The St Louis Contrarian

Providing Independent and Intelligent Insight on St. Louis Public Policy Issues

Archive for the tag “coronavirus”

17 May 2021

Coronavirus Vaccines and Masking

As someone who is fully vaccinated I was very pleased to see the CDC guidance that people who are vaccinated do not need to wear masks. This is what the science has shown through carefully constructed studies. What I am finding interesting, amusing, and frustrating is that many people, particularly on the left do not want to give up the mask even though it serves no purpose. I noticed students at St. Louis University last week walking around outside with masks which makes no sense at all even if you are not vaccinated. The mask has become a sign of social and political virtue on the left just as anti masking was a symbol of the right. I wish we could all be evidence and science based. Written by Paul Dribin

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11 Feb 2021

St. Louis Area to Finally Get Equitable Portion of Covid Vaccine

www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/a-day-after-local-officials-complained-missouri-says-it-ll-double-vaccine-doses-to-the/article_291dbe11-6176-545f-90ed-35d76f709007.html

A good article from Post Dispatch that summarizes issue. St. Louis area which constitutes 37% of state population received 17% of vaccine. Politics? Parsons likes rural areas. Written by Paul Dribin

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06 Feb 2021

Public School Teacher Unions

This post is at odds with my normal liberal view on things. I believe public schools teachers as represented by their unions have acted poorly during the coronavirus and have put their own political needs against the best interest of their students.

Schools should reopen with the proper safeguards. Evidence has shown that schools are fairly safe environments and that children do not spread the virus. Poor and underserved children have fallen dangerously behind in the remote learning environment. Teachers need to demonstrate the regard for their students they claim to have. Written by Paul Dribin

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02 Feb 2021

Vaccine Distribution in St. Louis Area

The distribution of the virus like everything associated with pandemic relief has been helter skelter. The City of St. Louis has been criticized for establishing a mass vaccination site with accusations that less worthy people had received the vaccine. I cannot be too critical, because getting it in as many arms as possible will alleviate the spread of the disease. I cannot be critical of recipients who may have fibbed to get the vaccine because they cannot rely on rapid delivery of future shipments. Hopefully the national relief bill when passed can address these issues. Written by Paul Dribin

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27 Jan 2021

Vaccines and Racial Equity

St. Louis County like most parts of the country has been slow to get citizens vaccinated. They announced today a vaccination site at Florissant Valley Community College. This is a good start. What concerns me and many others is that underserved people and poor people are less likely to get vaccinated. Right, now the system is such that it requires computer literacy and skills to navigate an obtuse and fragmented system. Lower income people often do not have the resources to do so and are skeptical of medical personnel. President Biden is putting an emphasis on equity in coronavirus policy. I hope he is successful. Written by Paul Dribin

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27 Dec 2020

Terrible Jobs Report for St. Louis

Jobs in St. Louis are down by an enormous amount due to the pandemic. It is highly unlikely they will all return. Even in normal times, job growth in St. Louis was half the national average. Another sign that does not bode well for our community. Written by Paul Dribin

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19 Dec 2020

Coronavirus and Evictions

All evidence shows that we are facing a huge volume of evictions caused by the economic decline related to the coronavirus. Some people urge moratoriums on evictions. The problem with this policy if that landlords are denied rent payments, they will suffer a significant loss of income and face foreclosure on their loans. The answer is simple, the government should make rent payments on behalf of eligible renters. This will solve the problem and not punish landlords. Written by Paul Dribin

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19 Dec 2020

Coronavirus Has Hurt Downtown St. Louis

www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/downtown-st-louis-started-2020-with-momentum-then-the-coronavirus-hit/article_99cdfaba-7a85-5116-aa47-a5803f09600e.html

A good article. about the problems businesses in downtown face. I am pessimistic about downtown St. Louis. More people will work from home requiring less office space and supporting businesses.

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08 Dec 2020

Mike Parsons, Missouri Governor, Continues to Ignore Coronavirus Protocol;

The Governor is still ignoring advice from the feds that Missouri needs to step up its’ efforts to ban social gatherings and require masks. How many people will lose their lives due to Parson’s inaction?

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01 Dec 2020

Republicans Attempt Again to Limit Local Control

Despite rhetoric espousing local control, Missouri Republicans are again trying to limit it. There is a group proposing a law that would limit the ability of local officials to issue orders regarding public health. This has all evolved out of criticism of Sam Page, of St. Louis County for closing bars and limiting sports activities. Seems strange and hypocritical to me. Written by Paul Dribin

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