PIPTTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - ‘I’m seeing storm clouds forming over parts of the European Continent. I’ve got to be absolutely frank. We remember what happens when the waves start rolling in,’ stated British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday as cases of Covid-19 mark an alarming surge in the Old Country.
So, why is the United States now lifting travel restrictions on flights from Europe and other parts of the world? And, before you say ‘well, travelers must show proof of vaccine before boarding the flights.’ Know that an asymptomatic person, regardless of status, can spread the virus. So, the new federal rules do not conform with current arguments to ‘slow the spread.’ In fact, the World Health Organization is warning that Europe is once again the ‘epicenter of the pandemic.’
Norway has just implemented health passes and proposed a third dose for those 18 & older. Iceland, where 89% are vaccinated, is limiting public gatherings to 50 people. A new variant from Africa has been detected, and believed to be isolated, in France. Austria, Slovakia, Russia, Latvia, and more are tightening restrictions. Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria - nations large and small - are seeing huge spikes even though most death rates are lower than a year ago.
Is it really those germ-spreading, open-mouth breathing, unvaccinated rubes in areas of 80% compliance that are causing problems this big? Is it the anti-maskers & close-talkers? Is ‘waning immunity’ to blame as the efficacy of the 1st & 2nd doses wear off? Maybe the virus is doing what it would have done regardless of our efforts. The bureaucrats and professionals are not sure so lockdown and order a third shot or head to straight to America.
But wait. Not so fast! The USA has its own issues. Vermont, a state with the one of the highest vaccination rates, is experiencing its biggest Covid surge to date. So is the rest of New England, as well as, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Mexico, and Michigan - especially near Detroit. Blame it on going indoors amid colder temperatures, or sporting events, or 20-somethings. Heck, some are blaming kids ages 5-11. But, I thought wearing masks in schools would prevent them from being scapegoated? And, with upwards of 72% of populations being vaccinated in many cities, counties, and states experiencing surges please do not say anything about ‘herd immunity.’ That was last year, sweetie.
This year we are ignoring the phrase: ‘natural immunity.’ World-O-Meters estimates that nearly 38 million cases in the US have recovered from Covid while a study published in the journal ‘Nature’ in August estimates that 31% of the US population has successfully fought the virus. So, what about infection-induced ‘natural immunity?’ A new study out of Israel indicates that natural antibodies are 13 times more effective than the Pfizer vaccine in preventing breakthrough cases or re-infection. But, do you really want to endure a bout of the potentially lethal virus to find out for yourself?
The surge is causing yet another scare leading up to this holiday season: domestic disputes. A ‘OnePoll’ survey of 2,000 Americans found that 3-in-5 say they would ban unvaccinated relatives from family feasts! Would you really lock grandma out of your house? Remember, she has the homemade pecan & pumpkin pies! And, would you really turn away your darling niece who chose the nose ring over the needle at college? Remember, she has the really good weed! C’mon, man. Besides, unvaxxed relatives are going to move into your place anyways when they are fired from their jobs on January 4th for not obeying the federal mandate. Stand with Uncle Joe. You believe the science don’t you?
According to the Pennsylvania Health Department’s website, 92% of covid cases in the Commonwealth have ‘recovered.’ That means there are roughly 129,508 active cases or .9953% of the population. So, basically 1-in-100 Pennsylvanians can spread Covid? Go hug your loved ones (armed with a quick home test, if you’d like.) Enjoy their company. Grab a handful of Skittles. HA!
Yes, the juice has been politicized and some leaders have lied about the jab or, at the very least, gleefully embellished the miracle elixir’s cures. Yes, the vaccines are safe - unless you are one of the people who gets heart inflammation, high blood pressure, uneven heartbeats or if you are one of the roughly 5,200 & counting kids under 20 who have developed ‘multi-system inflammatory syndrome’ or MIS-C. Yes, the vaccine is ‘mostly’ safe for an overwhelming portion of the population. The numbers of those experiencing heart issues from the vaccine are drastically less than the nearly 30% who experience heart problems caused by the virus itself. Consult your doctor!
Yes, vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and death. When sick, the vaccinated typically clear the virus faster than the filthy unvaxxed. However, both carry similar viral loads. Regardless of status, both spread the virus - be it at slightly different rates. And, the average viral load declines faster in a breakthrough patient (a vaxxed person who gets covid) than an unvaxxed case . So, no. No one should state that we “know how they (the vaccines) have stopped the spread of this deadly disease.” The vaccines have not! Even the CDC’s website states: ‘COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.’
Unfortunately, this misinformation is often parroted for a variety of reasons. Many outlets do not mention the side effects listed above, either. Imagine that!! Every commercial for any other medicine on the airwaves mentions possible side effects EXCEPT the medicine that is being mandated! HA!
So, yes, the vaccines are politicized. And, 58% of you plan to argue with relatives about the vaccine over the holidays. I’ll settle the remaining ‘politicization’ argument for you, as well: Operation Warp Speed was organized and executed under President Trump. The vaccine was pushed through and unveiled to the public by the Trump Administration then continued and expanded by the Biden Administration even though both of them said at different points that they would not trust a vaccine developed by the other. Plus, the basic structures for the vaccine - the building blocks - were developed and experimented and perfected during the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump eras. So, argue about something else if you are lucky enough to have family or lucky enough to have the day off to enjoy with family.
Kevin Battle is vaxxed but still shunned from family gatherings. He will work again this holiday as he believes the myth that it will reflect well on him at contract time. The sucker is co-host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh’s 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: ‘Play KDKA.’ Thank you.