Normal After Covid

[O Really]

On my way back from the grocery a few days ago, I realized I had a real feeling of "normalcy", resulting obviously from having gotten our vaccines. But what was interesting is that nothing much external had really changed from before the vaccs. I still wore a mask, still did a chemical wash when I got back to the car, washed my hands when I got home. I still stayed away from people - all feeling normal now because of year-long habits. What was different was how I felt - going back and forth, shopping, etc. was no longer stressful. No sense of impending doom.

Lady O and I had - while studying about the actual risks - played a mental game in which all other people were plague-carrying zombies and everything you touched was potentially toxic. The only comfortably safe place was in our own little capsule and then only after having gone through the chem-spray in the air-lock chamber. Exaggeration and unrealistic, fershure, but playing that kept us alert and on our toes for actual risks.

However, feeling "normal" did also point out that it's going to be a new normal, and we'll probably never get back to 2019 normal. It's become natural to not shake hands, to stand a little distance away from people you're talking to in the park, to keep some space if you're on line at the store, to not ask "where would you like to go eat tonight?"

I could be wrong - looking at pics of the college kids on break acting as if there was never a pandemic seems like people may forget quickly, but we won't. We're comfortable with the new habits and won't be shaking hands or crowding up to the bar anytime soon or probably in our life.

[GoCubsGo]

Yeah, same here.

I still get pissed and generally don't hesitate to say something to people not wearing their mask properly in grocery stores.

Don't know if it's going to completely feel normal until I can dine out comfortably again. I don't think it will be indoors any time soon.

[O Really]

Yeah, same here.

I still get pissed and generally don't hesitate to say something to people not wearing their mask properly in grocery stores.

Don't know if it's going to completely feel normal until I can dine out comfortably again. I don't think it will be indoors any time soon.

Vaccine passports could make that happen sooner. If I ran a restaurant, I'd make sure all the employees are vaccinated, and accept only verified people as guests. With that, I wouldn't have to require masks, tables would be maybe not crowded, but reasonably spaced, and everybody would get the experience they enjoy. Non-vax people could go elsewhere.

[Vrede too]

Vaccine passports could make that happen sooner. If I ran a restaurant, I'd make sure all the employees are vaccinated, and accept only verified people as guests. With that, I wouldn't have to require masks, tables would be maybe not crowded, but reasonably spaced, and everybody would get the experience they enjoy. Non-vax people could go elsewhere.

I think the lack of standardization and subsequent forgery would be a big issue.

[O Really]

Vaccine passports could make that happen sooner. If I ran a restaurant, I'd make sure all the employees are vaccinated, and accept only verified people as guests. With that, I wouldn't have to require masks, tables would be maybe not crowded, but reasonably spaced, and everybody would get the experience they enjoy. Non-vax people could go elsewhere.

I think the lack of standardization and subsequent forgery would be a big issue.

Some risk, but standardization could accrue to the system that worked best. Should work at least as good as plane tickets, concert tickets, etc. I just happened to remember too - back in the day, if you were going to Europe or most anywhere out of the US you had to make sure your "shots were up to date." I don't remember which shots, but either way requiring certification to travel wouldn't be a new thing.

[Vrede too]

Some risk, but standardization could accrue to the system that worked best. Should work at least as good as plane tickets, concert tickets, etc. I just happened to remember too - back in the day, if you were going to Europe or most anywhere out of the US you had to make sure your "shots were up to date." I don't remember which shots, but either way requiring certification to travel wouldn't be a new thing.

Tickets have far fewer legit sellers than the hundreds of thousands of entities delivering vaccines.

I filled in my own vaccine book, accurately but nothing was there to stop me from lying. There was also a vaccine required in some nations that wasn't very effective. A clinic openly gave me a fake stamp.

[neoplacebo]

I was once left stranded in Taipei while on leave when my ship left suddenly. My medical records were on the ship that left suddenly so I was forced to get about four or five shots before I could leave there on a plane to Guam. Beat the ship there by two days even after being shot up.

[Vrede too]

I was once left stranded in Taipei while on leave when my ship left suddenly. My medical records were on the ship that left suddenly so I was forced to get about four or five shots before I could leave there on a plane to Guam. Beat the ship there by two days even after being shot up.

"four or five shots" because of the cathouse the MPs found you in after the "ship left suddenly"?

[O Really]

Related article...
https://www.upworthy.com/americas-dirty ... -to-normal

[neoplacebo]

I was once left stranded in Taipei while on leave when my ship left suddenly. My medical records were on the ship that left suddenly so I was forced to get about four or five shots before I could leave there on a plane to Guam. Beat the ship there by two days even after being shot up.

"four or five shots" because of the cathouse the MPs found you in after the "ship left suddenly"?

Well, not exactly. I was on leave for the purpose of visiting a certain USAF Colonel's daughter I chanced to meet during a previous visit to the capital....both times the ship was in Kaohsiung a few hundred miles from the capital. The entire ordeal was weird since there was not really any traditional US Navy facilities in either city. I think the US consulate or some other entity got involved in the matter....can't remember all the details from when it happened back in 77 but do remember having to get several shots before being allowed to leave Taiwan on FAT (Far East Air Transport) airlines......rode a bus out to the plane and then climbed a portable ladder to get in.

[Vrede too]

Well, not exactly. I was on leave for the purpose of visiting a certain USAF Colonel's daughter I chanced to meet during a previous visit to the capital....both times the ship was in Kaohsiung a few hundred miles from the capital. The entire ordeal was weird since there was not really any traditional US Navy facilities in either city. I think the US consulate or some other entity got involved in the matter....can't remember all the details from when it happened back in 77 but do remember having to get several shots before being allowed to leave Taiwan on FAT (Far East Air Transport) airlines......rode a bus out to the plane and then climbed a portable ladder to get in.

FAT is a terrible acronym for an airline, but I suppose it's better than it being a FEAT that you actually make it to your destination.

I'm sticking with the cathouse story - bad, bad USAF Colonel's daughter. We all know that they could have radioed the ship to ascertain your vaccine status.

[neoplacebo]

Well, not exactly. I was on leave for the purpose of visiting a certain USAF Colonel's daughter I chanced to meet during a previous visit to the capital....both times the ship was in Kaohsiung a few hundred miles from the capital. The entire ordeal was weird since there was not really any traditional US Navy facilities in either city. I think the US consulate or some other entity got involved in the matter....can't remember all the details from when it happened back in 77 but do remember having to get several shots before being allowed to leave Taiwan on FAT (Far East Air Transport) airlines......rode a bus out to the plane and then climbed a portable ladder to get in.

FAT is a terrible acronym for an airline, but I suppose it's better than it being a FEAT that you actually make it to your destination.

I'm sticking with the cathouse story - bad, bad USAF Colonel's daughter. We all know that they could have radioed the ship to ascertain your vaccine status.

I suppose so, except I didn't know the ship was gone until I got back to where the ship was supposed to be. This left me with no Colonel's daughter, no ship, and no idea where it went. Someone must have sent a message to either the ship or more likely to the fleet command to find out where my ship went and where I then needed to go. Oh, the plane had "FAT" on the side and the words written out smaller after that. On this plane was the first (and only) time I ever had iced coffee.

[O Really]

Back to the gym today! Gyms are required to keep at 25% capacity, but ours are never crowded at the time we go (except for the two weeks the January people show up), so there's no delay in getting in or wait. Doors open, fans and HVAC running, most with masks. Staff running around cleaning stuff constantly. Machines/equipment spaced or marked. Used everything I wanted to and didn't get within 6 feet of anybody. Life just improved a bit.

[Vrede too]

I do wonder how vaccine passports can be made honest and accurate and fraud prevented, but apparently wingnut COVIDiot RepuQs think it can be done, and they're freaking out over it:

Republicans go to war over vaccine passport

... Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who in recent months has become perhaps the most prominent GOP governor in the country, said Monday that he would sign an executive order prohibiting the use of vaccine passports in the state.

“We are not supporting doing any vaccine passports in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said at a news conference. “It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society.” ...



Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said in a statement to Fox News that getting vaccinated is a personal decision and that attempts to limit freedoms to travel or frequent businesses represent creeping authoritarianism....

Yet those health concerns seem secondary for Republicans like Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, has not shied away from dramatic analogies when asked about vaccine passports.

“Proposals like these smack of 1940s Nazi Germany. We must make every effort to keep America from becoming a ‘show your papers society,’” Cawthorn told Fox News. “The Constitution and our founding principles decry this type of totalitarianism.” ...

[O Really]

I think this is (yet) another stupid rule that will go down in flames in court. Sure, De InSanetis can say the state won't impose or enforce vaccine ID, but a private business can probably add "no vaccine" to its commonly accepted "no shirt, no shoes..." signs. It would be a kinked and twisted logic road to tie vaccine evidence into some form of actual illegal discrimination. And particularly if the business doesn't actually refuse service to the great unwashed, but gives additional benefits to the smart ones. Like getting to eat in a private room with normal seating and no masks.

[Vrede too]

I think this is (yet) another stupid rule that will go down in flames in court. Sure, De InSanetis can say the state won't impose or enforce vaccine ID, but a private business can probably add "no vaccine" to its commonly accepted "no shirt, no shoes..." signs. It would be a kinked and twisted logic road to tie vaccine evidence into some form of actual illegal discrimination. And particularly if the business doesn't actually refuse service to the great unwashed, but gives additional benefits to the smart ones. Like getting to eat in a private room with normal seating and no masks.

I hope so, but COVID Ronny can have a big impact on state and local govts. Leave it to Junior to come up with an excellent idea for other states, though:

Why does it matter to you Skippy, you vote by mail anyways.

Why are you concerned? Felons can't vote.

Sounds like a better idea than making handing out water illegal

Nah. But they will be required to visit you in prison. On the other hand, no one is going to do that.

Are you STILL sitting around with nothing to do?

His double date with Gaetz just got cancelled.

[neoplacebo]

If I were a PR sort of guy, and have been known to be, I would mount a "get your fucking knee off the neck of my vote" campaign. But that's just me.

[Vrede too]

I think this is (yet) another stupid rule that will go down in flames in court. Sure, De InSanetis can say the state won't impose or enforce vaccine ID, but a private business can probably add "no vaccine" to its commonly accepted "no shirt, no shoes..." signs. It would be a kinked and twisted logic road to tie vaccine evidence into some form of actual illegal discrimination. And particularly if the business doesn't actually refuse service to the great unwashed, but gives additional benefits to the smart ones. Like getting to eat in a private room with normal seating and no masks.

Meanwhile, in the sane and responsible world:

What You Need to Know About Your Vaccine Card

Savvy states and nations wishing to attract tourists or businesses will be able to accurately advertise: Safer than Florida.

[neoplacebo]

This rabid GOP crusade against "vaccine passports" is fake news. Mitch the Bitch and his co conspirators have already months ago made sure that no businesses can be liable for anyone contracting covfefe in said business. This is all snowflake bullshit since they've already covered their corporate asses and now want to whine about doing it. To me it just proves that wingnuts have no idea what they actually support and they don't really care as long as they can feel part of the tribe. sick fucks

[Whack9]

Has anyone gotten the covid vaccine yet? I'm scheduled to get my first dose next week.

But as far as my job is concerned the covid vaccine violates my religious beliefs so I'm gonna be sheltering in place for the rest of eternity and thus need to work remote.