Coronavirus thread

[MusicTurner]

As expected, many new restrictions will now be implemented here in DK, including obligatory masks under many circumstances, a maximum in public gatherings, corona pass including in eating places and state working places, PCR passes given shorter validity, etc.

It's a rather comprehensive packet.

The virus is expanding particularly among school children and unvaccinated, including their parents, etc.

Hopefully cases will drop say within a couple of weeks or so.

[Karl Henning]

As expected, many new restrictions will now be implemented here in DK, including obligatory masks under many circumstances, a maximum in public gatherings, corona pass including in eating places and state working places, PCR passes given shorter validity, etc.

It's a rather comprehensive packet.

The virus is expanding particularly among school children and unvaccinated, including their parents, etc.

Hopefully cases will drop say within a couple of weeks or so.

Here's hoping!

[Karl Henning]

Beth Teitell: Meanwhile, with traditional sources of information insufficient, some people are turning to the supernatural.

In Charlestown, on Tarot card readings done over Zoom, psychic MaryLee Trettenero warned two separate clients concerned about COVID not to fly home for the holiday, and they didn't. "I had a bad feeling about it," she said.

Finally, some clarity!

[Mandryka]

As expected, many new restrictions will now be implemented here in DK, including obligatory masks under many circumstances, a maximum in public gatherings, corona pass including in eating places and state working places, PCR passes given shorter validity, etc.

It's a rather comprehensive packet.

The virus is expanding particularly among school children and unvaccinated, including their parents, etc.

Hopefully cases will drop say within a couple of weeks or so.

What is the DK government's plan for ending this eternal cycle restrictions? Cases drop in a couple of weeks, say, and . . . then what?

[MusicTurner]

What is the DK government's plan for ending this eternal cycle restrictions? Cases drop in a couple of weeks, say, and . . . then what?

... we can look forward to Springtime. But restrictions have actually been less strict and longlasting in DK, compared to some countries.

Among other things, they are expecting the 3rd jab (and likely children's vaccines plus oncoming vaccines, including Danish ones with new methods etc) to have an effect, as well as the improved treatment options. They've already ordered big supplies of the Pfizer pills.

To repeat: the policy has been to reduce fatalities (total mortality has been normal) and reduce pressure on the health system, until the disease is less prominent and dangerous. This has succeeded so far, the negative side effects have apparently been limited, and the economy is doing very well.

[Mandryka]

... we can look forward to Springtime. But restrictions have actually been less strict and longlasting in DK, compared to some countries.

Among other things, they are expecting the 3rd jab (and likely children's vaccines plus oncoming vaccines, including Danish ones with new methods etc) to have an effect, as well as the improved treatment options. They've already ordered big supplies of the Pfizer pills.

To repeat: the policy has been to reduce fatalities (total mortality has been normal) and reduce pressure on the health system, until the disease is less prominent and dangerous. This has succeeded so far, the negative side effects have apparently been limited, and the economy is doing very well.

The third jab for some adults should have an effect. I'm less sure that giving vaccines to the kids is the right thing to do from a global point of view.

[MusicTurner]

The third jab for some adults should have an effect. I'm less sure that giving vaccines to the kids is the right thing to do from a global point of view.

At a presser here, one of the expert statements was 'Delta is NOT for children'.   (Brostrøm).

[Mandryka]

At a presser here, one of the expert statements were 'Delta is NOT for children'.   (Brostrøm).

Yes is designed to have an emotional effect. What's on my mind is whether it's the best use of the vaccine, or whether it should be sent to developing countries for adults instead. Vaccinating children will no doubt have an important effect on incidence, but in a population where the adults are vaccinated, it may not have such a significant effect on serious disease.

But the issue is complex -- there is also the question of the benefit/risk equation for the children themselves, health benefit and social/educational benefit. And then there is the whole difficult area of long covid. Add to that the uncertainties concerning distribution in the third world.

[Todd]

Santa Cruz County reinstates indoor mask mandate

The health officer order even requires masks to be worn in private settings, including homes, when people who are not from the household are present.

How does enforcement work?

[Karl Henning]

Courtesy of our man in Brigham & Women's:

A higher rate of stillbirths has been associated with Covid-19 (2x).

Delta made it even worse (4x).

Vaccinating pregnant women is ESSENTIAL for the health of the mother and the fetus.

[SimonNZ]

I was wondering why there were no exemptions for pregnant women.

[Florestan]

Santa Cruz County reinstates indoor mask mandate

How does enforcement work?

It doesn't. Such a mandate is ludicrous.

[krummholz]

It doesn't. Such a mandate is ludicrous.

The fact that (legal) enforcement does not (and cannot) work for such mandates does not quite make them ludicrous. For one thing, the existence of the state of emergency that makes the mandate possible does make some folks more likely to mask up in situations where it applies. Here in Vermont there has been, since the statewide state of emergency expired this past spring and the Governor pointedly refused to reinstate it even as Delta became the dominant strain and led to the major surge we are seeing now, a very large proportion of the populace that just doesn't bother with masks anymore in places like grocery stores and restaurants. I would estimate that 70% of the people I see in stores around here are maskless, and have been maskless since the state of emergency / statewide mask mandate was lifted. Before then, the numbers were roughly reversed.

For another, it gives businesses a little more weight behind any mask mandate they might decide to impose. They can always back it up with "by order of the Governor".

Personally, I wish he would do so. The current wave is proceeding at full tilt with little sign of abatement, and people are still behaving largely as if the pandemic were over.

[Florestan]

The fact that (legal) enforcement does not (and cannot) work for such mandates does not quite make them ludicrous.

By ludicrous I mean this part:

Under the rules, everyone regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask in indoor public settings, as well as in private settings including homes when non-household members are present.

So, I invite some friends to my home for a party or a talk and we must all wear masks. Seriously? How do you enforce this?

[krummholz]

By ludicrous I mean this part:

Under the rules, everyone regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask in indoor public settings, as well as in private settings including homes when non-household members are present.

So, I invite some friends to my home for a party or a talk and we must all wear masks. Seriously? How do you enforce this?

Obviously, you don't. I presume the purpose behind such mandates is to encourage people who might not be paying close attention to take the situation seriously. To the well-informed and wise, such mandates are meaningless because they would self-impose those restrictions regardless, as being in their own best interest and that of the people around them. Idiots aren't known to act in their own best interest anyway, and trying to get them to comply with that sort of mandate is a fool's errand. I think a dictum like this is for everyone else, really, as a way of saying: listen up, we're in an emergency, and this is what you should do for your own safety and that of your loved ones.

It's really just guidance, but it tends to be more influential if dressed up as a "mandate". At least, that's been my experience in this little corner of the world.

[Karl Henning]

So, I invite some friends to my home for a party or a talk and we must all wear masks. Seriously? How do you enforce this?

So, how's Romania doing with controlling the virus? Cases coming down?

[Florestan]

So, how's Romania doing with controlling the virus? Cases coming down?

Yes. Cases and deaths as well. Some restrictions in place (for instance, no jab, no entry in malls*, restaurants, cinemas and some other places --- which btw is illegal and unconstitutional, indoor masks mandatory in public places only, curfew for the unvaccinated between 22 and 5 etc).

*there's an ongoing scandal after Kaufland installed separation fences between vaccinated and unvaccinated people in their locations. They have been fined and ordered to remove them.

[Mandryka]

By ludicrous I mean this part:

Under the rules, everyone regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask in indoor public settings, as well as in private settings including homes when non-household members are present.

So, I invite some friends to my home for a party or a talk and we must all wear masks. Seriously? How do you enforce this?

It would make a good scene in a film by Buñuel.

[Mandryka]

I think it was a stroke of genius on Britain's part to let the virus rip from July, creating the wave of hospital admissions and deaths in the warmer months. You can see how EU is in a mess now and really panicking - whether it be this last minute booster programme in France or the rediculous, dangerous, plan to mandate vaccinations by law for whole populations. Everything that has happened in the UK with covid has been exemplary since January 2021 - it's only because we vaccinated so many in Spring that we could let it rip in Summer. The other countries just weren't there. All praise to JCVI and the government for trusting them.

Even the booster programme here has been managed better than any other first world country. I don't count Israel.

[Florestan]

It would make a good scene in a film by Buñuel.