Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #50

[margarita25]

Florida will need it soon enough IMO.

I say park it the Gulf of Mexico.

 

[rodneymullenmg]

I am not talking about CEOS and executives. I am talking about businesses that need to keep running. Businesses who employ workers.

There are many mom and pop shops that are getting loans now too. I know a few whose loans are pending.

I am not saying 'America is most importantly' CEOS and corporations. Those are your words.

for every corporation there’s many mom and pop shops that were forced to close because many corporations underpay workers and slide cash into ceo and executive pockets.

They have plenty of reserves to dip into, they have PLENTY of executives who’s salaries can be cut or laid off. They have the backup, they just don’t care to use it.

I apologize but when those same companies try to take support from small business are the problem. It shouldn’t be expected that corporation lack morality.

 

[KALI]

No. Much or all of the money is supposed to be forgiven.
Most importantly, millions, including us, could not get any money, because these huge companies took it. It stinks to high heaven. Imo

I don't see any problem with any of this. They are loans after all.

 

[Sundog]

interesting in my small sampling every single small business (by my definition less than 50 employees) did not get a dime, but those with over 200 did - go figure.
JMO

Over a million small businesses with less than 10 employees received a loan/grant (source: transcript of White House briefing April 21, 2020). Congress is responsible for establishing the limit as a business that has 500 or less employees. Maybe they will do better in the next round.

 

[ilovewings]

I'm not really sure what to make of Las Vegas' mayor, Carolyn Goodman's logic regarding opening up Las Vegas. She's basically on board for opening up all the casinos but doesn't seem to take any responsibility if the plan backfires. She was on CNN today, offering up all of Las Vegas' workers saying they'd all be fine with being the placebo group in an experiment to get them back to work. Yikes.

She's talking about how few cases they have because they have taken the proper measures. However, with 40 million visitors a year how can they gamble with their citizen's lives?

you would have to have a death wish to go to Vegas
Not a smart bet!

 

[tresir2012]

I'm sorry, but this is impossible. As I've mentioned before, the first group of humans is usually the lab workers and scientists themselves. Are they representative of All Humans? No. Not at all. None of them are toddlers. None of them are very elderly. None of them are cancer patients. None of them are taking immune suppressants (you can't work in a viral lab if you have those issues - or if you have lupus or if you have RA). They are disproportionately male (if not all male - in many cases, first run of viral testing is in men).

Further, how long has it been? Did they then go expose themselves to several variants of COVid? No, they did not. They can't, because they have only limited strains in Britain. Being an island, that's always the case. They need to test it in New York.

No one should be injected with a vaccine that has that kind of testing. The next rounds of testing should involve the entire British military. Then it's a waiting game. We know that military members have been exposed but they would need to completely drop social distancing and see if the vaccine works. Has Britain done this? No. It's two weeks between exposure and symptoms. They need to vaccinate the entire military (and they do not have the manufacturing capacity to do this yet), and then wait a month. Deliberately allow CV+ people to remain untreated and within the population.

At that point, we still won't know how the elderly and the compromised will deal with it, but the results will be highly suggestive. Before the US will allow it, they'll give the vaccine to all military members first (for strategic as well as medical reasons) and deploy them as usual all over the world, and make no attempt to isolate them. Let them have shore leave. Let's hope that the vaccinated can't still be carriers, right? Do we know that right now? No, we do not.

I'd give that process 6 months. People who specialize in safe development of vaccines would be cringing (as they'd have done it differently) but the FDA and our government do allow for this kind of testing.

But no way would I want our entire military vaccinated until UK does theirs first and we see results. I'd want a two month experiment in Britain. They're obviously going to start giving it to all comers unless some major change comes in their thinking. If, in two months, UK is down to virtually zero cases, then I think we should test in the US. Let them be the guinea pigs, as they seem intent on doing it.

I do wonder how many Brits will actually go for the vaccine under these circumstances. It will be a leap of faith with a dose of science.

They have already recruited volunteers for the phase 2. We never use our military to test drugs AFAIK. Maybe in WW2 when antibiotics were being tested.

Regarding strains, I think NY got the European strain anyway so testing would not take place outside UK IMO. I don't know what Phase 3 of the trial would be. Have to get it thru phase 2 first.

 

[branmuffin]

And this is the thing my mom misses the most - lunch in tiny cafes here distancing is impossible.

I used to work in a building that was built in the 1950s before most commercial buildings had air conditioning. It had horizontal windows, very much like my high school, where the bottom window opening outward like a awning window. In the 70s they decided to install central air. They sealed all the windows and lowered the ceiling to hide the pipes and venting.

The temperature was never comfortable; you either froze in the summer or boiled in the winter. Then to make things worse they installed offices along the windows around the perimeter. People would sit there in the winter and have spontaneous nosebleeds it was so dry. One guy got so fed up he picked up his office chair and threw it through the window. It landed on a city street 2 floors below. Every one just stopped in shock then felt that pure cool air and went back to work. Until a cop came upstairs.

 

[Trino]

you would have to have a death wish to go to Vegas
Not a smart bet!

Saw the mayor interview. Sounds like she doesn't see coronavirus as a problem. IMO she will - soon.

Not only 40 m visitors, but visitors from just everywhere. What is she thinking?

 

[LadyL]

Mohawk College instructor tells students to ignore physical distancing amid COVID-19
Social Sharing

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hami...-I5x9tldFogpqY0BnrtuCbcZ5sBKaQr4e54VDBQ7gXZZo

 

[Seattle1]

^^sbm


Big businesses were able to snap up the PPP dollars designated for small businesses because the program was touted as "first come first serve" which provided the perfect window for the ugly 100+ Public Companies to cut in line days before the program gained congressional approval. The small businesses in need were scrambling to comply with the SBA loan application checklist and trying to get through the 800 number when the big boys were already on direct dial -- if not called by their bankers first! Let me be clear, they were not looking for the forgivable loans but very cheap dollars.

The reality is that all these large firms were fed the details by the Washington insiders and lobbyists before the bill was signed. And I promise the same thing is going on right now while politicians have been horse-trading behind closed doors for days as part of the art to refill the program dollars.

Is it any wonder that having been caught, they're all pledging to give back the money?

ETA: add link
Ruth's Chris and other chain restaurants got big PPP loans when small business' couldn't - CNN

As a result of a heavily lobbied exemption, larger food-service operations landed $10 million loans from the PPP. These include Potbelly (PBPB) Sandwich Shop and Shake Shack (SHAK), which has upward of $100 million in cash on hand, as well as Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc (FRGI)., the owner of Taco
Cabana.

Shake Shack will return it's $10Mil Loan
‘The Big Guys Get Bailed Out’: Restaurants Vie for Relief Funds

 

[Tony1902]

I say park it the Gulf of Mexico.

In my backyard??

 

[razzledazzle]

How did they take the news?
I have the same people year after year.....no contract ....no deposit. I have only received one payment but have left the check untouched.

We have multiple renters (vacationers) that stay a week, 2 weeks, etc. A realty company handles the bookings and we have a maintenance contract, etc. I have no idea how anyone took the news. I'm very sorry for them, but we keep the house open for the family one week in June, two weeks at July 4th, and one week in August. Mom and Pops are in their 70's and we were just worried about folks in and out all the time amid CV19. We are in SC, so we lots of vacationers from the hot spots. You never know how much disinfecting the cleaning crew actually does, so...

 

[margarita25]

So I’ve cleaned the top of the refrigerator, pulled out all the drawers and shelves and ran them through the dishwasher, pulled the fridge out and cleaned the crumbs and kibble (yuk), pulled the stove out and cleaned the crumbs (yuk), wiped all the appliances and cabinets down, cleaned the ceiling fans, changed lightbulbs, (not skylights, thanks again @anneg for not letting me get on that ladder lol), shredded years of old tax documents and pet and medical records, gone through boxes of paper trash- coupons, receipts, business cards (am I really going to call this person?)

—-

Clothes, purses, accessories organized, food prepped, rationed into single servings and frozen, dog bathed...

(Staring at my nice clothes and makeup wondering if and when I’ll ever wear these things again)

What else can I do? There is never any shortage of things to do around here...

Oh yeah, take everything out of all the cabinets - pharmaceutical, pantry, spices, dishes, pots, wipe down and organize...

More info about the PPP program from the U.S. Small Business Administration is at Paycheck Protection Program. Excerpts below:

"Notice: Lapse in Appropriations
The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.

Other Assistance
Enhanced Debt Relief is also available in SBA’s other business loan programs to help small businesses overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.

For information on traditional SBA lending options, please click here.

SBA provides local assistance via 68 district offices and a nationwide network of resource partners. To find resources near you, please click here. "

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Information
"The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program."

... "Who Can Apply The following entities affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be eligible:

• Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)
• Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:
  • 500 employees, or
  • That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500
• Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location
• Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons"

... "Through April 16, 2020, the SBA has guaranteed 1,661,367 loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. For more information on loan activity, click here."

Hope this is useful. [Note: I have no personal experience with small businesses or these programs.]

Thank you, will bring over to the unstimulating stimulus thread (jk about the unstimulating part bc I haven’t gotten my check yet lol)

I'm not really sure what to make of Las Vegas' mayor, Carolyn Goodman's logic regarding opening up Las Vegas. She's basically on board for opening up all the casinos but doesn't seem to take any responsibility if the plan backfires. She was on CNN today, offering up all of Las Vegas' workers saying they'd all be fine with being the placebo group in an experiment to get them back to work. Yikes.

She's talking about how few cases they have because they have taken the proper measures. However, with 40 million visitors a year how can they gamble with their citizen's lives?

They’re going to reopen Vegas??

Sorry catching up

ETA: Well just open Disney while we’re at it

 

[Sundog]

A Central Ohio restaurant files a lawsuit arguing that insurers should cover losses related to COVID-19.

This is a locked article, I am looking to see if this is published elsewhere. But will be interesting to see the outcome of this lawsuit.

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/04/22/restaurant-lawsuit-argues-insurers-should-cover.html?

 

[cass523]

COVID-19: Key model says states need to wait to reopen

An influential coronavirus model often cited by the White House, now says that many states will have to wait longer to safely reopen.

According to a model built by the Institute for Health Metric and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, 12 states will have to wait until at least June 8 or later to consider relaxing social distancing measures.

At that point, the model assumes states will have other measures in place, such as aggressive testing, contact tracing and isolation, to prevent a resurgence.

The IHME model is just one of many, and it uses a conservative "threshold" to predict when state can begin relaxing social distancing measures.

video
COVID-19: Key model says states need to wait to reopen

 

[Curious Me]

you would have to have a death wish to go to Vegas
Not a smart bet!

Yes! It'd be Suicide by Virus going to Vegas anytime soon. And taking it back to your hometown would be Murder by Virus Spreading.

Why do I feel it's only a matter of time before some jerk exposes me to a deadly virus they don't take seriously?

We all want to go back to our old ways and be free to enjoy our fun society. Denial that things are changing is dangerous to others.

IMO, we're going to have to learn to share a new vision of love for our society members and our community to keep everyone safe from dying. MOO, that is only a dreamy ideal though because the truth is there's jerks.

society - the community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.

 

[cass523]

One of the grimmest symbols of the coronavirus outbreak - a morgue set up in a Madrid skating rink - closed on Wednesday as stores and other businesses reopened in places across Europe, while the U.S. was beset with increasingly partisan disagreements over how and when to restart its economy.

As some governors in the U.S. - largely Republican ones - moved to reopen an ever-wider variety of businesses, others took a more cautious approach and came under mounting pressure from protesters complaining that their livelihoods are being destroyed and their freedom of movement is being infringed on.

With the crisis easing but far from over in Europe, small shops in Berlin reopened, and restrictions were also relaxed in Denmark and Austria. In France, long lines formed outside the few McDonald's drive-thrus that started serving customers again.

Still, many employees and customers were uneasy, suggesting that a return to normal is a long way off.

Across the Atlantic in Savannah, Georgia, where Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced that gyms and salons can reopen this week, gym owner Mark Lebos said it would be professional negligence to do so right now.

"We are not going to be a vector of death and suffering," he said.

Singapore, once a model of virus tracking and prevention, saw an explosion of new cases and announced it would extend its lockdown into June.

In California, health officials said two people with coronavirus died in the state weeks before the first reported U.S. death from the disease on Feb. 29 in Washington state. The finding adds to the evidence that the virus was circulating in the U.S. earlier than previously thought.

Many wary of coronavirus reopenings as some US states loosen rules

 

[Tony1902]

That's why we have several programs. We have the cash payouts that go to individuals. And we have the low interest business loans.

I would like to see more of the small businesses getting the loans. But when looking at the big picture, we as a nation, need to find the most effective way to rebuild our economy and keep it from collapsing. So these mid size, successful, profitable companies need to be kept afloat to accomplish that quicker.

The smaller businesses with 5 to 10 people---they will not have the same impact on our economy, positive or negative. And if they fail, it will be much easier for a small business to reorganise and come back, then a very large company. JMO

As the friend of someone with a very small business that’s not essential & couldn’t get in after the fat cats, I respectfully disagree. She’s at the point of losing her car, home, business & moving into section 8 housing. Please look at the individual toll. My friend is close to a nervous breakdown. That number may mean nothing in the larger picture, but’s she’s my friend of 10 years in this silly parish, so it means much to me & the whole world to her, as it collapses all around her. Everything she’s worked so hard to build. Pffft gone.

 

[BHughes]

Thing is: with the flu there are various strains- when they make the vaccine every year they try to guess (for lack of a better word) what strains will be present. Sometimes they are wrong, and when they are the vaccine doesn't work, although they say one should still get the vaccine ( I never have): However, with the coronavirus, i don't think there is the same concern (different strains- though there could be i guess). so this seems to be horse of a different color.

RBM:

Possibly 30 strains, already....
Coronavirus has mutated into at least 30 different strains: study

BREAKING NEWS: COVID-19 Has Now Mutated to Over 30 Strains, Says China : Science : Tech Times

"Finding a cure for the current COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging scientists and medical professionals all over the world. However, it now seems that the mission may be more complicated than initially thought as it has been reported through a Chinese study on infected individuals that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has now mutated to over 30 strains. This may further delay the development of vaccines"

 

[pocketaccent]

Pandemic oddity: Haircut given inside Houston wings restaurant caught on video by would-be-customer
Pandemic oddity: Haircut given inside Houston wings restaurant caught on video by would-be-customer