The end of masks coming soon?

[Quote]The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday will ease indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places, according to a person briefed on the announcement.

Our long nightmare is OVER!

Damn, this is a major sea change.

States and business will follow CDC guidelines and start dropping masks.

I got no colds no flu, no COVID19 last yea. I'm vaccinated. Pfizer. But when I am in certain situations I will continue to wear a mask. Yes. Allergies, air pollution, etc. WTF not? Being out in public is not safe. Period. With just a few basic precautions we could eliminate a lot of bullshit. Wash hands, wear masks in public, and try to social distance as much as possible. We can enjoy out doo spots events, and we can enjoy indoor stuff too as long as they don't pack people in.

Too soon. Too dangerous. Variants of Concern.

They admit in the article that they're saying this in order to encourage the unvaccinated to get vaccinated.

In other words, they are basing this less on science and more on social engineering.

Are people going to have to prove that they're fully vaccinated before entering?

[quote]Being out in public is not safe.

Damn, girl.

And you're supposed to trust that others are vaccinated? Yeah, no thanks. Im fine wearing my mask.

Ditto, R5. I'm sticking with my mask outside the confines of my apartment.

Will the CDC provide a list of situations in which people should wear their mask, e.g. in elevators?

Just read that six or seven Yankees players who were vaccinated have tested positive. Hmm.

Yeah, the problem is that the non-vaccinated will also ditch their masks in public places.

Anti-vax people werent wearing masks in the first place so that's irrelevant.

The vaccines work incredibly well. If you are vaccinated there is no need to wear a mask. I'm glad the end is near.

[quote] And you're supposed to trust that others are vaccinated? Yeah, no thanks. Im fine wearing my mask.

Are you not vaccinated yourself for some reason? Then yeah, you might want to wear a mask.

Looks like the vaccines are doing their job r11

[Quote]Six of the seven people who have tested positive are asymptomatic

R11, I have a feeling there’s something off about that situation. Breakthrough infections don’t happen THAT regularly. It would be a near statistical impossibility for 7 people who all know each other / work together to experience breakthrough infections. Even if it was J&J. That vaccine is not THAT useless.

At any rate, 6 of them are asymptomatic which means they aren’t spreading it and wouldn’t even know they were positive if not for testing. Asymptomatic breakthrough infections aren’t transmissible. I bet if they were tested today, they’d come up negative. It’s a curious story but ultimately statistically insignificant. It would be worrisome if it were an observable trend, and if it were proven that such asymptomatic breakthroughs were transmissible. No evidence for that so far.

I’m more inclined to believe they weren’t actually vaccinated or that the vials were spoiled.

To this day, repugnican SOBs claim that a presidential election was stolen. Now, I'm supposed to trust them when they come to my liberal city and neighborhood and claim to have been vaccinated? Bullshit!

It doesn't matter if they're vaccinated or not, if you're vaccinated R17.

Well all the unvaccinated who bother wearing masks indoors will drop them. Then they'll get COVID and get sick. Perhaps we can take out 400k additional idiots and sociopaths before the year is up. Win win?

[quote] Anti-vax people werent wearing masks in the first place so that's irrelevant.

Not true, in stores they were. I know these idiots personally.

The public is exhausted from this nightmare regardless of political party. I don't personally know one single person who has had Covid, much less died. I'm sorry you shut-ins want this to go on forever, but it's almost over. Things will be completely back to normal by the end of this year. Concerts are scheduled, restaurants are opened back up, time to move on.

This is fucked up and dangerous!!!

The virus is airborne!! They said so themselves and they even said can travel further than 6 feet!!!!

What if cases go up again???

Or They let in unvaccinated cunts who spread the virus???

This is to help the indoor sports, music, theater biz....

If breakthrough infections WERE transmissible, we could get rid of quite a few trumptards and antivaxxers in a hot minute.

I agree R19 and R23.

The CDC is a joke. No way is it safe to drop masks in indoor public places this soon. Fuck the CDC. I’ll still be wearing one (and yes, I’m fully vaccinated).

They won't be "breakthrough" infections among the unvaccinated, numbnuts. Just good old deadly infections.

Then you don’t understand the effectiveness of the vaccines, R25. You got vaccinated to protect yourself from infection whether you realize it or not. Yes it also practically guarantees 100% protection from serious illness and deaths but it also prevents infection and spread.

Unvaccinated? Maskless? Who cares? Anyone who’s afraid of those people and isn’t vaccinated at this point themselves, has only themselves to blame.

[quote] They won't be "breakthrough" infections among the unvaccinated, numbnuts. Just good old deadly infections.

That poster was referring to a breakthrough infection in a vaccinated person spreading it to an unvaccinated person. Not that hard to understand, numbnuts. It doesn’t happen anyway, unfortunately.

Anti-vaxxers might start masking up and social distancing because of lunacy vaccine shedding.

I'm ready for the big meteor to hit Earth for a reset.

That guy is way too tan, R29. Who is he, George Hamilton? Gross.

This is the Biden administration saying "get your ass back to work"

R25 you're a nut. If you're fully vaccinated then the chances of you catching covid are minuscule, and if you do catch it (you won't) then your chances of severe illness are even smaller

and, just like that. . . .

so glad that I got vaxxed

R27 = Uppity asshole who doesn’t know what he’s talking about

GET YOUR VAXX

[quote]It doesn't matter if they're vaccinated or not, if you're vaccinated [R17].

R18: WTF with your certainty and expertise?? Nobody, including you, knows anything about this novel virus. STFU and stop patronizing us. Thank you.

[quote]We can enjoy out doo spots events

Stealth scat post!

[quote]This is fucked up and dangerous!!!

Love all the public health experts on this thread. Tell me, where did you get your public health degree?

The CDC hasn't been right about everything, but they have been exceptionally cautious, and it's ridiculous to think they would announce a decision like this on a whim, just to suit Joe Biden, sports owners, etc. The vaccine works.

What about fucking? Any guidance on if it's ok to pick someone up? Or to fool around with your vaccinated friends with bennies?

the CDC director is on now going over how effective vaccines are even against the variants. some of you need to pay attention

R37: Are your two paragraphs acquainted?

yup, GET YOUR VAXX

[quote] : WTF with your certainty and expertise?? Nobody, including you, knows anything about this novel virus. STFU and stop patronizing us. Thank you

It’s been two years. We know a lot about this novel virus. We also know a lot about viruses in general. You’re just ignorant of all the available data and you’re exercising extra caution because you’re fearful.

And when the Indian variant starts mass-spreading throughout the US and severe infection rates spike up? What then? When a fourth wave hits, and everything is shut down again, what then? This is such a terrible short-sighted move...

LOL. ^^

No real lockdown thus far. It's only a matter of time till a new deadly wave comes up. It's so funny to see people thinking they're off .

The cycle of a virus like this, is about 5 years from the moment they're spread. We still have a long road to go.

Everyone's gonna be back to lockdown by 2022. Maybe this time it will be a real lockdown.

To top that, given the worldwide behavior to this virus. It's estimated 2 billion people will die in the next 20 years of a much deadlier virus.

The vaccine prevents you from dying of covid. Even a mild case can cause long term effects. So if wearing a mask prevents me from possibly getting any covid, then I'm wearing it. Because I don't trust that everyone around me is vaccinated. You really want to go in a subway without a mask? Good luck.

How will small businesses and grocery stores determine who has been vaccinated and can go maskless? The honor system?

R43: Researchers are doing lab tests as we speak to see the efficacy of current vaccines against the Indian variants. Fingers crossed.

Recent Cleveland Clinic study: 99.7% of their patients hospitalized for COVID since January were unvaccinated.

Who would have thought that the end of capitalism would be brought by viruses and not the end of natural resources? I guess nature is smarter than humans after all.

Till humans stop eating meat this will happen all over.

Yes, R46, yes I do want to go maskless in the subway. I’m vaccinated. What is there to worry about? Nothing.

Those of you who think the Indian variant is going to kill us and put us in a lockdown next year. Do you want to make a bet?

R47, anyone who doesn’t want to get sick in a store should get vaccinated. This isn’t a difficult concept.

R4, I'm with you...I haven't had a cough or cold all year long and really love not being sick. I will forever wear a mask in a public building like a hospital, medical office, or train station.

[quote]I do want to go maskless in the subway. I’m vaccinated. What is there to worry about? Nothing.

"The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools, and other venues."

[quote] We know a lot about this novel virus. We also know a lot about viruses in general. You’re just ignorant of all the available data and you’re exercising extra caution because you’re fearful.

Will throw in that “we” still do NOT know “a lot” about this virus. It’s a process. The virus is novel, after all. While “we” have learned a great deal, there is much more to discover.

I personally know several people at the CDC. The institution was challenged before Covid due to polarisation and politics as well as (unfortunately corruption) funding issues. The Trump Administration and the pandemic essentially broke it down. From what I understand, the CDC is attempting to rebuild/restructure, but this is a slow process hampered by many things.

I personally would review many (medical) articles and listen to various international physicians before I’d go whole hog in on what the CDC is pronouncing.

I am sorry to be somewhat skeptical of the CDC now as I have great affection for it and fond memories.

I like wearing a mask on the subway because it blocks the smells.

not to mention you have tourists from who knows where with what kind of variant coming into the city, a dense city like NYC and spread it all over.

R54, I personally have been keeping track of everything public health experts and virologists and epidemiologists have been saying. You don’t have to rely on the CDC. They’ve always been WAY BEHIND in communicating the science and data behind vaccine effectiveness this year and personal risks to the public, compared to other health experts. I follow pro-mask experts, vaccine experts, etc. It’s literally all I do now, practically all day long. The CDC has been overly cautious and as that over-cautiousness has been pointed out, the public is losing trust in them.

R56, good thing we have vaccines in NYC.

You ignoramuses are so exhausting. Ultimately though, who cares. We’re winning the fight against this virus WITH VACCINES. You’re losing the forever-masks war. You’re like Trumpists refusing to believe Biden won.

out of the 7 yankee breakthrough cases, 6 of them were ASYMPTOMATIC! Imagine if they went around maskless...they gonna kill a lot of people

We'll see how they parse "crowded" vs "non-crowded" spaces. Is a grocery store crowded? Only on weekends?

Though that's likely to be moot, as I suspect retailers et al will use this as an excuse to ditch mask requirements entirely.

They'll have to be very clear about the effectiveness of the vaccines and why this is a prudent move.

I know a husband and wife who were fully vaccinated and got symptomatic covid. He felt like he had "the world's worst sinus infection" and she felt "like a 200-pound man is sitting on my chest." Neither had to go to the hospital but they still don't feel 100% after 3-1/2 weeks.

Interesting that liberals who have been screaming “follow the science!!” for a year are now the ones not following the science. The CDC director stated it plainly. The vaccines work and preventing transmission of covid and the science does not indicate that masked people need to wear a mask.

Asymptomatic breakthrough infections aren’t transmissible because the viral load is too low.

Are you a troll?

The majority of American adults have at least one dose already r59, odds are people will be interacting with vaccinnated people.

You want to go maskless on the subway? Do you have a death wish? They are now very crowded. not sardine packed like before but still quite full.

Think about the type of people who don't believe in vaccines and masks, they are the essential workers like cashiers at duane reade etc...they are taking the subway every day!

R63, where is the study? Link!

Does vaccination prevent a person from transmitting the virus?

More research is needed, but it is clear that in breakthrough infections, the amount of virus is lower than in natural infections. The lower the viral “load,” the lower the chance of transmission.

“It is still not clear if vaccinated people can carry and transmit COVID-19 to non-vaccinated or immunocompromised people, but available data suggest that this risk is very small,” said Lewis Nelson, chair of emergency medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “I’ll caution that masks should still be worn. It is fully appropriate to progress in baby steps and assess the outcomes of each change.”

The whole point of vaccines was getting us back to normal. The vaccines we have work really well, the risk is low enough that it's okay to go back to normal life.

We just need to encourage more vaccine hesitants to get vaccinnated.

some of you sounds very dumb.

if you are vaccinated, yes, you can get covid and you can get sick, but it's RARE, very rare. the cases are usually asymptomatic.

I don't want COVID to be over. I had a great time in lockdown--I don't want it to go back to normal!

This is a big mistake. The cases worldwide are increasing...they want to open up everything (which is fine) but this is too soon.

Imagine if the cases go back up and they want us to wear masks again...nobody is gonna do it.

[quote]We just need to encourage more vaccine hesitants to get vaccinnated.

totally

Those who want to be vaccinated have already done so.

there will be cunts who will never get the vax.

Those in the uniform trade...like cops! I think only 50% or less are vax in nyc.

they should be fired

NYT:

In a sharp turnabout from previous recommendations, federal health officials on Thursday advised that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings, regardless of size.

The advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention comes as welcome news to Americans who have tired of restrictions and marks a watershed moment in the pandemic. Masks ignited controversy in communities across the United States, symbolizing a bitter partisan divide over approaches to the pandemic and a badge of political affiliation.

The new advice comes with caveats. Even vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when going to doctors, hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes; when traveling by bus, plane, train or other modes of public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations; and when in prisons, jails or homeless shelters.

In justifying the move, agency officials pointed to several recent studies showing that vaccines are more than 90 percent effective at preventing mild and severe disease, hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 in real world settings.

UK cases of the variant first identified in India more than double in a week

From CNN's Arnaud Siad and Lindsay Isaac

UK cases of the Covid-19 variant first detected in India have risen from 520 to 1,313 cases this week, according to Public Health England (PHE).

Health authorities say they plan to implement “additional control measures,” including rapid testing and tracing, in areas where there is increased spread.

The Indian variant was named a "variant of concern" by the UK last week after a rise in cases. The variant has spread most across the North West and in London, where measures such as mobile testing, door-to-door testing and vaccine buses, PHE said in a statement on Thursday.

“We need to act collectively and responsibly to ensure that variants do not impact on the progress we have all made to drive down levels of Covid-19 and the increased freedom that brings,” said Dr. Susan Hopkins, Covid-19 strategic response director at PHE.

England enters phase two of its plan to lift restrictions on Monday, under which indoor dining will reopen.

Lockdown is coming soon! The Indian variant is out of control.

Hey, I saw them selling BinaxNOW covid 19 testing kits in CVS, is this good?

Done deal.

I've used those

CDC director to unvaccinated Americans: Keep your masks on

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

The director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterated that unvaccinated Americans should continue to wear masks and practice social distancing, encouraging them to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"The science is also very clear about unvaccinated people. You remain at risk of mild or severe illness, of death, or spreading the disease to others. You should still mask, and you should get vaccinated right away," Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.

Walensky added that if Covid-19 conditions worsen in the US, today's new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people could be rolled back.

"We know that the more people are vaccinated, the less cases we will have and the less chance of a new spike or additional variants emerging," she said.

CDC says fully vaccinated people can take off their masks indoors and outdoors

From CNN’s John Bonifield and Elizabeth Cohen

Calling it “an exciting and powerful moment,” the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under special circumstances. "“If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing. “We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy.”"

She said the science supports the new recommendation that “anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities – large or small – without wearing a mask or physically distancing.”

Walensky’s announcement has a few caveats. She warned that people who are immune compromised should speak with their doctors before giving up their masks.

She also said that “the past year has shown us that this virus can be unpredictable, so if things get worse, there is always a chance we may need to make change to the recommendations.”

By the way, that coronavirus megathread 8 has been paywalled! barely anyone is posting there!

The evidence we have suggest the vaccines (at least Pfizer and Moderna) will work fine against Indian variant r77.

people in this country should count themselves lucky. Someone on my fb list lives in canada and she said she has to wait 4 months for the 2nd dose!!!

Get your asses vaccinated people!

also it's so unfair that those who are vax got no freebies.

They are offering all kinds of freebies to those still on the fence! Free 1 week unlimited metrocard! google gift card, free tix to museums, etc! CUNTS!!!

Hey, anybody want to buy some masks, cheap?

R86, link.

Americans are [bold]ABSURDLY[/bold] privileged in terms of COVID vaccines.

I've been tracking Brazil. They keep having to postpone 2nd dose vaccinations of over-60s because they run out of supply. Terrible.

No more social distancing, either.

R86, I watched the mayor's press conference and this morning he even said they can get free tix to governor's ball concert!

but OH has them beat! 5 vax people can get 1 million bucks! a lottery!

R86

The Museum of Natural History, for example, is offering four free tickets to those who get vaccinated at the facility.

Shake shack, if you show your vax card, you can get free fries if you buy a burger or sandwich.

R21, I know 15 people who got it. 3 died, 5 ended up in the hospital. One was in there for 3 months unconscious. So kindly fuck off.

R21 - bitch I wasn't a shut in but have become one over the past year due to COVID and severe asthma. I feel like shit after the second jab. I want to use the unique opportunity to visit places in Europe and meet men like I did before the pandemic. What makes you think that just because some of us want to err on the side of caution for a bit because we are adults who understand contagion we are shut ins? I hate staying inside when lilacs are in bloom, when there are countries to be seen, interesting people to meet and when I haven't had a good fuck since February 2020?

Starting today, Thursday, May 13 while supplies last, New Yorkers can score a free ShackBurger voucher** when they get vaccinated at one of the NYC mobile vaccine buses!

Even sweeter? Now through Saturday, June 12, we’ll also be servin’ up free Crinkle Cut Fries to vaccinated New Yorkers with the purchase of any burger or chicken sandwich*. To redeem, just show a Team Member your vaccine card or Excelsior Pass before ordering in-store at the following NYC Shacks

R96 Fat (vaccinated) Whores Rejoice!

CDC chart outlining new guidelines:

Trying the chart again:

Tonight's NYC mayoral debate is going to be, shall we say, ... memorable ... at the least.

Shit! Now I have to get a fucking face lift.

Anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at a designated subway station between now and Sunday will receive a free seven-day MetroCard, while anyone vaccinated at a Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North hub will earn two free one-way trips anywhere in the service area. It's just a four-day window for now, a limited-time deal, but Cuomo has indicated the pilot could possibly be extended if it proves successful.

Should I still be wearing a mask 😷 when I go to Trader Joe’s next week?

[quote] [R54], I personally have been keeping track of everything public health experts and virologists and epidemiologists have been saying. You don’t have to rely on the CDC. They’ve always been WAY BEHIND in communicating the science and data behind vaccine effectiveness this year and personal risks to the public, compared to other health experts. I follow pro-mask experts, vaccine experts, etc. It’s literally all I do now, practically all day long. The CDC has been overly cautious and as that over-cautiousness has been pointed out, the public is losing trust in them

Could not disagree more R57.

If you claim the CDC was overly cautious about Covid, why does the USA have one half to one million deaths attributed to the virus? (The deceased stats atm are being questioned.) Why has the US been leading the world with Covid if it’s venerated medical institution has been “OVERLY CAUTIOUS”?

Why have other countries such as Australia and New Zealand fared well in terms of Covid, even though they are closer in proximity to the original source of the virus?

Why did the “overly cautious” CDC not take more of a leading role when the virus in Wuhan was first reported?

Why then did the “overly cautious” CDC tell individuals in the US not to wear masks in the beginning of the pandemic?

Why was it necessary for the CDC to put out multiple statements regarding recommendations for Covid, only to immediately retract them?

Why did multiple established current and former CDC scientists/leaders write a letter to Bob Redfield complaining that he/the CDC were too lax regarding the handling of Covid? I refers you to the leaked in-house letter to the Robert Redfield, the CDC director.

I would also refer you to the writings of Lawrence Wright who looked into to all this.

Jesus, even TODAY, there is reported controversy with in-house CDC physicians about the mask removal statement just made. Some feel it is appropriate. Others feel it is a ploy to push the unvaccinated to vax. And some believe it will be hard to go back to a mask recommendation for all if variants/cases increase.

There are multiple perspectives.

Paradoxically the only thing we can be certain of is UNCERTAINTY.

I am seeing a few cases of vaccinated Covid. No, they are not severe.

But the long-term complications of Covid are daunting. And these are popping up with increasing regularity....even in those who did not know they had Covid in the first place.

We still have much to learn about the long term sequelae of Covid. And that will require TIME.

In the meantime, flippancy about Covid is sheer hubris and ignorance.

Just because one has an easy time with the immediate Covid infection, does not insure one gets off scot free without medical consequences (heart/brain/kidney/nerve damage).

R103 - call and ask to talk to the manager. Didn't we teach you ANYTHING?

[quote]Others feel it is a ploy to push the unvaccinated to vax.

I think this is indeed the intent ... but I'm willing to bet that the unvaccinated will take this as a sign the pandemic is over and now there's no reason for them to get a shot.

Remember they told us NOT to buy masks in the beginning of the pandemic!?!

They are so fucking useless!!!

Also, they took FOREVER to tell us that it was airborne. We knew it longgggg before. Chinese cunts had big trucks sanitizing the streets early in the pandemic...

Damn! The only freebie I got was an unsolicited mental health diagnosis from a 2021 Nobel Peace Prize contender who dispenses insider covid advice on DL in her spare time:

[quote]It’s been two years. We know a lot about this novel virus. We also know a lot about viruses in general. You’re just ignorant of all the available data and you’re exercising extra caution because you’re fearful.

Deemed ignorant and fearful by our resident know-it-all, no doubt my Mensa affiliation is under review even as I keyboard. Sigh. The shame. The shame.

How much for the masks, R87

Can fully vaccinated people still be carriers of the virus, even if asymptomatic?

Sanjay Gupta: New research studies demonstrate that breakthrough infections don't generate enough viral load to infect someone else.

GLORY HOLES, HERE I COME!

CDC guidance on masks "went from one extreme to another," CNN medical analyst says

From CNN's Adrienne Vogt

CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said she was surprised to hear the updated recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that vaccinated Americans can largely end mask use.

“Frankly, I was shocked by this announcement. I think they went from one extreme to another,” said Wen, former Baltimore City health commissioner. “And the major step that’s missing here is how do we know that people are telling the truth?”

While Wen said she was pleased to hear a strong message on the effectiveness of vaccines, she said the guidance may be more confusing than clear-cut.

“If you’re go to the grocery store, maybe you’re fully vaccinated … but who is going to be checking to see if others are also vaccinated? So what does that mean if I’m bringing my son — my 4-year-old, who is not fully vaccinated — now he’s going to be in a grocery store potentially exposed to people who are not vaccinated, who could be of danger to him. And so I guess I am kind of befuddled as to where this guidance came from. I think there are a lot of steps that are missing,” Wen said.

She said that she thinks the "right incentive" needs to be in place.

"If now we're saying you can do whatever you want, we're not going to check whether you're vaccinated, then what's in it for people to get vaccinated?" she asked.

I really don't mind wearing a mask, it does me no harm to wear one, it is probably responsible for the major reduction in colds and flu this past winter. Plus you never know when the NEXT deadly virus will start spreading.

I wish masks were required for everyone in involved in food preparation and serving, if a person is talking while they are preparing your food then they are spitting on your food even if unintentionally. Spit flies out of everyone's mouth when they are talking, masks should be mandatory for food prep.

The Eagle in NYC announced that are going to start requiring guys show proof of vaccination to get into the bar. Hope that can become a trend.

You can get a fake vaccination card without leaving the comfort of your bridge.

[Quote]without leaving the comfort of your bridge.

Living under a bridge? Poor r115. It gets better.

[quote]The new advice comes with caveats. Even vaccinated individuals must cover their faces and physically distance when going to doctors, hospitals or long-term care facilities like nursing homes; when traveling by bus, plane, train or other modes of public transportation, or while in transportation hubs like airports and bus stations; and when in prisons, jails or homeless shelters.

This is exactly what it should have been for decades! It was nice not getting the flu this year and I only had one cold in the entire year plus.

Although it doesn't really make sense for people to do that on the subway but not at a crowded concert.

Ya’ll can test this “advice” for me and I’ll sit back and watch (while still wearing my mask at indoor public places).

President Biden: "Remember that most people under age 65 aren't vaccinated yet. It's going to take a little more time for everyone who wants to be vaccinated to get their shots ... Please treat anyone still wearing a mask with kindness and respect."

r114 in the Northeast that really isn't necessary. The vast, vast majority of people will be fully vaccinated by July. Where I am in CT we're already past 70% of adults with one shot. In a restaurant it would be safe to assume everyone there is fully vaccinated.

The deplorable states are another story. I know I won't be stepping foot in a state like Florida for years.

I’m still going to wear one

I will still wear mask. My package of masks from Amazon just arrived.

If Trump didn't have that ridiculous piecemeal approach to COVID-19 things would be different.

For example. I have lived in the American South for some time- Memphis, TN to be exact. The Governor of Tennessee has barely acknowledged COVID-19 in general. In Memphis and the county we have to reach a 700,000 inoculation(s) goal before we have any remote semblance of herd immunity. We also have parts of Arkansas and Mississippi which are close by. So, I'm keeping my mask on in public and my hand sanitizer at the ready.

R47 It doesn't matter, get your vax and you don't have to wear a mask. I'm vaccinated and will not wear one unless a business requires it, and will happily put it on. If you aren't vaccinated then you may die and that's your fault. NO MORE MASK

CNN: TSA requiring masks on planes, trains, buses and all forms of public transportation through September 13.

Waaay back at r21. What a ridiculous post. Just because YOU weren’t affected, you want to make a blanket statement about everyone. For all we know, you’re a Ted Kaczynski who hasn’t interacted with people for years. Are you going to ignore metrics that tell us 32 million Americans got it? And more than half a million died?

Just keep living in your cave. Hope your internet goes out so we don’t have to read more of your claptrap.

R43 The Indian variant is already here and spreading, get over it, there are dozens of variants all over the place, viruses mutate, get your damn vax, and get on with it or stay in your hole, you have that choice.

[quote] Recent Cleveland Clinic study: 99.7% of their patients hospitalized for COVID since January were unvaccinated.

This is great news, but 99.7% means that 0.3%, or 3 out of 1,000 patients hospitalized for COVID, WERE vaccinated. That may be a very small number, but when you multiply it by the millions of people in the US, it means there are likely to be thousands of people who are fully vaccinated but still end up in the hospital with COVID (plus thousands more who will get sick but not require hospitalization). And when that happens, people will start bitching, "WTF? Why didn't the vaccines work?" That's a risk we'll need to accept. We'll never get to zero risk. But I think a lot of people don't grasp that fact. They hear the news about no more masks and think, "Good news! COVID is finally over!!"

R128: were the other fully vaccinated?

[quote]You can get a fake vaccination card without leaving the comfort of your bridge.

*cough* Excelsior Pass *cough*

Speaking of digital proof cited at r130, does anyone have a recommendation as to what would be accepted as digital proof? Is there an app? I have my paper card.

[quote]Speaking of digital proof cited at [R130], does anyone have a recommendation as to what would be accepted as digital proof? Is there an app?

So far NYS is the only state doing this. Guessing other states will follow suit soon as public events reopen.

I have my card as well but i'm concerned about who they will sell the data to down the line...you know they are gonna make money off this. or data breach. So I will just use the card until I need to get the app on my phone.

Also, I got my vax at walgreens, they said if you download their app, your vax info will be on there. I didn't do it.

not gonna do it until i absolutely have to.

R130: [quote]*cough* Excelsior Pass *cough*

See, Colonial Pipeline and DarkSide (cue hacking cough).

[quote]*cough* Excelsior Pass *cough* (R130)

See, Colonial Pipeline and DarkSide (cue hacking cough).

If you're vaccinated why do you care if people aren't wearing masks? Vaccines prevent transmission. They're over 90% effective. Live your lives.

Fauci on CNN: Stores, restaurants, bowling alleys, etc. should allow fully vaccinated people to come in without a mask.

vaccines are not created equal! I live in an international city. There are lots of tourists here from China and Russia. Their vaccines are shite!

But, says, Fauci, if you drop the mask mandate at a local level, you could see an increase in infections in unvaccinated people.

"Vaccines prevent transmission. They're over 90% effective. Live your lives."

They last 6 mos. Will people come back for a booster in the autumn?

Very telling that they're not lifting the mask mandate on public transportation. That's why New Yorkers got it so bad: those high-viral load subway cars.

So this is working out very well for everyone.

I plan to continue wearing mine during flu season going forward. I don’t mind wearing a mask at all and I have found ones that are comfortable.

[quote]See, Colonial Pipeline and DarkSide (cue hacking cough).

Yeah no shit.

I had hackers try to file taxes under my SS#. Somebody tried to file fake unemployment claims under my name this past year. Should we get rid of taxes and unemployment insurance just to avoid security breaches?

R143, I had the fake unemployment claim happen to me too. Was it Colorado and did you get a weird debit card sent to you even though you don't live in the state where the claim was made?

There is now a new person in the Yankees (who are ALL vaccinated by J&J ) who tested positive. That makes 8!

Gleyber Torres is the eighth member of the organization to test positive — all of them were fully vaccinated, making them “breakthrough positives.”

The shortstop also had COVID in December and Aaron Boone said Wednesday he still had antibodies.

I'm excited to get back to normal, but I'll keep a mask in my pocket for unexpected crowds. It's mind boggling to me to see people ask like getting the all clear to not wear a mask is like being freed from slavery. It's a tiny piece of cloth...on your face. Calm the fuck down.

R136 - I care because it isn't that simple and because it isn't all about me. Those who don't get the vaccine can still infect me and, despite my symptoms being milder, they are still making the decision to risk my health. Their freedom ends where mine begins and, if I took all the necessary precautions to prevent infecting others, then they need to extend the same respect for my rights as I did for those. Now, besides my admittedly queenly diatribe, the ones who got no vax will also help with the endless mutation and variants. So you know what? Fuck them and they shouldn't be allowed to take the damned mask off until they get the vax.

I’m fully vaccinated and not in a high risk group, but I’ll happily continue to stay masked while indoors and/or around groups of people. There are still too many unknowns around efficacy against variants/the length of protection the vaccine provides, etc. That, coupled with the number of people who remain willingly unvaccinated, makes this announcement seem incredibly short-sighted and frankly, irresponsible.

Even after this is all over (assuming it ever is), I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to an entirely maskless existence. People are fucking gross; if wearing a mask keeps me from getting the flu/a cold/insert sickness here, I’m all in. It’s common to see people regularly masked in Asia, and I think we Americans could learn a lot and keep ourselves healthier if we modeled similar behavior moving forward.

I'm still gonna wear a mask indoors, coz the essential workers at the stores are anti vax and anti mask (they wear their masks but it's under nose etc), they are the cashiers etc. You know them. They will never take the vax.

Good luck and stay safe.

R140 care to share the peer-reviewed scientific report that says that immunity from the vaccines only lasts six months. Scientists THINK that NATURAL IMMUNITY from covid antibodies could potentially start to weaken after 6 months but it has not been proven and there CERTAINLY hasn't been any proof on how long the vaccines offer protection.

You're an anti-vax troll. Go back to Facebook.

I’m happily vaccinated but will keep wearing my mask indoors and when I’m in an outdoor crowd situation. It just feels like they’re loosening things up too fast and too soon.

R150 - he's definitely a troll. We don't know that much about viral load in this case and, as such (and I hate masks with the heat of a thousand suns), I will follow R148 and R149. Fuck that, it's not worth the risk. Now that I got both shots, I will travel and enjoy my life but why the hell take a risk for some crazy anti-vaxxers? I am 43, I wanna still enjoy the few moments of life, meet a few men along the way...if that means masking up until the coast is clearer no problem.

[quote][R143], I had the fake unemployment claim happen to me too. Was it Colorado and did you get a weird debit card sent to you even though you don't live in the state where the claim was made?

NY State. They filed claims under my real SS# (hacked in 2016) and an address I haven't lived at in 20 years. The payroll folks at my company contacted me when they received the claim. Very odd.

I guess there's been roughly $80 million in fake claims filed during 2020.

I require a few months of evidence that this is a good idea.

[quote] We still have much to learn about the long term sequelae of Covid. And that will require TIME.

Bishes, go read through the Long Covid Support Group on Facebook. They have tens of thousands of members.

The new health problems and persistence of original Covid symptoms will scare you shitless.

(Or at least, it does me. A little mask is a small price to pay for health. There's nothing more precious than good health--and nothing more expensive than months in a hospital.)

[quote]I require a few months of evidence that this is a good idea.

And that's okay! I'm fully vaccinated, taking small steps towards going outside in NYC without a mask on quieter streets.

We all have radically different comfort levels with public health measures right now.

The scariest thing is the neurological/mental problems after covid! Large study finds psychiatric, neurological illnesses common within 6 months after infection!

Prevention is better than cure

R104, almost your entire diatribe was referring to things that went on at the CDC during the Trump administration. And every warning you issue is only relevant to unvaccinated people. And seriously, fuck them at this point.

What a waste of energy that was for you.

R109, I eagerly await being proven wrong. Asymptomatic breakthrough cases transmitting to other people? Let’s see it. I’ll eat my shoe.

I’m not a know-it-all, I just follow this stuff all day long. People on this website still think COVID doesn’t prevent infection, for fuck’s sake. So many of you don’t keep up with the latest reports and then you act indignant when you find out you’re behind in the news. Maybe try to stay informed. Understand the reporting. Learn what an efficacy rate is. Look at all the data the CDC has provided.

You’re not better informed than I am, you’re just more ignorant and fearful. It’s okay, though, take some time and get caught up.

And thanks for using female pronouns on me, misogynistic homophobe.

Vaccines offer immunity for *at least* six months, but lots of experts think it could last years. Jesus, you people are really something.

Anyone who’s worried about variants, statistically insignificant breakthrough infections, and the like—please stay home. Stay home and stay quiet about it. I’ll gladly go out and take one for the team. I trust the vaccine. Will report back if I —GASP— get the sniffles for a day or two in the event of a breakthrough infection (which is incredibly unlikely, as I’m not even in the demographics more likely to experience a breakthrough infection).

R259 if it's going to get you this hysterical, making you take up half the threads with your bs, you should take a break. Weird to claim everyone else is fearful when you admit to obsessively reading covid shit all day long. And before anyone has faith in whatever you claim, you've said a few things that were blatantly wrong in multiple threads -- like claiming it's been "2 yrs of this". Maybe it seems like it to you with your covid OCD. It's been a year, meaning there's not even data to track beyond that.

R160 everyone has been going out and going on with life the entire year, unlike you acting like some freak because of wearing a mask. I feel sorry for you that you hid in your house all year instead of taking the most basic of precautions (mask and washing hands). People in my area did and we enjoyed outdoor activities, restaurant food, and shopping. Idk wtf you were doing that you were home feeling sorry for yourself. Kind of pathetic.

None of what I’ve said is “bs”. You got me on the length of time—it’s been 1 ½ years since it was identified.

And it’s not weird for me to point that so many DLers are irrationally fearful—they are. I’m not. I’m just taking an autistic interest in it.

If you want to pick apart anything else I got wrong, go ahead. I’m not attempting to *mislead* anyone, so if there’s a correction, I’ll welcome it.

R162, I don’t know if you mistyped or what, but I have been going out consistently all during COVID—wearing a mask, washing my hands, socially distancing ALWAYS. I have to work and ride the subway all the time. No fucking idea where you got the idea that I’ve been hiding at home and refusing to mask or sanitize.

R160, what experts? Pfizer's CEO said booster shots are most likely needed once a year

Jeez I wonder why the CEO OF PFIZER would say that, R165. Think really hard about that one.

If flu shots are needed every year, then it's not that hard to believe that we would need it for covid since there are so many variants out there and it's a virus, it mutates!

Gov. Cuomo says NY isn’t ready to follow federal advice on going maskless

Pandemic-weary New Yorkers had their hopes deflated Thursday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he wasn’t ready to ease the state’s mask mandate — even though the feds gave the green light for vaccinated Americans to finally show their faces and gather indoors again.

In a late-afternoon statement, Cuomo said he and Health Commissioner Howard Zucker had yet to decide if the Empire State would adopt newly announced guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening,” Cuomo said.

“We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states.” A sign of face mask requirements is seen at a movie theater in New York, the United States, March 5, 2021.

Hours earlier, CDC Director Rochelle Walenksy said, “Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities – large or small — without wearing a mask or physically distancing.”

President Biden called the development “a great day for America,” saying, “If you’ve been vaccinated, you don’t have to wear your mask and you can shake hands.”

“You can even give each other a hug,” he added.

First Lady Jill Biden celebrated by going maskless with actress Jennifer Garner during a visit to a vaccination site in West Virginia.

“We feel naked,” she said before adding: “I didn’t mean it that way!”

Under state rules that were revised last month, fully vaccinated people can go maskless outdoors, “except in certain crowded settings and venues.”

Masks are still required indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

State Sen. Jim Tedisco (R-Grenville) invoked the state’s scandal over nursing home deaths from COVID-19 in saying that “our best bet as constituents is to always follow the CDC because we’ve seen what the ‘experts’ in New York state have provided.”

“I don’t think anything this governor says about using experts in New York State is true,” Tedisco said.

“He’s working with people who are basically like working with Moe, Larry and Curly. I’d follow the CDC guidelines anytime before following what the governor says.”

I'm a muumuu-clad, HIV+ Klangranny with cancer. I've rarely left my rent-controlled, 4th floor walkup in Harlem during the past year. I had my groceries delivered (then Lysoled!) and Doordash for din-din every night since I went into seclusion. I've been on Datalounge almost 24/7 since then, mostly posting on Meghan Markle threads, but I did start the threads: "I'M BORED"; "How Is Everyone Else Dealing With Solitary Confinement?"; and "Is Anyone Else BORED?!".

Today, I dared to take the duct tape off one window. It was very liberating. But soon I was lying in a fetal position near the sink, sobbing like a baby. Then I heard the familiar sounds of "The Young & The Restless" and perked up a bit.

Tomorrow, I'm going downstairs to get my mail.

Sounds like NY Post is just painting Cuomo as a villain. NYS hasn’t said they’re “not ready” at all—they’re going to review the data.

And I still wouldn’t expect most public indoor spots in NYC to drop their mask requirements, and that’s fine with me.

I believe in science, I trust this administration's Covid response, and the CDC. They said masks can come off, with reasonable restrictions, and so that's what I'm doing. The mask is coming off -- with reasonable restrictions.

If your own personal comfort level is to continue masking and social distancing, then you continue to do it and be happy and healthy. I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life. But just stop with the I'm better than you and I care more than you do because I'm still wearing a mask. And please stop all the doomsday scenarios about variants and new waves and blah blah blah. If a new wave comes, then we will respond accordingly. But it's time to move on.

Some guidance from the Washington Post.

NO MORE MASKS! NO MORE MASKS! NO MORE MASKS! NO MORE MASKS!

Well said R171. If people want to continue to wear masks that is absolutely fine. But to then act like those of us who are comfortable taking the mask off are selfish or are murders is insane. We’ve been saying follow the science for a year and a half now. At this point not wearing a mask is following the science.

Did bill maher get the j and j shot as well?

What a mess - the CDC just lost a lot of credibility by abruptly reversing course by surprise in one day. Now the liberals don’t believe them - and the conservatives feel vindicated that they were right all along. Incompetent and horrible messaging - reminiscent of “people don’t need to wear masks” message when it started.

Everyone saying they will continue to wear masks are basically now the conservatives who said they won’t wear masks when the CDC said you should. They should have started by saying they are studying it, then that a review panel is assessing the studies - then a week or so later said “the results are in and the committee has agreed that the analysis shows it can’t be spread once vaccinated” so masks are not required.

I’m stopping masks in most places except as noted by CDC. It will be interesting to see how people respond on the street in NYC - and San Francisco - where there has been a disturbing vigilante condemnation for not wearing a mask. People have to give it up now - you can no longer criticize people for not wearing a mask.

[quote]It will be interesting to see how people respond on the street in NYC - and San Francisco - where there has been a disturbing vigilante condemnation for not wearing a mask.

Please try to understand - public executions of the unmasked have been my only source of entertainment for the past 14 months.

*rolls eyes*

The CDC, or anything or anybody in that case, can say just what they like. I'll continue to wear a mask until there is information from a RELIABLE source that it's safe to go without one. I have no problem or issues doing this until then. It is of no interest to me what the thoughts of others are. My responsibility for my health is not theirs. End of.

^^^^^Gurl has stated her boundaries, watch out!

So now the CDC isn't a reliable source? C'mon.

You anti-science liberals are out of your minds.

When masks became mandatory back in March 2020, I bought a pack of 50. Since I never wore a mask unless I absolutely had to, I still have 46 left. I guess I'll put them away, preparatory to the next novel virus.

Masking has become a personality trait for some during the pandemic.

[quote] [R104], almost your entire diatribe was referring to things that went on at the CDC during the Trump administration. And every warning you issue is only relevant to unvaccinated people. And seriously, fuck them at this point. What a waste of energy that was for you.

R158 Not a diatribe.

But I will say you come across as willfully ignorant and misinformed.

Perhaps you could see the 32 yo fellow doctor I saw on Monday at UCLA. He got the Pfizer vax and unknowingly was infected with Covid sometime since.

He now has significant neurological sequelae.

He is one I saw this week. I saw 4 breakthrough infections last week.

So I don’t buy the nonsense you are spouting. As others have noted. Long Covid is a thing. And real among vaccinated individuals. How much of an issue remains to be seen.

The supposed doctor on this thread sure likes to use "sequelae" but doesn't know how to spell other, more common words.

[quote] They admit in the article that they're saying this in order to encourage the unvaccinated to get vaccinated.

[quote]In other words, they are basing this less on science and more on social engineering.

What an utterly [italic]brilliant[/italic] move.

Yesterday's announcement tells me that the powers that be have pretty much given up- or given in. U. S. Americans will never do what they're told and never do anything for anyone else. This inertia must stop.

Let the herd immunity begin, and hope for the best.

Vegas is the shit-show to watch. As soon as the CDC made the announcement Nevada dropped its mask mandate, effective immediately. The COVID-denying Deplorables who've been screaming all over Twitter that they're boycotting until masks are no longer required are all atwitter about the news and are booking their flights as we speak.

Thousands upon thousands of morbidly obese, unvaccinated, COPD-ridden rednecks steaming in with their oxygen tanks, sitting a foot away from each other at the slots and exhaling their COVID smoke all over each other for hours on end before rolling off to the buffets* on their Larks. What could possibly go wrong?

*To my knowledge, only two are open now — Silverton (classic hogs-at-the-trough style, like nothing ever happened) and Cosmo (plated food handed across a velvet rope by a server). Caesar's is opening next week.

^^StReaming in

Although they're going to be pretty steamed when they find out COVID wasn't just a librull hoaks.

[quote] The CDC, or anything or anybody in that case, can say just what they like. I'll continue to wear a mask until there is information from a RELIABLE source that it's safe to go without one.

“RELIABLE” like Dr. Eric Feigl-Deng?

There are plenty of studies showing it’s safe, that you’re both protected and you’re not a vector for disease or a risk to anyone else. What more are you waiting for? Yes I know you don’t care what anyone else says, but whose voice will you listen to, eventually? Just wondering.

[quote] Yesterday's announcement tells me that the powers that be have pretty much given up- or given in. U. S. Americans will never do what they're told and never do anything for anyone else. This inertia must stop.

This occurred to me, too.

This is great. I'm so happy!

Fully vaccinated and not worried.

R184, that is still just anecdotal. It will be entered into the record and, if enough such cases accrue to a meaningful level, they’ll be reported in studies, vaccines may need to be tweaked, public health messaging may need to change, etc. For all I know, you’re talking about freak occurrences. It sounds like you are. You talk about my willful ignorance, but was I supposed to have known about your patients? All I have to go on is what’s in the public record, and what I hear from public health officials.

And 4 breakthrough infections in the previous week—is *that* supposed to be statistically significant?

If something seismic is coming, something that will prove me wrong—and the CDC wrong—then I’ll fall to my knees and weep and say ‘please forgive me! I repent my sins, I will buy 250 more masks from Amazon! The vaccines don’t work! We are doooooomed!’

I’ll do that. If that happens.

I’ll still be wearing my masks in stores. Good luck to the rest of you!

Once some people stop wearing masks, everybody will stop wearing masks. You can't possibly enforce a policy that says, "Vaccinated people don't need to wear masks, but unvaccinated people do." Within about a week or so, mask wearing will pretty much disappear across the U.S. For the vaccinated people, that will be great. But expect to see a summer surge, with huge spikes in COVID cases and hospitalizations among the 50-60% of the population that is still not fully vaccinated. You can blame that on the Fox News-watching Trumptards who refuse to get vaccinated and refuse to wear a mask. But Fox News and the deplorables will, of course, blame Biden and Fauci and the liberals for the summer surge (even though THEY'RE the cause of the problem). The next few months could be very interesting.

Biden and the CDC are probably hoping that the summer surge will scare the shit out of the vaccine-haters and finally bring them to their senses. But it won't. Nothing will. We'll never get beyond this pandemic.

[quote] But it won't. Nothing will. We'll never get beyond this pandemic.

Natural immunity from previous infection is also a thing

[quote] U. S. Americans will never do what they're told

I personally believe that some U.S. Americans won't do what they're told because some people in our country don't have masks.

LMAO, R197

R164 ignore the black and white thinkers like R162. Those of us who followed guidelines certainly didn't hide under the bed or stay in the house feeling sorry for ourselves. However, we avoided meeting others and didn't whine about going out for coffee or a drink by ourselves or those we live with for awhile. In fact, most people here that did get COVID got it from meeting with a few friends. Obviously, we were being vigilant and wearing masks and keeping to ourselves instead of bragging about meeting with loads of people which is a totally ridiculous thing to do in a pandemic. Please!

Thank you R194. Same here until this thing is better on a global scale. And I REALLY am highly inconvenienced by masks with my severe asthma in a place without much air conditioning and IBD on top of it. But I am not dying to smell my fellow shoppers so I will take it off in nice, open spaces with flowers, trees and fresh air. I mean, not a huge loss if I don't smell every Eastern European in the mall or every Karen at Trader Joe's.

[quote]Within about a week or so, mask wearing will pretty much disappear across the U.S. For the vaccinated people, that will be great. But expect to see a summer surge, with huge spikes in COVID cases and hospitalizations among the 50-60% of the population that is still not fully vaccinated.

Either the CDC is being willfully naive about human behavior or they really are intending to let Darwinism take over.

Of course that little polarizing bastard fauci was out causing trouble by giving more interviews saying, "kids will need to wear masks when playing"

Would he just STFU? He just makes more and more republicans not want to get vaccinated

He needs to go back to his day job

Some of you people really think you know more than the CDC. The CDC is comically cautious, they would not be doing this if they weren’t confident that there is enough immunity already in the country to prevent further surges. Some of these scientists have been doing this work for decades. I’m sure they know more than resistance liberals who plan on wearing two masks outdoors despite being fully vaccinated.

Liberals have been saying “trust the science” for a year and now they are the ones not trusting the science.

I would like the CDC to explain why it's okay to ditch the mask in a sold-out movie theatre but not on a bus or a train.

Some of you forever maskers are starting to sound like the idiot Trumpers who wouldn't wear masks before we had a handle on this thing. You have to do what's right for you, but some of the rationalizations for it contradict what you were saying a year ago. The Biden administration and this CDC are not going to put Americans at risk. This new guidance was always coming. If you continue to cling to this fear, then you are going to be left behind.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

^^^^^Cuomo is not the CDC.

Brief verbal altercation on the floor of the US House this morning -an assistant to Margorie Batshit Greene yelled at Eric Swalwell to take his mask off, and he told her to go fuck herself.

Good times.

[quote]There is now a new person in the Yankees (who are ALL vaccinated by J&J ) who tested positive. That makes 8!

Only third base coach Phil Nevin was symptomatic. Anyone hear what symptoms he was experiencing? Apparently, he started feeling "some symptoms" on Sunday and felt fine by Thursday.

I am unbearably ugly so I will continue to wear my mask, I consider it a public service.

I went to Walmart today, all notices about wearing masks had been removed but employees were still wearing masks but most of them think they are mouth masks not face masks because their huge honkers were outside the masks as they have been all along.

Then went to Target, huge sign in front of store still saying masks are required to enter this store, nearly all customers and all employees were still wearing masks about the same number as before announcement by the CDC that masks were no longer required for the vaccinated.

[quote]Either the CDC is being willfully naive about human behavior or they really are intending to let Darwinism take over.

Freeing up the unverifiable unvaccinated to blend in with their vaccinated neighbors by taking off their masks could allow them to more easily spread the disease among themselves. That could, in turn, make it more difficult to stamp out the virus. People have been talking about this in terms of whether the unvaccinated will simply “lie” about their status, but they won’t really even have to do that; they can just take off their masks.

So how much are they likely to do that?

Polling before the CDC’s decision was announced suggests it’s quite likely that a huge number of them will. And not only that, but unvaccinated people are also more likely to engage in riskier activities, in large part because they don’t take the virus as seriously as those who have sought inoculation.

A previous (and more limited) relaxing of the CDC masking guidance led to a significant increase in unvaccinated people taking off their masks. While on April 19, 23 percent of unvaccinated people said they either “never” or only “occasionally” wore a mask, the number rose to 34 percent by May 3.

That increase came despite the guidance not really applying to them; it was that vaccinated people didn’t need to wear masks outdoors. It thus seems likely the number will rise even more significantly now.

The question from there is how much of a problem that could pose. Again, the CDC says it’s not a problem for vaccinated people, because they’re protected. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem for society more broadly if it allows the virus to spread more freely in the unvaccinated population.

allows the virus to spread more freely in the unvaccinated population

Fuck society and get your vax, I don't care if I spread it since you should get your damn vax, it's that simple.

And we will NEVER get to herd immunity in the US, quit talking about it.

I had my first Moderna shot 2 weeks ago and will have my second 2 weeks from now. So I still have 4 weeks to go until I'm fully vaccinated and can feel safe. Today, when I went to the grocery store, I already noticed fewer people wearing masks. I'd like to believe that all the shoppers who weren't wearing masks were people who are fully vaccinated, but I have no way of knowing, and I'm not naive. I live in an area where there are a lot of idiot Trumpers who have been looking for any excuse to take off their masks, and I expect that within the next week or so, almost nobody will be wearing masks in the stores. I understand that we can't wear masks forever, but why not wait until the percentage of vaccinated people is a little higher (which is what the CDC and all the health experts had been advising until they did a 180-degree turn yesterday)? For those of us who are getting vaccinated but aren't quite there yet, the next few weeks could be hell.

90% of the people on the streets of my Hell's Kitchen/Midtown West neighborhood this afternoon were wearing their masks. Yay!!!

Now let's see if the hordes of B&T and other outsiders who descend upon us for dinner and bar-life will be as conscientious.

Here in Virginia the Governor just changed the mask mandate to be in line with the new CDC guidelines.

Anyone wearing a mask outdoors is a freak. If you want to spend the summer in a mask (against the advice of science) then be my guest. But I'm seeing a lot of uppity liberals judging those of us who are dropping the mask and acting like we're murders. The SCIENCE says you don't need a mask if you're fully vaccinated. Liberals are just as extreme as the anti-maskers now.

I'm a liberal but I'm often shocked by the ignorance that other libs seem to display. We are often worse in ignoring the science than the right. Essential oils, Reiki healing, against GMO's. All of these are embraced by liberals when there is zero evidence that shows they work or have any validity. GMO crops could solve world hunger but some wackado liberals like to pretend they know more than the scientists.

I trust the CDC. I'll wear the mask if it's still required by some places, but I've been vaccinated and I'm not worried in the least about ditching the masks. Wearing them to walk around a restaurant inside, and the promptly sitting down and removing them and then going about your meal is hilarious to me. At this point, it just seems silly.

The 180 comes from them doing this so people who have been dragging their feet will vaccinate themselves ASAP. Its a tactic.

If the CDC at all favors Biden priorities and strategies, dropping the mask mandate fits. Biden said he would see bipartisanship and when the GOP all said, no way we even listening, Biden quickly put through something he wanted. The mask mandate is the same, as was Biden's clipped response. He said something like - if you haven't been vaccinated, then wear a mask. He's not going to waste his energy worried about people who are self-sabotaging and also completely uninterested in the common good. So fuck them.

I find this very shrewd. Why waste time and energy on people who will never come round by you spending time with them. They are on their own.

Hilarious how the goal posts keep moving for some people. I remember a few months ago when the vaccines were our end goal. Now that we have the vaccines, and a LOT of people vaccinated, and they’re proven to be incredibly effective, people still aren’t satisfied. When should we begin to get back to normal life according to people who will wear a mask when the science says you don’t have to? Once walls go up they very rarely go down. So sad that people are such prisoners.

It’s time to look forward and move on. We’ve sacrificed enough.

The nation’s largest nurses union condemned the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that stipulates fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks in most settings.

National Nurses United (NNU) in a statement Saturday said it was concerned that it would put patients, front-line workers and nurses at risk amid a pandemic that is still present in the U.S.

“This newest CDC guidance is not based on science, does not protect public health, and threatens the lives of patients, nurses, and other frontline workers across the country,” said NNU Executive Director Bonnie Castillo. “Now is not the time to relax protective measures, and we are outraged that the CDC has done just that while we are still in the midst of the deadliest pandemic in a century.”

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

Was out in midtown today and I see more workers are back, 50% of them are maskless

Fauci calmed me down considerably tonight - saying that recent CDC data is showing the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines are spectacularly effective at preventing infection & illness, prompting the announcement on masks.

Are breakthrough infections happening? Yes, at an extremely low rate, and the infections are usually asymptomatic.

I want to know how those Yankees got it. maybe one person got it and passed it to others? They took j an j shot.

I think the sudden reveal has everyone questioning it - but it appears real and based on study data. Noticed today that people are starting to let go of the masks - in NYC where most people were pretty conscientious. I decided today to relax a lot more too. Not covering on the street - only inside.

Next week, the CDC will announce that we can also start taking off our clothes and going nude in public -- if we're fully vaccinated, of course.

[quote]Next week, the CDC will announce that we can also start taking off our clothes and going nude in public -- if we're fully vaccinated, of course.

Speaking of which, the NYC Eagle is fully opening this week to vaccinated people.

The coronavirus variant that first emerged in India could become the dominant strain of the virus in the U.K. in a matter of days and could pose unknown dangers, scientists have warned.

Commenting in the British Medical Journal on Monday, one group of experts noted that “there are many things we know and many things we don’t know about the B.1.617.2 variant” but that “we know enough to say that this new variant could be extremely serious.”

“Compared to the dominant B.1.1.7 variant, we know that B.1.617.2 is very likely to be more transmissible and that it might be better able to transmit between people who are fully vaccinated,” they added.

Study suggest the mRNA vaccines are only slightly compromised against the India variant.

Bad news for people who love bad news. ^^

[quote] "The end of masks coming soon?"

Not for me!

Are you all living under a rock? Masks have defects been dropped in many places. Go to shy bar or restaurant in even liberal cities. You can remove your masks whatever taking and eating. That’s basically become, remove your mask once you sit down. Out it on when you get up to leave or use the restroom. We wear a mask in a regular clothing store longer than I for restaurants and bars.

It makes sense to trust in the science of the vaccines.

I’m nervous to go back maskless but ready to get back to normal.

De facto^

yes. masks are coming off in many places.

I trust my vaccine to protect me.

I am still wearing my mask. Now I just wear 1 instead of 2. yes, I've always double masked lol.

What is a mask?

What is this criticism that wearing a mask means you can't go or do anything?

Just because you wear your seat belt doesn't mean you don't travel in your car does it?

People are forgetting that the vaccines are designed to lessen symptoms rather than not getting it. If you get it, even in asymptomatic and mild forms, there are still effects of the virus that can have long term effects on the body that we are still studying and we already know some of them are not to be scoffed at. This is a new virus and the data are not all in by any means.

If you want to wear your mask then wear it. Fuck anyone who criticizes that level of care. Wearing a mask also protects the wearer and it was foolish not to emphasize this aspect of it from the start - selfish is always a good selling point. Talk about not reading the room - Americans are basically selfish.

Some serious ESL troll energy coming from R233.

Right but I am also ready to go back to normal and I definitely a mask and vax guy R238. I am still wearing it everywhere until at least the 25th when I have 2 weeks from the second jab. I will probably kind of have it under my chin (outside only) and keep distance and all for awhile. If there are lots of people, that mask is coming up as quick as hell. Sorry, I am paranoid.

Once you are vaccinated, you have a 0.04% chance of catching Covid.

Is that 1 out of 2500 times you're fully exposed to the virus?

I am going to wear my mask in public as well. It was great not getting colds, sore throats, the flu. I live in deplorable country and I expect be challenged about this, however, my mask also hides my expression of complete hatred for them when they are near.

this is fine...for now. How long do the vaccine lasts? At least 6 months...until new studies are released.

So we go back to masking up after that?

I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I've had my first shot of Moderna and will be getting my second shot next week. But there's a small part of me that worries that in a year or so, medical experts will tell us, "We've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the vaccines last longer and are even more effective than we thought. No need for booster shots! But the bad news is we've now discovered through new tests that about half of the people who were vaccinated will become permanently blind within 2 years. We're so very sorry. Please don't panic."

"So we go back to masking up after that?"

Not if enough people are vaccinated. Once we hit herd immunity, IF we hit herd immunity, the virus won't be an issue anymore. Sure it might pop up here and there, but overall it will be gone.

The health commissioner of NYC said he will still be using masks indoors until more people are vaccinated.

He's had the covid and he got the J and J shot, not sure which came first...

R245 - we will never have herd immunity in the US.

We haven’t had to wear masks in most stores, restaurants, and bars for a couple weeks now. There’s a few that still wear them, but that’s their choice and I don’t judge anyone for their decision. I run in an outdoor park daily and I still can’t help but giggle when I see the occasional jogger wearing a mask, but I just say “bless her heart” and wave.

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R249, DUH!!!

He sure helped demonize those reasonable voices in the scientific community who raised it as a feasible hypothesis for more than a year now. Labeling those in the scientific community as crazy conspiracists and somehow Trumpers. The media is also to blame for not following up - with few exceptions - on the conflicts of interest among those who have supported and funded gain-of-function research and the Wuhan Institute of Virology and other labs in China. We have wasted invaluable time ignoring what is probably the null hypothesis. We absolutely need to know the origins if we are to prevent future pandemics. We can start with raising the safety protocols for research activities on these viruses - that is the function of the scientific community worldwide. We know that the WIV was using only level 2 (and sometimes level 3) safety protocols when working on the bat viruses. It should have been level 4.

Shame on all those who tried to marginalize scientists who have been asking for a full discussion on the origins of Covid-19.

Fauci's support of gain-of-function experimentation ( he was one of the prime movers who got the ban on such research lifted) may be one of the most culpable behaviors that led to the pandemic. There's a lot of blame to go around and a lot of people with a lot to hide but we are still covering it up. Fauci doesn't help when he parses his words and uses lawyerly language to deny what is fricking obvious to most people. NIH helped fund gain-of-function research at the WIV. Apart from the pros and cons of such research in the first place, it did so without properly ensuring that research was being conducted safely. That is criminally negligent.

This is all so disappointing.

It's been so long. All the evidence has been destroyed by China ffs!

For those of you that are infuriated with those of us that want to wear masks...WHY DOES THIS BOTHER YOU? I enjoy not being sick with dumbshit viruses. I'm going to wear a mask on the subway or in a hospital hallway and that should be ok for me...or anyone else that wants to protect themselves.

There is a weird undercurrent of Trumpism that runs through a lot of DLers. They'd rather die than admit it, if they even get it, but it's definitely there.

R252, that’s fine. But you’re already protected from COVID-19 if you’re fully vaccinated, so the mask is just (partially) protecting you from other things, but not COVID-19. I’ve read that wearing a mask to protect yourself from viruses will just weaken your immune system over time, because we need exposure to pathogens to keep the body’s immune response ready to kick in when it needs to. I don’t know if just wearing a mask in public is enough to really weaken that response, though—just something I’ve read.

Explain, R253.

need exposure to pathogens to keep the body’s immune response ready to kick in

Good god this shit just won't die, is it any reason we had Trump for four years. Ignorant people getting their medical information off of twitter.

Cunts

Dr. Facebook is another problem. God, I wish that shithole had never been invented.

Masks no longer mandated on House floor

From CNN's Kristin Wilson

The Office of the Attending Physician, Brian Monahan, has sent new guidance that says masks are no longer needed on the House floor for those who are fully vaccinated.

The decrease of community transmission and the increase in the rate of vaccine led to this announcement, a senior Democratic aide tells CNN, with the Capitol Hill complex now at 85% vaccination rate.

Here's the guidance from the Office of the Attending Physician:

"The guideline document reflects that fully vaccinated individuals may discontinue mask wear and 6-foot social distance separations in most situations consistent with the CDC revision regarding fully vaccinated individuals of May 13, 2021."

I got vaccinated and I will not wear a mask unless required.

The big surge of new covid cases that many nellies on here predicted after the reopening up has not occurred, cases are still dropping every day. Get on with life and quit being pussies.

Everyone I go is now maskless. I wouldn't want to be scorned for wearing a mask, so it's safer not to.

Every store I frequent no longer require masks yet about 90% of the people in the store (including me) wear one.

[quote] Every store I frequent no longer require masks yet about 90% of the people in the store (including me) wear one.

I'll bet you live in a solidly blue area. In the purplish-red area where I live, where there are lots of Trumpers, it's the opposite. I would say only about 10% of the people are now wearing masks in the stores (even though the statistics show that only about 50% of people are fully vaccinated). Even the store owners and employees aren't wearing them.

Arizona has moved beyond masks. Even the servers and bartenders in restaurants are maskless now. I rarely ever wore a mask throughout the Covid mess unless absolutely required like in a grocery store.

As for the vaccine? Forgettaboutit

In NY, the health commissioner asked CDC to end masks for kids both inside and outside school.

After a hullabaloo from parents who pointed out correctly that kids under 12 can’t get vaccines yet, the health commissioner changed his mind and said masks aren’t mandated outside only

Oh goodie! Here I come!

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Some of the local government buildings have said that individuals may work without masks if the've been vaccinated. But...no one is allowed to question another person's vaccination status. So, it's basically "don't ask, don't tell".

R266, they should have cut his balls off

R259 You seem triggered by what other people choose to do even though it has no effect on your life. You sound like a Trumper.

Actually, r259 sounds like an intelligent, science believing person. If you trusted the science enough to put a mask on to begin with, you should also trust it when it says they are no longer necessary. You don't know better than the people who are educated on pandemics and viruses, despite your paranoia telling you you do.

R270 You didn’t answer the question - why do you care what other people choose to do?

[quote]If you trusted the science enough to put a mask on to begin with, you should also trust it when it says they are no longer necessary.

Science (in the form of the CDC) was against wearing a mask before it was for it.

R272 They also flip-flopped all the time.

Science is evolutionary. In other words, when there is evidence provided to support a theory, it's tested and if proven correct, then the science adjusts as well. So yes, the CDC changed their policy on masks but from the get go of this, we were told that it would help. Hell I remember all the videos online back in February of 2020 showing how to make your own facemask. They didn't know exactly how the virus was spread. That's what happens when it's a new virus. Hell they thought you could catch AIDS by simply being near someone who had it at first.

And now that they know for certain how the virus is spread, we can reflect and say that wearing a mask was the right thing. And now that they know that the vaccine is so effective, they can also recommend we not wear them anymore if we have been vaccinated.

And I don't care what anyone else chooses to do but calling someone a Trumper simply because they are using logic, reason and science to point out that the masks are unnecessary if you've been vaccinated is one of the dumbest things I've seen on the DL. It's the people who are virtue signaling about how they will continue to wear the masks despite the evidence that are, in fact, more like the science denying Trumpers.

[quote]And I don't care what anyone else chooses to do but calling someone a Trumper simply because they are using logic, reason and science to point out that the masks are unnecessary if you've been vaccinated is one of the dumbest things I've seen on the DL.

And yet you STILL can’t answer the question: why the fuck are you worried about what someone else chooses to do? You ARE like a Trumper because you try to control what other people do even though it has no effect on you.

Ok, 275. You're right. I'm totally trying to control what other people do by pointing out that the masks aren't necessary if they've been vaccinated.

In case you haven't noticed, we all lived in fear last year. Fear is an important emotion and can save your life but it can also traumatize you if you aren't able to overcome it or confront it. As someone who survived trauma, I can assure you that the longer you let fear control you, the more it will handicap you in life. But go ahead, live in fear if that's what serves you. It doesn't make you safer to allow it to continue. It makes you unable to move on and grow. The vaccinated people who are still insisting on masks are essentially the folks who need a pacifier to be able to function and I understand that. It's like the folks afraid of violence who go out and get a gun because they believe it will magically make them safer. We have a lot of fearful, undeveloped babies in this world going about pretending to be adults. It's ok if you're one of them.

Trust the vaccine and trust the science. If you're not vaccinated and you're running around without a mask, you're the one that could die, not me. Oh well.

Denver RTD accounted that they are ending occupancy limits on busses and trains, but mask requirements while waiting for and riding public transportation will stay in place.

Fully vaccinated people have died from the virus. The vaccines are a marvel but they’re not 100%. If someone feels they’re at greater risk — if they’re elderly or immunocompromised, for example — why would I possibly care if they continue to wear a mask?

R276, as someone without a horse in this race, you're not trying to sound empathetic. You're a snide cunt. Why not just own it?

OK, r280. I'm a snide cunt.

And GMO's are safe, Essential oils, crystals and Reiki Healing are all bullshit, and vaccines don't cause autism. But please, continue to wear a mask and live in fear when your odds of catching Covid are 0.04%.

You just can't let it go, can you? You've made your point, and well, but you've got to insult too. I'm sorry for what's missing in your life.

I take that back. That's something you would say. I'm sorry what's missing in your life has to be so annoying to the rest of us.

[quote] The big surge of new covid cases that many nellies on here predicted after the reopening up has not occurred, cases are still dropping every day.

Not so fast. Cases and deaths have started to edge upward again, though it will take several more days to see whether it's a trend or just an anomaly.

R276 The only undeveloped baby on this thread is you.

You don't know what other people are going through, and you don't know why someone might choose to continue wearing a mask. Maybe it is just fear, or maybe they have an underlying condition that makes them more susceptible. Maybe they couldn't be vaccinated - you don't know if they have or haven't. Maybe they have children at home who can't be vaccinated. Maybe they have a cold, and figure if wearing a mask can reduce spreading Covid, it will also help reduce spreading a cold.

Bottom line is that if someone you don't know is still wearing a mask it doesn't effect you in any way. It doesn't inconvenience you, hurt you, or take anything from you.

It seems to trigger you, but that is your problem, not theirs.

I have a theory that the reason so many women got angry about wearing masks is that they weren’t able to flirt to get privileged treatment. You know how straight guys are..easily manipulated. That is all

No r269 I'm not triggered reread what I wrote, I didn't tell anyone what to do, i stated what I was going to do, you're just a cunt shit stirrer. And a blithering idiot.

We will be wearing masks now until the end of time.

Vaccine-resistant mutations will appear anytime soon, simply because the virus is transmitting globally at very high levels. Without maintaining simple measures to reduce transmission, the virus will continue to spread and mutate.

You will only be wearing masks until the end of time if you allow yourself to be controlled. I will not get the vaccine, I will wear a mask only when required at a grocery store or doctors office and certainly NEVER outside. I will not live in fear, I will not be guilted into faxing or masking.

" simply because the virus is transmitting globally at very high levels."

Where is the evidence that this is happening?

[quote] I will not be guilted into faxing

What if you need to send a document fast, and the company doesn't accept email attachments? Don't be so quick to judge people who fax.

Now we start the war crimes tribunal for Dr. Fauci.

Everyone I know that had Covid were sick with mild symptoms for like 4-to-6 days and it was over. I'm not saying there were not more serious cases -- obviously there were -- but I question how many *reported* Covid deaths were really Covid deaths. I think there is so much fraud all around us that I trust nothing anymore. Let's not lose sight of the cold hard reality that pharma companies are making a massive fortune by making sure as many people as possible are vaccinated all over the world. Do some research, people, and for God's sake get off the cable news channels. If you don't think that corporate media isn't playing you all for fools, you're not paying attention.

Haha....Damn typo's....Obviously faxing meant faxing. But I won't be guilted into faxing either LOL

[quote] Everyone I know that had Covid were sick with mild symptoms for like 4-to-6 days and it was over. I'm not saying there were not more serious cases -- obviously there were -- but I question how many *reported* Covid deaths were really Covid deaths.

Yeah, surely there must be another explanation for those 600,000 U.S. deaths in a little over a year. Maybe it was just a really bad outbreak of food poisoning.

Per NYT cases are no longer falling. Vaccines work. The lesson is clear. Get vaccinated.

But while vaccines protect they are not perfect. So mask wearing in some situations - like crowded indoors and possibly some outdoors - is common sense for the time being. The Indian variant is 40 per cent more transmissible outdoors.

We're not there yet. The problem with leaving idiots or the incautious to their risk is each new infection is an opportunity for a new mutation that could harm us all. But you'd never want to inconvenience yourself over the notion of the greater good.

[quote]Yeah, surely there must be another explanation for those 600,000 U.S. deaths in a little over a year. Maybe it was just a really bad outbreak of food poisoning.

And the millions of excess deaths around the world in 2020 and 2021 are likely due to an unfortunate increase in household accidents, but Big Pharma swooped in to collude with world governments and convince us plebes otherwise. Thank goodness R292 has done his own research and is here to set us straight!

[quote] Yeah, surely there must be another explanation for those 600,000 U.S. deaths in a little over a year. Maybe it was just a really bad outbreak of food poisoning.

Cheryl’s pussy?

No masks required but businesses are asking for them here, I see a LOT of masks regardless (except for gay bars)

[quote] Not so fast. Cases and deaths have started to edge upward again

Oh my god, fuck off.

R295, you neglected to mention this bit about being fully vaccinated:

[quote] But there was little reduction in efficacy after two, meaning getting a second dose is integral to protection against the Delta variant.

So, no, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask, indoors or outdoors, to protect against the Delta variant.

Maybe the next variant will actually have some teeth. Let’s hope!

R300 the DL variant will make Ebola look like the sniffles.

Poll

Americans are most likely to indicate they will currently still wear a mask on airplanes or trains (69%), at large stores (grocery, general goods, etc.) (65%) and/or in small stores (convenience stores, etc.) (62%).

More than three-in-ten Americans who still wear a mask on airplanes/trains, at large stores, at small stores, at sporting events or concerts, and/or at bars/restaurants think they will not stop wearing a mask at/in each of these until 2022.

19% of Americans assume that if they see someone wearing a mask, that person has not been vaccinated.

I want people to give me a wide berth. Mask forever!

Well, with your size, hun, there isn’t much choice now, is there?

R302 I would actually assume just the opposite. People who don’t want to get vaccinated never intended to wear masks past or present, and the nuts who want to wear one forever of course already are.

Agreed, people are filthy, masks forever.

If people want to wear masks, go for it. I won't be one of them

In Japan, people continue to wear masks in public, a holdout from the Spanish Flu of the early 1920s. Masks are here to stay.

Tell that to my office building, R308. No one wearing masks in the elevator.

We all know you're a MAGA idiot, R307.

I bet they're around in the winter months - cold and flu. To be honest, with a dog to walk, I found they kept my face warm.

if even a SINGLE trans sex worker of color has no access to a vaccine, or chooses to decline it, then I will NEVER stop wearing my mask, in solidarity with zim/zer.

LOL ^^

[quote] In Japan, people continue to wear masks in public, a holdout from the Spanish Flu of the early 1920s. Masks are here to stay.

Yes. I don’t expect there will be a nationwide or worldwide ban on masks any time soon. NO WAY.

Now they’re saying people are going to start getting the flu again because they’re not wearing masks. Since I get bronchitis every single time I get the flu, I guess I’m getting the flu shot and wearing masks during flu season.

I’m starting to feel like we’re all living in some Children of Men future, where everyone removes the camo from their hidden house gate and has a nice life behind the barricade. It’s like it snuck up on us when we weren’t looking, like this is it now.

Yes and no, R315. Seatbelts were a big adjustment, too. So was quitting smoking. Now both are like, duh. The shock was a lot. But we'll adjust. So long as we can be together and have fun and not live in such fear of lack of control, we can adjust.

But Q people are living in absolute terror that it’s the end of the world.

I was just looking at some clips of Children of Men after I made that post at R315. In the comments, numerous women were claiming that they had periods that never ended or three periods in a month after getting the vaccine. And men are agreeing and saying the world is going to end like Children of Men, because all these people are vaccinated. Some are claiming they’ve spoken to or heard of doctors saying that “ spike proteins” are going to attack everyone in the world and make everyone sterile.

Nobody knows if these people are Russian trolls or who they are. I should have realized, Q is all over YouTube and it makes sense they’d be brainwashing people on there, especially on a site talking about a movie about worldwide sterility. All the commenters are in the same page about the world ending and everyone’s fertility being damaged. They all agree with each other. These trolls are everywhere, they’re brainwashing people by every possible venue. Imagine what five years from now is going to look like.

R285 makes a solid case but we are gay men so it's weird to delve into the female mind. My sister and roommate have gotten into this insane ennui situation..."mask covers my face, who cares, I feel erased (that's the weirdest one), I can't smile, no voice, a ghost". Granted, both were lookers and hitting their 40's now, but I assume women are so used to visual cues and so much visual is marketed to them that they internalize it like we do homophobia. It's absolutely insane because these are liberal women who wore masks, listened to the CDC, and hate MAGA. However, when society tells you "smile" and all marketing is about the "perfect" woman and men are so visual and age is creeping up (and our society hates older people), it is a mind-fuck of epic proportions. Wish someone did a study on that.

There was a sad story in my local paper about brothers who ran a hardware store. One was profoundly deaf and could only communicate through lip reading, so he had customers pull down their masks when they asked him questions. Both brothers died of covid, a month apart.

If the world is going to end due to the vaccines I wish it would get on with it. I am tired of people and their stupidity. I am ready for an extinction level event.

R318, that’s interesting, because a lot of the women I read about are thrilled not to have to wear makeup, and they hate it when men tell them to smile inappropriately. And men stopped that when masks were worn. Now that the masks are coming off, they’re dreading the inevitable, “smile, you look so pretty when you smile!” when they’re coming back from a funeral, or being fired, on the subway.

I used to read all the time, Muslim women wearing burkas are so stifled or whatever. Then the women themselves would say it was so freeing that no one could see their face and everybody said they were brainwashed. Now we have all personally experienced for ourselves what it’s like to have nobody ever see your face or expression. A lot of woman quit wearing makeup.

I’ve even read recent stories about now that the masks are coming off, women have to remember to throw all their opened makeup away, because it’s all spoiled, and buy all new makeup. Makeup is expensive as hell and it gets all over everything and is hard to get off clothing and towels. Some women may love wearing it, but a lot would just as soon skip it and wear a mask.

R308 It wasn't the smpanish that got that trend started, It was H1N1 in 2009. It was a bad flu and then they had to kill every chicken in the country because it jumped from chickens to people.

^^^Spanish

Individuals should be able to do whatever they choose, regarding masks, that is best for their personal health and safety. But there will be no more mask mandates and social distancing federal or state. The people who get vaccinated and regular boosters (if required) will be just fine. If you don't get vaccinated, and you get Covid, that's on you.

We've got a vaccine now. Some people are just being ridiculous for sake of being ridiculous.

I got covid in Feb 2020 and it was very mild only lasted about 4 days. I am 71 with severe Asthma and could not tolerate a mask. Instead, I wore a face shield that was open on three sides but I had to wear something when I went to the grocery store and pharmacy. I didn't worry about it at all because I know that when you get a virus you are generally immune for mostly a year. I never wore a mask outside. I never got it again and in Feb 2021 got vaccinated and got the second one in march. I don't expect to get the virus for at least another year or maybe never with this vaccine. I always had the feeling it was somewhat overblown. The media was hysterical about it.

R325. Yeah. It would've been nice if the 500000 + dead didn't buy into the hype. Dumbasses.

The CDC is still requiring masks in health care settings.

People like R325 make me crazy. It's well established most cases are mild or moderate. Though the effects of long covid are not clear and increasingly disturbing. But just because something happened to you, dumbass, doesn't mean it's the universal experience.

I'm not R325, but I get crazy when people immediately go to the worst possible scenario. Not everything is doom and gloom. It sucks that Covid has been turned into this.

Yes, it was bad R326 but it was mostly old people who were 80+ living in nursing homes. As sad as that is a bad virus will take out a bunch of old people. 50,000 die of the ordinary flu every year. My mother was one of them. But we can't shut down the world just for a mild virus every time one comes along.

But it's not just deaths. 10s of thousands hospitalized taxing our healthcare system. People like you really are too stupid to live.

[quote] Yes, it was bad [R326] but it was mostly old people who were 80+ living in nursing homes.

It wasn't just people over 80 who died. There have been thousands of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who have died, too.

[quote] But we can't shut down the world just for a mild virus every time one comes along.

OK. Clearly, you're a troll.

I'm not saying we should not have tried to mitigate the situation in the hospitals but part of the problem was trump. this would not have happened if Trump agreed to follow the pandemic playbook that was already in place. They turned a virus into a political football.

California ends mask requirements for fully vaccinated workers

From CNN's Sarah Moon

Fully vaccinated Californians won’t have to wear masks in the workplace after state regulators voted Thursday to end mask requirements and the governor immediately signed an executive order to allow the changes to quickly take effect.

The new rule adopted by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), which passed 5-1, ended weeks of confusion and aligned workplace rules with the state Covid-19 guidelines, allowing fully vaccinated employees to be unmasked indoors. No face coverings will be required outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Cal/OSHA Deputy Chief Eric Berg explained in the board meeting that masks could still be required during outbreaks. In addition, N95 respirator masks must be provided upon request for employees who work indoors or with other people.

While it is not required for employers to retain copies of vaccination cards, employers must document vaccination status. Self-attestation by employees will be allowed.

Physical distancing requirements were also eliminated under the new rule.

Just moments after Cal/OSHA voted to adopt the revised Covid-19 standards, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order so the rules could take effect more quickly than the standard 10-day review period.

“Cal/OSHA’s revisions align with the latest guidance from the California Department of Public Health – based on guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – on face coverings and eliminate physical distancing requirements, except for certain employees during outbreaks,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.

No more masks bitches!!!! Feel the freedom! The unvaccinated can just die yea!!!!!

I’ve been fully vaccinated for about a month now and I’m still nervous about removing my mask in stores. Do you think it’s OK?

[quote] New Covid study hints at long-term loss of brain tissue

That won't affect the die-hard Trumpers and anti-vaxxers. They've already lost most of their brain tissue.

That’s nice, R337, but why are you posting it here and not in the current Corona Megathread?

That explains WhoreLyssa MilanHO!

Yes, r336 but some stores are still requiring them.

The end of clothing for all hot young hunks will be next!

My apartment complex informed residents this week that masks are no longer required in common areas.

On the streets of nyc, I still see some medical workers wearing masks, some are not. They're wearing uniform with RN on their clothing.

Some areas like Chinatown, I see double masking but not that many wearing Shields.

All mask mandates in Michigan were lifted today.

Michigan is about 50% 1 dose vaccinated and 47% two dose. Which suggests about 50% of the population has no protection. Good luck to them.

Yes because all of the previously infected Michiganders have also gotten vaccinated, R346.

And just like that, we stopped wearing masks in the supermarket.

Did we, though?

R349 In my neck of my the woods yes, very resilient to wear them and among the first to remove them. With no help of a “both sides to science” twice convicted drunk driver who used a lawyer and a pediatrician to push her agenda.

Resistant **

You can wear a mask in the supermarket, but the science tells us it's unnecessary, so go ahead if it makes you feel better.

I wouldn't stop wearing them juuuussst yet, bitches. I'm just getting started!

Masks work against all variants. They also work against the flu and the common cold of which I used to average 5-7 a year. Now i get zero.

And you don’t think that had anything to do with massive shutdowns, no one in offices, everything closed except essential stores and people keeping their distance?

Oh, and if you get 5-7 colds a year, you should have blood work done. Something is wrong with that.

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[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

[quote]They also work against the flu and the common cold of which I used to average 5-7 a year. Now i get zero.

If you're so delicate that you average 5-7 cases of flu and cold a year, no one is stopping you from wearing a mask.

Now that you mention it, I made more money last year than the year previous...and I wore a mask every time I left the house. Therefore, 24/7 mask wearing is certain to bring me showerings of financial blessings, right?

In a year where everyone's movement was curtailed to varying degrees and for varying lengths of time, when people who could feasibly accomplish their work from home did so, when people ate out less, went shopping for random consumer goods less, went to fewer concerts, cinemas, and events of any sort, and everyone gave the few other people they encountered outside their house the hairy eyeball if someone stepped too near or had his mask a bit crooked or took his dog for too many walks or did the least little "ahem" with his throat, you think disease transmission was down solely due to mask wearing.

Carry on then. But stop for those trying to shame people who did all the things that were asked of them, who stayed in, who worked from home, who had and faithfully used their mini-store of masks and antiseptics, who conducted their purchases as efficiently as with the least feasible risk, who did without and curbed their habits and scores of ways... To those people who did everything right or as right as they reasonably could do, recognizing it was all for an important end, why will you not let them head the advice of reasonable and conservative experts who advise that fully vaccinated people needn't wear masks in certain situations. You'll have to forgive me in your own heart, or not, for not wanting to wear a mask forever because some shut-in had fewer scratch throats and sniffles in 2020 than in 2019.

Bad news:

Moderna induces the immune system to produce antibodies against Delta variant.

Fantastic post, r358!

CDC director reiterates fully vaccinated people are safe from Delta and do not need to mask. Which we knew already, but it bears repeating for the doomers and the gloomers on this site.

The “highly contagious Delta variant” thread is very glitchy now and repeatedly crashes, otherwise I would have posted this there.

Cases still going down where I live

Chris Kattan kicked off flight for not properly wearing face mask

Chris Kattan was kicked off an American Airlines flight on Monday for not properly wearing a face mask.

Fellow passengers on the plane from Dallas/Fort Worth to LAX airport expressed concern after the sick-looking “Saturday Night Live” alum, 50, had mucous running from his nose while not wearing a mask, TMZ reported.

Flight attendants then brought Kattan paper towels and requested he put on a mask, which he did, but it reportedly didn’t cover his nose.

Passengers were still concerned as a result, so attendants removed the comedian from the flight after asking him numerous times to fix his mask, the outlet reported.

Kattan’s attorney denied that the “A Night at the Roxbury” star had refused to wear a mask and clarified his symptoms.

“We strongly deny that Mr. Kattan would ever refuse to wear a mask. Mr. Kattan is fully vaccinated and unequivocally supports CDC guidelines,” the lawyer, Samuel Joshua Smith, said in a statement to Page Six.

“This past Monday, Mr. Kattan was returning to Los Angeles from a successful tour of comedy shows. Unfortunately, Mr. Kattan suffered a strong allergic reaction to supplements he has been taking to treat lingering neck pain from his injury on ‘SNL.’ This reaction affected his balance and psychological state. The effects also caused him to have trouble breathing.”

Smith ended his statement by warning fans that “apparently, not all supplements are created equally!”

Kattan was able to hop on the next flight back to Los Angeles.

A spokesperson for American Airlines didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Masks will never be completely gone, unless you’re a Covid chaser.

I was at the grocery store yesterday and it seemed like all of a sudden no one was wearing a mask, except for the clerks. Just the other day you saw quite a few people wearing masks.

R365. I noticed that, too. Even some of the workers in my local Target stopped wearing them. I’ve stopped wearing mine outdoors except in congested areas but I always wear one in stores and in my apt building.

[quote] Masks will never be completely gone, unless you’re a Covid chaser.

MSNBC in the house!

How will you know who is vaccinated and who isn't?

It. Does. Not. Matter.

Do you know who is vaccinated for measles, mumps, rubella, polio?

No! Why? Because you’re vaccinated against them so it doesn’t matter to you. Why can’t people grasp this simple concept?

Exactly R369

"But, but, but...how can I scold people if I don't know who is vaccinated and who isn't?"

Chuck Todd: "If you were in Biloxi, Mississippi right now, Dr. Fauci, would you be wearing a mask?"

Fauci: "I think there would be a good reason to do that ... if you put yourself in an environment in which you have a high level of viral dynamics and a very low level of vaccine, you might want to go the extra step."

exactly, the cases are so low in my area, I'm not wearing a mask, mississippi on the other hand. . . . .