Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Some Simple Facts of Life Vaccine Edition

Posted: May 21, 2021 by datechguy in Uncategorized

The whole business of vaccines needs some non political clarifications.

Vaccines were one of the great advances in medicine. By this large populations were protected from diseases that ravaged mankind for millennia.

Since day one vaccines have come with side effects as all things do and for a small percentage of the population these side effects were serious (my now 71 year old brother spent time as a youth in an iron lung do to a reaction to one) and even death. But in an age of diseases that could decimate a population such a rick was considered worthwhile for a population as a whole.

Many of these risks have dropped not only because of vaccines but of improved sanitary conditions both for human living and in the production of food etc that decreases the likelihood of such diseases breaking out.

The Wuhan / Corona / Chinese virus is more related to a flu than diseases like Polio or Smallpox but for the right populations, (the old the obese and those with existing illnesses) is seemingly more deadly than the flu and for some (my wife included) may have side effects that cause trouble even after recovery.

The unexpected arrival of this disease (likely from a weapons lab) and it’s effects on the population required drastic action which is why the Trump Administration operated “Operation Warp Speed” to develop vaccines much faster than normal.

As part of the emergency some of the normal precautions and controls that might take place with a vaccine we relaxed in the emergency just as in the field hospital a doctor might act with sanitary standards that he would never tolerate in a hospital.

That these or any vaccines were developed in this record time is a real human accomplishment that both the Trump administration and the medical can pharmaceutical industry should rightly take pride in however because speed was of the essence it’s is likely that the number of side effects, the severity of said side effects and the number of people subject to them would be much higher.

Because of this increased risk (which will dissipate over time as research continues) and the fact that the primary risk is to those to whom the normal flu would put at risk I have no problem with those who decide to give the shot a miss nor do I have an issue with those who go for the jab. We’re all adults here, let’s act that way when people make their call.

Governor Charlie Baker is finally granting us serfs our freedom back

Posted: May 20, 2021 by Jon Fournier in Uncategorized
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When an elected official, such as a governor, strips the freedom and rights away from his constituents he is behaving like a dictator or emperor rather that a public servant.  That is exactly the way Governor Baker of Massachusetts has behaved since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic.   He is far from alone.  About half governors of this country behaved the same.

When you strip the rights and freedoms away from any population they are no longer citizens.  They are now serfs.

When a large majority of the population meekly accepts the trampling of their rights and freedoms they are no longer worthy of the title of citizens, they are behaving exactly as serfs would behave and deserve that derisive label. 

I am quite ashamed by the lack of resistance put forward by the inhabitants of Massachusetts to the liberty and economy crushing lockdowns and mask mandates.  There was way too much blind and meek acceptance.  Thare was far too little questioning and far too little resistance.

On this past Monday Governor Baker announced that he is finally going to lift his disastrous Coronavirus restrictions, effective on May 29th.  It is far too late for all of the businesses that have closed due to Baker’s restrictions and all of those who have lost their jobs.  None of the restrictions were necessary to fight the virus outbreak.  Check out this article I did on the subject a couple weeks ago.

As you can see from this announcement by Governor Baker the statewide mask mandate will be replaced by a mask advisory.  I will no longer have to be worried about being fined $300 every time I leave my house without wearing a mask, which was what I did every time.

Baker said Monday that the current face covering order is rescinded as of May 29.

In line with CDC guidance, mon-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings.

Fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations.

There is  some bad news buried in this announcement.

Face coverings will still be required for all individuals on public and private transportation, including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations) healthcare facilities and providers, congregate care settings and health and rehabilitative day services.

Face coverings will also remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers.

It is child abuse to require children to wear masks while they are in school, especially when they are not necessary at all.  It has been proved that children are in far less danger from Coronavirus than any other age group.

All of the restrictions imposed by Governor Baker will be lifted in two weeks.  None of these restrictions helped in the slightest.  The restrictions were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic. Check out the charts contained in this link which show how the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths exploded after the restrictions were imposed. 

So Much for Employers Requiring Vaccines

Posted: May 19, 2021 by datechguy in Uncategorized

This is a game changer:

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has put employers on notice that should they attempt to require employees to receive injections of experimental COVID-19 gene-therapy vaccines a resulting adverse reaction will be considered “work-related” for which the employer may be held liable.

OSHA released its new guidance on April 20 under a “Frequently Asked Questions” section of its website having to do with COVID-19 safety compliance.

The question asks whether an employer who mandates employees receive these experimental COVID-19 shots is required to record any adverse events as a result of these injections. Such recording requirements of serious work-related injuries and illness may not only leave an employer vulnerable to worker’s compensation claims, but such incidents could also impact the employer’s safety record.

Of course the Biden Administration being the Biden Administration they might change the rules but if this hold then risk adverse employers will run from any “No vaccine no work” policy like the plague.

Unexpectedly of course

Report from Louisiana: Bye Bye Mask!

Posted: May 17, 2021 by Pat Austin in Uncategorized
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By:  Pat Austin

SHREVEPORT – We went to church Sunday; it is the first Sunday since March 2020 that the congregation could attend unmasked and with social distancing thrown to the wind. It is amazing how refreshing that was.

It seems as if this long pandemic nightmare is finally ending, and people are resuming their lives. Whether you are in the “Covid is a hoax” camp or the “Covid is going to kill us all” camp, the restrictions imposed on us all have affected us all in some way or another.

With excessive government handouts, many people have found it more profitable (and more fun) to stay at home, drawing that unemployment and other benefits. A lot of restaurants and other businesses are having trouble filling jobs. There have been product shortages all across the country as production has slowed. Even if the only way you’ve been affected is that you were required to wear a mask somewhere, we have all been affected by these mandates.

But now, this is changing! Even some school districts across the country have lifted mask mandates.

What is so interesting to me, however, is to note the effect these restored liberties have on people; the atmosphere at church was pure giddiness.  I heard more than one person say, “Oh it’s so nice to see people’s faces again!”  One woman noted that she actually wore makeup today for the first time since this started. Smiles were everywhere. People lingered longer after the service to visit with each other.

It’s obvious, isn’t it? I mean, who wouldn’t be happier without the yoke of government restrictions on them?

And now, you can actually see when someone smiles! Facial expressions are back!

There were more people in attendance at church this week, too. I have noticed since Easter that people are coming back. It has been good to see. Our priest is retiring next month, and we are able to have a retirement gathering for him in a local restaurant! Six months ago, that would not have been allowed. Too large of a group.

I wore my mask where I was supposed to, but honestly, once I had Covid antibodies after I got through the virus, and later, once I was vaccinated, I didn’t see much point in the mask. I got a lot less compliant about wearing it.

I think there are some things we may not see for a while, if ever, though. Salad bars, for one. I’m not a fan of a buffet, but we probably won’t see much of that either. I expect travel and large-crowd events will require proof of vaccination. I’m not sure how all that will work.

For now, I’m just glad I can see the smile on someone’s face.

Pat Austin blogs at And So it Goes in Shreveport and at Medium; she is the author of Cane River Bohemia: Cammie Henry and her Circle at Melrose Plantation. Follow her on Instagram @patbecker25 and Twitter @paustin110.

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