D&D and the rising pandemic

[Olrox17]

A month or so ago, when deaths were at their peak here in Italy, some posters scoffed at the idea that the US could get tens up of thousands of deaths. Now it’s the new standard.

It’s so sad that my country’s plight failed to inspire other countries to take precautions in time, and now they are basically where we were before.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

There’s an old saying in the American South: Showin’s better’n tellin’.

The Doubting Thomases of the world have a strong foothold in the USA. Unfortunately, there’s a subset of them who, unlike their namesake, seem impervious to changing their position when confronted with new data.

This isn’t new. In 1980, Isaac Asimov opined:

 

[Olrox17]

Many also believed that the spreading of covid in Italy was due to our authorities being exceptionally incompetent, laughably so. So much arrogance has now been proven wrong and foolish. Sadly.

 

[Zardnaar]

Many also believed that the spreading of covid in Italy was due to our authorities being exceptionally incompetent, laughably so. So much arrogance has now been proven wrong and foolish. Sadly.

They did some silly things.

I did estimate tens of thousands in USA but got the numbers wrong. I just took Italys numbers and multiplied by 5.

When I messaged my American friends Italy was at 3000 dead week later it was 10k. They didn't know about Italy.

USA has actually done better per capita so far than a lot of Europe. USA being kinda useless at things like public transportation seems to be an advantage. They're trying hard to catch up though.

On a lighter note. We can now order food but social distancing applies.

Coffee train and fish and chips via flying fox.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Morrus]

True, for the most part, something like an attack on us as Americans, or a war we are in, brings more of us together as one.

You've just described people, not Americans.

 

[Morrus]

Many also believed that the spreading of covid in Italy was due to our authorities being exceptionally incompetent, laughably so.

Pretty much everybody in every country is saying the exact same thing about their leaders, with maybe a couple of exceptions like NZ. The first couple of weeks it was less so, but as the pandemic wears on, people are looking for somebody to blame. In many cases they're right.

 

[Olrox17]

Pretty much everybody in every country is saying the exact same thing about their leaders, with maybe a couple of exceptions like NZ. The first couple of weeks it was less so, but as the pandemic wears on, people are looking for somebody to blame. In many cases they're right.

I can't honestly scapegoat our government. As soon as covid erupted in China, they blocked all flights from there. When we were hit, the WHO and China were still downplaying the crisis. It wasn't called a pandemic yet. Then we quarantined the entire country, and have been doing so for more than a month now.

Interestingly enough, the political debate in Italy is if the government is being too careful right now. The opposition (which is currently mostly composed of far right parties) is advocating for an end of the quarantine, and a reopening of all economic activities, including restaurants.

 

[Zardnaar]

Pretty much everybody in every country is saying the exact same thing about their leaders, with maybe a couple of exceptions like NZ. The first couple of weeks it was less so, but as the pandemic wears on, people are looking for somebody to blame. In many cases they're right.

This.

Unfortunately having better leaders wouldn't make a drastic difference. 5-6 weeks ago the Aussies were raving about Jacinda as they were similar to the UK.

Aussie lucked out but their leader's approval ratings are hitting 68%. Australia got lucky.

Jacindas numbers are hitting 87-93% and there's speculation the opposition will roll their leader but no one wants his job.

Both countries looked at Italy and Jacinda had friends in UK tell her to lick down now and she closed the borders.

Aussie guy to be fair did a reasonable job all things considered, we weren't prepared either just further behind the curve.

With 5 times the population Aussie had 10 times the ICU beds as well. Our reserves of PPE weren't the best either some dating from 2007.

Some local businesses men had contacts in China and aquired 5 planeloads of supplies hiring armed guards to get it. They knew how things work over there.

Might have a contract but if someone else turns up with cash at the factory door ...

Also banned flights from China 1 day after the US.

Didn't want that tourism industry anyway. Queenstown unemployment rate 30%.

 

[Istbor]

You've just described people, not Americans.

Fair enough. I can only speak for fellow countrymen, and didn't want to rope everyone in on my opinion.


I have heard similar things about remdesivir. From colleagues at work and through my social network. Here's hoping studying this, may lead to a definitive tool for fighting COVID-19.

It is a worry that we start reopening, and just wind up dooming ourselves, and our Summer.

Also, I have been pretty good at denying my parent's visitation due to this, but definitely getting harder. Our state hasn't been hit as hard, and they hadn't seen me since before they had left to Winter in Texas (now having been back since early April).

 

[Janx]

Here's the other sneaky trick with the re-openings in the US:

once the gov says you aren't forced to close, you lose your government financial support if you choose to stay closed anyway.

This also cascades to the workers. if your boss says you have to work, and you say "no, it's not safe." Then you voluntarily quit. Changing your status for qualifying for unemployment.

The whole thing a is a screwjob for workers and a trap for employers via who funds the unemployment checks if they decide to remain closed.