Anonymous wrote:"The viral spike (S) protein is the key target of the neutralising antibody response, and the omicron variant harbours more than 35 mutations in the S protein, which allow highly efficient evasion from neutralising antibodies.1 In keeping with these findings, the omicron variant efficiently spreads in populations with a high percentage of convalescent or vaccinated individuals"
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00224-9/fulltext
Dot.. dot.. dot..
Did you even finish reading that?
"Our results show that all presently circulating omicron subvariants evade neutralisation by vaccine-induced antibodies with comparably high efficiency, suggesting that increased antibody evasion is not the reason for the current expansion of BA.2 in several countries. Since currently available vaccines provided robust protection against early omicron isolates circulating in South Africa from Nov 15 to Dec 7, 2021, which was likely to be BA.1, our results suggest that this protection should extend to all omicron subvariants."
Yes. I did (see text in bold). I also read the paragraphs before, in context explaining the BA.2 relationship with the S protein.
"BA.2.12.1 contains about 20 of the same mutations seen in the original Omicron, plus seven new ones"
"the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5, BA.4, BA.2.13, and BA.2.12.1 subvariants include the L452 mutation"
https://www.verywellhealth.com/omicron-sub-subvariants-5235800
Tell you what. I'm sick of arguing with you. Again, if you were correct, then anyone vaccinated or already sick with BA.1 or 2 should not be re-infected before the end of the school year or over the summer, correct? Let's see if that's true. If infections drop to zero at MCPS, you win! How's that? See how easy that was!
That’s not at all what it means. Prior infection or vaccination has never provided durable immunity against reinfection. They provide protection against severe illness. As your own link said, the new variants of omicron look very similar to the Omicron variants in terms of immune evasion, so prior infection or vaccination should continue to protect against severe illness.
But of course people will keep getting infected. There’s never been a path to Covid zero. What we see right now is likely what we will continue to see. It’s just people will stop paying attention over time, just like most of us don’t really pay attention to the flu besides getting vaccinated.
Anonymous wrote:^^ oh yeah, but with the caveat that if you're wrong, it might affect graduation and stuff, given the transmissibility. I had hoped that MCPS would dodge the bullet before school was out, but looking at the graphs, not so sure anymore. I give it a 50/50 now. If it makes you feel any better, I do hope I'm wrong and you're right, but my track record's been pretty good so far. I'm the one who predicted back in Sept/Oct that there would be a winter surge, btw. Enjoy your weekend!
What you don’t seem to understand is most people don’t care about the case numbers as long as hospitalizations stay low.
Anonymous wrote:^^ oh yeah, but with the caveat that if you're wrong, it might affect graduation and stuff, given the transmissibility. I had hoped that MCPS would dodge the bullet before school was out, but looking at the graphs, not so sure anymore. I give it a 50/50 now. If it makes you feel any better, I do hope I'm wrong and you're right, but my track record's been pretty good so far. I'm the one who predicted back in Sept/Oct that there would be a winter surge, btw. Enjoy your weekend!
Anonymous wrote:^^ oh yeah, but with the caveat that if you're wrong, it might affect graduation and stuff, given the transmissibility. I had hoped that MCPS would dodge the bullet before school was out, but looking at the graphs, not so sure anymore. I give it a 50/50 now. If it makes you feel any better, I do hope I'm wrong and you're right, but my track record's been pretty good so far. I'm the one who predicted back in Sept/Oct that there would be a winter surge, btw. Enjoy your weekend!
Why would it affect graduation?
Because she’s still in a 2020, before vaccines, mindset about Covid.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Partially because her reading comprehension is so poor. If you try to engage, it's not clear that she even understands the post she's responding to. It's always just a vehicle for one of her weird insults.
She’s probably the poster in the health forum that was talking about how antibodies disappear 5 days after an infection.
You’d think if people were actually this concerned about Covid then they’d have the motivation to educate themselves. It’s weird.
Could be. The pattern is typically a scientifically unsound statement followed by an insult (eg, Kensington Dad) that doesn’t come close to landing.
Nope.
But I'm enjoying taking up so much space in your head. Pity you don't have more going on, but it's not like you have custody of your children, or any hobbies.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
The only poster frightened of boosters is imaginary. Much like your self-esteem.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
And yet you keep stalking me.
I guess that's better than stalking your ex wife.
Keep making shit up. It’s a good look for you!
Keep crying on your peleton. You're going to do it anyway.
Anonymous wrote:^^ oh yeah, but with the caveat that if you're wrong, it might affect graduation and stuff, given the transmissibility. I had hoped that MCPS would dodge the bullet before school was out, but looking at the graphs, not so sure anymore. I give it a 50/50 now. If it makes you feel any better, I do hope I'm wrong and you're right, but my track record's been pretty good so far. I'm the one who predicted back in Sept/Oct that there would be a winter surge, btw. Enjoy your weekend!
Why would it affect graduation?
Because she’s still in a 2020, before vaccines, mindset about Covid.
Vaccines are not stopping transmission so you need a new talking point. MCPS will not make any changes with graduation. They stopped caring. It was obvious there would be a few surges this year and it was shameful on how MCPS handled it.
Anonymous wrote:"The viral spike (S) protein is the key target of the neutralising antibody response, and the omicron variant harbours more than 35 mutations in the S protein, which allow highly efficient evasion from neutralising antibodies.1 In keeping with these findings, the omicron variant efficiently spreads in populations with a high percentage of convalescent or vaccinated individuals"
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00224-9/fulltext
Dot.. dot.. dot..
Did you even finish reading that?
"Our results show that all presently circulating omicron subvariants evade neutralisation by vaccine-induced antibodies with comparably high efficiency, suggesting that increased antibody evasion is not the reason for the current expansion of BA.2 in several countries. Since currently available vaccines provided robust protection against early omicron isolates circulating in South Africa from Nov 15 to Dec 7, 2021, which was likely to be BA.1, our results suggest that this protection should extend to all omicron subvariants."
Yes. I did (see text in bold). I also read the paragraphs before, in context explaining the BA.2 relationship with the S protein.
"BA.2.12.1 contains about 20 of the same mutations seen in the original Omicron, plus seven new ones"
"the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5, BA.4, BA.2.13, and BA.2.12.1 subvariants include the L452 mutation"
https://www.verywellhealth.com/omicron-sub-subvariants-5235800
Tell you what. I'm sick of arguing with you. Again, if you were correct, then anyone vaccinated or already sick with BA.1 or 2 should not be re-infected before the end of the school year or over the summer, correct? Let's see if that's true. If infections drop to zero at MCPS, you win! How's that? See how easy that was!
That’s not at all what it means. Prior infection or vaccination has never provided durable immunity against reinfection. They provide protection against severe illness. As your own link said, the new variants of omicron look very similar to the Omicron variants in terms of immune evasion, so prior infection or vaccination should continue to protect against severe illness.
But of course people will keep getting infected. There’s never been a path to Covid zero. What we see right now is likely what we will continue to see. It’s just people will stop paying attention over time, just like most of us don’t really pay attention to the flu besides getting vaccinated.
No one is expecting zero covid but just expecting basic precautions given the surges until its better under control.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
She’s feeling bullied over the comments about the importance of vaccination.
Vaccines help with hospitalization of previous versions of covid. Some of us care more about getting sick since hospitalization is no longer a primary risk factor.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
Depends on your attitude. Some of us don't want to get sick from you as you are too selfish to consider the impact of your spreading covid to others. Must be nice to live your privilege. What is nothing to you is a big deal to others. But, you think you donating a few canned good a year and writing a check to a charity is being a good person.
Now you’re just babbling and throwing out random insults because literally no official is listening to your whining about personal responsibility and helping others or selfishness or whatever other complaint you have. MCPS isn’t bringing back masks. You’re literally pissing into the wind. Your mental health would benefit greatly if you just moved on. I know you think you know better than anyone else, but 90% of people don’t agree with you.
And ps I’m a frontline worker who had worked nonstop through Covid, so your canned goods schtick was a swing and a miss.
My mental health is fine but my health isn't. There is no way you can be a real doctor or medical professional and not understand the consequences of covid to someone with preexisting health issues so your advice is bad and if you are actually a doctor or medical professional, you really need to find a better profession for yourself as you are really hurting people with your lack of professionalism and competency.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
Anonymous wrote:We know parents are not reporting. People take home tests and don't report or don't bother to test. PCR tests are struggling with this new variant too.
Parents are not going to miss a yoga class because their kid has Covid. Americans are selfish and they don't care about others (and in many cases don't seem to care about their own kids)
This is a bad situation and McKinight is not going to do anything about it so the truth is too inconvenient.
Many more ways to show you care beyond incessantly whining about Covid.
"The study found that even people who had mild COVID-19 and were not hospitalized appear to be at a higher risk of heart problems a year after infection. People who had a milder form of the disease had a 39% higher risk of developing heart problems compared to those who had never been sick.
“It's the most blood clot-causing disease we've ever encountered,” Dr. Alex Spyropoulos, a thrombosis expert and professor at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told Yahoo News. “It's a truck going at a 100 miles an hour in terms of what we call a system-wide tendency to have blood clots.” Blood clots, he explains, can block blood flow and reduce oxygenation to the heart, which can damage it."
I imagine that once life and medical insurance companies figure this out, covid might be a rate premium or even policy issuance determination factor. May not be an issue for you, but your children might not be so happy about it.
Yawn. Shouldn’t you be using your time to shore up your homeschooling skills?
What I don't understand is why all these covid-deniers are on this thread? It seems all you do is monitor and comment on this post. Take a hint. (Go away).
And what I don’t understand is why the Covid crazies are still beating their drums. The overwhelming majority of the country has moved on. Schools are following guidelines. You’re so upset that no one is following your made up rules and you’re whining about it. Don’t you get it? This is on you now. Your supposed safety is no longer the general publics responsibility. Remember in the beginning, when people were dying in droves and hospitalizations were out of control? THAT was when public health safeguards were necessary. Now that we have vaccines and treatments and people are no longer dropping like flies, these same measurements are no longer necessary. Public health policy is not based on one person saying “despite treatment and numbers I never want to get Covid - ever.” That attitude is now on you. Stop trying to exert your moral superiority and quit bleating about how those of us who have moved on no longer care for others and are horrible selfish people. Look in the mirror. Please.
Yup, well said.
Thanks! I’m truly curious as to how many people on this thread intend to never get Covid. Is it just one prolific poster? 2? 10? Would really love to know.
DP here and yes, I intend to never get Covid. Does it mean I won’t get it? No. But I’m totally fine with masking, totallynok choosing restaurants and other entertainment that allow for outside seating and/or require vaccines and/or limit the number of entrants. There’s a new normal to life and I’m adapting to it and it’s fine. I don’t find masks difficult, I don’t care if I miss out on that sold out show at some club. I may get it but I’m not going to pretend like Covid isn’t a thing. I want to get out and enjoy life and the things I value - like my upcoming vacay with my kids or going to a family member’s wedding - which I can’t do if I contract Covid.
Except you can catch covid on your vacation or wedding. And, yes, you can be like PP and just pretend you don't have covid and go to those things as normal.
I hate masking. I struggle asthma but I still wear one indoors but generally find it easier just to avoid anything indoors when possible so I can avoid masking. Seems simple enough to me.
Sure, I could catch Covid on my vacay and at the wedding but we’re super careful there too. We don’t house with multiple families and we wear masks and apply the same common sense approaches (eg masks, not frequenting super crowded spaces). But if I’ve got
Covid those things don’t happen. There’s not guarantee but I’m going to do the best I can to stay Covid free.
For someone lecturing others, you don't sound careful beyond masking.
Masking is an important measure to prevent transmission. Plus avoiding crowding and densely occupied indoor spaces when I control it (obviously, my kids have to go to school and not everyone there masks). This plus vaccines adds up to several measures to avoid Covid. Again, no guarantee of never getting Covid, but a significant set of steps.
Again, you don’t sound that careful.
What else would you propose other than masking, social distancing and avoiding crowded environnements, particularly indoors, and vaccines?
You are not avoiding crowded indoors and lots more can be done. It’s been discussed many times.
Yes, I am. Perhaps you didn’t read my post. So again, unless you’re trolling - which maybe you are - what else do you consider “safe”?
And specifically, what “lots more can be done”?
DP. I guess you're new to DCUMS? Masking for one. Periodic decontamination another. Outdoor lunches / PE / activities whenever possible. A dynamic response involving hybrid, where parents that need in-person only keep their kids in-person, but the building is emptied for others and they go temp virtual. That also takes load out of buses, etc. They could have used the covid money to install classroom-specific air filters instead of buying bocce balls with it.
Good grief. Ideas have been posted and re-posted for months now and if MCPS CO has been monitoring they're all tone-deaf. I'm tired of the MCPS CO PR sycophants argue how "covid is like the flu" and how they can't do anything and it's not their fault or they're not responsible for kid's safety.
You’ve still never been able to articulate how those unsustainable practices would ever end, assuming you continue to remain focused on case counts instead of the overall severity of illnesses.
Unless you’re the poster that thinks we just need to rebuild every school so we can create HVAC systems that provide “outdoor air quality,” whatever that means.
You still haven't demonstrated what your own plan is beside shrugging your shoulders because doing anything in your house means you must do it "forever." Sorry, kids, I was too irresponsible to look after your health, because taking any precautions would mean I was going to do them forever.
Go away, Kensington Dad. You're not here to debate anything.
Not debate. I’ve been trying to ask you questions, but you prefer to sling insults than provide substantive answers.
I'm being completely serious here: people like you are an enigma to me. I understand the concept of being scared of covid, but what I don't understand is how people on the far end of the covid-cautious spectrum see the pandemic and disease progressing. It's hard to get any insight into that when your posts focus on things that are wildly impractical (e.g., the ventilation ideas) or that aren't supported by science (e.g., that covid will or could "go away"). I suspect you know those aren't realistic expectations, but you won't say what your true expectations and objectives are.
Though, mixed into your insults, your posts occasionally reveal some details about your views and fears. For instance, take your current favorite insults, which often focus on repeated infection (regardless of whether the poster actually had repeated infections). That seems to suggest you might realize that you can't avoid covid forever, and that your fears have now evolved to focus on potential cumulative effects from repeated infections.
You keep accusing other people of being me, Kensington Dad. You attribute all sorts of nonsense to my opinions. Does your wife let you determine what her opinions are as well? Or is it that she doesn't, so you take out all your rage on internet strangers?
I don't have fears about COVID. I read the news, I read articles, and I speak to medical professionals. And the scientist I married. And my epidemiologist relative. Based on their data, I adjust my thinking accordingly. Unlike you, I do adjust it. You've been so convinced covid is nothing that you've been posting anti mask links since 2020. Am I wrong about that?
I doubt it.
For someone who accuses others of resorting to insults, you're pretty quick to belittle, mock, and (attempt) to discredit anyone who shows a modicum of concern about their family's future health. Again, I have no idea why the health of strangers concerns you so much--obviously, it's not like keeping strangers safe concerns you at all--but you're a sick pup that we can't fix. I hope your family has some strong supports.
COVID does go away. Not forever. But like the flu. Like a norovirus. Like any other contagious agent that blows through a population. How fast it ebbs depends on two major things: how much of it is circulating, and how many people are exposed who can catch it.
We reduce the number of exposures physically. We can do this by reducing physical contact. We can do this with masks. We can do this by eating outside. We can do this by avoiding cramming lots of people into small interior spaces. We can do all or some of those things. They all have an impact.
As does immunity. Immunity comes from vaccination or infection. Unfortunately, neither version lasts or is entirely effective.
Is containing COVID like playing whack-a-mole?
Yes.
Is the fact that it's too *hard* for your simpleminded self to play whack a mole a reason no one else should?
No. You're just dimwitted, or malicious, or so obsessed with an internet forum and being right you'll say whatever crap you think can stick.
And no, whatever blather you're saying about hybrid wasn't me. But you are the *medical* professional, right? Lol.
Let's get this straight- your goal is for COVID to "go away" in roughly the same way that influenza has "gone away." Let's think about that.
The flu obviously hasn't gone away. In the 2019-2020 flu season before COVID, there were about 35 million flu cases in the US. About half of those occur over a two month period, at which point we're seeing weekly influenza case rates of about 660 cases per 100,000. I know the MoCo dashboard showing confirmed COVID cases significantly undercounts, but for reference, we're at 395 cases per 100,000.
Influenza's reproductive number, R0, is around 1-2. Omicron's is around 7-10.
Neither the influenza nor the COVID vaccines offer strong protection against symptomatic infection, but the COVID vaccines are a bit less effective than the flu vaccines. Similarly, prior infection in both cases does not provide long-lasting immunity to reinfection, although it appears immunity wanes more quickly in the case of COVID.
Influenza is most effectively transmitted at at lower temperatures and humidity level, as we experience during the winter months. Between the immunity from flu vaccinations and infections, as well as the seasonal weather changes, as we go into the spring there are both fewer vulnerable hosts to infect and weather conditions that are increasingly difficult to support transmission. So case numbers plummet, and stay low until environment conditions improve for the virus.
COVID is affected by temperature and humidity as well, but not enough to offset its significantly higher basic reproduction rate. So COVID is still able to efficiently spread during the spring and summer. And it never runs out of hosts to infect because prior infection does note provide long-term immunity against reinfection. So while cases may drop in the summer months, they're not going to disappear in the same way that influenza nearly disappears. Instead we're going to see something closer to a year-around flu season.
So, what do we do about influenza? Do people stop gathering from December to February? Certainly not. Do we only eat communal meals outside? Ha! Do we close schools? No. Do we enforce masking? No. Do we quarantine contacts of someone that tests positive to influenza? No. Do we send any kids home from school if they have a runny nose? No. Do we institute surveillance testing as schools, randomly testing students for asymptomatic flu cases? No.
We really don't do much. Many of us get flu shots each year, and hospitals know to expect higher numbers of patients, but we pretty much live our lives normally while accepting that a fairly large number of people will get infected, most of whom will be fine while a small number will experience severe illness or die.
So sure, COVID will "go away" like the flu. That doesn't mean it actually goes away, it just means we stop letting it change how we live.
Kensington Mom is trying too hard now. She doesn’t read (or read very well), doesn’t understand this virus or science in general (and is now digging into the tired “I’m married to a scientist” schtick, and is just a nasty, simple-minded troll.
"OH, WELL. SOME PEOPLE WILL DIE."
says the fake medical professional.
I can't imagine going through life not being able to accept that some people will die of illnesses or other causes. How did you manage before COVID, particularly during flu season? Are you similarly scared of vehicular accidents? Drowning? Obesity?
Let’s see for cars we have seatbelts, air bags and safety features.
For drowning, kids took and take swim lessons.
For obesity, we exercise and watch what we eat.
Flu is not comparable to Covid but we take precautions too. You see precautions are the key. You should try it.
COVID is absolutely comparable to the flu. Look at the current weekly mortality rates from COVID against the flu. They're pretty similar, assuming you're vaccinated/boosted.
And for most of us, getting vaccinated against the flu is pretty much the only precaution we take. And a lot of people don't even do that.
People should do that for COVID, too. At that point, the risk of COVID drops to a level that is similar to other risks we take. That doesn't mean there's zero risk, just like there isn't zero risk to driving, swimming, or the flu. But why do we need to get to zero risk with COVID when we're willing to accept so many other everyday risks?
This is false information.
"COVID-19, listed as the underlying cause in 415,399 deaths during 2021, ranked as the third leading underlying cause of death after heart disease (693,021 deaths) and cancer (604,553 deaths)"
"Influenza and pneumonia, which was the ninth leading cause of death in 2020 (53,544 deaths), dropped out of the 10 leading causes in 2021 (41,835 deaths)." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7117e1.htm
As I said, look up weekly mortality of boosted individuals and compare that to weekly mortality during flu season.
Antivaxxers should be perfectly allowed to make a decision that increases their risk, but the rest of society shouldn’t have to protect them from their own decisions.
Almost everyone is vaccinated in the county so find a new talking point. The issue is transmission.
Back to that zero covid mentality I see.
I would think by now you’d realize people aren’t going to put up with covid measures when they can effectively reduce their personal risk through vaccinations. We’re in a county that had some of the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic. Yet, are you seeing much interest in bringing those back?
And no, not everyone will get boosters, but those people tend to not be all that concerned about covid.
You seem to fall into this strange category where the only thing that scares you more than covid is a third shot. And no matter how silly I think that is, I certainly think you’re well within your rights to take that risk. I just don’t think that gives you the right to try to force people around you to make up for your decision.
Who cares if someone gets a booster? Fully immunized is two shots. Most who get Covid in this area are vaccinated so masking and other precautions are clearly needed. We never had any real restrictions. Be real.
The real solution is to get vaccinated and boosted. That's it. Any other "solution" is futile. And fortunately, leadership at all levels sees it the same way.
Yet they Covid crazies still keep screaming for more restrictions. Thankfully no one with a brain is taking them seriously.
You are screaming restrictions, others of us are screaming precautions. Everyone here is vaccinated and yet many are still getting Covid. Leadership is not leading and failed us.
Yes, of course people are still getting covid. How have you not yet realized that is inevitable? It’s a disease more contagious than the flu with a short incubation period and mild symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. And one where vaccination and prior infection do not provide durable immunity against reinfection. That's why there's no putting that genie back in the bottle.
Basic precautions can go a long way beyond just the vaccine. You can keep hiding behind the vaccine but you really need anew talking point.
Covid is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. People aren’t going to put up with masking, quarantines, and distancing forever, particularly when the vaccines strongly protect against severe illness. Nearly everyone other than you has accepted that. You just fall into this strange category that is afraid of both covid and the vaccine.
Kensington Dad is now arguing with the imaginary anti vax pro mask person he's built up quite a detailed fantasy about in his head.
Just laugh at him. It's all we can do
You didn’t realize that’s the other poster? She’s been posting about masks and her fear of boosters for quite a while now.
The poster that keeps throwing out Kensington Dad whenever possible is not worth engaging with. She’s got nothing better.
Clearly you have nothing better to do. Why do you feel the need to bully people into having the same behavior as you?
No one is bullying anyone. Just calling out the poster of accusing everyone of being Kensington Dad. She’s nuts, scientifically illiterate, and frankly the most annoying poster I’ve seen on DCUM in a long time.
She’s feeling bullied over the comments about the importance of vaccination.
Vaccines help with hospitalization of previous versions of covid. Some of us care more about getting sick since hospitalization is no longer a primary risk factor.
I’m glad you finally acknowledge Covid is a mild illness . It's time we treat it that way.
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