Coronavirus
 

John Hopkins has an excellent interactive map that shows in real time the progression of covid-19; globally, it notes how many deaths, how many have recovered - in all countries.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/a...23467b48e9ecf6

Being old, I am slightly concerned; and even if I catch this kind of flu and recover, I am sure it would take its toll on my body, so I put this out as general info, and it's for you to decide whether or not to take precautions:

• WHO estimates that deaths from the coronavirus are 3.4%.
• Compared with the flu that goes around yearly, the CDC says that the fatality rate for the seasonal flu is 0.14%.

So, you can see that this strain of the flu is a tad more dangerous. Of course, if you do catch something, it might just be the common cold.

Trump says doctors keep asking how he knows so much about the coronavirus..
 

President Trump mused about a career path not taken Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which is spreading across the United States and throughout the world, Trump mentioned how much he enjoys talking about "this stuff." He attributes his previously unknown interest in epidemiological research to his uncle, Dr. John Trump, who used to teach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The president, who considers himself a genius, raised the scale even higher for his uncle, who he described as a "super genius."
Trump said doctors he's come across as the administration tries to get a handle on the outbreak have been surprised about how much he knows about COVID-19. "Maybe I have a natural ability," he said. "Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president."

I saw him say this Friday! Searched and searched for the clip but sorry to say couldn't find it.

I would BET my life no doctor or doctors have ever asked him that! I mean come on, from a man first saying it was a hoax,then saying it would disappear in April, and now telling people it just cures itself.......give me a break!!!

Thanks for the map, that is very interesting.

I'm sure you were being facetious when you said COVID-19 is "a tad more dangerous" than the common flu. But just for the sake of fun with math, let's do the numbers, shall we?

0.14% = for every thousand people who catch the flu, 1.4 will die
3.4% = for every thousand people who catch COVID-19, 34 will die

I think that's right, please someone correct my math if it's wrong.

"a tad more dangerous"
 

Considering that the Trump has called it a "hoax", and I have seen elsewhere similar words (scoffing cough!)... no, actually, I was not being facetious, I thought for those who don't believe this "outbreak" is serious might get offended if I said what I actually thought. I never write down the depth of what I think, see, and feel on this site - apart from my thread on "Meditation" where I only put down a few basics, and never really elaborated [but then again, no one asked me to elaborate... oh well, smh].

My hypobole (or, if you prefer, intentional understatement) was only intended to get attention, and if anything to suggest a more careful attitude re: the Coronavirus. I leave facetiousness to those who would make light of serious matters, in general. I don't suffer from that much pain/damage, as to have that kind of humor. :)

I will say one thing, the word 'danger' actually means fear...

I found this on fb.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...00003340269924

Dont give into fear and panic...this comes straight from a doctor.

"Hundreds of thousands of women across Latin America’s biggest cities flocked to the streets for International Women’s Day on Sunday, spurred by a growing outcry over inequality, femicide and strict abortion controls."
From The Globe and Mail

So what did one female Reuters reporter choose to write?

“The situation has gotten out of control … we have to march for those who no longer can,” said Daniela Molinero, 29, a jewellery shop owner who wore a purple bandana and eye liner."

Not sure why that descriptive bothers me so much, but it does. This must be a "real" women's march if the protesters are wearing eyeliner.

Still very early but it's looking like Sanders is preparing to lose tonight. Doedsn't even look good in Michigan...but hey, polls are just closing in 3 states... 2 seconds in now and Biden won Miss.

Weinstein Sentenced!!!
 

He has been sentenced to 23 years !!!

WHO & the Coronavirus
 

WHO has just declared that the coronavirus is a pandemic.

I trust everyone is washing their hands after every outing or using hand sanitizer after shopping, etc., stocking up on hand sanitizer, etc. and making proper precautions: no unnecessary flying, obviously no cruises, not going to any activity with large groups (more than 15 people), sports activities, concerts, etc.

In every grocery store where I live, there are always have been - for some years - wipes and hand sanitizer on the counter, which I have availed myself of even before this outbreak. Banking this week, I noticed for the first time, hand sanitizer right on the counter by the teller for the use of clients. Presently, all these are now sold out in my region. There were empty shelves at Walmart where normally you would find all these things, even emergency kits were gone. In general, the kind of people who live in my area are germophobes to begin with.

I saw someone talking on CNN who has been diagnosed with this disease, and it had developed into viral pneumonia (which is probably what is causing these very quick deaths), and I think that anyone with any lung problems could be in extreme danger.

I work with idiots who dont. Omg it makes me so mad. They just use hand sanitizer.

Im not gonna panic just yet, however my folks are gonna stay in the house as much as possible except to go to drs... I will be the one who goes to the store and runs errands...

We have tickets for the Houston rodeo for Friday. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved!

The whole rodeo got canceled.

However people are getting ticket refunds for the concerts etc.

Oh I know! I just meant I’m not sure if I’m saddened we won’t go or if I’m relieved we can’t go. I enjoy the rodeo but I don’t like being around that many people! Also disappointed to not get a turkey leg (hope to make a stop at the turkey leg hut instead).

Curious how difficult the refund process will be. Closing the rest of the rodeo is going to cost Houston a ton of money.

We couldn’t get tickets to Lizzo for Friday so I’m not worried about that. Just the tickets to get in and the tickets we preordered for rides for my nephews.

Hmmm not sure on that.

A turkey leg sounds good though Lol

President Trump's address
 

He has just made an address on the coronavirus from the Oval Office...
WOW, suspension of all traffic from Europe to U.S. for 30 days, starting Friday (except for the UK, + exceptions)... etc.
WOW! Finally, at least something,

Have you ever been to The Turkey Leg Hut in Houston? It’s fairly well known and has all manners of turkey legs with toppings. My in laws live in Houston so we go frequently. And I’ve been harassing my wife to take me to the Hut for at least six months. Lol. She’s not going to get out of it this time if we still drive to Houston with this outbreak!

Not yet but I hear about it all the time Lol

I just havent ventured outside my lil bubble in houston these days.

We are set to do London and Paris in August now I’m a little worried we are going to get over there and not be able to get back. Hope this all boils over by then...but doubt it.

http://https://www.instagram.com/p/B...=17ngelg0cg7rz


Tom Hanks and Rita have tested positive in Australia.

And now the NBA has suspended the season. It’s like in the last 48 hours it’s really blown up.

I passed this place on Tuesday and was wondering if i should take my dad...

Well we decided against going to Houston this weekend. But I think you should check that place out. It’s supposed to be crazy good!

Canada & coronavirus
 

Um, well, from Canada, the CBC News Network which I have been watching through my cable is wall-to-wall 24/7 pretty much only about the coronavirus. Both the Federal govt (new emergency warning) and the provinces have advised that Canadians no longer travel abroad and that every Canadian who is travelling abroad return home, some of whom are having trouble getting a flight home and/or being offered "price-gouging" costs, ugh. Here, Parliament has been suspended for 5 weeks. There is even a rumour (?) of Canada closing its border (?) - idk. Quebec would like the feds to close the Canadian border to tourists - Trudeau doesn't agree - so far.

There are presently almost 300 confirmed cases in Canada. And, provinces are announcing measures to prohibit large gatherings. Many activities across Canada are being cancelled.

The only thing I liked about the above was that many of the doctors speaking from different provinces being interviewed were women and hardly had any makeup on at all. I really like seeing women who appear natural. :) After a while, I couldn't take watching all this bad news, so I watched 2 episodes of the new Natl. Geo series COSMOS: Possible Worlds (2020-), hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson - pretty good btw, except that it seemed like sci-fi compared with what is happening in the world.

There has been an incredible amount of panic buying and hoarding, as I witnessed last Friday, while doing regular shopping - the lines !!, in the 2 major supermarkets (Thrifty's & Save-on-Foods), no toilet paper (I saw a clerk wheeling a big dolly full of unopened boxes full of TP in that aisle), frozen vegs & frozen fruit packages pretty much all gone, etc. etc... I had to go to the 2nd supermarket 'cause Thrifty's was all sold out of Chapman's ice cream, which I managed to pick up at Save-on-Foods with some delicious apple pie; thank god I only had a few items and there was an express lane for people like me.

I am now actually concerned and worried. Also, I will have to alter some of my eating-out habits: I will miss going out weekly to get take-out Chinese food, my favourite weekly Japanese feasts, and others.

I am pretty well stocked up on everything else, even natural alcohol-based hand sanitizer, made locally :)

Forget spring: Blizzard forecast for north-central U.S.
 

The calendar may say spring is almost here, but winter isn't quite done yet.

A blizzard is forecast for portions of the north-central U.S. this week, which will make travel "difficult if not impossible" in some areas. Weather conditions on the last day of winter "will seem more like the middle of January for an approximate 1,200-mile-long swath of the central United States on Thursday," AccuWeather said.

Blizzard conditions will spread across portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota, due to strong winds and a heavy rate of snow. A general 3-6 inches of snow is forecast to fall over parts of the central Rockies, central and northern Plains and the upper Great Lakes region," AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "From 6-12 inches of snow is forecast in parts of Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska, as well as a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan." Up to two feet of snow is possible in mountainous areas of Wyoming and Colorado, the National Weather Service predicted.

Major metro areas in the path of the snowstorm include Denver and Minneapolis. Moderate accumulations are expected in the Denver metro area, with higher amounts, as usual, in the western and southern foothills, the Weather Channel said.Minneapolis could see a "plowable snowfall," the weather service said.

The Canadian/U.S. Border is going to be closed!
 

I just watched a part of the National on the CBC News Network (which is now free to stream for anyone in the world because of the crisis, especially for those stranded in other countries) before logging off the news channels for this evening, and it seems that Canada and the U.S. are just about to close a "deal" to close the Canadian/U.S. border to anyone who is a tourist, etc. I guess truckers bringing in supplies - going back and forth will be exempt, apart from a few other exceptions.

I have enough stored up to stay here for a month or two or even more, before needing to go out to restock (my cabinets are full, so is my freezer and frig, apart from a little walk to the corner store to get milk, etc. as needed. I may just go out to get fresh air and just walk around the block.

The horror of it all.

Trump just closed the US & Canadian border except essential personal and trade.

What a tool....
 

Rand Paul.......first it was...


Trying to block the funding of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

Now

He's put a damper on fast passage of a $$ bill which would include provisions for free coronavirus testing, secure paid emergency leave, enhance unemployment insurance, strengthen food security initiatives and increase federal Medicaid funding to states.

This morning on MSNBC Stephanie Ruhle engaged in a discussion pertaining to
airlines begging for bailouts, then pointed out how they've used 96% of the cash (they received in tax breaks) on buybacks. Being ignorant of even what buybacks were (I've since tried to educate myself somewhat) I found this riveting!

She also brought up an excellent example how the economy may not bounce right back up as Trump predicts. Another point, about small mom and pop businesses inability to survive these new close down regulations (many don't have pre-ordering apps, drive-thru, etc etc).I know yesterday at Trumps press meeting he featured Hilton Hotel big wigs etc etc I had to turn the channel it made me so disgusted he used them instead of small business owners!

In all honesty I have to admit I'd never cared much for Stephanie Ruhle, but after today I have a new found respect for her.

Oh another thing I forgot to mention. She brought up why should some of these cruise-lines be bailed out when they are based out of other countries and pay almost no corporate tax.

~
 

what do u think of this idea....when this is in control and we get back to our lives.. The government gives SMALL business loans .05% interest rates for them to start again. also it should become an insurance option to take out personally and business wise. pandemic insurance.

I think it would be a better idea to give small businesses the loans now, so they can use the money to stay open and pay their employees, at least for the short term.

The thing that is getting me is the Airlines and cruise ships all wanting bailouts. These industries will survive just fine without a government hand out. Besides they just got one that was (don't quote me on this) but something like $46B and they spent it all on stock buy backs. Now if a small business or citizen did that and then asked for another hand out, what would they get told? All these tax cuts and things big corporations are getting are supposed to be for the employees and not the CEOs. Big companies have been hoarding for too long. Make them take care of the people they employ and fore go that new Yacht or Plane people. The little guy is proving right now.....during this very crisis......that THEY are the ones keeping you all going. It's about fucking time you took care of these people.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ai...cks-2020-03-18

Trump says he knew coronavirus was a pandemic 'long before' it was declared..
 

Malarkey as Joe Biden would say!

Doesn't this fool (Trump) realize there is video of him as late as March 7th saying everything from it being a hoax by the dems, to it'll just disappear, etc etc!?

Hotel CEOs tell Trump coronavirus is forcing thousands of layoffs..
 

Trump met at the White House Tuesday with the heads of Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, and other major hotel chains to discuss the impact that the COVID-19 virus is having on their businesses. While the CEOs promised that it would be business as usual once the coronavirus crisis has passed, they told the president that they are being forced to shutter many of their hotels in the meantime and need to find a way to stay financially afloat amid the outbreak.

RIGHT and why didn't he include some small business hotel owners as well? With all the ways these big chains can and do apply "hidden fees" to room fees I would think they'd have some back up cash to see them thru!

(Amusing) Isn't It Ironic? Trump Doesn't Get His Wall Built
 

Per the Irish Times newspaper, an Irish appeals board for a land commission has denied the Trump family to build a sea wall along their golf course. The golf resort has already lost two holes and a third has been moved inland, due to the Atlantic Ocean washing them away.

In the request to build a sea wall, the Trump family claimed that climate change (a phenomenon that Donald Trump claims not to believe in) has affected the beach along his golf course, and proposes building a sea wall to correct the problem. Environmentalists and others protested the sea wall, and the land commission agreed with them: a sea wall would be unsightly, would make the corrosion worse, and would damage the sand dunes.

Trump has supposedly spent $40M on this property and has not made a profit.

~
 

golfing makes him orange lol couldn't resist !

Trump using terms like "hoax"
 

To me, it is obvious, that Trump knew that the coronavirus wasn't a hoax, just like when he called the impeachment a hoax. He lies, that's all there is to it. He isn't stupid, he's just an a**hole. He doesn't care about people, only about himself and $$. Moreover, my viewpoint is that he probably thinks that people who are vulnerable to the disease are just a drag on the economy, and if they die, so what - probably he thinks that it would be better if they do, because they would be the types who would vote for the Dems. He is not alone thinking that.

I think often of the lead poisoning in communities that are poor in the States, and that no one does much about it, knowing full well that it will affect a large sector of the black pop for a generation to come - it's a form of genocide - in other words, deliberate.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee,
 

...pathetic piece of shit!

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/0...private-137407

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/...-crash-started

Lmao (or not).

Forget that civics lesson we were all supposed to get during his impeachment trial.

I think everyone should have a Doctorate, by now, in what Narccisim / Sociopathy is.

That is exactly how disturbed individuals like this operate. They dont care because they cant care. Nothing fazes ppl with disturbing disorders like T***p, who will do anything to distract you from seeing who they really are.

Thanks for posting about how he couldnt con ppl into giving him a sea wall.

That just made my day hearing he couldnt get what he wanted.

I surely do hope ppl remember how he and his cronies have taken a wrecking ball to their lives and society, come November.