Dr. David Katz with Bill Maher advocates for opening up sooner

[Barry]

Well worth a watch:

My take: The key to flattening the curve is that it buys time for both the hospital capacity to increase and for testing to increase. Hospital capacity seems to have increased some, but testing is lagging. Whereas Dr. Katz says you can do representative testing with limited testing capacity, this can tell when you have a hot spot, but this doesn't allow you to do contact tracing, making another lockdown the only tool to control it. Contact tracing seems to be a key part to keeping the outbreak under control, which both protects our hospital capacity and prevents millions of people from being infected that may be protected by some possible future vaccine, thus saving thousands of lives.

One key piece of data is emerging - that many more people have been infected by the coronavirus than were previously thought, thus lowering the fatality rate of those infected. But another key piece is missing: it is still not known if that confers immunity. If it does, that strengthens the case to open up the economy sooner.

As is, now that we have been through boot camp, and have gotten used to staying home more and instinctively social distance while wearing a mask when in public, if the economy does "open" it's going to be a rather soft opening as people continue with this new style of living to protect their personal safety.

Allowing states to open up, while also allowing mayors to keep urban hotspots closed, seems like a good balance.

[Shandi]

From a Quora member: Why are many Americans protesting against the Coronavirus lockdown?

Steven Burton, Retired Soldier

I cant tell you why every one of the people that are protesting are protesting. But I can give you some clarity on why I am against this lock-down lasting any longer.

I am disturbed by a lot of the comments I see on some of the questions answered in all these “lock-down corona-virus” answers. Most of them supporting the lock-down assert that you or I (or whomever) do not have the right to put them in danger by going back to work. That argument in my opinion is pedestrian and Short Sighted.


The fundamental question is not about you or me, or even random person on the street. It is about our society as a whole and the risk vs the reward of continuing this lock down. I dont think a lot of these people fully grasp what is going on right now across this country.

As I write this answer hundreds of thousands of abused spouses are locked down with their abuser. Thousands of children with abusive parents are locked down with them as well. These numbers grow everyday the lock-down is in effect as patience thins and tempers flare.

Continues here (scroll down some)

[Lilith Rogers]

Oh, I learned a lot from this, thank you. While I'm not sure it really is time to open up again I do see that thinking about this as a way to get all of us to live healthier lives every day is a possible benefit from it. And maybe it's an opportunity get us going in that direction. I hope so. I must say I've consumed quite a few more bags of chips than usual as I sit around watching Youtube and Zooming. They ARE healthy veggie chips, tho. Ho, Ho. Stay well, WACCOS. And--don't tell everyone but you can take a lovely walk around the pond behind the Community Center Annex--lots of ducks and wildflowers. Lilith

Well worth a watch:

My take: ...

[Mayacaman]

FOX News Channel anchorman Tucker Carlson, in spite of his starched collar Catholic Connecticut Conservatism & his formerly blatant Trumpery{ he may be toning it down, of late) is still an articulate and thoughtful man. Here he raises some very cogent points about the efficacy of continuing the lock-down. Well worth considering...

[Barry]

FOX News Channel anchorman Tucker Carlson, ...

Watched it. Just as much as a fear mongering buffoon as always. At least he didn't do his idiotic stare.

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

The models I have seen not only show a slower rate by flattening the curve but also about half to 40%% fewer deaths. We can look back at the Spanish Flu pandemic and see that cities that locked down had far far fewer deaths in total. The notion that locking down only postpones appears to be false.

I believe the most important reason for doing what we are doing is to give researchers time to complete the hundreds of trials that are now being conducted on therapeutics that could cut the death rate if you do become very sick with Covid-19.

He talks about protecting the vulnerable. Is that even doable if you let the virus spread widely? I really doubt it is. He also talks about herd immunity.. At this point we have no idea if infection even provides immunity or how much or for how long. So if a person has a positive antibody test and no sign of disease do we let them be an orderly in a nursing home? We have no idea if that is the right course or dangerous as hell.

This guy is just angling for another book. That's why he volunteered for a total of 3 days.

Well worth a watch:

My take: ....

[redbutton]

What Dr Katz said about immunity and lifestyle really means a lot. I am a nutritionist and lifestyle is the key to staying healthy Eating right is step number one to a healthy lifespan. Not smoking not drinking soda (a non food) exercising daily. A positive attitude is beneficial to your health. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 28 it took me 20’years to cure myself without surgery. How I did it was first I never claimed the illness. Dr Bernie Seigal was my mentor for that. My daily mantra was this foreign tumor was not welcome in my body. I exercised daily ate good food had a positive attitude. Those were my curing tools. I became a nutritionist ten years after my cure. In my practice I have helped many clients change their lifestyle, eating habits, taught them how to cook and shop, to read food labels, change their weight, etc. it takes 21 days to change one habit. It takes hard work and dedication most of all self LOVE.

I had my roommate tell me because I m 74 I am going to die of the virus. Totally absurd. He is a smoker and HIV positive who is calling the kettle black here ? He does not exercise and appears to eat much processed food. Very misinformed person projecting his insecurities on me ! Not cool. I am a care giver helping others with their daily life. I do not live a fear based life. I am following social distancing and wearing a mask. Be a responsible citizen. I give a free one hour nutritional consultation. [email protected]. Eat the rainbow daily

[John Eder]

As I write this, I am staying home, wearing a mask when in public, observing extreme (but prudent) sanitation protocols and following scientific/local government guidance. Our household contains "high-risk" people, and we don't want to be killed by their thoughtlessness. While the writer of the Quora post brings up valid points re: domestic violence, kids in school, jobs, etc., my position is that the need to accelerate "reopening" does not trump my right to life, safety and good health. I do take heart that most of the most rabid "reopeners" are in "red" states- the people there seem like perfect guinea pigs for the rest of us (Hey, honey, hand me my syringe of Lysol- I need a haircut.").

Haircuts? Nails? Too bad no one will be able to see how awesome they look in their casket.

From a Quora member: Why are many Americans protesting against the Coronavirus lockdown?

Steven Burton, Retired Soldier

I cant tell you why every one of the people that are protesting are protesting. But I can give you some clarity on why I am against this lock-down lasting any longer.

I am disturbed by a lot of the comments I see on some of the questions answered in all these “lock-down corona-virus” answers. Most of them supporting the lock-down assert that you or I (or whomever) do not have the right to put them in danger by going back to work. That argument in my opinion is pedestrian and Short Sighted.


The fundamental question is not about you or me, or even random person on the street. It is about our society as a whole and the risk vs the reward of continuing this lock down. I dont think a lot of these people fully grasp what is going on right now across this country.

As I write this answer hundreds of thousands of abused spouses are locked down with their abuser. Thousands of children with abusive parents are locked down with them as well. These numbers grow everyday the lock-down is in effect as patience thins and tempers flare.

Continues here (scroll down some)

[Barry]

...I do take heart that most of the most rabid "reopeners" are in "red" states- the people there seem like perfect guinea pigs for the rest of us.

I agree! The water may be fine, or not. I appreciate that Georgia, et al, are willing to go first. Most unfortunately, for us and them, we won't know for 4+ weeks, if that was wise or not.

We need the f*cking testing, both antibody and infected, and data of exactly how risky it is to whom if you are infected, to proceed with informed consent.

It may well be that the best path through this lose-lose mess, is to risk getting infected and hope for the best. We take significant risks all the time, including every time we get into a car.

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

If I had the choice I would take a risk on a vaccine tomorrow morning. Vaccine technology is very well understood at this point. Usually they do a large study then follow participants to see if anyone gets the disease. There is talk of exposing volunteers to the disease after phase1 safety which is nearly finished with some ot the current vaccines. Maybe help in a covid ward without a mask or something like that. That will cut many months off development.