So what is the actual end goal with COVID?

[Calculating]

Seems like some people are in a rage about the new CDC guidelines and lifting mask policies. What is the actual goal? That we should mask and social distance until COVID is completely gone and everyone is vaccinated? That will never happen, we have nearly half of our population simply refusing to get vaccinated because they believe in junk science. Covid is endemic now just like the seasonal cold and flu viruses, it will be with humanity until the end most likely and those who are vulnerable to it will gradually be removed from the gene pool in areas where there's no vaccination against it.

IMO I fully agree with the CDC and our president. We're at the point where vaccination rates are dropping due to lack of demand, and almost everyone who wants it can have one. It's time to open the country back up in full, and if the anti-vaxxers want to play the genetic "will I get super sick or die from covid?" lottery that's on them.

We can't keep doing this forever. We gotta get people back to work, start enjoying restaurants/movies/concerts/events with friends again, and go back to what 'life' was only a few years ago.

[-misanthroptimist]

1. I kinda like the masks and distancing

Thanks to them, I'm more handsome than I've been 20 years.

(It confirmed my suspicions that I looked best from a distance...and covered up. Low lighting helps, too.)

[Calculating]

2. lol

fair enough

[padfun]

3. And I don't have to wear my dentures when I go out.

nt

[Grasswire2]

10. Yes, my new hotshot cardiologist said he thought I was twenty years younger than I am

..on meeting me last week. Hoo hoo! The mask.

[VarryOn]

4. Like you, I agree too with President Biden...

And while I could have gone on a bit longer on masks, I'm fine pulling the plug the other day. I went to two stores today without mine.

But, most in both stores had their masks on. I don't begrudge anyone in the slightest for sticking with the mask. It just goes to show you how frightful COVID has been. People need the,, for their own personal reasons. Perhaps the mask is the only way some can get out and about, vaccine notwithstanding.

[Calculating]

6. I still wear them if they're required at a place

But if they're not, I'm done with them.

[beaglelover]

5. Awesome post! Agree with you 100 %.

[marie999]

7. I wear a mask when I go out.

I will do so until children receive the vaccinations. We have 13 great-grandchildren and only 1 can be vaccinated. The Mayo Clinic says that most children who get the virus don't become as sick as adults. Most isn't good enough.

[crazylikafox]

8. THIS

[Terry_M]

9. It's a gamble.

From the raw #s perspective it's too soon to open up.
I am not 65 +, do not have co-morbidities, don't work in retail and I got my first shot as soon as I was able to and am still not fully immunized because I just got my second shot.
Yes everyone who wants the vaccine can get it now but we're not at 'everyone who wanted a vaccine 5 weeks ago was able to get one', and the full cycle is 5 weeks (shot 1 > 3 weeks > shot 2 > weeks till fully immunized).

However, we know we've hit the point of resistance, states are turning away vaccine because they don't have the demand and ultra cold storage space is limited. For those who are opposed for political reasons, opening up won't do anything - but for those who are hesitant rather than dead set against the vaccines - going into a grocery store, nervously counting, and seeing 70% of people around them unmasked, knowing that only 50% of people in their county are vaccinated... That might be the motivation they need to stop hesitating.

[beaglelover]

11. K&R

[NickB79]

12. The end game is that coronavirus becomes endemic like the flu

We return to normal life. Smart people will get boosters annually, dumb ones will die.

That's about it.

[boston bean]

13. Well, has the CDC said any of this beyond vaccinated people don't need masks?

I have seen nothing from them on many of your other points.

[Johonny]

14. In an adult society, and there are some in this world, it's an easy answer

the end game would be as high a percentage of the population vaccinated as possible. This would allow Covid virus outbreaks to be contained by quarantines and contact tracing. The things that work in societies that seemed to give a *.

For the record, you can wear a mask and do pretty much everything you did before. I've been working in person since last July. I'm certainly not acting full normal until my kids are eligible for the vaccine. Until then there's obvious risk for them.

[Hortensis]

15. In spite of acceptance of experts and science, I do resent that antivaxxers

will be able to hide among responsible people.

Much of their angry acting out has been because they were forced to realize most people do not agree with them, do not respect their positions, and do not want to interact with them until vaccinated. So, inevitably, relaxing precautions is something of a "victory" for them, with pressure to be vaccinated lightened considerably. As long as they don't want to travel abroad or a few other things, they "win."

But I'm going to put that away because it has nothing to do with science and the decisions balancing giant needs that people running a country have to make.

Wearing a pin so I'm not mistaken for a depraved idiot is strictly for me and for anyone who'd like to know I'm safe to be around.

[leftstreet]

16. You have proof 50% won't get the vaccine?

Or are these just junk talking points