2 COVID Vaccines Approved, End to Pandemic in Sight??

[Seagull]

Honestly people, there is not one side or the other.  We can open up the economy, keep kids in schools, AND wear masks and social distance to keep people safe.

With suicides up as much as 70% in some places, less cancer screenings, less doctor's visits for routine visits, fewer childhood immunizations happening - we are protecting everyone from covid at the expense of other lives.  I have diabetes, have kept it in check for more than 10 years, going to the doctor 3x a year for that entire time.  I haven't had my A1C tested since last December.  I know MANY people who have not had important screenings for things since prior to covid; mammograms, skin checks, PSA testing.  If I die from diabetes-related complications due to the shutdown not allowing me my medical care, isn't that JUST as important as if I died from covid?  If many many millions around the world die due to starvation, isn't that just as important as the people who died from covid?  If kids are isolated and commit suicide, isn't that important too?  If many more old people in retirement homes are dying due to loneliness now, does that not count as important?

People act like shutdowns are THE way to fix this problem, and not only hasn't this been proven by science, it doesn't take into account anything else that's going on.  You have to look at these things as part of a whole, you cannot ONLY look at Covid in a vacuum.  Doing so is childish, and ineffective.

And, we cannot do this forever.  Nor can we do this every time a new pandemic comes along.  We are going to have to learn to live with it, cope with it, and mitigate it as much as we can.  That's our only hope.  Shutdowns cannot and will not work.

Agree, and the shutdown is also perceived differently from each person, screenings haven't stopped, one can easily schedule and have it done. I have gone to dentist and not stopped all my physicals just because of shutdowns. Most people are just afraid while those who have to go to work lead a normal life, so I don't understand how shutdowns are affecting people differently, but in the end it is always the poorest that suffer the most. Public schools close while private schools are allowed in person full time. So yes there is a difference between rich and poor and location. In big cities where most of the poor are located there are more restrictions. California governor restricts all while he sends his kids to private school and dines at restaurant. It is like the hunger games, the elite are always free and rules do not apply to them.