Squirrel

Or preventable deaths because people were afraid to seek medical care. There are all kinds of things to take into consideration that are difficult to account for. And the deaths that are occurring that are likely COVID deaths but unconfirmed that haven’t counted in the total. Although I think they are catching up on some of that as New York recently revised their death totals.

Yes, I know ... was a rhetorical question. They are paid for and led by far right wing extremist organizations, and, imo, at the behest of the president. The underlying motive is wholly political and has nothing to do with COVID-19 and the shutdowns. Those are just the ‘excuse’.

Well, yeah ... a lot to wonder about ... but who is supporting and organizing these protests? And in the other side of things is this: https://gothamist.com/news/dispatch-morgue-truck-worker-coronavirus-covid-nyc

Well, lol, it’s more than that, but I’d have to give myself a point for being disrespectful.

Your ideas are great, in a perfect world. It’s not a question of capability, it’s the question of leadership and direction. We have none where it’s needed most to accomplish what you suggest. It’s not simply a matter of Congress passing a law when you have a Senate not interested and even if they would somehow get it done, a president who would veto anything that would seem to bypass his ‘authority.’ I mean it sounds great what you are proposing and I get how it sound so simple, but ... Also, as others in thread have mentioned it’s also just not possible to snap our fingers and ‘Voila!’ we are producing a massive amount of masks. That kind of production would take months and months. I’m not trying to naysay here, I just think it’s not a possibility given the Senate and President we have. And I agree that many are bad off and will get worse before it gets better. I wish the stimulus bill that was finally passed truly accomplished helping people first and not big business without oversight.

Congress cannot enact the DPA and cannot order companies to start producing. That’s the problem. And anything the House tries to do gets shut down in the Senate. As for out of work hair stylists, they will be back at work in some capacity sooner than me. My industry will be hurting for a lot longer if the Mayor of LA is right.

I think Illinois governor may make wearing masks in public mandatory. Right now it’s just a recommendation.

Too bad you couldn’t have encouraged Trump to enact the Defense Production Act two months ago. This is the problem of why things haven’t been done and why we ae so far behind with these things, imo. Oh, as for a haircut, you could buy several gift certificates from your favorite stylist. It might help until better solutions are found.

Both of those guys have been fun follows on Instagram. (Almost wrote Instacart for all the online shopping I’ve been doing lately!)

I don't think anyone has hatred for something that might potentially work. According to a family member, who is in the medical testing field, there is no scientific evidence, as of yet, on hydroxychloroquine and its effectiveness against COVID-19. Right now, the only evidence is anecdotal. There is research going on 24/7 on lots of things, and this being one. Did it work alone? Did it work in correlation with other drugs being taken? What dosages work, and again, along side others? What are the dangers? The danger in this, and the caution some are taking, is the blatant promotion of a drug that hasn't yet born the scientific results as being a successful remedy. That's why I think some here are cautious about hydroxychoroquine. Right now the medical professionals are trying everything, and hoping that something bears results, so yes, I'd try anything if it meant life or death, even something that hasn't been thoroughly vetted, that's the last step in drug trials, actually. And what works for one, doens't necessarily for another. But, to publicly proclaim this as the answer, as some have done, I think is premature and potential dangerous. It's but one thing being tried in the medical testing field, and yes, I'd volunteer to be a test candidate if I were on that precipice. Again ... lots of research and drug trials and all kinds of things going on 24/7, and I don't think it's going to be 'one thing' that works ... hopefully the time staying locked in (my 90-yr-old mom has referred to me as her jailor a time or two) of keeping transmission to a minimum will allow our medical system to not be overwhelmed, to prepare for the next 'wave' (if/when there is one), and bide time for the scientific medical field to find possible solutions to mitigate the worst affects of this virus, until a vaccine can do even more. Until then ... life as we knew it? I just don't know how baseball fits into that for me right now. Not sure it will bring back 'normalcy' because I work in a profession that may never get back to 'normal', ever. I've barely been able to read the forums here, because ... for me ... and I'm not suggesting anything on others for looking at it differently ... for me it just seems ... trivial. But ... gotta fill the time with something! Cheers to you all.

Of course not ... why I used the word ‘wonder’, as in a lot to look at yet. Will the potential for a second wave keep us locked down longer, or will we be better prepared when it does hit? A lot to wonder about. Just throwing it out there.

And with Japan getting a second wave .... wonder what the thinking will be elsewhere on this as to when we will see nans lifted. https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/13/832981899/emergency-declared-in-japanese-prefecture-hit-by-2nd-wave-of-coronavirus-infecti

Hehehe

I really enjoyed the Bloomberg piece. Was very thought provoking. And interesting. Thank you.

And a lot of deaths aren’t being attributed to Coronavirus, either. If someone dies before testing is confirmed, or before they’ve not even had a test, they are never confirmed and their deaths are officially attributed to unknown or unclassified.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/07/828091467/why-some-covid-19-patients-crash-the-bodys-immune-system-might-be-to-blame My niece’s company is working on a drug to alleviate these Cytokine storms. They got FDA approval and are set to go to trials this week.

Just thought some of you might be interested in this. https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2020/04/08/coronavirus-former-miracle-manager-ramon-borrego-awaits-baseballs-return/2964479001/

So, you’re saying somewhere in the middle is what we should have on hand, not gluttonous bloat, but not sparse inadequacy, just in case. (That’s my laymen’s, non-mathematical conclusion.)

Chicago’s preparations: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/time-lapse-watch-mccormick-place-transform-into-massive-alternate-care-facility/2251902/

If someone posted this link already, sorry for being repetitive. I am well beyond saturation on this and don’t remember where all I saw what. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Chicago has been doing nightly sing-alongs and diy light-shows, (it started in my neighborhood, but is catching on to other parts of downtown) to honor those working and providing necessary services; 8pm, 2 songs, people blast their stereos and do whatever with lights. Tonight is ‘Angel From Montgomery’ as a tribute to John Prine. https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicagouniteatnight/?multi_permalinks=3952385374773352&notif_id=1586195501881479&notif_t=group_highlights

Virtual Huggs, Chief

New Zealand is crushing it. Swift and strict response for the entire country is showing results. Of course, they are a much, much smaller country, but the PM has a plan and is decisively enforcing it. Even though they are seeing good results, she is adamant at sticking to the 30-day strict plan, no talk of lifting it sooner. She wants to keep things sealed for two incubation periods. And for the most part, the people are, too. Part of the problem here is, well, as I’ve said before, leadership is one, but individually, some are not so strict about their participation in protocols laid out by their state governors. People, stay home! And despite tourism being NZ’s number one industry, they may keep their borders closed for some time, while loosening up restrictions little by little within, after the lock down is over. My sister is there currently ... she’s a visiting doctor on a 6-month contract, which is over at the end of the month. Her visa has already been extended if she chooses to ride out the worst there, or come home at the end of the month. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/new-zealand-isnt-just-flattening-the-curve-its-squashing-it/ar-BB12gstI

I admit, I got teary

The role of the federal government IS to be that coordinator, to be the QB, to rally the troops, to focus, to order production, to organize and have a plan ... that is their role! There has been NO LEADERSHIP in this from the beginning. There was no focus, only downplaying. No qualified QB on the team. And where we are now is a result of the lackings shown from the top. Yes, it takes extraordinary action. Agreed. There was none and now we are trying to play catch up, but it takes time. Time is not on our side, but time is what it takes.