COVID impacts

[ElectricBlue]

In the last week or 2 the first lady has completely failed to hide her delight that business for the R & T shops has collapsed in the face of CV infection fears, but she found out on Monday that the gods are indeed capricious. She arrived for her volunteering session to be introduced to her new supervisor. She was gobsmacked; she discovered that her new nurse supervisor was: ddddrum roll, her aforementioned nemesis, the massage shop owner. It transpires that the massage lady is in fact a fully qualified nurse who had previously been splitting her time between her 2 professions, but for the time being must concentrate on one.

Now that's the kind of story I like .

 

[SolarRay]

Sadly, an acquaintance of mine has now passed away from coronavirus as well as a family member of a friend. Something tells me that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Cases are exploding here in NYC but still not clear how much of that is due to the fact that there's much higher testing going on here. I'm still only leaving home for groceries once a week, during non-peak hours, so hopefully keeping risk of exposure low. However, a friend in the building told me he was just tested after showing all the signs of the virus.
Curious to see if I already had it and possess the antibodies but I don't think that'll happen any time soon. For now, just getting by.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Sadly, an acquaintance of mine has now passed away from coronavirus as well as a family member of a friend. Something tells me that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Cases are exploding here in NYC but still not clear how much of that is due to the fact that there's much higher testing going on here. I'm still only leaving home for groceries once a week, during non-peak hours, so hopefully keeping risk of exposure low. However, a friend in the building told me he was just tested after showing all the signs of the virus.
Curious to see if I already had it and possess the antibodies but I don't think that'll happen any time soon. For now, just getting by.

Sorry to hear that SolarRay. Stay as safe as you can.

 

[SolarRay]

Sorry to hear that SolarRay. Stay as safe as you can.

Thanks Russ -- same to you, and to everyone here!

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

Sadly, an acquaintance of mine has now passed away from coronavirus as well as a family member of a friend. Something tells me that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Cases are exploding here in NYC but still not clear how much of that is due to the fact that there's much higher testing going on here. I'm still only leaving home for groceries once a week, during non-peak hours, so hopefully keeping risk of exposure low. However, a friend in the building told me he was just tested after showing all the signs of the virus.
Curious to see if I already had it and possess the antibodies but I don't think that'll happen any time soon. For now, just getting by.

So so sorry to hear that, SR my condolences.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I worry about my American friends because very few seem to be taking the spread of Covid-19 seriously.

I missed this comment yesterday. That’s unfortunate to know. Would you mind sharing any of the examples of ways that you’re concerned? Mainly asking for my own edification; as you know, I follow trends. Thanks, Ogg!

 

[oggbashan]

I missed this comment yesterday. That’s unfortunate to know. Would you mind sharing any of the examples of ways that you’re concerned? Mainly asking for my own edification; as you know, I follow trends. Thanks, Ogg!

! The spread of Covid-19 is following a distinct pattern in many counties yet the US does not appear to be learning from other countries' experience.

2. The testing for Covid-19 in the US is not as extensive nor as organised as other countries. The US has no accurate data on who is infected and therefore planning is compromised. Even those countries than have done far more testing know that what the tests show is only a proportion of those actually infected. How many have Covid-19 in the US with mild or no symptoms is unknown and cannot be estimated with any accuracy.

3. The restrictions on the population of the US are limited and not comprehensive. There is nothing to stop people travelling from one state to another and spreading Covid-19.

4. Many US people seemed determined to discount Covid-19 and carry on as if it doesn't exist. The more people who do that - the greater the risk.

5. As far as I can see there is no action taken by any US authorities that would prevent a massive surge in cases and deaths. I would expect the US to exceed the death tolls recorded in China, Italy and Spain in the next few weeks before the US authorities react - and then far too late.

6. President Trump's contradictory announcements are confusing and seem to show that he doesn't acknowledge the threat that Covid-19 could be. Will it take 10,000 US deaths, 20,000 or 50,000 before he accepts the reality? Each death affects a family. How many US families have to grieve before the loss is unacceptable? The US population need clear messages. So far they are getting confused and contradictory announcements. Panic and fake news are filling the gap.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

! The spread of Covid-19 is following a distinct pattern in many counties yet the US does not appear to be learning from other countries' experience.

2. The testing for Covid-19 in the US is not as extensive nor as organised as other countries. The US has no accurate data on who is infected and therefore planning is compromised. Even those countries than have done far more testing know that what the tests show is only a proportion of those actually infected. How many have Covid-19 in the US with mild or no symptoms is unknown and cannot be estimated with any accuracy.

3. The restrictions on the population of the US are limited and not comprehensive. There is nothing to stop people travelling from one state to another and spreading Covid-19.

4. Many US people seemed determined to discount Covid-19 and carry on as if it doesn't exist. The more people who do that - the greater the risk.

5. As far as I can see there is no action taken by any US authorities that would prevent a massive surge in cases and deaths. I would expect the US to exceed the death tolls recorded in China, Italy and Spain in the next few weeks before the US authorities react - and then far too late.

6. President Trump's contradictory announcements are confusing and seem to show that he doesn't acknowledge the threat that Covid-19 could be. Will it take 10,000 US deaths, 20,000 or 50,000 before he accepts the reality? Each death affects a family. How many US families have to grieve before the loss is unacceptable? The US population need clear messages. So far they are getting confused and contradictory announcements. Panic and fake news are filling the gap.

Thanks so much for your response, Ogg! I appreciate your points, and they’re all important and critically insightful ones. I agree that these are significant distinctions (and failures) in the way the US with is approaching strategy and management, at all levels of our local and national government. And yes: the more people in the US that discount Covid-19’s immediacy and seriousness—as well as the seriousness of the economic and social fallout too—the greater risk to the whole world.

 

[KeithD]

5. As far as I can see there is no action taken by any US authorities that would prevent a massive surge in cases and deaths. I would expect the US to exceed the death tolls recorded in China, Italy and Spain in the next few weeks before the US authorities react - and then far too late.

I agree with all you posted except this. There are states and localities doing a whole lot of what they can to deal with this. Can't be too effect, though, when other states around them are doing nothing and they are doing less than nothing effective at the national level (harming rather than just doing nothing).

 

[oggbashan]

I agree with all you posted except this. There are states and localities doing a whole lot of what they can to deal with this. Can't be too effect, though, when other states around them are doing nothing and they are doing less than nothing effective at the national level (harming rather than just doing nothing).

While some do it, their actions are undermined by those who don't.

 

[_Lynn_]

The county sheriff's department where I live is calling seniors this week to check on them. I didn't give it much thought when I read about it, but my daughter called and said they reached out to her (as my emergency contact) when I didn't answer my phone. It didn't take us long to decide they had an old number (my phone didn't ring this morning and nothing showed on the call log for today). A quick conversation with a deputy fixed it. I've been staying in and away from others so hopefully when they call again, I can still tell them I'm doing all right.

 

[KeithD]

While some do it, their actions are undermined by those who don't.

There are more state and local officials standing up to this in the United States than otherwise. It's simply a misstatement to say that most (or the none of them are of your original post) authorities here aren't taking this seriously.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

The county sheriff's department where I live is calling seniors this week to check on them. I didn't give it much thought when I read about it, but my daughter called and said they reached out to her (as my emergency contact) when I didn't answer my phone. It didn't take us long to decide they had an old number (my phone didn't ring this morning and nothing showed on the call log for today). A quick conversation with a deputy fixed it. I've been staying in and away from others so hopefully when they call again, I can still tell them I'm doing all right.

That’s a good community service. Glad to know you’re doing well, Lynn!

 

[BrokenSpokes]

What Ogg said

I missed this comment yesterday. That’s unfortunate to know. Would you mind sharing any of the examples of ways that you’re concerned? Mainly asking for my own edification; as you know, I follow trends. Thanks, Ogg!

I agree with everything Ogg said in response to this. I'm in a major metropolitan city on the East Coast and I have seen this disaster coming for a month. The US isn't anywhere close to where we should be on test and trace, and we have missed our window to limit or mitigate a disastrous result in the way that South Korea or Japan did. Our government has known this was coming since January and instead of using those two months to get ready they spent two months assuring everyone it wasn't going to be a problem, don't worry, we have it completely locked down.

We are all going to pay the price for that.

I think I may have seen the problem before most, because I stocked up on everything a week before the general freak out started. I haven't left my apartment for nine days and am set for at least another two weeks.

Now I have the problem that the current series I'm working on has a main character who is an E.R. doctor and I can't stop myself from wanting to take the story into how she has to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, and no one comes to LitE to read something like that, much less in a romance.

 

[KeithD]

Speaking of seeing it coming, I start week four of pretty much total lockdown tomorrow.

I canceled our early May vacation on the Maryland Eastern Shore today. For full refund I had to cancel by the end of this month and it doesn't look to me that we'll be out of isolation in early May.

 

[oggbashan]

There are more state and local officials standing up to this in the United States than otherwise. It's simply a misstatement to say that most (or the none of them are of your original post) authorities here aren't taking this seriously.

I apologise for overstating my case. I am sorry for those who are trying hard. It seems that the system is against them, and even those who are doing everything are too little, too late and surrounded by ostriches.

The overall impression is that the US thinks it won't matter.

 

[yukonnights]

I apologise for overstating my case. I am sorry for those who are trying hard. It seems that the system is against them, and even those who are doing everything are too little, too late and surrounded by ostriches.

The overall impression is that the US thinks it won't matter.

Not everyone. It's somewhat of an ideological issue. I'd explain it but we've promised to not delve into those things on this thread and just try to see each other as fellow humans trying to do our best.

As you know, this is a large country — both in area and population. Have you ever heard of 'wrangling cats'? The image would be like a thousand pussy cats being driven by four young cowboys on the way to the cat market. (chaos is one word that comes to mind — tragic comedy is another)

 

[BrokenSpokes]

I apologise for overstating my case. I am sorry for those who are trying hard. It seems that the system is against them, and even those who are doing everything are too little, too late and surrounded by ostriches.

The overall impression is that the US thinks it won't matter.

Every medical and public health official thinks it matters a great deal. They all think we’re screwed.

The executive branch of our government does not seem to care other than how it might affect re-election.

 

[KeithD]

I apologise for overstating my case. I am sorry for those who are trying hard. It seems that the system is against them, and even those who are doing everything are too little, too late and surrounded by ostriches.

The overall impression is that the US thinks it won't matter.

That's fine. I just see a lot of "authorities" out there busting a gut to fight this--and unfortunately having to fight the national "government" as well--and risking their lives for the people they were elected to serve and protect. I really hate it when I see all politicians and other "authorities" lumped into one useless bunch. Most of our societies are extremely complex and are being managed and shepherded well even in times that aren't the crisis we're now facing.

 

[ChloeTzang]

That's fine. I just see a lot of "authorities" out there busting a gut to fight this--and unfortunately having to fight the national "government" as well--and risking their lives for the people they were elected to serve and protect. I really hate it when I see all politicians and other "authorities" lumped into one useless bunch. Most of our societies are extremely complex and are being managed and shepherded well even in times that aren't the crisis we're now facing.

Yes, yes and yes. I’d guess June myself, this is going to get worse before it improves. Our management team are not happy campers at the moment. Supply chain issues. Oh well. Not exactly unexpected for anyone that keeps up with the news. As everyone here does...

 

[ChloeTzang]

...We didn’t buy anything, but I thank everybody who did. Chloe, based on your insights, I figured you have your finger on the pulse of a segment of the population, so you were my benchmark for how aggressively people would respond to this pandemic in the market. Using your descriptions about your stockpiling, I bought puts across pretty much the whole market and went long on General Mills, Walmart, Costco, Kimberly-Clarke, Proctor&Gamble and a handful of others.....

I just snorted my coffee. Happy to be an economic indicator for you Vix - I shall do my best to share in future, thus allowing you a good lead in lol

 

[_Lynn_]

That’s a good community service. Glad to know you’re doing well, Lynn!

Yes, it is. Thanks.

We just had a college girl test positive who decided she was too young to worry about the virus and took her spring break trip anyway. The list of places she went is long, including Madrid on March 10. Now she's in isolation, struggling with high fevers and difficulty breathing.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I apologise for overstating my case. I am sorry for those who are trying hard. It seems that the system is against them, and even those who are doing everything are too little, too late and surrounded by ostriches.

The overall impression is that the US thinks it won't matter.

Looking in from the outside and seeing comparative data on the contamination curves and the growth rates between countries, the US will soon overtake China in terms of total numbers (cases and deaths). A good article is linked below, produced by our national broadcaster.

Australia is doubling identified cases roughly every three days, but our overall count is still in the low thousands, nationally, and we now have limited movement across state borders, increasing prohibitions on groups of people. All states are progressively locking down (some more than others), the health authorities are making the right noises, and on the whole we're now getting coordinated political leadership at the national and state level.

We are on the right side of the curve - it's still exponential, but nationally we're slower doubling than most other western nations, but nothing like as slowly as Japan, Taiwan or Singapore.

Because of our low population, we're right at the bottom of the charts. The US is nearly at the top, and the case count is growing at the steepest rate. I know where I'd rather be.

There's a storm coming.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-26/coronavirus-covid19-global-spread-data-explained/12089028

 

[SimonDoom]

I apologise for overstating my case. .

Nothing to apologize for. I didn't see your remark as being anti-American.

As KeithD rightly said, there are plenty of US gov't folks busting their asses to deal with this the right way, and I see many people in the country taking appropriate precautions. Most of my friends and all of my family have severely modified their behavior.

Something people from elsewhere should keep in mind is we're not a centralized country. We are a union of states, and all of the states have the legal authority to do things differently, and that's what we're seeing. Some states aren't taking this seriously at all. Others have their people on lockdown. I live in one of the lockdown states.

People from other countries may look at our President and think that what he says is what the government is doing, and that's not quite true. There are plenty of state governors acting on their own. Some people in his own administration are doing a good job, despite his statements.

Unfortunately, the rate of increase of fatalities right now is quite high, and it's terrible in New York State. We really don't know where this is headed, but we'll probably have a much better idea in about a week. Stay safe, everybody.

 

[Handley_Page]

Yes, it is. Thanks.

We just had a college girl test positive who decided she was too young to worry about the virus and took her spring break trip anyway. The list of places she went is long, including Madrid on March 10. Now she's in isolation, struggling with high fevers and difficulty breathing.

I pity the poor sods who have to pay for her treatment.
Stupidity such as hers deserves a big Bill.

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As KeithD rightly said, there are plenty of US gov't folks busting their asses to deal with this the right way, and I see many people in the country taking appropriate precautions. Most of my friends and all of my family have severely modified their behavior.
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Unfortunately, the rate of increase of fatalities right now is quite high, and it's terrible in New York State. We really don't know where this is headed, but we'll probably have a much better idea in about a week. Stay safe, everybody.

Reports (??) on social media suggest that 45 ain't doin' a deal to help ordinary folks.