2754

Good.

One thing I am learning from this is how decentralized our public health administration is. As I now understand it, the CDC is not running the show so much as providing knowledge and guidance. On-the-ground actions seem to be more state- and city-based.

As a resident of a red state, I hope that the partisan divide on this evaporates quickly.

2755

Eh, no. Please consider for a moment what you are actually trying to argue here.

Literally every other country in Europe: Ban gatherings greater than 50-1000 people (most countries) and/or close all schools (46 countries worldwide at present).

Britain: Let’s do nothing yet. We think the situation is much, much more serious than the number of infected we have found indicates, but we’ll not do anything, because … reasons.

There may be political bias at work here, but I guarantee you that it’s not from those of us who thinks your government is mad.

2756

Reasons can be both clear and wrong at the same time.

2757

Damn. I was not familiar with her name, but after watching that, I am a fan.

2758

Horrific

2759

Not for any particular reason, mind…just because it was proposed by Democrats.

2760

Of course, they can also be right.

I must add this is likely to kill my wife and mum, so I am not without worry.

2 years ago my wife had cavatating pneumonia and sepsis and was 24 hours from death. 2 years on she still has holes in her lungs and is at massive risk if she gets it again, to say it’s frightening is an understatement, she is 44 and we have 2 boys aged 9 and 13.

My mum is elderly, constantly ill and could not cope with a severe infection.

I listened to the presentation and nothing they said made me worry more than I already am, I need that hospital spot for my wife and her not to be sidelined when she gets it and the same for my mum.

I also believe as things change and develop things can and will be brought forward but right now I am fine with how it is being handled.

2761

It will help poor and non-white people so they will oppose it.

2762

My understanding is that the Republican objections stem partially from the fact the Dem bill doesn’t include explicit restrictions on abortion. I sincerely wish I was making that up.

2763

Jesus, I visited that very town last fall and intended to go back to Liguria in May.

2764

How would we afford that free testing and stuff? We already need to print a few trillion more to inject into the stock market to appease Trump!

I swear to god, people need to stop thinking about themselves and consider how the hedge fund managers must be feeling right now.

2765

Their reasons were simple and clearly stated, despite your snark. They say there’s not much evidence to support the idea that banning large events will have any real benefit, and the main reason to consider it is to reduce the strain on social services. Everything I’ve seen indicates that these decisions are driven by scientific advice from experts and based on modelling and planning that’s been in place for a while.

It could all be wrong of course, but your tone of certainty seems a bit misplaced. Implicitly you’re critiquing a science-driven strategy with an appeal to common sense.

2766

I am considering it, and the thought of a few out on the ledges has me…

Sorry I drifted off there for a second. What a happy break from the dismal reality.

2767
2768

It is unclear which variables they have accounted for. Given how age influences CFR, and the high incidence of high blood pressure in older cohorts, I’d wait for a more comprehensive analysis.

Back of the envelope math shows that probably high blood pressure is in the ballpark of raising your risk by 1.5-2x.

2769

I too have elderly and frail loved ones. I’m in the same boat. I too think the governments strategy is a good one. Good because I believe it will help my loved ones - not for any political reason.

@Reemul I wish you and yours good luck. Stay safe :(

2770

Do we really need a “deal” on something like this? Couldn’t they just do the right fucking thing?

2771

Pretty much everyone on the branch ahead of me is in poor health and older. I’m worried about… all of them. I’m going to assume if I get it, it won’t be good either.

2772

You make a deal now you get a better chance of getting something passed. It is how it goes.

And this deal moved incredibly quickly in Washington terms. Last night to this afternoon.

2773

Well, Beijing is now requiring any foreigners entering in the country to be in quarantine for 14 days, so maybe?