Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[Anonymous.]

You can't argue with stupid people and convince them to get vaccinated, we need to stop trying.

However, stupid people will line up for free money all the time. Pay people to be vaccinated, it is the only way before they all die.

[catcherinthewry]

The guy that owns Bedlam BBQ had some serious crazy eyes as he was blabbering on. Dude was big mad.

I'm never going to eat there.

[Outhunder]

"Jeff Watts, the owner of Bedlam BBQ, called much of the pro-mask support for health concerns “lies” and then said, “I rebuke those lies in the name of Jesus Christ.”

[TheTravellers]

Attachment 17071Attachment 17070

Some of you may recall Ken Reddick, one of the anti-mask and anti-vaccine protest leaders in Tulsa, former Tulsa mayor candidate, and attendee at the January 6 riot at the Capitol. He organized a protest at the end of June, calling vaccine and mask advocates all sorts of vile names. Two weeks later he was in the ICU on the verge of death, infected with COVID. He now likely has permanent lung damage due to scarring. He can’t walk more than a foot without losing breath. He can’t use the bathroom on his own. He can barely speak. He has small children at home, he is self-employed as a roofer, and his wife has been begging for money through a fundraiser to help them get by.

This is the tragic consequence of COVID and the arrogant denialism people like Ken Reddick espouse. He didn’t just hurt himself by refusing to mask and get the vaccine; he has put his family in a major bind. They are now dependent on the goodwill of other people—something he was unwilling to extend to others.

Who will be the next Ken Reddick in Oklahoma?

This is going to be sooooo common, unfortunately. The drag on the economy and healthcare by the long-COVID people is going to be huge, similar to veterans returning from all our absurd overseas wars in the past few decades that are missing limbs, brain-damaged, psychologically screwed-up, etc.

[LocoAko]

Yesterday's city council meeting was quite embarrassing, but a) these anti-mask fanatics exist everywhere these days and b) the loudest, most vocal folks are always the ones that show up to speak. Parts of it were hard to watch without wanting to audibly scream at my computer screen at the sheer amount of misinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories that were being spewed. (A quick calculation showed that the cited 179 trillion discarded masks per month amounts to 852 discarded masks per person per day across the planet. K.) The mask mandate was never going to pass, especially as an emergency, and frankly at least in my part of town I've been encouraged by the number of people opting to mask and OKC's vaccination numbers (which aren't what they should be, but are significantly better than the rest of the state). I think Holt is doing the best he can be expected to do in the political environment he's in.

That said, and I apologize if this is too political, but I was pretty disgusted by Councilman Carter's conduct. While the rest of the council sat through the nonsense as best and politely as they could regardless of how they felt, Councilman Carter was spreading conspiracy theories about vaccines and COVID tests and then acted extremely condescendingly toward the Director of the OCCHD, openly questioning his credentials and getting patronizing and sarcastic with him when he didn't agree with his conspiracy theories, seemingly all for the show of the crowd who jeered and hollered their support for Carter. I can deal with the usual crazies who show up to speak at these things, but seeing one of them on the council act in such a rude manner toward our local health experts was truly disappointing.

[catch22]

Did people bring milk jugs full of pennies and quarters to shake around to aid in their hootin’ and hollerin’?

I haven’t watched the video and don’t plan to, but I can picture it in my mind quite well.

[soonerguru]

Sadly, I've decided to sell my OU season tickets. My wife and I were looking forward to the season. We assumed more Oklahomans would take advantage of a free, life-saving shot to end the pandemic, and that we would be able to attend a packed football stadium in the Fall.

Yet, here we are. We do not feel at all comfortable going to the games. Hit me up in private message if you're interested in some very good West Side Upper Deck tickets.

[soonerguru]

"Jeff Watts, the owner of Bedlam BBQ, called much of the pro-mask support for health concerns “lies” and then said, “I rebuke those lies in the name of Jesus Christ.”

I will never spend another dime there. Sad, because their food is good. I literally got takeout from there two weeks ago. No mas.

[jedicurt]

I will never spend another dime there. Sad, because their food is good. I literally got takeout from there two weeks ago. No mas.

they must have changed how they cook their food then, or we just like different bbq. because i have had their bbq about 4 times over the past 10 years, and it has never been good. always bland and tasteless.

also, i heard a rumor this morning that Bedlam BBQ is banning people from wearing masks inside? any truth to this? or just people saying things?

[Anonymous.]

I am not sure what your and your wife's health situation is. But personally I would feel safe being at an outdoor event while vaccinated. In fact, I have attended several already this summer.

Also I am seeing many events requiring vaccination or negative test requirements. By Thanksgiving, the only people who won't be out doing things will be the ones refusing to get vaccinated.

[soonerguru]

I just know even into June my doctor in LA sat me down and talked to me. I said, look man, I went through the whole pandemic without getting sick, my immune system is good, the vaccine is stupid and I don’t need it. He responded, Campbell, I love you but you’re being an arrogant jackass. I spent 10 years of my life studying and becoming a doctor learning about the human body and using science every step of the way to save people’s lives and you want to tell me how it works? That’s like you telling a climatologist climate change isn’t real, or a physicist the earth is flat… I walked out to my car, thought about what he said, and went back into to the building and got the vaccine.

I felt like a complete ass for being arrogant and having took so long to get it. I can only pray I didn’t infect anyone else with it. I will get the booster ASAP.

Man, my respect for you has gone through the roof. There's nothing more human than admitting you are wrong about something and changing your mind. It is a strength, not a weakness.

[soonerguru]

I am not sure what your and your wife's health situation is. But personally I would feel safe being at an outdoor event while vaccinated. In fact, I have attended several already this summer.

Also I am seeing many events requiring vaccination or negative test requirements. By Thanksgiving, the only people who won't be out doing things will be the ones refusing to get vaccinated.

We have done a ton of things this year: trip to Chicago, Foo Fighters, indoor concerts, restaurants, etc. But think: how many people at the OU games will be unvaccinated? I'm going to guess at least 50%. And, of the unvaccinated, how many will be wearing masks? My guess is like 25% to be generous. Now, how many of the people there will be carrying and spreading Delta. If Oklahoma's positivity rate is, say, 20%, that would mean approximately 17,000 people will be screaming "Boomer. Sooner" into the air. They will be crowding the bathrooms and crowding the lines for concessions. They will be standing two feet from you talking loudly after guzzling beer while you stand in the queue to get into the stadium.

I am not discouraging anyone else from attending. I am not. And if you want my great tickets, they are for sale.

[soonerguru]

they must have changed how they cook their food then, or we just like different bbq. because i have had their bbq about 4 times over the past 10 years, and it has never been good. always bland and tasteless.

also, i heard a rumor this morning that Bedlam BBQ is banning people from wearing masks inside? any truth to this? or just people saying things?

Man we got some ribs from there that were as good as any I've had in town. Wonderful pink meat. Juicy with nice bark. Wonderfully seasoned. Maybe it was just a good day but my wife and I were pretty blown away by them.

Regarding the masks, I wore mine, but no one who works for the restaurant was wearing one.

[TheTravellers]

Man, my respect for you has gone through the roof. There's nothing more human than admitting you are wrong about something and changing your mind. It is a strength, not a weakness.

Yep, props to PluPan again, he's changed his stance on the death penalty too, so yeah, definitely deserves respect for actually hearing and processing data and acting on new information.

[jedicurt]

Man we got some ribs from there that were as good as any I've had in town. Wonderful pink meat. Juicy with nice bark. Wonderfully seasoned. Maybe it was just a good day but my wife and I were pretty blown away by them.

Regarding the masks, I wore mine, but no one who works for the restaurant was wearing one.

ok. so probably just a rumor. thanks. and glad you were able to get some good food out of that place. it was really close to my work for a few years, and i kept trying it because i love bbq... and sadly it never was good.

[Pete]

2,538 new cases today. Last several Wednesdays: 2,534; 2,360; 2,105; 2,160; 1,474; 1,203.

7-day average 2,796.

Compared to the same period last week, new cases are +1,538.

Hospitalizations are 1,566 (+27).

ICU is 441 (+7).

[Bunty]

"Jeff Watts, the owner of Bedlam BBQ, called much of the pro-mask support for health concerns “lies” and then said, “I rebuke those lies in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Good lord, people like him ought to shut up and be thankful that the state or city didn't want to go back to closing businesses like his.

[dankrutka]

You can't argue with stupid people and convince them to get vaccinated, we need to stop trying.

However, stupid people will line up for free money all the time. Pay people to be vaccinated, it is the only way before they all die.

I'm about as pro-vaccine as it gets, but I do not understand how these types of posts are helpful. I am guessing message boards are just the place where some people can let out their frustrations. There's a ton of studies that show that unvaccinated people are pretty diverse and only a minority of them are hateful and harmful anti-vaxxers conspiracy theorists. Many are mis- or uninformed. Others legitimately have access challenges.

I disagree with PhiAlpha's conclusions (it seems like their doctor clearly said to be vaccinated to reduce risks), but PhiAlpha is at least sharing the reasoning for decisions. Does name calling help in a case like this? I appreciate those who made their argument in a way that is far more likely to be effective. And, if we're going to be angry, it should be at policy makers (e.g., the council, governor) and anti-vax activists who have a far larger impact on the course of the pandemic.

[catch22]

I'm about as pro-vaccine as it gets, but I do not understand how these types of posts are helpful. I am guessing message boards are just the place where some people can let out their frustrations. There's a ton of studies that show that unvaccinated people are pretty diverse and only a minority of them are hateful and harmful anti-vaxxers conspiracy theorists. Many are mis- or uninformed. Others legitimately have access challenges.

I disagree with PhiAlpha's conclusions (it seems like their doctor clearly said to be vaccinated to reduce risks), but PhiAlpha is at least sharing the reasoning for decisions. Does name calling help in a case like this? I appreciate those who made their argument in a way that is far more likely to be effective. And, if we're going to be angry, it should be at policy makers (e.g., the council, governor) and anti-vax activists who have a far larger impact on the course of the pandemic.

Agreed. Really there are 3 groups, pro-vaccine, anti-vaccine, and vaccine-hesitant. I work with a lot of people and see all of them. I'd say it's about 50% pro, 20% firm anti, and 30% hesitant. The hesitant people are very likely to get it, begrudgingly. While the anti-vaccine group are about to get terminated and they are proud of it.

I have no major concerns with the hesitant group, except for "what's the hold-up, man?". A guy I work with is waiting until the last minute (appointment 9/6 to receive the first dose of Pfizer to comply with our fully vaccinated or terminated deadline of 9/27), just because he wants to push it as far as it goes. But talking to him he says he is not against it one bit, just doesn't want to do it. I personally think that's ridiculous but there are many like him, and they will ultimately get it. I think PhiAlpha may fall into that group.

I have no words for the anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists....

[soonerguru]

Ooh I have some words....

[Bill Robertson]

Ooh I have some words....

If your words are like mine though they get you time outs from most forums.

[TheTravellers]

The lab leak theory is falling apart

[Bill Robertson]

The lab leak theory is falling apart

I'm just asking. Maybe trying to learn something. 18 to 21 months into this thing depending on when it really started does it really make any difference where it started. Except for academia.

[Anonymous.]

I'm about as pro-vaccine as it gets, but I do not understand how these types of posts are helpful. I am guessing message boards are just the place where some people can let out their frustrations. There's a ton of studies that show that unvaccinated people are pretty diverse and only a minority of them are hateful and harmful anti-vaxxers conspiracy theorists. Many are mis- or uninformed. Others legitimately have access challenges.

I disagree with PhiAlpha's conclusions (it seems like their doctor clearly said to be vaccinated to reduce risks), but PhiAlpha is at least sharing the reasoning for decisions. Does name calling help in a case like this? I appreciate those who made their argument in a way that is far more likely to be effective. And, if we're going to be angry, it should be at policy makers (e.g., the council, governor) and anti-vax activists who have a far larger impact on the course of the pandemic.

Well I wasn't trying to come across as hateful. Perhaps saying stupid people is too harsh on my part.

I just am having a hard time understanding how anyone can see the data and still decide to not get vaccinated. Let me rephrase and say that I personally think it is stupid to get sick and die of Covid when there is a free and easy way to dramatically reduce the chances of that.

[TheTravellers]

I'm just asking. Maybe trying to learn something. 18 to 21 months into this thing depending on when it really started does it really make any difference where it started. Except for academia.

I would say you're on target with academia, or for future pandemics. If they know where it started, they can figure out how it got into humans, and then maybe figure out a way to not let that happen again. Lots of things to discover and possibly explore if they find out where it started...