247,000 new cases and 3,500 new deaths

[Prometheus]

That's just yesterday/today (time zones) in the US.

My city reported 4 new cases yesterday in the "Development Zone" across the bay from where I live and the government is talking about how they will have it isolated by day's end. I tend to believe them and hope that my belief is not misplaced. I don't want to end up in lockdown just before the holidays.

But I'm glad as fuck that I don't live in the US right now... mostly because I figure I'd already be dead.

I'd love to say that I can't understand how people still think this is a hoax or "only a cold", or whatever other bullshit they're selling, but, sadly, I can understand it.

The education system has been failing for decades. The quality of government leadership has been in decline for decades (if not centuries).

What's worse is the battle against "force." People don't want to be "forced" to do what is objectively the right thing to do while simultaneously NOT doing what they know to be the right thing to do.

Ask any reasonably intelligent 12-year-old why doctors wear masks, and the child will probably tell you, "so they don't get sick or make the patient sicker."

"Correct! Put on your mask."

"No. Cuz mah daddy sez that wearin' a mask is how the gubmint is gonna turn us all into communist Muslims."

"What does your teacher say?"

"Ah dunno. School is closed an' ah'd rather play X-Box than look at mah teacher on the computer."

[ant-mac]

As this is a global pandemic, every country on the planet has been struggling to deal with it, some better than others. However, the US actually seems to be intent upon making things as difficult for itself as possible. It's truly mind boggling.

On my most recent visit into town to pick up the mail, food and medical supplies, I was surprised to be greeted in my chemist shop by a staff member wearing a mask and asking for my contact details. This had not previously been necessary in my area, but a recent state government decree had changed the circumstances and I was happy to comply. I even bought some new masks which are superior in design to the ones I just happened to have in the house at the beginning of this rollercoaster ride. Disposable masks cost $6.00 and reusable masks cost $6.95... guess which ones I bought.

My next stop was at one of my local supermarkets. I don't have a smart phone, so I was unable to scan the QR code to register my visit. I questioned the staff about alternatives and was told I'd be able to sign in via pen and paper... the following Monday when it became legally mandatory. So I got a little pushy and asked why they couldn't start now? After all, addressing public health issues is generally good PR in this country. So after a 10 minute wait, they eventually produced pen and paper specifically designed for the purpose and asked my to fill out my details.

I suggested that they limit access to the pen and paper to staff members only, to limit the possibility of exposure to and the spreading of possible infection. After all, surely that's safer than letting just anyone wander in and cough and sneeze all over it. However, they said it was store policy to get the customer to fill out the form... despite what I said. Oh well, I tried. I always thought common sense was a lot more... common.

PS - My new masks are black and very chic...

After this global pandemic is over and done with, I might use them in my bid to engage in a criminal career.

After all, the masks are reusable.

[Prometheus]

Dec 17, 2020 6:23:08 GMT ant-mac said:

As this is a global pandemic, every country on the planet has been struggling to deal with it, some better than others. However, the US actually seems to be intent upon making things as difficult for itself as possible. It's truly mind boggling.

On my most recent visit into town to pick up the mail, food and medical supplies, I was surprised to be greeted in my chemist shop by a staff member wearing a mask and asking for my contact details. This had not previously been necessary in my area, but a recent state government decree had changed the circumstances and I was happy to comply. I even bought some new masks which are superior in design to the ones I just happened to have in the house at the beginning of this rollercoaster ride. Disposable masks cost $6.00 and reusable masks cost $6.95... guess which ones I bought.

My next stop was at one of my local supermarkets. I don't have a smart phone, so I was unable to scan the QR code to register my visit. I questioned the staff about alternatives and was told I'd be able to sign in via pen and paper... the following Monday when it became legally mandatory. So I got a little pushy and asked why they couldn't start now? After all, addressing public health issues is generally good PR in this country. So after a 10 minute wait, they eventually produced pen and paper specifically designed for the purpose and asked my to fill out my details.

I suggested that they limit access to the pen and paper to staff members only, to limit the possibility of exposure to and the spreading of possible infection. After all, surely that's safer than letting just anyone wander in and cough and sneeze all over it. However, they said it was store policy to get the customer to fill out the form... despite what I said. Oh well, I tried. I always thought common sense was a lot more... common.

PS - My new masks are black and very chic...

After this global pandemic is over and done with, I might use them in my bid to engage in a criminal career.

After all, the masks are reusable.

A life of healthy, non-contagion-spreading crime... cheers!

[Nightman]

Dec 17, 2020 6:23:08 GMT ant-mac said:

As this is a global pandemic, every country on the planet has been struggling to deal with it, some better than others. However, the US actually seems to be intent upon making things as difficult for itself as possible. It's truly mind boggling.

On my most recent visit into town to pick up the mail, food and medical supplies, I was surprised to be greeted in my chemist shop by a staff member wearing a mask and asking for my contact details. This had not previously been necessary in my area, but a recent state government decree had changed the circumstances and I was happy to comply. I even bought some new masks which are superior in design to the ones I just happened to have in the house at the beginning of this rollercoaster ride. Disposable masks cost $6.00 and reusable masks cost $6.95... guess which ones I bought.

My next stop was at one of my local supermarkets. I don't have a smart phone, so I was unable to scan the QR code to register my visit. I questioned the staff about alternatives and was told I'd be able to sign in via pen and paper... the following Monday when it became legally mandatory. So I got a little pushy and asked why they couldn't start now? After all, addressing public health issues is generally good PR in this country. So after a 10 minute wait, they eventually produced pen and paper specifically designed for the purpose and asked my to fill out my details.

I suggested that they limit access to the pen and paper to staff members only, to limit the possibility of exposure to and the spreading of possible infection. After all, surely that's safer than letting just anyone wander in and cough and sneeze all over it. However, they said it was store policy to get the customer to fill out the form... despite what I said. Oh well, I tried. I always thought common sense was a lot more... common.

PS - My new masks are black and very chic...

After this global pandemic is over and done with, I might use them in my bid to engage in a criminal career.

After all, the masks are reusable.

Why wait?

I have a couple of reusable masks because they were given to me for free, but I use surgical masks; according to my research, they are more effective at stopping the covid.

[ant-mac]

Dec 18, 2020 21:22:26 GMT Nightman said:

Dec 17, 2020 6:23:08 GMT ant-mac said:

As this is a global pandemic, every country on the planet has been struggling to deal with it, some better than others. However, the US actually seems to be intent upon making things as difficult for itself as possible. It's truly mind boggling.

On my most recent visit into town to pick up the mail, food and medical supplies, I was surprised to be greeted in my chemist shop by a staff member wearing a mask and asking for my contact details. This had not previously been necessary in my area, but a recent state government decree had changed the circumstances and I was happy to comply. I even bought some new masks which are superior in design to the ones I just happened to have in the house at the beginning of this rollercoaster ride. Disposable masks cost $6.00 and reusable masks cost $6.95... guess which ones I bought.

My next stop was at one of my local supermarkets. I don't have a smart phone, so I was unable to scan the QR code to register my visit. I questioned the staff about alternatives and was told I'd be able to sign in via pen and paper... the following Monday when it became legally mandatory. So I got a little pushy and asked why they couldn't start now? After all, addressing public health issues is generally good PR in this country. So after a 10 minute wait, they eventually produced pen and paper specifically designed for the purpose and asked my to fill out my details.

I suggested that they limit access to the pen and paper to staff members only, to limit the possibility of exposure to and the spreading of possible infection. After all, surely that's safer than letting just anyone wander in and cough and sneeze all over it. However, they said it was store policy to get the customer to fill out the form... despite what I said. Oh well, I tried. I always thought common sense was a lot more... common.

PS - My new masks are black and very chic...

After this global pandemic is over and done with, I might use them in my bid to engage in a criminal career.

After all, the masks are reusable.

Why wait?

I have a couple of reusable masks because they were given to me for free, but I use surgical masks; according to my research, they are more effective at stopping the covid.

The new masks I got seem to be pretty good... certainly more effective than the other ones that were sitting on the top shelf of the pantry.

Mum brought a heap of them home from the hospital when she was painting and wall-papering the interior of the house... back in the 1980s.

So they were probably due to be updated...