social and moral dilemmas in the reign of COVID 19th of its name

Yeah, I've seen a lot of "well fuck it, let's go nuts" posts and tweets but I wonder how much of that is just people working through their frustrations and disappointments by the news. We're going to lock things down a little more, not that we've been doing much that would require a ratcheting down of anything, but I think we're seeing a wide range of how people react to this turn.

On a not wholly unrelated point, as a society we are still massively underplaying the tremendous tidal wave of mental health problems this is continuing to unleash.

I've seen a lot of "well fuck it, let's go nuts" posts

yeah im mystified at a few of my friends reacting this way, actually deciding to go to shows and do other things they were on the fence about. i'm no doctor but idk, if we're all going to get it, i'd rather keep being careful and try my luck with the lowest exposure i can manage than go huffing up big virusy lungfuls of omicron at some crowded indoor gig

Yeah I don't get that thought process at all.

Agreed.

Protocol definitely feels all over the place rn. We're hanging out with some friends (all vaxxed & boosted) at our houses, but some of those same friends are asking people to get tested before coming over. Not sure if they think a PCR test three days before is actually beneficial given our risk level, or just because they want to seem responsible.

For my wife's one family Xmas event, apparently the idea is for everyone to get rapid antigen tests that morning. Not exactly sure how that will work, but apparently there's at least one place in town that does walk-ins for free, although her mother doesn't know the name of the place. But I guess out-of-town family members are going to drive in, get tested, and drive back if they test positive? Unless they want to find and purchase home tests, I guess. Still haven't done one of those.

xp, I mean agreed about mental health issues

I will say the at home rapid tests are super easy and good to have around.

xp agree, there may be some yolo bluff but ime ppl are wrestling with it and are surprised to find themselves wrestling with it, I think omicron really has tripped ppl up which is one reason everyone was so eager to accept “it’s milder” as gospel like 2 minutes after the variant was identified, but now it’s sinking in that it may in fact be milder and still be a big problem

idk I’m doing a lot of speaking for other people but the sense I get is that the parameters have sort of shifted over time and each person’s idea of the right thing to do doesn’t feel as obvious as it might have before

Oh I was agreeing with jvcs first post there btw

we at least have free stocks of rapid tests, so testing the morning you meet up with vulnerable family etc is not a big deal.

yeah (here in the northeast US) wife & i have been buying rapid tests when we can over the last couple months, not hoarding but trying to make sure we've always got 4 or 5 on hand to test ourselves & others as the need arises. even though theyre not PCR tests, its still been extremely good for general anxiety relief if we're feeling iffy or have been in a questionable situation. highly recommend investing in a few if you can find any around

Is there a gap between fuck it lets go nuts and donald sutherlanding at everyone because it seems like theres a gap there most of us are in

I'm seeing a lot of "we're all going to get it eventually, so there's no point in attempting to reduce any risk to myself or my contacts whatsoever". which I do understand, but also, there is still value in putting off when you get it, if possible, and especially this close to Christmas. (and many people only newly/ not yet boosted).

Last Christmas I gave you COVID