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Vaccine rollout went so smooth it turned around my pessimism for 3-6 months, but now the last 2-3 weeks have me quite pessimistic. The breakthrough cases (quan

Vaccine rollout went so smooth it turned around my pessimism for 3-6 months, but now the last 2-3 weeks have me quite pessimistic. The breakthrough cases (quantity, severity) plus ability of vaxxed to spread, anecdotes of everyone knowing people getting sick, where we are with cases vs last summer, plus % unvaxxed in certain demographics within cities makes RTO seem quite untenable now. Vax seems to protect against hospitalization & death from delta, but can very easily be laid up a week or two sick and have non-trivial respiratory issues. Went into office last week 1st time, stunned to see 2019 style maskless floor with full density occupancy of desks. Attendance is being centrally coordinate & desk reservations required, so this was no coincidence or accident... I go 18 months without eating indoors, shopping for groceries w/o mask, getting on a plane, etc and now I'm gonna sit on a crowded open office floor at 100% occupancy maskless 5 days/week? WTF. NY offices seem to be ignoring that even if 80% of white collar staff they employ are vaccinated, the outsourced/building services staff are not. Not to mention the place you pickup lunch, coffee, and the cross section of people on public transit. Some actual numbers from recent NYTimes/City official stats for even having 1 shot yet: * NYPD 45% * Black Bronx residents ~36% * South Williamsburg ~35% * MTA subway & bus staff ~45% * NYC teachers (whose union demanded to be front of line but refuse a mandate) ~60% * NYCHA ~38% NY seems to be dragging their heals on this, some combination of BdB - Cuomo feuding, Cuomo busy with impeachment defense, return of in-person schools, and the Commercial RE/Bank/Dining industry pressures. As soon as City/State put an indoor mask mandate in place, it puts indoor dining, schools and offices into question all over again. So the tail is wagging the dog, as they say.

worker767424 5y ago
At some point, we're going to have to make a call about whether we want to live with the risks or continue distancing. Considering how much more contagious delta is, I suspect masks won't be enough on their own, beyond signaling that it's not safe and scaring people away. Considering how not especially deadly covid is, I personally don't see masks and distancing as a long-term solution, but a lot of people disagree and seem perfectly happy spending the decade getting meals delivered and working from home.
- steveBK123 5y ago
  The issue is that companies are mandating return, so its not employees choice. What % chance of being sick for 1-2 weeks are you OK with? What % chance of permanent lung capacity loss are you OK with? What % chance of death are you OK with? Are you OK with your employer making that decision on your behalf?

worker767424 5y ago

At some point, we're going to have to make a call about whether we want to live with the risks or continue distancing. Considering how much more contagious delta is, I suspect masks won't be enough on their own, beyond signaling that it's not safe and scaring people away. Considering how not especially deadly covid is, I personally don't see masks and distancing as a long-term solution, but a lot of people disagree and seem perfectly happy spending the decade getting meals delivered and working from home.

steveBK123 5y ago
The issue is that companies are mandating return, so its not employees choice. What % chance of being sick for 1-2 weeks are you OK with? What % chance of permanent lung capacity loss are you OK with? What % chance of death are you OK with? Are you OK with your employer making that decision on your behalf?