Starting with This
The coronavirus death count in the United States has now exceeded 700,000. Most of the deaths over the last months were in the south and of the unvaccinated, and there were more younger victims than any other point in the pandemic.
A Reminder to Those Threatening to Sue
Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (1905), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court upheld the authority of states to enforce compulsory vaccination laws.
Lynden Christian Schools Goes Back Home
Cases of remained high in Lynden, and people mutter that Lynden is the epicenter of COVID-19 in Whatcom County. A group of people composed a letter to be sent to Washington State Governor Inslee, asking him to allow the school districts more latitude regarding whether or not to apply the state mandates, which they felt were inappropriate and against their rights as parents.
When I read about this in the Lynden Tribune, I thought the timing was odd. The cases are up here in Lynden and they’re asking if they can make their own decisions? The particular issue they were focusing on was the wearing of masks by school children.
I posted a comment on the Lynden Tribune Facebook page, asking them to explain their position and to also describe what alternative strategies they would take to mitigate the high case counts here in Lynden, many of which were originating in the classrooms. Ironically, an article came out in the Bellingham Herald saying the Lynden Christian schools had shut down for two weeks due to an investigation by the Whatcom County Department of Health regarding their high case counts. The school district negotiated with the County Department of Health, asking if they could temporarily close their in-person instruction for two weeks and go to online instruction in an attempt to get the case count down. This was approved.
But in order for in-person learning to work– not only for students but also for their families and neighbors in the broader community–schools need to adhere to the legally required standards set for masking, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, and other COVID`19 mitigation measures which have been proven effective in preventing spread of COVID-19 in schools.
Bellingham Herald, October 8, 2021
And then, the next day, I learned from a citizen in Lynden that Lynden Christian schools were able to do pretty much what they wanted in 2020 because they weren’t receiving any state funding. In 2021, however, they accepted financial support from the state. Then they continued to blow back on the mandates which resulted in high case counts. To me, that just sounds wrong.
There were lots of responses to my Facebook comment, but the one that got me the most was the individual that tagged me and said, “then just leave Washington.” How unkind was that? And ironically, no one answered my question regarding alternative COVID 19 mitigation strategies.
Update: High Schools were able to go back to in-person instruction on October 8. (Bellingham Herald). Lower grades went back on October 13. They have to adhere to the mitigation guidelines.
California Governor Newsom Announces Future School Mandates
Once FDA approval is received for all of the vaccines for every age, the Governor in California intends to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of vaccines already in place that are required prior to entry in the California school systems. It’s unknown when this will start, but he said as soon as the requisite FDA approvals are received, these new mandates will be implemented.
Los Angeles Sets New Mandates
Starting in November, Los Angeles County will require people wanting to enter a restaurant, bar, or other attend entertainment venue to provide proof of vaccination as well as an ID.
CDC Weekly Reports
I will go here to get the latest information regarding the vaccine, COVID19 situation, etc. The CDC hasn’t been the best at communicating the message, but I do trust their information.
Plans and Strategies for This Month
My anger is declining. I’ve been better able to misdirect or avoid it, in spite of what I hear or read. It’s not healthy for anyone. My focus is on Lynn and his current struggles with his Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). As of mid-October, the jury is “still out” on the definitive cause of his small stroke, although it will have something to do with the AFib. We aren’t anxious or afraid, but are praying and following the guidance of his medical team.
We received our third Pfizer COVID-19 shot (called “booster” by some) to strengthen our immune system. It’s been 8 months since our last shot, and our resistance may have declined. We also received the flu shot. Information has come out regarding how flu season will be this year. Much is uncertain. Some think that the flu shot could diminish the impact of COVID, should it be contracted. We’ll see if that theory holds.
Upcoming Road Trip to Cali
On October 22 we will begin our drive to California, which will include a week in Fresno to visit close friends and family, a weekend with youngest son Evan, wife Megyn, and granddaughter Sara, and a leisurely drive back to Washington via the coastal route. This will include a few stops to see friends. We are sure looking forward to it! We will travel safely, following the guidelines and masking everywhere, and are determined to stay healthy. My younger sibling and his wife and youngest son are moving to South Carolina and are scheduled to leave in early December. Don’t know when I will see him again. So to me this is a necessary trip.
A New Treatment Drug
A new pill by Merck, named Molnupiravir, has been submitted to the FDA for emergency use approval. It appears to be very promising. Merck said this new antiviral drug cut hospitalizations in half for at-risk COVID-19 patients. Link to article with details (October 12, 2021).
A COVID-19 Travel Story in Italy
Our former preaching minister from College Church of Christ in Fresno shared his recent visit to Italy in a blog post. He spent two weeks there, and was able to come back with his own personal experiences regarding how COVID-19 was being handled there. The post is worth reading! To summarize, they mandate vaccines for entry into many venues, there is strict mask-wearing adherence, and it’s quick and easy to obtain a COVID-19 test. Everything is “back” and the people there are happy … well, mostly. He did say that he had heard that there were resisters. On October 15, a BBC podcast talked about how dock workers at Trieste port (2,000 in number) were angry at the mandatory COVID pass. So we aren’t alone with those struggles.
What it Could Take to End This Pandemic
An October 6 opinion article in the Washington Post ( by Leana S. Wen) outlines where she believes we currently are. I thought the article had value! Some salient points:
- The Delta surge appears to be receding and new COVID-19 cases have declined by more than a third since September 1.
- We must accept that COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
- We can’t ignore the possibility of new and more virulent variants.
- It may take a while to get infections at very low levels, partly because as of this date only 57 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated.
- Vaccines must be available for younger children. It could happen by the beginning of 2022.
- We need oral, outpatient treatment for COVID-19 (see above link to Merck pill). Many are under development.
- We need free, readily available and rapid tests. This is because it’s been proven that around half of coronavirus transmission comes from asymptomatic people. We’re not anywhere close to achieving this.
Hopefully if we can obtain the above tools, COVID-19 will no longer dominate our lives.
Variant Update from the CDC
Currently, the Delta variant is the only variant classified as a variant of concern (VOC) in the United States. There are no variants classified as a Variant of Interest (VOI) and there are 10 variants being monitored (VBM). VBM do not pose a significant and imminent risk to public health in the United States due to their very low prevalence, which is currently estimated to be less than 0.1%. (As of October 13, 2021).
As Of Mid-Month
One in five families are delaying health care due to stressed medical system caused by COVID 19 cases. The State of Idaho currently has the lowest vaccination rate in the United States. Poor following of mandates and too many unvaccinated that are getting COVID. (National Public Radio)
The case counts are still high in Lynden, and there are STILL uninformed opinion pieces in the weekly Lynden Tribune. For example, this week a letter to the editor referred to the vaccine as “experimental.”
Washington Mandate News
Washington State Governor Inslee said in an October14 press conference that he was very pleased with the results of his mandate that was announced last August 9. In it, he mandated vaccination for most state workers, long-term care workers, and private care workers no later than October 18, or else they would lose their jobs. He mentioned that requiring testing as an alternative to vaccination just wasn’t working to curb the spread. Back in early September, the vaccination rate for state workers was 48%. Since then, it has gone up to over 90%, and could go higher before the October 18 deadline, which is approaching. His bottom line was “Mandates Work.”
He then issued a mandate that very large gatherings and events would require proof of vaccination or a COVID test within the last 72 hours. It will take effect November 15. Full disclosure: I like mandates. Waiting around for people to get sick and maybe die in order to arrive at “herd immunity” is no strategy.
Thinking About Thanksgiving
We have decided to have a gathering for Thanksgiving. The issue is how we handle the one unvaccinated person in our family. I brought it up to Lynn and our oldest son Brian, and their opinion is to “let it go.” It is only one person, and we can distance from her and still gather. They agreed though that no one should come if they were even slightly under the weather.
I suggested that she get a COVID test. I wish reliable tests were more readily accessible so this could be a slam dunk. Again, the two men waved it away. Our unvaccinated loved one avoids discussing it to any degree.
Later, I thought about it … OK, that I know of, I have no co-morbidities. I’m just old. But they do, especially Lynn. So am I in this to protect them? Yeah, I am … but then … when do I just let go? It seems as if I am the only one that is totally risk-averse. Or am I being overly concerned? I just don’t think so. As with so many things COVID, time will tell. We are ALL doing the best that we can.
Hopefully there will be some COVID-related positives that will occur between now and Thanksgiving.
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