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

[tower912]

Keeping number of deaths in perspective.   We lost a generation of good young men in that needless war.   Many who made it back are still fighting it.   I thank them for their service.

More dead from this and there will be a large number with PTSD down the road.   I respect the heck out of you, Lenny, but the numbers are the numbers. 


  And lessons in leadership in times of crisis were lost in the heel spurs.

[GooooMarquette]

Comparing Covid19 to other pandemics or epidemics is fair. Criticizing our response by those in charge at the federal, xtate and local authorities is fair.

With all due respect (and I mean it) comparing it to a needless war of choice is not.

You’re right about comparing them, because it would be apples and oranges.

But I didn’t read it as a comparison of Vietnam vs COVID as much as simply noting that we had passed a very sad milestone.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Since we really haven’t been early on any federally coordinated purchase to date, this doesn’t exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-buys-more-body-bags-preparing-for-worst-case-cornavirus-scenario-11588172780

[reinko]

Weird, at the start of Vietnam War 65% supported the govt in their intervention, which then eventually cratered.  Weird.

[GooooMarquette]

Since we really haven’t been early on any federally coordinated purchase to date, this doesn’t exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-buys-more-body-bags-preparing-for-worst-case-cornavirus-scenario-11588172780

Wow. The first time we’re proactive on this, it’s to buy body bags for a worst case scenario?

The cynic in me says it’s a prelude to reopening the country way too quickly. I hope the cynic is wrong...

[Pakuni]

Los Angeles offering free testing for all residents.

@MayorOfLA: Announcing that L.A. is now the first major city in America to offer free COVID-19 testing to all residents. While priority will still be given to those with symptoms, individuals without symptoms can also be tested. Sign up at http://Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing. https://twitter.com/MayorOfLA/status/1255655435333300225/photo/1

[Mutaman]

Weird, at the start of Vietnam War 65% supported the govt in their intervention, which then eventually cratered.  Weird.

i think I might have bone spurs. or maybe anal warts. If i get a doctor's note verifying same, would that get me out of the pandemic?

[forgetful]

https://www.foxnews.com/media/dr-makary-us-china-coronavirus-vaccine-race

I fear Trump really views this as a competitive race, where we have to beat China. Instead of a global goal to work together to get a vaccine and treatment. We refused to join the rest of the world on joint projects.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/us-stays-away-as-world-leaders-agree-action-on-covid-19-vaccine

My fear, is he forces shortcuts, that end up leading to a less effective, or dangerous vaccine for pride sake.

[MU82]

https://www.foxnews.com/media/dr-makary-us-china-coronavirus-vaccine-race

I fear Trump really views this as a competitive race, where we have to beat China. Instead of a global goal to work together to get a vaccine and treatment. We refused to join the rest of the world on joint projects.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/us-stays-away-as-world-leaders-agree-action-on-covid-19-vaccine

My fear, is he forces shortcuts, that end up leading to a less effective, or dangerous vaccine for pride sake.

Today, he was waxing poetic about being able to hold rallies again, with "25,000 screaming people." Attaboy. Always thinking about others.

But really, of course he's waxing poetic about those rallies. Everybody likes feeling loved, and he NEEDS it more than he needs air, water and a big bucket of Extra Crispy.

[GooooMarquette]

Thursday, April 30 is National Honesty Day.

Let’s hope for some leadership by example.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

The Gilead drug had a statistically significant effect on recovery duration. Which is great, because one of the limiting factors in survival may be accessibility to ICU care. That decreases any potential burden on the healthcare system by 30+%.

Unfortunately, the results did not show as "statistically significant" effect on mortality. Mortality decreased, but it was not statistically significant in this study.

Hopefully in a large study, they will find it to have a statistically significant impact on mortality too, albeit small. A small benefit still will save lives. And lives matter.

The biggest limit is that it as an intravenous drug, so has to be given in a hospital setting, that means it really only has an effect in the sickest of patients.

I would be hoping that I could get both this, and convalescent plasma.

Agree, to me it doesn't appear that the results match the headlines. I mean, shorter sickness time for those that are going to recover is good, but maybe only nudging mortality? I don't think the initial results are what people are thinking they are.

[GooooMarquette]

Perspective on GA decision to reopen, from an Infectious Diseases specialist in Atlanta:

Georgia Went First. And It Screwed Up.
Here’s what other states can learn from our inept reopening.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/opinion/georgia-coronavirus-reopening.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

Don’t underestimate the importance of good data.
Despite all the warnings in the news media, it can be tempting to cherry-pick evidence that supports a move to reopen. Governor Kemp said his decision was based on “favorable data” and enhanced testing, but the more we looked, the more questionable that data looked: fluctuations among data curves, some of which conflicted with each other; weeklong lags in Georgia’s reporting of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
.....

Don’t punish small businesses by treating their decision to reopen — or not — as a purity test.
Somehow, we’ve reached the point where caring about public health has become a progressive issue, while the nation’s economy has become a conservative one. This division is false; no one should have to choose between financial annihilation and helping to spread a deadly disease. But thanks to unforgivable failures of political leadership, business owners in Georgia are bearing the burden of that choice — and the same will happen in every state that follows our lead.
.....

We have dangerous tensions between our state and local governments.
The governor’s decision came as a surprise to our mayors, who were not consulted or informed about his executive order in advance — and were barred by one of its clauses from issuing local orders more or less restrictive than his.


There has been plenty of discussion about decisions being made in the absence of good data, and the tension between state and local officials.

But she also does a nice job or illustrating a real-life example of the growing perspective that we should have to choose between public health (a 'liberal' viewpoint) and the economy (a 'conservative' viewpoint). To me, the 'purity test' she describes highlights why we need to address the other two issues (1- making consistent, data-driven decisions; and 2 - good coordination between different levels of government) to avoid a haphazard, ineffective reopening process.

And for those advocating reopening the economy without more of a data-driven consensus, I ask a question - will it really help your businesses or your job security if we reopen the economy and the customers don't show up?

[Jockey]

American deaths from COVID  > American deaths in Viet Nam.   

So we have that going for us.

What’s the connection?
Trump didn’t help in either one.

Thank you, jimmy Kimmel.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

What’s the connection?
Trump didn’t help in either one.

Thank you, jimmy Kimmel.

Stephen Colbert used the line last night, "And just like in the Vietnam War, Donald Trump is AWOL."

[HansMoleman]

What’s the connection?
Trump didn’t help in either one.

Thank you, jimmy Kimmel.

Just so I'm clear, you don't like President Trump, correct?

[Jockey]

The Vice Hypocrite is getting ripped a new one everywhere -- even on Fox News.

He claimed he wanted to look at health-care workers "in the eye."  Well, if you're not an imbecile, you've put your mask on in a way that you can see. Just ask every surgeon in the world how they somehow are able to see as they fix people's brains, hearts and everything else while wearing masks.

Not following hospital policy when you are supposed to be setting an example for the entire country is disturbing, selfish and just plain inconsiderate.

Karen Pence, today: "It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out that they had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask.


There are six things that the LORD strongly dislikes, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

— Proverbs 6:16–19

Looks like Karen forgot about the Christian-y thing today.

[tower912]

Damn, that is almost a clean sweep.

[GooooMarquette]

Karen Pence, today: "It was actually after he left Mayo Clinic that he found out that they had a policy of asking everyone to wear a mask.


There are six things that the LORD strongly dislikes, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

— Proverbs 6:16–19

Looks like Karen forgot about the Christian-y thing today.

Yep.

He was told before he arrived...then he passed a sign at the entrance stating that masks are required for everyone in the buildings (I HAVE WALKED PAST THESE SIGNS - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE)...then he saw all Mayo staff, patients and visitors wearing them...then he was offered one, and he still refused. The claim that he didn’t know is simply an ‘alternative fact.’

[mu_hilltopper]

This is nuts:

https://www.complex.com/life/2020/04/georgia-drops-driving-test-requirement-for-license-due-to-pandemic

Georgia is letting teens drive without a driver's test. 

These kids have been waiting 16 years for a driver's test.  They can wait a little longer.  That's crazy.

[GooooMarquette]

This is nuts:

https://www.complex.com/life/2020/04/georgia-drops-driving-test-requirement-for-license-due-to-pandemic

Georgia is letting teens drive without a driver's test. 

These kids have been waiting 16 years for a driver's test.  They can wait a little longer.  That's crazy.

Wow - GA is conducting its own little Darwin demo right before our eyes.

On the plus side...if people weren’t afraid to go out before, they certainly should be now....

[MU82]

Yep.

He was told before he arrived...then he passed a sign at the entrance stating that masks are required for everyone in the buildings (I HAVE WALKED PAST THESE SIGNS - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE)...then he saw all Mayo staff, patients and visitors wearing them...then he was offered one, and he still refused. The claim that he didn’t know is simply an ‘alternative fact.’

Yesterday's Lie Doubleheader was that he didn't think he needed a mask because he has been tested often and because he wanted to look the health-care workers in the eyes. Today's lie, brought to us by Mrs. Vice Hypocrite, is, "How could my hubby possibly have known; nobody told him."

We used to be able to say: "I don't agree with Pence's politics, but at least he seems like a decent, honorable man."

A few years as apprentice to the Master of Lies ... and now he's even lying about hospital masks. And his wife is even joining in on the fun.

[Jockey]

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he’s been forced to resort to drastic measures to protect nearly 500,000 COVID-19 test kits from the federal government.

The state bought the test kits from South Korea earlier this month, and the state’s National Guard is guarding them in a secret location to prevent them from being commandeered by the Trump administration.

On Thursday, Hogan, a Republican, told The Washington Post about the careful steps he’s taking to ensure the tests remain in Maryland.

For instance, he had the plane from South Korea land at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport instead of Washington’s Dulles International Airport to reduce the chance that the feds would seize the COVID-19 cargo.

In addition, the plane was greeted by what Hogan described as “a large contingent of Maryland National Guard and Maryland State Police.”

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Just another example of the difficulty in worker safety in an essential industry. 

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/495564-nearly-900-workers-at-tyson-meat-plant-in-indiana-test-positive-for-coronavirus

[MU82]

Just another example of the difficulty in worker safety in an essential industry. 

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/495564-nearly-900-workers-at-tyson-meat-plant-in-indiana-test-positive-for-coronavirus

Tough crap! Get back to work! I need my McNuggets!!!

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I've said a couple of times that because of the patchwork way the U.S. has handled lock downs and the variations in how closely people adhered to the recommendations that it seemed to me that we were likely to have a long, rolling wave rather than a distinct end to the first wave. This thread talks about that in terms of the data we are seeing

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1255976675252158465.html