[url=https://apnews.com/article/texas-lifts-covid-19-mask-mandate-ed7cd1b065a1afd71175f255fb5148aa]Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID-19 mask mandate[/url] (my emphasis)[quote]AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas is lifting its mask mandate, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday, making it the largest state to no longer require one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcement in Texas, where the virus has killed more than 43,000 people, rattled doctors and big city leaders who said they are now bracing for another deadly resurgence. One hospital executive in Houston said he told his staff they would need more personnel and ventilators.

Federal health officials this week urgently warned states to not let their guard down, warning that the pandemic is far from over.

Abbott, a Republican, has faced sustained criticism from his party in America's biggest red state over the statewide mask mandate — which was imposed eight months ago — as well as business occupancy limits that Texas will also scuttle next week. The mask order was only ever lightly enforced, even during the worst outbreaks of the pandemic.

"Removing statewide mandates does not end personal responsibility," said Abbott, [b]speaking from the crowded dining room of a restaurant in Lubbock, surrounded by several people not wearing masks.[/b]

"It's just that now state mandates are no longer needed," he said.

The repeals take effect March 10.
<snip>[/quote]

[QUOTE=Dr Sardonicus;572916][url=https://apnews.com/article/texas-lifts-covid-19-mask-mandate-ed7cd1b065a1afd71175f255fb5148aa]Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID-19 mask mandate[/url] (my emphasis)[/QUOTE]Darwinism in action.

Had my first jab this afternoon. Must head over to the poll.

[QUOTE=Dr Sardonicus;572916][URL="https://apnews.com/article/texas-lifts-covid-19-mask-mandate-ed7cd1b065a1afd71175f255fb5148aa"]Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID-19 mask mandate[/URL] (my emphasis)[/QUOTE]

If they feel they do not needs masks, then their vaccine supply chain should be cut off. The state government in Austin is always rubbing the federal government in D.C. the wrong way. I have no idea of what it is they are expecting to accomplish.

[QUOTE=storm5510;572932]I have no idea of what it is they are expecting to accomplish.[/QUOTE]It's obviously political. They were getting a lot of static for rules they weren't seriously enforcing anyway, so might as well drop them.

Texans can live with that. At least most of them. Just like with a power grid run on the cheap, when Old Man Winter comes for a visit.

I'm sure with the State dropping any pretense at trying to control to the pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases will go up in Texas. But since enforcement was lax, I'm not sure how much.

[b]EDIT:[/b] Another political angle is trying to distract Texans from the fact that many Texans are still without running water, or still have to boil their water.

[QUOTE=Dr Sardonicus;572937]It's obviously political. They were getting a lot of static for rules they weren't seriously enforcing anyway, so might as well drop them.

Texans can live with that. At least most of them. Just like with a power grid run on the cheap, when Old Man Winter comes for a visit.

I'm sure with the State dropping any pretense at trying to control to the pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases will go up in Texas. But since enforcement was lax, I'm not sure how much.

[B]EDIT:[/B] Another political angle is trying to distract Texans from the fact that many Texans are still without running water, or still have to boil their water.[/QUOTE]

Speaking of Texas. I cannot remember who it was. Several years ago, some well known individual was pushing for Texas to succeed from the U.S. This would have been a monstrous can of worms, for them.

[QUOTE=Dr Sardonicus;572937]
[b]EDIT:[/b] Another political angle is trying to distract Texans from the fact that many Texans are still without running water, or still have to boil their water.[/QUOTE]

From the state that brought you no electricity and no water... No masks!

[QUOTE=storm5510;573145]Speaking of Texas. I cannot remember who it was. Several years ago, some well known individual was pushing for Texas to succeed from the U.S. This would have been a monstrous can of worms, for them.[/QUOTE]
Secede is the word for parting ways at the state level, like divorce at the individual level. [URL]https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/02/01/texas-secession-bill-formally-filed-in-state-legislature/[/URL] The USA, like NATO, has peaceful mechanisms for adding, but not for subtracting, member states. Just now recovering from a power outage in Wisconsin, fcause and extent unknown. Lots of beeping UPSes woke me.

[QUOTE=kriesel;573160][B]Secede[/B] is the word for parting ways at the state level, like divorce at the individual level. [URL]https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/02/01/texas-secession-bill-formally-filed-in-state-legislature/[/URL] The USA, like NATO, has peaceful mechanisms for adding, but not for subtracting, member states. Just now recovering from a power outage in Wisconsin, fcause and extent unknown. Lots of beeping UPSes woke me.[/QUOTE]

I felt the word I used was not correct. I tried variations, but Firefox flagged all of them as incorrect as well.

Aspirin!
 

Regular low-dose aspirin takers were shown less likely to get sick with Covid19, and if they get sick, not for as long, and have less aftereffects, per Israeli researchers. [URL]https://www.timesofisrael.com/aspirin-may-protect-against-covid-19-israeli-research-finds/[/URL]

I noticed this AP story the other day...

[url=https://apnews.com/article/public-health-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-ron-desantis-889df3826d4da96447b329f524c33047]Virus tolls similar despite governors' contrasting actions[/url][quote]Nearly a year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the nation’s first statewide shutdown because of the coronavirus, masks remain mandated, indoor dining and other activities are significantly limited, and Disneyland remains closed.

By contrast, Florida has no statewide restrictions. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has prohibited municipalities from fining people who refuse to wear masks. And Disney World has been open since July.

Despite their differing approaches, California and Florida have experienced almost identical outcomes in COVID-19 case rates.

How have two states that took such divergent tacks arrived at similar points?[/quote]

I have been following the unfolding story concerning the mystery of why less developed countries like India and much of Africa don't have as big a Covid problem as the first world nations.

It appears a big part of the reason is simply obesity.

There are many articles that google will reveal, the one below is just one example.

[URL="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/health/obesity-covid-death-rate-intl/index.html"]https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/health/obesity-covid-death-rate-intl/index.html[/URL]