I don't know how much our health care system can take.

It seems like it's already breaking. It has already begun to negatively impact the care of all patients, not just COVID patients. When Italy and New York got to this point, they had people dying at home and in tents because there wasn't room for all the patients.

The difference is that that was early on and they didn't have a good idea of what was coming or how to take precautions before it happened to mitigate and prevent the overload.

But we're 7-8 months removed from that and we have known for most of that time how to control the spread and reduce transmission.

So, basically, if we do get to that point, it will not be because we didn't know it could happen or that no one alive could remember it happening in America before. It will be because we, as a community, chose it.

I read an interview with an ICU nurse in North Dakota. She has to watch dozens of people in her care die weekly. Some of them, she stated, say the virus is "nothing to worry about" and a "hoax" literally right before she sticks a ventilator tube down their throats. Their leader and chief misinformer told them that, and they are sticking to it. Many of them die in her care after claiming the virus is "nothing to worry about."

We are experiencing unprecedented misinformation and alternative reality delusion in the US on an epic scale. I think we all know why.

I read an interview with an ICU nurse in North Dakota. She has to watch dozens of people in her care die weekly. Some of them, she stated, say the virus is "nothing to worry about" and a "hoax" literally right before she sticks a ventilator tube down their throats. Their leader and chief misinformer told them that, and they are sticking to it. Many of them die in her care after claiming the virus is "nothing to worry about."

We are experiencing unprecedented misinformation and alternative reality delusion in the US on an epic scale. I think we all know why.

My sister is a PA at the Cleveland Clinic, and her frustration echoes that of the ICU nurse. The combination of frustration and nervousness of being exposed has increased on a daily basis, and they're now running out of ICU beds and have moved into surge staffing once again. I don't know what the answer is, but for everyone's sake, especially the medical staff, I hope these vaccines work as advertised.

... I don't know what the answer is, ...

Wear a ***ing mask!

Wear a ***ing mask!

Wearing a mask is a small part of a bigger issue, but if you want to solve the worlds problem with a short answer be my guest.

Wearing a mask is a small part of a bigger issue, but if you want to solve the worlds problem with a short answer be my guest.

Wearing a mask gets us to a lower infection rate and spares our healthcare system from being swamped. It doesn't stop COVID, but it does stop it from shutting everything down. It really is that simple.

Wearing a mask is a small part of a bigger issue, but if you want to solve the worlds problem with a short answer be my guest.

If people had worn masks from the start (or at least when the science came out overwhelmingly for mask-wearing), we wouldn't be in this situation. If people would wear masks *NOW*, we wouldn't be in this situation. The root cause of the situation we're in can pretty much be traced back to the idiot free-dumb maskholes, so yeah, there is a short answer for this. Don't wear masks and spread the virus massively or do wear one and lessen the spread, that's all it really comes down to without a vaccine.

Wear a ***ing mask!
Where is that damn like button!

Yep we've been talking about how situations like these are the nightmare scenarios people are going to find themselves in and it happened to us. We finally got her transferred to Integris Yukon today though at least and admitted after a 5 hour EMSA wait to be transferred. It's crazy.

Rural maskholes are flooding our ICUs in OKC. This article makes it crystal clear.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5676558/oklahoma-city-hospital-capacity-covid-19-patients-from-rural-counties-filling-rooms

Rural maskholes are flooding our ICUs in OKC. This article makes it crystal clear.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5676558/oklahoma-city-hospital-capacity-covid-19-patients-from-rural-counties-filling-rooms

Wow, 1 in 9 in Texas county has it?? Unreal! Also, 68% of current icu patients are from areas with no mask mandate? Hmm...Stitt, the answer is staring at you in the face. How long can you continue to look away??

I’ve been trying to find some data on how many people are coming from rural areas. Thank you for sharing.

Also, 68% of current icu patients are from areas with no mask mandate? Hmm...Stitt, the answer is staring at you in the face. How long can you continue to look away??

I’ve been trying to find some data on how many people are coming from rural areas. Thank you for sharing.

This is from last week:

'We’re not in a good place': 22 Tulsa County ZIP codes in severe COVID-19 risk category (https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/we-re-not-in-a-good-place-22-tulsa-county-zip-codes-in-severe-covid/article_748baca2-25df-11eb-a21f-17083eb6af35.html)


COVID-19 cases per capita in municipalities with mask orders grew 34% from Aug. 1 to Nov. 11, while cases in parts of Oklahoma without a mandate rose by 109%.

Stitt has declared impotency, So, we can't look there for relief, be it economic or for our health infrastructure. It's up to us.

...
Stitt has declared impotency, So, we can't look there for relief, be it economic or for our health infrastructure. It's up to us.

Sad, but true. Turned in a store for no employees wearing masks today.

Wow, 1 in 9 in Texas county has it?? Unreal! Also, 68% of current icu patients are from areas with no mask mandate? Hmm...Stitt, the answer is staring at you in the face. How long can you continue to look away??

I’ve been trying to find some data on how many people are coming from rural areas. Thank you for sharing.

You're welcome. I know we can be argumentative at times, but it gives me no pleasure to share this info. Yes, it's obviously predictable, but I really wish we weren't in this moment. Being right isn't that big of a deal to me. I would rather be wrong and see our numbers come down.

I was looking at a few news sites last night that I don't frequent. On one I forgot, it showed Oklahoma County at 4% infection rate so one in twenty-five. Think about how many people you come in contact with in your day. Scary. Wear your mask and social distance.

Holt was on News9 this morning and they asked him about his press conference today. He basically said that it is too widespread at this point to close one particular thing. So he won't be closing anything, but he is basically going to ask people to stay at home as much as possible for the next two weeks. He is basically going to try to explain to people about just how bad it's gotten.

Which I appreciate, but I think it also kinda explains that he does not have a lot of power at the moment.

I could be wrong and he could announce something way different, just posting what I heard.

2,915 new cases today. 7-day rolling average 2,807, a new record.

18 reported deaths. 7-day rolling average 15.3, a new record.

Hospitalizations are 1,381 (-53) down from yesterday's all-time high.

ICU is 389 (-58) down from yesterday's all-time high.

Well that's a frustrating response. Yes people are still going to get sick if we close certain things but our main goal is to at least give our hospitals and health care workers some breathing room over the next couple of months. But choosing to do nothing is just assuring that those workers are going to get burnt out and overrun.

If people had worn masks from the start (or at least when the science came out overwhelmingly for mask-wearing), we wouldn't be in this situation. If people would wear masks *NOW*, we wouldn't be in this situation. The root cause of the situation we're in can pretty much be traced back to the idiot free-dumb maskholes, so yeah, there is a short answer for this. Don't wear masks and spread the virus massively or do wear one and lessen the spread, that's all it really comes down to without a vaccine.

Oh yeah, it work well for them in Europe. They are enjoying their no lockdown right now.................
Italy was the second country hit hard initially, locked down hard and long, wore masks all summer, now approaching where they were previously.

I am not arguing against the effectiveness of masks, but lets stop with the simplistic logic and realize there are a lot of variables at play. On the data science side of things, it seems pretty clear the declines in the south this summer was due to it being the summer lull. They were able to get just enough herd immunity to stop the exponentially growth. Masks may have helped, but certainly not enough to stop the resumption of exponentially growth when the temperatures went down again.

I haven't seen any real world 'ah ha' example where masks have prevented at least one exponentially explosion. The best we can say is that they slow growth. Even that is hard to quantify, because a lot of places that saw declines had a huge spike beforehand. So which was it: the masks or a temporary lull due to a combination of herd immunity/summer temps? We probably won't have a good mask effectiveness number until comparing everyone after the pandemic is over.

We do have low death rates in Japan, but their cleaner in everything they do life not just masks.

Also, we are simplistic in our thinking over here in the western world, we are lazy in all our other mitigation efforts and take more risks just because we wear masks thus cancelling out the benefits. If one motor cycle rider wears a helmet everyday of the week, but another doesn't but only rides one day of the month who has the greater risk of dying?

Oh yeah, it work well for them in Europe. They are enjoying their no lockdown right now.................
Italy was the second country hit hard initially, locked down hard and long, wore masks all summer, now approaching where they were previously.

I am not arguing against the effectiveness of masks, but lets stop with the simplistic logic and realize there are a lot of variables at play. On the data science side of things, it seems pretty clear the declines in the south this summer was due to it being the summer lull. They were able to get just enough herd immunity to stop the exponentially growth. Masks may have helped, but certainly not enough to stop the resumption of exponentially growth when the temperatures went down again.

I haven't seen any real world 'ah ha' example where masks have prevented at least one exponentially explosion. The best we can say is that they slow growth. Even that is hard to quantify, because a lot of places that saw declines had a huge spike beforehand. So which was it: the masks or a temporary lull due to a combination of herd immunity/summer temps? We probably won't have a good mask effectiveness number until comparing everyone after the pandemic is over.

We do have low death rates in Japan, but their cleaner in everything they do life not just masks.

Also, we are simplistic in our thinking over here in the western world, we are lazy in all our other mitigation efforts and take more risks just because we wear masks thus cancelling out the benefits. If one motor cycle rider wears a helmet everyday of the week, but another doesn't but only rides one day of the month who has the greater risk of dying?

"herd immunity" - lol, you lost credibility right there.

A) There is no data to support the idea that we reached any level of herd immunity anywhere in the US during the summer. We also wouldn't be experiencing this level of a surge in the south right now if we had reached any level of herd immunity.

B) There's also no data to support the idea that summer temperatures were the cause of lower numbers in the summer. Several states actually had significant increases in the summer (Texas, Arizona, Florida)

When ‘pretty please’ isn’t enough (https://journalrecord.com/2020/11/18/policy-matters-when-pretty-please-isnt-enough/)

Gov. Stitt, Oklahoma needs a mask mandate now. The state's health and economic future are at risk (https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/editorial/tulsa-world-editorial-gov-stitt-oklahoma-needs-a-mask-mandate-now-the-states-health-and/article_f8fe4afe-2908-11eb-829a-23f3711038de.html)

What's up with Yukon other than it doesn't have a required mask ordinance? It's smaller than Stillwater and has surpassed it in total cases as of today.

It would be interesting to know how people think they got covid. Anyway, more people need to be more careful to give overworked hospitals a break.

Quite lengthy, but very interesting, read. Of course, the US is pretty much lambasted because of how poorly we've done with our efforts, and is also taken to task for prioritizing the economy over lives (and there's a whole section on why this is wrong and will end up costing more in the end).

How to save lives and save the economy: 7 key recommendations for the new surge of COVID-19 (https://www.alternet.org/2020/11/shutdown/)

"herd immunity" - lol, you lost credibility right there.

Lol, all you want. Its a real scientific concept(I mean, how do you think vaccines work?). The number of people required to prevent an exponential explosion is not a fixed number. It changes with the environment(Population density, weather, social behavior,etc)

We're getting a hard lesson on how much weather plays a part in this equation.

Its probably the worse name for a scientific concept because people assumes zero infections once you hit a certain rate. Its really about decreasing the probability for exponential outbreaks. Every person that gets taken off the table decreases the spread potential ever so slightly. That's why we should be grateful this didn't going this time last year, but it also sucks the vaccine won't make it in time for the best climate conditions this virus has had since coming into this world.

What's up with Yukon other than it doesn't have a required mask ordinance? It's smaller than Stillwater and has surpassed it in total cases as of today.

It would be interesting to know how people think they got covid. Anyway, more people need to be more careful to give overworked hospitals a break.

We may have a lower population, but just by my own experience, Yukon seems way busier than Stillwater, even when OSU has students on campus.

Other than Walmart and Target, and maybe a very few fast food places, everywhere else is not even suggesting to wear a mask. Churches seem to be back to full capacity, especially Life Church, and just about all of the restaurants are full judging by the number of cars in their parking lots. All of our grocery stores look like Black Friday shopping, everyday...

A) There is no data to support the idea that we reached any level of herd immunity anywhere in the US during the summer. We also wouldn't be experiencing this level of a surge in the south right now if we had reached any level of herd immunity.

B) There's also no data to support the idea that summer temperatures were the cause of lower numbers in the summer. Several states actually had significant increases in the summer (Texas, Arizona, Florida)

Like I said, its not a fixed number and people are over simplifying the concept of herd immunity. There is not another scientific term to use though.

Its about probabilities of new infections on a day to day basis. In the summer there was zero amount of herd immunity but less favorable climate conditions. Now we have a little bit more herd immunity but prime climate conditions.

Oh yeah, it work well for them in Europe. They are enjoying their no lockdown right now.................
Italy was the second country hit hard initially, locked down hard and long, wore masks all summer, now approaching where they were previously.

I am not arguing against the effectiveness of masks, but lets stop with the simplistic logic and realize there are a lot of variables at play.

In order to remove simplistic logic, we have to stop talking about masks in terms of 'mask mandate = full compliance". As you say, there are many more variables involved than that. Are you under the impression that all European countries have had strict mandates or that they have been fully compliant with mandates? There is no evidence of that.

And, for example, Italy's mask mandate, like so many others, had/has exceptions that include things where people gather in groups, like restaurants.

The only simple thing here is that masks have to be worn to work and, even where they are mandated, no where is fully compliant. And a lot of mandates have exceptions for the very places where transmission is actually most likely (see every one of OKC's exceptions) that essentially render them irrelevant.

However, several studies have shown that, when actually worn, the efficacy of masks is quite high. Basically, in line with the efficacy of the flu vaccine. However, if you wear a mask to the bar, but not in the bar, you've erased its efficacy entirely while in a high transmission situation. So, you are questioning masks, but using broad uncontrolled macro level data that includes many many people who do not wear masks while attending large indoor gatherings and events. This is like questioning the efficacy of seat belts by including injuries sustained by people not wearing a seat belt.


On the data science side of things, it seems pretty clear the declines in the south this summer was due to it being the summer lull. They were able to get just enough herd immunity to stop the exponentially growth. Masks may have helped, but certainly not enough to stop the resumption of exponentially growth when the temperatures went down again.

Basically, none of this is supported by any data. Maybe if we get to a million deaths in America we might have had enough recoveries for some level of herd immunity. But that's not a ratio that supports not wearing masks, imo. That's just plain resignation to more death and suffering.



We do have low death rates in Japan, but they're cleaner in everything they do life not just masks.

Exactly. Behavior and respect of community matters.


Also, we are simplistic in our thinking over here in the western world, we are lazy in all our other mitigation efforts and take more risks just because we wear masks thus cancelling out the benefits.

We take more risks by not wearing masks and attending indoor gatherings without them. It has more to do with apathy towards fellow citizens than it does anything else. Whether that's "simplistic" thinking, I'll let others be the judge.

Lol, all you want. Its a real scientific concept(I mean, how do you think vaccines work?). The number of people required to prevent an exponential explosion is not a fixed number. It changes with the environment(Population density, weather, social behavior,etc)

We're getting a hard lesson on how much weather plays a part in this equation.

Its probably the worse name for a scientific concept because people assumes zero infections once you hit a certain rate. Its really about decreasing the probability for exponential outbreaks. Every person that gets taken off the table decreases the spread potential ever so slightly. That's why we should be grateful this didn't going this time last year, but it also sucks the vaccine won't make it in time for the best climate conditions this virus has had since coming into this world.

I was laughing at you saying that there was herd immunity, not the concept - I'm fully aware of the herd immunity concept, but we've never even been close to it in the US, at all, ever, because it's estimated that 70% of the population would have to have been infected with COVID-19. Still laughing at you because you're still just wrong.

Oh yeah, it work well for them in Europe. They are enjoying their no lockdown right now.................
Italy was the second country hit hard initially, locked down hard and long, wore masks all summer, now approaching where they were previously.

I am not arguing against the effectiveness of masks, but lets stop with the simplistic logic and realize there are a lot of variables at play. On the data science side of things, it seems pretty clear the declines in the south this summer was due to it being the summer lull. They were able to get just enough herd immunity to stop the exponentially growth. Masks may have helped, but certainly not enough to stop the resumption of exponentially growth when the temperatures went down again.

I haven't seen any real world 'ah ha' example where masks have prevented at least one exponentially explosion. The best we can say is that they slow growth. Even that is hard to quantify, because a lot of places that saw declines had a huge spike beforehand. So which was it: the masks or a temporary lull due to a combination of herd immunity/summer temps? We probably won't have a good mask effectiveness number until comparing everyone after the pandemic is over.

We do have low death rates in Japan, but their cleaner in everything they do life not just masks.

Also, we are simplistic in our thinking over here in the western world, we are lazy in all our other mitigation efforts and take more risks just because we wear masks thus cancelling out the benefits. If one motor cycle rider wears a helmet everyday of the week, but another doesn't but only rides one day of the month who has the greater risk of dying?

Your bolded comment is a total falsehood. We are nowhere close to "herd immunity." To do so, more than 55% of people would have had to have contracted the virus, then attained some type of immunity. As many cases as we have had, we are nowhere near that.

For example, for "herd immunity" to happen in Oklahoma, more than 2 million people would have had to not only get the virus, but retain some form of immunity.

You may have made some excellent points otherwise but whenever anyone makes claims about "herd immunity" having happened it just undermines everything they say.

It has been repeatedly stated by scientists (not your cousin's brother in law on FB or some moron on YouTube) that we will not achieve herd immunity until there is a vaccine.

Like I said, its not a fixed number and people are over simplifying the concept of herd immunity. There is not another scientific term to use though.

Its about probabilities of new infections on a day to day basis. In the summer there was zero amount of herd immunity but less favorable climate conditions. Now we have a little bit more herd immunity but prime climate conditions.

This is also bull****. We had a bigger spike in cases in Oklahoma and throughout the South in the middle of Summer. You aren't even paying attention to the obvious.

The spike that started in late June and lasted through July and August was worse than the spike we had in April.

Sadly, the spike that followed a very brief dip in August that we are still experiencing is by far the worst we have seen, and it's going to get so much worse considering people like yourself will be out mouthing off about herd immunity and other nonsense that has been completely debunked by non-quack doctors and scientists. I bet half of Oklahoma will resume their family Thanksgiving celebrations like nothing is going on. People outside of the urban and suburban areas will continue not wearing masks like some dubious badge of honor.

It's really, really, really bad now. December and January are going to be unimaginable.

Also, while I don't think you are arguing against masks, it is worth noting that Oklahoma City saw a stabilization and even a brief reduction in new case numbers following passage of its mask ordinance.

And, as this article plainly spells out: Oklahoma City's hospitals are getting clogged by rural covidiots who live in areas where masks are not required. I don't know how this can be made more clear. Please read it. https://oklahoman.com/article/5676558/oklahoma-city-hospital-capacity-covid-19-patients-from-rural-counties-filling-rooms

What's up with Yukon other than it doesn't have a required mask ordinance? It's smaller than Stillwater and has surpassed it in total cases as of today.

It would be interesting to know how people think they got covid. Anyway, more people need to be more careful to give overworked hospitals a break.

Lots of covidiocy in Yukon, Mustang and Moore.

Lots of covidiocy in Yukon, Mustang and Moore.

In Duncan, Oklahoma, too. I had to go to Wal-Mart Tuesday to pick up a prescription for an elderly family member. (I avoid the place like the plague.) Anyway, I mask up, walk in, and there was no one at the entrance checking for masks as there was several months ago when I had to go in there. I was very surprised at the number of customers in the place with NO MASKS at all. Did Wal-Mart just give up on having people wear masks? I bet there were no more than 30% of the customers I saw wearing a mask.

Our numbers are rising here in Stephens County. Wear a mask, people!

This is also bull****. We had a bigger spike in cases in Oklahoma and throughout the South in the middle of Summer. You aren't even paying attention to the obvious.

The spike that started in late June and lasted through July and August was worse than the spike we had in April.

Sadly, the spike that followed a very brief dip in August that we are still experiencing is by far the worst we have seen, and it's going to get so much worse considering people like yourself will be out mouthing off about herd immunity and other nonsense that has been completely debunked by non-quack doctors and scientists. I bet half of Oklahoma will resume their family Thanksgiving celebrations like nothing is going on. People outside of the urban and suburban areas will continue not wearing masks like some dubious badge of honor.

It's really, really, really bad now. December and January are going to be intolerably bad.

I didn't say there was no spike in the summer, I said we hit the ceiling than we came back down for a brief period of time. The ceiling went through the roof when temperatures fell. Masks, percentage of people left to be infected, social distancing, climate, population, ALL all go into the equation in determining how big bad an exponential spike is. Its also a series of waves, what happened on previous wave affects the amount of potential energy in the next wave in the series. And your right, this will be a bad winter, but just think what it would be if Covid came earlier last year just time for the peak of winter. It hit the tail end of the peak last March. We're learning how important temperatures really are for this virus.

You really think 20 percent of people getting infected in the past doesn't make a difference in the intensity of future outbreaks? I beg to differ.

You really think 20 percent of people getting infected in the past doesn't make a difference in the intensity of future outbreaks? I beg to differ.

if immunity is only around 90-120 days... no... it really doesn't. and that is information we are still waiting on. we are getting reports of some people getting reinfected in just 90 days. and we are seeing some studies that say it should be around 5-7 months... and we are now seeing newer studies that are saying some could see immunity for a year.. that is still a big question mark and if it truly is that short (which for some people it does appear to be) then previous infection isn't a major difference in future outbreaks

...We're learning how important temperatures really are for this virus.
...

The only thing that matters WRT temperatures and COVID-19 is that colder temperatures make people go/stay inside more and the risk of infection rises. Pretty sure that the virus itself isn't affected by the outside temperature.

I didn't say there was no spike in the summer, I said we hit the ceiling than we came back down for a brief period of time. The ceiling went through the roof when temperatures fell. Masks, percentage of people left to be infected, social distancing, climate, population, ALL all go into the equation in determining how big bad an exponential spike is. Its also a series of waves, what happened on previous wave affects the amount of potential energy in the next wave in the series. And your right, this will be a bad winter, but just think what it would be if Covid came earlier last year just time for the peak of winter. It hit the tail end of the peak last March. We're learning how important temperatures really are for this virus.

You really think 20 percent of people getting infected in the past doesn't make a difference in the intensity of future outbreaks? I beg to differ.

I think you are onto something regarding waves. We were always told it would be that way. But the climate thing was more of a guess, comparing it to cold and flu season. As it turned out, there is no COVID season. It is year round.

But further, and addressed in this thread, we are seeing dramatic increases in rural areas in our state, and it is clogging our hospitals. By a factor of 2 to 1 people flooding our ICUs are coming from areas that do not require masking.

Since you seemed to have ignored it, here's the article again.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5676558/oklahoma-city-hospital-capacity-covid-19-patients-from-rural-counties-filling-rooms

Also, allow me to agree with you that simply wearing masks is not enough when things get this bad, and it sure as hell isn't enough for me. I rarely go anywhere. I will not visit a restaurant or bar for dine in or takeout until sometime next year. Even at places like Costco that are 100% mask compliant, I feel twitchy when it is overly crowded.

People should wear masks as an absolute basic minimum. That is literally the least they can and should do for themselves and others. It diminishes spread of the virus and that is proven.

But they should also not have big family get togethers, go to weddings, go to bars, crowd around each other at football games, go to Affair of the Heart and large indoor events, and they shouldn't join 4,000 non-mask-wearing idiots at a revival at a giant megachurch in Tulsa called Victory, which they did the other night. There were people more crowded together and singing and yelling and so forth than people I observed at the Trump rally.

So, short of an actual government shutdown, people should be avoiding all of the above.

Unfortunately, the people who whine about masks and repeat bogus misinformation are the people most likely to also do the things mentioned above.

I know this sounds incredibly harsh but I don't care if they get sick at this point. 10 months in with all of the information available to them, if they are still acting this way let Darwin finish the job. Unfortunately, every stinking one of these selfish morons that ends up in a hospital puts our caregivers at risk, and increases the likelihood that non-Covid patients suffering emergencies will be denied emergency care they need.

if immunity is only around 90-120 days... no... it really doesn't. and that is information we are still waiting on. we are getting reports of some people getting reinfected in just 90 days. and we are seeing some studies that say it should be around 5-7 months... and we are now seeing newer studies that are saying some could see immunity for a year.. that is still a big question mark and if it truly is that short (which for some people it does appear to be) then previous infection isn't a major difference in future outbreaks

Good lord. We've been over this (not responding to you, jedicurt, but the conversation). Herd immunity is not a realistic goal without a vaccine unless you're willing for a million + Americans to die.

However, there is potentially big news on immunity. According to new research, immunity to the coronavirus may last years, perhaps even decades (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/health/coronavirus-immunity.html?campaign_id=154&emc=edit_cb_20201117&instance_id=24206&nl=coronavirus-briefing&regi_id=79175314&segment_id=44752&te=1&user_id=0f17e6fc2337bd9bf6ffdb7aa3ef4850).

...

I know this sounds incredibly harsh but I don't care if they get sick at this point. 10 months in with all of the information available to them, if they are still acting this way let Darwin finish the job. Unfortunately, every stinking one of these selfish morons that ends up in a hospital puts our caregivers at risk, and increases the likelihood that non-coved patients suffering emergencies will be denied emergency care they need.

I'm kinda with you on this, I wish that just covidiots got it, but the virus doesn't care, so smart people and people taking precautions can get it and have to deal with the consequences of it too, very unfortunately.

Herd immunity through mass infection is dangerous nonsense that is asking for millions of dead Americans. You get it with a vaccine, not the disease.

On Dec. 25th, Oklahoma will have more than 250,000 Covid cases. We will surpass 1,000,000 on April 19th (fitting).

**Not including any vaccine estimates.

You really think 20 percent of people getting infected in the past doesn't make a difference in the intensity of future outbreaks? I beg to differ.

You're not differing with soonerguru or any poster here, really. You're differing with the world's epidemiologists. That is, people who have dedicated their lives to studying the spread of disease.


We're learning how important temperatures really are for this virus.

Again, you're contradicting people who actually study this.

Does weather affect the spread of the coronavirus outside? (https://apnews.com/article/does-weather-spread-coronavirus-outside-cf2640e848cbfd1755d634e14af136c0)

Press release:

************

Mayor Holt to Oklahoma City: 10 days to bring down skyrocketing COVID-19 numbers
11/19/2020

Mayor David Holt is imploring Oklahoma City to take a break from higher-risk activities for the next 10 days, and keep our distance from each other to stop the skyrocketing spread of COVID-19 in the metro.

Mayor Holt is issuing a new emergency proclamation providing for local enforcement of restrictions on bars and restaurants announced earlier this week by Gov. Kevin Stitt. He is also asking residents to work from home, order takeout, avoid meetings and gatherings that lack distance, and take extra precautions around Thanksgiving and holiday shopping.

“It’s time to get real,” Mayor Holt said Thursday during a virtual news conference at the OKC-County Health Department (OCCHD). “For at least the next 10 days, I’m asking you to make some tough decisions and take a break.”

Since Nov. 1, daily new coronavirus case counts have nearly tripled from already high levels in the Oklahoma City metro, according to state and local public health data. At more than 800 new cases per day, it’s about 16 times higher than the spring. About 1 out of every 100 metro residents has tested positive for the virus in the last three weeks.

Local hospitals are operating near capacity and expect even more patients, as many people infected during the dramatic recent increase in new cases get sicker in the coming days and weeks.

OCCHD Director Dr. Patrick McGough said people should consider the cost of their Thanksgiving plans.

“Consider whether that plan is worth spending two to three weeks in the hospital. Consider whether that plan is worth unknowingly giving the virus to your grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle, who could potentially lose their life before the end of the year if exposed to the virus,” he said. “Trust me, not seeing your family for one Thanksgiving is far better than having that chair empty next year, and every year after.”

Watch Mayor Holt’s and Dr. McGough’s comments in their entirety here on Facebook at fb.com/cityofokc.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest local coronavirus information.


10 days to stop the spread

The vast majority of people infected with COVID-19 develop symptoms within 10 days, according to expert analysis of public health data. If everyone keeps their distance and wears masks during brief public outings for necessities or essential work, we can slow down the virus within those 10 days.

Mayor Holt is asking for all Oklahoma City residents to take specific steps for at least the next 10 days to stop the spread:

Don’t meet in groups, especially indoors. Politely decline social invitations. Suggest a phone or video call instead.
Order takeout to support restaurants. But don’t gather with others there.
Think of ways to gather for Thanksgiving without doing it indoors around a dinner table. Gather virtually or try outdoor drive-by visits.
People with authority over office workplaces should transition staff to remote work. Do not hold in-person meetings. For those who must work in person, call co-workers instead of visiting them, even from the office next door.
Religious leaders should encourage their communities to follow these guidelines.
For any gathering that must take place, require masks and distancing.
Wear masks for holiday shopping. Many local and national retailers also have curbside pickup for online or phone orders.
Help elevate this message: Tell family, friends and neighbors to take a break for 10 days.


New emergency proclamation

Mayor Holt will update Oklahoma City’s COVID-19 emergency proclamation to mirror parts of Gov. Stitt’s executive order dated Nov. 16.

Bars, restaurants and requiring and similar venues are required to stop in-person service by 11 p.m., and provide at least 6 feet of distance or barriers between parties served on-premises. The new local proclamation provides local Police Department and code inspector enforcement of the statewide order.

Oklahoma City’s mask ordinance remains in place until at least Dec. 7. The City Council has discretion to consider an extension during its next scheduled meeting Nov. 24.

Visit covid19.okc.gov for the latest local coronavirus information, including the emergency proclamation, mask ordinance, City services updates and public health data.

Free signs about the mask requirement to print for display at local businesses and other public spaces, along with social media graphics and animations, are available on a public shared drive at covid19.okc.gov. The free signs are available in English, Spanish (español), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), Arabic (عربى) and Korean (한국어).

More weak sauce from David Holt. Guy very obviously has designs on the governorship or Inhofe’s seat. Only reasonable explanation at this point.

I'm not sure what was weak about it. It seemed like one of Holt's more forceful Covid pressers. I especially liked his line where he said "I don't know your friends, but based on the numbers in OKC one of them has the 'rona".

More weak sauce from David Holt. Guy very obviously has designs on the governorship or Inhofe’s seat. Only reasonable explanation at this point.

Actually, he very obviously does not.

I think that was Holt's strongest Presser since he shut everything down in march. (I did laugh at his line about the 85inch tv you bought for $45.)

But I do wonder, like mentioned a day or two ago, if he has his hands tied on what he can and cannot do. I am not sure if his emergency powers are still active, and if not, what he has power to do.

Actually, he very obviously does not.

Whatever you say, Hoss.

Some of us can read between the lines.

More weak sauce from David Holt. Guy very obviously has designs on the governorship or Inhofe’s seat. Only reasonable explanation at this point.

I am not sure we watched the same press conference. What would you have liked to have heard from him?

Whatever you say, Hoss.

Some of us can read between the lines.

Some of us don't have to read between the lines, hoss. Some of us have actual knowledge--rather than conspiratorial conjecture-- to back up what we say.

Herd immunity has been a dumb concept from the beginning, but it is particularly dumb now that we know there are multiple vaccines with 95% efficacy that are only months away from being widely distributed. This isn't something that we have to keep up with for the next five years; heck, even a year from today we'll probably be fairly close to a pre-pandemic sense of normalcy. The fact that we're just giving up and letting the virus rip unimpeded throughout the country at the moment when we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel is so dumb and tragic.

More weak sauce from David Holt. Guy very obviously has designs on the governorship or Inhofe’s seat. Only reasonable explanation at this point.Give Holt a break. Holt doesn't have the legal power to do anything since his emergency powers expired. At least he publicly pleaded with people to be responsible. That's really all he can do. The governor on the other hand can do things that he refuses to do.,

More weak sauce from David Holt. Guy very obviously has designs on the governorship or Inhofe’s seat. Only reasonable explanation at this point.

Wow, did you read the text of his statement? No weak sauce at all. No dissembling, no look on the bright side, etc. He was very direct and truthful about the situation with no punches pulled. He even smacked the Governor around a bit by making fun of the "personal responsibility" mantra.

When did his emergency power expire? Does he not have the ability to gain that power back again? (I’m honestly asking here)

When did his emergency power expire? Does he not have the ability to gain that power back again? (I’m honestly asking here)

He could totally get it back. He just said his view was that if this were a long-term deal, he would rather have the votes of Council if he is imposing further restrictions.

I am not sure we watched the same press conference. What would you have liked to have heard from him?

Some actual restrictions that would materially slow the spread. Begging people doesn’t work.

Wish I was wrong. But I’m not.

https://nypost.com/2020/11/19/oklahoma-megachurch-to-host-thanksgiving-meal-despite-covid-19/amp/

Speechless....

Again, how high do the numbers have to go before the seriousness of the current situations sinks in??? 192,000+ cases today and over 2000 dead. I was going to go and do a curbside pick up of a few things for my Thanksgiving dinner, ie cranberry sauce, but no at these numbers its just not worth it. I'll have my turkey plain. I can make rolls. I'm just staying home. Time to lock the front gate and stay put.

Having a required city mask ordinance does work in the sense people usually obey it at least in Stillwater. Most of the time when I go to stores there everybody has a mask on. There was only one glaring exception one day when I saw 5 people in the Perkins Rd. Wal-Mart with no mask.

This is good. Stillwater City Council passes mask mandate extension: https://www.stwnewspress.com/covid-19/stillwater-city-council-passes-mask-mandate-extension/article_a8dd8a82-2a91-11eb-871c-1be184b6ec48.html

https://nypost.com/2020/11/19/oklahoma-megachurch-to-host-thanksgiving-meal-despite-covid-19/amp/

Speechless....

That's the way it's going to continue to be as long as COVID-19 keeps it's reputation as a mild and brief illness for most people. I hope the most vulnerable people will pass it up, though. I don't think people who think the threat of the virus is overblown would want to argue with that.