The Covid-19 Pandemic Thread

[Number6]

The CDC is easing their recommendations on indoor mask wearing for areas where the risk of COVID is low or medium.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed mask recommendations for most Americans on Friday, releasing a color-coded map to help residents determine if they should wear masks indoors in their area.

The CDC announced new COVID-19 metrics Friday, which now place about 70% of the U.S. population — or 63% of U.S. counties — in areas of low or medium risk of COVID. In those areas, the CDC has dropped its recommendation for universal indoor masking.

For people in areas where the risk of COVID is higher, the CDC still advises everyone wear masks in indoor public places. About 37% of U.S. counties, or 28% of Americans, fall under this category.

To calculate local COVID risk, the CDC is now considering hospitalizations, current beds occupied by COVID patients and hospital capacity — in addition to the case numbers, which previously dominated its metrics.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/shoul ... li=BBnb7Kz

You can also use their website to enter your state and county to see what the COVID risk is in your county.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... ounty.html

[ProfX]

The Wuhan Lab Leak theory has pretty much bitten the dust. New studies indicate as most folks in the scientific community thought, that the virus was zoonotic in origin and probably spread to humans from animals in the market. It isn't manmade, and it wasn't leaked from that lab.

People complained the theory wasn't given enough attention. OK, it was given attention, and increasing evidence refutes it.

Wuhan Lab Leak Theory Undermined as New Research Points to Wet Market
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medica ... ar-AAUlX3o

[snip]

One of the studies used spatial analysis to show that the earliest known cases of COVID-19 were located near the market. It found that positive environmental samples were "strongly associated" with vendors selling live animals including raccoon dogs.

"Together, these analyses provide dispositive evidence for the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 via the live wildlife trade and identify the Huanan market as the unambiguous epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic," the study said.

The other study analyzed the pattern of genomic diversity of the virus early in the pandemic, finding that the disease was likely transmitted to people from an animal.

Michael Worobey, who is a co-author on both studies, tweeted: "We found that cases in December were both nearer to, and more centered on, the Huanan market than could be expected given either the population density distribution of Wuhan, or the spatial distribution of COVID cases later in the the epidemic. Its epicenter was at the market."

[snip][end]

I'm not letting China's government off the hook. Yes, they were secretive and uncooperative, but that is the nature of their government, unfortunately; however they were not covering up a lab leak. I am also not happy they appear to be siding with Russia in Ukraine. And the horrible stuff against the Uyghurs continues.

Bottom line: like many recent pandemics, this one started zoonotically, hopping from animals to humans. If one wants a bigger picture, many books have noted this problem might get worse as climate change causes many more animals to migrate to new habitats.

[ap215]

Ukraine, already contending with Covid and polio, faces mounting public health threats

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings a host of serious threats to public health beyond the military violence itself, experts warn.

The conflict could make it difficult for people with conditions like diabetes or cancer to get treatment, and it may increase the spread of infectious diseases, including Covid-19, as people gather in shelters or flee the country.

https://www.aol.com/news/ukraine-alread ... 26819.html

[ZoWie]

Meanwhile the American public has moved on, despite no one telling the virus that.

[Libertas]

Meanwhile the American public has moved on, despite no one telling the virus that.

Basketball game for grandson today, I was one of 3 out of 100 wearing a mask SIGH

[ProfX]

I support the CDC's position that:

a) mandates can be lifted in areas, depending on risk levels.
b) if certain risk levels re-escalate, we should be ready for mandates to return. Particularly in areas with the lowest vax rates.
c) we can't know these things without proper testing and tracing.

Oh, I know, Muricans do not want to listen to part b, but yes, though nobody likes hearing it, truth and sense remains a bitter pill.

[marindem01]

I support the CDC's position that:

a) mandates can be lifted in areas, depending on risk levels.
b) if certain risk levels re-escalate, we should be ready for mandates to return. Particularly in areas with the lowest vax rates.
c) we can't know these things without proper testing and tracing.

Oh, I know, Muricans do not want to listen to part b, but yes, though nobody likes hearing it, truth and sense remains a bitter pill.

If I'm going into a store, I'm wearing a mask.

[ap215]

New York's school mask mandate will be lifted Wednesday

NEW YORK -- New York's statewide school mask mandate will come to an end on Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday.

The state's mandate will be lifted, but local officials may choose to continue requiring masks indoors, Hochul said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live-up ... d-march-2/

[Number6]

If I'm going into a store, I'm wearing a mask.

Using the CDC website to see what level San Diego County is in, once the mask requirement is lifted I'll probably still wear the mask indoors for another 2-3 weeks until I see the COVID numbers are continuing to decline and remain low. I may be overly cautious but I haven't caught COVID and I plan on keeping it that way.

[marindem01]

Using the CDC website to see what level San Diego County is in, once the mask requirement is lifted I'll probably still wear the mask indoors for another 2-3 weeks until I see the COVID numbers are continuing to decline and remain low. I may be overly cautious but I haven't caught COVID and I plan on keeping it that way.

Gail is recovering from her back surgery (one week after the surgery) and I refuse to put her in jeopardy. I had to run down to Target for a few things, and most of the people were wearing masks.

[ap215]

California to lift mask mandate in schools on March 12

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Starting mid-March, masks will no longer be required, but will be 'strongly recommended' in California schools, according to updated guidance issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday.

The new rule applies to schools and child care facilities and will begin on Saturday, March 12.

https://abc30.com/california-mask-manda ... /11608207/

[Number6]

San Diego County has moved from high community infection levels to low infection levels. On Thursday, at 4:30 pm, the Navy lifted their mask mandate for their bases in the San Diego area. I found this out when I went to my Thursday night bowling league. One of the bowlers in the league played the automated alert on his phone and the center management made an announcement the mask mandate had been lifted. This was the first time in nearly two years I could bowl without wearing a mask.

[ap215]

COVID Update NYC: Several key safety protocols set to drop Monday

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City is taking another step to bounce back from the pandemic, with the city set to drop several safety protocols, including a school mask mandate and vaccination requirements for businesses.

Starting on Monday, restaurants in New York City will no longer ask for proof of vaccination before entering.

https://abc7ny.com/nyc-covid-mask-manda ... ce=twitter

[ap215]

Death toll nears 6 million as pandemic enters its 3rd year

BANGKOK (AP) — The official global death toll from COVID-19 is on the verge of eclipsing 6 million — underscoring that the pandemic, now entering its third year, is far from over.

The milestone is the latest tragic reminder of the unrelenting nature of the pandemic even as people are shedding masks, travel is resuming and businesses are reopening around the globe. The death toll, compiled by Johns Hopkins University, stood at 5,999,158 as of Monday midday.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukrai ... fe33d9afbd

[ap215]

They lost loved ones to the pandemic. They're pushing for a Covid Memorial Day.

Janeth Nuñez del Prado sees so much of her late father in her 5-year-old daughter — particularly when the little girl asks her to sing along to Myriam Hernández's Spanish-language hit "Mío" from 1990, one of her father's favorite songs.

Her father, Hugo, "was in his prime" at age 62, Nuñez del Prado said. He played tennis daily and even ran a half-marathon with his youngest daughter.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/los ... ?cid=sm_in

[ap215]

DOJ finds more than $8 billion in COVID aid fraud

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has uncovered a vast array of alleged fraudulent and criminal activities tied to more than $8 billion in federal COVID-19 aid, the agency announced Thursday.

In response, the agency said it was immediately appointing a new director tasked specifically with coronavirus fraud enforcement.

https://thehill.com/policy/finance/5977 ... -aid-fraud

[Number6]

Today marks the second anniversary when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

https://www.who.int/director-general/sp ... march-2020

[ProfX]

Kook AND liar. Not surprised.

COVID researchers: Florida ‘cherry-picked’ our work in kid vaccine recommendation
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo recommended against vaccinating healthy children aged 5 to 17. The experts he cited disagree.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/20 ... ne-advice/

The experts he cited to defend his position never advocated or said what he did.

[JoeMemphis]

Today marks the second anniversary when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

https://www.who.int/director-general/sp ... march-2020

It’s been a long two years. Thankfully we are on the other side of this thing.

[marindem01]

For a guy who does not post here, Joe keeps showing up.

[ProfX]

Ivermectin didn’t protect people from COVID-19, study shows
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/iverm ... 1647602256

Conclusion: no more effective than placebo, against COVID-19.

If you have a tapeworm ... different story.

[Motor City]

It’s been a long two years. Thankfully we are on the other side of this thing.

Not over yet, not so much a seamless transition from plague to war just an overlapping with the systemic pestilence and the famine its creating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RawdCW0WCKU

[ap215]

Adams defends lifting vaccine mandate for athletes as labor unions cry hypocrisy

NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday he decided to waive the Covid-19 vaccine requirement for local athletes and performers since it put them at a hometown disadvantage and hurt the economy, while the heads of public sector unions called the move unfair since their members must still abide by the mandate.

“This is about putting New York City-based performers on a level playing field,” Adams said at a Citi Field press conference flanked by the presidents of the Mets and Yankees. He said the rule instituted by former Mayor Bill de Blasio that exempted out-of-town athletes from the vaccine mandates gave hometown players an “unfair disadvantage. "

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/2 ... y-00020073

But if you look at this data COVID is starting to rise again in 3 categories

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page

[carmenjonze]

Adams defends lifting vaccine mandate for athletes as labor unions cry hypocrisy

NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday he decided to waive the Covid-19 vaccine requirement for local athletes and performers since it put them at a hometown disadvantage and hurt the economy, while the heads of public sector unions called the move unfair since their members must still abide by the mandate.

“This is about putting New York City-based performers on a level playing field,” Adams said at a Citi Field press conference flanked by the presidents of the Mets and Yankees. He said the rule instituted by former Mayor Bill de Blasio that exempted out-of-town athletes from the vaccine mandates gave hometown players an “unfair disadvantage. "

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/2 ... y-00020073

But if you look at this data COVID is starting to rise again in 3 categories

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page

We’re in for another surge, thanks to the disease-spreading colonizers.

[ap215]

Shanghai starts China’s biggest COVID-19 lockdown in 2 years

BEIJING (AP) — China began its most extensive coronavirus lockdown in two years Monday to conduct mass testing and control a growing outbreak in Shanghai as questions are raised about the economic toll of the nation’s “zero-COVID” strategy.

Shanghai, China’s financial capital and largest city with 26 million people, had managed its smaller previous outbreaks with limited lockdowns of housing compounds and workplaces where the virus was spreading.

https://apnews.com/article/covid-busine ... 24fec2c12e