[malikjam]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

First, flip flopping is very prejudicial. In my not so humble opinion, updating your position when new data is available is rational. Sadly in something like the pandemic of a never seen before virus can result in rapid changes in knowledge. Initial projections and advice is normally given based on previous similar viruses, with the caveats that they could be wrong. As time passes more information becomes available and projections and recommendations change. Then almost always the virus mutates and the experts have to start over. This can be very distressing to many people who are afraid and looking for answers.

The question, is the death rate acceptable is a hard question. And easier question is, is any preventable death acceptable, to which I would say, no. Even one preventable death is unacceptable. BUT. The problem is the second question, “at what cost.?” The cost can be economic, freedoms, potential future (long term) impacts, etc, etc, etc. Each of us have to come to a risk/reward assessment we are comfortable with.

Personally I think we are heading into a global economic collapse - depression or recession - that combined with continuing mutations will end up with governments around the world including the US, making isolation and vaccinations mandatory. The sad thing is there is every reason to believe we could have stopped this virus and it’s resulting variants if extreme measures had been taken earlier. But, that solution was unacceptable through out most of the world.

I hope I am wrong, for my children and grandchildren.