OT: The Official COVID/Omicron Variant+ thread

[Capn'O]

This virus has been a mess from day one the way EVERYONE has handled it. Misinformation. Lack of studies. Lack of testing. Etc etc etc. Most people don't even know they have it. Protect yourself the best way you can.

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the main point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

[Clyde_Style]

This virus has been a mess from day one the way EVERYONE has handled it. Misinformation. Lack of studies. Lack of testing. Etc etc etc. Most people don't even know they have it. Protect yourself the best way you can.

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the biggest point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

Fun graphic. Should be put to official use.

Generally, I find the response to masking more baffling than anti-vax sentiments. Seems fairly sensible and a small imposition, but what do I know?

[Capn'O]

This virus has been a mess from day one the way EVERYONE has handled it. Misinformation. Lack of studies. Lack of testing. Etc etc etc. Most people don't even know they have it. Protect yourself the best way you can.

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the biggest point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

Fun graphic. Should be put to official use.

Generally, I find the response to masking more baffling than anti-vax sentiments. Seems fairly sensible and a small imposition, but what do I know?

That's how I see it. Generally, there are some environments where I never wore one (outdoors where spacing is easy) but in tight settings like a grocery store... it's just... who cares man?

[Clyde_Style]

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the biggest point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

Fun graphic. Should be put to official use.

Generally, I find the response to masking more baffling than anti-vax sentiments. Seems fairly sensible and a small imposition, but what do I know?

That's how I see it. Generally, there are some environments that I never wore one (outdoors where spacing is easy) but in tight settings like a grocery store... it's just... who cares man?

Covid has made me want to be outdoors even more. Kind of a positive side effect. I go to the park more often.

[2010]

This question is for anyone working in healthcare who is willing to provide insight.

What is the diagnostic process for determining which COVID-19 variant a patient has (Delta, Omicron, etc.) when they test positive for the novel coronavirus using the rapid RT-PCR test?

Also, please let me know which diagnostic tools and equipment are being used for this process in detail.

If diagnostic tools and equipment aren’t being used, and the determination is based solely on symptoms, please detail which symptoms differentiate enough between the two variants to mitigate potential human error in deciding definitively between which variant the patient has been labeled with.

If the findings of which variant a positive-testing patient has isn’t determined in-office with a rapid test, and is instead determined via the PCR lab test, please indicate the diagnostic process, tools and equipment used in that regard as well.

Lastly, if sizeable amounts of vaccinated positive-testing patients are asymptotic, how are we certain the variant they have is indeed Omicron?

The answers to these questions have direct correlation to the data being cited and it’s merit.

[2010]

This virus has been a mess from day one the way EVERYONE has handled it. Misinformation. Lack of studies. Lack of testing. Etc etc etc. Most people don't even know they have it. Protect yourself the best way you can.

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the main point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

This the funniest yet realist schit ever. How did I miss this? Must have been around for a while.

[Clyde_Style]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/22/south-africa-omicron-coronavirus-cases/

Here's some promising news! Omicron peaks seem to come fast and dissipate just as quickly. It's too early to go beyond "seems to" though.

Ha - I was just going to follow up your last post asking for thoughts on virulence. Decreased persistence would be very good news.

Would I be correct that shorter duration per case would likely correlate with lower case severity (since the longer cases are typically the ones that went south)?

Great question, and the early returns are very hopeful. Here's a piece from Stat News about what they've seen so far from South Africa's data with a small snippet that I'll throw in because it includes the need to be cautious with our conclusions until more data becomes available...but there's a lot to be hopeful about so far:

Early data from South Africa hints Omicron variant may cause less severe Covid, but more research is needed

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/04/omicron-covid19-south-africa-data/

Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Policy, told STAT he has “really been impressed by the relative lack of severe illness” seen with Omicron so far. “We’re just not seeing the number of patients that have been seen in previous surges who are seriously ill, even this soon into the surge.”

Amesh Adalja, an expert on emerging infectious disease and pandemic preparedness at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Health Security, said more data are needed but the early indications are “very intriguing.”

“It’s part of a trend of anecdotal reports that we’re hearing that the clinical spectrum seems to be more mild, especially in vaccinated people,” he said.

It appears that the Omicron variant may be more transmissible than past variants of the virus, potentially even the highly transmissible Delta variant. But it was only identified within the past couple of weeks and still makes up only a tiny fraction of cases worldwide, so drawing conclusions at this point is a risky business.

Good news overall coming out in the last 24 hours. It has tapered off rapidly in South Africa. If it is less virulent as well then the disruption may be manageable. Fingers crossed

[2010]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

[Capn'O]

This virus has been a mess from day one the way EVERYONE has handled it. Misinformation. Lack of studies. Lack of testing. Etc etc etc. Most people don't even know they have it. Protect yourself the best way you can.

Don't disagree with this. The masking guidance was the biggest mess and I feel like the easiest thing to explain. That pee test chart nailed it and that was obviously created by a dumbass so why couldn't official sources come up with something as simple?



The explanations that were initially given opened the door for a lot of conversation/conspiracy about how the mask doesn't protect the wearer that much. Which it doesn't, but that's not the main point of them. First thing I noticed when I put the mask on was that the inside got moist from breath very quickly. Coupled with an image like this and knowledge that the virus spreads through projectile droplets... seems obvious that if the problem is me, the mask helps.

This the funniest yet realist schit ever. How did I miss this? Must have been around for a while.

Yeah - over a year. I think I got it from K-Dot. It just makes sense.

[Capn'O]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

[Kampuchea]

No argument that they fudged up the mask guidance, however, I do not think there was a lack of testing, lack of studies or lack of information. Information was being released constantly, unfortunately, there is also a ton of misinformation or people taking figures out of context to fit their narrative.

[Kampuchea]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

Our leaders wouldn't defer to scientists in the USA, forget about them listening to Asia.

[Capn'O]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

Our leaders wouldn't defer to scientists in the USA, forget about them listening to Asia.

For sure. More of a rhetorical statement.

[2010]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

Which underscores why I don’t blindly listen to authority-figures. I trust ME to do what’s right for ME. Cuz at the end of the day I know how to think for myself. If I am gonna suffer repercussions, I’d rather do so on my own terms and only have the man in the mirror to blame, than to be having regrets cuz I fell for the okie-doke due to an agenda.

Lying outright to the general public due to mask availability and supply-chain concerns is still a lie.

[2010]

I am pro-mask and have always wore one. Even when the CDC, medical professionals, med-students, and those at my place of business were saying I shouldn’t be wearing one. That only COVID-infected individuals should be wearing one. But of course they eventually reversed course. Then legislation was passed.

This is why I tend to think for myself and do what’s best for me and my family. IDGAF about a so-called “expert” or authority figure. At the end of the day, I’m responsible for me, my family, and those in my community whom I interact with in close proximity.

The shepherd leads more sheep to slaughter than the wolf ever kills and consumes.

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

Our leaders wouldn't defer to scientists in the USA, forget about them listening to Asia.

Luckily, I have a wealth of Asian contacts and I’m fully in-tune with the culture.

[Kampuchea]

They all tried to do this little dance around masking because there weren't enough masks but didn't understand how much it would look like flip-flopping when mask production ramped up. It was the biggest mess of a message.

Asian countries had been doing it since original SARS at least. I don't know why we couldn't have deferred to their scientists and culture for explanation while we were figuring things out. Oh wellsky.

Our leaders wouldn't defer to scientists in the USA, forget about them listening to Asia.

Luckily, I have a wealth of Asian contacts and I’m fully in-tune with the culture.

Hell yes, I said before in here to Clyde - I first wore a mask 15-20 years ago when I was in Japan and I already had them before the pandemic started.

[2010]

Our leaders wouldn't defer to scientists in the USA, forget about them listening to Asia.

Luckily, I have a wealth of Asian contacts and I’m fully in-tune with the culture.

Hell yes, I said before in here to Clyde - I first wore a mask 15-20 years ago when I was in Japan and I already had them before the pandemic started.

Super facts. I already had masks AND gloves on deck before the pandemic hit. I was telling individuals to get some and wear them and they were coming at me with CDC statements and arguing with me that masks and gloves will make me more likely to catch COVID.

[Capn'O]

I don't know that there have really been lies about the vaccine, but then again, I have a tendency to tune out messaging that is nonsense while I look for something useful. The vaccine pretty much stopped the first batch of variants. Then Delta had a bunch of breakthroughs but it still helped tamp down severe cases. And with Omicron... still milder cases but way more breakthroughs.

The information keeps changing but it's not really anyone's fault. If the vaccine from sham's post bears fruit, a new vaccine style may provide more blanket protection. We shall see though.

[F N 11]

Cade and Noel in health and safety. Knicks causing the outbreak.

[2010]

I don't know that there have really been lies about the vaccine, but then again, I have a tendency to tune out messaging that is nonsense while I look for something useful. The vaccine pretty much stopped the first batch of variants. Then Delta had a bunch of breakthroughs but it still helped tamp down severe cases. And with Omicron... still milder cases but way more breakthroughs.

The information keeps changing with it. If the vaccine from sham's post bears fruit, a new vaccine style may provide more blanket projection. We shall see though.

Credibility matters tho. If you lie to the general public about one thing, you’re likely to lie about another. The CDC outright lied about the mask dilemma due to availability and supply-chain concerns. So I’d be gullible af to just take their word as bond with anything else with total disregard to my own thought-processes.

I don’t do what I’m told with anything. I’ve never lived my life that way. I do what’s best for me, my people, and my situation. If I don’t have the information, then I’ma proceed with caution until I get it. But nobody gonna speed me up blindly just because they say so. Or bc they’re an authority figure. Or a so-called “expert.”