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

[twitcher]

I mean, sure, there's that, but it's still an individual serving by appointment. These people tend to not be permanent fixtures anyway, and for a variety of reasons. Perhaps more telling is whether or not an appointee is replaced subsequent to missteps.

In Canada at least, there is the small additional factor that Trudeau made it very public (it may have even been part of his first campaign, I don’t remember exactly) that he would appoint a 50/50 male/female cabinet. So there is potential that she was appointed to that position based on her plumbing, and not her qualifications.

I’ve seen a few Canadians starting to ask, “if all we’re doing is following WHO recommendations to a T, why do we need our own health minister?” Not necessarily the brightest train of thought, but I do understand the notion behind it.

 

[TexRex]

You laugh until you realize that quite alot people actually into this conspiracy.

Whats worse is that those people are now mass downvote videos that debunk such and storming the comments with nonsense (and got hundreds of likes in process). It's either a failure of human race.....or there's a troll army business going on. Its very suspicious either way.

Neil deGrasse Tyson on conspiracy theorists:

"You'd be alone with your own view that has no correspondence to objective reality and you type it into a Google search, and it'll find every other person like you, who thinks the same way, giving you the false sense that you're actually onto something; that you have some deep insight into the world that no one else has. This is delusional.

The internet landed in our laps without creating a curriculum that empowers you to know when someone online is full of ****."

In Canada at least, there is the small additional factor that Trudeau made it very public (it may have even been part of his first campaign, I don’t remember exactly) that he would appoint a 50/50 male/female cabinet. So there is potential that she was appointed to that position based on her plumbing, and not her qualifications.

Or he appointed someone who seemed to have equal qualifications (because, let's face it, we're not talking about carrying a piano up several flights of stairs here) to someone who just happened to have "this" plumbing and not "that" plumbing.

More than anything else, this particular comment from you strikes me as another invocation of "political correctness", and I'm left wondering whether you actually want to again traipse along that particular imbecilic path.

 

[Dennisch]

We are seeing a significant drop in new cases here. Fewer people in the hospital, fewer people to the IC. And what's also important, people seem to adhere to the rules, as it is really nice outside and the public places are all but empty.

 

[twitcher]

Or he appointed someone who seemed to have equal qualifications (because, let's face it, we're not talking about carrying a piano up several flights of stairs here) to someone who just happened to have "this" plumbing and not "that" plumbing.

Correct, that is another possibility.

More than anything else, this particular comment from you strikes me as another invocation of "political correctness", and I'm left wondering whether you actually want to again traipse along that particular imbecilic path.

I’m not invoking anything. I’m simply repeating what Trudeau stated in public, that his cabinet would be 50/50.

—-

Speaking of Canada’s PM, Trudeau has sent a warning to the US after Trump announced he would use the DPA to restrict sale of medical supplies to Canada and Latin America.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/can...estricting-the-trade-of-essential-goods-into/

You’ve been warned. Expect our angry interpretive dances post haste.

As far as I’m aware, Canada currently has no capacity to manufacture N95 masks of our own, we are completely reliant on outside suppliers. Domestic N95 manufacturing is still months away in Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/canada-searching-masks-international-1.5517276

 

[sirjim73]

Has the UK "painted itself into a corner" with the lockdown?

Everyone I speak to is assuming that there will be a brief respite over the summer and then a second wave later in the year, requiring a second lockdown.

There a lot of ifs and buts but that is tinged with hope that the second lockdown may be shorter or less severe due to:

1. The number of actual cases is massively higher than reported (see that post above from a study that suggests that Spanish infections may be anything up to 1,000 x reported numbers - we've had similar studies here in the UK). If up to 10m have actually had it in the first wave in Spain/Italy/Germany/UK and every other country, they will be (hopefully) in the majority immune for a while and can continue working. That's all completely dependent on a viable accurate antibody test, which is why that is so crucial in huge quantities down the road. But it must be near 100% accurate.

2. Treatment will improve all the time as new drugs are trialled, which hopefully leads to fewer deaths and fewer and shorter hospital stays for those that recover.

3. Every bit of time that passes before the second wave, allows for more ventilators to be built and equipped, doctors/nurses/support staff/care workers to be hired/trained/retrained.

If that second wave peaks in perhaps September/October, that is nearly 6 months and even those countries that were slow to react will be in a better position surely.

That's not to downplay the likely cost in human lives of a second wave (and potentially a third in early 2021 too), but merely to state some hopefully logical reasons for those being at least less horrific than the first.

The big question financially is whether governments can pump in 25% of GDP 2 or 3 times when required. But again, if 10m people are working through wave 2 and even more in wave 3 by extrapolation, that % should also be lower?

 

[TexRex]

Correct, that is another possibility.

Do you actually believe women to be incapable of fulfilling cabinet posts as well as men?

Individuals may not be capable of fulfilling a role in the capacity that is required--it's a phenomenon commonly referred to as "government"--but having a penis or a vagina plays no role in that ineptitude.

I’m not invoking anything. I’m simply repeating what Trudeau stated in public, that his cabinet would be 50/50.

That's the weird thing.

You seem to be of the belief that what you said was substantive as a response to that which you cited me as having said. Really, why else would you have cited what I said?

You're mistaken.

 

[Danoff]

If that second wave peaks in perhaps September/October, that is nearly 6 months and even those countries that were slow to react will be in a better position surely.

Absolutely. But so far I don't know of any evidence that supports the notion that COVID-19 is seasonal. Either way, a second peak in a population that already has had some spread should be less severe simply because virus will (should) run into people that are immune and fail to transmit where it otherwise would have.

Also, I'd hope that we could avoid this kind of panic shut-down and do something more intelligent. Like maintain distance while not shutting things. Like wearing masks (and glasses) in public, and even altering school procedures, or even having face masks at schools. You'd think with lead time especially that we would not have to do something so ridiculous as shutting down our economy. We're smart creatures, we need to use our brains.

 

[twitcher]

Here’s something I definitely didn’t see coming. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, in Sarasota County, Florida, has furloughed staff after reporting 16 million in loses (mostly due to the cancellation of elective surgeries in March).

https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/...ital-furloughs-staff-after-16-million-decline

Do you actually believe women to be incapable of fulfilling cabinet posts as well as men?

No, not at all. For example, Jody Wilson-Rayboult was doing a fine job as Minister of Justice and Attorney General (MOJAG), until she was fired.

You're mistaken.

You’re tiresome.

 

[DesertPenguin]

You’re tiresome.

Great response. 10/10 Would read again.

 

[twitcher]

Absolutely. But so far I don't know of any evidence that supports the notion that COVID-19 is seasonal. Either way, a second peak in a population that already has had some spread should be less severe simply because virus will (should) run into people that are immune and fail to transmit where it otherwise would have.

Also, I'd hope that we could avoid this kind of panic shut-down and do something more intelligent. Like maintain distance while not shutting things. Like wearing masks (and glasses) in public, and even altering school procedures, or even having face masks at schools. You'd think with lead time especially that we would not have to do something so ridiculous as shutting down our economy. We're smart creatures, we need to use our brains.

I too have not seen solid evidence for a second wave in the fall (not really sure what that evidence would be, to be honest?), but I have heard multiple sources, for example the BC health minister, talking about a second wave in the fall.

Whether or not this is based on solid evidence, or is just precautionary predictions, I really don’t know.

 

[fortbo]

The biggest issue going on right now other than the virus itself is how it’s being reported on. We have just about every news station treating things that are guesses at best as facts. Even the numerical stats being put out about the virus are incredibly flawed. At this point, we should focus on things we can do to stop the spread instead of spewing out false information like predictions on the number of deaths in the coming months based off of a mortality rate that is missing too much information to be accurate. If selective testing continues as it is where you can’t get tested unless you have severe symptoms, then we can’t say that the current statistics are anywhere near accurate. Reporting them as facts will just further drive panic.

 

[TexRex]

No, not at all. For example, Jody Wilson-Rayboult was doing a fine job as Minister of Justice and Attorney General (MOJAG), until she was fired.

But...she's a woman.

It's as if her appointment and the subsequent termination of her appointment weren't the result of what's between her legs.

Astonishingly, this actually pertains to what I said previously. Cabinet appointments tend to not be permanent, and may be re-staffed for a variety of reasons.

You’re tiresome.

Make a concerted effort to not spout off ignorant claptrap that has nothing to do with what others say and you're less likely to have what you say countered by that which you will very nearly wholesale disregard.

 

[twitcher]

But...she's a woman.

It's as if her appointment and the subsequent termination of her appointment weren't the result of what's between her legs.

Astonishingly, this actually pertains to what I said previously. Cabinet appointments tend to not be permanent, and may be re-staffed for a variety of reasons.


Make a concerted effort to not spout off ignorant claptrap that has nothing to do with what others say and you're less likely to have what you say countered by that which you will very nearly wholesale disregard.

I tend to disregard nonsense.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I tend to disregard nonsense.

And there in lies the problem of what you define as nonsense.

 

[killerjimbag]

Correct, that is another possibility.



I’m not invoking anything. I’m simply repeating what Trudeau stated in public, that his cabinet would be 50/50.

—-

Speaking of Canada’s PM, Trudeau has sent a warning to the US after Trump announced he would use the DPA to restrict sale of medical supplies to Canada and Latin America.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/can...estricting-the-trade-of-essential-goods-into/

You’ve been warned. Expect our angry interpretive dances post haste.

As far as I’m aware, Canada currently has no capacity to manufacture N95 masks of our own, we are completely reliant on outside suppliers. Domestic N95 manufacturing is still months away in Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/canada-searching-masks-international-1.5517276

Really? You don't have a bloody clue what your talking about. Why do you continue to post stuff like this. Linimar a company in Guelph Ontario and second largest parts producer in the world will start manufacturing respirators as of Monday. You do realize that Ontario is one of the biggest manufacturers in North America of all kinds of things. Now go search google and look up plumbing. I did the n95 mask for you we're making n96 in Ontario.
https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/04/n96-masks/

 

[twitcher]

Really? You don't have a bloody clue what your talking about. Why do you continue to post stuff like this. Linimar a company in Guelph Ontario will start manufacturing respirators as of Monday. You do realize that Ontario is one of the biggest manufacturers in North America of all kinds of things. Now go search google and look up plumbing. I did the n95 mask for you we're making n96.
https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/04/n96-masks/

I’m only quoting what the CBC reported on April 1. Are you saying CBC has no idea what they’re talking about?

Edit: from the article you linked:

Ford announced the mysterious innovation during his daily COVID-19 pandemic press conference at Queen's Park on Friday in response to a question about U.S. President Donald Trump's order to 3M that all mask exports to Canada be halte

"We've also had a good conversation with the folks over at Woodbridge and they're producing something better than an N95 — it's called an N96 and it's going through the approval stage."

Neither Ford nor the company has revealed any details about what an N96 mask might look like or how it will be better than the N95, but being N95 masks are named for filtering out 95 per cent of airborne particles, one might assume than an N96 would filter out 96 per cent.

(this paragraph is basically complete guess work).

Premier Ford is confident in Ontario's talent pool and its ability to start pumping out these new masks, whatever they're like, within weeks.

“whatever they’re like”...solid journalisming there. We have no idea what they’ll be like, but we’re confident we’ll be pumping them out in weeks. I hope they’re right. Fingers crossed.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Instead of blindly regurgitating information you should look into it and confirm before "self-publishing" here. This thread has been a great source of factual information due to the hard work of many members. Please don't belittle that.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to bring it up, but it definitely concerns COVID-19. Apologies if it doesn't belong here.

The state of Maine (where I live) has issued a stay-at-home mandate a few days ago. The local government had finally made a official list of businesses that were essential and not essential. Of which, where I work (auto dealership sales department) was listed as non essential. Almost all the other dealerships in the state have pretty much closed their sales department, apart from mine.... Earlier in the pandemic, the dealership had found a workaround and said that we'd lock the showroom doors and rope off the service area (which is considered essential), but still be able to sell cars, but only over the internet, phone, and meeting customers out on the parking lot (but keeping our social distancing). After the mandate was announced, the dealership CEO sent out a message to everyone that we'd still be open and that if we felt uncomfortable about the situation that we were allowed to use our own PTO or go over by 80 hours.

But somehow...despite being given the opportunity to take time off if we feel uncomfortable, it still doesn't seem right that we're the only dealership with a sales department open in the state. (As far as I know) The general managers bragged that they were better than the other dealers for not laying off sales staff and that we were lucky to still have our job. The company message from the CEO also said that they deferred to the Maine Auto Dealer Association (of which, our dealership's owner is the president of) instead of listening to what the governor had to say.... But to combat this, they say that we have to wipe down high touch surfaces, such as door handles, counter tops, and table tops every hour.

I'm feeling stuck as part of me doesn't really want to lose my job, but at the same time I don't feel comfortable showing up to work for what's considered a non-essential business that's defying the mandate. I don't want to use my built up PTO time...but I don't want to possibly bring the virus home to my brother who is at risk, or my family members who are mostly seniors. Getting rather tired of showing up to work to do nothing but wipe door handles for hours.

I'm sure some of you will simply say "just leave your job" or "tell an official about them being open," but I feel like there's more to the situation of whistleblowing or leaving than there is. Doesn't help that the dealership even plans to return to their normal sales hours. (Hours were reduced and Saturdays we were fully closed, but now they want to reopen sales on Saturdays next week) Then again, I could be overthinking things.

Sorry if this is more personal than needs to be in this thread, but it's something I can't help but think about with this virus. It does feel like we're living in a time where executives care more about making money than the lives of their employees and their families. Of course, my dealership talks like they care, but if they really did, they'd listen to the governor's order that sales is not essential.

 

[killerjimbag]

I’m only quoting what the CBC reported on April 1. Are you saying CBC has no idea what they’re talking about?

No I'm saying you have no idea what your talking about! I'm watching CBC right now. Perhaps you can turn it on and get up to date,instead of putting up utter 🤬. I live in Guelph. There are masks in Ontario now as we speak. Trust me.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to bring it up, but it definitely concerns COVID-19. Apologies if it doesn't belong here.

The state of Maine (where I live) has issued a stay-at-home mandate a few days ago. The local government had finally made a official list of businesses that were essential and not essential. Of which, where I work (auto dealership sales department) was listed as non essential. Almost all the other dealerships in the state have pretty much closed their sales department, apart from mine.... Earlier in the pandemic, the dealership had found a workaround and said that we'd lock the showroom doors and rope off the service area (which is considered essential), but still be able to sell cars, but only over the internet, phone, and meeting customers out on the parking lot (but keeping our social distancing). After the mandate was announced, the dealership CEO sent out a message to everyone that we'd still be open and that if we felt uncomfortable about the situation that we were allowed to use our own PTO or go over by 80 hours.

But somehow...despite being given the opportunity to take time off if we feel uncomfortable, it still doesn't seem right that we're the only dealership with a sales department open in the state. (As far as I know) The general managers bragged that they were better than the other dealers for not laying off sales staff and that we were lucky to still have our job. The company message from the CEO also said that they deferred to the Maine Auto Dealer Association (of which, our dealership's owner is the president of) instead of listening to what the governor had to say.... But to combat this, they say that we have to wipe down high touch surfaces, such as door handles, counter tops, and table tops every hour.

I'm feeling stuck as part of me doesn't really want to lose my job, but at the same time I don't feel comfortable showing up to work for what's considered a non-essential business that's defying the mandate. I don't want to use my built up PTO time...but I don't want to possibly bring the virus home to my brother who is at risk, or my family members who are mostly seniors. Getting rather tired of showing up to work to do nothing but wipe door handles for hours.

I'm sure some of you will simply say "just leave your job" or "tell an official about them being open," but I feel like there's more to the situation of whistleblowing or leaving than there is. Doesn't help that the dealership even plans to return to their normal sales hours. (Hours were reduced and Saturdays we were fully closed, but now they want to reopen sales on Saturdays next week) Then again, I could be overthinking things.

Sorry if this is more personal than needs to be in this thread, but it's something I can't help but think about with this virus. It does feel like we're living in a time where executives care more about making money than the lives of their employees and their families. Of course, my dealership talks like they care, but if they really did, they'd listen to the governor's order that sales is not essential.

This has come up here before and you need to seriously talk to an employment lawyer.

 

[MedigoFlame]

This has come up here before and you need to seriously talk to an employment lawyer.

Appreciate the suggestion, sorry for bringing up something that was already mentioned.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Appreciate the suggestion, sorry for bringing up something that was already mentioned.

No worries. Each case is specific to the individual and this thread is moving fast so no fault for bringing it up or not seeing things.

 

[twitcher]

No I'm saying you have no idea what your talking about! I'm watching CBC right now. Perhaps you can turn it on and get up to date,instead of putting up utter 🤬. I live in Guelph. There are masks in Ontario now as we speak. Trust me.

Wut??? What does what you’re watching on TV have to do with what I linked???

I never said there weren’t masks in Ontario. I repeated the CBC article (again, published April 1) that Canada does not currently have be capacity to manufacture our own masks.

You then linked (from a source I’ve never heard of before) an article which pertains to a “mysterious innovation” which is still in approval phase, and which is at best still several weeks away from production.

The CBC article I linked did not claim Canada will never have the capacity to manufacture masks, it simply stated that ability is a month to two months away.

 

[DesertPenguin]

it simply stated that ability is a month to two months away.

And it seems that that isn't true.

 

[killerjimbag]

Wut??? What does what you’re watching on TV have to do with what I linked???

I never said there weren’t masks in Ontario. I repeated the CBC article (again, published April 1) that Canada does not currently have be capacity to manufacture our own masks.

You then linked (from a source I’ve never heard of before) an article which pertains to a “mysterious innovation” which is still in approval phase, and which is at best still several weeks away from production.

The CBC article I linked did not claim Canada will never have the capacity to manufacture masks, it simply stated that ability is a month to two months away.

Again you seem to think the CBC is the end all be all. Clearly you haven't watched anything since then. Things change pretty quickly with this pandemic. Again I will repeat, Ontario manufacturers, some of the best and biggest in the world can and will produce what ever Ontario and Canada needs. Repeated from Doug Ford Premier of Ontario yesterday. He will be on TV in 10 minutes. CTV, CBC. They gave predictions on spread rate yesterday,Trudeau is still twirling his thumbs. Now go watch live TV and leave 3 days ago news off this site. I think your confusing yourself.

 

[twitcher]

And it seems that that isn't true.

That remains to be seen.

Again you seem to think the CBC is the end all be all. Clearly you haven't watched anything since then. Things change pretty quickly with this pandemic. Again I will repeat, Ontario manufacturers, some of the best and biggest in the world can and will produce what ever Ontario and Canada needs. Repeated from Doug Ford Premier of Ontario yesterday. He will be on TV in 10 minutes. CTV, CBC. They gave predictions on spread rate yesterday,Trudeau is still twirling his thumbs. Now go watch live TV and leave 3 days ago news off this site. I think your confusing yourself.

If someone posts information from a reputable source, and you have information which contradicts that, simply post it so that people can read and re-evaluate the situation. There’s zero need to go into this personalized “you have no idea what you’re talking about” stuff, it doesn’t help anything. We’re all just trying to figure things out as best we can, none of us knows everything there is to know.

Also, the notion that you think that I think the CBC is the be-all end-all....that’s beyond laughable . You haven’t got a clue what my personal opinion of the CBC is.

 

[DesertPenguin]

If someone posts information from a reputable source, and you have information which contradicts that, simply post it so that people can read and re-evaluate the situation. There’s zero need to go into this personalized “you have no idea what you’re talking about” stuff, it doesn’t help anything. We’re all just trying to figure things out as best we can, none of us knows everything there is to know.

Everyone else in here seems to be on the same page.

 

[PeterJB]

My last job was at a local pub. I gave notice there six days before all pubs were ordered to close and eight days before the lockdown began, however they appear to not have processed my notice in all the confusion as I got a letter yesterday saying I've been furloughed and they're continuing to pay me until the end of May.

 

[DesertPenguin]

My last job was at a local pub. I gave notice there six days before all pubs were ordered to close and eight days before the lockdown began, however they appear to not have processed my notice in all the confusion as I got a letter yesterday saying I've been furloughed and they're continuing to pay me until the end of May.

Shhhhhhhhhh

 

[killerjimbag]

That remains to be seen.


If someone posts information from a reputable source, and you have information which contradicts that, simply post it so that people can read and re-evaluate the situation. There’s zero need to go into this personalized “you have no idea what you’re talking about” stuff, it doesn’t help anything. We’re all just trying to figure things out as best we can, none of us knows everything there is to know.

Also, the notion that you think that I think the CBC is the be-all end-all....that’s beyond laughable . You haven’t got a clue what my personal opinion of the CBC is.

Your posting something today that was from 3 days ago. So yes it means squat "right now". Let's just say I worked at Linimar for years,know people who still work there and watched them pulling out machinery and replacing it to make ventilators. I also happen to know that information posted yesterday by the Premier of Ontario is relevant today. So you can continue to post whatever you want. Funny thing is "you don't want to know what I think of the CBC,"but post something from 3 days ago from the CBC.
Irony to say the least.