2434: Vaccine Guidance

2021-03-09T14:55:36Z

TripleQ Gaming:

{{comic
| number = 2434
| date = March 8, 2021
| title = Vaccine Guidance
| image = vaccine_guidance.png
| titletext = I can't wait until I'm fully vaccinated and can safely send chat messages in all caps again.
}}

==Explanation==

On the day this comic was published, the CDC released [https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html new guidelines] relating to COVID-19, lifting many of the existing restrictions for people who have been fully vaccinated for two weeks. Megan, speaking as a CDC announcer, is introducing these new guidelines over video conference.

However, Blondie and Science Girl are more interested in [[2238: Flu Shot|actions that would be unsafe regardless of the presence of COVID-19]]. Blondie asks whether it would be okay to visit neighbors and drink milk directly from the carton; in Western culture drinking milk directly from the carton is a common stereotype of a crass bachelor (and drinking directly from ''someone else's'' milk carton is just extremely rude). While the new guidelines allow visiting neighbors, drinking milk directly from the carton would still be unsafe (and rude) because other germs could accumulate in the milk and on the edge of the carton.

Ponytail asks whether it would be okay to ride a bike down the stairs of a family member's house, which has a severe risk of injury{{Citation needed}} (and could damage the wheels of the bicycle{{Citation needed}}).

White Hat follows up asking whether he can get a horse, and whether it would help for both him and the horse to wear masks. In typical White Hat fashion this has basically no relation to anything else that was said (perhaps he was [[1086: Eyelash Wish Log|promised a pony]] when he got vaccinated). The CDC still recommends masks for humans when in public; however, face masks are not generally made for horses. Instead of answering, Megan hangs up.

In the title text, Randall mentions that when he is fully vaccinated, he will be able to text people in ALL CAPS. This is generally used to indicate that the typer is shouting, which can spread Covid-19 aerosol particles and cause infection when done in person. However, when texting, there is no risk of spreading diseases via the computer, so this is an unnecessary precaution{{Citation needed}} (although it could be a good idea to get in the habit of not responding to others angrily, both to be polite and to not spread respiratory diseases by shouting when meeting in person).

==Transcript==

:[Megan is seen at the bottom of the panel with the CDC-logo slightly above her and to the left]
:Megan: Our new guidance: Fully vaccinated people can gather privately with no masks or distancing, and can visit with unvaccinated low-risk people in one household. Any questions?
:[Blondie, Hairy and Megan are seen at the bottom of the panel in separate rectangular panels with Blondie and Hairy's panels being more squarish and smaller then Megan's. Blondie is directly above Hairy and both are to the right of Megan]
:Blondie: If my neighbors and I are all vaccinated, can I visit them unmasked and drink milk straight from the jug in there frigde?
:Megan: I...You can visit, yes.
:Blondie: And the jug thing?
:Megan: ...Next question?
:[Hairbun and Megan are at the bottom of the panel in rectangular boxes, similar to in a video call.]
:Hairbun: I'm fully vaccinated. Can I ride my bike in my sister-in-law's house?
:Megan: In her <i>house?</i>
:Hairbun: Like, down the stairs.
:Megan: I guess? You should at least wear a helmet.
:Hairbun: Even if she's not high-risk?
:Megan: Any <strong>other</strong> questions?
:[Megan is off-panel; White Hat is in a rectangular box at the bottom of the panel.]
:White Hat: I'm two weeks past my second dose.
:White Hat: Can I get a horse?
:Megan: Thank you all for coming.
:White Hat: What if I wear a mask?
:White Hat: What if the horse does?
:SFX: Meeting ended by host.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:COVID-19]]

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2434: Vaccine Guidance