1 minute ago, Kz! said:

The flu still averages, what, like 50K per year? Wouldn't coronavirus be more comparable to that than something like tuberculosis?

My guess is we'll get to a point in the next 5 years or so where flu will cause more deaths annually than covid. The main reason being vaccine efficacy and the variable nature of influenza surface protein recombination being a tougher target to hit.

6 minutes ago, Kz! said:

The flu still averages, what, like 50K per year? Wouldn't coronavirus be more comparable to that than something like tuberculosis?

We've never had a flu vaccine as effective as the current covid vaccines. Now we don't know how long  that immunity lasts and we'll have to see if the variants are able to outpace the vaccine one year to the next.  But that's a big factor in its favor. 

2 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

My guess is we'll get to a point in the next 5 years or so where flu will cause more deaths annually than covid. The main reason being vaccine efficacy and the variable nature of influenza surface protein recombination being a tougher target to hit.

The unknown seems to be how much will COVID change/mutate from season to season. If it continues to evolve then I could see it being more like the flu. If the vaccines continue to work against any variants, then...viola. 

The truth will likely be somewhere in the middle.

10 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

The unknown seems to be how much will COVID change/mutate from season to season. If it continues to evolve then I could see it being more like the flu. If the vaccines continue to work against any variants, then...viola. 

The truth will likely be somewhere in the middle.

Variants should be largely held in check by vaccines though. Relative to influenza strains, covid mutates at a much slower rate, and the coronavirus surface protein commonality makes for an easier cat and mouse game. 

14 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

We've never had a flu vaccine as effective as the current covid vaccines. Now we don't know how long  that immunity lasts and we'll have to see if the variants are able to outpace the vaccine one year to the next.  But that's a big factor in its favor. 

Yup. And mrna platform development is a game changer. Not only was efficacy super high, but we can now crank out tweaked versions in a matter of months using the same proven delivery mechanism. 

New CDC guidance regarding masks:

This is supposed to be less confusing? I know they want to incentivize folks to get vaccinated, but it seems this guidance allows people to flaunt the rules instead. There's still a lot of people out there looking for vaccination; almost all children aren't vaccinated at all yet. To me, it feels too early to relax guidelines.

9 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Yup. And mrna platform development is a game changer. Not only was efficacy super high, but we can now crank out tweaked versions in a matter of months using the same proven delivery mechanism. 

I am definitely getting checked for melanoma

3 minutes ago, toolg said:

New CDC guidance regarding masks:

This is supposed to be less confusing? I know they want to incentivize folks to get vaccinated, but it seems this guidance allows people to flaunt the rules instead. There's still a lot of people out there looking for vaccination; almost all children aren't vaccinated at all yet. To me, it feels too early to relax guidelines.

And also, I know we have to accept this virus is going to be with us for a long time but I just think this portrays a very negative message. I mean fully vaccinated and still needing to wear a mask in most situations. 

3 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

And also, I know we have to accept this virus is going to be with us for a long time but I just think this portrays a very negative message. I mean fully vaccinated and still needing to wear a mask in most situations. 

Using the protect the kids excuse is not going to be a winning message since the flu kills many more children and also in a few months anyone that wants the vaccine can get it easily so screw those that don't want it, I don't give a crap about them. This ridiculous guidance will not make anyone want to get the vaccine any more than they do now

6 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I mean fully vaccinated and still needing to wear a mask in most situations. 

 

It's smart for two reasons: First, we still don't know if vaccinated people can spread the virus, and second  (this is the biggest reason in my mind) there's currently no way to verify who is vaccinated, so if you simply say, "Vaccinated people do not need to wear masks," you will have troves of unvaccinated d-bags lying that they are vaccinated so that they can be maskless in crowded spaces. You have to treat people like kindergarteners.

6 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

 

It's smart for two reasons: First, we still don't know if vaccinated people can spread the virus, and second  (this is the biggest reason in my mind) there's currently no way to verify who is vaccinated, so if you simply say, "Vaccinated people do not need to wear masks," you will have troves of unvaccinated d-bags lying that they are vaccinated so that they can be maskless in crowded spaces. You have to treat people like kindergarteners.

So that is their problem , there will always be people that don't want the vaccine

NYT had an even simpler message about masking etc

The "2 out of 3" rule.  Basically you need any 2 out of the 3:  outdoors, mask, social distancing.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/well/live/covid-masks-outdoors.html

Interesting read if you have the time.

2 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

And also, I know we have to accept this virus is going to be with us for a long time but I just think this portrays a very negative message. I mean fully vaccinated and still needing to wear a mask in most situations. 

For now. Right now we're at some intermediate phase: some people fully vaccinated, some in-between vaccination, some still seeking vaccination... I agree, this sounds like mixed-messaging. I feel at some point in the future there will be further guidance that is less restrictive. I say let's get mostly everyone vaccinated, reach a point of herd immunity, then we can all relax.

 

Just now, toolg said:

For now. Right now we're at some intermediate phase: some people fully vaccinated, some in-between vaccination, some still seeking vaccination... I agree, this sounds like mixed-messaging. I feel at some point in the future there will be further guidance that is less restrictive. I say let's get mostly everyone vaccinated, reach a point of herd immunity, then we can all relax.

 

I hope you're right bud I hope you're right. I'm firstly looking forward to a more relaxed summer in the UK. We may not be able to travel abroad easily but I just want to be able to enjoy the summer with friends and family. 

Just now, toolg said:

For now. Right now we're at some intermediate phase: some people fully vaccinated, some in-between vaccination, some still seeking vaccination... I agree, this sounds like mixed-messaging. I feel at some point in the future there will be further guidance that is less restrictive. I say let's get mostly everyone vaccinated, reach a point of herd immunity, then we can all relax.

 

Get the herd immunity notion out of your head. That is not being negative that is just a reality 

8 minutes ago, Joe Shades 73 said:

So that is their problem , there will always be people that don't want the vaccine

Until everyone has had the chance to be vaccinated, though, we need the guidances to help protect those waiting to get their shots.

5 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

NYT had an even simpler message about masking etc

The "2 out of 3" rule.  Basically you need any 2 out of the 3:  outdoors, mask, social distancing.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/well/live/covid-masks-outdoors.html

Interesting read if you have the time.

Here is the message 4 months from now. I am vaccinated you choose not to be well screw you. 

12 minutes ago, EaglesRocker97 said:

Until everyone has had the chance to be vaccinated, though, we need the guidances to help protect those waiting to get their shots.

I don’t disagree with that but the message from our leaders like the cdc will not share that view . It will be almost impossible to have them end indoor masks without people revolting, they want that forever and this proves it. I can not go back to work indoors until mask mandates end, I can not wear one for 8 hours a day. Yes I know some people can and do, great for them I guess

13 minutes ago, Joe Shades 73 said:

It will be almost impossible to have them end indoor masks without people revolting, they want that forever and this proves it. I can not go back to work indoors until mask mandates end, I can not wear one for 8 hours a day. Yes I know some people can and do, great for them I guess

STAHP

44 minutes ago, toolg said:

New CDC guidance regarding masks:

This is supposed to be less confusing? I know they want to incentivize folks to get vaccinated, but it seems this guidance allows people to flaunt the rules instead. There's still a lot of people out there looking for vaccination; almost all children aren't vaccinated at all yet. To me, it feels too early to relax guidelines.

lol so getting the vaccine only results in de-masking in two different situations. Great way to motivate everyone, CDC!  

23 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I hope you're right bud I hope you're right. I'm firstly looking forward to a more relaxed summer in the UK. We may not be able to travel abroad easily but I just want to be able to enjoy the summer with friends and family. 

I do think we will have a better summer. By then, most adults who want vaccines will have found them. Most everyone I know, friends and family, have started vaccination and will be fully vaccinated in the next few weeks. Even last summer, when the virus was spreading like wildfire, it calmed down over summer months. All good signs. Then, hopefully by next year, we can all travel again safely.

2 minutes ago, toolg said:

I do think we will have a better summer. By then, most adults who want vaccines will have found them. Most everyone I know, friends and family, have started vaccination and will be fully vaccinated in the next few weeks. Even last summer, when the virus was spreading like wildfire, it calmed down over summer months. All good signs. Then, hopefully by next year, we can all travel again safely.

Travel will still be a nightmare. Masks, security checks delayed flights, bad food. I have not flown in years. Flying just gets worse and worse

11 minutes ago, Joe Shades 73 said:

Travel will still be a nightmare. Masks, security checks delayed flights, bad food. I have not flown in years. Flying just gets worse and worse

That's entirely another issue.

Rogan insists on his podcast healthy young adults do not need to be vaccinated:

I am happy his kids only got mild illness. This is not always the case. MIS-C can happen. A few kids have died. And we still don't know the long-term effects of COVID exposure. What health surprises are waiting for his kids in years to come? You can't be giving general advice based on the outcomes of your own 2 children.

Everybody should get the vaccine to have more protection, to snuff the virus out.

22 minutes ago, Joe Shades 73 said:

Travel will still be a nightmare. Masks, security checks delayed flights, bad food. I have not flown in years. Flying just gets worse and worse

That's clearly a function of either (i) being too poor or (ii) being placed on the no-fly list for constantly telling everyone onboard how the plane is going to crash at any moment.