What's right with Texas?

[falafel]

Our ward is back to meeting every week in person for the two-hour block. They are still broadcasting Sacrament Meeting (excluding the ordinance), Elder's Quorum, Relief Society, and Gospel Doctrine over Zoom for those who don't feel comfortable attending in person yet.

Strange, we alternating between RS and EQ each week after Sac, with youth groups pretty much going each week (alternating SS and YM/YW). But then this week, our area presidency called us to repentance and rolled us back to Sac only, no 2nd hour meetings.

I recognize that a lot of these decisions need to be based on the situation on the ground, but Idaho has the highest positivity rate in the nation at 24.3% (!!!) while Nevada is at 4.9.

In the words of Little John from the Disney Robinhood cartoon, who's drivin' this flying umbrella?

[Pelado]

Strange, we alternating between RS and EQ each week after Sac, with youth groups pretty much going each week (alternating SS and YM/YW). But then this week, our area presidency called us to repentance and rolled us back to Sac only, no 2nd hour meetings.

I recognize that a lot of these decisions need to be based on the situation on the ground, but Idaho has the highest positivity rate in the nation at 24.3% (!!!) while Nevada is at 4.9.

In the words of Little John from the Disney Robinhood cartoon, who's drivin' this flying umbrella?

I think the Bishop is the biggest proponent. We're still staying at home.

[Uncle Ted]

Because, FREEDOM!

Yes! In Texas you are free to wear 10 masks and lock yourself in the basement just like Joe, if you would like. In fact, I am recommending that to all my Dem friends. The less people in my favorite restaurants the better.


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[Moliere]

I will never understand the general GOP aversion to masks. I understand the desire to open up again. That's somewhat defensible given the drop in Texas cases (still shouldn't be 100% yet though). But c'mon, masks?!? Such a pointless political statement.

Make it a compromise. Wear the masks and we'll keep rolling out openings.

But a compromise shows weakness and we can't show weakness

The GOP is dumb about this. But, to be honest, I had no idea Texas wasn't 100% open anyway. Every restaurant around me is open and every store is open. If there are limits to people going in buildings we either aren't hitting those limits or the limits are being ignored. Even our movie theaters are open if you want to watch The Notebook or some other random movie from two decades ago.

I think this declaration is two month too early. If we were over 50% vaccinated then I'd be more fine with it but part of me also thinks Abbott is making a somewhat-strategic calculation. There was very little movement in Texas a week ago due to the ice storm. Vaccinations are accelerating. I'm thinking with the decline in cases over the past month and the coming decline due to the shutins for a week that cases will continue to drop until more people are vaccinated and then they'll stay down with warmer weather coming. He's making a calculated political call, which is dangerous...but it's the GOP way. But I think I'd prefer this over keeping everything shuttered for another six months like I"m sure California and New York will do.

One silver lining from this is that it's brought back the crazy mask debates on teh local school district FB page. That's always fun and has been missed a bit since it calmed down last summer.

[BigFatMeanie]

I honestly don't understand how "opening up 100%" will be that much different than before the mask mandate. What can one now do sans mask that one couldn't do with masks?

I live in Utah and I can't think of too much that I'm restricted from doing as long as I mask up. The only things I can think of are:

BYU closed down fan attendance at sporting events.
Salt Lake County closed down public arts venues like Abravanel Hall and the Capitol Theatre.

Pretty much nothing else impacted my life except for the minor annoyance of having to mask up. Small price to pay. Texans elected fools for their state/local governments.

[Uncle Ted]

But a compromise shows weakness and we can't show weakness

The GOP is dumb about this. But, to be honest, I had no idea Texas wasn't 100% open anyway. Every restaurant around me is open and every store is open. If there are limits to people going in buildings we either aren't hitting those limits or the limits are being ignored. Even our movie theaters are open if you want to watch The Notebook or some other random movie from two decades ago.

I think this declaration is two month too early. If we were over 50% vaccinated then I'd be more fine with it but part of me also thinks Abbott is making a somewhat-strategic calculation. There was very little movement in Texas a week ago due to the ice storm. Vaccinations are accelerating. I'm thinking with the decline in cases over the past month and the coming decline due to the shutins for a week that cases will continue to drop until more people are vaccinated and then they'll stay down with warmer weather coming. He's making a calculated political call, which is dangerous...but it's the GOP way. But I think I'd prefer this over keeping everything shuttered for another six months like I"m sure California and New York will do.

One silver lining from this is that it's brought back the crazy mask debates on teh local school district FB page. That's always fun and has been missed a bit since it calmed down last summer.

Thanks to the Harris Administration's Operation Warp Speed everyone is going to have the vaccine by May: https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...-by-end-of-may We will be at 50% like next week.

And they did this without having any vaccines when they took over from Drumpf and they had to start from scratch: https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...rting-scratch/

[Moliere]

The local school district announced they will continue to follow TEA guidelines, which require masks in the school building and social distancing. Some parents are already announcing they are going to sue the school district if their kids are forced to wear masks.


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[Uncle Ted]

The local school district announced they will continue to follow TEA guidelines, which require masks in the school building and social distancing. Some parents are already announcing they are going to sue the school district if their kids are forced to wear masks.


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You should suggest they move to Idaho: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/article249636423.html

[beefytee]

We will be at 50% like next week.

Well, except that is take 6 weeks to achieve immunity with the moderna vaccine. I got my first one yesterday. Next appointment is 28 days from that. 2 weeks after that I should be good.

[Uncle Ted]

Well, except that is take 6 weeks to achieve immunity with the moderna vaccine. I got my first one yesterday. Next appointment is 28 days from that. 2 weeks after that I should be good.

You should have opt'ed for the J&J vaccine... one and done!

[Jeff Lebowski]

You should have opt'ed for the J&J vaccine... one and done!

New study out of Israel shows that the Pfizer vaccine only needs one dose and can be safely stored in a normal freezer. I wonder if this will change things.

[Pelado]

New study out of Israel shows that the Pfizer vaccine only needs one dose and can be safely stored in a normal freezer. I wonder if this will change things.

How does the effectiveness of a single dose compare to the primer and booster dose regimen?

[beefytee]

You should have opt'ed for the J&J vaccine... one and done!

I'm fine waiting for the 95% effectiveness.. It is Texas that is anxious.

[Uncle Ted]

I will never understand the general GOP aversion to masks. I understand the desire to open up again. That's somewhat defensible given the drop in Texas cases (still shouldn't be 100% yet though). But c'mon, masks?!? Such a pointless political statement.

Make it a compromise. Wear the masks and we'll keep rolling out openings.

I think the Harris Administration should mandate these space helmets.


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[Uncle Ted]

But a compromise shows weakness and we can't show weakness

The GOP is dumb about this. But, to be honest, I had no idea Texas wasn't 100% open anyway. Every restaurant around me is open and every store is open. If there are limits to people going in buildings we either aren't hitting those limits or the limits are being ignored. Even our movie theaters are open if you want to watch The Notebook or some other random movie from two decades ago.

I think this declaration is two month too early. If we were over 50% vaccinated then I'd be more fine with it but part of me also thinks Abbott is making a somewhat-strategic calculation. There was very little movement in Texas a week ago due to the ice storm. Vaccinations are accelerating. I'm thinking with the decline in cases over the past month and the coming decline due to the shutins for a week that cases will continue to drop until more people are vaccinated and then they'll stay down with warmer weather coming. He's making a calculated political call, which is dangerous...but it's the GOP way. But I think I'd prefer this over keeping everything shuttered for another six months like I"m sure California and New York will do.

One silver lining from this is that it's brought back the crazy mask debates on teh local school district FB page. That's always fun and has been missed a bit since it calmed down last summer.

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