|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 13:24:30 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 13:24:30 GMT
With Pierce, to be fair, he chose to sit out before the vaccine was available and apparently he has asthma concerns that made the risk bigger. Now, if he's STILL not vaccinated? Then I'd have a problem. And that appears to be the case with several prominent Vikings including Harrison Smith and Adam Thielen... If we end up forfeiting games because of these guys, I won't be happy.
Oh, this does bring up one thing I've heard a lot recently that cracks me up: quite a few athletes across sports and celebs have taken the approach to answering journalists' questions, "have you been vaccinated?" with a nonreply, saying [of answering] "that's a HIPAA violation."
HIPAA is a law that prevents businesses from sharing people's private medical information. A hospital can't disclose info about a patient; an insurance company can't disclose information about a customer; etc. It is NOT a HIPAA violation for a reporter to ask a person to disclose his or her own vaccination status! The person can always just choose not to answer, but it's not a matter of HIPAA either way. Disclosing one's own information is perfectly legal, obviously! (As is choosing not to.)
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 13:33:43 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 13:33:43 GMT
With Pierce, to be fair, he chose to sit out before the vaccine was available and apparently he has asthma concerns that made the risk bigger. Now, if he's STILL not vaccinated? Then I'd have a problem. And that appears to be the case with several prominent Vikings including Harrison Smith and Adam Thielen... If we end up forfeiting games because of these guys, I won't be happy.
Oh, this does bring up one thing I've heard a lot recently that cracks me up: quite a few athletes across sports and celebs have taken the approach to answering journalists' questions, "have you been vaccinated?" with a nonreply, saying [of answering] "that's a HIPAA violation."
HIPAA is a law that prevents businesses from sharing people's private medical information. A hospital can't disclose info about a patient; an insurance company can't disclose information about a customer; etc. It is NOT a HIPAA violation for a reporter to ask a person to disclose his or her own vaccination status! The person can always just choose not to answer, but it's not a matter of HIPAA either way. Disclosing one's own information is perfectly legal, obviously! (As is choosing not to.)
When Lamar was asked about the vaccine, he said something like "that's a personal choice." And with Pierce, is asthma is a concern, then at that point, I feel like it's just irresponsible to not get the vaccine. So, he's going to sit out for TWO seasons in his NFL career at the age of 28. I know it's his decision, but I have to imagine this is something he's going to regret at some point in his life. And, I know I'm breaking my non football talk oath already, but I have to say, these anti vaxxers are seriously starting to piss me off. Especially, when there's talk of bringing back some of the restrictions we saw before.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 13:45:13 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 13:45:13 GMT
I don't think Pierce is an anti-vaxxer though. At least I have no knowledge about it: he sat out last season (pre-vaccine) but is playing this season. He may well have gotten the vaccine.
Totally agree with your point though, that if you have a reason to be concerned such as asthma, GET THE DAMN SHOT.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 13:51:40 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 13:51:40 GMT
I don't think Pierce is an anti-vaxxer though. At least I have no knowledge about it: he sat out last season (pre-vaccine) but is playing this season. He may well have gotten the vaccine.
Totally agree with your point though, that if you have a reason to be concerned such as asthma, GET THE DAMN SHOT.
Oh, he's playing this season? I thought you meant that he was opting out again. My mistake. Here in Maryland, we actually have one of the best vaccination rates in the Country. But, we're being held back by Baltimore City, a City with a very big African American population, who seem to be very reluctant to get the vaccine. Lamar Jackson really could've provided a great example for that population if he proudly got the vaccine. Plus, I've just found out that vaccinated players only get tested every two weeks, while unvaccinated players are subject to tests daily. Just playing the odds, if you're tested daily, you have a far greater chance of testing positive (because maths) and missing a week or two. At the beginning of training camp, it's not a huge deal, but if this happens when the Ravens are playing for a playoff spot or for playoff seeding, that's going to be a bad look for a young man, whose currently on the verge of a very lucrative contract.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 13:59:02 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 13:59:02 GMT
Remember a few months ago when I was saying how well Minnesota was doing? Well, the urban areas of the state did: we've long since been well over 80% in Hennepin County, the most populous. But our statewide percentage has not changed noticeably in months: we never did cross that 70% goal that was the target for ending various precautions; the governor just ended them anyway once the national recommendations changed.
It really just seems everyone has dug in. Those who are vaxxed are also the ones re-masking now, double masking, distancing, even though it doesn't really seem all that necessary for them; those who aren't, aren't, and aren't going to. There are simply pockets of people who have been informed the same as everyone else, but aren't changing their minds. As you said, that has been urban black communities; in Minnesota it is also (mostly) the rural white communities, as well as some immigrant communities.
Often there is a reason for the hesitance or mistrust, but at some point it's also just true that facts are facts. A reason for suspicion is well and good, but the past doesn't determine the present or future, even if it shades or informs it. People have to overcome propagandistic talk radio radicals (who are PERFORMING, not informing, and are almost certainly mostly upper class people who ARE vaxxed...), or historical transgressions, and do what is best for themselves.
Anyway, here ends my sermon. Let us pray...
FOOTBALL: One thing I really want to see this year is Dalvin Cook healthy for every game. I think behind what I HOPE is an improved line, if he can stay on the damn field, he could have a phenomenal year.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 14:43:16 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 14:43:16 GMT
For now at least, Maryland's governor has said that we're not bringing back mask mandates or restrictions, but I have a feeling as summer turns to fall (and prime tourist season on the Shore is over), things could change.
Which could affect attendance at Ravens games. I really hope that's not the case as I was looking forward to being back at M&T Bank Stadium with 70,000 other fans, and for three glorious hours, our biggest problem is that our WRs can't get open on third and long.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 14:49:24 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 14:49:24 GMT
our biggest problem is that our WRs can't get open on third and long. HEY! You've got Rashod Bateman now. I won't accept that kind of comment from you now!
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 14:52:21 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 14:52:21 GMT
our biggest problem is that our WRs can't get open on third and long. HEY! You've got Rashod Bateman now. I won't accept that kind of comment from you now! I'm just going on 25 years of history, and failed WR draft picks. I really, really hope Bateman bucks the trend. But, until it happens...................
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 15:01:01 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 15:01:01 GMT
HEY! You've got Rashod Bateman now. I won't accept that kind of comment from you now! I'm just going on 25 years of history, and failed WR draft picks. I really, really hope Bateman bucks the trend. But, until it happens................... Well this year I'll be rooting for the Ravens, too, because I like Jackson (on the field) and I LOVE Bateman. I am optimistic he's going to reverse that trend of yours. Honestly, he has been very special here. I think he is significantly better than Tyler Johnson, who had a credible rookie season in Tampa last year (considering the quality of the team and that he started off with some injuries).
I'm not saying he's going to have a 1,000 yard, 10 TD season as a rookie. But I think he's going to contribute and have some real highlights right off the bat.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 15:16:04 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 15:16:04 GMT
I'm just going on 25 years of history, and failed WR draft picks. I really, really hope Bateman bucks the trend. But, until it happens................... Well this year I'll be rooting for the Ravens, too, because I like Jackson (on the field) and I LOVE Bateman. I am optimistic he's going to reverse that trend of yours. Honestly, he has been very special here. I think he is significantly better than Tyler Johnson, who had a credible rookie season in Tampa last year (considering the quality of the team and that he started off with some injuries).
I'm not saying he's going to have a 1,000 yard, 10 TD season as a rookie. But I think he's going to contribute and have some real highlights right off the bat.
I hope so. If he's a contributor, and the Ravens have a balanced attack, we could very well be a Super Bowl contender. I assume you won't be pulling for him on November 7th when the Vikings came their every 8 year appearance in Baltimore.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 15:51:18 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 29, 2021 15:51:18 GMT
Actually I hope he has 10 catches for 200 yards and 5 TDs ... but that the Vikings win in a shootout!
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 29, 2021 16:04:03 GMT
Post by kds on Jul 29, 2021 16:04:03 GMT
The last time Minnesota played in Baltimore was actually one of the most fun football games I ever attended. It's the one snow game I ever attended, as it's not really common to get significant snow in Baltimore during the football season.
The game was actually fairly dull until the last two minutes of the game. Down 12-7, with 2:05 left to play, Joe Flacco hit Dennis Pitta for a TD to go up 15-12 (2 pt PAT). The final two minutes of regular saw four combined TDs, the last one was the game winner as Flacco hit Marlon Brown with four seconds left for a 29-26 win.
|
|
|
NFL
Jul 31, 2021 22:38:36 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Jul 31, 2021 22:38:36 GMT
Well, our young quarterbacks' development seems it'll be taking a hit: rookie Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID, and he, Kirk Cousins, and Nate Stanley have to quarantine due to protocols. Jake Browning will be the only QB available for the immediate future.
Why can Browning keep practicing? He's vaxxed. Apparently, though it wasn't said specifically, that would at least imply that Cousins and Stanley both are not vaxxed, hence the quarantine (as they were not said to test positive). Seems coach Zimmer isn't thrilled.
|
|
|
NFL
Aug 1, 2021 12:18:32 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 1, 2021 12:18:32 GMT
The Vikings WR situation was already uncertain behind the top two (Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson), but it just got worse: Olabisi Johnson, who has been in that 3-4th receiver territory during most of his first two seasons, tore his ACL and is presumably out for the season.
|
|
|
NFL
Aug 2, 2021 12:54:34 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Aug 2, 2021 12:54:34 GMT
Just so they can run full practices, the Vikings brought in a local, former D3 quarterback, Jackson Erdmann. The team is without its top 3 quarterbacks thanks to COVID. (Vaccinated rookie Kellen Mond is positive, though symptoms free and hopefully will return soon; apparently unvaccinated Kirk Cousins and Nate Stanley have to sit out for precautionary reasons.)
It is noteworthy that Erdmann isn't exactly a scrub: he originally signed with Penn St before transferring home to play for the closer-to-home D3 powerhouse St. John's, and he has been a fringe prospect since then. He's 6-4 and has a very good arm, having thrown for 5000+ yards and 51 TDs as a senior before bouncing around some minor leagues and getting pro tryouts.
This idiotic blunder from Cousins and Stanley might actually earn Erdmann a legit look, whether here or elsewhere. But even so, it's a sad thing to have to bring him in at all just because our top two QBs won't get vaxxed.
|
|