# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 1, 2021, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428 "2021-01-01T08:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 148
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3004 "2021-11-16T10:52:06Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > In other Austrian news, you may already have heard that yesterday Austria imposed a nationwide lockdown on the unvaccinated. As the first country in the world to do so, this event made headlines around the world. The government has announced that police will be conducting random checks to ensure compliance with the lockdown. I note that some local German authorities are considering this as well (Berlin specifically) and, whatever the merits of it, it seems like a recipe for trouble. Personally I’m not sure what additional benefit against transmission it gives over and above the current restrictions and I suspect it will fuel a greater sense of grievance. If it is designed to nudge vaccination levels upwards then it may have some success but the costs of that in terms of social unrest and dissatisfaction may be high. I guess we will see. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3005 "2021-11-16T11:07:04Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Personally I’m not sure what additional benefit against transmission it gives over and above the current restrictions and I suspect it will fuel a greater sense of grievance. If it is designed to nudge vaccination levels upwards then it may have some success but the costs of that in terms of social unrest and dissatisfaction may be high. I guess we will see. Yes, it’s a lose–lose situation. With new infections higher than they’ve ever been, reimposing some sort of control measures is necessary. The choice the government was faced with was whether to strain the patience and goodwill of the 2/3 of the population who have already been selflessly and tirelessly doing everything they can to stop the spread of the disease, or to further alienate the crackpots and plague rats making up the remaining 1/3 of the population. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3006 "2021-11-16T12:15:03Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > The choice the government was faced with was whether to strain the patience and goodwill of the 2/3 of the population who have already been selflessly and tirelessly doing everything they can to stop the spread of the disease, or to further alienate the crackpots and plague rats making up the remaining 1/3 of the population. The question is not whether any precautions are necessary or helpful, but whether that particular choice is the best one. Plenty of other countries have managed surges without re-imposing such strict measures. Versions of “vaccine passports” and requirements to mask are already in place in Austria. The unvaccinated are already restricted in what they can do and where they can go. If that hasn’t pushed the jab rate up enough then I’m not conviced that this will and rather think that it will cause public disturbance without actually making the infection rate any better or the jab rate substantially so. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3007 "2021-11-16T12:49:58Z")
Can’t we just exterminate the plague rats? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3008 "2021-11-16T13:35:04Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > …and today Kickl just announced that he’s got Covid-19 and will be quarantining at home for the next two weeks. Ooooo…irony bites! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3009 "2021-11-16T13:41:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > [@psychonaut](#): > > > > …and today Kickl just announced that he’s got Covid-19 and will be quarantining at home for the next two weeks. > > Ooooo…irony bites! - Seldom hard enough. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3010 "2021-11-16T13:47:19Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Can’t we just exterminate the plague rats? See, I just don’t think that sort of language is really appropriate. It makes me really uncomfortable to hear people talk about actual human beings in that way. Cathartic it may be but is using that language going to help or hinder? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3011 "2021-11-16T14:02:37Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > > Ooooo…irony bites! - > > Seldom hard enough. Not hard enough in this case. Kickl says getting Covid-19 hasn’t changed his views on vaccination. And in all likelihood he’ll end up better off because of his illness: if he recovers (which is likely, as he’s asymptomatic) then for the next six months he’ll be able to enjoy all the same privileges as vaccinated people (going to bars, nightclubs, movie theatres, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3012 "2021-11-16T14:08:26Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > > [@Senegoid](#): > > > > Can’t we just exterminate the plague rats? > > See, I just don’t think that sort of language is really appropriate. It makes me really uncomfortable to hear people talk about actual human beings in that way. Cathartic it may be but is using that language going to help or hinder? Ditto. I’m not comfortable hearing “exterminate” used when talking about people. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3013 "2021-11-16T14:16:58Z")
Then they shouldn’t be referred to as “plague rats”. That wasn’t my phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3014 "2021-11-16T14:36:16Z")
OK, but you seemed to be playing along with that terminology (and indeed going further) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3015 "2021-11-16T17:31:24Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Plenty of other countries have managed surges without re-imposing such strict measures. I live in the USA. The way surges are “managed” here is that more people die when there is a surge. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3016 "2021-11-16T17:40:20Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Then they shouldn’t be referred to as “plague rats”. COVID Karens, then? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3017 "2021-11-16T17:41:08Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I live in the USA. The way surges are “managed” here is that more people die when there is a surge. I don’t see what you mean. The deaths don’t “manage” the surge though they may be a result of a surge in infections. Countries may choose to accept higher levels of infection (and resulting deaths) without imposing additional restrictions. In a well-vaccinated country that has proved be an acceptable form of management. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3018 "2021-11-16T17:42:08Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > In a well-vaccinated country that has proved be an acceptable form of management. This I agree with. Lets get vaccinated already, peoples. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3019 "2021-11-16T17:45:44Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > This I agree with. Lets get vaccinated already, peoples. It is a source of constant bafflement to me that anyone, absent a compelling medical reason, refuses to do so. I admit though that I don’t know of anyone in my circle of family and friends who openly admits to not doing so. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3020 "2021-11-16T18:05:52Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > > [@bobot](#): > > > > I live in the USA. The way surges are “managed” here is that more people die when there is a surge. > > I don’t see what you mean. The deaths don’t “manage” the surge though they may be a result of a surge in infections. I believe that was the point. Much of the US seems uninterested in actually managing it, and seems to expect it to be dealt with by letting the infections run rampant in the unvaccinated, just letting nature take its course. I don’t think that government lockdowns for the unvaccinated are a bad idea. We already know that external pressure does convert some people. And, for the rest, it limits their ability to spread the virus. Sure, some may hold out in a game of chicken, but the government has more resources. I’m not saying it definitely will work better than other options, but it’s something worth trying, I think. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3021 "2021-11-16T21:06:33Z")
How does the rule apply to people who cannot be vaccinated, especially children? ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3022 "2021-11-16T22:21:47Z")
Children are exempt. I’m not aware of any other exemptions. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/3023 "2021-11-17T00:09:20Z")
Michigan & Minnesota: > **[Cases surge in new COVID hot spots of Michigan, Minnesota](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-minnesota-michigan-0a59b4f4cd82aec3190cf23ada3abdf5)** > > Hospitals in Michigan and Minnesota on Tuesday reported a wave of COVID-19 patients not seen in months as beds were filled with unvaccinated people and health care leaders warned that staff were being worn down by yet another surge. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=147) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=149)