Where's the petri dish thread?

[Shirley]

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-ri ... avoid-them

Speaking of restaurants....no thanks.

So, we were sold on this grand scheme for "a few weeks" out of "an abundance of caution" in order to "flatten the curve" so that "the healthcare system is not overwhelmed." We all complied. The curve was flattened. Healthcare systems have been underwhelmed to the point that many healthcare systems laid off employees.

Now the rationale has magically changed.

Now, we are supposed to believe that we are all in perpetual danger, that the curve is perilously close to not being flattened, and that our only hope is to stay in economy-crippling fear mode until a vaccine - that may or may not work - is made available "in twelve to eighteen months."

Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".

This is complete and utter b.s. taken straight from the pages of Orwell and Huxley. I refuse to play along anymore. I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet by politicians playing political games and weak people who choose to live in fear.

I am not saying you're wrong, because you're not. The goal posts moved...but in my county of IL the curve is definitely still on the up slope.

If you take NYC out of the numbers, many places are still increasing.

Some people don't want to risk it. And I agree with you that if that's the case then they should stay home until they feel safe. None of us need a politician to tell us what to do or make choices for us. I dont care if restaurants open, I won't be going inside anyway. But if others want to then that should be their choice.

I mostly only shared that for the info about that its relatively safe to go to grocery stores and do anything outside, and conversely that its relatively risky to go to restaurants in areas with lots of cases becuase of airflow issues.

I sympathize with both sides...the only people I don't agree with are the ones saying its a "hoax".

"...I refuse to play along anymore. I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet by politicians playing political games and weak people who choose to live in fear.

My heart goes out to you Psych. I don't blame you for being extremely worried about your future, especially your job, but your default to the crazy conspiracies you spout is really sad.

Here's congressman Tim Ryan, he's trying to help you:



"...The goal posts moved...

Think about it Illi, it's a brand new virus. When the people who specialize in virology and immunology and infectious diseases and public health, et al., attempt to set the "goal posts", they do it great trepidation, and make the best guess they can at the time based on the available evidence. The science.

When the "goal posts" were set months ago, we had lots of questions and very few answers. Does that mean the public health experts who study pandemics and infectious diseases shouldn't have given us their best opinion based on the what they knew at the time? No, hell no.

Here are a few, a few of the issues they were trying to learn then, and more accurately now:

How is it spread?
Is it spread by asymptomatic people?
Is it spread by blood?
Aerosol?
Saliva?
Cough?
Sneeze?
Regular conversation?
Inanimate objects?
How long does it live on those objects?
What's the incubation period?

And, among the biggest variables to "solve" for is predicting how compliant over 300 million people in the US will be with the public health recommendations?

As new information becomes available and the patterns and characteristics of the virus become better known, it would be negligent, unethical, malpractice, if the people who make public health policy ignored the new evidence, and didn't move the "goal posts".

Is that not obvious!

[Deleted User 310]

"...The goal posts moved...

Think about it Illi, it's a brand new virus. When the people who specialize in virology and immunology and infectious diseases and public health, et al., attempt to set the "goal posts", they do it great trepidation, and make the best guess they can at the time based on the available evidence. The science.

When the "goal posts" were set months ago, we had lots of questions and very few answers. Does that mean the public health experts who study pandemics and infectious diseases shouldn't have given us their best opinion based on the what they knew at the time? No, hell no.

Here are a few, a few of the issues they were trying to learn then, and more accurately now:

How is it spread?
Is it spread by asymptomatic people?
Is it spread by blood?
Aerosol?
Saliva?
Cough?
Sneeze?
Regular conversation?
Inanimate objects?
How long does it live on those objects?
What's the incubation period?

And, among the biggest variables to "solve" for is predicting how compliant over 300 million people in the US will be with the public health recommendations?

As new information becomes available and the patterns and characteristics of the virus become better known, it would be negligent, unethical, malpractice, if the people who make public health policy ignored the new evidence, and didn't move the "goal posts".

Is that not obvious!

I'm with you. I'm not saying its bad that the goal posts moved. I agree they needed to move.

(I dont know why thats bold...i swear I'm not yelling at you LOL)

[Shirley]

It was my fault it's in bold. I edited/fixed the original, but apparently that didn't fix it on your post.

[Deleted User 289]

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-ri ... avoid-them

Speaking of restaurants....no thanks.

So, we were sold on this grand scheme for "a few weeks" out of "an abundance of caution" in order to "flatten the curve" so that "the healthcare system is not overwhelmed." We all complied. The curve was flattened. Healthcare systems have been underwhelmed to the point that many healthcare systems laid off employees.

Now the rationale has magically changed.

Now, we are supposed to believe that we are all in perpetual danger, that the curve is perilously close to not being flattened, and that our only hope is to stay in economy-crippling fear mode until a vaccine - that may or may not work - is made available "in twelve to eighteen months."

Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".

This is complete and utter b.s. taken straight from the pages of Orwell and Huxley. I refuse to play along anymore. I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet by politicians playing political games and weak people who choose to live in fear.

I am not saying you're wrong, because you're not. The goal posts moved...but in my county of IL the curve is definitely still on the up slope.

If you take NYC out of the numbers, many places are still increasing.

Some people don't want to risk it. And I agree with you that if that's the case then they should stay home until they feel safe. None of us need a politician to tell us what to do or make choices for us. I dont care if restaurants open, I won't be going inside anyway. But if others want to then that should be their choice.

I mostly only shared that for the info about that its relatively safe to go to grocery stores and do anything outside, and conversely that its relatively risky to go to restaurants in areas with lots of cases becuase of airflow issues.

I sympathize with both sides...the only people I don't agree with are the ones saying its a "hoax".

You don't need to kiss his ass. He is wrong - about some things.

He said, "We all complied".
* Really? "We" "ALL" "Complied"? No.

"The curve was flattened".
* Really? EVERYWHERE? Or some places? "was" as in past tense, current tense, or future tense?

"Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".
* Without question SOME people are a few if not all of those things if they don't/didn't "play along".

"weak people who choose to live in fear".
* Sure seems like he expressed HIS (justifiable) living in fear by saying - "I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet".
Remember Illini, were are dealing with a "psych" "professor" who finds fault ("weak") in others who are living in fear - while expressing he's living in fear.

I'll say it again and again and again and again. I'm all for re-opening - as long as "we" do it smartly.
Problem is we live in a country full of dumbfucks who have no interest in doing things "smartly".

[HouseDivided]

Don’t forget the gubmint is also telling private businesses like meat processors that they must remain open, consequences be damned!

I know, right? Because consequences like people killing dogs and cats for meat don't count. It is interesting that some data is showing that the hardest-hit group is males with low testosterone, and, not coincidentally, now the Left is saying that this is a good opportunity to get used to doing without the main food source that supports testosterone levels. Probably just a coincidence, though.

I think Psych might be on to something:

Yup. Playing the Holocaust Card is a guaranteed fast track to getting shut down.

[Shirley]

I know, right? Because consequences like people killing dogs and cats for meat don't count. It is interesting that some data is showing that the hardest-hit group is males with low testosterone, and, not coincidentally, now the Left is saying that this is a good opportunity to get used to doing without the main food source that supports testosterone levels. Probably just a coincidence, though.

I think Psych might be on to something:

Yup. Playing the Holocaust Card is a guaranteed fast track to getting shut down.

I agree, if only the dumbass in Alaska hadn't brought it up.

[HouseDivided]

So, we were sold on this grand scheme for "a few weeks" out of "an abundance of caution" in order to "flatten the curve" so that "the healthcare system is not overwhelmed." We all complied. The curve was flattened. Healthcare systems have been underwhelmed to the point that many healthcare systems laid off employees.

Now the rationale has magically changed.

Now, we are supposed to believe that we are all in perpetual danger, that the curve is perilously close to not being flattened, and that our only hope is to stay in economy-crippling fear mode until a vaccine - that may or may not work - is made available "in twelve to eighteen months."

Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".

This is complete and utter b.s. taken straight from the pages of Orwell and Huxley. I refuse to play along anymore. I refuse to live in fear. I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet by politicians playing political games and weak people who choose to live in fear.

I am not saying you're wrong, because you're not. The goal posts moved...but in my county of IL the curve is definitely still on the up slope.

If you take NYC out of the numbers, many places are still increasing.

Some people don't want to risk it. And I agree with you that if that's the case then they should stay home until they feel safe. None of us need a politician to tell us what to do or make choices for us. I dont care if restaurants open, I won't be going inside anyway. But if others want to then that should be their choice.

I mostly only shared that for the info about that its relatively safe to go to grocery stores and do anything outside, and conversely that its relatively risky to go to restaurants in areas with lots of cases becuase of airflow issues.

I sympathize with both sides...the only people I don't agree with are the ones saying its a "hoax".

You don't need to kiss his ass. He is wrong - about some things.

He said, "We all complied".
* Really? "We" "ALL" "Complied"? No.

"The curve was flattened".
* Really? EVERYWHERE? Or some places? "was" as in past tense, current tense, or future tense?

"Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".
* Without question SOME people are a few if not all of those things if they don't/didn't "play along".

"weak people who choose to live in fear".
* Sure seems like he expressed HIS (justifiable) living in fear by saying - "I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet".
Remember Illini, were are dealing with a "psych" "professor" who finds fault ("weak") in others who are living in fear - while expressing he's living in fear.

I'll say it again and again and again and again. I'm all for re-opening - as long as "we" do it smartly.
Problem is we live in a country full of dumbfucks who have no interest in doing things "smartly".

You’re right. I do live in fear of losing my career and having to be a greeter at Wal-Mart while I pay off the student loans that I had to take out while I was spending six years earning a PhD while working two jobs and raising a family. I do live in fear of having scratched and clawed my way out of a living hell to just start to glimpse what happiness might look like only to have it snatched away by a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians.

You’ll have to excuse me if I find the suggestion that I be happy and content living out my days working at Arby’s or Whole Foods - or worse yet, sitting at home collecting a poverty-level universal basic income check - because a bunch of people needed to overblow an illness to make themselves feel better because their candidate didn’t win the 2016 election and they’re afraid he going to get four more years not just ridiculous but offensive.

I’m to the point where, anyone who has the temerity to say that me losing the career I spent my whole life working toward is a reasonable sacrifice so that some 80 year-olds with heart disease and emphysema can live another six months, is going to flat out get punched in the mouth.

If you want to lock yourselves in your houses, great. Lock away. But don’t screw me and the rest of us who want to be happy and earn an honest living along the way. Don’t screw my 16 year-old out of his high school basketball season. Don’t screw my students out of a normal college experience. Don’t try to shame the rest of us into being a bunch of socialist sheep.

What has happened in the last two months is disgraceful and inexcusable; what happens in the next four to six weeks will determine whether or not there is life to go back to. If this bored were a reliable sampling of the American people, I would have no hope. Thankfully, I see and hear people all around me every day who are calling b.s. and refusing to be pushed around anymore.

[HouseDivided]

I think Psych might be on to something:

Yup. Playing the Holocaust Card is a guaranteed fast track to getting shut down.

I agree, if only the dumbass in Alaska hadn't brought it up.

I don’t know if he’s truly a dumbass, but I agree that he was dumb to go there.

[Geezer]

Seriously, seek help.

[HouseDivided]

Seriously, seek help.

I am the help.

Who do you think spends twelve hour days sitting in the therapist’s chair trying to help people find hope and make sense of this mess?

Do you have answers for all of the people who’ve lost jobs and have no money to pay bills?

How many teenagers did you see this week who are having panic attacks because they miss their friends and can’t bear the thought of no school or sports to go back to in August?

How many suicidal adults have you tried to help this week?

Any couples on the brink of divorce because they’ve been cooped up for two months and can’t pay their bills?

That’s an average day for me, only add in students e-mailing me asking for help finding work to help support their families and for reassurance that things will be okay.

And then I go home and wonder those same things for myself after I’ve had to smile and calmly reassure people that they will be fine and that they have the resources within to cope.

But, hey, maybe Trump won’t win in November, so it’ll all be worth it.

[seahawk]

Seriously, seek help.

^^^^^ This.

[PhDhawk]

Longest off-season ever.

[Mjl]

Who knew Psych was a socialist.

[DCHawk1]

Just drop this here.

https://www.propublica.org/article/two- ... california

[DCHawk1]

And this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/us/n ... break.html

[zsn]

Just drop this here.

https://www.propublica.org/article/two- ... california

Gavin deserves a lot of credit for taking bold steps although he was about a step behind the local officials. It’s a little unfair to only single out London Breed for credit. She has been in constant contact and communication with neighboring jurisdictions and the nine Bay Area counties have been working closely together and that’s reflected in the outcome so far. A lot of people were very skeptical about London Breed when she was first elected (she won based on rank-choice voting and wasn’t the majority first choice). But people have invariably come around after her response to the virus outbreak.

Mayors of San Jose (wasn’t a big fan until recently), Oakland and Berkeley also deserve considerable credit.

California continues to show leadership to the country and the world!

[seahawk]

Just drop this here.

https://www.propublica.org/article/two- ... california

California Stay at Home Order - March 19
NewYork Stay at Home Order - March 22
Florida Stay at Home Order - April 3

We've been cautioned that the Trump Re-Election Strategy is BLAME THE GOVERNORS. But DC doesn't mention his boy De Santis.

[Deleted User 289]

I am not saying you're wrong, because you're not. The goal posts moved...but in my county of IL the curve is definitely still on the up slope.

If you take NYC out of the numbers, many places are still increasing.

Some people don't want to risk it. And I agree with you that if that's the case then they should stay home until they feel safe. None of us need a politician to tell us what to do or make choices for us. I dont care if restaurants open, I won't be going inside anyway. But if others want to then that should be their choice.

I mostly only shared that for the info about that its relatively safe to go to grocery stores and do anything outside, and conversely that its relatively risky to go to restaurants in areas with lots of cases becuase of airflow issues.

I sympathize with both sides...the only people I don't agree with are the ones saying its a "hoax".

You don't need to kiss his ass. He is wrong - about some things.

He said, "We all complied".
* Really? "We" "ALL" "Complied"? No.

"The curve was flattened".
* Really? EVERYWHERE? Or some places? "was" as in past tense, current tense, or future tense?

"Furthermore, if you question the narrative or refuse to play along, you are "deluded," "selfish," "racist," "ignorant," and "dangerous".
* Without question SOME people are a few if not all of those things if they don't/didn't "play along".

"weak people who choose to live in fear".
* Sure seems like he expressed HIS (justifiable) living in fear by saying - "I refuse to stand idly by while my economic future is flushed down the toilet".
Remember Illini, were are dealing with a "psych" "professor" who finds fault ("weak") in others who are living in fear - while expressing he's living in fear.

I'll say it again and again and again and again. I'm all for re-opening - as long as "we" do it smartly.
Problem is we live in a country full of dumbfucks who have no interest in doing things "smartly".

You’re right. I do live in fear of losing my career and having to be a greeter at Wal-Mart while I pay off the student loans that I had to take out while I was spending six years earning a PhD while working two jobs and raising a family. I do live in fear of having scratched and clawed my way out of a living hell to just start to glimpse what happiness might look like only to have it snatched away by a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians.

You’ll have to excuse me if I find the suggestion that I be happy and content living out my days working at Arby’s or Whole Foods - or worse yet, sitting at home collecting a poverty-level universal basic income check - because a bunch of people needed to overblow an illness to make themselves feel better because their candidate didn’t win the 2016 election and they’re afraid he going to get four more years not just ridiculous but offensive.

I’m to the point where, anyone who has the temerity to say that me losing the career I spent my whole life working toward is a reasonable sacrifice so that some 80 year-olds with heart disease and emphysema can live another six months, is going to flat out get punched in the mouth.

If you want to lock yourselves in your houses, great. Lock away. But don’t screw me and the rest of us who want to be happy and earn an honest living along the way. Don’t screw my 16 year-old out of his high school basketball season. Don’t screw my students out of a normal college experience. Don’t try to shame the rest of us into being a bunch of socialist sheep.

What has happened in the last two months is disgraceful and inexcusable; what happens in the next four to six weeks will determine whether or not there is life to go back to. If this bored were a reliable sampling of the American people, I would have no hope. Thankfully, I see and hear people all around me every day who are calling b.s. and refusing to be pushed around anymore.

As someone else suggested, if you haven't already - you should probably seek help.
I'm saying that in a compassionate manner. As someone who has asked for and received his own help. Many times. For many issues.

Let's examine your post and I will respond respectfully.

As I said, your "fear" is justifiable. That being said, I feel it's 100% wrong of you to say to other's their fear is not justifiable when they may have as legitimate of a reason to be fearful of the things they fear as you have the legitimate reason to be in fear of the thing/s you are fearful of.
I would hope you as a "psych" guy could and would comprehend that and be maybe just the slightest bit compassionate in that regard.

Imagine that HD, now you are feeling the fear others have felt but for different reasons. The fear of losing their job/s. Sucks. I've been there. I'm not going to compare our "living hells" because everyone's are different. I'm honestly happy for you for moving on and finding happiness but come on man, you are a "psych" guy. You must realize that life is full of peaks and valleys. You want to blame "a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians" for your plight right now. Fair enough. I place blame on them too. I also blame the virus - and like to believe that life and death trumps all. The moment you were born in to this world you were given life. The last thing you will experience in this world is death. That's all we are promised. There will be good and there will be bad in our lives. I find it interesting that we are wired as humans to blame others when things go bad in our lives more than we praise others when good things happen in our lives. That's enough of my philosophical jargon for now.

You said, "because a bunch of people needed to overblow an illness to make themselves feel better because their candidate didn’t win the 2016 election and they’re afraid he going to get four more years not just ridiculous but offensive".
* Forgive me for not fully understanding what you are saying. I'm assuming you are under the impression people feel the virus is real, and respect it, and perhaps even fear it, because Hillary Clinton didn't win the presidential election in 2016. Yeah, I agree. That's pretty ridiculous and offensive - to make that assumption and accusation.

You said, "I’m to the point where, anyone who has the temerity to say that me losing the career I spent my whole life working toward is a reasonable sacrifice so that some 80 year-olds with heart disease and emphysema can live another six months, is going to flat out get punched in the mouth.
* I'm not going to speak for others here. I'm speaking for myself and 70+ year olds who are fairly healthy and productive members of society.
Of course losing your career is not a "reasonable sacrifice". Thing is, you very well may NOT lose your career but if unfortunately you do, you still have an opportunity to find/have a different "career".
I really hope you realize this isn't as simple of a choice between deciding if you keep your career or if "some 80 year-olds with heart disease and emphysema can live another six months".
As far as your punching someone in the mouth, I suggest you don't do it. You very well may lose your career that you supposedly cherish so much. That's one of the reasons why I feel you should seek help. If you are this angry to the point where you are telling others you are going to resort to physical violence because of your fear of losing your career - if nothing else, you are "troubled".

You said, "If you want to lock yourselves in your houses, great. Lock away. But don’t screw me and the rest of us who want to be happy and earn an honest living along the way. Don’t screw my 16 year-old out of his high school basketball season. Don’t screw my students out of a normal college experience. Don’t try to shame the rest of us into being a bunch of socialist sheep".
* I don't know of anyone who has locked themself in their house. I do know people who have chosen to be careful and only shop when necessary.
I think you are focusing your anger on the wrong people here. I think the purpose of the initial "stay at home order/s" were to prevent you from getting sick so that you would be able to be happy and earn an honest living in the not too distant future. For an unfortunate reason your 16 year old is learning life isn't always fair. Guess what, I know a woman who's 16 year old daughter lost her grandfather to COVID-19. He was an active man who golfed almost daily and loved life. He paid his "debt" to society and was enjoying his "senior" years. I assure you she would have happily given up basketball for a season if it meant her grandfather didn't die. I assume somewhere along the line in the last 16 years you have taken your 16 year old somewhere to show him/her how fortunate he is to live the life he does. For one basketball season shit happened to him. I sincerely feel bad. I have family members who have missed out on a lot of things such as their college graduations. Thankfully life does and will go on for them - and your son. For my friends father, it will not.


You said, "What has happened in the last two months is disgraceful and inexcusable; what happens in the next four to six weeks will determine whether or not there is life to go back to. If this bored were a reliable sampling of the American people, I would have no hope. Thankfully, I see and hear people all around me every day who are calling b.s. and refusing to be pushed around anymore.
* I agree 100% that it's been "disgraceful and inexcusable" that some people haven't given a fuck and didn't take the virus seriously and because of it, we have 80,000+ dead Americans who had many family members, friends, and co-workers who have been directly affected by their DEATH. Is your attitude "fuck 'em" "who cares" - I haven't been able to teach?
Honest question/s. Do you truly believe that there are people on this board who are enjoying this? Who hope it continues indefinitely? Who are rooting against people such as yourself who may lose their "careers"?

I'm going to add one thing. I don't know if this was your intention or not but it seems you were/are belittling those who are greeters at Walmart, or work at Arby's and Whole Foods.
Are they lesser people than you are? I ask because those people serve a purpose in society and actually - they are more important to me and others than you and your "career" are.
Not trying to be disrespectful by saying that. I'm trying to give you a bit of perspective on everything else you have said - in terms of you losing your "career".

[Deleted User 289]

Seriously, seek help.

I am the help.

Who do you think spends twelve hour days sitting in the therapist’s chair trying to help people find hope and make sense of this mess?

Do you have answers for all of the people who’ve lost jobs and have no money to pay bills?

How many teenagers did you see this week who are having panic attacks because they miss their friends and can’t bear the thought of no school or sports to go back to in August?

How many suicidal adults have you tried to help this week?

Any couples on the brink of divorce because they’ve been cooped up for two months and can’t pay their bills?

That’s an average day for me, only add in students e-mailing me asking for help finding work to help support their families and for reassurance that things will be okay.

And then I go home and wonder those same things for myself after I’ve had to smile and calmly reassure people that they will be fine and that they have the resources within to cope.

But, hey, maybe Trump won’t win in November, so it’ll all be worth it.

Again, 2nd time in two days I am going to ask you if you are serious with your post.
Yesterday you said people who live in fear are weak - and you said it in an insulting manner.
Now all of a sudden you're compassionate - if they are your "patients"?
A sincere thank you from me - for your trying to help others who are going through a rough time right now.
Thing is, I admit I was a bit confused when you said, "I’ve had to smile and calmly reassure people that they will be fine and that they have the resources within to cope".
So another words, you don't take and/or believe your own advice? Hmm.

[seahawk]

Don’t screw my 16 year-old out of his high school basketball season.

Have an acquaintance whose 16 year old daughter just discovered she's a Type 1 diabetic. When my 20 year old grandson was 16, he spent 7 hours in the Cath Lab as they tried to deal with his Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome. And neither of those had Leukemia or Hodgins Lymphoma or MS or any of the other terrible diseases/syndromes.

As a result of that hospital stay, the grandson is now in nursing school and works full-time as a personal care giver to a man his parent's age, who has a degenerative disease. He's out there in the community going to school and working, so his immuno-compromised parents are sheltering away--and they're 50, not 80.

But you want to encourage the YoHos to not Social Distance, to not wear masks, because your son won't have a basketball season? And none of you will fail to seek medical care, but will instead endanger people like grandson at hospitals because you're angry at things like--your son won't have a basketball season?

And you're here lamenting this while 99's young son-in-law is in the hospital on oxygen.

JFC