Would love to see an analysis of why the vast majority of people in asian countries continue to mask outdoors. Even the NyT said early on that it’s almost impossible to spread covid outside. That has been the most perplexing behavior which still persists, seemingly indefinitely. How can people still believe that breathing fresh air is dangerous? What long term health effects will that have? How many billions more masks will choke our oceans and take centuries to decompose?
Don't forget how dehumanizing it is to see a bunch of people but only half the face is visible ... even worse if they're wearing sunglasses and a head covering.
Two reasons. One quite practical, in dense populations the mask reduces the grit that surrounds dense traffic along with industrial junk. Another is social custom as I witnessed in Japan during winter months. In Japan many n the streets might mask but in eating/drinking places the masks came off.
Ah, the common sense approach! How very nice it is to hear something not forced by a political agenda or based on a parade of flags flying to show off which side of the fence you are proud to belong and force upon others. Always gives me hope. Thank you.
I love that you used one of my favorite book series to make your point.The fictional Inspector Gamache and his family and friends exude common sense and compassion during difficult times, something that could have helped all of us get through the pandemic if only our leaders (any of them!) had called for it and modeled it. Thank you, Vinay, for being that voice through this mess.
To me the perplexing behaviour is physicians who think our goal now is to prevent mild disease. Not just severe disease/hospitalization/death but mild symptomatic disease, because, you know....long COVID, you can't expect people to get sick and risk that. They want to keep evolving the vax, keep boosting ad infinitum, wait for the perfect mucosal vaccine. with a goal of zero symptomatic COVID. We are tilting at windmills now.
But what is a regular old family doctor to do when I am inundated with requests for paxlovid from the young and old all day and night? They hear over and over that they need this medication and if I don’t prescribe it they act as if they will die. It just isn’t indicated for most people. It is exponentially increasing my burnout.
“Many universities are now requiring this vaccine for 20-year-old college students who have had three prior doses and Omicron. I think you have to be dropped on your head to actually believe a 20-year-old man in good health who's gotten three doses and just had Omicron will derive any benefit from this bivalent booster. I have never met even one doctor who thinks that that is true.” Why are Harvard and other universities requiring the booster for their students to attend? Is this about administrators having invested highly and Pfizer? Does it have to do with research funding? Does anyone actually know the answer?
I love that you’ve read these books. Some of my favorites. Thanks for all you do. I’m amazed you have time for fiction. I also love the Robert Galbraith series… maybe you’d enjoy it too! I am trying to read “The Master and His Emissary” for a book club and it’s taking me forever, however the latest Comoran Strike novel of 1000 pages took just half a weekend! 💜
Would love to see an analysis of why the vast majority of people in asian countries continue to mask outdoors. Even the NyT said early on that it’s almost impossible to spread covid outside. That has been the most perplexing behavior which still persists, seemingly indefinitely. How can people still believe that breathing fresh air is dangerous? What long term health effects will that have? How many billions more masks will choke our oceans and take centuries to decompose?
Watch this video from pre-2020 when a Japanese reporter queries people on the street practicing this strange behavior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFCapGQWfAw
- "It makes my face look small"
- "I don't want to put on makeup today"
- "The subway smells"
- "I think it helps with my allergies"
- "I know it doesnt work but I like it"
- "I have acne"
- "It keeps my face warm"
According to a survey something like 30–40% of Japanese people wear a mask because other people are doing it.
Don't forget how dehumanizing it is to see a bunch of people but only half the face is visible ... even worse if they're wearing sunglasses and a head covering.
Two reasons. One quite practical, in dense populations the mask reduces the grit that surrounds dense traffic along with industrial junk. Another is social custom as I witnessed in Japan during winter months. In Japan many n the streets might mask but in eating/drinking places the masks came off.
Ah, the common sense approach! How very nice it is to hear something not forced by a political agenda or based on a parade of flags flying to show off which side of the fence you are proud to belong and force upon others. Always gives me hope. Thank you.
I love that you used one of my favorite book series to make your point.The fictional Inspector Gamache and his family and friends exude common sense and compassion during difficult times, something that could have helped all of us get through the pandemic if only our leaders (any of them!) had called for it and modeled it. Thank you, Vinay, for being that voice through this mess.
To me the perplexing behaviour is physicians who think our goal now is to prevent mild disease. Not just severe disease/hospitalization/death but mild symptomatic disease, because, you know....long COVID, you can't expect people to get sick and risk that. They want to keep evolving the vax, keep boosting ad infinitum, wait for the perfect mucosal vaccine. with a goal of zero symptomatic COVID. We are tilting at windmills now.
But what is a regular old family doctor to do when I am inundated with requests for paxlovid from the young and old all day and night? They hear over and over that they need this medication and if I don’t prescribe it they act as if they will die. It just isn’t indicated for most people. It is exponentially increasing my burnout.
I love the Louise Penny series! Next one comes out in Nov!
“Many universities are now requiring this vaccine for 20-year-old college students who have had three prior doses and Omicron. I think you have to be dropped on your head to actually believe a 20-year-old man in good health who's gotten three doses and just had Omicron will derive any benefit from this bivalent booster. I have never met even one doctor who thinks that that is true.” Why are Harvard and other universities requiring the booster for their students to attend? Is this about administrators having invested highly and Pfizer? Does it have to do with research funding? Does anyone actually know the answer?
I love that you’ve read these books. Some of my favorites. Thanks for all you do. I’m amazed you have time for fiction. I also love the Robert Galbraith series… maybe you’d enjoy it too! I am trying to read “The Master and His Emissary” for a book club and it’s taking me forever, however the latest Comoran Strike novel of 1000 pages took just half a weekend! 💜
Thanks for the book series suggestions. I do a lot of driving so I listen to audio books. I was looking for new material.
I am reading second in the series now. 3rd on on the way from library. I was not a Harry Potter fan but getting hooked on CS.