Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #93

[GRT]

A public service ad campaign unveiled Thursday aims to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, telling them "It's Up to You."

The campaign by the Ad Council and its partners is focused on those who may be hesitant to get the shots.

"Because getting back to the moments we miss starts with getting informed. It's up to you."

Ad campaign launches to build trust in vaccine

That's great news! I've always felt as though PSAs should have been used to instill confidence, address skepticism, and reinforce good science since day one. I'm glad to see it's finally happening.

 

[Lilibet]

That's great news! I've always felt as though PSAs should have been used to instill confidence, address skepticism, and reinforce good science since day one. I'm glad to see it's finally happening.

Me too. I’ve been waiting for PSAs since we started having masks and restrictions. It’s wonderful to see it finally happening!

 

[MrX]

This is why we just never know what to believe in Florida. Yesterday were headlines of "lowest number of cases since October", and today we hear over 7100 cases. No explanation...yet.

And, little to no uproar as DeSantis helps arrange "special vaccination" sites in super up-scale gated communities associated with his super doners. One donated over $900,000, and one of the gated community developers donated $125,000.


Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces criticism over vaccination clinics in upscale communities - CNN

Florida Adds 7,179 New COVID-19 Cases Tuesday, as State Reports 136 More Resident Deaths

Florida records smallest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases since mid-October

We had an uproar, today, when Governor Ducey got vaccinated this morning, prior to when the window opened for his age group. In his defense, he was eligible, due to his job, but chose to wait. He used today to release a video encouraging others to get vaccinated.

 

[Jsizzle]

BREAKING: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has announced the state is lifting its county mask mandates and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity starting tomorrow https://cnn.it/37ZVsn6

Michigan and Ohio as well!

 

[SouthAussie]

BREAKING: Texas Governor says statewide mask mandate ends March 10th & all businesses can reopen at 100% capacity
Texas Governor ends mask mandate, allows business to fully reopen (msn.com)
(unbelievable!!)

*sigh*
We’re pretty much opening it back up dining, venues, large weddings/groups/ gatherings etc ( some random limits still in effect-Massachusetts) AND reopening all the schools. Let’s see what happens on this roll of the dice

BREAKING: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has announced the state is lifting its county mask mandates and allowing businesses to operate at full capacity starting tomorrow https://cnn.it/37ZVsn6

Michigan and Ohio as well!

Again, the US starts opening up really, really quickly. Isn't this what happened in March?
No staging in phases, taking it slow and allow weeks in between each stage to make sure things are staying safe .... just open it all right up.

 

[SouthAussie]

We had an uproar, today, when Governor Ducey got vaccinated this morning, prior to when the window opened for his age group. In his defense, he was eligible, due to his job, but chose to wait. He used today to release a video encouraging others to get vaccinated.

All the top leaders are getting vaccinated first ... to show confidence in the vaccines, and because we need healthy persons to run the place.

 

[Reasonable & Just]

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that with the introduction of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. is on track to have enough vaccines for every adult American by the end of May.
Virus Updates: Biden Expects Enough Vaccines for All US Adults by End of May

This is the kind of action we need! Proper use of the DPA, which is what many of us expected/hoped for/ waited for last year, ultimately in vain. This is the smart efficient country we grew up believing in.

White House using Defense Production Act to equip Merck plants for Johnson & Johnson vaccine

 

[WildOrchid]

It’s truly insane imo to just open up this way. We are plateauing but not coming down as fast as we should. It’s causing horrible division in my personal circle: between adult siblings and significant others. Imo we, as a country, still have not gotten the concept that we are all responsible for each other in this! Beyond frustrated!

Again, the US starts opening up really, really quickly. Isn't this what happened in March?
No staging in phases, taking it slow and allow weeks in between each stage to make sure things are staying safe .... just open it all right up.

 

[zecats]

Biden now says US will have enough vaccine for every adult by the end of May - CNNPolitics

Quite the good news!

 

[LadyL]

Texas is ending its mask mandate and will allow all businesses to fully reopen.

 

[SouthAussie]

Texas is ending its mask mandate and will allow all businesses to fully reopen.

No point cooperating with the President and CDC then? Who are trying to get people to wear masks. No point in all being on the same page to try to heal the whole country in a uniform manner.

 

[nightowl1975]

In our community, we have had teachers and other staff members DIE from covid. Your experience is not universal.

Of course there will be a small percentage of deaths among any profession. Healthcare professionals have certainly had their fair share of deaths among colleagues. We still come to work. I don’t say that to be callous, just factual. Why do some seem to believe teachers should be guaranteed complete safety from covid? Why not doctors, nurses, janitors, fast food workers, Amazon delivery drivers, receptionists, and on and on? Why are teachers any more important than other essential workers? I truly believe teachers ARE essential workers, and the repercussions of this whole “remote learning” experiment will be extremely problematic for years to come.

 

[nightowl1975]

As a family member of several teachers, it boggles my mind that you think teaching from home is not "actually going to work". They are working their butts off trying to make this work best for their students, and giving up even more of their family time than usual to rework lesson plans to fit.

Additionally, not a single teacher I know has gone to a restaurant in over a year. What is your source that the most vocal teachers are going to restaurants?

Educators didn't make a career choice to deal with fatal diseases. Medical people did. I'm appalled that they can't see the difference.

I have multiple family and friends who are educators and know they are almost all working very hard to make distance learning work. The problem I see (and they do too) is this: it’s not working. It doesn’t matter how many hours they put in. It’s not the same. This is the message I’ve personally heard again and again, but I am sure there are some who have a different experience and opinion. I also have no doubt that some students are doing just fine with distance learning.

My “source” for some of the most vocal teachers saying in-person learning isn’t safe but have no qualms about going out to eat, on girls’ night out, to church, to marches/rallies/whatever you want to call the riots that have been widespread, sporting events, etc.... that would be my real life experience. Again, I’m sure there are some who aren’t doing these things. But even in the public eye from articles that have been posted and discussed here, we’ve seen some of the most vocal “in person school isn’t safe!” folks off on trips to Cancun for goodness sakes. It’s not as if it’s ALL teachers doing this, but it’s also certainly not like it’s only one or two examples of it out of millions either.

Would you say grocery store workers made the decision to deal with fatal diseases? Fast food workers? Delivery drivers? Receptionists? Janitors? It’s not just medical professionals out there working in person during this whole thing, and some of these folks are dying too.

IF we were seeing the same results from distance learning that we see from in person learning, there might be some argument here. But we aren’t. So, what now? Again, I ask, why are teachers any more important or special than the other people going to work every day?

 

[SouthAussie]

IF we were seeing the same results from distance learning that we see from in person learning, there might be some argument here. But we aren’t. So, what now? Again, I ask, why are teachers any more important or special than the other people going to work every day?

I wish we all could be more compassionate toward people who are trying not to get infected. And doing the best they can to provide an interim solution - even if some think it is not perfect.

Life has been interrupted for us all. A fix is being implemented, but it will take time.

 

[dmac55]

"Some school districts across the country are looking at making summer school mandatory to help students who’ve fallen behind because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia’s governor has suggested extending school into the summer."

"It’s unclear how summer school will look in Arizona and whether it’ll be mandatory for some students. Those decisions will likely be made at the local level by school districts and charter schools."

COVID challenges may lead to summer school for some Arizona students.
COVID challenges may lead to summer school for some Arizona students

 

[nightowl1975]

I wish we all could be more compassionate toward people who are trying not to get infected. And doing the best they can to provide an interim solution - even if some think it is not perfect.

Life has been interrupted for us all. A fix is being implemented, but it will take time.

I guess I just don’t get why some teachers seem to think they’re more important and worthy of protecting themselves than anyone else. We cannot function as a society if we all shelter in place at home for a year or two or more.

 

[SouthAussie]

I guess I just don’t get why some teachers seem to think they’re more important and worthy of protecting themselves than anyone else. We cannot function as a society if we all shelter in place at home for a year or two or more.

None of us can function as the society we were. But we can do the best we can, stay safe and alive however we can, and look forward to a time when the vaccines are working everywhere.

 

[nightowl1975]

None of us can function as the society we were. But we can do the best we can, stay safe and alive however we can, and look forward to a time when the vaccines are working everywhere.

Sure. And according to the CDC, in person school can be a part of a safe re-opening plan, even without vaccines. It’s intriguing to me how some want people to listen to CDC recommendations... until they don’t.

 

[Deleted member 39678]

We’ll Have Herd Immunity by April
Covid cases have dropped 77% in six weeks. Experts should level with the public about the good news.


Opinion | We’ll Have Herd Immunity by April

 

[MimosaMornings]

Smoking Part of Covid-19 Vaccine Group 4 in North Carolina — Gizmodo

“Have you smoked 100 cigarettes in your life? Can you take up, and kick, a pack-a-day habit in the next two weeks? Are you capable of looking a health professional square in the eye and lying? I do not condone these things, but if any of the above applies to you, and you are a North Carolina resident, you may be eligible to get your covid-19 vaccine by the end of the month.”