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Scientists: 3 Billion Expected to Get Omicron

By Jeralyn, Section Coronavirus
Posted on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 12:02:26 PM EST
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Listen to the Science:

At the global level, we expect 3 billion or more omicron infections in the next two to three months, which will translate into a tripling of global reported cases. Because the infection-detection rate is going to be lower, that will translate into a global surge in hospitalizations, but fortunately smaller than the previous delta surge and previous winter surge in the Northern hemisphere. And even smaller will be the global impact in terms of mortality, but global deaths will go up somewhat in the next few months.

Omicron is in all 50 states. Cases could reach one million a day before the end of the year. Hospitals are breaking records. You can't find a testing kit on the shelves of retail stores. Apparently, Americans don't care.

Nearly 2 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on Tuesday, roughly the same number on the same day in 2019, according to the agency's daily count.

What can you do? Get boosted, wear an N95 (or at least a K95) mask. Stay home. Make sure any guests have been tested.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Scientists: 3 Billion Expected to Get Omicron | 64 comments (64 topical)

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    Jeralyn, (5.00 / 8) (#1)
    by KeysDan on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 01:11:16 PM EST
    Best wishes to you and your family this Holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year.

    And, my best to all Talk Left colleagues during Christmastime and in the New Year.

    What he said (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 01:50:15 PM EST
    Christmas morning 7:30 eastern

    How to watch the James Webb telescope launch into space



    Parent

    My Christmas present (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 03:12:12 PM EST
    from my brother.  Sort of.  He can't keep him in his yard so he asked me to take him.  

    The more dogs the merrier

    name suggestions?

    Billy Shears... (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by desertswine on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 07:56:52 PM EST


    Parent
    What a cutie (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 03:56:04 AM EST


    Parent
    What a handsome fellow! (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Zorba on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 11:54:01 AM EST
    Ajax. Apollo. Atlas. (Okay, I'm on a Greek kick.)
    Merry Christmas!

    Parent
    I'm at a neighbors (5.00 / 3) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 12:43:25 PM EST
    we are having Ribs with everything in the back yard. It's sunny and 75 and I'm on my third Mimosa

    Parent
    Houdini (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by MO Blue on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 02:22:23 PM EST
    From one escape artist to another.

    Merry Christmas everyone. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

    Parent

    Bongo (none / 0) (#15)
    by leap on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 03:44:12 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    Jacob Marley (none / 0) (#19)
    by KeysDan on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 10:37:33 AM EST
    or "Jake". as a nickname.

    Parent
    Relatively (none / 0) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 11:37:45 AM EST
    He's more a Tiny Tim

    Parent
    Tim (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by KeysDan on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 11:45:31 AM EST
    Is good.   My tie for first.

    Merry Christmas.

    Parent

    Happy Holidays (5.00 / 5) (#23)
    by Zorba on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 11:56:05 AM EST
    Merry Christmas (in Greek, Kaλά Χριστούγεννα), and a Happy Healthy New Year to sll!

    Free Association (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 03:59:44 PM EST
    Here is a collection of isolated thoughts from isolation. I write all my own material.

    Remember when a doctor would test a patient's sanity by asking who is the President of the United States?

    The punchline is "four hour insurrection." Write your own joke, e.g. "When Trump tried Viagra, all he got was a four hour insurrection."
    "If your insurrection lasts more than four hours, call your attorney."

    QAnon Shaman sends word from his prison cell that reports of his conviction are fake news.

    GOP idea of protecting school kids is a "dangerous book" drill.

    Remember all those people in the 1950s who said they would rather get polio than take the vaccine?
    Me neither.

    If corporations are people, can we make Soylent Green out of them?

    There must be a word for aphasia, but I can never think of it.

    Did you hear the joke about the conservative comedian?
    .
    .
    .
    That was the joke.

    Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to all! (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by vml68 on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 07:10:40 PM EST
    Wishing you the best in 2022.
    Away too (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by KeysDan on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 07:57:05 PM EST
    long. Hope to hear more from you in 2022.  Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year.

    Parent
    Merry Christmas (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Dec 26, 2021 at 05:53:26 PM EST
    to you and everybody else here at TL. I hope 2022 is a healthy and prosperous year. 2021 has not met my expectations but at least things are heading in the right direction.


    Parent
    Great site for tracking (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 26, 2021 at 07:19:24 AM EST
    the Space Telescope

    ooo, (none / 0) (#30)
    by leap on Sun Dec 26, 2021 at 11:21:41 AM EST
    thanks for posting that! The images the telescope produces will be so cool.

    Parent
    Good-bye Joan Didion, (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by desertswine on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 09:56:48 PM EST
    Wayne Thiebaud, E. O. Wilson, Sarah Weddington, Desmond Tutu, Harry Reid, John Madden all this week or so.

    In a 29-page ruling, (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by KeysDan on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 04:40:22 PM EST
    Federal Judge Stephen Friot (appointed by GW Bush) denied the State of Oklahoma's request for a preliminary injunction challenging the Biden Administration's Covid vaccine mandates for Oklahoma National Guard members. The judge found the claims of the governor and attorney general to be without merit.

    "The vaccine mandate to which the governor objects is the one--in addition to the nine that already apply to all service members-- intended to protect service members from the virus which has, in less than two years, killed more Americans than have been killed in action in all wars that US has ever fought.  The Court is requested to decide the case on the basis of federal law, not common sense.  But, either way, the result would be the same."

    The ruling refers to General George Washington's mandate for small pox vaccine for the Continental Army, readiness for reserve military service, and concludes by suggesting more time for Guard members to get vaccinated, owing to the bad information that they received from the state's leadership.  Ouch.

    It is the end if the world. (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 02:34:20 PM EST
    Betty White has died at 99. Rest in Peace.

    This has certainly been a year to forget no? (none / 0) (#62)
    by desertswine on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 05:59:56 PM EST
    The next one's just gotta be better than the last twol

    Parent
    Creepy (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 04:38:53 PM EST

    China Harvests Masses of Data on Western Targets

    December 31, 2021 at 5:17 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 16 Comments

    "China is turning a major part of its internal Internet data surveillance network outward, mining Western social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to equip its government agencies, military and police with information on foreign targets," the Washington Post reports.

    "China maintains a countrywide network of government data surveillance services -- called public opinion analysis software -- that were developed over the past decade and are used domestically to warn officials of politically sensitive information online."
    Disappointing if true (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 02:30:07 PM EST
    Trump Inquiry Won't Be Resolved When Vance Leaves

    December 23, 2021 at 9:36 am EST By Taegan Goddard 61 Comments

    "The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., has run out of time," the New York Times reports.

    "Even as prosecutors in his office have ramped up their long-running investigation into former President Donald Trump in recent weeks, Mr. Vance is set to leave office soon without seeking criminal charges against Mr. Trump."
    Omicron (none / 0) (#4)
    by Coral on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 02:58:00 PM EST
    Daughter in Brooklyn and about 30 of her friends acquaintances all got Covid in last 2 weeks, mild or asymptomatic. All fully vaccinated, many boosted. All in late 20s early 30s.

    Screwed up everyone's holiday plans.

    Do wear a mask indoors.

    My daughter in Brooklyn (none / 0) (#5)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 03:05:18 PM EST
    got it too, and an almost equal number of her friends and acquaintances. Same age range and all fully vaxxed and boosted, as far as I know.

    Parent
    Same for our son-in-law (none / 0) (#6)
    by Peter G on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 03:17:16 PM EST
    in Queens. Not their too-young-to-vaccinate toddler, blessedly.

    Parent
    Same (none / 0) (#14)
    by Yman on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 03:35:31 PM EST
    Except in Jersey City.  Case numbers are about to get crazy.  I just hope the vaccines continue to prevent severe illness/death

    Parent
    I stopped in at Lowe's yesterday... (none / 0) (#7)
    by desertswine on Thu Dec 23, 2021 at 08:56:11 PM EST
    to get some weatherstripping, and was really surprised at the number of people walking around in there either without masks on, or just wearing their masks under their noses so it did them no good. I thought, "Are these people just idiots?   Don't they watch television?"  Ther're just walking around like the pandemic is over.  

    Both, very likely. (none / 0) (#8)
    by jmacWA on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 04:08:21 AM EST
    "Are these people just idiots?   Don't they watch television?"


    Parent
    Santa, bring your shades (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 10:01:19 AM EST
    I have all the doors open.  It's 67 at 10:30.
    Having the neighbors over and grilling this afternoon.  Already marinating.

    Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow.  And no bad weather predicted

    I'll take it.

    67 was our low last night (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by fishcamp on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 11:42:53 AM EST
    here in the Florida keys and it felt cold and windy in my bedroom last night.  I leave the lower window open for blackie my cat.  We're up to 75 degrees so far today.  Merry Christmas to everybody in the upper USA...🌴

    Parent
    Supposed to be 77 here tomorrow (none / 0) (#11)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 12:27:08 PM EST
    this ain't southern Florida.

    Parent
    That is weird (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Fri Dec 24, 2021 at 02:37:07 PM EST
    hopefully the inevitable cold blast mixed with all that warm air won't produce too much weather craziness.

    Parent
    It is a freakishly warm Christmas Day (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Dec 25, 2021 at 08:02:32 AM EST
    I got up early to watch the launch and it was still dark and 70ish.   Watched on the iPad sitting on the deck.

    I feel like we will pay for this.  Somehow.

    Parent

    DA trying to lessen sentence for truck driver (none / 0) (#32)
    by McBain on Mon Dec 27, 2021 at 10:56:43 AM EST
    Link
    A Colorado district attorney is asking a judge to reduce the sentence for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a trucker convicted in an interstate wreck that killed four people, from 110 years to 20-30 years.

    Millions of people, including me, singed an online petition. 110 years seemed ridiculous.
    Aguilera-Mederos was driving 85 mph in a semi tractor-trailer in April 2019 when his brakes failed, he told investigators at the time. He crashed, causing a fiery 28-car pileup on I-70 that killed four people and injured others, the Lakewood Police Department said at the time.
    Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was found guilty in October of four counts of vehicular homicide and 23 other charges, including six counts of assault in the first degree - extreme indifference; 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree - extreme indifference; two counts of vehicular assault - reckless; one count of reckless driving; and four counts of careless driving causing death.
    There are thousands and thousands (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by Peter G on Mon Dec 27, 2021 at 04:09:57 PM EST
    of people in state and federal prisons serving equally absurd -- in fact mostly more cruel and absurd -- sentences due to stupid mandatory minimums. I find it intriguing how this one happened to attract so much attention and support. If you are motivated to do something systemic about it, I suggest making an end-of-year contribution to www.FAMM.org (founded as "Families Against Mandatory Minimums").

    Parent
    Just made a small donation (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by McBain on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 08:51:14 AM EST
    I don't know why this one caught on but maybe it will help the overall cause.   Who knows exactly why certain cases are emphasized and others ignored?  My observation is our legal system hasn't looked very good recently.  


    Parent
    Additionally, if we are going to ... (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 02:26:11 PM EST
    ... mandate anything, I'd like to see the state and federal governments required to make mandatory efforts at inmate rehabilitation.

    While prisons are obviously there for a good reason, those facilities should not be human warehouses that inflict a mindless societal vengeance upon those who've transgressed, regardless of the crime they committed. Mandatory minimums are very much similar to "three strikes" policies, in that they sound politically appealing to the public in general terms but are actually punitive and otherwise counterproductive in actual practice.

    Incarceration should be an opportunity for residents to turn their lives around and prepare themselves to be productive members of society once they are released. That can be accomplished by allowing them to learn a legitimate trade, earn money through employment in a prison industry that actually pays inmates an honest wage (and doesn't exist merely for local capitalists to exploit a cheap, readily available and captive labor supply), get their GED if they're high school dropouts, or pursue an associate's degree through a local community college.

    It's long past time that we rethink why and how we imprison people, and start to get serious about bringing down both our unacceptably high rates of recidivism and the high costs associated with prisons and incarceration. This includes, as the Rev. Jesse Jackson has long suggested, considering the practicality of investing resources at the front end in our at-risk communities to give residents hope and offer children opportunities to thrive, rather than afterward at the back end when the judge pronounces sentence.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Horrible tragedy. (none / 0) (#33)
    by KeysDan on Mon Dec 27, 2021 at 12:39:28 PM EST
    The mandatory sentence only adds to its sorrows.  A lesser sentencing or relief by clemency of Governor Polis may, at least, be attenuating.

    Parent
    First I've heard of this (none / 0) (#48)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 11:42:48 PM EST
    but a quick google says that in CO they often serve about 50%, so, theoretically, he'd serve about 55 years and be about 78 y/o when released, for killing 4 people carelessly, recklessly, and with extreme indifference.

    55 is a lot of years, how many should it be?

    Parent

    "Extreme indifference" (none / 0) (#53)
    by jondee on Thu Dec 30, 2021 at 06:20:53 PM EST
    as in, he didn't care whether he killed people or not, and has no remorse about it whatsoever?

    How long did it take from the time his brakes went out till the moment of impact? People go into panic-mode in sudden, unexpected situations like that and more often than not don't follow the recommended course of action. Like all the people who run from bears when everyone says don't run from bears.

    A few years ago, I easily could have killed some people when I lost control of the car after hitting a patch of black ice during rush hour. I probably did everything you're not supposed to do in that situation, but it all happened in 3 or 4 seconds.      

    Parent

    Extreme indifference (none / 0) (#54)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 01:10:02 PM EST
    as in what he was convicted of. Multiple times.

    Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was found guilty in October of four counts of vehicular homicide and 23 other charges, including six counts of assault in the first degree - extreme indifference; 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree - extreme indifference; two counts of vehicular assault - reckless; one count of reckless driving; and four counts of careless driving causing death.

    The jury weighed his defense claims, including the one about his brakes, and all of the other facts which from your comment you apparently are not aware of, and they found him guilty as quoted above.

    My question, though, was about the length of his sentence based on his crimes.

    Parent

    Colorado Governor (none / 0) (#63)
    by KeysDan on Sat Jan 01, 2022 at 11:47:47 AM EST
    Jared Polis commuted the sentence of the trucker, Rogel Aguilera Mederos, to ten years from the 110-year mandatory sentence. He will be eligible for parole in five years.

    Parent
    Ya he did that yesterday (none / 0) (#64)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Jan 01, 2022 at 06:47:16 PM EST


    Parent
    Tail wagging the dog (none / 0) (#36)
    by coast on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 02:06:07 PM EST
    Based on the timing of the CDC's revisions to its Covid directives, it seems like the tail is wagging the dog more so than following science.

    Ultimately, responsibility for your own safety ... (5.00 / 3) (#38)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 03:10:50 PM EST
    ... and that of your family during this pandemic rests entirely with you. Speaking as a government official who has been responsible in good part for formulating and implementing my own county's response to COVID, I can only suggest that you follow CDC guidelines, err always on the side of caution and don't take uncalculated risks, and that you further urge your loved ones to do the same. But I can't make you do any of that. It's up to you.

    Like everyone else working to alleviate this pandemic, the folks at the CDC are indeed following the science, and they have been doing their best to respond to rapidly changing circumstances posed by COVID and its variants. But hey are also not infallible and when they realize that their recommendations are muddled, as they have in this instance, they do their best to clarify them.

    It has not helped matters any that far too many GOP politicians followed Trump's lead and politicized both the virus and the pandemic, and then further demonized the research scientists and administrators at the NIH, CDC and our various local health departments. It's even led to my own life being threatened on several occasions and even our state and county health officials being assaulted.

    To be perfectly clear here, none of us signed up for that when we agreed to enter public service. Personally, I'm sticking around in my job only because I made a commitment to both our current mayor and his predecessor that we were not going to give the far-right crackpots the satisfaction of derailing our efforts to combat this pandemic.

    But to be perfectly honest, I'm never, ever going to forgive Trump and most members of the Republican Party for the extensive damage and unimaginable pain and suffering they've deliberately inflicted upon our country with their willful, counterproductive and frankly sociopathic response to the biggest national public health crisis of our lifetimes.

    At least 250,000 Americans are dead thus far who otherwise didn't have to be, had those phuquing a$$h0les only approached their jobs responsibly and diligently, instead of playing politics with a deadly pathogen. Those fools who continue to listen to them and support them do so at their own peril.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I just heard that approx 15% (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 04:14:29 PM EST
    of the defiantly unvaccinated are over 65.

    The good news is fair number of those will not be around for the next election.  Or the next one after that.

    I just rescheduled my Jan 10 colonoscopy till the end of Feb.  when I will see if the hospitals are over flowing and decide if I reschedule again.


    Parent

    It's hitting health care workers here hard (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 05:51:36 PM EST
    I had an appt with my primary care Dr today and he called in sick.  They would not tell me but I'm sure it's covid.

    They might not be "getting as sick" but they are still to sick to come to work.

    I saw a group of family members yesterday at an outside event.   There was 5 and they had all had covid.  Three were vaccinated.

    Parent

    "...hitting health (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by KeysDan on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at 07:59:03 PM EST
    care workers..".  This is a major and growing problem.

    Parent
    I really (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 02:32:55 PM EST
    have wondered how much the GOP killing off their own voters is going to play in the midterms.

    Parent
    Supposedly (none / 0) (#45)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 03:15:49 PM EST
    Around 4-500,000 seniors have died.  Many were republicans.

    Now almost all the deaths are "of the unvaccinated".  AKA republicans.  It can't hurt.

    Parent

    Ron DeSantis (none / 0) (#47)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 05:01:51 PM EST
    won in 2018 by 32K votes. Between older people naturally dying at a higher rate and COVID it could be that he killed off enough of his own voters to lose reelection. Or that is a theory I have heard posited anyway. He certainly isn't getting any new voters like most Republicans so he is attempting to once again keep people from voting.

    Parent
    "Seems like" - heh (none / 0) (#44)
    by Yman on Wed Dec 29, 2021 at 03:00:21 PM EST
    Amazing how much work that phrase has to do sometimes.  The same people who were warning about the economic havoc that would be caused by vaccine "mandates!" are suddenly crying "Wag the dog!".

    Too funny.

    Parent

    Donald Trump becomes (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 30, 2021 at 06:34:11 AM EST
    ...a young lady from Niger

    Alex Jones Threatens to Dish `Dirt' on Donald Trump

    December 30, 2021 at 7:04 am EST By Taegan Goddard 43 Comments

    Alex Jones threatened to "dish all the dirt" on Donald Trump to get back at the former president for his embrace of the Covid-19 vaccines by saying they save lives, the Daily Beast reports.

    Said Jones: "It's not to hurt Trump, it's so people can know how pathetic he is when you think he is playing 4D chess, going to save you and he's not!"
    I doubt (none / 0) (#50)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 30, 2021 at 02:58:13 PM EST
    Jones has much "dirt to dish" on Trump unless it is regarding the insurrection.

    Parent
    Really? (none / 0) (#51)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Dec 30, 2021 at 03:22:00 PM EST
    I would be the the dish could possibly be beyond your wildest imagination.

    Parent
    I hope (none / 0) (#52)
    by Ga6thDem on Thu Dec 30, 2021 at 05:56:20 PM EST
    you are right and I am wrong here.

    Parent
    That would be awesome (none / 0) (#58)
    by Yman on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 03:34:11 PM EST
    Although given Jones's penchant for making wild claims, I wouldn't put money on it.  Not to mention the fact that he'd be alienating a big chunk of his audience by going after Trump.

    Parent
    The vaccine thing is (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 04:37:54 PM EST
    very very serious with some of these people.  Coincidentally pretty much the same people who are Trumps biggest, and at this point pretty much only, supporters.

    IMO he was told he had to do it to run for president again.  I so hope he does.  Assuming he is not indicted or maybe especially if he is indicted.

    He might have been made to somewhat understand how completely stupid it was to undercut the one single thing he might have possibly been given some credit for doing well.  The vaccine development.

    Whatever reason anti covid vaxxers (They usually have no strong opinions on vaccine in general) is religion.  Scared cow shite.   I've seen it.

    Parent

    How the eff Jones isn't selling (none / 0) (#61)
    by jondee on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 04:46:19 PM EST
    apples and pencils on a street corner after the Sandy Hook thing is utterly beyond me.

    Parent
    RIP (none / 0) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 02:32:09 PM EST
    Betty White

    No idea (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Dec 31, 2021 at 02:35:08 PM EST
    why that did not work

    Parent
    Scientists: 3 Billion Expected to Get Omicron | 64 comments (64 topical)

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