* Thank you, drive through…
More than a third of vaccinated workers reported anger at the transmission risk posed by their unvaccinated peers, according to a survey of more than 400 employees in late August by workplace consultancy Seyfarth at Work. About a quarter of non-inoculated employees said they’re upset at the growing restrictions against them.
Some workers are now hardening their stance, and “verbalizing gripes to one another and management,” the survey showed. To make their point, a group of unvaccinated employees at an engineering company has organized under the nickname of the “Vexcluded” to protest that they are being turned into outcasts, Philippe Weiss, president of Seyfarth at Work, said in the report. […]
The schism also shows up in disagreements about why the delta variant continues to spread. Four out of five of the vaccinated blame the unvaccinated for the number of rising cases, according to the results Tuesday from the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index. Among the unvaccinated, only 10% thought they were at fault.
You made your choice. You’re endangering others who can’t be vaccinated and who are in danger of experiencing a breakthrough case. Deal with the consequences.
* From that aforementioned poll…
1. Concern with the pandemic continues to climb, with the Delta variant a pronounced cause of worry.
• Three in five Americans (60%) believe returning to their pre-coronavirus life right now would be a large or moderate risk, the highest level since early March.
• Three quarters (78%) of Americans are at least somewhat concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak at this time. Just as many (80%) are concerned about the Delta variant spreading in the U.S.
2. Opposition to getting the coronavirus vaccine has dropped to the lowest levels ever.
• Only one in five (20%) Americans say they are not likely to get the coronavirus vaccine, the lowest level since we started tracking. Hard opposition, those not at all likely, has dropped to 14% of adults.
• The number of parents who say they are likely to get their kids vaccinated has surged over the last week, now two-thirds (68%) report they are likely to vaccinate their kids or they already have. Opposition to vaccinating their kids has dropped to less than a third (31%) of parents.
[…]
4. American support of more vigorous anti-COVID policies continues to be strong, even as more Americans are experiencing them.
• Majorities of Americans continue to support policies requiring the use of masks in schools (70%) or public places (66%).
• Working Americans also continue to support vaccine requirements by their employer (57%).
• About one in five (19%) working Americans report that their employer currently requires vaccination but over half (54%) report masks being required in the workplace.
[…]
6. Vaccinated and unvaccinated America look in very different directions for the cause of the current surge in COVID cases.
• Four out of five (79%) of the vaccinated point to the unvaccinated as who they blame for rising cases. Beyond the unvaccinated, a third points to Donald Trump (36%), conservative media (33%), and people from other countries traveling to the United States (30%).
• Among the unvaccinated, there is not a single group pointed to as the main cause, especially not the unvaccinated (10%). Among the leading culprits are people traveling to the US (37%), Americans traveling abroad (23%), mainstream media (27%), and Joe Biden (21%).
The literal dead-enders are being overwhelmed by popular opinion…
“It’s amazing to me to see people I know that are really smart college-educated people that still believe some of the lies like it’s (vaccine) magnetized or whatever,” Kinzinger said. “The good news is the hesitancy is declining
* Crain’s…
Fans planning to attend Chicago Bulls or Blackhawks games, concerts or other events at the United Center will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test to get in, the arena announced today.
The new protocol for the Near West Side venue goes into effect immediately “and will remain in place until further notice,” the venue said in a statement, calling the decision “representative of the continued commitment to providing the best environment for a safe return for all fans and employees.” […]
The new rules amount to a highly effective way to safely host big indoor events, said infectious disease specialist Dr. Vishnu Chundi, chairman of the Chicago Medical Society’s COVID-19 task force.
“If you’re going to have an indoor event, this is the safest place to have (it)” with the new protocols in place, he said. He also noted the air turnover rate in the building—the pace at which air is changed out of a room—is faster than it is in many hospital operating rooms.”
* More…
* Covid Medical Bills Are About to Get Bigger: As some insurers focus on encouraging vaccination, temporary waivers that kept patient costs low are expiring.
* Champaign County’s transmission rates rising to pre-vaccine levels
* CDC releases report on The Crossing COVID-19 outbreak: Of concern were a 5-day overnight church camp for teenagers in Schuyler County and a 2-day men’s conference at The Crossing campus in Quincy. According to the CDC, neither COVID-19 vaccinations nor testing were required by The Crossing at either event. The report sets the total number of confirmed outbreak-associated cases at 180 as of August 13. Although the report suggests that number is likely much higher than investigators can confirm.
* Kids In Illinois Will Soon Be Able To Take 5 Mental Health Days From School
* Nearly 100 Quarantined After COVID ‘Outbreak’ Reported at Sycamore School, Supt. Says
* Chicago Teachers Union warns of ‘escalating actions’ if COVID-19 safety doesn’t improve in CPS schools, stops short of saying members might strike again
* Some CPS Parents Push to Obtain Remote Learning Waiver
* People with Delta Variant Can Transmit Virus 2 Days Before Having Symptoms: As a result, nearly three-quarters of infections with Delta happen during the presymptomatic phase, the research suggests.
* GM, Ford halt some production as chip shortage worsens: Industry analysts say the delta variant of the novel coronavirus has hit employees at chip factories in southeast Asia hard, forcing some plants to close.
* No one knows how many Chicago cops are vaccinated against Covid-19
* Police Say Demoralized Officers Are Quitting In Droves. Labor Data Says No.
* As COVID cases rise, vaccinations to resume at Peoria Civic Center
* Carle Health raises minimum wage to $15 an hour
- truthteller - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:14 pm:
I am on the side of darwinism prevailing
- Pundent - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
Happy to see the Bulls and Blackhawks doing their part. This is the path to normalcy. Continue to limit the activities that the unvaccinated can participate in. It stops the spread of disease and reinforces the idea that being able to “live our life” also means being a responsible member of society.
- James the Intolerant - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:26 pm:
I work for a public transportation company (many cusomer facing employees) and it is so disappointing that we do not have a vaccine mandate. Rumor was a few weeks ago they were going to issue a mandate but norhing yet.
- MisterJayEm - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:28 pm:
“Among the unvaccinated, only 10% thought they were at fault.”
And domestic abusers say, “She made me hit her‼”
– MrJM
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:30 pm:
The unvaccinated tend to be the ones who won’t wear masks and ignore social distancing,so it’s amazing that 90% of them believe they’re not the cause of this surge. Of course many of them have left facts, science and the truth at the door.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:30 pm:
===darwinism prevailing ===
That’s just stupid and mean. There are immunocompromised people who are extremely vulnerable, there are kids who can’t be vaxed and there are old folks who’ve been vaxed but are at a larger risk of being hospitalized or even dying from a breakthrough case. Many of these morons are also bullying friends and family into “resisting” the vax.
If this meant that only the most vile and vocally unvaxed would die, you might possibly have a point. Maybe.
- Jocko - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:30 pm:
==Among the unvaccinated, only 10% thought they were at fault.==
The party of personal responsibility…taking none.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:31 pm:
It’s nearly impossible to combat the willful ignorance of the anti-vax/mask crowd so excluding them from stuff is the only option they’ve left us with. As Rich said, choices have consequences. Deal with it.
- Obama’s Puppy - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:34 pm:
Calling them names is not going to send these folks to get a vax but the self righteousness and lack of concern for fellow citizens is sickening.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:36 pm:
==The unvaccinated tend to be the ones who won’t wear masks and ignore social distancing,so it’s amazing that 90% of them believe they’re not the cause of this surge.==
It makes a lot of sense. The denial is key to understanding the behavior. They don’t think they are being irresponsible and they collect information that supports their belief and deny/ignore all the rest.
It’s an important lesson. Confirmation bias exists, and it creates blind spots for all of us. In the case of COVID, it results in actions that put others at risk.
- OneMan - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:36 pm:
TBH I am surprised it is as high as 10%
- Watcher of the Skies - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
But of course. They’re the most selfish people on the planet.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
The goal and a want in a strong society is that thinking of your fellow “man” (woman, child) and a want to the best in the safety and welfare of all.
I argue “you can’t die” because any life lost to this virus is painful and preventable at the Genesis now.
As angry/frustrated as I am, my hope is those unvaccinated stay safe and eventually get vaccinated.
We need our better angels to prevail, if only for our most compromised and those unable to get vaccinated
- Bourbon Street - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:45 pm:
Here’s hoping the “Vexcluded” group becomes “Vexemployees” if they don’t get vaccinated.
- wildcat12 - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:47 pm:
I am sick of the unvaccinated wanting us to coddle them. They are correct that it is their choice. But it is a very poor one, and we shouldn’t all have to hold their hands and act like it’s okay, because it’s not.
- wildcat12 - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
Although, these polls are helpful to remember that the loudest anti-vaxxers are a small, if vocal, minority.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:51 pm:
Not snark. I’m surprised it’s as high as 10%. These right wingers always blame others for their problems: immigrants, liberals, Blacks, government, the conspiracy du jour. Should we really be surprised they’re blaming someone else for the spread of COVID?
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:55 pm:
The unvaccinated tend to be the ones who won’t wear masks and ignore social distancing,so it’s amazing that 90% of them believe they’re not the cause of this surge.”
Some deny or question if masks are effective. Isn’t the proof in the pudding, so to speak, in greater hospitalizations/ICU’s and positivity rates in the anti-mask/mandates parts of the state and country?
It’s great news that vaccine opposition dropped. Hopefully the FDA approval helps a lot. Hopefully people will message strongly about the vaccine’s effectiveness, since the vaccinated are greatly spared from the worst of COVID.
- ChrisB - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:56 pm:
I have little time for those who are refusing the vaccine. Just don’t be surprised when I avoid you like the literal plague.
Impatiently waiting for when my kids can get a shot.
- Seats - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 1:57 pm:
In reference to the poster asking about Israel.
In real-life Israel, as of Aug. 15 — using Morris’s summary of official data — 301 fully vaccinated people had an illness severe enough to require hospitalization. They represented just 53 out of every million fully vaccinated Israelis. At the same time, 214 hospitalized people were not vaccinated.
You also need to remember that the oldest and most vulnerable have a higher percent of vacinated than the younger and less vulnerable.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
We live in the time of The Big Lie and those who actually believe it and others who choose to believe it…so how is anyone surprised?…seriously.
The non-vaccinated are waiting for others to assign and affix blame onto them…so they can become more vocally resistant…so there you go.
How to fix stupid is not currently known.
- Steve Polite - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 2:35 pm:
To the “vexcluded”,
With freedom comes responsibility. Your freedom of choice has consequences. You choose not to be vaccinated. Employers have the legal option of requiring vaccines. Private business owners have a right to decide who and what, (the vaccinated and masks) is allowed on their private property to keep employees and customers safe. Others have the constitutional right to freedom of association. Vaccinated people are free to choose not to “include” and associate with you.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 2:44 pm:
The entire blue Dog adult family has been vaccinated. I hope everyone gets vaccinated. I will not meddle in other folks health care decisions.
- SAP - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 2:53 pm:
If the unvaxxed won’t wear a mask, can we make them wear a Scarlet “U” instead? (I think a Scarlet “A” would be more appropriate, but this is a family blog).
- Blake - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 2:55 pm:
The United Center news literally put a smile on my face.
- SAP - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:00 pm:
==The United Center news literally put a smile on my face.== Mine too, just can’t see it behind my mask.
Jason Isbell is currently doing the same thing with his (outdoor) concert tour.
More like this please.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
==I will not meddle in other folks health care decisions==
Part of the pro-smallpox and pro-polio caucus I see.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
==Here’s hoping the “Vexcluded” group becomes “Vexemployees” if they don’t get vaccinated.==
Especially those AFSCME and other union members who are objecting to mandatory vaccinations.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:14 pm:
The scales are tipping and the unvaccinated will be left behind. As more and more people get vaccinated public sentiment will allow businesses the comfort level of imposing vaxx mandates/Negative tests on customers like at the United Center. Government has already started this process.
- Pundent - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:35 pm:
=I will not meddle in other folks health care decisions.=
How do you feel about paying for their health care decisions? Because you do realize that’s how insurance works. We spread the cost among a larger population.
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:40 pm:
I don’t understand the position of the “Vexcluded” group. They have chosen an action that specifically says that they care about no one but themselves. How can they react negatively if everyone else reads that action and acts accordingly?
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 3:53 pm:
-They have chosen an action that specifically says that they care about no one but themselves.-
Some of them think the vaccine is worse than the disease, based on false information that the vaccine is killing people left and right. The hospitals, last time I checked, were full of COVID patients not vaccine patients. Such nonsense.
- thoughts matter - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 4:36 pm:
The 10% of non vaccinated people that accept responsibility are probably the unvaccinated people that have actually been diagnosed with Covid. I think we are up to about 15% or our population having had the virus by now?
People who want the freedom to be unvaccinated should also accept the consequences - as in their employer terminating their employment, establishments refusing admittance to them, friends not visiting in person, etc. After all … we deserve to have freedom to choose whether or not to be physically close to them.
I still believe they deserve treatment, but I’m not at all opposed to higher Health, life, and disability insurance costs for them. Group plan or not.
I’m still trying to figure out the sense in refusing a vaccine that at the very least was emergency approved … yet clamoring to be allowed to take unapproved ( as in rejected) horse worming medication.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 4:41 pm:
=== Deal with the consequences.===
Unfortunately, there are not enough for my liking. We need more, and soon.
- Pundent - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 4:50 pm:
=I’m still trying to figure out the sense in refusing a vaccine that at the very least was emergency approved … yet clamoring to be allowed to take unapproved ( as in rejected) horse worming medication.=
Simple. When you’re infected by Covid receiving the vaccine upon diagnosis is of no benefit. But you’re so desperate to rid yourself of the disease you will literally try anything even though the situation was entirely avoidable if you had only taken a vaccine which has been proven safe and effective. On second thought, you’re correct, it doesn’t make any sense.
- Miks - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 6:50 pm:
What about those who’s been sick already?
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 7:31 pm:
How do I care about paying for their health care. Well….I pay for abortions , drug addictions , and alcohol/substance abuse. So what’s the difference.
- Fly like an eagle - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 8:24 pm:
“ Well….I pay for abortions , drug addictions , and alcohol/substance abuse. So what’s the difference.”
Quite a little list you got going there. Care to go on? There’s Alzheimer’s, bacterial meningitis, chrone’s disease, diabetes, epilepsy and on and on.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 8:26 pm:
===I pay for abortions===
How exactly are you paying for abortions?
- Captain Obvious - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 9:05 pm:
Blue Dog was listing things that tax dollars pay for that result from personal choices similar to not being vaccinated. Try to keep up.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 2, 21 @ 9:23 pm:
=== tax dollars===
Paying for abortions?
Explain the Hyde Amendment
- Fly like an eagle - Friday, Sep 3, 21 @ 8:35 am:
=== Blue Dog was listing things that tax dollars pay for that result from personal choices similar to not being vaccinated. Try to keep up.===
None of those things listed were personal choices.
Do you know anyone who says one day, “you know, I think I’d like to be a drug addict.”
Also most late term abortions are due to some health reason or complication. The fetus has died or is going to die or isn’t in the uterus.
The early term abortions could be done with over the counter pills if our government would let pharmacies sell them that way they do in many other countries. Which would lower the cost since some people are so very concerned about the cost.
- SomeGuy - Friday, Sep 3, 21 @ 12:31 pm:
Thousands of people are dying every month. The unvaccinated are 20-30 times more likely to die. A vast majority of anti-vax are Republican.
Those 3 facts taken together means that the republican party is losing people at a much faster rate than the other parties. I don’t know how many months it will take to make a significant impact to election results but the 2016 presidential election was decided by less than 80k votes spread between Philadelphia, Michigan and Wisconsin. Even accounting for the lack of empathy for people in general, you would think the whole Republican party, top down, would be trying to run damage control to stop the loss of voters.