COVID Developments and News

[wbradley]

That could be considered anything from wreckless endangerment to manslaughter if the infection caused death. In the 80's it was more likely the perpetrator would die before the victim. I do remember a case of a dentist that wasn't sterilizing his tools between patients and actually contaminating his tools. He did die before he could be charged as I recall. Also there was a case of an African fellow that knew he was infected and went ahead and had unprotected relations with several women who were unaware of his status also resulting in spread of the infection.
Nowadays contracting HIV means a lifetime of medication and being 99.9% virus free provided the medication is available always. Not a death sentence but a lifetime shackle. Freddy Mercury would have lived if he had contracted AIDS a year later.

[Atmo]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Maybe I misunderstand you, I personally don't consider it outdated laws, particularly with something known to be lethal such as AIDS. There was no law about unknowingly transmitting the disease (at least that I know of), but wantonly spreading a disease to others is a completely different thing. Not a lot different than holding a gun to their head.

No, you understood correctly in a different way. My point is that there are a select few posters here who characterize the unmasked or unvaccinated as committing a civil and/or criminal violation and should be punished. I thought this could illustrate the slippery slope of their mindset.

It also ties back to an earlier post where I mentioned that my governor issued a decree that those who she thinks she controls, police, fire, first responders, teachers, health care workers, must be vaccinated within the next few weeks or be fired from their jobs even if they have natural immunity. Lawsuits are flying.

[Lantanafrs2]

If you've had covid and gotten through it, I envy you. I wish I had natural immunity

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Atmo

For consistency, should those insisting on COVID mandates also demand that behavioral mandates be enacted by governments to help prevent the virus that's killed more people worldwide than COVID, AIDS?

Originally Posted by Atmo

No, you understood correctly in a different way. My point is that there are a select few posters here who characterize the unmasked or unvaccinated as committing a civil and/or criminal violation and should be punished. I thought this could illustrate the slippery slope of their mindset.

It also ties back to an earlier post where I mentioned that my governor issued a decree that those who she thinks she controls, police, fire, first responders, teachers, health care workers, must be vaccinated within the next few weeks or be fired from their jobs even if they have natural immunity. Lawsuits are flying.

i think i can make a suitable response here by just simply quoting the last few pages.

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

...In fact, I'd prefer there to be only one - the same one a grad faculty advisor/friend gave me when I asked advice before my first interview - "Don't fuck it up."

In a real sense, it's a, rather crude, variation on the "golden rule." If everyone would follow it we would not need 99% of the laws on the books. Unfortunately, humanity has, on countless occasions, exhibited an uncanny ability to fuck it up. If you'll think back to when it appeared the vaccination campaign was succeeding I noted - repeatedly - that this wasn't over yet. And further, that we still had a remarkable opportunity to fuck it up. Well, it wasn't over and we did - fuck it up. How? Vaccine resistance played, in my well considered opinion, a major role.

So back to mandates. My rule (and it is evolving) is everyone should be allowed to make their own choices UNTIL - BY MAKING THEIR CHOICE - FOR THEM - THEY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY MAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S CHOICE - FOR THEM.

It seems me that when it comes to vaccines and masks that rule requires mandates for both - depending on circumstance. By refusing vaccination, you dramatically increase the chance that you will catch the virus and, in doing so may pass it on to someone who cannot be vaccinated. You have made their choice, for them. We live in a complex, interdependent society. That can have benefits. It also has a big downside. If don't want to vaccinate, that is fine. However, you should agree (under pain of law) to stay in isolation from the rest of society until the pandemic is well and truly over - not by your definition of over, but of a competent authority.

If you wish to access the benefits of society, you MUST do your part to protect its members. - full stop -...

Originally Posted by soundman98

it's quite literally the same as a wrong way driver.

we all have the capability, right, and personal choice to drive on the wrong side of the highway with our lights off, at night--there's nothing fundamentally preventing anyone from making that choice at any given time, except some laws created[you could say mandated] by the government to specify direction of traffic flow, and penalties for those that disobey.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I've tried it on a couple occasions but felt that I was cheating myself out of the opportunity for some sort of personal growth. I discuss the topics of these threads with friends and colleagues in a common effort to learn how to approach these conflicts IRL.

How much do you benefit from this sort of engagement with the folks on this list? No one is awarding debating points. How much growth does one experience banging one's head on a brick wall - other than, perhaps at some point, learning to stop doing it. Some number of these people are, i think trolls. They stir the pot because they like the smell and want keep shit warm. But for them I am convinced, entertainment is what they are here for. Entertainment - mental masturbation - whatever. There is no there, there.

Others may actually believe at least some of the things they argue. But discussions with them are reminiscent of the life of the third dog in a sled team. The scenery never changes. They have, do, and will keep pounding the same drum. You can deflate their specious arguments all you like, but they are not susceptible to persuasion. Neither you, nor I, will be able to save them. I understand a desire to venture outside one's own echo chamber. I too, think that can be useful. But after a time it falls back to self flagellation and wearing hair shirts. There must be a limit to the sins we should have to atone for.

I waste far, far too much time here. And, it is just that - wasted time. I'm making a resolution to start reading this thread far less and useful things more. I'm also going to go back and teach myself the college algebra, trig, and integral cal I bluffed my way through as an undergrad as a prelude to making the switch from STATA and learning to use "R." Life really is too short, my friend.

[Capt Spaulding]

Coming to a parking garage near you.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

I'm also going to go back and teach myself the college algebra, trig, and integral cal I bluffed my way through as an undergrad as a prelude to making the switch from STATA and learning to use "R." Life really is too short, my friend.

Trig is super fun and cool. Dr. Nasir Ahmed was the head of engineering when I studied at UNM. Few people have changed the world as much as he with his contributions to applied mathematics. We all draw a straight line to him many times daily.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by weederr33

It's a simulation bruh!

With a high enough sample rate and bit depth...

[Capt Spaulding]

Apparently, the whiners have friends in high places. Once again, adman or whoever it is has yanked another of my posts. No name calling and little or no politics. Just logical argument. Gotta love it, Boyz.

OK fellas - you win. I'll ply my wares elsewhere - among the literati.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I was, again, tempted to respond but I, again, deleted. Like @OwlDance said, I'm also tired of this bullshit.

Well, in a few more years, as you get older, you may not have to contend with being tired of internet BS. I have found that as my short term memory gets shorter with age, by the time I scroll down a couple of posts, I've forgot what I've read up above - OR

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

With a high enough sample rate and bit depth...

that's where all the graphics cards went!

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

How much do you benefit from this sort of engagement with the folks on this list? No one is awarding debating points. How much growth does one experience banging one's head on a brick wall - other than, perhaps at some point, learning to stop doing it. Some number of these people are, i think trolls. They stir the pot because they like the smell and want keep shit warm. But for them I am convinced, entertainment is what they are here for. Entertainment - mental masturbation - whatever. There is no there, there.

i'm interested in the somewhat serious conversation, but i come here at the end of the day to wind down, which means that it's really all a form of entertainment for me.

honestly, dealing with difficult/obtuse people in a safe forum setting has done a lot to translate to dealing with similarly-minded people in real life for me at work. i still don't like it, but it's easier to compartmentalize them. it used to bother me more dealing with them.

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

Apparently, the whiners have friends in high places. Once again, adman or whoever it is has yanked another of my posts. No name calling and little or no politics. Just logical argument. Gotta love it, Boyz.

OK fellas - you win. I'll ply my wares elsewhere - among the literati.

which post was it? the one's i knew of all still seem to be there.

if one of the mods were purging, i really expected them to pull my post with saddam hussein in it at the same time...


this is the internet. don't take it so seriously. life and death exists outside the interweb. none of us are getting sick from each other in here.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

Apparently, the whiners have friends in high places. Once again, adman or whoever it is has yanked another of my posts. No name calling and little or no politics. Just logical argument. Gotta love it, Boyz.

OK fellas - you win. I'll ply my wares elsewhere - among the literati.

Oh, don't go away -

You may consider adapting the 10% rule that I buy into:

"10% of the people are just fucked up, so, I pay them no nevermind"

Works for me -

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Oh, don't go away -

You may consider adapting the 10% rule that I buy into:

"10% of the people are just fucked up, so, I pay them no nevermind"

Works for me -

In that case, I've been leaning towards the 90% rule...