The COVID Chronicle, September 1-15, 2021

 

September 7 [Tuesday]

President Biden has unfolded a plan requiring businesses with 100+ employees to ensure that their workers are ‘either vaccinated or tested once a week, requires all employees of the Federal government be vaccinated ’. This may be difficult for employers to comply with. Sounds like lots of potential confusion and inconvenience with the weekly test since employers are unable to require employees to get vaccinated. Sure, I know, people will have to relent to a vaccination or subject themselves to the unpleasantness of the Q-tip deep into one’s nostrils. Or at what point do we let people make their own safety decisions and move forward?

 

 

September 9 [Thursday]

I’ve enjoyed a good long break from imbibing of the news. The sabbatical dates back to last year’s Presidential election. I got back on board this week by committing to at least one article daily on ‘school days’ from the Wall Street Journal Business page. I’m of the mind that it’s good to be informed. Informed, though not inflamed.

            I come to understand many large companies including Microsoft and Google are still working virtually. Several companies had dates approaching by when offices would be re-occupied, but many companies moved those prospective re-open dates back to early 2022. This furnishes me with some comfort. It’s not just us, my employer, there are many others with elongated work-from-home timeframes. And quite frankly, I’m thriving in this casual work environment.

 

 

September 12 [Sunday]

The second Covid-era NFL football season gets underway today! It may be interesting to see what, if any, new or updated Covid protocols are in place for the players. Meanwhile, I watched a game on TV, the crowds appeared to be at capacity. Much thicker crowds than last season.

[Some of the NFL protocols: Players and staff are tested weekly for Covid, even if vaccinated. Unvaccinated players will test daily. Vaccinated players are not required to wear face coverings outdoors, but yes for indoors.]

 

 

September 15 [Wednesday]

Ten students out of 1,800 at [my daughter’s] Bonita High School are down with Covid. Or, as [Wife Klem] points out, those are the admitted Covid-afflicted. There are likely others, just not admitting to the virus. No Covid numbers for staff and teachers specifically at Bonita. This is not being released.