ROTFLMAO! Leave it to the Australians to get it right and with the appropriate degree of humor. The “flatten the curve” message is well done.
Looking at the numbers of likely cases and the likely shortage of hospital beds, it seems like it would be smartest to go out and TRY to catch the virus ASAP—-if you got really sick soon, you’d get a chance at a hospital bed and adequate care before they’re all filled up. Wait too long and you’ll end up dying in the mob in the hospital parking lot. Hmmmmm—–????
Roughly each infected person spreads it to 2.5 people, so if one wanted to get the virus purposefully and then be responsible for anyone they spread it to, that could be a plan.
Also, the people infected just before we started shutting things down (without Trump’s leadership) are the ones who are most likely to flood the system when the time comes. It’s very probably already too late if someone was crazy selfish enough to infect themselves purposefully in the hopes of getting first dibs on a hospital bed.
Better to slow the virus as much as possible with shutting things down and social distancing and hope a vaccine is 12 months away instead of longer.
You need to do more navel-gazing before you make a statement as final as “….if someone was crazy selfish enough to infect themselves purposefully in the hopes of getting first dibs on a hospital bed.”
In life-and-death matters where one’s very survival is at risk, it is actually a very rational move to try to get “first dibs on a hospital bed”. Unless of course, one has already come to that conclusion and is trying to discourage others from making the same move by calling it “crazy selfish”.
(And let’s not forget that human civilization was built on selfishness—-one group of humans taking from another)
I had heard your ‘idea’ elsewhere before, and have given my thoughts on it. There will be some that will purposefully infect themselves, like this is the chicken pox, and then go on to infect others, in a mad and insane dash to ‘get theirs first’.
Yes, as you say, that’s America for you, but that still does not make the “crazy selfish” move any less rational. I am almost 80, and although I’m not going to go looking for it, I would prefer getting it tomorrow rather than be part of the triage group left out in the parking lot to die a month or two from now.
Loading...
I’m 50 and in good shape for my age. To me, the concept to purposefully infect oneself is morally repugnant, because I could then pass it to someone older than myself, or even to someone younger who then passes it to someone older.
I accept that the equation could change with someone older. I have parents who are both 80, and I worry about them.
But, it’s basically Russian roulette to become purposefully infected for oneself, especially at 70+, with or without good medical care. Additionally, that infection could infect others, and the chances that a 70+ person would be in contact with other 70+ people is high.
Also, you are assuming that getting infected now would avoid a strained medical system, and I wouldn’t be so certain about that. There are reports that the incubation period can be as long as 27 days, and that the virus can live in the body as long as 37 days. That means those infected now won’t even know they are infected for as long as two weeks to a month from now.
Lockdowns work, and at least around me they are closing mass gatherings pretty effectively. The curve could indeed be flattened past that 2-4 week initial period where those already infected will be getting sick. It might be that our peak will be 3-5 weeks from now, rather than later. It will be that way if we can pull together as a nation and limit the infection as much as possible. I know that’s asking a lot of Murica, though, as the video calls us.
Loading...
“I’m 50 and in good shape for my age. To me, the concept to purposefully infect oneself is morally repugnant, because I could then pass it to someone older than myself, or even to someone younger who then passes it to someone older.’
As someone who is over 70 and has a malfunctioning heart and hypertension – thanks for your thoughtfulness. It seems the U.K are not restricting movement too much (hoping for herd immunity), but are advising the 70+ group to isolate themselves – thus putting the onus on the older folks. Some part of my nasty, suspicious brain wonders if the U.K government are trying to solve the state pension overstretch, where there are too many eligible boomer drawers as compared to wage earners.
Loading...
“In life-and-death matters where one’s very survival is at risk, it is actually a very rational move to try to get “first dibs on a hospital bed”. “
Which may be the dumbest thing you have ever written here, Dog. And that is a mouthful.
No, the sad fact is that Covid is very very very deadly to susceptible people, regardless of the treatment they get in hospital. Regardless of their age, if over 10 years of age, especially if 40 years of age or older. Many people got state of the art treatment in China – double antiviral therapy, interferon, steroids, antibiotics, oxygen supplementation. Nothing could prevent their death.
And now we know that some patients, even if they survive, have what looks like permanent organ damage. How many times do I need to say this – this is NOT influenza, and it does not help anybody to keep referring to influenza as a comparitor.
No, the only rational move is NOT to get exposed, not to get infected, not to need treatment at all.
Ah, we hear from the “very stable genius” who lives in the woods of Vermont. Did he too have a genius uncle who taught at MIT? Or has GB’s mental acuity been impaired by drinking too much Vermont Maple Syrup Vodka?
What’s truly “dumb” (or rather illogical) is saying “No, the only rational move is NOT to get exposed, not to get infected, not to need treatment at all”. The way this thing is going, it looks like well over half of the U.S. population may get exposed, become infected, and need treatment—–anyone who fails to see the logic of being among the early cases before the health care system is overwhelmed is the one who is DUMB.
Loading...
James William, there is truth in humor, but that was a joke.
Aside, South Korea is contemplating charging the leader of the cult, centre of their outbreak, with murder.
Loading...
Are you talking about the video or DOG’s comment?
There is truth in the video. It is humorous.
If it was DOG’s comment, no, I won’t chill. It wasn’t humor, I do worry that there will be people here in the States doing exactly that, and I have a feeling it will be younger people who don’t give two flips about the elderly.
Loading...
That is the right response, jimbills. We all have to pitch in to solve this through flattening the curve, and that includes doing our part to keep misinformation pollution to a minimum. Generations X, Y, and Z are going to have to do our part as well.
It seems to me this notion of intentionally contracting COVID-19 is as fallacious as the climate denial excuse of “I’ll be gone before it effects me”. The notion also fallaciously assumes that we will no doubt fail to flatten the curve and stay within medical capacity. We can’t predict the future, so might as well operate under the solutions provided by the science experts.
Loading...
Do chill. All your fears will change not a thing.
Loading...
“I have a feeling it will be younger people who don’t give two flips about the elderly.”
Seeing multiple examples of that exact thing all over the net. In s**tshow sites as well as scientific blogs. You know that “Ok, Boomer” thing? It’s widespread. And it pisses me off. As if the younger generations do not have the same demographic splits as all previous generations.
Loading...
“Do chill. All your fears will change not a thing.”
Fear is what is creating the moves to limit the spread right now. What I fear is us losing that fear, and I fear it will happen before we have a vaccine (or the virus self limits with the summer months).
Society is still in the shock phase with this thing. But over time, people are going to get tired with being isolated. The fear of this will lose its power, and the young especially will start to not care one way or another if they get it.
Once someone has it, they’ll probably be immune, and they can travel and do whatever they want. It will be a ‘club’ of sorts. There will be motivation to purposefully get the virus. But the irresponsible mother effers that do this will be consigning many to premature deaths. They will also be increasing the chances of a mutation in the virus.
I have a very hard time taking that lightly. So, sorry I’m not laughing about it, or chilling.
Loading...
My comment was not meant as a joke, although I did smile a bit at the irony involved. I was trying to get JB to get down off his high horse of endless navel-gazing and self-righteousness and do some rational analysis that recognized human nature. It looks like he may have finally done a bit of that—–good for him.
Loading...
The only thing your fear is actually Doing James, is stressing you out, reducing your resilience and immune system whilst doing actually NOTHING for the things you fear. Actually rephrasing first comment, ‘this sub thread is trivial and unworthy of the resulting ever expanding philosophical panti twisting that has resulted.’
Have the last word and be gentler with yourself.
Loading...
All we can do right now is ‘do the right thing’ the best we can ourselves. The best to everyone out there. It’s strange times right now. And it is scary. I think fear is a great motivator rather than an impediment as long as it doesn’t lead to outright panic.
I’m just giving my thoughts on this. Communicating about a problem, even if it leads to relatively unimportant tangents, can give help to others. Telling me first take the idea of purposefully infecting oneself as humor when it wasn’t, then to just chill about it, and then that my thoughts are basically unimportant (trivial and unworthy), while couching them in concerns for my own health, isn’t greatly appreciated, but thanks for the last word.
Loading...
The “flatten the curve” message is well done.
My first thought when I saw it. Comics can be much better at dealing with both political and scientific BS than “straight” news reporters.
Great advise from the video – use old newspapers when you run out of toilet paper – like we did in the good old days, forget stocking up on paper, but ensure you have a good thermometer as a fever seems to be a primary clue.
…but ensure you have a good thermometer as a fever seems to be a primary clue.
I wonder how many people “passed” the fever tests because they were taking fever reducers (AKA antipyretics) like ibuprofen, aspirin, acetominophen, etc.
So what else is new? Anyone who has read The Republican Brain (2012, Chris Mooney) and paid attention over the past 40 years knows that Republicans are not as smart as Democrats and do not have thought processes that work half as well. Too bad they’re going to take so many of us with them.
Nunes is a complete moron and POS, but there is some small bit of logic in there. Before the SHTF big time, there may be a small window where going to half-deserted bars and restaurants may not be too dangerous.
The time to best limit this is before mass breakout. We’ve passed that point, or window, and for every confirmed case right now there are probably 10x (at the least) that number who have it. Many people are infected who don’t realize they’re infected, and they are spreading it:
Any major health official will say we can’t be meeting in crowded rooms right now.
At some point, we have to continue to live as best we can. China, for instance, started installing separation screens between diners at restaurants. But the window for safety here really ended weeks ago, and Nunes is just sending mixed messages to the public, making it much worse.
Ozland.
‘Reports’ today. Virus test kits have run out. One wonders, as in not knowing, whether a drive thru test facility, when the state score was only 3 cases, was a worthwhile stunt? Sewerage problems due to Murdoch papers being useful at last. Supermarket chain opened 1 hour earlier to enable people over 70 to easier obtain essentials, read as Toilet Paper. Total embarrassment, shelves had not been restocked from the day before. Seems to be functioning now. There are no shortages of every day things, just a practical lesson on the effects of cascading panic.
Personal aside, my darling wife as cancelled her hospital volunteering TFN. Due to intense pressure from Sons and daughter in law.
ROTFLMAO! Leave it to the Australians to get it right and with the appropriate degree of humor. The “flatten the curve” message is well done.
Looking at the numbers of likely cases and the likely shortage of hospital beds, it seems like it would be smartest to go out and TRY to catch the virus ASAP—-if you got really sick soon, you’d get a chance at a hospital bed and adequate care before they’re all filled up. Wait too long and you’ll end up dying in the mob in the hospital parking lot. Hmmmmm—–????
Roughly each infected person spreads it to 2.5 people, so if one wanted to get the virus purposefully and then be responsible for anyone they spread it to, that could be a plan.
Seems about as morally and socially responsible as this guy:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/technology/coronavirus-purell-wipes-amazon-sellers.html
Plus, unless someone is a child, there’s no guarantee for avoiding either death or a long-term effect:
https://www.sciencealert.com/even-those-who-recover-from-corona-can-be-left-gasping-for-breath-afterwards
Also, the people infected just before we started shutting things down (without Trump’s leadership) are the ones who are most likely to flood the system when the time comes. It’s very probably already too late if someone was crazy selfish enough to infect themselves purposefully in the hopes of getting first dibs on a hospital bed.
Better to slow the virus as much as possible with shutting things down and social distancing and hope a vaccine is 12 months away instead of longer.
You need to do more navel-gazing before you make a statement as final as “….if someone was crazy selfish enough to infect themselves purposefully in the hopes of getting first dibs on a hospital bed.”
In life-and-death matters where one’s very survival is at risk, it is actually a very rational move to try to get “first dibs on a hospital bed”. Unless of course, one has already come to that conclusion and is trying to discourage others from making the same move by calling it “crazy selfish”.
(And let’s not forget that human civilization was built on selfishness—-one group of humans taking from another)
Crazy selfish. That’s America for you, though.
I had heard your ‘idea’ elsewhere before, and have given my thoughts on it. There will be some that will purposefully infect themselves, like this is the chicken pox, and then go on to infect others, in a mad and insane dash to ‘get theirs first’.
Yes, as you say, that’s America for you, but that still does not make the “crazy selfish” move any less rational. I am almost 80, and although I’m not going to go looking for it, I would prefer getting it tomorrow rather than be part of the triage group left out in the parking lot to die a month or two from now.
I’m 50 and in good shape for my age. To me, the concept to purposefully infect oneself is morally repugnant, because I could then pass it to someone older than myself, or even to someone younger who then passes it to someone older.
I accept that the equation could change with someone older. I have parents who are both 80, and I worry about them.
But, it’s basically Russian roulette to become purposefully infected for oneself, especially at 70+, with or without good medical care. Additionally, that infection could infect others, and the chances that a 70+ person would be in contact with other 70+ people is high.
Also, you are assuming that getting infected now would avoid a strained medical system, and I wouldn’t be so certain about that. There are reports that the incubation period can be as long as 27 days, and that the virus can live in the body as long as 37 days. That means those infected now won’t even know they are infected for as long as two weeks to a month from now.
Lockdowns work, and at least around me they are closing mass gatherings pretty effectively. The curve could indeed be flattened past that 2-4 week initial period where those already infected will be getting sick. It might be that our peak will be 3-5 weeks from now, rather than later. It will be that way if we can pull together as a nation and limit the infection as much as possible. I know that’s asking a lot of Murica, though, as the video calls us.
“I’m 50 and in good shape for my age. To me, the concept to purposefully infect oneself is morally repugnant, because I could then pass it to someone older than myself, or even to someone younger who then passes it to someone older.’
As someone who is over 70 and has a malfunctioning heart and hypertension – thanks for your thoughtfulness. It seems the U.K are not restricting movement too much (hoping for herd immunity), but are advising the 70+ group to isolate themselves – thus putting the onus on the older folks. Some part of my nasty, suspicious brain wonders if the U.K government are trying to solve the state pension overstretch, where there are too many eligible boomer drawers as compared to wage earners.
“In life-and-death matters where one’s very survival is at risk, it is actually a very rational move to try to get “first dibs on a hospital bed”. “
Which may be the dumbest thing you have ever written here, Dog. And that is a mouthful.
No, the sad fact is that Covid is very very very deadly to susceptible people, regardless of the treatment they get in hospital. Regardless of their age, if over 10 years of age, especially if 40 years of age or older. Many people got state of the art treatment in China – double antiviral therapy, interferon, steroids, antibiotics, oxygen supplementation. Nothing could prevent their death.
And now we know that some patients, even if they survive, have what looks like permanent organ damage. How many times do I need to say this – this is NOT influenza, and it does not help anybody to keep referring to influenza as a comparitor.
No, the only rational move is NOT to get exposed, not to get infected, not to need treatment at all.
Ah, we hear from the “very stable genius” who lives in the woods of Vermont. Did he too have a genius uncle who taught at MIT? Or has GB’s mental acuity been impaired by drinking too much Vermont Maple Syrup Vodka?
What’s truly “dumb” (or rather illogical) is saying “No, the only rational move is NOT to get exposed, not to get infected, not to need treatment at all”. The way this thing is going, it looks like well over half of the U.S. population may get exposed, become infected, and need treatment—–anyone who fails to see the logic of being among the early cases before the health care system is overwhelmed is the one who is DUMB.
James William, there is truth in humor, but that was a joke.
Did you read the following comments? It wasn’t a joke, and it’s not funny.
Chill JB, there is truth in humor.
Aside, South Korea is contemplating charging the leader of the cult, centre of their outbreak, with murder.
Are you talking about the video or DOG’s comment?
There is truth in the video. It is humorous.
If it was DOG’s comment, no, I won’t chill. It wasn’t humor, I do worry that there will be people here in the States doing exactly that, and I have a feeling it will be younger people who don’t give two flips about the elderly.
That is the right response, jimbills. We all have to pitch in to solve this through flattening the curve, and that includes doing our part to keep misinformation pollution to a minimum. Generations X, Y, and Z are going to have to do our part as well.
It seems to me this notion of intentionally contracting COVID-19 is as fallacious as the climate denial excuse of “I’ll be gone before it effects me”. The notion also fallaciously assumes that we will no doubt fail to flatten the curve and stay within medical capacity. We can’t predict the future, so might as well operate under the solutions provided by the science experts.
Do chill. All your fears will change not a thing.
“I have a feeling it will be younger people who don’t give two flips about the elderly.”
Seeing multiple examples of that exact thing all over the net. In s**tshow sites as well as scientific blogs. You know that “Ok, Boomer” thing? It’s widespread. And it pisses me off. As if the younger generations do not have the same demographic splits as all previous generations.
“Do chill. All your fears will change not a thing.”
Fear is what is creating the moves to limit the spread right now. What I fear is us losing that fear, and I fear it will happen before we have a vaccine (or the virus self limits with the summer months).
Society is still in the shock phase with this thing. But over time, people are going to get tired with being isolated. The fear of this will lose its power, and the young especially will start to not care one way or another if they get it.
Once someone has it, they’ll probably be immune, and they can travel and do whatever they want. It will be a ‘club’ of sorts. There will be motivation to purposefully get the virus. But the irresponsible mother effers that do this will be consigning many to premature deaths. They will also be increasing the chances of a mutation in the virus.
I have a very hard time taking that lightly. So, sorry I’m not laughing about it, or chilling.
My comment was not meant as a joke, although I did smile a bit at the irony involved. I was trying to get JB to get down off his high horse of endless navel-gazing and self-righteousness and do some rational analysis that recognized human nature. It looks like he may have finally done a bit of that—–good for him.
The only thing your fear is actually Doing James, is stressing you out, reducing your resilience and immune system whilst doing actually NOTHING for the things you fear. Actually rephrasing first comment, ‘this sub thread is trivial and unworthy of the resulting ever expanding philosophical panti twisting that has resulted.’
Have the last word and be gentler with yourself.
All we can do right now is ‘do the right thing’ the best we can ourselves. The best to everyone out there. It’s strange times right now. And it is scary. I think fear is a great motivator rather than an impediment as long as it doesn’t lead to outright panic.
I’m just giving my thoughts on this. Communicating about a problem, even if it leads to relatively unimportant tangents, can give help to others. Telling me first take the idea of purposefully infecting oneself as humor when it wasn’t, then to just chill about it, and then that my thoughts are basically unimportant (trivial and unworthy), while couching them in concerns for my own health, isn’t greatly appreciated, but thanks for the last word.
My first thought when I saw it. Comics can be much better at dealing with both political and scientific BS than “straight” news reporters.
Loved it! Thanks, Peter.
Great advise from the video – use old newspapers when you run out of toilet paper – like we did in the good old days, forget stocking up on paper, but ensure you have a good thermometer as a fever seems to be a primary clue.
And if you need a haircut go to a pandemic trained barber..
https://youtu.be/usXfAgIpq8Y
I wonder how many people “passed” the fever tests because they were taking fever reducers (AKA antipyretics) like ibuprofen, aspirin, acetominophen, etc.
Ah, well.
O.M.G. The Juice Media video on the aftermath of the Australia fires is not to be missed.
https://www.thejuicemedia.com/honest-government-ad-the-fires/
The Australien government policy is: “Get effin used to it.”
Sweet.
I also like them identifying as the Australien government.
Now, this is what I call good communication!
https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/only-30-percent-of-republicans-are-likely-to-avoid-gatherings-during-coronavirus-pandemic-80681541952
So what else is new? Anyone who has read The Republican Brain (2012, Chris Mooney) and paid attention over the past 40 years knows that Republicans are not as smart as Democrats and do not have thought processes that work half as well. Too bad they’re going to take so many of us with them.
Good. Given the modal age of the Republican electorate this could be seen as a good thing
Public health experts say stay in. Devin Nunes and other defiant officials say, ‘It’s a great time to just go out.’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/16/coronavirus-nunes-bars/
Nunes is a complete moron and POS, but there is some small bit of logic in there. Before the SHTF big time, there may be a small window where going to half-deserted bars and restaurants may not be too dangerous.
States consider new virus restrictions as revelers pack bars
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/states-virus-restrictions-revelers-pack-bars-69608526
The time to best limit this is before mass breakout. We’ve passed that point, or window, and for every confirmed case right now there are probably 10x (at the least) that number who have it. Many people are infected who don’t realize they’re infected, and they are spreading it:
Infected people without symptoms might be driving the spread of coronavirus more than we realized
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-spread/index.html
Any major health official will say we can’t be meeting in crowded rooms right now.
At some point, we have to continue to live as best we can. China, for instance, started installing separation screens between diners at restaurants. But the window for safety here really ended weeks ago, and Nunes is just sending mixed messages to the public, making it much worse.
Governor of MD just announced that all bars, restaurants, and gyms will be closed as of 5 PM today. No mixed message there.
It’s going to be the biggest, baddest Mother Of All Happy Hours you have ever seen at 4 PM. ;D
Jeezum. The number of documented US cases just doubled overnight.
And overall mortality in documented cases world-wide just from 3.75% to over 4%. Overnight.
Ozland.
‘Reports’ today. Virus test kits have run out. One wonders, as in not knowing, whether a drive thru test facility, when the state score was only 3 cases, was a worthwhile stunt? Sewerage problems due to Murdoch papers being useful at last. Supermarket chain opened 1 hour earlier to enable people over 70 to easier obtain essentials, read as Toilet Paper. Total embarrassment, shelves had not been restocked from the day before. Seems to be functioning now. There are no shortages of every day things, just a practical lesson on the effects of cascading panic.
Personal aside, my darling wife as cancelled her hospital volunteering TFN. Due to intense pressure from Sons and daughter in law.