Universal Monster Army

Chitter Chatter => General Discussion => Topic started by: Monsters For Sale on March 01, 2020, 12:41:11 PM

Title: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 01, 2020, 12:41:11 PM
I know I’ve been naughty and slipped political comments into current affair topics in the past.  I promise NOT to do that here.  This is way too important a topic with which to screw around.
                                                      __________________________________

Have any UMA’ers been impacted by the latest virus making the rounds?  I know it’s effect on the stock market has made some retirement fund holders uneasy.  But have you had any changes in your daily life or long-term plans imposed on you?

A local Southern California grammar school's kids have begun wearing inadequate, ill-fitting paper masks.  One 6th grader I know has drawn an animal snout on hers.  (Be interesting to see school officials’ reaction.)   

Working parents have been exploring childcare possibilities, in case schools are closed for a while.

I already have Vons deliver my groceries.  I was thinking Vons truck drivers may have some overtime in their future.

I’ve never needed to go out to keep myself amused.  Wouldn’t inconvenience me to be “snowed in” for a season.   I’m an old fart and I’ve had a good (well, long) run.  If I did catch the virus (or, it caught me), and I croaked, there would not be a huge ripple in the local social fabric.  Few would take note - fewer would care.

But I do think about the two kids with whom I enjoy a lot of time.  They spend all day in crowded classrooms with other kids, many of whom who cough into other’s faces without a second thought, wipe their noses on their sleeves and leave doorknobs, and anything else they touch, feeling sticky.

Anybody here been thinking much about this latest virus:  made changes in their daily behavior or near-term plans?  Putting off attending Mardi-Gras, or other places with large gatherings, like Times Square on New Year's Eve?  Decided against flying or taking cruises?


Just wondering.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 01, 2020, 02:43:15 PM
 Adam, I think most people have this somewhere in the back of their minds. My girlfriend and I were out in Long Beach, yesterday. We went to watch "The Invisible Man" at a noon matinee.it was pretty packed, for a first showing. No one seemed concerned. We went to various shopping places and found crowds enjoying life as usual. We met one of her girlfriends for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Many familys were there enjoying a wonderful dinner. Hell,  I even ordered a Corona, which the waiter jokingly assured was "virus-free".
  The only place we noticed a difference was at Stater Bros. Market. There were quite a few people stocking up on water and supplies. I completely understand your fears about your little friends at school. That's a perfect place for it to spread. Having worked at a school for decades, I can assure you that schools' staffs are very diligent and work their butts off to protect their kids (despite inadequate funding).
  I'll be the one to raise the concern about our government. When you have a leader more obsessed  with his public image than his public, that could lead to a bad situation. Making the "science-impaired" VP in charge of informing the public, brings to mind what happened at Chernobyl. Overreacting? Maybe. Better safe than sorry. 
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 01, 2020, 02:46:02 PM
A number of cases popping up in my neck of the woods.  Not looking good.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 01, 2020, 02:58:42 PM
A number of cases popping up in my neck of the woods.  Not looking good. 

Where's your neck?
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 01, 2020, 03:12:21 PM
Where's your neck?

Starbucks country.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Rex fury on March 01, 2020, 04:07:30 PM
Aside From the media coverage, here’s something that might interest those of us dwelling on COVID-19:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-disease-2019-vs-the-flu)

My Fire Department implemented FLU protocols for all our stations covering the next two weeks. Other than that life is pretty much normal up here in the north!
RF
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 01, 2020, 08:59:27 PM
Starbucks country.

It's sad, but it's true.  There is literally one every half block.  I don't know why or how... I don't even drink coffee, but some people do, I guess. 
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 01, 2020, 10:41:58 PM
I know I’ve been naughty and slipped political comments into current affair topics in the past.

I wouldn't call it naughty. I'd call it far worse.

 ::)

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 01, 2020, 10:57:33 PM
I wouldn't call it naughty. I'd call it far worse.   ::) 

Then you obviously don't know the tremendous amount of restraint I have exercised.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 01, 2020, 11:54:44 PM
Then you obviously don't know the tremendous amount of restraint I have exercised.
Sorry, brother, I can't exercise that much restraint. My blood pressure would be even worse than it already is.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 02, 2020, 01:22:23 AM
Sorry, brother, I can't exercise that much restraint. My blood pressure would be even worse than it already is.

Count to 10 and inhale/exhale slowly.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 01:51:30 AM
Sorry, brother, I can't exercise that much restraint. My blood pressure would be even worse than it already is.

seriously, I just wanted to know how the existence of the illness is effecting people - even if they don't have it, themselves.

I wonder about the members of our little family of monster enthusiasts in times like these.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 02, 2020, 04:01:39 AM
seriously, I just wanted to know how the existence of the illness is effecting people - even if they don't have it, themselves.

Not really effecting me any more that Aids, or any other disease I don't have.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 02, 2020, 10:16:26 AM
Then you obviously don't know the tremendous amount of restraint I have exercised.

 ::)

I'm a card carrying Libertarian. Imagine the restraint I exercise in not airing my grievances about the continued erosion of my freedom of choice.

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 11:22:53 AM
::)

I'm a card carrying Libertarian. Imagine the restraint I exercise in not airing my grievances about the continued erosion of my freedom of choice.
Pro-Abortion rights? Yeah, I agree. Nobody has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 02, 2020, 11:35:05 AM
Pro-Abortion rights? Yeah, I agree. Nobody has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body.

While I agree, once again KEEP THAT TOPIC OFF THIS BOARD!!!

 >:(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 02, 2020, 11:48:00 AM
I'm actually wondering how many North Americans chose to travel to China even after the reports of the Wuhan outbreak surfaced in early January? Given the population density in China and the living conditions of the vast majority of the population, anybody with a lick of sense should have realized that the outbreak would spread rapidly throughout China.

 ???
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 11:48:41 AM
Really, guys...

I just wanted to know if anyone had stopped shaking hands, foregone any large gatherings until more is known, decided to buy a few extra non-perishable items during their last trip to the store - that sort of thing?

Been paying very much attention to the news?

I noticed that there are a lot more test kits becoming available.  They expect that to give us a better shot at estimating the true number of infections that have arrived in the U.S.

The Chinese certainly seem to be living in "interesting times".

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 02, 2020, 11:53:18 AM
I've started to pay more attention to the news of the spread of the virus in the last week or two although I've wondered all along why any Canadians who found themselves in China in early January didn't get out more quickly.

 ???
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 12:02:53 PM
I'm actually wondering how many North Americans chose to travel to China even after the reports of the Wuhan outbreak …
 ??? 

There will always be a few gits thinking that now is a time to grab a low rate on that cruise they've always wanted to take.

A number of sales shows/business conventions have been cancelled for the time being.  (I wonder if there are any toy shows or monster/sci-fi conventions being re-considered.)

Guess that means hotels will have better accommodations for less.  Might get rough on your town, maybe even your job, if you live in a place that depends on tourist dollars.

Just sayin', I'm looking for some small changes - and wondering about the possibility of larger ones. 

Many people are saying we've had the flu before.  But I don't remember all the quarantines and medical workers running around in hazmat suits.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 12:07:05 PM
 It seems really bad in Washington state. It hasn't affected our neck of the woods. I go by the school I used to work at, and it's business as usual. I guess people only react when it hits them directly. I have to admit, I gave a second thought to a woman who coughed a couple of times at the movie theatre this weekend. You never know...
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 12:41:20 PM
It seems really bad in Washington state. It hasn't affected our neck of the woods. I go by the school I used to work at, and it's business as usual. I guess people only react when it hits them directly. I have to admit, I gave a second thought to a woman who coughed a couple of times at the movie theatre this weekend. You never know... 

Where I live (Orange County, California) 80% of my neighbors are Asians, many who either speak English as a 2nd language, or not at all.  I first knew the illness was being taken seriously here when they had their Chinese New Year celebration.  Normally, streets traffic is bumper-to-bumber, the sound of fireworks is deafening from the nearby park and the resulting brownish-yellow cloud reeks of Sulphur.  This year, it was almost deadly quiet - spooky, really.

I wondered about the inevitable annual travelers crossing the globe to be with relatives during the holiday.  Bring back any undeclared souvenirs?

I don't dwell on this all the time - but, when I hear a story on the news, I pay more than my usual amount of attention.

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 01:01:44 PM
I know, I know. My girlfriend is taking her daughter to the Galapagos Islands next week. I've tried to dissuade her to no avail. She's a stubborn Dutch woman with absolutely no fear. I will be on pins and needles until she returns.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 01:13:30 PM
 Adam, John Oliver did a segment on Covid 19, last night. It's on You Tube right now. You might want to check it out.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 01:14:09 PM
I know, I know. My girlfriend is taking her daughter to the Galapagos Islands next week. I've tried to dissuade her to no avail. She's a stubborn Dutch woman with absolutely no fear. I will be on pins and needles until she returns.

Don't think she'll  catch it from the giant tortoises.


I think the thing that gives me cause about air travel, besides the constantly recycled cabin air, is the fact that even people not going where you are going are often making connecting flights that could involve you.

That, and the fact that flight attendants travel in LOTS of planes, all over the world and spend at least a little time with nearly all the passengers on those flights.  You know, like Apple Annie with wings.  (No, I'm NOT that obsessed.  I'm, just flexing my imagination and overstating a bit to make my points in this discussion.)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 01:16:42 PM
Adam, John Oliver did a segment on Covid 19, last night. It's on You Tube right now. You might want to check it out.

Watched it last night.  I always watch him on YouTube right after his show airs.  (Refuse to pay for commercial TV - Too much commercial and not enough TV.)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 02, 2020, 03:40:51 PM
I just wanted to know if anyone had stopped shaking hands, foregone any large gatherings (etc.)

I'll do that stuff after they start reporting cases in Ohio. If they report cases in my town, I'll just stay home with the door locked. If I need food, I'll order it from WM. Just drive up to the pick-up door and they load it up for  you. Just don't touch it for so many days till the germs die.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Kidagain on March 02, 2020, 04:35:59 PM
It was said 5 million people fled the area before it was shut down. So who knows where they went, we all can't walk around wearing protective clothing. Just go about your daily lives using common sense and washing your hands diligently. I believe there was one person in NYC who might have the virus.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 05:06:06 PM
 At least six deaths have been reported in Washington state. This stuff is starting to get a little scary.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 02, 2020, 06:23:23 PM
I'll do that stuff after they start reporting cases in Ohio. … 

Maybe you can be the first!

(I really hope not.)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 02, 2020, 07:52:41 PM
Maybe you can be the first!

I never like to go first. It's just not polite.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 02, 2020, 08:47:47 PM
I never like to go first. It's just not polite.
You must miss out on some of the best stuff at the buffet lines
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 02, 2020, 09:15:35 PM
You must miss out on some of the best stuff at the buffet lines

I always order from the menu.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 03, 2020, 12:16:50 AM
Pretty sure we're heading for closures of some kind, not sure where, how many, or how long, but it seems inevitable.  There is no soap in the stores.  Toilet paper is almost gone.  (Picked up the last pack tonight.)  Picked up some canned food just in case.  It's always good to be prepared, but I have never felt I had to prepare more than now.  Kind of scary how quickly this is developing and how many people it's taking.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 03, 2020, 01:12:20 AM
Pretty sure we're heading for closures of some kind, not sure where, how many, or how long, but it seems inevitable.  There is no soap in the stores.  Toilet paper is almost gone.  (Picked up the last pack tonight.)  Picked up some canned food just in case.  It's always good to be prepared, but I have never felt I had to prepare more than now.  Kind of scary how quickly this is developing and how many people it's taking. 

What state/region are you in?  Large stores in your area?

Here in Southern California, my friends told me they visited a couple stores today and where unable to find any hand/counter top sanitizers.  We have pretty big supermarkets in this area and they did not mention any other items being sold out.  Not that they would notice.  They have a double car garage with a big freezer and are too lazy to make out shopping lists.   Result:  they tend to over-shop to be on the safe side and store the rest.  I tease them about it.

Push come to shove, I could live on my personal fat reserves for weeks - and probably should.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 03, 2020, 02:02:51 AM
Right where the six people have died: Starbucks Country, as Mike would call it. 

Costco has had the biggest runs, but even the least frequented corner grocery store is missing the toiletry staples.  No one has any soap.  Period. 
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 03, 2020, 02:45:00 AM
Right where the six people have died: Starbucks Country, as Mike would call it. 

Costco has had the biggest runs, but even the least frequented corner grocery store is missing the toiletry staples.  No one has any soap.  Period.

My friend just called me on her way home from evening Bingo.  I asked her about anything else that was sold out.  (They also shop in big warehouse stores like Costco.)  She told me that practically all the paper goods were missing from the shelves.

Funny, I wouldn't have thought about paper towels and napkins being in that much demand.

Stay safe and healthy.  All you other bums out there, too.  (All except that one individual - you know who you are.)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 03, 2020, 11:26:22 AM
So Toronto has the largest Chinatown in North America west of San Francisco. Moreover Toronto also attracts the bulk of people from other countries including Iran and Egypt who immigrate to Canada. These immigrants of course are prone to flying off to visit the old country. Ergo the Toronto area has the most reported cases of the coronavirus east of Washington state. There are eighteen confirmed cases in Ontario which are all basically in the Toronto area. Groan.

 :(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 03, 2020, 11:40:49 AM

I ordered a nifty (if it works) tracing device for the kids to use.  It was shipped from China and arrived here a couple of weeks ago.  I looked up the town on the return address in conjunction with "coronavirus" and found that it was a major manufacturing town that had a couple hundred reported cases.

I shelved the toy and it will sit there untouched for 2 more weeks, twice the recommended quarantine time (plus a couple weeks shipping time) before I give it to my little artists.

Maybe I am being over cautious - but it's a little surprise, so the kids won't mind.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 03, 2020, 11:48:10 AM
And you've just put your finger on another problem. North Americans have overwhelmingly elected to buy Chinese thus hollowing out the manufacturing sector here. Thirty years ago economists used to say that we've become more of a "services" based economy. Now they say it's more of a "communications" based economy. So what do we do then, talk to each other in the unemployment line?

But like I say, that's what we chose with our own $. It's now become impossible for even the odd iconoclast to choose a domestically manufactured TV (Zenith was I believe the last).

The solution? I have none.

 :-\
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 03, 2020, 12:10:53 PM
Maybe I am being over cautious -

Not at all! It couldn't hoit!
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 03, 2020, 12:19:15 PM

This was just posted on my homepage:

         https://tinyurl.com/std94te

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 04, 2020, 12:10:20 AM
The following was posted on the exterior of the Costco nearest me:

"We are currently out of ALL brands of toilet paper, bottled water, all Kirkland Signature and Clorox wipes, all bleach, all hand sanitizer, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, ALL canned vegetables, Cup of Noodle, all Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Beans, all Rice, all SPAM, Lysol, as well as Kirkland Signature paper towels ."
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 04, 2020, 12:28:19 AM
"We are currently out of ALL brands of toilet paper, bottled water, all Kirkland Signature and Clorox wipes, all bleach, all hand sanitizer, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, ALL canned vegetables, Cup of Noodle, all Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Beans, all Rice, all SPAM, Lysol, as well as Kirkland Signature paper towels ."

There's only one thing on that list I need.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: geezer butler on March 04, 2020, 12:31:58 AM
And you've just put your finger on another problem. North Americans have overwhelmingly elected to buy Chinese thus hollowing out the manufacturing sector here. Thirty years ago economists used to say that we've become more of a "services" based economy. Now they say it's more of a "communications" based economy. So what do we do then, talk to each other in the unemployment line?

But like I say, that's what we chose with our own $. It's now become impossible for even the odd iconoclast to choose a domestically manufactured TV (Zenith was I believe the last).

The solution? I have none.

 :-\

Hep, you say you're a libertarian, so I'm surprised you seem to have an issue with these economic developments. I'm not trying to be snarky or provocative, but I am not a libertarian. I would argue these trends are not the result of Adam Smith's "invisible hand." Multinational corporations spend lavishly on lobbyists and campaign donations. These interests wanted politicians to grant China "most favored nation status." And wasn't that about the same multinational corporations wanting access to cheap labor? I realize consumers are  complicit in this situation, but there were structural factors at work, beyond "the invisible hand." Politicians pass free trade agreements that allow multinational corporations to move capital, tech, and labor across borders. Libertarians, conservatives, and neoliberal Democrats may think that's a good thing, but it's a political arrangement, not mysterious market processes spontaneously organizing themselves.

anyhow, I usually avoid engaging in anything political here, but couldn't resist.

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 04, 2020, 01:29:29 AM
The following was posted on the exterior of the Costco nearest me:

"We are currently out of ALL brands of toilet paper, bottled water, all Kirkland Signature and Clorox wipes, all bleach, all hand sanitizer, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, ALL canned vegetables, Cup of Noodle, all Chicken Noodle Soup, Baked Beans, all Rice, all SPAM, Lysol, as well as Kirkland Signature paper towels ."

Wow!

No SPAM?!?


Seriously, I've never seen that before where I live.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 04, 2020, 02:00:32 AM
No SPAM.  I saw some at the grocery store, though.  Toilet paper and sanitizer are just non-existent wherever you go.  The end of times?  More like the end of the roll.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 04, 2020, 02:30:42 AM
No SPAM.  I saw some at the grocery store, though.  Toilet paper and sanitizer are just non-existent wherever you go.  The end of times?  More like the end of the roll. 

We need to find a cure by October.  Imagine a Halloween with no toilet paper!


Even Roger Corman never imagined anything so horrible as the end of civilization with the last handful of humans subsisting on Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and SPAM.  (Best opportunity for product placement since E.T. and Reese's Pieces.)


In the end, I hope this all winds up being as necessary as tinfoil hats to combat intergalactic mind theft - and everybody feels as foolish as I did the time I was convinced to don an empty Pringles can to prevent the unseen invaders from manipulating my membrum virile by remote control.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 04, 2020, 10:00:48 AM
Hep, you say you're a libertarian, so I'm surprised you seem to have an issue with these economic developments. I'm not trying to be snarky or provocative, but I am not a libertarian. I would argue these trends are not the result of Adam Smith's "invisible hand." Multinational corporations spend lavishly on lobbyists and campaign donations. These interests wanted politicians to grant China "most favored nation status." And wasn't that about the same multinational corporations wanting access to cheap labor? I realize consumers are  complicit in this situation, but there were structural factors at work, beyond "the invisible hand." Politicians pass free trade agreements that allow multinational corporations to move capital, tech, and labor across borders. Libertarians, conservatives, and neoliberal Democrats may think that's a good thing, but it's a political arrangement, not mysterious market processes spontaneously organizing themselves.

The key word there is "seem". It's incorrect to say that I have an "issue" with these economic developments. It is what it is, and if the result of free markets and consumers voting with their feet is the hollowing out of our manufacturing sector, well then so be it. I'm all for both free trade and the principle that the consumer is king and should be free to vote with his $'s. If that's the choice of the consumer in the marketplace, well then who am I to argue? Like I say, I don't have a solution. That may perhaps be because the economists are correct and there is no "problem".

That being said I'm entirely and unequivocally opposed to politicians being able to choose, i.e., mandate "most favoured nation" status to certain nations which logically confers "less favoured nation" status on all others. How/why a totalitarian Communist regime in China was anointed with most favoured nation status is simply beyond reason. In fact it's simply criminal. It's just another example of the necessity of severely limiting politicians ability to legislate, i.e pass laws. 

 >:(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 04, 2020, 10:10:53 AM
…  if the result of free markets and consumers voting with their feet is the hollowing out of our manufacturing sector, well then so be it. I'm all for both free trade and the principle that the consumer is king and should be free to vote...    … 
That being said I'm entirely and unequivocally opposed to politicians being able to choose, i.e., mandate …   …  a totalitarian Communist regime …   …   simply criminal. It's just another example of the necessity of severely limiting politicians ability  … 

Yeah, yeah, yeah…   But it's time to focus on what's important!  We're talking SPAM shortages here!
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 04, 2020, 11:02:52 AM
The key word there is "seem". It's incorrect to say that I have an "issue" with these economic developments. It is what it is, and if the result of free markets and consumers voting with their feet is the hollowing out of our manufacturing sector, well then so be it. I'm all for both free trade and the principle that the consumer is king and should be free to vote with his $'s. If that's the choice of the consumer in the marketplace, well then who am I to argue? Like I say, I don't have a solution. That may perhaps be because the economists are correct and there is no "problem".

That being said I'm entirely and unequivocally opposed to politicians being able to choose, i.e., mandate "most favoured nation" status to certain nations which logically confers "less favoured nation" status on all others. How/why a totalitarian Communist regime in China was anointed with most favoured nation status is simply beyond reason. In fact it's simply criminal. It's just another example of the necessity of severely limiting politicians ability to legislate, i.e pass laws. 

 >:(

Hey, I thought you said NO POLITICS. Adam's right, the SPAM situation is serious. Let's not lose sight of that. Spamalot is in jeopardy.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 04, 2020, 11:39:19 AM
I was convinced to don an empty Pringles can to prevent the unseen invaders from manipulating my membrum virile by remote control.

I don't think cardboard would protect you from that.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/175/IoW56a.jpg)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 04, 2020, 01:08:00 PM
I don't think cardboard would protect you from that.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img921/175/IoW56a.jpg)

First off, it was the t-a-l-l can...  secondly, like Bogie, I was "misinformed".
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: geezer butler on March 04, 2020, 03:16:51 PM

That being said I'm entirely and unequivocally opposed to politicians being able to choose, i.e., mandate "most favoured nation" status to certain nations which logically confers "less favoured nation" status on all others. How/why a totalitarian Communist regime in China was anointed with most favoured nation status is simply beyond reason. In fact it's simply criminal. It's just another example of the necessity of severely limiting politicians ability to legislate, i.e pass laws. 

 >:(

I agree with you on this Hep. Sorry, guys. My fault, I started that detour. Let's get back to SPAM.  :laugh:
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 04, 2020, 03:27:26 PM
I think the thing that gives me cause about air travel, besides the constantly recycled cabin air, is the fact that even people not going where you are going are often making connecting flights that could involve you.

That, and the fact that flight attendants travel in LOTS of planes, all over the world and spend at least a little time with nearly all the passengers on those flights.  You know, like Apple Annie with wings.  (No, I'm NOT that obsessed.  I'm, just flexing my imagination and overstating a bit to make my points in this discussion.)

Those are very good points anyway. In fact they're even more reason to avoid air travel if at all possible for the foreseeable future  - in addition to the standard everyday reasons that it's expensive, uncomfortable and the most environmentally inefficient/destructive way to travel. (Being a train buff and not being a sun worshipper, all that of course is very easy for me to say.)

 ;)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 04, 2020, 04:48:36 PM
Washington State has reported its 10th death and California has reported its 1st.

That will keep 'em shopping for paper towels.  (Although, I still don't know why - is it like boiling water when a woman is about to have a baby?)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 04, 2020, 05:27:47 PM
First off, it was the t-a-l-l can.

Oh, oh, Sorry!
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 04, 2020, 05:39:41 PM
That will keep 'em shopping for paper towels.  (Although, I still don't know why?)

Must be some sloppy people! On an average day, I use 2 (half sized) paper towels.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 06, 2020, 10:06:51 AM
The way the coronavirus is being spread is both alarming me as well as angering me.

Quote from: Toronto Star: 5 March 2020
Ontario’s coronavirus tally rises by four to 24

The latest Toronto case revealed Thursday night is a person who travelled to Las Vegas for an international conference.

Another of the new Ontario cases involves a Waterloo Region woman in her 50s who recently returned from Italy, where there is a huge outbreak in the north around Milan, and becomes the first case from that country in Ontario. The second is a man who had recently been to Iran.

Peel Region’s public health revealed the third new case late Thursday afternoon — a Mississauga resident who was on a Grand Princess cruise ship that travelled from San Francisco to Mexico between Feb. 11 and Feb. 21.

A 71-year-old California resident who died earlier this week was on the same voyage, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. The ship is now floating off San Francisco after its scheduled trip to Hawaii was postponed while passengers are tested. According to Global Affairs there are 235 Canadians on the ship’s manifest.

I mean with this outbreak how does it make sense to fly? Being in very close quarters breathing recirculated air with well over a hundred people who have been travelling to who knows where is simply a non-starter to any thinking individual.

And embarking on  a cruise? Being in relatively close quarters with hundreds or even thousands of people for days or even weeks including in massive common dining areas? Ahhhhh, no!!!

 :o
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 06, 2020, 10:21:26 AM
And those maps of confirmed cases across the world? Would anybody like to bet that they're not greatly understated in a whole bunch of countries throughout the Far East (e.g. North Korea, Burma), the Middle East and Africa? The key word being "confirmed"....

 :(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 06, 2020, 12:03:05 PM
My burgeoning fear has been Ramadan which this year lasts from April 23 to May 23 and the associated global travel but Saudi Arabia seems to be taking serious measures:

Saudi Arabia Suspends Entry - BBC (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51658061)

Quote from: BBC
The Saudi government said it would suspend visas for Muslims seeking to visit Mecca and Medina.

Millions of Muslims make the journey each year, especially during the month of Ramadan, which starts in April.

Saudi Arabia has also suspended visas for tourists from countries with confirmed cases of the virus.

It is not clear when the visa restrictions will be lifted or how Ramadan and the major Hajj pilgrimage - which begins in July - will be affected.

 :-\

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 06, 2020, 12:10:55 PM
And those maps of confirmed cases across the world? Would anybody like to bet that they're not greatly understated in a whole bunch of countries throughout the Far East (e.g. North Korea, Burma), the Middle East and Africa? The key word being "confirmed"....   :( 

Some random musings:

Cases are woefully understated everywhere.  Some of it is deliberate.  No government wants a domestic panic on its hands or a cessation of international trade - especially a major exporter or one that survives on tourism. 

Much, if not most, is due to the fact that officials don't know much more than the general public.  They too are getting conflicting reports from all over.  Last I heard, California had 200 confirmed cases, but they had only 1500 test kits for the whole state and lots of sick people never report for testing - no money for a doctor's visit or fear of getting unwanted results.

We won't have a very clear idea of what is going on for quite a while.  In the meantime, stay aware, get as informed as possible and try not to panic.  I'm most impatient with those who hide their ignorance by knowingly spreading false reports or can't wait to repeat the latest wild conspiracy theory.

This is gonna kill theaters, convention centers, trade shows, cruise shipping and airlines.  No one will want to be in very close proximity to large numbers of strangers for extended periods of time.  (Bet DVD sales go up.)  Don't know how regular restaurants are faring, but I saw an Internet article advising avoidance of smorgasbord-style eateries.  That will surely cut into their business.

Italy has closed schools for March.  What are all the working single parents going to do?  We have lots of single parents in this country.

A bingo-playing friend said one of the elderly women who packs themselves into bingo halls several times a week, says she is thinking about buying a gun - better she should stay home and avoid the bug.  It's the oldest among us that seem the most vulnerable.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Flower on March 06, 2020, 03:50:36 PM

That will keep 'em shopping for paper towels.  (Although, I still don't know why - is it like boiling water when a woman is about to have a baby?)

That's because after all his/her hard work, the doctor needs some tea.   ;D

I saw that on some television show long ago.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Flower on March 06, 2020, 04:03:45 PM
Some motivation to quit smoking ..
.
If you’ve been thinking about ditching the ciggies, now might be a good time to do

it.https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/05/smokers-risk-catching-coronavirus-12354004/







Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 06, 2020, 05:43:03 PM
I've made sure to stock up on chocolate bars and beer. Don't want to be caught shorthanded during this crisis. Btw, my beer of choice is Corona (mere coincidence). They're easy to find on shelves, nowadays. I am a bit shaken by the possible shortage of SPAM.
  "SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM
    Lovely SPAM" sing along, kids.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 06, 2020, 06:33:41 PM
I've made sure to stock up on chocolate bars and beer. Don't want to be caught shorthanded during this crisis. Btw, my beer of choice is Corona (mere coincidence). They're easy to find on shelves, nowadays. I am a bit shaken by the possible shortage of SPAM. … 

Beer and SPAM, the staff of life.

Hillbilly seven course feast: Can of SPAM and a six-pack.  Throw in a bug zapper for a show.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Dr.Cyclops on March 06, 2020, 11:04:52 PM
COVID-19 is a droplet infection so masks are really not required...but
Wash your hands before eating. Don't touch your face or rub your eyes. Hold your breath for 30 seconds if someone is coughing in your general vicinity and don't bite your fingernails.
AND always use your knuckle to press elevator buttons.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 06, 2020, 11:40:36 PM
Just read a report that the Hawthorne, CA Costco had hundreds of people lined up to buy bottled water and toilet paper.

One customer said that after lining up outside the store, he had to line up again inside to get watered and wiped.  People getting only other items where getting in and out in about 10 minutes.

Also, Costco is no longer giving out samples until things get in hand.

I had no problem getting all my items in my Vons home delivery order, including bottled water - Don't drink the stuff, myself.  I keep a case of 16 oz. bottles on hand to give out to my mail carrier when days get hot.  He gets to my place around 12:30 to 1:30 each day.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 07, 2020, 01:15:19 PM
So it was in mid-December 2019 that an emerging cluster of people, many of whom were linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, were infected with pneumonia with no clear causes. Chinese scientists subsequently linked the pneumonia to a new strain of coronavirus that was given the initial designation SARS-CoV-2. With the viral infection continuing to spread rapidly throughout China as well as surfacing within other countries, the central government of the People's Republic of China imposed a quarantine lockdown in Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province on 23 January 2020.

In February the World Population Project at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom published research predicting the places to where people from Wuhan had travelled in the two weeks before the city went into quarantine lockdown. The scientists themselves paired it with this map illustrating world air travel routes from way back in 2010 (which have of course grown since then):

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/410/cpsprodpb/F522/production/_110945726_fakenews_badge_976x976.png-nc.png)

But when news media including the U.K. Sun newspaper picked up the story and included the same map on world air travel, the scientists immediately denied that they were trying to show linkage between air travel and the spread of the coronavirus.

This really puzzles me. Why would these researchers immediately attempt to disavow that they detected linkage between the spread of this disease and air travel? Political correctness?

Quite simply it's clear and obvious that infections which took years or even decades to spread throughout the globe 150 years ago can and do spread around the globe in weeks or even days now because of modern air travel.

 :(

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 07, 2020, 08:53:19 PM
Are American nuts?


Friday, March 6th

https://youtu.be/CsF6ezLOMC4?list=TLPQMDgwMzIwMjCtJsiyVdHZOw



Saturday, March 7th

https://youtu.be/QotgdJSKlXc?list=TLPQMDgwMzIwMjCtJsiyVdHZOw



(Can we make it a capital offense to fail to turn your camera sideways when videoing "landscape" subjects? - or, would that be considered too harsh?)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 07, 2020, 08:56:28 PM
[quote author=Monsters For Sale link=topic=34587.msg583131#msg583131



(Can we make it a capital offense to fail to turn your camera sideways when videoing "landscape" subjects? - or, would that be considered too harsh?)
[/quote]

Works for me.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 07, 2020, 10:59:31 PM
Are American nuts?

Well certainly not the clever manufacturers/marketers of paper towels and bottled water who somehow managed to link their products with staying coronavirus free in the minds of consumers.

 :-\

I learned today that the other reason why cruise ships are dandy incubators of disease is that hardly any cabins have windows that can be opened. This means that the air is recycled in cabin areas just like in airplanes.

 :o
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 07, 2020, 11:53:01 PM
Update: Toilet paper is still widely unavailable. Don't ask about any soap or hand sanitizer. There is no SPAM. There is no Kraft Mac and Cheese. There is no bottled water. The supermarket is limiting purchases of "cold and flu" related items (of which water and toilet paper are now a part) to 5 per customer, but they still are sold out.  I got the last two 4 packs of Kleenex and cheered. The little girl in the main aisle had never seen anyone excited about Kleenex before. You will understand one day, child. You will understand one day
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 08, 2020, 12:07:22 AM
Well certainly not the clever manufacturers/marketers of paper towels and bottled water who somehow managed to link their products with staying coronavirus free in the minds of consumers.

I would be surprised if they actually had something to do with it.  The fear of running out of toilet paper seemed to begin quite organically.  There is a logic behind it. 

Bottled water...  No.  There is no logic behind that. 

It's like everyone looked at what the preppers had been doing for years and decided they needed to do the same thing.  This isn't an earthquake.  This isn't a volcanic event.  This is a virus.  Water is still there, but, somehow, people got it in their minds that they needed bottled water for this, and unless some marketing genius decided to go to the stores and buy out all the bottled water to create a panic, I don't see how anybody in any corporate office had anything to do with it.     
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 08, 2020, 12:17:23 AM
It's like everyone looked at what the preppers had been doing for years and decided they needed to do the same thing.

"Preppers"? Is that the same thing as survivalists?

 ???
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 08, 2020, 01:03:51 AM
…  But that was back in the olden days, before the Great Darkness settled upon the land.  That golden age of abundance, when throughout the land bottled water ran like rivers and toilet paper and SPAM was had by all.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 08, 2020, 01:40:53 PM
I am fascinated by the developing story of COVID-19, especially because most reliable information is so scarce and erratic, and the people we would normally trust are so often contradictory.  I have always loved reading or watching a good mystery unravel.  All the better, when the people directly dealing with the puzzle are dressed like the military examining E.T.

Italy has told about a quarter of their population to stay home.  Milan and surrounds are looking like Muhan.  While they effectively hamstring their norther economy, down in the south a case has sprung up in Naples.  And this in an economy that relies so heavily on tourism of a more vibrant past.

Several sources are reporting that the World Health Organization has warned that the virus is being spread with banknotes.  One place even said that the virus could survive on the paper for "months".  An exaggeration.  A cursory check revealed that WHO made more of a passing mention of the possibility of the virus surviving for a few days - just like on other surfaces - and suggested using credit cards might not be a bad idea.

As I was watching the Black Friday shoppers strip store shelves of bottled water and toilet paper, I couldn't help wonder what the American pioneers, braving the unknown land ahead in their Conestoga wagons, would think of their great, great, great, great grandchildren who would inherit the fruits of all their hardships.  Probably just turn around and go back.

Who could look upon the crowds massed around Costco's and not proclaim, "Truly this is the new 'Greatest Generation'."

I do get the concern - really.  I did temporarily quarantine the toy I ordered from a Chinese town with reported cases.  I did take the time to look up the town and see for myself if they had any reported cases.  But a friend's friend received something she ordered in a package from China and threw it, unopened, straight into the trash.  I think she is the same one that said she was considering buying a gun.  (Probably to protect the SPAM and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese she is hoarding from her less prepared neighbors in these desperate End Times.)


Everyone stay healthy.  But also stay sane.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 08, 2020, 01:59:16 PM
"Preppers"? Is that the same thing as survivalists?

 ???

Yes.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 08, 2020, 02:04:53 PM
  We had a brief scare the last two days. My girlfriend insisted we go to a memorial service for her a$*h*l** uncle, who passed away a week ago. I told her it was risky being in a crowd of people coming in from all over the state. The thing lasted three hours, and we were among older people coughing and sobbing.
  The next day, my girlfriend was not feeling well and threw up all night. Then, we were both down with a 100° fever. I was preparing to leave this world, and saying goodbye to all my monster toys.
  This morning, we both woke up feeling great, as if nothing had happened. Close call, the end.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 08, 2020, 02:25:59 PM
This morning, we both woke up feeling great, as if nothing had happened. Close call, the end.

Yikes!! Don't go to no mo funerals, or the next one may be yours!
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 08, 2020, 03:18:40 PM
  We had a brief scare the last two days. My girlfriend insisted we go to a memorial service...  … The next day, my girlfriend was not feeling well and threw up all night. Then, we were both down with a 100° fever. … 

Too soon to show symptoms.  Sounds more like improperly refrigerated refreshments.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 08, 2020, 03:27:13 PM
Too soon to show symptoms.  Sounds more like improperly refrigerated refreshments.
So, we're still not out of the woods. I hate funerals, though, not as much as I hate weddings. At least funerals are permanent.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 08, 2020, 03:31:20 PM
But a friend's friend received something she ordered in a package from China and threw it, unopened, straight into the trash.

 ::)

i wonder where she thinks most of the crap she typically buys at Walmart and Costco was made?

Everyone stay healthy.  But also stay sane.

Sane!? I object!  I come here to get away from killjoys like that.

 >:(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: fearliath on March 08, 2020, 04:28:29 PM

It's like everyone looked at what the preppers had been doing for years and decided they needed to do the same thing.  This isn't an earthquake.  This isn't a volcanic event.  This is a virus. 

I mostly agree with this but with the nuance that I think people are looking at what the preppers do on TV shows, not what actual “preppers” do. None of this bears any resemblance to what a prepper would do but is exactly what the Walking Dead would script during the initial outbreak. The sad thing is people are spending money they probably don’t have to buy stuff they probably won’t use (this is exactly the opposite of prepper philosophy). They would probably be better served saving their money for would could possibly be an economic downturn (short turn or long term).

By 99% of Americans perception I would be considered a prepper. 99% of preppers would consider me an amateur. For example, if the water keeps running and the natural gas keeps flowing I could go for over a year without leaving my house (no problem). If the water stopped running I’d be good for about 2 months without leaving. I don’t have a bunker or a tank. I have a storage room full of non-perishable food (built up over time) that my family actually eats (including some SPAM & Mac & Cheese as well as green beans, chili, rice, beans and other things normal people eat), and as we eat it, we replace it. We rotate through it. We also have a few Costco cases of TP, paper towels and other household items.

My reason for doing this has nothing to do with an end of the world scenario (or zombies, or a pandemic - even though it is convenient at time like this). It’s actually to assure we’re okay if I lost my job or became disabled and couldn’t work for a time. Just like my savings account and my 401K, I use it as a safety net. And it came in very handy 11 years ago when I graduated from school but couldn’t start my job for 1 month and I wasn’t allowed to work elsewhere without losing my prospective job (long story). After paying the bills (which I could only do after borrowing $50 from my infant daughter) I had zero dollars for food or anything else. Literally, ZERO dollars. We lived 100% off the food and household supplies in the pantry (we didn’t have as much at that time but we had enough to make it through, barely).
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 08, 2020, 04:41:51 PM
 Sounds reasonable. I think everybody should prepare as you have. Nothing that you mentioned would go to waste. Peanut butter is something we always keep a good supply of. It can be a lifesaver, and is good to go right out of the jar.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 08, 2020, 07:46:49 PM
Latest information from some of the most recent deaths locally: People go from showing no symptoms to symptoms to being hospitalized to dying in a few hours.  They are also warning if you feel ill and then start feeling better and then become sicker than before, you should report to the hospital.  Interesting.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 08, 2020, 08:34:42 PM
Latest information from some of the most recent deaths ...   ... Interesting. 

Just one more example of the ways we are living in "Interesting times".

Aside from lines for supplies, has anyone been "inconvenienced" by the whole reaction to this illness?  Anyone scrub vacation plans to other areas, have places/events they were planning to visit cancel on you?  Has your work, school, etc. announced any changes?
 __________________

I don't go to Bingo.  But a friend my age (73) who does, practically seven days a week, tells me the bingo halls are still as crowded as ever.  That bothers me. 

She is exposing herself nightly to many hundreds of people, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in folding chairs at cafeteria-style tables.  They hand around papers all night and order food from volunteer-manned kitchens that probably have less than commercial restaurant-rigorous sanitation and practices.  That bothers me. 

A large percentage of the regular players are much older than my friend and are experiencing typically lousy end-of-life health already.  Many of those physically fragile people are addicted to gambling, and will not even consider saving their money 'til things blow over.  That bothers me.


What bothers you?
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: BigShadow on March 08, 2020, 08:52:28 PM
I know a lot of my friends with young kids are having trouble buying necessities such as diapers, bleach, disinfectant wipes, etc.  Myself and my wife have stocked up on supplies over the years, and will continue to do so.  There's been several times where my preparing has come in handy.  So I'm not worried for whatever is coming.  People should look at "prepping" the same they do as insurance or savings accounts. 
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: fearliath on March 08, 2020, 10:03:54 PM

A large percentage of the regular players are much older than my friend and are experiencing typically lousy end-of-life health already.  Many of those physically fragile people are addicted to gambling, and will not even consider saving their money 'til things blow over.  That bothers me.

What bothers you?

I know a lot of people in their 70’s and 80’s (visited a couple of them in the ER last night (they were there for unrelated reasons) and I am stunned how little the 60+ age group cares about foregoing stuff they want to do. It seems the much younger crowd is being much more cautious. I’m not saying panic and get in a bunker but I have an older co worker (who was in the hospital and almost died of the flu last year) and a neighbor (both with serious underlying health conditions) leaving on cruises this week. The respective cruise lines they are traveling on offered them full refunds if they wanted to cancel and they are still going. I have a retirement (55+) community a couple of blocks from my house and I know all of them. You’d think they were in college and it were spring break. They are going more places then ever. Travel, mass transit just to go on a ride. I’m having difficulty understanding their carefree attitude.

My opinion is it would behoove them to chill out for a minute until this settles down but people make their own choices.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 08, 2020, 10:51:20 PM
.... I’m not saying panic and get in a bunker but...  .... it would behoove them to chill out for a minute until this settles down ....

I don't wnt to start a panic, either.  (Won't see me in line at Costco.)  But, I also think it is a good time to reassess what is most important until this, too passes.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 08, 2020, 11:54:24 PM
What worries me is how infections absolutely exploded within the next couple of weeks in countries such as Iran, Italy, France and Germany after the first few cases were diagnosed.:

Coronavirus Infection Graphs - NBC News (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-map-confirmed-cases-2020-n1120686)

What lies in store here in North America over the next week or two now that the virus has taken hold?

 ???
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: aura of foreboding on March 09, 2020, 12:28:49 AM
The transmission is RAPID.  It's hard to believe it's all coming from droplets, but that's the info we're given, so we have to go with it. 
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 09, 2020, 08:04:47 AM
So four more confirmed cases in Ontario (all in the Toronto area of course) yesterday bringing the total to 32. They'd returned from Colorado, France, Washington DC and Germany earlier this month. Then of course there was the fellow diagnosed on Friday who'd returned from a conference in Las Vegas....

The common factor - air travel. As long as people continue to cavalierly travel by air, the spread of the coronavirus won't abate.
I wish this common sense prescription was being stressed by official sources and the news media but it's not.

 :(




Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 09, 2020, 08:34:58 AM
So four more confirmed cases in Ontario ....   ....  The common factor - air travel. As long as people continue to cavalierly travel by air, the spread of the coronavirus won't abate. .... 

A non stop coast-to-coast train has been discontinued here in the U.S. because of fears for people being confined together in close proximity for so long.  But what about all the commuters who take the trains to work and back home five days a week?
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 09, 2020, 09:27:35 AM
Trains aren't nearly as bad when it comes to risk as are airplanes or cruise ships. It's not just about the crowding, it's recirculated air that's the biggest risk factor and trains aren't hermetically sealed like planes. Moreover commuter trains stop every five to ten minutes while even long distance express trains stop every hour or so and open their doors to let passengers on-and-off.

"Planes are probably the riskiest form of transport when it comes to spreading illnesses. You'll often be mixing with people from around the globe, bringing you in contact with bugs your immune system hasn't met before," says Dr. Dan Robertson of video consultation platform Push Doctor.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, an agency of the United Nations, recommends against application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks which is of course something that flies in the face of scientific common sense.  :o  Heaven forbid that the WHO recommend something contrary to China's best interests. And some people still believe that the United Nations functions as something other than a mouthpiece cum lobbyist for third world countries.

 ::)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: fearliath on March 09, 2020, 10:17:37 AM
The transmission is RAPID.  It's hard to believe it's all coming from droplets, but that's the info we're given, so we have to go with it.

I don’t believe for a second that is is spread just via droplets. It’s somewhat enlightening to think about what that means. If you can smell something someone had for lunch (garlic, curry) you’ve just taken in a full dose of virus if they carry it. If they don’t have bad breath you’re still taking that all in from every person around you, you just can’t smell it.

I was supposed to fly to northern Cali for work this week but I got out of that. They’re telling me I’m supposed to go to Colorado at the end of the month (already have tickets). I hope they don’t make me do that but they most probably will.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 09, 2020, 11:54:46 AM
So on March 3rd a man in Manatee County across the bay from St. Petersburg in Florida tested positive for the coronavirus despite the fact that he'd neither travelled nor had any known contact with people who had travelled to the countries with major outbreaks. It was a case of "community" transmission.

This doesn't surprise me. In the winter months all kinds of people fly to Florida on planes that have carried passengers and crew from who knows where. Then they spend weeks in Florida. That of course is begging for trouble right there.

Quote from: New York Times
Florida could be especially vulnerable to a coronavirus outbreak, both because of the large number of international travelers who visit during the winter months and because of the state’s large population of retirees.

Yes. Moreover Miami is the cruise ship capital of the United States. Therefore people have been flying to Miami and merrily embarking on cruise ships until the concerns started to be raised about cruise ships only about a week ago. Then they return to Miami and mingle for perhaps days. With the incubation period for the virus perhaps being up to fourteen days or more, it's a recipe for disaster.

The number of cases in Florida will explode in the next week or two. Florida will become perhaps the foremost trouble spot in the United States.

Meanwhile we're heading into spring break. The beaches of Florida beckon, and you know how young people are; they're invulnerable or at least they think they are.

There's no way this outbreak is going to be soon contained. It won't be contained until people's willingness to travel by air is dramatically reduced and by "dramatically" I'm not just talking about 50%.

 :(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 10, 2020, 09:10:42 AM
I've made sure to stock up on chocolate bars and beer. Don't want to be caught shorthanded during this crisis. Btw, my beer of choice is Corona (mere coincidence). They're easy to find on shelves, nowadays.

Well at least something good is coming of this coronavirus thing.

(https://products2.imgix.drizly.com/ci-corona-extra-2b48031ca2c738b1.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fm=jpg&q=20)

Corona, the beer for people who don't actually like beer but drink because they want to be sociable.

The other good thing is the big drop in the price of oil. High oil prices act as a tax on the worldwide economy.

 ;D
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 10, 2020, 09:28:42 AM
Here's the best site I've found to track infection numbers worldwide:

Coronavirus - Worldometers (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

 :)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 10:18:58 AM

Corona, the beer for people who don't actually like beer but drink because they want to be sociable.

 ;D

 Nobody who knows me has ever accused me of wanting to be sociable.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 10, 2020, 11:52:12 AM
Here's the best site I've found to track infection numbers worldwide:

Coronavirus - Worldometers (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

 :)

Good info - something that has been hard to get.  Interesting incubation statistics.  One case in a study of 5 was 19 days and another separate case was 27 days.  (Average was 6.4 days.)

Since the two longer periods "may" reflect double exposures, I guess getting it once doesn't mean you can't get it again, and again.  That's disturbing.

This one's gonna be a bugger this year, next year and the year after that.  Let's hope it mutates into something harmless soon - and not into something even more deadly.

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 10, 2020, 12:17:55 PM
Interesting incubation statistics.  One case in a study of 5 was 19 days and another separate case was 27 days.  (Average was 6.4 days.)

Health authorities are now getting a better feel for the incubation period:

Quote from: CNN
People infected by the novel coronavirus tend to develop symptoms about five days after exposure, and almost always within two weeks, according to a study released Monday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has used that standard during the current pandemic -- recommending, for example, that people self-quarantine for two weeks after traveling to countries with widespread coronavirus transmission, such as Italy or South Korea.

Let's hope it mutates into something harmless soon - and not into something even more deadly.

As disease causing pathogens mutate over time, blessedly the natural trend is for them to become less malignant over time. Quite simply those germs/viruses that kill the host patient also die. Therefore the pathogens that survive to reproduce were not the ones that killed their host.

The problem is of course that new diseases keep cropping up because of either transferal from other species that have developed immunity over time to humans with no such immunity. Or else the mutation of a previously benign microbe.

 :-\
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 01:08:35 PM
 Trump just did a mini press briefing. He said he and his team are doing a "tremendous" job. He feels this is nowhere near as bad as the flu and things are being exaggerated by the "fake" news. Well, I sure feel safer now.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 10, 2020, 01:25:52 PM
Don't trust Washington or any politician. It's bad. Look at how rapidly the virus has spread once its gotten a toe hold in any place.

 :(
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 01:30:20 PM
Don't trust Washington or any politician. It's bad. Look at how rapidly the virus has spread once its gotten a toe hold in any place.

 :(

Trust me, I dont.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 10, 2020, 01:35:20 PM
Don't trust Washington or any politician. It's bad. Look at how rapidly the virus has spread once its gotten a toe hold in any place.

 :(

Just ignore the empty stores, vacant plazas and guys running around in spacesuits - means nothing, nothing at all.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 02:25:42 PM
Just ignore the empty stores, vacant plazas and guys running around in spacesuits - means nothing, nothing at all.

It's just entertainment.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Hepcat on March 10, 2020, 02:29:41 PM
A hearty helping of Cajun gumbo is my recipe for keeping viruses at bay!

(https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gumbo-10.jpg)

 ;)
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 02:43:48 PM
Wash it down with a pint of whiskey, sanitize your hands, and you're set.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Kidagain on March 10, 2020, 03:53:33 PM
A hearty helping of Cajun gumbo is my recipe for keeping viruses at bay!

(https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Gumbo-10.jpg)

 ;)
What time do you want us over Hep?
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: fearliath on March 10, 2020, 03:59:36 PM
Trump just did a mini press briefing. He said he and his team are doing a "tremendous" job. He feels this is nowhere near as bad as the flu and things are being exaggerated by the "fake" news. Well, I sure feel safer now.

In fairness, and in no way a defense, what do you expect any President to say? "The government is incompetent, you're all screwed, fend for yourselves!" They have to put up a front to avoid panic. In reality, it isn't near as bad as the flu, yet anyway (up to 61,000 flu deaths annually in the US since 2010). That is a factual statement. Should they shut down all the borders? Should they stop all air travel? Should they issue a nationwide quarantine? What is the right answer? There is no right answer. There is a virus going around that cares not at all about Executive Orders, or statements or news articles or opinions.

Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Monsters For Sale on March 10, 2020, 04:57:46 PM
In fairness, and in no way a defense, what do you expect any President to say?..... 

Ours?  Nothing useful.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 05:39:57 PM
Ours?  Nothing useful.

Wrong. I expect something counterproductive and destructive from the jackass- in-chief . He's only concerned about how it makes HIM look. He hasn't shown a single drop of human empathy his entire life. Screw him and his family of carnies and pickpockets. Sorry, i didn't mean to insult carnies and pickpockets. I'm sure some of them are good people.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 06:10:28 PM
...In reality, it isn't near as bad as the flu, yet anyway...

Seriously? The entire country of Italy is closed down. I don't remember the flu causing that kind of reaction, in my lifetime. Switch off FOX NEWS, once in a while. It may just save your life.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: fearliath on March 10, 2020, 07:00:54 PM
Seriously? The entire country of Italy is closed down. I don't remember the flu causing that kind of reaction, in my lifetime. Switch off FOX NEWS, once in a while. It may just save your life.

Oh, please, just stop. I have never watched Fox News in my life. This is not coming from a Trump supporter and nothing I have written is remotely political. I'm pointing out facts. Italy made a decision. One that has caused a MASSIVE amount of mayhem and confusion among it's own people. I am objectively saying that there are a lot of things ANY President of the United States could do. WHich ones should they choose at this point in time? Are you suggesting that the President sign an executive order for a mandated quarantine of all 327 million people in the United States for a confirmed 961 cases of coronavirus? Of course that number will grow but I'm not entirely sure what you think he should do right now that you would possibly agree with. I am not defending the President, I just have no idea what people realistically expect the guy to do.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mord on March 10, 2020, 08:32:00 PM
 The jackass dismantled the Pandemic Response Team in 2018. Why? To save a little money to give back to his already wealthy donors? When asked why he did that, he answered "Who could have predicted this?" Umm, the Pandemic Response Team. He talks about EVERYTHING in relation to his popularity or ratings. What a vain, pathetic old woman, he is. He wears tons more make-up and hair spray than most grandmothers. Pathetic. Oh, yeah, and he's an embarrassment to my country.
Title: Re: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Post by: Mike Scott on March 10, 2020, 09:39:19 PM
I think everybody has pretty much had their say about the Coronavirus. Let's move on to something else.