[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Whitley

Globally 1.7 million people die a year from the common cold.

That's nothing to sneeze at.

Now that is GOOD humor.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by blueash

Talk about sewage... It is 100% accurate to say that the finding of viral RNA in wastewater indicates circulating infectious virus in the community. There is nothing suspect about it except I suspect you don't know what you're talking about. You in your greater wisdom could perhaps explain to me how genetic material from Covid gets into the wastewater if there is no Covid in area.

Fourth, you are wrong that masks made no difference. The data, and there is lots of it if you want to do a GoogleScholar search, showed masks did work, just less well than hoped. The failure to find greater efficacy is because of people not wearing masks correctly, and human nature to not practice good hygiene, hand wash, social distance etc. even when mask wearing.

Lastly, you are correct that some viral strains tend to weaken over time, that is sadly not always the case. If it were then we would never have a more severe influenza season. We would never have seen SARS or MERS. Polio would have disappeared without a vaccine... and measles... and ebola... and etc. etc. etc.

Thank you for some BADLY NEEDED wisdom!!!!!!!

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I guess you learn something new, no matter how old you get. I had assumed that the reason for doctors wearing masks in surgery is so that THEY do not transmit germs/illnesses to the patient. AND they (some) would additionally wear face shields to prevent contamination from the patient.
Personally, I have no intention of wearing a mask IF it is not mandated somewhere that I have to go. I may have unknowingly had or carried the virus in the past couple years, but I am not going to change my activities or attire on the presumption that I may or may not be infected or carrying the virus. I have no problem with others wearing protection such as mask and gloves where ever they travel, in or out of their cars and in or outside of public places. When I was in Japan, many folks in Tokyo wore masks in the city. I didn't, but I am not going to pressure anyone else as to how they should or should not protect themselves.
I prefer to be the glass half full type of person, not a "the sky is falling" hysterical type. I do agree with those that believe that staying locked in their homes will protect them from catching any communicable diseases. I also believe that if you do not drive, you have less chance of having an traffic accident. If you do not fly, you will not die in a plane crash. But, I like to live dangerously. I have been known to step on the cracks in sidewalks and have even traveled in the back seat of a car without using the seat belt on more than one occasion.

Please keep your living dangerously from infecting others who choose not to do so.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

Would you have open heart surgery if you knew the surgical team was operating on you without masks on?

The context of the question is wearing N-95 masks...

Me: I am healthy. No indications of any colds, infections, coughs, diseases, etc. I would also isolate for days in advance to minimize my risk of catching something when I want my body healing from surgery, and not fighting some other new illness too.

I would be ok with your scenario because masks are not effective for containing a virus traveling from surgeon to me. And surgeon does not need to protect themselves from me. I would expect surgeon, and the team, to wear a simple procedure mask, some level of eye protection, and gloves - to protect contact from unexpected blood splatters.

You might also want to learn about how air in an OR is ventilated and cleaned.

[dhdallas]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

At CoachK's hospitals, the hospital staff COVID infection rate is borderline to the hospitals requiring staff and patients to be masked mandatorily.

Friends of mine are coming down sick testing positive. .

Just facts, no judgements, YMMV

Boston waste water upticking and its still summertime in the NorthEast!

Fortunately we live in Florida where we are allowed to abstain from the herd mentality and mandates that do not work.

BTW, what is a CoachK hospital; is it s psychiatric hospital? Boston waste water is "upticking"? So are more people flushing their toilets there or what? Finally, there is no such word as "mandatorily" except for those who cheat at Scrabble.

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

Forced close-downs. "They" said earlier that the face-diapers don't work. Think about it----hard!! Did y'all comply before by staying in as much as possible, did you wash your hands and social distance and do everything told to you before-----yet still got the infection?? Tis strange it seemed to almost "go away" and now is re-emerging.

Simply to see how far the sheep will follow. I, for one will have nothing more to do with masks. Didn’t wear them back then…never once got Covid. Won’t wear them now. Haven’t you all learned anything? The masks are a lie, the shots are a lie and anything that comes into a Dr. Office is coded Covid. Why??? They get big money for Covid diagnosis. It’s not about you and your health…it’s about the money!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

A virologist might think that a disease mutating and re-emerging is common.

As a matter of fact, right here in our backyard, tonight's high school football game for Lake Weir at St. Francis has been CANCELLED due to a COVID outbreak at St. Francis. If this is happening in a small town in Florida, it may be happening all over the US. Many Doctors and scientists have said that COVID will be with us for a long time.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Simply to see how far the sheep will follow. I, for one will have nothing more to do with masks. Didn’t wear them back then…never once got Covid. Won’t wear them now. Haven’t you all learned anything? The masks are a lie, the shots are a lie and anything that comes into a Dr. Office is coded Covid. Why??? They get big money for Covid diagnosis. It’s not about you and your health…it’s about the money!

That was a rumor and a fallacy that made the rounds early in the Pandemic. Hospital coding professionals said that NO attempt was made to boost COVID diagnosis.

[Ragman]

COVID is now endemic and will circulate with other respiratory viruses in some form for years to come.

We are now at the point of a personal level of risk. If your health risk is high or toleration of risk is low, by all means mask, distance or do anything that you think necessary. If you fell otherwise , don't. Your physician is the best source of your personal health risk.

I know many more people who have contracted COVID in the past few months, but in almost all cases a relatively mild case (yes, some are more severe especially in older adults or those with comorbidities just like the flu or RSV) All these viruses will wax and wane to an extent.

Personally, I don't intend to mask on a regular basis, but carry a N-95 in case I'm in a doctor's office or other places where there may be a population of ill persons. I will get my annual flu shot, as well as a RSV and COVID booster when available this fall. I ask none of you to do more or less than I, but do wish you would stay home if you have any respiratory symptoms ( as I would have asked 10 years ago, before COVID was a passing thought).

All this debate is good grist for blogs and MSM articles, but would not be frighting to too many people if not for the internet and 24/7 news cycle.

[KJ1325]

COVID is just another word for politics and power. Never got a shot. Never got a booster. Hardly ever wore a mask. Never got a flu shot. Grew up on a 1000 acre farm milking 100 head of dairy cows. I think I've been exposed to most diseases and chemicals around. And I'm still here.

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Simply to see how far the sheep will follow. I, for one will have nothing more to do with masks. Didn’t wear them back then…never once got Covid. Won’t wear them now. Haven’t you all learned anything? The masks are a lie, the shots are a lie and anything that comes into a Dr. Office is coded Covid. Why??? They get big money for Covid diagnosis. It’s not about you and your health…it’s about the money!

The morgues being full and dead bodies lining the streets were just mannequins?
Beds filled to capacity in hospitals were filled by actors? Conspiracy "just to make money" certainly cost them a lot of money. What would be the point?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

That was a rumor and a fallacy that made the rounds early in the Pandemic. Hospital coding professionals said that NO attempt was made to boost COVID diagnosis.

You are holding a Sheldon sign right. Have 3 personal experiences with stage 4, no outside contact except delivery of hospice meds, no outside help needed, died at home with spouse physicians, death certificates “complications from Covid.”

[Randall55]

Originally Posted by asianthree

You are holding a Sheldon sign right. Have 3 personal experiences with stage 4, no outside contact except delivery of hospice meds, no outside help needed, died at home with spouse physicians, death certificates “complications from Covid.”

I find this hard to believe. Why would a doctor jeapordize his license by falsifying a death certificate? Perhaps the patient did have Covid and it helped to progress his/her death? My mother had cancer. Yet, her death certificate states anemia as cause of death. Because, anemia is what CAUSED her death. She could have lived a little longer with cancer.

[Kenswing]

It never ends.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Thank you. Published and non-zero.

The CDC has another count on the Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report page. It shows a significant drop in 2021 (the year, not the season) with a return to normal in 2022. It is interesting that the counts on this page are significantly less than on other CDC pages. Perhaps more detailed reporting?

5K is still ridiculously low... It seems it would make a curios person wonder why...