All things political. Coronavirus Edition. (8 Viewers)

[Maxp]

I fear we are really going to be in a bad place due to the obvious cuts to the federal agencies that deal with infectious disease, but also the negative effect the Affordable Care act has had on non urban hospitals. Our front line defenses are ineffectual and our ability to treat the populous is probably at an all time low. Factor in the cost of healthcare and I can see our system crashing. What do you think about the politics of this virus?

 

[dtc]

He just repeated that very vague lie again, as I heard him saying that the testing is “perfect” and that anyone who wants a test can have one. Meanwhile our infectious disease doc is fighting with our state health dept because he has a patient in our hospital who he thinks has Covid and they won’t allow him to be tested.

Trump should pay a political price for his lies.

His supporters will go to the polls on a ventilator covered in Coronavirus to support him even while he's telling them they're sick from the Obama-Flu.

 

[Lapaz]

Does anyone believe that masks would NOT help prevent the spread? It seems logical to me that it would prevent the spread. I know that healthcare workers and the most vulnerable should get them first, but we shouldn't be told that the masks won't help. If I wear a mask, and don't breath in someone's coughed air, then I won't get sick, and therefore won't spread it to others. The only reason to tell people that they won't help spread the disease is to prevent a run on masks so that the people that need them most can't get them. However, lying causes people to distrust everything else they're told. Am I off base?

 

[BobE]

 

[cuddlemonkey]

Does anyone believe that masks would NOT help prevent the spread? It seems logical to me that it would prevent the spread. I know that healthcare workers and the most vulnerable should get them first, but we shouldn't be told that the masks won't help. If I wear a mask, and don't breath in someone's coughed air, then I won't get sick, and therefore won't spread it to others. The only reason to tell people that they won't help spread the disease is to prevent a run on masks so that the people that need them most can't get them. However, lying causes people to distrust everything else they're told. Am I off base?

Is someone saying that masks don't help?

 

[Maxp]

Today Trump blamed the market nose dive on Russian games and fake news.

 

[The moose]

Does anyone believe that masks would NOT help prevent the spread? It seems logical to me that it would prevent the spread. I know that healthcare workers and the most vulnerable should get them first, but we shouldn't be told that the masks won't help. If I wear a mask, and don't breath in someone's coughed air, then I won't get sick, and therefore won't spread it to others. The only reason to tell people that they won't help spread the disease is to prevent a run on masks so that the people that need them most can't get them. However, lying causes people to distrust everything else they're told. Am I off base?

They must think 3m can handle it.

I do know the stock is up a ton right now.

 

[Dragon]

Does anyone believe that masks would NOT help prevent the spread? It seems logical to me that it would prevent the spread. I know that healthcare workers and the most vulnerable should get them first, but we shouldn't be told that the masks won't help. If I wear a mask, and don't breath in someone's coughed air, then I won't get sick, and therefore won't spread it to others. The only reason to tell people that they won't help spread the disease is to prevent a run on masks so that the people that need them most can't get them. However, lying causes people to distrust everything else they're told. Am I off base?

The medical experts here say it most likely will not depending on the type of mask. The particle size of the virus is so small that not all types of masks will work. Also people would have to be extremely carefull about how they wear it and most will maybe feel a false sense of security that could lead to infections instead

 

[MT15]

Is someone saying that masks don't help?

The common surgical type masks aren’t meant to stop germs from going into the person wearing the mask, they are meant to stop outgoing droplets. They are worn in surgery to keep germs away from the opened up patient.

Are they worthless to be worn in public? Maybe not, but if you don’t doff them correctly you will end up contaminating yourself. So maybe not as helpful as people think.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

The common surgical type masks aren’t meant to stop germs from going into the person wearing the mask, they are meant to stop outgoing droplets. They are worn in surgery to keep germs away from the opened up patient.

Are they worthless to be worn in public? Maybe not, but if you don’t doff them correctly you will end up contaminating yourself. So maybe a wash?

Possibly. I keep thinking of these masks, though. I would imagine there is some level of protection provided by these:

 

[Beach Friends]

There is also a theory that one will just end up fidgeting with the mask, causing more hand to face contact.

 

[MT15]

The only kind of mask worn by hospital workers that will reliably protect you from contagion from another person is an N-95. There are a couple different types of those, but I’m not familiar with one that looks like that mask. Even the N-95, though, has to be fitted to your face, and the beard makes it non-functional, people with beards, or any facial hair really, have to wear a different gear, a papper, which covers the whole face essentially. The gaps along that guys nose make that mask essentially worthless, I would think.

 

[The moose]

Sxsw

They laid off 175 full-time year-round employees today.

SXSW 2020 Cancellation Leads to Major Layoffs

The annual Austin festival was called off earlier this month due to coronavirus concerns

pitchfork.com

 

[not2rich]

The virus is likely going to infect most people in this country. It won't be much more than a temporary illness to most of us who are relatively young, but until we develop herd immunity or a vaccine comes online, it would be irresponsible for us to engage in behavior that increases the likelihood of the most vulnerable demographics (like my parents who are both in their 80's) getting it and potentially dying from it. Social distancing is the most effective practice we can use at this point to control the spread.

 

[The moose]

The only kind of mask worn by hospital workers that will reliably protect you from contagion from another person is an N-95. There are a couple different types of those, but I’m not familiar with one that looks like that mask. Even the N-95, though, has to be fitted to your face, and the beard makes it non-functional, people with beards, or any facial hair really, have to wear a different gear, a papper, which covers the whole face essentially. The gaps along that guys nose make that mask essentially worthless, I would think.

That picture is not a n95 they are thick and hard to breath thru.

The n95 is ok.

I have a box in the garage for doing cruddy work and always have them. Use for stuff like woodworking dust, body work, and always live oak leaf cleanup right now especially after the pollen is out.

They are ok still get dirty boogers after wearing them working but not nearly as bad.

I would like to think people have better masks in the medical industry.

I would also think protective eyewear would also be needed. That is why they are saying don't touch your face and wash your hands. I would assume if it is on your hands and rub your eyes

 

[cuddlemonkey]

The only kind of mask worn by hospital workers that will reliably protect you from contagion from another person is an N-95. There are a couple different types of those, but I’m not familiar with one that looks like that mask. Even the N-95, though, has to be fitted to your face, and the beard makes it non-functional, people with beards, or any facial hair really, have to wear a different gear, a papper, which covers the whole face essentially. The gaps along that guys nose make that mask essentially worthless, I would think.

Makes sense. Appreciate it.

 

[MT15]

Not all N-95 are really thick, the ones in the hospital look sort of like a duck bill. But they have to be fitted every year and you can’t wear them if you have any bit of a beard. They work only if they can seal properly around your nose and mouth. If you are still getting “boogers” while wearing one, it may not be the correct size for you.

 

[B4YOU]

I think Trump proposing payroll taxes cuts puts Dems in a weird spot. Obama did 2% during in 2010 after the crash bottomed as part of the recovery because people lacked money. This isn’t quite the same. The timing is very early into this event and 8 months before an election. We aren’t seeing widespread financial impact on Main St. If Dems say no, Trump runs on “Dems blocked middle class tax cuts during a crisis”. If Dems say yes, Trump runs on “I cut your taxes” and SSI did fine with a cut so let’s keep the cuts. I think politically Dems may be in a catch-22.

 

[Taurus]

I think Trump proposing payroll taxes cuts puts Dems in a weird spot. Obama did 2% during in 2010 after the crash bottomed as part of the recovery because people lacked money. This isn’t quite the same. The timing is very early into this event and 8 months before an election. We aren’t seeing widespread financial impact on Main St. If Dems say no, Trump runs on “Dems blocked middle class tax cuts during a crisis”. If Dems say yes, Trump runs on “I cut your taxes” and SSI did fine with a cut so let’s keep the cuts. I think politically Dems may be in a catch-22.

They have to attach something they want that's a clear winner for the middle class. Like making all Covid19 tests and treatment free, extending unemployment benefits to those under quarantine starting immediately, that kind of thing.
Then they can claim a win and tout the ability to work with Trump in the rare instance he suggests something sane.