I read somewhere the phrase "covid is a social construct".
The pandemic can be ended tomorrow. All it would take is political will, firing a couple of people, and a change in messaging and narrative. I consider this the defining moral imperative of our time
I think the pandemic by whatever definition now applies is ending simply because we are quite tired of being afraid of getting sick. We obviously become ill at various times in life. Are there things we can do to lessen the probability of serious (hospital/death)? There are such things and our public health officials need to tell us, all of us, often and have media explain.
Apparently some who get ill are helped by some off-patent drugs. Would it not be worthwhile to mention them? Whether they work in their cocktail form seems a matter for the individual to decide with the help of their doctor; if they don't help the hospital is a backup. It seems the suppression of these drugs is related to the vaccine decision which now seems pointless, given nearly everyone has made their decision.
Afraid of Covid? Yes --> Pro mandates, enforced masks, restrictions, magical thinking that it can be avoided forever, etc
Afraid of Covid? No --> Against mandates, optional masks, no restrictions, individual behavior, "everyone gonna get it", societal cost vs benefit lopsided etc
I used to be afraid of covid and more or less was in line with all of the measures. When the spell broke I had a mixture of 2 feelings - freedom and bafflement. Now mutated into anger and rebellion
I personally was never afraid but was extra cautious in the early days. I felt relieved after getting vaccinated. Then as news of vaccine failure arose, became semi-cautious again. I rejected the booster as short term effective with some risk given VAERS data, despite my age, 82. Now I remain extra cautious and practicing more throat and nasal sanitation after venturing out. I had a plan for home testing and an agreement to get antibody infusion should I get infected but now see that as a dim prospect. I am more concerned with the fact that I, like many, can't believe health officials who only can speak of a poorly tested vaccine that is not effective and frankly can't know the best strategy for my best outcomes. And that point, like you, makes me very angry. Anger at the politicization of health officials and the politicians who made this pandemic a political issue.
"Even if we all agree that it would be desirable to “get covid under control” or “end the pandemic,” we don’t actually agree on what real-world situations these words describe." -- this is because no credible conversation with anybody other than a few "medical experts"--and we see how expert they are have been-- has been allowed without smashing non-conforming (to bureaucrats) views and reasoned alternatives. That's the problem, we all agree words mean something, but we haven't even been able to "have words." Our allowed discursive interpretations have been tyrannically forced upon us.
Great thoughts from this linguist. Hesitating to share it ... everytime I post anything other then Covid-Zero stuff I am attacked by an army of Covidians who tell me that there are no more lockdowns or closures and that the kids are just fine. I had several people using the same exact phrases telling me that thanks to me people were dying, that I was selfishly infecting people? (for saying some restrictions were excessive), on and on I'm a Trumpist anti-vaxxer for pointing out that my child suffered during the school closures. Not sure maybe bots but the hate was really over the top! We need better leadership messaging, for sure.
The assumptions people make about people who share these kind of reasonable messages are just Completely Irrational. I’ve experienced the same as you. I know others have as well, and I know people like Dr. Prasad have too. Keep all the other brave souls in mind and share anyway! Strength in numbers!
I guess I want to say that the Biden administration should NOT get to redefine terms after using provisional definitions to win an election, continuing a tragic public policy of supporting tragic mitigation measures that really hurt an entire generation, weakening not strengthening almost every aspect of society and likely break the economic back of our country, all the while smiling a doppy smile. And then saying they won by changing the definitions that we clearly know they were not operating under.
The linguistic twists ??
Covid death: "With covid" vs "from covid"
"Vaccine": (Helper or conqueror?--we just all learned it's a helper)
"Gain of function": no such thing, it's a term we made up that doesn't mean anything- ala F.Collins.
"Herd Immunity": dirty word until you have it, then it's a blessing.
"they think that they agree on a shared goal when they actually envision drastically different realities"
This describes every group project in the history of the world - work, school, home improvement, vacation planning, divisive social movements, SCOTUS decisions, etc.
It's nothing new. Presidential campaign slogans and promises have a long history of being meaningless. How, exactly, does one "Build Back Better" or "Make America Great Again" or create "Change We Can Believe In"? A president can't be held accountable for keeping or breaking their promises if their results are unmeasurable.
The pandemic response in the US may have been less harmful both socially and medically if politicians hadn't said a word about it and left mitigation as personal conversations between people and their physicians.
Unfortunately, the political and social precedents set by the covid pandemic will allow future diseases to be used as a tool, much like the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, homeless crisis, etc. are used for political aims or power grabs.
I really, really, really hope flu season isn't used as an excuse for shutting schools down or mandating vaccines.
Dr. Prasad, I also liked your recent video about people are talking about the pandemic as if it "caused" schools to shut down, businesses to close, etc. From the very beginning (March 2020), I was telling people that Covid isn't causing anything, it's human and government decisions. Whether those decisions were justified or not, we still have to acknowledge that the virus/pandemic itself isn't causing these mandates to be enacted. I think saying things like "schools are closed due to covid" is a way of shifting the blame. Rain doesn't force you to stay home instead of driving to the gym for a much-needed workout. Unless there's a thunderstorm that puts your life in danger on the road, you've made a decision not to go the gym, although bad weather might have nudged you in that direction. However, you must recognize that the decision is still yours. Otherwise, you are admitting you are without agency.
Anyway, a bit of a ramble, but I hope that all makes sense. Very frustrating and worrying times, indeed.
I work at UC Berkeley campus and I am being required to obtain a vaccine + booster and submit proof. This just astounds me... I have to choose between my morals and providing for my family. I am a healthy 38 year old. I am <10% body fat and have my nutriion dialed in. I am in NO danger of this disease and should not be REQUIRED to obtain a vaccine/booster because others. It is also an enigma that this vaccine (per the CDC) does not protect you from contracting or spreading the virus... what is the point?
I am at a loss of what I can do to fight this... is it really down to get the vaccine or be fired?? Is there nothing I can do?
I read somewhere the phrase "covid is a social construct".
The pandemic can be ended tomorrow. All it would take is political will, firing a couple of people, and a change in messaging and narrative. I consider this the defining moral imperative of our time
I think the pandemic by whatever definition now applies is ending simply because we are quite tired of being afraid of getting sick. We obviously become ill at various times in life. Are there things we can do to lessen the probability of serious (hospital/death)? There are such things and our public health officials need to tell us, all of us, often and have media explain.
Apparently some who get ill are helped by some off-patent drugs. Would it not be worthwhile to mention them? Whether they work in their cocktail form seems a matter for the individual to decide with the help of their doctor; if they don't help the hospital is a backup. It seems the suppression of these drugs is related to the vaccine decision which now seems pointless, given nearly everyone has made their decision.
I see it as more simply:
Afraid of Covid? Yes --> Pro mandates, enforced masks, restrictions, magical thinking that it can be avoided forever, etc
Afraid of Covid? No --> Against mandates, optional masks, no restrictions, individual behavior, "everyone gonna get it", societal cost vs benefit lopsided etc
I used to be afraid of covid and more or less was in line with all of the measures. When the spell broke I had a mixture of 2 feelings - freedom and bafflement. Now mutated into anger and rebellion
I personally was never afraid but was extra cautious in the early days. I felt relieved after getting vaccinated. Then as news of vaccine failure arose, became semi-cautious again. I rejected the booster as short term effective with some risk given VAERS data, despite my age, 82. Now I remain extra cautious and practicing more throat and nasal sanitation after venturing out. I had a plan for home testing and an agreement to get antibody infusion should I get infected but now see that as a dim prospect. I am more concerned with the fact that I, like many, can't believe health officials who only can speak of a poorly tested vaccine that is not effective and frankly can't know the best strategy for my best outcomes. And that point, like you, makes me very angry. Anger at the politicization of health officials and the politicians who made this pandemic a political issue.
"Even if we all agree that it would be desirable to “get covid under control” or “end the pandemic,” we don’t actually agree on what real-world situations these words describe." -- this is because no credible conversation with anybody other than a few "medical experts"--and we see how expert they are have been-- has been allowed without smashing non-conforming (to bureaucrats) views and reasoned alternatives. That's the problem, we all agree words mean something, but we haven't even been able to "have words." Our allowed discursive interpretations have been tyrannically forced upon us.
Great thoughts from this linguist. Hesitating to share it ... everytime I post anything other then Covid-Zero stuff I am attacked by an army of Covidians who tell me that there are no more lockdowns or closures and that the kids are just fine. I had several people using the same exact phrases telling me that thanks to me people were dying, that I was selfishly infecting people? (for saying some restrictions were excessive), on and on I'm a Trumpist anti-vaxxer for pointing out that my child suffered during the school closures. Not sure maybe bots but the hate was really over the top! We need better leadership messaging, for sure.
The assumptions people make about people who share these kind of reasonable messages are just Completely Irrational. I’ve experienced the same as you. I know others have as well, and I know people like Dr. Prasad have too. Keep all the other brave souls in mind and share anyway! Strength in numbers!
I guess I want to say that the Biden administration should NOT get to redefine terms after using provisional definitions to win an election, continuing a tragic public policy of supporting tragic mitigation measures that really hurt an entire generation, weakening not strengthening almost every aspect of society and likely break the economic back of our country, all the while smiling a doppy smile. And then saying they won by changing the definitions that we clearly know they were not operating under.
The linguistic twists ??
Covid death: "With covid" vs "from covid"
"Vaccine": (Helper or conqueror?--we just all learned it's a helper)
"Gain of function": no such thing, it's a term we made up that doesn't mean anything- ala F.Collins.
"Herd Immunity": dirty word until you have it, then it's a blessing.
This is wonderful! But, alas, it is preaching to the choir, and those who really need to hear it will not be listening.
"they think that they agree on a shared goal when they actually envision drastically different realities"
This describes every group project in the history of the world - work, school, home improvement, vacation planning, divisive social movements, SCOTUS decisions, etc.
It's nothing new. Presidential campaign slogans and promises have a long history of being meaningless. How, exactly, does one "Build Back Better" or "Make America Great Again" or create "Change We Can Believe In"? A president can't be held accountable for keeping or breaking their promises if their results are unmeasurable.
The pandemic response in the US may have been less harmful both socially and medically if politicians hadn't said a word about it and left mitigation as personal conversations between people and their physicians.
Unfortunately, the political and social precedents set by the covid pandemic will allow future diseases to be used as a tool, much like the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, homeless crisis, etc. are used for political aims or power grabs.
I really, really, really hope flu season isn't used as an excuse for shutting schools down or mandating vaccines.
Dr. Prasad, I also liked your recent video about people are talking about the pandemic as if it "caused" schools to shut down, businesses to close, etc. From the very beginning (March 2020), I was telling people that Covid isn't causing anything, it's human and government decisions. Whether those decisions were justified or not, we still have to acknowledge that the virus/pandemic itself isn't causing these mandates to be enacted. I think saying things like "schools are closed due to covid" is a way of shifting the blame. Rain doesn't force you to stay home instead of driving to the gym for a much-needed workout. Unless there's a thunderstorm that puts your life in danger on the road, you've made a decision not to go the gym, although bad weather might have nudged you in that direction. However, you must recognize that the decision is still yours. Otherwise, you are admitting you are without agency.
Anyway, a bit of a ramble, but I hope that all makes sense. Very frustrating and worrying times, indeed.
I love this….
I work at UC Berkeley campus and I am being required to obtain a vaccine + booster and submit proof. This just astounds me... I have to choose between my morals and providing for my family. I am a healthy 38 year old. I am <10% body fat and have my nutriion dialed in. I am in NO danger of this disease and should not be REQUIRED to obtain a vaccine/booster because others. It is also an enigma that this vaccine (per the CDC) does not protect you from contracting or spreading the virus... what is the point?
I am at a loss of what I can do to fight this... is it really down to get the vaccine or be fired?? Is there nothing I can do?