GlockSpock

Sue them for what exactly?

Yeah, TGO is the only "social media" I can handle, but maybe that's just because I ban anyone I don't agree with. Well, joking aside, I simply wish people could reasonably discuss things like this, because they are important topics.

No, neither do I a mask. I was simply pointing out the line of equivalent thinking. Something can be helpful but not foolproof. If used correctly something can help keep you safe. A hardhat doesn't protect you if you get hit on the head by a 10 ton boulder. A seat-belt doesn't help you if you get squished between two 18-wheelers. A gun doesn't protect you if you get caught-up in a missile strike. Is it possible that a mask helps slow the spread of viruses? Pointing to two people you know and saying "they wore masks but still got COVID" does not mean that masks do not work at all.

That's not science. What if every single one of those people touched a dirty doorknob then licked their fingers while eating a cheeseburger? Or maybe they stood close to someone who coughed in their eyeball because they were sick and not wearing a mask? I bet you could find evidence of people dying while wearing a bullet-proof vest. Does that mean they are ineffective and shouldn't be worn?

However, something else I've been thinking about regarding the numbers. Sure, it is easy to point out that hospitals are seeing something like a 97% un-vaccinated rate when looking at hospitalizations and/or deaths, etc etc. However, if instead of separating people into groups of vaccinated or un-vaccinated we separate them into groups of those that take the virus seriously or those that do not take the virus seriously, consider how that may shape the numbers. For the people that take the virus seriously, a larger percent of them probably took the vaccine early. They are also more likely to exercise things such as social distancing, mask wearing, etc. For those that do not take the virus seriously, they are more likely to not get vaccinated, not social distance, and not wear a mask, and thus for all of those reasons combined be more likely to get COVID. It's just extremely interesting to me to look at every statistic in a correlation/causation standpoint.

More importantly, consider this. If 5% of a given population is generally expected to develop a disease, and then we give 1,000 people a drug trial. If after being given that drug, 50 of them develop over the next few years, does that mean the drug causes that disease? It depends. It certainly is interesting. But my point simply being that just because a person's conditions worsen after receiving a drug, that does not mean the drug itself is in any way responsible. It could be, or it could be that the person would have developed it anyway. Of course, that's the opposite end of the same argument many are using for COVID (died of COVID or died with COVID). Now, if in that same population 400 of them (40%) develop the disease instead of the usual 5%, then that's definitely worth looking at.

I hate that anyone in the US is being forced to take this or risk their job, etc. I also hate that people distrust any and all authority/government/science to the point that they don’t want to take it.

When we were dating my Wife got shingles on her shoulder when she was 18 . Pretty much everyone told her at the time that getting it at such a young age was extremely rare. That didn't do much to help her situation. My understanding is that you can only get shingles if you have had the chicken pox, is that correct? I had the chicken pox vaccine as a child and she attended a chicken pox party. As far as I know, I cannot get shingles (based on the aforementioned understanding). I hope I don't jinx that one.

I got mine yesterday at Walgreens and I’m not sure I even felt it. If it wasn’t for the soreness in that arm today I might could convince myself she faked it.

Also, I’m curious about this. We have had at least one member die from COVID and I suspect many more members than have lost family. What about the same for severe side effects from any of the vaccines? I don’t think some body aches and potentially a fever totaling less than 24 hours fits what I’m talking about here.

@MacGyver Care to expound on the mountains of data and research we have on any of these vaccines? I’d be curious what you have to say about the trials, research, and safety record of this vs other vaccines that have made it to market. Even though I myself have and even to some extent do fall into this fallacy, I find it extremely ironic that it is bad that the vaccine arrived quickly, as if it would have been better to take the “normal” timeline and have many, many more people die. At least then you could trust the vaccine? Or would that be the case of blame governments or cooperations for being ineffective?

Well, I very much and sincerely hope that I do not regret it, but I just got the first of the Pfizer shots today. The one thing that I personally have gotten 100% fully sick of is the fact that it can be hard to know who to trust. You can go on the internet today and read many hours worth of “research”, some of it from apparently knowledgeable sources, that state for example the vaccines are extremely dangerous. That can be countered with “official research” that dismisses nearly all the claims against. It can be exhausting, even overwhelming, to make your own mind up. I have always been very, very pro-vaccine. However, I have experienced much anxiety over a COVID vaccine. In theory it should be a great thing, but it is very easy to allow a voice in the back of your mind that instills doubt.

For what it's worth, especially for you since it could theoretically be a lifesaving change, consider the following settings on a phone: At least for IOS and I couldn't imagine Android doesn't have a similar possibility, dig heavily into the "Do not Disturb" and "Favorites" settings. For example, I go on call at work. Obviously people need to reach me during those times 24/7, but I don't want my phone dinging all night long because Hertz wants to quote my insurance and the like. In my example, I setup "Do not Disturb" to silence everything (including text messages) but allow phone calls through. You could have it block all calls as well, but if someone calls twice within three minutes it will let the call through. You can also set a favorites list to let people through, but for that to work you have to know what number to call. You can manually or activate this "Do not Disturb" mode. If you are at all interested in any of this, send me a message. I'd be happy to walk you through any/all of it, but for someone even the least bit tech savvy they should be able to read the potential options on their phone and set it up as they wish. I would also recommend testing such a thing.

Relative health of said 21 year old? Edit: I mean, before COVID. Any pre-existing conditions?

Nah, I'll be your friend. Just...don't tell anyone and don't speak to me in public.

I’d actually describe them as so: The mRNA is a task force sent to the saloon, gives them extensive training towards eradicating the virus, and then disappears. Then the virus walks in to the newly trained saloon.

What's a doctor?

We can survive it, maybe on some cases not individually but as a whole. I worry about the costs (not financial, but personal, freedoms, joy, friendships, relationships, memories, etc).

FTFY

Potatoes.

There is Volunteer Ordnance/Cleveland Shooting Sports on South Lee Hwy. It is very nice. There is Hiwassee Firearms up on Hwy 11 in Charleston/Calhoun.

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2021/7/19/431508/Whitfield-County-Deputy-s-5-Year-Old.aspx I guess 99% survival doesn’t work out too well for everyone involved? Or is it just a common cold or only a disease that affects really old people I guess?