*** OFFICIAL *** COVID-19 CoronaVirus Thread. Fresh epidemic fears as child pneumonia cases surge in Europe after China outbreak. NOW in USA (17 Viewers)

[Doug B]

It hasn't changed yet (lucky you) and the people we are talking about are on Gov assistance and their income will not be negatively affected. 

A LOT of people on government assistance and Social Security continue to work. I don't know about every program, but I know that for Social Security, you're allowed to earn up to ~$17,000/yr and still collect full benefits. A close relative had to retire a few years early recently to become a near-fulltime caregiver for his wife (she suffered a stroke last summer). He still works part-time, and needs the extra income he brings in.

So, some people on social programs (including Social Security) will miss income due to COVID. I don't think it's a small percentage in this boat, either.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

What is the alternative?  Giving people $1000 and telling them to "spend it on those in need"?

I think they just roll out checks

 

[JAA]

A LOT of people on government assistance and Social Security continue to work. I don't know about every program, but I know that for Social Security, you're allowed to earn up to ~$17,000/yr and still collect full benefits. A close relative had to retire a few years early recently to become a near-fulltime caregiver for his wife (she suffered a stroke last summer). He still works part-time, and needs the extra income he brings in.

So, some people on social programs (including Social Security) will miss income due to COVID. I don't think it's a small percentage in this boat, either.

They will miss only if the additional income is un-reported.  If they are collecting SSD but then working under the table supporting a family ... that stinks for all parties involved.

 

[JAA]

I think they just roll out checks

Then please provide an "opt-out" system.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

If you don't need the money because you didn't lose your job, then couldn't you just donate it to a few worthy causes that will help the people who need it the most?

Why give it back?  You'll likely be taxed on it anyway.

That's what we discussed doing to be honest. Supporting some of the local businesses we like, especially restaurants and breweries. 

 

[Doug B]

Unless you're eating more this month, your groceries will be lower the next few months as you eat your supply.

... eh ... not really unless we stay in current COVID mode for several months running. That's more a condition of my household's preferences than anything else, though. Might not apply to others.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Water on canals of Venice have turned clear. Fish visible and swans have returned.

 

[shader]

Ive been following.  On the worldometer ones you can see the recovery rates going down both world wide and US.  That may be italy hitting the numbers, but with our testing increasing we should see recoveries going way up.

I'm not entirely convinced countries report recoveries very well.  Germany is a prime example.  Their recoveries are extremely low, as are their deaths.  

 

[CR69]

I don't think $1k per adult is even close to enough. How does that help people that live in high cost of living areas? Also, just because someone WAS making six figures last year doesn't mean they are right now. Think about all of the people in the casino, travel, restaurant, etc industries that are seeing 50-80% drops in their income overnight. 

I say screw the companies that spent their tax breaks on stock buybacks and give AT LEAST $2,500 to every adult. 

 

[caustic]

I think we need to get the money to the people/business who need it.  We are debating on who could do a better job of it, the govt or individuals.

Maybe a food-stamp like system where it can only be used on food/essentials?  Id imagine that would bring a huge black market though

The problem is that targeted assistance programs often do a poor job of getting help to everyone who needs it. SNAP reaches 55% of eligible individuals, SSI 46%. A lot of people get left in the cold when we try to get cute with means testing. The best way to cover everyone + stimulate the economy is to just send everyone checks.

 

[Doug B]

They will miss only if the additional income is un-reported.  If they are collecting SSD but then working under the table supporting a family ... that stinks for all parties involved.

I'm missing something, then:

Take a guy on Social Security making an allowed $1,250/month on top of his SS benefits. Say this guy scrupulously claims his $15,000/yr earnings at tax time. With the COVID pandemic, he has lost the $1,250/month job.

Since this guy earns less than $25,000/yr outside of his SS benefits ... he wouldn't receive the $1,000 stimulus check. Right?

 

[joffer]

The logarithmic curves are more linear than exponential. That’s what I should have said. I’ll edit.

i hope so, or we're really in trouble

 

[worrierking]

I'm not entirely convinced countries report recoveries very well.  Germany is a prime example.  Their recoveries are extremely low, as are their deaths.  

Local and state health departments are too busy tracking new cases and doing contact tracing to be bothered with figuring out who has recovered.  That statistic will lag reality by a considerable amount.

 

[caustic]

Sean Payton has tested positive for coronavirus, per ESPN. First case in the NFL world.

 

[Sheriff Bart]

Water on canals of Venice have turned clear. Fish visible and swans have returned.

Wait, what?

 

[Sheriff Bart]

I don't think $1k per adult is even close to enough. How does that help people that live in high cost of living areas? Also, just because someone WAS making six figures last year doesn't mean they are right now. Think about all of the people in the casino, travel, restaurant, etc industries that are seeing 50-80% drops in their income overnight. 

I say screw the companies that spent their tax breaks on stock buybacks and give AT LEAST $2,500 to every adult. 

Seriously.

 

[caustic]

Wait, what?

https://twitter.com/ikaveri/status/1239660248207589383?s=20

 

[Doug B]

I'm not entirely convinced countries report recoveries very well.  Germany is a prime example.  Their recoveries are extremely low, as are their deaths.  

The real weird figure is "Severe" and/or "Critical" cases, which are often lumped together.

Some countries seem to take this measure seriously, and some seem to largely ignore it (e.g. Iran, and even South Korea). I used to hang my hat on sever-case numbers maybe three weeks ago, but now it's clear there's a lot of inconsistency in reporting.

 

[Doug B]

Sean Payton has tested positive for coronavirus, per ESPN. First case in the NFL world.

 

[CurlyNight]

Schools in the Bay Area offering free lunches to kids.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/03/19/map-bay-area-schools-distributing-meals-during-coronavirus-closure/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

[lod001]

I don't think $1k per adult is even close to enough. How does that help people that live in high cost of living areas? Also, just because someone WAS making six figures last year doesn't mean they are right now. Think about all of the people in the casino, travel, restaurant, etc industries that are seeing 50-80% drops in their income overnight. 

I say screw the companies that spent their tax breaks on stock buybacks and give AT LEAST $2,500 to every adult. 

Every month forever and deduct it out of corporate profits.   Anyone got a problem with this?

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Running the risk here of sounding preachy and I apologize for that in advance.

Now isn’t the time to be going to public places and congregating with other people. Even if you are standing 6+ feet apart. Now is the time to be practicing extreme social distancing, not interacting with people, and generally staying home unless you really need to go out to pick up necessary supplies. 

Other countries have demonstrated how to counter this effectively. They implemented draconian measures for 30+ days and then started to see results. We need to have discipline and employ these measures each individually to do our part. Unfortunately we aren’t doing this collectively and I for the life of me cannot understand why.

Again, apologies for coming across like I know anything more or whatever. I just don’t get why we can’t understand what we’re up against here and the sacrifice we’re being asked to make. Which is to stay home, we can’t even do that? C’mon.

 

[Doug B]

Question for the house:

I can clearly see athletes and the rich getting COVID tests rather easily. My question is: how does that work procedurally?

IOW, who out there is free to "sell" COVID tests? Is there a de facto "black market" for COVID tests? Or were Sean Payton (and others) able to legitimately say "I travelled [somewhere] recently" and thus cut to the head of the COVID test line?

So ... Warren Buffet's got a Dumpster full of hundreds, and he wants a COVID test ASAP. Where does he go? Who does he transact with?

 

[CurlyNight]

"In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the alert said.

My cousins in Colombia got lucky and got tickets to fly back tomorrow. 

 

[Galileo]

Question for the house:

I can clearly see athletes and the rich getting COVID tests rather easily. My question is: how does that work procedurally?

IOW, who out there is free to "sell" COVID tests? Is there a de facto "black market" for COVID tests? Or were Sean Payton (and others) able to legitimately say "I travelled [somewhere] recently" and thus cut to the head of the COVID test line?

So ... Warren Buffet's got a Dumpster full of hundreds, and he wants a COVID test ASAP. Where does he go? Who does he transact with?

I would guess team doctors have a few connections

 

[comfortably numb]

Running the risk here of sounding preachy and I apologize for that in advance.

Now isn’t the time to be going to public places and congregating with other people. Even if you are standing 6+ feet apart. Now is the time to be practicing extreme social distancing, not interacting with people, and generally staying home unless you really need to go out to pick up necessary supplies. 

Other countries have demonstrated how to counter this effectively. They implemented draconian measures for 30+ days and then started to see results. We need to have discipline and employ these measures each individually to do our part. Unfortunately we aren’t doing this collectively and I for the life of me cannot understand why.

Again, apologies for coming across like I know anything more or whatever. I just don’t get why we can’t understand what we’re up against here and the sacrifice we’re being asked to make. Which is to stay home, we can’t even do that? C’mon.

 On this note what is the thought process with donating blood

 A coworker of mine does a blood drive and it has been canceled and he asked If he could have it at our facility.

 My initial thought was of course not why would we want to have people brought together But now I'm wondering if it's needed and should be done

 

[CR69]

"In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the alert said.

My cousins in Colombia got lucky and got tickets to fly back tomorrow. 

My boss is in Mexico right now. Just let him know about this, they weren't scheduled to come home until Saturday. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

De Blasio just said that 80% of people that get this will barely even know they have it 

 

[Doug B]

Anecdote of unskilled medical-office worker asked to take on new tasks (though not treating patients):

Another close relative works as an appointment-setter and gopher in a surgeon's office (elective procedures only, not a trauma surgeon or cardiac or neuro or anything like that). This office is affiliated with a large local medical center. The large medical center is shifting my relative over to work triage for incoming patients (in an ER? not sure). This relative is petrified and doesn't feel skilled enough to work triage.

What I think is happening is that this relative is essentially going to be asking incoming patients questions and recording the responses into a computer triage system. I'm sure an actual RN or someone with experience will be making the actual who-goes-where triage calls. Still, it's a small example that some people in the medical field will likely be asked to take on unfamiliar roles.

 

[CurlyNight]

 On this note what is the thought process with donating blood

 A coworker of mine does a blood drive and it has been canceled and he asked If he could have it at our facility.

 My initial thought was of course not why would we want to have people brought together But now I'm wondering if it's needed and should be done

They are anticipating shortages so they're encouraging people to go and follow all the safety precautions. 

 

[CurlyNight]

My boss is in Mexico right now. Just let him know about this, they weren't scheduled to come home until Saturday. 

Yeah, best he bolt if he can get a ticket sooner.

 

[msommer]

De Blasio just said that 80% of people that get this will barely even know they have it 

Did he remember to add " the other 20%, though. Ay, caramba!!!"?

 

[Cowboysfan8]

Did he remember to add " the other 20%, though. Ay, caramba!!!"?

Sort of, and was saying how 70 and older are worst risk

 

[nirad3]

De Blasio just said that 80% of people that get this will barely even know they have it 

I've been reluctant to post anything that my doctor buddy has been telling me, but he feels the "actual infected" will be a huge number, as this suggests.

 

[bcat01]

Wife's hospital just sent out an email that layoffs are coming.  The real kicker is that you have to use all of your PTO if you claim unemployment.  So if you get brought back you start at 0.

 

[JAA]

I don't think $1k per adult is even close to enough. How does that help people that live in high cost of living areas? Also, just because someone WAS making six figures last year doesn't mean they are right now. Think about all of the people in the casino, travel, restaurant, etc industries that are seeing 50-80% drops in their income overnight. 

I say screw the companies that spent their tax breaks on stock buybacks and give AT LEAST $2,500 to every adult. 

I dont understand this, $1k free extra money is not enough?  What if this wasnt a pandemic and they lost their job for other reasons?  Do they expect the govt to foot the bill for their "high cost of living areas"?

Look, im as liberal as they come, but if someone cant afford to live somewhere when times are tough, maybe they shouldnt be living there?

 

[the moops]

Friend in upstate NY just checked in. Spouse was notified yesterday morning that a coworker tested positive at their work site. Was fine most of the day yesterday, then last night around 10pm had a severe temperature spike to 101, dry coughing, and shortness of breath. By 2am no choice but the ER. Was told they're likely on "day 3" and that the worst comes at "day 10", and to check back then. Be prepared to be intubated. But they're not bad enough to be admitted, and they won't test until they are.

1 anecdotal data point.

ugh

 

[Wingnut]

Sorry folks, state's closed. Mouse out front shoulda told ya.

THE PARTY IS OVER': Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is telling tourists that the Sunshine State is closed for Spring Break: "Maybe come back next year when things are better, but that is not what we're looking for here in the state of Florida." 

 

[Flying Elvis]

 On this note what is the thought process with donating blood

 A coworker of mine does a blood drive and it has been canceled and he asked If he could have it at our facility.

 My initial thought was of course not why would we want to have people brought together But now I'm wondering if it's needed and should be done

Several articles just today asking for donations as the need is expected to rise. My question is, can the blood be tested? Someone with the virus but no symptoms would potentially pass along a blood bag full of CV, no?

 

[JAA]

The problem is that targeted assistance programs often do a poor job of getting help to everyone who needs it. SNAP reaches 55% of eligible individuals, SSI 46%. A lot of people get left in the cold when we try to get cute with means testing. The best way to cover everyone + stimulate the economy is to just send everyone checks.

I dont want a check.  My wife doesnt want a check.  Please dont send us a check.  TIA!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sean Payton has tested positive for coronavirus, per ESPN. First case in the NFL world.

Seriously, I know about 7-8 people that are having symptoms and are worried but can't get tested.   Annoying that we are seeing all these people in the sports world getting tests.  

 

[msommer]

Friend in upstate NY just checked in. Spouse was notified yesterday morning that a coworker tested positive at their work site. Was fine most of the day yesterday, then last night around 10pm had a severe temperature spike to 101, dry coughing, and shortness of breath. By 2am no choice but the ER. Was told they're likely on "day 3" and that the worst comes at "day 10", and to check back then. Be prepared to be intubated. But they're not bad enough to be admitted, and they won't test until they are.

1 anecdotal data point.

That they were not tested seems pretty stupid

 

[JAA]

I'm missing something, then:

Take a guy on Social Security making an allowed $1,250/month on top of his SS benefits. Say this guy scrupulously claims his $15,000/yr earnings at tax time. With the COVID pandemic, he has lost the $1,250/month job.

Since this guy earns less than $25,000/yr outside of his SS benefits ... he wouldn't receive the $1,000 stimulus check. Right?

Correct.  The govt knows only what the govt knows.

 

[shader]

De Blasio just said that 80% of people that get this will barely even know they have it 

Guys, don't listen to De Blasio.  He knows nothing.

 

[Flying Elvis]

Seriously, I know about 7-8 people that are having symptoms and are worried but can't get tested.   Annoying that we are seeing all these people in the sports world getting tests.  

Sports and entertainment. Turns out it pretty beneficial to be wealthy and famous. Who knew?

 

[shader]

I've been reluctant to post anything that my doctor buddy has been telling me, but he feels the "actual infected" will be a huge number, as this suggests.

3rd party internet doctor friends opinions are as worthless as De Blasio's opinions.  

 

[Sheriff Bart]

https://twitter.com/ikaveri/status/1239660248207589383?s=20

AWESOME 

 

[Statorama]

Seriously, I know about 7-8 people that are having symptoms and are worried but can't get tested.   Annoying that we are seeing all these people in the sports world getting tests.  

Sean Payton is a national treasure, but yeah, I'm with you on those scrub basketball players.

 

[Statorama]

Got a much needed dose of seeing normal behavior today at a supermarket.  Went to the local Jewel-Osco to pickup some bread and (outside of the TP aisle) it was business as usual.  Shelves were stocked, plenty of meat available, people being courteous and not rushing, etc.  The WalMart by my house looks like London in March of 1941, which really had me down last time I was in there.  I really feel a sense of relief.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Racist.

Stop it.