COVID Outbreak Closes South Fork High School; Classes Resume November 29
Late Monday night, Southern Humboldt Unified School District announced that they were closing South Fork High School. The school has been experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 since last week.
“After consulting with Public Health, the school district is making the decision to close South Fork High School for the remainder of the week for everyone’s health,” a statement on the High School’s Facebook page states. “We encourage everyone to be safe: wear masks, keep a safe distance, and wash your hands frequently.”
Southern Humboldt Unified School District’s Junior High and all the elementary schools will remain open, according to the announcement.
Because next week the school was already planning to be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, the high school students are not scheduled to return to class until Monday, November 29.
Speaking anonymously, one parent blamed out of school parties for Homecoming and Halloween as well as a large number of unvaccinated students for the outbreak.
Earlier today, another parent said that she and two other moms she knew had decided not to send their children to school tomorrow because of their worries over the outbreak. She said all three of them had informed the school of their decision.
She told us, that the outbreak “doesn’t just affect the high school…a lot of those kids are going to have younger siblings that are going to Redway [Elementary School] maybe even the preschool.”
The post from the High School noted that the break will be used to clean the campus. It stated, “All facilities will be deep-cleaned and sanitized to meet and exceed the California Department of Public Health and OSHA guidelines before students return to in-person instruction.”
In addition, the post notes, “For students experiencing food insecurity, please call the school and we can provide information on how to pick up meals.”
UPDATE: Miranda Junior High Now Closing Because of COVID Outbreak
Earlier: COVID Outbreak at South Fork Shuts Down Cubs Chance at NCS
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
“Speaking anonymously, one parent blamed out of school parties for Homecoming and Halloween as well as a large number of unvaccinated students for the outbreak.’
Anonymously, of course.
Well I -anonymously- blame their couch potato lifestyles , garbage diets, and large number of VACCINATED staff contracting carrying and spreading the virus.
(Even tho all my recent comments were moderated into the trash by Kym, I persevere. Just over here talking to myself NBD.)
You got ONE thing right!
You’re annonymous.
efox did not use your name. What he meant was that he mentioned your full name in a reply. He used his own name as sender You misunderstood what was said.
10/4, sorry about the misunderstanding my friend.
Kindergarten often?
If we all just homeschooled our kids, we wouldn’t have problems like the government limiting our children’s limited education even more than it already is.
What does it take for everyone to finally realize this is about control and not bout a deadly disease which hasn’t really killed more than 1% of the world population if that?
Oh yeah that’s certainly the answer to stupidity of the masses; keep your kids home and teach them all they need to know from said stupid and ignorant parents so they grow up and continue the cycle of idiots!!
After a long time of nothing being able to “fix stupid”, Covid is now chipping away at it.
Are you one of those people that believes that covid kills stupid people?
And the state sponsored indoctrination, I mean education, system is superior in which ways?
And getting your “education” from your parents who may not be very educated themselves, that’s superior?
What about parents that work ?
There are many flaws in the current system but keeping all kids home, that’s no answer.
They just want free babysitting, right, MA?
I had a great public school experience and I’m now thriving in my career. Not saying the same couldn’t happen for homeschooled children but Beth makes a fair point.
Teachers with vastly more knowledge in specific subjects than the overwhelming majority of the parents?
Like what subject, Mr Bear? Civics? Biology? (There’s only two genders).
Mathematics? Why does less than 1% of a population dying mean pandemic? Especially when those that die have other issues that may or may not have led to their demise.
Social Studies? Not needed. Fend for yourself. And if Democrats want funds for social programs, only registered Democrats funds can be used for those programs.
English? I used to correct my English teacher in the 80’s. Got me sent to the principals office for being a “disruption”. Poor bitch never realized I didn’t snitch on her for having vodka in her desk.
Spanish? Not needed once English is declared the official language of the US.
Nope… teachers not needed.
I thought celebrating one’s own ignorance would go out of style when W left office. Sadly, not so much.
.
There you go thinking again…
Use it or lose it.
Sure is a good thing for the rest of society that you don’t have educational access to children other than your own.
That’s the whole idea, yeah. They can get all of their indoctrination at home and be little clones of their parents.
You say that like it’s a bad thing… parents get to decide what and how their children learn. Not the government.
Ask Terry McAuliffe what happens when the government thinks otherwise.
The “stupid & ignorant parents” can send their kids to school. The smart ones can teach their kids properly.
A One year teaching credential, does not create a worthy educator, but a pusher of ideology and pedagogy.
Oh, I wonder if there’s a statement to the intelligence of the parents who send their children to be taught by less qualified non parents.
Good night and stay strong.
Gee, any idea why the severe illness and death rate isn’t 3%, 5%, higher.
Hmm (think, think, think 🤔)
What? I’m sure I’m misunderstanding you, are you suggesting that covid outcomes would be worse if everyone were homeschooling?
If your responding to “Gee, any idea why the severe illness and death rate isn’t 3%, 5%, higher.
Hmm (think, think, think 🤔)”, it’s basic logic:
That vaxxing is what’s kept percentages of severe illness and death as down as they are, ergo if nobody vaxxed the percentages would be much higher. Many of the anti-covid-measure crowd are often crowing about low covid illness and death rate but they do so without considering how bad things would likely be within said measures. That is a very big thing the med-science pros have found frustrating and difficult to message for.
Oops, typo: “without said measures” (not within)
I’m not sure most of the people I know could teach Trigonometry to a 16 year old.
Some people are single parents, need to work. Others might be a mom and dad having to work. Don’t have the time or resources. How many parents are educated enough to be teaching math and sciences at a higher level. And this is whats really a shame: In addition, the post notes, “For students experiencing food insecurity, please call the school and we can provide information on how to pick up meals.”
Damn. I wish school closed when I had the flu every single year for my entire life growing up in Humboldt. Used to be called the Humboldt Crud.
One thing this Crap is NOT, is the Flu!!!!
Yes, the flu is much more dangerous to children
You must be old. Old folks fear Covid, vaccinated or not.
“Humboldt crud” is now a term used for comments with 4 or more down votes at RHBB.
I hope people contribute to my voting yours down.
It’s pretty funny seeing y’all’s little woke upvote circle jerk ever since Kym mandated signing in to vote. We know the truth though.
Haha.
Guess who👎 voted you there.
😁
NOW you know something.
Wow you’re super powerful. Congratulations.
You think the Crud and the flu and covid are the same? Oh brother.
I think most of the time the Humboldt crud was actually upper respiratory infection resulting from cold viruses.
Although rarely some flu viruses can be quite serious, SARS-Cov-2 is much more serious than the average flu virus.
Not for kids
Not for children. The flu is deadlier to children than covid is.
The flu doesn’t have long term neurological effects. The flu doesn’t leave folks with COPD lung 4 months later. The flu doesn’t mesa with heart rate.
Huh Covid doesn’t seem to get a lot of people sick at all. The flu always makes people sick. Has anyone ever heard of an asymptomatic case of the flu? Maybe the planet is telling the people who are getting really sick and dying that their genetics have an expiration date unless they do some serious mental and physical upkeep. A warning shot from Mother Earth if you will
I called it “shipping fever”.
Same green snot.
How many infected folks does it take to be an outbreak?
By OSHA definition, 3 or more. Yesterday they said there were more than 3. I’m guessing they had a lot more tests come back positive last night than they expected.
I don’t think there’s an exact number Ernie, but the school district announced last week when they canceled the sports event that there were at least three. There must be more now that they’ve canceled school for the rest of the week
For some reason, releasing the numbers is not allowed. I don’t understand how that violates Hipaa laws but, apparently it does.
It doesn’t. We all know the mentality of folks down there and they just want to continue their “rebellion” and then get pissed when ignoring the elephant in the room didn’t just magically erase the “fake” pandemic.
As one of the “folks down here” whose mentality is the belief that socially responsible people vaccinate, wear masks, maintain distance and hygiene, I think that your assumptions show your own prejudice. You can be “up there” all by yourself, but reporting shows a lot more positive cases in the, ahem, “socially elite” towns of Eureka and Arcata than among “folks down here.”
Unfortunately social distancing is no longer recommended by our government. Social distancing ended back when they said vaccine people do not have to wear masks.
The mask came back with the social distancing did not.
This is why you see that many retail establishments are no longer attempting to facilitate social distancing.
Results of poor educational system
Thank you for calling into question this interpretation of HIPAA laws. I have been concerned about the lack of data we have been allowed to receive under differing interpretations of HIPAA- it seems to be interpreted differently from county to county. I believe that restricting the public from relevant information has helped feed the conspiracy theories and has worked against a coherent public understanding of Covid’s public health crisis. I do support personal medical privacy under HIPAA but this is not it.
Every day the Public Health Dept releases the total number of people in the county that have tested positive, plus their ages and whether anyone died or were hospitalized.
But they never say where they are. Willow creek or Garberville? Orick or Alderpoint. Would be good to know
That information is available by Zip Code on the Humboldt County COVID dashboard if you look there. Not as detailed as it could be but broken down more than No Humb and So Humb.
But what they don’t do, is release the ratios of vaxxed or unvaxxed, of the total number of people
tested.
Just releasing the positive cases, and the ratio of vaxxed to unvaxxed among only them, isn’t going to paint a true picture, even after adjusting for the differences in vax status, among the total population.
If one week, 3/4ths of the people tested are unvaccinated, and the next week 3/4ths of them are vaccinated, and this is not taken into consideration when determining vaxxed versus unvaxxed positive test results,
the results will not be accurate.
It seems the vast majority of the people getting tested are unvaccinated.
If that switches, and suddenly the vast majority of people tested in a week are vaccinated, it will appear that the vaccinated cases have shot up, when nothing changed.
Vax status ratios of all those tested, first and foremost, must be taken into consideration. Then the vax status ratio of the positive cases needs to be adjusted accordingly by the vax status ratios of all those tested, and I don’t believe they are compensating for this, before they convert the numbers to, “per 100,000 population”, for each vax status.
They won’t even share the numbers with staff. Withholding information that should be shared is not good leadership.
Because they don’t understand Hippa.
The definition is three or more connected cases, meaning cases determined to be from in school transmission
Que folks spewing covid wisdom on both sides and telling everyone to either get a shot or the shot is bad. I don’t think minds are being changed on rhbb but I’m sure folks love to seem brilliant on the interwebz.
Que? Tienes una pregunta?
I believe he meant “cue.”
No fue una pregunta.
No i meant queue but got autocorrected in Spanish?!? and didn’t proof read 🙂 gracias!
Pretty much…
You are my favorite commenter.
Cool. And thanks for … posting the wisdom on the interwebz.
Did I post wisdom? Great!!
Panic on! Yeehaww! Vacaaay
Vaccinate! this is a very serious situation and when you think of all the high school students, teachers and staff and all the people they are associated with, friends and family Covid could spread like wild fire through our community. Remember this Delta variant is extremely contagious. If you doubt the efficacy of the vaccine just look at the Humboldt County public health department’s graph that shows how many people are infected who are not vaccinated compared to the ones that are. The numbers are obvious. There are cafés and restaurants in Southern Humboldt where the employees are not wearing masks. I contacted one of them and didn’t get a response. I was shocked to see that everyone in the kitchen and serving the food were not wearing masks. I won’t return there until they do.
Also, at the Halloween event in downtown Garberville almost everyone I saw was not wearing a mask. It is a little safer to be outdoors, but being in such close contact with one another is really unsafe. This kind of behavior can spread the virus really quickly. For the health of our community please be sensible and get vaccinated. It is now available to children over the age of three.
Whatever dude. Covid is weak. The “vaccines” don’t work. They aren’t even vaccines! The definition before Webster changed it was that vaccines are sterilizing and the Covid ones aren’t. Covid is in the past. If you get sick and die from Covid you weren’t going to live much longer than a year anyway, quit clinging and move on, free up some resources for the rest of us, we’re all just passing through anyway. Shits lame, find something new to panic about. Some people are like a hamster stuck in its wheel.
The 4-year-old did not have underlying health issues, according to the department.
The child was “briefly” hospitalized before dying, according to Public Health Department spokesperson Jose Arballo Jr.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/4-year-old-dies-from-covid-19-infection-becoming-youngest-person-to-die-from-the-virus-in-riverside-county/amp/
You’re narrative is a fiction.
And something like 600 children die in riverside county every year. Does the fact that a single 4 year old died of this cause change, fundamentally, the mortality dynamics in that area?
Or are you just exploiting the death of a child for your own personal satisfaction?
Yeah a child died, that’s always sad, it works in terms of shock value but if we’re talking data, it’s completely insignificant.
When your whole life becomes a video game 760,000 dead become just a tally on your screen. Total distraction Dude.
Has the human population actually decreased at all from the deaths related to Covid, or has the human population continued to explode exponentially across the globe? 760,000 dead in going on 3 years is a drop in a bucket. I believe the statistic at the beginning of the “pandemic” was for every person who dies of Covid they are replaced by 40 newborns. I’m sure that has changed, probably more now. Show me a disease with some actual stopping power against the machine that is humanity and I might start to show a little concern.
Reality -Until someone dies who is not actually “weak “ then you enter gross negligence territory.ie -why the school closed ..
————
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2020/10/06/tyson-foods-sued-over-columbus-junction-workers-covid-19-death-iowa/3636300001/
While many infected employees and their families have filed complaints against Tyson through workers’ compensation cases, Cano’s family is at least the fourth to file a civil lawsuit. Families of three deceased workers from Tyson’s Waterloo plant sued the company in June.
Nobody changed the definition of a vaccine. Fake News
Hey Mr bear, vaccine definition was changed just a few months back. Not fake news, more so government over reach doing everything they can to convince people to listen. Changing history, from definitions to certain lives matter. Trying to forget history.
But they did
Thx for posting that definition of vaccine changed. I tried confirming it also, but kym censored it.
The last comment I deleted from you was on the 3rd.
Mr. Bear, do you always state things as fact when you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about? Definition has been changed.
Do you live on the planet earth?
Then no vaccines have ever been vaccines because there’s never been a vaccination that provided sterilizing immunity for every person who received it.
This one provides sterilizing immunity to no one
There have been some that were damn close.
Willful Ignorance abounds
And weak genetics permeate society
Vaccinated cases compared to unvaccinated cases, are about the same, at this time on the graph, not that much different, if there is any doubt. It’s pretty clear on the graph.
I see no indication whether these positive cases at the school were among the vaxxed or the unvaxxed.
Vaccinated cases on the county case graph are on a current trajectory that appears it may exceed
unvaccinated cases in the next weekly count. Explain that trend.
The vaccinated cases have, for some unexplained reason, nearly tripled, while the unvaccinated cases have declined.
I hope there are no serious outcomes associated with this Cubs outbreak, and if these kids are already vaccinated, that should help in that regard. Hopefully they all recover before Thanksgiving.
Vaccinated or not, it seems like there is no avoiding Covid19 in a public setting.
I wish I them all a speedy recovery.
And this is the first I’ve heard about the over 3, vaccine eligibility thing.
That sounds iffy, if not bizarre, and it would not apply to the Cubs.
It’s five and older not three. My mistake
And more like…
“If you [don’t] doubt the efficacy of the vaccine, just look at the Humboldt County Health Department’s graph that shows how many people that are infected who are not vaccinated compared to the ones that are.”
And you will clearly see they are about the same, and so the efficacy against infection must be negligible…
( I actually thought you must have been being facetious or sarcastic at first.)
The Vax nannies are clearly the least informed. Constantly spouting bullshit on here. Thanks Guest for doing your best to straighten out the ignorant with valid data. Their bigoted brains have a hard time with logical reasoning.
Welcome to your own OPINIONS.
But when your opinions are based on false info and data then you’re spreading bullshit amd contributing to the problem.
Sounds like you should just stay home.
Why does the “ one parent” bother pointing fingers at homecoming or a party. The few kids that caught it could have gotten it literally anywhere. It’s just as possible that a vaccinated person( teacher or student) could have brought the virus with them to school ( or wherever they caught it) and passed it along. Since no one tests them ( even though they can catch it and pass it) there’s no way to know how they contracted it. Not testing the vaccinated is a huge mistake, if they can carry it and pass it then the prevention system will fail repeatedly until everyone is tested regardless of vaccination status.
Or, get vaccinated.
Or, get real.
The vaccinated still catch and spread the virus. Not subjecting them to the same testing required of the unvaccinated is denial of reality.
No it’s not.
Denying the hospitalization/death rate of the vaccinated is denying reality.
If every anti vaxxer wants this to be “like a flu”, then get fucking vaccinated.
Passing on a no-hospitalization virus is not a big deal.
How hard does a head have to be to understand that?
The vaccinated CAN spread the virus though it is much less likely. If one is asymptomatic the viral load is much less and much less likely to spread. My 3-year old caught it, we think from daycare, and neither my wife or I tested positive. He had mild symptoms and is doing fine now. Thank god it doesn’t impact kids as bad as other high risk groups.
“Get real” is right. Gibraltar, called “the most vaccinated country on earth”, with 100% vaccinated, 40% boostered, just cancelled Christmas due to its huge upsurge in covid cases.
The government of Gibraltar cancelled official Christmas Celebrations. And “The government has traced the spike in cases back to religious gatherings, workplace mixing and social events.” Here is the link:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1521786/Gibraltar-news-covid-cases-rise-Christmas-lockdown
Why on earth would you believe that?
Spain, gateway to Gibraltar. About Gib and surge:
“This is not proof that vaccines don’t work,” immunologist Dr Matilde Cañelles López, Senior Research Scientist at the Institute of Philosophy, Centre for Human and Social Sciences (CCHS), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) told Reuters via email.”
“It is clear now that current COVID vaccines prevent to a high degree severe illness, but not virus transmission,” she said. Contrary to previous waves, there have been “very few hospitalizations”, she added.
A win, vaxxing.
Can but less often do.
The spread rates from vaccinated are far lower.
Several broad studies have shown a far lower level of viral shedding.
So much bullshit.
So much bias.
So much ignorance.
Cranial rectosis is a real and highly communicable disease.
It is being transmitted here through the network.
No need to come in direct contact with another in order to help another stuff their head up their own ass.
Some real zeros.
If you won’t vax then just don’t.
But why try making yourself feel better about your choice by constantly attempting to convince other people with your a false, biased, anti-science, and comically ignorant narratives?
Repeating false propaganda does NOT make it true or correct.
It smacks of the same crap that often happens with most any “group”….such as:
devoutly religous that try to force their “religion” on others
or
vegans that demand everyone be vegan
or or or
Please support the Foundation for the Eradication of Cranial Rectosis.
LOL! Ya, it’s the unvaccinated who are trying to force everyone to make the same decision. LOL!
Lol! Ya, it’s the unvaccinated who are trying to convince everyone not to get the vaccine. Lol!
Truth. The vaccinated can get infected and pass it on without showing any symptoms themselves. Not as frequently as the unvaccinated but still enough to warrant concern. The protocols are inconsistent. I am neither vax nor anti-vax. I am vaxxed but I made my own personal decision based on my personal criteria and considering those who I am in close contact with…My overriding concern about this “public health crisis” is the disorganized and irrational way in which protocols have been mandated and the resulting arguments we launch at each other. Yes- the kids could have picked it up in a multitude of places including from vaccinated people. It’s almost like the facts of transmission are being twisted to convince and reward more people for getting vaccinated? Like a propaganda campaign? We need more truth from out government, not less
Good perspective. And, governing the masses is difficult business. And if, by chance, the hardcore anti-vax were thrust into making the decisions and messenging, well, the damage to public health would be catastrophic, including economic upheaval, chaos in the streets.
We are the test.
Silent weapons. …
They’re not testing the vaccinated so they can’t tell how ineffective the vaccine is and to keep pressuring others into getting the jabs. I believe they’re also trying to get everyone to be vaccinated so there is no control group in this gigantic experiment. Then they can tout their bs efficacy percentages just like in the phase 1 trials for the EUA.
Truth. And more truth.
I totally agree.
Oh the horror of those who want to save lives… even the lives of those who have to read conspiracy websites to be told how everyone’s out to get them.
Can you provide an actual rebuttal? Didn’t think so.
Sorry the sarcasm didn’t do it for you. Here is the same idea repeated in simple words- all, every bit of any statistical data about the waning effectiveness of various vaccines so misunderstood by anti vaxxers, comes from the same people you say are hiding it. People who examine critically and it publicly available. Such are not hiding anything. They are the ones who prove data for anti vaxxers who then process to distort it. The paranoid anti vaxxers simply can not tolerate any information that calls their beliefs into question. They have to believe that things are being hidden in order to keep saying such silly things. They bury issues- not the other way around.
You can’t say a product has efficacy if you delete the control group. This is basic experimental design. By giving the control group the vaccine, they negated any information they could glean from the study. Their efficacy numbers are skewed. Any conclusions gained from these trials are tainted at best. I’d say unusable personally. I’m not an anti vaxxer. I’m a scientist. Quit putting people into boxes. It’s intellectually lazy.
It’s goes without saying that there is zero liability if you choose to vaccinate, yet they are going to use the public private partnership to slowly strip away the wiggle room for dissenting mind, body and spirit through an economic attack on your financial well being.
Health , whether physical, emotional, or financial, is in for cross hairs.
How about we take a deeper look at the accounting.
This is alla big smoke screen to give them plausible deinability for the big TAKE DOWN
Why would they need to “build back better?” Because they’re executing a controlled demolition of our economy. I bet once inflation starts really kicking in they’ll have a “solution” already devised and ready to implement.
There’s a work for Parties: Super Spreader Event. This has been confirmed by multiple and meticulous studies.
There’s a word for isolation:
Abuse.
And why would Kym choose to print that random opinion of one parent?
Kym Kemp is 100% responsible for furthering the division and hatred in our community with her biased reporting on covid and vaccines.
Really sad to see a once beloved local news source become little more than fear peddling propagandist.
And yet here you are, on Kym’s site, doing exactly what you decry. Awesome
Considering the proportion and sheer volume of anti vaxxer nonsense posted here, you may be right. She allows anti vaxxer propaganda, misinformation and downright lies at an alarming rate. Apparently the conspiracy mindset can’t count either.
It’s a shame Kym won’t bend for the conspiracy nuts, huh?
You know very well where you can find all the “facts” you need, why do you feel the need to change Kym and her choice of articles to publish?
Start your own news blog instead of coming here trying to shame Kym. C’mon, let’s see it.
Gotta say you’re wrong about Kym. I’ve had my arguments with her but on this covid coverage she is actually the best source I’ve seen. She has allowed comments from all sides and has been the fairest referee I’ve seen in all media. We may have disagreement but she has earned my respect. As we all should respect each other in these very polarizing times…My friends who don’t believe in masking and hate masks yet wear them into the stores which ask them to- they are an example of how to act with concern and respect for their neighbors. And then come here online to fight, fight, fight! Lol and Kym allows these fights. She is not the problem…
From Lone Ranger to The Real Brian and VMG I gotta say I love our community!
Agreed. Obviously I don’t always agree with what I see here, but Kym no doubt spends a LOT of time reviewing and moderating what gets through.
Second that.
I often wonder how she can read and moderate some of these comment sections.
She deserves a medal and a years worth of weekly massages!!!
That’s hilarious.
The absolute level of stupid in these comments is exactly why there was an outbreak.
This parent who wants to anonymously place blame on children is pretty spineless, I have to say. I bet this parent wants to remain anonymous because they don’t actually know what is going on at the school. I bet this anonymous parent hasn’t been to the school once this year to offer a hand. SFHS is incredibly understaffed. There is a multitude of reasons why this small outbreak occurred and pointing the finger/placing blame on a group of minors is pathetic. Anonymous parent, I hope to see you at the board meeting this Thursday, 4:30 pm. Redway School. Since you seem to have time to talk to Kym Kemp, you should be able to make the time to communicate directly with the administration and board if you actually care about your child’s education.
Sincerely, Shelby Messenger
Or maybe they chose to remain anonymous to avoid being attacked by assholes with agendas — a very common phenomenon when it comes to COVID-related topics.
Yes, you are right, it is a very common phenomenon.
It’s so sad that we are all so afraid to speak and stand behind our words. Or stand behind our words until we decide we were wrong and change our mind. People don’t allow you to change your mind anymore. You say one wrong thing and some people want to hold onto that as if their lives depended on it. And people want to pigeonhole you and think they understand the entirety of your existence based on a few sentences. It’s all so interesting (and frustrating).
I understand the anonymity and, still, in this particular context, I think it’s a weak move.
“War is what happens when language fails.” Obviously not as simple as that. If you can’t handle somebody criticizing your opinion, or cannot defend your position so you choose to remain anonymous, perhaps you shouldn’t be broadcasting your opinions to members of a small community. It’s just my opinion and you are free to disagree.
So you are denying the claim of homecoming and Halloween parties, and a low rate of vaccination?
Where did you get the impression that I would deny those things?
There have been many high school gatherings.
Indeed, people have been gathering in groups for some time now if you had not noticed.
And why would I deny a low rate of vaccination?
Of course, there is a low rate of vaccination amongst our student body. Parents here, and all over the US, are hesitant for a variety of reasons.
To use a site that Chris seems to find reputable (therefore, I’m assuming you may too, but I don’t want to jump to conclusions so please correct me if I’m wrong), anyway, the statistics show that the majority of parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children.
What parents of 12-17 y.o.’s report re: vaccination status
Shelby, I’m not understanding. Why are you so mad at the anonymous parent when you agree with at least most of their facts.
If I understand you correctly, you are saying that there were a number of gatherings and you are agreeing that a number of the students aren’t vaccinated.
But, I think you are saying that you don’t agree that those gatherings along with many unvaccinated students are the reason for the outbreak.
What do you think caused the outbreak?
SarsCov2?
Kym, thank you for chiming in because I am obviously not being clear. I very well could have misread the intent of both this parent and the author of this post (you, or?). My assumptions could also be wrong about why they chose to remain anonymous and why you would cite an anonymous parent in this context.
So, to clarify why I am upset:
This sentence definitely triggered me: Speaking anonymously, one parent blamed out of school parties for Homecoming and Halloween as well as a large number of unvaccinated students for the outbreak.
Why did it trigger me? Because I am sick of all this BLAMING–the finger-pointing, divisiveness, ever-changing guidelines and policies, this being put on the backs of our teachers and administrators and CHILDREN. And, also, because it comes across as if it is placing blame on the students as if they did something wrong. When I posted, I was already upset about some of the district’s actions and that some are making our students feel as if they are walking covid-spewing homicidal maniacs. Or want to point their finger at just one thing. It’s the masks! It’s vaccination! It’s their parents! It was that girl’s party!
There are so many factors in every situation–let’s stop oversimplifying and let’s certainly NOT blame the children. Many parents are concerned about this vaccination and don’t feel it is necessary for kids. I can provide you and “anonymous parent” with plenty of links if you want to have a discussion about vaccination and children–the verdict is definitely NOT out and anyone who says that it is, is just ideologically possessed. I’m interested in a real discussion–enough of these parrot one-liners such as this statement from this anonymous parent.
Our MJH/SFHS staff is hanging on by a thread and the offerings there are bare-bones, they are under-compensated and overworked. There are so many significant problems, problems that I and many other parents feel are greater health and safety threats to the students than Covid (to be clear, this is not a reflection of the amazing, hard-working, dedicated staff that has been on an uphill battle since school started. Speaking to systemic/structural and leadership issues at the highest level).
I know not everyone agrees with me, but there are plenty who do and we are sick of watching the education of our children deteriorate while people continue to point fingers over something we are going to have to learn to live with for the rest of our lives.
If you’re going to speak up publicly about a school-related issue during these incredibly complex times, for God’s sake, be willing to at least TRY to speak intelligently and AT MINIMUM state your name.
Enough of this anonymous bullshit–it has done nothing but degrade our society and should only be used in cases where you fear bodily harm. If this parent fears bodily harm then we need to talk about that as a district and as a community.
I’m just so irritated that instead of having articles on the staffing crisis, or coming together to generate solutions, or even really talking about the significant problems we instead continue to talk about Covid. The superintendent seems to speak to you about Covid and nothing else. When is it gonna stop people? Where is the end game here? If we get 100% of the county/state/country/world vaccinated (which is never going to happen) and Sars-CoV-2 continues to circulate, what then? If people are still dying after you’ve gotten closer to your 100% goal, what then? How many Covid deaths are we willing to accept a year in order to put an end to all these nonsensical, arbitrary, everchanging policies? Are our teachers and administrators going to work a contact tracing position with ever-changing guidelines and workflows forever so that they never get the chance to actually do their JOB, nor do they ever have the chance to do the new jobs they are continually tasked with effectively?
We need to start talking as a community about the REAL issues in education and a good place to start is by stating your name. Otherwise, you’re just pretending to have a conversation. I’d say you’re even pretending to have an opinion because you’re not willing to be held accountable and defend your position.
I’d like to see parents standing up and start speaking about the real issues. Parents helping to generate solutions to support our students and staff rather than lazily, PUBLICLY placing blame without actually knowing the entirety of the situation.
I’m genuinely curious as to why this parent choose to remain anonymous? I’ll be at the board meeting on Thursday. Redway School at 4:30 if this parent would like to have a real conversation because this anonymity thing has got to stop. We’ve got to start talking. Having REAL conversations. Conversations that advance understanding, I’m sick of the parroted talking points.
Sorry for the long response. But I realize my anger seems disproportionate here, and I hope this clarifies.
Shelby, I wrote the post. My name is right next to the date and under the title. (A press release is the only exception to this)
I can’t speak to the reasons a parent wouldn’t want to be named as that isn’t my info to reveal but I spoke to three parents, all in some form said the same thing, and all didn’t want to be named.
And while I applaud you for being open about your opinions under your own name, I can tell you that as someone who is open about their opinions, there are real world consequences. I’ve had people pull their donations for instance because they disagreed with my stance on an issue even though I’ve been personally helpful to them in other ways and will continue to help them if they need me in the future. I suspect I’ll probably lose more donations by being honest here and not keeping my mouth shut. (or maybe that should be keeping my fingers still?)
Many folks tend to talk about wanting people to come together but what they apparently really mean is they want folks to believe and act just like they do.
As to why I would cite anonymous people…I do it all the time. I began writing when marijuana laws were strict and growers were terrified. I soon learned that if I was careful to confirm what was said, I could have a more accurate representation of what the community felt, if people were allowed within limits to speak without fear of personally suffering or having their child suffer for saying things other people didn’t like.
I suspect I have a more recent example but here’s a piece from a month ago where the main source of the story is anonymous. https://kymkemp.com/2021/10/12/terrifying-experience-when-local-woman-her-toddler-and-her-grandmother-were-chased-by-someone-driving-a-car-in-northern-mendocino-county/ There are plenty more.
As to this article…I had three parents separately contacting me and stating roughly the same information. So at the very least the anonymous parent I cited was speaking for those three. Most likely, that parent was speaking the concerns of more than three. And yes, those parents felt that if the gatherings hadn’t happened and a much greater percentage of the students had been vaccinated then the outbreak most likely wouldn’t have happened and the football team could have gone to NCS. Pointing out what you think is the cause is the first step towards finding out the cause and preventing something from happening again. That doesn’t mean these parents are right. Which is why I asked what you thought was the reason for the outbreak.
Like you, I suspect that there aren’t completely simple answers. There are probably multiple factors. But I do think that figuring out whether for instance, vaccination is something that could have prevented students missing a week of school and the football team missing an important game might be of value in figuring out a way forward. Is the perceived risk of vaccination, which the CDC and the FDA say was very very low compared to the value of the experiences that are being lost? And compared to the risks (admittedly fairly low for children) of having a serious reaction to COVID? The CDC states, “The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks.”
Most doctors and scientists–this includes not only the majority of those at the CDC and the FDA but most at Harvard, Yale, and the Mayo Clinic, and the majority of medical doctors and scientists worldwide–say the vaccine is safer than not vaccinating. They are getting the vaccine and they are giving it to their kids.
Here’s the doctors at Stanford talking about children getting the vaccine: https://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/covid-19-vaccines-for-5-to-11-year-olds?source=homepage-banner
Shelby, I don’t expect to change your mind about vaccinations, certainly not in one (admittedly long) post made late at night.
But I also believe there are other important issues that are being lost while we deal with (what to my mind) is the very worrisome pandemic. I’m hopeful that in spite of the things we disagree about, we can work together on the things we do care about. Like you, I was a teacher. And like you, I love the kids. And like you, I hurt to watch important milestones lost as the country struggled to find the right path through this rough time.
I do hope you can see that people who don’t believe like you and have different fears than you in this situation, can also be the people who, in a different time and place, are the ones working hard with you to solve another problem.
Or maybe donations were pulled for overboard censorship. Like blowing up the links to the guy with a mile long and decades deep resume in the vaccine world like luc montagnier….
Disagreeing is one thing. And is part of life.
Throttling and muting those voices is entirely another.
But you are not unique in your role of self-appointed handler of Truth. The distortion of reality, and the quelling of dissenting voices is the new normal by social media forces. Which is why bitchute has taken off, (and of course its dismissed by the vax-obssessed as a radical conspiracy garbage.) The mainstream media sources for sharing like YouTube or FB have gone ballistic on alarm-raising scientists and doctors, effectively barring them -or their content- from the platform! Like they may also be barred from yours. It’s mind bending.
That “anonymous parent” could be anyone, including you!
I see zero focus on actual health. Just jabs for one and all! And pass the KFC.
“And while I applaud you for being open about your opinions under your own name, I can tell you that as someone who is open about their opinions, there are real world consequences.”
I am not naïve, Kym. Yes, there are definitely real-world consequences for speaking, I know this all too well. There are also real-world consequences for speaking anonymously, which I pointed out already. There are also real-world consequences for NOT speaking.
Kym, I’m just stating my opinion, nothing less, nothing more. I see anonymity as taking us down the wrong path as a community, and I don’t want to support it.
In reference to the real-world consequences of having donations pulled I think you are trying to call me out without actually calling me out?
Yes, I canceled my recurring donation after this press release which cited anonymous parents and pointed fingers, and placed blame on kids/young adults. I have been a regular one-time donor for years and for the last year a monthly contributor. After this press release, I just felt as if I have had enough, and I don’t want to pay you to continue to sow discord in our community on this topic.
There are greater health and safety threats facing our children right now, that I and others care about MORE than we care about continuing to talk about this NON-THREAT to our children. Two years is a long time in the life of a child or young adult.
With that said, it was an emotional reaction, canceling the donation. And I will reinstate it, I’m just at my breaking point Kym with so many things in this community. I’m afraid, just like you but we are afraid of different things. I’m afraid for my kids. I’m afraid for the future of public education and the future of our community. I’m afraid for our long-term health. I’m afraid of this hyper-inflationary period we are moving into/in. I’m afraid of the tanking local economy. I’m afraid of this man who has been stalking and terrorizing my family for two years. I’ve got a lot of major fears too but dying from Covid is not one of them. And I am certainly not alone in my lack of Covid-related fears. And I also respect that there are many who are afraid of Covid and that it is a real threat to certain populations. I wear my mask, I wash my hands, I take precautions.
“Many folks tend to talk about wanting people to come together but what they apparently really mean is they want folks to believe and act just like they do.”
I’m not sure what you’re getting at when you say this. I feel like you are trying to get me to reflect on something about myself but I’m not sure what that is. Is this in reference to my request to come together for the sake of the kids and the schools?
I certainly don’t expect all folks to believe and act like I do, that is never going to happen. Diversity exists for important reasons. I am doing MANY things in the name of YOUR fears right now and in the name of public health that I don’t want to be doing. I am certainly bending over to protect the population that is high risk, but I draw the line with my kids. Enough already! Schools should not be contract tracing facilities. Educators are not public health officials. And I’m asking people to come together to start problem-solving the issues at MJH/SFHS—I’m not asking or requesting homogeneity of thought. Is there ANYONE OUT HERE that doesn’t think there is a problem at MJH/SFHS? I think we can pretty much all agree that support is needed there. So, what does that have to do with “wanting folks to believe and act like they do.” I’m just not sure what you are getting at with this statement, in this particular context?
“As to why I would cite anonymous people…I do it all the time. I began writing when marijuana laws were strict and growers were terrified. I soon learned that if I was careful to confirm what was said, I could have a more accurate representation of what the community felt, if people were allowed within limits to speak without fear of personally suffering or having their child suffer for saying things other people didn’t like.”
As I already said, I completely understand the need for anonymity. Fear of bodily harm, legal issues—anonymity is needed and important in certain contexts.
However, I don’t think anonymity is needed in this particular article and context. And if these parents feel anonymity is needed, then we should talk about that. If things are so bad in our community that we are afraid to speak to FELLOW PARENTS—our kids GO TO SCHOOL TOGETHER—then we’ve got a massive problem, Kym.
And I am trying to call out this problem because we need to be moving forward and I feel like we are stuck in Dec 2019 “ooooh there were GATHERINGS, parties, those bad bad kids and their deplorable parents.” ENOUGH. Let’s talk about other major issues.
“Pointing out what you think is the cause is the first step towards finding out the cause and preventing something from happening again. That doesn’t mean these parents are right. Which is why I asked what you thought was the reason for the outbreak.”
Kym, to be honest, I’m not that interested in speculating on the reason for this outbreak. I don’t think it’s helpful (and I know you and others disagree—that’s fine). At this point, I care more about questions such as these: Where is the end game here? If we get 100% of the county/state/country/world vaccinated (which is never going to happen) and Sars-CoV-2 continues to circulate, what then? If people are still dying after you’ve gotten closer to your 100% goal, what then? How many Covid deaths are we willing to accept a year in order to put an end to all these nonsensical, arbitrary, everchanging policies?
I have posed these questions countless times and I have yet to get a reasonable answer from anyone. Indeed, I posed the questions to you, and you did not answer them in your response.
“Shelby, I don’t expect to change your mind about vaccinations, certainly not in one (admittedly long) post made late at night.”
You’re right, you are not going to change my mind nor is anyone else on the topic of vaccinating my children right now. My kids have had covid, I have had covid. More kids died from the flu than from Covid over these past two years. It’s going to take A LOT to change my mind on this.
Do you follow Stephen Jenkinson’s work at all? His work is beautiful, and I highly recommend it. We’re so afraid of death that we are willing to forgo living for the illusion of a few extra years on this planet. When it’s your time, it’s your time and you can try to control your life and the lives of all of those all around you as much as you want, but I promise you we are ALL going to die, and we can’t control when we die for the most part. This is not the bubonic plague, people.
You can quote the CDC all you want; the verdict is not out on this and the long-term safety effects are not known. I read extensively and I read direct sources. I will keep reading and paying attention and I keep an open mind. But knowing what I know based on the information available I can say with absolute certainty that my children will not be vaccinated for Covid at this point in time, if ever. I know I am not alone in this informed, risk assessment that I have made. So where does this leave us? You’re vaccine pushing on the children is not going to move the needle for people like me and I can name at least 20 other parents in this community—friends—that I talk with regularly who feel the same. Which means there’s A LOT more parents out there who feel the same.
“But I also believe there are other important issues that are being lost while we deal with (what to my mind) is the very worrisome pandemic.”
YES. This is what I am trying to point out here. We are so stuck on the Covid train, meanwhile, kids are getting addicted to pills, selling drugs on campus, and threatening suicide.
“Like you, I was a teacher.”
I know you were. And this is why I am so disappointed in your coverage. Two articles in one week about a couple of kids who have mild cases of Covid and no mention ever of the 19 open positions in the district, the lack of CRITICAL teaching positions, the additional burdens placed on our staff—the list goes on.
“I do hope you can see that people who don’t believe like you and have different fears than you in this situation, can also be the people who, in a different time and place, are the ones working hard with you to solve another problem.”
Of course, I see this. Why do you think I am speaking up? Why do you think I am asking for ACTUAL CONVERSATIONS and criticizing those who just want to have their opinions without any accountability? Anonymity does not breed functional, healthy relationships.
Shelby,
I very much appreciate your attempts to communicate and I’ll do my best to address your concerns.
First, I want to address your statement that you didn’t want to pay me to sow discord. I absolutely respect not patronizing businesses whose values contradict with mine. I’ve also stopped going to businesses whose large values contradict mine. (As an aside, I do want to point out this article is not a press release. It is something I wrote which means I fact check it. I also post press releases say from Public Health that I don’t fact check but do believe they have the expertise to speak on the subject they are providing in the press release. Many of the COVID pieces you see posted on Redheaded Blackbelt fall into that category.)
As to posting about school closing, I do that every single time whether it is snow or COVID or mold in a classroom. It’s my job to keep parents informed about whether they need to get their kids into showers and on their way in the morning.
Anyway, some folks definitely want everyone to not make waves. However, I respect speaking openly about your opinions. I also respect the parents who reached out to me who were uncomfortable coming forward with their position but wanted to provide what they saw as the reason for the outbreak. I would have provided the same opportunity if I had multiple parents approaching me with other reasons they saw as contributing.
We’ve both got limited time (I’ve been trying to respond to you since about 9:30 a.m.) So I will try to hone in on what you seem to feel is the heart of the situation. “Where is the end game here?”
I also think that’s an important question. I also think that there are 19 open positions in the district is important (an issue I did not know the extent of by the way). Both KMUD and I are trying to figure out how to hire someone to cover the vastly important but low readership stories such as board meetings at schools and water districts etc. We’re struggling because of money and time and worker availability issues. But that’s our way of starting at the ground floor to fix these issues—make sure we have someone to commit to cover these stories that cost a lot to follow but bring in few readers.
But back to what is the end game…I think asking any one person is going to get you different answers. And, if you have been around as long as I have you know that you have to surf the wave—you have to change your ideas based on what is currently happening. That said…here are some of my ideas:
We never stop vaccinating until we eliminate or at least mostly eliminate COVID. That will likely be decades away if ever (similar to polio). So COVID vaccines will become part of the necessary vaccines needed to attend public school just as vaccines for polio, measles, etc. are required now.
When the annual deaths from COVID drop to around the annual deaths from flu, we can cut back on many of the current restrictions—always being aware that a new variant could cause more hospitalization or cause younger people to die in greater numbers.
But masking will probably be much more a part of our society now, like it is in Asian societies. Hopefully, hand washing has become more ingrained. Awareness of staying home when you have the sniffles will become more common and students as well as teachers as well as taxi drivers will all be supported in doing so. Today, I told my youngest to stay home from school because his older brother has a sore throat. Three years ago I would have told them both to go to school. I’ve learned from this outbreak how it is possible to help others at very little cost to oneself. Fortunately, we have the technology that allows us to substitute in distance work when needed.
I also know that new information could cause me once again to rethink my position on “the end game.”
In any case, I hope as we move to covering school issues, you’ll be one of the sources who will speak on the record about your concerns to the reporter writing the story.
*We never stop vaccinating until we eliminate or at least mostly eliminate COVID. That will likely be decades away if ever (similar to polio.)*
Lol ” polio . ”
Talk about fake news !!!
“The Salk vaccine right out of the gate (after DECADES OF TRIALS BOTH ANIMAL HUMAN CONTROL AND DOUBLE BLIND) had been 60–70% effective (immune inducing) against PV1 (poliovirus type 1), over 90% effective (immune inducing) against PV2 and PV3, and 94% effective (immune inducing) against the development of bulbar polio. Soon after Salk’s vaccine was licensed in 1955, children’s vaccination campaigns were launched.”
“The polio vaccine provides LIFELONG IMMUNITY and is the only means of polio prevention. There are two types currently available: the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The vaccine results in humoral (circulating antibody) and mucosal (secretory immunoglobulin A) immune responses (27).Dec 12, 2013”
It is so irresponsible to compare the two.
We will never gain lifelong immunity with the vaccine efforts currently in play, and it’s too late in the game to create an actual immune producing vax.
I don’t have energy to address the entirety of the tone of authority that you’ve adopted. You may come to rue these days.
“First, I want to address your statement that you didn’t want to pay me to sow discord.”
Sorry, I wasn’t completely clear. To be clearer (because I think it’s important to be clear on this point), I don’t believe that I pay you to sow discord. I can unpack that statement and see how it is not true on so many levels. I admitted to you in my last response, that I had an emotional reaction. Like you, I’ve got a lot of things going on and I go nonstop, all day every day. There’s a lot happening in the world, and in my life, and I do feel emotional about it all. A lot of people do, as you are aware.
Anyway, I apologize for doing that. I was reacting rather than responding. While I don’t agree with a lot of your views, I do appreciate that you allow all views to be shared here on your platform and that you work so hard to keep it civil.
I told you in my previous response that I would reinstate the recurring donation, and I intend to do that. I am grateful for this community site, that you work hard to keep us up to date with community happenings, and I am a daily visitor.
“Anyway, some folks definitely want everyone to not make waves.”
Is it possible to not make waves when you’re composed of mostly water, living on a rock that is spinning through space? LOL. Trying to not make waves pretty much always leads to a bad place. If you’re not making waves somewhere you are living a lie and it will bite you in the ass one way or another. I appreciate that you are willing to make waves, even if I don’t like certain waves that you make.
“I also respect the parents who reached out to me who were uncomfortable coming forward with their position but wanted to provide what they saw as the reason for the outbreak.”
I understand this, and I hope I’ve made it clear that I just find it concerning that these parents feel the need to remain anonymous, for all the reasons I’ve mentioned. We need more conversation and real conversation.
We’ve got a lot of problems in our community.
We aren’t going to get anywhere if we don’t start coming together.
The people that aren’t going to vax or who aren’t going to vax their children have made their decision for the time being. Demonizing these people, name-calling, belittling, blaming, shaming etc. etc. It is getting us nowhere and it certainly is an awful way to try to change someone’s mind. It even serves to solidify some people more deeply into their position. Do I think that is silly? Of course, I do, but that is the reality.
“I also think that there are 19 open positions in the district is important (an issue I did not know the extent of by the way).”
Most people don’t. This is why I am trying to scream from the rooftops right now “OUR SCHOOLS NEED HELP.” And I’m frustrated with the superintendent, extremely frustrated. And putting a lot of time and energy into trying to communicate and come up with creative solutions and it feels like pulling teeth without Novocain just to get a public conversation going about this. Because the staffing issue is not going away and is an issue everywhere, and we need to find creative ways to address this.
“Both KMUD and I are trying to figure out how to hire someone to cover the vastly important but low readership stories such as board meetings at schools”
I am happy to write a piece each month on the SHUSD school board meetings and submit it to you. I would volunteer to do this because I believe it is important. People don’t want to attend board meetings (for good reason) but most do want to know what is going on.
“But back to what is the end game…I think asking any one person is going to get you different answers.”
Exactly. That is my point. And that is why I keep asking the question. Because there are so many things to consider, so many scenarios, and ways things could unfold. And when you start asking people about potential future scenarios, the “what-if’s” (in relation to the “end game”) most people don’t answer them, because it is hard to answer questions about unknown future scenarios.
Also, I think they don’t answer these questions because it would put a crack in their certainty and put a crack in their binary thinking, and it is painful to question strongly held beliefs. And if your belief entails forcing another person to do something they don’t think is best, it’s going to be painful as well (and perhaps for more people). This could very well all end in civil war. I hope not, but we certainly aren’t getting any less divided as a community and country.
“So COVID vaccines will become part of the necessary vaccines needed to attend public school just as vaccines for polio, measles, etc. are required now.”
At what point are you comfortable with covid vaccines becoming mandatory to attend public school? We are still learning about these vaccines. We are learning that some vaccines might be better than others for certain populations.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-recommends-only-biontechpfizer-vaccine-people-under-30-2021-11-10/?fbclid=IwAR2bA4Xjj63Ncb2oC_RheNYhCX7CO408HS9v2S1Cbasztu2FRgU-07mK1gU
We know very little about how these vaccines affect children, and vaccines for children have been recalled.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/concerns-history.html
Also, children aren’t struggling with covid. Very few get really sick and even less die. Knowing the statistics, I’m not willing to give this to my children any time in the near future, and it appears the majority of parents have concerns, and I’ve shared stats already. That is the reality people who are “vax at all costs” need to accept. We live in a global society. What’s the global statistic now for full vaccination? 40% or something like that? (Haven’t looked in a minute).
“When the annual deaths from COVID drop to around the annual deaths from flu, we can cut back on many of the current restrictions—always being aware that a new variant could cause more hospitalization or cause younger people to die in greater numbers.”
Will we ever really know when they drop to that level, though? We have never done this level of testing, for any disease. Given this, I don’t see how we could use that as an accurate measure? I’d be interested to hear more if other people are thinking the same…
I also know that new information could cause me once again to rethink my position on “the end game.”
Mostly, I think that many people (and I have been guilty of this, for sure—we all have) point the finger at someone and say “you’re not willing to even consider anything that challenges your own views, wake up!” But often, it just comes down to simple disagreement. Different ways of looking at the world. Different tolerances in risk. Different life contexts and experiences.
Diversity exists in nature for a reason, and it’s an important feature in healthy ecosystems.
We can look at the same information and come to different conclusions and THAT is the reality some people just don’t want to accept. And instead they want to blame, point-fingers, force you into contorting your views into their views. It’s getting us nowhere, people!
“In any case, I hope as we move to covering school issues, you’ll be one of the sources who will speak on the record about your concerns to the reporter writing the story.”
Yes, happy to do so.
Thanks for taking the time to dialogue with me, Kym. I know you’re busy, as am I. Times are tough for so many people and this divisive blame game is only further deteriorating our already struggling community. More constructive conversation is needed!
vaccinate! you don’t want your kids to get the sniffles. It’s better for them to get blood clots and an enlarged heart than the sniffles. Biden’s loyalty test is all about science. Ask pfizer!
The RHBB comments section. The Kitty-litter box of the un-vaxxed. Many are anti everything-gov … as they drive their gov approved vehicle, stare at gov-approved device, protect their gov-provided license and passport, even pack their gov-approved gun. Most hardcore anti-vax repeat-commenters are GOP-leaning (Trump-huggers) doubling down on a sinking anti-vax belief system.
“October 2021, one-quarter (27%) of U.S. adults say they have not gotten a COVID-19 vaccine, but the unvaccinated population is now disproportionately made up of those who identify as Republican or Republican-leaning, with six in ten (60%) identifying as Republican or Republican-leaning (compared to about four in ten of the U.S. total adult population1) and just one in six (17%) calling themselves Democrats or Democratic-leaning.”
– Kaiser Family Foundation Vax Monitor
With the vaxxes being out for awhile now most of the fence-sitters have finally gotten vaxxed. There’s less and less people available for right-wing anti-vax faithful to dupe. That leaves only themselves, sinking blub-blub. Sink with ‘em, Lib fringe, or row away.
Watch, the country, and the world, this winter: The Pandemic of the Unvaxxed. Sad.
A very well informed post. According to the latest Covid report in the North Coast Journal Humboldt way exceeds the state average for unvaccinated people. Why wait?
Why do you keep coming to play in the cat shit, then? If you detest the people in this comment section so much, think “they” will never change their minds, and seem to have everyone all figured out, why are you here? You seem to have all the answers, you should start your own blog and share your views. Create a comment section that you can curate into an echo chamber and you won’t have to deal with what you consider to be shit views. Problem solved.
Hi Shelby. Oh, I’m not playing. I simply review reputable sources and the views of science-reputable folk who synthesize data, etc, and draw the most appropriate and reasonable conclusions given the stakes. Those folk advise if not lead Gov health agencies and the like. You know, like the 3000+ County Health Departments in this country. Have a nice day, bye for now.
Chris, what’s your partisan take on the fact that only 27% of parents are eager to vaccinate their 5-11 year old? Why does this website that you quoted divide vaccination rates by partisan lines except when it comes to vaccinating the children? 76% of parents are concerned about the unknown possible long-term effects of this vaccination for their children. So it’s all good if Democrats are concerned for their children as it pertains to the effects of this vaccine, but it’s not okay to be concerned about this for one’s self? 71% are concerned about serious side effects and 66% have concern that this vaccine may affect their child’s future fertility. Seems pretty clear these aren’t all republican parents, Chris.
😍😍😍
Hi yet again, Shelby.
I’m absolutely sure there’s some Dems in the mix, others.
Hey, heres the contact page for KFF, to pitch all the questions you ever have.
https://www.kff.org/contact-us/
Please let us know how how it goes. Thanks.
I mean, according to your own links it 40%+ that aren’t republican. And considering that not all Republicans support ol Trumpy, that means that it’s over 40% of the unvaccinated that aren’t Trump supporters.
Seems like your internal narrative, about most of the unvaccinated being big Trump folks, is untrue. According to your own sources
“Hey, heres the contact page for KFF, to pitch all the questions you ever have.
https://www.kff.org/contact-us/
Please let us know how how it goes. Thanks.”
Oh, I don’t plan to reach out to them. In fact, I don’t care (at all) about breaking vaccination rates down by party lines. I was just interested in your opinion. Because if you honestly reflected on my question it would surely create a crack in your ideological thinking that democrats=good and republicans=bad. or that people are basing their decisions solely on political rhetoric. Sure, some do that and some don’t. The issue is more complex than you are making it out to be and it’s clear that you disagree with me, that’s fine. Have a good day.
In general terms, much of my beef is the worst of stuff getting tossed around on social-media sites. The stuff I speak of has been driven mostly by those much oriented toward the likes of mis, dis, and overly ambiguous info. Including here. And I’ve read many of the same folk remarking on other non-covid issues that indicate their … political orientation. A primary source, of their covid info leanings, is conspiracy-theory driven. It’s been proven that a primary source of conspiracy-theories has been traced to the right-wing Trump-leaning. I go with cooler heads at CDC, FDA, Health Depts, research universities, etc. Hope this helps you understand.
It’s called ignorant bigotry. He doesn’t want data he wants propaganda.
I provided a wholly appropriate answer however it may have stuck in moderator’s system.
Sure, goes w/o saying there’s some Dems in the mix.
But contact KFF and pose questions.
PS- when ya vote, yer partisan; in the booth or by mail, you get one choice per race or issue.
💪☝❤
💋
People are here because the anti vaxxers are here. They rely on conspiracy websites that allow no contradiction to spread their misinformation. Since they constantly repeat it, it needs someone to constantly refute it.
“People are here because the anti vaxxers are here.”
What makes one an anti-vaxxer? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you got both shots but decided you don’t want a booster? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you got one shot, had a bad reaction, and decided you didn’t want the second shot? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you are fully vaxxed in all other respects, but have decided you don’t want this one for whatever reason? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you are fully vaccinated, on board with boosters, but don’t want your children vaccinated?
I would love for someone on here who continually throws around the term “anti-vaxxer” to actually define what this phrase means to you.
“They rely on conspiracy websites that allow no contradiction to spread their misinformation.”
Again, who is “they”?
I know quite a few people who aren’t vaccinated and have made that decision by looking at nothing other than the CDC website and reading the research directly.
Did you know, that a person can look at the same data as somebody else and yet draw a different conclusion based on one’s personal context and a variety of other factors? Just because somebody is making a different decision than you, does not mean they are all looking at different data than you. To make a sweeping generalization such as you did here shows that you don’t really know what you’re talking about. Yes, some are only relying on conspiracy websites. And some are relying on conspiracy websites AND reputable data. And some are only looking at what you consider to be reputable sources and still deciding differently.
Now you’ve confused her. She’s going to have to check in with Fauci and Don Lemon, then she’ll get back to you.
Wow, there ya go again with yer Don Lemon thing 😂. I don’t watch media broadcasts, but yer constantly bagging on a successful black, gay, center-left broadcaster, so I’m starting to wonder, yer bigoted fetish.
Shelby, I appreciate the perspective you share here on this contentious issue. You express yourself very well, your thoughts are very reasonable and you remain civil in the face of some antagonistic replies to your comments. Thank for that.
My entire family is vaxxed (2 adult children in their 20’s, and husband. As well as daughter’s BF, we all live in the same home) I am not vaxxed because from the get go, I said I was waiting, I’ve had adverse reactions to vaccinations in the past, as well as adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals in general. I will say without any shame that yes, I am fearful of this vaccine and what it might do to me, not sure why people seem so hesitant to admit that.
I’m also willing to say quite loudly that COVID is no joke, I had it back in February and March of 2020 and it’s a beast. I wasn’t hospitalized but I’m not one to go to the doctor or ER for most illnesses. As I mentioned above, my body does not react well to a lot of their medical interventions.
We’re not all conspiracy kooks, and I feel like we are in general very careful and considerate about precautions, masks, keeping our distance, I’ve got no problem with that. I’d truly never want to infect a vulnerable person. I do wish some folks commenting here would avoid being so callous and inconsiderate in their behavior in regards to just doing the very minor things that may help stop the spread, a mask isn’t really a BFD when you’re in a crowded business.
Maybe some folks like to pretend they’re a dick when they post comments about never masking etc. and maybe in real life they actually behave like a human with empathy and concern for their fellow citizens. At least that is what I hope.
Anyway, that’s my long winded way of simply saying thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, I feel like more folks like you could maybe bring this discussion back on track to being an actual conversation, and that we actually listen to one another rather than assume something that isn’t necessarily true.
PS I’m not obese, so for folks who may want to sling that at me for saying COVID hit me hard, that’s not the case. It also hit my 20 something kids pretty hard as well. It also wasn’t at all like any flu I’ve ever had.
Thank you. I really appreciate you saying all of this because I am right there with you in wanting this: more reasonable people speaking up in hopes that maybe we can bring this discussion back on track to being an actual conversation, and that we actually listen to one another rather than assume something that isn’t necessarily true.
And, as for your story about who is and is not vaccinated in your family, thank you for sharing that. My experience has been similar–everyone seems to be, for the most part, making thoughtful decisions about this. And this reductive, binary vaxxer/anti-vaxxer narrative is getting us nowhere.
I have posed these exact same questions multiple times, in a few different conversations across platforms. I have yet to get an answer, from anyone that I’ve asked, which is interesting:
What makes one an anti-vaxxer? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you got both shots but decided you don’t want a booster? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you got one shot, had a bad reaction, and decided you didn’t want the second shot? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you are fully vaxxed in all other respects, but have decided you don’t want this one for whatever reason? Are you an anti-vaxxer if you are fully vaccinated, on board with boosters, but don’t want your children vaccinated?
If those who want to condemn the unvaxxed and blame the unvaxxed would actually answer these questions (or variations of these questions as there are many scenarios) they might start to realize it’s not as simple as they want to make it out to be (on so many levels).
Yes, it’s really not so simple.
“What is an anti vaxxer”
https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-uscellular-us-revc&source=android-browser&q=definition+of+anti+vaxxer
Anti vaxxers do not include the very few people who had above moderate reactions to a vaccine.
Anti-vaxxers do not include the very few people who are ADVISED to not get the vaccine due to medical reasons.
Anti vax sentiment can go for 1, or many different vaccines.
Now, even the Republican anti vax sentiment is slipping into normal influenza vaccines, and we are seeing a politically based divergence for the first time there.
https://www.businessinsider.com/theres-a-25-point-gap-between-republicans-democrats-flu-shots-2021-11
Thank you for clarifying your position. I’ve been advised by three medical doctors to not vaccinate my children, for medical reasons. There are many other physicians out there who also advise against this for children, for medical reasons.
Mainly, my point is that there is not a universally agreed upon, acceptable definition as to what makes one an “anti-vaxxer.” So, for those who like to throw this phrase around, I’d like to understand what you actually mean by the term, and I appreciate your response.
All 3?
Same medical reason or different?
Doctors name?
All 3?
Yes
Same medical reason or different?
Same. Their reason is–it’s not medically necessary.
The risk of this disease is so minimal, virtually non-existent, in the average healthy child.
Will some kids die from it–YES. And some kids will die from vaccination. And, kids die. People die. I accept that death is a part of life. Is it heart-wrenching and awful–absolutely. I’ve experienced my share of it.
But my view is that we’ve all got to weigh the risks in life, and we’ve got to actually live while we are here. Not run around fearing death. And living in a commUNITY is much nicer than living in the divisive, snitch-on-and-belittle-your-neighbor environment we seem to be living in these past two years.
And I say this knowing that, YES, you keep the community’s safety and wellness in mind. OF COURSE.
I’m out here, as you would say, “waving my arms” about the schools and the children, so of course, I care about the people who live here.
I wear my mask, even though in some situations it is just a performance. I know how to not spew my germs all over the place, how to be around people and keep my germs to myself as much as possible. I’ve been working with and raising children for 22 years. And in 22 years I can count the illnesses I have had on one hand, and that includes colds. But knowing what I know about human behavior, I am not completely opposed to masks and there are certain people who should probably always wear them, that I can agree with.
And, yes, there will always be disagreements around what is and is not safe and how much safety we need. But the need for safety in our culture has gotten out of control. Have you read The Coddling of the American Mind? It’s good food for thought.
https://www.thecoddling.com/
Ultimately, my biggest criticism about your vaccine pushing and vaccine shaming is that health and wellness seem to be related to balance. That push/pull of the polarities, the turning of the day, and the turning of the seasons. Yin/Yang, Individual/Collective.
Some, like yourself, seem to be leaning too far into the collective and this will most certainly have consequences if you zoom out and look at historical examples–it appears to be a basic principle in nature.
Obviously, we all want to feel as safe as we can. But when we start putting our safety in the hands of others, well, we’re walking a really dangerous path.
And that seems to be what you are doing with your ideology–making your covid-safety dependent on others. Rather than taking responsibility for your own safety and respecting that others have different views about what is and isn’t an appropriate level of risk.
We have two years of information about how Covid affects children and very little information about how this vaccine will affect them.
But like I just said in a post to Kym, so much of this comes down to varying degrees of risk tolerance. Two people can look at the same data and view it completely differently, and this does not necessarily make either one wrong.
Also, as I expressed to Kym, diversity exists for a reason. Diversity is a feature of healthy ecosystems and that is an evolutionary FACT.
Have you considered the idea that perhaps it might be a GOOD thing that we have people who are hesitant, people who are holding out and being cautious?
You have no idea how this will all play out, nobody does. There could be countless benefits to this diversity of thought that you haven’t considered.
For one, like the NIH funding that is being directed towards studying effects of Covid vaccines on women’s reproductive health and menstruation. A response I made to Kym, which, not surprisingly, nobody has responded to.
Yet there are plenty who just want to keep shouting “there are no effects on reproductive health” when it is WELL DOCUMENTED that women have LONG been excluded from (or minimally included in) clinical trials. And reproductive health has not been considered in vaccine safety trials. In other words, WE DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW.
Without the vaccine-hesitant, we would not have people to participate in all this important research.
I could throw out a ton of other potential useful scenarios for why diversity of thought is critical here, and always.
And I could do so from your viewpoint as well.
I’m not condemning your view or position, I’m just asking you to respect mine.
And pointing out a few reasons why it might be a good idea to more deeply consider your ideological position around mass vaccination.
This brings me to another book recommendation. Have you read The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World? SO GOOD.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6968772-the-master-and-his-emissary
Doctors name?
If I knew you in real life and trusted you, I would be happy to share this info.
Don’t worry Shelby, when it comes to ms Auntie O anyone who doesn’t agree with her opinion about best practices in regards this public health issue (she doesn’t define those practices) is considered an “anti-vaxxer”.
If you’re getting snarky nonresponses from her and from Brian you are making a ton of sense
Your crystal clear ball about Mr Bannon sitting in jail was spot OFF.
just keep swinging that wiffle ball bat in your safe space, the dirty unclean are every where and the likes of your mindset are working overtime in Australia, Austria, and Canada, New Zealand to divide the people.
Silly, the trail is upcoming. In the meantime Bannon-boy will be attending weekly check-ins, surrender his passport, provide notice of any travel outside the district and seek court approval for travel outside the continental United States.
Meet him for tea and tanning, cozy.
Edit: oops, trial (not “trail”).
They lied about Kyle and they lie about Patriota who care about the freedoms so many people are willing to give up for a bigger daddy government. What a shame, what a beautiful shame.
If you weren’t sure who was pro freedom before, it’s quite clear now.
The overstepping and weaponization of the DOJ, and woke prosecutors, attorneys, DAs, should be a wake up call to those who believe in the Rule of Law.
The media is a tool of the corporate state.
You were probably on-board with the Russia gate bullshit to, huh? Adam Schiff your hero?
Only people ignorant of the facts say that it’s a pandemic of the unvaxxed. Spreading ignorance around does no service to anybody. Nice quote from Don Lemon, by the way.
Fluffed often. Heh.
Hmm, ya keep bringing him
up, perhaps a special thing for Mr. Lemon eh. Or Me. GLWEOOU
Anyhoo …
““Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, underscored the troubling rise in cases and hospitalizations, saying “there is a clear message that is coming through: This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated.””
– AP
Try calling maybe, enthrall her, with yer, uh, brilliance as to covid, etc. “Hi, Rochelle, this is Local Farmer, from the Emerald Triangle … yeah, the Emerald Triangle, and, um, I think you’re ignorant and … hello? Hello?”
Heh
Nite-nite, Mr. Farmer
She also said this 8 months ago;
“risk of infection was reduced by 90 percent two or more weeks after vaccination. ”
Is that true also? Are we just getting bunk batches up here?
The Delta variant changed the infection rate after vaccination.
Situation is kinda fluid. But, every day in the hot seat high-ranking folk have to make decisions, to “make the call” on all sorts of important matters. When creating policy and messaging at such a high level it’s tough, often tween rock and a hard place tough. So gotta take the wise path cuz whole country is listening.
Take the subject of Ivermectin for example, and even bleach. They both have their uses, one a de-wormer, lice tx, etc, while the other can be used as a disinfectant. Ivermectin is promising, maybe even highly effective as covid tx. Problem is (and don’t forget the Trump bleach era) is some folk can employ unwise forms, consumption methods, doses. That’s the likes of who the fda, cdc, etc need to weigh and message for.
A little anecdote:
When kudos for Ivermectin started raging locally on social media, I called a bunch of farm&feed shops. To see if a surge in people were looking for it. Yup, and staff were chuckling. I can just picture a less-than-savvy someone, with a tube or bottle of it and their calculator, dividing dosage for less than a 1500lb horse. The likes of this is one of the reasons why fda, CDC, and similar have to draw the wise lines and message they way they do.
Bottom line: imperfect as they are, but backed by science, vax remains the best mass-tool available and fastest. Improved methods likely coming, as so very many universities, gov, and private research pros are working their butts off. Capitalistic venture, in the west, yes. Our chosen system in the USA and most of the West.
If it’s a choice tween Walensky (Fed, State, local jurisdictions, govfunded Pharma, etc) and a scattering of studies, tx-concepts and other under-assessed remedies, Conspiracy theories, Trump, etc, well, I’m gonna go with Walensky, Fauci, etc and ever day of the week. It’s their job, their highly qualified, and very experienced.
I find it very interesting how the whole covid thing has turned into a political stance. It’s not us versus them or the masked vs. the maskless. We are all apart of the same community. Instead of being divisive listen and respect fellow community members for their opinions. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. That said it is up to us to keep each other safe. If you don’t like wearing a mask just don’t go places where they require you to wear one. If you are afraid of getting covid then stay home. If you feel your child is endangered don’t send them to school. If everyone treated each other the way you would want to be treated we wouldn’t be having this debate. It’s ok if anyone has any of the feelings listed above. Just respect each other and we will get through this. With the cannabis industry in the gutter, KMUD apparently running out of money & the whole community disconnected I think we can use covid for good by bringing us all together. Just try to respect each other and don’t be selfish. This is the time to not just think about yourself, but about your fellow community members. Remember when we used to be a community…………..
Right on! Freedom of choice, opinion, and speech.
Im not surprised considering the idiotic way the schools are going about exposure. If youre vaccinated and exposed, dont worry! Bring it right into the school! Doesnt matter if you can still spread it! Youve earned a privelege with that shot! My 3rd grader was exposed, but somehow my 1st grader isnt even though his brother was…and they share the same home and bedroom… Genius logic! Exposure is exposure. People need to get more real about that part.
Highly recommend looking at the studies other countries are conducting.
Epidimiologists around the world looking at these studies determined that if contracted, vaxxed folks shed the virus for 5 days and non-vaxxed 21 days.
There ought to be rapid tests given daily at schools so anyone carrying the virus can isolate. Thinking you can get teens to not clump together close to each other when they are in person is crazy.
The teens 15 and up deserve to have the choice to vax or not. Especially if they work in town.
..and now the Jnr High too.
While home schooling has some positives, the positives only go so far. My parents taught me how to drive , as I did with my kids. I know plumbers and loggers who learned their skills from their parents. I would have a whole lot of doubt if I met a surgeon or dentist who said that they got their MD from a home schooling program. Just don’t happen. Most parents I know home.school their children for political, social or religious reasons. A few I met in rural Alaska were home schooled due to their isolated living situations. It was called remote learning and provided thru the local school district.
I don’t think any of the discussion around local public schooling is meant to address issues of training a child for a doctorate.
Does south fork offer those?
Why would MDs be any different than a plumber, for example? A plumber will show up and actually STOP the leak.
764,000 deaths from an upper respiratory infection similar to the ones that mankind has been exposed to for eons show that MDs are just practicing medicine. They’ve hardly perfected it!
The plumbers have a much better success rate!