OT: LOCAL COVID19 - PART IV... Seriously, local only

[jbeck5]

I think people misunderstand what others mean by the flu.

People hear others say "it's becoming like the flu" and interpret it to mean it's harmless. That's not the case. Thousands die from the flu in Canada every year.

They mean it's like the flu, in the sense we have to treat It like it. Yes, some people will die, but we can limit how many by staying home when symptomatic, washing hands often, etc. They just mean no more lockdowns and laws surrounding it...like the flu.

Like tracing waste water...why don't we do this with the flu? Will we stop checking waste water when 7 day average deaths is equal to the flu? There's a bit of an obsession that is starting to no longer be justified by the number of deaths compared to other causes. News channels are trying to ride the covid wave while they can.

It doesn't mean it's not dangerous, it just means we have to live our normal lives, while taking personal precautions not to get sick.

 

[Golden_Jet]

UK cases increase by a million last week, yikes, US had a big increase, looks like another wave coming for sure, I hope hospitalizations don’t dramatically rise.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

A new Covid wave is expected and

 

[2CHAINZ]

A new Covid wave is expected and

That's my government baby!

 

[coladin]

Hospitalizations arre still low, and have been declining since the dreaded reopening of schools, which almost all the doomsdayers, including the Nosferatu chap, got terribly wrong.

A lot of these people want zero Covid. It ain't happening. Hong Kong tried, and now are dealing with a low vaccination takeup with a poor vaccine, coupled with incredible density.

Can't wait for the Fismans, Imgrunds and etc...of the world to go back to being nobodies. And I also can't wait for this newfound accountability by taxpayers for the incoming governments, as everyone is finally paying attention it seems to politics.

I hope the Conservatives win and regardless of the vocal minority on Twitter, they have done a decent job considering all factors in Ontario as far as I'm concerned.

Locally, I think all levels of governments have done a decent job. Of course, perfection is all anyone wants on Twitter, but considering the always evolving nature of the disease, I think everyone has done a decent job

 

[ISensFanI]

Won’t ever wear a mask again

 

[Xspyrit]

I think people misunderstand what others mean by the flu.

People hear others say "it's becoming like the flu" and interpret it to mean it's harmless. That's not the case. Thousands die from the flu in Canada every year.

They mean it's like the flu, in the sense we have to treat It like it. Yes, some people will die, but we can limit how many by staying home when symptomatic, washing hands often, etc. They just mean no more lockdowns and laws surrounding it...like the flu.

Like tracing waste water...why don't we do this with the flu? Will we stop checking waste water when 7 day average deaths is equal to the flu? There's a bit of an obsession that is starting to no longer be justified by the number of deaths compared to other causes. News channels are trying to ride the covid wave while they can.

It doesn't mean it's not dangerous, it just means we have to live our normal lives, while taking personal precautions not to get sick.

I interpreted it exactly like this. I know I was not quoted but I guess it was at least partially directed to me.

The difference is that covid was much more dangerous with its initial virological load and before the vaccine.

Of course we have to carefully track the severity of the virus and how it's mutating but with how many people are vaccinated and the danger trending down, we should be able to live life "normally". Despite what some people think, government want to see their economy booming (save lives is more important though), they also need more revenues with taxes and income taxes so it was never in their interest to pause/slow things down. I don't think there will be more lockdowns, at least in countries where you had the chance to be vaccinated. They have tried a lot of things to convince people to get vaccinated and we're at a point where it's "at your own risk". Unfortunately some avoidable deaths will continue to happen, but it's a choice, like wearing a helmet on a motorbike or having your seatbelt on the highway

The flu is mostly dangerous to older people and immunocompromised, etc, most of people in that category get the flu vaccine. I don't know if we're there yet for covid but it seems there was still a lot of people under 60-70 dying (this is young by today standards). But I think we're getting there, at least I hope.

Won’t ever wear a mask again

I hope we won't have to but depending how long I'll live and what humanity does from now on, it's unfortunately very possible, and not just cloth masks

 

[coladin]

I think people misunderstand what others mean by the flu.

People hear others say "it's becoming like the flu" and interpret it to mean it's harmless. That's not the case. Thousands die from the flu in Canada every year.

They mean it's like the flu, in the sense we have to treat It like it. Yes, some people will die, but we can limit how many by staying home when symptomatic, washing hands often, etc. They just mean no more lockdowns and laws surrounding it...like the flu.

Like tracing waste water...why don't we do this with the flu? Will we stop checking waste water when 7 day average deaths is equal to the flu? There's a bit of an obsession that is starting to no longer be justified by the number of deaths compared to other causes. News channels are trying to ride the covid wave while they can.

It doesn't mean it's not dangerous, it just means we have to live our normal lives, while taking personal precautions not to get sick.

I had the flu once. NOt what people call "ythe flu", but the influenza virus. I have never, ever been that sick in my life. I felt crippled, coughing was like releasing shards of glass and just an incredible feeling of being unwell. It is no joke.

 

[jbeck5]

I had the flu once. NOt what people call "ythe flu", but the influenza virus. I have never, ever been that sick in my life. I felt crippled, coughing was like releasing shards of glass and just an incredible feeling of being unwell. It is no joke.

Exactly. And no one suggested changing laws or putting restrictions even though we know it can be bad.

And that's what they mean by treating covid like the flu. We know it sucks and we know people could die, so we recommend taking precautions like staying home when sick or getting the flu shot, but otherwise we live life normally and go see people and gather in crowds and stuff.

 

[ACLEVERNAME]

I forgot how ugly most people are.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Exactly. And no one suggested changing laws or putting restrictions even though we know it can be bad.

And that's what they mean by treating covid like the flu. We know it sucks and we know people could die, so we recommend taking precautions like staying home when sick or getting the flu shot, but otherwise we live life normally and go see people and gather in crowds and stuff.

If there is one thing we should keep from this pandemic, it's pushing businesses and employers in general to give workers proper sick days. Making it so people can take a week off sick without losing pay or standing on their job.

The stupidest thing ever before all this was pushing workers to work while sick, and infecting everyone in the workplace.

 

[jbeck5]

If there is one thing we should keep from this pandemic, it's pushing businesses and employers in general to give workers proper sick days. Making it so people can take a week off sick without losing pay or standing on their job.

The stupidest thing ever before all this was pushing workers to work while sick, and infecting everyone in the workplace.

That's gonna be hard for the part timers.

How do you know that 19-20 year old is actually sick or is just trying to get rid of his 2 weekend shifts so he can go get drunk at his buddies cottage?

Now all of a sudden, the full timer that works every day and booked off the weekend to bring his kids to wonderland, has to come in so buddy who barely works can go get wasty poo with his college buddies.

You have to also have a solution for that.

Full timers have worked and banked a couple of sick days that they will hold all year for when they're actually sick.

How do you go about giving sick days to part timers? Or how do you go about ensuring that they're actually sick and aren't just blowing off work, which could be fireable?

Not to mention places don't have the budget to allow all these part timers to no show, pay them, and then pay someone else to cover their shift.

Imagine 2 of your 3 evening workers call in sick because they don't wanna come to work because of homework or they're tired...so they "call in sick". Now you have to pay 5 people when you could only afford 3. Either that or you run the place with a single part time employee who will then struggle all shift and hate their life.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

That's gonna be hard for the part timers.

How do you know that 19-20 year old is actually sick or is just trying to get rid of his 2 weekend shifts so he can go get drunk at his buddies cottage?

Now all of a sudden, the full timer that works every day and booked off the weekend to bring his kids to wonderland, has to come in so buddy who barely works can go get wasty poo with his college buddies.

You have to also have a solution for that.

Full timers have worked and banked a couple of sick days that they will hold all year for when they're actually sick.

How do you go about giving sick days to part timers? Or how do you go about ensuring that they're actually sick and aren't just blowing off work, which could be fireable?

Not to mention places don't have the budget to allow all these part timers to no show, pay them, and then pay someone else to cover their shift.

Imagine 2 of your 3 evening workers call in sick because they don't wanna come to work because of homework or they're tired...so they "call in sick". Now you have to pay 5 people when you could only afford 3. Either that or you run the place with a single part time employee who will then struggle all shift and hate their life.

It's definitely something businesses and the government will have to navigate. But, modern technology helps with this. Someone constantly gets "sick" every weekend, it won't be long until the system flags it as suspicious (not to mention the coworkers noticing the pattern and complaining about it). These kids also (usually) aren't bright enough to keep their Friday night frolics off social media, so you know the truth will come out sooner or later. Doesn't take all that long for those types of workers to wear out their welcome and get booted out, and abusing the sick leave policy will give business probable cause to terminate an employee. Also requiring a doctors note after so many days of absence or if you run out of annual sick days might curtail that a bit. And there will have to be some government involvement, as well. Perhaps government chips in a percentage of the workers' pay for those sick days, so the liability isn't totally on the business (and makes it more likely a business will ok sick days if some of the expense is covered).

No matter what you do, there will be some abuse. But we're at a stage where pandemics are happening more frequently, and we simply don't have the extra hospital beds to continue like we did in the past where you show up for work sick and spread it all over the place.

 

[jbeck5]

It's definitely something businesses and the government will have to navigate. But, modern technology helps with this. Someone constantly gets "sick" every weekend, it won't be long until the system flags it as suspicious (not to mention the coworkers noticing the pattern and complaining about it). These kids also (usually) aren't bright enough to keep their Friday night frolics off social media, so you know the truth will come out sooner or later. Doesn't take all that long for those types of workers to wear out their welcome and get booted out, and abusing the sick leave policy will give business probable cause to terminate an employee. Also requiring a doctors note after so many days of absence or if you run out of annual sick days might curtail that a bit. And there will have to be some government involvement, as well. Perhaps government chips in a percentage of the workers' pay for those sick days, so the liability isn't totally on the business (and makes it more likely a business will ok sick days if some of the expense is covered).

No matter what you do, there will be some abuse. But we're at a stage where pandemics are happening more frequently, and we simply don't have the extra hospital beds to continue like we did in the past where you show up for work sick and spread it all over the place.

They might not do it enough to form a noticeable habit..might just be 3-4 days a year...but even once would be a piss off.

Also, sure, you give them the boot, but the part time staff who come in and replace them might do the exact same thing. Some can keep it off social media rather well.

"Oh, that girl I have a crush on wants to come over but I work...meh, it's just 3 hours or $40...I live at home and have no expenses so I'll just call in sick this once. No one will know I didn't just stay in bed"

16-25 year olds working part time living on their parents dime try to get rid of shifts all the time. Giving them free sick days to easily have an excuse built in would be a disaster.

I agree, but I think it would be more sick days for the full timers. These are usually adults living on their own that are much less likely to just not care to go to work.

I don't think you can give a bunch of paid sick days to the teenagers who show up for one or two 3-5 hour shifts a week. They're often forced to work by their parents and hate when they have to work. These are the people that volunteer to cut their shift early (with less pay) because they wanna go hang out with their friends.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

They might not do it enough to form a noticeable habit..might just be 3-4 days a year...but even once would be a piss off.

Also, sure, you give them the boot, but the part time staff who come in and replace them might do the exact same thing. Some can keep it off social media rather well.

"Oh, that girl I have a crush on wants to come over but I work...meh, it's just 3 hours or $40...I live at home and have no expenses so I'll just call in sick this once. No one will know I didn't just stay in bed"

16-25 year olds working part time living on their parents dime try to get rid of shifts all the time. Giving them free sick days to easily have an excuse built in would be a disaster.

I agree, but I think it would be more sick days for the full timers. These are usually adults living on their own that are much less likely to just not care to go to work.

I don't think you can give a bunch of paid sick days to the teenagers who show up for one or two 3-5 hour shifts a week. They're often forced to work by their parents and hate when they have to work. These are the people that volunteer to cut their shift early (with less pay) because they wanna go hang out with their friends.

Yes, but at the same time, a smart business would not be relying on those kids to have a successful business. In fact, chances are a lot of places likely wouldn't be hiring that many kids going forward if work laws do change.

I do get what you're saying. My workplace has that issue with kids wanting to play every weekend and no shows are common. It is what it is. all you can really do is put an upper limit on the amount of sick time part timers can take, but it really doesn't matter when the parents pay all their living expenses.

And to be honest, I see the same thing with a few adult workers from time to time, too. People come in, work hard for a month or so, and then realize how hard it is and then get an "injury" and try to milk the system for a few months until their welcome wears out and they move on to the next business and pull the same stunt again. People kinda suck. It doesn't hurt the big businesses bottom line, it just screws over the good workers stuck working short handed all the time. I know it. Been dealing with it for years.

But what can you do? Take away WSIB and sick leave, and you won't get anyone to work a physical job, and people will bring every virus in the world into the workplace. You can't win.

 

[jbeck5]

Yes, but at the same time, a smart business would not be relying on those kids to have a successful business. In fact, chances are a lot of places likely wouldn't be hiring that many kids going forward if work laws do change.

I do get what you're saying. My workplace has that issue with kids wanting to play every weekend and no shows are common. It is what it is. all you can really do is put an upper limit on the amount of sick time part timers can take, but it really doesn't matter when the parents pay all their living expenses.

And to be honest, I see the same thing with a few adult workers from time to time, too. People come in, work hard for a month or so, and then realize how hard it is and then get an "injury" and try to milk the system for a few months until their welcome wears out and they move on to the next business and pull the same stunt again. People kinda suck. It doesn't hurt the big businesses bottom line, it just screws over the good workers stuck working short handed all the time. I know it. Been dealing with it for years.

But what can you do? Take away WSIB and sick leave, and you won't get anyone to work a physical job, and people will bring every virus in the world into the workplace. You can't win.

Yeah for sure. There's no perfect system.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

Won’t ever wear a mask again

Congrats on being a selfish dick, I guess?

 

[L'Aveuglette]

I can't believe we're two years into this mess and there are still some people using the "it's just the flu" excuse.

Amazing.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

I can't believe we're two years into this mess and there are still some people using the "it's just the flu" excuse.

Amazing.

+1. Ignorant nonsense that’s no truer now than it was when it first became a talking point around those seeking to downplay COVID’s severity.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Really hope America drops the pre arrival testing soon like Canada did. scared shitless of my NYC vacation being ruined, planning on watching the sens at MSG, and the raptors the night after.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

America drops the pre arrival testin

If you're travelling to the U.S. by air, you will still be required to take an antigen test no more than one day before your scheduled departure. All non-U.S. citizen air travellers to the U.S. must be fully vaccinated to board a plane headed to that country.

If you're fully vaccinated and travelling to the U.S. by land or by a ferry, a test is not required. The U.S. dropped its testing requirements for land-based travellers last October. I actually went across to Ogdensburg in December, and pretty every place we went masks were “recommended“ not required, and about 50% of the people made the choice to wear a mask. Here in Ottawa, it has been my experience (when out shopping) that about 80% are choosing to keep their masks on, with the mandate being dropped 8 days ago.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Won’t ever wear a mask again

Never is a very long time. I get you don't want to ever wear one again.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

'Clear' that Ontario is in 6th wave: Jüni

The head of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table says it is very clear Ontario is now in the middle of a sixth wave of the pandemic.

www.cp24.com

 

[Golden_Jet]

I think there is only 1 week left to get the free rapid tests. Picked up a box for Easter weekend socializing.