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.
More people got the flu vaccine this year, too.
Almost double from same period last year. I know I was eager to get mine, but I always get it anyway.
Probably more likely school closings.
Probably a whole lot of factors, many or all related to Covid precautions.
Sure but If we’re talking about the pediatric unit, schools is probably a much bigger factor than masks.
Bipartisanship has returned when it comes to selfishness:
Capitol’s physician to receive doses of vaccine for members of Supreme Court and Congress
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.
IMPORTANT EDIT: Chuck Schumer says he will not queue-jump.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I haven’t shaved in a month. Of course, I have a mission coming up shortly; maybe after. 
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.
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.
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 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 by friends after getting sick, hate crimes and racist rhetoric directed toward Asian Americans and some reports about people losing their jobs after contracting the virus.
Shaming isn’t unique to COVID-19. We’ve seen this play out before with other epidemics — mainly with HIV ― but also with more common health issues like smoking, substance use and obesity.
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, 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.
Here’s something …different. Coronavirus vital-erotica
She was supposed to cure the Coronavirus
Instead, she fell in love with it
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.
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). 
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).
I haven’t shaved since March. I now just use a beard trimmer every 1-2 weeks and call it good.
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!