Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #93

[Cool Cats]

I started wearing googles at work early this fall as our numbers starting creeping back up -a face shield was just too much -in the way- for my work routine. And eye protection was never suggested /recommended for most of us in the building. A coworker got infected when they were accidentally hit in the (masked) face with a dirty ppe gown.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Safe...-Fog/dp/B01EIG2HXY?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
Probably the best 5 dollars I’ve spent in 2020.

and according to comments made by coworkers they make me look like a badazz motorcycle mama or a superhero

Nice and super inexpensive.... Cool...
Safety Glasses Eye Protection

$4.79 Prime FREE Delivery & FREE Returns

Other styles and tints as well plus side protection as they curve.

(link in post above)

 

[Satchie]

As for lifting the mask mandate, as someone who lives in Texas, it seems bizarre to me to be honest. It feels like it came out of left field, and nobody I’ve talked to had any expectation that masks would go away anytime soon. Why anyone thought this was a good idea at this point is beyond me. Numbers here locally for me are way down, which is incredible.... but it seems stupid to me to not continue doing what you know got us to these lower numbers while we continue to vaccinate folks. The ditching masks defies all logic IMO and thankfully I’ve not seen any business or location locally that I frequent intending to actually ditch requiring masks.

It will be interesting to see what people do, versus what the government policy is. Likely, among different groups/demographics, there will be some kind of consensus or social pressure either to wear or not wear one, and stores, restaurants, etc, may have to decide which side to appeal to. It could be very hard on workers who want to protect themselves, yet have to serve the unmasked.

 

[Lilibet]

The rest of the story...facts that I hope will balance the previous Fox story.

Texas Gov. Abbott stalled federal offer to test migrants then blamed them for spreading Covid - CNNPolitics

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is stalling efforts by the Biden administration to provide federal funds for Covid-19 tests for migrants released from custody, a senior Homeland Security official tells CNN.

After relaxing state Covid restrictions this week, Abbott alleged, without evidence, that migrants coming into Texas are exposing the state's residents to the coronavirus.

"The Biden administration has been releasing immigrants in south Texas that have been exposing Texans to Covid," Abbott, a Republican, said in a CNBC interview Thursday.

But behind the scenes, the Department of Homeland Security has relayed plans to the governor's office to try and get assistance to cities and counties to mitigate Covid-19 spread, according to the official.

DHS has already set plans in motion to use Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to support community efforts to test, isolate and quarantine migrants released from Border Patrol custody, the official told CNN. But the grant money needs to be approved by the state before it can be distributed to border communities. CNN previously reported plans were underway to use FEMA funds to help localities acquire tests.

As of Wednesday, Texas had not yet provided a response to the administration since engaging with the Department of Homeland Security.

 

[LadyL]

oh boy

Ontario doctor cautioned by regulators for spreading COVID-19 misinformation

 

[SouthAussie]

The rest of the story...facts that I hope will balance the previous Fox story.

Texas Gov. Abbott stalled federal offer to test migrants then blamed them for spreading Covid - CNNPolitics

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is stalling efforts by the Biden administration to provide federal funds for Covid-19 tests for migrants released from custody, a senior Homeland Security official tells CNN.

After relaxing state Covid restrictions this week, Abbott alleged, without evidence, that migrants coming into Texas are exposing the state's residents to the coronavirus.

"The Biden administration has been releasing immigrants in south Texas that have been exposing Texans to Covid," Abbott, a Republican, said in a CNBC interview Thursday.

But behind the scenes, the Department of Homeland Security has relayed plans to the governor's office to try and get assistance to cities and counties to mitigate Covid-19 spread, according to the official.

DHS has already set plans in motion to use Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to support community efforts to test, isolate and quarantine migrants released from Border Patrol custody, the official told CNN. But the grant money needs to be approved by the state before it can be distributed to border communities. CNN previously reported plans were underway to use FEMA funds to help localities acquire tests.

As of Wednesday, Texas had not yet provided a response to the administration since engaging with the Department of Homeland Security.

I guess with that kind of rhetoric and inaction, once the virus starts spreading badly again in Texas - due to them not requiring masks - they have someone to blame it on besides themselves.

 

[SouthAussie]

oh boy

Ontario doctor cautioned by regulators for spreading COVID-19 misinformation

"The college’s complaints committee ruled that the comments, posted last year, were factually incorrect and likely to be taken seriously by non-medical members of the public because she is a physician."

So true. How many times do we see that 'this nurse doesn't do this' or 'this doctor doesn't do this' for the reason why people don't protect themselves and their communities.
The bad example of a medical person giving them a reason to not do what they know they should be doing.

 

[Lilibet]

I guess with that kind of rhetoric and inaction, once the virus starts spreading badly again in Texas - due to them not requiring masks - they have someone to blame it on besides themselves.

BBM

Scapegoating “others” is so dangerous as history should have taught us.
JMO

 

[tabitha111]

Nice and super inexpensive.... Cool...
Safety Glasses Eye Protection

$4.79 Prime FREE Delivery & FREE Returns

View attachment 286933

Other styles and tints as well plus side protection as they curve.

(link in post above)

Just ordered! They are on backorder by about a week- Thanks for this...the price is right!

 

[Satchie]

oh boy

Ontario doctor cautioned by regulators for spreading COVID-19 misinformation

This is not this particular doctor's first foray into medical politics, or I might say, politicizing medicine. She's been at it for several years now, getting in the news, writing columns of outrage, speaking from podiums, leading campaigns. Intoxicating stuff, for some. She's a pediatrician and allergist. I notice no one's actually put her in charge of anything yet, so, like many others, she tries to run the world from her Twitter account.

 

[SouthAussie]

We are hearing on our morning news (Friday morning here) that Astra Zeneca is only able to meet about 40% of its production requirements ... for the worldwide orders that have been placed with them.

There has been a bit of a bum fight because Australia is being hugely shorted - but because Australia is 'not considered vulnerable' Europe is getting the vaccines. Especially Italy because they are in such a mess.

Our health minister says for us just to relax (I think we are pretty relaxed ) because it will just be a few weeks and our own production of Astra Zeneca will start pumping out. Just puts us behind the rest of the western world, I guess, as far as getting people vaccinated.

I am not sure who is complaining. Maybe Qantas? They are itching to get flying internationally again. They published HUGE losses recently.

 

[LadyL]

This is not this particular doctor's first foray into medical politics, or I might say, politicizing medicine. She's been at it for several years now, getting in the news, writing columns of outrage, speaking from podiums, leading campaigns. Intoxicating stuff, for some. She's a pediatrician and allergist. I notice no one's actually put her in charge of anything yet, so, like many others, she tries to run the world from her Twitter account.

[bbm]
LOL spot on

 

[acutename]

Why type A blood may increase COVID-19 risk | Live Science

This is why I go no where, and wear a double mask.

first the blood type was important; then it was not.... now it is back as a factor....(head hurts)
I will spare you the parallel to masking as is has been hashed over a lot...but then there is surface transmission- unlikely, then likely, now "rare".... kids- "don't get COVID," yes, they do.....don't transmit it; yes they do...not the younger ones.... well, maybe them. Not the older ones- well, maybe them. I read lots of articles but, the more I read, the more my head hurts. Is it any wonder that a lot of people just decide what level of risk they think they can live with? I get that early on no data was peer reviewed and that the data accumulates and changes, and that a lot of things from research are oversimplified in the popular press, but sometimes I feel as or more ignorant March 4, 2021 than I was March 4, 2020.

 

[SouthAussie]

first the blood type was important; then it was not.... now it is back as a factor....(head hurts)
I will spare you the parallel to masking as is has been hashed over a lot...but then there is surface transmission- unlikely, then likely, now "rare".... kids- "don't get COVID," yes, they do.....don't transmit it; yes they do...not the younger ones.... well, maybe them. Not the older ones- well, maybe them. I read lots of articles but, the more I read, the more my head hurts. Is it any wonder that a lot of people just decide what level of risk they think they can live with? I get that early on no data was peer reviewed and that the data accumulates and changes, and that a lot of things from research are oversimplified in the popular press, but sometimes I feel as or more ignorant March 4, 2021 than I was March 4, 2020.

One thing that has always been consistent is the basic precautions. Apparently some cannot even follow them.

And some people are completely disregarding the well-posted CDC precautions about travel. They clearly state, in bold red colour, do not travel advices for different places. But people just keep on travelling to those places.


To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.
Advice for the public on COVID-19 – World Health Organization

 

[SouthAussie]

Alabama today became the latest state to make a major announcement about masks.

"I understand the need to want to get back to normality, but you're only going to set yourself back if you just completely push aside the public health guidelines – particularly when we're dealing with anywhere from 55 (thousand) to 70,000 infections per day in the United States," Dr Fauci told CNN.

Of particular concern to health experts is the B.1.1.7 variant which was first identified in the United Kingdom and has now been found in 44 US states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.
A person with that variant can infect 43 per cent to 90 per cent more people than the older versions of the virus ...

In a statement, the Infectious Diseases Society of America said the US must continue to use masks, social distance, wash hands and avoid large gatherings.

Dr Fauci slams 'inexplicable' loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in some US states

 

[ilovewings]

This is not this particular doctor's first foray into medical politics, or I might say, politicizing medicine. She's been at it for several years now, getting in the news, writing columns of outrage, speaking from podiums, leading campaigns. Intoxicating stuff, for some. She's a pediatrician and allergist. I notice no one's actually put her in charge of anything yet, so, like many others, she tries to run the world from her Twitter account.

She is a dangerous physician dispensing lies

 

[ilovewings]

first the blood type was important; then it was not.... now it is back as a factor....(head hurts)
I will spare you the parallel to masking as is has been hashed over a lot...but then there is surface transmission- unlikely, then likely, now "rare".... kids- "don't get COVID," yes, they do.....don't transmit it; yes they do...not the younger ones.... well, maybe them. Not the older ones- well, maybe them. I read lots of articles but, the more I read, the more my head hurts. Is it any wonder that a lot of people just decide what level of risk they think they can live with? I get that early on no data was peer reviewed and that the data accumulates and changes, and that a lot of things from research are oversimplified in the popular press, but sometimes I feel as or more ignorant March 4, 2021 than I was March 4, 2020.

I agree with you but I think the problem is that this virus is so new that different information keeps coming in and seeming to contradict prior information. It is remarkably confusing. However, I do believe there is enough clear information that the public should rely on the fact that masks work as well as social distancing and hand washing. Just think: why is there hardly any flu this year? because of those three mitigating behaviors. That is clear.

 

[acutename]

I agree with you but I think the problem is that this virus is so new that different information keeps coming in and seeming to contradict prior information. It is remarkably confusing. However, I do believe there is enough clear information that the public should rely on the fact that masks work as well as social distancing and hand washing. Just think: why is there hardly any flu this year? because of those three mitigating behaviors. That is clear.

yes- we have very little flu, though I have not recently looked at my State's statistics, I keep reading that. BTW, is there less flu in other countries too? staying away from each other defeats viruses, it appears. are we going to permanently engineer the world differently because of this? maybe people also got more flu shots this year? have not seen statistics on that and also possibly, more weakened people died from COVID and were not in the flu statistics...need some epidemiologists to help out here.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

I agree with you but I think the problem is that this virus is so new that different information keeps coming in and seeming to contradict prior information. It is remarkably confusing. However, I do believe there is enough clear information that the public should rely on the fact that masks work as well as social distancing and hand washing. Just think: why is there hardly any flu this year? because of those three mitigating behaviors. That is clear.

And some continue to make it an issue to be divisive, such as Texas gov who is ridding of the mask mandate. This will of course lead to the antimaskers in businesses fighting about such. We've been there, done that and know what to expect. It was knocked back with orders..... but no more.

 

[SouthAussie]

yes- we have very little flu, though I have not recently looked at my State's statistics, I keep reading that. BTW, is there less flu in other countries too? staying away from each other defeats viruses, it appears. are we going to permanently engineer the world differently because of this? maybe people also got more flu shots this year? have not seen statistics on that and also possibly, more weakened people died from COVID and were not in the flu statistics...need some epidemiologists to help out here.

I posted way back in the threads, we had an absolutely massive drop in flu rates and deaths last Aussie winter ... attributed to social distancing, hand washing, and higher than usual flu vaccination take up.

 

[SouthAussie]

And some continue to make it an issue to be divisive, such as Texas gov who is ridding of the mask mandate. This will of course lead to the antimaskers in businesses fighting about such. We've been there, done that and know what to expect. It was knocked back with orders..... but no more.

I read yesterday that Target is going to continue requiring masks in those states that are dropping their mandates. So, yes, I can foresee stupidity at and within the stores as well.


Even as some states roll back mask mandates, some of the nation’s largest retailers including Kroger, Macy’s, Starbucks and Target are not rolling back theirs.
Best Buy and Macy's also told USA TODAY they had no plans to change their mask policies.
Target, Best Buy, Starbucks require masks even as Texas lifts mandate