Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #64

[mickey2942]

https://www.jacksonville.com/news/2...ool-campuses-to-stay-closed-as-pandemic-rages

This may not be a popular opinion. But if we are expecting other people to go to work, like police officers, nurses, garbage collectors, grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, many others in the community, then, teachers need to go back to work too.

Yes, I have taught school. Yes, I have worked continuously, full time, with the public since March.

If they don't want to go back to work, time for retirement or find other work. I respect their choice. But they can't continue to be paid, get benefits, and not go to work.

 

[MrX]

Respectively, another view.
"Covid isn't the only thing in the world" - I totally agree! Since Covid isn't the only thing in the world is the very reason so many rational, logical folks choose to isolate and take every precaution they can in their own situation so they can enjoy the world once this threat has passed. There is so much life out there! I for one, choose to alter my lifestyle temporarily to protect my life, my friends and my precious family's. I want to enjoy all the big things; graduations, celebrations, marriages, births, holidays. I want to enjoy the little things that bring me joy - going to the theatre for live performances, live music venues, casual dining out with family and friends, all the spring through summer fairs and festivals, the beach, the mountains, a leisure day shopping and dining out with friends. I miss that!
"the kids that are losing a summer - times that are supposed to be the best of their lives" - depends totally on the parents. I know one of my daughters lives in one of the worst hit counties in VA has made the most amazing memories with her family during this time. They have found beautiful parks that have few people and have discovered our nation's beauty so close to home that they had not explored until this year although having lived in the area for past 10 years. They were too busy traveling internationally and discovering the world and had no idea what was within driving distance of their home. The pictures they share and the stories the grandkids have to tell me every single weekend of their discoveries is so uplifting and pride just takes over my heart to see how they have thrived during this time.
"exhibiting signs of harm to their mental health" - anxiety over the unknown is not necessarily an unhealthy symptom. Anxiety can make us face reality and take necessary precautions. Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion.
Life is full of changes, depends on how we handle those changes as to the quality of life we live.
ALL
JMO
MOO

And I know people that are adapting, as well as they can - trying to find new adventures and experiences. But the crux of your response gets back to my first posts in this forum: a fundamental disagreement on "normalcy" and how we get back to it. A never ending cycle of locking and loosening is never going to bring back the events you mention. NY is supposed to be the shining example of how to handle this, and yet Broadway has just cancelled everything through the rest of the year and Cuomo just announced a "brake tapping" because of people congregating outside. How long are you willing to live with that as being "normal?" I know that we will never agree on this, but it seems one side is going to have to adapt. Either the "Closers" will have to accept more risk than they are currently comfortable with, or the "Openers" are going to have to accept that the only way back to "normalcy" is to create an underground.

 

[MrX]

Heading for a showdown: More than 1,000 medical professionals sign letter urging Gov. Ducey to reenact “shelter in place”

"Mandate masks statewide and communicate concrete consequences for those refusing to wear masks in public; these individuals, whether they believe it or not, are potentially exposing others to a deadly disease."

So what do they want - homicide charges? I think Russia implemented something like that in March.

 

[squareandrabbet]

And I know people that are adapting, as well as they can - trying to find new adventures and experiences. But the crux of your response gets back to my first posts in this forum: a fundamental disagreement on "normalcy" and how we get back to it. A never ending cycle of locking and loosening is never going to bring back the events you mention. NY is supposed to be the shining example of how to handle this, and yet Broadway has just cancelled everything through the rest of the year and Cuomo just announced a "brake tapping" because of people congregating outside. How long are you willing to live with that as being "normal?" I know that we will never agree on this, but it seems one side is going to have to adapt. Either the "Closers" will have to accept more risk than they are currently comfortable with, or the "Openers" are going to have to accept that the only way back to "normalcy" is to create an underground.

fun fact: until the recent pandemic I had no idea it takes 5 years to bring a Broadway show to fruition.

not so fun fact: Disney already closed the ‘Frozen’ musical, claiming they ‘couldn’t afford’ to keep three musical balls juggling in the air; which strikes me as a poor decision as I would have thought it evergreen. These actors, musicians, stagehands, etc., certainly aren’t getting any money; and the Las Vegas example bobbing about, well, tourism is more of their economy than it is in NYC, in fact one might say it’s their primary economic driver. I guarantee they can’t/couldn’t afford to stay closed until 2021 or longer; and regardless of what one thinks about the viability of gambling, there are a lot of casino croupiers, waitstaff, house cleaners, hospitality people, etc. who depend upon that economy not going broke.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Maybe some of those pneumonia deaths were Covid? It happened in UK.

of course they were... we all know this... Florida has always been know for shady government so nothing new... That's why we have "the sunshine laws" ...can't do business in the dark, have to be open and transparent. Politicians know how to work around.

Florida Attorney General - The "Sunshine" Law

 

[MrX]

fun fact: until the recent pandemic I had no idea it takes 5 years to bring a Broadway show to fruition.

not so fun fact: Disney already closed the ‘Frozen’ musical, claiming they ‘couldn’t afford’ to keep three musical balls juggling in the air; which strikes me as a poor decision as I would have thought it evergreen. These actors, musicians, stagehands, etc., certainly aren’t getting any money; and the Las Vegas example bobbing about, well, tourism is more of their economy than it is in NYC, in fact one might say it’s their primary economic driver. I guarantee they can’t/couldn’t afford to stay closed until 2021 or longer; and regardless of what one thinks about the viability of gambling, there are a lot of casino croupiers, waitstaff, house cleaners, hospitality people, etc. who depend upon that economy not going broke.

Right - but none of that matters to some people.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Heading for a showdown: More than 1,000 medical professionals sign letter urging Gov. Ducey to reenact “shelter in place”

"Mandate masks statewide and communicate concrete consequences for those refusing to wear masks in public; these individuals, whether they believe it or not, are potentially exposing others to a deadly disease."

So what do they want - homicide charges? I think Russia implemented something like that in March.

Russia is charging people with homicide for not wearing a mask? Do you have a credible link for that?

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Who are you responding to?

Upthread, Tresor had asked about an article in the UK Guardian about high African American deaths in Alabama.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Amid U.S. coronavirus surges, Cuomo considers slowing NYC's reopening

“I want to continue to move forward, but we may move forward with caution,” Cuomo said in an interview with local cable news station.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned Monday that he might tap the brakes on New York City’s reopening amid “troubling signs” that some are flouting social-distancing rules to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Our numbers are good, very good right now, but there are troubling signs,” Cuomo said in an interview with local cable channel NY1. “We’re seeing large social gatherings on sidewalks, et cetera, which is not helpful.”...

NJ’s Governor also noticed it here and is slowing the next phase opening:

N.J. restaurants NOT reopening for indoor dining this week after ‘knucklehead’ crowds at bars ruin it for everyone

 

[nhmemorymaker]

I miss going to craft stores, especially the small one-off stores like two of our local ones that I have been patronizing for a long time. I did make a Facebook order a week or so ago from one of them that I will pick up when it comes in. (I have enough craft supplies to last me the rest of my natural life and beyond, but I enjoy the shopping. Online is not the same.)

oh I can relate... I too have enough supplies in my studio.. but I enjoy "visioning", so that leads to the buying. Its the finishing I have problems with.

 

[jjenny]

Russia is not charging people with anything for not wearing masks. They just had a big parade, no masks.
"Aging veterans in their 80s and 90s joined Mr. Putin on the reviewing stand, nearly all of them without masks, to watch 14,000 troops march in tight formation to stirring martial music. Tanks, missiles and other military equipment then trundled through the square in front of the Kremlin, followed by a flyover by strategic bombers, fighter jets and helicopters."
Hit Hard by Coronavirus, Russia Holds a Mostly Mask-Free Victory Parade

 

[margarita25]

@MrX
I isolate and in this hell hole of a holler there are no bars. Wouldn’t go to one anyway, never have, too inhibited. A good book & a glass of white Bordeaux. DrTony does the ‘runs’ because I have an auto-immune disorder.


Nope I seldom can with tomatoes. Had a bad issue many years ago in MS Delta. I freeze veg unless it’s end of season ‘quilt’ where all odd & ends go in. I do can figs.

Oh it was cajun food maybe we were talking about? I would kill for some of that too. I’m working on my pantry and freezer for soups and stews...hot sauces, beans, broths, cans, spices...I’m having trouble finding certain things now so taking the time to actively seek things out and prepare for fall and winter increased demand because time is flying. We are already into July. Fall will be here before we know it. I’ve learned from the instacart madness of the prior months.

The problem as usual is not depleting the items too early. I still practice rationing—using less quantities of ingredients, etc.

eta.
By the way I’m down about 25 lbs. Problem is I’ve lost muscle mass and getting more “jiggly”—

How are you guys doing with your home workouts? I’m doing terribly and reaaaaalllly neeeeed to change this. I’m also achy, stiff...everything I was afraid of happening is happening, wrt to the home workouts. Also stressing to myself how important it is to get out there and walk.

Time to kick it up or I’ll just be hurtin worse later. For those keeping active, please share the mojo.

 

[jjenny]

Speaking of workouts.
"Health officials are warning hundreds of people who went to a Planet Fitness in West Virginia that they may have been exposed to the Coronavirus."
Over 200 Gym Patrons Potentially Exposed To Coronavirus At Planet Fitness In West Virginia

 

[CharlestonGal]

Russia is not charging people with anything for not wearing masks. They just had a big parade, no masks.
"Aging veterans in their 80s and 90s joined Mr. Putin on the reviewing stand, nearly all of them without masks, to watch 14,000 troops march in tight formation to stirring martial music. Tanks, missiles and other military equipment then trundled through the square in front of the Kremlin, followed by a flyover by strategic bombers, fighter jets and helicopters."
Hit Hard by Coronavirus, Russia Holds a Mostly Mask-Free Victory Parade

Thanks! I figured that was false information, but you never can tell these days.

 

[oviedo]

Florida coronavirus: Another 5,000-plus COVID-19 cases reported

 

[oviedo]

Speaking of workouts.
"Health officials are warning hundreds of people who went to a Planet Fitness in West Virginia that they may have been exposed to the Coronavirus."
Over 200 Gym Patrons Potentially Exposed To Coronavirus At Planet Fitness In West Virginia

Well that settles that ! I’ve been debating about ceasing my PF membership - sigh ...

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Are there Countries Without Coronavirus?
UPDATED: JUNE 29 2020

The UN officially recognises 193 countries. As of June 29 2020, only 12 countries have not confirmed any cases of COVID-19. Many of these countries are Pacific Island countries in Oceania.

IMPORTANT NOTE: this is largely self-declared and some have certainly raised scepticism among observers (and us!). This list is not necessarily backed by the opinion of professionals such as the World Health Organisation.

Below is a list of countries without coronavirus that currently has declared no cases of COVID-19.

1. North Korea

2. Turkmenistan

3. Solomon Islands

4. Vanuatu

5. Samoa

6. Kiribati

7. Federated States of Micronesia

8. Tonga

9. Marshall Islands

10. Palau

11. Tuvalu

12. Nauru


List of Countries Without Coronavirus ️(JUNE 2020) - Koryo Tours

I agree with the writer; I'm not at all convinced by those first two, but the rest are tiny island nations.

 

[squareandrabbet]

I really want to know why I am not seeing ONE media report on contact tracing efforts in states and municipalities. How it's being done, stats or who is doing and how many are employed, what are criteria? Why isn't the media covering this? Or have I just missed it.

This is the ONE ONE ONE thing I want to read about... but crickets???

I kind of felt like ‘contact tracing’ was a federal thing... no? Maybe I’m wrong but I’ve definitely seen more than one state/area that said the same thing as NYC; nope, not gonna ask about your attendance at parties, bars, protests, etc. why they’re even bothering to ask anyone at all, I cannot fathom. Surely if you ask people about their family members, the family members already know they are in danger from each other, no?

This is very hard for some people to understand or accept, but Covid isn't the only thing in the world. Life goes on and this is just one more thing to manage. From personal experience, I find that people who have remained locked down since March are exhibiting signs of harm to their mental health.

Everyone needs to decide how much "real life" they are prepared to lose in exchange for mitigating this particular risk. I feel for the kids that are losing a summer - times that are supposed to be the best of their lives and are gone forever.

I have seen plenty of people on SM saying that graduating seniors, etc., aren’t supposed to care about missing proms, senior trips, etc.; and just to suck it up for the public good. If the seniors themselves are seeing this type of posts, I don’t blame them for exploding with pent up hormones. I saw people quoted in the NYT basically indicating they went out to the bars to hook up because they were bored of Tinder.

Coronavirus: No food, drinks or receptions - the new post-lockdown rules for weddings in England

Weddings taking place when coronavirus restrictions are eased next month are being encouraged to follow new government guidance - which means avoiding food, drink and singing.

Under the guidelines - which apply to wedding and civil partnership ceremonies in England from 4 July - people are being discouraged from singing or shouting, couples will need to wash their hands before and after exchanging rings, and children will need to be held.

The guidance also states no more than 30 people should attend and social distancing rules should be obeyed.

The services should be as short as possible and limited to the parts which make the marriage or civil partnership legally binding.

Receptions or parties after weddings should not take place, but small celebrations will be allowed if they follow the guidelines - meaning up to two households could meet indoors, or up to six people from different households outdoors.

The new guidance on weddings now states:

• People should wash their hands before and after exchanging rings
• No food or drink should be consumed as part of the event, unless needed for solemnisation
• People should avoid singing, shouting, raising voices or playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult and encourages people to shout. This is because there could be an increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.
• If needed, one person can sing or chant - but they should be behind a plexi-glass screen to protect guests
• Spoken responses during the service should not be done in a raised voice
• People should avoid playing instruments that are blown into, such as trumpets
• Measures should be considered such as avoiding face-to-face seating, reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces, improving ventilation, using protective screens and face coverings, and closing non-essential social spaces
• Children should be held by a parent or a member of their household
• People are being encouraged to bring in their own service sheets and prayer mats
• Venues should take steps to prevent attendees from touching or kissing devotional objects that are handled communally
• Any rituals which require full immersion in water should be avoided, although small amounts of water can be splashed onto the body
• Any washing or ablution rituals should not be done at the venue and should instead take place before arrival

the government ordering people not to shout or sing???!

this is a new low, I find.

Woman, 102, makes 'miraculous' Covid-19 recovery

A 102-year-old great-grandmother has made a "miraculous recovery" from coronavirus, her carer has said.

Mary Catterall fell ill at Birch Court Care Home in Warrington in May and was nursed back to health at the facility.

Mrs Catterall, who took up horse riding and abseiling aged 86, said she was "OK" and was "glad to be knitting".

Carer Sophie Rutter said the 102-year-old was a "fighter", adding: "It was touch and go at one point, but Mary is so determined and brilliant."

God bless her, I am legit here to say that my grandmother just turned 89, and regaled us to a long conversation about how ‘When you are my age, there’s really not much of anything to do’, and categorically refusing to be parted from her walker for months, despite the pleadings of two daughters, two sons in law, seven grands, her GP and a raft of PTs. I do grant she is my last surviving grandparent, lol.

ETA: posted before I checked the Business page. Cirque du Soleil lays off 3,500 employees and files for bankruptcy:

Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy and cuts 3,500 jobs - CNN

 

[10ofRods]

Coronavirus: World's dominant strain 10 TIMES more infectious | Daily Mail Online

"The mutated version of the virus, dubbed G614 - a change from D614 - is a tiny change in its genetic makeup ... dominant strain being found in Covid-19 patients across the UK, US, Canada and Italy."

"suggesting that viruses with SG64 transmit more efficiently ."

This is sobering. It's been a couple of months since the "G" mutation was known and scientists have watched it overtake the others systematically and at a pretty good clip.

 

[mickey2942]

Well that settles that ! I’ve been debating about ceasing my PF membership - sigh ...

Me too. I just think that I am done with the gym.