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trump and his administration have led the followers in their cult down a path of certain illness. If this virus was one that was selective and only hit ignorant people like that, we would have nothing to worry about. However logical people know that this is something that we have not had to encounter before and the uncertainty of what will happen combined with an inept and dangerous president has everyone's anxiety level at an all time high.
When you look at the countries that have been doing everything they can and still have hundreds or thousands of deaths and infections, it makes you realize that the USA is screwed and I for one am leaving this country asap. I have other reasons that make me want to escape this place, but the virus and the response by the evil republicans just sped up my decision.
@thelargerbowl
If things continue to get worse in the US, and this virus is still killing scores of people in the US come september or so, and the economy continues to plummet, expect historic losses for the republican party, including trump come this november.
History shows voters are not kind to incumbent presidents when the economy tanks on their watch, let alone when said incumbent badly bungles a pandemic response that results in 1000's dying.
If this pandemic does not wrap up soon, and fall of the news headlines for the US, I predict a historic and humiliating loss for trump.
Update
Huffpost US Today 12 March 2020:
THE WHO has declared Coronavirus a pandemic.
People here keep saying it's no worse than the flu. Well, it bloody well IS!--- it is NOT the flu and there is no vaccine in sight. .AND it's
killing people all over the world.
SO FAR 4000 people have died world wide. It is just getting started. .
Oh, yeah the Trump White House have kept discussions about the virus classified.
Given this thing CAN KILL ME and that there is no vaccine yet, I have no problem what so ever about erring on the side of caution.
I honestly believe that Trump's approach is going to cost American lives.. As I said, it's just started . Wait another month or two.
@Cranky...” Oh, yeah the Trump White House have kept discussions about the virus classified.”
I didn’t double check this...but going on your word, it’s funny.
It’s a sign the Illuminati is involved!!! It will be an interesting November.
What do you want from a talking yam?
@White
"@Cranky...” Oh, yeah the Trump White House have kept discussions about the virus classified.”
I didn’t double check this...but going on your word, it’s funny."
Reported in the Huffpost US a couple of days ago.
On firsts glance I thought it sounded sinister and that was the way it was reported. -- as hindering health agencies
But then reminded myself of something far too true for the Trump administration . " Do not attribute a thing to malice if it can be explained by incompetence or stupidity."-- -And in Trump's case, add paranoia
But then again,Trump has a nasty side, with malice aplenty ; he's petulant, petty, and vindictive. All sterling qualities for a US Prez. He's like Nixon without the brains and social skills. (exactly)
@ LogicFTW
QUOTE: "We can avert most all of this if worldwide, if people sacrifice their social needs for a few weeks, starting now. No unnecessary traveling, no large gatherings of people in close contact, and most of all, anyone showing any sign of contagious illness, stays home and self quarantine. For the next few weeks we need everyone to take this seriously, and not try to "tough it out" if they fall sick, but instead stay home, self quarantine as much as possible."
I fully agree with you. The problem is that it hasnt sunk in with the general population, or the politicians.
The politicians are still in the "lets not panic the public" mode, so carry on as normal, as though everything IS normal. The problem with this approach is that there will be widespread UNDETECTED community spread for weeks, until cases start popping up here & there, & then cluster cluster, & then BOOM, a full blown out of control epidemic like they have in Italy.
If the governement is worried about the economy now, wait until they have a situation like they have in Italy, or china had at the beginning, where they had to shut practically their entire economy down to control it.
I had to travel on the train yesterday, & if somebody in the train carriage I was in had it, I also probably have it now.
People just aren't taking any precautions at all, no social distancing, still touching handrails etc. I saw one lady in the train as she walked from one end of the carriage to the other, holding onto every handrail as she made her way, some of which possibly have the virus on them.
Events with large crowds are also still going ahead here. There is no leadership from the politicians at all on these issues.
@ilovechloe
Sorry for the delay in response.
Yep. Certainly on the federal end of things. But even here in colorado, I see mostly people going on about their daily lives, not changing their habits at all. With so much unknown (colorado is at 50+ confirmed cases, with 100's being untested yet, and probably 1000's of people that want to get tested but unable to do so. Now is the time to practice as much social distancing as possible.
Hopefully you do not. I think the odds are still pretty good you do not. Don't forget, even if you were living in Wuhan, only ~60k people were confirmed to have it, went to the hospital etc, out of a city with a population of 11 million. Long odds indeed.
This is why you practice as much social distancing as possible for yourself, because there will be a lot of other people that will not. My recommendation to anyone that is at all medically vulnerable to novel coronaviruses to self isolate themselves as much as possible. They should have been already, but if not, start right now.
Certainly not in the US at the white house level. I am pretty happy with my home state colorado government taking it seriously. Plenty of room for improvement. They have not taken it very seriously until last few days though, and it may already be too late.
Today I heard some 15 year olds refer to the virus in the news as "Boomer Remover".
/e: Oh and I'll stick my neck out and make a prediction. A few days ago I would have guessed that for every positive test in the USA, that there are 5 people who have it, but don't know they have it, or at least haven't been tested. Today I'd guess it is 500.
@Nyarlathotep
I think a few days ago, you might have been pretty close to on the mark for 5 folks going undetected per detected case in the US. And now I would say it is at at least 50, I do not think 500 yet, but as testing kits remain in short supply, I expect us to hit 500 per detected case pretty soon.
Basic math... (1631(1000))/2
815,500 cases. Oof. That is more than enough to completely overwhelm the US medical system in select areas that get hit hardest right there.
Lets hope its closer to 50 cases and not 500. Or things are going to get REAL bad in the US in the next week or two.
Well the 500:1 is sheer speculation on my part.
[paranoid conspiracy rant]
I read that about 1,600 people in the US have tested positive, and that about 13,000 tests have been done. That suggests that roughly 1 in 8 people that get tested have the disease (I'll assume the test is 100% reliable).
Mix in an anecdote from what I've heard some doctors say; stories about hospitalized people with all the symptoms, who have been tested (negative)for a slew of other illnesses (including the flu), who do not meet the criteria for testing for this new virus.
It makes me wonder: who exactly is getting tested; where only 1 in 8 of them have the illness?
[/paranoid conspiracy rant]
@Nyarlathotep
"Today I heard some 15 year olds refer to the virus in the news as "Boomer Remover". "
Seeing as I fall into that demographic, it behoves me to comment : I think it's both witty and pithy. Exactly the kind of thing my crew used to say about 'the olds' at the same age. (mum would have been 36, dad 43 )
Also possibly prescient ; I have just returned from the the shopping centre, had to pick up some scripts from the Chemist.
Right in the middle of the shopping centre, there is a cluster of 3 eateries. (there is a food hall at the other end, but I didn't go there)
The three eateries were chocca with old farts my age, cheek by jowl.
Our attitude when I wore a much younger man's clothes: . THE WHO live, 1967. "----hope I die before I get old---" Bloody didn't though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjN5uHRIcjM
Perhaps even more disturbing: earlier I was engaging in wild speculation that the ratio of tested positive cases to people with the illness might be 1:500.
Today I read that the State of Ohio believes there are 100,000 people in the state who are infected, right now. Five people have tested positive. That is 1:20,000.
@Nyarlathotep
Schools are closing all over the US. Canada has suspended parliament.
I recommend Huffpost US if you don't already read it. Lots of fascinating stuff about Donald . Seems he's been potentially exposed a few times. The fool is too old to risk that shit.
It's interesting to note how many politicians everywhere are testing positive.
I don't mean to sound callous, BUT. Politicians tend to be cookie cut outs and replaced with no barely a hick up in political or daily life. However, actors such as tom Hanks are not as easily replaced. Both Tom and his wife have tested positive.
Apple News reports that the tipping point for the virus (big shock) is when it reaches the lungs.
[conspiracy theory]
Perhaps that is who is actually getting tested.
[/conspiracy theory]
Yeah watched the national disaster address earlier today. Trump refuses to even be tested for the virus, let alone quarantine himself. Eventhough a reporter brought up that not moments before her question, it was stated (by a health expert standing next to trump) that anyone that many have been potentially exposed by being in contact with a known case.
Ofcourse I am of the personal opinion that if the white house had to quarantine themselves, they would actually remove themselves from the equation, get out of the way and more progress can be done.
Here in Michigan we have about 16 cases, but I believe it to be 10 times,100 times or even more than that amount. The reasons that this seems to be like what some are calling the apocalypse or the end in their minds, is the response here in the USA by the trump administration and his cult like supporters who think it is a conspiracy to remove him have some walking around and spreading it. I think if everyone could stay home for a few weeks it would possibly help, but not everyone can do that.
Testing seems to be the most difficult problem here. I don't believe they are able to find a vaccination for this, and if they were even able to do that, it would be so far off that he numbers will rise every day.
I went shopping at the shelves are almost all bare at every store. I was able to load up on hot dogs, eggs and some frozen foods. I have ten rolls of toilet paper and when that runs out I am shit out of luck, pardon the pun!
I believe this to be very real and a serious threat to many. I am over 50 and my wife has diabetes and asthma, so that worries me quite a bit. However what makes me panic more then anything is having insane people in the White House who think it is a hoax.
@thelarger bowl.
"I believe this to be very real and a serious threat to many. I am over 50 and my wife has diabetes---"
I empathise .
So far, there is still plenty on the supermarket shelves here in South Oz. I always have enough food for over a month. If I rationed my rice and pulses, I can stretch that to 3 months.
I'm 72, have type 2 diabetes, and am in less than robust health otherwise. I also live alone. I'm isolated enough already without this shit. Don't need it. Hate being isolated. Right now I'm concerned and watching closely, taking advice from my government, which I trust at this point .
It is my intention to keep 'social distance 'as much as I can without isolating myself until necessary. I'm very glad I have email, voice mail, and a free skype-like app called DISCORD (all platforms)
PS: I noticed in Huffpost US that the White House (aka the sheltered workshop) has begun screening everyone who comes into contact with the Great Pumpkin .
From Twitter:
God@TheTweetOfGod
·
Mar 9
I'm well aware you want you-know-who to get you-know-what.
I'll see what I can do.
Well, as awkward as this may be, I may have to partake in self isolation.
Started having a persistent dry cough today, along with a headaches today, althought it's most likely a rogue anomaly/standard cold.
The frustrating thing is the UK has now pulled testing/screening for Coronavirus.
So it'll be impossible to know for sure... if symptoms get worse and/or a fever kicks in, at least I will know.
Dry cough, fever and shortness of breath are the 3 symptoms to look for.
Only having one, I would not be too sure you have covid-19. Have you had any sustained contact with anyone known to have covid-19?
Exactly Logic, But companies (my employers for one) are being told to tell staff to self isolate if you develop a fever or have a sustained cough for a period of time.
Its early days, but I'm fairly sure it is a standard cold.
Just dubious to what employers may say.
The contact question is difficult to answer as I'm a commuter, so its feasible that I may have unknowingly came into contact.
But again, I'm fairly sure (I would say 95%) that it's a simple cold.
Just hope that I'm not forced off work.
Take care of yourself, Random.
My sister’s funeral was cancelled. I would not have gone as I’m in a few high risk groups and this is a ground zero area. The idea of not being at her services was tearing me up....guilt, a recreational sport.
@CyberLN: The idea of not being at her services was tearing me up
My wife couldn't get to Japan for her sister's funeral because of her own cancer treatment. We were planning to visit her grave next month. Now we can't do that either because of this stupid disease.
But not being there doesn't diminish or devalue our feelings. Love and loss and grief and memory aren't tied to particular venues or places.
@CyberLN
That sucks CyberLN. For most folks funerals is a good way to say goodbye and help speed up the mourning process.
I am dealing with a bit of a slightly different kind of guilt, my sister is getting married early next month, and originally the wedding was going to have family and friends fly in from all over the world. Her honeymoon was to be right after, in europe too, that is definitely out now.
It is not canceled yet, (she hopes to have at least a small local's only wedding,) but as I would have to also travel across the country, I am dealing with the guilt of protecting myself and my closest family versus being there for my sister at a time of celebration. I am already considering driving instead of flying.
Fortunately or unfortunately I am guessing there is a decent chance the ability to go at all may well be impossible by then.
I try to tell myself guilt wise, that as much as I want to be at that wedding, health of everyone takes precedence. If things somehow start getting much better by the time the wedding happens great. But otherwise its likely out of my hands and I should not feel guilt over something I personally have little to no control over.
Sorry for your loss Cyber.
posted before reading edit.
Sorry for your loss Cyber.
So sorry cyber,
Attended two funerals last year.My mum's and my best friend in the world, of nearly 50 years. I can only try to imagine how you must feel.
7.83 billion population. WHO present mortality rate of 5.6%. Using WHO numbers, we can calculate the earths population will decrease by over 400 million, on the first pass...if no intervention is levied against the present infection rate. @84% being religious, that's about 370 million deaths of believers. Correct me if I am wrong.
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