In a nutshell, not really. Omicron reproduces 70 times more than previous strains, in the upper airways, nasal passages etc, and gets exhaled out with higher viral loads. Viola! higher spread. It seems to not get as deep into the lungs and has greater difficulty penetrating the lung tissue...viola! Less severe outcomes. It doesn't have to be complex.

Simple is harder to fight actually. It is usually more resilient and has less areas to exploit weakness in. A better mouse trap is simple, not more complex.

Nothing complex about a tsunami: a big wall of water moving at 150+ kilometers per hour. However, all you can do is get out of it's way, if not, you are screwed.

The viral load being exhausted into the air makes it more infective. However, if 99% of people get infected, have no particular symptoms, and simply shed viral particles for awhile and then resolve their infections...that would be called immunity. 99% of the population are immune, we should be happy about that. It doesn't support a booster requirement though, and it isn't very dramatic, so I guess...Omicron bad? and Carry on pandemic response! (because that has worked so well so far eh)

Should people start refusing to take amoxicillin when told to by a doctor, I think the example would be relevant. — Xtrix

Depends on why they are refusing to listen to the doctor. Is amoxicillin the best actual choice of antibiotics? Are antibiotics actually required in their case? Do they trust their doctor? If any of those answers are "No" then declining to take amoxicillin is perfectly reasonable, despite it being safe and effective.

I recommend antibiotics when required, and only when required. I also recommend treating a fever with Tylenol (paracetamol for across the pond) when required, but not for low to midgrade fevers, those are there for a reason so we should let the immune system work unimpeded as much as possible. I strongly advise all of my patients to ask as many questions as they like until they are satisfied with the answer. They might not like my answer, but it will always be as clear as I can make it and provide the best possible information available. That way, whatever they decide, they have the best information available to them.

Safe and effective is all well and good, but if something is not required, why should anyone take it?

It would have been much better to have moved forward in the beginning by using all the money spent on advertising, propaganda (education about the value of public policy), free masks, restrictions, (etc) to enhance existing healthcare facilities, services, equipment and staff numbers. That would have led to a much more robust healthcare system and much less confusion in the public while allowing for future treatment of whatever else.happens to.come along. No forward vision was used. Just sad.

Welcome to the forum!

I understand the awakening (or crushing, depends on the person) that happens when you realize that the position you have been hoping to get, to finally create a solid, positive difference, amounts to so much bullshit, and the options you have left are walk and start over, or say fuck it, I did my bit, now I am going to ride it out to retirement and this place can eat me. I walked away and went back to the bedside, I can't fix the system, so fuck it, let it fall. But I can make a difference to my patients, so I do that when I can. These days I do at least one thing a day that can get me fired, and eventually someone will. Until then, ever forward.

Yes. However, in the manager's defense, the job is entirely awful, just a horrid thing of a career. I did it for a year, foolishly thinking that I could be the manager I always wanted to work for. I honestly tried, but there was just no chance of success. I was not allowed to make any successful changes, every time I reallocated funds for staff training, better equipment, or more staff, I had my budget suddenly reduced by whatever amount I had managed to find for the improvement. Zero chance for success there. The only "success" on could achieve was to show up, do nothing of value, and collect a cheque and pension. If that is all you want, management isn't a bad gig as there are almost no metrics to meet to keep your job. Welcome to Canadian Healthcare; we have no idea why it is so expensive...

Hospitals are government and media? — Xtrix

Absolutely. I have a useless mask on my face for "optics" not actual value. I was mandated to get the vaccine, not because I needed it, but because the health region wanted to be able to post really high uptake in healthcare workers to further promote vaccine uptake in the general public, 80% of which also did not really need the vaccine. Now my health region can make statements like "98% of healthcare staff are fully vaccinated". No mention of firing us if we didn't submit to the vaccine, and no mention of the 1600 staff that walked away, rather than get the useless vaccine. We also have signs all over the hospital explaining that all staff are to wear masks due to Covid, but no mention of the fact that even the Chief Medical officer of the province admits that those same masks are useless. Now we are more short staffed, more burnt out, and still doing useless shit for optics. Yes, hospitals are government and media run, make no mistake there.

So if we see yellow buttercups, the fairies are painting them? No, sorry — Cuthbert

I still want to go with "yes". Fairies painting the flower colours seems much more appealing.

I compared the manitoba coronavirus response to germany pre-wwII, not as a sympathizer, but looking to see if anyone had experienced germany, as I had not. The OP was deleted and I was warned with a ban if I continued that line again. I am not really sure why though, I was not promoting anything, just looking for feedback from multiple sources. I was not expecting the slap-down.

so back in April, 2020, when I was mandated to put this stupid mask on my face at work, I made the comment that it was a pointless gesture as it wasn't the right kind of mask and the filtration was way too big to for virus. I equated it with using a properly set up volley ball net to stop paint balls (or marbles, for those who are unfamiliar with the size of a paint ball). Predictably, I was called an anti-vaxer and all sorts of other less than flattering things. I also was of the opinion that the virus was airborne, and also received a bevy of crap as that position was not supported by science at the time. Turns out the virus was airborne, no shock there, and, as of a few weeks ago, our provincial health officer admitted on public television that the masks we are mandated to wear are ineffective because the virus is airborne and the filtration of the mask is far too large (so the virus slips right through). I am still mandated to wear this useless thing though. So, in keeping with my track record, I am saying that in 2 years someone will notice that the masking, social distancing, and multiple rounds of vaccinations have accomplished exactly nothing and that our modeling was flawed and that the lockdowns were as effective as the other useless steps we took.

bring on the naysayers...

put ebola in the water supply and let things take their course. That should clear up 70% of the problem fairly quickly. After that there will be large losses as those left over figure out how to keep things going that the other 70% used to do. I figure, that should about brign numbers down to a more manageable level, for a couple hundred years anyway. Then do it again.

Tell me why my post disturbs you — L'éléphant

Your post reads as a long winded whine, generalized in an attempt to capture everyone who is poor and wrap them in your description. By removing any possibility of improvement and listing all the reasons the poor are forever screwed, as per L'elephant, It reads as a motivational speech for suicide among the poor. Well done; you have damned an entire economic class with your limitations.

Worth noting, you are posting stuff online, so how poor are you really? Maybe your plan is to convince the poor of the value in ending their life of meaningless suffering. One never knows eh.

having an answer does not equate to instant discrimination, despite your clear belief thatbit must be so. Fear of an answer suggests we already acknowledge the discrimination and that we have to suppress anything which could give support to further discrimination. Still a terrible reason to avoid knowledge.

and you'll understand what he bought that long rope for... — Goldyluck

Sure, but just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. We all make what we feel is the best move.

yeah but they get stuck in my teeth. Too stringy.

This would be like arguing that it is acceptable to break the law — Metaphysician Undercover

That's my thing, and it is rarely well received.

"do societal ethical claims have the ethical right to exclude and stop that area of research the findings of which would undermine the very same ethical considerations, — god must be atheist

I say that societal ethical claims do not have that right. Simply exercising that right instantly suggests that one knows the position they are in is weak and that any research will further weaken said position, thereby acknowledging that that societal claim is likely wrong and should not be supported.

For instance, advocating to kill people for their liver if you need a liver transplant. — god must be atheist

That's right. You have to wait to steal it until they are almost dead, then it's ok because it's called harvesting and someone else, not the current owner, and not the thief, needs it more. Also, it's morally wrong to provide the family of the individual being harvested with any sort of compensation for the liver, even if they could really use the money. However it is perfectly acceptable to pay a ridiculous amount of money to the hospital for installing said stolen liver, as long as none of that money is provided because the hospital provided said liver. That would be bad.

Our system is more than a little screwed up eh.

inferior or superior genes. — StreetlightX

People do have inferior or superior genes, from a latent or dominant perspective.

If I have happen to have a dominant genetic trait that reduces my lifespan through rapid aging (a real thing, but I cannot recall the name) I would posit that is an inferior gene situation. If my genetics are such that I do not suffer any consequences from smoking (also a real thing, again the name escapes me. I have been awake for 20 hours now) that would be an example of a superior gene situation. None of which is racist or discriminatory, just a simple statement of fact. Genetic predisposition also has a massive influence over cardiovascular health, respiratory issues, etc. The genetic predisposition for increased resilience could easily be considered superior genetics compared to the predisposition for lesser resilience, or inferior genetics.

It doesn't make anyone good or bad, but really, who would chose to have the genes that shorten your life and make you more susceptible to heart disease and obesity?

Freedom of speech will always be more important than equality — Qmeri

I think freedom of speech is the thermometer of equality. If I am in a position to silence your voice, regardless of what you are saying, we are not equal; I have much more power than you.

The current narrative has too much power, too much ability to throw a label on unapproved speech and wipe it from the conversation. Perhaps my voice is foolish, or poorly thought out, or filled with hate speech, however, if the listeners are free thinking and capable, my speech will be assessed and dismissed on it's own merits, or lack thereof. There is no need for a censor.

For already, sometime, I have been a boy and a girl, a shrub, a bird, and a silent fish in the sea. — Empedocles

I am thinking this is a promotional pitch for reincarnation, not food selection.

I am not fond of anyone that tells me what I am doing is wrong based on their values. I do not lecture them about their choices unless they ask my opinion, and then I provide an answer. Vegan, vegetarian, feminist, anti-male, whatever your belief system is, it is likely not a problem for me until your actions make it so. Then I am not so supportive as someone else's position and value system is directly, and negatively, affecting me.

So stop working for the ruling corporations. Just stop working entirely. See how that works out. I have worked 70 hour work weeks, making shitty wages. I looked around at the other guys doing the same thing, only difference was, at the end of the day, they got drunk, or got stoned, and bitched about the unfairness of it all while I went to school and worked my ass off to become more. The ones that are still alive are still drunk, or stoned, after work. I do other things now and am well paid for my time. I also continue to go to school and continue to work to become more. But don't do that, don't improve yourself, just keep bitching about your lot in life and blaming the company you work for. Damned cowardly, but hey, stick with what you know eh! And remember, it's not the person in the mirror keeping you down, it's the corporation!

Can you live without oxygen?
— Outlander
I don't know. I haven't tried it yet. Maybe some people can — L'éléphant

I am kind of leaning toward you operating at an oxygen deficient level currently. Don't write self help books eh. Maybe read a few, talk to a counsellor. Your responses strongly imply a deep depression state.

That captures the "I am defeated" perspective quite well. Low income, not really, but definitely defeated.

So what will they think of next? — NOS4A2

No chance they say "ah shit, nothing is working, might as well stop all the bullshit restrictions and carry on." Too bad really, because that is the most logical approach. Don't worry though, someone will say I am an anti-vaxer and write me off. It is much more comfortable for them that way.

That's the great thing about propaganda eh, you can always say "but think how bad it would be IF we hadn't done it!" All I know is that if one uses that same logic on a business model one soon finds oneself being charged with fraud. I find it concerning that it's ok for public health and the government however.

As we have had proven repeatedly over the last 2 years, we can't stomp (or stop) the virus. Since that is not possible (and never was, so don't feel badly about dropping the ball; we never had it to drop) we should be looking at damage control. Rough numbers: covid deaths 6 million. WHO projects TB deaths at 35 million due to interrupted testing, supply chains, and interrupted medication regimes. Additionally they project 20 million children starving to death for similar reasons. Both projections are based on border closures from covid response. So far the math does not support the response. There have been riots the world over, confidence in governments has gone to shit, there are massive social divisions as governments, in all practicality, support and promote discrimination based on vaccination status.

From a damage control perspective, letting it run rampant would have caused much less. So yep, I say let it run!

You've never died, at least not anytime in recorded history. Just moved around some, mentally and physically. — Outlander

Agreed, but it the body that currently houses me fails to deteriorate then I am stuck here. And that is utterly unappealing.

enjoy a long and happy life? — Shawn

Immortality would be a nightmare. Lifespan selection with minimal deterioration however, that has possibilities, however, for every person that does not die one must also not be born. Balance must be attained, otherwise, similarly to rats, when the colony gets too overcrowded, the largest and strongest will kill the weaker ones until the stronger one dies of it's injuries. In effect balancing immortality with murder.

Interesting plan, but the idea of immortality stopped being appealing at 20 years of age.

No proof for G is found. Can I then conclude that ~G = God doesn't exist, is true? — Agent Smith

No. Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

100%

Some cannibals call us "long pig" so we must taste more like pork. We're probably tasty, provided we're well fed and properly cooked. — Bitter Crank

I heard that too!

organ transplant, — James Riley

We have cards that allow us to donate our organs if we wish, there are movements trying to have mandatory organ harvesting upon death, and yet it is illegal for people to sell their organs in life, when the gain from the sale may improve and potentially prolong their life. Apparently the issue is not the validity of organs relocating, just that said relocation is not allowed to benefit the person losing the organ, because that would be reasonable and we can't have that

Flogging. — tim wood

I believe you. What you are speaking to has been referred to as "imprinting". Animals do it well and you are right, there is minimal lasting damage to a relationship while the lesson learned is life long.

This may be a sour grapes kinda thing for me but choice is overrated. What's the point in being able to choose when you make all the bad choices? I'm going out on a limb here and say that I'd rather have no choice than have a choice and mess it up — Agent Smith

it's called learning and development. If you never make a bad call, you never learn how to make any call at all. That seems very sad, but if that's where you want to be, I know a few facilities that will take all your rights away and give you an itinerary for your life. Lots of drugs too.

Men (if we are men that is) are supposed to take an active part in the family: share the burden and not leave everything for the woman to do. — Agent Smith

Not really. Let me play it out for you:

I look like I do. My risk factors are X
She looks like she does, her risk factors are X

We have sex, and conception occurs. Nothing about me has changed. Her hormones are shifting...

a month later,

she has put on a few pounds, hormones are shifting, emotions are shifting, and her risk factors are increasing. She has added different vitamins to her diet and some foods she used to love are offensive to her now, her taste has shifted.

I look the same, I feel the same, my risk factors are the same.

Repeat that for 9 months

Just before birth she has gained 30 (or more) pounds, runs various medical risks, has stretch marks, mood swings, has been quite uncomfortable for the last 2 months, remains emotionally labile and still needs extra vitamins and has bizarre food tastes.

I am the same. No changes, just doing my thing.

At birth she is in pain, parts of her are tearing, she may need surgery, she may actually die, she may suffer a stroke. She may (likely) never return to her pre-pregnant condition. She may have post-partum depression, or worse, psychosis. She may be suicidal.

I am the same, still doing my thing.

Also, at any point in this process, I can go to Mexico and find another girl if I like, totally an option.

Tell me again how I should have a say over what happens to her.

The only qualifier I will make to this statement is that if she is using drugs/alcohol while pregnant that will harm the child I should be able to mandate her to stop until the child is born. That is a far worse crime than abortion.

Having said that, if she wants to give up the child to abortion and I (the father) want it, that should be a no brainer.

"Tough: Every human being has an unfettered right to do whatever they want with any other human being that resides within their body." — James Riley

I would take that one step further, people can do whatever they want with whatever in in their body. Sell your organs if that is your thing. Maybe your kid needs university more than you need your second kidney, your call, not mine.

You're assuming a fetus is a parasite. — Agent Smith

Living organism inside a hosts body that the host does not want living inside it. By removing that organism from the host it will die. Yep, that is a parasite.

As for the murder scenario, there is much less satisfaction, and therefore entertainment value, in eliminating someone via abortion. It would be a complete let down, so much so that it would be pointless. Your theory would only be appealing to non-murder types, which negates the value of it.