Why?

[pryncess527]

I was grateful to see that Portland instituted the inclement weather plans last week to try to ensure that as many homeless as possible had shelter because of the virus.
I have also been very impressed by all of the school districts across the country trying to make sure that children still get fed. It’s heartwarming to see these populations not forgotten.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

But you don't even have to assume about death in that age range. I just listened to a Canadian doctor who immediately travelled to Wuhan in January (part of WHO). He was very measured. But he made a point of saying that one of the most troubling aspects was that 30/40/50 year olds died there and they had no prior health concerns. And they have no idea why. No clue why their bodies couldn't fight it. No clue why it ran so virulent in some otherwise healthy younger patients.

I was someone who did think some of the choices being enforced and suggested were overreacting. I have now changed my mind after hearing him speak and reading some statistics earlier coming out of Wuhan. And some of the horrible and troubling choices having to be made in Italian hospitals. I am not stressed or panicked but have certainly gained more awareness and understanding.

And by the way he also noted that people don't realize that there might never be a vaccine. People talk about timing - he himself is optimistic - but many don't realize it is not an absolute. (A Canadian team has already isolated the virus. One of the team members noted that they were very lucky, especially with their speed of success.)

The specialist also noted that closing borders is not shown to be effective. And that he believes 60% of the world's population will be exposed to the virus. It is too late to stop that now. But noted that social isolation is both critical and effective. And that choice has the data to back it up. He has worked on the front line of these epidemics for decades.

Everyone has been focused of the percentages of each age group that dies. But percentages don’t tell the whole story. I watched a Harvard forum the other day, and the epidemiologist pointed out that in absolute numbers, way more 40-60 year olds die from the virus than 80+ year olds. This is because there are way more 40-60 year old alive on our planet today than there are 80+ year olds alive.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This is the article it came from, in case helpful.
https://medium.com/@andreasbackhausab/coronavirus-why-its-so-deadly-in-italy-c4200a15a7bf

Great article. An important note from that article - it appears that young people in their 20s are treating this as if it were no big deal, and subsequently getting slammed by it. The problem - they then pass it on to their older parents or grandparents. Because people in their 20s are ignoring this, these countries are now closing bars and restaurants.

Well, in the US, people in their 20s are doing the same thing. They are still going out to bars and restaurants as if this is not happening around them. Will our government be willing to take the same steps?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Everyone has been focused of the percentages of each age group that dies. But percentages don’t tell the whole story. I watched a Harvard forum the other day, and the epidemiologist pointed out that in absolute numbers, way more 40-60 year olds die from the virus than 80+ year olds. This is because there are way more 40-60 year old alive on our planet today than there are 80+ year olds alive.

Great point.

 

[erc]

Wow. Ok then. Not sure what your age range is, but let's assume that you are 30-40 years old AND that this illness kills that age range in the 14% range (as it currently is with older people). I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be so cavalier. It's astounding that this attitude gets expressed.

I would never be able to prove it to you and others who don't know me, but I when I get to the age where this type of decision needed to be made, I would always vote for the future and not the past. Heck I do that now.

 

[Farro]

I just watched Dr. Fauci on Meet The Press.

Informative, calm, rational, non-alarmist and gives me confidence. Great interview and really helped me relax as no offense, reading this thread put me in a fever pitch!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I just watched Dr. Fauci on Meet The Press.

Informative, calm, rational, non-alarmist and gives me confidence. Great interview and really helped me relax as no offense, reading this thread put me in a fever pitch!

Yep - we are lucky to have him right now. Let's hope that we follow his advice and stop pretending this is not a threat.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I was grateful to see that Portland instituted the inclement weather plans last week to try to ensure that as many homeless as possible had shelter because of the virus.

We're nearly out of the season for needing them but our libraries act as hot and cold centers for the homeless (or anyone who needs them)..the libraries (both systems) are closed now through the end of March for the largest one and the other one is just "when deemed appropriate"...the weather while it is back to 30s and 40s for this weekend is doing the up and down weather one day nice the next not so nice. But at least it's not freezing cold with negative wind chills.

 

[Farro]

Well, Illinois governor says considering closing bars and restaurants, which means he will end up doing it. (of course it could be political posturing - he said this one Meet The Press)

I understand why so no need to lecture me on flatteningthecurve, but I'm just worried some of these will never reopen. Chicago is such a restaurant town, our economy is going to take such a hit.

And a suburban nursing home now has it. Bad news there.

 

[LSUmiss]

Well, Illinois governor says considering closing bars and restaurants, which means he will end up doing it. (of course it could be political posturing - he said this one Meet The Press)

I understand why so no need to lecture me on flatteningthecurve, but I'm just worried some of these will never reopen. Chicago is such a restaurant town, our economy is going to take such a hit.

And a suburban nursing home now has it. Bad news there.

Have any US cities/towns done this yet?

 

[ReneeA]

I've read that several nursing homes are not accepting new patients with the thought that it may bring in the virus. That's going to be a huge problem freeing up much needed hospital beds in acute care hospitals if they cannot discharge stable patients recovering from COVID19. Talk about straining the hospitals.

 

[Hikergirl]

Great article. An important note from that article - it appears that young people in their 20s are treating this as if it were no big deal, and subsequently getting slammed by it. The problem - they then pass it on to their older parents or grandparents. Because people in their 20s are ignoring this, these countries are now closing bars and restaurants.

Well, in the US, people in their 20s are doing the same thing. They are still going out to bars and restaurants as if this is not happening around them. Will our government be willing to take the same steps?

I drove home last night down the main strip through my county. All the parking lots were full, restaurants and shopping centers. I doubt it's just the 20 somethings out there so let's not place all the blame on them.
As far as the gov't, our local gov't decided to go mum on the info, like where in the county the confirmed cases are. Yet they are telling us to help stop the spread. Clearly people aren't listening to them, maybe if the gov't got more serious about it by telling us exactly where these positive cases live people would be. If they knew it was in their town possible going to that same store or restaurant people would think twice about going there.

 

[LSUmiss]

I drove home last night down the main strip through my county. All the parking lots were full, restaurants and shopping centers. I doubt it's just the 20 somethings out there so let's not place all the blame on them.
As far as the gov't, our local gov't decided to go mum on the info, like where in the county the confirmed cases are. Yet they are telling us to help stop the spread. Clearly people aren't listening to them, maybe if the gov't got more serious about it by telling us exactly where these positive cases live people would be. If they knew it was in their town possible going to that same store or restaurant people would think twice about going there.

Well in our area we know exactly how many by parish & most are in the greater NOLA area & restaurants & bars are still packed. So I think ppl are just gonna do what they want until they’re told they can’t .

 

[pryncess527]

As far as the gov't, our local gov't decided to go mum on the info, like where in the county the confirmed cases are. Yet they are telling us to help stop the spread. Clearly people aren't listening to them, maybe if the gov't got more serious about it by telling us exactly where these positive cases live people would be. If they knew it was in their town possible going to that same store or restaurant people would think twice about going there.

The message I’ve been getting is that we must all assume there IS an active case in our town because people are contagious before showing symptoms & test results are still very limited

 

[pryncess527]

Have any US cities/towns done this yet?

not to my knowledge, but NYC might wish they had.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, Illinois governor says considering closing bars and restaurants, which means he will end up doing it. (of course it could be political posturing - he said this one Meet The Press)

I understand why so no need to lecture me on flatteningthecurve, but I'm just worried some of these will never reopen. Chicago is such a restaurant town, our economy is going to take such a hit.

And a suburban nursing home now has it. Bad news there.

I've mentioned that on other threads. Metro businesses here are concerned about payroll, concerned about even being open if no patronage at all (vs limited patronage) occurs. Several of these companies were hit so hard when the slew of cancelations occured (Big 12, Home and Garden show, St. Patrick's Day parade, etc) but you have the everyday businesses too.

I'm very saddened at the prospect of returning to post 9/11 or worse (as several businesses are concerned about) conditions. Somewhat complicated way of explaining--my husband's step-brother by marriage (not by blood and technically no longer by marriage any longer due to divorce) we we are still close to just started last year a BBQ business.

BBQ is huge here so normally that would do well. But because he is just starting out he doesn't have the profits to really stay afloat the same way as some others. I suggested to my husband last night maybe they can ramp up delivery option so instead of the customer having to go to him he can deliver it to them. IDK if that will work but I'm honestly concerned he won't survive this.

And he so deserves it (not that anyone else doesn't either). Just 2 years ago he was in severe depression and a closet alcoholic who had to undergo medical detox after arriving at the hospital with a 0.32 BAL.

Ugh I'm so sad thinking about it all and that's not to say I'm not sad about severe illnesses, death or the like. I thiink we can also be sad and worried about other things in addition to those too.

 

[Snowflakey]

Because I care deeply about my parents who are 78/80 years young. Because I care about my mother in law who has Alzheimers and is in a care facility. Because I care about my daughter who is 8 months pregnant and high risk.

The fact is we have no vaccine, shortage of respirators, gloves, hospital gowns and lord only knows what else. This is America - we should have been more prepared.

 

[kiddo76]

Have any US cities/towns done this yet?

South Boston voluntarily closed bars and restaurants for today. The St. Patrick's Day Parade for today was cancelled, but they were still expecting large crowds to go out to celebrate.

 

[maxaroni]

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/cor...htly-curfew-limits-restaurant-access/2327250/
https://nypost.com/2020/03/15/teaneck-nj-ordered-to-self-quarantine-after-coronavirus-outbreak/
Bergen County, NJ town asking all residents to self quarantine.

 

[sam_gordon]

Those who think we're not doing enough, what would you like to see? Everyone simply stay at home? No work, no outside, no nothing? Any exceptions? For how long? What about those living paycheck to paycheck who can't afford to miss work (I'm talking about those who aren't sick)? Too bad for them because they didn't build a nest egg?