All things political. Coronavirus Edition. (2 Viewers)

[Maxp]

I fear we are really going to be in a bad place due to the obvious cuts to the federal agencies that deal with infectious disease, but also the negative effect the Affordable Care act has had on non urban hospitals. Our front line defenses are ineffectual and our ability to treat the populous is probably at an all time low. Factor in the cost of healthcare and I can see our system crashing. What do you think about the politics of this virus?

 

[J-DONK]

The fact that Dr. Fauci needed to be preemptively pardoned shows how messed up this country is.

Everyone that protested those pardon's looks like clowns now.

 

[Dragon]

These are the worst kinds of Christians put their faith above their children. based on nothing but shirt info no less. of course, they brodcast it because they want others to support their horrible choices. all the shirt th kid has done to her and they worry about a vaccine gits amazing how stupid maga can be

It is sheer irresponsibility on the part of the parents to refuse vaccination for their sick child. Given that she will be on immunosuppressants for the rest of her life, she will be extremely vulnerable to infections. To put it bluntly, giving her a heart transplant while she faces a high risk of dying from COVID would mean denying another child—whose parents took every precaution to ensure the best possible outcome—a chance at life. The hospital must prioritize transplant recipients based on where the procedure has the highest likelihood of long-term success.

 

[Optimus Prime]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 650 Marines and Army soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have so far expressed interest in returning to the force under an executive order from President Donald Trump, officials said this week.

The number represents about 8% of the roughly 8,200 troops who had been discharged. The total, officials say, confirms military leaders' early view that many troops have moved on with their lives. They have been allowed to rejoin since 2023, and Trump's offer of providing back pay may be a factor in spurring a bit more interest now.

The Army and Marine Corps have been sending out emails, texts and phone calls to service members discharged for refusing a pandemic-era order to get the vaccine. The Navy and the Air Force are planning to begin their efforts to contact service members, but are waiting for additional guidance. The totals would likely increase once their formal notices go out.

Officials stressed that the numbers are very preliminary because troops have only expressed interest in reenlisting and haven't actually taken steps to formally do so. They will have to go through the enlistment procedure again, pass all required legal and moral standards and physical fitness requirements, and agree to reenlist for at least two years.

Trump has argued that the vaccine mandate wrongly pushed troops out and suggested that many would return. In an executive order signed a week after he took office, Trump said that the mandate cost the military “some of our best people” and he vowed to “rehire every patriot who was fired from the military with … backpay.”

Under Trump's directive, those who were discharged for refusing the vaccine can rejoin and get back pay. Those who voluntarily left to avoid the vaccine also can rejoin, but they must swear that they left the service for that reason and they will not receive back pay.

Two years ago, the military services sent out notices to all troops discharged for refusing the vaccine, advising them they could return to the military. Just 113 reenlisted.

As a result of those notices:

— Of the 3,748 Marines discharged, 25 opted to re-enlist.

— Of the 1,903 Army soldiers discharged, 73 returned.

— Of the 1,878 sailors discharged, two returned.

— Of the 671 airmen discharged, 13 returned.

In mid-February, the Defense Department told the military services to reach out once again to service members who were forced out or voluntarily left the military because of the COVID-19 vaccine and see if they want to reenlist. This time it came with the financial incentive..............

Marines and soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine show limited interest in rejoining

Officials say roughly 650 Marines and Army soldiers who were forced out of the military for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine have so far expressed interest in returning to the force under an executive order from President Donald Trump.

apnews.com