COVID-19 (f/k/a "the Coronavirus")

[skianth16]

Another big sports announcement related to the virus. The Olympics will be postponed, likely to next year. No doubt it's the right move, but with so many moving pieces involved with coordinating such a big, global event, I'm curious to see how the change will be handled.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/olympics-coronavirus-2020-postponed-canceled-tokyo-130054336.html

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Another big sports announcement related to the virus. The Olympics will be postponed, likely to next year. No doubt it's the right move, but with so many moving pieces involved with coordinating such a big, global event, I'm curious to see how the change will be handled.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/olympics-coronavirus-2020-postponed-canceled-tokyo-130054336.html

Just do it Summer of 2021 and then go back on schedule in 2024. 
Start date July 23, 2021.

[GooooMarquette]

Just do it Summer of 2021 and then go back on schedule in 2024. 
Start date July 23, 2021.

That is what will probably happen, but I don't envy the committee that oversees this change. From reports I have seen, the Olympic Village and many of the related facilities have been sold to private firms, with closing dates effective this fall. Those contracts will all have to be cancelled or renegotiated.

Not impossible, but far more complicated than just dealing with rescheduling events for a stadium.

[forgetful]

Let's be clear on what those saying "open the economy" really mean. What they mean is that the average wage earners, the middle class and below, return to work as normal, while the rich and elite hunker down in their homes and reap the profits.

Then when it is all said and done, the rich and elite will pat themselves on the back and talk about how they saved the economy and deserve gigantic bonuses and raises.

[forgetful]

https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_bdc4e802-6b90-11ea-a747-832e94bc7f56.html?fbclid=IwAR1NxYFh_DWDC0G-Y2xNoCeQizdvOrcqy7CzyOfKW_O5LgJE5N_LSpvrarQ

So many stories like this one out there. Dying without ever getting tested. All these will likely never appear in our total "numbers". The lack of testing right now is essentially a coverup, hiding the deaths related to this disease.

Especially true amongst young people. They are dying too...we just never get the test results back.

[GooooMarquette]

https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_bdc4e802-6b90-11ea-a747-832e94bc7f56.html?fbclid=IwAR1NxYFh_DWDC0G-Y2xNoCeQizdvOrcqy7CzyOfKW_O5LgJE5N_LSpvrarQ

So many stories like this one out there. Dying without ever getting tested. All these will likely never appear in our total "numbers". The lack of testing right now is essentially a coverup, hiding the deaths related to this disease.

Especially true amongst young people. They are dying too...we just never get the test results back.

True. And despite this well-known lack of testing, we are on the verge of passing (and then lapping) both Italy and China in confirmed cases. Within a week, we will probably double both in confirmed numbers.

[rocky_warrior]

Cleaned up a lot of the recent political crap. Please don't make us moderate!

Since the president is involved, chatter about press briefings and decisions is expected. Comparisons to previous administrations is purely a political conversation.  It's not hard to make the distinctions.  Tone it down.

Stay safe and healthy folks...

[Pakuni]

Let's be clear on what those saying "open the economy" really mean. What they mean is that the average wage earners, the middle class and below, return to work as normal, while the rich and elite hunker down in their homes and reap the profits.

Then when it is all said and done, the rich and elite will pat themselves on the back and talk about how they saved the economy and deserve gigantic bonuses and raises.

Saw a tweet today that something to the effect of "As soon as the CEOs agree to take the subway to work and operate their office elevators for the day, we can send everyone else back to work."
Sounds about right.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

First of all, you aren't supposed to ingest it. People should know that. That's pretty obvious. Second of all, how about we be a bit fair here and also post an article that shows what can happen when done properly..

https://www.foxnews.com/health/florida-man-with-coronavirus-claims-malaria-drug-saved-life

Let's hope that this drug actually works, it would save a lot of lives.  However, there are a few headscratchers in the account.  First, he talks about great difficulty breathing, but no where does it say he was every on a ventilator, so it doesn't sound as if his case was serious enough to require that step.  There is a longer version of this story that I saw where he talks about being on death's door, unable to breath, but also calling various doctors and specialists personally to get approval for taking the drug.  It just doesn't fully add up.

Best case, I think, is this could help with milder cases or to reduce the effects of COVID-19.  So far, at least, the medical community doesn't think it is a miracle cure though.

[skianth16]

Saw a tweet today that something to the effect of "As soon as the CEOs agree to take the subway to work and operate their office elevators for the day, we can send everyone else back to work."
Sounds about right.

I get that sentiment. But I've also seen plenty of social media posts from average-Joe types expressing fear about what will happen if they are out of work much longer. People want to be back to work too.

Too many posts like the above assume that CEOs only care about the bottom line because of how it affects their own paycheck or bonus. Improving the bottom line is usually in the best interest of all employees, not just the bosses. And believe it or not, it's possible to be an executive and to care about the people in your organization. I can promise you there are business owners and corporate executives all over the world right now that are absolutely sick over the layoffs and limited pay for their employees due to the measures being taken.

People's well-being involves both health and financial security. It's not one or the other. Hopefully Congress can put aside their differences long enough this week to help the workers who are desperately missing their normal wages now.

[Galway Eagle]

I get that sentiment. But I've also seen plenty of social media posts from average-Joe types expressing fear about what will happen if they are out of work much longer. People want to be back to work too.

Too many posts like the above assume that CEOs only care about the bottom line because of how it affects their own paycheck or bonus. Improving the bottom line is usually in the best interest of all employees, not just the bosses. And believe it or not, it's possible to be an executive and to care about the people in your organization. I can promise you there are business owners and corporate executives all over the world right now that are absolutely sick over the layoffs and limited pay for their employees due to the measures being taken.

People's well-being involves both health and financial security. It's not one or the other. Hopefully Congress can put aside their differences long enough this week to help the workers who are desperately missing their normal wages now.

I agree about putting aside differences but unfortunately in this case were talking about the core difference between the two parties. Dems aren't going to pass a stimulus structured around trickle down economics without measures ensuring it all trickles down and doesn't just help the company. I personally would rather they do take a thorough review and ensure this plan is actually helpful to the "average joe"

[Pakuni]

I get that sentiment. But I've also seen plenty of social media posts from average-Joe types expressing fear about what will happen if they are out of work much longer. People want to be back to work too.

Of course this is true, but I don't see how that contradicts my point.

Too many posts like the above assume that CEOs only care about the bottom line because of how it affects their own paycheck or bonus. Improving the bottom line is usually in the best interest of all employees, not just the bosses. And believe it or not, it's possible to be an executive and to care about the people in your organization. I can promise you there are business owners and corporate executives all over the world right now that are absolutely sick over the layoffs and limited pay for their employees due to the measures being taken.

I mean, yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of executives who care. But there are too many examples to count of those who do not, or those whose care for their employees well-being is a distant consideration.

Not to re-hash old debates, but simply put, if we make the health crisis go away, the economic crisis eventually will end as well. But if we don't prioritize the health crisis, the economic crisis won't get better.

As for Congress, I'm OK with them slowing their roll on this a bit. We're talking $2 trillion, 10 percent of the GDP. A good package at the end of the week is better than a bad package today.

[Lighthouse 84]

Another big sports announcement related to the virus. The Olympics will be postponed, likely to next year. No doubt it's the right move, but with so many moving pieces involved with coordinating such a big, global event, I'm curious to see how the change will be handled.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/olympics-coronavirus-2020-postponed-canceled-tokyo-130054336.html

Just don't cancel the Ryder Cup!  I've got tickets for Saturday!
I'll be pissed if it happens, but obviously in the grand scheme of things, it will only feel like the end of the world....

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I get that sentiment. But I've also seen plenty of social media posts from average-Joe types expressing fear about what will happen if they are out of work much longer. People want to be back to work too.

Too many posts like the above assume that CEOs only care about the bottom line because of how it affects their own paycheck or bonus. Improving the bottom line is usually in the best interest of all employees, not just the bosses. And believe it or not, it's possible to be an executive and to care about the people in your organization. I can promise you there are business owners and corporate executives all over the world right now that are absolutely sick over the layoffs and limited pay for their employees due to the measures being taken.

People's well-being involves both health and financial security. It's not one or the other. Hopefully Congress can put aside their differences long enough this week to help the workers who are desperately missing their normal wages now.

People want to get to work...because they want to make sure they are financially healthy.  They want to put themselves an their loved ones at risk because they are fearful of the financial implications.

That is why we need immediate expansion of unemployment benefits.  And for those business owners who have financial issues as well, that is why we need grants and loans made available.

It won't be helpful to our economy to send everyone back to work, only to have cases spike and us having to shut down everthing once again.  Or decide that the human cost isn't high enough.

The federal government has the ability to provide people with short and medium term financial security.

[rocky_warrior]

India locked down.  Save yourself!

https://www.foxnews.com/world/coronavirus-india-lockdown-train-network-halted-modi-save-yourself

[Hards Alumni]

over 400k today

[jesmu84]

Prioritize the health crisis.

Let the government deal with the short/medium-term financial problems of employees and small businesses.

That way, we're preventing rapid spread and average Joe isn't stressing about paying their rent.

Going back to work now, or in a week, is a TERRIBLE idea.

[Coleman]

Prioritize the health crisis.

Let the government deal with the short/medium-term financial problems of employees and small businesses.

That way, we're preventing rapid spread and average Joe isn't stressing about paying their rent.

Going back to work now, or in a week, is a TERRIBLE idea.

Yep. Every other country, even Trump's buddy Boris in the UK, has figured this out. I wish he would follow his lead.

As much as I didn't like Boris before, he seems to be competently handling this.

[Johnny B]

We will wait until its utter chaos before federal lockdown sadly. Looks like trump wants to power through and do the herd immunity deal

[Hards Alumni]

Yep. Every other country, even Trump's buddy Boris in the UK, has figured this out. I wish he would follow his lead.

As much as I didn't like Boris before, he seems to be competently handling this.

Eh, he was pretty late to the lockdown party as well.

[🏀]

Just don't cancel the Ryder Cup!  I've got tickets for Saturday!
I'll be pissed if it happens, but obviously in the grand scheme of things, it will only feel like the end of the world....

It’s gonna get cancelled, they’re waiting for ANGC to decide first.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Why would they cancel the Ryder Cup right now?  It's at the end of September.  Because of qualifying?

[shoothoops]

Amazon is seeking public donations to assist in paying its workers sick leave.

Amazon did $280 billion in revenue last year, and had $11.9 billion in profits. It is also owned by the wealthiest person in the world, Jeff Bezos, with a current net worth of $113.9 billion currently.



https://popular.info/p/amazon-soliciting-public-donations-141

[skianth16]

A- Of course this is true, but I don't see how that contradicts my point.

B- I mean, yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of executives who care. But there are too many examples to count of those who do not, or those whose care for their employees well-being is a distant consideration.

C- Not to re-hash old debates, but simply put, if we make the health crisis go away, the economic crisis eventually will end as well. But if we don't prioritize the health crisis, the economic crisis won't get better.

D- As for Congress, I'm OK with them slowing their roll on this a bit. We're talking $2 trillion, 10 percent of the GDP. A good package at the end of the week is better than a bad package today.

A- The tweet about CEOs came across as if people don't want to be back to work. Maybe that's just how I interpreted it others have much different takes. Probably the case.

B- Selection bias. Stories about rich, powerful dudes being jerks are always hits. Stories about rich guys being good or humble don't get nearly as many clicks. People love punching up. The number of examples provided of a certain scenario may not reflect the prevalence of said scenario.

C- I think we largely agree here. Lots of important stuff is heavily intertwined. You're right, no need to re-hash what has already been said.

D- I agree on how important it is to get this right. And maybe that should take a little longer. What I can't stand is the intentional additions to the bill that are clearly not related to this specific situation. The current 1400 page bill could and probably should be cut in half. Our politicians need to remember who their bosses are.

[skianth16]

Why would they cancel the Ryder Cup right now?  It's at the end of September.  Because of qualifying?

FWIW, Summerfest just made the announcement to reschedule for September. If officials think Summerfest will be OK to hold in September, maybe the Ryder Cup can keep the original dates.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/festivals/summerfest/2020/03/23/summerfest-milwaukee-postponed-september-due-coronavirus-pandemic/2899317001/