I had heard that the Minnesota National Guard still had the Trapdoor Springfields in the system in 1940!Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Printable View
I had heard that the Minnesota National Guard still had the Trapdoor Springfields in the system in 1940!Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Seems odd but Covid news is getting covered less and less here. I don't have a good feel if cases are going up or down at the moment. Some say up but as they don't talk about it, that seems unlikely or the up is so small it doesn't matter at this point. Nothing major about the states coming out of lockdown anymore either. The people there don't seem to all be dying like the media seemed to indicate.
Gun violence is now the top of the news cycle. Although NBC went completely nuts and covered nothing but Prince Philip for days. I tuned out. Being informed he died and they were going to have a memorial service for him was enough for me. Seemed like a decent guy who lived a long life but there are more important things going on.
Restaurants and bars are open to 75% capacity now with no ill effects. Nearly all schools are back to in person instruction in PA now with the exception of Philly which plans to start three weeks before they are done for the year. That makes perfect sense. Most people here do not wear masks outside but a few do. Seems to be regional. Other areas wear them pretty heavily. In stores they are still required but I'm seeing more and more ignore the rule again.
TV shows are interesting. Some started with masks, some didn't, some are still wearing them at times but logic seems to have been thrown out. By general covid rules, they are putting the masks on when they could be taking them off and not wearing them when they should. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still seeing lone drivers in their cars wearing masks.
Culturally, I'm now noticing long term affects from this. I don't see hand shakes ever coming back. People will likely continue to social distance from strangers in stores, some get a panicked look if you get too close and others including myself just back away is someone moves in. It's become second nature. A lot of people will demand to work from home and I expect employers will accommodate them. Businesses don't need to rent the space, they can also relocate anywhere for what facilities they do need.
The decline of churches has been accelerated. Online services is becoming the norm for some very devoted church goers. For others, it's simply forgotten.
The impact of this is huge and there's no escaping that. Time will tell if we will move forward or backward from this.
Here, today we had the communion, at last, of my little daughter. It was scheduled one year ago, but we got it done just now. In two weeks, the next group, one year younger, will get it.
Church was full. We managed the distancing by making two services and preparing lots of chairs outside, with a big tv screen and audio for those who could not fit inside.
Also today, birthday of my middle daughter. 15 splendid years. Big brother taking care of her and a couple of friends;)
It was the five of us plus our neighbors, greatest friends. Seven all together. Later on a couple of my middle daughter’s friends.
When my middle daughter had confirmation in October, my wife was immobilised in bed due to slipped disc and complications. We had a few relatives and friends here that time, but I never felt so alone in my life without her.
Today, even without anybody else, it was a great day!
Also, more and more people are coming back to church, as if in search for something. Maybe just a different angle from which to look at life...
That is very positive in my opinion.
Another thing I noticed in these last days, is that people are so sick of what’s going on since February 2020, that many are just starting to live more freely. Keeping distance and mask when with other people, but again starting to “interact”.
A few even want a handshake! And that is just GREAT!
Sorry for bothering you all, but having my wife with me today, in such an important day for us all, just makes me feel elated...
Ovidio,
Great news in the life of your family and more importantly your daughter.
The days of European double kissing and handshakes are gone, which I am quite pleased about. Used to kiss to many frogs anyway. It was almost a given that you would kiss a female after you had met them after one meeting...............not this callsign anymore.
Stay safe mate
;)
Wow, what a day today!
It started at 8:00 am as RO at the firing range. I had fun and shot a bit.
After that I went home, prepared the lawn mower and my son took over the chore!!!
Got lunch and went for “duty” with the Alpini at the vaccination centre.
Among lots of lovely, incredible elders, we had the second oldest Alpino of the region (100 years old), one who fought in Russia and made it through the whole withdrawal. I offered him to be driven through to the door of the building, but he wanted to be left there and walked 250 metres to the place. And back. With a great smile.
Another old lady gave me a high five before walking to the place...
At the end of the day, the Carabinieri drove over, stopped and had a chat and a Prosecco with us. Great people!
During that nice end-of-day pause, the coordinator of the vaccination center came out and asked who was not vaccinated. Another guy and I raised our hands. “How old are you?” 51, was my answer. “Too young, I’ve got two shots of Astra Zeneca left”. The other guy is younger than me, so we went back to our Prosecco’s. A few minutes later: “You two, come in. We had to open a last Pfizer vial. Find two more youngsters!” So...that’s how I got into this vaccine... I never thought I would get it during “duty”...
But the love people, especially older people, have for us Mountain Troopers is so moving, that I thank God that he let me read the books I read as a teenager. Otherwise I might have chosen other corps... but I would have lost this universe!
---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------
By the way, I’m listening at full blast to The Dead South, what a great group!!!
This is what I've been saying all along. I don't think people are that stupid, they just don't want to think others are that evil. They are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz
Then you ought to hear the foolishment hereabouts. Still they think if their measures didn't work the first and second time, we'll try them yet again. What would stop them from tasking another few seeder "drones" to travel around when things start to settle down? Thus second, third, fourth waves?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
New mask mandates requires kids age 2 and up to wear masks at Day Care and Summer Camps...... etc
Last week Michigan cities accounted for seven of the 10 worst Covid-19 outbreaks in urban areas.
Gov Whitmer and Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist urged the White House to ramp up the vaccine doses that it is sending to their state to help control the outbreak -- a request the Biden administration has so far refused because they say it is most equitable to allocate shots based on the adult population in each state.
But Gilchrist argued on CNN's "Inside Politics" that an increase in vaccine doses to Michigan, as part of "a national hot spot strategy," is critical to slowing the spread of the variant in other parts of the country.
"What's happening in Michigan can spread through the Midwest and can spread to the rest of the country," Gilchrist said. "Equity means responding differently where there is the most need, and right now the most need is in the state of Michigan, that is very clear."
Many Hospitals are now at critical capacity levels as a result. Beaumont Health's eight hospitals in two Detroit-area counties are 90-95% full, and the number of their Covid-19 patients jumped from 129 in late February to more than 800 patients. Many surgeries are being postponed.
More here:
Michigan's mask mandate is expanded to kids ages 2-4 - CNN
To Add to this mess, My Wife was just informed by a friend of 3 bus loads of our fresh from the southern border 'Guests' being dropped off in the Upper Peninsula. This wasn't on the news that we were aware of. Wife's friend just happened to be at that location eating dinner while taking a break working on the family cabin remodeling project Sunday April 25th.
Does anyone think these 'Guests have been tested ? Let alone Vaccinated ?
Those in the UP know how limited hospital beds are.
:surrender:
Not getting the Michigan panic. Numbers are declining according to the charts, just like almost everywhere in the US. Makes me think this is just media and political panic to keep this going.
I was wondering yesterday after listening to the news why we were in such bad shape after nearly half the population of the state has has at least one dose of the vaccine. Is it not working? We are nearly fully open now. 75% restaurant and bar capacity, museums, gyms, sports venues open again. But the actual numbers simply don't support the news reports. Michigan plateaued on March 30th and started declining on April 14th. Pennsylvania is almost identical only we opened up and Michigan set more restrictions. Numbers are about a third what they were in early December so something does seem to be working.
People have seemingly stopped getting vaccinated. The big push has run out of willing participants. Pennsylvania currently has 27.6% of the population fully vaccinated. 47.68% have received at least one dose. Many supposedly are refusing to go to get their second dose now.
In odd covid news today:
Canada study shows lockdowns are not perceived as beneficial at all. Life lost in lockdown vs actual lives lost.
Oregon is going full lockdown in 15 counties as their numbers continue to go down and the risk of Covid transmission in restaurants is near zero.
The US government is now going to reimburse families $9000 for funeral expenses if your family member died of Covid.
The media has determined that school openings in the US are racist. Apparently white students choose to go to in person classes, Asian student are not with 80% refusing and black and Hispanic students 60% refusing. So personal choice is now racist. Meanwhile, it is the teachers unions that have kept the large school districts closed all this time and these districts are where the majority of the minority students are. These same districts are where the "woke" teachers are.
I happen to live in Oregon, and numbers in our county and several adjoining ones are increasing. Our governor says it's alright to go outdoors without a mask on, if we are fully vaccinated and alone! Sounds scary, but I'm going out there! - BobQuote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
"People have seemingly stopped getting vaccinated. The big push has run out of willing participants."
I recall the panicked, frantic searching for available vaccinations in early February this year, me included. We got our first dose on February 10th and second on March 10th.
I was wrong in thinking the feeding frenzy would result in higher vaccination numbers by now. I am starting to side with the proponents of the natural selection theory in thinking that a significant number of the anti-vax contingent is already resistant enough to raise the overall herd immunity level without needing vaccination.
I have always maintained that the (U.S.) government dropped the ball by not doing more antibody testing from the start of the pandemic.
Rant off.
...but that would've shown so many people had already contracted the virus without ever knowing it, and no need for a year plus worth of prolonged nations wide blanket lockdowns. Can't have facts and real science downplaying our emergency now can we.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterChief
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymous
Means a lot MC, you're up somewhere in the danger zone crowd and yet you question. I'm just not interested in taking vaccinations of something that has no trial time. Just because thousands have been vaccinated, is not the same as clinical trials for several years. That's the normal. With such a high survival rate and I'm not in the danger zone at all, why do I want to be injected with something that isn't proven? More, there's no sign of taking masks off even after vaccination, no sigh of lockdowns ending or distancing ending. We've also been told this vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't catch it, there are different strains so...which vaccine? They tell us this is the new normal? Then I'll just stand back and watch, thanks...Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterChief
Post script to rant:
Forgot to mention...an additional annoyance is the federal government's failure to publish or deliberate decision not to publish statistical data relating to tracking and tracing of covid vectors. Ironically my state of California has been publishing some of the demographic data....although I think this tidbit is soon to go dark because of political incorrectness.
COVID-19 Race and Ethnicity Data
(scroll down in link to charts)
The cultural component(s) of this pandemic would open a few eyes and so must be surpressed.
Not asking for consensus, just voicing my opinion.
Rant off again.
Took me a second to get my head around the numbers, percentages and color code. Then to understand it was Cali only...now I got it.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterChief
Well, the governor announced yesterday that our state will end all mandates with the exception of the wearing of masks on May 31st. The mask mandates will end as soon as 70% of adults are vaccinated.
Curious because election day is May 18th and he is likely to lose all his authority on that day to maintain the mandates.
Meanwhile states that ended the mandates and mask wearing are getting back to normal while those that continue with both are seeing spikes, at least that's what they are claiming. I'm starting to think that the spikes are being manipulated to maintain the mandates because the actual numbers don't fit the politicians claims.
In the meantime, we need 700,000 more adults to get vaccinated to end the masks.
New York and New Jersey are claiming they are going to end most of their restrictions on May 19th. Only a few restrictions on large outdoor stadiums which remain at 30%. But further reading indicates quite a few restrictions will remain.
I was in The Netherlands and in Germany last week.
The trip, by plane and car, was really the weirdest thing that happened to me in the last 15 months.
Amsterdam was just a stop over, at Schipol, then I flew to Düsseldorf, and from there everywhere in Germany by car.
I filled all the requested online forms for Germany, had my PCR test, invitation letters from the customers, my vaccination certificate... Everything.
Before even getting to the Venice airport, I received a telephone call from the German province where I declared I would have my "base", which is where my agent works. They called to ask if I was already in Germany and to tell me that I had to confirm that I was going to stay 5 or 10 days in quarantine at the location I mentioned. I was flabbergasted and told them that I was by no means going to make any quarantine, because I entered the country following all the rules and because I had work to do (I was extremely polite and friendly, but that was the core). At that, the lady apologised and said that if I was there for work, all she said was not applicable. They get the info and contacts of the persons coming to their area, but not the reason why they come. So, in the end, a lot of people move mails, phones calls, talk for nothing...
After that, during my stay in Germany I had a fairly normal life. But for the fact that I could not stop on the road and eat in a civilised manner. You get served what you want and then you have to leave and either eat in your car or outside. I always opted to eat standing outside, like a horse, even under rain. I hate to eat in the car.
In the hotels, if they happen to have the restaurant open, you can eat almost normally. Reduced menu, but otherwise...
Thursday I arrived at a very big meat processing plant just behind an ambulance and a few police cars. I thought there had been an accident, but there had been a murder instead. A guy was found stabbed in the heart in a toilet. Helicopter arrived, CSI units... A lot of fuss.
I could still meet the people I was there for, but the atmosphere was eerie.
After that, I took the car to reach Frankfurt, where I planned to sleep in a hotel close by the airport and get the flight on Friday morning. Luckily, I called the hotel before arriving, and was told by the concierge that I could not stay, because I was coming from a "Risikogebiet", a dangerous zone (Italy). I tried to explain that I was legally in Germany, had all documents and authorisations, but he was adamant in metaphorically throwing me out. So, I called the Airport Hilton and, with the exact same documents, I got a(n expensive) room.
Friday, at the airport, a few minutes before boarding, the ground personnel made an announcement that the boarding would start in a few minutes and reminded everybody that, in order to enter Italy, we had to have filled the online self-declaration form and then, depending on some factors, make 5 or 10 days quarantine. Everybody was bewildered. There is nothing like that self-declaration form on the Italian immigration site. It is still being prepared... So, we got a printed one in the plane, as usual. In Venice, the same policeman who made me fill another strange form a couple weeks ago telling me to contact the sanitary authorities of my town (who never picked-up the phone, so I never made anything but keeping my normal life), this time just asked me if I had a PCR test, which I did, albeit from Monday, and how long I had stayed in Germany. Since it was less than 120 hours, I could go. Which is exactly how it should be, for Italy and surely also for Germany, but there is so much talking, so many changes every day, that most people, also officials, don't know anymore what to do.
Germany was announcing even stricter rules last week.
Now, everywhere I can see (Germany, Italy, Austria, France - if I'm not wrong), all of a sudden, everybody started talking about starting to open up again, green pass for vaccinated or tested people, fewer restrictions... As if an order had arrived form the Almighty.
I can, very sincerely, say that I don't understand anything anymore.
I don't want to be in the hands of every donkey wearing a uniform or a gown, so I decided not to go to Munich to see a customer tomorrow and to have my German agent go there. I'll be present online. It is not the same, but I don't want to get caught in some silly situation just because currently, they let you run a continent only if you can show a certificate of cretinism.
The most interesting stats: what proportion of each group that was diagnosed actually died, does not seem to be there, but could be extrapolated.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterChief
The reason for the high infection and death rate of the top four isn't clear. Possibly cultural, access to health care, nutrition, living space, age, etc, or a combination of factors, that might not be so easy to determine and probably difficult to fix.
It also isn't broken down on how many of those Latinos are illegal Mexicans crossing the border for medical treatment since they can't get it in Mexico.
Big news here. The masks are finally off if you have been vaccinated. The CDC and the administration have been being ripped apart lately by some very high profile individuals and they finally admitted to several very key points. The first is that there is almost zero transmission of the disease outdoors. Second, if you've been vaccinated, wearing a mask is pointless.
So the masks are off indoors and outdoors IF you are vaccinated. Of course EVERYONE is now going to be vaccinated that doesn't want to wear a mask but not much you can do about it.
That was my big question about the recent announcement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Guess I'll have to try to find my vaccine card...probably on the floor of my truck somewhere.
Here, they are keeping the line short even on us with a vaccine. Because discrimination...
The other thing that is bringing me on the verge of rebellion is the curfew: it is admittedly useless (the chief of the emergency team said it clearly), but it is kept as a deterrent.
I CAN'T ACCEPT TO BE DEPRIVED OF MY FU...ING RIGHTS BECAUSE IT HAS A DETERRENT EFFECT.
But so many idiots just approve it.
Democracy and freedom are not for everybody. They can not be granted if people are not willing to defend every inch of terrain when it comes to such things.
I am very worried, because people here are in a very high percentage ready to trade their freedom for a theoretical safety. We all know the quote from Benjy... He was tragically right.
I'm struggling right now...
I'm about to test out the no mask wearing. Trip to Walmart and Cabela's to pick up my pistol. Some weren't wearing them last night but I've been out of the loop news wise all week working out of town.
As for the vaccine card. I took a photo of it on my phone. I don't plan on showing it, they can't demand to see it either. Could be interesting. I doubt it though. Worse comes to worse at Cabela's I'll put the mask on until I have the pistol in hand. It's already paid for anyway.
On Ovidio's post: We have a high percentage here perfectly willing to trade in their freedoms also and they generally run right along party lines. It has ceased being difficult to tell which party people belong too these days or which style of government they support.
I do a lot of polls, for a company that was just quoted nationally last week. I probably participated in the poll they quoted. Their polls are a complete load of crap. They ask a very important question early on, second or third question. How you answer that question determines what the next series of questions will be. I was becoming somewhat appalled by the results of the questions because they were getting 95% consensus and that is statistically impossible in a poll. Occasionally they send me the same poll twice. So I answered the opposite way on that key question and low and behold, they had 95% agreement on that side also. Of course there I answered normally and was in the 3% minority. And this company was used I think to promote taking the vaccine I believe with 80% approval of this that or the other thing. Totally bogus.
Well here there's absolutely NO talk about masks coming off. Not even an end date. People have been vaccinated and still are wearing masks...cards? What cards? Once again, NO ONE doing ANYTHING the same way. Sounds like this whole thing is more to garnish money by someone already rich...than actually sort anything out.
Or for Political Gain, here in the USA. - BobQuote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
I have no idea what's going on or why. Two days ago the pretender was running around saying it's patriotic to wear a mask even when vaccinated and yesterday there's a proclamation that those who are vaccinated no longer need to wear masks at all unless if in some very specific places. Mass transit seems to be the only exception. They are now arguing on the news who made the decision. The pretender's office states they had nothing to do with it that the CDC came up with it all on their own but they fully support it. The CDC was caught a few weeks ago letting one of the teachers unions decide policy for them so we don't know whos running them either.
But this does come after a couple of weeks of a prominent Republican Senator, ripping everyone he can a new one for the wearing of masks by vaccinated people.
I don't care. I went into four establishments today, three of which still had their signs up, without a mask and no one said boo. Two had people at the doors also and I exchanged pleasantries with both. The vast majority of people were still wearing masks but I was not the only one without. Of course some people weren't wearing masks to begin with so I don't know if I was one of the liberated ones or one of the rebels. I don't care. It was incredible being able to laugh and smile at people again. The fourth establishment was a rebel establishment so that didn't really count, a surplus store. Gun shops, surplus shops, etc haven't been requiring masks since day one.
I got some looks but none were critical, I overheard some conversations about "will you stop wearing a mask when you get vaccinated" type things. Everyone still seems in shock a bit. Only 20 states have reacted so far and I'm somewhat surprised that mine was immediate and fully with the CDC since our coward in chief disappeared for several months when this all started and has kept us shut down more than many other states.
Mask craziness.
No mask anywhere since Thursday. Still seems strange as nearly everyone else is still wearing masks indoors and quite a few are still wearing them outdoors.
Kind of hard for me to fathom but I pay attention to the news and I suspect most people really don't.
Some retailers are still requiring them, some aren't. As you might suspect, Walmart, a "conservative" company no longer requires them. Target a "liberal" company does. I have not gone to Target yet but as I don't often shop there for a variety of reasons it hasn't come up.
We ate in a buffet yesterday, no mask required but you still have to put on gloves to go to the buffet.
The media is going crazy. All the leftists are screaming they are all going to die and they don't want to die because of some idiot is not wearing a mask. Probably why there are still so many wearing them. 40% of the adults in the state are supposedly vaccinated. Now this is skewed towards the older portion of the population with about 90% of the elderly being vaccinated and going down from there but the elderly were still wearing masks. I went into McDonald's yesterday and with 20 people going in and out while I was there, everyone wore a mask but me. And there were a lot of elderly in there. And the weird thing is, I'M GETTING NODS AND SMILES FROM PEOPLE STILL WEARING MASKS. Not a single negative remark or look. It's like they want out but are afraid to come out.
Went into an antique mall yesterday, everyone wearing masks. We get up to the counter and the two women working there immediately took theirs off and smiled. It is so weird. Soon as we left, they put them back on.
We also went to a botanical garden with a butterfly room, they even had signs up saying you didn't need to wear a mask if vaccinated and nearly everyone still wore their masks but here at least half the employees were not wearing them.
At least almost no one was wearing them at the yard sales for once.
If nothing else, it's an interesting study on human nature.
I should also point out that I live in Amish country and the huge farmers market near us they haven't been wearing them since this started and there has never been a huge breakout in the Amish community that never masked, never social distanced, never stopped their mass gatherings.
I got my second jab yesterday and am looking forward to stop getting swabs up my nose.
But I really don’t think we’ll get out of that stupid mask anywhere soon.
I never wear it when out, but most people do. Some also wear it alone in the car, with medical gloves also on...
Yesterday I met a guy apparently of my age, riding his bike with mask and blue medical gloves.
I wanted to throw myself down a bridge, but there were none close by.
I only put a mask on when I had to go into shops in town as they got upset when I didn't. Lots of people living outside of town not wearing masks. No bodies in the streets, life went on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Millions of people in informal settlements and similar places also not wearing masks all over the country. Aids, TB, violence, etc still the major killers. Not covid.
Where I live we hug and kiss women and shake men by the hand to greet them. No people dropping like flies because of this. I help out with medical emergencies and incidents in the area so I have a pretty good view on what is happening on that front.
People that I do know that had covid related issues also had other health issues and compromised immune systems. And whether they were mask wearers or not didn't matter. Both groups of people had cases (not that the tests are in any way accurate or conclusive, very much the opposite in fact).
And I know two ladies that ended up in hospital as a direct result of wearing masks - the reason as given to them by the medical professionals (different hospitals and cities) that treated them.
Target has removed their mask requirements. Probably figured out they were going to lose customers to Walmart. Went in Home Depot today which has large new signs outside the doors stating everyone must wear a mask even it vaccinated. I guess they know more than the CDC, the PA Health Department, Governor Wolf and all the scientific evidence that's contradicts them.
I didn't wear a mask anyway. No one said anything. I expect that rule will be dropped in days. Still quite a bit of confusion.
The wife is not as stubborn as me, she wore a mask into the market yesterday.
Word is that everything will be going back to normal very quickly now although the school district just put out a notice they are planning on students wearing masks in the fall. Four months until then and I expect that will change long before then.
No mask for a week now.
The voters have spoken. It was closer than I expected but the Governor has lost his ability to be a dictator for longer than 21 days. He can still declare an emergency but his total abuse of the system made it so the state of emergency drops from a 90 maximum to a 21 day maximum. He also can no longer extend it like he has done for the entire past year. The Legislature must approve any extensions of a state of emergency.
so who has had the vaccine yet? what vaccine did you get and what were the side effects?
I ask because I've got my first jab of the Pfizer vaccine tomorrow; and I'd like to know what to expect!
I had been putting off getting the jab; but my boss died last saturday after several weeks in hospital with Covid. It sort of brings it home just how serious it can be if you've other health issues.
If you don't then don't worry.Quote:
Originally Posted by 30Three
I've had Pfizer. Both jabs. No issues at all, neither after the first one, nor after the second.
Went as smoothly as could be dreamed of.
I've had Moderna. Slightly sore shoulder after the 1st one. After the 2nd shot, shoulder hurt the next day - plus needed to rest for the full day. Friends had Pfizer with no ill effects at all. - Bob
It will not stop you from getting the virus nor will it make you less contagious if you have the virus. So why bother/worry?Quote:
Originally Posted by 30Three
You might have had it already without even knowing. Here in SA the blood transfusion services tested blood that they had collected in various parts of the country and came up with a +- 50% figure for antibodies present and people not being aware of having the virus.
I had the Pfizer both shots no side affects after either
Thanks for the info guy's. At least I know what to expect.
Regarding having the vaccine; I agree that it may not be necessary from a health point of view; but if I want to travel to the UK to see my mum, it should make it easier to travel. I've not seen her since Sept 2019!
She's 88 and had a stroke recently; so the sooner I can travel without having to confine for a week on arrival, the better .
Go, don’t waste time. As soon as the travel ban between regions was lifted a few weeks ago, I took my little daughter and drove to my parents.
Dad is 86, and I don’t want to not see him and mum for too long.
Loved ones are just too important to risk having regrets.
My wife and I both had the Johnson & Johnson. No effects for either of us.
People slowly coming to the conclusion the worst is over now. Fewer masks everywhere. I haven't worn one for two weeks. Stores it is mostly the employees that are still wearing them and a few customers. Numbers have plummeted in all categories. I haven't even heard of anyone I know getting it in the last two months.
The left is still screaming we are all going to die because the a-hole right wingers just don't care about peoples lives. It's always fun, mostly the media.
Their 'reason' for wanting you to wear a mask is to protect them. Ask them if they are wearing a gun to protect you and other people. They will probably go into a rabid frame of mind after that. What it comes down to is your right to choose. Nobody should be forced to do anything they do not want to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
I have had both Pfizer vax shots with no more than what felt like a bruised shoulder for a couple days. Other than being seventy one years old, I have no co-morbitity issues. My wife is an ICU specific Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital and they currently have eleven vented covid positive patients. The bulk of these very sick people have what they call the "trifecta" which is obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart problems. The critical patients seem to be getting younger and one of the current critically ill people is a middle thirties mother of two. She is otherwise healthy, slender, non-smoker, no diabetes or heart problems. She did not however get the vaccine for reasons unknown. As of today she is still alive but despite every ones continuing best efforts it doesn't look good. Just get the vax; it's safe, and cheap (free) insurance against a potentially deadly virus. Here is a list of some of the problems that many survivors of the Covid virus have been dealing with after surviving the initial infection. Respiratory system: persistent cough, shortness of breath, and low oxygen levels in the blood.
Nervous system: stroke, headaches, memory problems, and problems with senses of taste and smell.
Mental health: anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and substance abuse.
Metabolism: new onset of diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.
Cardiovascular system: acute coronary disease, heart failure, heart palpitations, and irregular heart rhythms.
Gastrointestinal system: constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
Kidney: acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease that can, in severe cases, require dialysis.
Coagulation regulation: blood clots in the legs and lungs.
Skin: rash and hair loss.
Musculoskeletal system: joint pain and muscle weakness.
General health: malaise, fatigue, and anemia.
The Astra Zeneca here has been responsible for around 8 blood clot cases one lady from near where I live went into intensive care in Perth at one stage they were talking about removing her spleen have not heard much more but the pics of her bruised/clotted arms made it look like a baseball team had flogged the guts out of her with their bats.
I am going to push my GP for either the Pfizer or the Modena one but that wont be online till August. I'll use my MI that occurred in Sept last year as a lever as I certainly do not want clots when A) There has been some damage to the engine in my chest B) Being on blood thinners a clot is the last thing I need.
Victoria has locked down as they have the Indian strain there with the potential of 4000 close contacts from a football spectator this is very worrying as a lady who works with my wife was rung by the police to go into 14 days isolation having just got back from Victoria.
Those that think this is all B/S around the world really need to pull the head from their nether regions and take on board what the Govt's of the day are trying to do to help us I feel for India and see the abject sorrow that is befalling that country of other isolated places like P.N.G and South Africa we do not hear so much about them now.
Ovidio you are correct get as much quality time with your parents as you can it is precious for peace of mind myself being a tear away and selfish never went back home just stayed in the country with a rare visit home every now and then like for 5 years I never contacted any of my family they never knew where I was.
Now the things I could have said and done are to late by far and being on the end of a phone being told by your brother dad's gone is about as hollow a feeling as it can get so take the time as in all of the world we are only ever given one set of parents who raised you as best they could with what they had.
I know sometimes at home when we were all there 4 kids that food was a scarce commodity as dad was TPI our shop really never was a good source of income even though it was open 363 days of the year 7 till 7 with mum also working as a cleaner at nights just so we had something, I learned like we all did to appreciate what you were given when you received it.
Stay safe people.
My 2 cents worth on covid and getting the shots, social distancing, masks, etc. People should be allowed to make their own choices and live or die with the good or bad from that. All the things imposed on people broke more than it fixed for something that was/is not even close to as deadly as predicted (wild guessing).
I see more people not wearing masks even though you can get arrested and the government is threatening to raise the lockdown level. People have had enough.
I agree. I don't like the way Democracy has been raped everywhere.
I'm a disciplined person, so I just need to get information and polite requests about what is considered necessary, and I will comply as long as I don't get served crap.
Most people are not like this, it is said, so some rules are necessary. As long as they are sensible, I can force myself to go along, but when the authorities in charge of the emergency say that the curfew, the prohibition to go out and other things don't bring anything against Covid, they are only for deterrence against people feeling too free or to give the clear impression that the situation is dire (this one was the sports minister in one big region here), well... I really go crazy.
I see the need for vaccines for those who work with people at risk, fragile and sick or old people, but now they are talking about the forced vaccine also to teenagers.
People who have exactly 0,000000000% risk of having trouble if they have no other, serious condition.
That goes too far even for me.
I keep following the rules I declared one year ago I would be following, and it is perfectly ok like this.
Mask only in closed places and if other people are there, I keep socialising and seeing friends, just keep a bit of distance, which is also an absolutely normal thing for civilised people, no panic at all.
From Monday, we'll be in a "White" area here in Friuli, so no more restrictions...allegedly. But I don't despair, cretins are working against our freedom for sure. We'll hear from them on Sunday evening.
And I'll keep doing as I feel is right. And respectful of the others. That's it.
The Astra Zeneca seems to have more issues than the other's; or at least more publicity!
my Mum's stroke was a few weeks after her Astra jab. But I don't think it is being counted as due to the vaccine! I wonder how many more there are like that?
She was very sick after the jab too; vomitting for 2 days. It really knocked her for six.
That is the main reason I went for the Pfizer.
In France they've opened up the cafe and restaurant terraces last week. We'll see if the figures rise again in Paris. I expect we will see an increase.
Anyone who has watched the international news and seen whats happening in India should realise how lucky we are to have good health care.
They announced yesterday that all mask mandates in Pennsylvania will end with or without 70% of the adult population vaccinated on June 30th. It will then be safe. OK, how do you know it will be safe. What makes June 30th different than June 15th or July 15th? This is a prime example of why this whole mess has been nothing but a political football. Last week, the mask mandates would remain in place until 70% of the adults were vaccinated, period. This was to be "incentive" for people to get vaccinated. Now they are saying the June 30 deadline will be "incentive" to get vaccinated. Why? the masks come off no matter what on the 30th.
Here's the deal. Vaccinated people no longer wear masks. They can't ask you for proof of vaccine so quite a few others are not wearing masks either and the numbers are still plummeting. It's pretty much proving anecdotally that masks accomplish absolutely nothing. Places that mandated them have the exact same overall stats as those that didn't. In many cases, areas with masks are worse. Probably because areas without are more conscious about social distancing which does work.
Oh, and then there's this. Those that get vaccinated they say now may have lifetime immunity. OK, no evidence of this but why not. Those that actually had Covid should have immunity for at least 10 months. OK, quite possible. BUT, I don't think it is possible to have one without the other. The entire purpose of the vaccine is to produce the antibodies that are produced when you actually have the virus. If you have the virus, your body is going to produce massive numbers of the anti-bodies. If you have the vaccine, your body will produce a small number of the anti-bodies. Make sense to anyone?
I expect the Covid vaccine may end up as a yearly jab; like the flu vaccine. Seeing as the virus mutates fairly quickly; I don't think it's done yet. Especially in the poorer countries!
Talked to my GP yesterday do not get a choice its the Astra Zeneca or nothing that's how our govt rolls as under 50's can get the Pfizer so its take a chance on what's happened to a few others with the blood clots, the alternate was pretty straight forward as described by my no punches pulled GP "Catch covid and you'll sprout wings".
So booked in on the 18th June its so nice to have freedom of choice our land may be a great place but we have a govt that is less desirable pretty much their way or the highway not sure but I think they can get the Pfizer or have had it.
Catch Covid and you'll sprout wings? It has a 99.9% survival rate for anyone under 50 and a 90% survival rate for those over 78 which is the average age of death. With all the years in between decreasing slightly with age each year.
That's one of the problems here, 40% of Democrats think they are going to die if they get it. Drops down to about 10% of Republicans but even that's way too high.
Statistics don't matter when its someone you know. A good friends son, in his 30s, died two weeks ago. What were the odds? Who fu@king cares. He's gone and nothing will change that. If he had the shot would things have been different? I think they would.
Its all a bit worrying a lady who works with my wife her brother caught Covid o/seas where he died of it 49 Y/O yes we can all go on about the spanish flu and past pandemics but it seems this little sucker morphs into stronger more contagious variants extremely quickly and I seriously doubt if we will ever get ahead of it enough to kill it off as it will probably end up a super flu.
Or he could have had a reaction to the shot...Quote:
Originally Posted by SNAFU22
I am not trying to belittle his death in any way but people die. Some young, some old. My wife passed away from breast cancer at the end of 2019 at the age of 43.
This whole covid thing has been blown up way out of proportion which has caused much more economic, social, and health issues (people not seeking medical attention for other conditions out of fear) than it would have caused had it been handled as per traditional medical protocols (e.g. quarantine SICK people).
You have my sympathy MSW2. People do die. 30-40,000 a year in the US from traffic related accidents. So you buy a car with safety features, drive defensively and hope for the best. They say hindsight is 20 20. In my opinion, science will get us past this.
First Pfizer jab was great! Really was a surprise; hardly felt it at all.(probably due to the small quantity injected) and no side effects (fever etc) over the weekend for me; just very slight soreness in my arm.
My wife also got the jab on Friday; no side effects either; but she had more soreness in the arm during the weekend.
Well worth doing !
The “jabbers” have developed such a hand by now...
And the needle is tiny.
I really didn’t feel the sting. Nix, nada, niente.
Just a quick something to think about for everyone. How about having blood tests done for antibodies before getting a jab?
Not sure that would be helpful in the circumstances with so many variants on the move around the world. We ALL just have to hope that the one you get covers the new variant.
Ironic they are all named after cars......................keep smiling guys:lol:
VAUXHALL ASTRA ZENICA
JANSON INTERCEPTOR
ASTON MARTIN MODERNA
VOLKSWAGON PHEIZER
:madsmile::lol:STAY SAFE
I hadn't heard that...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
It's really starting to pee me off.
Came back from Townsville via the coast to drop some gear off to one of my grandaughters in Proserpine.
Now back home 12 days and we get the message that she has tested positive, so being under 14 days we now have to be retested.
Funny thing about Queensland, they have just secured two major sporting events due to the outbreak in Victoria.....while the south is in lockdown the cane toads are keeping pretty quiet about the outbreaks in Emerald and Proserpine.....just a half days drive from Townsville.
It is a strange thing this positive and evading it completely. Be interesting to see the habits of us humans after this and find out what people do to contract it, if they are careful or not and assume nobody has it.
Sad I know but we wipe everything down that gets delivered to our home even the post.
If the virus lives for 24-48 hours as they say, it will clearly live on anything you touch.
Tell her to keep an antibacterial gel with her at all times and to be regimental in her hand washing. That seems to be the only way!!:surrender:
If having the vaccine helps to stem the spread of the virus; it should also slow the development of different strains of the virus. With less people sick there should be less opportunity for it to mutate. Obviously added to the routines of hand sterilisation and social distance etc.
At least that's what I believe the idea is in principal. Only time will tell if it works! But the figures in the UK seem to point to a reasonably successful vaccination campaign.
Blimey the way this virus is mutating it won't be long before it develops into a Zombie virus. All the films are coming true lol
Headshots. And no need to run. A comfortable walking pace and good marksmanship is all that is required.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
At least you can see the Zombies!
It's basically over in the US except for the screaming by the leftists. Everything opened up fully now. No masks if vaccinated, but non-vaccinated for the most part stopped wearing them as well. Cases are very low. Seems to have run it's course.
It seems that this will drag out for as long as it takes for a certain percentage to actually get it, then it dies out. Australia seems to be dragging it out to a never ending quarantine.
We have an "Indian" variant that has appeared here in the UK. We are always the one stop shop for other countries.....nothings changed there then.
India continues to lose hundreds of thousands of lives to a faster spreading variant very sad to see in such a predominantly poor country with Billions to feed!
Ironically in the middle of this China has allowed couples to have up to three children instead of one in future!!
They have apparently been allowing two for some time. I missed that change, was very surprised to see three. Like you, I thought they were limited to one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
I was surprised by the 3 baby change in China as well.
To be honest; the only way to ensure a decent future for our planet is to maintain the population a a reasonable level. Because if we don't limit births; we will reach a point where it's unsustainable.
That will obviously end in mass violence and the population will be reduced by the resulting conflicts. Better to not reach that level in the first place!
Oh well thats the Irish out then....their average family size is 10.:madsmile:
I believe factory worker skit in Monty Pythons "Meaning of Life" sums it up nicely.
WOW, I hope all you other nations were not following Dr Fauci for guidance on your policies.
Freedom of information act has exposed his private government emails to scrutiny and it's turning out that the vast majority of his public releases are either inaccurate or out and out lies. Masks do nothing to protect the uninfected. The only valid use of cloth masks is for the infected to wear to reduce the spread of droplets. Masks are actually more dangerous for the healthy to wear for other reasons. Weird as this is what I've been saying all along.
He received a very detailed study on hydroxicloroquine and it's effectiveness and his response to it was "it's too long to read" He then discounted the use and the media ran wild with it because Trump said it and it was not widely used. Turns out many lives could have been saved.
They've been talking about it for over an hour now and it's pretty bad. He denied research was happening when it was. He denied it was lab created when all evidence is pointing to that being the only realistic way it was released.
And he knew all this from the very beginning. He was telling the truth when he told people not to wear masks at the beginning. There was no information at all that changed this to make them useful, they are not.
Could you post the link to this information? Masks being dangerous for healthy people, study on hydroxychloroquine, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Sounds like an interesting read.
Just a quick one on this that I could have mentioned in one of my previous posts on this site if I remember correctly. I know of two women who were admitted to hospital and they were specifically told by the medical professionals who treated them that it was because of mask wearing. The lady that cuts my hair and the wife of a school friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcathey
It is not only useless but actually bad for a healthy person to wear a mask for long stretches of time. Washing your hands and not putting your fingers in your mouth after touching bodily fluids dripping out of strangers works to prevent you from picking up diseases. Masks do not.
Masks help the helpless feel they're actually doing something proactive. But when I watch an individual walking alone in the wee hours of the morning on an empty side street with a mask, I wonder if they've ever had an original thought or do they just follow media?
Or driving alone in a car.
I believe you did post that anecdote here.Quote:
Originally Posted by MSW2
I was more interested in learning about the mechanism behind it. Blame the engineer in me but I'd really like to know how that works. On face value, when reading that masks make healthy people sick, I think, "Ok...but why?"
Was wondering if someone had read a medical study on the subject they could share.
They finally figured out that two generations of male only children wouldn't work out very well long term.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by limpetmine
Watch out, I don’t think we’re allowed to say that anymore:lol::lol::lol:
On what I posted. I listened to them reading the emails on the radio so I don't have a specific link to them. All the conservative talk show hosts are going nuts with them. Tucker Carlson, Glenn Beck, Shawn Hannity. Main stream press is basically ignoring them or trying to weasel their way out of saying they never said what the said, etc. A lot of this stuff is why people were getting banned from Facebook, Twitter, etc and now it's coming out that what they were banned for is telling the truth. I was working out of town all week and no access to the TV, just the radio and the internet. I think Tucker was the first to open up about it and I heard it on Glenn Beck's program and Shawn Hannity who I rarely listen to I heard today because I was driving home late.
I have read them, they were easy to find at the beginning of all this. Search engines have since made them harder to find. Basically, when we breath, we release moisture from our lungs into the air. You see this in cold weather as "breath". When you put a mask on your face, the moisture is held by the mask, in theory, this is why they say they have some limited effect with sick people in reducing the distribution of water droplets. In any case, moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. If you touch a surface with bacteria and then touch the mask and it is warm and wet, the bacteria can reproduce and if you continue breathing through the mask, it can get into your lungs and you have a bacterial infection in a day when anyone who gets sick is assumed to have Covid. Covid treatments do not work on bacteria. There was a woman again early on, a nurse specifically who was working with Covid patients and she got sick. Was treated and kept getting worse. Almost died before they discovered it was bacterial, not Covid.Quote:
Originally Posted by rcathey
This is why they say don't touch the mask, only wear the mask once, etc. But real people don't follow instructions, it's almost impossible to not touch the mask and people aren't going to go through half a dozen masks a day, especially when they can't get replacements.
That the masks also don't stop you from getting Covid is well known from scientific tests as well. Covid is so small, it goes right through a cloth mask. They studied this with SARS and this is when most of the mask studies happened because they were very concerned with SARS and wanted to know if various masks would stop or slow the spread. They didn't N95 masks were considered the bare minimum. Oddly enough, surgical masks aren't a whole lot better than cloth mask. They are basically designed to keep the surgeons germs out of the patients body not protect against airborne viruses. They also obviously don't seal very well.
One thing there isn't, a scientific study showing wearing cloth masks will prevent you from getting Covid. Yet this is what many people believe, those wearing them outside, in their own cars, etc. All the commercials kept saying were "your mask protects me, my mask protects you" But if you're not sick, the mask isn't doing anything for either of you. And they learned fairly early on that asymptomatic people, those without symptoms were very unlikely to spread Covid. It could happen but chances were very small. They based the asymptomatic spread theory on a Chinese woman in Germany they thought was asymptomatic but she was not. I think they figured this out last summer but they never changed the mask guidelines. By then, everything was political. This is also a reason why kids in schools shouldn't be wearing masks. Kids can get Covid but they are almost always asymptomatic and don't spread it. I don't think there has been a single outbreak in a school setting anywhere in the world. The kids that test positive generally got it from a family member or close friend outside of school. Being in close proximity to each other for long periods of time, the entire class should be infected with from one student but that's not the case. Teachers were also not getting it from their students.
Yes, corroborating studies are quite difficult to find.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Since schools reopened in my county for "on-site" learning a month or so ago, they've had some COVID cases. The students are kept in groups and they quarantine the entire group (including anyone who rides the same bus) when a case is reported at a particular school.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aragorn243
Another county just across the state-line in WA, has had to completely close down one High School recently due to an outbreak affecting several students and staff. The cause of the outbreak was not found to be from "transmission" that occurred while at the school, though. - Bob
https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/fr...8f8a53817.html
Accountability time soon.....................just wish they would hold their hands up and say, we made a mistake................about as likely as finding 40 buried Spitfires in Burma or finding the crew of the Marie Celeste :lol:
No one will ever be held accountable for anything, they'll all just try to shift the blame.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
A case here and there in a school is not an outbreak. Our schools opened almost on time, about a week late, had the occasional student go into quarantine. I had three students go into quarantine on my team, one twice. The schools never closed. Meanwhile, in Philly, 50 miles away, they never opened to in person until the school year was almost over. We had sports, band, cheerleading, school play, etc. Every school in the area had a different policy. Some opened a couple of months late, some closed off and on But no outbreak,
The choice of a school to close for a few cases is simply over reaction.
Once all the press and hype dies down, I think it will be just another flu virus and dealt with locally by those affected. One assumes, the annual flu injection will have other stuff added to it in future to prevent it.
I think you got it absolutely right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
Probably. And will still be just window dressing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
It's really quite simple: they understand that those without a positive birthrate are dead societies. And besides, they probably plan to populate those places where the locals don't - and why not?? Can you think of any off hand?Quote:
Originally Posted by 30Three
Reported today on the local news. Pennsylvania's new daily cases are now lower than they were when this first started. 103 in the entire state, 7 in the county. Very few are wearing masks anymore but there remain the few. Signs disappearing from stores as well as the check points, hand sanitizing stations. All mask requirements in the state are due to end in two weeks but those that are supposed to be wearing them now, the unvaccinated, are not.
Nearly all states are fully opening now, even California.
In the meantime, a man shot and killed a check out woman at a grocery store over a mask dispute. Even when the government is lifting mask requirements, some businesses are maintaining them and apparently this was one of them. Not sure why it happened, the man had a mask, I don't think he had it over his nose. Quite ridiculous in any case.
They are starting to seriously report on the massive numbers of business closings that happened because of this. Inflation is sky high and can't be ignored anymore. Only things that still seem in short supply are guns and ammunition but I'm starting to see small signs this is soon going to improve. It is available from online bulk sellers and the prices are coming down. I saw a report yesterday that 40% of small businesses failed.
Steve,
I don't think thats unique to the States, same across the pond. Lets hope you NEVER see the Delta variant imported from India, otherwise you will see a sharp slide back to where things were because it is more virilant and the people catching it are also dying with it, mostly those denying the vaccine!!!
Luckily its only in certain areas in the UK, and sadly where the higher percentages think there's something wrong with the relevant vaccines.
The niavity is what will kill people, whilst they sit on their hands and continue in disbelief thinking it will simply go away, able and well trained medical people go to work to save them!!
Very similar to the Military adage: Whilst lazy men sleep, angry men do their bidding!!:banghead:
Such is life Gil, you can lead a horse to water as they say mate......
I got my first shot.
Will get the second one as soon as the bartender comes back.
Very good ☺️.....Quote:
Originally Posted by MSW2
A few weeks ago I wrote about a young mother of two who was in our ICU, ventilated with lab confirmed Covid19. The back history is that she had no comorbidity issues except that she and her immediate family had not been vaccinated and if her husbands attitude is an indicator, he thought that mask wearing was an infringement on his freedom. He created quite a stir because he was required to wear a mask to enter the hospital. She presented at the ED with flu symptoms and was isolated per protocol and a nasal swab was taken and she tested positive for Covid19. Her symptoms were relatively mild and she was sent to an isolation floor and put on covid protocol. She deteriorated quickly and was sent to the ICU on an HHC (heated high flow cannula) but after a few days it became necessary to ventilate her. Her condition waxed and waned on a daily if not hourly basis. Despite everyone's best efforts she died at the end of this week. This ridiculous nonsense was and is avoidable. Two motherless children, a family lost their daughter/wife/aunt etc for foolish, ludicrous, ill-advised reasons.