Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #95

[margarita25]

COVID-19 Outbreaks Spike in Supposedly Safe Colorado Places

Source: Denver to move to 100% capacity without social distancing

COLORADO CORONAVIRUS: Could relaxed max guidance cause spike in COVID-19 cases?

—

Colorado's Mask Mandate Is Over If You're Fully Vaccinated
May 14, 2021

“Gov. Jared Polis said Friday that the fully vaccinated don't need to wear a mask unless a private business requires them.”

[...]

“After a nudge from federal health officials, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday dropped the remaining mask requirements in the state, even as COVID-19 case numbers here remain among the highest in the nation.”

[...]

“Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus and infectious diseases expert at the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, also used a gambling analogy to describe Polis's decision. But he is less optimistic.

"The odds are a little better than even that the governor's plans will not result in more cases and deaths," Swartzberg said in response to emailed questions. "A little better than even is not good enough when we're talking about people's health and lives. Instead, I would have set aspirational goals (e.g., a positivity rate of less than three percent to five percent; a fully-vaccinated percent greater than 70 percent). When they would be met or significantly approached, that would be the time to do what he is now doing."”

[...]

“By Sunday evening, most metro Denver counties including Denver, along with Larimer, Broomfield and Clear Creek will have eliminated all COVID-19 restrictions on business and workplace capacity.

With 81 percent of the state’s acute care hospital beds already in use, and more than 600 still hospitalized with COVID-19, the elimination of restrictions comes with some risk of a virus resurgence. But a full re-opening of the economy also puts some pressure on the nearly 50 percent of Coloradans who have not yet been vaccinated, and will now need to be if they want to safely resume their pre-pandemic lives without extraordinary protective measures.”

*more at link

 

[margarita25]

Here’s what Dr. Maria, Dr. Mike & Dr. Bruce have to say in response to a reporter’s question asking about the latest guidance from the US CDC lifting the mask mandates:

13:35

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Note that their responses are in line conceptually with the comments by Dr. John Swartzberg in my above post, which refer to positivity rate and vaccination percentages.

 

[SouthAussie]

“Unmasking America...”

CDC’s New Mask Guidelines Causing Confusion / What Do New CDC Guidelines Mean For Children?

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It is going to be a different road for the young ones and their parents for a while.


When the CDC announced on Thursday that fully vaccinated people can safely take off their masks in most settings, one group that did not necessarily breathe a sigh of relief was the parents of young children.

The CDC says all unvaccinated people age 2 and older "should wear masks in public settings and when around people who don't live in their household."

Pfizer says it won't be ready to ask for FDA approval for its COVID-19 vaccine in younger kids until September.

"Kids often do what they see their parents do. And I know a lot of my close friends who are physicians who have children under the age of 12, and I have a child who's not fully vaccinated yet because he's only 12. And we think it's really important to continue to wear masks, in solidarity with our kids, to help them feel like they're not an outlier and to make sure that we're setting a good example for them," Landon says.

What The New Mask Guidance Means For Unvaccinated Kids — And Their Parents

 

[SouthAussie]

<RSBM>
“After a nudge from federal health officials, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday dropped the remaining mask requirements in the state, even as COVID-19 case numbers here remain among the highest in the nation.”

But a full re-opening of the economy also puts some pressure on the nearly 50 percent of Coloradans who have not yet been vaccinated, and will now need to be if they want to safely resume their pre-pandemic lives without extraordinary protective measures.”

Any chance that the federal govt is basically saying "we're opening up, get your vaccine or take your chances"?

They can't go on pussy footing around the hesitant and deniers forever. And there seems to be plenty of vaccines.

 

[SouthAussie]

Wealthy countries are being urged to reconsider vaccinating children and donate the doses to poorer nations as the WHO warned the second year of the pandemic would be deadlier than the first.

Countries like the USA are poised to begin inoculating the young but the head of WHO said some poor nations had not yet even protected their frontline health workers amid an uneven distribution of jabs around the world.

In the race to protect their citizens from the deadly coronavirus, wealthy countries have snapped up the most supply since vaccines were first approved in December.

The USA, China and India have inoculated the highest number of people while some countries in Africa have not yet started.

WHO warns second year of pandemic will be 'more deadly than the first'

 

[margarita25]

Wealthy countries are being urged to reconsider vaccinating children and donate the doses to poorer nations as the WHO warned the second year of the pandemic would be deadlier than the first.

Countries like the USA are poised to begin inoculating the young but the head of WHO said some poor nations had not yet even protected their frontline health workers amid an uneven distribution of jabs around the world.

In the race to protect their citizens from the deadly coronavirus, wealthy countries have snapped up the most supply since vaccines were first approved in December.

The USA, China and India have inoculated the highest number of people while some countries in Africa have not yet started.

WHO warns second year of pandemic will be 'more deadly than the first'

Yes, I heard Doc T say this yesterday, that the second year of this pandemic will be 'more deadly than the first', and was going to mention this as well (full conference posted above).

 

[ilovewings]

With mixed messaging on masks, businesses are forced to shoulder the burden

I believe the CDC jumped the gun (so to speak) on this issue: We will now have everybody walking around without masks and you know half those people are not vaccinated. I plan to continue to mask up at the grocery store and if I choose to dine indoors (which I have not done yet), I will wear a mask there as well. I think it is wise to wear a mask in any indoor venue: There are not enough people who have been vaccinated in our country to make me believe it is okay to throw away our masks in all situations. While it is true that the vaccine prevents severe cases, you can still get the virus and even a mild case can be pretty debilitating (with symptoms like loss of smell and taste)- who wants that?

 

[weepingangel]

These two tend to be on the more conservative side of things iirc. More at link
Ashish Jha and Megan Ranney react to the updated CDC mask guidance

re vaxxed coworker mentioned previously who caught a mild case - thought they were having allergies- pollen is brutal right now. Only symptom was a tickly mild cough.

 

[MimosaMornings]

These two tend to be on the more conservative side of things iirc. More at link
Ashish Jha and Megan Ranney react to the updated CDC mask guidance

re vaxxed coworker mentioned previously who caught a mild case - thought they were having allergies- pollen is brutal right now. Only symptom was a tickly mild cough.

The nurse that gave me my allergy jab back in January rolled her eyes when I mentioned how people said “oh it’s just allergies” - she said they got so tired of hearing that comment because so many ended up testing positive.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Any chance that the federal govt is basically saying "we're opening up, get your vaccine or take your chances"?

They can't go on pussy footing around the hesitant and deniers forever. And there seems to be plenty of vaccines.

Just yesterday, an acquaintance posted on social media he would be waiting for longer term/wait and see, and used the polio deaths as an example of how vaccines can kill. SMH. I'm not touching his post.... iykwim.

 

[MimosaMornings]

What if you and your unvaccinated child are traveling to school and there is a license check.
You press the button to roll your window all the way down.
Officer leans over to speak through the window.
Engages in conversation regarding traffic stop/interruption.
Neither has on a mask.
The unvaccinated officer tests positive the next morning.
JMO

 

[JDG]

What if you and your unvaccinated child are traveling to school and there is a license check.
You press the button to roll your window all the way down.
Officer leans over to speak through the window.
Engages in conversation regarding traffic stop/interruption.
Neither has on a mask.
The unvaccinated officer tests positive the next morning.
JMO

These types of interactions will happen and it has little to do with masks or children.

Fully vaccinated people can both transmit and catch COVID so the spread of COVID will continue until the virus dies out or is eradicated.

At this time, the vaccines only limit the degree of illness one can catch.

They do not eradicate COVID.

 

[SA55]

With mixed messaging on masks, businesses are forced to shoulder the burden

I believe the CDC jumped the gun (so to speak) on this issue: We will now have everybody walking around without masks and you know half those people are not vaccinated. I plan to continue to mask up at the grocery store and if I choose to dine indoors (which I have not done yet), I will wear a mask there as well. I think it is wise to wear a mask in any indoor venue: There are not enough people who have been vaccinated in our country to make me believe it is okay to throw away our masks in all situations. While it is true that the vaccine prevents severe cases, you can still get the virus and even a mild case can be pretty debilitating (with symptoms like loss of smell and taste)- who wants that?

Has anyone else had the thought that the mask mandate lifting - perhaps has to do with an attempt to get the hesitate to get vaccinated? The present advice is, FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED, masks no longer required.
I realize, for most, won't make a difference. Those that are adamant against the vaccine won't be persuaded. But some for some others, seeing so many out without a mask may be the motivation they need to get vaccinated.
We, here on WS, took this threat seriously weeks and months ahead of most of the general population. When the CDC stated, no masks needed, we saw the logic as being an attempt to supply PPE to hospitals and first responders and front line workers. I personally, as many of you, still wore masks in the beginning. (as well as gloves and sanitized everything coming into our homes, etc) despite the "advice".
Now, I personally see the lifting of the mask mandate as a possible attempt to get the unvaccinated motivated to get those vaccines.
Often, I'm wrong, I easily could be now.
Being fully vaccinated, I feel safer. However, I still have a stubborn 86 yr old mother, a rebellious daughter and a young asthmatic grandson that I worry about. I will continue to mask up anytime I'm around anyone else that I'm not certain has been vaccinated. Being careful a little longer isn't going to hurt me, and could help save the life of someone I love.

 

[Satchie]

Has anyone else had the thought that the mask mandate lifting - perhaps has to do with an attempt to get the hesitate to get vaccinated? The present advice is, FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED, masks no longer required.
I realize, for most, won't make a difference. Those that are adamant against the vaccine won't be persuaded. But some for some others, seeing so many out without a mask may be the motivation they need to get vaccinated.
We, here on WS, took this threat seriously weeks and months ahead of most of the general population. When the CDC stated, no masks needed, we saw the logic as being an attempt to supply PPE to hospitals and first responders and front line workers. I personally, as many of you, still wore masks in the beginning. (as well as gloves and sanitized everything coming into our homes, etc) despite the "advice".
Now, I personally see the lifting of the mask mandate as a possible attempt to get the unvaccinated motivated to get those vaccines.
Often, I'm wrong, I easily could be now.
Being fully vaccinated, I feel safer. However, I still have a stubborn 86 yr old mother, a rebellious daughter and a young asthmatic grandson that I worry about. I will continue to mask up anytime I'm around anyone else that I'm not certain has been vaccinated. Being careful a little longer isn't going to hurt me, and could help save the life of someone I love.

I agree, sort of. But IMO the policy is most important for organizations, businesses, etc, who have to impose conditions on their employees, and can allow workers to stop masking all day. I think it will also eliminate the requirement for organizations and businesses to impose masking rules on the public or their customers, which has been a burden on them.

 

[Teche]

Dbm

 

[mickey2942]

It is the "Wild West" here. This "mask" "no mask" is confusing for everyone. Half the places, still demand a mask. Costco and Walmart, in Montana, no mask. Another store, must wear a mask.

My co-worker came in my office yesterday, she took off her mask, and started twirling it around her finger. People here are getting done with wearing masks!

 

[tabitha111]

What is your opinion on wearing masks now or not?

Yes, I am fully vaccinated. I have also done a recent overnight trip with a bus tour company this past week. Most everyone wore masks the entire time except for one RUDE couple.

Personally, I will continue wearing them in stores and in crowds.

I feel a big wave of cold viruses coming upon us- since most have been "cold free" for at least a year-

I don't want to get any kind of cold again.

Also, the varients- is there enough information out there that we are well protected from any and ALL varients of Covid 19 that are out there? I am in the wait and see group....

 

[Satchie]

My co-worker came in my office yesterday, she took off her mask, and started twirling it around her finger. People here are getting done with wearing masks!

Has she had both vaccines? Have you? Has this been discussed in your workplace? What does management say? I think it's their job to communicate their expectations.

Also, do social distancing rules still apply?

There are definitely going to be different attitudes amongst different people as we emerge from this, but then, there's always been differences in terms of people's comfort with close contact, hugs, etc. I never liked hugging acquaintances, but usually had to endure it for the sake of social harmony.

 

[mickey2942]

Has she had both vaccines? Have you? Has this been discussed in your workplace? What does management say? I think it's their job to communicate their expectations.

Also, do social distancing rules still apply?

There are definitely going to be different attitudes amongst different people as we emerge from this, but then, there's always been differences in terms of people's comfort with close contact, hugs, etc. I never liked hugging acquaintances, but usually had to endure it for the sake of social harmony.

See? It is the "Wild West" now. Several people in our office have not been vaccinated, due to health issues. One person has a blood clotting disorder, and has been told by their doctor, emphatically, NOT to have a vaccine.

The CDC says, "No mask" if you are vaccinated. But, a lot of businesses have not caught up with this. Even federal offices still have a mask requirement, when another branch, the CDC, has gone public saying masks are no longer needed by vaccinated people.

Who knows any more?

This will be more contentious than the "mask mandate".

 

[MimosaMornings]

See? It is the "Wild West" now. Several people in our office have not been vaccinated, due to health issues. One person has a blood clotting disorder, and has been told by their doctor, emphatically, NOT to have a vaccine.

The CDC says, "No mask" if you are vaccinated. But, a lot of businesses have not caught up with this. Even federal offices still have a mask requirement, when another branch, the CDC, has gone public saying masks are no longer needed by vaccinated people.

Who knows any more?

This will be more contentious than the "mask mandate".

That’s interesting about the person with the blood clotting disorder.