Coronavirus

[Lostin76]

1 hour ago, Reacher said:

Vitamin D can reduce your chances of catching COVID by 50% and makes you less likely to die if you do catch it- https://www.captainsjournal.com/2020/09/27/more-on-vitamin-d-and-sars-cov-2/

 

We had heard this very early on and have been soaking up the sun every day as much as we can.

[Seeking6]

1 hour ago, Reacher said:

Vitamin D can reduce your chances of catching COVID by 50% and makes you less likely to die if you do catch it- https://www.captainsjournal.com/2020/09/27/more-on-vitamin-d-and-sars-cov-2/

 

Good to hear! I've never been this tan in my adult life so hopefully it's helping. I try to do 6-7 miles each day outside and anyone in Central Indiana can attest today is the first precipitation we've had in 40 days.

[Seeking6]

4 minutes ago, Lostin76 said:

We had heard this very early on and have been soaking up the sun every day as much as we can.

What's the vibe like in NYC these days? My cousin left in July and haven't been back. They've been Seattle/Pacific NW since and honestly I think it saved them. City was beating them to a breaking point.

[5fouls]

Hospital census, ICU usage, and ventilator usage are all inching up in Indiana.

 

 

[NotIThatLives]

23 minutes ago, 5fouls said:

Hospital census, ICU usage, and ventilator usage are all inching up in Indiana.

 

 

What are the numbers exactly?  I remember at one point in the so called thick of thing we were at 12% of icu capacity and give ot take a few % of ventilator use.  Maybe I'm making that up.  Admittedly I have thought the numbers were being misreported and politicized from early on, which proved true, I quit paying attention.  

[Reacher]

Interesting take. I was a little skeptical but the article makes a convincing case with lots of references. Something @mrflynn03was saying from early on.

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/china-covid-lockdown-propaganda

[5fouls]

1 hour ago, NotIThatLives said:

What are the numbers exactly?  I remember at one point in the so called thick of thing we were at 12% of icu capacity and give ot take a few % of ventilator use.  Maybe I'm making that up.  Admittedly I have thought the numbers were being misreported and politicized from early on, which proved true, I quit paying attention.  

This is a site I check every day.  There is a specific graph near the bottom where you can see hospital census.  Totals have been increasing the last couple of weeks.

As far as ICU beds and ventilators, the page only shows the current status.  But, as I follow it every day, I can tell you the 13.0% for ICU beds in use was below 10% just a couple of weeks ago.  And, the 3.2% for ventilators had gotten as low as 2.1% not that long ago.

https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/

 

 

[Lostin76]

4 hours ago, Seeking6 said:

What's the vibe like in NYC these days? My cousin left in July and haven't been back. They've been Seattle/Pacific NW since and honestly I think it saved them. City was beating them to a breaking point.

Good for them to relocate, the PNW is just freaking beautiful and it won't beat you down the way NYC can. I totally get their decision.

It's very mixed these days. There's a good number of people who left in March and have returned after the end of summer. They don't seem to understand while the rest of us are still so cautious. I just came back from a 20 minute walk to the beer shop and I would say half of the people I saw weren't really wearing masks - just chin straps. That's definitely differnt in the last few weeks.

I do feel like we've (my wife and I) returned to some sense of normalcy. We've been getting out for long walks in the mornings and sidewalk dining every weekend. All of our local places (that havent' shuttered for good) are pretty much open with limited numbers of people let inside (usually 5-7). People are used to waiting in lines here, so not that big of a deal.

The big avenue by our place is now closed on the weekends to traffic, so it's like 6 lanes of people partying and hanging out on socially distanced blankets. All of the restaurants have set up tables in the middle of the street and seem to be doing good business - though not pre-pandemic levels. Last night, we were walking home and came upon dueling marching bands entertaining the crowds of people. That was pretty cool.

We still aren't taking public transportation or working in the office. Our department isn't going back to the office this fall and most likely not this winter.

The only major issue is traffic. SO many people have now purchased cars, so it takes almost longer to drive somewhere than walk. And if you give up your parking space during the week, it takes at least an hour to find another on your return home.

@Reacher promised me that the real estate prices were going to be coming down, but it looks like everyone is moving to Brooklyn! We are willing to be patient and are happy in our current rental though. 

We have friends who just moved here from CA and they are looking to buy a place upstate. Every time they find someplace interesting, it's already sold for all cash and usually over the asking price. Lots of rich a**holes in Manhattan are buying apparently.

[Seeking6]

4 minutes ago, Lostin76 said:

Good for them to relocate, the PNW is just freaking beautiful and it won't beat you down the way NYC can. I totally get their decision.

It's very mixed these days. There's a good number of people who left in March and have returned after the end of summer. They don't seem to understand while the rest of us are still so cautious. I just came back from a 20 minute walk to the beer shop and I would say half of the people I saw weren't really wearing masks - just chin straps. That's definitely differnt in the last few weeks.

I do feel like we've (my wife and I) returned to some sense of normalcy. We've been getting out for long walks in the mornings and sidewalk dining every weekend. All of our local places (that havent' shuttered for good) are pretty much open with limited numbers of people let inside (usually 5-7). People are used to waiting in lines here, so not that big of a deal.

The big avenue by our place is now closed on the weekends to traffic, so it's like 6 lanes of people partying and hanging out on socially distanced blankets. All of the restaurants have set up tables in the middle of the street and seem to be doing good business - though not pre-pandemic levels. Last night, we were walking home and came upon dueling marching bands entertaining the crowds of people. That was pretty cool.

We still aren't taking public transportation or working in the office. Our department isn't going back to the office this fall and most likely not this winter.

The only major issue is traffic. SO many people have now purchased cars, so it takes almost longer to drive somewhere than walk. And if you give up your parking space during the week, it takes at least an hour to find another on your return home.

@Reacher promised me that the real estate prices were going to be coming down, but it looks like everyone is moving to Brooklyn! We are willing to be patient and are happy in our current rental though. 

We have friends who just moved here from CA and they are looking to buy a place upstate. Every time they find someplace interesting, it's already sold for all cash and usually over the asking price. Lots of rich a**holes in Manhattan are buying apparently.

Thanks for the ground report! My good friend's brother lives in Tribeca. They are just now starting to go out and eat at sidewalk dining,etc......just seems weird how new that is to them. Good luck with things!

In terms of real estate. My neighbors bought a place a couple years ago in Missoula, Montana. They are now getting inundated with NYC and CA $ paying 3-4x what places are or were worth just to escape.

[Hoosierhoopster]

12 minutes ago, Lostin76 said:

Good for them to relocate, the PNW is just freaking beautiful and it won't beat you down the way NYC can. I totally get their decision.

It's very mixed these days. There's a good number of people who left in March and have returned after the end of summer. They don't seem to understand while the rest of us are still so cautious. I just came back from a 20 minute walk to the beer shop and I would say half of the people I saw weren't really wearing masks - just chin straps. That's definitely differnt in the last few weeks.

I do feel like we've (my wife and I) returned to some sense of normalcy. We've been getting out for long walks in the mornings and sidewalk dining every weekend. All of our local places (that havent' shuttered for good) are pretty much open with limited numbers of people let inside (usually 5-7). People are used to waiting in lines here, so not that big of a deal.

The big avenue by our place is now closed on the weekends to traffic, so it's like 6 lanes of people partying and hanging out on socially distanced blankets. All of the restaurants have set up tables in the middle of the street and seem to be doing good business - though not pre-pandemic levels. Last night, we were walking home and came upon dueling marching bands entertaining the crowds of people. That was pretty cool.

We still aren't taking public transportation or working in the office. Our department isn't going back to the office this fall and most likely not this winter.

The only major issue is traffic. SO many people have now purchased cars, so it takes almost longer to drive somewhere than walk. And if you give up your parking space during the week, it takes at least an hour to find another on your return home.

@Reacher promised me that the real estate prices were going to be coming down, but it looks like everyone is moving to Brooklyn! We are willing to be patient and are happy in our current rental though. 

We have friends who just moved here from CA and they are looking to buy a place upstate. Every time they find someplace interesting, it's already sold for all cash and usually over the asking price. Lots of rich a**holes in Manhattan are buying apparently.

My partners just got tired of the pandemic — and declining associate billables.... — so the shareholder vote was we re-open on October 5. We’re staggering work days, an A and B schedule, for staff who are not in offices and sit close to other staff, but otherwise we’re returning to the office.  Time to get used to commuting again — ugh.

Houston actually sounds somewhat similar to what you’re experiencing. In public, outside, people aren’t wearing masks, but inside they mostly are, though in restaurants once seated they take off their masks (which, to me, defeats the purpose, but well they’re there to eat). 
I continue to think we’ll see a gradual return to more normalcy, but that has to be tempered with continuing social distancing, mask wearing, etc. while the Virus remains here and active. 

[mrflynn03]

8 hours ago, Reacher said:

Interesting take. I was a little skeptical but the article makes a convincing case with lots of references. Something @mrflynn03was saying from early on.

https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/china-covid-lockdown-propaganda

If you read the 2 links in the last paragraph, the first gives some detail on how the Chinese feel about their position in the global order. The second gives GDP projections into 2021.  Find it interesting that they are projected for 8% growth in 2021 and the European and African nations they are invested in look good but the rest lagging behind.  

I am well read in communist ideology and tactics(know your enemies right?) and have read Sun Tzu's Art of War. Have read alot on SE Asia and the far east. 

The US is in various degrees of lockdown, but China is business as usual. Makes you wonder. 

One of Indiana's candidates is proposing stricter lockdowns as part of his campaign.  UMM...NO.

 

[TheWatShot]

9 hours ago, 5fouls said:

Hospital census, ICU usage, and ventilator usage are all inching up in Indiana.

 

 

It's weird because people where I live are acting like the pandemic is over since we're in "Phase 5." 

[mrflynn03]

1 hour ago, TheWatShot said:

It's weird because people where I live are acting like the pandemic is over since we're in "Phase 5." 

I guess it depends on where you are.  Its over where I live but it never began. China virus shut my wife's  business for 3 months but we did ok. Dont know anyone that has been sick.

People should live life like normal and go on.  Quit being scared.  What are people afraid of, getting sick?  Whatever. 

[Reacher]

17 hours ago, 5fouls said:

This is a site I check every day.  There is a specific graph near the bottom where you can see hospital census.  Totals have been increasing the last couple of weeks.

As far as ICU beds and ventilators, the page only shows the current status.  But, as I follow it every day, I can tell you the 13.0% for ICU beds in use was below 10% just a couple of weeks ago.  And, the 3.2% for ventilators had gotten as low as 2.1% not that long ago.

https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/

 

 

 

This site shows Midwest cases increasing (makes sense since they never were hit hard like the NE and South) but Indiana's 2 week avg is flat. https://www.covidexitstrategy.org/

10%Increasing	9361k	24% 24%	81%Constrained	210 210	UnlikelyPositivity high	12.7%Decreasing
Alaska	21%Increasing	84102	69% 69%	49%Normal	139 139	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	4.4%Increasing
Arizona	3%Flat	452466	58% 58%	55%Normal	64 64	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.2%Decreasing
Arkansas 😷	24%Increasing	657812	57% 57%	70%Normal	269 269	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.4%Flat
California 😷	7%Increasing	3.2k3.4k	104% 104%	67%Normal	85 85	PossiblePositivity low	2.9%Decreasing
Colorado	91%Increasing	316603	75% 75%	58%Normal	105 105	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	4.0%Increasing
Connecticut 😷	-10%Decreasing	178160	275% 275%	50%Normal	45 45	PossiblePositivity low	1.1%Decreasing
Delaware 😷	-13%Decreasing	118103	45% 45%	80%Elevated	106 106	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	6.8%Decreasing
District of Columbia 😷	-12%Decreasing	4641	268% 268%	76%Elevated	58 58	PossiblePositivity low	1.1%Decreasing
Florida	-15%Decreasing	2.7k2.3k	28% 28%	76%Elevated	106 106	UnlikelyPositivity high	10.7%Decreasing
Georgia	-31%Decreasing	1.6k1.1k	49% 49%	78%Elevated	107 107	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	6.2%Decreasing
Hawaii	-13%Decreasing	117102	52% 52%	74%Elevated	72 72	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.9%Increasing
Idaho	68%Increasing	256430	14% 14%	46%Normal	241 241	UnlikelyPositivity high	21.4%Increasing
Illinois 😷	18%Increasing	1.7k2k	81% 81%	55%Normal	160 160	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	3.8%Flat
Indiana 😷	-2%Flat	921899	28% 28%	62%Normal	134 134	UnlikelyPositivity high	10.9%Increasing
Iowa	37%Increasing	591809	18% 18%	68%Normal	256 256	UnlikelyPositivity high	16.8%Increasing
Kansas 😷	56%Increasing	426667	19% 19%	62%Normal	229 229	UnlikelyPositivity high	16.0%Increasing
Kentucky 😷	7%Increasing	669717	142% 142%	80%Constrained	161 161	PossiblePositivity low	2.1%Decreasing
Louisiana 😷	-23%Decreasing	703545	82% 82%	67%Normal	117 117	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	3.7%Decreasing
Maine 😷	-5%Decreasing	2928	339% 339%	70%Normal	21 21	PossiblePositivity low	0.4%Decreasing
Maryland 😷	-17%Decreasing	572473	60% 60%	70%Elevated	78 78	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.1%Decreasing
Massachusetts 😷	35%Increasing	347468	458% 458%	55%Normal	67 67	PossiblePositivity low	0.7%Decreasing
Michigan 😷	0%Flat	867863	112% 112%	73%Elevated	86 86	PossiblePositivity low	2.7%Decreasing
Minnesota	79%Increasing	535957	67% 67%	73%Elevated	170 170	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	4.5%Increasing
Mississippi 😷	11%Increasing	449499	25% 25%	71%Elevated	168 168	UnlikelyPositivity high	12.1%Decreasing
Missouri	1%Flat	1.5k1.5k	24% 24%	66%Normal	242 242	UnlikelyPositivity high	12.4%Increasing
Montana	130%Increasing	123283	40% 40%	60%Normal	265 265	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	7.7%Increasing
Nebraska	12%Increasing	381426	23% 23%	62%Normal	220 220	UnlikelyPositivity high	13.2%Increasing
Nevada 😷	63%Increasing	277451	25% 25%	71%Elevated	146 146	UnlikelyPositivity high	12.2%Increasing
New Hampshire	1%Flat	3637	175% 175%	50%Normal	27 27	PossiblePositivity low	1.0%Flat
New Jersey 😷	44%Increasing	391565	163% 163%	53%Normal	64 64	PossiblePositivity low	1.9%Flat
New Mexico 😷	81%Increasing	100181	102% 102%	59%Normal	86 86	PossiblePositivity low	3.0%Increasing
New York 😷	17%Increasing	734855	283% 283%	62%Normal	44 44	PossiblePositivity low	1.0%Increasing
North Carolina	68%Increasing	1.2k2k	41% 41%	71%Elevated	189 189	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	7.4%Increasing
North Dakota	25%Increasing	313391	42% 42%	47%Normal	513 513	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	7.2%Increasing
Ohio 😷	-11%Decreasing	1.1k948	114% 114%	68%Normal	81 81	PossiblePositivity low	2.7%Decreasing
Oklahoma	16%Increasing	8941k	36% 36%	69%Normal	263 263	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	8.4%Increasing
Oregon 😷	53%Increasing	187286	55% 55%	62%Normal	68 68	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.5%Increasing
Pennsylvania 😷	3%Flat	836859	48% 48%	76%Elevated	67 67	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	6.4%Decreasing
Puerto Rico	85%Increasing	381707	3% 3%	60%Normal	221 221	UnlikelyPositivity high	100.0%Flat
Rhode Island 😷	-25%Decreasing	9470	387% 387%	88%Severely constrained	66 66	PossiblePositivity low	0.8%Decreasing
South Carolina	10%Increasing	1.1k1.2k	47% 47%	73%Elevated	231 231	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	6.4%Decreasing
South Dakota	80%Increasing	227410	12% 12%	57%Normal	463 463	UnlikelyPositivity high	25.3%Increasing
Tennessee	-2%Flat	1.4k1.3k	55% 55%	73%Elevated	195 195	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	5.6%Flat
Texas 😷	53%Increasing	3.9k5.9k	40% 40%	81%Constrained	204 204	Extremely DifficultResource intensive	7.5%Decreasing
Utah	94%Increasing	5201k	24% 24%	62%Normal	314 314	UnlikelyPositivity high	12.7%Increasing
Vermont 😷	Low case count	74	80% 80%	67%Normal	6 6	PossiblePositivity low	0.5%Decreasing
Virginia	-23%Decreasing	1k779	71% 71%	70%Normal	91 91	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	4.2%Decreasing
Washington 😷	15%Increasing	461532	82% 82%	71%Elevated	70 70	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	3.7%Increasing
West Virginia	2%Flat	188192	76% 76%	73%Elevated	107 107	DifficultPositivity makes it challenging	4.0%Decreasing
Wisconsin	69%Increasing	1.3k2.2k	16% 16%	55%Normal	383 383	UnlikelyPositivity high	18.7%Increasing
Wyoming	142%Increasing	48116	22% 22%	27%Normal	200 200	UnlikelyPositivity high	13.5%Increasing

Notes: If a 😷 is next to a state it indicates a state-wide mandated mask policy for indoor AND outdoor settings. For detailed definitions see: https://www.covidexitstrategy.org/definitions-and-criteria

Table: covidexitstrategy.org Source: Multiple Sources (NYT, COVID Tracking Project, rt.live, ILI, CDC)

Edited September 29, 2020 by Reacher

[Reacher]

Interesting take on how states reopening effect their unemployment rate and economic growth-

"Economic recovery is going to require states to push ahead with reopening in a responsible manner.

 Take New York and California. Daily new cases are down roughly 92% and 66%, respectively, from the peak in these states.  Deaths are down, 99% and 40%, respectively as well. Yet both still have some of the nation’s strictest pandemic-related restrictions in place. This, in turn, has held back their economic recoveries.

 According to August data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York and California had unemployment rates of 12.5% and 11.4%, respectively, while the unemployment rate for the US excluding these two states was only 7.7%. If New York and California mirrored the nation’s unemployment rate, the result would be an additional 1.2 million Americans employed.  New York and California combined have 18% of the US population, but 32% of all people receiving continuing unemployment benefits.

Just this past week, Florida (7.4% unemployment) and Indiana (6.4%) have fully opened their economies.  These states, among many others, had lower unemployment than the national average, mainly because their shutdowns were less draconian."

[Lostin76]

15 hours ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

My partners just got tired of the pandemic — and declining associate billables.... — so the shareholder vote was we re-open on October 5. We’re staggering work days, an A and B schedule, for staff who are not in offices and sit close to other staff, but otherwise we’re returning to the office.  Time to get used to commuting again — ugh.

Houston actually sounds somewhat similar to what you’re experiencing. In public, outside, people aren’t wearing masks, but inside they mostly are, though in restaurants once seated they take off their masks (which, to me, defeats the purpose, but well they’re there to eat). 
I continue to think we’ll see a gradual return to more normalcy, but that has to be tempered with continuing social distancing, mask wearing, etc. while the Virus remains here and active. 

I can see us doing what you are doing at some point - staggered schedules. Like you, not excited about commuting again.

[Lostin76]

10 minutes ago, Reacher said:

Interesting take on how states reopening effect their unemployment rate and economic growth-

"Economic recovery is going to require states to push ahead with reopening in a responsible manner.

 Take New York and California. Daily new cases are down roughly 92% and 66%, respectively, from the peak in these states.  Deaths are down, 99% and 40%, respectively as well. Yet both still have some of the nation’s strictest pandemic-related restrictions in place. This, in turn, has held back their economic recoveries.

 According to August data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York and California had unemployment rates of 12.5% and 11.4%, respectively, while the unemployment rate for the US excluding these two states was only 7.7%. If New York and California mirrored the nation’s unemployment rate, the result would be an additional 1.2 million Americans employed.  New York and California combined have 18% of the US population, but 32% of all people receiving continuing unemployment benefits.

Just this past week, Florida (7.4% unemployment) and Indiana (6.4%) have fully opened their economies.  These states, among many others, had lower unemployment than the national average, mainly because their shutdowns were less draconian."

This is interesting and it reminds me of something that I always try to keep in my head when I'm talking to people about COVID-19. Not directed at you Reacher, but your post reminded me of it.

If you were not here in NYC in March and April, you literally have NO concept about how bad things were or could be - soaring daily death counts, 24/7 sirens, no one outside of their house. The fear and paranoia were palpable. This was all so new and it felt like a wave of death/infection washing over us. It felt like the virus was lurking everywhere.

Conversely, and this is what I have to remind myself a lot on here, if you lived in an area with no deaths, very low infections, and still had significant shutdowns, it's probably natural to think of this as a huge over-reaction.

The differences in our experiences are vast and obviously are thoughts about it are different.

 

[tdhoosier]

17 hours ago, Lostin76 said:

Good for them to relocate, the PNW is just freaking beautiful and it won't beat you down the way NYC can. I totally get their decision.

It's very mixed these days. There's a good number of people who left in March and have returned after the end of summer. They don't seem to understand while the rest of us are still so cautious. I just came back from a 20 minute walk to the beer shop and I would say half of the people I saw weren't really wearing masks - just chin straps. That's definitely differnt in the last few weeks.

I do feel like we've (my wife and I) returned to some sense of normalcy. We've been getting out for long walks in the mornings and sidewalk dining every weekend. All of our local places (that havent' shuttered for good) are pretty much open with limited numbers of people let inside (usually 5-7). People are used to waiting in lines here, so not that big of a deal.

The big avenue by our place is now closed on the weekends to traffic, so it's like 6 lanes of people partying and hanging out on socially distanced blankets. All of the restaurants have set up tables in the middle of the street and seem to be doing good business - though not pre-pandemic levels. Last night, we were walking home and came upon dueling marching bands entertaining the crowds of people. That was pretty cool.

We still aren't taking public transportation or working in the office. Our department isn't going back to the office this fall and most likely not this winter.

The only major issue is traffic. SO many people have now purchased cars, so it takes almost longer to drive somewhere than walk. And if you give up your parking space during the week, it takes at least an hour to find another on your return home.

@Reacher promised me that the real estate prices were going to be coming down, but it looks like everyone is moving to Brooklyn! We are willing to be patient and are happy in our current rental though. 

We have friends who just moved here from CA and they are looking to buy a place upstate. Every time they find someplace interesting, it's already sold for all cash and usually over the asking price. Lots of rich a**holes in Manhattan are buying apparently.

Thanks for the report. 

I am concerned about this winter. I feel like we can afford to be a little complacent with social activities right now because they can be held outside: BBQ's, outside dining, exercising, etc. A big part to why March and April were so bad, beside the obvious lockdowns and fear of not knowing what we were dealing with, was the cold gloomy weather and not being able to spend time outside. I've never watched so much Netflix in my life. 

I'm really crossing my fingers that we can keep the case numbers down this winter. Either way, I fear it's probably going to be a long and boring winter....and I'm dreading it. I just don't want it to be worse that what I'm already expecting.

I just urge everybody, whether you think this thing is over-hyped or not, to be responsible and cautious. I think our beliefs, whatever they may be, are not going to affect policy in the short run. Right now, case numbers are, and have been, the biggest influencers of policy. I think we need to be of the mindset that we don't want to give the 'powers that be' an excuse to further limit what is already limited by doing our very best to keep those case numbers as low as possible. I don't want high case numbers to be an excuse to lock me in my house again.  I don't want high case numbers to give my school district an excuse to stop having school. I don't want high case numbers to give the NCAA an excuse to cancel basketball. I want to be posting on game threads in December, damnit! Man, that will do wonders for my sanity. 

 

[IU Scott]

13 hours ago, mrflynn03 said:

I guess it depends on where you are.  Its over where I live but it never began. China virus shut my wife's  business for 3 months but we did ok. Dont know anyone that has been sick.

People should live life like normal and go on.  Quit being scared.  What are people afraid of, getting sick?  Whatever. 

Besides myself I knew 3 other people who has had the virus.  I just don't understand why people make it so difficult to wear a mask.  It is not a big deal to wear it and it can help others out.  People havde to realize it is just not about yourself but it is for others as well and if people were not so selfish they would realize that.

[mrflynn03]

1 hour ago, tdhoosier said:

Thanks for the report. 

I am concerned about this winter. I feel like we can afford to be a little complacent with social activities right now because they can be held outside: BBQ's, outside dining, exercising, etc. A big part to why March and April were so bad, beside the obvious lockdowns and fear of not knowing what we were dealing with, was the cold gloomy weather and not being able to spend time outside. I've never watched so much Netflix in my life. 

I'm really crossing my fingers that we can keep the case numbers down this winter. Either way, I fear it's probably going to be a long and boring winter....and I'm dreading it. I just don't want it to be worse that what I'm already expecting.

I just urge everybody, whether you think this thing is over-hyped or not, to be responsible and cautious. I think our beliefs, whatever they may be, are not going to affect policy in the short run. Right now, case numbers are, and have been, the biggest influencers of policy. I think we need to be of the mindset that we don't want to give the 'powers that be' an excuse to further limit what is already limited by doing our very best to keep those case numbers as low as possible. I don't want high case numbers to be an excuse to lock me in my house again.  I don't want high case numbers to give my school district an excuse to stop having school. I don't want high case numbers to give the NCAA an excuse to cancel basketball. I want to be posting on game threads in December, damnit! Man, that will do wonders for my sanity. 

 

This is what irritates me so much. Using case numbers as the metric for policy decisions. What age group do most of these cases fall in is what I want to know. The median age went from 54 in Feb-April to 39 June - Aug according to a CDC report.  Cases really dont tell us anything.  Heck a case could be 2-3 months old and no longer at risk of spreading. 

Where did all the talk about hospitalizations and deaths go?  I guess those numbers aren't high enough now. 

Luckily for me I'm a cold weather guy so in winters I'm outside. 

And yes, we need some games to talk about. 

[mrflynn03]

17 minutes ago, IU Scott said:

Besides myself I knew 3 other people who has had the virus.  I just don't understand why people make it so difficult to wear a mask.  It is not a big deal to wear it and it can help others out.  People havde to realize it is just not about yourself but it is for others as well and if people were not so selfish they would realize that.

I've not been against precautions.  By all means let's take them. But I remember them saying if we took those precautions then we could live relatively normally. I just want people making decisions to be consistent. It's been 2 more weeks for 6 months now. 

[IU Scott]

12 minutes ago, mrflynn03 said:

I've not been against precautions.  By all means let's take them. But I remember them saying if we took those precautions then we could live relatively normally. I just want people making decisions to be consistent. It's been 2 more weeks for 6 months now. 

I understand the frustrations because this has hit me hard by getting the virus and losing my job due to the pandemic.

[tdhoosier]

7 minutes ago, mrflynn03 said:

This is what irritates me so much. Using case numbers as the metric for policy decisions. What age group do most of these cases fall in is what I want to know. The median age went from 54 in Feb-April to 39 June - Aug according to a CDC report.  Cases really dont tell us anything.  Heck a case could be 2-3 months old and no longer at risk of spreading. 

Where did all the talk about hospitalizations and deaths go?  I guess those numbers aren't high enough now. 

Luckily for me I'm a cold weather guy so in winters I'm outside. 

And yes, we need some games to talk about. 

Perfect example of while we can disagree on this point in general, it ultimately doesn't matter what we think. Our recent history will be a pretty accurate indicator of how future policy decisions will be made. And while I thank you for taking necessary precautions, my fear is that people not as tolerant as yourself may be doing long term damage (in the form of more aggressive restrictions) in exchange for the short term feeling of freedom, defiance or pleasure. They're only going to make themselves madder with these acts of defiance. And they aren't only doing it to themselves, but everybody else too. People who disagree AND agree with them. I think this is what @IU Scott is getting at when he refers to others' selfishness. 

So let's debate this, but let's debate it while keeping the case count low. I hope my overall point is taken as an effort to silence. 

[Reacher]

I'm all for mask wearing and social distancing. It bothers me that some of our leaders (both parties) don't think it's necessary. Ultimately, we need to get past this. We need schools and businesses to fully reopen. This can be done safely. We need a vaccine and or herd immunity. People's (and companies) behaviors and lifestyles have changed drastically over these last 6 months. Some of it will be permanent. The sooner we return to normalcy, the sooner people will return to work and the illnesses / deaths from other mental and physical ailments can start trending back down.  The states that choose not to will be sacrificing their future as people and businesses (and their tax $) will move to where they will be treated more fairly- which we have already been seeing. 

[5fouls]

New York Times article on Sweden's current success as the rest of Europe relapses.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vilified-early-over-lax-virus-strategy-sweden-seems-to-have-scourge-controlled/ar-BB19xtbp?ocid=msedgntp