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

[Blitz24]

This is going to go over well:

White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

It looks like even several GOP Senators are against this, probably because if the COVID spirals more out of control their constituents will blame them for supporting such a stupid idea.

===

Also, if you're looking for a way to volunteer the COVID-19 Prevention Network is looking for people to participate in clinical trials.



Link

I signed up and the University of Utah is one of the sites that conducting trials. I really hope I can get in on it because it'll never be safer to get the vaccine when you're under constant supervision of a medical professional.

So the constituents won't yell at them for not forcing them to wear masks?

 

[UKMikey]

This is going to go over well:

White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

It looks like even several GOP Senators are against this, probably because if the COVID spirals more out of control their constituents will blame them for supporting such a stupid idea.

It sounds like Trump wants Democrat states to reopen so he can hold campaign rallies in them. At least his priorities seem clear.

The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January, adding that Democratic officials are “purposefully” keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort. Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses, closing schools and banning large gatherings. Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign’s inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada.

“The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed, keeping their states closed,” he said. “We’re not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states.”

 

[x3ra]

It clearly massively overstated the issue with counting. I mean, you can believe loneliness and buses killed an extra 12,500 a week here if you like, but it's far more sensibly explained as COVID. Do people die of loneliness? Sure. At thousands per week? No, they did not.

You brought it up, so you should provide the figures.

Aye, I'll admit not many people may have died from loneliness, if you can find me figures I'll accept them. Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and increased stress.I'm sure there are more reasons why the lockdown has caused deaths. But I hear you say provide some figures! Ok, hopefully this will butter your parsnips.

Up to 35,000 extra cancer deaths due to lock-down. Just type that into google maybe you'll find one without a paywall. But you will find many.

Cancer screening and treatment was put on hold. Cancer Research UK estimated that 290,000 people missed cancer follow ups, indicating that around 20,000 current cancer sufferers, who could otherwise have accessed treatment, remain untreated or possibly unaware of their cancer.

The demands of the lockdown regime also saw ambulance response times increase significantly. Most notably in London, where they more than trebled for the most seriously ill "category 2 patients," including heart attack and stroke victims.

People with heart and circulatory diseases are already at increased risk of dying from Covid-19 … At the very least, around 28,000 planned inpatient heart procedures have been deferred in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in England alone … If hospital investigations and procedures are delayed too long, it can result in preventable permanent long-term complications, such as heart failure. All these will be classed as Covid deaths, unless Matt Hancock grows a spine.

The statistics from a YouGov poll for the charity Action on Addiction also showed an increase in addictive behaviour in young adults and children as young as 12, during the lockdown. Some 4% of those questioned have a close relative between the ages of 12 and 25 for whom this is the case, which the charity said would amount to more than two million children and young people on a national scale. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...-na-longtail&dclid=CIr2hIP-2eoCFXL01QodF34AGg

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

What COVID has shown is how awful politicians are and how most don't give a damn about the people they're supposed to represent.

Likewise for the people, but they're not representing anyone.

 

[McLaren]

Up to 35,000 extra cancer deaths due to lock-down. Just type that into google maybe you'll find one without a paywall. But you will find many.

Cancer screening and treatment was put on hold. Cancer Research UK estimated that 290,000 people missed cancer follow ups, indicating that around 20,000 current cancer sufferers, who could otherwise have accessed treatment, remain untreated or possibly unaware of their cancer.

The demands of the lockdown regime also saw ambulance response times increase significantly. Most notably in London, where they more than trebled for the most seriously ill "category 2 patients," including heart attack and stroke victims.

People with heart and circulatory diseases are already at increased risk of dying from Covid-19 … At the very least, around 28,000 planned inpatient heart procedures have been deferred in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in England alone … If hospital investigations and procedures are delayed too long, it can result in preventable permanent long-term complications, such as heart failure. All these will be classed as Covid deaths, unless Matt Hancock grows a spine.

It's not due to lockdown. It's due to patients not wanting to go out of fear they'll be infected, & concern regarding a potential lack of available care.

This is largely because fewer people are going to their GP, but some GPs are also reluctant to risk sending their patients to the local hospital for fear of COVID-19 infection. But what it means is that for every week that this goes on, over 2,300 cancer cases are likely to be going undiagnosed across the UK – and these will be stacking up over time.

And finally, many diagnostic tests aren’t happening for fear of spreading the virus to patients and staff.

But we’ve been hearing that patients requiring major surgery aren’t able to have it as either there are no recovery beds with ventilation, no ICU beds if surgery were to go wrong or because the surgery is just too risky for patients and staff. Unfortunately, these issues are heavily affecting those who might benefit from surgery the most, as many ‘curative’ operations are complex.

This a major reason lockdowns were put in place to begin with, to curb the spread & keep from over-taxing the healthcare system. I don't know how many times it's been repeated, but some folks simply can't grasp the simple correlation. The evidence has been plain as day in the US recently as lockdowns are lifted, people mingle, cases rise meaning hospitalizations rise, resulting in an over-taxed healthcare.

Ex: Hospital only has 400 beds. 300 beds are normally full at any given time. Covid cases begin rising, easily eating into the 100 beds available. Eventually, other procedures have to be put on hold to make room. Hospital's split of 300 normal patients & 100 Covid patients becomes 250 normal patients & 150 Covid patients, and grows. Surge protocols go into effect to make more room for the Covid patients whilst trying to avoid turning away normal patients. This unfortunately, leads to possibilities of stretching staff thin as there's only so many nurses & specific doctors normally assigned a number of patients to look after.

 

[gnomefromnome]

the highest so far in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The State of Alaska has announced 82 Alaskans tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 1,874. Currently, there are 1,141 active cases and 712 recovered cases.

 

[Blitz24]

It's not due to lockdown. It's due to patients not wanting to go out of fear they'll be infected, & concern regarding a potential lack of available care.




This a major reason lockdowns were put in place to begin with, to curb the spread & keep from over-taxing the healthcare system. I don't know how many times it's been repeated, but some folks simply can't grasp the simple correlation. The evidence has been plain as day in the US recently as lockdowns are lifted, people mingle, cases rise meaning hospitalizations rise, resulting in an over-taxed healthcare.

Ex: Hospital only has 400 beds. 300 beds are normally full at any given time. Covid cases begin rising, easily eating into the 100 beds available. Eventually, other procedures have to be put on hold to make room. Hospital's split of 300 normal patients & 100 Covid patients becomes 250 normal patients & 150 Covid patients, and grows. Surge protocols go into effect to make more room for the Covid patients whilst trying to avoid turning away normal patients. This unfortunately, leads to possibilities of stretching staff thin as there's only so many nurses & specific doctors normally assigned a number of patients to look after.

People are morons and have no idea how to think for themselves.

 

[35mm]

This outbreak has lasted too long and shows no sign of subsiding.

Hong Kong is facing a spike of cases right now, isn't it?

 

[NLxAROSA]

Ex: Hospital only has 400 beds. 300 beds are normally full at any given time. Covid cases begin rising, easily eating into the 100 beds available. Eventually, other procedures have to be put on hold to make room. Hospital's split of 300 normal patients & 100 Covid patients becomes 250 normal patients & 150 Covid patients, and grows. Surge protocols go into effect to make more room for the Covid patients whilst trying to avoid turning away normal patients. This unfortunately, leads to possibilities of stretching staff thin as there's only so many nurses & specific doctors normally assigned a number of patients to look after.

Can confirm. My wife works at the local hospital and during the massive wave in March/April in The Netherlands the whole place was restructured (read: normal wards turned into covid wards) to accommodate Covid patients. Cancer treatments/followups cancelled indeed, most surgeries postponed. Had nothing to do with lockdown but everything to do with available staff. The bottleneck in NL is actually not beds or ventilators, it's qualified staff for the ICUs. Those don't grow on trees and can't be bought off the market, they need to be grown/trained.

Not related to quote above: we're on the brink of wave #2 in NL. Many Covid pockets in popular vacation countries in NL, local vacation resorts etc. also crammed. People will go on holiday, catch something and bring it back. It's going to be another huge mess if govt doesn't step in really soon. (Hint: they likely won't) Why did we save the airlines again? They're a massive contributing factor in this whole mess. There should be massive testing at airports right now (there is currently none). Immediately close lines to/from countries with outbreaks. This is February all over again (when people went to winter-sports vacation and brought a pandemic back), though we could end up lucky because there is no Carnaval this time around.

 

[Dennisch]

Not related to quote above: we're on the brink of wave #2 in NL.

I'm already preparing myself for this. Everything that was sold out last time, is now plentiful in my house. And I bought washable masks.

And as a bonus, every single person who tells me that he/she is going on a holiday to Spain, Portugal, Turkey etc. will receive a massive scolding full of condescending shouting. Irresponsible dumb assholes. All of them.

 

[zzz_pt]

I'm already preparing myself for this. Everything that was sold out last time, is now plentiful in my house. And I bought washable masks.

And as a bonus, every single person who tells me that he/she is going on a holiday to Spain, Portugal, Turkey etc. will receive a massive scolding full of condescending shouting. Irresponsible dumb assholes. All of them.

I'm Portuguese and haven't seen my family and friends since January, before the C19 crisis. I already canceled a trip in May and another in July. I don't get how so many people are traveling to Portugal right now. I mean, the Portuguese government is partly to blame for it, but are these northern European people that dumb or desperate?

This weekend I rented a car with 3 friends and went to the Baltic sea. There are plenty of great places in Northern countries to spend some time off and chill. No need to risk flying to Portugal (or anywhere else). The sea is one of the things I miss the most and I was expecting the Baltic to be too cold for me to enjoy but turns out it was great! Made me want to explore more of what I have around me here in Hamburg.

 

[JKgo]

...South Africa shot past 364,000 total infected yesterday. But it took the death of the reigning queen regent of the Zulu monarchy for the government to reintroduce some mild forms of harder lockdown measures, namely the curfew between 21:00 to 04:00 as well as immediate ban on all sales of booze (again).

We've never had a first or a second wave. Still stuck in one constant upswing at the moment, with no signs of flattening curve anywhere. Something tells me this whole thing's not gonna end well.

 

[Dotini]

This outbreak has lasted too long and shows no sign of subsiding.

Yes, but how and why?

Is it because people are morons and cannot think for themselves? Or is it because people like to think and act too freely?

We have had no experience with global pandemic since 1918. Not much was learned then and that is still the case now.

If I were in charge of the world and given the responsibility to end the pandemic ASAP as my only priority, here is what I would do:
1) Completely shut down and forbid all transportation of humans in airplanes, ships, trains and buses. Automobile transport also forbidden except within a confined radius to the nearest sources of food and essential services. Truck transport of food and essential items allowed.
2) Other than encourage social distancing, masks and sheltering in place, there is no #2.
3) Revise all calendars to reflect the year 1720 rather than 2020.

 

[Dennisch]

dumb

That. And their dumbness makes them behave irresponsible.

 

[Blitz24]

I'm already preparing myself for this. Everything that was sold out last time, is now plentiful in my house. And I bought washable masks.

And as a bonus, every single person who tells me that he/she is going on a holiday to Spain, Portugal, Turkey etc. will receive a massive scolding full of condescending shouting. Irresponsible dumb assholes. All of them.

I did my part by telling you to hit him over the head with a water bottle.

 

[Outspacer]

Aye, I'll admit not many people may have died from loneliness, if you can find me figures I'll accept them. Loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and increased stress.I'm sure there are more reasons why the lockdown has caused deaths. But I hear you say provide some figures! Ok, hopefully this will butter your parsnips.

You brought up loneliness killing people, so you should provide those figures, not a bunch of other stuff!

Fundamentally if you want to make a case for lockdown being worse than letting the virus run its course, you'll have a hard time doing that. The main reason is as @McLaren says - COVID has many impacts on what people and hospitals do regardless of the lockdown.

Up to 35,000 extra cancer deaths due to lock-down. Just type that into google maybe you'll find one without a paywall. But you will find many.

Cancer screening and treatment was put on hold. Cancer Research UK estimated that 290,000 people missed cancer follow ups, indicating that around 20,000 current cancer sufferers, who could otherwise have accessed treatment, remain untreated or possibly unaware of their cancer.

Scientists suggest there could be at least 7,000 additional deaths - but in a worst case scenario that number could be as high as 35,000.
...
In a worst case scenario, if delays continue, there could be 35,000 additional cancer deaths within a year.

The "could be" 35,000 extra cancer deaths over a year is from a modeling study, and is the worst case scenario. To use a similar measure for COVID deaths we'd have to compare it to the predicted 500,000 deaths from COVID as modeled by Imperial College before the lockdown.

The outlook for cancer patients would have been even worse without a lockdown suppressing COVID cases, the hospitals would've faced some very bleak choices.

The demands of the lockdown regime also saw ambulance response times increase significantly. Most notably in London, where they more than trebled for the most seriously ill "category 2 patients," including heart attack and stroke victims.

First, that's not a "lockdown regime", it's what's needed when you have a deadly respiratory virus around. Second, most of March was not in lockdown, so the average figures in that Daily Mail scare piece are actually mostly from before the lockdown. So, no, not due to lockdown.

People with heart and circulatory diseases are already at increased risk of dying from Covid-19 … At the very least, around 28,000 planned inpatient heart procedures have been deferred in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in England alone … If hospital investigations and procedures are delayed too long, it can result in preventable permanent long-term complications, such as heart failure. All these will be classed as Covid deaths, unless Matt Hancock grows a spine.

Of the people who found it more difficult to access medical treatment from a healthcare professional during the coronavirus crisis: 41 per cent said they’d had a planned test, surgery or procedure postponed or cancelled; and 48 per cent said a lack of available face-to-face appointments was a reason for this.

On top of this, anxieties remain about whether patients should seek medical help. 42 per cent said they didn’t want to put extra pressure on the health service, while 27 per cent said they were concerned about the risk of developing the virus in a healthcare setting.

So 41% had treatments or tests postponed or canceled, while somewhere between 27% and 42% were actually somewhat relieved that they were.

The outlook for heart patients would have been even worse without a lockdown suppressing COVID cases, the hospitals would've faced some very bleak choices.

edit: about classification, I've already said it needs sorting out, and Hancock has ordered a review. However, there is no evidence that the current practice has noted significant numbers as COVID when death was caused by something completely different. In fact, until a few weeks ago you'd be lucky to get tested unless you were already ill in hospital with suspected COVID. With UK daily deaths from COVID currently in single figures, it cannot be changing the cumulative death figure significantly.

The statistics from a YouGov poll for the charity Action on Addiction also showed an increase in addictive behaviour in young adults and children as young as 12, during the lockdown. Some 4% of those questioned have a close relative between the ages of 12 and 25 for whom this is the case, which the charity said would amount to more than two million children and young people on a national scale. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...-na-longtail&dclid=CIr2hIP-2eoCFXL01QodF34AGg

I have no reference point for what is a normal level of "addictive behaviour in young adults and children as young as 12", in other words, teenagers+, but I can assure you it would not be 0%. With teenagers and drink, it's also not a given that addictive behaviour leads to a dysfunctional addict - if the questions are loaded, e.g. "is he/she drinking more than before?", then that doesn't necessarily mean addict levels of drinking. Far too many unknowns with this to draw any conclusion, yet it certainly is not the deaths from loneliness you referred to.

In summary, as bad as these things are, none of them support your stance that the lockdown is worse than the virus, when talking about rich countries such as the UK. All of the other possible extra deaths you highlight are due to COVID cases taking away healthcare capacity, and not due to lockdown.

Let's finish with a quick look at the difference between effective lockdowns (EU) and where it fell apart (NA), thanks to people like you, at least in USA.
(And no, it's not 'more testing'; EU has increased testing as well).

 

[Bram Turismo]

Not related to quote above: we're on the brink of wave #2 in NL. Many Covid pockets in popular vacation countries in NL, local vacation resorts etc. also crammed. People will go on holiday, catch something and bring it back. It's going to be another huge mess if govt doesn't step in really soon. (Hint: they likely won't) Why did we save the airlines again? They're a massive contributing factor in this whole mess. There should be massive testing at airports right now (there is currently none). Immediately close lines to/from countries with outbreaks. This is February all over again (when people went to winter-sports vacation and brought a pandemic back), though we could end up lucky because there is no Carnaval this time around.

Same for Belgium. I absolutely do not understand why people insist on going on vacation in Southern Europe where the outbreaks are popping up again. It's the entire mentality "I probably won't catch it, don't worry" that bugs me the most. I see images of people travelling to Ibiza, partying with a hundred other morons, and when interviewed, they react "I don't know what the big deal is about"... It's these idiots that ruin it for everyone.

I am not against airplanes flying, but they really need to implement some form of control. I'm just baffled why people are even allowed to enter the airport. Either you present your negative COVID-19 test, or you don't walk in that entrance. People are ignoring every safety measure left and right, and meanwhile I haven't seen my girlfriend since the beginning of March, and I don't even know when I will see her again. Meanwhile every single moronic Belgian is travelling to the sea in the weekends to lay in the sand amongst 60,000 other idiots...

 

[NLxAROSA]

I'm already preparing myself for this. Everything that was sold out last time, is now plentiful in my house. And I bought washable masks.

And as a bonus, every single person who tells me that he/she is going on a holiday to Spain, Portugal, Turkey etc. will receive a massive scolding full of condescending shouting. Irresponsible dumb assholes. All of them.

Same. No panic, but well-prepared. I had a holiday booked to Spain, downpayment paid. Rebooked that to something in NL. But if that's too crowded/too many restrictions on activities I'll probably just stay home.

 

[Joey D]

We have had no experience with global pandemic since 1918. Not much was learned them and that is still the case now.

Yes, we have.

Ten years ago we had the H1N1 pandemic, HIV/AIDS has been considered a pandemic since 1981, in 1968 we have the H3N2 pandemic (aka Hong Kong Flu), and in 1961 we had a cholera pandemic that lasted until 1975. You could also consider the 1929 Psittacosis Outbreak (Parrot Fever) a pandemic as well even though it wasn't all that severe.

In addition to all that, there's been over 100 epidemics worldwide since 1918, with two major ones, Zika and Ebola, happening recently.

Disease outbreaks aren't anything new and we, as humans, do know how to handle them. Unfortunately, this time around there are far too many people who are willingly ignore everything we know and many of them are leaders of countries, states, and cities.

 

[Dotini]

Yes, we have.

Ten years ago we had the H1N1 pandemic, HIV/AIDS has been considered a pandemic since 1981, in 1968 we have the H3N2 pandemic (aka Hong Kong Flu), and in 1961 we had a cholera pandemic that lasted until 1975. You could also consider the 1929 Psittacosis Outbreak (Parrot Fever) a pandemic as well even though it wasn't all that severe.

In addition to all that, there's been over 100 epidemics worldwide since 1918, with two major ones, Zika and Ebola, happening recently.

Disease outbreaks aren't anything new and we, as humans, do know how to handle them. Unfortunately, this time around there are far too many people who are willingly ignore everything we know and many of them are leaders of countries, states, and cities.

You'd think that people would not ignore what they already know. Perhaps that is the definition of insanity? Or perhaps it is diagnostic of too much that is known - to the point that knowledge is an incomprehensible mess, too much of it being useless distractions? In either case, it points to a failure of civilization to tend to its knitting. That being the case, then perhaps a collapse of civilization is in order?

 

[DesertPenguin]

That being the case, then perhaps a collapse of civilization is in order?

Edit: If this was the response you wanted then congratulations.

 

[Danoff]

Am I the only one in here who sees the irony of the person in this thread claiming that lockdowns cause more harm than good being the same person who campaigns against mask usage? @x3ra, if you don't like lockdowns, put on a mask and encourage others to do the same.

 

[Outspacer]

Meanwhile every single moronic Belgian is travelling to the sea in the weekends to lay in the sand amongst 60,000 other idiots...

Moronic brits: hold my beer, just lighting the barbecue...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-dorset-53478849/bournemouth-beach-blaze-spreads-up-hillside


edit: I was almost right

A spokeswoman for the fire service said it was understood the blaze started when a camping stove was knocked over.

 

[RacingGrandpa]

Made me want to explore more of what I have around me here in Hamburg.

You should go to Rügen.

 

[Jezza819]

A good watch **NSFW LANGUAGE WARNING**

 

[Joey D]

So I had to get tested today. I have a mild sore throat and because of work policy, I have to get tested if I have just one symptom. It's likely not COVID since I don't have a fever or cough, but it's better safe than sorry I guess. Overall, the test isn't bad and it took me a whole hour to call the nurse, go to the testing tent, wait in line, and come back home. The thing the sucks is that both my wife and son need to stay quarantined with me until I get my result, so it's going to make working a little tricky. It's a holiday week for me though so I have Thursday and Friday already off.

Thankfully, I have access to my medical chart and can get the result much sooner than having to wait for a nurse to call me. I'm hoping I know, at the latest, tomorrow.

 

[GBO Possum]

The thing the sucks is that both my wife and son need to stay quarantined with me until I get my result, so it's going to make working a little tricky.

In my state, Massachusetts, our government says that residents returning from another state should self quarantine. There are two problems with this...

1. Nowhere do they define what constitutes “self quarantine”
2. It’s not an actual mandate, just a request with no teeth

Some neighbors returning from Florida, (yes, THAT Florida, the infected one with the bat**** crazy Trump-appeasing Governor DeSantis), think that going to the shops, going for walks, not wearing a mask, going into the community mail house, picking up take-out food and generally going about life as usual is “quarantining”, so long as these activities are slightly less frequent than usual.

I dream of an alternative history, one in which we Americans jumped on this thing, and the vast majority of us stayed at home for just one month. Instead, we have the highest Active Cases Per Capita in the entire world! No, I’m kidding, we are not #1. We are, ironically, Number Two. After French Guiana.

So now I could proudly say “At least we not as bad as French Guiana”, and then try to find French Guiana on the map.

Sadly, we have this sort of stupidity driving our so-called “leaders”...

“Texas: Religious schools can ignore local health officials on the coronavirus”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/07/20/texas-religious-schools-can-ignore-local-health-officials-coronavirus/

In case it’s behind a paywall, here’s an excerpt for you.

 

[Denur]

In my state, Massachusetts, our government says that residents returning from another state should self quarantine. There are two problems with this...

1. Nowhere do they define what constitutes “self quarantine”
2. It’s not an actual mandate, just a request with no teeth

Some neighbors returning from Florida, (yes, THAT Florida, the infected one with the bat**** crazy Trump-appeasing Governor DeSantis), think that going to the shops, going for walks, not wearing a mask, going into the community mail house, picking up take-out food and generally going about life as usual is “quarantining”, so long as these activities are slightly less frequent than usual.

I dream of an alternative history, one in which we Americans jumped on this thing, and the vast majority of us stayed at home for just one month. Instead, we have the highest Active Cases Per Capita in the entire world! No, I’m kidding, we are not #1. We are, ironically, Number Two. After French Guiana.

So now I could proudly say “At least we not as bad as French Guiana”, and then try to find French Guiana on the map.

Sadly, we have this sort of stupidity driving our so-called “leaders”...

“Texas: Religious schools can ignore local health officials on the coronavirus”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/07/20/texas-religious-schools-can-ignore-local-health-officials-coronavirus/

In case it’s behind a paywall, here’s an excerpt for you.


View attachment 942532

This reminds me of the Drowning man joke.

Spoiler

A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.

Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, "Jump in, I can save you."

The stranded fellow shouted back, "No, it's OK, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me."

So the rowboat went on.

Then a motorboat came by. "The fellow in the motorboat shouted, "Jump in, I can save you."

To this the stranded man said, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith."

So the motorboat went on.

Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, "Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety."

To this the stranded man again replied, "No thanks, I'm praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith."

So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.

Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, "I had faith in you but you didn't save me, you let me drown. I don't understand why!"

To this God replied, "I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"

 

[Blitz24]

In my state, Massachusetts, our government says that residents returning from another state should self quarantine. There are two problems with this...

1. Nowhere do they define what constitutes “self quarantine”
2. It’s not an actual mandate, just a request with no teeth

Some neighbors returning from Florida, (yes, THAT Florida, the infected one with the bat**** crazy Trump-appeasing Governor DeSantis), think that going to the shops, going for walks, not wearing a mask, going into the community mail house, picking up take-out food and generally going about life as usual is “quarantining”, so long as these activities are slightly less frequent than usual.

I dream of an alternative history, one in which we Americans jumped on this thing, and the vast majority of us stayed at home for just one month. Instead, we have the highest Active Cases Per Capita in the entire world! No, I’m kidding, we are not #1. We are, ironically, Number Two. After French Guiana.

So now I could proudly say “At least we not as bad as French Guiana”, and then try to find French Guiana on the map.

Sadly, we have this sort of stupidity driving our so-called “leaders”...

“Texas: Religious schools can ignore local health officials on the coronavirus”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/07/20/texas-religious-schools-can-ignore-local-health-officials-coronavirus/

In case it’s behind a paywall, here’s an excerpt for you.


View attachment 942532

I could easily see this devolving into closed borders for all states.

 

[Dennisch]

Looks like we are starting our second wave.

We went from 534 confirmed cases 2 weeks ago to 987 cases last week. 19 people have been hospitalised, 3 more than before. We have 96 localised outbreaks at the moment, and most of the cases are within the same household.