I'm worse than "not worried" -- I'm furious on behalf of the health-care workers who have to deal with these people when they get seriously sick and even more on behalf of the people who can't get the ICU or acute-care beds they need because they're all occupied with unvaccinated Covid-19 patients. And don't ask what my first thought was when I read that Allen West, anti-vax GOP asshole from Texas, was in the hospital with Covid.
A great mystery to me is the considerable number of health-care workers who won't get vaccinated. How is such cognative dissonance possible, given what they see, that they put themselves in danger. In some cities, including mine, many "first responders," including police, firefighters, EMTs aren't vaccinated, and push back against mandates. They put themselves in danger, but they also do everyone they contact. When medics respond to my possible heart attack, they could kill me with COVID. I favor mandates for such government employees, with no exemptions except for proved medical reasons, "religious" reasons be damned. Along with those football fans. (I got the feeling before you did, Lucian.)
We are witnessing the largest example of cult behavior this country has ever seen. A charismatic criminal con-man imbecile is their "savior". I really didn't want to believe that we have so many terrifyingly ignorant people in this country, but here we are...
Carla--Forgive me for a lot of numbers, but Trump almost won without cheating. It's not like there are a few cultists here and there.
Trump won 74,222,958 votes, more votes than any other presidential candidate has ever won, with the exception of Biden.
When you look at the smallest popular vote shift needed to give Trump a victory, the 2020 election was even closer than 2016. If Trump picked up only 85,839 votes appropriately distributed over three states, the Electoral College would have been tied at 269. The Republican majority House would have then have chosen Trump. If he had also picked up the one electoral vote in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District, which he lost to Biden by 22,091 votes, Trump would have won the Electoral College outright.
The sheer numbers, plus the slow but certain insertions of right-wingers into all levels of local, state and federal governments and the judiciaries--and that the GOP learns from its losses, and there will be sooner rather than later a smarter less lazy version of his as President--make me certain the U.S. has gone past the tipping point and cannot be saved.
Like I said, largest cult in history. And I share your view that we've gone through the rabbit hole. Josh Hawley scares me the most. And what is their vision of America? A Christo-fascist kleptocratic oligarchy. Their voters don't care. Because for them, it's all about abortion, guns, gays & immigrants. They've pounded their wedges deep into the country.
You are absolutely right that their voters don't care. I often wonder what those anti-choice/compulsory pregnancy/punitive pregnancy people will do if they get their wish and manage to ban abortions nationwide. How will they deal with the skyrocketing numbers of cases of child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment and infanticide? And who is going to do all the jobs those white Christian Amurrikkkans don't want to do, but that the immigrants they've succeeded in banning used to do? And if they get their wished-for world of absolutely no gun control, what will they do when minorities also arm themselves? The trumpsters seem to think only they will be armed to the teeth. Wonder how they'll like it when THEIR Medicare and THEIR Social Security is cut and cut and then cut some more? When THEIR bridges and highways fall apart? When THEIR air and water is poisoned by polluters? I guess they think these things will only happen to liberals.
I have been warning for the past 30 years about the very thing you mention: "the slow but certain insertions of right-wingers into all levels of local, state and federal governments and the judiciaries." This is not just GOP politics, it is also the long-term plan of Christian Dominionists-- the fanatical fundamentalists convinced that their god has granted them dominion over not just our country but eventually the entire world. They envision this country as a fundamentalist Christian theocracy in which nobody but themselves has any rights. And by "themselves" they mean white males who share their religious views. The rest of us be damned-- which is in fact what they believe will happen. Is this all just a fundie fantasy? Could they possibly succeed? Look around-- they are ALREADY succeeding beyond their wildest dreams of just a few years ago. Restricting women's reproductive rights and minority voting rights are near the top of their agenda, and more of this is happening every day.
After fracturing my wrist on a hiking fall in the Michigan Upper Peninsula awhile ago, I took a "first available appointment" for a local orthopedic surgeon and had to wait two weeks to see one. Because Covid overrun, limited in person doc visits, etc. Right before the appointment I read the signatures of this doctor, and another with whom I consulted for another problem, on a public letter against the vaccine mandate for the local hospital system. I decided to Heal Myself re the fracture and drugstore wrist braces; I am still pondering what's the next step because not only can I not trust to expose myself to the 47 percent of Kentuckians who refuse to vax OR mask, but also the healthcare professionals in my vicinity. Unfortunately I can't DIY my other problem.
Preferably his departure from this earth. The trouble is-- his views live on. I'm sure you've read about the rally a few weeks ago, when t_Rump tried rather lamely to encourage vaccinations, and his comments were JEERED AND BOOED! His vicious ideology has slipped out of his control and taken on a poisonous life of its own. Well, if it kills an increasing number of his worshipers, so much the BETTER!
Sadly, Lucian, you are not alone in that boat. I, and a number of my fellow nurses, are there with you. Just don't GAF anymore about those who will not protect themselves.
These are people in the R category politically and oppose “choice.” I know. I know. But WTF is pro-life about exposing the largest group of people you can to viral armageddon? I’m done with all of them. My doctor demands proof of vaccine before treating anyone. Yay for her!
I've heard from a couple of sources that the large number of Covid deaths in the red states could be enough to tip elections to the Dems who are running, since the Rs are busy committing mass suicide in order to own the Libs.
OMG-- I sure as hell HOPE so!!! Neil DeGrasse Tyson, no less, has stated that trumpsters are dying of Covid at 5 times the rate of Dems, and Snopes sez he really said that.
The GOP's calculation-- and they may be correct-- is that pushing misinformation about the virus and about vaccines will result in a greater number of deaths among minority voters than among white t-rump voters. I hope that's not true, but it would be typical of the GOP's evil, cynical, racist behavior.
Well, if a million deaths is a statistic what is a million suicides-by-reckless-abandon? My supply of compassion is reserved for people whose suffering isn't their own damned fault.
but one has to remember the ones who are dying without a vaccine are usually the ones who mocked us for being sheep. "Owning the Libs" is quite a deadly game.
Compassion fatigue is very difficult for those of us who actually believe we are our brothers and sisters keepers, and that love is our default emotion. As my Southern Baptist mother used to say, the anti-vaxxers could drive Jesus Christ OFF the cross*. I am at that position now. During the Black Plague the aristocracy fled to country estates where they remained until danger had passed. My 1925 Sears Bungalow in no way compares, but it is where I shall remain until I know this virus is no longer dangerous. I just don’t pay attention to them any more. I will not sacrifice my emotional health on people who care not at all for me. They're toxic in every way possible.
* I believe she is the originator of that phrase, and never heard anyone else even use it.
Unless your bungalow is in the middle of a large empty desert, you keep it well ventillated, have your accines and wear masks, I'd not count on evading COVID. And even then...
I live in Arlington VA where people are mostly vaccinated and masked. I have no contact delivery for everything. My house is well-ventilated, and my two chihuahuas and I have no problem being reclusive. But thanks for you concern.
I understand the imperfection of my 74 year old immune system and vaccines, so know I might end up with a “break-through” case. I agree that the desert would be preferable, but we shall abide where we are. ✌️
It is hard to lose empathy-but when you have a readily available shot just for the asking, and it will keep you safe, and you refuse to get it because you think you're immortal and your immune system is 100 % far more superior to those people whose is not (because they got a vaccine, they need it, why?) there's not a whole lot of empathy to be had from the ones they're mocking by not masking, not getting vaccinated.
I'm tired of having to protect myself from these assholes and I'm tired of having to live like this is a war where if you go out you have to evade the virus by masking, 6 ft lengths and not talking to anyone without keeping a good space.
But it's keeping me alive. It's called survival, and human beings who survive pandemics are far smarter than those who do not take care to do so.
In the past my ancestors survived the Black Death. The least I can do is survive the Covid Pandemic and keep on living to bear witness to it.
Who I'm really sorry for? The doctors, nurses and other public health officials who have to go to work and deal with those who didn't get vaccinated in hospitals where they will run to to save their lives because at the very end, their survival skills finally kick in.
Sometimes they even live through the experience. But it doesn't have to happen this way and that's why I'm so damn angry at all of the damn fools sitting in the football stadia and cheering for their team.
They're just asking for death. They'll probably get it, sad enough to say.
No-- most of them (the majority of fans) will NOT contract Covid, and they will continue to go around sneering at mask-wearers and calling the virus a hoax.
hmm..ran some numbers on a napkin: out of 330M (70M of which are children), 44.3M cases will show 1 out of every 7-1/2 people will catch the virus. Note the 330M includes people who are masking and distancing..unlike the stadium crowds, so in there it could be more like say 1out of 6 or 5. So try looking at the crowd as I do: 1,2,3,4,5,you're gonna catch it,1,2,3....
Now, umm, morbidly I figure with 713K deaths out of 44.3M cases, every 60th of heads counted as a virus catcher in the crowd will die.
ooh now I know my Hallowe'en costume...now where can I get a scythe...
A dear nurse friend of mine who works in vaccine research says that the Delta variant is ONE THOUSAND times more transmissible than Covid 19 was. She works in full protective gear and know whereof she speaks.
I suspect your napkin math is pretty spot on. We also should factor in those who traveled across state to get to these games, the fact that they traveled (exposing others), will return travel (exposing others) and will bring the virus back to their own communities. Shortly, these college kids will return home for Thanksgiving...hmmm...what happens to the math then? Whole families? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?
Yes, that's a very good point, thank you Ellen Massey. The early accumulations of cases weren't under the now thousandfold viral load of Delta. And I forgot about the fact that many of rhose spectators came from afar and as you pointed out will carry the virus home to loved ones and other innocents.
I have loved football all my life, and I played it in college. In fact, football made college possible for me, because I was a lazy student in high school, and without the football scholarship, I would not have been able to go. But a couple of weeks ago, when a friend offered me a free ticket to go watch Brady’s return to Gillette, I declined. I knew nobody would be wearing masks, and about half of the unvaccinated people in Massachusetts would be probably be there. I suspect I will never sit in a stadium again.
I live in rural Minnesota county with a population of about 27,000. Harvest is going on right now 24/7. Cases began increasing again here around the end of August and have continued to increase. The rate of increase appears to be accelerating also. Right now only 65% of all citizens 16 years of age and older have received all required doses of vaccine. That is too low to control the epidemic. Our healthcare system is strained. I seldom see another person wearing a mask.
Trump won this area by a landslide. I know quite a few people around here, many of whom are my friends, who are not vaccinated and are Trumpsters.
I do not understand voting for Trump and I do not understand refusing to get vaccinated. It's as if Trump and anti-vaxxing are viruses too , and those infect the brains of otherwise normal reasonable persons. I know little about mental programming or brainwashing but I think that could be happening to these people. If this is so, we are in real trouble because deprogramming is hard, takes a long time, and is often unsuccessful
I don't understand how you can possibly consider these selfish, willfully ignorant, potential mass murderers your friends. I don't care how "nice" they are. I'm sure millions of Germans who worshiped Hitler were "nice" people also, but their avid support of an evil monster cancels out all their good qualities.
Judith, That is indeed my dilemma. Remember one of the last scenes on "Chinatown" ? (Fay Dunaway) "She's my sister! She's my daughter!" ? Can't be both, but is both.
Not only do I not give a flying fuck if some of those Covidiots at football games die-- I wish they'd ALL drop dead! I wish the mortality rate among those selfish, stupid, willfully ignorant criminals would approach 100%. They are all potential mass murderers! UN-fortunately (as far as I'm concerned), the mortality rate will be much lower, and those who do not get sick will be going around sneering at mask-wearers and proclaiming that Covid is a hoax or at the very least, a grossly exaggerated risk.
Democratic European countries are also experiencing the same pushback about masks and mandates. Psychiatrists and geneticists out there please help explain this behavior.
Yes, Singapore is a special example of voluntary compliance. Germany, France and Italy have had problems with vax and mask rules (mostly from the far-right).
I'm worse than "not worried" -- I'm furious on behalf of the health-care workers who have to deal with these people when they get seriously sick and even more on behalf of the people who can't get the ICU or acute-care beds they need because they're all occupied with unvaccinated Covid-19 patients. And don't ask what my first thought was when I read that Allen West, anti-vax GOP asshole from Texas, was in the hospital with Covid.
A great mystery to me is the considerable number of health-care workers who won't get vaccinated. How is such cognative dissonance possible, given what they see, that they put themselves in danger. In some cities, including mine, many "first responders," including police, firefighters, EMTs aren't vaccinated, and push back against mandates. They put themselves in danger, but they also do everyone they contact. When medics respond to my possible heart attack, they could kill me with COVID. I favor mandates for such government employees, with no exemptions except for proved medical reasons, "religious" reasons be damned. Along with those football fans. (I got the feeling before you did, Lucian.)
We are witnessing the largest example of cult behavior this country has ever seen. A charismatic criminal con-man imbecile is their "savior". I really didn't want to believe that we have so many terrifyingly ignorant people in this country, but here we are...
Carla--Forgive me for a lot of numbers, but Trump almost won without cheating. It's not like there are a few cultists here and there.
Trump won 74,222,958 votes, more votes than any other presidential candidate has ever won, with the exception of Biden.
When you look at the smallest popular vote shift needed to give Trump a victory, the 2020 election was even closer than 2016. If Trump picked up only 85,839 votes appropriately distributed over three states, the Electoral College would have been tied at 269. The Republican majority House would have then have chosen Trump. If he had also picked up the one electoral vote in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District, which he lost to Biden by 22,091 votes, Trump would have won the Electoral College outright.
The sheer numbers, plus the slow but certain insertions of right-wingers into all levels of local, state and federal governments and the judiciaries--and that the GOP learns from its losses, and there will be sooner rather than later a smarter less lazy version of his as President--make me certain the U.S. has gone past the tipping point and cannot be saved.
Like I said, largest cult in history. And I share your view that we've gone through the rabbit hole. Josh Hawley scares me the most. And what is their vision of America? A Christo-fascist kleptocratic oligarchy. Their voters don't care. Because for them, it's all about abortion, guns, gays & immigrants. They've pounded their wedges deep into the country.
You are absolutely right that their voters don't care. I often wonder what those anti-choice/compulsory pregnancy/punitive pregnancy people will do if they get their wish and manage to ban abortions nationwide. How will they deal with the skyrocketing numbers of cases of child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment and infanticide? And who is going to do all the jobs those white Christian Amurrikkkans don't want to do, but that the immigrants they've succeeded in banning used to do? And if they get their wished-for world of absolutely no gun control, what will they do when minorities also arm themselves? The trumpsters seem to think only they will be armed to the teeth. Wonder how they'll like it when THEIR Medicare and THEIR Social Security is cut and cut and then cut some more? When THEIR bridges and highways fall apart? When THEIR air and water is poisoned by polluters? I guess they think these things will only happen to liberals.
I have been warning for the past 30 years about the very thing you mention: "the slow but certain insertions of right-wingers into all levels of local, state and federal governments and the judiciaries." This is not just GOP politics, it is also the long-term plan of Christian Dominionists-- the fanatical fundamentalists convinced that their god has granted them dominion over not just our country but eventually the entire world. They envision this country as a fundamentalist Christian theocracy in which nobody but themselves has any rights. And by "themselves" they mean white males who share their religious views. The rest of us be damned-- which is in fact what they believe will happen. Is this all just a fundie fantasy? Could they possibly succeed? Look around-- they are ALREADY succeeding beyond their wildest dreams of just a few years ago. Restricting women's reproductive rights and minority voting rights are near the top of their agenda, and more of this is happening every day.
All enrolled 10 years ago by Trump with his Obama birth certificate bullshit.
And amplified by a click-hungry, soul-less media
Ever argue with a Trumpster?
Hit your head with a hammer, same result.
He would miss!
After fracturing my wrist on a hiking fall in the Michigan Upper Peninsula awhile ago, I took a "first available appointment" for a local orthopedic surgeon and had to wait two weeks to see one. Because Covid overrun, limited in person doc visits, etc. Right before the appointment I read the signatures of this doctor, and another with whom I consulted for another problem, on a public letter against the vaccine mandate for the local hospital system. I decided to Heal Myself re the fracture and drugstore wrist braces; I am still pondering what's the next step because not only can I not trust to expose myself to the 47 percent of Kentuckians who refuse to vax OR mask, but also the healthcare professionals in my vicinity. Unfortunately I can't DIY my other problem.
Let me guess--FU West!
Preceded by "Awwww . . ." :-)
West is the retired LTC who earned an Article 32 for misbehavior in Iraq.
and 'was allowed to retire'. His friends in Congress made sure of that. I wish they had not.
I can tell you what MY wish is. I hope he DIES!
Preferably his departure from this earth. The trouble is-- his views live on. I'm sure you've read about the rally a few weeks ago, when t_Rump tried rather lamely to encourage vaccinations, and his comments were JEERED AND BOOED! His vicious ideology has slipped out of his control and taken on a poisonous life of its own. Well, if it kills an increasing number of his worshipers, so much the BETTER!
Sadly, Lucian, you are not alone in that boat. I, and a number of my fellow nurses, are there with you. Just don't GAF anymore about those who will not protect themselves.
And I would add that none of us ever thought we would feel this way
Oh, I dunno -- I've occasionally had inklings . . . ;-)
These are people in the R category politically and oppose “choice.” I know. I know. But WTF is pro-life about exposing the largest group of people you can to viral armageddon? I’m done with all of them. My doctor demands proof of vaccine before treating anyone. Yay for her!
I've heard from a couple of sources that the large number of Covid deaths in the red states could be enough to tip elections to the Dems who are running, since the Rs are busy committing mass suicide in order to own the Libs.
OMG-- I sure as hell HOPE so!!! Neil DeGrasse Tyson, no less, has stated that trumpsters are dying of Covid at 5 times the rate of Dems, and Snopes sez he really said that.
Let it be so
Your lips to the electorate’s ears!
Wishfull thinking, alas.
The GOP's calculation-- and they may be correct-- is that pushing misinformation about the virus and about vaccines will result in a greater number of deaths among minority voters than among white t-rump voters. I hope that's not true, but it would be typical of the GOP's evil, cynical, racist behavior.
Well, if a million deaths is a statistic what is a million suicides-by-reckless-abandon? My supply of compassion is reserved for people whose suffering isn't their own damned fault.
but one has to remember the ones who are dying without a vaccine are usually the ones who mocked us for being sheep. "Owning the Libs" is quite a deadly game.
They drank the Kool-Aid.
Compassion fatigue is very difficult for those of us who actually believe we are our brothers and sisters keepers, and that love is our default emotion. As my Southern Baptist mother used to say, the anti-vaxxers could drive Jesus Christ OFF the cross*. I am at that position now. During the Black Plague the aristocracy fled to country estates where they remained until danger had passed. My 1925 Sears Bungalow in no way compares, but it is where I shall remain until I know this virus is no longer dangerous. I just don’t pay attention to them any more. I will not sacrifice my emotional health on people who care not at all for me. They're toxic in every way possible.
* I believe she is the originator of that phrase, and never heard anyone else even use it.
Unless your bungalow is in the middle of a large empty desert, you keep it well ventillated, have your accines and wear masks, I'd not count on evading COVID. And even then...
I live in Arlington VA where people are mostly vaccinated and masked. I have no contact delivery for everything. My house is well-ventilated, and my two chihuahuas and I have no problem being reclusive. But thanks for you concern.
I was being tongue in cheek, though there have been odd cases of people living isolated in the hills getting Covid.
I understand the imperfection of my 74 year old immune system and vaccines, so know I might end up with a “break-through” case. I agree that the desert would be preferable, but we shall abide where we are. ✌️
We must be sisters. I do have two cats though!
Ellen I am an equal opportunity animal lover! 💕
I hear you! Just had my booster.
My employer is arranging for them to be given to us in a few weeks.
It is hard to lose empathy-but when you have a readily available shot just for the asking, and it will keep you safe, and you refuse to get it because you think you're immortal and your immune system is 100 % far more superior to those people whose is not (because they got a vaccine, they need it, why?) there's not a whole lot of empathy to be had from the ones they're mocking by not masking, not getting vaccinated.
I'm tired of having to protect myself from these assholes and I'm tired of having to live like this is a war where if you go out you have to evade the virus by masking, 6 ft lengths and not talking to anyone without keeping a good space.
But it's keeping me alive. It's called survival, and human beings who survive pandemics are far smarter than those who do not take care to do so.
In the past my ancestors survived the Black Death. The least I can do is survive the Covid Pandemic and keep on living to bear witness to it.
Who I'm really sorry for? The doctors, nurses and other public health officials who have to go to work and deal with those who didn't get vaccinated in hospitals where they will run to to save their lives because at the very end, their survival skills finally kick in.
Sometimes they even live through the experience. But it doesn't have to happen this way and that's why I'm so damn angry at all of the damn fools sitting in the football stadia and cheering for their team.
They're just asking for death. They'll probably get it, sad enough to say.
No-- most of them (the majority of fans) will NOT contract Covid, and they will continue to go around sneering at mask-wearers and calling the virus a hoax.
hmm..ran some numbers on a napkin: out of 330M (70M of which are children), 44.3M cases will show 1 out of every 7-1/2 people will catch the virus. Note the 330M includes people who are masking and distancing..unlike the stadium crowds, so in there it could be more like say 1out of 6 or 5. So try looking at the crowd as I do: 1,2,3,4,5,you're gonna catch it,1,2,3....
Now, umm, morbidly I figure with 713K deaths out of 44.3M cases, every 60th of heads counted as a virus catcher in the crowd will die.
ooh now I know my Hallowe'en costume...now where can I get a scythe...
A dear nurse friend of mine who works in vaccine research says that the Delta variant is ONE THOUSAND times more transmissible than Covid 19 was. She works in full protective gear and know whereof she speaks.
I suspect your napkin math is pretty spot on. We also should factor in those who traveled across state to get to these games, the fact that they traveled (exposing others), will return travel (exposing others) and will bring the virus back to their own communities. Shortly, these college kids will return home for Thanksgiving...hmmm...what happens to the math then? Whole families? Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?
Yes, that's a very good point, thank you Ellen Massey. The early accumulations of cases weren't under the now thousandfold viral load of Delta. And I forgot about the fact that many of rhose spectators came from afar and as you pointed out will carry the virus home to loved ones and other innocents.
'Tis beyond morbid...becomes tragic.
One has to remember that winter is coming, in the immortal words of some wise ass on GoT. That will be enough to make for another surge..
I have loved football all my life, and I played it in college. In fact, football made college possible for me, because I was a lazy student in high school, and without the football scholarship, I would not have been able to go. But a couple of weeks ago, when a friend offered me a free ticket to go watch Brady’s return to Gillette, I declined. I knew nobody would be wearing masks, and about half of the unvaccinated people in Massachusetts would be probably be there. I suspect I will never sit in a stadium again.
Likely and luckily in college you learned critical reasoning. Possibly saving your life or someone close to you.
I live in rural Minnesota county with a population of about 27,000. Harvest is going on right now 24/7. Cases began increasing again here around the end of August and have continued to increase. The rate of increase appears to be accelerating also. Right now only 65% of all citizens 16 years of age and older have received all required doses of vaccine. That is too low to control the epidemic. Our healthcare system is strained. I seldom see another person wearing a mask.
Trump won this area by a landslide. I know quite a few people around here, many of whom are my friends, who are not vaccinated and are Trumpsters.
I do not understand voting for Trump and I do not understand refusing to get vaccinated. It's as if Trump and anti-vaxxing are viruses too , and those infect the brains of otherwise normal reasonable persons. I know little about mental programming or brainwashing but I think that could be happening to these people. If this is so, we are in real trouble because deprogramming is hard, takes a long time, and is often unsuccessful
I don't understand how you can possibly consider these selfish, willfully ignorant, potential mass murderers your friends. I don't care how "nice" they are. I'm sure millions of Germans who worshiped Hitler were "nice" people also, but their avid support of an evil monster cancels out all their good qualities.
Judith, That is indeed my dilemma. Remember one of the last scenes on "Chinatown" ? (Fay Dunaway) "She's my sister! She's my daughter!" ? Can't be both, but is both.
Sorry— never saw that film.
Many of us share your opinion. I have no empathy left for idiots.
I know. My thoughts go even darker for the Trumpanzees in office…and the rat ba$turd at Mar a Lago
Not only do I not give a flying fuck if some of those Covidiots at football games die-- I wish they'd ALL drop dead! I wish the mortality rate among those selfish, stupid, willfully ignorant criminals would approach 100%. They are all potential mass murderers! UN-fortunately (as far as I'm concerned), the mortality rate will be much lower, and those who do not get sick will be going around sneering at mask-wearers and proclaiming that Covid is a hoax or at the very least, a grossly exaggerated risk.
Democratic European countries are also experiencing the same pushback about masks and mandates. Psychiatrists and geneticists out there please help explain this behavior.
Which countries? The Far East has worn "flu" masks for many decades. Singaporeans follow rigid COVID rules, as they do all the rules.
Yes, Singapore is a special example of voluntary compliance. Germany, France and Italy have had problems with vax and mask rules (mostly from the far-right).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-election-far-right/2021/09/24/52d7a2a6-1b15-11ec-bea8-308ea134594f_story.html
https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-coronavirus-pandemic-dc03061cb033cb4181ff5424acb9ed63
https://www.thelocal.it/20211010/in-pictures-dramatic-protests-in-italy-against-expansion-of-covid-19-measures/
"Look at how stupid the average person is. Then realize half the people are stupider than THAT." Geroge Carlin
The selfishness and stupidity of these people…coaches, players, and fans…is horrifying.
This loss of empathy - which I share - is yet another bad outcome of the Covid pandemic. Sad.