Arguments against

[Mince]

I often wonder whether those who spout the following statements could ever be made to see the flaw in their argument? One feels that you could never change their mind with facts or reason, and that only a sarcastic response is appropriate.

1. If masks are mandatory to prevent virus spread, why isn't chainmail mandatory to prevent being stabbed, or helmets in case you fall on your head?

2. 99.7% recovery from Covid, so why the need for a vaccine?

3. I'm so glad there's a vaccine with 94% success rate. I almost had to use my natural immune system with 99% effectiveness.

[Diane CBPFC]

Alberta finally called in strong covid measures last night which are in effect until Jan 12 at least.

We have NO social bubbles here, most things are closed and the shops that are open are down to 15% capacity.

We were the only province without a mask mandate up until now - we have a far-right premier who had to cater to the high percentage of conspiracy theorists in his party, so instead of doing this months ago we are doing it now as our hospitals are busting.

[Diane CBPFC]

I often wonder whether those who spout the following statements could ever be made to see the flaw in their argument? One feels that you could never change their mind with facts or reason, and that only a sarcastic response is appropriate.

1. If masks are mandatory to prevent virus spread, why isn't chainmail mandatory to prevent being stabbed, or helmets in case you fall on your head?

2. 99.7% recovery from Covid, so why the need for a vaccine?

3. I'm so glad there's a vaccine with 94% success rate. I almost had to use my natural immune system with 99% effectiveness.

Living in Alberta, should I take up arguing with people on the internet, I wouldn't have time for anything else. I just see arguments against as a handy list of people to avoid.

[Roger Kettle]

Sorry to hear about the current situation in Alberta, Diane. Be safe!

[Diane CBPFC]

Thanks Roger - I think these measures will help, so few people were even wearing masks. 

[Mince]

Well, we had a lockdown that brought us halfway down the cases hill, and now we're going back up again.

We have more deaths per million population than the USA.

[Roger Kettle]

And Wales now has an awful surge despite their recent lockdown. Can't make head nor tail of it.
And the latest reports say that people with allergies to certain medicines shouldn't take the vaccine. I'm allergic to penicillin. Roll on the next vaccine in Autumn 2021!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

People need to comply with the rules in order for the rules to work. Too many are still making up their own rules, I think.

Roger, there will certainly be other vaccines available before Autumn next year, and indeed much sooner than that from what I gather. The allergy advice is obviously a worry, but the context is that it has so far only affected two people among thousands who have been given the vaccine, both with a history of severe allergic reactions, and both were immediately treated and responding well. Their lives were never in danger, from what I'm reading. The advice is a precautionary and necessary reaction while further investigations and tests follow. Frustrating and worrying as it must be to you and many other allergy sufferers, it does not follow automatically that all or any of the other vaccines being developed will be the same, as I understand it.

[Roger Kettle]

To be honest, Steve, I can't honestly say that it's a worry. If I have to wait a bit longer for a vaccine, then so be it. About twenty years ago, I was given some penicillin and, while I had a bad reaction, it was nowhere near life-threatening. So I don't even know if that counts. As I seem to be saying every day at the moment, let's just wait and see!

[Diane CBPFC]

Alberta is providing a one-time exemption to the gathering limit – only if you live alone. From Dec. 23-28, they can visit another household once. Please continue to take all precautions.

This just came in, so our son who was living with us in October and November (hoping to get a job transfer) decided he was staying put and rented a place in the city on his own December 1st - so now he can come home. Otherwise he was allowed two guests at his place. I was thinking our other two adult kids who do live with us could drive over and spend the day with him (they all like playing board games) and then come home for an evening thing with us. If he had covid, it would be brought home by the other two so the rule made no sense. Most people wouldn't have followed it anyway, Alberta is like Texas in that regard - just the "nice" people or people too poor to risk the $1000 fine would have missed having their single children home.

So fancy modern board games here we come! And as he is 6'8", we can hang our ding-dongs merrily on high once more.

 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Apparently, the virus can’t reach altitudes higher than 70”, so he’s safe. That’s what I read on several websites run by helpful people anyway. It seems the micro chips in every cell weigh them down. So long as he never sits down, he’s fine. Trust me - I’m a cartoonist...