possible. Now is not the time for finesse, or being too concerned about efficacy rates, if this prevents death and hospitalizations then that is what is needed at this moment. And the data from Israel's amazing vaccination efforts is encouraging. It is clear now that we will have to keep refining the vaccines as the virus mutates, so the quicker we quash cases as a whole we buy time, less cases, less chances for variants to arise.
Had occasion to have to bite my lip hard when my closest friend's sister and brother-in-law contracted covid suspiciously about a week after Christmas. He is actually an official shielder, lots of conditions and late 70s. Turns out they had about 7 younger relatives over at Christmas....unsurprisingly he was quite ill usual deterioration around day 10 with falling sats. Interestingly his GP had him on a sats monitor that was hooked up to a monitoring centre in a town the other side of our county. When the sats dropped they whipped him into hospital (ICU) for the weekend and then out to a normal ward where he asked if he could get the bus home. Of course they took him up on that but made him get a covid-safe taxi. He is doing ok at the moment. My friend of course thought they were foolish and thank God didn't go to the get-together but she didn't seem that surprised at their choices. I can't write here what I would have said to my sister if I had heard that she had done that to one of our older relatives.............I understand people are very weary but they knew vaccines were weeks away? And of course they took up the offer of the vaccine in late Jan..........
Still, I refuse to lose my optimistic mood, here's to us the vaccine leaders....GO ISRAEL, GO UK, GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOOP, WHOOP, WHOOP, we're on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Genomic surveillance teams have revealed that they have found evidence of actual human brain cells circulating amongst several UK government ministers and officials dealing with the coronavirus. It appears that the concept of quarantining foreign visitors (what?) and the successful vaccine rollout led to this discovery. Scientists have assured the British public that this is likely some kind of mutant variation and normal levels of bungling and ignoring the obvious will be restored shortly.
Honestly though, I never thought I would be sitting here in early Feb with nearly 17% of the UK pop having had at least one dose of vaccine. I like the Guardian's ticker on covid stats in the UK, clear info and updated vaccine info too now. My sister (a nurse) had her first shot Dec 17th, my pharmacist niece had hers before Christmas, my care worker friends and the residents of the last elderly home I worked at had theirs early Jan and my only close elderly relatives a couple in their 80s had theirs two weeks ago so all this tallies with what is supposed to be happening (priority groups etc).
I have some concerns about delaying the second jab, but have seen reputable drs on both sides so I think the proof of the pudding over this is just going to have to be in the eating. On balance in the UK situation I think I would plump for whacking any safe vaccine out to as many people as possible. Now is not the time for finesse, or being too concerned about efficacy rates, if this prevents death and hospitalizations then that is what is needed at this moment. And the data from Israel's amazing vaccination efforts is encouraging. It is clear now that we will have to keep refining the vaccines as the virus mutates, so the quicker we quash cases as a whole we buy time, less cases, less chances for variants to arise.
Had occasion to have to bite my lip hard when my closest friend's sister and brother-in-law contracted covid suspiciously about a week after Christmas. He is actually an official shielder, lots of conditions and late 70s. Turns out they had about 7 younger relatives over at Christmas....unsurprisingly he was quite ill usual deterioration around day 10 with falling sats. Interestingly his GP had him on a sats monitor that was hooked up to a monitoring centre in a town the other side of our county. When the sats dropped they whipped him into hospital (ICU) for the weekend and then out to a normal ward where he asked if he could get the bus home. Of course they took him up on that but made him get a covid-safe taxi. He is doing ok at the moment. My friend of course thought they were foolish and thank God didn't go to the get-together but she didn't seem that surprised at their choices. I can't write here what I would have said to my sister if I had heard that she had done that to one of our older relatives.............I understand people are very weary but they knew vaccines were weeks away? And of course they took up the offer of the vaccine in late Jan..........
Still, I refuse to lose my optimistic mood, here's to us the vaccine leaders....GO ISRAEL, GO UK, GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHOOP, WHOOP, WHOOP, we're on the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2016
- Messages
- 16,101
- Reaction score
- 154,916
I believe that the second shot is the one with more side effects.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2018
- Messages
- 13,072
- Reaction score
- 103,551
Yes.
Some people have more severe side effects after second COVID shot | khou.com
Doctors say the symptoms are actually a good thing because they indicate a strong immune response.
Dr. Fauci Says He Had These Side Effects From His Second Vaccine Dose
Fauci said fatigue was his biggest side effect after the second dose of the COVID vaccine.
On Jan. 21, Fauci told White House reporters that he had gotten his second vaccine dose two days prior, as tweeted by Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs.
"I was hoping that I wouldn't get too knocked out. I did for about 24 hours. Now I'm fine," he explained. According to Jacobs, Fauci also said he was "a little achy" and "chilly," but not actually sick from the vaccine.
margarita25
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Messages
- 51,429
- Reaction score
- 207,291
Worrisome coronavirus mutation seen in U.K. variant and in some U.S. samples
Feb. 2, 2021
“A coronavirus mutation that appears to limit the protection of vaccines against infection has appeared in the United Kingdom, which is already struggling with a highly transmissible and apparently more lethal virus variant.
The worrisome mutation, at a site on the virus RNA called E484K, has drawn close scrutiny from infectious-disease experts, who have given it the nickname “Eeek.”
In addition to its appearance in the U.K. variant, it has been seen in variants that spread rapidly in South Africa and Brazil. It has also been identified in recent days in a handful of cases in the United States. Two new cases of the South Africa variant were confirmed Tuesday just outside the nation’s capital, in Montgomery County.“
[...]
“The “Eeek” mutation is not actually new: It has reared up in genomic sequences many times since the start of the pandemic, and virologists have long understood that it was potentially problematic. But it appears to do little in isolation, and gained widespread attention only recently, after it began appearing in tandem with other mutations in the rapidly spreading variants in South Africa and Brazil, said Greg Armstrong, director of the advanced molecular detection program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“
Feb. 2, 2021
“A coronavirus mutation that appears to limit the protection of vaccines against infection has appeared in the United Kingdom, which is already struggling with a highly transmissible and apparently more lethal virus variant.
The worrisome mutation, at a site on the virus RNA called E484K, has drawn close scrutiny from infectious-disease experts, who have given it the nickname “Eeek.”
In addition to its appearance in the U.K. variant, it has been seen in variants that spread rapidly in South Africa and Brazil. It has also been identified in recent days in a handful of cases in the United States. Two new cases of the South Africa variant were confirmed Tuesday just outside the nation’s capital, in Montgomery County.“
[...]
“The “Eeek” mutation is not actually new: It has reared up in genomic sequences many times since the start of the pandemic, and virologists have long understood that it was potentially problematic. But it appears to do little in isolation, and gained widespread attention only recently, after it began appearing in tandem with other mutations in the rapidly spreading variants in South Africa and Brazil, said Greg Armstrong, director of the advanced molecular detection program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2012
- Messages
- 33,209
- Reaction score
- 217,683
Great post @RosalindaA ! The British are nothing if not organised.
Hopefully the vaccinating is proceeding well in Ireland also.
margarita25
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Messages
- 51,429
- Reaction score
- 207,291
margarita25
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
- Messages
- 51,429
- Reaction score
- 207,291
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2018
- Messages
- 13,072
- Reaction score
- 103,551
'Vaccine Hunters' Cross State Lines in Search of Shots
The federal government has created this ‘Hunger Games’ scenario.
The scramble to get inoculated has turned attention to the patchwork of vaccination rules devised by states, given a lack of national, standardized protocols.
With states varying widely in prioritizing who can get shots, “vaccine hunter” groups, which scour the country for places where people qualify for the vaccine, have sprung into action on social media.
People driving across the country to get a shot at Texas Motor Speedway
When Chanel Maronge saw on Facebook that she was eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, she seized the opportunity. The only catch? She had to cross the state line to Mississippi last week, driving 1 1/2 hours from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to get her first shot.
“The idea of having to wait an unlimited amount of time in Louisiana to get a vaccine just didn’t work for us,” said Maronge, 37, a school librarian who has high blood pressure. Her husband, who has diabetes, and both her parents were able to get vaccinated along with her in McComb, Mississippi.
Kentucky Health and Family Services announced Wednesday vaccine recipients in Kentucky will have to prove they're either KY residents or KY healthcare workers.
Maronge said she was trying to keep herself and her family safe. People ages 16 to 64 who have chronic health conditions, including diabetes, are eligible to get the vaccine in Mississippi, but not yet in Louisiana.
Maronge’s mother, who is 69, missed the cutoff for Louisiana vaccine eligibility by just a year, but her age group was eligible in Mississippi.
At the vaccination site in McComb Mississippi no one asked for proof
of residency, Maronge said, and workers inquired only about medical history and preexisting conditions. Maronge said that she and her husband made it clear they lived in Louisiana, but that it did not seem to bother the staff.
The federal government has created this ‘Hunger Games’ scenario.
The scramble to get inoculated has turned attention to the patchwork of vaccination rules devised by states, given a lack of national, standardized protocols.
With states varying widely in prioritizing who can get shots, “vaccine hunter” groups, which scour the country for places where people qualify for the vaccine, have sprung into action on social media.
People driving across the country to get a shot at Texas Motor Speedway
When Chanel Maronge saw on Facebook that she was eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, she seized the opportunity. The only catch? She had to cross the state line to Mississippi last week, driving 1 1/2 hours from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to get her first shot.
“The idea of having to wait an unlimited amount of time in Louisiana to get a vaccine just didn’t work for us,” said Maronge, 37, a school librarian who has high blood pressure. Her husband, who has diabetes, and both her parents were able to get vaccinated along with her in McComb, Mississippi.
Kentucky Health and Family Services announced Wednesday vaccine recipients in Kentucky will have to prove they're either KY residents or KY healthcare workers.
Maronge said she was trying to keep herself and her family safe. People ages 16 to 64 who have chronic health conditions, including diabetes, are eligible to get the vaccine in Mississippi, but not yet in Louisiana.
Maronge’s mother, who is 69, missed the cutoff for Louisiana vaccine eligibility by just a year, but her age group was eligible in Mississippi.
At the vaccination site in McComb Mississippi no one asked for proof
of residency, Maronge said, and workers inquired only about medical history and preexisting conditions. Maronge said that she and her husband made it clear they lived in Louisiana, but that it did not seem to bother the staff.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 5, 2016
- Messages
- 3,681
- Reaction score
- 23,058
Somerville mayor rips Baker's decision to lift business capacity limits | Boston.com
More at link
Most cities and towns in Massachusetts will see capacity limits on indoor businesses increase from 25 percent to 40 percent maximum occupancy this Monday. Somerville won’t be one of them.
“This makes absolutely no sense,” Mayor Joe Curtatone tweeted Thursday afternoon, after Gov. Charlie Baker announced the rollback of the statewide capacity limits.
Somerville spokeswoman Denise Taylor confirmed Friday afternoon that the city plans to maintain the 25 percent capacity limit — which applies to a wide range of businesses, including offices, restaurants, gyms, shops, grocery stores, and places of worship — for the time being. She deferred to the mayor on the reasoning.
“The science says drive incidence low in order to stamp out the disease, but MA keeps giving it new chances to breed whenever there’s a slight downtick,” Curtatone tweeted. “We’re effectively waterboarding our health system. Every time it begins to catch its breath, we flood it again.”
While the city is open to lifting the capacity limits at some point in the future, Taylor said Friday that they weren’t ready yet. Somerville only just returned to Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, allowing gyms and movie theaters to reopen, this past Monday.
On Thursday, Baker cited the nearly monthlong downward trend in general COVID-19 levels — including notably sharp declines in hospitalizations and the statewide positive test rate — for the statewide move to revert back to the 40 percent limit. Boston officials announced Friday afternoon that the city would follow suit and lift the limit to 40 percent.
However, Curtatone argued that it was too early and that the state should wait for a larger percentage of the population to be vaccinated before relaxing restrictions. The Somerville Democrat noted that the Baker administration’s rollout of the vaccine has lagged behind most other statesand the state has yet to make many frontline workers, like teachers and store workers, eligible to get the vaccine.
More at link
Most cities and towns in Massachusetts will see capacity limits on indoor businesses increase from 25 percent to 40 percent maximum occupancy this Monday. Somerville won’t be one of them.
“This makes absolutely no sense,” Mayor Joe Curtatone tweeted Thursday afternoon, after Gov. Charlie Baker announced the rollback of the statewide capacity limits.
Somerville spokeswoman Denise Taylor confirmed Friday afternoon that the city plans to maintain the 25 percent capacity limit — which applies to a wide range of businesses, including offices, restaurants, gyms, shops, grocery stores, and places of worship — for the time being. She deferred to the mayor on the reasoning.
“The science says drive incidence low in order to stamp out the disease, but MA keeps giving it new chances to breed whenever there’s a slight downtick,” Curtatone tweeted. “We’re effectively waterboarding our health system. Every time it begins to catch its breath, we flood it again.”
While the city is open to lifting the capacity limits at some point in the future, Taylor said Friday that they weren’t ready yet. Somerville only just returned to Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, allowing gyms and movie theaters to reopen, this past Monday.
On Thursday, Baker cited the nearly monthlong downward trend in general COVID-19 levels — including notably sharp declines in hospitalizations and the statewide positive test rate — for the statewide move to revert back to the 40 percent limit. Boston officials announced Friday afternoon that the city would follow suit and lift the limit to 40 percent.
However, Curtatone argued that it was too early and that the state should wait for a larger percentage of the population to be vaccinated before relaxing restrictions. The Somerville Democrat noted that the Baker administration’s rollout of the vaccine has lagged behind most other statesand the state has yet to make many frontline workers, like teachers and store workers, eligible to get the vaccine.
- Status
Similar threads
Online statistics
- Members online
- 66
- Guests online
- 2,628
- Total visitors
- 2,694