Multiple things can be true:
1. Most of the masks do very little (properly fitted N95 the exception), and mask mandates are government overreach. The mask has become a virtue signal...mostly theater, and in some people a religion.
2. The vaccine works. Not as well at preventing infection or illness, like it was supposed to. Mostly because of the Delta Variant. But there is STRONG evidence that vaccinated people are FAR FAR less likely to be hospitalized, and even less likely to die. Not impossible, but LESS LIKELY. Why is that not a good thing? but I fully support anyone's right to not get the vaccine if they don't want to.
3. It seems like the goalposts are moving... because they are. That's the way science works. This is a NOVEL virus (with, in my opinion, nefarious origins). We learn as we go. Things change. Viruses mutate. Always have, always will. generally, over time, to become more contagious and cause less severe illness.
4. It is a damn shame that this has become so political. Masks, vaccines, shutting down businesses...all political footballs that divide us. It has gotten to the point that you have to be on one side or the other, and there is no middle ground. No doubt at all that many are using the pandemic for political gain and fear-mongering to achieve that goal. The media is often complicit. Disregarded Ivermectin and HCQ from the beginning, mostly because it was suggested by mostly conservatives. Just odd the politics nowadays.
5. The virus is not the flu. My employee's stepfather, 50s, great health, died after 2 weeks on a vent. Pre-vaccine. A HS friend, 40s, spent three weeks in the hospital and barely avoided intubation. College best friend, 40s, not obese, no underlying health issues, anti-vax, just got off the ventilator. By a miracle of God he is one of the few to survive being on a vent. One of the last things he texted me before he had to go to the hospital, after having a fever for 8 days in a row, was "in hindsight, I wish I had gotten vaccinated. Once Im am over this, I think I will get it". I was vaccinated (Pfizer) in April. More overweight than my college buddy, but no other health issues...Tested positive the same day as him in fact. One day of fever, chills, back to normal the next day and never looked back. I have personally seen the effect of loved ones being on death's door and family unable to even see them or hold their hand. It is heartbreaking.
So frustrating that this has become a political game instead of rational skepticism leading to following actual science. "Follow the Science" has even become a political meme.
Rant over.
1. Most of the masks do very little (properly fitted N95 the exception), and mask mandates are government overreach. The mask has become a virtue signal...mostly theater, and in some people a religion.
2. The vaccine works. Not as well at preventing infection or illness, like it was supposed to. Mostly because of the Delta Variant. But there is STRONG evidence that vaccinated people are FAR FAR less likely to be hospitalized, and even less likely to die. Not impossible, but LESS LIKELY. Why is that not a good thing? but I fully support anyone's right to not get the vaccine if they don't want to.
3. It seems like the goalposts are moving... because they are. That's the way science works. This is a NOVEL virus (with, in my opinion, nefarious origins). We learn as we go. Things change. Viruses mutate. Always have, always will. generally, over time, to become more contagious and cause less severe illness.
4. It is a damn shame that this has become so political. Masks, vaccines, shutting down businesses...all political footballs that divide us. It has gotten to the point that you have to be on one side or the other, and there is no middle ground. No doubt at all that many are using the pandemic for political gain and fear-mongering to achieve that goal. The media is often complicit. Disregarded Ivermectin and HCQ from the beginning, mostly because it was suggested by mostly conservatives. Just odd the politics nowadays.
5. The virus is not the flu. My employee's stepfather, 50s, great health, died after 2 weeks on a vent. Pre-vaccine. A HS friend, 40s, spent three weeks in the hospital and barely avoided intubation. College best friend, 40s, not obese, no underlying health issues, anti-vax, just got off the ventilator. By a miracle of God he is one of the few to survive being on a vent. One of the last things he texted me before he had to go to the hospital, after having a fever for 8 days in a row, was "in hindsight, I wish I had gotten vaccinated. Once Im am over this, I think I will get it". I was vaccinated (Pfizer) in April. More overweight than my college buddy, but no other health issues...Tested positive the same day as him in fact. One day of fever, chills, back to normal the next day and never looked back. I have personally seen the effect of loved ones being on death's door and family unable to even see them or hold their hand. It is heartbreaking.
So frustrating that this has become a political game instead of rational skepticism leading to following actual science. "Follow the Science" has even become a political meme.
Rant over.
