Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[Pete]

Oh man. Stitt used data from a Facebook poll as how many Oklahomans wear masks. I love it.

Meanwhile, he refuses to have the state follow the White House guidelines.

[Pete]

3,900 new cases today, one of the highest on record. 7-day rolling average now 2,925.

27 additional deaths as we have now surpassed the 2,000 mark for the state. 7-day rolling average is 22.3.

Hospitalizations are 1,730 (+21); all-time high is 1,782.

ICU is 456 (-3); all-time high is 482.

[soonerguru]

At this point what would a mask mandate do? Why are people here so hung up on it? The biggest population centers in the state already have mask mandates. LA has a mask mandate and nearly 100 people died in LA alone.

I’m not against masks by now but I really doubt the people that still aren’t wearing masks are going to do unless forced which pretty much every major business in the state requires masks to enter. I’ve witnessed plenty occasions in Costco and Walmart customers being told to keep their masks on.

What would a statewide mask mandate change?

I don't think your question is snarky at all, so no snark from me in answering.

What would a statewide mandate do? Primarily, it would send a message to people out there who think "Covid is over" or "Covid is the flu" that this is a serious matter of health. Overwhelmingly, most people would follow it, regardless of any lack of enforcement mechanism. Prior to OKC's ordinance, you would be lucky to see 60% of people in a store with masks. Now, it's over 90% (and this happened overnight).

Also, it doesn't matter as much if OKC, Norman, and Tulsa have ordinances if Yukon and Moore do not. And they don't. Most of the rural towns don't. In the last month it was reported that a lot of our ICU beds in OKC are being filled with people from outlying communities without mask ordinances. How is this fair to the citizens of OKC who may require those medical resources for non-Covid-related emergencies?

If the governor were to say it, especially now after being a stubborn ass about it for months, it would cause a lot more people to wear masks who currently do not. Again, despite any serious enforcement mechanism.

What is amazing to me is that people don't understand that for a virus to spread, it needs a host, or it will go away. In Oklahoma, we have all too many people who volunteer to keep COVID alive and feasting on our population.

[dankrutka]

I understand that areas with masks slow the spread but what I am skeptical of is the places that still are dumb enough to not wear masks, would a mandate really fix anything?

Yes, I believe a mandate would result in more people wearing masks. Say, that 35% are wearing masks regularly in rural areas and a mandate kicks that up to 50%. You'd be surprised, but some people will say, "if it's the law i'll do it." a lot of problems can't be framed as binaries (will/won't wear mask) and need to be understood along spectrums or percentages. In this case, the purpose of a mask mandate isn't 100% compliance; it's to tilt the odds a bit. That's what a mask mandate would "fix."

Edit: Didn't see soonerguru's response before i posted, but yes to all that.

[Pete]

The "unenforceable" argument is absurd, especially coming from the governor of a state.

You could say that about any law or ordinance... It's just an excuse because he doesn't want to do it and he's said as much from the very beginning.

Nothing like painting yourself in a corner by saying "I'll never" long before a dramatic situation plays out.

[Midtowner]

The "unenforceable" argument is absurd, especially coming from the governor of a state.

You could say that about any law or ordinance... It's just an excuse because he doesn't want to do it and he's said as much from the very beginning.

Nothing like painting yourself in a corner by saying "I'll never" long before a dramatic situation plays out.

Right?

How about those completely unenforceable laws which dictate I not drive whatever speed I want to wherever I want to drive? Similarly unenforceable.

[Mott]

The "unenforceable" argument is absurd, especially coming from the governor of a state.

You could say that about any law or ordinance... It's just an excuse because he doesn't want to do it and he's said as much from the very beginning.

Nothing like painting yourself in a corner by saying "I'll never" long before a dramatic situation plays out.

When the railroad barred smoking inside property, there was a lot of hostility, and huffing and puffing, but it stopped the smoking in buildings and trains. Never thought it would happen but it did. The hardest part of any journey is the first step.

[Pete]

When the railroad barred smoking inside property, there was a lot of hostility, and huffing and puffing, but it stopped the smoking in buildings and trains. Never thought it would happen but it did. The hardest part of any journey is the first step.

I lived in California when they were the first state to start a complete smoking ban of any inside public place, including bars and clubs. And movie sets and lots.

This was a time when smoking was still en vogue in the entertainment industry, and I know because I worked on the lot at Paramount and went out a lot in Hollywood.

But after endless bitching and hand-wringing, the date came and smoking just stopped. There were no bar owners having to escort people out, no mass protests, no non-complying businesses. Behavior just changed.

Same when they were among the first to issue a ban on texting or talking on the phone while driving. And outside of L.A. and San Francisco, there are huge swaths of red areas in that state. Try Fresno or Bakersfield or even Orange County sometime.

Often, laws are the first step in changing social norms (seat belts are probably the best example), and that's what being a leader is all about: making tough decisions that are in aid of the greater good.


BTW, Stitt's original rationale was that there was no need in rural areas. Now that those areas are in crisis, he comes up with another baseless excuse.

[Roger S]

Right?

How about those completely unenforceable laws which dictate I not drive whatever speed I want to wherever I want to drive? Similarly unenforceable.

Not so sure this is the best comparison for compliance.... I've never seen so many people driving at excessive rates of speed as I have since the shutdown earlier this year.

[soonerguru]

I lived in California when they were the first state to start a complete smoking ban of any inside public place, including bars and clubs. And movie sets and lots.

This was a time when smoking was still en vogue in the entertainment industry, and I know because I worked on the lot at Paramount and went out a lot in Hollywood.

But after endless bitching and hand-wringing, the date came and smoking just stopped. There were no bar owners having to escort people out, no mass protests, no non-complying businesses. Behavior just changed.

Same when they were among the first to issue a ban on texting or talking on the phone while driving. And outside of L.A. and San Francisco, there are huge swaths of red areas in that state. Try Fresno or Bakersfield or even Orange County sometime.

Often, laws are the first step in changing social norms (seat belts are probably the best example), and that's what being a leader is all about: making tough decisions that are in aid of the greater good.


BTW, Stitt's original rationale was that there was no need in rural areas. Now that those areas are in crisis, he comes up with another baseless excuse.

Excellent post, among many on this amazing thread. It would be great if an editor would go back to the beginning of this monster conversation and take some of the best parts and turn it into a book. It's darkly amusing -- and mind-numblingly aggravating and discomfiting -- that many of the same arguments that were being made back in March are still being argued in December, on this comment number 8,735, as our nation approaches 300,000 American deaths and is now losing 9-11-level numbers of people on a daily basis.

[C_M_25]

My social media accounts are absolutely full of people going to birthday parties, Christmas parties, eating out in completely full restaurants, attending weddings, and other things. I don’t know whether to be infuriated or just simply disappointed at this point. Oklahoman’s are really dropping the ball on this thing all the way from leadership and down.

[Bill Robertson]

My social media accounts are absolutely full of people going to birthday parties, Christmas parties, eating out in completely full restaurants, attending weddings, and other things. I don’t know whether to be infuriated or just simply disappointed at this point. Oklahoman’s are really dropping the ball on this thing all the way from leadership and down.

I'm in a fairly large group of people on FB that all went to the same grade school. At first all seemed to become home bodies like myself. Then a few posted about venturing out to get togethers or restaurants. Just this past couple weeks I've been shocked at the people in my group that have just given in to going back to life before COVID and posted long almost rants about how they're done isolating and that they've realized that living life is more important than being careful anymore. I for one am becoming more home body than ever.

[oklip955]

Bill I am with you on being a home body. Just not worth the risk. I have enough to keep me busy at home since I live on an acreage. I'm finding out that more of my friends and acquaintances have or have had covid. Its just not worth it. What is wrong with spending a year or a bit more working on stuff around the house or hobbies around the house and not taking the risks that can result in death or a serious loss of quality of life for the rest of ones life. I look at risk vs benefit. the short term benefit is not worth the long term risk.

[Pete]

3,983 new cases today. 7-day rolling average now 2,870.

35 additional deaths; 7-day rolling average 24.1.

Hospitalizations are 1,664 (-66).

ICU is 452 (-4).

[d-usa]

The OSU lab will be closed over Christmas, so that will likely impact reporting over they week.

[soonerguru]

Ho hum, another day, another 35 deaths.

[Bunty]

My social media accounts are absolutely full of people going to birthday parties, Christmas parties, eating out in completely full restaurants, attending weddings, and other things. I don’t know whether to be infuriated or just simply disappointed at this point. Oklahoman’s are really dropping the ball on this thing all the way from leadership and down.

At least it seems people who die can wait. My friend's memorial service, who was cremated, will be held later on at an unknown date, due to covid. He died from a severe heart condition, not covid. However, not sure how long people in coffins can wait.

[Bill Robertson]

At least it seems people who die can wait. My friend's memorial service, who was cremated, will be held later on at an unknown date, due to covid. He died from a severe heart condition, not covid. However, not sure how long people in coffins can wait.

I texted a friend that arranges funerals. He says they really try not to ever have a body over a month.

[Bunty]

Stillwater Medical Center is back to its covid unit being full as of Friday.

[Libbymin]

Loc Van Le, the man who built the Jimmy’s Egg restaurants into the success story they are today, passed away from Covid the other night. A very big and sad loss for this city.

[Pete]

4,332 (!) new cases today; 7-day rolling average 3,026.

22 additional reported deaths; 7-day rolling average 24.0.

[d-usa]

We should be seeing the beginning of the Thanksgiving spike now.

[Pete]

We should be seeing the beginning of the Thanksgiving spike now.

Last 3 days:

4,332
3,983
3,900

[soonerguru]

People "just living their lives."

I read last night that there were a grand total of 3 Covid beds available in the entire state.

[oklip955]

I would not have expected this high a number on a Sunday, maybe on a Tuesday. I hate to think what the numbers this week will look like.