Chuck Schumer is leading the fight to make sure NY gets FEMA money for Coronavirus.
https://www.rollcall.com/2020/03/02/road-ahead-emergency-funding-deal-for-coronavirus-expected/
Senator Schumer proposed an 8.5 billion plan and he expects that the final agreed-upon number will be close to $8 billion. "Within the next week we'll be able to do our own testing and we're working with the proper authorities," said Dr. Dwayne Breining, Executive Director, Northwell Health Labs.
The hospital says they've already spent $5 million in preparation of having to test for the coronavirus in the Long Island area.
REMARKS: They KNOW it is just a matter of time. With over 11 million living in NYC, I don't know how many on Long Island, I think it is 3 or more million, and commuting, once it hits, it will spread.
NYC Doctor has to plead to get test kits.
https://nypost.com/2020/03/02/nyc-doctor-has-to-plead-with-health-dept-to-test-for-coronavirus/
“I still have to make my case, plead to test people. This is not good. We know that there are 88 cases in the United States. There are going to be hundreds by [the] middle of the week. There’s going to be thousands by next week. And this is a testing issue.”
McCarthy said the 39-year-old Manhattan woman who tested positive after returning from Iran “is only the 32nd test we’ve done in this state.”
“That is a national scandal,” he said.
“We’ve seen one case in New York, [but] I’ll bet there are hundreds,” he added. “I’ll bet there are thousands in the United States. The longer we wait to get testing up and running, the worse this is going to be.”
WASHINGTON STATE Postal Worker tests positive
USPS confirmed a woman who works at a package sorting facility in Federal Way, Wash., tested positive. She is recovering at home and the facility is being cleaned. The USPS said the woman would have had interactions and contact with her fellow employees but would not have handled packages that are sent to customers.
COMMENTS: What if she was a carrier infecting hundreds of people along her route? This is an example of how this thing can spread from places you would not even think about. Anyone, anywhere can be infected and spread it to countless others.
Dr. Deena Grayson predicts a surge in cases in the next three weeks.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-doctor-predicts-massive-surge-172012985.html
Dr. Dena Grayson issued a warning on Twitter that the United States could be facing a "massive surge" in coronavirus cases. COVID-19 will impact "every single state, very likely and very very soon," she predicted.
https://twitter.com/burgessct/status/1234274878326329344
REMARKS: Reportedly the price to test for COVID-19, the coronavirus is $3500. Who pays for this? How can insurers absorb the costs if massive amounts of people get sick? What about people with big co-pay/deductibles under our current health care system?
If you self quarantine, who pays for your lost wages, how do your bills get paid?
https://twitter.com/obx_lisa
Lisa Johnson Finch
South Korea tests 65000! UK tests 8000! USA tests 500?? We ALL found out about the virus at the same time. Incompetence or coverup?
Pence is in charge of handling coronavirus, does he have an answer for this?
https://www.yahoo.com/money/coronavirus-sick-leave-health-insurance-162016804.html
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article240476806.html
He went to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he said he was placed in a closed-off room. Nurses in protective white suits sprayed some kind of disinfectant smoke under the door before entering, Azcue said. Then hospital staff members told him he’d need a CT scan to screen for coronavirus, but Azcue said he asked for a flu test first.
“This will be out of my pocket,” Azcue, who has a very limited insurance plan, recalled saying. “Let’s start with the blood test, and if I test positive, just discharge me.”
But two weeks later, Azcue got unwelcome news in the form of a notice from his insurance company about a claim for $3,270.
Hospital officials at Jackson told the Miami Herald that, based on his insurance, Azcue would only be responsible for $1,400 of that bill, but Azcue said he heard from his insurer that he would also have to provide additional documentation: three years of medical records to prove that the flu he got didn’t relate to a preexisting condition.
How can they expect normal citizens to contribute to eliminating the potential risk of person-to-person spread if hospitals are waiting to charge us $3,270 for a simple blood test and a nasal swab?” he said.
[People will not go get tested, they will just tough it out and infect other people. They cannot afford the costs associated with getting tested or quarantined].
In the US, more than 90 people have tested positive for coronavirus and two people have died, as of Monday.
[Edited on 3/2/2020 by gina]
[Edited on 3/2/2020 by gina]
FLORIDA
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article240743586.html
Florida has tested 15 people for coronavirus, is monitoring 150 more, per VP Mike Pence.
3-1-20
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article240789951.html
A Manatee County resident and a Hillsborough County resident have tested “presumptively positive” for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. These are the first two cases to be reported in Florida.
The governor’s office announced late Sunday that DeSantis and other state officials would be holding a news conference Monday morning in Tampa and Monday afternoon in Miami.
[Edited on 3/2/2020 by gina]
Genetic analysis says the virus doubles every six days.
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/genetic-analysis-suggests-coronavirus-infections-022607597.html
3-5-20
THE NUMBERS
The latest figures from Johns Hopkins University show more than 96,000 reported cases of the coronavirus in at least 70 countries, with more than 3,300 deaths globally. So far, more than 53,000 people have recovered.
TRUMP THINKS PEOPLE WITH CORONAVIRUS WHO DO NOT HAVE IT REALLY BADLY CAN GO TO WORK. (what about spreading it to other people who will get it and not have such a mild outcome? Maybe our President needs some clarity).
Trump says people with coronavirus can still go to work.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-tells-people-with-coronavirus-to-go-to-work/vi-BB10MPan
"A lot of people will have this and it's very mild. They'll get better very rapidly," Trump told Fox's Sean Hannity. "They don't even see a doctor, they don't even call a doctor. You never hear about those people."
"So you can't put them down in the category of the overall population in terms of this corona flu and/or virus," Trump continued. "So you just can't do that. So, if, you know, we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work. Some of them go to work, but they get better."
https://news.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-congressional-leaders-strike-nearly-173043335.html?.tsrc ="csv"
8 billion funding bill approved by the Senate. (the house approved 8.5B)
https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-spreads-one-study-predicts-101552222.html
• New modeling from The Australian National University looks at seven scenarios of how the outbreak might affect the world's wealth, ranging from low severity to high severity.
• In the low-severity model — or best-case scenario of the seven — ANU researchers estimate a global GDP loss of $2.4 trillion, with an estimated death toll of 15 million. [Professor McKibbons modelling of the economic impact of the 2002 – 2003 SARS and 2006 flu pandemics].
The findings provide important information about a range of possible economic costs of the disease in 20 countries and four regions, including the OECD and Asia. The paper examines six economic sectors including manufacturing, energy and mining.
In a high-severity scenario, the estimate
ed loss to GDP in Australia in 2020 is $US103 billion, with many deaths.
Under the same scenario, the global economic outlook is dire:
• China’s loss to GDP in 2020 is estimated at $US1.6 trillion.
• In the United States, the figure is $US1.7 trillion.
• Japan’s estimated loss to GDP is $US549 billion.
• In India loss to GDP in 2020 is estimated at $US567 billion.
Link to the paper.
file:///C:/Users/Techno-24/Downloads/The%20Global%20Macroeconomic%20Impacts%20of%20COVID-19%20Seven%20Scenarios.pdf
MEANWHILE,
China will use Roche Holding AG Arthritis drug Tocilizumab (Actemra) for patients with serious lung damage and increased levels of Interleukin 2.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-approves-roche-arthritis-drug-054733565.html
Chinese researchers recently registered a 3-month clinical trial for Actemra that will recruit 188 coronavirus patients and take place from Feb. 10 to May 10, according to records shown on China's clinical trials registration database.
Roche could not be immediately reached for comment. The firm said on Monday it donated 14 million yuan ($2.02 million) worth of Actemra during February.
REMARKS: Best case scenario 15 million deaths. That is staggering. The situation in the southern hemisphere will worsen soon because their seasons are in reverse of ours. So as we start spring, they start winter and the virus thrives in the cold.
Pence will speak to the cruise ship industry on Saturday.
Congress (the full house) met this morning at 9:15 am for a briefing on the coronavirus.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today urged the Trump Administration to launch a centralized federal website – “Coronavirus.gov” – to provide trusted information to the American people about the Coronavirus outbreak. In a letter addressed to Vice President Mike Pence, who has been appointed to lead the U.S. response to the epidemic, Peters argued that challenges finding clear, reliable information about the virus could contribute to its continued spread and undermine public health. Peters personally delivered the letter to the Vice President at a Coronavirus briefing for Senators in the Senate this afternoon.
“I have heard from public health and safety professionals in Michigan that the flood of mixed messaging and misinformation circulating about the Coronavirus has undermined the government’s ability to communicate effectively with the American people,” said Senator Peters. “That’s why I’m calling on the Trump Administration to launch Coronavirus.gov. A centralized website would allow the federal government to deliver timely, trusted, and much-needed guidance to public health officials, health care providers, and the public to better contain the spread of Coronavirus in Michigan and across the country.”
Next countries vulnerable to pandemic.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/who-fears-13-african-countries-risk-coronavirus-outbreak-045834558.html
The list has been made by WHO on the basis of volume of traffic between China and weak health surveillance and treatment systems.
The countries included on the list are Algeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
[Edited on 3/5/2020 by gina]
Corona Virus Song
While some of the world dismisses the seriousness of the coronavirus, others are beginning to get the idea.
In US 96 M worst case scenario will be infected in US 500,000 deaths. (We have 320 Million people in the US so almost one third of our entire population could be infected.
https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/american-hospital-association
A doctor has advised hospitals to prepare for up 96 million coronavirus infections and 500,000 potential deaths as a worst-case scenario for the potential extent of the outbreak, leaked documents reveal.
The documents, obtained by Business Insider, come from a presentation made during a webinar hosted by the American Hospital Association (AHA).
Dr James Lawler, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, shared a series of slides with attendees about what his "best guess" was when estimating how the outbreak could impact hospitals and health officials. His webinar, titled "What healthcare leaders need to know: Preparing for the COVID-19", was presented on 26 February. He estimated 96 million could become infected, and of those people 480,000 could die from the coronavirus based on how the virus might spread.
Comments: Lawler was a member of the Homeland Security Council for George W Bush and member of National Security Council under Barak Obama’s administration. Well even if 96 Million get infected, if only half a million die, that's still pretty good odds right? [that's for the glass is half full folks].
ITALY
Mandatory quarantine for 16M in the north till April 3rd.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/venice-milan-italy-quarantine-coronavirus_n_5e6421f3c5b6670e72f922ea
US
https://nypost.com/2020/03/08/coronavirus-patients-experience-certain-symptoms-before-tipping-point-of-dying-expert/
US MAP OF WHERE CASES ARE LOCATED. Update: Connecticut now has two cases.
IRAN
From 3-5-20
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2020/03/05/Coronavirus-to-infect-up-to-40-of-Tehran-s-population-within-next-two-weeks.html
Up to 40 percent of Tehran’s population could be infected with the coronavirus within the coming two weeks, according to an infectious disease specialist and member of Iran’s national influenza committee.
Iran reported on Thursday 15 new deaths from the virus and 591 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 107 dead and 3,513 cases of infection.
The Iranian capital has a population of more than nine million.
THE RIGHT APPROACH TO INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
ISRAEL
Placing everyone who comes to Israel in quarantine for 14 days.
Netanyahu announced the 14-day quarantine on Monday after consultations with Cabinet ministers and senior health officials. “After a day of difficult discussions, we have taken a decision. All those coming to Israel from abroad will be placed in isolation for 14 days,” Netanyahu said in a video broadcast on his Twitter account. “This is a difficult decision, but it’s necessary to protect public health. Public health comes before everything else,” he said.
REMARKS: Now why don't we do that? Oh too many travelers, too much profiling, logistics. That's why we will end up effed.
NY/NJ 3-9-20
Breaking news (1 MINUTE AGO)
NEWS: Rick Cotton, head of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs NY’s airports, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, @NYGovCuomo announced.
UPDATE: There are additional confirmed cases of #Coronavirus in NYS, bringing total to 142.
Westchester: 98
NYC: 19
Nassau: 17
Rockland: 4
Saratoga: 2
Suffolk: 1
Ulster: 1
https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo
Remarks: This is bad.
Senator Ted Cruz self quarantines after coming in contact with an infected person.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/09/ted-cruz-coronavirus-self-quarantine-cpac
But for Trump it's business as usual, campaign rallies etc.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/09/trump-coronavirus-white-house-response
His Grandfather died from the Spanish Flu, what is it that he doesn't get? It's like after 9-11-01 when New Yorkers were told to just go about living their lives, even though on 9-29-01 a man was apprehended at the Grehound Bus terminal in Philadelphia with a suitcase full of C-4 explosives and NYC subway maps. Just go about living your lives and hope your number isn't up that day, whaddaya gonna do worry about drowing in a blown up subway tunnel, odds are you won't.
[Edited on 3/9/2020 by gina]
NYC Physicians Assistant attended a conference in Times Square before becoming ill. How many people were in contact with her or whoever brought the virus there infecting others?
A physician's assistant who became New Jersey's first case of coronavirus has spoken out about the disease from his hospital bed and warns others to take the threat seriously.
James Cai, 32, fell ill last weekend while attending a medical conference at a hotel in Times Square.
He has been hospitalized since Tuesday at the Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. So far, 13 people have been tested for COVID-19 in New Jersey. The other 11 cases have come back negative.
'Every day is getting worse,' Cai said Monday during an interview with CBS, adding that 'it happened so quick'.
'A lot of people say it’s OK, don’t wear masks. I don’t believe that,' Cai said.
Cai, who works and lives in Manhattan and Fort Lee, New Jersey, said the virus is not one to be taken lightly.
Meanwhile Trump says risk is low.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8091389/Trump-ignores-market-plunge-death-toll-accuse-media-Dems-inflaming-coronavirus-crisis.html
[Edited on 3/9/2020 by gina]
No checks at airports coming into the US from countries with big infections numbers?
Co-vid nineteen
No we cant dance together
No we cant talk at all
Please take me along when you slide on down
Gina:
Why aren't you off on FB peddling conspiracy theories like
"Nobody has died and it's just part of a big gubmint plot
to take over the world."
Or how about poking the anti vaxxers who if course have
Superior Immunity and won't get CoronaVirus
Really why do you hang around a music site?
Buzz off to some other part of the internet
They'll think you're one of THEM
so several GOP members were exposed at CPAC...I wonder if God is trying cleanse the haters...Hey I know its a stretch but it works for them...
Sars in 2004
Avian Flu 2008
Swine Flu 2010
Mers 2012
Ebola 2014
Zika 2016
Ebola again 2018
Corona 2020
Gina:
Why aren't you off on FB peddling conspiracy theories like
"Nobody has died and it's just part of a big gubmint plot
to take over the world."Or how about poking the anti vaxxers who if course have
Superior Immunity and won't get CoronaVirusReally why do you hang around a music site?
Buzz off to some other part of the internet
They'll think you're one of THEM
To quote an enlightened man, "opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one" thanks for yours, sorry you don't like mine. This is a political and current events area of a place we've all been for quite awhile. But you are right that I should start a news site.
[Edited on 3/11/2020 by gina]
3-11-20 Updates
Firstly, there will be more cases and some people will die. Trump has pointed out that flu kills more people than this will [statistically]. People do have to calm down somewhat, just pay attention, keep up to date, gather credible info. and make good decisions. I now think he is NOT uninformed, he is taking the approach that Xi Jinping took, be calm, assess the situation and provide solutions to it. He doesn't want to start an Alex Jones tweet storm rant.
In 2008 NYC made plans in 2008 for any mass infection like Sars, Flu or anything else. The containment going on now in New Rochelle is addressing a specific area they know people were infected in. There may community quarantines that occur.
NYC Contingency plan for biological outbreaks
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/new-york-citys-contingency-plan-for-biological-outbreaks-includes-mobile-refrigerator-units-for-dead-bodies-and-mass-graves-dug-by-inmates/ar-BB10ZSZX
The plan was developed by the city's late chief medical examiner, Charles Hirsch, in 2008, in response to concerns that Bird Flu would cause the next pandemic influenza. But as Hirsch states in the report, the plan can be used to tackle "other biological outbreaks" that cause mass fatalities.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/ocme/downloads/pdf/pandemic_influenza_surge_plan.pdf
Washington State had the same number of cases as New York. They anticipate that number can go to 64,000 people infected.
Washington State is preparing for 64,000 cases
https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-us-live-congress-threatens-145000155.html
IMPORTANT NEW FINDING
The range from which one person can infect others is larger than previously thought. People on a bus in China were infected from one person 14.5 feet away from them.
How One man spread coronavirus to NINE other people on his bus in China
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8094933/How-one-man-spread-coronavirus-NINE-people-bus.html
Scientists find the deadly virus can travel more than double the safe distance and linger in the air for over 30 minutes. 14.7 feet away from the infected traveler others were infected.
National Guard deployed to New Rochelle containment area.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/10/new-york-gov-cuomo-to-deploy-national-guard-to-new-rochelle-establishes-containment-center-to-stem-coronavirus.html
Three TSA agents at Mineta San Jose International Airport test positive.
https://news.yahoo.com/3-tsa-officers-san-jose-141429153.html
Germany creates drive thru for testing.
https://news.yahoo.com/3-tsa-officers-san-jose-141429153.html
Merkel warns up to 70% of Germans likely to contract virus
https://news.yahoo.com/70-percent-germans-may-coronavirus-143301486.html
They are giving 1 Billion Euros for virus research and equipment “our solidarity, our reason, and our hearts are being put to the test. My wish is that we pass the test”. Angela Merkel said.
CONGRESS wants to use Spocks greeting Live Long and Prosper instead of handshakes.
https://www.cnet.com/news/spocks-vulcan-salute-as-greeting-reportedly-spreads-to-congress/
Prince Charles is using Namaste
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/news/prince-charles-uses-namaste-greeting-at-princes-trust-award/ar-BB113rTp
I like the peace sign which is internationally known and recognized, and is also part of the original Christian greeting ‘peace be with you’.
Trump to limit virus info., to classify some of it, hysteria will not help anyone.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-white-house-told-federal-163043805.html
Attendees at the meetings included HHS Secretary Alex Azar and his chief of staff Brian Harrison, the officials said. Azar and Harrison resisted the classification of the meetings, the sources said.
And yes sadly now there are cases on Long Island.
[Edited on 3/11/2020 by gina]
What you can do is stay informed. Get yourself some supplies in case your community does quarantine, you will not have time to do it if this happens. Consider relocating to a region with less people if you are in or near a large city, less people means less chance of infection, or less people infected because round two will start in the fall regardless of when this season ends, now they are saying May.
[Edited on 3/11/2020 by gina]
3-13-20 Blog
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/italy-nightmare-offers-chilling-preview-050009137.html
Italy’s nightmare offers a chilling preview of what’s coming.
Connecticut
https://ctmirror.org/2020/03/12/connecticut-bans-large-public-events-to-slow-covid-19/
Connecticut Chief epidemiologist said 10 to 20% population could contract coronavirus over the next month. Connecticuts population is 3.75 million people so that would be 375,300 and 714,600 infected.
But the state epidemiologist, Dr. Matthew Cartter, said he expects a rapid spread that could sicken between 10% and 20% of the state’s 3.5 million residents in the next month or two as its moves north and east from a foothold in Fairfield County, though state officials still hope Connecticut’s aggressive measures will flatten the growth curve.
OHIO
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487329-ohio-health-official-estimates-100000-people-in-state-have-coronavirus
Amy Action Ohio Health Dept. says 1% of state likely infected, 117,000 could already be infected. 6 cases so far.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton said at a press conference alongside Gov. Mike DeWine (R) that given that the virus is spreading in the community in Ohio, she estimates at least 1 percent of the population in the state has the virus.
"We know now, just the fact of community spread, says that at least 1 percent, at the very least, 1 percent of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today," Acton said. "We have 11.7 million people. So the math is over 100,000. So that just gives you a sense of how this virus spreads and is spreading quickly."
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON? Some of the Chinese believe that the coronavirus is a US bioweapon that was unleashed in Wuhan in October when 300 Athletes from the U.S. Military attended the 7th Military world games in Wuhan. Some patients previously diagnosed with the flu were found to have the coronavirus.
https://qz.com/1817736/china-fuels-coronavirus-conspiracy-theory-blaming-us-army/
A conspiracy theory linking the US Army to the coronavirus now as official Chinese endorsement. China Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says 300 athletes from the US military in October attended the 7th military World Games in Wuhan. Some patients previously diagnosed with the flu were found to have the coronavirus.
Lijian Zhao twitter
Zlj517
Global Research Montreal
https://globalresearch.ca/covid-19-further-evidence-originated-us/5706078
REMARKS: There are many countries with bioweapons. Ours are made in Fort Detrick. Why does the world need to have stockpiles of biological terror-death weapons?
Update 3-21-20 heard something very disturbing that China has crossed pigs with monkeys in genetic research. Interspecies breeding results in zoonotic diseases. This practice should be globally banned to prevent pandemics. We do not have to accuse them just put a global ban against the practice. Do it through the U.N.
[Edited on 3/21/2020 by gina]
This from Falwell Jr. It's right up there with Hannity's explanation. Have these people no shame?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/during-fox-friends-interview-jerry-143630950.html
During 'Fox & Friends' interview, Jerry Falwell Jr. suggests the Coronavirus is a plot to hurt Trump and says Liberty University will continue to hold in-person classes
Throw tomatoes at me if you like, but imo the wholesale across the board closures of sports seasons, events, outdoor concerts, basically everything under the sun, is an overreaction of sorts & suggestive of succumbing to a panic
even ski areas up here are closing b/c of it, altho one, Jay Peak, is located on the border, has an indoor water park, hockey rink, convention hall, concerts (ABB tribute band Peacheaters played there recently), is a popular resort w/condos, guests from everywhere etc - so I suppose they feel they have to
- oh & also the best terrain Anywhere - w/my ski vaca coming next week.... 
😉
If the measures being taken prove to be effective, thank heaven - w/all the canceled events it will have come at a cost of literally billions of dollars, & hopefully minimal panic & loss of life
I fail to understand the mad rush on toilet paper in response to the virus situation - the hand sanitizers I understand but not that - no need to explain, just coronavirus stinks, this too will pass & good wknd folks
[Edited on 3/14/2020 by Stephen]
is an overreaction of sorts
your boy declared a national emergency after firing the pandemic team because "they weren't needed", but go ahead and direct your frustration at the innocent people for worrying.
True, but most impressive has been Trump tweeting about about Obama / Biden and swine flu response. Isn't that more important, more relevant, and more current than addressing the Coronavirus pandemic? He always reverts back to competing against Obama at every possible means.
To clarify, am concerned 1st & 4most about containing the spread of this virus & ultimately curing it
I can at the same time be disappointed by the closure of the ski area w/a clear conscience - the two aren’t incongruous - am not directing frustration at anyone, just frustrated by not being able to ski in prime spring conditions at my favorite hill - there are other places, not as much fun tho
So far only 2 ski areas have closed, have to believe more will follow
Trump/politics/defending/insulting/finger pointing.......
the farthest things from my mind
Hope your wknd improves, it’s early yet - I should be rounding up to ski, but no
[Edited on 3/14/2020 by Stephen]
Throw tomatoes at me if you like, but imo the wholesale across the board closures of sports seasons, events, outdoor concerts, basically everything under the sun, is an overreaction of sorts & suggestive of succumbing to a panic
Trump resisted declaring a national emergency against every world, national, state, & individual expert opinion for as long as he dared & even during that speech, he provide incorrect info, and then turned to SHAKE HANDS w/guests in the Rose Garden until one of them had enough sense & guts to say no. His refusal to be tested despite known contacts (& unknown incidents) is bizarre unless he wants his MAGAs to also refuse or is afraid if he's positive, the world will learn he's not superhuman.
We know reduced contact works to contain the virus. It's the only proven effective measure absent a vaccine & a guarantee that everyone accurately reports contact. Maybe, if we'd had tests & started testing back in early February, the need to shut down schools, pro sports, religious events, and anything that draws a crowd wouldn't be critical now, but that didn't happen. Colleges w/no control over where their students go for spring break would be seriously remiss in remaining open w/communal living & dining. Pro sports have a similar problem - no idea where spectators have been & worse, the players themselves now have the virus. Disney probably should've closed its massive parks weeks ago but didn't. There's no other course to take at this point.
Hospitals have to limit visitors & continue to monitor the health of their employees to protect their patients. I get emails every day re increasingly restrictive practices, including cancellation of all non-essential diagnostics & procedures. Why anyone would visit a nursing home where the most vulnerable populations live just seems callous to me.
Lots of us are disappointed over canceled spring vacations, uncertainty about summer plans, and even watching streamed sports events. I think we're reasonable to be pensive about personal finances.
We lost time we couldn't afford pretending the virus was a democratic hoax, a foreign problem, and a skeletal CDC & WH epidemiological staff would suffice. We're behind. The only way to catch up is to shut down for a while.
I think a lot of Boomers have a false sense of security because we're fit, exercise, & think young. True, we're not the >60 that our parents were, but we're really not 40. Evidence-based medicine cites 60 as the flash point if for no other reason than immune systems decrease w/age. Sure, there are the SuperElderly >80 & even 40 somethings w/medical conditions who are more vulnerable. Maybe there's a more palatable word - even senior sounds better than elderly - but let's not pretend precautions don't apply to us.
[Edited on 3/14/2020 by cyclone88]
