Talking to one of my 17 year old twins about current events and my frustration with the media attempting to sensationalize it. He said, “The news creates fear so you watch more news.”

I’m so proud.

Clinton truly is a despicable person.


'He did promise America First': Clinton mocks Trump after US becomes nation with most coronavirus cases

https://www.washingtonexaminer...st-coronavirus-cases

After the United States passed every other country in the world for most confirmed coronavirus cases, Hillary Clinton mocked President Trump by referencing a campaign slogan he used to help elevate his bid to win the 2016 election.

The former secretary of state shared a link to a New York Times article on Friday that reported the spike in rising numbers was a result of a "series of missteps" from the Trump administration.

Clinton's tweet said: "He did promise 'America First.'"

I think the real failure here is the CDC's early and moronic guidance for people not to get tested early unless they 100% could trace contact with someone who was known positive or who had traveled from a specific list of countries. Couple that with failed test kits and a complete lack of them in sufficient quantities and the fact that the incubation period is 5-14+ days and you've got a recipe to spread far and wide.

Sadly, hindsight is 20/20 and I'm not sure even with that knowledge, we could have produced enough test kits fast enough in the private sector to have stemmed the spread effectively.

Our whole company is now remote, some 55k employees except for those deemed critical by our customers who are now isolated from their local corp offices. I've been amazed at the speed the execs took action (shut down travel > 30 days ago) and our IT staff rolled out tools globally to support a new way of working. We have at least six confirmed casess within the company and sadly one death earlier this week.

quote:

Originally posted by mojojojo:

quote:

Originally posted by tleo205:
there are so many exceptions it's a joke.

The weather should be nice this weekend - so it's a perfect time to get the motorcycle out and ride. If the rest of them want to stay at home let 'em.

Yep, there will be a bunch of people who have been scared witless and will not even go outside. As for me...i'm heading out in the morning for some take out breakfast then down to my elderly mom's house and mow the yard. If I happen to think of anything else that needs doing, I'll do it and Cooper can go fuck himself. I may even go take a hike at one of the local hiking trails this weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Oh. My. God.

I went through the drive through at CVS this morning to pick up a couple of prescriptions. They had a big sign on the window: No, Coronavirus tests are not available at the window.

I was joking about that with the pharmacist. She told me that they actually had someone drive up to the window with human feces in a baggie, asking it they could test it for the virus.
Ugh.

That's a mail in test only. Here's the details:
Everyone get tested ASAP! The US is taking the Coronavirus seriously. New testing methods are being used and you don’t have to leave your house. No hospital visit is necessary. All you have to do is mail a stool sample to:

Nancy Pelosi
1236 Longworth H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515

Direct questions to (202) 225-4965

Note: Larger samples give more accurate results.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
Have you always been in NC? I missed that.

Not always - since 1994 though.

https://www.ft.com/content/31d...ea-89df-41bea055720b


Sweden bucks global trend with experimental virus strategy |

Fewer restrictions than other leading countries and schools remain open




Sweden has become an international outlier in its response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak by keeping schools open and adopting few other restrictions, as the Scandinavian nation embarks on what one health expert called a “huge experiment”. 

Since the UK went into lockdown on Monday evening, Sweden is the largest European country with the fewest limits on where people can go and what they can do. Schools for children up to the age of 16 remain open, many people continue to go to work and packed commuter trains and buses were reported this week in the capital, Stockholm. “Clearly, Sweden stands out at the moment,” said Carl Bildt, the former prime minister.

Swedish authorities have banned public gatherings of more than 500 people, closed universities and higher education colleges, and advised workers to stay at home if possible. Authorities on Tuesday ordered restaurants and bars only to serve people at tables rather than at the bar.

Local media have been full of stories of thousands of people gathering at Swedish ski resorts, which until Saturday kept their nightlife open. The virus has previously spread easily in mountain resorts in Austria and Italy.

Johan Carlson, head of Sweden’s public health agency, last week defended Sweden’s approach, saying the country “cannot take draconian measures that have a limited impact on the epidemic but knock out the functions of society”.

But he conceded that the 90,000 figure for the number of people who die annually in Sweden would “increase significantly” if its healthcare system became overburdened.

There have been just over 2,000 reported Covid-19 cases in Sweden and 33 deaths. That compares with more than 6,000 deaths in Italy, Europe’s worst-affected country.

“The future still looks manageable,” said Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s state epidemiologist who has become one of the public faces of the outbreak. He argued that schools needed to stay open to provide childcare for health workers, noting that young people appeared to have much lower infection rates.

But a significant number of Swedish health experts disagree. Mr Tegnell has faced a barrage of criticism after details of the country’s antivirus tactics leaked to Swedish TV at the weekend. 

Joacim Rocklov, an epidemiologist at Umea University, said the Swedish authorities were taking huge risks with public health when so much remained unknown about coronavirus. 

“I do not see why Sweden would be so different from other countries. It is a huge experiment,” he told the Financial Times. “We have no idea — it could work out. But it could also go crazily in the wrong direction.” 

Swedish authorities have said they are not explicitly pursuing a strategy of “herd immunity”, where a large segment of the population contracts the virus in order for society to build up immunity. The UK’s chief scientific adviser had previously suggested that Britain adopt such an approach before the government backtracked.

Sweden is instead seeking to slow the spread of infections and ensure that its health system does not become overwhelmed. Mr Bildt said the situation on the streets of Stockholm had changed “dramatically” in recent weeks despite the absence of legal restrictions, with far fewer people going outside. 

But Mr Rocklov said it was not yet known how long immunity to Covid-19 would last. “There is a big risk that Sweden would have to go into quarantine when the health system goes into crisis,” he added.

Sweden’s relaxed approach contrasts with its Nordic neighbours. Denmark, Norway and Finland have closed schools, sealed their borders and imposed other restrictions.

Stefan Lofven, Sweden’s centre-left prime minister, has called on everyone to play a part in stopping the virus from spreading by, for instance, not visiting elderly relatives and working from home. He used a televised address to the nation on Sunday to warn that more restrictive measures might come as he conceded the next few months would be difficult. 

“There are a few crucial moments in life when you have to make sacrifices, not only for your own sake but also in order to take responsibility for the people around you, for your fellow human beings, and for our country. That moment is now. That day is here. And that duty belongs to everyone,” he said.

Sweden’s strategy has also been criticised for a different reason, with some arguing that even the lighter measures could cause huge damage to the economy. Kerstin Hessius, a prominent fund manager, is one of those arguing that the country may be swapping one disaster for an even worse one.

Her views provoked a riposte from Leif Ostling, former chief executive of truckmaker Scania, who accused her of living in a “financial bubble”. He urged Swedes not to become cynical and to hold to their “humanist viewpoint”. 

Mr Rocklov said it was a “valid discussion” to have over whether the measures aimed at saving lives may do even more damage. But he also said Swedish authorities were not giving enough information for people to make up their own mind.

More and more experts are feeling uneasy with this stewardship. It is not allowing for an open debate. It is rather trying to push down and make people quiet.”



.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
She told me that they actually had someone drive up to the window with human feces in a baggie, asking it they could test it for the virus

Reminds me of a story a doctor told me a while back. A stool sample was required from a patient. The doctor's office supplied a couple of thin wooden sticks upon which the patient was to place a very small sample. This guy comes back into the office carrying a shoebox, and I'll leave it at that.

Just got this from a White House email:

"NEW: House passes emergency relief bill

The CARES Act is headed to President Trump’s desk today! Following extensive negotiations between the Trump Administration and Congressional leaders, the House of Representatives finally passed the historic $2.2 trillion economic relief package.

The Senate approved the measure yesterday with a 96-0 vote.

What does it mean? American families, healthcare workers, and small businesses will get the economic support they need to get through this challenging time. That includes $1,200 payments to qualifying Americans, $100 billion in direct support for hospitals, and over $370 billion to small business owners to keep their employees on the payroll.

President Trump will sign the bill as soon as it arrives at his desk this afternoon."

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
our IT staff rolled out tools globally to support a new way of working

A wet dream of the sub-basement IT department, rolling out Project Q. They've justified their budget for the next decade and management looks like superstars.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodman:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
our IT staff rolled out tools globally to support a new way of working

A wet dream of the sub-basement IT department, rolling out Project Q. They've justified their budget for the next decade and management looks like superstars.

Skype never worked well for video-conferencing before but now MSFT Teams does. It only took a global pandemic to accomplish...

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
She told me that they actually had someone drive up to the window with human feces in a baggie, asking it they could test it for the virus

Reminds me of a story a doctor told me a while back. A stool sample was required from a patient. The doctor's office supplied a couple of thin wooden sticks upon which the patient was to place a very small sample. This guy comes back into the office carrying a shoebox, and I'll leave it at that.

Have you ever tried to hit those little popsicle sticks? A shoebox is a much easier target for what's essentially a no-look shot.

I don't think that you're supposed to aim for the stick, man.

Think of it as digging a posthole in muddy ground. So, the shit is not heading towards the stick; the stick is heading towards the shit.

Anyhoo...

Ah, yes, but it's more sporting the other way.

Yes, I've been cooped up too long.

Ew (muddy posthole digger).

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:


So what are they going to do?
Put up roadblocks?

yes

"Graham County (NC) Government has released the following information regarding road closures that will impact NC HWY 143 (NC side of the Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway) and US 129 (Tail of the Dragon - NC side with shops):

- Road closures are in effect NOW!
- All residents of Graham County will be able to pass through checkpoints at county lines with a valid driver's license showing a Graham County address.

TN HWY 165, the Tennessee side of the Cherohala Skyway, and the Tennessee side of US 129 will remain open. Please make appropriate travel arrangements if you have made the decision to practice social distancing in the Tellico District of the Cherokee National Forest."

I was following a thread on Twitter about the British scientist who predicted 2 million dead / 18 months of global quarantine who is now saying - ehh I was wrong, we'll be good in 2 or 3 weeks. I'm on my phone so it's hard to copy it all but I tried.

Check out Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson): https://twitter.com/AlexBerenson?s=09

1/ This is a remarkable turn from Neil Ferguson, who led the @imperialcollege authors who warned of 500,000 UK deaths - and who has now himself tested positive for #COVID; https://t.co/AfEeePbZL1

2/ He now says both that the U.K. should have enough ICU beds and that the coronavirus will probably kill under 20,000 people in the U.K. - more than 1/2 of whom would have died by the end of the year in any case bc they were so old and sick.

3/ Essentially, what has happened is that estimates of the viruses transmissibility have increased - which implies that many more people have already gotten it than we realize - which in turn implies it is less dangerous.

4/ Ferguson now predicts that the epidemic in the U.K. will peak and subside within “two to three weeks” - last week’s paper said 18+ months of quarantine would be necessary. https://t.co/1Hln7w90bt

5/ One last point here: Ferguson gives the lockdown credit, which is *interesting* - the UK only began ita lockdown 2 days ago, and the theory is that lockdowns take 2 weeks or more to work.

6/ Not surprisingly, this testimony has received no attention in the US - I found it only in UK papers. Team Apocalypse is not interested.

quote:

Originally posted by AirmanJeff:
I was following a thread on Twitter about the British scientist who predicted 2 million dead / 18 months of global quarantine who is now saying - ehh I was wrong, we'll be good in 2 or 3 weeks.

Imagine that

Astounding that most of these decisions have been and are still being based on that model and that model alone. Another British epidemiologist at Oxford had previously expressed doubt about his numbers but apparently was ignored.

Collier County in Florida had a meeting of the Commissioners today to vote on a proposed Stay-at-Home/Business Shutdown order.

The meeting went for about 3 hours, with testimony from reps from the local hospitals, various folks from the business community and members of the general public.

Ultimately, they unanimously decided not to adopt the order. They decided instead to monitor the situation and continue following the various orders and recommendations of the Governor and the CDC.

I submitted written testimony opposing the order, so I was pleased.