Alligatorob
SF VIP
I am troubled by all of the emotional and political debate on this whole Covid thing. I believe that our government has largely failed us in not getting out the clearest and most useful data and information possible. And that is much to blame for the state of the debate. Getting this information is one thing the government should be able to do, but they have not. Too many confusing or contradictory statements, and too little coordination of good scientific, medical, and epidemiological data collection, assimilation, interpretation, and release.
Our politicians have for the most part made it worse, and our press has done an even more dismal job of reporting on things.
I believe it would be very helpful to have the most reliable data possible on several issues (the list could be a lot longer and more detailed, but it seems to me this covers most of the big important items):
At this point I do not believe this pandemic is bad enough that the government should try to require vaccines or masks, the risks do not seem to me to be high enough for that. And I believe that if properly informed most people will make good decisions and do the right thing voluntarily.
One place the government deserves high marks (or I think they do anyway) is for the vaccine. They found something that works and got it out in unbelievable time. I would not have take an 100:1 bet on this happening a couple of years ago. So something was done right, I just wish more had been...
There will be future pandemics and worse will happen. We should treat this as a learning experience to be ready or readier for the next. I fear we are not doing a very good job of that. For me the silver lining is that I probably won’t live to see that next bad one…
I have opinions on most of these questions, as I am sure others do. I tried not to put too much of my own bias here, just trying to get others to think. And perhaps rationally discuss. Not to argue. I can respect any thought out opinion, no matter how wrong I might think it is, LOL!
Our politicians have for the most part made it worse, and our press has done an even more dismal job of reporting on things.
I believe it would be very helpful to have the most reliable data possible on several issues (the list could be a lot longer and more detailed, but it seems to me this covers most of the big important items):
- Are the risks from contracting Covid bad enough to justify the expense and trouble we are going through? I tend to think that many of the anti-vaccine, anti-mask, and anti-shutdown people really believe the risks are not so high. I don’t agree, but this is a legitimate position, one that deserves discussion. And good rational discussion and decision making can only be based on good data. For example reliable data comparing Covid risks to the flu and other common diseases would be helpful. I think some of this information is already out, but not in a way that many people understand or believe it.
- How doses the vaccine effect the Covid risks? From press reports it sounds to me like getting the vaccine greatly lowers the risk of serious illness and death. If this is true, I might be convinced that the right thing to do is get as many people vaccinated as possible and then let the virus run its course.
- What are the real risks of the vaccine itself and how do those compare to the risks of contracting Covid? Most of what we hear are sweeping statements that the vaccines are safe and effective, or stories of people who have had bad reactions. I suspect the truth is somewhere in-between. For myself I choose to get the vaccine, and I believe others should too. However, I understand opinions differ, which is fine. I just think that with more good information more people could make the best choice.
- Do unvaccinated people represent a higher risk to the population as a whole? To vaccinated people? What are the real consequences to others of an individual not getting vaccinated? I am not suggesting this as a reason to require vaccination, but if people knew the answers they could make better decisions.
- A related issue that we need a good understanding of is how long can we expect the vaccine to last and what comes next? Boosters, a new vaccine? Variants are the way all viruses go, this should be no surprise, we need to be talking about a plan for the future now. For the flu we are supposed to get annual shots, will Covid vaccine end up a part of that cocktail?
- What are the real effects of mask wearing on transmission and severity risks from the virus? I am not a health professional, but I am an engineer and spent a lot of my career working with filters and protection from airborne toxins, so I know a little. My understanding helps me know that no mask or filter is 100% effective, and any mask or filter will reduce exposure at least a little. So no 0% and no 100%, but we don’t really know where the various masks and mask wearing protocols fall in between. And importantly what are the epidemiological consequences? We need to know if masks cut down on disease, not the specifics of what happens to exhaled particles, just does the mask help reduce infection in our population and how much? Easier to make rational decisions with good data.
- A similar question should be asked for social distancing to help us better understand the value or lack of it from the shutdowns.
At this point I do not believe this pandemic is bad enough that the government should try to require vaccines or masks, the risks do not seem to me to be high enough for that. And I believe that if properly informed most people will make good decisions and do the right thing voluntarily.
One place the government deserves high marks (or I think they do anyway) is for the vaccine. They found something that works and got it out in unbelievable time. I would not have take an 100:1 bet on this happening a couple of years ago. So something was done right, I just wish more had been...
There will be future pandemics and worse will happen. We should treat this as a learning experience to be ready or readier for the next. I fear we are not doing a very good job of that. For me the silver lining is that I probably won’t live to see that next bad one…
I have opinions on most of these questions, as I am sure others do. I tried not to put too much of my own bias here, just trying to get others to think. And perhaps rationally discuss. Not to argue. I can respect any thought out opinion, no matter how wrong I might think it is, LOL!