Coronavirus pandemic

[Max Rockatansky]

^^^

As did I in Chapala back in February.  We're a little past the Corona Beer Virus at this point, but that was once a thing.

Or Gaiilfreyan bioloigy

I thought the Doctor was way past the number of regenerations he/she could have?  Did they ever actually give explanation for that in the show?

The Doctor got a new set of regenerations in the last Matt Smith special.

Ah, that would have been after I really stopped watching regularly. 

[webny99]

We're a little past the Corona Beer Virus at this point, but that was once a thing.

It's a tired thing that's not really funny anymore, but, you're still going to be associating the beer with the virus for a long, long, time if not forever.

[Scott5114]

Sort of a tasteless joke when 120,000 people are dead from it.

[kphoger]

Found a Corona beer distribution truck in March 2020 Miami GSV:
https://www.google.pl/maps/@25.7736435,-80.3206657,3a,75y,239.18h,77.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8r2MJ7n-Gcbh2DkrIr5Olw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Is that what happened back in March?  Someone opened a can?

[kphoger]

In Kansas, a statewide mask order is set to take effect at midnight Friday morning.  It apparently will require the wearing of masks in public areas both indoors and outdoors, but draft language is not yet available, and a number of county commissions (including in Sedgwick County) are exploring whether they have the ability to opt out under an amendment to the state emergency management law that was enacted last month as the result of a compromise between the governor and the legislature.

From what I read, the order won't be published until Thursday–the day before it takes effect.  Supposedly, it won't take effect until Friday in order to give businesses time to prepare, but–considering we don't know what the order says exactly–how will they know how to prepare?  I know my company's HR director has already been in my office and didn't say one word about it.

We asked HR whether we would need to wear masks to work beginning Friday.  She said she won't know till Thursday.  And she's off work both Thursday and Friday, so I guess she'll text us to let us know.   

(Fortunately, we're off Friday as well for the holiday.)

Sounds like people will do whatever they can do to make an easy situation difficult.

Masks?  What masks?  What kind of masks?  Where do we need to specifically where the masks?  Do we need to where them here?  Or here?  Or here?  Or here?  What exceptions will there be?  What if I'm walking in the hallway? Or in my office?  Or in the parking garage?  What if?  What if? What if?

This whole situation would be mostly under control if people didn't hunt down 99 exceptions to an easy concept.

Companies are told to prepare for the order, yet they can't know what the order actually says until the day before it takes effect.

Yeah, blame everyone else for the confusion.

[Max Rockatansky]

We're a little past the Corona Beer Virus at this point, but that was once a thing.

It's a tired thing that's not really funny anymore, but, you're still going to be associating the beer with the virus for a long, long, time if not forever.

It was more amusing in Mexico because it's as common there as Budweiser is here.  Our family kept asking me at the house every night if I wanted "another Corona Virus."

[kphoger]

We're a little past the Corona Beer Virus at this point, but that was once a thing.

It's a tired thing that's not really funny anymore, but, you're still going to be associating the beer with the virus for a long, long, time if not forever.

It was more amusing in Mexico because it's as common there as Budweiser is here.  Our family kept asking me at the house every night if I wanted "another Corona Virus."

Of course, that was back when half of Mexico thought the virus was made up by American politicians.

[webny99]

Is that what happened back in March?  Someone opened a can?

Someone, somewhere, opened a can of something, according to theories out there.

[kalvado]

Is that what happened back in March?  Someone opened a can?

Someone, somewhere, opened a can of something, according to theories out there.

According to some very reliable information, cats are trying to take over the world..

[kphoger]

[nit] That picture would be funnier if they had used the name of the virus, rather than the name of the disease, on the label. [/pick]

[hbelkins]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

[J N Winkler]

Full text for the Kansas mandatory mask order is now available.

Although Sedgwick County has not yet taken action, Johnson County has already voted not to relax the mask mandate.

After studying it, I have determined that I will have to make zero modifications to my current way of wearing a mask.  My main concerns with the order had to do with the possibility of having to carry the mask in the passenger cabin of my car (due to it no longer being legal to climb out and walk to the trunk bare-faced) or wear it when walking around the neighborhood.  The mask requirement does not apply in either case since I am always able to maintain social distancing.

[kphoger]

Full text for the Kansas mandatory mask order is now available.

Although Sedgwick County has not yet taken action, Johnson County has already voted not to relax the mask mandate.

After studying it, I have determined that I will have to make zero modifications to my current way of wearing a mask.  My main concerns with the order had to do with the possibility of having to carry the mask in the passenger cabin of my car (due to it no longer being legal to climb out and walk to the trunk bare-faced) or wear it when walking around the neighborhood.  The mask requirement does not apply in either case since I am always able to maintain social distancing.

At our office, it means we'll wear masks when getting up to leave the room but not when we're just sitting in the office.  I share a huge room with one other co-worker, who sits 15 feet away from me.

[SEWIGuy]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

And given all that is going on, it probably wouldn't be the greatest look for them to be advocating for a massive reopening at this point.

[qguy]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

[dvferyance]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

[wxfree]

The governor of Texas has issued an order requiring masks in public buildings.  It applies to buildings "open to the public," so it doesn't cover workplaces like factories and offices where the public is not allowed.  Those situations are better handled by the employer, since conditions are so variable.  It doesn't apply outside as long as people maintain an appropriate distance.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-establishes-statewide-face-covering-requirement-issues-proclamation-to-limit-gatherings

I agree with the need for the order, but it's been months, plenty of time for the legislature to convene and debate and start making rules the normal way.

[Scott5114]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

I'm about curbing executive power as much as the next guy, but in 1776 they still believed illness was caused by imbalance of humors in the body.

[Brandon]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

I'm about curbing executive power as much as the next guy, but in 1776 they still believed illness was caused by imbalance of humors in the body.

It still needs to go through the legislature, not a dictator-wannabe.  I don't give a damn what party it is, or what the issue is.

[Bruce]

Washington's mask order now has some teeth: businesses are now required to kick out anyone who isn't wearing a mask without an appropriate medical reason to not wear one.

I hope it gets used. My own area has very poor rates of mask usage at grocery stores, while Seattle-area stores I visited are at 100% (with door checks by security).

[oscar]

Washington's mask order now has some teeth: businesses are now required to kick out anyone who isn't wearing a mask without an appropriate medical reason to not wear one.

Are some people going to present a bogus "appropriate medical reason" to not wear a mask? Are stores going to require a doctor's note? I know you said "some teeth" (my emphasis), perhaps with these issues in mind.

[Scott5114]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

I'm about curbing executive power as much as the next guy, but in 1776 they still believed illness was caused by imbalance of humors in the body.

It still needs to go through the legislature, not a dictator-wannabe.  I don't give a damn what party it is, or what the issue is.

So, to get anything done through the legislature, a bill needs to:
- Be written and introduced by a member
- Be referred to the appropriate committee
- Marked up/amended by the committee
- Pass the committee vote
- Be placed on the voting calendar by the speaker/majority leader
- Marked up/amended by the full chamber
- Pass the full chamber vote
- Be referred to the appropriate committee in the other chamber
- Marked up/amended by the committee in the other chamber
- Pass the committee vote in the other chamber
- Be placed on the voting calendar by the speaker/majority leader in the other chamber
- Marked up/amended by the full chamber in the other chamber
- Pass the full chamber vote in the other chamber
- Go through reconciliation to resolve differences between the two chambers' bills
- Be signed by the executive

While all of these things are happening, more people are becoming infected.

[wxfree]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

I'm about curbing executive power as much as the next guy, but in 1776 they still believed illness was caused by imbalance of humors in the body.

It still needs to go through the legislature, not a dictator-wannabe.  I don't give a damn what party it is, or what the issue is.

So, to get anything done through the legislature, a bill needs to:
- Be written and introduced by a member
- Be referred to the appropriate committee
- Marked up/amended by the committee
- Pass the committee vote
- Be placed on the voting calendar by the speaker/majority leader
- Marked up/amended by the full chamber
- Pass the full chamber vote
- Be referred to the appropriate committee in the other chamber
- Marked up/amended by the committee in the other chamber
- Pass the committee vote in the other chamber
- Be placed on the voting calendar by the speaker/majority leader in the other chamber
- Marked up/amended by the full chamber in the other chamber
- Pass the full chamber vote in the other chamber
- Go through reconciliation to resolve differences between the two chambers' bills
- Be signed by the executive

While all of these things are happening, more people are becoming infected.

That long process is the reason executives have emergency powers, but this situation has been going on for months, and will continue for months more.  There's been enough time for legislatures to study and debate.  The problem I have with the situation is that they're not even trying (in some states).  I can't think of anything that the governors are doing that's especially bad, but that still isn't how law should be made.  Legislatures should at least be in session to keep the governors in check.  If they approve of all of the executive orders, then they don't need to do anything, or they can pass legislation making the executive order a proper statute.  They should be ready to respond if a governor starts going the wrong direction.  In states in which only the governor can call a special session, maybe we need constitutional amendments that automatically put the legislature in session after 30 days of emergency executive orders.

[Scott5114]

That long process is the reason executives have emergency powers, but this situation has been going on for months, and will continue for months more.  There's been enough time for legislatures to study and debate.  The problem I have with the situation is that they're not even trying (in some states).  [...] If they approve of all of the executive orders, then they don't need to do anything, or they can pass legislation making the executive order a proper statute.

Then there isn't a problem, is there? Unless they are constitutionally unable to act, then by declining to act, they are tacitly approving the emergency orders. Of course, they should be able to stop the executive if things get out of control. But so far that doesn't seem to be happening.

For what it's worth, polling shows approval of how state governors have been handling the situation higher than the federal elected officials of either branch. (Non-elected executive-branch officials and organizations, like Fauci and the CDC, also poll higher.)

[SEWIGuy]

In addition, one state legislator is pre-filing a bill that would require legislative approval of any state of emergency or related executive orders that last longer than two weeks.

This really is the way it should be.  Executives issue emergency orders in emergency times, but when there's a long-term problem, the legislative body should convene and start gathering information and debating how to proceed.  Emergency orders shouldn't be used until the problem is gone.  Restoring normal government doesn't mean that the problem is over, it just means that the slower part of government has had time to catch up.  We can't treat this like a tornado or a flood, a situation that will be over before the legislature can respond.  This is the world now, and government has to adjust.  In states where the legislature isn't in session and can't convene themselves, the governors should be calling special sessions instead of assuming that rule by decree is good enough until the next session.

A special session won't happen here. The governor is the only Democrat elected on a statewide basis. Both chambers of the legislature have Republican supermajorities. The governor isn't even really talking to legislative leaders about what he's doing, even to the chairs of the interim committees. Here, only the governor can call a special session, and the governor alone sets the agenda. He's hesitant to call a special session to deal with anything regarding this because he knows there would probably be some wiggle room for the legislators to rein him in.

We have a lot of people wondering where the legislature is in dealing with some of his overreaching orders. They don't realize that outside of the session, or outside the scope of interim committees, the legislature is powerless to do anything.

We have a similar situation here in Pennsylvania. The governor is still issuing executive orders like he's the only game in town. There has been virtually 100% opacity in decision-making (including ignoring official FOIA-type requests) and zero consultation with the legislative branch. It's been executive fiat with no representational input.

This is the kind of power our founding fathers were so much against.

I'm about curbing executive power as much as the next guy, but in 1776 they still believed illness was caused by imbalance of humors in the body.

It still needs to go through the legislature, not a dictator-wannabe.  I don't give a damn what party it is, or what the issue is.

Apparently not.  I love how y'all have become a bunch of Constitutional scholars now.  Has anyone looked into the state laws of Pennsylvania to see why he is able to do this?