The Omicron subvariants known as BA.4 and BA.5 now represent 13 percent of new coronavirus cases in the United States, up from 7.5 percent a week ago and 1 percent in early May, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The spread of the subvariants adds more uncertainty to the trajectory of the pandemic in the United States, where current case counts are likely to be a significant underestimate. But whether it leads to a major new wave of infections, or spikes in hospitalizations and deaths, remains unclear, scientists cautioned.
A federal judge in Florida ruled on Monday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can no longer require masks for all forms of public transportation — planes, trains, buses, subways. Even Uber dropped its mask requirement for passengers and drivers in response to the judge's ruling, although Lyft did not.
In addition, many cities have lifted mask mandates for public spaces as COVID case counts have declined in recent weeks.
Yet omicron variants have been causing COVID cases to rise in some places — a special concern for those more vulnerable to COVID becuase of age or medical conditions as well as people who just don't want to come down with the virus.
So a number of people are "one-way maskers" — the terms used for those who mask up even if others around them do not.
I still wear my muzzle when I’m in close spaces with others, when I’m in the office away from my desk, on the bus, running to the store, and so forth. I don’t wear the muzzle when I’m walking outside or for maybe a quick run into the store, but I don’t see the harm in wearing the muzzle. It’s a habit now, and if it offers some protection, then all the better.
Increasingly I’m a one-way masker — the only person or one of a few people who are wearing a mask in the room. But knowing how much a spit when I talk, and how much a disgusting pig with saliva that I can be, I figure the muzzle is keeping me a bit safer from everything from just the ordinary cold to the COVID. Why not, my masks are pretty comfortable, well broken in and are just normal to wear.
I don’t like being told to wear my muzzle. I don’t like government muzzle mandates, especially now that COVID cases are so low. But often the government tells you don’t have to do something, you should do it anyway, because it’s right for you. Wearing a muzzle makes sense, if can keep you health and avoid problems down the road.
My endless fascination with the COVID-19 Vaccination Advertising
I’ve been identified by the internet advertising algorithms as being an anti-vaxxer. I post a lot of diagrams and maps about COVID, in part because the government puts out so much raw data about. I’m friends with and members of many homesteaders, farmers, off-grider types many who aren’t thrilled by government mandated vaccinations although many who aren’t that afraid of needles or science because they use it every day to keep their land producing. Even though the pandemic has largely burned itself out for now, big government money and private foundation money keeps the COVID-19 Vaccination campaign going.
I’m just so fascinated by how the ads try to convince me to get vaccinated. I’m not sure how effective they are at this point as people already know the pros and cons of the vaccine. Maybe it’s because I’m a communications professional by trade, I study messaging, polling and focus groups. But I also know how hard it can be to move partisans. And hell, I’m kind of stuck in my ways. I’m sure most of the ad spend is a waste, then again most advertising is a waste.
I got vaccinated over a year ago and then boosted in December. Come autumn I will probably get my second booster with my flu shot. Not because I love Joe Biden or my cesspool community but because I hate the racketeering medical community and don’t want to get sick and have to deal with snooty medical doctors and nurses who think they are better than their sick patients. I value my independence and I know most medical facilities are looking to make a buck by scamming patients and their insurance. Getting vaccinated so you don’t get sick is a plenty good reason for me.
I think it’s actually a pretty effective message to tell people, get vaccinated so you don’t get sick. Not because you want to protect your community. Vaccination may not be fun, it may make you feel awful the next day, but it’s good to protect yourself from high medical bills, misery in a hospital, and all the other things that come from getting COVID-19 without being protected by the vaccine.
Governors from 21 states are suing to end the federal public transportation mask mandate, claiming the continued enforcement "harms the states" and interferes with some local laws.
The filing comes just days after airline CEOs called on President Biden to drop the mandate. CDC recommends 2nd COVID boosters for some older and immunocompromised people Shots - Health News FDA authorizes 2nd COVID boosters for some older and immunocompromised people
"President Biden's shortsighted, heavy-handed and unlawful travel policies are frustrating travelers and causing chaos on public transportation," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who is leading the states' effort, said in a statement. "It's long past time to alleviate some of the pressure on travelers and those working in the travel industry by immediately ending Biden's unlawful public transportation mandates."
Joining the mostly Republican-led effort are three states with Democratic governors — Kansas, Kentucky and Louisiana.
