Well, I hope we can become a model for peaceful and respectful debate. I don't change many minds because I'm pretty firm in my beliefs and the people I find myself debating are usually equally firm in theirs. So I consider it a win to walk away from the debate, still friends, with perhaps a new perspective on a situation.

My first area of disagreement is your characterization of the Jan. 6 insurrection as a "peaceful demonstration". I don't think people show up for a 'peaceful demonstration' with zip ties, hand-held weapons, and body armor calling for the murder of the VP of the United States while defecating on walls and desks. And in fact, 5 people DID die that day as a direct result of that 'peaceful demonstration'. So I'm asking, do you think YOU would have felt safe that day if you were a congressperson (or their staff) in the Capitol that day?

Next, you ask how can I believe Dr. Fauci? As opposed to who, Tucker Carlson? Data and new information on the virus was coming in every day and it was only fitting that instructions on how to cope with the disease would change with each new assessment. Scientific knowledge is constantly being updated. We no longer 'bleed' patients or subject them to electroshock therapy. So far, I have not heard even ONE legitimate medical authority, foreign or domestic, say anything negative about Dr. Fauci. AND, if you look at his detractors, you will notice that they are all of one political stripe. Coincidence?

I am now willing to concede that this post is no longer about how to handle family visits during the holidays, especially in light of this new uptick in the Omnicron variant of the virus.

chas