Hard to believe that two and a half years into the Covid pandemic, I’m debating whether to make a round-up of recent news and observations a weekly feature on this blog.
Why Are Hospitals Overwhelmed (Spoiler: Lots of Reasons)
Why are hospitals in Edmonton/Alberta so overwhelmed?
I am going to turn to the data for a second.
— Kyra Markov (@KmarkovCTV) November 15, 2022
It’s *Really* Bad…
When someone like me, who has worked for 20 years in extremely busy emergency departments, says that we have never seen this many sick patients with viral infections before, please listen. This tsunami of illness is NOT typical and is the worst I have ever experienced.
— Chuck Wurster (@ChuckWurster) November 15, 2022
Really really bad…
I just learned that ~ 40% of students at my kids elementary school were reported absent on November 7. Are we able to get stats for student absences in Regina Public Schools more broadly right now? #yqr @RegPublicSchool
— Vanessa Mathews (@vanessakmathews) November 15, 2022
Like, really really really bad….
https://www.twitter.com/JillReann/status/1592642279650791424
So yeah, you should probably wear a mask…maybe…if you want…or whatever, could be too late too.
Shahab said he advises people to wear masks, but noted that a school mandate for masks may not help.https://t.co/b0jtKK0F3A
— Global Regina (@GlobalRegina) November 15, 2022
I haven’t been perfect. I like to go to restaurants. Concerts. Movies. Go on trips. Hang out with people who I don’t share DNA with.
But I’m trying really hard to wear a mask where and when I can – at work. In meetings. In stores. In crowded spaces.
https://www.twitter.com/whosthatguurrrl/status/1592264575449436162
Because it is very possible that Covid is FUCKING ALL OF US UP more than most people realise.
And as an atheist, it’s sort of weirdly funny that mask-wearing has become like some science-based Pascal’s Wager for me.
This same logical framework can be applied to the controversy over whether or not to wear a mask. If you choose to wear a mask and it turns out you are right about the importance of mask-wearing, you have potentially limited the exposure of countless people to COVID-19 and have saved innumerable lives. If it turns out that you are wrong, and masks do not slow the spread of COVID-19, then all you have risked is some mild discomfort, a risk which is infinitesimally small when compared to the value of a human life. On the other hand, if you choose not to wear a mask, and you are wrong, then you have potentially exposed everyone you have come in contact with to a dangerous virus, risking their lives and the lives of everyone they interact with. If you are right, however, all you will have gained is the satisfaction of being correct, a reward which pales in comparison to the potential risk to human life. When examined under the logical framework of Pascal’s Wager, the only bet that makes sense is to wear a mask.
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