san diego: dialed in: CoViD-19: "Vulnerable Time For Unvaccinated" Learning More About Omicron | FDA Expands Aborsh By Mail | Hotel Del Accused Of Trapping Native Wildlife |

Jax and Mags Enjoying The Winter Heating Pad (Taken 12.16.21)

I am ready for this week to be over. I'm exhausted and I want to put my laptop on a shelf and not look at it. Not really possible for me, and I know that what is "work" for me pales to millions of other jobs; I do no manual labor, I don't work in health care or education or in retail or in food service, but it doesn't mean I don't still just get tired. And while the general consensus is that there won't be "lockdowns", it's hard not to wonder if there will be some pushback on the music and entertainment industries if things go exponential again as we're seeing stiffer protocols were just approved by the NBA and NFL and while Broadway has opted to go dark (Billboard) for the time being. It is also possible that "fully vaccinated" could potentially change to mean three shots, which would change protocols for all venues. I guess good news/bad news is that CDC is so slow that they wouldn't recommend anything like that anytime soon because they are still just trying to get the unvaccinated to get shots in the first place, and the J&J news isn't really gonna make that easier, even if you're talking about three or four deaths per millions of doses given. Anecdotal evidence is sometimes enough to settle a person into permanent belief. For the CDC's part, they knew of possible complications but the "risk-profile" still meant they were encouraging shots no matter what, sticking with the "they're safe, they're effective, and they're free" messaging without any nuance, furthering the distrust from the anti-vax cohort.

I will say that after I posted yesterday about the news both-sidesing every issue, I was pleasantly surprised when NBC San Diego did a story on masks and omicron without having to hear again from the anti-maskers. Credit where credit is due. Now let's urge distribution of better protective masks for the public, encourage more consistent testing, and make sure the public understands that COVID is airborne and can linger in the air in enclosed spaces, even after the person exhaling has left the room or elevator or restaurant because even if fully vaccinated and boosted people are largely protected from serious illness or hospitalization, I'd hardly call feeling like shit for 5 or 7 or 10 days mild and something anyone wants to contract and spread.

Be safe out there.

COVID-19:

Dr. Eric Topol says ‘we’re sitting ducks for this next wave’ of Covid from omicron variant - CNBC (12.16.21)
Lung tissue study sheds light on fast Omicron spread - CIDRAP (12.15.21)

Omicron thrives in airways, not lungs; new data on asymptomatic cases - Reuters (12.16.21)
US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advances - AP News (12.16.21)

Poll: Omicron is forcing Americans to rethink some — but not all — of their holiday plans - STAT News (12.16.21)

Four out of five vaccinated Americans say they will still wear a mask inside public places after the emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but a notably smaller percentage of people who are not vaccinated — just 63% — would do so, according to a new survey
You’re Getting Holiday COVID Dread Whether You Like It or Not. The Omicron variant has taken off in the U.S., just in time to throw your holiday plans into chaos. - Vice News (12.16.21)
It’s No Longer the ‘Pandemic of the Unvaccinated’. Omicron is doubling so fast that it may soon be the pandemic of the unboosted — with holiday risks even for the boosted. - Donald G. McNeil Jr. SUbstack (12.16.21)

CAL/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions - CA Dept of Industrial Relations (Updated 12.15.21)
UK COVID cases hit record; Top doctor warns of worse to come - AP News (12.15.21)
COVID-19 breakthrough hospitalizations - Peterson-KFF (12.15.21)
FDA Updates Risks, Cautions for Clotting-Bleeding Disorder on Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine - MedScape (12.15.21)

CDC MMWR:

Report of Health Care Provider Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adults, by Recipient COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Attitudes — United States, April–September 2021

Politics:

News:

Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola outbreak over - WHO (12.16.21)
FDA lifts restriction on abortion pill, permanently allowing delivery by mail. The agency relaxed dispensing restrictions on the drug mifepristone. - ABC News (12.16.21)
Judge tosses $4.5 billion deal shielding Purdue’s Sackler family from opioid lawsuits - CNBC (12.16.21)
12,000 Call on “Eco-Friendly” Hotel del Coronado to Stop Trapping and Killing Wild Animals - In Defense of Animals (12.15.21)

Several years ago, one of my kittens was saved from a Hotel Del trap for feral cats, so while I can attest that they were trapping them, I don't know what they do with others. Eco Lab has a monopoly on animal traps and they were present at every restaurant I've ever worked, though to catch rats and mice and roaches and do 6 month fumigations. To hear they're allegedly doing this for skunks and opossums around the property is horrifying and feels like it has to be against the law.

Mayor Gloria, Local Leaders Celebrate Minimum Wage in City Reaching $15 Per Hour - Mayor Gloria News Room

Other Reading:

Smartphones Are a New Tax on the Poor. The expectation of connectivity now extends to low-wage workers—and the consequences go far beyond gig economy jobs. - Wired (12.16.21)