Coronavirus General Discussion

[Ad Orientem]

I think we need to bear in mind that the official numbers of persons infected are probably only a half step removed from pure fantasy The US might as well be a third world country with the numbers tested as a percentage of the population. The ugly truth is we haven't a clue how many are infected except that it is lot more than the government is reporting.

[vnatale]

I think we need to bear in mind that the official numbers of persons infected are probably only a half step removed from pure fantasy The US might as well be a third world country with the numbers tested as a percentage of the population. The ugly truth is we haven't a clue how many are infected except that it is lot more than the government is reporting.

It's difficult to report when there are so few tests available to determine who is and who is not.

Vinny

[dualstow]

Belgium
https://amp.news.com.au/lifestyle/healt ... f0c024202f

[Maddy]

Went into town early this morning, hoping to pick up a few grocery items. The entire aisle of paper products (TP, paper towels, napkins, etc.) was empty. Just the evening before, I had been listening to an interview with a supply chain guy who discussed the fact that the U.S. operates according to a "just in time" model (made possible by computer algorithms) that assure that just enough inventory is delivered to keep shelves full without having anything sitting around in stock rooms and warehouses. He said that many warehouses are already empty and that in a very short time retailers are going to be experiencing widespread shortages that may not get straightened out for 3-6 months. He also mentioned that supplies to rural areas are being diverted to cities.

One happy highlight of the morning: I overheard one shopper invite another shopper who had run out of TP (presumably a stranger) to come up to their place and get a couple of rolls because they had extra. This helpful, "we're all in it together" attitude is one of the true joys of living in the country.

[Smith1776]

My employer has closed all stores for 2 weeks officially starting today.

All non-essential people at head office are to be working from home too. Basically just a skeleton crew.

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

[vnatale]

My employer has closed all stores for 2 weeks officially starting today.

All non-essential people at head office are to be working from home too. Basically just a skeleton crew.

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

Was that an INTENTIONAL pun?!!!

Vinny

[Smith1776]

My employer has closed all stores for 2 weeks officially starting today.

All non-essential people at head office are to be working from home too. Basically just a skeleton crew.

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

Was that an INTENTIONAL pun?!!!

Vinny

I’m expecting everyone who reads that post to do a slow but exasperated clap in front of their computer screen.

[Tyler]

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

[Smith1776]

The fed just announced they’re cutting their target interest rate to zero.

We may even see negative rates coming soon ala Europe.

I’m very interested in seeing what will happen to the PP tomorrow.

[pmward]

Wow, they didn't even wait until the announcement on Wed!

[Ad Orientem]

Stock fuures down more than 1000

Gold and silver both up sharply

PS... Stock futures have suspended trading.

[vnatale]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/15/ ... OYx7VCXxAU


Baker closes all Mass. schools, announces restaurant restrictions, bans gatherings over 25 people

[vnatale]

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/20 ... 5-2020.pdf

It's now hit 2 counties in all of western Massachusetts with the addition of one case in the county two counties to the south of me.

My friend had told me via email this morning about that one case. Seems like it occurs at his son's place of work -- a company of 6,000 employees which then required ALL 6,000 employees to now work from home for the next two weeks.


Vinny

[Maddy]

PS... Stock futures have suspended trading.

Is there a specific percentage drop that triggers this? And for how long does it last?

[dualstow]

PS... Stock futures have suspended trading.

Is there a specific percentage drop that triggers this? And for how long does it last?

There’s a table here. I don’t know if it’s accurate.
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/circuitbreaker.asp

[Maddy]

Great info. Thanks, Dualstow!

[Kriegsspiel]

Just the evening before, I had been listening to an interview with a supply chain guy who discussed the fact that the U.S. operates according to a "just in time" model (made possible by computer algorithms) that assure that just enough inventory is delivered to keep shelves full without having anything sitting around in stock rooms and warehouses. He said that many warehouses are already empty and that in a very short time retailers are going to be experiencing widespread shortages that may not get straightened out for 3-6 months.

Maddy, serious question: did you not know about this before listening to that interview? That this is how pretty much every business in the US operates?

[Kriegsspiel]

My employer has closed all stores for 2 weeks officially starting today.

All non-essential people at head office are to be working from home too. Basically just a skeleton crew.

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

Was that an INTENTIONAL pun?!!!

Vinny

It's beyond a shadow of a doubt now, Vinny is the guy who heckles live comedians.

[Kriegsspiel]

Schools are shut down where I live, as in most other places.

Today, driving by the basketball courts, I happened to look to my right and see roughly 200 kids playing basketball. Many will then go home, where their grandparents are watching them while their parents are at work.

Seems like a good move.

[Xan]

Schools are shut down where I live, as in most other places.

Today, driving by the basketball courts, I happened to look to my right and see roughly 200 kids playing basketball. Many will then go home, where their grandparents are watching them while their parents are at work.

Seems like a good move.

This is definitely the argument for leaving schools open.

Our public schools (so far) have closed one extra, unexpected day (last Friday, the 13th) and this week is Spring Break. They say that all "health-related" absences will be excused at least through April 3rd. Of course they might extend Spring Break, but maybe because of the issue you point out, they'll basically let people choose whether to send their kids or not.

[ochotona]

This is one time where I'm thankful for my suburban house, and low population density here. I can get out by car, walking, or bicycle and not be exposed to anyone. I'm also tele-working.

[vnatale]

My employer has closed all stores for 2 weeks officially starting today.

All non-essential people at head office are to be working from home too. Basically just a skeleton crew.

I’m resisting the urge to add Coronavirus jokes to my next stand up set. EVERY comedian is doing it, and apparently audiences are just sick of it.

Was that an INTENTIONAL pun?!!!

Vinny

It's beyond a shadow of a doubt now, Vinny is the guy who heckles live comedians.

The last time I saw a live comedian perform was around 1987. Comedians are generally not of interest to me.

And, I truly was not certain if he was or was not being intentional.

Vinny

[vnatale]

Schools are shut down where I live, as in most other places.

Today, driving by the basketball courts, I happened to look to my right and see roughly 200 kids playing basketball. Many will then go home, where their grandparents are watching them while their parents are at work.

Seems like a good move.

Tonight on ESPN radio, the two adult hosts were (I think) both former college basketball players. One asked the other if this week he had the opportunity with nine other guys would he go down to the gym to play basketball. He replied, "No. And, I don't know when I will be able to say Yes." And the original questioner than stated, "Then how can we expect college athletes to play games."

We were supposed to be starting softball practice next week. In a softball you can sometimes get by with just one softball. Potentially in a game every defensive player could touch that ball. If one person has it how many of those other players can it be then transmitted to via the same ball. Is the ball to be sanitized before every pitch, before every throw? I thought we'd be much safer playing softball than basketball since we'd be outdoors and softball has less contact than basketball. But then there is that ball...

Getting back to your scenario. How likely is it for one basketball to get infected and then pass on its infection to the other ball handlers in the game. Does anyone know the answer to questions like that?

Vinny

[Tortoise]

The last time I saw a live comedian perform was around 1987.

Vinny heckles comedians —> stock market crashes

[Smith1776]

Honestly, I’d love to share my comedy work with you guys, as I consider you friends. But of course, posting about it here would necessitate giving away both my appearance and identity in a totally public forum.

I’ve been thinking of how I can share more discretely. Perhaps starting a thread and PMing links to people who express interest.