Will we hit herd immunity?

[charmed59]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

[Boffin]

Given the general definition: immunity or resistance to a particular infection that occurs in a group of animals when a very high percentage of individuals have been vaccinated or previously exposed to the infection, yes, herd immunity, including variants, will likely occur sometime.

[Stu from NYC]

It would help if things like cruise lines or planes require vaccinations to go on.

[billethkid]

It would help if things like cruise lines or planes require vaccinations to go on.

I 100% agree.

However there are special interest groups waiting to pounce on who that would slight or inconvenience or annoy or whatever!! Completely losing sight of the real objective.

[Bill14564]

It would help if things like cruise lines or planes require vaccinations to go on.

Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.

[tuccillo]

You can’t compare HIV with the coronavirus. HIV is not transmitted through the air while the coronavirus is transmitted through the air. If you are not exchanging blood or having sex with the person next to you then you aren’t going to contract HIV.


Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.

[Mortal1]

I haven't gotten it yet. Surprising as that may be it's my business and no one else's. I don't cough or sneeze on anyone else, I wear a mask when required or feel uncomfortable. If a place requires a mask and I don't want to wear or have one then I don't go it.

It's called freedom of choice and since I don't endanger anyone else it's entirely up to me...not social media or any lame news outlet or faucci who has no clue.

[Stu from NYC]

Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.

Since you will disagree with anything I say about this we can agree to disagree and move on.

Have a nice day.

[Bill14564]

You can’t compare HIV with the coronavirus. HIV is not transmitted through the air while the coronavirus is transmitted through the air. If you are not exchanging blood or having sex with the person next to you then you aren’t going to contract HIV.

If I'm vaccinated against Covid then I won't contract it from the passenger next to me. In the case of HIV, you are assuming that no set of circumstances will occur that might lead to exposure to blood. That's a big assumption with pretty serious consequences if the assumption is incorrect. If "better safe than sorry" or "wouldn't you want to know" are the driving principles for the vaccination passport for Covid then someone somewhere is going to decide that those principles apply to measles, TB, HIV, and who knows what else.

Just to be clear, I am absolutely against such a "passport." Any examples I present are what I envision might happen if people become afraid and stop thinking rationally. People become afraid far too often.

[tuccillo]

Just because you are vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t be infected by the coronavirus. The vaccine reduces the probability of being infected, by about 20x, but does not eliminate it. Conflating the coronavirus with HIV is not a rational thing to do. However, if you and the person next to you decide to become blood brothers by clenching hands after slicing your palms open then I guess you might contract the HIV virus if your new blood brother is infected.

If I'm vaccinated against Covid then I won't contract it from the passenger next to me. In the case of HIV, you are assuming that no set of circumstances will occur that might lead to exposure to blood. That's a big assumption with pretty serious consequences if the assumption is incorrect. If "better safe than sorry" or "wouldn't you want to know" are the driving principles for the vaccination passport for Covid then someone somewhere is going to decide that those principles apply to measles, TB, HIV, and who knows what else.

Just to be clear, I am absolutely against such a "passport." Any examples I present are what I envision might happen if people become afraid and stop thinking rationally. People become afraid far too often.

[Tmarkwald]

I 100% agree.

However there are special interest groups waiting to pounce on who that would slight or inconvenience or annoy or whatever!! Completely losing sight of the real objective.

Well, personally, once everyone has the chance to be vaccinated, I am not wearing a mask or making any concessions to anyone who simply refuses to be vaccinated. Darwin will make those choices for us.

Your conscious choice not to be vaccinated will not impair my right to live within society.

[Chi-Town]

Maybe the anti vaxxers can take a page from the smokers. Just get used to your options becoming limited.

[Advogado]

Just a word of warning to readers who have been infected by COVID and believe that they are now immune. It ain't necessarily so-- as my son and his wife found out the hard way, having been reinfected less than a year after their first bout. The ER doctor attributed the reinfection to one of the variants. He said that he had encountered no one reinfected with the original strain.

BTW, despite having been infected, they had been practicing the usual precautions-- until my son decided that it would be reasonably safe to fly on a ski trip, where he apparently picked up the reinfection and brought it home.

Fortunately, the reinfection, at least so far, has been a lot less severe that the first bout, and I only bring up their story in the hope that it will cause former COVID victims to continue to be careful.

The bottom line: achieving herd immunity may be more difficult than some had hoped.

[golfing eagles]

Just so everyone is clear----herd immunity is just that---a high percentage of a group being immune. It says NOTHING about any one individual, whether or not they are immune or whether or not they can spread COVID.

[camaguey48]

Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.
It's very healthy to re-breathe your own carbon dioxide.

[sail33or]

Let me get this right.

If you have been given both shots then you are "STILL" afraid if someone else has the 99% survivable flu virus????

[coffeebean]

~~~

[coffeebean]

I haven't gotten it yet. Surprising as that may be it's my business and no one else's. I don't cough or sneeze on anyone else, I wear a mask when required or feel uncomfortable. If a place requires a mask and I don't want to wear or have one then I don't go it.

It's called freedom of choice and since I don't endanger anyone else it's entirely up to me...not social media or any lame news outlet or faucci who has no clue.

Of course you and everyone else in our wonderful country has freedom of choice. If it is your choice not to be vaccinated, so be it. You just may have difficulty in the future with airline travel or getting on a cruise ship just to name a couple of things.

[camaguey48]

Let me get this right.

If you have been given both shots then you are "STILL" afraid if someone else has the 99% survivable flu virus????
But,but,but. The good "doctor" says even when vaccinated, you should wear two masks, not one.

[DeanFL]

.
.
MUCH of America will simply wait for Fauci to give the thumbs up/Green Light as to Herd Immunity. He has lost so much credibility in many folks views, including ours. He's still on the 'double-mask' kick. And 6ft distance. And NOT leading a charge to OPEN schools. He's a guest on so many talk shows and Cable networks. Seems to LOVE the adoration and public image. But when the TOUGH questions come up, as in the Senate panel yesterday, he repeats the same old stuff with cautions of 'prepare to wear masks into 2022'. I recall months ago when he stated that we will need 70-75% vaccinated to reach Herd Immunity. If that IS A FACT - we NEVER WILL, as it appears that 40% won't get the shot, for whatever (dumb) reason.

We got our 2 Moderna's, and will still mask-up where needed, follow simple precautions - But we have a life to live, and have travel planned within the USA mid-year, and will certainly cruise early 2022. The threats of "Severe Covid Speader events" - when they really don't happen is getting old. And the White House statement that we may be able to be with family to celebrate July 4th... stop already... Look at the data - the TRUE data. How long has FLORIDA been belittled by the Media and many in D.C.??? I could go on, but will have to stop.
.
.

[Vikingjunior]

Governor DeSantis already said "no to vaccine passports" although other states may implement it.

[Joe V.]

Governor DeSantis already said "no to vaccine passports" although other states may implement it.

I do not live in those "other states". Nor do I visit them either.

[Dayeight99]

It’s not a vaccination against a virus. It is gene therapy. Completely different. Research and DD.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Just a word of warning to readers who have been infected by COVID and believe that they are now immune. It ain't necessarily so-- as my son and his wife found out the hard way, having been reinfected less than a year after their first bout. The ER doctor attributed the reinfection to one of the variants. He said that he had encountered no one reinfected with the original strain.

BTW, despite having been infected, they had been practicing the usual precautions-- until my son decided that it would be reasonably safe to fly on a ski trip, where he apparently picked up the reinfection and brought it home.

Fortunately, the reinfection, at least so far, has been a lot less severe that the first bout, and I only bring up their story in the hope that it will cause former COVID victims to continue to be careful.

The bottom line: achieving herd immunity may be more difficult than some had hoped.

My understanding of the variants is they are more easily transmitted but not as deadly, at least according to at least one study I saw. Don't recall where I saw it, sorry.

[Malsua]

My understanding of the variants is they are more easily transmitted but not as deadly, at least according to at least one study I saw. Don't recall where I saw it, sorry.

Most virus mutations go this route. Easier to transmit, less deadly. There are more deadly variants but they kill the host, so don't spread and usually have an R-naught of less than one, so ultimately die off.

[Byte1]

Just because you are vaccinated doesn’t mean you won’t be infected by the coronavirus. The vaccine reduces the probability of being infected, by about 20x, but does not eliminate it. Conflating the coronavirus with HIV is not a rational thing to do. However, if you and the person next to you decide to become blood brothers by clenching hands after slicing your palms open then I guess you might contract the HIV virus if your new blood brother is infected.

Where did you get that information?

[Cobullymom]

Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.
Thank you, what I do with my health is my business and only my business...people and their hysteria will not be making my healthcare decisions...nor knowing it..

[foxmeadow]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

How accurate can the Sumter County numbers be if so many of us were vaccinated in other counties? Sumter was way too late in getting their act together, while Lake, Marion and Orange counties were getting it done. I’m quite confident the numbers are much greater for Sumter residents.

[Girlcopper]

Incredibly bad idea. Until someone can explain the logic of this, I'll do what I can to avoid any business that makes a vaccination a requirement.

"Wouldn't you want to know that the person next to you has been vaccinated?" No, it's none of my business and should be none of yours. I will be vaccinated against Covid so whatever goes on inside him will not affect me.

I consider this a very dangerous slippery slope. If this "vaccination passport" idea catches on then why would it stop at Covid? Once I have been vaccinated against Covid I would be far more likely to be affected by an individual with HIV. Do I have a right to know a person's HIV status? Can I demand that an airline or cruise only accept passengers who can prove they are HIV negative?

Once a "vaccination passport" is accepted there will be no limit to the number of things that can be put onto it. You're okay with Covid status on there today but tomorrow it might just be HIV status or something you are not okay with.

I disagree and would love to see mandatory vaccinations for cruises and flying. Its nothing new. Been going on for decades. Your kids can NOT attend school without having certain vaccinations. Why is that good for kids but not good for you to get vaccinated during a pandemic where hundreds of thousands have died?? There is a difference between divulging an illness and making vaccines mandatory to fly. HIV statement is totally unrelated. Would you sit next to someone on a plane who is coughing n sneezing all over without using a tissue?? NO. So, why would you feel its ok to sit next to someone who may be carrying a fatal virus?? Think about it!!

[72eagleman]

It has not leveled out. Their are well over 1,000 new seniors getting the vaccine every day.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

I am just so amazed at the people who eat-up all the info they hear and read and think they are in a position to automatically know and communicate the truth.

Or - I could be wrong. OP - where did you get your advanced degree in epidemiology?

[oneclickplus]

The vaccine reduces the probability of being infected, by about 20x, but does not eliminate it.

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.

[GeriS]

It’s not a vaccination against a virus. It is gene therapy. Completely different. Research and DD.
You are so right. The information is out there if people would research rather than following what someone like Fauci, who has ties to the Wuhan lab, says. Check the cdc site for what's in it. You will be horrified. You can also find out the thousands of people who have been injured by the vaccine. There has not been one study that proves masks work, & before you argue, please post the scientific study. Fauci continually moves the goal post. If you believe anything he says, it's sad.

[allsport]

This attitude is very unhelpful to the protection of this country. I personally hope all public transportation requires the vaccine. I am thrilled the cruise industry and most foreign countries require it for entry. The non vaccine people will be stuck in the USA and that will make my travel much safer.

[mlmarr1]

Lol

[Andyb]

Unconstitutional, Mr Stu.

[golfing eagles]

This attitude is very unhelpful to the protection of this country. I personally hope all public transportation requires the vaccine. I am thrilled the cruise industry and most foreign countries require it for entry. The non vaccine people will be stuck in the USA and that will make my travel much safer.

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything that you have."

[golfing eagles]

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.

I agree, the ignorance is amazing.

The issue is not whether you inhaled the virus, which you (and almost nobody else) consider "infected". The issue is whether you can take the virus into your cells where it can hijack your DNA to self-replicate and then spread it to others. If someone is successfully vaccinated, that can't happen. Period. And there has never been a pandemic where EVERYONE got infected, not even the Andromeda Strain:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[tuccillo]

If you look at what was actually evaluated during the Moderna trial you would see they were testing for 2 symptoms plus a positive test for the virus. I believe you needed a negative test to be counted as part of the population that wasn't positive. Their statistics (20x reduction in probability) were based on the trial results. Why you feel the vaccine is not a vaccine is a mystery to me. Please state your qualifications to dispute what medical professionals are calling a vaccine. Please provide some references to support your conclusion that everyone will be infected. Let's start with the baseline that if you cannot detect the infection with the current tests (PCR or antigen) then you aren't infected. Evidence of a previous infection (or vaccination) could be based on an antibody test.

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.

[Boffin]

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.
Agree with one exception. The statement that everyone will necessarily get infected is not correct. Although the percentage of humans that get infected may be high, it is extremely unlikely that it will reach an absolute value of 100%. Biology rarely works that way.

[golfing eagles]

If you look at what was actually evaluated during the Moderna trial you would see they were testing for 2 symptoms plus a positive test for the virus. Their statistics (20x reduction in probability) were based on the trial results. Why you feel the vaccine is not a vaccine is a mystery to me. Please state your qualifications to dispute what medical professionals are calling a vaccine. Please provide some references to support your conclusion that everyone will be infected. Let's start with the baseline that if you cannot detect the infection with the current tests (PCR or antigen) then you aren't infected. Evidence of infection could be based on an antibody test.

Please state your qualifications to dispute what medical professionals are calling a vaccine.

Probably the University of Google College of Medicine and bartending:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Please provide some references to support your conclusion that everyone will be infected.

Perhaps the movie "Omega Man" or its remake:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[banjobob]

Keep the alarm bells ringing , the panic and paranoia on the front page, people with the vaccine are not at risk and those that it need or want the vaccine will soon get it , stop the fear mongering.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

You can’t compare HIV with the coronavirus. HIV is not transmitted through the air while the coronavirus is transmitted through the air. If you are not exchanging blood or having sex with the person next to you then you aren’t going to contract HIV.

So, I am guessing you have yourself regularly tested for these diseases (they can remain dormant for years) and I am assuming you demand a very very recent clean bill of health (hopefully one you can trust) from anyone you decide to become intimate with (‘sex’ can mean a lot of things)). I am not a Dr - but, I know MANY more people who have contracted these diseases - HIV HPV HSV - and these are diseases that can not be cured. They have no vaccines for us (older folks) for these diseases. I would take being infected with Covid a million times more over any one of those diseases - yes - I am not exaggerating. ** I am so *NOT* afraid of Covid. (I wear a mask and distance - I do not do it for me - I do it to be kind to those with the fear.) I look forward to the day to we can share smiles with strangers.

I am afraid of many of the threats we all face - every day. Covid is *not* one of them.

[tuccillo]

Moderna trial results. While it has been some time since I had statistics as an undergrad, I believe the correct interpretation of 95% effectiveness level (what Moderna reported) is that your probability of becoming infected is reduced by 20x. It isn't entirely clear to me whether a "positive" result in the Moderna trial required evidence of "disease", which I will call the observable symptoms of an infection, and a positive PCR test or if simply the detection of symptomless infection by a PCR test was sufficient for a "positive" result. Regardless, since they reported statistical results you are looking at probabilities.

Where did you get that information?

[tuccillo]

Huh? Go back and read my post again. You clearly missed the point.

So, I am guessing you have yourself regularly tested for these diseases (they can remain dormant for years) and I am assuming you demand a very very recent clean bill of health (hopefully one you can trust) from anyone you decide to become intimate with (‘sex’ can mean a lot of things)). I am not a Dr - but, I know MANY more people who have contracted these diseases - HIV HPV HSV - and these are diseases that can not be cured. They have no vaccines for us (older folks) for these diseases. I would take being infected with Covid a million times more over any one of those diseases - yes - I am not exaggerating. ** I am so *NOT* afraid of Covid. (I wear a mask and distance - I do not do it for me - I do it to be kind to those with the fear.) I look forward to the day to we can share smiles with strangers.

I am afraid of many of the threats we all face - every day. Covid is *not* one of them.

[allsport]

But it might because that person is more likely to get the virus and spawn a variant which may not respond to your vaccine. If the virus cannot replicate, it cannot mutate. You need that herd immunity to stop it in its track. Did you get the polio vaccine?

[haysus7]

There are variants

[Jacob85]

I would think it would be difficult because of all the people coming from other areas of the country. Also, there are younger people who aren’t eligible for shots yet who work here. There are people who are anti- vaccine here also. I hope those people who want one are able to get one as in the beginning Sumter county did not have a very good system and people had to go to other counties or go on a computer system which was difficult to navigate .

[Laraine]

As a matter of fact, several cruise lines are already moving in that direction with all their staff being vaccinated and passengers will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding. At this moment the "hopeful" start of sailing again will be July, but that is an always moving target date.

[Altavia]

Curious if those who dispute science/medicine to not be vaccinated will also not seak advanced healthcare should they get the virus.

[Altavia]

As a matter of fact, several cruise lines are already moving in that direction with all their staff being vaccinated and passengers will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding. At this moment the "hopeful" start of sailing again will be July, but that is an always moving target date.

Some states/countries are now accepting proof of vaccination in lieu of quarantine for visitors.

[charmed59]

I’m just wondering at what point the Villages decides we are close enough and unwrap the water fountains and open all the theaters. I’d love to see market night back at the squares, and the neighborhood monthly dinners allowed back at the rec centers. I know we, as a community, are not there yet. But I was hoping the vaccines would bring our case numbers among seniors down to pre-holiday levels. Maybe with folks personal doctors offering the shots as well as the 50-65 people able to get vaccinated we will get there.

[petiteone]

As a retired MD I am disappointed by anti-vax excuses. I am old enough to remember the relief of parents when their kids got the Salk polio vaccine in 1955. I was one of the 1 million Salk pediatric trial subjects in 1954 and also took part in the Moderna Trial in 2020. The life you save may be someone you love.

[Swoop]

Some states/countries are now accepting proof of vaccination in lieu of quarantine for visitors.
That’s just lip service, just like the states that had “quarantine” requirements. There was zero enforcement of those “requirements”...

[lkagele]

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.

Definition of vaccine
: a preparation that is administered (as by injection) to stimulate the body's immune response against a specific infectious disease:
a: an antigenic preparation of a typically inactivated or attenuated (see ATTENUATED sense 2) pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus) or one of its components or products (such as a protein or toxin)
b: a preparation of genetic material (such as a strand of synthesized messenger RNA) that is used by the cells of the body to produce an antigenic substance (such as a fragment of virus spike protein)

[Scorpyo]

Read this today. I was not clever enough to come up with this myself

If you want to see social distancing, loan somebody some money.

[lkagele]

Governor DeSantis already said "no to vaccine passports" although other states may implement it.

He said his government would not require passports and that he hoped private businesses would take the same stance.

[popbaby2]

Let me get this right.

If you have been given both shots then you are "STILL" afraid if someone else has the 99% survivable flu virus????

No not afraid for myself. But afraid i may unknowingly pass it on to someone who cannot get vaccine due to compromised immunity system (like my daughter). It may be 99% survive able, but not for older people. And the ongoing side effects could be debilitating.

DONT BE SELFISH! GET A VACCINE FOR THE GOOD of the country.

[Malsua]

That’s just lip service, just like the states that had “quarantine” requirements. There was zero enforcement of those “requirements”...

Actually, I know businesses were following the lead of the state. My company required a quarantine or a negative test before returning to work from out of state trips. I did the drive up testing on 441 the day before I got on the plane and gave my company the results Monday morning to avoid a quarantine period.

I know a handful of other people at different companies that had similar policies. One needed a negative test and 72 hours of no symptoms after the test.

New York was also enforcing it to varying levels. Had friends who live just over the NY/NJ border near me who got a knock on the door 5 days after coming back from FL.

For the most part there was no real enforcement from the state of NJ as far as I know.

[Byte1]

As a matter of fact, several cruise lines are already moving in that direction with all their staff being vaccinated and passengers will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding. At this moment the "hopeful" start of sailing again will be July, but that is an always moving target date.

Not interested in cruises, so you can take all you wish. Did you get your vaccination for Legionnaires yet? :1rotfl::1rotfl:

[golfing eagles]

Not interested in cruises, so you can take all you wish. Did you get your vaccination for Legionnaires yet? :1rotfl::1rotfl:

Nobody has, but if one becomes available maybe they can add it to the Orwellian vaccine passport.

[yanksansky]

You ask what are they waiting for? Some maybe anti Vax! Some may have fear over serious side affects. Some elderly may not know how to navigate the registration process. I am willing to help anyone register here in The Wildwood Villages area.

[Byte1]

Mass hysteria at it's finest. So many needy people that insist that the gov. protect them, instead of being able/responsible for themselves. Use some common sense and protect yourself from the boogieman. If you do not get the vaccination, then don't expect me to protect you. You have already decided and have to reap the results one way or the other. It's your decision and should NOT be the gov's. Wear a mask or don't wear one. It will have absolutely no effect on me. I have my vaccination, but doubt if I would have become infected anyway. That is my decision and the gov did not make it for me. I have no intention of wearing a mask now, other than if I wish to shop at a place where a mask is requested. And then, I wear it below my nose. If that offends you, cry me a river. If you don't like it, stay a safe distance away, preferably at your home. My children and grandkids have had the virus and shrugged it off in a couple of days or so. They can visit me and I have no fear of infection whatsoever. Want to disagree, that is your prerogative.
The experts I am listening to right now, state that once vaccinated you cannot pass on the virus, period. According to them (whether right or wrong) once the virus enters your system, it is destroyed so you cannot pass it on. Like I have said before, I am not an expert. But, I refuse to listen to gov experts that are nothing more than political hacks. Regardless of credentials, I don't trust them. That is my opinion. So, go on your cruise and feel safe because someone mandates proof of vaccination. But, remember it was the cruise that was one of the first points of infection into the U.S. And remember, many cruises come back to port with a whole ship full of sick folks. There are other diseases out there besides Corona. Same goes with airlines and flying. If you are scared, stay at home. Quit expecting others to conform to your fears.

[Juliebeech]

I urge all of you to read an article by World renown vaccine specialist, Geert Vanden Bossche. He gave a groundbreaking interview this week risking his reputation and his career by bravely speaking out against administration of #Covid19 vaccines.

[Boffin]

I disagree and would love to see mandatory vaccinations for cruises and flying. Its nothing new. Been going on for decades. Your kids can NOT attend school without having certain vaccinations. Why is that good for kids but not good for you to get vaccinated during a pandemic where hundreds of thousands have died?? There is a difference between divulging an illness and making vaccines mandatory to fly. HIV statement is totally unrelated. Would you sit next to someone on a plane who is coughing n sneezing all over without using a tissue?? NO. So, why would you feel its ok to sit next to someone who may be carrying a fatal virus?? Think about it!!
Concerns about vaccine passports:

Passports could make the inequities that have been highlighted throughout the pandemic even worse. Poor people and people of color have endured an outsize share of the suffering from the coronavirus and are also being vaccinated at a lower rate than wealthy white people. Rewarding those who have been vaccinated would invariably mean punishing others who have been denied access to vaccines by an unfair system, critics argue. Others say medically vulnerable people who can’t get the vaccine for health reasons would be left out entirely.

Passports could further politicize the vaccine rollout and make vaccine hesitancy even worse among people who generally distrust the government.

Privacy, how private would a digital vaccination database be and could the U.S. even put together the data needed to build one in the first place.

[Villages Kahuna]

Maybe not. Surveys seem to show that a high percentage of one political party are refusing to be vaccinated, enough to prevent achieving a high enough percentage of vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. I can’t figure out why politics should effect medical decisions, but there’s a lot of our national politics that I don’t understand these days.

My wife and I got the Pfizer vaccine and still use masks and practice social distancing. We feel personally safe and have high confidence that we won’t pass any virus on to others.

[jimlambert]

Maybe the anti vaxxers can take a page from the smokers. Just get used to your options becoming limited.. Well said!

[terrild53]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.
Here’s the way I look at Covid: Here is a very contagious virus that has killed thousands upon thousands all over the world. It is unlike any virus we have seen in our lifetimes, therefore, it has been a “learn-as-you-go” medical nightmare, just as the Spanish Flu was a century ago, and HIV and Ebola. Medical Specialists and Scientists have done their best to figure out what to do to contain Covid and to develop a vaccine to reduce the risk of contracting it. If people don’t want the vaccine because they are against vaccinations or are paranoid & worried about microchips being implanted with the vaccines or believe it’s against their political agenda or believe Covid is a cold virus, well they aren’t going to get the vaccine. That is their prerogative. Medical researchers know what they are talking about with regards to achieving herd immunity but it won’t be happening anytime soon, at least I don’t think so. It’s going to take a couple years because of people not wanting the vaccine. I choose to wear a mask where requested and do the distancing thing etc.
And as for “Vaccine Passports,” it does not phase me at all to have proof of vaccination for travel. Big deal, so you show you had a vaccination to hopefully reduce risk of transmission to others in the country or world. My independence is not affected by showing proof of having a vaccination, no more than parents have to show proof of their kids having vaccinations to enter school.....it’s so deadly diseases don’t rear their heads again and kill people. Like Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, etc. In my mind it’s common sense, but then I was a medical provider for 33 years so think about these things differently I guess. My opinion only.

[jimjamuser]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.
You can't go JUST by Sumter Co. percentages. You have to go by nationwide % because Sumter Co. does not have a virus-proof bubble over it. And herd immunity may not EVER happen nationwide due to the anti-vaxxers. That is why some people say that masks and social distancing will be with us for many years.

[coffeebean]

The ignorance around the shot (not a vaccine) is truly amazing to me. Getting the shot does nothing to "reduce the probability of being infected". Whenever you are exposed to the virus (any virus), you are infected. The only hope of any shot (not a vaccine) is to have your body properly defend against it.

Having taken the shot (not a vaccine) is not like "Scotty - shields up". It does nothing to prevent you from inhaling the virus or getting it while picking your nose after coming in contact with it.

Take note: Over time ... EVERYONE will become infected with the virus ... PERIOD. The only thing a shot (not a vaccine) or your innate immune system (my preference) can do is respond to that infection. That RESPONSE is what determines if you get "sick". Lack of getting sick does not mean you have not been "infected".

A quiet controlled response means you won't even know you got infected (i.e. you don't get sick). A wild out-of-control response means you get sick from the infection (and then recover ... or not).

But, don't harbor any illusion that you will never get the virus because you got the shot (not a vaccine). That is inevitable. Everyone will get infected ... EVERYONE.

I don't think so.

[Advogado]

Mass hysteria at it's finest. So many needy people that insist that the gov. protect them, instead of being able/responsible for themselves. Use some common sense and protect yourself from the boogieman. If you do not get the vaccination, then don't expect me to protect you. You have already decided and have to reap the results one way or the other. It's your decision and should NOT be the gov's. Wear a mask or don't wear one. It will have absolutely no effect on me. I have my vaccination, but doubt if I would have become infected anyway. That is my decision and the gov did not make it for me. I have no intention of wearing a mask now, other than if I wish to shop at a place where a mask is requested. And then, I wear it below my nose. If that offends you, cry me a river. If you don't like it, stay a safe distance away, preferably at your home. My children and grandkids have had the virus and shrugged it off in a couple of days or so. They can visit me and I have no fear of infection whatsoever. Want to disagree, that is your prerogative.
The experts I am listening to right now, state that once vaccinated you cannot pass on the virus, period. According to them (whether right or wrong) once the virus enters your system, it is destroyed so you cannot pass it on. Like I have said before, I am not an expert. But, I refuse to listen to gov experts that are nothing more than political hacks. Regardless of credentials, I don't trust them. That is my opinion. So, go on your cruise and feel safe because someone mandates proof of vaccination. But, remember it was the cruise that was one of the first points of infection into the U.S. And remember, many cruises come back to port with a whole ship full of sick folks. There are other diseases out there besides Corona. Same goes with airlines and flying. If you are scared, stay at home. Quit expecting others to conform to your fears.

Just so you know, my son and his wife are living proof that you can be reinfected after recovering from COVID. Apparently the reinfection was from one of the new strains. So don't believe that your kids and grandkids cannot be reinfected as well. (In the case of my kids, the reinfection, at least so far, does not seem as serious as the first bout was, but it is still bad-- with my daughter-in-law completely losing her sense of taste and smell.)

[Swoop]

Actually, I know businesses were following the lead of the state. My company required a quarantine or a negative test before returning to work from out of state trips. I did the drive up testing on 441 the day before I got on the plane and gave my company the results Monday morning to avoid a quarantine period.

I know a handful of other people at different companies that had similar policies. One needed a negative test and 72 hours of no symptoms after the test.

New York was also enforcing it to varying levels. Had friends who live just over the NY/NJ border near me who got a knock on the door 5 days after coming back from FL.

For the most part there was no real enforcement from the state of NJ as far as I know.
Businesses may have had their own rules, but states that claimed that a negative test result or quarantine was required, were not enforcing anything.

[coffeebean]

That’s just lip service, just like the states that had “quarantine” requirements. There was zero enforcement of those “requirements”...

It isn't lip service to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship if you are over the age of 18, you must show proof of vaccination. Of course RCCL is not home porting in the US yet but they are beginning cruises in June from ports other than the US. If anyone loves to cruise and is an anti-vaxxer, they will not set sail on a cruise ship at this point and time.

[coffeebean]

Definition of vaccine
: a preparation that is administered (as by injection) to stimulate the body's immune response against a specific infectious disease:
a: an antigenic preparation of a typically inactivated or attenuated (see ATTENUATED sense 2) pathogenic agent (such as a bacterium or virus) or one of its components or products (such as a protein or toxin)
b: a preparation of genetic material (such as a strand of synthesized messenger RNA) that is used by the cells of the body to produce an antigenic substance (such as a fragment of virus spike protein)
I would bet money that this definition and information regarding the mRNA vaccines will fall on deaf ears with oneclickplus. This poster has been singing this tune for a while now. No changing his/her mind about it.

[coffeebean]

No not afraid for myself. But afraid i may unknowingly pass it on to someone who cannot get vaccine due to compromised immunity system (like my daughter). It may be 99% survive able, but not for older people. And the ongoing side effects could be debilitating.

DONT BE SELFISH! GET A VACCINE FOR THE GOOD of the country.

I just read an article today about the CEO of Texas Roadhouse. He committed suicide because of long haul effects of Covid.

[coffeebean]

Not interested in cruises, so you can take all you wish. Did you get your vaccination for Legionnaires yet? :1rotfl::1rotfl:

Legionnaires is a dreadful disease BUT.........has Legionnaires caused a global pandemic. Didn't think so.

[Finchs]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

Because of the lengthy delays in getting Covid Vaccinations in the county of your residence, many of us (me included) went way far away from our home counties to be vaccinated. If Sumter can say they have vaccinated 60%, that's pretty good--many of the residents already got theirs quicker elsewhere.

[Byte1]

Just so you know, my son and his wife are living proof that you can be reinfected after recovering from COVID. Apparently the reinfection was from one of the new strains. So don't believe that your kids and grandkids cannot be reinfected as well. (In the case of my kids, the reinfection, at least so far, does not seem as serious as the first bout was, but it is still bad-- with my daughter-in-law completely losing her sense of taste and smell.)

I know they can be reinfected. I told them that, too. But, they won't get it from me, regardless of what some insist. Life is full of dangers. Some of us just refuse to allow those dangers to stop us from living.
"The NHTSA reports that 13 cars out of every 100,000 are involved in a fatal accident, but motorcycles have a fatality rate of 72 per 100,000." However, there are many more fatalities by cars than motorcycles. Even though motorcycling is more dangerous than operating a car, there are dangers to both. Smoking can cause death, but so can drinking too much water in a short period.
Just pointing out that folks take chances every day. Some eat too much, some drink too much and some cross the street against the light. If you don't wish to get struck by lightening, stay home in your basement when there is a threat of a storm. If you do not wish to become infected, stay home in your basement during a "pandemic."

[bonicka]

Some, like myself, may have not been vaccinated yet, because they had Covid. Getting the shots too early after Covid , often brings the probability of getting sick after the shots, especially the second one. The antibodies in the body may be strong and do not mix well with those that are in the shot. It is best to wait 3-6 months after the contagious symptoms are gone, to get the shots. We had Covid in January. Before that, the shots for many were hard to get an appointment for. Now, we have been told by the doctors, to wait until April or May to get the shots. So the percentage for those getting shots may go up. Plus the younger people under 65, who have been waiting for shots, are just being able to register now.

[GoPacers]

I know they can be reinfected. I told them that, too. But, they won't get it from me, regardless of what some insist. Life is full of dangers. Some of us just refuse to allow those dangers to stop us from living.
"The NHTSA reports that 13 cars out of every 100,000 are involved in a fatal accident, but motorcycles have a fatality rate of 72 per 100,000." However, there are many more fatalities by cars than motorcycles. Even though motorcycling is more dangerous than operating a car, there are dangers to both. Smoking can cause death, but so can drinking too much water in a short period.
Just pointing out that folks take chances every day. Some eat too much, some drink too much and some cross the street against the light. If you don't wish to get struck by lightening, stay home in your basement when there is a threat of a storm. If you do not wish to become infected, stay home in your basement during a "pandemic."

You will NEVER know if you've infected another person with COVID, the flu, the common cold or any other disease. Such a declarative statement suggests your points are emotion vs logic.
Odds are that we all have infected another person with some disease at some point in our lives.

Any of us CAN infect anyone else with any disease. Thoughtful and respectful people will take precautions to reduce that probability. What those actions are is worthy of debate as you suggest (and I agree with). As a society this is not a novel concept. We have thousands of laws whose primary intent is to protect the many from the actions of the few.

[Neils]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

Data can be misleading. Add in the people that have had covid and recovered, plus unknown numbers of those that had the virus but were unsymptomatic.

Heard immunity may be much closer than it appears.

[Byte1]

You will NEVER know if you've infected another person with COVID, the flu, the common cold or any other disease. Such a declarative statement suggests your points are emotion vs logic.
Odds are that we all have infected another person with some disease at some point in our lives.

Any of us CAN infect anyone else with any disease. Thoughtful and respectful people will take precautions to reduce that probability. What those actions are is worthy of debate as you suggest (and I agree with). As a society this is not a novel concept. We have thousands of laws whose primary intent is to protect the many from the actions of the few.

That's life. Or, if your glass is half empty.....death.

[oldtimes]

I agree, the ignorance is amazing

That is an understatement. It’s like the Twilight Zone.

[Velvet]

You are so right. The information is out there if people would research rather than following what someone like Fauci, who has ties to the Wuhan lab, says. Check the cdc site for what's in it. You will be horrified. You can also find out the thousands of people who have been injured by the vaccine. There has not been one study that proves masks work, & before you argue, please post the scientific study. Fauci continually moves the goal post. If you believe anything he says, it's sad.

And the moon is made out of blue cheese too.

[doodles]

Stop thinking about yourself, think kids and grandkids. If you were holding your infant grand child in your arms wouldn’t you want to know the person next to you had been vaccinated

[charmed59]

Because of the lengthy delays in getting Covid Vaccinations in the county of your residence, many of us (me included) went way far away from our home counties to be vaccinated. If Sumter can say they have vaccinated 60%, that's pretty good--many of the residents already got theirs quicker elsewhere.

The published county numbers are not for the county giving out the vaccines, but the resident county where the person getting the vaccine lives. So those that went elsewhere show up in the Sumter numbers. And those seasonal folks that were vaccinated in Sumter county, but live out of state show up in the out of state category. We may have quite a few of that 112K pot.

The reason the Sumter County numbers kept rising despite GMR shutting down at the beginning of Feb was due to dedicated folks traveling about. And I, for one, appreciate that.

[DeanFL]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.

[Velvet]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.

Your ex is so funny, I almost... laughing. Except it is also so serious. Wish the very best to these fearful individuals.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

It’s not a vaccination against a virus. It is gene therapy. Completely different. Research and DD.

By “DD,” I think the poster means due diligence.

[GoPacers]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.

The COVID vaccine does NOT alter one's DNA. Geesh sheeple. It's amazing the cr&p that is out there and gets repeated to the point that people believe it.

[tvbound]

Maybe not. Surveys seem to show that a high percentage of one political party are refusing to be vaccinated, enough to prevent achieving a high enough percentage of vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. I can’t figure out why politics should effect medical decisions, but there’s a lot of our national politics that I don’t understand these days.

My wife and I got the Pfizer vaccine and still use masks and practice social distancing. We feel personally safe and have high confidence that we won’t pass any virus on to others.Agreed.

The fact that the vast majority of the current anti-Covid vaccine crowd had no problems with their kids getting childhood vaccinations and the associated booster shots, proves that it's not really about the vaccine itself.

[newgirl]

It was extremely difficult to get a appointment for everyone until last week or so.

[DeanFL]

The COVID vaccine does NOT alter one's DNA. Geesh sheeple. It's amazing the cr&p that is out there and gets repeated to the point that people believe it.

.
.
Yep - I just sent her an email reply - I attempted to be somehwhat 'kind'>>>

We did a bit of research and heard from a lot of folks before getting our shots, and had not a bit of hesitiation re the Moderna vaccine. The Bill Gates-thing seems to be far-fetched, perhaps his foundation gave $$$ to pharma for research. And the DNA-change matter has been thoroughly debunked. I think these things are pushed by conspiracy groups for whatever reason.

We're happy to get the vaccine, and feel that we are protected - even planning mid-year travel now. At our age we surely don't want to take chances and live in fear.
.
.

[golfing eagles]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.

Good luck to her
But for everyone else, so they don't get misinformed, this is a PSA:

The vaccine is no longer "experimental", it is the standard of care
It DOES NOT alter your DNA
The survival rate of seasonal flu is 99.9%+
And "vitamins and supplements" are fine, but they won't protect you from COVID

[nick demis]

Given the general definition: immunity or resistance to a particular infection that occurs in a group of animals when a very high percentage of individuals have been vaccinated or previously exposed to the infection, yes, herd immunity, including variants, will likely occur sometime.

Herd immunity occurs when a combination of vaccines and natural immunity occurs. We may already be there.

[GoPacers]

Good luck to her
But for everyone else, so they don't get misinformed, this is a PSA:

The vaccine is no longer "experimental", it is the standard of care
It DOES NOT alter your DNA
The survival rate of seasonal flu is 99.9%+
And "vitamins and supplements" are fine, but they won't protect you from COVID

To be fair, none of the vaccines have received full FDA approval. All have been given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to date. This is a nuance of the FDA but there is no way we'd have the vaccines today if we required full FDA approval. That process simply takes much longer. This doesn't make the vaccine unsafe or ineffective. It just means all the steps for FDA approval have not been met.

Our government did what they were supposed to do, working with corporate America, regulatory agencies and scientists to bring a much needed vaccine to market as quickly as possible. If one cares, they can read exactly what EUA means but many very important medical advances were initially cleared this way. That is what the EUA process is for.

And yes, this is most definitely the standard of care and absolutely should be from all that I have read and continue to read.

[charmed59]

Herd immunity occurs when a combination of vaccines and natural immunity occurs. We may already be there.

If we were already there we would have no new cases most days.

I am hopeful given small number of cases the last two days in the 65 and over group. For 10 days that age group in Sumter County was averaging 9 new cases per day. Yesterday and today there were only 3 cases in those 65+.

[Boffin]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.
People who think the RNA COVID vaccines alter DNA should see this as an opportunity.

[Astron]

It's very healthy to re-breathe your own carbon dioxide.

Sarcasm noted. That is an urban myth. Health care worked have been wearing masks for extended periods for decades without issue. I have personally checked my O2 levels after wearing a mask for hours and found practically no difference.
Finding an excuse to not wear a mask, not social distance or not get a vaccine is just helping the virus by giving it a chance to mutate into something far worse. Odds are it won’t, but it could.

[coffeebean]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.

Please let your ex know that mRNA vaccines do not interact with DNA and can not make changes to DNA. She is misinformed about DNA. This is an excerpt from the CDC website.......

mRNA from the vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell and does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA.

The excerpt is from this page.....

Understanding and Explaining mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.html)

[Boffin]

Herd immunity occurs when a combination of vaccines and natural immunity occurs. We may already be there.
Correction: Herd immunity may occur when a combination of vaccines and natural immunity occurs. We may, or may not, already be there.

[Velvet]

Correction: Herd immunity may occur when a combination of vaccines and natural immunity occurs. We may, or may not, already be there.

1000 people dying every day ... hope that’s not the definition of herd immunity.

[jimjamuser]

The published county numbers are not for the county giving out the vaccines, but the resident county where the person getting the vaccine lives. So those that went elsewhere show up in the Sumter numbers. And those seasonal folks that were vaccinated in Sumter county, but live out of state show up in the out of state category. We may have quite a few of that 112K pot.

The reason the Sumter County numbers kept rising despite GMR shutting down at the beginning of Feb was due to dedicated folks traveling about. And I, for one, appreciate that.
I appreciate that taxpayer dollars were wasted and did NOT resolve the problem for which those dollars were given / taken away.

[jimjamuser]

.
.
We got both of our Moderna shots and all set. Very happy and comfortable with the decision and Sumter Co's service.

I sent an email to my 'ex', living in N.C. with her live-in. We're 'kinda-OK-friendly', and I mentioned about our Covid shots. She wrote back this morning>>

"XXXX and I are not on board with the experimental vaccines which make changes to your DNA. My sister XXXXX who worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a long time ( she just retired last year) advises against getting the vaccine. She said she will not go near it. So we are holding out and just bolstering our immune systems with vitamins and supplements. There are good therapeutics and overall 98.5% survival rate which is better than for flu. (Also, Bill Gates has the patent on the Covid virus, the vaccine, and the testing kit- that makes this all very fishy!)"

Oh well.... I don't get it, but looks as if there IS quite a large % of Americans who feel that way and will be holdouts... for whatever reason. IMO why take the GIVEN risk of contracting Covid - esp at our age.
.
.
"Holdouts" are loved by the Virus. And the "ex" may have parroted back propaganda that originated in a hacking farm in Moscow. The weapon of disinformation is easy to build and less costly than conventional weapons.

[jimjamuser]

Mass hysteria at it's finest. So many needy people that insist that the gov. protect them, instead of being able/responsible for themselves. Use some common sense and protect yourself from the boogieman. If you do not get the vaccination, then don't expect me to protect you. You have already decided and have to reap the results one way or the other. It's your decision and should NOT be the gov's. Wear a mask or don't wear one. It will have absolutely no effect on me. I have my vaccination, but doubt if I would have become infected anyway. That is my decision and the gov did not make it for me. I have no intention of wearing a mask now, other than if I wish to shop at a place where a mask is requested. And then, I wear it below my nose. If that offends you, cry me a river. If you don't like it, stay a safe distance away, preferably at your home. My children and grandkids have had the virus and shrugged it off in a couple of days or so. They can visit me and I have no fear of infection whatsoever. Want to disagree, that is your prerogative.
The experts I am listening to right now, state that once vaccinated you cannot pass on the virus, period. According to them (whether right or wrong) once the virus enters your system, it is destroyed so you cannot pass it on. Like I have said before, I am not an expert. But, I refuse to listen to gov experts that are nothing more than political hacks. Regardless of credentials, I don't trust them. That is my opinion. So, go on your cruise and feel safe because someone mandates proof of vaccination. But, remember it was the cruise that was one of the first points of infection into the U.S. And remember, many cruises come back to port with a whole ship full of sick folks. There are other diseases out there besides Corona. Same goes with airlines and flying. If you are scared, stay at home. Quit expecting others to conform to your fears.
The experts do NOT say that once vaccinated you can not pass on the CV. That is a fabrication! 5% likely can pass it on. If someone hates the government THAT much, they should go try to find an island of anarchy to live at instead of among civilized adults. Stop paying your taxes. Then you will get placed in a suitable island of anarchy. Good luck! And anyone that goes to the charade of wearing their mask below their nose is like someone with a gun shooting down people in Publix. They are just shooting S L O W bullets of death (droplets)! CDC advice is NOT the enemy of real people. Just those preaching risk and death!

[graciegirl]

The experts do NOT say that once vaccinated you can not pass on the CV. That is a fabrication! 5% likely can pass it on. If someone hates the government THAT much, they should go try to find an island of anarchy to live at instead of among civilized adults. Stop paying your taxes. Then you will get placed in a suitable island of anarchy. Good luck! And anyone that goes to the charade of wearing their mask below their nose is like someone with a gun shooting down people in Publix. They are just shooting S L O W bullets of death (droplets)! CDC advice is NOT the enemy of real people. Just those preaching risk and death!

I am replying with quote. I agree with some parts of your post but I do not agree with the attitude. When in a debate, one is taken more seriously if one debates in a tone with valid information without rancor and SOMETIMES light humor is tolerated. Any breach of this and there will be someone who is ****ed and they will answer in a strident tone and then the O.P. will get more in your face and pretty soon there will be marching and burning and looting and that is never acceptable no matter what the issue is. Actually Marching is acceptable but I think it is a worthless endeavor myself.

Carry on.

[tvbound]

I am replying with quote. I agree with some parts of your post but I do not agree with the attitude. When in a debate, one is taken more seriously if one debates in a tone with valid information without rancor and SOMETIMES light humor is tolerated. Any breach of this and there will be someone who is ****ed and they will answer in a strident tone and then the O.P. will get more in your face and pretty soon there will be marching and burning and looting and that is never acceptable no matter what the issue is. Actually Marching is acceptable but I think it is a worthless endeavor myself.

Carry on.

"Actually Marching is acceptable but I think it is a worthless endeavor myself."

Women who marched to gain the right to vote, black Americans who marched for equal rights and those who marched to end the Vietnam War - would all disagree with you.

[DAVES]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

So much of the information we have is guesses. What is herd immunity? It is a concept and it is not 100%. If, 75% is the number there are roughly 350 million people in the US
side stepping illegal aliens, which that count is also an unconfirmed guess. Thus, 75% of 350 million is 263 million people. The two top suppliers Moderna and Pfizer are two shots so 263x2=525 million shots.

All we can do is the best we can. So far what has been done while not perfect is truly impressive.

It has been done without resorting to forcing people to take a vaccine as was done with polio and small pox shots.

[Byte1]

The experts do NOT say that once vaccinated you can not pass on the CV. That is a fabrication! 5% likely can pass it on. If someone hates the government THAT much, they should go try to find an island of anarchy to live at instead of among civilized adults. Stop paying your taxes. Then you will get placed in a suitable island of anarchy. Good luck! And anyone that goes to the charade of wearing their mask below their nose is like someone with a gun shooting down people in Publix. They are just shooting S L O W bullets of death (droplets)! CDC advice is NOT the enemy of real people. Just those preaching risk and death!

You can also have YOUR opinion. Sorry to disagree with you, but I DON'T hate the gov. Just disagree with a big brother lording over me to tell me how to live my life, when they also espouse "freedom." Like I said before, if one does not feel safe after getting the vaccination, they should stay home. I did my "duty" by getting vaccinated when I really didn't think it was necessary in my case, so it is up to everyone else to do what they deem necessary to protect themselves. It is not my duty to protect everyone else. And I am of NO danger to anyone if I am not infected. Some folks (glass half empty) believe that everyone is infected. Those folks need some personal assistance, in my opinion.
Some folks ought to consider their demeanor before posting, less their anger get the better of them. By the way, I am not the one that consistently posts on here about how other countries are better than ours....wink, wink.
And, if it is so easy to pass on the virus after being vaccinated, explain how that works. Explain how if a person is not infected, and if the virus is ingested and destroyed, how they can pass it on. I am not the expert and some experts suggest that it can't be passed on. Granted, if you get it on your hands and touch something that someone else then touches shortly thereafter, it may be passed on. How does one do that, IF they are constantly washing their hands? If a person covers their mouth, how does one pass it on, even if they do ingest some virus matter? Like I said, MASS HYSTERIA. I guess anything is possible, but I do not limit basic day to day activities due to someone else's hysteria and fears. I evaluate the current situation and modify my actions according to common(?) sense. By the way, I have NEVER had the flu. Does that mean that I am immune to it, or maybe it means that I am more careful than the average person? And no, I do not get and I have not had the flu shot. No one has ever accused me of "passing on" the flu to them.
Have a great day.

[Jerseygirl08]

You can’t compare HIV with the coronavirus. HIV is not transmitted through the air while the coronavirus is transmitted through the air. If you are not exchanging blood or having sex with the person next to you then you aren’t going to contract HIV.
He was just using it as an example. How about tuberculosis, would that meet your standard? Actually, TB is very treatable if caught soon enough. The point is .... the slippery slope. Having a firearm, being a conservative, being a Christian, Catholic, or Jew, being black, white, Chinese, Iranian, Indian, behind in your taxes, statues in your front yard, and on and on. This list is pretty ridiculous right? Well look at what has happened with the Corona-19 virus. Things spiraled out of control. Power hungry politicians made decisions and enacted edicts that destroyed peoples businesses and even caused death to many (look at suicides alone). Does anybody remember that our social security number was never supposed to be used for anything other than a "social insurance program"? The Social Security Act was enacted by President Roosevelt in 1935 in an attempt to limit poverty in the elderly population. Well then, we see now how Roosevelt's promise has been kicked to the curb. I don't want a "Vaccination Passport". I'm sure many of you don't want one either.

[tuccillo]

Go back and reread my posts. They have nothing to do with what you posted and everything to do with the differences between how the coronavirus and HIV are transmitted. Focus.

He was just using it as an example. How about tuberculosis, would that meet your standard? Actually, TB is very treatable if caught soon enough. The point is .... the slippery slope. Having a firearm, being a conservative, being a Christian, Catholic, or Jew, being black, white, Chinese, Iranian, Indian, behind in your taxes, statues in your front yard, and on and on. This list is pretty ridiculous right? Well look at what has happened with the Corona-19 virus. Things spiraled out of control. Power hungry politicians made decisions and enacted edicts that destroyed peoples businesses and even caused death to many (look at suicides alone). Does anybody remember that our social security number was never supposed to be used for anything other than a "social insurance program"? The Social Security Act was enacted by President Roosevelt in 1935 in an attempt to limit poverty in the elderly population. Well then, we see now how Roosevelt's promise has been kicked to the curb. I don't want a "Vaccination Passport". I'm sure many of you don't want one either.

[Bill14564]

Go back and reread my posts. They have nothing to do with what you posted and everything to do with the differences between how the coronavirus and HIV are transmitted. Focus.

Actually, jerseygirl08 seems to understand my exact point. There is no need to reread your posts, I readily acknowledge that you are missing the point.

If a vaccination passport is determined to be essential to protect us from today's virus of the month then it won't be long before it is determined to be essential to protect us from all communicable diseases.

Tuberculosis and meningitis are also transmitted through the air so they should be added to the vaccination passport too. Sure, the risk is low but with all the other precautions being taken and after having the COVID vaccination, the risk of contracting COVID is small too. If proof of vaccination against one is to be required then is it hard to imagine that being extended to require proof of vaccination against all?

While HIV is transmitted differently, who is to say I won't be exposed to blood through some minor accident with the wrapper on the peanuts or a scratch from the armrest or even something more severe like an item dropping from the overhead bin or a plane crash? Accidents happen and I may want to feel safe from even the remote possibility of contracting HIV. If it isn't too much to demand that I prove my COVID vaccination status then there will come a day when it won't be too much to demand that you prove your HIV status.

COVID is the today's super virus but it isn't the first and it won't be the last. We have to be careful that the efforts we propose to make us feel comfortable today aren't something that will make us feel very uncomfortable tomorrow. Once we make it easy to ______ it will also be easy to _____ but we may not like that as much.

[tuccillo]

The chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you is beyond remote. Why do you insist on repeatedly bringing that up? It is irrational to do so. Diseases that can be transmitted through the air are another thing.

Actually, jerseygirl08 seems to understand my exact point. There is no need to reread your posts, I readily acknowledge that you are missing the point.

If a vaccination passport is determined to be essential to protect us from today's virus of the month then it won't be long before it is determined to be essential to protect us from all communicable diseases.

Tuberculosis and meningitis are also transmitted through the air so they should be added to the vaccination passport too. Sure, the risk is low but with all the other precautions being taken and after having the COVID vaccination, the risk of contracting COVID is small too. If proof of vaccination against one is to be required then is it hard to imagine that being extended to require proof of vaccination against all?

While HIV is transmitted differently, who is to say I won't be exposed to blood through some minor accident with the wrapper on the peanuts or a scratch from the armrest or even something more severe like an item dropping from the overhead bin or a plane crash? Accidents happen and I may want to feel safe from even the remote possibility of contracting HIV. If it isn't too much to demand that I prove my COVID vaccination status then there will come a day when it won't be too much to demand that you prove your HIV status.

COVID is the today's super virus but it isn't the first and it won't be the last. We have to be careful that the efforts we propose to make us feel comfortable today aren't something that will make us feel very uncomfortable tomorrow. Once we make it easy to ______ it will also be easy to _____ but we may not like that as much.

[Bill14564]

The chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you is beyond remote. Why do you insist on repeatedly bringing that up? It is irrational to do so. Diseases that can be transmitted through the air are another thing.

The chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to me is beyond remote in your scenario. But I'm not considering your scenario, I'm considering other realistic possibilities.

Your argument seems to be what if the random person sitting next to me is infected and what if they are not wearing a mask and what if the airflow moves the virus into my space and what if I take a breath at the right time and what if I am one of those that vaccine doesn't work for and what if I am one of those who will develop symptoms and what if the symptoms I develop are severe? With all those "if"s I would say that the chances of me, a vaccinated person, contracting COVID from the random person sitting next to me is also beyond remote.

It is irrational to think that a vaccine passport, once adopted, will only be required for COVID. Once that door is opened the Govt (and frightened people) will find more and more conditions that absolutely need to be on that passport. Today, you plan to be vaccinated so the passport will only affect those people (and good riddance to them). However, tomorrow there will be that other thing that is added to the passport that affects you. THAT is what I'm worried about. How do the sayings go....

- the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

- absolute power corrupts absolutely

- it seemed like such a good idea at the time

[tuccillo]

Stop putting words in my mouth and inventing scenarios. My argument is that the chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you is beyond remote. I have already stated that diseases that can be transmitted by air are different. Please stop conflating HIV with the coronavirus.

The chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to me is beyond remote in your scenario. But I'm not considering your scenario, I'm considering other realistic possibilities.

Your argument seems to be what if the random person sitting next to me is infected and what if they are not wearing a mask and what if the airflow moves the virus into my space and what if I take a breath at the right time and what if I am one of those that vaccine doesn't work for and what if I am one of those who will develop symptoms and what if the symptoms I develop are severe? With all those "if"s I would say that the chances of me, a vaccinated person, contracting COVID from the random person sitting next to me is also beyond remote.

It is irrational to think that a vaccine passport, once adopted, will only be required for COVID. Once that door is opened the Govt (and frightened people) will find more and more conditions that absolutely need to be on that passport. Today, you plan to be vaccinated so the passport will only affect those people (and good riddance to them). However, tomorrow there will be that other thing that is added to the passport that affects you. THAT is what I'm worried about. How do the sayings go....

- the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

- absolute power corrupts absolutely

- it seemed like such a good idea at the time

[Byte1]

Stop putting words in my mouth and inventing scenarios. My argument is that the chances of contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you is beyond remote. I have already stated that diseases that can be transmitted by air are different. Please stop conflating HIV with the coronavirus.

I believe you have once again missed the point. You seem to be hung up on the HIV example and missed the whole theme/object of the post. A post that BTW was repeated over and over again for your edification. Try eliminating the "HIV" from the post and read it again. If you still can't understand it, maybe you should just relax and call it a day. I believe that the rest of us caught the idea on the first go around. :)

[tuccillo]

No, you missed the point. My response to an earlier post was with regard to contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you. Period. Nothing more, nothing less. I was responding to an absurd statement. You can read more into than that if you wish but that would be your mistake.

I believe you have once again missed the point. You seem to be hung up on the HIV example and missed the whole theme/object of the post. A post that BTW was repeated over and over again for your edification. Try eliminating the "HIV" from the post and read it again. If you still can't understand it, maybe you should just relax and call it a day. I believe that the rest of us caught the idea on the first go around. :)

[golfing eagles]

No, you missed the point. My response to an earlier post was with regard to contracting HIV from the person sitting next to you. Period. Nothing more, nothing less. I was responding to an absurd statement. You can read more into than that if you wish but that would be your mistake.

OK children, let's end this pointless dialog. T, just substitute the word meningococcemia for HIV, and then tell us if you would want meningococcal vaccine added to your "passport"? In case you don't know, it is probably 100x as contagious as COVID and 100x as fatal. Do you feel safe sitting next to someone who has not been vaccinated? How dare the airlines and government not protect you and demand proof of vaccination to get on an airplane. Kann Ich deine Papiere sehen, bitte.

[tuccillo]

I was responding to the comment about HIV, not meningococcemia or the concept of a "vaccination passport". If you want to change the subject that is fine but I was not commenting about your change.

OK children, let's end this pointless dialog. T, just substitute the word meningococcemia for HIV, and then tell us if you would want meningococcal vaccine added to your "passport"? In case you don't know, it is probably 100x as contagious as COVID and 100x as fatal. Do you feel safe sitting next to someone who has not been vaccinated? How dare the airlines and government not protect you and demand proof of vaccination to get on an airplane. Kann Ich deine Papiere sehen, bitte.

[Aloha1]

Just a word of warning to readers who have been infected by COVID and believe that they are now immune. It ain't necessarily so-- as my son and his wife found out the hard way, having been reinfected less than a year after their first bout. The ER doctor attributed the reinfection to one of the variants. He said that he had encountered no one reinfected with the original strain.

BTW, despite having been infected, they had been practicing the usual precautions-- until my son decided that it would be reasonably safe to fly on a ski trip, where he apparently picked up the reinfection and brought it home.

Fortunately, the reinfection, at least so far, has been a lot less severe that the first bout, and I only bring up their story in the hope that it will cause former COVID victims to continue to be careful.

The bottom line: achieving herd immunity may be more difficult than some had hoped.

Well, duh. Two different strains. Get the shot.

[JimJohnson]

I see in Sumter county the percent of seniors vaccinated for COVID is leveling out at just over 60%. If we need 75% to hit herd immunity we’d need over 90% of those under 65 to be vaccinated, which seems unlikely.

Is there some number of seniors that intend to get vaccinated but haven’t yet? If so, what are they waiting for? I’m hopeful seeing the Villages Health is now inoculating their members.

We have our share of AntiVaccine folks. As they die from Covid, we will move closer to herd immunity.

[Love2Swim]

We have our share of AntiVaccine folks. As they die from Covid, we will move closer to herd immunity.

Agree. "I don't need the vaccine", they said while enjoying life without polio, rubella, measles, mumps, tetanus, whooping cough, smallpox, diphtheria, rabies, and a bunch of other 1800's stuff.

[graciegirl]

"Actually Marching is acceptable but I think it is a worthless endeavor myself."

Women who marched to gain the right to vote, black Americans who marched for equal rights and those who marched to end the Vietnam War - would all disagree with you.

There were more strong, stalwart, independent thinkers who didn't march, but stood for themselves and supported themselves and taught us and nursed us and led us. My grandmother and my husbands. My daughters husbands grandmothers. They were the first to drive cars and deliver babies and run a business. Their husbands married them in part because of their strength and their clear and good ideas on things.

Marching itself has very little to do with social activism. Nowadays it causes more trouble than it helps the cause. Marching is a form of propaganda that people are spoon fed these days. Madame Curie didn't march.