Wuhan Corona virus

[Baruch]

I hope Trump's fan club has fun at his death rally. They're playing Trump roulette.

That is because all Democrats are assassins.  But Tulsa isn't Dallas.

[Hydra009]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlYanoVCWTM

The US gov (lied is perhaps too strong a word) ...downplayed the need for masks because they knew there weren't enough masks to go around and wanted to make sure frontline medical workers got as much masks as possible.  And while that makes sense and that's the pragmatic thing to do - if you draw attention to the fact that masks are needed desperately and there's not enough to go around, then people could panic buy like they did with toilet paper.

But it just seems like a scummy thing to do - to keep people in the dark like that.  Now that we know that even crappy homemade masks can be fairly effective, there's no longer any need to fight over supplies - the medical workers can get the primo masks and everyone else is just going to have to sacrifice a pillowcover and start sewing.

Kyle is right that the US gov has a major credibility issue - a lot of people assume the opposite of whatever they're saying just as a matter of course.  And every time there's another problem where the reality of the situation doesn't quite line up with the message that the authorities are putting out - even if it's not necessarily lying, just omitting some key details or incorrectly reporting some numbers - it's not going to sit well with people and it's going feed into this feedback loop of distrust.  So when there's another crisis and we desperately need everyone to get on the same page, it's not gonna happen.  And then we're screwed.

[Hydra009]

On second thought, maybe lied is the right word.



Very carefully worded.  Doesn't address the effectiveness of masks, just says that they're not recommended - the implication being that they're not needed.  But they were and are.

[SGOS]

Very carefully worded.  Doesn't address the effectiveness of masks, just says that they're not recommended - the implication being that they're not needed.  But they were and are.

This probably accounts for much of the bulling attitude of the Trump-a-teers.  That and Trump saying early on that the pandemic is just a passing media event.  People wearing masks become a target and are supposed to feel guilty for being hypochondriacs.

[Baruch]

This probably accounts for much of the bulling attitude of the Trump-a-teers.  That and Trump saying early on that the pandemic is just a passing media event.  People wearing masks become a target and are supposed to feel guilty for being hypochondriacs.

I would feel sympathy for hypochondriacs in a time of plague!  Feeling guilty is a psychological trigger, like pain.  You can respond to it productively or not.

[trdsf]

From my jail time there (that's what it felt like too often) it seems to be the birth place of the SFA--stupid fucking a-merkin.  And the value their stupidity for they had it for quite some time.  They love their George Wallace's no matter when they live.

Well, what can you say about a state that nearly sent a pedophile to the Senate just because he had an (R) after his name?

[Baruch]

Well, what can you say about a state that nearly sent a pedophile to the Senate just because he had an (R) after his name?

Joe Biden? ;-)

[Baruch]

"WHO Flip Flops Again, Warns Mink Have Spread Virus To Humans "In Limited Cases"" ... yes, all of you who keep pet minks are in danger, run around in circles barking and chasing your tails, and give up all human and civil rights to the CCP!

[Shiranu]

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/public-health/2020/04/18/more-than-half-of-gov-greg-abbotts-coronavirus-panel-on-reopening-texas-are-campaign-donors/

AUSTIN â€" Gov. Greg Abbott named 39 prominent Texans, most business and industry leaders, to a panel that will help guide a reopening of the state’s economy after the coronavirus.

At a televised news conference on Friday, Abbott gave their names, calling the choices “successful business and community leaders.”

Not mentioned: Many of them are also campaign donors. Thirty-one of the council’s 39 members have contributed to Abbott’s past runs for governor and attorney general, and since 2015, 25 have given Abbott’s gubernatorial campaign at least $5.8 million combined, according to a Dallas Morning News analysis of campaign finance reports.

The choices are drawing fire from government-transparency advocates, union officials and Democratic leaders who fear that public health could be subordinated to profit motives as tough judgment calls are made in the coming weeks and months about easing isolation edicts.

Others question why Abbott didn’t put some everyday Texans, especially those on the front lines of medical, food and delivery services, on his Special Advisory Council.

Minority rule in action.

[SGOS]

Minority rule in action.

Health and safety have never been concerns of business.  Sure, they will take a lot of credit for safe practices after being forced to do so, but safety of employees and the public do not make for the most robust bottom line.  Safety is a cost of doing business put there by Federal regulations, but as long as I can remember, the USA is in a de-regulatory environment.  Anything that costs money is labeled over-regulation, no matter how much it serves the public good.

It's odd that one of the biggest threats to public safety is now being used to remove business from accountability.  The same is being done to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Trump is using the virus as an excuse to take the teeth out of it, allowing mining, development, and environmental destruction to proceed without review.  Politicians will spin any crisis or event in any direction that achieves their ends and creates large donations (bribes).  Public Safety has not been a priority for 50 years.  I have no idea why it became a temporary priority during the early industrial revolution, probably because industry had not yet become the dominate factor in politics.  Young children should be on assembly lines, not in school.

[drunkenshoe]

It's mandatory to wear masks in 4 cities here. If you don't, you'll pay a fine.

[GSOgymrat]

It's mandatory to wear masks in 4 cities here. If you don't, you'll pay a fine.

Unfortunately, this is how some people in the US interpret that:

[Baruch]

It's mandatory to wear masks in 4 cities here. If you don't, you'll pay a fine.

https://www.cnet.com/health/where-are-face-masks-required/

Some places in some ways, even this month vs earlier.

[GSOgymrat]

https://www.cnet.com/health/where-are-face-masks-required/

Some places in some ways, even this month vs earlier.

At 5 pm today Greensboro will begin requiring face masks to be worn anytime a person will be in contact with other people in public or private spaces where it is not possible to maintain proper social distancing. The requirement applies to both indoor and outdoor places, including grocery stores, pharmacies, business locations, parking lots, sidewalks and on public transit.

[Hydra009]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuxnH0VAkAM

So it turns out that some of the biggest coronavirus hotspots are in prisons.  And they're almost perfect breeding grounds for the disease - prisoners are sandwiched together and apparently poorly supplied with soap.  Meanwhile, guards come into contact with the prisoners then come into contact with the community.  Disease incubation + disease spreading.

And the US has by far the largest prison system of any western country, so there you go.