What are your thoughts on how government is handling COVID-19

[missy]

@missy , Since you are retired you can stay in quarantine for as long as you like, but for most Americans they need to go back to work soon.

My DH is not retired and we need his income. And I didn't retire because we were flush with more but rather because my field had changed drastically and I felt I could no longer contribute and help the way I had been doing for 3 decades. I was burned out and I needed to leave. I was sad I had to retire but also relieved that is true.

For Greg right now work is terribly slow and they are most likely going to lay people off. It happened during the 2008/9 recession and Greg was working somewhere else and they closed his department as he is in a very niche field that is the first to get cut. That was a challenging 2 years. He did what he had to do but it was very very hard. And finally he got a job back in his area and was doing very well. He loves this job and he will be devastated if he loses it. And yeah, there is a real chance he will lose his job and at 61 plus good luck getting another. So don't think you know our situation @Dancing Fire because you do not.

 

[Babyblue033]

Err guys

Is this really happening???

‘Zombie hordes’ protests in virus backlash on US streets

Remarkable scenes have been caught on camera, as a “zombie” protester confronted healthcare workers quietly trying to enforce US lockdown measures.

www.news.com.au

I'm so angry and sad seeing this. All these people shoulder to shoulder, not wearing any protective gears to protect themselves or others. Is it that these states don't currently have huge number of infected? Do they feel what's going on in other states like NY doesn't apply to them? I get that they're upset about the economy, but I would've thought they would at least acknowledge that the threat of virus is very real. I really hope all these protests don't lead to more spread of the virus in these states. If that happens, will they even admit they did that to themselves?

@missy , Since you are retired you can stay in quarantine for as long as you like, but for most Americans they need to go back to work soon.

I never bother to respond, but wow. What an ignorant thing to say. Why compare "who has it worse" and make judgement on things you don't understand? You have no idea what's going on in people's lives, what struggles they have behind the computer screens.

Each of us have our own priorities and know what we can tolerate more. Maybe that's the financial hardship and maybe it's health issues. Both are legitimate concerns/fears and one is no more valid than the other.

"Most" Americans will also have their family members, friends, or acquaintances die from Covid-19 by the time this ends. Are you sure they're ok with that just so they can go back to work?

 

[Demon]

I'm so angry and sad seeing this. All these people shoulder to shoulder, not wearing any protective gears to protect themselves or others. Is it that these states don't currently have huge number of infected? Do they feel what's going on in other states like NY doesn't apply to them? I get that they're upset about the economy, but I would've thought they would at least acknowledge that the threat of virus is very real. I really hope all these protests don't lead to more spread of the virus in these states. If that happens, will they even admit they did that to themselves?



I never bother to respond, but wow. What an ignorant thing to say. Why compare "who has it worse" and make judgement on things you don't understand? You have no idea what's going on in people's lives, what struggles they have behind the computer screens.

Each of us have our own priorities and know what we can tolerate more. Maybe that's the financial hardship and maybe it's health issues. Both are legitimate concerns/fears and one is no more valid than the other.

"Most" Americans will also have their family members, friends, or acquaintances die from Covid-19 by the time this ends. Are you sure they're ok with that just so they can go back to work?

Well Michigan alone currently is showing 34,402 sick, and 2,227 dead. And of course that's only what is known, not how many there actually are.It'd be interesting to see if any of these protesters come down with the virus.

 

[BlingBlingLova]

Ok here is my question. Y’all I live in Texas where we are going to undergo Phase I on Monday. Retail is “to go” for most retailer stores but here is my issue with this. Most stores make their money when they have customers roaming their store for some time, window shopping, impulsive buying, etc. Now that it is to go, how does impact the stores’ profits? Other stores like Ross or TJ Maxx don’t have all of their inventory online because it is different from store to store and you have to go in person to see what they have. How are they going to cope with retail to go? Also, massive layoffs means people don’t have money to shop. And those that do have an income are too scared to shop!

Why are gyms allowed to remain open?? Aren’t they going to be teeming with corona? Especially with all the sweating? Plus people are going to start canceling their gym memberships now to save money. Some gyms are already closing across the country for good.

What about restaurants? If Cheesecake Factory is used to accommodating 100 people in their restaurants, how can they profit from 10 customers? They will probably Have to increase the price of their food and lay off more workers to offset the loss. But if people do not have an income, how are they going to go to a restaurant?

What about dentists and physicians? On Monday when their offices open up, because of the massive layoffs, and people have lost their health insurance, how are they going to pay? As for dentists, those that need dental work are too scared to go. What does that mean for the dentists?

So, the big issue is not really opening the economy. It is the lack of money that really worries me. Can somebody please enlighten me?

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

As American citizens we must insist that Germ phobic Donald Trump get out among the masses without a face mask and walk around for a few hours. Perhaps he has an immunity to the virus.

On another thread someone thought their present day actions may be considered co-dependent due to the strain of the virus on their mental state. I have associated co-dependency with A.A. and Al-A-Non. Donald Trump behaves like an alcoholic and the country behave as a co-dependent . This crazy, ignorant man has people dissecting his every incoherent word, including us, me, This is the definition of crazy. How can anyone consider this man fit for the Presidency.

DF- I have no words for you. Think Tom Hanks movie and what his Mama said to him.

I have a very hard time dealing with DT the Freak of nature,

Annette

 

[Dancing Fire]

So don't think you know our situation @Dancing Fire because you do not.

Hope Greg don't lose his job. Like I said most people must go back to work so they can pay their bills. A lockdown doesn't pay bills. Luckily both of our daughters are still working. DD#1 is working from home and DD#2 is a RN.

Does wife and me worry about DD#2 contracting the virus from work and bringing it home? yes and no, but we have no choice since we are babysitting her kids.

 

[missy]

Hope Greg don't lose his job. Like I said most people must go back to work so they can pay their bills. A lockdown doesn't pay bills. Luckily both of our daughters are still working. DD#1 is working from home and DD#2 is a RN.

Does wife and me worry about DD#2 contracting the virus from work and bringing it home? yes and no, but we have no choice since we are babysitting her kids.

Thanks @Dancing Fire and I hope you and your family remain well and safe.

My sister and her DH are essential workers and going to work every single day. They have children and of course I am worried about them. We are in NY so it is a high rate of infection and death here. But they are essential so to work they must go. And I am also greatly thankful for people who are essential and doing their jobs to help the rest of us.

As for my DH's job, thanks for your good wishes. And more importantly than work I want my dh alive and well and my family alive and well and we can all pick up the pieces when this pandemic is over and when we have hopefully treatment and/or a vaccine for it. I hope when our country opens up for business we do it wisely and those who can WFH do work from home and that we do it step by step and slowly and carefully reopen things.

 

[Dancing Fire]

You are over a certain age, are you totally cool if you or your wife get it and die because you wanted to save your economy?

IYO, How much longer should we stay in a lockdown?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@BlingBlingLova my theory is that if things open up, people will be tempted and they'll come.

I have no basis for this, only going by what I've seen in terms of behavior amongst my friends.

See personally I'm trying to do the right thing so I don't have the guilt of killing anyone but I'm really very ok with taking a risk for myself. So as soon as the government let's me visit my sister and eat at restaurants I'm off to do it because it is "legit" now. No guilt of doing something illegal and killing someone.

I think it will be the same with quite a lot of people. They want to do the right thing but they're going shopping as soon as this is relaxed.

In Australia it's been reported that people are having a field day going grocery shopping because they are bored. They're going to Ikea and Bunnings. Basically anything that's open. So I think they'll trickle back.

Those of us who would rather be dead than locked up will be out boosting the economy I suspect.

 

[Tekate]

earth to DF ..

How does the COVID-19 pandemic compare to the last pandemic?

There are some key differences between the 2009 swine flu and COVID-19, and the response to each of them.

www.livescience.com

Neither will the deaths caused by Obama during the Swine flu pandemic in 2009.

 

[Tekate]

Point to where Obama lied about H1N1 otherwise you are wrong. Link to mismanagement by Obama in the SARS pandemic otherwise you are wrong.

If Deb is crediting the deaths to Trump then she should also credit the deaths to Obama.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Point to where Obama lied about H1N1 otherwise you are wrong. Link to mismanagement by Obama in the SARS pandemic otherwise you are wrong.

My point is that Trump is no more responsible for Covid 19 deaths than Obama was responsible for the Swine flu deaths.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

It is a shame politics has to enter into these discussions. But I guess it elicits strong emotions.

 

[JPie]

It is a shame politics has to enter into these discussions. But I guess it elicits strong emotions.

Genuinely curious, but how do you reckon that it’s possible to have an apolitical discussion in a thread literally titled, “What are your thoughts on how government is handling COVID-19”?

 

[arkieb1]

IYO, How much longer should we stay in a lockdown?

The approach to dealing with it should vary from State to State. States with low infection numbers should not open their borders at all any time soon they should track, trace and contain until the number start going down significantly and they should test a lot. Then, and only then should they be allowed to open things back up again within their state.

For states with large numbers of infected you have one of three options, open everything back up close their borders so they don't infect the rest of the country and allow it to kill whatever % of the population it is going to kill, the elderly and sick and at risk should keep indoors and not go out. Option number two is complete lockdowns where groceries and medicine and everything else gets home delivered and nothing gets opened up again until the rates of infection go right down. The third option is a balanced approach between the two, leave some vital things open, give government financial aid to those who need it and still have fairly strict quarantine measure in those places. Until the numbers go down to a point where you can start opening things back up again.

I suspect that from this point onwards lots of places that have average to low numbers are going to have to ease restrictions, then once the numbers start going up again, reinstate restrictions, and keep doing that until there is a vaccine or cure..... (what that means is a carefully considered balance between both, not overcrowding your health system with cases, but leaving enough things open even if it's only for short bursts at a time to not completely destroy your economy.)

The disease doesn't care about the economy DF, or people's jobs, if you remove the lockdown it spreads so rapidly and so easily, until they can develop a vaccine or a cure which is unlikely until next year it will simply spread like wildfire and kill as many people that are sick, old, at risk and on the wrong end of statistical data as possible.

All of the medical experts and statisticians in Australia have suggested that if things are opened up too early what will occur is new waves of infection.

I'm curious DF, if they open things back up in your state are you and your wife going to go out to eat, shop and so on, or are you going to stay at home?

 

[BMI]

I suspect that from this point onwards lots of places that have average to low numbers are going to have to ease restrictions, then once the numbers start going up again, reinstate restrictions, and keep doing that until there is a vaccine or cure..... (what that means is a carefully considered balance between both, not overcrowding your health system with cases, but leaving enough things open even if it's only for short bursts at a time to not completely destroy your economy.)

Based on what I have heard Governor Newsom say, I THINK this is the direction they are leaning for California.

 

[arkieb1]

Based on what I have heard Governor Newsom say, I THINK this is the direction they are leaning for California.

It seems like the most logical approach for a balance of saving lives and not completely destroying the economy.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Genuinely curious, but how do you reckon that it’s possible to have an apolitical discussion in a thread literally titled, “What are your thoughts on how government is handling COVID-19”?

I am really proud of our pollies in Oz - they are behaving very well and co-operating. Even Jacinda Ahearn - NZ PM and our Scott Morison are getting on well and they are polar opposite parties and have loads of bad blood over various issues. NZ is almost like a state of Australia.

 

[JPie]

I am really proud of our pollies in Oz - they are behaving very well and co-operating. Even Jacinda Ahearn - NZ PM and our Scott Morison are getting on well and they are polar opposite parties and have loads of bad blood over various issues. NZ is almost like a state of Australia.

That’s great, but I don’t think it quite answers my question.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I'm curious DF, if they open things back up in your state are you and your wife going to go out to eat, shop and so on, or are you going to stay at home?

I would, but don't think my wife will be very comfortable of eating out. We eat out till the last day before the lockdown. We aren't staying home now b/c we go babysitting at DD's house 4-5 X per week.

Am I scared of catching the virus? yes and no. I'm scare but not to the point of thinking that I would contract the virus as soon as I step out the front door of my house. I'm not that freak out about it. When I go grocery shopping I avoid getting too close to other shoppers.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

That’s great, but I don’t think it quite answers my question.

Seems we are not having political discussions for the first time in living memory in Australia

 

[arkieb1]

I would, but don't think my wife will be very comfortable of eating out. We eat out till the last day before the lockdown. We aren't staying home now b/c we go babysitting at DD's house 4-5 X per week.

Am I scared of catching the virus? yes and no. I'm scare but not to the point of thinking that I would contract the virus as soon as I step out the front door of my house. I'm not that freak out about it. When I go grocery shopping I avoid getting too close to other shoppers.

At this point it time with the exception of LA it isn't badly out of control in CA this is the data I could find;

California coronavirus cases: Tracking the outbreak

The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.

www.latimes.com

Meaning your chances of getting it if you are careful at this point in time is fairly minimal, the problem however, with opening everything up again is that those numbers will then start rising again to the point where it probably will not be statistically as safe to go out. If you children still work then you would probably have a much higher chance of getting it from them than you giving it to their kids and even if you did very few children die of this virus. You and your wife would be in the "as risk" age group not your kids and your grandkids.

 

[missy]

I think the USA has tested only 1% of our entire population.
And our testing has stalled.

America’s COVID-19 testing has stalled, and that’s a big problem

We’ll need a lot more testing capacity to get the coronavirus under control.

arstechnica.com

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.

www.cdc.gov

Another interesting figure is that out of all the people tested here 20% are found to be positive for Covid 19. That is huge. "In other words, the country has what is called a “test-positivity rate” of nearly 20 percent."

A New Statistic Reveals Why America’s COVID-19 Numbers Are Flat

Few figures tell you anything useful about how the coronavirus has spread through the U.S. Here’s one that does.

www.theatlantic.com

"But New York, so far the hardest hit state in the U.S., has an even higher rate of 41 percent. And in New Jersey, an astounding one in two people tested for the virus are found to have it."


"We just haven’t tested enough people yet,” he said. “If you were doing random screening of the whole population, we just don’t know what you’d see. We don’t know how many asymptomatic viral shedders are out there.”"


And perhaps most chilling of all:

"The high positivity rate also suggests that new cases in the U.S. have plateaued only because the country has hit a ceiling in its testing capacity.
This tight correlation suggests that if the United States were testing more people, we would probably still be seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. And combined with the high test-positivity rate, it suggests that the reservoir of unknown, uncounted cases of COVID-19 across the country is still very large.

"

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing

Explore data on COVID-19 testing across the world.

ourworldindata.org

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

NY state is allowing my Son's private pre-k to re-open. They sent an email yesterday asking who wants to send their children. Even though tuition is paid in full we're keeping him home. We're home, we don't "need" to send him to school.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

NY state is allowing my Son's private pre-k to re-open. They sent an email yesterday asking who wants to send their children. Even though tuition is paid in full we're keeping him home. We're home, we don't "need" to send him to school.

Is it just pre K at this school?

Schools is where Aussies seem to have no idea and where I have no opinion because I'm oddly very removed from it all.

My son skipped a grade but still finds the school pace too slow (psychologist recommended a double skip but there is no way the school would agree to that so single skip it is) so he's quite happy at home, learning at his place despite missing his teacher and friends.

But there are a myriad of issues for other kids who really do need to attend school for the sake of their well being.

 

[missy]

NY state is allowing my Son's private pre-k to re-open. They sent an email yesterday asking who wants to send their children. Even though tuition is paid in full we're keeping him home. We're home, we don't "need" to send him to school.

It's unreal isn't it? I mean we are not yet at the point things should be reopening in NY. AM I crazy? Wait don't answer that.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

@mellowyellowgirl his school is just ages 3-5 so pre-k. I teach in a public school, ages 3-8 and all special needs. We are closed. I think they're letting his school re-open since it's technically a "day care".

@missy it really is. I do think this might be part of the "slow" re-opening. If I needed him to go, I'd be tempted. But I don't, so it's not worth the risk for me.

 

[Tekate]

How so? explain that. Trump downplays the virus when he was in FACT getting info that it was very serious, that makes HIM responsible to me at least for the early deaths, HOW did Obama downplay the start of H1N1? (hint: he didn't). So I bet I'll be waiting till doomsday for you to answer.

My point is that Trump is no more responsible for Covid 19 deaths than Obama was responsible for the Swine flu deaths.

 

[Tekate]

Interesting, do you not think that my countries politics has affected the course of Covid19?

It is a shame politics has to enter into these discussions. But I guess it elicits strong emotions.

 

[Tekate]

My son has kept his 1 yr old home since Texas went into lockdown (more or less) but my granddaughter's daycare has never closed (they were not part of the shutdown per the gov). My son works for the state, if the state opens up his office then my granddaughter will return to daycare, my DIL works 3 days a week and has always had to go in (she's a pham tech).. so we shall see how, in my family, this works out.. so we don't think son, DIL, or GD have had the virus, but we don't know as there has been little testing.

@mellowyellowgirl his school is just ages 3-5 so pre-k. I teach in a public school, ages 3-8 and all special needs. We are closed. I think they're letting his school re-open since it's technically a "day care".

@missy it really is. I do think this might be part of the "slow" re-opening. If I needed him to go, I'd be tempted. But I don't, so it's not worth the risk for me.