Coronavirus in the United States - news and thoughts

What an ignorant post.

 

Really sucks for people who don't have a clue that science and medicine cannot run on time clock or on a schedule convenient for them to stop their hysteria.

Meanwhile, if we could squeeze out more ignorance from our country we would be that much closer to getting the country back to closer to normal. Sadly, there is a large segment of our population that is not only embarrassed by their ignorance, they are proud to put it on display each and every day.

 

It's like we're watching the scientific method happen, in real time! Make an hypothesis. Observe results. Confirm or change hypothesis based on observations.

Would be fantastic if scientists and doctors always got it right the first time. And all observations confirmed every hypothesis. But life doesn't work this way.

 

The data may shift, and frankly it hasn't shifted much as far as vaccine effectiveness goes... in addition to risk factors regarding young people relative to older people...

But the benchmarks for removing policies entirely justified through an emergency situation should not.

 

This isn't about the scientific method. It's about giving a benchmark to where we stop with the policies mandating masking, distancing, etc. It's not about whether those things work (we already know they work, albeit to varying degrees depending on the variant of COVID we're talking about). It's about at what point the risk is low enough to where the government no longer has a role here. That's a decision for policy-makers, not scientists.

Apart from continuing to distribute the vaccine, and barring few other exceptions, I think that time came a long time ago. All I'm asking, is for you guys to give me where that point is for you. Otherwise, you leave me no choice, but to assume that there is no end in sight. This is the new normal and will remain the new normal until you and people who think like you, "feel" safe.

 

What part of what I said was wrong and how?

 

Benchmarks will change in an evolving crisis. Curious though where you got this idea from?

 

My beliefs in having standards.

Without benchmarks, or with constantly moving benchmarks that are dictated by government, there is no real standard limiting the government's power, here. In such a world, all that matters is power, not principle.

 

There are standards & benchmarks and they will change because new evidence and more developed understanding compels change.

As for nothing limiting govt, that's simply untrue.

But let me ask more specifically, where do you get the idea that benchmarks or standards or policy should not ever change (during a pandemic)? Has this ever been the case?

 

Benchmarks are difficult when you are dealing with something novel. You just don't know, one way or the other, how realistic or how effective said benchmarks may be. Then, just as you think you may have things figured out, along comes a variant like Delta that changes things.

Frustrating? For sure. But it's also unavoidable. Thankfully, global pandemics stemming from a novel virus don't happen often.

 

I agree the government has not been transparent about specific goals. I bet it’s because any change to them gets critics like you kicking and screaming. I’d have preferred a plan that says here are the safeguards that will be in place until this happens then this then this. Clearly that’s not happening.

 

If there were not variants changing the effectiveness of the vaccines and the impacts of the disease I would agree with you. When your opposition adjusts their offensive game you have to adjust your defense

 

I don’t know, he may be on to something with having a tactic and sticking to it, as a weapons and tactics instructor in the Navy, I should have done the same.

Sailor: Sir, hostile enemy vessel approaching, what is our plan?
Me: Shoot flaming arrows at the sails!
Sailor: Sir, it’s a submarine.
Me: Dammit, launch the flaming arrows!!

 

No, it's because if they keep the actual goals on the hush-hush, they can move the goal posts and push for whatever policy they find convenient on any given day.

 

Vaccines are still pretty damned effective against Delta.

Delta is pretty much a red herring if vaccinations are the solution.

 

Except the evidence regarding vaccine effectiveness hasn't changed. The vaccine is about as effective as we could've asked for.

And that's supposed to be the "light at the end of the tunnel, right."

I didn't say they shouldn't ever change. That's also a far cry from changing every step of the way during the pandemic.

 

Vaccine is still incredibly effective against Delta.

 

It’s changed with regards to the transmissibility of the disease. It was preventing infection in 90% plus with the wild strain. That number is clearly much lower now.

 

What is the correct term for changes in a virus that result in amino acid replacements?

 

And when has the vaccine not been promoted as our best weapon against COVID-19? Vaccines aren't perfect, but they are by far the best solution. Find any Federal government official that has stated otherwise, and I'd be shocked. Might find some cuckoo local or state ones.

And when Delta first explode as the dominant strain, we didn't know how effective the vaccine was. We also didn't know how contagious a vaccinated person with a breakthrough case of Delta might be either. Turns out, the vaccine is still very effective at preventing cases with Delta, but there are more breakthroughs. Fortunately, the vaccine makes these cases mild for the most part. But, those vaccinated with Delta are still contagious for about a week, which is why the Feds are encouraging mask wearing.

Scientific method in action. Delta was a new variable. That required new research and new observations. And now, we know more and can make informed decisions.