All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Many Sacramento Area Businesses Will Keep Mask Requirements Despite Relaxed CDC Guidelines – CBS Sacramento

Several businesses CBS13 spoke with said they won’t be changing their mask rules until they get further guidance from city leaders. Grocery stores across the Sacramento region still have signs outside about requiring masks.

Cindy Young expects there to be some awkwardness about not knowing who is vaccinated and who is not.

“If I were suspicious or concerned then I would wear a mask and I think that it’s important that we still distance,” Young said.

Source: Many Sacramento Area Businesses Will Keep Mask Requirements Despite Relaxed CDC Guidelines – CBS Sacramento

GOP convention moved to Texas to avoid coronavirus rules | KRQE News 13 (Me: Stupid is what stupid does)

Mass gatherings in New Mexico are limited to 150 people or less in most counties. Restrictions are based on county-level infection and vaccination metrics, with the state planning to fully reopen once 60 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Texas lifted its mask mandate and restrictions on business in March. Amarillo’s health department recommends mask use around vulnerable people, social distancing, and exercising caution during gatherings, but such public health measures are not required.

Source: GOP convention moved to Texas to avoid coronavirus rules | KRQE News 13

India ‘on war footing’ as coronavirus infections pass 24 mln | Reuters (Me: Modi = more words than deeds?)

Indian health ministry data show 4,000 deaths and 343,144 infections over the last 24 hours. It was the third consecutive day of 4,000 deaths, or more, but daily infections have kept below last week’s peak of 414,188.

The tally of infections since the pandemic first struck India more than a year ago crossed 24 million, and the death toll stood at 262,317.

But experts say a lack of testing in many places, particularly rural areas, meant the official count grossly underestimates the true scale of the crisis.

Television has broadcast images of families weeping over the dead in rural hospitals or camping in wards to tend the sick.

Bodies have washed up in the Ganges, the river that flows through the country’s most populous states, as crematoriums are overwhelmed and wood for funeral pyres is in short supply.

“We are removing all obstacles that are in the way of any resources we need in this fight,” Modi said. “Work is being done on a war footing. All departments of the government, all resources, our armed forces, our scientists, everyone is working day and night to counter COVID, together.”

Modi has faced severe criticism over his leadership during the health crisis, having allowed a huge Hindu gathering to take place in northern India in February and addressing political rallies in April that have been blamed for fueling the spread of the disease to rural areas.

Source: India ‘on war footing’ as coronavirus infections pass 24 mln | Reuters

Guests at El Paso Chihuahuas game still required to wear masks despite new CDC guidelines | KFOX – Triple-A Baseball

Things will look different. The stadium is only opening at 70 percent capacity and face masks must be worn.

On Thursday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear face masks.

Everyone attending the baseball game will still be required to wear it.

Source: Guests at El Paso Chihuahuas game still required to wear masks despite new CDC guidelines | KFOX

Covid-19 Outbreak Among 8 Fully Vaccinated Members Of NY Yankee Organization: Implications For CDC Guidance On Masking

Today, the New York Yankees announced that an 8th member of the organization, shortstop Gleyber Torres, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the latest team outbreak. All 8 members of the Yankee organization are fully vaccinated, making these cases so-called “breakthrough positives.” Also, Torres had Covid-19 in December 2020, so his current case counts as a reinfection.

Announcement of the Yankee outbreak occurred on the same day that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosened its guidance on masking protocols for fully vaccinated individuals. On Thursday CDC said that fully vaccinated people can ditch their masks in most settings, including most public indoor spaces. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky issued a statement declaring that “anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large and small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing.”

It would appear that the sudden change in guidance is aimed at trying to create positive incentives for people to vaccinate. Indeed, President Biden tweeted: “After a year of hard work and so much sacrifice, the rule is now simple: Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do.”

This of course raises a key practical question on how to distinguish who is, and who is not, vaccinated. The U.S. has no vaccine passport or proof of vaccination system in place. And, without one – remember, the Biden Administration passed on the opportunity to create such a system – how do you check that someone in a public indoor space has been vaccinated.

Aside from the practicality of distinguishing between the vaccinated and un-vaccinated, there’s the more important public health matter question: Is this sound policy at this point in time? In brief, no, it’s not. And policymakers need not look any further than the Yankee outbreak among 8 fully vaccinated individuals. While vaccinations will in all likelihood protect the members of the Yankee organization from moderate to severe illness, they clearly haven’t prevented them from contracting the virus. And if they can contract coronavirus, they can transmit it as well, and not just to other vaccinated people, but also un-vaccinated, vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, the risk of such transmission increases in all indoor settings. So, being unmasked in public indoor spaces, even if vaccinated, wouldn’t appear to be such a great idea, at least not when there’s still plenty of community transmission of the virus taking place.

Source: Covid-19 Outbreak Among 8 Fully Vaccinated Members Of NY Yankee Organization: Implications For CDC Guidance On Masking

Stocks fall as Singapore re-imposes COVID-19 curbs | Reuters

Singapore announced on Friday its strictest curbs on gatherings and public activities since a coronavirus lockdown last year, amid a rise in locally acquired infections and with new clusters forming in recent weeks.

The measures, which will be in force from Sunday to mid-June, include limiting social gatherings to two people, a halt on dining in at restaurants and for employers to make working from home a default arrangement for staff.

Source: Stocks fall as Singapore re-imposes COVID-19 curbs | Reuters

U.K. May Change Vaccine Protocol to Tackle Variant From India – The New York Times

The British authorities said on Friday that they are considering changing vaccination protocols and reintroducing local lockdowns to stem the spread of a coronavirus variant first detected in India, a warning sign for countries that are easing restrictions even though their own vaccination campaigns are incomplete.

The numbers of cases involving the variant, known as B1.617, rose from 520 last week to 1,313 cases this week in Britain, according to official statistics.

Sher and I were serenaded today

Roadtirement

Nothing like getting photobombed by a twig!

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon with mostly sunny skies and a very light breeze with temps near 65. The birds and a couple of squirrels were taking advantage of the food we had set out for their use.

We have been thrilled with the variety of species that have come to our feeders. Today we spotted a new little bird, a Carolina Wren, one we haven’t seen before . He decided to flit up into the tree and serenade us with a beautiful song!

Listening to our backyard friends is as fun as watching them,.

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