The latest on masking from the NY Times:
Gov. Kathy Hochul will drop New York’s stringent indoor mask mandate on Wednesday, ending a requirement that businesses ask customers for proof of full vaccination or require mask wearing at all times, and marking a turning point in the state’s coronavirus response, according to three people briefed on her decision.
The decision will eliminate a rule that prompted legal and interpersonal clashes over mask wearing, especially in conservative parts of New York. It was set to expire on Thursday and would have required renewing.
Ms. Hochul’s decision will let the mask mandate lapse just as a crushing winter surge in coronavirus cases is finally receding. But it was not yet clear whether the governor would renew or drop a separate mask mandate in New York schools that is set to expire in two weeks.
The easing of New York’s pandemic restrictions on businesses comes as Democratic-led states from New Jersey to California have announced similar moves this week, in a loosely coordinated effort that is the result of months of public-health planning, back-channel discussions and political focus groups that began in the weeks after the November election.
It was Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey who began the effort last fall, weeks after he was stunned by the energy of right-wing voters in his blue state, who nearly ousted him from office in what was widely expected to be an easy re-election campaign. Arranging a series of focus groups across the state to see what they had missed, Mr. Murphy’s advisers were struck by the findings: Across the board, voters shared frustrations over public health measures, a sense of pessimism about the future and a deep desire to return to some sense of normalcy.
Public health decisions based on focus groups. It looks like the country has reached the denial stage of the pandemic. COVID-19 is still here with over 2,000 Americans a day dying. The total death count is now over 900,00 in the United States and the excess deaths in the United States and globally are so high that they are difficult to even contemplate.
Back to Hochul, she is not ending the mask mandate in schools for now. This is from LoHud:
Gov. Kathy Hochul told education leaders Tuesday that she's not ready to lift the indoor mask mandate for schools, but hoped that a change could come after February break, according to observers of the meeting.
"She said that right now the state’s intent is to wait and see how circumstances change through the school break," said Bob Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
Further down:
"[Hochul] indicated that her preference would be to do what the other states have done and end the mask mandate," Worona said. "But she doesn't want to do that if it imperils safety."
As for the CDC, they are sticking to their guidelines on masking indoors. This is from News 22 in Springfield Massachusetts:
CDC officials say that we are not close to the finish line when it comes to getting rid of masks.
“And all of us should wear high quality masks when in public indoor settings. This is how we can continue to create a wall of protection around our children under five as we look to safeguard their health,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy of the U.S. Surgeon General.
Last year, the CDC recommended indoor mask mandates in cities and towns recording more than 50 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people per day. Today, 99.9% of U.S. counties are above that threshold even with cases new case numbers dropping by 33-percent from last week.
There’s a few factors keeping masks. There’s concerns of a future variant, the BA.2 variant could raise cases again world-wide.
“What we know about BA.2 so far is that it does have a modest transmission advantage over BA.1. However, it’s not nearly the transmission advantage that we’ve seen between omicron and delta,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
Unless this poll is off by 38 points, the public in general is fine with mask mandates.
Note to Democrats: If you actually get COVID-19 under control, you will have a much greater chance of the voters rewarding you at the ballot box.
51 comments:
As indicated in the emails of the wannabe dictator Fauxi, the masks that 98% of us wear don't do shit to protect any of us. This is a control and obedience play.... just look at the politicians both domestic and foreign caught not following their own rules. Hochul sued just 14 days ago to stay the ruling of a judge who stated that the legislature makes laws and not the former king or current queen (who knew?). The science and statistics that are thrown at us daily haven't changed but the political science sure has. Hochul sued not because of the "science" but to maintain a power she or any governor is not entitled to. I am going to pop some popcorn and watch all the sheep melt down.
This is from the CDC. Where is your evidence from 6:52?
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html#:~:text=A%20study%20of%20an%20outbreak,70%25%20reduced%20risk.
A large, well-designed cluster-randomized trial in Bangladesh in late 2020 found that surgical or cloth mask distribution, role-modeling, and active mask promotion tripled mask use to 42.3% in intervention villages compared to 13.3% in comparison villages. In villages receiving mask interventions, symptomatic seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was reduced by approximately 9% relative to comparison villages. In villages randomized to receive surgical masks, symptomatic seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was significantly lower (relative reduction 11.1% overall). The results of this study show that even modest increases in community use of masks can effectively reduce symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections (COVID-19).37
A study of an outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, an environment notable for congregate living quarters and close working environments, found that use of face coverings on-board was associated with a 70% reduced risk of infection.38
In a study of 124 Beijing households with > 1 laboratory-confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, mask use by the index patient and family contacts before the index patient developed symptoms reduced secondary transmission within the households by 79%.39
A study examining SARS-CoV-2 secondary attack rates among eight public K-12 school districts in Massachusetts (70 schools with >33,000 enrolled students) during the 2020–21 school year found an unadjusted secondary attack rate of 11.7% for unmasked versus 1.7% for masked interactions.40
A retrospective case-control study from Thailand documented that, among more than 1,000 persons interviewed as part of contact tracing investigations, those who reported having always worn a mask during high-risk exposures experienced a greater than 70% reduced risk of acquiring infection compared with persons who did not wear masks under these circumstances.41
During July 15–August 31, 2021, when Delta was the predominant strain circulating in the U.S., about one in five K–12 public non-charter schools open for in-person learning in Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona, experienced a school-associated outbreak. Outbreaks were three and a half times more likely (adjusted odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.8-6.6) in schools without mask mandates.42
In a nationwide analysis of data collected during July 1-September 4, 2021, U.S. counties without school mask requirements experienced larger increases in pediatric COVID-19 case rates (18.53 per 100,000 per day more cases) after the start of school compared with counties with school mask requirements.43
An investigation of a high-exposure event in the U.S., in which 2 symptomatically ill hair stylists interacted for an average of 15 minutes with each of 139 clients during an 8-day period, found that none of the 67 clients who subsequently consented to an interview and testing developed infection. The stylists and all clients universally wore masks in the salon as required by local ordinance and company policy at the time.44
Investigations involving infected passengers aboard flights longer than 10 hours strongly suggest that masking prevented in-flight transmissions, as demonstrated by the absence of infection developing in other passengers and crew in the 14 days following exposure.45, 46
NEWSWEEK ARTICLE ON THE FOIA EMAIL DETAILS REGARDING DR. FRAUDCI:
https://www.newsweek.com/fauci-said-masks-not-really-effective-keeping-out-virus-email-reveals-1596703
You have to respect James for his consistency. Despite being out of step with his ideological masters, he loves his mask.
Even Dr. Leana “Masking Queen” Wen has voiced her support for ending mask mandates.
“There is a time and a place for pandemic restrictions, but when they were put in, it was always with the understanding that they would be removed as soon as we can. In this case, the circumstances have changed,” said Wen. “I’m not saying that no one should ever wear masks. But rather the responsibility should shift from a government mandate to an individual responsibility.”
Here’s a real progressive. Not sure what you identify as James.
Tramell Thompson, a Subway Conductor and leader of the Progressive Action faction of Transport Workers Union Local 100, recently tore up his vaccine card in Albany in solidarity with those he said were being shut out of society for their beliefs.
Won't Be Divided
“It was my choice to become vaccinated,” he told the rally’s attendees. “But I did not, under any circumstance, want to participate in a segregative tactics. If I can’t eat with the unvaccinated, then I’m not going to go to that restaurant. If I can’t go to that gym with the unvaccinated, then I’m just not going to work out.”
“This whole entire time they been trying to say this is an anti-vax movement,” he said. This is an anti-mandate movement. This is a pro-choice movement.”
Mr. Thompson then beckoned those who were vaccinated to rip up their CDC cards. “Rip up those cards and be proud,” he said. “The people united will never be defeated.”
Im kinda tired of seeing that the CDC recommends this and that. Their job by nature requires extreme caution. The CDC recommends being vaxxed for random diseases before traveling. How many people do that? The CDC has been wrong a whole lot about this and has changed course on what they recommend many times. Im not anti-science. In fact I am a science teacher, but I think its time to just start using some common sense here and we dont need the CDC to tell us that. I mean even in your data there 7:26... 18.53 more cases per 100,000. Its a drop in the bucket. I think at this point the masks do more harm than good for our children. Children have a 99.99 percent survival rate with Covid. This puts it at the risk of getting into a car and driving somewhere. Covid has become more mild, many of us and the children are vaxxed, the numbers are in sharp decline. How is it logical to keep wearing masks everywhere we go?
7:59, You are citing a w020 Fauci email on masks. Obviously, we have more updated info since then.
I think we have to be talking about the off-ramp for masks,” Weingarten said during an appearance on MSNBC. "No one wants masks in schools,” she added some moments later. “Not teachers, not students.”
Wait...wait...Randi, you clearly didn’t see James’ polls. Americans love mask mandates.
“Other experts believe that the universal mask mandates are almost worthless. Among the reasons: Medical masks are designed for adults, not children, Michael Osterholm, a University of Minnesota epidemiologist, notes. Even masks designed for children slip off their faces. Children take off their masks to eat. Add in Omicron’s intense contagiousness, and the benefits of the current mandates may be tiny.“
Here it is, straight from your “Trust The Science ™️“ hero, Micheal “The Viral Blizzard/Hurricane/Tsunami” Osterholm
I'll wear them despite the mandate.i will continue to avoid my friends who socialize unmasked with reckless abandon until things improve. I think people are more likely to mask if it is mandate.the ones who break the rules disgust me.then they should stay home or use their own vehicles. In first quarter 2020, common sense told me to avoid a holiday dinner.ot was correct because that was the beginning of people sickened from crowds.i don't need movies or restaurants.it is all craziness.
But note that some restaurant owners are against the mandates but enforce it because they get hefty fines from the vaccine police who come around. But the powers that be never fined anyone for non mask wearing.
Osterholm supports proper masking. He consistently talks about cloth and surgical not being effective. He says N95s and other high quality masks can help.You are quoting from NY Times interpretation of what Osterholm's opinion is I believe..
"I really want to see cases go down, hospitalizations go down, deaths go down before we lift any mask mandates," said Mike Stanton, professor of public health at Cal State East Bay. "With such high occupancy in the hospitals, it's not a safe time yet to get sick or to have an injury or to have an accident."
"I contracted COVID a couple of weeks ago," Mike Gildea of Alameda said he only had a sore throat but was very concerned about infecting others, I know it's inconvenient. A lot of people don't like it. I don't like it, but I want to wear it until everybody's safe."
@10:06 Define updated information... The science changed or the current narrative (aka bullshit) has changed since then?
Mark Levine:
Where NYC is now on covid:
* Cases down 90%+ since the astounding omicron peak in early Jan
* But still seeing ~2500 cases/day
Wearing a mask remains important in indoor settings, especially if you're in a venue that doesn't screen for vax, or if you're unvax'd or immunocomp'd.
Every public health professional and scientist that I know with actual expertise in infectious disease epidemiology is pretty much in agreement that this is a bad idea.
1219 i guess you dont know many
Fauci emails from Feb 2020 are obsolete, 10:06.
I guess schools are first, because we all know they are the safest place.
That's 2 many facts, slow down
The CDC uses science and the most recent data as their guidance. Use your common sense with masking. In any crowded area—take precautions and have a mask with you.
The other issue has been the tragedy with the vaccine mandates. There were hundreds of city workers the other day that marched to City Hall in protest of vaccine mandates—And why only 65% of people in the US are still not vaccinated—still boggles the mind.
Also just heard on news—the UK will be ending all Covid restrictions in 2 weeks—whatever that means.So, one can reasonably expect a further loosening of restrictions in this region—in the next few weeks—as long as things continue to tread in the right direction.
Only 30% of kids aged 5-11 are fully vaccinated in NY.
Now is NOT the time to end mask mandates in schools @GovKathyHochul
So what is the danger to these unvaccinated 5-11 year olds?
They get infected and they spread dsease.
Right so this is not in concern for kids... It is in concern for adults... who can be vaccinated if they choose.
Jen Jennings
Wouldn't have predicted that the right time to talk abt ending mask mandates is after the 4th highest weekly pediatric case #s on record (631,822)
(Note: it's the Northeast's 6th highest week, & 4th highest in all other regions) https://t.co/hHW0CIZ8WC
JAMES HAS BEEN WRONG ALL ALONG!
Masks do not work especially cloth and blue nursing masks, yet last 2-3 years been wearing them. A virus is 1 micron those masks are 60-80 microns so the virus can easily get into the masks.
THE SMART ONES HERE KNOW IT'S POWER AND CONTROL! THE DEMS LOVE IT! They squeezing the schools, James and the nut brains here who want to wear your mask or send your child with a mask great. Otherwise , bye bye!!!! Its overrrr!!!!! TRying to keep this pandemic going through midterms to steal another election hahaha, not happening!!
We have known cloth and surgical masks are not very effective and said so earlier when citing Doctor Osterholm.
Good to see you and the blue state governors are in sync here. You may have more in common than you think.
Hey Anon2323
Easy to criticize but how do we solve the issue of mass formation psychosis?
One does not just turn CNN off. It’s not that easy. Especially when one’s wife went on there to promote medical coercion of teachers.
2:14 aka this country failed doing things correctly from the beginning and instead of ever trying to fix that, we just flat out gave up. we now have a virus that will continue to do us harm because we failed to unite and stop it, because heaven forbid the people at the top lose their slave labor.
Meanwhile, Fauci told the Financial Times that there's no way to fully eliminate Covid-19, but that the United States is past the "full-blown" Covid-19 pandemic phase.
"We are looking at a time when we have enough people vaccinated and enough people with protection from previous infection that the COVID restrictions will soon be a thing of the past," he said.
Whoa..Fauci admitting natural immunity exists and is protective. People still talking mandates?
UFC? *crickets*
Meanwhile, in the near future, the government response to the pandemic will be primarily handled at the local level with little federal involvement. He didn’t say specifically when COVID-19 restrictions such as mask or vaccine mandates would end but could be done away with “soon,” according to the Financial Times.
“As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19,” Fauci told the paper. “Which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated. There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus.”
Nooooooooooooo! Mandates save people from themselves! What are you doing, Tony? Follow my science!
We all knew deep down inside that the porous face coverings did essentially nothing to prevent viral infection. We also all knew the kids are not seriously "at risk" from the virus. Vaccinated or unvaccinated.
The surgeon general went on and on today (to his credit) regarding the severe mental health impact of the Covid restrictions (including the 'masks ) on our children. Is there anyone among us who did not already know this? And the intellectual harm has also been devastating (especially to the most at risk?
There will be a reckoning down the road. I'm afraid there is one particular party that will pay the price.
What restrictions? Everything is open.
CUNY mandated vaccines.
UFC united for safe schools. Whatever it takes.
Right wing anti vaxxers for Mulgrew comments here.
They will either vote Mulgrew or opt out and then continually complain. It's all they got.
As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19," Fauci said to the Times. "Which we are certainly heading out of, these decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated. There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus."
Fauci said that he hopes all COVID-19 restrictions will be halted in the coming months as well, citing mandatory mask-wearing as one of the restrictions he expects to end. He agreed that restrictions might end in 2022.
11:26,
I'm with you, I'll continue to wear masks-at least until the numbers go way, way down.
It's sad to see commenters talking about students low chances of getting sick, as if a very low chance is the same as no chance. I know that it's inevitable that schools will be open, but really, as educators, we should be pushing for the safest environment possible.
Please stay safe.
Why is anyone mad at James. He allows Anon2323 to post his propaganda lies on a regular basis and lets him claim the election was stolen. What more do you want?
647
As educators, we should think critically and not sheepishly follow bureaucrats.
Ask any kid and their parents, they don’t want masks. It’s forced on them.
Most of the country and the rest of the Western world have abandoned mask and vaccine mandates.
Please stay free of the science fiction and safe from the party of Mengele.
Time for kids in masks has passed. Give parents and kids choice now. NYC schools had been out of step with WHO and almost all of Europe with kids and masks. Ditto for closing schools too long.
It helps very, very little in our setting with 90% vaccinated or prior infected staff and parents. Probably zero.
Look again at the Bangladesh table. One color surgical mask did better than the other. They really tried very hard to do good RCT but skip the the headline. This was with zero prior infection zero vaccines and still probably lower than 10% is generous. So for NYC we are highly vaccinated and prior infection.
Omni will get most of us masks or not. Well those that didn't get it Nov Dec Jan.
I actually was sent home begin of March 2020 for wearing a surgical mask! "Scaring the staff said school nurse" I had S4 cancer the fall before and was in contact with friends in Italy and Japan. Fine I stayed home. My choice not going to force my risk tolerance on others.
So I'm not opposed and still wear one in school.
I don't want to get covid for the 1st time. I don't rely on masks to be ready for my time with Omni or the next variant.
Data shows your vaccination/prior infection will help high high % stay out of hospital.
Omni and other car can't be avoided forever for again high 80%. Inconvenient but we have no control of it beyond our vaccine that thankfully works well still to keep it really bad for most. Long covid is really bad for some but little you can do to always avoid covid.
Let's try some random schools in NYC and state to try removing mask rules first.
Train sci teachers or nurse how to try to monitor if masks really being worn, type, if fitting, only in class etc.
Then we can have data if it can replicate the Bangladesh 10% or CDC 2 laughable studies that claim to be almost as good as vaccine or prior infection.
We are in this together. Mask or not. I'm happy to be inside school and not remote with you as colleagues.
943
Your statement regarding the party of Mengele is ignorant and anti-semitic
Sure 9:43–You made an offensive anti-Semitic statement. You need a timeout—just like Whoopi What the hell does the party of Mengele have to to with this?
And by the way from what I’ve researched—the entire German population received all Third Reich mandated vaccines to protect against all illnesses known to mankind—they had no choice. On the other hand — those who were Jewish—were denied those same vaccines.
C'mon now! Fuchsia, the highest paid guy, the know it all(he treated zero covid patients) had no knowledge about the benefits and limitations of masks??the top infectious disease guy has no idea of such a simple thing?I'll sell you a bridge.
I think it would be most helpful if Fauci, the CDC, WHO, big Pharma, big tech, and the MSM told the truth about CoVid and the vaccines. CoVid could have been over in months if the truth was not withheld, the lies proliferated, medications prohibited, and money and power held more sacred that human life.
Because its logical to talk about the low chances of getting sick. That is like saying... its sad to see parents putting kids in cars as there is risk of getting hurt. The percentages are literally the same at this point.
10:00,
Thanks for being a voice of reason.
5:58 - sure. They should stick to the truth like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Gazpacho Taylor Greene. Hahahahah
Tucker has real journalists who are unafraid.
9:35 You're as delusional as he is.
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