Coronavirus pandemic

[Scott5114]

#1. If you catch it, you might be completely asymptomatic, you might die, you might live but be fucked up for life. Being young and in shape helps, but even people my age have died from it, so there's no way to be sure what outcome you're going to have.

My workplace is a total cesspool of gross people doing gross things, and my employer has strict attendance policies that will dictate that someone who has it will show up to work and spread it around to everyone, so once we go back to "normal", there's a pretty high chance I'll catch it.

[J N Winkler]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

I pick #4:  pragmatic but cautious.

[tradephoric]

The COVID pandemic has led to volatility in the markets.  Buy in November 2022 when the DOW dips below 11k (this is not financial advice just a prediction).

[ozarkman417]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

#2.  Use proper precautions, but don't freak out.  I'm also sick of these stupid "Alone Together"  PSAs.

As for a second wave, until there's actual evidence for one and not just conjecture, count me skeptical.

Those PSAs alone have essentially rendered TV unwatchable.  I don't recall a time when I've hit the mute button so many times during commercial breaks.  I am seriously considering trying the MRN radio broadcast of the Coca Cola 600 even just to avoid the onslaught (I noticed radio is more mellow on COVID than TV). 

Also, those PSAs tend to remind me of how far I am behind the times with tech.  I barely know how to Skype and barely even found out Face Time was a thing until late last year.  If you believe those commercials everyone is on some sort of video chat platform.

YouTube was even worse, up until about a month ago. They had those PSAs where an "influencer" (I hate that term) would literally say the same scripted garbage "Hey guys, in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, we NEED to stay home. So, stay home, and watch me (do whatever boring stuff they do)".

[Max Rockatansky]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

#2.  Use proper precautions, but don't freak out.  I'm also sick of these stupid "Alone Together"  PSAs.

As for a second wave, until there's actual evidence for one and not just conjecture, count me skeptical.

Those PSAs alone have essentially rendered TV unwatchable.  I don't recall a time when I've hit the mute button so many times during commercial breaks.  I am seriously considering trying the MRN radio broadcast of the Coca Cola 600 even just to avoid the onslaught (I noticed radio is more mellow on COVID than TV). 

Also, those PSAs tend to remind me of how far I am behind the times with tech.  I barely know how to Skype and barely even found out Face Time was a thing until late last year.  If you believe those commercials everyone is on some sort of video chat platform.

YouTube was even worse, up until about a month ago. They had those PSAs where an "influencer" (I hate that term) would literally say the same scripted garbage "Hey guys, in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, we NEED to stay home. So, stay home, and watch me (do whatever boring stuff they do)".

We must get different ads.  Almost every ad I see is for some sort of some of home improvement item or service.  But yes, seeing the likes of a Justin Bieber or Kim Kardashian attempting to tell me what to do just makes me want to do the opposite on principle. 

[qguy]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

2

So much so that last week my wife and I, with our two over-18 kids, ate in at a nearby Italian café that defiantly opened ahead of the governor's orders for our PA County. (Businesses are starting to do that rather than go out of business.) The place was practicing social distancing, but no employees or patrons wore masks.

[GaryV]

We record all the tv shows we want to watch.  That way we aren't held captive by a schedule.  A side benefit is that we fast forward during the commercials.

[74/171FAN]

My workplace is a total cesspool of gross people doing gross things, and my employer has strict attendance policies that will dictate that someone who has it will show up to work and spread it around to everyone, so once we go back to "normal", there's a pretty high chance I'll catch it.

This is my biggest concern.  I really do not understand why everyone seems to have a desire to be back around each other as quickly as possible knowing that one positive case could lead to a 14-day quarantine for everyone.  I definitely do not trust my coworkers to socially distance from each other considering how much they spoke to each other before we started working from home.

[SEWIGuy]

Sunday's New York Times front page:

They're a local New York City paper.  If anything, they should be critical of Cuomo's response whereby he put sick people in the nursing homes.

You probably should do a little more research on this before you completely blame Cuomo.

[SEWIGuy]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

2

So much so that last week my wife and I, with our two over-18 kids, ate in at a nearby Italian café that defiantly opened ahead of the governor's orders for our PA County. (Businesses are starting to do that rather than go out of business.) The place was practicing social distancing, but no employees or patrons wore masks.

Very interest to me that a group of people who usually tend to be the law and order sort, somehow cheer things like this as a good thing.

[SEWIGuy]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

I'm absolutely not "afraid" of the virus.

I am understanding of the science around the virus that, while I would likely survive catching COVID, I could assymptomatically spread it to those who would have a harder time.

So I think it is part of my responsibility to society to minimize (note I didn't say eliminate) activities where I would participate in the virus' spread.  That's not fear.  That's "loving my neighbor."

[ixnay]

We record all the tv shows we want to watch.  That way we aren't held captive by a schedule.  A side benefit is that we fast forward during the commercials.

So do I.  For the same reason and with the same side benefit.   About the only shows I deliberately watch as they are being broadcast are some sports events.

[jemacedo9]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

I'm absolutely not "afraid" of the virus.

I am understanding of the science around the virus that, while I would likely survive catching COVID, I could assymptomatically spread it to those who would have a harder time.

So I think it is part of my responsibility to society to minimize (note I didn't say eliminate) activities where I would participate in the virus' spread.  That's not fear.  That's "loving my neighbor."

THIS.

For the small subset of people who have no risk (known or unknown) **AND** are rarely around people who have no risk (known or unknown) risk, then fine...you're good to go. 

But for the rest of us, especially knowing that there is not a 100% effective way of stopping a spread.  Masks help...not 100% - excluding the fact that people don't want to wear them in obvious situations - like indoors. And washing hands helps you not get it; doesn't stop you from spreading it; my answer is #4:  not afraid, but cautious.  And especially knowing that the average person can't wait to no longer be cautions and go back to the American Way; being self-absorbed.

[hotdogPi]

New Brunswick has completely eliminated the virus. 120 known cases, all recovered. No deaths.

[SEWIGuy]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

I'm absolutely not "afraid" of the virus.

I am understanding of the science around the virus that, while I would likely survive catching COVID, I could assymptomatically spread it to those who would have a harder time.

So I think it is part of my responsibility to society to minimize (note I didn't say eliminate) activities where I would participate in the virus' spread.  That's not fear.  That's "loving my neighbor."

THIS.

For the small subset of people who have no risk (known or unknown) **AND** are rarely around people who have no risk (known or unknown) risk, then fine...you're good to go. 

But for the rest of us, especially knowing that there is not a 100% effective way of stopping a spread.  Masks help...not 100% - excluding the fact that people don't want to wear them in obvious situations - like indoors. And washing hands helps you not get it; doesn't stop you from spreading it; my answer is #4:  not afraid, but cautious.  And especially knowing that the average person can't wait to no longer be cautions and go back to the American Way; being self-absorbed.

That's why when I see people say things like "the staff had no masks!!!" as if it is somehow a defiant symbol of freedom, I shake my head and say WTF?

It's a simple gesture to help others.  For a society who praises the sacrifices of those in the military, or the essential workers, you would think that doing something that small wouldn't be that big of a deal.

But here we are.  Viewing it as some sort of assault on our liberties.

[Roadgeekteen]

New Brunswick has completely eliminated the virus. 120 known cases, all recovered. No deaths.

Wish that could happen down here in Massachusetts, but that's likely unrealistic.

[webny99]

New Brunswick has completely eliminated the virus. 120 known cases, all recovered. No deaths.

Wish that could happen down here in Massachusetts, but that's likely unrealistic.

It would be great if states and provinces were vacuums, but unfortunately 0 active cases doesn't mean much when you still have an extensive network of people traveling in and out that's almost impossible to control.

[Roadgeekteen]

New Brunswick has completely eliminated the virus. 120 known cases, all recovered. No deaths.

Wish that could happen down here in Massachusetts, but that's likely unrealistic.

It would be great if states and provinces were vacuums, but unfortunately 0 active cases doesn't mean much when you still have an extensive network of people traveling in and out that's almost impossible to control.

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

[bandit957]

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

I thought Alaska and Hawaii were the only states that even cared after about late April.

[CoreySamson]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

I pick 2.

People should be cautious about covid-19, but, in the same way it should not be feared.

Personally, I believe I had it in February, so I'm not very scared of it now.

[Max Rockatansky]

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

I thought Alaska and Hawaii were the only states that even cared after about late April.

It's mostly employers at this point that want the 14 self isolation thing.

[hotdogPi]

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

I thought Alaska and Hawaii were the only states that even cared after about late April.

It's mostly employers at this point that want the 14 self isolation thing.

There's still a VMS on the border of MA/NH 125 that tells people who stay in NH to quarantine for 14 days.

[Roadgeekteen]

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

I thought Alaska and Hawaii were the only states that even cared after about late April.

It's mostly employers at this point that want the 14 self isolation thing.

There's still a VMS on the border of MA/NH 125 that tells people who stay in NH to quarantine for 14 days.

Is it enforced?

[hotdogPi]

Most states ask people to quarantine for 14 days, but not sure how strictly enforced that is.

I thought Alaska and Hawaii were the only states that even cared after about late April.

It's mostly employers at this point that want the 14 self isolation thing.

There's still a VMS on the border of MA/NH 125 that tells people who stay in NH to quarantine for 14 days.

Is it enforced?

I think it uses "encouraged" or a similar word, so it's just a suggestion.

[qguy]

A quick poll for readers! As of now, are you afraid of this virus?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Depends on if you're indoors or outdoors

I pick #3.

2

So much so that last week my wife and I, with our two over-18 kids, ate in at a nearby Italian café that defiantly opened ahead of the governor's orders for our PA County. (Businesses are starting to do that rather than go out of business.) The place was practicing social distancing, but no employees or patrons wore masks.

...when I see people say things like "the staff had no masks!!!" as if it is somehow a defiant symbol of freedom, I shake my head and say WTF?

It's a simple gesture to help others.  For a society who praises the sacrifices of those in the military, or the essential workers, you would think that doing something that small wouldn't be that big of a deal.

But here we are.  Viewing it as some sort of assault on our liberties.

I have a biology degree and my wife is a nurse who works in our local hospital. We know how the virus is transmitted, we know what the stats are in our area, and we know the risks. We also know that in PA, 69% of the covid deaths have been in nursing homes. So the number of deaths in the general population is roughly only 31% of the total. We also have first responder and medical community friends who have begun to go mask-less wherever they're allowed. They've heartily approved. We'll probably patronize the restaurant again soon. Sans masks.