Corona Virus: It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

[malchior]

I hope this isn't a trend nationwide. Central PA is rebelling against Governor Wolf's stay-at-home order which got extended until June 4th.

Two counties' sheriffs announced they will not be enforcing shutdown. Another two counties announced their intention to open despite being significantly over the threshold of new cases per 100,000. My own county, York, just announced they will not be citing anyone or enforcing the shutdown.

I think the Supreme Court's decision to not take up the case against Wolf in conjunction with the stay-at-home order being extended until June 4th for most of southern PA pretty much were the last straws for people locally. Even before that, there was a sense of "they can't arrest or cite everyone."

It'll be interesting to see what governors will do with county and local officials (let alone businesses) that disobey. There aren't enough state police to remotely enforce things, yet if the governors don't act in some manner, people will realize any future orders are toothless leading to a much lower compliance rate. Moreover, if businesses are going to open haphazardly without necessarily following guidance or planning from the state, it's a mess from a liability and safety standpoint. I would guess that means we're more likely to have Lockdown #2 Electrico Bugaloo, and that fewer people are going to comply.

This happened in Arizona too. It's cold civil war. We're teetering on the edge of it becoming something even worse. How it plays out is unknown but rule of law is breaking down at the national and local levels.

[Daehawk]

On the other side of the fence.....

Sioux tribe rejects South Dakota governor request to remove Covid-19 checkpoints

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has rejected an ultimatum by South Dakota's governor to remove checkpoints on state highways within tribal reservations or risk legal action.
Gov. Kristi Noem sent letters Friday to the leaders of both the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe demanding that checkpoints designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus on tribal land be removed, the governor's office said in a statement.
"We are strongest when we work together; this includes our battle against Covid-19," Noem said. "I request that the tribes immediately cease interfering with or regulating traffic on US and State Highways and remove all travel checkpoints."
In response, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier said in a news release Friday that while he agreed it's important to work together, "you continuing to interfere in our efforts to do what science and facts dictate seriously undermine our ability to protect everyone on the reservation."

"Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions," he said. "We invite you to join us in protecting the lives of our people and those that live on this reservation. I regretfully decline your request."
The purpose of the tribe's actions, Frazier said, is to "save lives rather than save face."

[Blackhawk]

Onhey!

[Kraken]

This happened in Arizona too. It's cold civil war. We're teetering on the edge of it becoming something even worse. How it plays out is unknown but rule of law is breaking down at the national and local levels.

If the GOP steals or invalidates the November election and SCOTUS rubber stamps it, civil war/revolution will be the only way to take our country back. We are NOT going to sit back and heil the fuhrer. At least, I hope not. As an old man, I don't have a lot to contribute myself.

[hitbyambulance]

If the GOP steals or invalidates the November election and SCOTUS rubber stamps it, civil war/revolution will be the only way to take our country back. We are NOT going to sit back and heil the fuhrer.

+1, but let us _hope_ it doesn't come to that.

[Kraken]

If the GOP steals or invalidates the November election and SCOTUS rubber stamps it, civil war/revolution will be the only way to take our country back. We are NOT going to sit back and heil the fuhrer.

+1, but let us _hope_ it doesn't come to that.

If the election is compromised, we will have exhausted all legal means. And I don't envision a fair election. Does anyone else?

[Defiant]

11 Secret Service agents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seen by Yahoo News.
The documents also show that 23 employees have already recovered from the disease, with an additional 60 who are reportedly self-quarantining.

https://www.businessinsider.com/11-us-s ... rus-2020-5

[gameoverman]

If the GOP steals or invalidates the November election and SCOTUS rubber stamps it, civil war/revolution will be the only way to take our country back. We are NOT going to sit back and heil the fuhrer.

+1, but let us _hope_ it doesn't come to that.

If the election is compromised, we will have exhausted all legal means. And I don't envision a fair election. Does anyone else?

It's too early for me to speculate seriously about what I'd do. November is a long way from May this year. For example, I don't think Boris Johnson will wind up being the first and last world leader who got infected. He survived, I don't think that will always happen either. But who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Such a development could be a game changer where the election is concerned. What about the effects of reopening the economy this summer? Another possible game changer. Events might render an election impossible. What if the mail system was affected? No way to mail in ballots and no way to vote in person could result in a less than ideal November.

[LordMortis]

I just want at least one of them to truly suffer.

I'm embarrassed to agree with you.



And why assistants and such? Because the elite don't grocery shop and didn't manufacture or work in open office cube farms. When their assistants test positive they are removed. Testing, Tracing, isolation...

[Max Peck]

Is it weird that a lot of people that have been standing next to Trump are now self-isolating?

White House task force members self-isolate

Three members of the White House coronavirus task force are self-isolating for two weeks after possible exposure to the illness.

Dr Anthony Fauci, who has become the public face of the fight against the virus in the US, is one of those who will go into quarantine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn are also self-isolating.

The three men were due to address a Senate committee on Tuesday.

Before the news about Dr Fauci became public, committee chairman Senator Lamar Alexander said Dr Redfield and Dr Hahn would be allowed to testify by videolink.

[RunningMn9]

I just want at least one of them to truly suffer.

I'm embarrassed to agree with you.

I’m not proud of it.

[Zaxxon]

I just want at least one of them to truly suffer.

I'm embarrassed to agree with you.

I’m not proud of it.

Nor I.

[Blackhawk]

11 Secret Service agents have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seen by Yahoo News.
The documents also show that 23 employees have already recovered from the disease, with an additional 60 who are reportedly self-quarantining.

https://www.businessinsider.com/11-us-s ... rus-2020-5

That's apparently the whole of the Secret Service, not just the executive protection elements. The Secret Service is primarily a financial investigation agency with agents spread all over the country.

[Smoove_B]

I haven't seen my mother in 2+ months - and she lives next door.

https://twitter.com/nick__puckett/statu ... 4389955584

Article here.

Happy Mother’s Day from C& C in Castle Rock, where the owner said this is almost double a normal Mother’s Day.

[Zaxxon]

I believe I mentioned up thread multiple times that my county is indeed filled with the derp.

[Smoove_B]

I can tell you that as someone that has not left my home over the last 8 weeks, other than to get take-out food and/or to pick up groceries curbside, watching that video made me feel legit anxious.

[YellowKing]

The people have spoken, and their answer is "We giveth zero fucks."

[Isgrimnur]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The Boomers should remember the 1968 flu, if not the polio or smallpox vaccines.

[Holman]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The Boomers should remember the 1968 flu, if not the polio or smallpox vaccines.

Mitch McConnell contracted and received treatment for childhood polio.

That he doesn’t give two non-political shits about the virus today tells you everything you need to know about him.

[Dogstar]

My local State House representative held a meeting of 150 in a hall as part of the effort to defy Governor Wolf.

More than 150 people attended the meeting. The vast majority were not wearing masks, and many were shaking hands, hugging and sitting close together in violation of social distancing guidelines.

Edit: It looks like the county in which I work is going to press forward with opening up starting Friday against the Governor's orders, despite being more than double the threshold of 50 new cases per 100,000 over 14 days that's required to move from red to yellow.

[Isgrimnur]

My local State House representative held a meeting of 150 in a hall as part of the effort to defy Governor Wolf.

More than 150 people attended the meeting. The vast majority were not wearing masks, and many were shaking hands, hugging and sitting close together in violation of social distancing guidelines.

Edit: It looks like the county in which I work is going to press forward with opening up starting Friday against the Governor's orders, despite being more than double the threshold of 50 new cases per 100,000 over 14 days that's required to move from red to yellow.

I pity those exposed to these assholes when the inevitable news comes out.

[Isgrimnur]

NPR

As of Friday in Texas, you can go to a tanning salon.
...
Dallas County in Texas has stood up a team of infectious disease experts, epidemiologists and others scientists so that local decisions are based on science.

The message to county residents:

"Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should," said Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Local leaders can only make recommendations. The second phase of Texas' reopening began on Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order expanding the types of businesses that can welcome customers again. Now, not only can residents go to a movie theater or a mall, as long as the businesses limit the number of customers according to the executive order, but they can also use a tanning bed or get their hair cut at a salon.

Office of the Texas Governor

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Category B assistance funding to provide financial support to Texas' network of food banks.

AP News

Texas health officials on Sunday reported more than 1,000 new cases of coronavirus and 39 additional deaths due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

A total of 38,869 confirmed cases and 1,088 deaths were reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services, an increase from 37,860 cases and 1,049 deaths reported on Saturday.

The true numbers are likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

[Daehawk]

"Stupid is as stupid does" - Forrest Gump

[LawBeefaroni]

I haven't seen my mother in 2+ months - and she lives next door.

https://twitter.com/nick__puckett/statu ... 4389955584

Article here.

Happy Mother’s Day from C& C in Castle Rock, where the owner said this is almost double a normal Mother’s Day.

Dude at the door at the end with an operator scarf, war beard, and a sidearm. But of course, no mask.

Some .40 S&W gonna stop all the Covid that dare come up in here! And anyone who isn't white!

[Kraken]

I hope that Americans will be shocked...SHOCKED...when cases start spiking again in two weeks, but I fear that they won't care. This story arc has already gone on too long.

[Max Peck]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The Boomers should remember the 1968 flu, if not the polio or smallpox vaccines.

Well, yeah, but what they're being told to remember is that Woodstock happened during the Hong Kong flu pandemic. Which is true, but also somewhat misleading (I know, what a shock, right?).

Partly true claim: Woodstock took place in the middle of a pandemic

Correction: The verdict of this claim was True. It has been changed to Partly true.
Update: This check states that the dates that the global Hong Kong Influenza pandemic took place, 1968-1969, coincide with Woodstock festival that took place in August 1969. While this timeline of dates is true, the festival did not take place during the peak of this pandemic. The peak for most U.S. states was December 1968 and January 1969 (Dec 28, 1968 in New York state). The second ‘wave’ of illness that happened in 1969-1970 was less severe than the first in the U.S. ( here ). Most deaths in the U.S. (70%) were during the first wave. As with most cases of influenza, its occurrence subsided over the summer of 1969 before returning in the later months of 1969 for its second wave (visible in Figure 1 here ) . As such, Woodstock festival did happen between the first and second waves of the new H3N2 ‘Hong Kong Flu’ that emerged in 1968, but not during a peak in infections and months after the first, deadlier wave of the virus hit the U.S.

[Madmarcus]

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The Boomers should remember the 1968 flu, if not the polio or smallpox vaccines.

Actually I think part of the problem is that they do remember some of these things. My dad, who's actually not a Boomer at 82, remembers the 1957 and 1968 pandemics (Asian and Hong Kong flu as they were called then and as they are referred to in the circulating Facebook list of historical pandemics). When asked about it he said things didn't shut down nearly as much. People were worried but things stayed closer to normal.

[gameoverman]

There's a part of me that is fascinated by the things people are doing during this pandemic. It's not a happy fascination. I know that the more infected there are, the more likely I get infected soon. Still, with the pandemic ongoing, there are all these people willfully congregating. I keep wondering if, before this pandemic started, any of them had been asked "Would you still want to go about your usual daily routine if there was a contagious virus spreading around and killing thousands of people?" would their answer have been "Hell yes! Danger is my middle name!". I doubt it.

We'll see what's what in the next couple of months. The battle is between the supposed virus unfriendly summer weather vs the assumed too soon reopening. The suspense is terrible... I hope it'll last.

[Skinypupy]

I hope that Americans will be shocked...SHOCKED...when cases start spiking again in two weeks, but I fear that they won't care. This story arc has already gone on too long.

I've heard a number of times "American's are tired of this lockdown" or that we're collectively "over it", as if that is somehow valid reasoning.

I'm sure that if someone tells the highly contagious virus that we are "over it", that it will simply pack up and leave and everything will get back to normal. That's just science.

[LordMortis]

Very good people

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/day- ... mers-order

Friday night, Michigan State Police issued Manke a health protection order from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office demanding he close his doors to customer.

Members of the Michigan Militia say they will take action to keep Manke from going to jail.

"Yesterday six troopers came in to enforce the governor's order or to issue a cease or desist order so we are here to make sure he doesn't get arrested. We're willing to stand in front of that door and block the entrance so the police will have no entry there today," said Owosso resident, Daniel Brewer.

Nessel's office has deemed Manke's barbershop an imminent danger to the public.

If Manke doesn't shut down the AG's office will request and order from the Shiawassee County Circuit Court to close the business on Monday.

[Daehawk]

My state has less deaths than surrounding places even when it sometimes has more infected. Well except Georgia...that place has high high infected and deaths.

[YellowKing]

The great irony in all this is that the reason for the “draconian” shutdowns these conservatives are protesting is an administration that they voted for failing to have adequate testing and tracing measures in place. Brute force was the only option with a government with no plan or infrastructure in place.

Turn your anger towards the guy you voted for, dumbasses, not the businesses who are a victim of his incompetence.

[malchior]

Seriously. We.Still.Do.Not.Have.Testing. The time bought keeps being wasted. It's infuriating. Though some of it comes down to the Governor's too. I'm still trying to figure out why NJ which is home to pharma and bioscience is still lagging severely behind other states while we are one of the hardest hit states.

[Holman]

https://twitter.com/revrrlewis/status/1 ... 67297?s=20

He's right! The military mindset always means to [checks notes] stand up unarmed and unprotected and walk into enemy fire.

[Smoove_B]

Seriously. We.Still.Do.Not.Have.Testing. The time bought keeps being wasted. It's infuriating. Though some of it comes down to the Governor's too. I'm still trying to figure out why NJ which is home to pharma and bioscience is still lagging severely behind other states while we are one of the hardest hit states.

You didn't hear it from me, but NJ's problem is that each of the 21 counties is acting like its own state. Worse, there are towns within each of those acting like their own states. NJ's public health infrastructure does not work during an event that requires us to function like a unified front. The delays in testing/tracing/isolating are absolutely connected to the patchwork of services we have available. The governor - as powerful as he is - cannot easily create a state-level testing/tracing/isolation program that would sit "over" the fractured infrastructure in place. The very problems that drive our insane property taxes here (number of school districts, number of local police/fire/EMT services, etc...) are making a unified response difficult, if not impossible. If this doesn't change how we offer services in our state, nothing will. I've been waiting now for 4+ weeks to be called in for tracing work via the State. I have not because counties are setting that up now. It's a cluster F.

[Kraken]

I hope that Americans will be shocked...SHOCKED...when cases start spiking again in two weeks, but I fear that they won't care. This story arc has already gone on too long.

I've heard a number of times "American's are tired of this lockdown" or that we're collectively "over it", as if that is somehow valid reasoning.

I'm sure that if someone tells the highly contagious virus that we are "over it", that it will simply pack up and leave and everything will get back to normal. That's just science.

Yup. The Globe ran a story today about how trump has "moved on" from the coronavirus to focus on the economy (and his reelection, duh), leaving it up to Congress and governors to cobble together a patchwork of strategies. You'd think that would be more difficult without centralized leadership/authority, but given the incompetence of those occupying the WH, it's better that they declare victory and stay out of the way.

[malchior]

Seriously. We.Still.Do.Not.Have.Testing. The time bought keeps being wasted. It's infuriating. Though some of it comes down to the Governor's too. I'm still trying to figure out why NJ which is home to pharma and bioscience is still lagging severely behind other states while we are one of the hardest hit states.

You didn't hear it from me, but NJ's problem is that each of the 21 counties is acting like its own state. Worse, there are towns within each of those acting like their own states. NJ's public health infrastructure does not work during an event that requires us to function like a unified front. The delays in testing/tracing/isolating are absolutely connected to the patchwork of services we have available. The governor - as powerful as he is - cannot easily create a state-level testing/tracing/isolation program that would sit "over" the fractured infrastructure in place. The very problems that drive our insane property taxes here (number of school districts, number of local police/fire/EMT services, etc...) are making a unified response difficult, if not impossible. If this doesn't change how we offer services in our state, nothing will. I've been waiting now for 4+ weeks to be called in for tracing work via the State. I have not because counties are setting that up now. It's a cluster F.

I suspected this but the Governor's job is to tell us that then. I have long thought about moving away because the tax situation is untenable but also because my job doesn't care where I live. Why not live somewhere cheaper that isn't run by a corrupt local government mafia? Also, the state pension fiscal bombs? Maybe this pandemic is a way out. Say we can't afford to uphold the bargain anymore. Otherwise it'll just implode sooner. I don't know but the state fiscal situation is a ticking time bomb. And then we have the corrupt or incompetent parade of Governors back through my whole adult life?! I'm definitely going to be thinking hard about this.

[malchior]

Yup. The Globe ran a story today about how trump has "moved on" from the coronavirus to focus on the economy (and his reelection, duh), leaving it up to Congress and governors to cobble together a patchwork of strategies. You'd think that would be more difficult without centralized leadership/authority, but given the incompetence of those occupying the WH, it's better that they declare victory and stay out of the way.

I wish it'd work that way. The Federal government is a roadblock no matter what. And what happens if anything is seen as hurting his re-election? They'll stonewall things. This is going to be one of the dumbest, hardest, nation rending election seasons ever and the backdrop will be this grinding death toll.

[Smoove_B]

I suspected this but the Governor's job is to tell us that then.

Yeah, this is my biggest issue so far. Our state health department has been cut to the bone so the infrastructure / resources to create a new program like this just don't exist. There are a few epidemiologists, but they don't have the ability/capacity to create a program that would monitor 3K+ contact tracers, much less figure out a way to hire/coordinate volunteers/train that many people. Everything has been pushed (or was it pulled?) to a county/local level, so at a minimum now you're creating duplicative services (which is NJ's MO). Here NY state is doing so much better. There's also some higher education politics as states would normally be looking to partner with state-level universities to source volunteers - like what NY state has done. However, there's been some public health infighting at a college level for the last ~3 years with each state level program declaring they are the one. In fact there was a news article last week from the dean of one of the programs completely dismissing the other program - the one I'm part of. It's NJ politics as usual.

Regardless, I've yet to hear anything about a state-level test/trace/isolate program and without that, we're on indefinite hold. With his vocalized desire to have beaches open by Memorial Day, the governor clearly must have something cooking, but I'm at a loss as to how. We're 14 days away and no formal program announcement has been made; no one has been trained. Add in the low-level rumblings I'm seeing in social media for my part of NJ as well as the communicated frustration from political leaders over the 8 weeks of closed local businesses, and I think we're getting dangerously close to seeing exactly what was happening in CO over the weekend - businesses just saying "screw this, they can't arrest us all" and opening up.

I'm definitely going to be thinking hard about this.

We're tied to NJ at least for the next ~5 years, though I'm not really keen on moving again, ever. That being said, NJ is a mess. I'm beginning to think I won't ever see my 3 pensions when I retire!

[Zarathud]

He's right! The military mindset always means to [checks notes] stand up unarmed and unprotected and walk into enemy fire.

There will be fewer but better Americans. - Stalin