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Thread: Coronavirus with an R0 of 3 or beyond

  1. #1321
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    There's something about Fox News and how Rupert Murdoch set things up that insulates it from changes that his sons might make.

    The News/Entertainment divisions were given amazing powers by the Supreme Court when it ruled that calling their shows 'entertainment' was a perfectly fine backdoor for fake news.

    Regular people are supposed to somehow know for themselves. Tuckums has a defense literally named after him. "People would have to be stupid to believe him." As if his nightly platform isn't a position of authority in terms of information. It's called News for a reason. And Fox took that reason and stood it on its head.

    And they rake in the bucks.


    Our Press and it's freedoms were not set up so that the Press could lie to the people and get away with it. At least not until that SCOTUS ruling.

    We've systematically screwed up the integrity of our media and our collective infrastructure.

    The 'starve-the-beast' mentality and the delusion that privatization is a panacea has led us down this road of disinformation and very poor decision making.

    My parents thought critically. That is literally now being rejected.
    Last edited by Dreamtimer, 11th November 2021 at 12:52.

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  3. #1322
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    Update on my Vaccine situation.

    So, I've had covid and recovered from it a year ago. 6 months ago, I got a double shot of the Sinopharm vaccine, which uses deactivated whole coronaviruses. Unfortunately, whilst it is a lot safer than the newer, fancier vaccines, studies are increasingly showing it to be far less effective. Studies in Serbia show that most of those who have been hospitalised with covid and were vaccinated, got the Sinopharm shot. Those that have received the other vaccines, had far lower hospitalisation rates.

    Here in Hungary, third shots are now being offered to whoever wants them, about two-thirds of the adult population got vaccinated already and the ones in storage are in danger of expiring, so some have been sold off to other countries, mostly in Asia. There will be a vaccination campaign next week, where pretty much anyone can get vaccinated, even for a third time, without pre-registration, provided certain criteria and guidelines are met in terms of cross-vaccination. For instance, if you've gotten two vector vaccine shots (one in the case of Janssen), you'll be given an mRna vaccine for the third one.

    I was in a bit of a dilemma, because the fourth wave of the pandemic is really heating up in Europe, though it seems hospitals are less overwhelmed now due to most people already having been vaccinated, meaning they will generally have milder symptoms, but unfortunately, they're just as likely to contract and spread the virus as the unvaxxed, which puts the latter group at much greater risk, since this time round there are no lockdowns and people can just move about freely pretty much.

    I decided to get an antibody test, which was offered for free by my company. There are different scales for different antobody tests, the one I got shows as positive if you are above 1, and you have a very high number of antibodies above 12. My number was 18, so I'm quite pleased. The doctor explained to me, this is most likely due to my previous covid infection, which was 12 months ago, not due to the vaccination, as the Sinopharm shot has no effect on antibody levels (especially after 6 months), it works with T-cells, so I'd need to have a separate and costly T-cell test, which is only available in the capital, if I wanted to see the effectiveness of the Sinopharm vaccine. In any case, it seems natural immunity really is the best and I'm pleased it has lasted this long.

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  5. #1323
    Super Moderator Wind's Avatar
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    Things have been pretty "normal" here in Finland for the past month and a half at least. A week ago I went to the cinemas again for the third time this fall/winter, because that's mainly the only real social thing I ever do and it's what I really missed for a year. Anyways, I don't usually go downtown and especially not during fridays because it's the busiest time, but this time was a rare exception for me. I saw a lot of people there, the nightlife around bars and restaurants was actually quite loud if not wild. There were a lot of people out there. It just seemed as if there never would have been any virus here at all. Some people still do wear masks in stores or buses, it's maybe less than half of the people. I don't always bother to wear masks anymore, but I will see how things develop and will adapt to it accordingly.

    Now it seems that the covid numbers are rising again so the government is monitoring the situation. It seems that this virus is just something we have to learn live with, but I pray that we don't have to see even worse pandemics because this already proved how fragile this system is and how this situation has already driven many people mad in many places. It's interesting to see how the holiday season might be here, also I'm curious to know if the traveling situation gets any better next year. How might the world look like in late 2022?

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  7. #1324
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    Chris, I'm glad that you did not suffer very bad long-term effects from Covid. Many do and their immune systems, of course, cannot stop the damage.

    I worry about folks who seem to forget that aspect. The damage will be done though a person may now be immune. It could be damage to the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, or other systems.

    The immune system is not a repair system.

    We find ourselves in the unfortunate dynamic of having more variants because the virus is getting more time to mutate.

    It seems like many people only got one half of the idea of herd immunity. It doesn't happen if a virus continues to have opportunities to mutate into new variants.

    Herd immunity also requires a good vaccination rate.

    That second part is being thrown aside by too many people.

    And now there's another variant. And after that there will be another. And more breakthroughs because of it.

    Rather than eradicating it, we will likely end up with a constant battle and having to get regular shots as with influenza.

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  9. #1325
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    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    Things have been pretty "normal" here in Finland for the past month and a half at least. A week ago I went to the cinemas again for the third time this fall/winter, because that's mainly the only real social thing I ever do and it's what I really missed for a year. Anyways, I don't usually go downtown and especially not during fridays because it's the busiest time, but this time was a rare exception for me. I saw a lot of people there, the nightlife around bars and restaurants was actually quite loud if not wild. There were a lot of people out there. It just seemed as if there never would have been any virus here at all. Some people still do wear masks in stores or buses, it's maybe less than half of the people. I don't always bother to wear masks anymore, but I will see how things develop and will adapt to it accordingly.

    Now it seems that the covid numbers are rising again so the government is monitoring the situation. It seems that this virus is just something we have to learn live with, but I pray that we don't have to see even worse pandemics because this already proved how fragile this system is and how this situation has already driven many people mad in many places. It's interesting to see how the holiday season might be here, also I'm curious to know if the traveling situation gets any better next year. How might the world look like in late 2022?
    Things are going in the opposite direction here. Masks are mandatory again, and cafés, movie theaters and restaurants are now by decree required to demand that their patrons present a Covid Safe Ticket, also known as "the corona pass", ─ i.e. evidence of vaccination, of having recently but fully recovered from Covid-19, or of having been tested Covid-negative in the last three days.

    The whole world condemned South Africa when they still had the Apartheid regime going. And now most of the western world has itself adopted Apartheid. I can already see it happening: mothers telling their children not to talk to or play with other children because those other children's parents haven't been vaccinated.

    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

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  11. #1326
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    Hey DT,

    Thanks,

    Indeed, I'm lucky, that I do not suffer from Long Covid, in fact I feel better than before my hospitalisation as I'm getting treatment for my diabetes.

    You're right Aragorn,

    Vaccine apartheid sucks.

    It makes no logical sense, because vaccinated people are just as likely to spread the virus, in fact they may carry a higher viral load with no symptoms. This tells me that big pharma lobbyists are behind the whole thing, it doesn't take long to find the culprits, clearly, this is all about maximising profits and isn't about public health. The only people the unvaccinated are putting at risk is themselves.

    Now, in more and more places, the unvaccinated are denied medical care, which is appalling, it even happens here in Hungary.

    They will literally tell you, say if you have cancer, or a brain tumour, that you have to get vaccinated first and then come back for your treatment, they won't even run tests for you nowadays. This should be illegal in any sane society as denying medical care is an extreme form of violence, but there you go...

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  13. #1327
    Super Moderator Wind's Avatar
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    Quote Originally posted by Chris View Post
    This tells me that big pharma lobbyists are behind the whole thing, it doesn't take long to find the culprits, clearly, this is all about maximising profits and isn't about public health.
    Yeah and they can go to hell for that. "Health" industry, what a joke.

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    I received a booster shot (Moderna) yesterday ... Arm is a little sore which has been the most prominent side effect for all three vaccinations for me. Things are in an ameliorative state right now in Houston, I think. I still see many people walking around without masks, more than I see with masks. I spoke with a pharmacy tech (young lady) remarking that I still wonder why people feel so comfortable doing that. She said, 'yeah, like what is wrong with you people'. Anyway, I was there picking up a tranquilizer for my dental appt this morning. Last time they couldn't treat me because my blood pressure was so high they were afraid I was going to pop. My pcp (primary care physician) characterized it as 'labile blood pressure'. In other words, I be kookooboo.
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

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  17. #1329
    Super Moderator Wind's Avatar
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    Covid numbers are rising again here...

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  19. #1330
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    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    Covid numbers are rising again here...
    They're nearing a peak again here in Belgium. But instead of a lockdown ─ whether partial or complete ─ our incompetent career politicians are going full bore on their Apartheid strategy.

    You can still go to nightclubs, but only if you have a Covid Safe Ticket™ on your smartphone and you test negative (by way of a self-test) at the entrance, and you may only take your mask off when sitting down at a table and when eating or drinking. Those who sit/stand at the bar must wear their mask, as well as those who are dancing. There were no specific regulations on account of sniffing cocaine or having sex in the toilets or in the parking lot.

    The so beloved statistics are showing that the greatest number of new infections occurs among young children, but the schools are staying open and children under the age of ten are not obligated to wear a mask.

    What could possibly go wrong?
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

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  21. #1331
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    Some specialists here are saying that we don't even have to dream about things being normal until next summer. Yet people are happy as long as they get to party and do all kinds of things just like before!


    Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4

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  23. #1332
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    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    Some specialists here are saying that we don't even have to dream about things being normal until next summer.
    To be honest, I don't think things will ever get back to "normal" ─ for whatever constitutes "normal" ─ and that if they ever do, then it might easily take us another decade. I've said it before and I'll say it again: that virus isn't going to go away just because people are wearing masks and getting shots.

    The virus is mutating ─ as all viruses do ─ and it will find a way to keep on propagating. The Delta variant originated in India and it managed to reach Western Europe in a matter of only two weeks. The immunity granted by the vaccines has a shorter expiry than anticipated, and those who've been vaccinated can still get infected and continue spreading the virus, because the only thing the vaccine does is prevent those people from getting sick themselves. It does not stop the virus from infecting anyone.

    What they should have done ─ and should be doing right now ─ is limit international travel (which they haven't), make teleworking mandatory (which they have), and put a ban on gatherings in enclosed environments (which they haven't). But Ze Ekonomie™ is more important to them, and especially now that they're still panicking over the financial-economical damage that (1) the first two lockdowns have brought with them, and that (2) the flooding of last summer in the Walloon region has caused.

    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    Yet people are happy as long as they get to party and do all kinds of things just like before!
    Exactly!

    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    As an unrelated aside, I won the fourth place in a playback contest with that song back in February 1985. I was doing Prince's part ─ dressed like him and with a wig and makeup on to make me look just like him ─ while a buddy was mimicking the guitarist (with my own guitar), and we had two girls ─ one of whom I ended up in a disastrous long-term relationship and engagement with ─ dressed up as Wendy and Lisa for the (lip-synced) backing vocals.
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

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    The old normal is gone, imo. Between Covid-19, the variants, other viruses, harsher climate issues, insects dying off and more, we're in for a hurting in several arenas.

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    Quote Originally posted by Dreamtimer View Post
    The old normal is gone, imo. Between Covid-19, the variants, other viruses, harsher climate issues, insects dying off and more, we're in for a hurting in several arenas.
    Yes, it's not just the coronavirus pandemic that we have to focus on. There's a lot more going on, indeed, and especially so now with the climate. We've all seen what a destructive force nature can be, and in the grander scheme of things, the pandemic is only one of the ways nature is currently lashing out at us.

    Freak weather and superstorms, global warming, the migration of several species to (for them) cooler environments and the effects thereof on agriculture and even people's health and animal health ─ think "invasive species" like venomous spiders, scorpions, snakes and mosquitoes carrying parasites ─ as well as threats to the existence of species that we as humans indirectly depend upon, such as the honeybees...

    It's all going down the drain at the same time, and to say that the foreseeable future will be challenging would be a euphemism. We're in pretty bad shape, and the saber-rattling between the big wigs in their ivory towers isn't going to help us one bit at overcoming the hurdles that await us.
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

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  29. #1335
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    Quote Originally posted by Aragorn View Post
    To be honest, I don't think things will ever get back to "normal" ─ for whatever constitutes "normal" ─ and that if they ever do, then it might easily take us another decade. I've said it before and I'll say it again: that virus isn't going to go away just because people are wearing masks and getting shots.

    The virus is mutating ─ as all viruses do ─ and it will find a way to keep on propagating. The Delta variant originated in India and it managed to reach Western Europe in a matter of only two weeks. The immunity granted by the vaccines has a shorter expiry than anticipated, and those who've been vaccinated can still get infected and continue spreading the virus, because the only thing the vaccine does is prevent those people from getting sick themselves. It does not stop the virus from infecting anyone.

    What they should have done ─ and should be doing right now ─ is limit international travel (which they haven't), make teleworking mandatory (which they have), and put a ban on gatherings in enclosed environments (which they haven't). But Ze Ekonomie™ is more important to them, and especially now that they're still panicking over the financial-economical damage that (1) the first two lockdowns have brought with them, and that (2) the flooding of last summer in the Walloon region has caused.
    Correction, the vaccines don't even stop you from getting sick yourself, they just reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death. That's all.

    This is why vaccine mandates are pretty useless, they don't do anything, in fact they may make the situation worse by forcing people out of crucial jobs and creating further staff shortages.

    If you ask me, the whole vaccine narrative has collapsed, no sane person believes the fantastical claims made by pharma industry cheerleaders any more. On a personal note, my niece has just been sick with covid, even though she received her second dose of Pfizer more than a month ago. She spread the disease to my nephew, who was too young to be vaccinated as per current guidelines. What a useless Piece of Shit this vaccine turned out to be, not at all what they promised a year ago. You would pretty much have to take monthly booster shots in perpetuity for it to have any noticeable effects, but that is exactly what big pharma would want, meanwhile they actively suppress any bad news about the unacceptably high numbers of dead and injured due to the vaccine.

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