Virus thread, the political one.

[Mark Kelly]

Regarding the Trump declaration that "we'll be opening up this beautiful country" by Easter: if my read of the current data is correct, without a big change in behaviour the USA will hit a million infections around then.

It will be interesting to see who is right.

[gregl]

I think you are culturally spoiled by "The american dream". In some cases I truly believe it is a good thing as it allow people to be less afraid of failure and actually do things more easily like starting a business when people in other part of the world may be a bit too cautious and less inventive. But in some case it makes a lot of people just floor the accelerator pedal when looking at the wall in front of them.

I certainly agree with your assessment. Many Americans confuse/conflate “The American dream” and our Constitutional rights as their right to do whatever they please. They forget that with rights come responsibilities. During this pandemic, far too many (including the President) have ignored their responsibilities.

Greg

[Matthew Strongin]

While on the job 24/7 in the situation room monitoring the COVID-45 situation and doing his daily devotional, "Easter means so much to me" he takes time out to tweet about Mitt testing negative:
"This is really great news! I am so happy I can barely speak. He may have been a terrible presidential candidate and an even worse U.S. Senator, but he is a RINO, and I like him a lot!"

I thought you were joking, but then I checked Twitter. Ugh.

[Mark Walberg]

Trump barrels toward calamity | Dana Milbank | Washington Post

President Trump has issued his order: Damn the mortality — full speed ahead.......

He needs a new hat that says MADA - Make America Dead Again

[Mark Walberg]

This push to just forget about attempts at containment of corona virus (Trump and Dan Patrick) is a bit like saying,

"The cost of treating cancer has become so expensive that it is wrecking the health care system for other Americans.
From now on, we are just not going to treat cancer any more."

The problem stated is a real one, but the answer suggested is not a good answer at all.

[ides1056]

Meanwhile Americans are dispersing from urban centers into the countryside.

Please stay off the Appalachian Trail

[gregl]

Meanwhile Americans are dispersing from urban centers into the countryside.

Please stay off the Appalachian Trail

Too many people confusing "social distancing" and "lockdown" with an excuse for impromptu vacations. Similar reports from across the country. I've seen friends posting on social media with photos of their group rides. Keep it up America and we will have Italian and Spanish restrictions (at least on a regional basis) with fines for outdoor exercise.

Greg

[72gmc]

Many Americans confuse/conflate “The American dream” and our Constitutional rights as their right to do whatever they please.

They conveniently forget that the complete idea is to create a nation where this dream is available to all. The zero-sum, if-you're-losing-I'm-winning mentality that is rampant in our current politics is not aligned with good American citizenship, let alone a good pandemic response.

[Blue Jays]

"...Too many people confusing 'social distancing' and 'lockdown' with an excuse for impromptu vacations..."

That is the honest-to-goodness truth and it makes me nuts. Totally agree.

I have friends (across entire political spectrum, as this is a politics thread) who are still meeting for occasional group rides.
Many will not contemplate that using a porta-potty or grabbing a recently-touched quik-mart refrigerator handle keeps the virus going.

The very safest plan is to spend as much time as possible inside the four sanitized walls of our homes.
Venture outside as rarely as practical. We are all in this same boat and every little bit we can do helps.

[mzilliox]

you guys remember Lord Farquad from Shrek? he was supposed to be a joke, an exaggeration... now we have the real thing:

"Its true, some of you will die. But, that's a risk I'm willing to take."
-Lord Farquad
-Donald Trump

[vvv321]

In case you wondered what Americans value: numbers in a computer and onion paper.

[gregl]

Here's what happens when our elected leaders politicize science and ignore subject matter experts. Idiots follow their lead and put lives in danger: Louisiana pastor defies coronavirus order, draws over 1, people to services

Greg

[guido]

Coronavirus: Trump’s botched response, explained - Vox

[ides1056]

This administration is fundamentally incompetent. Full stop.

[Mark Walberg]

you guys remember Lord Farquad from Shrek? he was supposed to be a joke, an exaggeration... now we have the real thing:

"Its true, some of you will die. But, that's a risk I'm willing to take."
-Lord Farquad
-Donald Trump

I'd bet that a lot of people will follow Trumps "advice" and start going out, ignoring the efforts to reduce viral spread around Easter time.

Does he not realize that this will result in the sickening and death of many of his most solid supporters?

[gregl]

Does he not realize that this will result in the sickening and death of many of his most solid supporters?

Social Darwinism (said with tongue firmly planted in cheek)?

Greg

[davids]

Here's what happens when our elected leaders politicize science and ignore subject matter experts. Idiots follow their lead and put lives in danger: Louisiana pastor defies coronavirus order, draws over 1, people to services

Greg

This is tragic. He's endangering the health of thousands. Because he believes the lies.

[Matthew Strongin]

This is tragic. He's endangering the health of thousands. Because he believes the lies.

Actually, he's endangering the health of tens or hundreds of thousands as those parishioners go about the rest of their lives and interact with the rest of the community. This is the exact opposite of what is compelling (legally and morally) all of us to isolate ourselves from normalcy.

[crumpton]

I’ll never be able to eat Cheetos again 😢

Commander and Cheeto rambles on...

[zachateseverything]

I'd bet that a lot of people will follow Trumps "advice" and start going out, ignoring the efforts to reduce viral spread around Easter time.

Does he not realize that this will result in the sickening and death of many of his most solid supporters?

It's probably giving him more credit than he deserves to think it's a calculated risk. The pandemic is going to have larger effects in areas with higher population density and those areas generally skew blue.