quote:

The “Great Leap Forward” and the Cultural Revolution were horrible times that were much more clearly the fault of the leadership than this pandemic. I’m not very well informed about current conditions in the country, I readily admit, but it seems to me that the standard of living and life in general isn’t that bad for the average Chinese, unlike conditions in the Soviet Union before its collapse. As for political repression, that’s something people have gotten accustomed to countless times, and especially if they were born into such a system.

As I say, I’ve been wrong before about major political movements, but I would be very surprised if any significant changes result from COVID-19.

sigfreund, I agree with all of that.
You're right, it's not likely... but it is possible. It would be hard to organize because the CCP keeps tight controls on news/information/internet. Still, many Chinese citizens know a lot more about the rest of the world and how it operates now than they did back in the “Great Leap Forward” days.

It's a no-lose for the purveyors of apocalyptic math.

If the CCP falls, I imagine that North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela probably won't be far behind.

Will that leave the United States as the world's last Communist country?

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

Will that leave the United States as the world's last Communist country?

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
Will that leave the United States as the world's last Communist country?

Huh? WTH are you talking about? I wager that you have never actually lived in a Communist country.

This kind of statement rubs me wrong. I have lived in a Communist country. The US is still a bright beacon of liberty, at least more so than any other country.

You guys need to have your sarcasm meters calibrated.....

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
You guys need to have your sarcasm meters calibrated.....

Indeed.

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
You guys need to have your sarcasm meters calibrated.....

Indeed.

Poe's law: without a clear indicator of the author's intent, it is impossible to create a parody of extreme views so obviously exaggerated that it cannot be mistaken by some readers for a sincere expression of the views being parodied.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
You guys need to have your sarcasm meters calibrated.....

I get that it was sarcasm, but I still don't know what that means. What is the sarcasm supposed to be in regards to?

Never mind. It's irrelevant.

I was curious if washing hands killed the coronavirus or just flushed it away.

https://www.theguardian.com/co...-based-disinfectants

The science of soap – here’s how it kills the coronavirus

Viruses can be active outside the body for hours, even days. Disinfectants, liquids, wipes, gels and creams containing alcohol are all useful at getting rid of them – but they are not quite as good as normal soap.

So why does soap work so well on the Sars-CoV-2, the coronavirus and indeed most viruses? The short story: because the virus is a self-assembled nanoparticle in which the weakest link is the lipid (fatty) bilayer. Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the virus falls apart like a house of cards and dies – or rather, we should say it becomes inactive as viruses aren’t really alive.

The slightly longer story is that most viruses consist of three key building blocks: ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins and lipids. A virus-infected cell makes lots of these building blocks, which then spontaneously self-assemble to form the virus. Critically, there are no strong covalent bonds holding these units together, which means you do not necessarily need harsh chemicals to split those units apart. When an infected cell dies, all these new viruses escape and go on to infect other cells. Some end up also in the airways of lungs.

Washing the virus off with water alone might work. But water is not good at competing with the strong, glue-like interactions between the skin and the virus. Water isn’t enough.

Soapy water is totally different. Soap contains fat-like substances known as amphiphiles, some of which are structurally very similar to the lipids in the virus membrane. The soap molecules “compete” with the lipids in the virus membrane. This is more or less how soap also removes normal dirt from the skin.

The soap not only loosens the “glue” between the virus and the skin but also the Velcro-like interactions that hold the proteins, lipids and RNA in the virus together.

Alcohol-based products, which pretty much includes all “disinfectant” products, contain a high-percentage alcohol solution (typically 60-80% ethanol) and kill viruses in a similar fashion. But soap is better because you only need a fairly small amount of soapy water, which, with rubbing, covers your entire hand easily. Whereas you need to literally soak the virus in ethanol for a brief moment, and wipes or rubbing a gel on the hands does not guarantee that you soak every corner of the skin on your hands effectively enough.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


This explains another article I read that said to spend a lot of time getting soap suds on your hands and then scrubbing vigorously for 20 seconds, then flush off w water.

I didn't realize the soap was actually killing the virus.

I was going to put this over in that CT COVID-19 thread, but the boss has said no more to those.

BTW, that Univ of Wash website updated Kentucky to show that our bad day is now in later-April when previously it was mid-May. It’s a moving target with the data. Let’s just hope that all the SWAGs are over-estimating the numbers and this thing ends sooner.


https://townhall.com/columnist...demic-power-n2566370

The problem with people referring to this bizarre pandemic life limbo as “the new normal” is that there are people out there, both in and out of positions of responsibility, who are digging this opportunity to boss us around. And it is troubling to see that there are a number of prominent folks who are in no hurry to curtail their ability to boss us around. We need to note carefully who these people are and ensure that they never get a chance to control anything again.

You are starting to see more of that as this drags out. You have got Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom and others thinking this is a great time to get our socialism on. You also have functionaries – all of whom are still getting paychecks – who are way too eager to start issuing orders instead of relying on citizens to behave rationally. We don’t need to be ordered around, but they can’t resist the ordering. The moron mayor of LA is offering rewards to freedom narcs, and government hacks making stores refuse to sell “non-essential” items – what the hell they are thinking telling us what is and is not “essential” anyway? They are thinking, “Hey, this power stuff is fun!” Which is why you should never give power to someone who enjoys it.

The mainstream media, when it’s not otherwise engaged in covering for the bat-eating ChiComs and ignoring the credible #MeToo allegations against ole Grandpa Badfinger, is cheerleading to shut down the entire country. Of course, just because New Yorkers live on top of each other in a festering urban petri dish does not mean everyone else does, but who cares? If those urban swells have to sit tight in their crappy walk-ups watching Netflix, so do those folks out in Jesusland, damnit. Also, they feel the need to close the gun stores since the manly act of purchasing equipment to defend one’s self, family, community, and Constitution shames the liberal sissies whose low-T lifestyle keeps them from doing their duty.

Even some randos are joining in. We have all seen vids of bossy people on the street screaming at other people who refuse to truss up their pieholes like suburban banditos. The proper response to the Junior G-men (most of whom appear to be hard five chicks named “Karen”) is to invite them to do to themselves what their husbands cannot or will not do.

And there’s that video of mortified deputies waiting on an LA beach for some surfer to come back to the sand, because being alone in the Pacific is basically condemning millions to infection or something. What it really constitutes is defiance, not danger, which our midwit overlords cannot abide. And just imagine that you signed up to be a cop thinking you’d live Heat and instead you’re popping Spicoli for riding some tasty waves.

“We’re gonna have to take him in the water. Wait till he’s all in. Get clean shots. Watch your background.” (BTW, I will be discussing Heat and other stuff you should watch while incarcerated on my next Townhall VIP podcast “Unredacted”).

What is particularly troubling are the medical experts who gleefully demand months of our continued imprisonment. They can’t seem to understand that the medical angle is only one component of this situation. Yes, it’s an important one. So is not creating a depression. Now, there’s nothing shocking that medical people will look at a situation from a purely medical perspective. Back in Kosovo, when my appendix decided to vapor lock, they told me “The surgeon is out doing a MEDCAP (helping locals) and we want to wait until he gets back to see what he wants to do,” to which I replied, “What do you think the surgeon is going to want to do?” They thought about it for a second then prepped me for the OR.

But the medical perspective is not the only perspective. There are other perspectives that need to be considered, like the economy and our liberty, and so we elect people to consider them. See, this is why we are not a technocracy. We are a republic. We normal citizens get the final say in our country’s priorities, and we may not decide that our priorities are exactly the same as Dr. Fauci’s. I, for one, am willing to accept some risk regarding the infection in order to avoid America degenerating into a Road Warrior scenario – unless I can be the Humungous, who really gets a bad rap for his innovative and focused leadership style.

Adults accept risk when balancing various interests. The idea that “It’s not worth one life” is childish and stupid. We have cars. Cars kill 30K people a year. We accept that risk. What’s the proper risk balancing for the Chinese coronavirus? Well, we as citizens need to figure that out. That process is called “politics.” That’s why whenever anyone tells you that “This is no time for politics,” they really mean they don’t want you to have any input into the decision. Without politics, you have a dictatorship, and that seems to be the unspoken theme of a growing number of elected officials and others.

But Americans are not good at being bossed around – well, liberal college grads are, but the rest of us aren’t weak-sauce geebos.

America is really run by consent. When we citizens agree that a policy was duly enacted through the proper processes and makes some semblance of sense, we obey voluntarily. Our tax system is essentially voluntary – it depends on people being generally honest. Sure, there are audits after, but while most people may grumble about the rates, paying our share is legit and so we generally try to figure out what we owe under the law and pay it. Have you ever driven at 3 am and seen people stop at STOP signs at empty intersections? It’s a legit law, so we accept it and obey it instead of having to have a cop right there to force us. Having lived on a couple of other continents, I can assure you that is not how every country works.

That’s why power-hungry jerks can actually harm our collective response. If the actions to ameliorate the pandemic begin to be seen as illegitimate and oppressive, we’ll stop doing them. Moreover, we need to show that these are temporary measures and we are going to lift them as soon as we can. You can see that President Trump is chomping at the bit to throw off the shackles of the pandemic response. Pretty soon, most everyone will be. We are all in when we see the response makes sense, but as this goes on with no light at the end of the tunnel and more power-hungry jerks getting off on getting on our backs, that will change. The fact that the grimmest Bat Soup Disease predictions have not come true will only accelerate this natural backlash. There’s a fuse on America’s patience, especially with the aspiring nanny-staters, and when it burns to the end look out.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
You guys need to have your sarcasm meters calibrated.....

I get that it was sarcasm, but I still don't know what that means. What is the sarcasm supposed to be in regards to?

Never mind. It's irrelevant.

Given the frequency with which the term "God damned commies" (RIP JAllen) is used here to refer to half of the population and most of the politicians in this country it seemed to be obvious sarcasm based on that SigForum inside joke. Like you said though, its irrelevant.

https://www.wwlp.com/news/batt...n-coronavirus-fight/

The central Ohio non-profit working to decontaminate N95 surgical masks in the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus is looking to hire up to 2,300 technicians.

Battelle is looking to hire at least 23 new staff for 100 decontamination sites across the country.

In addition to its headquarters in West Jefferson, Battelle currently has N95 decontamination machines in Tacoma, Washington, as well as the New York City area, with plans to roll out more machines as soon as possible.

Any potential employees must meet the following requirements:

Ability to follow a standardized process; system operation including the packing and unpacking of PPE to be processed; inventory tracking
Physical capability to work a full day in PPE performing active physical labor (lift 50+ lbs)
Ability to pass a Medical Clearance
Ability to adhere to and wear PPE as required: PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirator), Scrubs, Gloves, Shoe Covers, Aprons. Must be clean shaven if required to wear an N95 mask.
Ability to work extended shifts

The position will pay $20 per hour with opportunities for overtime and shift differential.

The FDA’s approval for Battelle’s process to sanitize the masks requires the machines to be operated by Battelle employees.

“As additional systems are deployed with a 24/7 operating schedule, there is an immediate need for employees to operate these essential systems,” Battelle wrote in the job description.

Battelle will provide on-site training for the postions.

Battelle anticipates the work will ramp up in April and stay full time for as long as there is a need for the sanitized PPE.

Those interested in applying can do so by clicking here. You can read the full job description by clicking here. (see link)

xxxxxxxxxxxx


https://www.kiro7.com/news/loc...CUFANJEJEAZ257WJ5UE/

The process called the “Critical Care Decontamination System” uses four retrofitted shipping containers joined together

The system--which was quickly invented and refined by the Ohio-based science and technology company Battelle--uses vaporized hydrogen peroxide and alcohol to clean and sanitize used masks which would have otherwise been tossed in biohazard bags after a single-use

“The decontamination procedure is about three and a half hours, followed by several hours of aeration to get to a level where staff can re-enter that space,” said Will Richter, Principal Scientist at Battelle.

The system is expected to run around the clock

Thanks 2BobTanner. A dose of Schlichter is always welcome.

2BobTanner, that article is right on target. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:
If the CCP falls, I imagine that North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela probably won't be far behind.

Hmmmm. Do the citizens of these countries have the necessary tools to facilitate such changes?

quote:

Originally posted by 2BobTanner:


https://townhall.com/columnist...demic-power-n2566370

This was a great read.

The guy at our Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market with his little number clicker thing was absolutely giddy with his new found power letting people into the store as other people left the store. The gentleman two six foot apart dots in front of me waiting his turn to be checked in by number clicker guy, apologized and made the comment that it was a crummy job to have to do. Number clicker guy replied he actually loved the job. When I got to the same spot, I said, "I hope you meant you love having a job when so many folks don't" and he said no, he really liked this job and we all have to do our part.

The world is full of people who believe the world would be a better place if we all just listened to them and did "our part".

Went food shopping today at shop rite. I’d say 3/4 of the people had masks on.

Since this thing started, I haven’t seen the shelves so bare. There was barely any produce, absolutely no greens to make salads...no bagged spinach or salad bags. Plenty of meat though.

Seems like the the stuff that was in short supply is fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, and lots of dry non perishables.

I bought the last 2 gallons of milk in the dairy section. It’s like there was a serious run on the grocery stores this weekend, or they’re not restocking. Plenty of employees though.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by 2BobTanner:


https://townhall.com/columnist...demic-power-n2566370

This was a great read.

The guy at our Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market with his little number clicker thing was absolutely giddy with his new found power letting people into the store as other people left the store. The gentleman two six foot apart dots in front of me waiting his turn to be checked in by number clicker guy, apologized and made the comment that it was a crummy job to have to do. Number clicker guy replied he actually loved the job. When I got to the same spot, I said, "I hope you meant you love having a job when so many folks don't" and he said no, he really liked this job and we all have to do our part.

The world is full of people who believe the world would be a better place if we all just listened to them and did "our part".

Tomorrow he'll have his new "Wal-Mart Gauleiter" vest to go with his little clicker...

Mrs. BB61 paid a little extra and shopped Costco online and then they delivered our groceries to our front porch this morning. When you factor in that we always seem to buy more than we originally went in to get at Costco, the extra cost wasn’t all that bad. I’m sure we will be doing this after C-19 is all over, at least during the holiday season, 4th of July, etc. so as to avoid the crowds. I don’t think they are allowing TP, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies to be bought this way but we are GTG with that stuff anyway. It was pretty slick and if you are high risk or just don’t want to go out, I’d recommend it.