The problem is that when I quit my part time job because it was a terrible work environment, NY state cut off my unemployment entirely because that part time job now counted as my "last employer" and you couldn't collect unemployment at the time if you quit. Even back then, they were telling people (unfortunately I found this out later) NOT to take part-time jobs that pay less than unemployment for this very reason. So people aren't going to take a shitty job and not only lose their unemployment temporarily, but risk not getting it back at all if the job is shit.
Decades ago, state unemployment agencies had head-scratching policies. Someone I know out of work during the recession in the late 70s/early 80s had the local unemployment office send him to work at a job he wasn't fit for. When that workplace let him go and told him to report back to the unemployment office, the latter wanted to send him back to that exact same job again.
Nowadays, I'm pretty sure people are less willing to take part-time work because they don't want their unemployment reduced in any way while they try to collect it for as long as possible. Barring those who are now being told by their states the work search requirements are resuming soon, few people seem motivated to look for work on their own accord for reasons already discussed.
TL;DR - When you pay people more in unemployment than they can get at a job, they are going to stay home.
I think the Democrats are very aware of this fact with some of the more liberal ones using it to renew their push for UBI as the cure-all for what ails US citizens from a financial perspective.
Nah, people are fucking pissed here in the US and basically there wasn't enough of a body count. No getting around that, the elites wish this thing was more deadly, oh well maybe next time.
One would think those in power would be chest-thumping that the death toll was significantly lower than initial projections. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Worse, numbers appear to have been grossly inflated as part of the push to have Trump voted out of office under the guise of not doing enough to stop the spread of COVID. Now that he's out and the economy isn't recovering fast enough, the Dems are bouncing and squeaking as they have to do something more than blame Trump. I imagine many are not happy that they have to start easing up restrictions due to both the poor job numbers and the number of people that have been vaccinated so far as they demanded. Michigan's Governor Whitmer comes across like she's silently defeated when she's announced the easing of restrictions as if she's not happy to have to give up the power and authority she invoked when this all first started.
That's such blatant fear mongering that I almost respect the chutzpah.
Even some of the people I know who might be seen as doomers have admitted they're sick and tired of the fear mongering, gaslighting, and other stuff going on that's kept the public in a near-constant state of fear, uncertainty, and doubt since the end of last winter.
Teachers shouldn't be insulting students.
Sadly, it's something that's always taken place. COVID seems to have brought it out more often and to the forefront. Worse, teachers with tenure are generally untouchable and can treat students like this with few repercussions if any.
Teflon Don strikes again, even when he's losing he can't stop winning through sheer retard luck. That's the incredible thing about Trump to me, is he really that smart/lucky or are his enemies all just that retarded?
I'd argue a combination of both. Trump is quite shrewd if one gets to know him or watched one or more seasons of
the Apprentice. It's just that's it can be hard to see if one focuses solely on all his blustering and empty talk. At the same time, his detractors think his a blathering idiot and end up quick to underestimate/dismiss him when it's not the best choice for them to make.
So... Has anybody actually been asked for proof of vaccination yet for anything?
Not yet. Many places in my area have admitted they won't feel comfortable asking for proof because of the negative "Show me your papers" vibe such a question has. I won't be asking any of my business clients if they're vaccinated because I have neither desire or need to know. A handful have voluntarily disclosed they've been vaccinated, but it's not information I plan to actively seek out unless I have to.
Today when picking up some prescriptions, was asked if I had been vaccinated. When I said no, the person said, "Aw. come on, we like you." "I like you, too, but I don't trust the government." "Well, think about it." I just smiled.
I'd probably pause briefly and say, "I thought about it, and I'm still not interested."
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I forget which Kiwi it was that's discussed how COVID has impacted their church, but things might be improving here. The local church's pastor mentioned this morning that it was too soon for the church to adjust protocols based on the guidelines that took effect yesterday, but that changes in response to those guidelines would be discussed and announced in the coming week. However, there was one minor change this week that suggests that fewer restrictions could be coming in the near future if not next week.
This leads me to believe that most normies are at the point where they still want to do what's safe without all the unnecessary ongoing bullshit.
