COVID-19 Rant

[Allhallowsday]

You talk about the vaccine like it's a cure. It is pushers like you that are making so many people distrust the rush job vaccine. I'll take my chances with the virus itself, thank you.

Hope it don't kill ya!   

[Rev. Powell]

Turns out that my parents weren't supposed to get the vaccine--it was supposed to be open to health care workers outside of that particular hospital--but they administered it anyway.

[pacman000]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GvxUgKAjsrc

Residents of NYC's Chinatown talking of their struggles this past year.

[Jim H]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GvxUgKAjsrc

Residents of NYC's Chinatown talking of their struggles this past year.

Yeah, especially brutal in Manhattan Chinatown.  They've been struggling for years and slowly decaying because of the absolutely absurd rent prices and other issues.  When one shop closes now, it's often not replaced for literally years because of how insane the new rent will be.  So you just see dead storefronts for years straight, in one of the busiest places in the world.  It's ridiculous and angers every local.  My sister lives in Manhattan and it p**ses her off.

I'd be curious how Queens Chinatown is doing, probably harsh but not as bad as the rent is more reasonable.

[pacman000]

I didn't know there was more than one Chinatown in NYC. Thank you!

[bob]

I got my 1099-G form for pandemic unemployment

I think it'll be way out of order, assuming I have my appealing hearing held at some point and win it -- which I will -- before tax season

hoping they'll send me a new one if that happens

[Alex]

I got my 1099-G form for pandemic unemployment

I think it'll be way out of order, assuming I have my appealing hearing held at some point and win it -- which I will -- before tax season

hoping they'll send me a new one if that happens

Hope you have less problems with this one that your previous support.

[pacman000]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eem-Fix-63U

"Published on Jan 19, 2021
Dozens of independent landlords say their tenants have been taking advantage of the COVID eviction moratorium. CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke to two elderly New Yorkers who are desperate for help."

[lester1/2jr]

I've had a bunch of passengers who've gotten the first shot and one who has gotten both. Why our govt is concerned with anything besides this is beyond me

[RCMerchant]

Some good news for once-!
Free weed in Michigan if you get a covid shot!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/us/michigan-marijuana-free-weed-vaccine-trnd/index.html

[pacman000]

Single dose vaccine:

Error 404 (Not Found)!!1

[Rev. Powell]

I was at a family dinner last week and half the people there had already been vaccinated (first shot). I'm starting to be more optimistic that I might be able to get vaccinated by spring. Light at the end of the tunnel.

[Jim H]

Some more updates...  A friend of mine's grandmother died of COVID last week.  She was pretty elderly and in failing health, so not unexpected but still sad and a rough way to go.

My acquaintance in vaccine research gave another longish update.  Good and bad news, according to him.  The bad news is the South African COVID variant is in the states and is somewhat resistance to the vaccines AND hits people who have previously survived COVID - it seems to overcome natural immunity fairly well, as it's tearing up a city in Brazil that had virtually 100% infections of the original version.  The good news, the vaccines do still help significantly, just not as much, and updating the vaccines to deal with the new variant is much easier than starting from scratch, and that'll happen in a matter of months I guess.  Doesn't change a thing in how we're dealing with this, just means there will be more deaths and bad infections then without the variant, and possibly the most optimistic timelines of scenarios are out if the South African variant gets around enough.

[Allhallowsday]

My sister and brother in law have gotten their first shots, thru the efforts of their doctor, who'd ID'ed a situation here in the USA of "surplus" vaccine being discarded because of very particular timing constraints and expiration dates.  Availability and timing is paramount.  Properly timed 2nd shots are vital.  Another friend of mine lucked out in a similar yet lucky happenstance and has also rec'd her first shot... at a newly activated vaccine ctr in Shop Rite!!!   

[Rev. Powell]

Some more updates...  A friend of mine's grandmother died of COVID last week.  She was pretty elderly and in failing health, so not unexpected but still sad and a rough way to go.

My acquaintance in vaccine research gave another longish update.  Good and bad news, according to him.  The bad news is the South African COVID variant is in the states and is somewhat resistance to the vaccines AND hits people who have previously survived COVID - it seems to overcome natural immunity fairly well, as it's tearing up a city in Brazil that had virtually 100% infections of the original version.  The good news, the vaccines do still help significantly, just not as much, and updating the vaccines to deal with the new variant is much easier than starting from scratch, and that'll happen in a matter of months I guess.  Doesn't change a thing in how we're dealing with this, just means there will be more deaths and bad infections then without the variant, and possibly the most optimistic timelines of scenarios are out if the South African variant gets around enough.

Sad to hear about your friend's grandma.

About the vaccine and it's effectiveness against the South African variant: I heard a doctor say that while the vaccine was not as effective at stopping transmission of the mutant, it still boosts the immune system enough that the infection does not require hospitalization. In fact I believe not a single person who has received the vaccine then been affected by the variant anyway has required hospitalization.