Mask mandates are directly tied to infection rate which, in turn, is directly tied to numbers vaccinated, as numerous states are showing (even those “cold weather” states that haven’t had a nice spring). This is why in our state they have dropped the mandate following the CDC guidelines. The state opened accessibility to everyone on 3/30 and our infection numbers reversed beginning two weeks later and fell a third by early May. Since that time, they have fallen two thirds from that early May number, despite more opening up (and just to be clear, the weather hasn’t been cooperating in that). The state had yet to have a comparable decline w/o a total lockdown. Just one state, but a decent case study.
Edit to add: you are correct that I don’t have a scientific background. Most of the explanations from the experts are pretty clear, and the policy decisions of those who do have the appropriate background is a signal enough for me. What about you? (since you seem to be in disagreement with them by predicting another surge in the late fall, as opposed to seeing Covid as a manageable infection going forward).
If there are “plenty of studies worldwide” demonstrating the strange and counter-intuitive conclusion that those who have had covid do not acquire immunity to the disease you must be able to refer me to one or two of them. I would be happy to see them, as presumably would be Dr. Paul. I suspect that those who are advocating getting the shot in those cases are operating less on scientific certitude than on the folk maxim that it is better to be safe than sorry when you don’t know something for sure. I tend to agree with that calculation, but, like many of the issues raised by this disease, it is debatable. Stigmatizing people who take positions you don’t agree with as “ideologues” doesn’t advance the discussion very far.
I’ll go on a tangent. I looked through Ms. Duffy’s social media. While I dont agree with many of her positions, I like having that type of voice on a college campus because I think it adds to the variety of the discourse (particularly if’s well founded…cant particularly ascertain if that applies to Ms Duffy).
Hey all, it’s been fun. Thanks for the tips, exchange of info, opinions, etc. CC has flagged a comment of mine as ‘inappropriate’ (facts…?) and I am trying to figure out why. Perhaps the second time it was because it was in a foreign language. I emailed them directly to get answers, but not very hopeful. Censorship is a real thing and I refuse to partake in that. I requested that my account be canceled and my comments deleted. It’s a slippery slope. See you in Sept!
Edit: apparently one cannot delete a CC account.
Edit #2 : apparently it wasn’t CC, but someone triggered that I used the word “stupid” in reference to MMT (That is my assumption…unless they have more profound knowledge on the subject of ‘free money’ and I am, perhaps, missing something). I seem to have touched a ‘financial’ nerve of sorts.
Doesn’t UChicago and all other universities require students to be vaccinated for a variety of illnesses (with some exceptions)? So why would it be wrong for the school to add one more vaccine to that list?
UChicago is breaking its own protocol by mandating proof of vaccination ahead of any IDPH order. For all other vaccines they follow the state mandate for college students (nb: I believe, but am not 100% sure, that such a requirement applies to the public universities; however, privates such as UChicago and NU comply as well). Not sure what IL state law is on the subject, but my guess is that once the vaccine receives full FDA approval then IDPH and other state health departments are free to go ahead and require proof of vaccination.
Can any of you speak to safety issues for students to take public transportation to the city etc? You keep reading about crime in Chicago and uber-jackings that even a fairly relaxed parent becomes anxious.
My daughter rides the public transit into downtown and has not had a problem. She has also taken Ubers with friends. We are from a small town, so I was nervous at first. She has also had no issues walking around Hyde Park. Now, keep in mind, she does not travel by public transit after dark or walk alone after dark, which would be the case anywhere.
I’ve taken the Green Line and walked to my DD apartment in Woodlawn, taken the Red Line and the bus to Woodlawn. Never felt the slightest bit of danger, the student that was killed on the Green Line was incredibly tragic but also incredibly unfortunate. Riding home in the evening to catch a stray bullet is extremetly unlikely. You can look at the CTA crime stats to verify that.
NBCCHicago has a map of crimes at CTA stations over 5 years if you need a source. Just google it.
I take the 55 bus between Hyde Park and Midway Airport a few times a year when I have occasion to fly instead of drive. My kids in Chicago (three until recently, now two) depend on CTA to get around. The university actually encourages the students to make liberal use of public transportation in order to get out and explore the city. That’s why that UPass charge is automatically included on the quarterly statement.
Uber/Lyft should be fine for the ride home if it’s late, and the university has just introduced free late-night Lyfting on the weekends within the service area, details here: Lyft Ride Smart at UChicago | University of Chicago Students who don’t want to lug their suitcases on the bus can always Uber-pool to the airport to save money especially during surge pricing. However, some locations have suspended pooling during the pandemic so check the app to see what’s happening in Chicago.
Thanks for all these replies. There are still nagging worries for me as a parent, but your responses are somewhat reassuring. I wish there is more that could be done to reduce crime rather than finding ways to avoid it.
