Fearless Prediction

[NTOP]

Presidents and legislators - all of them. It's ridiculous really that there were people in public health warning about this, but we did nothing. Problem is that once in office, elected officials sole goal is to remain there. As a result, if it didn't buy any political capital at the time to jump on this issue, there was no motivation to do so. Unfortunately now that there is a crisis, perhaps it will lead them to act.

The problem is exacerbated by Americans resisting control by our gov't. We KNOW the gov't can't be trusted. We're testing those with symptoms. Communist countries just tell folks to line up.
Where are these "kits" made, and by whom? What is their shelf life? The cost to get them? Cost to process? Obviously, China wasn't prepared.

 

[lilspainishflea]

You seem to be very politically motivated. It's not hard to deduce which side of the isle you are on.

I've been in the March for Life, served in the military (including combat), and voted for Republicans for almost 2 decades. I currently volunteer by picking up groceries and doing free legal work for elderly members of my church, most of whom are Republicans. I don't consider myself a partisan and I think that suggesting that everyone who looks at evidence and comes to their own reasoned conclusion is "politically motivated" is counterproductive.

As I previously mentioned, it's the job of every citizen to be informed and to hold their leadership accountable to reasonable and fair standards of performance. That is the foundation of all representative societies. To the extent that I think we're failing right now, that comes from my own analysis of the facts and circumstances of our response compared to others.

 

[CJsE]

The swine flu was MUCH worse and there was NO panic. The reaction to this virus is crazy.

Swine flu had 13,217 confirmed cases by June 9th, 2009.

Only 272 of those cases required hospitalization, and only 14 confirmed deaths (0.1%). By comparison, the US has 1,864 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 41 deaths (2.2%) so signs are pointing to a much higher mortality rate.

Of those hospitalized, only 5% of those were over age 65 while 38% were between 18-49 and 44% was under 18. The COVID-19 so far has been hitting completely different age demographics, which may be why there is a higher mortality rate.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

The swine flu was MUCH worse and there was NO panic. The reaction to this virus is crazy.

I'll simply say do some research and educate yourself.

 

[NTOP]

Swine flu had 13,217 confirmed cases by June 9th, 2009.

Only 272 of those cases required hospitalization, and only 14 confirmed deaths (0.1%). By comparison, the US has 1,864 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 41 deaths (2.2%) so signs are pointing to a much higher mortality rate.

Of those hospitalized, only 5% of those were over age 65 while 38% were between 18-49 and 44% was under 18. The COVID-19 so far has been hitting completely different age demographics, which may be why there is a higher mortality rate.

As of this morning, the U.S. had only 150+ over Sweden, Norway or Switzerland. All 3 have nationalized medicine. There's not much that can be done until vaccines are ready, and the recovery rates look OK....except for the elderly. Nursing homes will be a mess, as in Seattle.
Roche, the Swiss pharma co., apparently has a test kit that is accurate and quick. The problem will be ramping up. I saw one item that the kits here were not thought to be good enough.....50% wrongly came up negative.

 

[palpitt]

I'll simply say do some research and educate yourself.

I am quite educated, thank you. 86 million Americans had the swine flu and 40, 000 died. That's serious and sad. The current virous is being dealt with much more quickly and seriously than the previous administration dealt with the swine flu.

 

[CJsE]

As of this morning, the U.S. had only 150+ over Sweden, Norway or Switzerland. All 3 have nationalized medicine.

No
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

 

[NTOP]

No
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Won't open. Fake news!!

 

[CJsE]

I am quite educated, thank you. 86 million Americans had the swine flu and 40, 000 died. That's serious and sad. The current virous is being dealt with much more quickly and seriously than the previous administration dealt with the swine flu.

That would be news to the CDC, who put the final tally at 60.8 million infected and 12,469 deaths. Maybe you are just so well educated that you know better than they do about the virus.

 

[Franb]

97% of our ingredients for antibiotics come from China..past .presidents from BOTH parties failed our country.

Since drugs are manufactured by private companies, what can any president do about the situation? That is a consequence of a free market economy - the government can't demand that drug companies produce their products here, with ingredients that are also produced here.

 

[jrnPitt]

By July 4th we will be saying— What virus? This overboard over reaction will already be a fading memory by summer, IMHO.

I'm in the other camp saying there is a good possibly there will be no football played in the fall. I sure hope you are right and I'm wrong.

 

[RaleighPittFan]

I'm beginning to think the mass hysteria we have now is the only way many people will take prevention seriously. Every year between 100 and 250 people die in North Carolina from flu complications. I know many people who ignore basic precautions including being inoculated on an annual basis.

More than half a million people have died this winter from the flu, and 10's of thousands of people in this country.

I posed this question in an earlier post, but whenever an inoculation is developed, what's the likelihood of the same people who refuse to get a flu shot will not get a COVID-19 shot? Or, will this current state of emergency we're experiencing convince them to?

If so, will that transfer to flu prevention?

"Since the flu season began at the end of September, 134 people have died, including four children, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services."

"Deaths: While COVID-19 is new and a growing worldwide threat, the flu annually sickens and kills vastly more people. About 4,000 people had died of COVID-19 through March 10, 2020. Compare that to 646,000 flu deaths worldwide this winter and 18,000 to 46,000 deaths in the U.S. per year."

https://www.wral.com/3-more-people-died-from-the-flu-in-nc-last-week/19009094/

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

A lot of these third world hellholes seem to be managing better than us. Vietnam is testing more people than us. Freaking Vietnam.

Sadly accurate

Italy was more proactive than us by a week

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

The problem is exacerbated by Americans resisting control by our gov't. We KNOW the gov't can't be trusted. We're testing those with symptoms. Communist countries just tell folks to line up.
Where are these "kits" made, and by whom? What is their shelf life? The cost to get them? Cost to process? Obviously, China wasn't prepared.

Apparently the private sector and free market can’t be trusted either

 

[Mikefln]

I'm beginning to think the mass hysteria we have now is the only way many people will take prevention seriously. Every year between 100 and 250 people die in North Carolina from flu complications. I know many people who ignore basic precautions including being inoculated on an annual basis.

More than half a million people have died this winter from the flu, and 10's of thousands of people in this country.

I posed this question in an earlier post, but whenever an inoculation is developed, what's the likelihood of the same people who refuse to get a flu shot will not get a COVID-19 shot? Or, will this current state of emergency we're experiencing convince them to?

If so, will that transfer to flu prevention?

"Since the flu season began at the end of September, 134 people have died, including four children, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services."

"Deaths: While COVID-19 is new and a growing worldwide threat, the flu annually sickens and kills vastly more people. About 4,000 people had died of COVID-19 through March 10, 2020. Compare that to 646,000 flu deaths worldwide this winter and 18,000 to 46,000 deaths in the U.S. per year."

https://www.wral.com/3-more-people-died-from-the-flu-in-nc-last-week/19009094/

Sadly the anti vax group is a stubborn group so I do not see them accepting it.

Hell, I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone at work go to the restroom and leave without washing their hands. Only for 5 min later they are eating in the break room.

You can't fix stupid.

 

[palpitt]

I've been in the March for Life, served in the military (including combat), and voted for Republicans for almost 2 decades. I currently volunteer by picking up groceries and doing free legal work for elderly members of my church, most of whom are Republicans. I don't consider myself a partisan and I think that suggesting that everyone who looks at evidence and comes to their own reasoned conclusion is "politically motivated" is counterproductive.

As I previously mentioned, it's the job of every citizen to be informed and to hold their leadership accountable to reasonable and fair standards of performance. That is the foundation of all representative societies. To the extent that I think we're failing right now, that comes from my own analysis of the facts and circumstances of our response compared to others.

I've done many of the things you have done (it's tough now that I am 77 and not so healthy). What do think of what Trump and the House of Reps. did yesterday?

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

will you acknowledge the precautions taken now are possibly why it won't be a big deal?

will you acknowledge the precautions taken now are possibly why it won't be a big deal?

Sure. Certainly that is a factor and panic will help drive the precautions being taken more seriously. Just saw data on world info site on the status in various countries around the World. The charts on China show about 30 days from ramp up to ramp down. They may be almost done. The South Korea charts suggest about the same thing as they appear to have barely passed a peak and are just beginning to trend downward. This “suggests” (but obviously doesn’t guarantee) that we might peak in about 2 weeks and be ramped back down by about mid-April. The bell curve appears to have a duration of about 30 days. So, by mid-May we could be back to normal life (and able to find toilet paper fully back in stock). I certainly hope so.

 

[lilspainishflea]

I've done many of the things you have done (it's tough now that I am 77 and not so healthy). What do think of what Trump and the House of Reps. did yesterday?

I didn't follow the details unfortunately. Generally, I am in favor of most bipartisan pieces of legislation, especially these days when our options are to severely compromise or achieve nothing. So I'm pleased with everyone involved and I hope the Senate goes alone.

 

[pitt90seven]

By July 4th we will be saying— What virus? This overboard over reaction will already be a fading memory by summer, IMHO.

pin this and revisit in 2 weeks. you won't agree with yourself.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

It all depends if it the virus is like the flu and is not prevalent in warmer weather. That is the scenario we all need to be praying for. If that is the case, hopefully a vaccine can get created between now and then. I think that is the best case scenario.

A vaccine this year won't do any good. It will help next season, next winter and spring, not this flu season.

 

[djbpitt]

By July 4th we will be saying— What virus? This overboard over reaction will already be a fading memory by summer, IMHO.

But how long will it take for the markets to recoup their losses?

 

[revampedpanthers]

Since drugs are manufactured by private companies, what can any president do about the situation? That is a consequence of a free market economy - the government can't demand that drug companies produce their products here, with ingredients that are also produced here.

They should simply make a law that all va medicines and active military are made in the USA. If someone wants the contract for say augmentin they have to make it in the us. They do this with all weapons. Beretta moved production to the us when they got the sidearm contract. Sig got the last one and has moved production here just do the same thing with medicine and medical gear. 70 percent can still come from China or India but at least we would have some capability to make some on our own

 

[revampedpanthers]

But how long will it take for the markets to recoup their losses?

Probably a couple years. I imagine if things get better by say may the markets will rebound pretty strongly but they won't come back as quick as they went down

 

[crharris8892]

And toilet paper.

And toilet paper... for a Respiratory Disease.. makes sense. ;-/

 

[Macchiato]

By July 4th we will be saying— What virus? This overboard over reaction will already be a fading memory by summer, IMHO.

by June we will be laughing about this or fighting over the last ventilator in the ICU

 

[4Mark_Marty]

You seem to be very politically motivated. It's not hard to deduce which side of the isle you are on.

There is no aisle. There is no us. There is no them. There is only us and we. The divide is an illusion. There is only one. Can’t we all just get along and ask our leaders to lead?

 

[4Mark_Marty]

As of this morning, the U.S. had only 150+ over Sweden, Norway or Switzerland. All 3 have nationalized medicine. There's not much that can be done until vaccines are ready, and the recovery rates look OK....except for the elderly. Nursing homes will be a mess, as in Seattle.
Roche, the Swiss pharma co., apparently has a test kit that is accurate and quick. The problem will be ramping up. I saw one item that the kits here were not thought to be good enough.....50% wrongly came up negative.

You should worry. If you’re not then you’re in denial.

 

[palpitt]

There is no aisle. There is no us. There is no them. There is only us and we. The divide is an illusion. There is only one. Can’t we all just get along and ask our leaders to lead?

That would be wonderful.

 

[NTOP]

You should worry. If you’re not then you’re in denial.

We all should worry, and act accordingly. we've had to cancel 2 trips...hope to resched in the fall.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

We all should worry, and act accordingly. we've had to cancel 2 trips...hope to resched in the fall.

Keep safe.

 

[NTOP]

Keep safe.

You, too. ALL of us.

 

[Black Panther]

So, if Trump imposed the new restrictions 3 weeks ago, his opponents would have applauded?

Dont know about that, but he should have set restrictions the very day the first plane with suspected infected people landed.Remember that night?Maybe late Dec. I believe we heard about on the evening news.I said to myself then turn them around and send them back to where they came.

 

[Parkview57]

There is no us. There is no them. There is only us and we. The divide is an illusion. There is only one

Truly, with all due respect, I disagree with this. There is a divide, it is real. The highly talented, intelligent, or connected live on one side. The average, and /or disconnected live on the other and their experiences in life are quite different. No blame, no finger pointing, but in this world, it is a fact.

 

[4Mark_Marty]

Truly, with all due respect, I disagree with this. There is a divide, it is real. The highly talented, intelligent, or connected live on one side. The average, and /or disconnected live on the other and their experiences in life are quite different. No blame, no finger pointing, but in this world, it is a fact.

Whatever works for you. I respect your opinions

 

[RaleighPittFan]

Truly, with all due respect, I disagree with this. There is a divide, it is real. The highly talented, intelligent, or connected live on one side. The average, and /or disconnected live on the other and their experiences in life are quite different. No blame, no finger pointing, but in this world, it is a fact.

I wonder which side you think you're on?

That's rhetorical, by the way. I'm not asking you to answer.

 

[Parkview57]

I wonder which side you think you're on?

No problem...
I grew up in the rural south and moved to western pa at age 18 cause my uncle had a job for me. I've had some good jobs and not so good over the last 40 or so years.

I am neither talented or intelligent nor connected, but I encouraged my children to work their asses off in school, learn everything they could in the 13 years they received a free (to them) education. My wife helped greatly by providing them with disciplined study-halls at home after practices etc. Both took full advantage of everything public schools had to offer, athletics, music lessons etc.. Both graduated from Pitt with engineering degrees and one completed a J.D., the other (who graduated with two degrees in 4 1/2 years) makes more money in a year than I make in almost four. They are talented and intelligent. They both had a lot of choices but chose Pitt on its merits and the "accepted engineers day" program at Pitt was the clincher. I had no insight or anyway to advise them on college. Pitt and city came through with great opportunities while they were in school.

Now, to answer your question, of course I live and interact at work with alot of people on the average disconnected side, but thanks to my kids, I can visit the talented side any time I wish.

Hail to Pitt!

 

[4Mark_Marty]

No problem...
I grew up in the rural south and moved to western pa at age 18 cause my uncle had a job for me. I've had some good jobs and not so good over the last 40 or so years.

I am neither talented or intelligent nor connected, but I encouraged my children to work their asses off in school, learn everything they could in the 13 years they received a free (to them) education. My wife helped greatly by providing them with disciplined study-halls at home after practices etc. Both took full advantage of everything public schools had to offer, athletics, music lessons etc.. Both graduated from Pitt with engineering degrees and one completed a J.D., the other (who graduated with two degrees in 4 1/2 years) makes more money in a year than I make in almost four. They are talented and intelligent. They both had a lot of choices but chose Pitt on its merits and the "accepted engineers day" program at Pitt was the clincher. I had no insight or anyway to advise them on college. Pitt and city came through with great opportunities while they were in school.

Now, to answer your question, of course I live and interact at work with alot of people on the average disconnected side, but thanks to my kids, I can visit the talented side any time I wish.

Hail to Pitt!

I was not describing the material and “class” level in my post that you were. I was describing the eternal-spiritual level. We are all one. We are of the same universe. We only believe we are separate because we were taught we are separate/different. Are we all entitled to the same “benefits”/advantages? Hail No!!! But this material life isn’t the end all be all.

 

[Parkview57]

But this material life isn’t the end all be all.

Yes, understood.