Gottlieb warns Delta variant will be "most serious virus" unvaccinated get in their lifetime - CBS
Former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the Delta variant is "far more advanced" than other COVID-19 strains, and "for most people who get this Delta variant, it's going to be the most serious virus they get in their lifetime in terms of risk of putting them in the hospital." Aired on 07/18/2021.
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It reinforces my dedication to staying vigilant and protected for a lot longer......
I went to a meeting tonight and, rather than inspiring me, it sent me close to the edge. There's an older gentleman there (mid 80s) who usually starts the discussion and, with 45 years, he has so much good wisdom to share. But when it comes to getting vaccinated, he's living in the dark ages. He's said that he has no intention of getting vaccinated because his nurse/daughter opposes it and he gets his medical advice from her. *sigh*
He's said that if they require getting vaccinated for those who work at the local hospital, she'd sooner quit her job. Now I have 2 friends who also work there (also in the program), one works in the ER with psychiatric patients and the other works in the office - and they were the very first I knew to get the vaccine even though they had to drive downstate to a major hospital to get the Pfizer - back in January.
And today this normally wise gentleman said that his 2 granddaughters have no intention of getting vaccinated, either - in case they want to have children! How do you respond to such insanity?? Of course this discussion took place before the actual meeting, but it makes me anxious as hell. There are Covid cases in that hospital, two deaths in this county in the past two weeks, updates always make the front page of the local paper, But I know that this 80-plus gentleman will never take my word over a nurse who is his daughter. And he's not the only one - but he's the acknowledged "leader" of that group - and everyone (including me) respect his wisdom regarding the program. 
and I have a strong suspicion Russia and China are the roots of it all to sow distrust and divisiveness in our populace. I'm seeing it in many areas of our society in sovereign citizens, antivaxxers, religion, distrust in the law and law enforcement as well as in science and medicine. I simply don't believe this is being primarily sourced from America and it's very easy to use the internet and even our public media to lead Americans around like little puppy dogs.
After reading your post, it occurred to me how lucky I am to have been in AA for 30 years and learning how well unity, humility, selflessness and a bottom-up organization works for humans.
I do hope your old-timer avoids exposure and getting sick, as at his age he's automatically vulnerable and Delta is very dangerous. How horrible it would be for his daughter if he suffers from this disease. I just hope you can control the people density, people behavior and ventilation in your meetings.
My daughter and granddaughter traveled to Tennessee this weekend to visit a number of extended family on my now departed wife's side. Before she passed, she told me many of them have fallen for the right-wing dogma and I know they've been very careless during this pandemic. I warned my daughter to not get trapped in enclosed spaces with a bunch of them for any duration of time because whether we catch this virus depends on the virus loading in the air we breathe and how long we're exposed - vaccinated or not (our vaccines are not perfect). Thanks goodness both of them are fully vaccinated!
Have a great week Rhiannon and thanks for sharing and allowing me to vent a little......
Such bogus nuttery. And pass it on to a vulnerable elderly parent who looks to her for "medical advice" - and is looked up to by those of us who usually value his experience and wisdom.
My 2 groups - the so-called "beginner" groups which I'm GSR for - still have yet to resume since they meet at a treatment center which houses residents. Our last meeting there was March 16th of last year and we figured it would be weeks - so much for that. And with the virus still prevalent, we have no idea if they'll open up again. A lot of groups in the district have shut down for what looks like for good.
So I started going to 2 meetings that I never attended before - they're both pretty small and farther away than I usually go - at the suggestion of one member of my "home" group who attends a meeting every day no matter where it is. And I also knew this older gentleman who is GSR for these groups since he came to my Thursday 12-and-12 Book group, went through the entire book one step/tradition at a time which was extremely generous and helpful for all of us. He really is a resource. *sigh*
And I certainly hope that your family members remain safe. Anytime I have seen the doctor or dentist in the past year-plus, one of the first questions they ask is if I have left the state! But it's getting so it hardly matters - other states have come to us. While last year everything remained closed, this year everything is open with a vengeance - just in time for tourist season (and the end of the New York mask mandate!) here! Just driving a few miles up north to the meeting today, I saw license plates from Florida, North Carolina and Utah! 