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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Jen Psaki and Dr. Fauci (LIVE) and Alexandra Petri

Jen Psaki and Dr. Fauci (LIVE) and Alexandra Petri

by WaterGirl|  December 1, 20211:28 pm| 44 Comments

This post is in: Biden Administration in Action, Open Threads, Politics, Supreme Court

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Straight from the horse’s mouth:  Jen Psaki & Dr. Fauci at 1:30 Eastern

While we wait, Alexandra Petri: Woman savoring last few hours before getting turned back into vessel

Those 49 years had flown by. But when the court’s clock struck, her run would in all likelihood begin to end. She would stop being a person with autonomy over her own body that the law was bound to respect. She would go back to being a vessel that might potentially contain a person, a vessel whose rights ended once that possibility was considered.

It had been so nice, thinking that she could go anywhere in the United States and the laws would have to acknowledge her right to decide whether she wanted to be pregnant, that any doctor who treated her could give her correct information about what risks she faced, that if her life were threatened, her life would carry weight.
…
She sat on a bench and watched the leaves fall. It had been nice while it lasted, being a person. Getting turned back into a vessel would be unfortunate. But maybe she would not stay a vessel long.

It was a little surprising they thought they had the power to do it.

She could see them salivating already at the prospect of having so many people transformed so quickly, and overnight. They seemed to think it was a real possibility.

As if they got to decide. As if she would not fight.

“As if she would not fight.”  Read the whole thing.

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Previous Post: « I’m Not Listening
Next Post: How About Some Good News? I’ll Start! If We Were All in Florida, and There was No Covid, How Would We Celebrate Betty's Birthday?»

Reader Interactions

44Comments

  1. 1.

    WaterGirl

    December 1, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    “They will begin shortly!”

  2. 2.

    Darkrose

    December 1, 2021 at 1:39 pm

    The link to Petri’s piece is bad.

  3. 3.

    mali muso

    December 1, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    Can’t get the link to work. :(

  4. 4.

    Spanky

    December 1, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    WaPo link.

  5. 5.

    lowtechcyclist

    December 1, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    Try this link: Opinion | Woman enjoys last hours before Supreme Court abortion case turns her back into vessel – The Washington Post

  6. 6.

    WaterGirl

    December 1, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    @Darkrose:  @mali muso: @lowtechcyclist:

    All better!

  7. 7.

    WaterGirl

    December 1, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    I hear rustling sounds so I think this might be about to start.

    Oh, I hear Jen, I think.

  8. 8.

    Another Scott

    December 1, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    Fauci is up, Omicron is detected in California.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  9. 9.

    Betty Cracker

    December 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    @Another Scott: I wish we knew more about this variant. Tough to say what we can or should do differently at this point. Life is easier for my state’s governor. The answer is: do nothing and stop anyone else from doing something.

  10. 10.

    mali muso

    December 1, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Just got my booster shot a little over an hour ago at the local walk-in vaccine clinic.  Was pleased to see a steady stream of people lined up to get their jabs.  Kiddo is getting her first next week.  So I guess we’re doing what we can and just hope for the best.

  11. 11.

    Another Scott

    December 1, 2021 at 2:12 pm

    @Betty Cracker: It’s a bit of a contradiction at the moment.  The two people in Hong Kong were asymptomatic but supposedly had high viral loads.  Rapidly increasing hospitalizations in southern Africa, but from low levels and still low total numbers compared to the West.

    Fauci says that the California case was “mild” and the person is recovering.  Fully vaccinated, but no booster.

    So, my personal feeling at this point is that it MAY be more infectious, but there’s little evidence SO FAR to indicate that it is more dangerous for fully-vaccinated people.  I assume that we will know much more before the month is out.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  12. 12.

    JMG

    December 1, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    @Another Scott: There are two major institutions in American life that cannot ever ever tolerate a situation where the only rational course of action is “we have to wait and see.” One of them is the stock market. The other, unfortunately, is the news media.

  13. 13.

    WaterGirl

    December 1, 2021 at 2:19 pm

    @Another Scott: Yep, Dr. Fauci keeps saying we will know more in 2.5 to 3 weeks.  Unfortunately for holiday planning, by his prediction on timing, we will know more maybe only 2-3 days before Christmas

    As we all know, the laws of physics do not respond to our calendars and timetables.

  14. 14.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    December 1, 2021 at 2:23 pm

    @WaterGirl: Ashish Jha, one of the voices I have come to trust, said on the O’Bros most recent podcast that he is not changing his holiday plans, still trusting in masks and vaccines. And I’ve been oddly reassured that public health people who have always struck me as less-than-optimistic– Laurie Garett, Michael Olsterholm and Peter Hotez– all say that they’re more concerned about Delta.

  15. 15.

    zhena gogolia

    December 1, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Doocy’s worried about those border crossers. What about all those anti-vaxx Rethugs?

  16. 16.

    Cermet

    December 1, 2021 at 2:25 pm

    So the Wash-Post had some experts answer questions; most is I don’t know but a few nuggets did come out that might be useful – so far, zero reported deaths despite a number of identified cases; that tells me it certainly isn’t super deadly and likely, no worse and could be less. Antidotal evidence indicates it doesn’t produce illnesses any worse then Delta. South Africa wasn’t having a Delta wave (I didn’t know that) so the fact that Omicron has occurred there is absolutely no proof it can infect better than Delta (though, of course, it might – just hasn’t been shown to be.)

    So the media is trying to talk out its ass and scare the public to get eyes – at least the Post put some experts out and answered readers questions.

  17. 17.

    zhena gogolia

    December 1, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    They keep asking about rules, mandates, requirements. The idea that they should amplify the message that people NEED TO DO IT THEMSELVES — just not in their vocabulary. Whatever happened to “PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY”?

  18. 18.

    NotMax

    December 1, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Nutjobs frantically changing their Googling from “horse paste” to “elephant paste.”

    //

  19. 19.

    Ksmiami

    December 1, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    @Another Scott: I hope it’s horrible for unvaxxed people- sorry not sorry

  20. 20.

    opiejeanne

    December 1, 2021 at 2:49 pm

    Doocy continues to be a massive idiot, and Psaki let him have his soapbox far longer than I would have. She is amazing, and I will be sorry to see her go.

  21. 21.

    different-church-lady

    December 1, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    Everything sucks EMO.

  22. 22.

    Chetan Murthy

    December 1, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    @Ksmiami: You have nothing to be sorry for.  I related a story of someone I know who got exposed to covid by an antivaxxer in-law at a T-day feast.  The friend to whom I related the story *immediately* responded with “I hope he dies”.  Just like that.  And y’know, I agree with my friend.

  23. 23.

    Ksmiami

    December 1, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    @Chetan Murthy: the only way to defeat the evil Rt wing is to ensure more of them die

  24. 24.

    Fair Economist

    December 1, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    @Another Scott: The reports so far of mild disease among the vaccinated are somewhat encouraged *but* most of those so far are travellers and so likely healthier and less prone to serious disease. Combine with the excellent protection from serious disease from the vaccines and even if Omicron is substantially worse we might still have seen only mild disease so far – just not that many cases. It does remind us that the vaccines are quite good and it shows Omicron isn’t an insurmountable risk for the vaxxed, but we still could be substantially worse off than with Delta. Or maybe not! We’ll have a better idea In a few weeks.

    On a *personal* level in the US, Omicron isn’t a big issue for the holidays. There’s not enough time for it to spread. On a societal level, perhaps, because public health measures now might make it worse when it does become high frequency, but that requires a societal approach. A minority being super-cautious won’t help much with general spread.

  25. 25.

    Nobody in particular

    December 1, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Some reporter asked Fauci, or was it Biden, anyway, “What about the mask while we’re eating?”

    That’s our media. Dumb as stumps, most of them. We’re doomed. Embrace the suck. Biden, I think, and he said, “Not unless you have a special mask I don’t know about.”

  26. 26.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    December 1, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    “Then she went and voted for Republicans because she was worried about her children hearing CRT.”

  27. 27.

    Matt McIrvin

    December 1, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    @Cermet: Well, they had just HAD a Delta wave, and it had died down. So it’s likely that Omicron is either more transmissible or is capable of some immune escape in people whose resistance comes from prior infection with Delta.

    That’s not to say that there would be as much immune escape for vaccinated/boosted people. Even if the antibodies are a worse fit, there’s much more of them.

  28. 28.

    Gravenstone

    December 1, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Doocy’s only worried about his paycheck. The continued willingness to utter assinine questions ad nauseum reflects that concern.

  29. 29.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    December 1, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    @Nobody in particular:

    I just started the “Get Back” Beatles sessions on Disney. Some idiot asks them if there was anything left that any wanted to achieve.

    One of the guys clearly was out of fucks to give and said “yeah, maybe I’d like to be an astronaut”. Such a stupid question….

  30. 30.

    Reverse tool order

    December 1, 2021 at 3:32 pm

    We all want to know, and can’t, what the story is on this variant. For most or all of us, what we can do to change that rounds to nothing point nothing nothing. We’re on standby and it all pays the same.

    So, a fitting and perhaps amusing diversion to ponder: How do you keep a turkey in suspense?

    Your turn.

  31. 31.

    germy

    December 1, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/omicron/

    Omicron is also concerning because it has 30 mutations (26 of which are unique to omicron) on the spike protein itself. This is more than any other variant. This means the omicron variant has the potential for many new properties all together.

  32. 32.

    trollhattan

    December 1, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    Stacy Abrams announced she’s running again for GA governor.

  33. 33.

    Nobody in particular

    December 1, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    @Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes:

    I’m house and dog sitting for a friend for 10 days in December. She has Disney Plus and that is one program I want to see.

    Paul was saying just last week or so, in response to another stupid question, about the Stones-Beatles rivalry He said something like, “The Stones are a very competent Blues/Jam band. ”

    I’m sure it was good-natured. Apples and Stones. No comparison is warranted. Both great bands in their own right. My favorite Stones album is response to Sgt. Peppers: His Satanic Majesty’s Request

  34. 34.

    TheTruffle

    December 1, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    @trollhattan: Good news! I know people wanted her to run the DNC, but I think she always had her eyes on the governorship, and who could blame her?

  35. 35.

    Immanentize

    December 1, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    @trollhattan: Is that election in 2022 (with Warnock?) Or in 2024? I would guess next year because it is way too early to announce for 2024. That will help Warnock.

  36. 36.

    Nobody in particular

    December 1, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    Brief History of Vaccines from the good government of New Zealand. 

    Considering the development of inoculation and vaccination, there was something to fear, over 100 years ago. Variolation was the first. Smallpox. They popped the smallpox blisters, dried them until it was a powder, then blew it up the nose. Killed quite a few 200 years ago.

    You are a superstitious fool not to partake of this wonderful western science.

    Molecular genetics sets the scene for a bright future for vaccinology, including the development of new vaccine delivery systems (e.g. DNA vaccines, viral vectors, plant vaccines and topical formulations), new adjuvants, the development of more effective tuberculosis vaccines, and vaccines against cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), staphylococcal disease, streptococcal disease, pandemic influenza, shigella, HIV and schistosomiasis among others. Therapeutic vaccines may also soon be available for allergies, autoimmune diseases and addictions.

  37. 37.

    different-church-lady

    December 1, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    I’ve checked again, and, yes, everything continues to suck.

  38. 38.

    different-church-lady

    December 1, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    @Nobody in particular: The Stones: brilliant singles, lousy albums. BOX!

  39. 39.

    zhena gogolia

    December 1, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    @Nobody in particular: I am mesmerized by Get Back. I only have time / energy to watch a half hour at a time, but it’s the greatest movie ever made.

    ETA: The way the psychology of each of the four of them emerges over the course of it is totally hypnotic. At first I found it irritating, but now (almost through part 1) I am ADDICTED!

    I have enormously increased respect for McCartney. And Ringo.

  40. 40.

    trollhattan

    December 1, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    @different-church-lady:

    The Stones: brilliant singles, lousy albums. BOX!

    Hmm, dukes offered.

    These three-album arcs from the two groups were pinnacles of the era:

    Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Peppers (the EMI releases, none of that Capitol Yesterday and Today mess)

    Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers. (Many think the next, Exile on Main Street, is the Stones’ best but I’m not in that camp.)

  41. 41.

    Ruckus

    December 1, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    @Gravenstone:

    You may be right.

    However.

    It is wise to leave open the possibility that he really is that evil – and stupid.

  42. 42.

    Sam

    December 1, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    When the Court overturns Roe and Casey, there will be some protests.  It will not change things.  The change time is at the ballot box.  White women voted for Trump, how to read this as other than they got what they wanted?

  43. 43.

    brantl

    December 1, 2021 at 8:18 pm

    @Ksmiami:  Goddammit, stop doing that; let them be the monsters! I would like to retain clear contrast, between us and them. If they kill themselves, we obviously can’t stop them, but we become monsters IF WE REVEL IN IT! Knock it the fuck off!

  44. 44.

    dww44

    December 2, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    @Sam:I happen to think there is a substantial # of white women who don’t mind relinquishing their personal reproductive agency. Somehow this has never been a huge determinant of how white women vote.  Maybe a large minority/small minority is okay with voting for an R candidate at any and all times because, even if subsconciously , they’re not gonna vote for a D candidate under any circumstances.

    That’s the truth down here in Stacey Abrams land.  Just so everyone is prepared, it’s gonna be a steep hill to climb to achieve the closeness of the 2018 race.  Those recently passed restrictions on voting have already shown their effectiveness to Republicans.  There was a huge increase in the number of rejected Absentee ballots in the Atlanta Mayoral Race and runoff.  The turnout was bad. And that was a given to be won by a Democrat of color.  Hopefully she will be able to motivate voters of color, just as she did for Warnock and Ossof last year.

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