Coronavirus

[MM_Dandy]

The Smithfield outbreak occurred around April 15th. So far, I don't think that there have been any additional COVID-19 deaths directly attributed to the outbreak. However, reporting can be delayed up to five days because they cannot be declared official until the paperwork has been processed. Over the last four days, the reported death total for the state has risen from 11 to 21. On the other hand, active cases have decreased, even with an additional 76 new cases over the same time period. Meanwhile, the governor and the mayor of Sioux Falls are working on a process to "re-open" businesses by the 15th. Since there never was anything more than a Sioux Falls city ordinance prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more, I'm not really sure what "re-opening" means besides revoking that ordinance.

[Richard A]

Meanwhile, I see that the anti-lockdown protests in the US are increasing apace. Citizens of Michigan, exercising their right of open carry, trying to storm the State Capitol is alarming - to me, it's a very short hop from there to Madrid, 1981 - and if it does, I can't see this President restoring order.

[Richard A]

While in Georgia, a state hailed as being more "business friendly", this post by a restaurant owner puts beautifully what ending lockdown prematurely actually means for small businesses. She had already posted about why it would be irresponsible for her to re-open even if allowed to.

https://i.redd.it/c2q22zvsq2v41.jpg

[Enzo]

More fallout.

I have an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow. Just my every six months or so checkup. Wring usually accompanies me, and hands out rubber ducks to everyone there. Much fun. So they called today to verify the visit tomorrow and offered me to do it over the phone if I preferred. I asked how they would do the wiggly line chart of my heart over the phone, or take BP etc? Pretty much all they can do is ask how'ya doin'?

I asked if they would prefer I NOT come in? No, it is up to the patient. Well I'd prefer an actual visit, thanks. And I said, besides, over the phone they would not get their rubber ducks. Wring had prepared a bag of them to take. I would go alone. "Oh, no please no rubber ducks. We even removed the magazines from the waiting room." Well, geez...

[Lance]

Would that require a zoonotic jump TO rubber ducks, then back to humans?

[Enzo]

I'm not sure. It might even require a Zooey Deschanel.

[g-one]

You'll probably have to open in a new tab to see the whole picture.

[Arneb]

I knew it. Ik new it! I. KNEW. IT!! Llama is going to save the world!!!

[Lance]

Llama is going to save the world!!!

Did you expect anything less?

[MM_Dandy]

Trump's right. Tests are bad. A recent spike in active cases here has been linked to increased testing at the meat packing plant.

[Enzo]

I just saw some Iowa politician explaining, thre is nothing wrong at the meat plants. Those 800 infected people all got infected after work elsewhere.

[Heid the Ba]

I suspect the true number of deaths in the US is somewhere near 250k.

[g-one]

I suspect the true number of deaths in the US is somewhere near 250k.

A bit of backwards interpolation from this article suggests to me as high as 350k.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/ob ... o-oranges/

[Lance]

SHIT! Some of them know.

[Enzo]

Oh crap. I was just about to start marketing my fake vaccine scars. They'll let your kid in school without having them turn autistic.

[Arneb]

You are probbly not surprised to hear that there is a right- (and left-) wing conspiracy theory industry here, too. They deonstarated yesterday holding up sins reading "down with Bill Gates", "Kill Bill", -"no forced vaccinations", etc. Passers-by were pressured to enter shops without masks, distance rules were violated, etc.

A hashtag has been coined #coviodioten. I like that.

[Lianachan]

After BoJo’s announcement today and statements from other devolved governments, the guidance for the countries of the UK is very simple.

Northern Ireland: Stay home
Scotland: Stay home
Wales: Stay home
England: If you can go to work you can. But don’t if you can’t. But if you can’t get there then don’t. But you should. But not on public transport. But cycle if you can. But only near people in your own house. And if you do that then maybe you can go to work.

(England text spotted on Facebook)

[Heid the Ba]

After BoJo’s announcement today and statements from other devolved governments, the guidance for the countries of the UK is very simple.

Northern Ireland: Stay home
Scotland: Stay home
Wales: Stay home
England: If you can go to work you can. But don’t if you can’t. But if you can’t get there then don’t. But you should. But not on public transport. But cycle if you can. But only near people in your own house. And if you do that then maybe you can go to work.

(England text spotted on Facebook)

The Mem: What does Boris mean?
Me: Who the fuck knows.

[MM_Dandy]

Sounds about like the policy here. Except for the cyclists, because screw those guys.

[Richard A]

A brief summary of the new policy - which Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have declined to take up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrThV6DJu4

[MM_Dandy]

A brief summary of the new policy - which Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have declined to take up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfrThV6DJu4

Ha! I really like rusty nail's response: "We will fight it on the beaches. Don't go to the beaches..."

[Lance]

A hashtag has been coined #coviodioten. I like that.

We have #covidiot. I like that one as well.

[Arneb]

Especially since the supreme #covidiots seem to sit in the White House. Am I a worse human for sometimes allowing a black thought in me to say, catch it, Donald, catch it, Mike, and it'll stick it to you like you can't believe. You can't bitch about China when your vocal cords are held apart by a 9 mm platic tube, and we'll see who is the greater person: That swastika tattooed guy on the storm-the-capitol demo open carrying his Magnum and proudly wearing his KAG cap, or the little Chinese-born ICU nurse wiping your ass because, oooh, Corona gave little Donny the runs.

OK, yes I AM a worse person for thinking that. It's OK, it could be a lot worse.

[MM_Dandy]

I'm not sure what qualifies as incapacitated, but there's a non-zero chance that Nancy Pelosi could spend a few hours as acting President. Of course, I would not at all be surprised to see Republicans invoke Alexander Haig's precendent and declare Pompeo as emergency acting President. Also somewhat amusing to consider: if anything happens to Pence, I guarantee you that Trump will have nominated and the Senate will have confirmed a new VP before his body was cold.

[Lance]

Am I a worse human for sometimes allowing a black thought in me to say, catch it, Donald, catch it, Mike...

Maybe, but you're in good company. I bet more than half the world feels exactly the same.

...there's a non-zero chance that Nancy Pelosi could spend a few hours as acting President.,,

I would dance naked in the streets while pissing on Trump/Pence signs if this happens.