April 18, 2020

Sunrise, 6:30.

D54B8EFB-71C3-488B-880B-A8D0D1B19A74_1_201_a

Actual sunrise time — 6:11.

80 comments:

hawkeyedjb said...

The Sunrise of Despair. So many bad-faith actors. So many with an agenda that includes a lot more than just getting the nation through a crisis.

JohnAnnArbor said...

Nicer day here than yesterday. Everything melting.

rcocean said...

Another beautiful AM in Madison.

Narr said...

It has been too cloudy the last few mornings to try to see Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and the moon before dawn. Drat.

The sun is always nice too.

Narr
Maybe next time

NCMoss said...

What's that bump at the bottom; did Althouse let her finger stray into the picture?

Anthony said...

God help me, I counted up TP rolls again today: 18. Good for over a month.

If Present Me went back in time and said to Five Years Ago Me we'd be counting rolls of TP in 2020, Id have laughed his/my face off.

Bay Area Guy said...

"If Present Me went back in time and said to Five Years Ago Me we'd be counting rolls of TP in 2020, Id have laughed his/my face off."

True, but you also mighta bought a shitload of early Uber stock to mitigate the harm:)

Mark said...

Another huge spike in deaths -- in New York, which is skewing the national numbers with its insistence on lumping in with scientifically confirmed cases, a bunch of suspected and estimated cases, which make it impossible to determine day-to-day trends.

JohnAnnArbor said...

If Present Me went back in time and said to Five Years Ago Me we'd be counting rolls of TP in 2020, Id have laughed his/my face off.

Did Cold War bomb shelters have mountains of toilet paper?

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

The good news is the narrative has decisively shifted. From lockdown to reopening. And, from what I personally see, people aren’t waiting on some politician’s permission.

Rory said...

Just had a mobile birthday party go past - 15-20 cars, bicyclists, joggers. My dog saluted them noisily.

tcrosse said...

Lots of folks out walkies here in the NW corner of Las Vegas. Only a very few with masks. Sunshine and fresh air does a body good.

Mark said...

We all laughed at the loons that bought tons of toilet paper whenever it snowed or when this recent unpleasantness started.

But you can be sure that from now on, I'll be stocking up to a six-month supply.

Mark said...

What's up with the Washington Post today?? Here are some of its headlines:

Hundreds of nursing homes with virus cases have violated infection-control rules
Of about 650 homes with publicly reported cases, 40 percent have been cited more than once with violations in recent years, a Post analysis found.

Some may have to die to save the economy? How about offering testing and basic protections?
It’s a false moral equation and a false choice. And the people putting it forward smack of panic.

Contamination at CDC lab delayed virus tests’ rollout
The CDC facilities that assembled the kits violated sound manufacturing practices, the scientists said.

None of these blame Trump and instead seem to call for a level-headed perspective on things (but I didn't read the stories).

Drago said...

From Aaron Mate, leftist journalist who never bought into the transparent hoax that was the russia collusion lie:

Aaron Mate@aaronjmate
Happy one-year anniversary to the Mueller Report! In case you forgot what that is, it was just the dumbest and most useless/embarrassing political/media fixation of all time. 🇷🇺 🎉
18 April 2020

Freeman Hunt said...

Re: toilet paper

Over a month before there were empty shelves in the U.S. I told friends to start stocking up on groceries and personal care items. Then later, "Don't forget toilet paper. No toilet paper in other countries." One friend was skeptical, so I sent her pictures of the empty toilet paper aisles in other places.

"But that won't happen here, will it?"
"It will definitely happen here. By the time you see it happening it will already have happened. It will be too late."

Same friend later when all the toilet paper shelves were empty, "Anyone know where to buy toilet paper?"

Dude.

Mark said...

That said, there is still plenty of Trump-hate at the WP. Other headlines:

White House praised hotels for housing doctors. Cities say Trump’s hotels aren’t participating.

The Trump administration is muzzling government scientists. It’s essential to let them speak candidly to the press again.

Trump tells a damnable and murderous lie

Trump’s attack on the VOA reeks of McCarthyism

Trump’s ‘LIBERATE MICHIGAN!’ tweets incite insurrection. That’s illegal.

Trump foments resistance to Democratic-imposed shutdowns, but some Republican governors are also wary of moving too fast

A political hot potato for some Pa. Democrats: Party officials who praise Trump

Where’s your check? Ask GOP lawmakers.

_______________________


And there are a few headlines that are just plain crazy nuts:

Biden transformed the vice presidency. Whom can he pick to follow his lead?

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a rising star for Democrats

‘Human overconsumption of the planet’s animals and natural resources imperils life as we know it, leading to the potential extinction of nearly everything.’

Original Mike said...

"Happy one-year anniversary to the Mueller Report! In case you forgot what that is, it was just the dumbest and most useless/embarrassing political/media fixation of all time."

Good for him, but he downplays what happened. It was a criminal enterprise.

narciso said...

Um didnt a democratic congress sign it,?

narciso said...

Are they reporting from a mirror universe.

Drago said...

Original Mike: "Good for him, but he downplays what happened. It was a criminal enterprise."

No, he's been saying that as well all along.

In fact, he and Glenn Greenwald and Jimmy Dore and other left wing actual journalists have been saying that from the beginning and that it was inevitable given the power of the federal govt after 9-11 to spy on Americans.

These were the smart lefties who understood that by pushing this russia collusion lie the dems/left were innoculating Trump in any future election campaign because Trump now has the ultimate in fake news/deep state corruption campaign themes available, rendering just about moot any criticism of him...and rightfully so.

Drago said...

BREAKING: "Dems Rush To Defend Kavanaugh After He Puts On Joe Biden Mask"

https://twitter.com/TheBabylonBee/status/1251284317701095427

rcocean said...

Headline: Sunlight kills virus quickly. Also, virus dislikes high heat and humidity

This brings up my favorite question: why does flu season end in Spring and starts up again in Fall. Is it PRIMARILY the crowding or the fact that flu viruses dislike high Temps? And Yes, Captain obvious I know its both. I wanted to know what is the PRIMARY reason.

rcocean said...

This the kind of question the MSM should be giving us answers on, but they're too caught up in hating Orange Man.

Drago said...

rcocean: "Headline: Sunlight kills virus quickly.

Sunlight also killed the Mueller sham-investigation.

Sunlight also killed Adam Schiff's memo and 4 years of lies.

Sunlight also killed Biden's claim to not abusing his government position to enrich at least 4 of his family members.

Sunlight has also killed the lies pushed by Beijings lackeys.

Sunlight is good.

Sheridan said...

Anyone hear from Buwaya? I thinks he relocated to Spain before the Covid-19 outbreak and their current stats are not good.

Yancey Ward said...

Sheridan,

He started commenting again last week, even commented in at least 1 thread today that I remember. He said he and his household are doing ok in Spain.

Yancey Ward said...

Sunlight also increases vitamin D in your system, as long as you get out into it.

Yancey Ward said...

It is funny, since my gym closed a month ago, I have been walking 6 miles a day- probably more Sun this past month than I got all of last year put together. I look forward to it each afternoon, and when the gym does reopen in May, I will probably continue to do these walks, but probably at half the distance.

Gahrie said...

Re: toilet paper

One of the actual problems is logistics. We are actually producing enough toilet paper.

Normally most of us spend a significant amount of time outside our home each day, or traveling. While we are doing this, we are using the toilet.

Now we are at home all day every day. That means we are all using the toilet at home much more often. Which means we are using more toilet paper, so we need more toilet paper.

The fact that not many people know though is that there are two entirely separate supply chains for toilet paper, one commercial and one domestic. The commercial supply is currently overstocked, and the domestic supply isn't capable of meeting demand. The packaging is different. Commercial tissue usually comes in boxes of 100 or more. Or on those outsize rolls.

I better not hear anyone ever make fun of preppers again after this.

Ann Althouse said...

“ What's that bump at the bottom; did Althouse let her finger stray into the picture?”

Good thing you are paying attention!

Ken B said...

Freeman
I insisted we buy a pack of TP at Costco. At that point the wife still thought we’d be visiting South Carolina. I stocked up on library books and videos too, before they shut the libraries. We get coffee by mail, so we stocked up on that too. Caffeinated, not too bored, and no chafing.

Ann Althouse said...

“ Over a month before there were empty shelves in the U.S. I told friends to start stocking up on groceries and personal care items. ”

So you started it. You’re Patient Zero of the TP crisis.

Freeman Hunt said...

"So you started it. You’re Patient Zero of the TP crisis."

Heh. Yes, I bought mine through commercial supply, but I set off plenty of consumer supply vectors. (Though I did try to do it far in advance so everything would be restocked before The Great TP Spree of 2020.)

"The fact that not many people know though is that there are two entirely separate supply chains for toilet paper, one commercial and one domestic."

Yes. If you can't find toilet paper, ask a friend who owns a restaurant to order a case for you from commercial supply. Most of the suppliers have temporarily relaxed their rules about resale.

Yancey Ward said...

Toilet paper has started to reappear a bit here in TN, but I haven't seen a package of Charmin in a store since February. It is other items that continue to dwindle here- basically anything you don't have to refrigerate or freeze. The other thing I have noticed is that the butchered meat items, while still plentiful, are looking less enticing- older, in other words. I suspect this is because the freezers have filled up in homes across the country.

Yancey Ward said...

At some point, you got no place to put the toilet paper, and have to stop buying it.

Rory said...

The commercial/residential toilet paper theory requires that buyers have in mind that they're going to need more because their office activities will occur at home. I think it's more likely (1) it's just become a custom to pick up toilet paper before an emergency; (2) people routinely buy toilet paper in outrageously large quantities now; and, (3) quick resupply from surrounding regions wasn't available.

wildswan said...

Pro Tip
Go to the store very early in the morning for TP.

wildswan said...

Time to send the water back in to the Central Valley for the farmers.

Churchy LaFemme: said...

I have worked from home for years, so this is not a new realization, but I did have a one month office stint last year for training for a new position. So: One of the joys of working from home is not using the office bathroom!

Freeman Hunt said...

I asked in a thread a while back that I can't find: Is this the year that Americans adopt bidets?

Ken B said...

Trying to start a run on bidets, Freeman?

Freeman Hunt said...

"Trying to start a run on bidets, Freeman?"

Yes!

Freeman Hunt said...

A conversation that may have happened between two people not running out of toilet paper.

"Maybe we should get a bidet?"
"Why?"
"When you stop and think about it, not using them really is kind of disgusting. If you got dog shit on your arm, you wouldn't wipe it off with a napkin and go about your day. You'd wash it off."
"Gross."
"Exactly."

Gahrie said...

The commercial/residential toilet paper theory requires that buyers have in mind that they're going to need more

The theory doesn't explain the rush to stock up. It explains the inability to meet current demand.

Howard said...

I just got 20 rolls on my last instacart order

Ken B said...

Where's Tim in Vermont? Haven’t seen him in a few days I don’t think. And Kai Akker? Did they give up, tired of beating their heads against the wall?

Howard said...

Ken B. Tim indicated he was starting to let his guard down he diagnosed it as Stockholm syndrome and decided he needed a break from the blog.

Buckwheathikes said...

"The commercial/residential toilet paper theory requires that buyers have in mind that they're going to need more"

One wonders how many dollars American businesses are saving since people aren't able to continue shitting on company time.

Ken B said...

Howard
Thanks.
I can sympathize. It’s a Covidiot denialist hatefest most of the time. Angry ranting denialists wishing death and disease and poverty on people, or sneering at nurses or hinting it’s okay if old fat black people die.

Linda said...

Freeman Hunt - I love your explanation/reasoning for a bidet.
I remember the first time I saw one - my friend had bought an absolutely beautiful old home that had been updated - and in the master there was a bidet. That was about 30 years ago! I knew what it was for, but honestly wasn’t quite sure how it worked!

Freeman Hunt said...

"Where's Tim in Vermont? Haven’t seen him in a few days I don’t think. And Kai Akker? Did they give up, tired of beating their heads against the wall?"

Why argue here about it any more? No point.

Howard said...

Kai posted on another thread today.

walter said...

strobel on SAH extension
"As of end of day yesterday, there were 3875 confirmed cases and 197 deaths. While definitely tragic for those affected, original projections had us at 22,000 cases and between 400 and 1500 people predicted to eventually die as of April 8th. The curve is flattened. Right now there are 361 COVID-19 patients in Wisconsin hospitals out of 5.8 million residents, a decline of 82 since last week. These patients are concentrated in a few geographic areas, undermining the logic of the statewide, one-size approach of the order. Despite repeated requests, the Legislature has received no objective metrics or criteria from Governor Evers that he used to either justify this harsh order or that would predict when it could be eased. This incredible use of government power can only be justified with overwhelming evidence of need. The burden of proof is on those seeking to restrict our lives and the proof not been presented, let alone met.

Lastly, I strongly disagree with this order because it comes with an economic cost rarely seen in our history and a cost to quality of life and individual liberties not seen in this country outside of war. The Department of Workforce Development predicts Wisconsin’s unemployment rate will get to 27%. Every day I get constituent contacts from your fellow Wisconsinites pleading for anything that can be down to get them back to work. Many Wisconsinites are prevented from earning a living or must watch helplessly as the business they have spent years building up is slowly destroyed. The human costs are likewise significant. There are and will continue to be adverse effects on education, mental health, substance abuse and general peace of mind. Wisconsin should move in the direction of the recently announced “Opening Up America Again” outline, which has phased stand downs in restrictions based upon health care capacity and measured downward trends in infections. Let’s take this outline and right size it for Wisconsin."

walter said...

Governor Tony Evers
@GovEvers
·
23h
As we head into the weekend, I want to thank you all for stepping up and staying home. The coming weeks are going to be tough. So grab that fish fry to-go or catch up with friends on FaceTime, and let’s double down on social distancing and get through this together. #SaferAtHome

Michael K said...

Angry ranting denialists wishing death and disease and poverty on people, or sneering at nurses or hinting it’s okay if old fat black people die.

No, only Canadians. Damn honkers. We've got an alarmist over at Chicagoboyz, too.

Original Mike said...

Tim did need a break. I'm glad he's getting it.

Original Mike said...

"Why argue here about it any more? No point."

I think you're missing what the point is for some.

narciso said...

his concern is understandable, I don't hold it against him none of us want to catch this thing,

tcrosse said...

In the immortal words of Redd Foxx, You gotta wash your ass.

narciso said...

an aperitif of whining

walter said...

I'm encouraged by Evers' notion that the "fish fry" place will be there for us.

CStanley said...

let’s double down on social distancing

So, twelve feet apart now?

h said...

"The models essentially have three purposes: 1) To satisfy the public’s need for a number, any number; 2) To bring media attention for the modeler; and 3) To scare the crap out of people to get them to “do the right thing.” " Michael Fumento: after repeated failures, it's time to dump the models. https://issuesinsights.com/2020/04/18/after-repeated-failures-its-time-to-permanently-dump-epidemic-models/

How this helps Trump: Trump's been saying use your common sense, don't rely on the self-proclaimed "experts". Now lots of people are thinking the same thing.

stevew said...

If you had a loved one in a nursing home or "rehabilitation facility" would you leave them there or get them out asap?

walter said...

I would think, as would apply to other populations, depends where you are talking about.

walter said...

(as well as their needs)

stevew said...

Good point. I'm in eastern MA, I'd get them out.

walter said...

Maybe you could rent a Hoyer lift and a CNA.

Rick.T. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stevew said...

Dude!

Rick.T. said...

Favorite Beatles song is The Ballad of John and Yoko:

Saving up your money for a rainy day
Giving all your clothes to charity
Last night the wife said
Oh boy when you're dead
You don't take nothing with you but your soul, think...

For the pedant, yes it's still a Beatles song even though only John and Paul played on it.

Rick.T. said...

Yancey Ward said...
Toilet paper has started to reappear a bit here in TN...
----------------------
A week last Friday they were handing cases out at the front door like door prizes at the Costco Brentwood location. Sam's in Franklin had cases of Member's Mark. Wife grabbed one of those as well despite it being an unknown quality as compared to Charmin Ultra Soft or something like that.

Drago said...

Ken B: "Angry ranting denialists wishing death and disease and poverty on people, or sneering at nurses or hinting it’s okay if old fat black people die."

You forgot to include the anti-semitism lie with the others. It will be important as you "evolve" your persona on Althouse to be as complete with your smears as you can be.

Mark said...

After blasting the President for insisting that mask manufacturers first supply the U.S., now the Washington Post is running this headline --

U.S. sent millions of face masks to China in January and February, in move underscoring failure to prepare for threat

Of course, it is Trump's fault that China was falsely denying to the world that there was any problem, while it was also secretly trying to buy up as much equipment as it could lay its hands on.

walter said...

HCQ at Texas nursing home

Follow up interview

Mark said...

Just saw an coming soon ad for a Natalie Wood movie. I knew a girl way back when who I thought looked like her.

I've wondered what ever happened to her. She doesn't show up on Google. But like I said, it was more than 35 years ago.

Mark said...

Now showing on ESPN --

Ali-Frazier I.

Anthony said...

I went to Target an hour after opening a couple of weeks ago and scored TP; if needed that works. Still long lines at the Costco so I haven't been there in a while. Not that I need anything. Scored some Clorox bleach last week, too (the Spousal Unit prefers Clorox, although I got a gallon of store brand the week before) (only for the laundry)

Freeman Hunt said...

let’s double down on social distancing

So, twelve feet apart now?


Six feet was only a rough rule of thumb anyway. They don't actually know what the real distance should be.