Promising New Coronavirus Vaccine

[TechTalk]

Also from The Atlantic article linked above...

"Reality may force some adjustments to this strategy over the next weeks and months. If Omicron starts to send patients to ICUs in the tens of thousands, bringing hospitals to the brink of collapse, both politicians and citizens are going to respond. But if the goal had once been to stop an emergency from arising, serious restrictions like shutdowns are now thinkable only if we get into a situation in which the emergency is already plain for all to see."

[Alan Klein]

Also from The Atlantic article linked above...

"Reality may force some adjustments to this strategy over the next weeks and months. If Omicron starts to send patients to ICUs in the tens of thousands, bringing hospitals to the brink of collapse, both politicians and citizens are going to respond. But if the goal had once been to stop an emergency from arising, serious restrictions like shutdowns are now thinkable only if we get into a situation in which the emergency is already plain for all to see."

So what's your point?  Meanwhile, 2 million people are flying daily and tens of millions the most in years are travelling for the holidays according to the Automobile Association of America AAA.  Americans are basically thumbing their noses at Omicron and taking their chances.  They've had it. 

[digitaldog]

The Atlantic, a liberal magazine, seems to agree with me, not you.
Omicron Is the Beginning of the End

If one person and one magazine say a stupid thing, it's still stupid.
There are a lot of "ifs" in the article and very little science, not that you'd accept any if provided. But having you cherry pick text and make assumptions is to be expected here.
Meanwhile, the facts provided remain for you and the Atlantic to ingore.
Today: UK reports more than 100,000 daily Covid-19 cases for the first time since pandemic began. NO. Covid is NOT on its way out.

[TechTalk]

So what's your point?  Meanwhile, 2 million people are flying daily and tens of millions the most in years are travelling for the holidays according to the Automobile Association of America AAA.  Americans are basically thumbing their noses at Omicron and taking their chances.  They've had it.

It isn't my point. It's a quote from an article that you linked for us to read. Did you only want us to read the part that you quoted?

[Robert Roaldi]

Omicron Is the Beginning of the End
Despite skyrocketing caseloads, few pundits or politicians are proposing strict measures to slow the virus’s spread. The appetite for shutdowns or other large-scale social interventions simply isn’t there. This means that we have effectively given up on “slowing the spread” or “flattening the curve.” To a much greater degree than during previous waves, we have quietly decided to throw up our hands.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/12/omicron-end-of-pandemic/621089/

Reading this over, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it?

People are still dying from the original virus, you know, it's not only Omicron out there. Don't get me wrong, I hope the Omicron variant is less lethal, be nice to have some good news for a change. But US daily deaths are still very high, this isn't over yet. I don't quite understand why you insist that it is. What's the upside?

[digitaldog]

It feels strange having the left on my right side.

Science Is Not A Liberal Conspiracy.
A lack of science often here and elsewhere, is clearly quite different.
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” -Neil deGrasse Tyson

[Alan Klein]

Reading this over, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it?

People are still dying from the original virus, you know, it's not only Omicron out there. Don't get me wrong, I hope the Omicron variant is less lethal, be nice to have some good news for a change. But US daily deaths are still very high, this isn't over yet. I don't quite understand why you insist that it is. What's the upside?

I'm only reporting how it seems people feel about Omicron.  Sometimes people just get on with things despite the danger.  The being locked up, losing jobs, inflation, as well as Covid, reaches a point where people throw up their hands and say enough is enough.  And move on with all the risk.  It could be OK or it could be terrible.  It's just that a lot of people have had it.  Maybe they're playing the odds.

[TechTalk]

Moving on with all the risk is foolish. Moving forward with some risk, while taking precautions like vaccination, masks, and other common sense public health measures makes sense.

[digitaldog]

I'm only reporting how it seems people feel about Omicron. 

You know how they feel do you.
Like speaking for everyong (or others) it seems. Are you so insecure you can't simply tell us how you alone feel, you have to assume and lump others into this; sad.
If fifty million people feel what they are doing isn't stupid, but it is, well there you go; it's stupid.

The being locked up, losing jobs, inflation, as well as Covid, reaches a point where people throw up their hands and say enough is enough.

And as the numbers show, a lot of them die from Covid-19. Again, natural selection.
Too bad they have to tax the health care system and those in real need, and infect others in the process.

It's just that a lot of people have had it

And died from it; and yet we hear: Covid is on the way out. Wishful ignorance will not solve this pandemic.

[chez]

Who says Omicron will be the last variant to come out? And what if the next variant is as contagious as Omicron but much more lethal. Let’s not forget in the majority of the population, this virus is running without having to deal with vaccines. Just a month ago we didn’t even hear about Omicron…now it’s infecting without stopping at the vaccinated. We might be lucky that Omicron is not as deadly as other variants…but it’s think it’s highly premature to celebrate and dance like it’s 1999.

[LesPalenik]

So what's your point?  Meanwhile, 2 million people are flying daily and tens of millions the most in years are travelling for the holidays according to the Automobile Association of America AAA.  Americans are basically thumbing their noses at Omicron and taking their chances.  They've had it.

Well, 2 million people travelling at this time  is not something to rejoice over or be proud of. Also not very wise. Many of the people who had it and are now taking chances may end in ICU's or even worse. I hear from my friends and acquintances more and more stories about their relatives contracting Omicron.

[Alan Klein]

Moving on with all the risk is foolish. Moving forward with some risk, while taking precautions like vaccination, masks, and other common sense public health measures makes sense.

I agree.  But a large percentage of Americans are vaccinated.  So why shouldn't they be feeling more secure?  Especially when it seems Omicron is not as dangerous as the earlier strains?

[Alan Klein]

Well, 2 million people travelling at this time  is not something to rejoice over or be proud of. Also not very wise. Many of the people who had it and are now taking chances may end in ICU's or even worse. I hear from my friends and acquintances more and more stories about their relatives contracting Omicron.

Yesterday they announced the first death from Omicron in Texas, a man who had other medical issues as well and was unvaccinated.  Considering 73% of cases nationally are Omicron vs 27% Delta as of Dec 18th, that's a tiny percentage.  (On Dec 4th there were no cases of Omicron and the rest were 100% Delta).  It appears that Omicron is really not as deadly even though is highly transmissible. As well, although the cases are increasing exponentially, hospitalizations are decreasing.   Let's hope it remains that way.

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/22/omicron-oddity-case-numbers-dont-predict-deaths/
https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/21/omicron-by-the-numbers-where-things-stand-now/

[Alan Klein]

Who says Omicron will be the last variant to come out? And what if the next variant is as contagious as Omicron but much more lethal. Let’s not forget in the majority of the population, this virus is running without having to deal with vaccines. Just a month ago we didn’t even hear about Omicron…now it’s infecting without stopping at the vaccinated. We might be lucky that Omicron is not as deadly as other variants…but it’s think it’s highly premature to celebrate and dance like it’s 1999.

Celebrate and dance like it's 1999.  What did I miss in 1999?

[Alan Klein]

Considering the highly contagious nature of Omicron, are the pathogens bypassing mask protection?  When I was in NYC the other day, most people are walking around the streets with masks on.  So how did NYC get to 90% Omicron in just a couple of weeks since discovered unless the masks aren't working?  It can't be just the non-vaccinated since vaccinated are getting infected too.  I think Omicron is re-defining measures we may have thought to be effective.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/omicron-surge-cdc-estimates-more-than-90-of-current-ny-area-cases-are-new-variant/3463603/

[chez]

Celebrate and dance like it's 1999.  What did I miss in 1999?

You obviously don't appreciate the late great musician, Prince.

[digitaldog]

So how did NYC get to 90% Omicron in just a couple of weeks since discovered unless the masks aren't working?  It can't be just the non-vaccinated since vaccinated are getting infected too.  I think Omicron is re-defining measures we may have thought to be effective.

Now that (according to you) Covid is on the way out, why ask? Forget the mask Alan, go enjoy yourself; breathe free.

[TechTalk]

Considering the highly contagious nature of Omicron, are the pathogens bypassing mask protection?

Sometimes. That depends on a number of variables such as the type of mask, how it's worn, the distance from an infected person, and other behaviors. But, that is not unique to the latest Omicron variant.

When I was in NYC the other day, most people are walking around the streets with masks on.

Those are the reasonable people with common sense.

[LesPalenik]

I agree.  But a large percentage of Americans are vaccinated.  So why shouldn't they be feeling more secure?  Especially when it seems Omicron is not as dangerous as the earlier strains?

The booster shot should lower the covid infection rate, but not by 100% and not for everyone.

Covid-19 cases are surging upward again in the United States, and public health experts are warning the fast-spreading omicron variant may push the number of infections to their highest level yet. Whether this surge will be followed by an unprecedented level of hospitalization and death is uncertain, but researchers say it’s possible the most devastating phase of the pandemic is yet to come.

Already, countries like South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Denmark have seen sharp spikes in new Covid-19 cases, with some areas reaching record highs. South Africa has reported far fewer hospitalizations from omicron compared to previous waves, but the UK is is in the midst of a sharp rise in hospitalizations, about 30 percent higher week over week.
...
In one of the most comprehensive forecasts to date, researchers from the Covid-19 Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin on Friday chalked out 18 different scenarios for omicron. Their study was not peer-reviewed, but the findings show that the US is facing yet another dangerous variant while the conditions for spreading it — the holiday season — are at their most favorable.

https://www.vox.com/22839742/omicron-covid-19-winter-surge-vaccine-booster-forecast

Some dummies may feel secure and will travel, but many corporations are extending work-at-home plans, cancelling their participation at trade shows and laying off employees. So, indirectly the exploding omicron wave is hurting badly businesses, hospitals, and many innocent bystanders.

Amazon.com Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Pinterest Inc., Twitter Inc. and several news outlets have canceled plans to attend the annual CES technology conference in Las Vegas, a response to surging Covid-19 cases around the world.

[Alan Klein]

You obviously don't appreciate the late great musician, Prince.

Purple Rain - good movie and music.