This is not a positive development for the metro and state.

Doctor concerned about delta variant as Oklahoma sees 90% increase in new COVID-19 cases per day
https://www.koco.com/article/doctor-concerned-about-delta-variant-as-oklahoma-sees-90-increase-in-new-covid-19-cases-per-day/36842479

Sounds like there are a couple of clusters that are responsible for a decent chunk of this. Felt a bit better (at least for me and mine) when Holt tweeted a couple of days ago that cases in OKC continue to decrease. Now that being said, I'm not optimistic that these clusters will be contained before spreading to the rest of the state, including OKC.

https://twitter.com/KassieMcClung/status/1408478265245847552

The alert level map in these tweets is pretty interesting. Was surprised but excited to see OK county is almost down to the "green" alert level (< 1.43 cases /100k). Hopefully that will hold. Other than Carter and Comanche counties (Ardmore and Lawton), NE Oklahoma definitely seems to be where a lot of the cases are located. Hopefully things can get contained (recognizing the situation is much much better than it was over the winter) before we see even more significant spread through the entire state.

I just wish we as a state had, over the past year+, developed some decent contact tracing tools that could be utilized to try and snuff some of these clusters out before they spread too far. I suppose even if we had, the likelihood that a critical mass of folks would have been willing to use it is probably pretty small.

This is not a positive development for the metro and state.

Doctor concerned about delta variant as Oklahoma sees 90% increase in new COVID-19 cases per day
https://www.koco.com/article/doctor-concerned-about-delta-variant-as-oklahoma-sees-90-increase-in-new-covid-19-cases-per-day/36842479

Dale Bratzler deserves hero pay at this point for everything he has done. I can't believe that he's not exhausted and potentially trying to figure out how to get on faculty in a new state that actually listens to him and takes his work seriously.

We had more new cases today than any Friday in over 2 months.

I don't like the current trend line and there is no question things are going to get worse in the fall and winter.

Yes, of course. And it's the anti-vaccers that are prolonging the pandemic and keeping these unfortunate people in jeopardy.

There is no doubt that is true. But there is also a significant amount of the population that are NOT anti-vaxx, yet still have not gotten the vaccine. This is from more than a month ago, but I think it's probably still relevant:

They Haven’t Gotten a Covid Vaccine Yet. But They Aren’t ‘Hesitant’ Either. (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/us/covid-vaccines-vulnerable.html)



According to a new U.S. census estimate, some 30 million American adults who are open to getting a coronavirus vaccine have not managed to actually do so. Their ranks are larger than the hesitant — more than the 28 million who said they would probably or definitely not get vaccinated, and than the 16 million who said they were unsure.

There are a significant amount of people who "just haven't gotten around to it". And they're more significant in numbers than the wack-a-do anti-vaxxers and 'I don't need it' freeloaders. You find a way to get the shots into those people arms, and you have solved the greatest world wide crises of the last two generations lifetimes'. Literally.

Sounds like there are a couple of clusters that are responsible for a decent chunk of this. Felt a bit better (at least for me and mine) when Holt tweeted a couple of days ago that cases in OKC continue to decrease. Now that being said, I'm not optimistic that these clusters will be contained before spreading to the rest of the state, including OKC.

https://twitter.com/KassieMcClung/status/1408478265245847552

The alert level map in these tweets is pretty interesting. Was surprised but excited to see OK county is almost down to the "green" alert level (< 1.43 cases /100k). Hopefully that will hold. Other than Carter and Comanche counties (Ardmore and Lawton), NE Oklahoma definitely seems to be where a lot of the cases are located. Hopefully things can get contained (recognizing the situation is much much better than it was over the winter) before we see even more significant spread through the entire state.

I just wish we as a state had, over the past year+, developed some decent contact tracing tools that could be utilized to try and snuff some of these clusters out before they spread too far. I suppose even if we had, the likelihood that a critical mass of folks would have been willing to use it is probably pretty small.

I double over in a painful and uncontrollable spasm of laughter any time I hear Stitt discuss “our contact tracing efforts.”

661 cases reported since last Friday. The 7-day average is now 226. That is double what it was in the beginning of this month and a 44% rise in the last week. Upsetting but totally predictable trend.

Vaccine rates for Oklahoma counties as of 6/21

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4vsOaRWEAMs4Zg?format=jpg&name=large

We had more new cases today than any Friday in over 2 months.

I don't like the current trend line and there is no question things are going to get worse in the fall and winter.

What is the trigger point where you will start to post updates again?

What is the trigger point where you will start to post updates again?

I'm doing them weekly for now; every Friday.

Otherwise, even 7-day averages are way off because they don't report over the weekend and then lump the numbers together on Monday.

Went to pro bass shops Saturday place was packed maybe saw 5 people with a mask. Eye doctor today no one wore a mask. I think there was just a story on NBC over 60% think covid is over and it also showed that people who are being effected right now are mostly from unvaccinated people. I'll see if I can find it and post later.

... I think there was just a story on NBC over 60% think covid is over and it also showed that people who are being effected right now are mostly from unvaccinated people....

COVID *is* over for those of us that are vaccinated. The unvaxxed are about to get hit with the Delta variant pretty soon, bad for them (and yes, fully aware that some unvaxxed *can't* get the vaccine, and truly sad that so many others that *could* get vaccinated won't in order to help you out).

I got positive word in the last week that two of my adamantly reluctant work colleagues got vaccinated. I know they are a microcosm of a much broader segment of Okie: urban / suburban folks, relatively conservative FOX News viewers who occasionally get info from CNN and other news sources including the newspaper. Incidentally they both live in South Tulsa. So, a good sign.

One of them flat said she would not get the vaccine two months ago. The other was hesitant to do so and says things like, "I'm not sure I agree with it, but....." Either way, they got the shots and there are a lot more folks like them, so I am hopeful that in Oklahoma we will get over 60% of adults with at least one shot in the next week or so.

BG918, thank you for posting the county map. I've been wondering, what is going on in Caddo County to be leading the state? I'm familiar with the county, from Anadarko in the South to Weatherford in the North. Is it an aggressive push by tribal governments? Either way, hats off to Caddo County for leading the state.

I read today that SSM Health (old st Anthony’s) will require all 40k employees be vaccinated by September.

I read today that SSM Health (old st Anthony’s) will require all 40k employees be vaccinated by September.

:iagree::yeahthat::iagree::yeahthat::woowoo:

I am curious to see how that flies locally. Certain state governors have not been shy about meddling with the vaccine plans that private companies make.

kind of surprised who low Cleveland County is. Isn't it considered the most liberal county in the state with OU?

kind of surprised who low Cleveland County is. Isn't it considered the most liberal county in the state with OU?

Don't know, but it probably has more to to with the students and when they were getting shots. Heck, most college kids think they are invincible. :)

kind of surprised who low Cleveland County is. Isn't it considered the most liberal county in the state with OU?

In the last presidential election, Cleveland County voted for the Republican candidate by a margin of 14+ points.

Oklahoma County -- by far the closest in the state -- saw just a 1 point spread.

In the last presidential election, Cleveland County voted for the Republican candidate by a margin of 14+ points.

Oklahoma County -- by far the closest in the state -- saw just a 1 point spread.

This has a lot to do with what else is in Cleveland County besides just Norman. Norman is deep blue; Biden won downtown Norman by 56 points and the area just west of there around Norman High by 54 points. But there are a ton of precincts around Moore where Trump won by 30 points and small rural precincts around Stella and Lake Thunderbird that voted for Trump even more than that. So overall Cleveland County averages out as conservative, even though it contains a really dense, deep cluster of liberalism. It is still a lot less conservative than the more outlying counties like McClain, however.

Oklahoma's county lines happen to fall in such a way that they fail to capture cultural differences in the way they do elsewhere. You look at the Kansas side of metro Kansas City, for instance, and you have one county (Wyandotte) that contains the inner city, one (Johnson) that contains the upper-middle-class commuter suburbs, and one (Douglas) that has the college town in it. So you get two blue counties and one red one. Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, the liberal college town and the inner city share their counties with rural areas and suburbia, so they are both red counties. You have to look at precinct-level maps to get a feel for where the liberal parts of Oklahoma really are.

Don't know, but it probably has more to to with the students and when they were getting shots. Heck, most college kids think they are invincible. :)

I don't know... I assumed Payne county is as high as they are because of OSU. Otherwise I'd expect them to look like Logan county.

This has a lot to do with what else is in Cleveland County besides just Norman.

The same applies to the reason the county has low vaccination rates, which is what we are discussing.

With the way the tribes rolled out the vaccines early this year I’m surprised the percentages are not higher in Indian Country especially eastern and south-central Oklahoma.

This has a lot to do with what else is in Cleveland County besides just Norman. Norman is deep blue; Biden won downtown Norman by 56 points and the area just west of there around Norman High by 54 points. But there are a ton of precincts around Moore where Trump won by 30 points and small rural precincts around Stella and Lake Thunderbird that voted for Trump even more than that. So overall Cleveland County averages out as conservative, even though it contains a really dense, deep cluster of liberalism. It is still a lot less conservative than the more outlying counties like McClain, however.


Sounds like Stillwater and Payne County.

The same applies to the reason the county has low vaccination rates, which is what we are discussing.

Indeed—just wanted to provide some additional context :)

I am curious to see how that flies locally. Certain state governors have not been shy about meddling with the vaccine plans that private companies make.

A group of Houston hospital workers lost a lawsuit in Federal Court when they sued over their employer mandating vaccination as a condition of employment.

A group of Houston hospital workers lost a lawsuit in Federal Court when they sued over their employer mandating vaccination as a condition of employment.

Yes and I believe SSM quoted this as the reason for going ahead with it. They felt it would be upheld.

In court, sure. I was thinking more along the lines of: Cruise Lines Wrestle With Florida Ban on Vaccine Passports (https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-lines-wrestle-with-florida-ban-on-vaccine-passports-11623587416)

Of course, a hospital requiring employee vaccination is not quite the same story as cruise lines requiring passenger vaccination, but given the illogic of the latter I could easily see someone trying to mess with the former. On the other hand it is perhaps notable that the state of Texas has (as far as I am aware) stayed out of that Houston hospital situation.

So what was your point in wondering how SSM requiring employee vacinations would fly locally? I don't see a connection with cruise ship customets.

So what was your point in wondering how SSM requiring employee vacinations would fly locally? I don't see a connection with cruise ship customets.

I'm wondering if Stitt will try and interfere.

I'm wondering if Stitt will try and interfere.
Bridges, et al v. Houston Methodist Hospital et al, Docket No. 4:21-cv-01774 (S.D. Tex. Jun 01, 2021) dismissed a case challenging a hospital’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees. This is the first court opinion addressing the ability of employers to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The decision is also notable in that it rejects the argument, which has been advanced in other cases challenging mandatory vaccination policies in the employment context, that such policies are prohibited by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”).

https://leglobal.org/2021/06/29/usa-eeoc-updates-its-guidance-on-vaccine-mandates-incentives-confidentiality/
The EEOC stated that employers can require COVID-19 vaccination of all employees entering the workplace, so long as certain requirements are met. First, the qualification standard must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. Second, if a particular employee cannot meet such a safety-related qualification standard because of a disability, the employer may not require that employee’s compliance, unless it can demonstrate the individual would pose a “direct threat” to the health or safety of the employee or others in the workplace. This remains a controversial position and some employers may argue that a lower burden of proof applies.

Stitt should concern himself with clawback provisions when handing out 300 M to start ups. His track record dealing with any facet of Covid is abysmal.

Bridges, et al v. Houston Methodist Hospital et al, Docket No. 4:21-cv-01774 (S.D. Tex. Jun 01, 2021) dismissed a case challenging a hospital’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees. This is the first court opinion addressing the ability of employers to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The decision is also notable in that it rejects the argument, which has been advanced in other cases challenging mandatory vaccination policies in the employment context, that such policies are prohibited by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”).

https://leglobal.org/2021/06/29/usa-eeoc-updates-its-guidance-on-vaccine-mandates-incentives-confidentiality/
The EEOC stated that employers can require COVID-19 vaccination of all employees entering the workplace, so long as certain requirements are met. First, the qualification standard must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. Second, if a particular employee cannot meet such a safety-related qualification standard because of a disability, the employer may not require that employee’s compliance, unless it can demonstrate the individual would pose a “direct threat” to the health or safety of the employee or others in the workplace. This remains a controversial position and some employers may argue that a lower burden of proof applies.

Stitt should concern himself with clawback provisions when handing out 300 M to start ups. His track record dealing with any facet of Covid is abysmal.

Sure, but that court case was employer vs employees. Employer vs state would be a different question and possibly a different answer, regardless of what EEOC says.

In court, sure. I was thinking more along the lines of: Cruise Lines Wrestle With Florida Ban on Vaccine Passports (https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-lines-wrestle-with-florida-ban-on-vaccine-passports-11623587416)

Of course, a hospital requiring employee vaccination is not quite the same story as cruise lines requiring passenger vaccination, but given the illogic of the latter I could easily see someone trying to mess with the former. On the other hand it is perhaps notable that the state of Texas has (as far as I am aware) stayed out of that Houston hospital situation.

In reference to the cruise line, it's really smart how they pivoted. I can't remember which cruise line was doing it, but the policy becomes:
1. You can choose to show your vaccination card (not required)
2. If you show it, you get a band. This band means you can walk around without a mask and join certain events.
3. If you don't choose to show it (or don't have it), then you have to wear a mask.

More locations doing this would probably lead to a second surge of vaccinations. Obviously this is easier for something that's contained (cruise ship) versus an individual business as no business is going to be giving out bands to all of its customers.

A group of Houston hospital workers lost a lawsuit in Federal Court when they sued over their employer mandating vaccination as a condition of employment.

Don't be surprised if the fifth circuit overturns this ruling. The judge who made the ruling is one of the most overturned district judges in the country.

Don't be surprised if the fifth circuit overturns this ruling. The judge who made the ruling is one of the most overturned district judges in the country.

what still blows my mind in their initial lawsuit and why i think it might be upheld, is that they aren't trying to argue against literally all of the other vaccines that are required for their employment, only the covid vaccine. if truly their issue is with forced vaccines for employment, why are they not concerned with all of the other vaccines that have always been required for their employment and never fought?

what still blows my mind in their initial lawsuit and why i think it might be upheld, is that they aren't trying to argue against literally all of the other vaccines that are required for their employment, only the covid vaccine. if truly their issue is with forced vaccines for employment, why are they not concerned with all of the other vaccines that have always been required for their employment and never fought?

This is a good point and this will be similar with SSM (St. Anthony). For instance, when I worked there they required us to get the flu shot. If you didn't want it, or couldn't get it, then you had to wear a mask. Requiring immunizations, especially in health care, is not a new thing. I think it is pretty clear why the Covid vaccine has divided. It is all of the misinformation tying to build and support an agenda. Sad really.

I don't see a connection with cruise ship customets.

They are different for sure, but in both cases it does make business sense. I certainly wouldn't knowingly choose a hospital that does not require steps to prevent the spread of disease, not to mention the potential liabilities involved for a hospital that causes a breakout because they failed to protect their patients.

As for a boat, I wouldn't get on an enclosed boat with hundreds of other people for weeks that didn't require the vaccine. Watching that documentary on the Diamond Princess was convincing enough. And, again, there are potential liabilities involved. Outbreaks of any kind on a cruise ship are expensive and damaging to the industry. Let the companies decide on whether they want to offer COVID cruises or non-COVID cruises.

At the end of the day, businesses have a right to protect the safety of their workers and customers as they see fit and, in many aspects, are actually required to do so.

This is a good point and this will be similar with SSM (St. Anthony). For instance, when I worked there they required us to get the flu shot. If you didn't want it, or couldn't get it, then you had to wear a mask. Requiring immunizations, especially in health care, is not a new thing. I think it is pretty clear why the Covid vaccine has divided. It is all of the misinformation tying to build and support an agenda. Sad really.

We should at least be able to ask if they got their continued medical training from an accredited institution or from facebook memes.

And requiring vaccines for travel is nothing new, as well.

They are different for sure, but in both cases it does make business sense. I certainly wouldn't knowingly choose a hospital that does not require steps to prevent the spread of disease, not to mention the potential liabilities involved for a hospital that causes a breakout because they failed to protect their patients.

As for a boat, I wouldn't get on an enclosed boat with hundreds of other people for weeks that didn't require the vaccine. Watching that documentary on the Diamond Princess was convincing enough. And, again, there are potential liabilities involved. Outbreaks of any kind on a cruise ship are expensive and damaging to the industry. Let the companies decide on whether they want to offer COVID cruises or non-COVID cruises.

At the end of the day, businesses have a right to protect the safety of their workers and customers as they see fit and, in many aspects, are actually required to do so.

I agree with what you posted. My reply was in the context of state government challenging the rights of employers to maintain standards of health.

After 25+ years the BNSF RR finally banned smoking on the job, mainly because of the liability. It shouldn’t be a liability or a political thing, it should be for the benefit of the employer, the employees, and the public. Really, would you like seeing your surgical crew mask less?

5 New Things We Learned About COVID-19 In June 2021 (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-things-covid-june-2021_l_60d5f214e4b053314759ac51)

what still blows my mind in their initial lawsuit and why i think it might be upheld, is that they aren't trying to argue against literally all of the other vaccines that are required for their employment, only the covid vaccine. if truly their issue is with forced vaccines for employment, why are they not concerned with all of the other vaccines that have always been required for their employment and never fought?

the fact that the vaccines are not FDA approved may make the difference ..

the fact that the vaccines are not FDA approved may make the difference ..

well it's going through that process. and probably will have FDA approval by the time it gets to an appeals court. at least for pfizer. they filed all the paperwork to get it started the first week of May and FDA approval usually takes around 6 months for it's priority review, since it has already gotten the Emergency approval. So don't think that will be the thing that makes a difference and allows it to be overturned.

well it's going through that process. and probably will have FDA approval by the time it gets to an appeals court. at least for pfizer. they filed all the paperwork to get it started the first week of May and FDA approval usually takes around 6 months for it's priority review, since it has already gotten the Emergency approval. So don't think that will be the thing that makes a difference and allows it to be overturned.

i agree .... .. i was just saying that may be the difference of opinion between this and other vaccines for the hospital employees

According to the CDC, Oklahoma has now slipped into the Bottom 10 in terms of fully vaccinated rate:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

Top ten state if you flip the chart upside down.

Number 2 in new cases. We should be very proud. SMH

Well at least Oklahoma *county* is doing decently

Did anybody really expect otherwise from OK? And if so, what in the world are you smoking, 'cos it must be really good...

According to the CDC, Oklahoma has now slipped into the Bottom 10 in terms of fully vaccinated rate:

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations

This is an embarrassing indictment of the ignorance and stupidity of a large percentage of our state population. Also points to leadership failure from our statewide elected officials.

If (and that's a *huge* if, based on all evidence for the past umpteen months) OK government really wants to get people vaccinated, they should get with team/venue owners and make it mandatory to be vaccinated to attend any Thunder game or OU/OSU football game or live concert.

I feel like if the state required employers to give 1 PTO day per dose, we would have a lot more people vaccinated. People LOVE an excuse to stay home and still be paid.

Based on weekly totals, OK numbers continue to rise.


This week there were 1,270 new cases compared to the last 4 weeks ending on Friday: 1,151, 1,141, 842, and 775.

303 new cases today alone; last 4 Fridays: 224, 181, 178, 152.

Hospitalizations are 139 up from a low of 106 on 6/11/21.

ICU is 41 up from a low of 29 on 6/3/21.

This is the beginning of a spike.:iagree:

If (and that's a *huge* if, based on all evidence for the past umpteen months) OK government really wants to get people vaccinated, they should get with team/venue owners and make it mandatory to be vaccinated to attend any Thunder game or OU/OSU football game or live concert.

Because football, basketball and concerts are more important than stopping the spread of covid. It's sad that it would really take OU / OSU football, the thunder and concerts to encourage people to get vaccinated.

This is the beginning of a spike.:iagree:

Perish the thought. Unvaccinated people better quit taking seriously the fool hardy nonsense and hysteria going on the Internet against taking the COVID-19 vaccine and get vaccinated. If you have taken the flu vaccine before without major issue, it will likely be little different from taking a COVID-19 vaccine. To not be vaccinated would be a drag to come down sick with covid and possibly lose your sense of smell for months on end. There are other possible undesirable long term effects you wouldn't want from having COVID-19. Why take a chance that it will only be a brief and mild illness unless you have health conditions that makes your doctor advises, otherwise?

I get the hesitancy. It is an unknow vaccine. People are not sure about it and all that. However with that being said it's now what 7 months since we really started to vaccinate people and no one is dropping dead from it. Also 99% of the people that are currently dying from Covid are unvaccinated. So at the start of all this I got it why people didn't want it but at what point, now after 7 months heck even over a year for some cause of trials, will people decide to get the shot. Probably never SMH

Because football, basketball and concerts are more important than stopping the spread of covid. It's sad that it would really take OU / OSU football, the thunder and concerts to encourage people to get vaccinated.

Throw in a free game ticket to any of those events and vaccine rate would improve.

The state universities aren't even requiring their own students to be vaccinated, let alone spectators at a sporting event.

I get the hesitancy. It is an unknow vaccine. People are not sure about it and all that. However with that being said it's now what 7 months since we really started to vaccinate people and no one is dropping dead from it. Also 99% of the people that are currently dying from Covid are unvaccinated. So at the start of all this I got it why people didn't want it but at what point, now after 7 months heck even over a year for some cause of trials, will people decide to get the shot. Probably never SMH

It is NOT an unknown vaccine. I wish people would stop repeating this nonsense. It went through rigorous clinical trials and is based off an established, proven platform.