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

[tower912]

Also, as widespread and easily spread as the virus is, the burden of proof will be ridiculous.   'Beyond a reasonable doubt' will be well nigh impossible.   Preponderance of evidence won't be much easier.

[GooooMarquette]

Also, as widespread and easily spread as the virus is, the burden of proof will be ridiculous.   'Beyond a reasonable doubt' will be well nigh impossible.   Preponderance of evidence won't be much easier.

If it's true that he "knowingly" went to work sick, it would be easy for a competent prosecutor to prove that he created an unreasonably dangerous situation by going to work. Kind of a slam dunk, actually.

Anyway, I seem to be the only person who thinks this individual should be held accountable, so I will leave it at that...

[tower912]

I think you have a completely plausible argument.   I share your frustrations.   

[Warriors4ever]

I don't necessarily disagree that the person should be held accountable.  I just can see situations where people have to make impossible choices. If it's someone who isn't living a hand-to-mouth existence, and could take sick time, say,  I would absolutely bring the hammer down.

[MUBurrow]

I don't necessarily disagree that the person should be held accountable.  I just can see situations where people have to make impossible choices. If it's someone who isn't living a hand-to-mouth existence, and could take sick time, say,  I would absolutely bring the hammer down.

This is the rub for me. This virus is hitting the working class the hardest because they don't have the resources to quarantine effectively, jobs that facilitate WFH, or the ability to go without a paycheck.  In a "bad facts make bad law" kind of way, I don't like the way that prosecuting somebody for going to work sick could set a real punching down precedent.

[Jockey]

If it's true that he "knowingly" went to work sick, it would be easy for a competent prosecutor to prove that he created an unreasonably dangerous situation by going to work. Kind of a slam dunk, actually.

Anyway, I seem to be the only person who thinks this individual should be held accountable, so I will leave it at that...

Not the only one, Goo.

[GB Warrior]

If it's true that he "knowingly" went to work sick, it would be easy for a competent prosecutor to prove that he created an unreasonably dangerous situation by going to work. Kind of a slam dunk, actually.

Anyway, I seem to be the only person who thinks this individual should be held accountable, so I will leave it at that...

Just want to point out that this country has made it incredibly hard for its average citizenry to do the right thing. That includes sick leave that doesn't force people to make a choice between health/public wellbeing and livelihoods.

That and about a dozen other government programs that could have made this better for society could have had this country on the other side of this. But we hate anything that smells like a handout that we spite the entire country.

[GooooMarquette]

I agree completely with the comments about our society failing economically disadvantaged people, and wish we had better safety nets. And we certainly should not penalize someone simply for being poor. That said, I would hate to set a precedent that an otherwise illegal action is somehow OK just because the person was indigent.

My preference would simply be for the prosecutors to look at the applicable law and bring charges if they apply. The punishment (including financial penalties, if any) could take into account the financial status of the perpetrator.

Anyhow, interesting discussion. Peace, all.

[jesmu84]

I believe it's a felony to have sex with a partner and not disclose that you have HIV.

Seems this would be a similar situation.

[JWags85]

I believe it's a felony to have sex with a partner and not disclose that you have HIV.

Seems this would be a similar situation.

I don't think it's similar at all, outside of the most baseline of infectious viruses.  You're talking about someone's right to earn a livelihood versus sexual activity in their personal life. Other than a "non disclosure" of an infection, I feel the circumstances of both reason for interaction, intent, and whatnot are wildly different

[jesmu84]

I don't think it's similar at all, outside of the most baseline of infectious viruses.  You're talking about someone's right to earn a livelihood versus sexual activity in their personal life. Other than a "non disclosure" of an infection, I feel the circumstances of both reason for interaction, intent, and whatnot are wildly different

Ya. Non-disclosure is what I was after.

Ultimately, we do a crap job in this country of providing adequate support and resources so that sick people - regardless of illness - feel safe/secure in taking time off to stay home from work so we can prevent community spread of disease

[JWags85]

Ya. Non-disclosure is what I was after.

Ultimately, we do a crap job in this country of providing adequate support and resources so that sick people - regardless of illness - feel safe/secure in taking time off to stay home from work so we can prevent community spread of disease

FWIW, I think it's cultural beyond just the pandemic. Think of how many coworkers you can think of in a cube/office setting hacking away that if you know them well enough, you can't help but say "GO THE HELL HOME." And I'm talking people that aren't hourly, wouldn't have to deviate from already scheduled/planned childcare, and who have 3-4 weeks of vacation time. Not people nursing their 5 days so they can see family at holidays.  Lots of people refuse to admit they need to stay home and just be sick

[MU82]

FWIW, I think it's cultural beyond just the pandemic. Think of how many coworkers you can think of in a cube/office setting hacking away that if you know them well enough, you can't help but say "GO THE HELL HOME." And I'm talking people that aren't hourly, wouldn't have to deviate from already scheduled/planned childcare, and who have 3-4 weeks of vacation time. Not people nursing their 5 days so they can see family at holidays.  Lots of people refuse to admit they need to stay home and just be sick

Excellent point, Wags.

For some, it's a badge of honor to never take a day off. Some will whine about never getting a day off and their employer being so reliant on them ... even though it's their choice, and they easily could take time off if they wanted to. Some are afraid - even if its an irrational fear - that if they take a week of vacation they won't be missed and/or can be easily replaced. My father-in-law worked until he was 84 and never took vacation even though he easily could have.

And yes, all of us have encountered the contagious hacker many times, proving how "tough" he or she is.

[jesmu84]

FWIW, I think it's cultural beyond just the pandemic. Think of how many coworkers you can think of in a cube/office setting hacking away that if you know them well enough, you can't help but say "GO THE HELL HOME." And I'm talking people that aren't hourly, wouldn't have to deviate from already scheduled/planned childcare, and who have 3-4 weeks of vacation time. Not people nursing their 5 days so they can see family at holidays.  Lots of people refuse to admit they need to stay home and just be sick

Totally agree.

[tower912]

Wags, you make a great point.    Which is one reason that WFH as much as possible was the appropriate strategy.   

[GooooMarquette]

First case of the mutated "British" strain of Covid just confirmed in Colorado. Not at all surprising, but all the more reason that we need to dramatically accelerate our vaccination efforts.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/29/colorado-reports-first-known-us-case-new-covid-strain-uk/4079697001/

[shoothoops]

Louisiana Congressman Elect Luke Letlow has died. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec 18th. He was hospitalized with worsening symptoms one day later. He was 41.

https://amp.thenewsstar.com/amp/4082977001?__twitter_impression=true

[MU82]

Louisiana Congressman Elect Luke Letlow has died. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec 18th. He was hospitalized with worsening symptoms one day later. He was 41.

https://amp.thenewsstar.com/amp/4082977001?__twitter_impression=true

Sad. Too bad young people really aren't immune.

[pbiflyer]

Louisiana Congressman Elect Luke Letlow has died. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec 18th. He was hospitalized with worsening symptoms one day later. He was 41.

https://amp.thenewsstar.com/amp/4082977001?__twitter_impression=true

He held a maskless indoor event earlier this month. He has said that we must open up the economy.

"So while we've been cautious and I think both the state and federal level have taken numerous precautions for COVID-19. We're now at a place if we do not open our economy we're in real danger."

https://twitter.com/LukeLetlow/status/1314247318372257792?s=20

In troubled times, the Bible provides guidance. In this case , Galatians 6:7.

[shoothoops]

He held a maskless indoor event earlier this month. He has said that we must open up the economy.
In troubled times, the Bible provides guidance. In this case , Galatians 6:7.

There will never be a shortage of people out there that only have the ability to relate to what is happening to themselves at the time, either through ignorance or selfishness. Those are the people that require road trips and field trips to understand things. And even then, that only helps with some.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

This is an ED doctor who has been doing plenty of tweeting/research on COVID and has had a particular focus on excess mortality of the young + trying to prove or disprove the notion that suicides are up because of the harsh countermeasures of the pandemic (his data says they aren't)

In any case some good data on the topic.

https://twitter.com/jeremyfaust/status/1344157694157082624?s=21

[Hards Alumni]

Louisiana Congressman Elect Luke Letlow has died. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec 18th. He was hospitalized with worsening symptoms one day later. He was 41.

https://amp.thenewsstar.com/amp/4082977001?__twitter_impression=true

Rest in Piss

You can't play on the highway, and suggest it to others, and then expect any sympathy when you get hit by a car.

[The Sultan]

Rest in Piss

You can't play on the highway, and suggest it to others, and then expect any sympathy when you get hit by a car.

How very Christian of you.

Your statement is no better than those you are vilifying.

[Hards Alumni]

How very Christian of you.

Your statement is no better than those you are vilifying.

1.  I'm not a Christian... having said that, I do feel bad for his family.

2.  Also I'm a nobody, and this piece of crap killed people with his actions.... and died because of them.  He's just another person.  He won't be missed except by those in his family who he probably put at risk as well.  Guess he won't be out there to covid deny, be anti-mask, and host super spreader events.  Surely you see the irony here.   Screw him.

Schadenfreude.

[The Sultan]

1.  I'm not a Christian... having said that, I do feel bad for his family.

2.  Also I'm a nobody, and this piece of crap killed people with his actions.... and died because of them.  He's just another person.  He won't be missed except by those in his family who he probably put at risk as well.  Guess he won't be out there to covid deny, be anti-mask, and host super spreader events.  Surely you see the irony here.   Screw him.

Schadenfreude.

As I said, this says a lot about you.