Althouse: At the Sunrise Café...

March 14, 2020

At the Sunrise Café...

14BC04CF-1303-4944-83B9-6A3652D39DC1_1_201_a

... you can talk all night.

102 comments:

Milwaukie guy said...: I really liked the idea of a national day of prayer. Even though I've long been an atheist, I respect that most Americans profess a believe in God [or Gods if you're a Hindu]. It would be a good day for national unity.

Now, if the secular could bite their f*cking tongues.

For myself, as I get older and wiser, I start finding myself in a Buddhist-type relationship with Jesus. I used to know more about Buddhism when I was younger, Hinimaya and Mahanama [?], no God but a great teacher. But, obviously not enough because I just figured out why karma is always a bitch. It's dharma that's the good one.

Anyway, I see Jesus as the Buddha of Western Civilization. [If you still want an American messiah, I offer you Abe Lincoln.] This is my religion now I guess.

I will happily join in a national day of prayer. For the first time I won't be praying for good karma but for dharma.

And I will still say, God Bless America!; 3/14/20, 7:55 PM
Kevin said...: And I will still say, God Bless America!

That’s the real problem, isn’t it.

If you see America as a failed state, based on racism, slavery, and the exploitation of the worker, you don’t want any positive affirmation of the nation.

Let alone a positive judgement by an all-knowing, infallible being.; 3/14/20, 8:06 PM
Andrew said...: One thing about Trump that he doesn't often get credit for: he can adjust to new realities very quickly. I think he was bungling the response to the virus at the beginning. Now he is taking it seriously and dealing with it in an authoritative manner. As usual, the Dems and the media appear petty and childish in comparison. Trump really does have a remarkable skill set. My guess is that this virus will run its course with less intensity than people expect, and the view of Trump as a strong leader will be reinforced. But even if things get very bad, as in Italy, Trump still has plenty of time to demonstrate that he is actively addressing the problem. I think most people will give him lots of leeway since it's such an unusual circumstance. In the midst of a crisis like this, who would want Biden to take over command?; 3/14/20, 8:15 PM
Kevin said...: Underperforming Biden campaign hires the woman who ran Beto’s.

You can’t make this stuff up.; 3/14/20, 8:17 PM
Narayanan said...: It will make interesting series to see all your pictures from that shot location tracing the tracery of tree branches and leaf sprouts and color.; 3/14/20, 8:18 PM
narciso said...: Skippy (because o'rourke is the kid the kennedys would have adopted); 3/14/20, 8:20 PM
narciso said...: Further down, one discovers at least part of the claims against steven wynn was fraudulent; 3/14/20, 8:23 PM
Marc in Eugene said...: Oculi mei semper ad Dóminum, quia ipse evéllet de láqueo pedes meos: réspice in me, et miserére mei, quóniam únicus et pauper sum ego. The introit from Mass for tomorrow, the third Sunday in Lent, from Psalm 24: 'On the Lord I fix my eyes continually, trusting him to save my feet from the snare: pity me, Lord, as thou seest me friendless and forlorn.' National days of prayer are always welcome, from my point of view, but particularly in times of pestilence and plague.; 3/14/20, 8:24 PM
FullMoon said...: WA coronavirus survivor shares her story, advises others not to panic; 3/14/20, 8:31 PM
narciso said...: Our nation was built on faith, we have indeeed let that foundation weaken.; 3/14/20, 8:32 PM
FullMoon said...: Apparently Biden/Bernie still on for tomorrow.; 3/14/20, 8:36 PM
narciso said...: Well biden could away turn rabid and bite a moderator; 3/14/20, 8:41 PM
narciso said...: https://youtu.be/zRY1vnXgx9Y; 3/14/20, 8:41 PM
Ignorance is Bliss said...: Kevin said...

If you see America as a failed state, based on racism, slavery, and the exploitation of the worker, you don’t want any positive affirmation of the nation.

Let alone a positive judgement by an all-knowing, infallible being.

What do you expect from an old, white, dude?; 3/14/20, 8:41 PM
wild chicken said...: Six cases in Montana now, two in Missoula. From out of state of course.

Community infections straight ahead!; 3/14/20, 8:51 PM
robother said...: Sitting here in limbo, waiting for the dice to roll....; 3/14/20, 8:56 PM
Narr said...: Not planning any prayer, myself, but don't let me stop you.

"I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God is just."

Narr
Whatever happens, it was a great run!; 3/14/20, 9:03 PM
ALP said...: Just got back from a shopping trip. Safeway. Lakewood, WA (south of Tacoma). Good lord the panic shopping has finally hit. I figured we were safe from that. They are limiting purchases of rice, beans and pasta. The biggest problem? Getting around people staring at empty or near empty shelves - just standing there - probably wondering "what can I substitue for garbanzo beans because they are all out".

So weird. Yellow, sweet onions GONE but red onions hardly touched. Ice cream appears untouched as well. Suddenly everyone is going to eat frozen veggies?

I wonder about this in the context of those meal kits like Blue Apron etc. Clearly there is a contingent of our population so insecure about cooking they have to have a kit. What do these people plan to do with dry beans? They won't know what to do with them.; 3/14/20, 9:09 PM
Mark said...: So Trump tested negative.

Now they will condemn him for selfishly wasting a much-needed test kit.; 3/14/20, 9:11 PM
Mark said...: staring at empty or near empty shelves

This ought to lead us all to realize how BLESSED we are in this country. Seeing these scenes straight out of the Soviet Union in our own grocery stores should make us appreciate just how good we (until this brief moment) have had it.; 3/14/20, 9:15 PM
Big Mike said...: Wife has a bad cold (nope, not COVID-19, but still has her coughing a lot) so I did the shopping. Store was wiped out of Purell and toilet paper, but otherwise had plenty of everything.; 3/14/20, 9:19 PM
robother said...: We've landed in Limbo. It is good to have to take a pause from the sheer momentum of our lives lately, no? But like all retreats, the first day or so is dis-orienting. We cling to the breaking news, even as it becomes clear that it's all old news. The same things, happening to different people.

But there might be a chance, to see what our life is for, beyond all the anxiety and entertainment and distraction. Not to answer the question, maybe, but at least look. Not accept the implicit view of a materialistic culture, which is what our life of distraction and consumption seems to entangle us in.; 3/14/20, 9:23 PM
walter said...: Local Dollar General was also wiped out of wipe-ables.
They say folks stalk the shipment trucks and intercept cases of TP as they pull them from truck.
Store receipts triple the norm.
That's a lot of patroning.; 3/14/20, 9:26 PM
walter said...: Wuhan Cymbals; 3/14/20, 9:31 PM
FullMoon said...: From Pravda
LTG. Michael T. Flynn: American hero or traitor?; 3/14/20, 9:38 PM
iowan2 said...: Yes empty shelves. TP (?) but paper towels gone or almost. Purell, yes. The rest, staples, still in stock. Except eggs. Huh? Wal Mart with not a single egg in the cooler. But I also saw at least a dozen people stocking shelves. Middle of a Saturday afternoon. Best thing I can come up with is change of personnel at the store and inventory monitoring was messed up. Now playing catch up. Still waiting for a person I know affected by COVID 19, so I can finally put a face on all of this emotion. I feel very detached from the world the media is reporting on, but I don't recognize.; 3/14/20, 9:46 PM
FullMoon said...: Pravda sugar coats it.."

Wannabe Presidential failure Bernie Sanders is the embodiment of a foul-mouthed guttersnipe, an inconsequential political gargoyle sniping from the rooftops."

Bernie Sanders - a political gargoyle and a guttersnipe; 3/14/20, 9:48 PM
Michael K said...: One thing about Trump that he doesn't often get credit for: he can adjust to new realities very quickly. I think he was bungling the response to the virus at the beginning.

As so often the case, he thought bureaucrats were competent. He is learning but there is an awful lot to learn about incompetence in this government. NOBODY knows their job !; 3/14/20, 9:57 PM
narciso said...: He faults sanders for not denouncing ab ghraib or drone strikes filtration points make the formerseem like club med.; 3/14/20, 9:58 PM
walter said...: No pick!; 3/14/20, 10:00 PM
mockturtle said...: My younger daughter, the devout conspiracy theorist [she calls herself a conspiracy 'realist'] believes that this whole thing is about much more than just the virus. Some recent events do give me pause. Like this: The mayor of Champaign, Illinois, gave herself the power to ban the sale of guns and alcohol after declaring a citywide emergency to address the coronavirus...Among the powers Feinen gained after signing the executive order was the power to ban the sale of guns, ammunition, alcohol, and gasoline. Feinen could also cut off access to individuals' gas, water, or electricity. from the Washington Examiner today.; 3/14/20, 10:03 PM
madAsHell said...: Feinen could also cut off access to individuals' gas, water, or electricity.

Cabelas will ship ammo to your front door.; 3/14/20, 10:15 PM
narciso said...: star trek directed by peckenpah; 3/14/20, 10:16 PM
mockturtle said...: And this: De Blasio Lays Out His Case For Nationalizing ‘Crucial Factories And Industries’ Amid Virus Pandemic; 3/14/20, 10:17 PM
mockturtle said...: MadAdHell observes: Cabelas will ship ammo to your front door.

That's just fine but is beside the point I was trying to make, i.e., that this 'crisis' will be used by government entities to grab unlimited power.; 3/14/20, 10:20 PM
narciso said...: Yes, you need to crack some eggs to make an omelet.; 3/14/20, 10:23 PM
narciso said...: Its of course a university town.; 3/14/20, 10:24 PM
walter said...: Toilet Revolution!; 3/14/20, 10:24 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: I want to provide two numbers and then ask a question:

1. California has 39 Million people.
2. California has 5 deaths from Coronavirus.

Question:

Do these 2 numbers provide evidence that there is or isn't a viral epidemic in the nation's most populous state?; 3/14/20, 10:26 PM
madAsHell said...: I live near the University of Washington.

The nearby Safeway's are having trouble keeping the produce shelves full. I mean.....who hoards romaine lettuce??...but the shelves were clean.

Frozen veggies are diminished as well. The pasta shelves are never this empty. The rice is gone.

Peanut butter is in demand. It keeps you from feeling hungry.

People are buying water.....in Seattle......go figure. I've buried treasure in my backyard to manage the water rolling down the hill. Water won't be a problem here.

Toilet paper is hit-or-miss.; 3/14/20, 10:27 PM
Michael K said...: There are politicians who will try to use this crisis for their own personal ends.

Illinois is hostile territory. Read Kurt Schlicter's novels to learn what is coming,.; 3/14/20, 10:28 PM
madAsHell said...: entities to grab unlimited power.

No, I did not miss your point. The 2A protects the 1A.; 3/14/20, 10:30 PM
narciso said...: Except e pleb nista its a dead language over there; 3/14/20, 10:32 PM
Mark said...: Except e pleb nista its a dead language over there

They were going up against the Chi-Coms too.; 3/14/20, 10:34 PM
narciso said...: Yes roddenberry was much a cold war liberal; 3/14/20, 10:36 PM
Mark said...: I usually make my omelets or scrabbled eggs with half fresh eggs, half liquid eggs, with some olive oil added because the liquid eggs have no fat.; 3/14/20, 10:36 PM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: Texas Roadhouse packed tonight -- 15 minute wait.; 3/14/20, 10:39 PM
mockturtle said...: Thank you, narciso!!! That is absolutely beautiful!!! :-); 3/14/20, 10:51 PM
Rory said...: I've decided that the toilet paper hording stems from a fear that the currency may collapse.; 3/14/20, 10:53 PM
mockturtle said...: Rory, I think just it shows how many anal people we have in this country. ;-); 3/14/20, 10:56 PM
walter said...: Bay Area Guy said...
--
Not presently.
The looming question is the future.
Have those stats?; 3/14/20, 11:06 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: Rory said...
I've decided that the toilet paper hording stems from a fear that the currency may collapse.

3/14/20, 10:53 PM

The hot items traded in the European black market during and immediately after WWII included stockings, chocolate bars, and cigarettes. Never heard anything about toilet paper though.; 3/14/20, 11:06 PM
narciso said...: Well chocolate and cigarettes are haram, so are nylons because of what they are made of.; 3/14/20, 11:09 PM
walter said...: Toilet paper is more a VZ thing.
Remember that?; 3/14/20, 11:12 PM
narciso said...: And cat as food, dont forget that.; 3/14/20, 11:18 PM
Anonymous said...: mock: Rory, I think just it shows how many anal people we have in this country. ;-)

The toilet paper thing is indeed an interesting sociological phenomenon. At first I thought it was related to the way people empty the shelves at the local grocery stores at the drop of one day's heavier-than-normal snow forecast. (Um, people, is there really any chance of the streets and highways not being cleared for normal commerce within 24 hours, max? And usually much sooner than that?) But what's with the toilet paper in particular? Around here people aren't even wiping out the hand sanitizers or the paper towels, and nothing else seems to be in short supply at all.

Aside from the "out of our deep concern for the health of our customers, yadda yadda..." signs around town, things have been normal around here, afaiks. But I haven't been in need of any toilet paper re-supply. So, per the commentary on this blog, yesterday when I was out doing my shopping errands I decided to swing by the t-p shelves for a look. And sure enough - Target, the local grocery store, Walmart - wiped out.

At the Walmart there was a young man restocking some aisle displays at the end of the desolate t-p desert, and I asked what the deal was with the t-p. Turns out he was the Frito-Lay guy, not a Walmart employee, but he kind of rolled his eyes, and we both looked at the shelves, then looked back at each other, then both burst out laughing.; 3/14/20, 11:27 PM
Mark said...: Speaking of . . .

Just saw the Yang leader on The Invaders, a Quinn Martin production. Tonight's episode: The Mutation.; 3/14/20, 11:28 PM
walter said...: I haven't.; 3/14/20, 11:32 PM
narciso said...: Its interesting chris carter says kilxgak was the inspiration for the exfiles but that was more about the supernatural not aliens and roy thinnes guested on the exfiles as an alien hybrid fwiw.; 3/14/20, 11:41 PM
walter said...: "Experts say that far more testing is needed to determine if anti-viral drugs used to battle HIV can be used to treat the growing coronavirus menace, offering notes of caution to hopes raised by the recovery of a New Jersey man who is crediting his recovery to the powerful drugs.

Doctors in China, Thailand and Japan say they’ve used HIV drugs lopinavir and ritonavir — sometimes in combination with other medicines — in a handful of coronavirus cases, where patients have managed to recover.

Experts with the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene warned that “this is not an approved treatment for coronavirus.”

“We have heard of some individuals with coronavirus being treated with HIV medications,” the agency said in a statement. “There is no vaccine or treatment approved to treat COVID-19.”

Still, James Cai, 32, — who was the Garden State’s first coronavirus case — told The Post he would be “dead and gone” if his doctors at Hackensack Medical Center not reached out to experts in China about how best to defeat the deadly bug.

“Most medical providers here don’t know about it,” Cai said. “Medical providers need to communicate with Chinese medical teams.”

The Chinese experts recommended he be treated with the antimalarial medicine chloroquine and the HIV drug Kaletra — which is a combination of lopinavir and ritonavir.
–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

“Chinese experts suggest to treat with medicine to slow the virus first. Don’t wait,” Cai said. “Definitely I would not be here today [without them].”
https://nypost.com/2020/03/12/hiv-drugs-are-being-used-as-part-of-coronavirus-treatment/; 3/14/20, 11:43 PM
I Have Misplaced My Pants said...: Toilet paper -- my sources tell me that people are preparing to be ordered to stay in their homes and that stores will be closed.

Under what kind of authority, I don't know, but hey, I'm told over and over again that any possible measure that is taken against this horrible scourge is justified, so I guess I'll just get in line. Right?; 3/14/20, 11:49 PM
walter said...: What else when shit hits the fan?; 3/15/20, 12:07 AM
reader said...: Our local Albertsons, Ralph’s, and Smart & Final have been out of staples daily since Thursday. That doesn’t include the Costco rationing that started at the beginning of the week. Friday afternoon S&F had a line and was only allowing individuals in a few at a time. There was a line of cars on the street waiting to simply park at Albertsons Friday evening. Ralph’s has reduced its hours starting today due to a lack of product.

We may have an emergency but that doesn’t necessitate a panic. But the media seems to want the public to panic.

Every store I’ve been to this week is out of yeast. I’ve never seen that happen. I’ve now set aside a certain percentage of bottled water just to keep my sourdough starter healthy. It’s crazy.; 3/15/20, 12:08 AM
Narayanan said...: If the White House change hand in November how much at risk of reprisal will Trump teams be?
Is there virtuous cycle operating to save them!; 3/15/20, 12:08 AM
StephenFearby said...: "Union Worker Responds to Biden's Threat Against "AR-14"
Joe Biden confronted this union worker and told him that he was going to take his "AR-14." This is his message to America."

(Excellent video by Jerry Wayne)

https://twitter.com/NRA/status/1238588289747243009; 3/15/20, 12:11 AM
Mark said...: roy thinnes guested on the exfiles as an alien hybrid fwiw

Alex Trebek as a Man in Black on the X-Files was interesting.

But these kind of shows like to bring back some of the old stars. One of Leonard Nimoy's very last castings was as William Bell on Fringe.; 3/15/20, 12:13 AM
Narayanan said...: the media seems to want the public to panic.
____&&&&
Not just panic but also desperation.
Seamless transition to socialist paradise experience.; 3/15/20, 12:13 AM
narciso said...: Yes i was a fan of that show that broadly b'barrowed from the x files; 3/15/20, 12:15 AM
Mark said...: Andrea (What Are Little Girls Made Of?) is guest starring on Lost in Space.

Yum.

According to IMDb, she was in both the same year (1966).; 3/15/20, 12:16 AM
narciso said...: indeed; 3/15/20, 12:21 AM
walter said...: " I’ve now set aside a certain percentage of bottled water just to keep my sourdough starter healthy."
Ha!
Ok..so where is this going down?; 3/15/20, 12:25 AM
madAsHell said...: I live about 15 miles directly north of SeaTac airport. The wind is out of the north, so I should hear/see aircraft at power, and climbing out of the airport.

Yeah....that's an empty set.; 3/15/20, 12:29 AM
Narayanan said...: I'm interested in learning sourdough baking.
Teach me please; 3/15/20, 12:36 AM
reader said...: This is happening in San Diego. My husband and I can live on tap water but my sourdough starter can’t because our water is chlorinated.

We have a freezer full of meat (mostly fish). But man cannot live on meat alone - at least mine doesn’t want to. In the absence of commercial yeast my starter must be fed and happy, not parked in the refrigerator.; 3/15/20, 12:38 AM
reader said...: This is a nice site for information:

https://www.theperfectloaf.com/guides/; 3/15/20, 12:44 AM
walter said...: Sacrifice might be in the offing.
FEMA coffers are opened.
Bread is mostly empty calories anywayz.; 3/15/20, 12:55 AM
Amadeus 48 said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3/15/20, 1:05 AM
Amadeus 48 said...: The problem is, these things never look like much at the beginning. Then they keep going, become visible, then get huge, then go away in less than a year, leaving us to tote up the afflicted. Only then do we really know how bad it was.

What was your recollection about the 2009-2010 swine flu epidemic? I had none, except a vague memory of the name. It appears that about 12,470 people people died in the US from the 2009 epidemic. Worldwide, it is estimated that between 700 million and 1.4 billion people contracted the disease, and between 150,000 and 575,000 died. We are a long way from those numbers, but things pile up fast.

What has changed since 2009? The constant drumbeat of the news cycle, the constant demand for information, the constant supply of information of dubious provenance, the abandonment of any sort of editorial restraint, the return to openly partisan reporting (for 100 years hidden behind a screen of professed objectivity, now clearly apparent to anyone who cares to look), the rise of social media embracing the methods and editorial practices of a coffee klatch with a big commitment to gossip.

This will not be much different from other epidemics of the modern era, except the natural unfolding of this event will be closely watched, perhaps too closely watched. This is like a category 3 hurricane. It is terrifying and thrilling as it approaches, but in the end, all it does is leave a big mess, just like the last one.; 3/15/20, 1:09 AM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: Sad to report my local grocery is also stripped by the panic buyers. Of course TP and water of all sizes are gone. But sugar, chicken, milk. Weird how here mentality showed through. Didn't SEE any panic but the evidence of it is er on the empty shelves.; 3/15/20, 1:10 AM
Mike (MJB Wolf) said...: Ack. Not “here mentality” but “herd mentality” is the correct term above.; 3/15/20, 1:16 AM
Joan said...: Reader, just let some water sit out for a while in the sun, or pour it between containers a few times, and the chlorine in it will dissipate. It's what people with fish tanks do when they have to change the water. Straight out of the tap it will kill the fish, but after treatment it's OK. I imagine your sour dough starter may be more sensitive, but tropical fish aren't known for their hardiness. It's worth a shot in a pinch.; 3/15/20, 1:23 AM
Joan said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3/15/20, 1:23 AM
walter said...: Amadeus 48,
I agree.
But do we have records of similar situations outside of US prior to our dealings with it?
I'm thinking of China's drastic lockdowns, Italy's suffering, Iran's mass burial pits etc.; 3/15/20, 1:27 AM
walter said...: "Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots 'n pans"; 3/15/20, 1:53 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Madashell,
“Toilet paper I shit-or-miss”?; 3/15/20, 4:36 AM
Big Mike said...: All I can say is how thankful I am that the stupid creature from Chappaqua lost in 2016.; 3/15/20, 4:42 AM
Wince said...: Milwaukie guy said...
I really liked the idea of a national day of prayer.

But will Pelosi try somehow to sneak abortion into it?; 3/15/20, 4:42 AM
Clyde said...: After seeing snippets of Biden's "virtual town hall" and then hearing that he's shaking up his campaign by bringing in the woman who ran Beto's campaign, I thought of the story about the 'Post Turtle.':

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year-old rancher, whose hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama being elected by a mass of media-led, brainless liberals to be our president.

"The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Obama is a 'Post Turtle'". Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was. The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'".

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, and he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumbass put him up there to begin with".; 3/15/20, 4:45 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: If this is as contagious and deadly as some people think, then Trump shutting down the flights from China when he did saved at least hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of lives.; 3/15/20, 4:54 AM
exhelodrvr1 said...: Is it still growing exponentially?; 3/15/20, 5:25 AM
BUMBLE BEE said...: I live near a huge Mexican community. We share a WalMart. I do the shopping. Being interested in Mexican cooking I discovered something strange in my stripped to the walls WalMart. As mentioned above, no eggs. Huge stacks of empty black egg crates. The exotic cheeses, plenty, cheddars, zip. toilet paper and hand towels, zip, while plenty of napkins. Canned beans, greens and tuna, zip. BarB-Q beans plenty. Rice and dry beans zip, pasta and pasta sauces, plenty. Then I hit the Mexican aisle. It was as bare as the bottled water shelves. Stuff that I saw which never moved... vanished.
Wife noted that these, (mostly illegals?), have abiding fear of shortage from their home country. There may be few "replenishment when the snow is cleared" experiences in their histories. Face it, Americans are spoiled. God Bless America.; 3/15/20, 5:39 AM
stevew said...: "I really liked the idea of a national day of prayer."

We can call it Sunday.; 3/15/20, 6:14 AM
Rosa Marie Yoder said...: I am going to Mass today; and afterwards, I hope to pick up a gallon of milk.

Wish me luck!; 3/15/20, 7:11 AM
Fernandinande said...: I really liked the idea of a national day of prayer.

Then you might enjoy living in the Middle East; you could have your day of prayer every day, several times a day.

Even though I've long been an atheist, I respect that most Americans profess a believe in God [or Gods if you're a Hindu].

That's a strange statement - you said you respect the fact that most people are superstitious, but you didn't actually say you respect their superstitions. Facts are worth respecting but supertitions are not.

It would be a good day for national unity.

For people who think like you, at least; I'd prefer a day of motocross over a day of prayer.

Now, if the secular could bite their f*cking tongues.

I don't think your imaginary hero would approve of that statement, so maybe you should first bite your own fucking tongue.; 3/15/20, 7:49 AM
mockturtle said...: exhelodrvr1 asks: Is it still growing exponentially?

From about March 5 through today, yes [look at the graphs]. But it could just be that many more are being tested.; 3/15/20, 7:53 AM
Amadeus 48 said...: Walter--I don't know what people did in 2009. As I said, that epidemic barely registered with me. But if there were 575,000 extra deaths, they had to bury them somewhere.

This epidemic is being reported like "the hurricane that will end life as we know it on the eastern seaboard" but then comes ashore as a category 3--unpleasant,messy, destructive, and over-hyped.

I have said it before: the most consequential but under-analyzed event of the late twentieth and early 21st century was China's admission to the World Trade Organization in 2001 after ten years of negotiation. It brought about 500 million low-end workers into the global workforce, it opened up the world to a historically mercantile culture (look at the success of the ethnic Chinese in Asia outside China; look at Taiwan) that wasn't well integrated into the modern commerce, and it was overlaid with a Communist police state that had suffered through the Great Leap Forward and, five years later, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Everything from the emerald ash borer in America and Europe to the proliferation of the flat-screen TVs to the rise of the off-shoring of the manufacture of goods came from that fact.

In general, I am in favor of free trade. But this move brought a country with 1.5 billion people--500 million of whom were living on a dollar a day--into the world market in a day. Add to that a top-down governing system with a penchant for trampling individuals and a historic sense of cultural superiority. It is a country where where yes means no, or at best maybe. There were always going to be problems. Wuhan flu is one of them.; 3/15/20, 7:54 AM
I Callahan said...: Yum

Concur. Sherry Jackson. Drop dead gorgeous.; 3/15/20, 8:10 AM
Marc in Eugene said...: For centuries, the United States has resisted a centralized public health policy.

From the dek or subhed (you learn something new everyday) of one of the current NYT articles more or less plague-related. We resisted but now we are being taught the error of our ways, I reckon. I didn't read the article.; 3/15/20, 8:45 AM
stevew said...: Calculating and publishing a virus growth statistic is bogus. Growth as compared to what, there is no baseline other than a self-referential one. If there were 1500 confirmed cases on Friday and 2000 today, how many of those additional 500 existed on Friday prior to being confirmed? You need to exclude any of those from your growth stats. But how would you know?

As testing increases and the number of confirmed cases rises we will have a measure of how widespread, among the population and by geography, the virus is. Nothing more.; 3/15/20, 9:16 AM
Jaq said...: "Calculating and publishing a virus growth statistic is bogus. “

There are certain things we know. If you compare this to the flu, then you have to understand that the flu has been around for a long long time and the population has some level of herd immunity. This is virgin territory for this virus. Nobody in the media will say it, but this virus was cooked up with gene editing (CRISPR).

Look at the emerald ash borer. In Asia, ash trees have evolved defenses. In North America, the ash trees only have defenses against native ash borers, who basically only infect trees already to weakened to stop them. A small number of these insects, imported as grubs inside of shipping pallets from China, have exploded in population and wiped out billions of trees which have no defense against them. It started in Detroit, I saw it in Maryland; PA ash stands have been devastated, it’s getting into New England now.; 3/15/20, 10:44 AM
madAsHell said...: Jen O’Malley Dillon will be Biden’s new campaign manager

Xe is transitioning, but the velocity is uncertain.; 3/15/20, 11:02 AM
Michael K said...: A preventive and treatment measure is available and should be more publicized. Chloroquine is an old drug that dates to WWII.

Recent guidelines from South Korea and China report that chloroquine is an effective antiviral therapeutic treatment against Coronavirus Disease 2019. Use of chloroquine (tablets) is showing favorable outcomes in humans infected with Coronavirus including faster time to recovery and shorter hospital stay. US CDC research shows that chloroquine also has strong potential as a prophylactic (preventative) measure against coronavirus in the lab, while we wait for a vaccine to be developed. Chloroquine is an inexpensive, globally available drug that has been in widespread human use since 1945 against malaria, autoimmune and various other conditions.; 3/15/20, 11:33 AM