COVID-19/Coronavirus Information and Support Thread (see OP for useful links)

[Danoff]

This is an interesting stat. On March 10, New York and San Fransisco had roughly the same number of cases. Today, NY has 38,000 while SF has 374.

No idea what to make of that, but it’s interesting.

There is a downside to this that's going to play out. Regions which did less isolation will get past coronavirus faster and started to recover faster. To have flattened the curve as much as SF has, there is a steep economic price, because they can't just turn loose any time soon or they'll have a NY style outbreak.

It is an interesting experiment we're seeing play out in our cities. Some of them are going to lose a lot more people than others, and those might be the ones that have the best economic recovery.

 

[MatskiMonk]

There is a downside to this that's going to play out. Regions which did less isolation will get past coronavirus faster and started to recover faster. To have flattened the curve as much as SF has, there is a steep economic price, because they can't just turn loose any time soon or they'll have a NY style outbreak.

It is an interesting experiment we're seeing play out in our cities. Some of them are going to lose a lot more people than others, and those might be the ones that have the best economic recovery.

All other things being equal, this could be true, but the effects on the economy of people isolating will depend on what the local economy relies on, and the death toll on a number of other demographic factors. Things like population density probably count massively against NYC in the event of an outbreak, I'd guess poverty rates, people per household, number of males vs females, age pyramid etc are all going to affect it too.

 

[PzR Slim]

Big jump in number of deaths for the UK today, another 393 poor souls. Looks like we are going to be seeing the numbers Italy and Spain have been seeing. Heartbreaking.

 

[Danoff]

All other things being equal, this could be true, but the effects on the economy of people isolating will depend on what the local economy relies on, and the death toll on a number of other demographic factors. Things like population density probably count massively against NYC in the event of an outbreak, I'd guess poverty rates, people per household, number of males vs females, age pyramid etc are all going to affect it too.

Yea it's all very specific.

Colorado is set to peak after the country as a whole, despite getting C19 early. I wonder what the long-term consequences of that lag are going to be for the state as a whole.

 

[Touring Mars]

Hopefully Italy has turned a significant corner today...

Today Italy saw the lowest number of new cases in 13 days, and the growth rate of new cases has fallen to under 5% for the first time.

If this trend continues, Italy could start to record no news cases within the week.

Italy has been hit super-hard, not through a lack of effort or preparation, but mostly by a confluence of bad luck and unique circumstances. With a bit of luck, their plight will not be in vain - as alluded to above, a hard hit now should hopefully lessen the impact of future waves of the virus.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Colorado is set to peak after the country as a whole, despite getting C19 early

Sounds like a slow rate of infection, again I'm only guessing, but a quick glance at Wiki shows Colorado has a low population density (52/mi²) which is a fraction of states like NY or NJ, even California. Looking at the stats it appears that only 12% of the state population is located in Denver, so the rest would be pretty well dispersed I'd guess? I don't how that compares to the more populous states, but I'd have thought a more dispersed population would create a slower rate of infection. What are the major drivers for the state economy?

 

[twitcher]

There is a downside to this that's going to play out. Regions which did less isolation will get past coronavirus faster and started to recover faster. To have flattened the curve as much as SF has, there is a steep economic price, because they can't just turn loose any time soon or they'll have a NY style outbreak.

It is an interesting experiment we're seeing play out in our cities. Some of them are going to lose a lot more people than others, and those might be the ones that have the best economic recovery.

If I’m remembering correctly, I read a stat last night that said 30 million people in the US have filed for unemployment (Edit: it was 3.3 million, not 30. My bad). If I’m right in remembering that stat, the scary thing to consider is, that’s just the people who have applied. There are millions who are either too ashamed, or straight up don’t know how to apply.


Here’s an anecdotal take by a writer from NYC who is doing his best to help random people by fundraising and just giving money away to people who ask for it. It’s a long thread, a pretty sad read, but worth it.



Apparently this is the line for the food bank in Pittsburg...

 

[DK]

Here's some not great, not terrible news.

 

[dlshearon]

Yea it's all very specific.

Colorado is set to peak after the country as a whole, despite getting C19 early. I wonder what the long-term consequences of that lag are going to be for the state as a whole.

When are they projecting peak for ya’ll?
A lot of travelers and constant people moving in probably doesn’t help. Plus ya’lls huge homeless population too...
I’m curious cause I usually wind up out there for work mid summer. (Really depends on weather)

 

[Milouse]

Definitely also during it - otherwise how would you know what the effects of quarantine actually are?
Tracking spread (time to doubling for both infections and deaths) during quarantine by comparison to no quarantine is perfectly appropriate, both within a region (before and during) and across regions.

The initial discussion was about comparing differently biased data.
But yes, comparing biased data with similarly biased data can be pertinent, in this case given data across time. I do watch those data myself. With a particular focus on Lombardy, since my region follow a close scenario.

 

[Danoff]

Sounds like a slow rate of infection, again I'm only guessing, but a quick glance at Wiki shows Colorado has a low population density (52/mi²) which is a fraction of states like NY or NJ, even California. Looking at the stats it appears that only 12% of the state population is located in Denver, so the rest would be pretty well dispersed I'd guess? I don't how that compares to the more populous states, but I'd have thought a more dispersed population would create a slower rate of infection. What are the major drivers for the state economy?

It's a really diverse economy. We have oil (bad), recreation (bad), tech (fine), mining (fine), agriculture including pot (good), livestock (good), military (good). I guess diversity is a good hedge here, but the ski resorts are an important link in the whole chain.

Colorado was on the early side for shutdowns. So we'll be on the late side for re-opening.

When are the projecting peak for ya’ll?
A lot of travelers and constant people moving in probably don’t help. Plus ya’lls huge homeless population too...
I’m curious cause I usually wind up out there for work mid summer. (Really depends on weather)

Homeless isn't too bad in CO. The winters are not super homeless friendly. But I used to live in LA, where there is a real homeless population.

Last I checked we were peaking in late April.

 

[dlshearon]

It's a really diverse economy. We have oil (bad), recreation (bad), tech (fine), mining (fine), agriculture including pot (good), livestock (good), military (good). I guess diversity is a good hedge here, but the ski resorts are an important link in the whole chain.

Colorado was on the early side for shutdowns. So we'll be on the late side for re-opening.



Homeless isn't too bad in CO. The winters are not super homeless friendly. But I used to live in LA, where there is a real homeless population.

Yeah it’s not Seattle or Cali bad, but in the last 5 years it has grown very noticeable, even for someone who doesn’t live there. Not trying to derail the thread, was just curious what they were projecting.
I know here in TN, Nashville is very worried about their homeless population.

 

[MatskiMonk]

It's a really diverse economy. We have oil (bad), recreation (bad), tech (fine), mining (fine), agriculture including pot (good), livestock (good), military (good). I guess diversity is a good hedge here, but the ski resorts are an important link in the whole chain.

I'd have thought Oil would bounce back fairly quickly. Recreation might be more painful (Pikes Peak IHC postponed), but that's probably true of everywhere.

 

[UKMikey]

Our bosses at work have asked us to take a 20% pay cut due to the downturn in revenues and have emailed us asking whether or not we agree. Alternatively we can accept a "furlough" as people in specific roles are laid off "until things improve". Strange as we've never been busier.

Needless to say my colleagues are somewhat up in arms about this. Guess we'll see how things progress. I've been working for the firm since 1996 and haven't been given a pay rise for a few years now. Luckily I think I can afford to walk away, even retire if necessary.

 

[DesertPenguin]

asking whether or not we agree. Alternatively we can accept a "furlough"

That's not really fair now is it? What's the point of asking you agree or not?

It may be for the better to walk away. When this is all over there will probably be a huge increase in places hiring because of all the people that walk away. Gotta rebuild somehow.

 

[Rage Racer]

🤬 just got real in Hungary



https://www.google.ca/amp/s/theglobepost.com/2020/03/30/orban-powers-coronavirus/amp/

- Spreading fake news + rumors: up to 5 yrs in prison
- Leaving quarantine: up to 8 yrs in prison#COVID19

THIS.
We need this in Russia ASAP so those idiots who ****post on the Internet to spread panic in the emergency situation and those who run away from the quarantine endangering the people around them will learn a lesson.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Our bosses at work have asked us to take a 20% pay cut due to the downturn in revenues and have emailed us asking whether or not we agree. Alternatively we can accept a "furlough" as people in specific roles are laid off "until things improve". Strange as we've never been busier.

Needless to say my colleagues are somewhat up in arms about this. Guess we'll see how things progress. I've been working for the firm since 1996 and haven't been given a pay rise for a few years now. Luckily I think I can afford to walk away, even retire if necessary.

This doesn't make much sense, the company "can" get 80% of the wage bill back from HMRC for workers that are furloughed, it would be those that are willing to take the 20% decrease that would be furloughed first I'd have thought. I understand that even if things are busy, cash flow might be in a bad state and the next couple of months are bound to bring uncertainty. We've had all first half orders for medical stuff pulled forward to ASAP, we've got a tonne of work to do, but next month we'll be struggling for cash in the bank to pay for stuff because of a rocky Brexit related start to the year.

 

[twitcher]

THIS.
We need this in Russia ASAP so those idiots who ****post on the Internet to spread panic in the emergency situation and those who run away from the quarantine endangering the people around them will learn a lesson.

I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d see the day where people are cheering for government to imprison people for spreading news that goes contrary to the government narrative....but here we are.

Does this mean people could end up in prison for claiming the earth is flat, or the moon is made of cheese?

 

[Milouse]

There is a downside to this that's going to play out. Regions which did less isolation will get past coronavirus faster and started to recover faster. To have flattened the curve as much as SF has, there is a steep economic price, because they can't just turn loose any time soon or they'll have a NY style outbreak.
It is an interesting experiment we're seeing play out in our cities. Some of them are going to lose a lot more people than others, and those might be the ones that have the best economic recovery.

The National Geographic website shows this data city per city for the American "Spanish" Flu of 1918.

 

[Blitz24]

That's not really fair now is it? What's the point of asking you agree or not?

It may be for the better to walk away. When this is all over there will probably be a huge increase in places hiring because of all the people that walk away. Gotta rebuild somehow.

That phase might not be until 2021 at the earliest. Have to weigh measures of if you can afford an 8+ month layoff.

 

[Rage Racer]

Does this mean people could end up in prison for claiming the earth is flat, or the moon is made of cheese?

No.
Those who spread knowingly false information regarding the pandemic situation must be punished. It might be not imprisonment, but a decent money penalty for the first time.

 

[DesertPenguin]

That phase might not be until 2021 at the earliest. Have to weigh measures of if you can afford an 8+ month layoff.

Unfortunately this is true.

 

[twitcher]

No.
Those who spread knowingly false information regarding the pandemic situation must be punished. It might be not imprisonment, but a decent money penalty for the first time.

So if I make a joke that the Earth is flat, even though I know it’s not, I should be fined or imprisoned?

If I make a joke that Corona is an an anagram for Racoon (yes, I know raccoon has two Cs lol), that a Chinese bio lab who’s name roughly translates to Umbrella and has a logo that looks almost identical to that of the Umbrella Corporation from Resident Evil, is responsible for starting the zombie apocalypse....which is probably not true....I should be imprisoned or fined?

Edit:

What about if Orban says spread of Covid-19 is the fault of immigrants, and I say “that’s just not true”. Should I be imprisoned or fined? Should Orban be imprisoned for spreading fake news?

 

[McLaren]

Our bosses at work have asked us to take a 20% pay cut due to the downturn in revenues and have emailed us asking whether or not we agree. Alternatively we can accept a "furlough" as people in specific roles are laid off "until things improve". Strange as we've never been busier.

Needless to say my colleagues are somewhat up in arms about this. Guess we'll see how things progress. I've been working for the firm since 1996 and haven't been given a pay rise for a few years now. Luckily I think I can afford to walk away, even retire if necessary.

Sorry to hear that. I’m about ready to walk away from my store after this is done as my company is also playing games.

3 other depts have been granted 2 weeks paid leave, only asking them in 1-2 days. My guys asked for something similar and were denied, so I’ve got 3 guys every day twiddling their thumbs, being threatened to be sent home without pay. If they want to stay home, they can use their PTO. But if they don’t come in and don’t file PTO, I know they’ll be written up for too many “missed” days. I offered up a day on-day off plan, no day off pay, they still refused. So like your colleagues, my guys are feeling unfairly treated.

 

[baldgye]

We need this in Russia ASAP

You'd end up imprisoning half if not all of your government... swings and roundabouts I guess

Our bosses at work have asked us to take a 20% pay cut due to the downturn in revenues and have emailed us asking whether or not we agree. Alternatively we can accept a "furlough" as people in specific roles are laid off "until things improve". Strange as we've never been busier.

Needless to say my colleagues are somewhat up in arms about this. Guess we'll see how things progress. I've been working for the firm since 1996 and haven't been given a pay rise for a few years now. Luckily I think I can afford to walk away, even retire if necessary.

I wonder if with that 20% pay cut they'd tell the gov you where in furlong and pay nothing for you to still be working...

 

[CodeRedR51]

Google maps traffic is cell phone tracking too.

 

[Dotini]

I’ll be honest, I never thought I’d see the day where people are cheering for government to imprison people for spreading news that goes contrary to the government narrative....but here we are.

Does this mean people could end up in prison for claiming the earth is flat, or the moon is made of cheese?

Total deaths in the US are still only in 4 figures. The highest figure in the past 10 years for ordinary flu deaths is 61,000. Yet our leaders are saying this is war, or like war, or the moral equivalent of war. The disruption to society has been as bad (or worse?) than WWII. In a real war, soldiers or citizens who side with the enemy, walk away from their posts, practice treason, subversion, propaganda or sabotage are dealt with harshly. In a real war we normally fall into line with leadership, chain of command and in support of the cause of victory. Fighting a real war requires discipline. If our soldiers and citizens lack commitment to the cause, lack discipline or the ethic to support the cause, then they must be disciplined.

In wartime, the occasional rebel or mental defect who claims the earth is flat or the moon made of cheese doesn't make the grade as a soldier or useful citizen. We used to put them in insane asylums, but not prisons. Depriving them of the means to communicate by phone/computer/etc by commercial communications account moderators, police or court order would be a thing.

 

[baldgye]

Total deaths in the US are still only in 4 figures. The highest figure in the past 10 years for ordinary flu deaths is 61,000.

Over 100 pages deep and people still can't grasp the basic concept that is at the very point of this pandemic... staggering

 

[FoRiZon]

Stark difference between normal flu and COVID-19:

Normal flu has very much known symptoms, cure, and preventions.

COVID-19 still doesn't have actual cure and prevention yet and symptoms are still studied and observed as for late.
Such uncertainty is straight up concerning and takes time before all of those becomes known to medical experts.

 

[88GTA]

Late to the party but my work just pushed out this video to the company remotely. Dr. David Price, a Pulmonary & Critical Care doctor at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. I'm not posting this because I agree with it but I'm curious about how you would react if your employer had this video pop up on you and your co-workers computers without notice. It's about 10 minutes: