SocraticGadfly: Coronavirus, week 72: Pfizer OK, the endemic disease, endemic Strangeabbott

August 23, 2021

Coronavirus, week 72: Pfizer OK, the endemic disease, endemic Strangeabbott

LEADING with the breaking news: Pfizer is the first vaccine to move beyond EUA to full FDA approval. That, in turn, makes nugatory another part of Strangeabbott's GA-38, which barred vaccine mandates on EUA vaccines. So, Clay Jenkins? Require a vaccine mandate, just specify Pfizer (for now). Moderna is expected to get its full approval soon so you can add that. Johnson and Johnson, I've heard less about.

With that in mind, San Antonio ISD, which had previously announced a vaccine mandate last week in defiance of Abbott and Kenny Boy Paxton, is now legally in the clear. (And, if Abbott tried to update GA-38, he'd surely bring Biden on him in spades.) Paxton and Abbott — as well as folks on "the other side" like Clay Jenkins, have been radio silent today on vaccine mandates.

Now, to the original start of this week's roundup.


Coronavirus will eventually become endemic. When it makes that transition, and how strong it remains, are still up in the air. Sarah Zhang discusses this in terms of a background of breakthrough infections, new variants and more. And, that all ties to current vaccination rates, too. 

Amanda Mull adds to this about how Delta has made COVID risk issues more variable than ever.

The endemic Abbott? His maskless breakthrough infection self-own aside (and, remember, as a paraplegic, he's a higher risk), the GOP alternatives of Allen West and Don Huffines are of course even worse, Democrats and loser-in-chief Gilberto Hinojosa will probably pick another loser, and Drew Springer and fellow GOP Legiscritters priced Greens pretty much off the electoral market on filing fees, and the federal lawsuit on that (the wheels of justice in Merikkka always grind slowly, but often, they do NOT grind exceedingly fine) doesn't get heard until early next year. (That said, Greens could nominate a COVID-denying conspiracy theorist; in the same vein, Libertarians could almost certainly nominate someone to the right of Huffines on public health issues.)

How bad ARE breakthrough infections? We don't know. Given that Strangeabbott reportedly cut line and timelines to get a booster vaccination and STILL got one (and is stonewalling questions about getting a booster), we know they're bad enough.

We DO know, with the clearest proof yet coming from his recent statements about vaccine rates, that Dan Patrick, er, Danny Goeb, is a racist.

We DO know we're up to 58 school districts (plus other local governing entities, of course) resisting Abbott. Sicko Kenny Boy Paxton, in an apparent attempt at intimidation, is maintaining a running list.

Off the Kuff puzzles over some frustratingly vague polling data related to attitudes about mask and vaccine mandates.

Yet more on what we know and what we don't know on why, even within areas that aren't high in vaccination, some are hotter spots than others.

We had 1,000 deaths in a day for the first time since March.

Despite the new CDC moratorium on evictions, Texas judges are rubber stamping them.

How crazy are the antivaxxers? They booed Trump at his own rally for saying get a shot. Between "inner heat and light," HCQ and ivermectin Trump and Platonic Noble Lies, twice-over, Fauci going off on his own, Trump and his administration led to this, though.

Get a fucking shot, indeed, Kirk Cousins. Oh, wanna quote the bible on your Twitter bio? I'll quote back: Submit to the governing authorities for they have been appointed by god.

The Texas Politics Project takes a deeper dive into polls about schools and COVID. 

Matt Dulin looks at the effects of vaccine hesitancy and access.

Steve Vladeck explains what that Supreme Court action on mask mandates for schools really means.

Madison Yandell asks three questions about federal COVID relief funds for education.

Robert Rivard wishes Greg Abbott a swift recovery and a change of heart.

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