# Coronavirus general discussion and chit-chat **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903 "2020-08-12T17:29:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/163 "2020-12-17T19:56:20Z")
My daughter works in the Pediatrics unit of a large famous medical institution. Their observation is they have seen practically no influenza infections so far this year; masks seem to have non-Coronavirus benefits. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/164 "2020-12-17T20:31:15Z")
More people got the flu vaccine this year, too. > **[Flu shot rates increasing this year as experts worry of double whammy with...](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/flu-shot-rates-increasing-year-as-experts-worry-double-whammy-covid-19-season)** > > The number of Americans getting flu shots is on the rise this year, in a rare bright spot for health experts worried about a combination of COVID-19 and the flu hitting t | New preliminary data shows the number of Americans getting flu shots at a... Almost double from same period last year. I know I was eager to get mine, but I always get it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/165 "2020-12-17T20:58:04Z")
Probably more likely school closings. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/166 "2020-12-17T21:25:51Z")
Probably a whole lot of factors, many or all related to Covid precautions. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/167 "2020-12-17T22:09:47Z")
Sure but If we’re talking about the pediatric unit, schools is probably a much bigger factor than masks. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/168 "2020-12-18T00:50:21Z")
Bipartisanship has returned when it comes to selfishness: [Capitol’s physician to receive doses of vaccine for members of Supreme Court and Congress](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/17/joe-biden-trump-transition-live-updates/#link-B7TGV2LZWBBQXIPMCDBHZOV6V4) > [@](#): > > “Congress and the Supreme Court, along with executive branch agencies, will be provided with a specific number of covid-19 doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations,” Brian P. Monahan, Congress’s attending physician, wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). In case anyone believes the continuity of government excuse for queue-jumping, consider this indication of concern over said continuity:: [. . . lawmakers appear poised to drive over Friday night’s funding cliff, when the government will shut down at least temporarily without new legislation. Even if talks wrap by Friday night it’s expected to take days for Congress to pass it.](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/530755-congress-set-to-blow-past-shutdown-deadline-amid-coronavirus-talks) IMPORTANT EDIT: Chuck Schumer says he will not queue-jump. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/169 "2020-12-19T05:17:26Z")
I’m a bit of a hypochondriac in the best of times. I look forward to not convincing myself that any off feeling means I’m sick and that long term lung damage is extremely common. But on Saturday, I’m taking what’ll probably be my last COVID test, at least for a while. It’s to at least partially “clear” me for potential Christmas with family (not more than four other adults and three kids), and after that, there’ll be no real big reason to gather with anybody until it’s all over, so I can just keep staying in all the time. But like the winter solstice next Monday, things will start getting visibly better very soon, and that’s quite encouraging. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/170 "2020-12-23T12:34:01Z")
I couldn’t decide if this was breaking news or not, but Dr. Deborah Birx is retiring amid controversy of gong against quarantine instructions by having Thanksgiving dinner with people outside her household. She has stood strong against people who tried to get her to back down. She has also shown a willingness to serve in the Biden administration. She claims that she went to Delaware to close up a house to sell and had dinner with her family there, but people are criticizing her for having dinner with people outside her household and traveling during Thanksgiving. > **[White House official Dr Birx to retire amid backlash over Thanksgiving trip](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/deborah-birx-resigns-white-house-thanksgiving-b1777825.html?utm_source=reddit.com)** > > Doctor acknowledges she travelled to Delaware property ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/171 "2020-12-23T16:44:18Z")
Not sure exactly where to put this, but this should work. I miss dressing up. I’m typically a very casual dresser, tee shirts and sweatpants are my basic daily wardrobe. But I’ve always had occasion to dress up and put together a nice outfit every couple of months or so and I’m starting to realize how much I miss it. So I’m going to do it on Christmas Day. The rest of my family will be in pajamas all day, I assume - but I’m going to wear my party clothes. It’s a comfortable outfit, a really nice fancy Christmas sweater and matching leggings, it’s not like I’ll be wearing a stockings and high heels, but it’s dressy. I’m surprised at how much I’m looking forward to this, how excited I am to have an excuse to dress up for a day. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/172 "2020-12-23T16:51:31Z")
I decided early on that I would shower, shave and get dressed properly every day, even if I was going to sit on my butt alone in front of the computer. I stayed in my pajamas or sweats for a few days to start, but I felt worse, like I gave up. I’m a bit of a clothes horse anyway. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/173 "2020-12-24T04:11:05Z")
I haven’t shaved in a month. Of course, I have a mission coming up shortly; maybe after. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/174 "2020-12-24T14:30:21Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But I’ve always had occasion to dress up and put together a nice outfit every couple of months or so and I’m starting to realize how much I miss it. It’s odd the things that have changed. My Wife and I have always been early risers, but things are getting ridiculous. I have NO need to get up at 3:30am, but now that is the norm. And now our dogs are on that schedule too. I work from home. My office is a loft over our bedroom. I can sleep in… If I could. Definitely a first world problem (that’s really not a problem), but it’s odd. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/175 "2020-12-24T14:37:16Z")
Yeah, I’m trying to stick to the first thing in the morning shower as well. I HATE it when I have to break up the middle of the day to take a shower and get dressed. It’s just strange. Not a clothes horse, I wear the same at home that I would wear to work anyway. Jeans, and a fleece pull over. ---
**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:** [December 25, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/176 "2020-12-25T15:50:22Z")
[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-19-stigma-dangerous\_l\_5fe0ed0cc5b6a7df6666f1f2](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-19-stigma-dangerous_l_5fe0ed0cc5b6a7df6666f1f2) > It’s safe to say that shame and stigma have run rampant throughout the coronavirus pandemic. > > People are judged for their choices, whether it’s [playing it too safe](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-to-say-too-safe-coronavirus_l_5fb2f0cac5b6a46646700b2c) or engaging in social behaviors. Those associated with COVID-19 are more frequently being hit with a painful stigma: There have been [anecdotes about being ghosted](https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/09/24/they-survived-covid-19-then-faced-stigma) by friends after getting sick, hate crimes and [racist rhetoric](https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-53173436) directed toward Asian Americans and some reports about [people losing their jobs](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/sickened-covid-19-low-wage-workers-lose-jobs-others-are-n1235515) after contracting the virus. > > Shaming isn’t unique to COVID-19. We’ve seen this play out before with other epidemics — mainly with [HIV](https://devinelab.psych.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1383/2020/04/The-problem-of-us-vs-them.pdf) ― but also with more common health issues like [smoking](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625812/), [substance use](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2998202/) and [obesity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866597/). > > And even though shaming might at times feel like a productive way to alter someone’s behavior, it’s actually not. In fact, shaming usually backfires and makes people who feel the brunt of the blame less likely to engage with public health efforts like testing and contact tracing. In other words: It can lead to dangerous consequences. > … Younger people here may not remember the huge public shame associated with AIDS, not least because it first appeared in the gay and drug-using communities and was spread by risky behaviors. AIDS wasn’t talked about or acknowledged by public figures, notably President Ronald Reagan, so funding for research was hard to come by. I won’t go into the [history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination_against_people_with_HIV/AIDS), but the shaming furor went on for years. In the past there was even shame associated with cancer and epilepsy. Does this stem from the absurd, but fervently-held belief that God punishes people who offend God with disease, misfortune, and poverty? If I’m a good person, pray, and don’t sin, I’ll be rich and healthy? I dunno, but probably. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/177 "2020-12-26T01:00:18Z")
Here’s something …different. Coronavirus vital-erotica She was supposed to cure the Coronavirus Instead, she fell in love with it > **[Kissing the Coronavirus (Kissing the Coronavirus Chronicles Book 1) - Kindle...](https://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Coronavirus-M-J-Edwards-ebook/dp/B087KR2CQC)** > > Kissing the Coronavirus (Kissing the Coronavirus Chronicles Book 1) - Kindle edition by Edwards, M.J.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading... ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/178 "2020-12-26T02:34:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Rather than shaming a person for their actions, try taking an empathetic approach. Acknowledge that no one sets out to contract or spread COVID-19, and that most often these things happen because people’s needs aren’t being met. In a policy discussion, yes. But for an individual, this still sounds to me like shaming. What about this: Most COVID patients worked hard to reduce their risk but were unlucky. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2020, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/179 "2020-12-26T06:51:14Z")
The Flinders University (SA.Au) COVID Vaccine, COVAX-19, supported by NIAID/NIH USA rather than Australian special funding … is based on a fly protein. They aren’t stressing that in Australia, where I’ve seen it described as “insect based – like a caterpillar”, but in Pakistan, where they are doing the stage-3 trials, they’re being less careful about the description (at least in English). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/180 "2020-12-28T16:23:36Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > What about this: Most COVID patients worked hard to reduce their risk but were unlucky. I’ve chatted with my daughter (a nurse) and her fiance (an MD) about this. They both have tested negative since the start. My daughter has had her first vaccine. Their coworkers who have contracted COVID-19 have been less than meticulous in their behaviors away from work (going out to eat, attending family get-togethers, etc). ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/181 "2020-12-28T17:28:30Z")
I haven’t shaved since March. I now just use a beard trimmer every 1-2 weeks and call it good. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/182 "2020-12-29T18:07:50Z")
There are a few silver linings out there, a couple teachers I know are thankful parent teacher conferences are cancelled amongst other things because parents in general can be a PITA. As well as the cancellation of field trips to venues they’ve been to dozens of times already. My silver lining experience is my $1900 Emergency Room charge from a visit after Thanksgiving was comped 100% by my insurance! I went in after a very sudden bout of dizziness and shortness of breath that lasted about an hour. Thought it was COVID or a MI. But I checked out okay, not sure what it was exactly, but I was exhausted and felt hungover the next day. When covid appeared last winter the insurance company announced it would cover all covid related medical bills. But I didn’t think a negative covid test result would in turn cause insurance to cover my ER trip. But it did! Still I’m responsible for the cardiologist bill and labs about $48 total. Thanks Obamacare and Priority Health! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903.md?page=10)