Elrich: We will have fewer activities open @ beginning of this summer than last summer

[Anonymous]

Here’s his statement from yesterday: https://montgomerycomd.blogspot.com/2021/02/message-from-county-executive-marc_25.html

He said that, even though we are vaccinating more people every day, including 60% of MoCo residents 75+, we need to learn the lesson of last year and open activities more slowly, to avoid a surge.

Excuse me, what? I’m not advocating for a total abandonment of all caution, but comparing this year to last year is totally asinine. Over 1,000,000 Marylanders have had at least one vaccine shot. By the summer, many more will be vaccinated. At our current rate of vaccination, by May 1st, 28% of the state’s residents will have been fully vaccinated.

Moreover, right now MoCo and MD COVID stats are exceptionally good:

MoCo’s stats right now are:

3.2% positivity rate
10.9 cases per 100,000 (7 day average)

Overall, Maryland’s cases have dropped precipitously since the beginning of the year. We’re sitting at a sub 4% positivity rate statewide.

And yet, Elrich thinks that if we open up activities this summer at anything but a snail’s pace, we’re setting ourselves up for a surge equivalent to that of last year?

The lack of critical thinking is astonishing, but not surprising, coming from him.

[Anonymous]

Remember how everyone thought because rates were plummeting last summer/early fall, that all was well?

Remember when former Vice President Pence said there wouldn't be a second surge?

Remember how 500,000 are dead in less than a year from this horrible virus?

How about we stay hopeful, stay cautious, and keep it slow and steady?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember how everyone thought because rates were plummeting last summer/early fall, that all was well?

Remember when former Vice President Pence said there wouldn't be a second surge?

Remember how 500,000 are dead in less than a year from this horrible virus?

How about we stay hopeful, stay cautious, and keep it slow and steady?

Again, I’m not arguing for a total abandonment of caution, but when all of that was happening, NO ONE WAS VACCINATED.

You cannot compare last year to this year.

[Anonymous]

He is cautious because the emergence of more transmissible and more deadly variants are throwing a wrench in the re-opening plans. No one knows exactly what impact the UK, S. African, Brazilian, and apparently New York variants (California variant apparently isn't as dangerous) will have on Covid trends, but it's wise to be very cautious at this point in time.

Please don't worry, OP and others. If it turns out we can open more, we most assuredly will! I hope you all understand that politicians are very worried about continued economic impact of closures. The default is to keep things open as much as possible. The fact that they're not tells you it's still a very high-risk situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is cautious because the emergence of more transmissible and more deadly variants are throwing a wrench in the re-opening plans. No one knows exactly what impact the UK, S. African, Brazilian, and apparently New York variants (California variant apparently isn't as dangerous) will have on Covid trends, but it's wise to be very cautious at this point in time.

Please don't worry, OP and others. If it turns out we can open more, we most assuredly will! I hope you all understand that politicians are very worried about continued economic impact of closures. The default is to keep things open as much as possible. The fact that they're not tells you it's still a very high-risk situation.

There are multiple studies showing strong efficacy from all three vaccines the USA is or soon will be using against at least the UK, South African, and Brazilian variants.

It’s simply untrue to say that no one knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember how everyone thought because rates were plummeting last summer/early fall, that all was well?

Remember when former Vice President Pence said there wouldn't be a second surge?

Remember how 500,000 are dead in less than a year from this horrible virus?

How about we stay hopeful, stay cautious, and keep it slow and steady?

Again, I’m not arguing for a total abandonment of caution, but when all of that was happening, NO ONE WAS VACCINATED.

You cannot compare last year to this year.

Have you been in the trenches of trying to get appointments? LOTS of elderly, vulnerable, front-line folks can't get their first appointment. Let alone two doses, and then the 2-week wait for it to take full effect in their system. We are a long way from soccer moms and lacrosse dads getting their shots, and therefore we are a long way from activities being safe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is cautious because the emergence of more transmissible and more deadly variants are throwing a wrench in the re-opening plans. No one knows exactly what impact the UK, S. African, Brazilian, and apparently New York variants (California variant apparently isn't as dangerous) will have on Covid trends, but it's wise to be very cautious at this point in time.

Please don't worry, OP and others. If it turns out we can open more, we most assuredly will! I hope you all understand that politicians are very worried about continued economic impact of closures. The default is to keep things open as much as possible. The fact that they're not tells you it's still a very high-risk situation.

Since when has Elrich cared about MoCo’s economy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember how everyone thought because rates were plummeting last summer/early fall, that all was well?

Remember when former Vice President Pence said there wouldn't be a second surge?

Remember how 500,000 are dead in less than a year from this horrible virus?

How about we stay hopeful, stay cautious, and keep it slow and steady?

Again, I’m not arguing for a total abandonment of caution, but when all of that was happening, NO ONE WAS VACCINATED.

You cannot compare last year to this year.

Have you been in the trenches of trying to get appointments? LOTS of elderly, vulnerable, front-line folks can't get their first appointment. Let alone two doses, and then the 2-week wait for it to take full effect in their system. We are a long way from soccer moms and lacrosse dads getting their shots, and therefore we are a long way from activities being safe.

Yeah, you’re not thinking about it right at all.

First of all, what activities are you referring to?

We do not need complete vaccination in order for people to be able to do outdoor activities safely, with masks on.

[Anonymous]

People like you are exhausting. Its not just about people being vaccinated but protecting those who are not and kids. But, thanks for living in the Me world where only your wants and wishes are important and the rest of us have to suffer because of your behavior.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely agree with a cautious approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People like you are exhausting. Its not just about people being vaccinated but protecting those who are not and kids. But, thanks for living in the Me world where only your wants and wishes are important and the rest of us have to suffer because of your behavior.

Do you have any concept of the economic and mental health impact of these closures?

It’s not a black and white situation; it’s about balance. It’s about finding the right mix of safe activities.

I suppose you’re also someone who wants to keep schools closed until kids are vaccinated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely agree with a cautious approach.

And if a few kids commit suicide because we’re telling them to stay in their houses all summer, who cares right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember how everyone thought because rates were plummeting last summer/early fall, that all was well?

Remember when former Vice President Pence said there wouldn't be a second surge?

Remember how 500,000 are dead in less than a year from this horrible virus?

How about we stay hopeful, stay cautious, and keep it slow and steady?

I remember, and non of that panned out. You can hate Elrich as much as you want, but it doesn't change facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely agree with a cautious approach.

And if a few kids commit suicide because we’re telling them to stay in their houses all summer, who cares right?

Who is saying kids have to stay in their houses this summer? Kids in my neighborhood are outside playing, not near unrelated adults, right now. Are many people dealing with mental health issues, yes.

Stop exaggerating, we are tired of hearing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely agree with a cautious approach.

And if a few kids commit suicide because we’re telling them to stay in their houses all summer, who cares right?

Who is saying kids have to stay in their houses this summer? Kids in my neighborhood are outside playing, not near unrelated adults, right now. Are many people dealing with mental health issues, yes.

Stop exaggerating, we are tired of hearing it.

And I’m tired of people acting like this year is comparable to last year, despite the fact that we have over a million people in this state vaccinated and are giving 15,000 people their first show and 20,000 people their second shot every single day.