Covid-19

[wh]

Here's a List of Colleges That Will Require Students or Employees to Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19
By Andy Thomason
MAY 3, 2021
[Last updated: 5/4/2021, 11:25 a.m.]

According to the article, Valpo is 1 of 209 universities to date that will require students to be vaccinated.

Note: Free sign-up required to access the article. Also, if you decide to peruse The Chronicle website, be aware that they have a far left point of view.

https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/live-coronavirus-updates/heres-a-list-of-colleges-that-will-require-students-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid-19?cid=gen_sign_in

[bb33]

I understand the hesitancy of requiring the vaccine since it is still only has emergency use FDA approval, but I would be shocked if it wasn't fully approved this month. Then I no longer understand the hesitancy.   Being full vaccinated myself, I continue to marvel at the relief I feel, especially when I am out in public.

[valpo64]

AMEN, bb33!

[wh]

Apparently, China is better at spreading disease than fighting it.

https://in.news.yahoo.com/seychelles-worlds-most-vaccinated-nation-081710301.html

[crusader05]

Yes I've seen the EUA mentioned as hesitancy but the reality is we now have massive trials with people who will have been vaccinnated for over a year from the first phases so I cannot imagine it will be long before it's fully approved. They will be getting and EUA soon for 12-15 and it looks like the plan is to hopefully apply for one from 2-11 by early September.

[78crusader]

If this vaccine works - and it does- then why can't we live like it works?

Paul

[crusader05]

Because we are still in the process of vaccinated the population which means many are still unprotected which means they can both get it and also can pass it around still.
Also most places are setting dates and parameters for relaxing requirements already with concerts and other things being scheduled. It's not like a switch flip, it's going to be a gradual relaxation based on state and local vaccination rates. The best thing we can all do right now is to encourage everyone we know to get vaccinated to help create that environment sooner.

[78crusader]

But how can the unprotected pass it on to those who are protected? Isn't that the point of the vaccine?

Paul

[crusader05]

They have measured a decreased risk of infection and practically eliminated severe illness and death but people can still catch and pass it on. Although the likelihood is decreased but as long as there is still a substantial amount traveling around in the unvaccinated population the amount of vaccinated people who may catch it and spread it will be higher. The goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible so that the spread gets strangled out as much as possible to prevent break out cases and variants.

[78crusader]

In April the CDC reported that out of 66 million people at that time who were fully vaccinated, 5800 had gotten the virus. That is less than 1 in 10,000.

I repeat: if the vaccine works, let us live like it works.

In the meantime, we will continue to endure ridiculous episodes of COVID fear, like the 4 police officers who escorted an elderly man out of a baseball stadium for not wearing a mask - although he was sitting by himself in an outdoor stadium; Joe Biden wearing a mask outside to announce it is no longer necessary to wear a mask outside; the rule in DC prohibiting guests at wedding receptions from dancing, including the bride and groom (imagine what they will likely be doing later in the evening); Brookline, Mass., for adopting a regulation that despite new CDC guidelines, citizens must still wear a mask outdoors; or the newly announced rules for summer campers requiring everyone 2 years old and up to wear masks at all times except when eating or swimming.

Paul

[wh]

These are rough numbers, but they're close enough for illustration. 5% of people who haven't been vaccinated contract COVID. The effective rate of people who have been vaccinated is 96%. That tells me that the chance of someone vaccinated contracting COVID is 4% of 5%, or .2%. That, my friends, is infinitesimal. You don't social distance for that, you don't work from home for that, and you don't continue to mask-up in public to make people who don't want to get vaccinated more comfortable. I don't wear a mask anywhere, including stores that still insist on it. I keep hoping a mask nazi calls me on it, but no takers so far. Bottom line - I'm done.

[crusader05]

My point though is that there's a difference between an individual's risk and the larger public risk which is impacted by how many people are unvaccinated and therefore still able to contract and spread the virus amongst themselves.

Right now many individuals are fully vaccinated but not everyone is, giving the vaccination process time to reach more people while keeping some mandates in place to protect those that cannot get immunized yet, such as children or the those who are ill, is the point of the continued restrictions.

Many states have already targeted dates where state wide restrictions will be waived b/c they know a larger portion of their population will be vaccinated and therefore the risk for all will have significantly decreased. The best thing we can do is to not sit here and complain but to work on those in our family and friend circle who are vaccine hesitant to get the vaccine so that we can reach a critical mass of people sooner rather than later.

[mj]

I repeat: if the vaccine works, let us live like it works.

The quicker everyone can get vaccinated the quicker life can return to "normal." In the meantime, wearing a mask isn't a burden. I'm still surprised that people haven't learned that we're all in this thing together...

[valpo64]

Ah, the masked generation...some will wear masks the rest of their lives, no matter what age they are now, scared to death they will catch a cold, get the flu, or whatever.

[bb33]

Personally, I have enjoyed not catching a cold, or the flu this past year  And  I may wear a mask permanently on planes.  TBD. A mask is a small inconvenience.    I'd rather not be sick.  But that's me.  Afraid?  No.  Just would rather be out living and enjoying life than feeling miserable, especially if I can prevent it.  That is also why we wash our hands and use hand sanitizer.  I will continue to be diligent about that too, as I always have.   

[vu84v2]

Many people seem to be focused on masks as the big issue. I am a big fan of get vaccinated and don't wear a mask unless the facility owner requires it (and don't make a big deal of it if they do - if you don't like it, don't go there and don't give them your business). And if you want to keep wearing a mask in certain situations, you are free to do so.

But the far bigger issue from an economic and lifestyle standpoint is social distancing. Concerts, sporting events, restaurants, festivals, etc. are not viable with social distancing requirements. It is good that events are now being planned (with tickets sold) which require attendees to show that they have been vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID within three days of the event. Universities going "fully open" (with a few minor exceptions), but requiring vaccinations for all students (and preferably faculty and staff) is also the right move.

[wh]

Fully vaccinated people can ditch masks indoors, physical distancing: CDC

"People who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus no longer need to wear masks while indoors or outdoors or physical distance in either large or small gatherings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced during a White House COVID-19 briefing Thursday."

https://www.foxnews.com/health/cdc-fully-vaccinated-people-no-masks-indoors

I just discarded my 1 remaining mask. 14 months of misery finally in the rear view mirror. 

[wh]

Here's a List of Colleges That Will Require Students or Employees to Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19
By Andy Thomason and Brian O'Leary
MAY 13, 2021
[Last updated: 5/13/2021, 4:48 p.m.]

Up to 348 campuses currently. 3 in IN - Valpo, ND, Depauw.

https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/live-coronavirus-updates/heres-a-list-of-colleges-that-will-require-students-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid-19?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_2337074_nl_Academe-Today_date_20210514&cid=at&source=&sourceId=&cid2=gen_login_refresh

[wh]

A teacher in Poynette, WI berates a student who has been vaccinated for not wearing a mask in the classroom. This is after the CDC and Biden announced that people who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, or social distance. She has been put on administrative leave.

https://twitter.com/simonelhanna/status/1393273814847565827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1393273814847565827%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2021%2F05%2Fshocking-video-insane-teacher-berates-vaccinated-student-not-wearing-mask-calls-jerk-tells-nobody-likes%2F

[vu72]

She has been put on administrative leave.

Good.

[valpo64]

On leave?  She should be FIRED!

[valpotx]

She should not berate a student, but her general point is accurate.  If someone isn't 3-4 weeks past their final vaccination, they can still get it from vaccinated people.  The vaccine doesn't mean that you can't transmit it to other people.  This board has to be smarter than believing that the mask wearing is only protecting yourself.  Do I think a mask mandate is still needed?  No. 

I am dealing with this stupid crap in my hometown/city, with a bunch of the extremist folks from my party (full-blooded Republican here), touting a bunch of BS theories around masks, Critical Race Theory, and racial quotas for Gifted & Talent programs in the school system.  Google Colleyville or Southlake, TX, and don't be these people making the news for ignorance...oh yeah, F the True Texas Project/Texas Tea Party.

[vu72]

f someone isn't 3-4 weeks past their final vaccination, they can still get it from vaccinated people.  The vaccine doesn't mean that you can't transmit it to other people. 

Don't think that's right.  https://www.healthline.com/health-news/cdc-says-vaccinated-people-dont-need-to-wear-masks-in-most-indoor-settings#Vaccinated-people-are-well-protected-against-COVID-19

The article says in part..."The vaccines also cut people's ability to transmit the infection and make post-vaccination transmission very unlikely.

"Even if vaccinated people do carry tiny bits of virus in their nose without symptoms, it's not likely to be in any significant amount to infect other people. Basically, once you have been vaccinated, you are safe yourself, and you are safe to be around other people," McBride said.

[valpotx]

Right, but it says 'cut' and 'very unlikely.'  That doesn't mean it doesn't or can't happen for vaccinated folks.  Point me to data that shows it can't happen, and I will change my statement. 

[vu72]

Right, but it says 'cut' and 'very unlikely.'  That doesn't mean it doesn't or can't happen for vaccinated folks.  Point me to data that shows it can't happen, and I will change my statement. 

And you can be hit by lightening as well.