Delta Airlines says "COVID-19 has transitioned to an ordinary seasonal virus."

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://news.delta.com/masks-now-optional-employees-customers-following-white-house-announcement





Fuck you, Delta.

[marybourg]

1. Really? REALLY?

[lapfog_1]

2. I'm so happy...

that an Airline has become an organization of expert virologists!

[Blues Heron]

3. Spring, summer, fall and winter!

And maybe mud?

[RockRaven]

4. "Ordinary seasonal viruses" are not ten times deadlier than most influenza strains.

Whereas the widely circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 have all been.

[Skittles]

5. idiots

fucking idiots

[agingdem]

7. I'm going to Atlanta in two weeks

flying Delta..my mask stays on..I've had covid twice..I'm vaccinated and boosted and as of two weeks ago a second booster...there is no way in hell I'm going to test positive a third time...and those "seasonal flu" symptoms...killer headache, raw sore throat, fever, stinging weeping eyes, non-stop sneezing, gushing nose, clothes dripping night sweats, bone breaking chills, extreme fatigue..."seasonal flu"?..bullshit

[Skittles]

10. people who care will continue to mask

stupid, selfish assholes will not

[Wednesdays]

32. Betcha the venn diagram of the unmasked closely matches those who are unvaxxed

Guess which group members--the masked, or unmasked--will be the first to die?

[oregonjen]

6. Gaslighting

Those of us who are still trying to be careful are being gaslit. This absolutely sucks.

[Skittles]

11. yes!

did you see where the stupid, selfish assholes are being advised to "be patient" with those of us who will continue to take precautions? OMFG

[RobinA]

29. I'm Seeing Quite

the opposite right here. People who decide not to wear masks are being called stupid while I see nothing derogatory thrown at people who continue to wear them.

[oregonjen]

31. Delta gaslighting people

Delta in its memo decided for all of us that Covid is now seasonal when it’s clearly not.

[Ocelot II]

8. I guess we'll see about that...

If I travel anywhere, which is doubtful considering predictions of enormous crowds and all kinds of hassles and delays this summer, I'll wear my mask, thank you very much. I'm sure the airlines are glad not to have to enforce a mask requirement considering how much crap their employees were getting from the MAGAts, but I'm not at all convinced that covid is now just an endemic bother like the flu.

[BeckyDem]

9. omg...ordinary???

What a disgusting thing to say. Capitalism will kill you.

[Initech]

12. What could possibly go wrong?

[BlueIdaho]

13. Translation

Profits are down, we need asses in seats. Damn the consequences, full speed ahead!

[hueymahl]

14. Thank you Delta

[Skittles]

18. thanking them for what exactly

?

[hueymahl]

28. They have been very professional throughout the pandemic

I’m sure they are glad it is over.

[Wednesdays]

33. It's over?

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-04-15/its-not-over-covid-19-cases-are-on-the-rise-again-in-us

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/once-again-u-s-faces-another-covid-19-surge-as-cases-rise-nationally

[hueymahl]

36. I'm sure they are glad the mask requirement is over

[gldstwmn]

45. If I had to fly with people who were maskless and untested for Covid I wouldn't be too happy.

[beaglelover]

46. No one is preventing you from wearing a mask.

I still will wear a mask on an airplane during cold and flu season.

[gldstwmn]

47. I meant as an employee. Thank you for reminding me (for the umpteenth time on this board) that I

am able to wear a mask. I'm too stupid to figure that one out on my own. That narrative is really being pushed around here the last couple of days.

[beaglelover]

48. It's not a narrative, it's the truth. Not sure why it bothers you so much.

[gldstwmn]

53. It's actually both. It was repeated ad nauseum on Twitter.

Do you think people who've been wearing masks and are vaxxed are suddenly going to forget they can wear a mask? You think that they also don't know that this is about commerce? I'm not attacking you so please don't think that.

[hueymahl]

56. Its the people wanting everyone to be forced to wear masks that are upset

So when you speak with someone who appears to have forgotten that there are more than one side to an argument, you sometimes have to remind them that there are options besides getting their way.

[gldstwmn]

59. "Forced to wear masks." The horror!

I never said anything about forcing people to wear masks but you already know that.

[hueymahl]

62. You are in favor of a government backed mandate

That is pretty much the definition of being forced.

[gldstwmn]

64. The oppression!

[hueymahl]

65. There are valid points on both sides

Just hoping the discussion can be honest.

[gldstwmn]

67. Really? Like what?

[hueymahl]

70. there is a range of appropriate responses to the current factual situation

Mask use, when done properly, can mitigate the spread of disease. Problem is, few do it properly with the proper equipment.

Proper use by one person using a proper mask is more effective than improper use by the masses.

Forcing someone to do something should only be done when there is a compelling societal interest and in compliance with the constitution.

I would hope that you would agree that the way China has handled things is not something appropriate. Similarly, deep red states doing nothing is not appropriate, as I hope you would also agree.

In between those two extremes are a range of reasonable solutions that fair minded people can agree on.

You think it is too early to remove the mandate because of the risk of recurrence. I think that the risk is low enough now that mask mandates can be removed.

Those that want to continue to mask, or need to, are certainly free to.

Those that value their freedom to move about without a mask and its hassle and discomfort, can do that too.

Seems like a win-win.

[gldstwmn]

72. So you don't want to wear a mask because

other people don't wear them properly?
Also the lockdown in China has nothing to do with masks. They have a zero COVID policy where people are literally locked into their homes to stop the spread of COVID. If they suspect you have COVID the come and drag you off to a COVID hotel. They were running out of food. The issue with China is that their vaccines are not as effective. They were thinking of switching to Pfizer.

[hueymahl]

73. I am not sure I'm doing a good job of making my point

Or you are purposefully not listening.

I gave the lockdown as an example of two of the extreme ends when it comes to covid response. So, yeah, for the purposes of having a discussion, it does matter.

And my point is that people are not wearing mask properly, which weakens the argument that requiring masks to be work by everyone is an effective public health strategy at this point in the pandemic.

And I don't want to wear a mask because I am vaccinated and they cause me breathing problems. Fortunately the pandemic is in a stage where that is a legitimate option.

[hueymahl]

57. You can always fly private

Or drive. Or take the train.

[gldstwmn]

60. No shit?

You forgot boats and bicycles.

[hueymahl]

61. Well, you seem to forget other people have ideas and choices too

Thought I would remind you.

[gldstwmn]

66. Freedom ends where one's nose begins.

This has nothing to do with "getting my way" or a disregard for other people's ideas. I'm not 5. It's good common sense and selfless to wear a mask to protect others and help stop the transmission of Covid in very crowded public spaces. Yesterday's ruling not only affected planes but all mass transit. If you're cool with over a million people dead and cases on the rise then by all means roll the dice and go without a mask. Clarence Thomas's law clerk has cleared the way for you. But what you should not get to do is callously infect other people because of your "ideas" and "choices." How hard is it for you to wear a mask? What's the big deal? The more we keep repeating this cycle the longer this is going to last. That is good for no one. It is a shame that masks have been co opted into a political issue.

[hueymahl]

68. And yet you want to force something over someone's nose

When the evidence of its need is no longer compelling.

Mask made sense at one time. The facts supporting mask mandates have changed.

[Skittles]

50. LOL

OMFG I don't even know where to start so I just....won't. Over and OUT!

[LuckyCharms]

69. I know where to start. I'm just deciding whether it would be worth it.

Hi Skittles!

[Hekate]

15. I made a note last August called "In case I ever get to fly again"

I don’t think I want to fly Delta.

In case I ever get to fly again…
8-10-2021

United Airlines is mandating that its workers be vaccinated by 10/25 or be fired

American Airlines screwed over our friend DFW, duly noted

Not requiring employees to be vaccinated:

American Airlines (hey, a twofer)
Southwest Airlines
Delta Airlines

Spirit Air might not even exist shortly

Wow

[Takket]

16. how does the lifting of the mask mandate "facilitate global travel"???

I don't get it. Do planes cease to function at international borders if the passengers are wearing masks?

[Crunchy Frog]

17. An ordinary seasonal virus that's already killed over 1 million people in this country.

No different than a cold.

[greenjar_01]

19. More like Omicron Airlines amiright???

[Meowmee]

20. I feel sick to my stomach

To read and hear all of this fc today. You can try and pretend as you wish because all you care about are your profits and you are obviously bloody cowards. But you will never sweep way more than one million deaths and who knows how many adverse long term effects under the rug as being caused by a “normal” seasonal virus. You are all murderers as far as I’m concerned as well as criminally stupid.

I can’t say what I hope happens if things get worse again with another variant of covid.

[Initech]

23. It's like we're almost literally living the plot of "Don't Look Up".

[Meowmee]

24. Yep 🤯

[Initech]

21. This whole thing was just an F-U to Biden and that's about it.

God, fuck these people.

[hueymahl]

37. Biden could have immediately announced an appeal

But he didn’t.

My guess is the political calculation was to not fight this because the mandate is so unpopular

[Initech]

38. No one likes these restrictions.

I can guarantee I don't. But as long as this virus has threat potential we need to act.

[hueymahl]

39. Fair enough. But what is a level of acceptable risk?

[Initech]

40. I don't know, I feel like that's one of those questions that has no right answer.

I can tell you that my brother is a public health professional and what he's seen is that he hasn't admitted anyone with a COVID case for several weeks now. He's also said that his hospital system is at the point where they can transfer people and that's something that they haven't been able to do since the Delta wave. You can still get it, but your odds of getting a severe case of it and actually being admitted are slim to none if you are fully vaccinated and boosted.

[hueymahl]

41. That's what I am hearing too

And it is supported by the statistics.

I’d rather be on the side of opening up than on the china end of the spectrum.

[Initech]

43. Yeah China is definitely the wrong answer.

What's going on in Shanghai is cruel and inhumane, and it's going to cost more lives than it's going to save with people starving to death and running out of necessary medication. Fuck Xi Jianping.

[Ms. Toad]

54. What does wearing masks have to do with opening up?

It is a ridiculous concept that disease prevention is binary - everything closed v. throw caution to the wind.

The long term consequences of COVID are nearly unknown, and what we do know is not good: increased risk of cardiac disease and diminished brain function even with cases so mild people aren't even aware they had COVID. This risk lasts as long as we have been able to track. It will be decades before we truly know all of the long-term consequences.

Opening up and continuing to take precautions to minimize the risk of disease transmission (like continuing to require masks on public transportation) are not mutually exclusive.

[hueymahl]

55. The issue is how to balance risk

On one side, you have China. Freedoms and rights are trampled upon in the name of fighting the virus (and likely a lot of political face saving too).

On the other side, you have deep red states that think anyone being required to wear a mask ever is akin to totalitarianism.

So, at what point is it ok to stop forcing everyone to wear masks? Does covid have to be eliminated like small pox? One death per year? 1000? 30,000 (a lower death toll for the flu)? 60,000 (a higher death toll for the flu)?

And how effective does requiring everyone to wear masks have to be? Because the science is split. Yeah, there is some reduction, but it is highly dependent on how well people wear masks and the type of masks they wear. Most masks are the wrong type being worn the wrong way and are not very effective.

A susceptible person, or one more risk averse, wearing an n95 mask properly, will have more protection in most cases than what passes for mask wearing today.

Personally, my risk analysis is the removal of the mask mandate is overdue by several months. Yours may be different. Fortunately, you can still wear your mask and be protected. And I can choose not to.

Really glad I don't live in China.

[Ms. Toad]

71. Masks worn properly are highly effective -

and masks worn, even improperly, are more effective than no masks.

Masks should be mandatory indoors (except when actively eating and drinking) whenever the community rate it above 50 new cases/100,000 over a two-week period. That is the standard from the last time there was a serious interest in preventing disease transmission - as opposed to merely preventing disastrous immediate consequences.

[speak easy]

22. And where are the seasonal vaccines pray tell?

Still using the vaccs for the early 2020 Wuhan strain which have become less effective with each new variant.

[hueymahl]

58. Moderna just announced one

Not truly seasonal yet, but it is incorporating enhanced protections for more recent variants.

[Emile]

25. No doubt, Capitalism wants this pandemic in the rear view mirror.

[raccoon]

26. Have they forgotten the Rolling Stones dictum?

Have they forgotten the Rolling Stones dictum?

“You can’t always get what you want.”

[fescuerescue]

52. I think everyone wants the pandemic in the rear view

[mnhtnbb]

27. I'm coming home flying AA tomorrow

from an island in the Caribbean. Have to get my Covid test at noon today required for entry into US. I will wear my mask in airports and on flights.

Next month I have a trip to see my son receive his Doctorate from Yale. Flying to NY and then taking train from the city to New Haven. Will wear masks. Same thing on return.

After that, I'm done with flying. Although I would love to travel occasionally, I've hated flying for a long time because of TSA, delays, cancellations, just the general hassle. Add in people who won't mask, it just ups the stress level.

I'm going to be content going where I can drive after the last trip to NY next month.

[spanone]

30. So Delta is now in the medical business?

[Raftergirl]

34. I'm flying to Florida on the 2nd

to see my 93 yr old mom. I will wear my mask. What other people do is of no concern to me anymore. You can’t teach stupid.

I do expect a lot of flight cancellations in the coming weeks as pilots and flight attendants get Covid.

I am lucky since I don’t work and can go anytime and come home anytime if my flights are canceled.

The mandate was going to be lifted in a few weeks anyway and before I’’ll be flying home.

[Raftergirl]

35. Delta got a lot of flack on Twitter so changed ordinary seasonal virus to

manageable respiratory virus.

Link to tweet

?s=20&t=GdmN2VGgqZZcwY8KH6WHtg

[sky_masterson]

42. I get all my Medical advice from Airlines

Jesus

[Skittles]

51. and now, from hack "judges", too

it's very fucked up indeed

[Mad_Machine76]

44. This is so nakedly outrageous

[Liberal In Texas]

49. Another reason not to fly Delta n/t

[JCMach1]

63. Tell that to the virus that tried to melt my lungs

F#$k all these assholes who never took things seriously.