COVID-19

[Troy Loney]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-covid- ... _lead_pos1

The U.S. has a short window of time to step up measures such as social distancing and wearing masks to prevent B.1.1.7 from spreading widely, the CDC said. Such precautions would also buy time for vaccination campaigns to start having an effect on transmission rates, the agency said.

Those "back to the office in April" plans not looking good.

[NTP66]

Source of the post Those "back to the office in April" plans not looking good.

We were extended through the end of June.

[Troy Loney]

Source of the post Those "back to the office in April" plans not looking good.

We were extended through the end of June.

The position I took, pre pandemic was something like 75% on site with the client. They’ve been delivering remote and saving the clients on the costs by not shipping people all over the country. I have no idea what happens with that. I was looking forward to travel, but I could see things just being all remote except maybe a day or two a week in the central office, and maybe occasional trips to client sites

[tifosi77]

Mrs Tif's new job is Global Training Manager, which under normal circumstances would involve a great deal of global travel.

[faftorial]

Tweets should be banned here.

This is what she is referring to:

When Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced this week that the federal government would begin releasing coronavirus vaccine doses held in reserve for second shots, no such reserve existed, according to state and federal officials briefed on distribution plans. The Trump administration had already begun shipping out what was available beginning at the end of December, taking second doses directly off the manufacturing line.

Now, health officials across the country who had anticipated their extremely limited vaccine supply as much as doubling beginning next week are confronting the reality that their allocations will remain largely flat, dashing hopes of dramatically expanding access for millions of elderly people and those with high-risk medical conditions. Health officials in some cities and states were informed in recent days about the reality of the situation, while others are still in the dark.

Bad information from the feds.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2 ... e-used-up/

[dodint]

Source of the post Those "back to the office in April" plans not looking good.

We were extended through the end of June.

Same. The Dept of Defense civilian workforce is on max telework through Jun-30.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

the weird thing is when will employers confidently say people can come back? since not everyone is willing/able to take the vaccine, there's really no easy distinct point in time where we can open the gates. Some people will NEVER take the vaccination

I'm guessing there will be a "you can come back if you have a vaccination record" thing with a lot of employers starting in late winter/early spring

[Freddy Rumsen]

Looking forward to the lawsuits and eventual SCOTUS decision on whether or not employers can force employees to vaccinate.

[NTP66]

Why wouldn’t they be able to? We already do it for the flu vaccine.

[tifosi77]

That's already pretty settled. The answer is, broadly, 'yes'.

Vaccination for other things is already a valid condition of employment - although not necessarily a valid reason for termination (you may be required to sign a waiver and agree to accept workplace accommodations that limit your danger to others if you refuse vaccination).

[dodint]

Freddy loves futility.

[NTP66]

Re: an earlier conversation:

[Freddy Rumsen]

Since dodint likes to use the word disingenuous I think that's a pretty good example here.

The obvious context was the question over whether or not an employer can require the vaccine not for new hires but in regards to coming back to in person work and/or as a requirement of continued employment.

[NTP66]

I imagine that there's no difference for employers in at-will states such as Pennsylvania.

[dodint]

But then what would we have to argue about?

[King Colby]

Just shoveled 3 driveways. Thought heart was gonna explode. Might pay for that for a few days

[Freddy Rumsen]

It wasn't an argument piece, it was a legit question that I was interested in learning about.

YMMV

[Freddy Rumsen]

https://www.thestate.com/news/politics- ... 43755.html

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT
Hundreds get COVID vaccine at ‘double secret’ vaccination clinic at state fairgrounds
BY ZAK KOESKE
JANUARY 16, 2021 09:06 AM, UPDATED 9 HOURS 17 MINUTES AGO
Play VideoDuration 4:12
DHEC releases its plan for vaccine distribution when they become available in South Carolina

Stephen White, DHEC's head of immunization, spoke about the department's preparation for COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available in October. BY GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER

COLUMBIA, S.C.
South Carolina’s health department held an unpublicized mass vaccination clinic Friday at the state fairgrounds in Columbia that drew hundreds of people who waited in their cars for hours to secure doses of the scarce COVID-19 vaccine.

“We heard about it this morning when a friend texted us to say she had heard that DHEC was running the vaccination program at the fairgrounds for people over 70,” said Jay Bender, an attorney who sometimes represents the South Carolina Press Association and The State newspaper.

[DigitalGypsy66]

@Freddy Rumsen

There was also a “double secret” vaccination event at the SC State Fairgrounds yesterday, that was supposed to be for first responders only...but the word got out and it took hours to get through the line, with some people without appointments jumping the queue. Not a good look.

[NTP66]

You’d think that CVS and Walgreens would be able to move quicker, if that article is accurate. At any rate, good for WV.

[Freddy Rumsen]

There is a lesson to be learned about corporate sclerotic behavior and independent small-town pharmacies who know their people.

Obvious advantage in the supply chain with Walgreens and CVS, but customer service is where the other is able to outshine and why they've done better.

My grandma received hers because her local pharmacist knew she was home and available.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

If i was the state of WV I’d tell all big pharmacies to F off just based on their irresponsible behavior that contributed to the opioid crisis.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-sho ... -opioid-cr

[meow]

About half my team is getting vaccinated this week. We haven’t had a Monday stand-up meeting with this much peep in a long time. It was nice to hear how hopeful a lot of people were. It warmed old meow’s heart

[NTP66]

I just hope that the vaccinations don't lead to 'it's cool everyone, come back to the office!'.

[nocera]

I just hope that the vaccinations don't lead to 'it's cool everyone, come back to the office!'.

If the entire office is vaccinated, why couldn't everybody return?