Coronavirus: Threat Beyond Politics [For Political Discussions of CoV]

[Canadian Visitor]

Many businesses in both the U.S. and Canada have been rightly called out over their paid leave policies in light of the ongoing public health situation.

Some have responded quickly and well, others not so much.

Just wanted to highlight one from Canada where I think the business hit the right note.

This is a restaurant chain in Canada that does Lebanese food, Paramount Foods.

"Anyone on our team who takes ill will get full paid leave and all the nutritious Paramount food they need to get well."

"We met as a group Monday morning + the executive team was talking about policies. I told them: we must do whatever we can not to take even a half a glass of milk from anyone’s table: our employees, our franchisees, our suppliers"

[Zacha341]

NYC teachers plan ‘mass sickout’ over de Blasio’s refusal to close schools...

[Maof]

NYC teachers plan ‘mass sickout’ over de Blasio’s refusal to close schools...

The most populated city in the U.S. Uhhhhh, what's he waiting for?

[Dan Wesson]

NYC teachers plan ‘mass sickout’ over de Blasio’s refusal to close schools...

But, but, but, it's for the kids!

[Maof]

Nationwide lockdown in Spain

....https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/14/spai...ronavirus.html

[Canadian Visitor]

For those who can handle a bit of dark humour.

This is from an Australian comedic outfit that tackles issues of public interest.

Their take on COVID-19, or the issues around it.

Language warning for those offended by profanity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hks6...ature=youtu.be

[Dumpling]

Washington State had just over 600 cases yesterday Saturday March 14, 2020 which is close to what their expert was predicting earlier. The next doubling is for Friday March 20, 2020. If the projection holds there should be 1,200 cases in Washington State on that day. If there are fewer cases than 1,200 it will show that preventive measures are having a positive effect there.

[Richard]

It’s our turn,it will come,go through it’s cycle then fade away and there will be those with a years supply of TP which will lower the stock prices of TP companies.

[Zacha341]

Yes, responding to this rather late but I watched this AM's interview with Dr. Fauci -- and he again remarked on the slight reduction in China but they are on HEAVY lock-down not possible here. I am fearing that the UNITED states will be dis-united in terms of response, attitude and vigilance re. this virus. Like one state may be like Italy levels another lower. Fauci also pointed out that once China lets up on their severe lock-down it is questionable rather or not the numbers will increase. I am spread of the virus upon the continent of Africa would be hard to contain:

Dr. Fauci has told Trump he wants an 'overly aggressive' response to the coronavirus-but stops short of calling for a 14 day national shutdown...

• Fauci said it's 'possible' the US death toll could near 2 million if mitigation and containment efforts fail
• The 'worst case scenario' numbers were published by The New York Times last week based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scenarios
• 'Although that's possible, it is unlikely if we do the kinds of things that we're essentially outlining right now,' he said Sunday morning
• Dr Fauci said he would rather America be 'overly aggressive and get criticized for overreacting' and that citizens should be prepared to 'hunker down'

​https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ronavirus.html

...If coronavirus gets loose in a poorer country without such totalitarian governmental controls like Congo, it might be impossible to control.

[Richard]

In April of 2009, the H1N1 became a pandemic.
But it wasn’t until six months later, October, that then-President Obama declared a public health emergency on what was already a pandemic. By that time, the disease had infected millions of Americans and more than 1,000 people had died in the U.S.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...nal-emergency/

Where were all of these experts back then?

No border closures,nobody rushing out to by TP,nobody closed schools etc.

[Ray1936]

For what it's worth, I suspect the economic impact of this virus will be much worse than the health impact.

The political impact may also well provide impetus for the Democrats this fall.

[Zacha341]

Walmart is buckling re. the strain on their staff. It has to be horrid working there now! Folks crammed up like sardines, rude customers, and dirty. Ick! See details in tweet segments within article:

Walmart workers take to social media to share worries about huge demand and risk of getting infected...

• Walmart announced Saturday it was reducing store hours across the U.S. from 6am until 11pm
• Publix, The Giant Company, Wegman and Harris Teeter are also having to reduce their daily hours to restock and clean
• The move comes as coronavirus panic shopping placed pressure on stores
• And employees have voiced concerns of their own health and safety in the crowded and tense environments

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ore-hours.html

[Richard]

Walmart is buckling re. the strain on their staff. It has to be horrid working there now! Folks crammed up like sardines, rude customers, and dirty. Ick!

Lol That is just a typical day in wal-mart

Publix is a world of difference between the two,it should be a sin to mention the two so close in the same article or even country.They are famous for their clean stores and quality of stock.

You figure with all of the states legalizing weed,people would be more chill.

Or maybe that is the real reason behind empty shelves,a tainted strain of weed that creates massive munchies.

[Richard]

For what it's worth, I suspect the economic impact of this virus will be much worse than the health impact.

The political impact may also well provide impetus for the Democrats this fall.

No doubt there

It will hit the lower tiers the worst,I would bet that in the debates tonight both are going to capitalize on negative handling of it and the first thing they would do is hand everybody $5000 in cash so when they are on lockdown they have no financial worries.

France is having their elections today,the majority of their voters are elderly who they have locked down and told to stay home.

conveniently

[Johnnny5]

No doubt there

It will hit the lower tiers the worst,I would bet that in the debates tonight both are going to capitalize on negative handling of it and the first thing they would do is hand everybody $5000 in cash so when they are on lockdown they have no financial worries.

The Fed just announced another emergency funds rate cut to 0% and 700 billion more in QE. So they're basically now giving money away for free to those at the top. Of course the odds of this trickling down to the millions who won't be getting a paycheck next week is basically zero. They'll be heading to a pawn shop or a payday loan store and paying 30% interest.

[Richard]

The Fed just announced another emergency funds rate cut to 0% and 700 billion more in QE. So they're basically now giving money away for free to those at the top. Of course the odds of this trickling down to the millions who won't be getting a paycheck next week is basically zero. They'll be heading to a pawn shop or a payday loan store and paying 30% interest.

I already posted that in Florida Anybody that is out of work gets streamlined unemployment compensation,so anybody that had a job will still get paid.

If you are finding millions not getting paid then they really need to rethink about who their elected officials are and why do they not have the working persons best interests in hand.

Everybody pays into unemployment insurance. Yes?

That is at the state level and nothing to do with the Feds or rates.

That is what it is for.

You can get on the top by taking advantage of the zero interest rates and opening a business but be forewarned,not every business owner makes money,most small business owners make less then they would working for somebody while putting in twice the hours.

[Johnnny5]

I already posted that in Florida Anybody that is out of work gets streamlined unemployment compensation,so anybody that had a job will still get paid.

If you are finding millions not getting paid then they really need to rethink about who their elected officials are and why do they not have the working persons best interests in hand.

Everybody pays into unemployment insurance. Yes?

That is at the state level and nothing to do with the Feds or rates.

That is what it is for.

You can get on the top by taking advantage of the zero interest rates and opening a business but be forewarned,not every business owner makes money,most small business owners make less then they would working for somebody while putting in twice the hours.

No, not everyone is eligible for unemployment, and it's a group that has greatly expanded over the last decade.

I am a small business owner, but have no desire or need to borrow money. That said, this rate cut is not for my benefit, it's a desperation attempt to prop up banks and the equity markets [[Might not work). Once you get to a 0% funds rate there's little to no advantage to the average business owner or consumer. The only rate cuts we can expect to see are to our savings rates. This is an impromptu game of kick the can and once again fixed income retirees and the value of the Dollar will be the biggest losers.

[Richard]

^ so What happens if the state of Michigan takes advantage of it and refinances their debt? Maybe have enough interest savings in order to fix the roads without floating more bonds and incurring more debt at a higher interest rate

You guys are paying 4.5 to 5.3 % interest on a billion,would you borrow at 0% in order to buy bonds paying 4.5%?

Its really not going to be businesses borrowing,that rate is designed to attract countries,cities and state governments borrowing.

She is looking for 3.5 billion,you [[taxpayer) wanna pay me 4.5% or the bank 0%.

In order for the reduction to work you have to be borrowing billions,you and me as a small business borrowing 50 or 100 k they will not even talk to us.

[canuck]

^ so What happens if the state of Michigan takes advantage of it and refinances their debt? Maybe have enough interest savings in order to fix the roads without floating more bonds and incurring more debt at a higher interest rate

You guys are paying 4.5 to 5.3 % interest on a billion,would you borrow at 0% in order to buy bonds paying 4.5%?

Its really not going to be businesses borrowing,that rate is designed to attract countries,cities and state governments borrowing.

She is looking for 3.5 billion,you [[taxpayer) wanna pay me 4.5% or the bank 0%.

In order for the reduction to work you have to be borrowing billions,you and me as a small business borrowing 50 or 100 k they will not even talk to us.

The big worry now is that out of school kids won't be getting a lunch for a while, in places like NYC, the billionaire capital of the world. Something has to be right with all out capitalism.

[Richard]

The big worry now is that out of school kids won't be getting a lunch for a while, in places like NYC, the billionaire capital of the world. Something has to be right with all out capitalism.

They watched Canada and liberal minds think alike,not eating toughens kids up EH?

According to Civil Eats, after initially approving waivers for Washington, California, and Alaska, the USDA has now offered to make waivers available to all states, allowing them to serve free meals to low-income children despite the closures.

New York City needs to call the USDA and get the information I guess.

Nice try on the bad billionaires and capitalism as the problem instead of placing the blame where it needs to go.

Did you know that for a monthly pledge of $15 you can feed a poor starving Canadian school child and give them a chance at a future? Call today.

Hey I have not heard anything about you guys pulling your troops out of Africa,you know when this thing hits there it will explode unchecked,once your troops are out of there,virus or not the clans are going to take back the ground and it will end up being a full blown war to get it back.

You need to get your people out of there before it is to late.

[Dumpling]

This is an article in which an epidemiological modeling expert, Mike Famulare, who works in Washington State, is discussing the coronavirus outbreak that is happening in that state, and projecting the flattening of the infection curve in Washington State to whatever extent distancing and quarantines are effective there.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle...ring-that-out/

"Of all the problems facing society today, COVID-19 is the only one that will get twice as bad every six days if we don't act to slow it," Famulare said.

[[All this has Big-Brotherish overtones. The data will show if everyone is self-quarantining and distancing and handwashing and deep cleaning to the proper extent. Unfortunately we will know much better two weeks after any given day of our collective actions and inactions, rather than two weeks before the fact. Two weeks beforehand there may seem to be a very low number of cases, so that one may conduct one's business as usual, and even then, at the outset of the epidemic, a doubling in cases seems still to be a very low and manageable number. I'm kind of hopeful that all of this stocking up and some panic buying goes along with other very helpful behaviors. However it is hard to change all of one's behavior patterns very suddenly.)

[Dumpling]

In France the number of cases has been growing more or less along
an exponential curve. The number of cases is somewhat higher than
for Washington State which is to be expected as France's population
is 65 million and Washington State has a population of 7.5 million.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_c...emic_in_France

Michigan with about 10 million persons is much closer
in size to Washington State. So since France is much larger,
the scale will not be approximately the same after a certain point.

That said, in France, as of February 27th 2020 there were just 38
cases in all of France. We were reading about a small group of tourists
at a chalet.

On March 1st 2020 there were 130 cases.

These are definitely insignificant numbers within a population of 65 million and people can fairly well go about their daily business without
worrying too much about contracting the coronavirus.

As of March 14th there were 4,499 confirmed cases in France.

There is definitely an exponential character to this increase in cases.
4,499 is still a quite small number as compared to the 65 million, but
because of this exponential character, the caseload could reach into
the hundreds of thousands in a short amount of time.

The guesstimate for France for March 20th, based on the Washington State model, is about 9,000 cases. For March 26th, 18,000 cases. For April 1st, 36,000 cases. By the end of April, somewhere around half a million cases. By the end of May, everyone in France will know someone personally who has a case of the coronavirus.

[leapfrog]

But, but, but, it's for the kids!

Their point isn't hard to grasp:Sick teachers who still come to work make for sick children [[or carriers to take the virus home to parents and grandparents).

[Honky Tonk]

Here's an interesting development...

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/a...100447370.html

[aj3647]

You-Know-Who, February 26: "The 15 [[cases in the US) within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero."

"We're going very substantially down, not up."

Today: 4100+ confirmed infected, 71 dead.