CR: COVID-19 --Political Talk

[956 Worldwide 34,714]

Just want to add this awesome protest sign that says “unvaccinated men’s sperm will be the new bitcoin!” I assume that means a lot of energy will be require to mine it and it will have limited acceptance? 

Geniuses, everywhere.

 

 

[Incredulity 11,671]

Just now, 956 Worldwide said:

Just want to add this awesome protest sign that says “unvaccinated men’s sperm will be the new bitcoin!” I assume that means a lot of energy will be require to mine it and it will have limited acceptance? 

Geniuses, everywhere.

 

 

 

combine this with a happy ending massage parlor...PROFIT!!!

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

1 hour ago, Captainant said:

 

Kids don't need masks or active shooter drills.  If you bother to look at the data.  The limited to non-existent benefit is not worth the anxiety and harm given the remote risk.

[JimmyJames 12,271]

35 minutes ago, Foosters said:

It was? I know when I'm looking for help, I start by telling everyone to go fuck themselves.

Fuck you I need help!

Also shortly after taking the vaccine I thought I could fly and damn near jumped out of the window. So it was either the vaccine that done it or the PCP. 

[Incredulity 11,671]

1 hour ago, dcbc said:

This is my first, and possibly last cloak room post.  @Nicole44, I hope  you get the eye issues resolved.  My wife developed some serious weirdness (super bloodshot) in one eye and is feeling a little off.  Eye doc was closed yesterday.  Thanks, Nixon!  She hasn't tested yet, and I think she may have just left her contacts in too long.  If we find out it's covid, I'll post a follow up.  If not, I'll return to lurking in CR.  As for all the political vitriol and COVID origin theories, I'll leave that to the cloak room regulars.  Talking about politics is a drag.

FWIW, I am fairly certain I got Covid from my son sneezing in my face.  I had pink eye for about 3 days during my first Covid infection.  There is speculation that there is a correlation between pink eye and covid when the virus enters through the eye. https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/covid-19-and-your-eyes

[JimmyJames 12,271]

20 minutes ago, OneOfTheOutOfFocusGuys said:

Singapore has had 800 people die total. 
 

Yeah but their one and only Applebee’s shut down permanently so I hardly think it was worth it.

[MC Fresh Breath 4,074]

1 hour ago, dcbc said:

  Talking about politics is a drag.

 

I actually agree with you on this overall.  Its why the politicization of a global pandemic by the group in control prior to this one and their Feaux News mouthpieces was and is so damn annoying.  

Edited February 1, 2022 by MC Fresh Breath

[Incredulity 11,671]

Just now, MC Fresh Breath said:

Its why the politicization of the virus by the group in control prior to this one

 

https://www.vox.com/2020/8/21/21395822/joe-biden-dnc-speech-covid-19-coronavirus-trump

“Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to the nation. He’s failed to protect us. He’s failed to protect America. And my fellow Americans, that is unforgivable,” Biden said in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency. “As president I’ll make you a promise. I’ll protect America, I’ll defend us from every attack, seen and unseen, always, without exception, every time.”

In Biden’s telling, the Trump administration owned “by far the worst performance of any nation on Earth” in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

 

[JimmyJames 12,271]

Is it Easter yet? 

[Born to Run 6,569]

Neg away!  So basically, the virus that was unleashed by China (please go live there fuck all of you that want socialism. Please take your kids and leave!!!) we are somehow blaming people for the spread. It was a lab created virus and if you don’t believe that  fuck you and the horse you road in on. I got my two shots and  got appointment on my booster. I doubt go out much and wear my mask when I soon: question about eye sites issues. I am going to an eye doctor, is this also a thing? I got the Covid bc after my two shots. I’m freakin  out bc eye site stuff. Even to type this I have issues with seeing  everything is blurry.
My eyesight is bad off. It’s freaking me out. Is that a part of it? 

Lot to unpack here but, people don't spread the virus?

[MC Fresh Breath 4,074]

6 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

 

https://www.vox.com/2020/8/21/21395822/joe-biden-dnc-speech-covid-19-coronavirus-trump

“Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to the nation. He’s failed to protect us. He’s failed to protect America. And my fellow Americans, that is unforgivable,” Biden said in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency. “As president I’ll make you a promise. I’ll protect America, I’ll defend us from every attack, seen and unseen, always, without exception, every time.”

In Biden’s telling, the Trump administration owned “by far the worst performance of any nation on Earth” in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

Oh shit, its your favorite wall of text quotes again, which have nothing to do with what I said.  

[Longhorn_Fan68 33,870]

goddamn this thread has a case of the stupids

[HenryJames 66,051]

10 hours ago, workswithseed said:

 

 

[dingleberryswitzer 2,724]

19 minutes ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

goddamn this thread has a case of the stupids

Thats a side affect of both the vaccines and the virus.   Joe rogan  told me so. 

[RDCanecutter 26,438]

7 hours ago, TexLonghorn said:

Which gate's gift shop has the snake venom and the urine?

Vile superstition. The Pancho Villa candle covers all your needs, scientifically.

[RDCanecutter 26,438]

1 hour ago, 956 Worldwide said:

Just want to add this awesome protest sign that says “unvaccinated men’s sperm will be the new bitcoin!” I assume that means a lot of energy will be require to mine it and it will have limited acceptance? 

Geniuses, everywhere.

 

 

Scene: Me at Future Art Show

Customer: Hey, I'll take that painting. How much is it?

Me: Tree-fiddy.

Customer: Can I pay you in the new Bitcoin: Unvaccinated Men's Sperm?

Me: You know what? Why don't you just take it. It's free.

[Longhorn_Fan68 33,870]

25 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

 

that video delivers exactly what it said it would

[jimmyjazz 45,941]

6 minutes ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

that video delivers exactly what it said it would

Now THAT'S a headline.

[Dahobbs 17,534]

1 hour ago, Incredulity said:

https://sites.krieger.jhu.edu/iae/files/2022/01/A-Literature-Review-and-Meta-Analysis-of-the-Effects-of-Lockdowns-on-COVID-19-Mortality.pdf

 

This systematic review and meta-analysis are designed to determine whether there is empirical
evidence to support the belief that “lockdowns” reduce COVID-19 mortality. Lockdowns are
defined as the imposition of at least one compulsory, non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI).
NPIs are any government mandate that directly restrict peoples’ possibilities, such as policies that
limit internal movement, close schools and businesses, and ban international travel. This study
employed a systematic search and screening procedure in which 18,590 studies are identified
that could potentially address the belief posed. After three levels of screening, 34 studies
ultimately qualified. Of those 34 eligible studies, 24 qualified for inclusion in the meta-analysis.
They were separated into three groups: lockdown stringency index studies, shelter-in-placeorder (SIPO) studies, and specific NPI studies. An analysis of each of these three groups support
the conclusion that lockdowns have had little to no effect on COVID-19 mortality. More
specifically, stringency index studies find that lockdowns in Europe and the United States only
reduced COVID-19 mortality by 0.2% on average. SIPOs were also ineffective, only reducing
COVID-19 mortality by 2.9% on average. Specific NPI studies also find no broad-based evidence
of noticeable effects on COVID-19 mortality.
While this meta-analysis concludes that lockdowns have had little to no public health effects,
they have imposed enormous economic and social costs where they have been adopted. In
consequence, lockdown policies are ill-founded and should be rejected as a pandemic policy
instrument.
 

 

 

1 hour ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

1.  Meta Analysis, which is pretty garbage.

2.  Hanke has an agenda.  When the words Cato Institute are part of his credentials, it is pretty obvious.

 

Well, in addition to this, it also doesn't appear to be peer reviewed. Not a death knell by any means, but it does mean it's important to look at the methodology closely before giving it any weight. A few bits that seem important:

Quote

 

2.2 Eligibility criteria

Focus on mortality and lockdowns We only include studies that attempt to establish a relationship (or lack thereof) between lockdown policies and COVID-19 mortality or excess mortality. We exclude studies that use cases, hospitalizations, or other measures.

* * *

Counterfactual difference-in-difference approach We distinguish between two methods used to establish a relationship (or lack thereof) between mortality rates and lockdown policies. The first uses registered cross-sectional mortality data. These are ex post studies. The second method uses simulated data on mortality and infection rates. 15 These are ex ante studies. We include all studies using a counterfactual difference-in-difference approach from the former group but disregard all ex ante studies, as the results from these studies are determined by model assumptions and calibrations. 

Our limitation to studies using a “counterfactual difference-in-difference approach” means that we exclude all studies where the counterfactual is based on forecasting (such as a SIR-model) rather than derived from a difference-in-difference approach. This excludes studies like Duchemin et al. (2020) and Matzinger and Skinner (2020). We also exclude all studies based on interrupted time series designs that simply compare the situation before and after lockdown, as the effect of lockdowns in these studies might contain time-dependent shifts, such as seasonality. This excludes studies like Bakolis et al. (2021) and Siedner et al. (2020).

* * *

We exclude papers which analyze the effect of early lockdowns in contrast to later lockdowns.

 

The end result is that the authors excluded almost every single study that addressed the topic (starting from a broad pool of 18,000 studies and going down to 24 that were actually used).  While criteria selection in meta-data analysis is important, one of the benefits of meta-analysis is the ability to include a lot of information. This analysis was so restrictive that I have to wonder a bit as to whether it cherry picked only those studies that the authors knew would support their conclusion (and, I mean, its Cato institute we are talking about, so let's not pretend the authors didn't have a desired conclusion). 

The authors also appear to disregard data from the included studies:

Quote

3.1 Preliminary considerations Before we turn to the eligible studies, we present some considerations that we adopted when interpreting the empirical evidence. Empirical interpretation While the policy conclusions contained in some studies are based on statistically significant results, many of these conclusions are ill-founded due to the tiny impact associated with said statistically significant results.

* * *

Handling multiple models, specifications, and uncertainties Several studies adopt a number of models to understand the effect of lockdowns. For example, Bjørnskov (2021a) estimates the effect after one, two, three, and four weeks of lockdowns. For these studies, we select the longest time horizon analyzed to obtain the estimate closest to the long-term effect of lockdowns.

Some interesting bits in their methodology:

Quote

 

Virtually all countries in the world implemented mandated NPIs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, most estimates are relative to “doing the least,” which in many Western countries means relative to doing as Sweden has done, especially during the first wave, when Sweden, do to constitutional constraints, implemented very few restrictions compared to other western countries (Jonung and Hanke 2020). However, some studies do compare the effect of doing something to the effect of doing absolutely nothing (e.g. Bonardi et al. (2020)).

The consequence is that some estimates are relative to “doing the least” while others are relative to “doing nothing.” This may lead to biases if “doing the least” works as a signal (or warning) which alters the behavior of the public. For example, Gupta et al. (2020) find a large effect of emergency declarations, which they argue “are best viewed as an information instrument that signals to the population that the public health situation is serious and they act accordingly,” on social distancing but not of other policies such as SIPOs (shelter-in-place orders). Thus, if we compare a country issuing a SIPO to a country doing nothing, we may overestimate the effect of a SIPO, because it is the sum of the signal and the SIPO. Instead, we should compare the country issuing the SIPO to a country “doing the least” to estimate the marginal effect of the SIPO.

* * *

Our focus is on the effect of compulsory non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI), policies that restrict internal movement, close schools and businesses, and ban international travel, among others. We do not look at the effect of voluntary behavioral changes (e.g. voluntary mask wearing), the effect of recommendations (e.g. recommended mask wearing), or governmental services (voluntary mass testing and public information campaigns), but only on mandated NPIs.

* * * 

Quality dimensions We include quality dimensions because there are reasons to believe that can affect a study’s conclusion. Below we describe the dimensions, as well as our reasons to believe that they are necessary to fully understand the empirical evidence.

 

And then if you start wading through their conclusions you basically see they just reject any information that doesn't conform with the conclusion that such policies don't work. In fact, there doesn't appear to be any real methodology to the analysis. It is just a set of observations on other studies with the authors discussions of what they think they mean. Honestly, I'm not even sure I'd called this a meta-analysis as opposed to a high level discussion of things worth actually studying. 

 

[MC Fresh Breath 4,074]

3 hours ago, dcbc said:

  Talking about politics is a drag.

 

Coincidentally just came across this on Reddit:

Quote

The world of politics is stressing Americans out and may be negatively impacting their health, according to findings from a new study published in PLOS One

https://www.psypost.org/2022/02/new-research-suggests-a-startling-number-of-americans-have-contemplated-suicide-because-of-politics-62452

 

Very off topic to this thread, but probably in agreement w/your post, so thought you might find it interesting.  

 

[NAVY 6,740]

2 hours ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

For anyone waiting because they have a fear of needles. You're running out of excuses

 

Ho Lee Shit. That thar some ding dang Bill Gates ding dang ol micorn chick for sure. Hell no! 

[washparkhorn 9,939]

33 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

 

Well, in addition to this, it also doesn't appear to be peer reviewed. Not a death knell by any means, but it does mean it's important to look at the methodology closely before giving it any weight. A few bits that seem important:

The end result is that the authors excluded almost every single study that addressed the topic (starting from a broad pool of 18,000 studies and going down to 24 that were actually used).  While criteria selection in meta-data analysis is important, one of the benefits of meta-analysis is the ability to include a lot of information. This analysis was so restrictive that I have to wonder a bit as to whether it cherry picked only those studies that the authors knew would support their conclusion (and, I mean, its Cato institute we are talking about, so let's not pretend the authors didn't have a desired conclusion). 

The authors also appear to disregard data from the included studies:

Some interesting bits in their methodology:

 

And then if you start wading through their conclusions you basically see they just reject any information that doesn't conform with the conclusion that such policies don't work. In fact, there doesn't appear to be any real methodology to the analysis. It is just a set of observations on other studies with the authors discussions of what they think they mean. Honestly, I'm not even sure I'd called this a meta-analysis as opposed to a high level discussion of things worth actually studying. 

 

Thank you for breaking it down. 

[HenryJames 66,051]

Soon.

[dcbc 14,483]

1 hour ago, MC Fresh Breath said:

 

Coincidentally just came across this on Reddit:

https://www.psypost.org/2022/02/new-research-suggests-a-startling-number-of-americans-have-contemplated-suicide-because-of-politics-62452

 

Very off topic to this thread, but probably in agreement w/your post, so thought you might find it interesting.  

 

I'll be informed and I'll vote, but I pretty much ignore the debate/commentary/opinion that has become the bulk of 24 hour news these days and am happier as a result.

 

Back on topic.  Wife's bloodshot eye was a burst blood vessel, not COVID pink eye.

[Longhorn_Fan68 33,870]

Just now, dcbc said:

I'll be informed and I'll vote, but I pretty much ignore the debate/commentary/opinion that has become the bulk of 24 hour news these days and am happier as a result.

 

Back on topic.  Wife's bloodshot eye was a burst blood vessel, not COVID pink eye.

warn her before you stick it in next time...

[HenryJames 66,051]

Looking forward to all the people who refused to get the shot because it wasn’t fully approved still not getting the shot now that it’s fully approved.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19,101]

3 hours ago, Nicole44 said:

Yea and I’d like to send a bunch of people there and exchange? FedEx bc UPs sucks 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19,101]

3 hours ago, Nicole44 said:

So the handsome guy at the tailgate wasn't you? 

[JimmyJames 12,271]

3 minutes ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Yeah I don’t get it either. 

[Nicole44 22,060]

9 minutes ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Hmmmm….

[Longhorn_Fan68 33,870]

i hear posting pics of your tits clears conjunctivitis. 

[Brisketexan 105,135]

23 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

Looking forward to all the people who refused to get the shot because it wasn’t fully approved still not getting the shot now that it’s fully approved.

Oh, so you DO understand the dominant cognitive dissonance of the MAGAs.

[StassneyHorn 6,575]

17 hours ago, Anastasis said:

Do the "rules" in CA make such a distinction. 

Do I care? Covid is done in two months

[Anastasis 23,469]

18 minutes ago, StassneyHorn said:

Do I care? Covid is done in two months

[NameAlreadyInUse 5,112]

4 hours ago, HenryJames said:

 

Man I hate it when the title spoils the entire movie!

[HenryJames 66,051]

 

[jimmyjazz 45,941]

Damn.  So the truth is now off limits?  I mean, it IS a "horse dewormer".  

[tchookem 3,900]

Yeah, there’s a very easy way for a crowd of people to demonstrate that they don’t tolerate Nazis when one shows up to protest with them: they can kick the shit out of him. 

Reminds me of the Tea Party rally I attended. I like small government. I don't like government handouts to corporations. The Tea Party was really talking my language early on. So why shouldn't I go to a rally?

The dorks dressed like Minutemen were strikes 1 and 2, but the Obama effigies in nooses and constant stream of n-bombs were strikes 3, 4, and 5. I left posthaste.

[Brisketexan 105,135]

3 minutes ago, tchookem said:

Reminds me of the Tea Party rally I attended. I like small government. I don't like government handouts to corporations. The Tea Party was really talking my language early on. So why shouldn't I go to a rally?

The dorks dressed like Minutemen were strikes 1 and 2, but the Obama effigies in nooses and constant stream of n-bombs were strikes 3, 4, and 5. I left posthaste.

Yep.  There was a hot second when the "Tea Party" conversation started where even I was like "huh, maybe these guys could make some good points and inject a breath of fresh air into the process."  Not very long after that hot second, the only sane reaction to them was....

[Incredulity 11,671]

Saw this on Reddit.  Sure its from a while ago.  Made me laugh so thought I would lighten this place up.

[JimmyJames 12,271]

5 hours ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

i hear posting pics of your tits clears conjunctivitis. 

Many people are saying that.

[Guest Lobo]

I would like to be an integral part of her phase two.  And by ‘two’, I mean…….

[workswithseed 2,104]

Just now, JimmyJames said:

Many people are saying that.

It also protects you from COVID, or so I heard.

[MC Fresh Breath 4,074]

 

 

[RDCanecutter 26,438]

1 hour ago, jimmyjazz said:

Damn.  So the truth is now off limits?  I mean, it IS a "horse dewormer".  

Not sure if related, but I tried some Alpo, it wasn't bad, and now I can smell all kind of stuff when I drive down the road with my nose out the window,

[Incredulity 11,671]

8 minutes ago, RDCanecutter said:

Not sure if related, but I tried some Alpo, it wasn't bad, and now I can smell all kind of stuff when I drive down the road with my nose out the window,

Stop dragging your ass across the carpet!

[RDCanecutter 26,438]

10 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Stop dragging your ass across the carpet!

But it feels SO GOOD.

[Incredulity 11,671]

3 minutes ago, RDCanecutter said:

But it feels SO GOOD.

[MC Fresh Breath 4,074]

Good lord the DT is a cesspool.  Nominate changing it to FoxNewsDaily or something.

Dumbass one posts a news story about happiness in the USA.  Story itself directly points to the pandemic.  Then all the chimps start crying "CR" the moment anyone discusses exactly what the article is about.  

I only went in there to see how the ice storm stuff was affecting ya'll.   So my fault for clicking on any other thread I guess.  

Edited February 2, 2022 by MC Fresh Breath

[Biff Tannen 45,683]

6 minutes ago, MC Fresh Breath said:

Good lord the DT is a cesspool.  Nominate changing it to FoxNewsDaily or something.

Dumbass one posts a news story about happiness in the USA.  Story itself directly points to the pandemic.  Then all the chimps start crying "CR" the moment anyone discusses exactly what the article is about.  

I only went in there to see how the ice storm stuff was affecting ya'll.   So my fault for clicking on any other thread I guess.  

Dammit, now I have to go look.