Corona virus (1 Viewer)

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Comparing the corona viris, which is presently killing between 1% and 10% of the people diagnosed, to the flu, which kills aproximately 1/10 of 1% diagnosed, is, as George is want to say, comparing apples to hand-grenades. The kill rate is from (at best estimate) 10-times as bad to as much as 100-times as bad. The death-toll is far worse among at-risk people, such as the elderly and people with lung problems.

If we do not stop or at least severely limit the spread of this diseases, we will be looking at death tolls that are more comparable to the Spanish Influenza of 1918 then the present flu. Until we get the spread under the curve, so we know our medical facilities will not be overwhelmed, we have no choice but to take this seriously. If we do not, and our hospitals get overwhelmed, we are going to be facing the type of disaster presently being faced in Italy. I can't speak for the rest of you, but my son has asthma, and is high risk. There is absolutely no way I am treating this pandemic like the flu, and putting his life at risk.
 
I think that both Brad and Rich, who talk about the critical importance of the free press, and Tom, who is angered by the absence of factual reporting and the rampant sensationalism, spin and editorials substituted for facts in the modern news cycles have valid points.

Clearly the free press, and the responsible reporting of facts to the public, are the foundation of a free society. On the other hand, when I was a child, and I watched the evening news with my parents (no choice back then, only one TV in the house, black and white when I was little, and I was the remote control ["get up son, and change to channel 4"]), 25 minutes of the evening news was strict reporting of facts. There was 5 minutes in the program, clearly identified as "the editorial" where a news anchor gave his opinion of the facts that had already been reported.

In today's 24-hour news cycle, there is almost no reporting of facts, and almost nothing but opinion. The opinion is spun in the direction that particular news outlet has chosen to slant its coverage, and, frankly, is almost always rank sensationalism. I hate the spin-doctors that pass themselves off as newsmen on these "fair and unbiased" news outlets, one of which acts as a shill for the Republicans, while the other performs the same base function for the Democrats.

If I could find a news source that reported unbiased facts, without spin or sensationalism, I would be thrilled. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any such source (except perhaps for the members of this forum {sm4}).
 
Louis Badolato said:
I think that both Brad and Rich, who talk about the critical importance of the free press, and Tom, who is angered by the absence of factual reporting and the rampant sensationalism, spin and editorials substituted for facts in the modern news cycles have valid points.

Clearly the free press, and the responsible reporting of facts to the public, are the foundation of a free society. On the other hand, when I was a child, and I watched the evening news with my parents (no choice back then, only one TV in the house, black and white when I was little, and I was the remote control ["get up son, and change to channel 4"]), 25 minutes of the evening news was strict reporting of facts. There was 5 minutes in the program, clearly identified as "the editorial" where a news anchor gave his opinion of the facts that had already been reported.

In today's 24-hour news cycle, there is almost no reporting of facts, and almost nothing but opinion. The opinion is spun in the direction that particular news outlet has chosen to slant its coverage, and, frankly, is almost always rank sensationalism. I hate the spin-doctors that pass themselves off as newsmen on these "fair and unbiased" news outlets, one of which acts as a shill for the Republicans, while the other performs the same base function for the Democrats.

If I could find a news source that reported unbiased facts, without spin or sensationalism, I would be thrilled. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any such source (except perhaps for the members of this forum {sm4}).
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Well stated Louis and I fully concur.
Mike
 
I tend to try to avoid the broadcast media because this situation that we find ourselves in is all too consuming that I can only take them in small spurts. I look at the Washington Post and the New York Times because I trust them to lay out the facts (although some of you may laugh about the liberal press, they do a great job), but I can’t look at them all the time. I also look to see what the NJ press is saying and track the number of cases in our state. I can’t go to the gym anymore so I take walks to a nearby nature park which I’d never been to before despite living here 27 years. It provides a lot of stress relief but also heightens the surreal situation we find ourselves in: it’s beautiful outside but it can also be dangerous. I’ve also started reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit. Hey, it’s a long book but I have the time right now.
 
It’s crazy, but I’m finding local news stations, which I used to hate, being more fact based and unbiased.
 
jazzeum said:
I tend to try to avoid the broadcast media because this situation that we find ourselves in is all too consuming that I can only take them in small spurts. I look at the Washington Post and the New York Times because I trust them to lay out the facts (although some of you may laugh about the liberal press, they do a great job), but I can’t look at them all the time. I also look to see what the NJ press is saying and track the number of cases in our state. I can’t go to the gym anymore so I take walks to a nearby nature park which I’d never been to before despite living here 27 years. It provides a lot of stress relief but also heightens the surreal situation we find ourselves in: it’s beautiful outside but it can also be dangerous. I’ve also started reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s The Bully Pulpit. Hey, it’s a long book but I have the time right now.
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We''ll, we agree, The Bully Pulpit is a good book. :wink2: Chris
 
jazzeum said:
I look at the Washington Post and the New York Times because I trust them to lay out the facts (although some of you may laugh about the liberal press, they do a great job)

That's the biggest laugh I've had this year.
Mark
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Lets face it the most infected come from New York which is understandable because it is one of the greatest cities in the world and probably millions from all over the world enter the US through there.I think North Jersey has a large amount because they interact with New York.We have very few down here in South Jersey thankfully.We had a couple test positive In Cape May but they supposedly were from New York.Now no one from NY,Conn. or NJ can enter Florida without self quarantining for 2 weeks.
Mark
 
Louis Badolato said:
I think that both Brad and Rich, who talk about the critical importance of the free press, and Tom, who is angered by the absence of factual reporting and the rampant sensationalism, spin and editorials substituted for facts in the modern news cycles have valid points.

Clearly the free press, and the responsible reporting of facts to the public, are the foundation of a free society. On the other hand, when I was a child, and I watched the evening news with my parents (no choice back then, only one TV in the house, black and white when I was little, and I was the remote control ["get up son, and change to channel 4"]), 25 minutes of the evening news was strict reporting of facts. There was 5 minutes in the program, clearly identified as "the editorial" where a news anchor gave his opinion of the facts that had already been reported.

In today's 24-hour news cycle, there is almost no reporting of facts, and almost nothing but opinion. The opinion is spun in the direction that particular news outlet has chosen to slant its coverage, and, frankly, is almost always rank sensationalism. I hate the spin-doctors that pass themselves off as newsmen on these "fair and unbiased" news outlets, one of which acts as a shill for the Republicans, while the other performs the same base function for the Democrats.

If I could find a news source that reported unbiased facts, without spin or sensationalism, I would be thrilled. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any such source (except perhaps for the members of this forum {sm4}).
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How true how true. I remember those days of news too. The problem IMO came about when 24hr news networks started to "outrate" network shows and literally the advertising on them is more expensive than most tv programs. That tells you what people are watching.

I have a near 16 year old who was formerly a broadway kid, actor with IMO incredible talent musically as well as intelligence. He told us 8 years ago he wanted to be a broadcast journalist and still does, in fact now its 100% and the drive of what he is looking for in college and internships. Now, my initial reaction 8 years ago was yeah right, concentrate on going to law school. Now, it is hard to argue with his choice, his chance of making a better than decent living as a broadcast journalist is huge, probably better than me (CPA) or a lawyer. How times have changed, they really have.

TD
 
We live in an age of fear. The weather channel markets every snow storm or hurricane as the end of time. It's good for ratings. After 9/11, the terrorists were going to get us. We had to go to war and spend billions. Even though the crime rate in this country has fallen dramatically most people believe we live in a time of wide spread violence. Now it is a pandemic. Fear sells. It can be also used to promote agendas. From the 1950s through the 80s we were told the commies were coming. So billions were wasted. What better for a politician than to convince people that they are dependent on the government for survival? It means more money, influence, and power. If you proclaim that the sky is falling long enough, then you become vested in the disaster or risk looking like a fool. Some people need it to be true. That's not to say there are not legitimate reasons to be concerned with terrorists, gun violence or pandemics. But you are much more likely to die from falling down your stairs or driving to work than all of these events combined. In a few weeks the news will move on and within a couple of years almost no one will remember this pandemic ever happened.
 
This is a poem that I (and others) have read by William Ernest Henley over the years and may help to gird us in the coming weeks:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
 For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
 My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
 I am the captain of my soul.
 
Combat said:
We live in an age of fear. The weather channel markets every snow storm or hurricane as the end of time. It's good for ratings. After 9/11, the terrorists were going to get us. We had to go to war and spend billions. Even though the crime rate in this country has fallen dramatically most people believe we live in a time of wide spread violence. Now it is a pandemic. Fear sells. It can be also used to promote agendas. From the 1950s through the 80s we were told the commies were coming. So billions were wasted. What better for a politician than to convince people that they are dependent on the government for survival? It means more money, influence, and power. If you proclaim that the sky is falling long enough, then you become vested in the disaster or risk looking like a fool. Some people need it to be true. That's not to say there are not legitimate reasons to be concerned with terrorists, gun violence or pandemics. But you are much more likely to die from falling down your stairs or driving to work than all of these events combined. In a few weeks the news will move on and within a couple of years almost no one will remember this pandemic ever happened.
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No one is 100% right all of the time but I will put my money on science every time!
My best friend's son is one of the top research doctors on infectious diseases at Yale University. My nephew and his wife are both Harvard graduate PHDs in microbiology. I have dozens of connections with top doctors in the NY Metropolitan area from my work in charitable organizations.
They are all on the same page, this virus unchecked can kill millions. If our President allows a mass return to work in the next few weeks tens of thousands will die and our hospital system will implode.
I hope they are all wrong or just too pessimistic but I will listen to them not a politician!
 
So far Trump has been listening to the doctors and I hope he continues but I think someone is talking to him warning him about the economy.I have a hard time wrapping my head around that this can kill millions when actually the number of deaths is quite low (1 is too many though) especially in the US.Everyone keeps telling me the death rate is higher than the flu but that will get lower and lower as more test positive and the vast majority live.
Mark
 
Being a senior has its advantages; Shoprite has a seniors only hour between 7-8am. Just finished. Even with all that, it was moderately crowded.
 
The numbers you are seeing are nothing. Most places have yet to peak.
They are saying Massachusetts, where I am, won’t see it for another two weeks
 
jazzeum said:
Being a senior has its advantages; Shoprite has a seniors only hour between 7-8am. Just finished. Even with all that, it was moderately crowded.
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same here...
was there at 7AM sharp when they opened for seniors...
finished at 7:30...
out of store...
low volume traffic and good selection...

Galveston went on mandatory shut in last night at midnight...
 
I spoke with my contacts in China, HK and Taiwan last night and this morning.
Good news is that they confirmed very few new cases and many people back to work.
Still there are very stringent precautions, taking everyone's temperature before allowed
into work, restaurants and theaters......wash down and disinfect public places at least
twice a day and more on public transportation......wearing masks and practicing social
distance (for example restaurants fill every other table and movie theaters only allow
50% occupancy).
China is not allowing any non residents to enter and returning residents must undergo
a quarantine, same in HK.
 
NOW THIS .. :redface2: .. there have been "some" (unreleased number) employees at a food chain diagnosed with COVID-19.
So, now there is discussion of how to limit the number of people who enter at food store at any one time.

Initial plan under discussion is to base the day that you go on your last name, verified by store security

FOR EXAMPLE: A->E go on Monday; F->J go on Tuesday, etc
Home delivery will be free and available 7 days a week, prepay online w/ CC# and delivery will be to your front door.

Stores will be open 5 days and two days to completely disinfect the store.

This makes sense in the larger cities like Portland, Bangor, Augusta, and such, but in my local food store there is hardly more than a few people at any one time, regardless of the day or time. I can't see this working

--- LaRRy
 
zblang said:
The numbers you are seeing are nothing. Most places have yet to peak.
They are saying Massachusetts, where I am, won’t see it for another two weeks
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WHY is that Zack? The testing has increased?

--- LaRRy
 
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