Mask rules are being lifted all over the place. Is Covid yesterday’s socks? ???

Apparently Dr. Fauci officially declared the end of COVID as a pandemic. It has now transitioned into the endemic phase.

Mask rules are being lifted all over the place. Is Covid yesterday’s socks? ???

I have my doubts, personally.

Mask rules are being lifted all over the place. Is Covid yesterday’s socks? ???


Maybe not quite yet but I hear every day that the masks mandates are being lifted so you can wear them if you want to.

Since death and serious illness can now be prevented it's no longer an emergency, more like the flue

It was the World Health Organisation that declared this to be a pandemic, and with fatalities, cases and people still in hospital, Covid is still with us. In my opinion, it will WHO to declare fit to be over.

It was the World Health Organisation that declared this to be a pandemic, and with fatalities, cases and people still in hospital, Covid is still with us. In my opinion, it will WHO to declare fit to be over.


I'm not sure we need the WHO to tell us when there is or isn't a pandemic. Remember Dylan, "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows". I don't think we're done with the virus though. History has shown that plagues don't end so easy. And sometimes they come roaring back.

Simply putting it, Covid, with it's many variants is still with us.

It was the World Health Organisation that declared this to be a pandemic, and with fatalities, cases and people still in hospital, Covid is still with us. In my opinion, it will WHO to declare fit to be over.

When that happens we can start putting away the masks and save them for when someone has a cold or when there's an emergency.

I'm not sure we need the WHO to tell us when there is or isn't a pandemic. Remember Dylan, "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows". I don't think we're done with the virus though. History has shown that plagues don't end so easy. And sometimes they come roaring back.

And don't forget the numbers from the pandemic too.

When that happens we can start putting away the masks and save them for when someone has a cold or when there's an emergency.
Due to myself, during the lockdowns, I was shielding as being vulnerable, I will still be wearing my mask in shops, department stores and closed in spaces. You do not know what condition the person next to you is in, hence social distancing.

Due to myself, during the lockdowns, I was shielding as being vulnerable, I will still be wearing my mask in shops, department stores and closed in spaces. You do not know what condition the person next to you is in, hence social distancing.


I can definitely agree on that.

Not in Far East!

For more than a million Covid cases feared in North Korea

Not in Far East!

For more than a million Covid cases feared in North Korea


Also South Korea and Japan (and I believe China) has had their worst outbreaks as far as case numbers in 2022.

Also South Korea and Japan (and I believe China) has had their worst outbreaks as far as case numbers in 2022.
Here in the UK, the fatalities and cases seem to be going down, but the figures are not so easy to come by now, only average figures are available and are not updated regularly.

Also South Korea and Japan (and I believe China) has had their worst outbreaks as far as case numbers in 2022.
Shanghai has announced its city-wide lockdowns will be gradually lifted from 1 June, after 15 out of 16 districts achieving "social dynamic Zero-Covid cases".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-61023811

Not in Far East!

For more than a million Covid cases feared in North Korea

COVID is not going anywhere.

COVID is not going anywhere.
Covid is spreading again.

Covid is spreading again.


I saw somewhere that the US is in a 5th wave now. It's not talked about as much since it's less life-threatening, especially for the vaccinated.

I saw somewhere that the US is in a 5th wave now. It's not talked about as much since it's less life-threatening, especially for the vaccinated.


How many waves are there in total? Can there be a 6th wave?

I saw somewhere that the US is in a 5th wave now. It's not talked about as much since it's less life-threatening, especially for the vaccinated.
True, the strains are less harmful now, similar to catching a bad flu, but the virus is still out there.

True, the strains are less harmful now, similar to catching a bad flu, but the virus is still out there.


I just had it last month and it just felt like a bad cold. It wasn't fun though. It took over a week to shake it off and I had to avoid spreading it to my wife.

I just had it last month and it just felt like a bad cold. It wasn't fun though. It took over a week to shake it off and I had to avoid spreading it to my wife.
I trust you are much, much better now.

That is how it is here, and personally speaking I do not wish to catch any form of the virus due to myself being vulnerable.

How many waves are there in total? Can there be a 6th wave?
If by waves, you mean variations, last year around this time there were over 57,000 different strains, who knows how many now?

I trust you are much, much better now.

That is how it is here, and personally speaking I do not wish to catch any form of the virus due to myself being vulnerable.


Yes I am except for some possible long term effects. I don't ever remember my allergies being so bad, but could be unrelated.

Yes I am except for some possible long term effects. I don't ever remember my allergies being so bad, but could be unrelated.
The symptoms for Long Covid seem to vary from person to person, and I feel you can only do but rest.

If by waves, you mean variations, last year around this time there were over 57,000 different strains, who knows how many now?


More by surges in case numbers, followed by hospitalizations and deaths. In the US we had the original wave in Spring/Summer 2020, 2nd was the holiday season of late 2020/early 2021, 3rd was Delta in summer 2021, then 4th was Omicron during the holiday season of late 2021/early 2022.

More by surges in case numbers, followed by hospitalizations and deaths. In the US we had the original wave in Spring/Summer 2020, 2nd was the holiday season of late 2020/early 2021, 3rd was Delta in summer 2021, then 4th was Omicron during the holiday season of late 2021/early 2022.
Very similar to the UK. Cases and fatalities are falling in number, who knows what can be around the corner. I think that the Spanish Flu that started 1918 lasted for around two years, could that be a good sign for today?

I just had it last month and it just felt like a bad cold. It wasn't fun though. It took over a week to shake it off and I had to avoid spreading it to my wife.


Did you get your smell back?  ???

I just had it last month and it just felt like a bad cold. It wasn't fun though. It took over a week to shake it off and I had to avoid spreading it to my wife.
A friend of mine was just the same as you last month, now he is out and about, and I hope to be meeting him over the weekend.

Did you get your smell back?  ???


Never actually lost it. I think that's only the original variant. Then again my sense of smell was always weak because of my sinuses/allergies.

Did you get your smell back?  ???

Never actually lost it. I think that's only the original variant. Then again my sense of smell was always weak because of my sinuses/allergies.
Putting things into perspective, in December 2019, before the start of the pandemic, I mysteriously came down with flu and it felt a different kind of flu, but I managed to shake it off in under a week. Since then, and all through the pandemic, my sense of smell had enhanced, picking out stranger non-associated aromas.

Never actually lost it. I think that's only the original variant. Then again my sense of smell was always weak because of my sinuses/allergies.


I don't have COVID, I was tested negative 3 times but I think it was last year I might have had a cold and that's when I probably lost my sense of smell, maybe it's called anosmia but some things aren't smelling like what they're supposed to smell like, it's like for me it's a light scent just barely smell it.

When/If "COVID" ends, something worse will come and our rights and freedoms will be completely wiped away from us but in a larger extent. This is only the beginning, unfortunately.

In the UK the cases for Covid are falling, but now there is a new worry, monkeypox.

In the UK the cases for Covid are falling, but now there is a new worry, monkeypox.


First COVID and now Monkey Pox. :(

First COVID and now Monkey Pox. :(


I’ve always wanted a monkey.

I’ve always wanted a monkey.


For a pet?

I’ve always wanted a monkey.



For a pet?


Unfortunately, a lot of people have made that mistake. In case you are seriously thinking about it, read this first. Aside from the fact that it's simply not right to take them from their natural habitat, do you really want this kind of wild animal for a pet?

10 Reasons Monkeys Should Never Be Pets

https://www.primaterescue.org/10-reasons-monkeys-should-never-be-pets/

Excerpts:

As babies they are adorable and sweet, but once they hit puberty (around age 3) their demeanor will completely change. They will become unpredictable, aggressive, unmanageable, and dangerous, often biting and scratching even their most favored caregiver. No amount of training will tame a wild animal or keep them from asserting their dominance. Monkeys can live to be 20-40 years old, which is a long time to care for an aggressive, biting animal.

They will destroy your home and make it stink! Throwing feces and urine, “poop painting” on the walls, and urinating everywhere are typical monkey behaviors in a human home. You may think that diapers are the answer, but even if a monkey would agree to wear one, they often cause painful sores and rashes, and they restrict the tail muscles from developing normally causing physical damage to the primate. (Life at the sanctuary allows these animals the freedom to express these species-specific behaviors, without forcing them into difficult, hands-on situations. We are able to feed, clean, and enrich all primate areas without direct contact with any primate)

Hierarchy! Primates naturally want to be the one in charge in a group, or at least be second in command. This means that generally a primate will bond with one person who they think is in charge, and then perceive everyone else as the enemy. They will attack humans with vicious bites and scratches to maintain their status in the group. This means ultimately you will be left alone with your monkey, cut off from normal social interactions with your family and friends, and unable to enjoy time away from your home or to take family vacations.

Monkeys can carry parasites and zoonotic diseases that are dangerous to humans. They may seem to be in perfect health, but when they inevitably bite or scratch you, you may end up with a variety of health issues passed to you from your monkey that were dormant in the monkey’s system.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have made that mistake. In case you are seriously thinking about it, read this first. Aside from the fact that it's simply not right to take them from their natural habitat, do you really want this kind of wild animal for a pet?

10 Reasons Monkeys Should Never Be Pets

https://www.primaterescue.org/10-reasons-monkeys-should-never-be-pets/

Excerpts:

As babies they are adorable and sweet, but once they hit puberty (around age 3) their demeanor will completely change. They will become unpredictable, aggressive, unmanageable, and dangerous, often biting and scratching even their most favored caregiver. No amount of training will tame a wild animal or keep them from asserting their dominance. Monkeys can live to be 20-40 years old, which is a long time to care for an aggressive, biting animal.

They will destroy your home and make it stink! Throwing feces and urine, “poop painting” on the walls, and urinating everywhere are typical monkey behaviors in a human home. You may think that diapers are the answer, but even if a monkey would agree to wear one, they often cause painful sores and rashes, and they restrict the tail muscles from developing normally causing physical damage to the primate. (Life at the sanctuary allows these animals the freedom to express these species-specific behaviors, without forcing them into difficult, hands-on situations. We are able to feed, clean, and enrich all primate areas without direct contact with any primate)

Hierarchy! Primates naturally want to be the one in charge in a group, or at least be second in command. This means that generally a primate will bond with one person who they think is in charge, and then perceive everyone else as the enemy. They will attack humans with vicious bites and scratches to maintain their status in the group. This means ultimately you will be left alone with your monkey, cut off from normal social interactions with your family and friends, and unable to enjoy time away from your home or to take family vacations.

Monkeys can carry parasites and zoonotic diseases that are dangerous to humans. They may seem to be in perfect health, but when they inevitably bite or scratch you, you may end up with a variety of health issues passed to you from your monkey that were dormant in the monkey’s system.


That ain’t the half of it. A few years ago, a monkey ripped the face off of some lady.

And another monkey tore the ‘nads off of some other guy.  :o

That ain’t the half of it. A few years ago, a monkey ripped the face off of some lady.

And another monkey tore the ‘nads off of some other guy.  :o


If I recall, the woman who had her face ripped/eaten off by her pet monkey was the recipient of one of the first full face transplants.

That ain’t the half of it. A few years ago, a monkey ripped the face off of some lady.

And another monkey tore the ‘nads off of some other guy.  :o




If I recall, the woman who had her face ripped/eaten off by her pet monkey was the recipient of one of the first full face transplants.


Yep. I don’t think the dude got another set of nards though.  :\'(

That ain’t the half of it. A few years ago, a monkey ripped the face off of some lady.

And another monkey tore the ‘nads off of some other guy.  :o


I won't go anywhere near a chimpanzee unless it's behind bars or glass.  :o

I won't go anywhere near a chimpanzee unless it's behind bars or glass.  :o
BTW, is Michael Jackson's pet chimpanzee Bubbles still alive?

That ain’t the half of it. A few years ago, a monkey ripped the face off of some lady.

And another monkey tore the ‘nads off of some other guy.  :o

That was back in 2009, The chimp got so angry it tore the face right off of a woman and now she is blind because of that.

If I recall, the woman who had her face ripped/eaten off by her pet monkey was the recipient of one of the first full face transplants.

She needed surgery and a face transplant.

BTW, is Michael Jackson's pet chimpanzee Bubbles still alive?


I think so.

BTW, is Michael Jackson's pet chimpanzee Bubbles still alive?

I think so.
Is there evidence of this?

If I recall, the woman who had her face ripped/eaten off by her pet monkey was the recipient of one of the first full face transplants.
Let us not forget "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allen Poe.

Is there evidence of this?


There was evidence that he died but he is now living comfortably for 12 years in The Great Apes.

There was evidence that he died but he is now living comfortably for 12 years in The Great Apes.
An Elvis complex?

There was evidence that he died but he is now living comfortably for 12 years in The Great Apes.


Bubbles the Chimp is indeed still alive and well at The Center for Great Apes in Florida.  8)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubbles_(chimpanzee)

According to Bubbles’ Wikipedia page… ”Jackson's housekeepers testified that they disapproved of the chimpanzee behavior. One said she had to clean feces hurled at the bedroom wall :o , and another described a chimpanzee tearing off his diaper before crawling into Jackson's bed.”  8-P

In another antic… ” According to author David Wigg, Queen singer Freddie Mercury grew frustrated trying to record a duet with Jackson, "There Must Be More to Life Than This", because of his insistence that Bubbles be in the studio. According to Wigg, "Michael made Bubbles sit between them and would turn to the chimp between takes and ask, 'Don't you think that was lovely?' Or, 'Do you think we should do that again?' After a few days of this, Freddie just exploded ... 'I'm not performing with a @#%$&  chimp sitting next to me each night.'" Mercury left the project and released the song as a solo artist in 1985.”

Bubbles the Chimp is indeed still alive and well at The Center for Great Apes in Florida.  8)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubbles_(chimpanzee)

According to Bubbles’ Wikipedia page… ”Jackson's housekeepers testified that they disapproved of the chimpanzee behavior. One said she had to clean feces hurled at the bedroom wall :o , and another described a chimpanzee tearing off his diaper before crawling into Jackson's bed.”  8-P

In another antic… ” According to author David Wigg, Queen singer Freddie Mercury grew frustrated trying to record a duet with Jackson, "There Must Be More to Life Than This", because of his insistence that Bubbles be in the studio. According to Wigg, "Michael made Bubbles sit between them and would turn to the chimp between takes and ask, 'Don't you think that was lovely?' Or, 'Do you think we should do that again?' After a few days of this, Freddie just exploded ... 'I'm not performing with a @#%$&  chimp sitting next to me each night.'" Mercury left the project and released the song as a solo artist in 1985.”
O0

Thank you.

An Elvis complex?


It's sort of like a home for apes or chimps to live out the rest of their lives.

An Elvis complex?

It's sort of like a home for apes or chimps to live out the rest of their lives.
No, reported dead, but people still think he is alive.

Apparently Dr. Fauci officially declared the end of COVID as a pandemic.

And now, a year later, the CDC no longer classifies it as a "global emergency."

And now, a year later, the CDC no longer classifies it as a "global emergency."

And that's a good thing, so not many people will worry a lot about it.

And that's a good thing, so not many people will worry a lot about it.

Yes, but I’m sure people will continue to take safety precautions as long as they wish.

COVID will only end when work from home is no longer a forced thing

COVID will only end when work from home is no longer a forced thing

Aren't people bored from working from home? ???

Aren't people bored from working from home? ???
My son enjoyed working from home!

Yes, but I’m sure people will continue to take safety precautions as long as they wish.
It is definitely not over yet, there are still cases and fatalities reported each week.

COVID will only end when work from home is no longer a forced thing


I didn't know WFH was still a forced thing. If anything RTO is forced by some companies. I will avoid those like a virus itself.


My son enjoyed working from home!


Same. I miss it and actually miss 2020 for that reason. Currently I work in a "hybrid" schedule where we're allowed to WFH one day a week. I had a more difficult time re-adapting to working in an office environment than I expected. I hate it for many reasons, but #1 is the commute. 2nd is annoying coworkers.

My son enjoyed working from home!

But What about your paychecks?

But What about your paychecks?
Paid into his account as per normal practice.

It is definitely not over yet, there are still cases and fatalities reported each week.

Who knows when it will be over, we may never know.

Who knows when it will be over, we may never know.
It may end up as a bad case of flu.

Aren't people bored from working from home? ???


I certainly am.  The problem with working from home is that you're in your home when you're working so when you're not working, you still feel like you're at work. There's no separation from work and home

I certainly am.  The problem with working from home is that you're in your home when you're working so when you're not working, you still feel like you're at work. There's no separation from work and home


I have said that for years, long before Covid, back when "working from home" was hailed as "the way of the future".  It isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I certainly am.  The problem with working from home is that you're in your home when you're working so when you're not working, you still feel like you're at work. There's no separation from work and home


And the only boss is either your Mother or your wife.

Aren't people bored from working from home? ???
Think of the money saved on transportation fares?

Think of the money saved on transportation fares?


And less money spent on clothes. Sitting behind a computer screen, working in one’s underwear, really cuts the clothes budget.  ;D

And less money spent on clothes. Sitting behind a computer screen, working in one’s underwear, really cuts the clothes budget.  ;D
Having a Zoom Meeting only wearing a shirt and jacket... ?

I certainly am.  The problem with working from home is that you're in your home when you're working so when you're not working, you still feel like you're at work. There's no separation from work and home


For me it's the opposite. When I'm working from home I actually don't feel like I'm working even though I am, and getting a lot more done since I'm not wasting time commuting and feeling the need to leave early to beat traffic home. Plus no distractions like people walking up to my desk every 5 minutes when they need something. I'm also willing to sign on early and stay on late with the laptop on standby while I'm taking care of things around the house. We're expected to be available 24/7 anyway so it doesn't make a difference whether we're in the office, at home, or in a hotel room on vacation. Our work definitely doesn't end when we leave the office building.


Think of the money saved on transportation fares?


Including gas. And time wasted in traffic. Then again where I live has the worstest traffic in the whole United States. Also higher risks of getting in to a wreck, and road rage.

Then once you get to the office, having to be around annoying people, and making small talk with people who pretend to care how your weekend was, how their kids are doing in school, their pets, etc. Also having to share a kitchen/breakroom, line for getting coffee, and nasty bathrooms.

I could write a whole book or blog on reasons I hate going in to the office. If I were make a pros and cons list of going in to the office, there would be no pros, only cons. Only there are some things that need to be physically done in the office and I don't mind doing those, but if there is not it's pointless. Also I didn't mind coming in alone when we were on the 3 and 2 schedule and rotating w/my coworker, but now that we both have to be in its getting on my nerves, especially his loud typing and talking on the phone, both work and personal calls.

Meanwhile one guy in my office and same department is in his 50's and never been married, and he enjoys coming in to the office mainly to gawk at the 20-something year old post-grad females.

And less money spent on clothes. Sitting behind a computer screen, working in one’s underwear, really cuts the clothes budget.  ;D


That too. I miss working in my shorts/t-shirt in summer and sweatpants/hoodie during the colder months. My company was actually considering implementing an even more stringent dress code during the RTO, but luckily just stuck with business casual.

I have said that for years, long before Covid, back when "working from home" was hailed as "the way of the future".  It isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I even saw some people "working from coffeehouse"...

I even saw some people "working from coffeehouse"...


That's the pretentious version of "working from home".  ;D

Mask rules are being lifted all over the place. Is Covid yesterday’s socks? ???
Covid is still out there!

Latest in England

Think of the money saved on transportation fares?

You definitely save yourself a lot.

And less money spent on clothes. Sitting behind a computer screen, working in one’s underwear, really cuts the clothes budget.  ;D

Well not exactly if you are in a Zoom conference meeting, you must dress up for it.

Having a Zoom Meeting only wearing a shirt and jacket... ?

A dress shirt and a tie.

For me it's the opposite. When I'm working from home I actually don't feel like I'm working even though I am, and getting a lot more done since I'm not wasting time commuting and feeling the need to leave early to beat traffic home. Plus no distractions like people walking up to my desk every 5 minutes when they need something. I'm also willing to sign on early and stay on late with the laptop on standby while I'm taking care of things around the house. We're expected to be available 24/7 anyway so it doesn't make a difference whether we're in the office, at home, or in a hotel room on vacation. Our work definitely doesn't end when we leave the office building.

Including gas. And time wasted in traffic. Then again where I live has the worstest traffic in the whole United States. Also higher risks of getting in to a wreck, and road rage.

Then once you get to the office, having to be around annoying people, and making small talk with people who pretend to care how your weekend was, how their kids are doing in school, their pets, etc. Also having to share a kitchen/breakroom, line for getting coffee, and nasty bathrooms.

I could write a whole book or blog on reasons I hate going in to the office. If I were make a pros and cons list of going in to the office, there would be no pros, only cons. Only there are some things that need to be physically done in the office and I don't mind doing those, but if there is not it's pointless. Also I didn't mind coming in alone when we were on the 3 and 2 schedule and rotating w/my coworker, but now that we both have to be in its getting on my nerves, especially his loud typing and talking on the phone, both work and personal calls.

Meanwhile one guy in my office and same department is in his 50's and never been married, and he enjoys coming in to the office mainly to gawk at the 20-something year old post-grad females.

That too. I miss working in my shorts/t-shirt in summer and sweatpants/hoodie during the colder months. My company was actually considering implementing an even more stringent dress code during the RTO, but luckily just stuck with business casual.

What an idiot.  ::)

A dress shirt and a tie.
A tie being optional?