left field

Interesting interview with author, Max Brooks. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/24/820601571/all-of-this-panic-could-have-been-prevented-author-max-brooks-on-covid-19 https://mobile.twitter.com/maxbrooksauthor/status/1239624352305303552

Good point. So screw those dying or about to die people because ... wait, what is it? Politics? Lack of foresight?

Coumo said NY was getting 400. He estimates they need 30,000. He asked what he should tell the other 26,600. Unless we do as the LG of Texas suggests and old people should goodbye to their grandkids and take one for the team to save the economy for the next generation. Very Jim Jones.

Caught a little of Cuomo this morning. He makes a lot of sense. The feds are sitting on a stockpile of 20k ventilators. Send them to NY where they are most needed to save lives. Once the peak happens, Cuomo will send them to the next state or area that needs them. Use the DPA and call appropriate companies and tell them they’re now in the ventilator/test/mask business. Here’s a big fat gov contract, now go and hire a bunch of people and get to work.

You are one optimistic SOB. Thanks.

Sorry, if it wasn’t clear, I meant the other article. The medium one was interesting and helpful. If Trump acted like Cuomo I’d kiss his flabby ass. It’s easy to praise someone from “the other side” (whatever that means) when they step up and do the right thing in a time of crisis. The more challenging thing is Coming to the decision to wash your hands of someone “on your side” (whatever that means) when they clearly are in over their head. I fear Trump is making things worse. I pray I’m wrong.

Can we have a moratorium on sharing stupid news items? That medium article was interesting. I can’t comment on the analysis, but thanks. I was called a “down-stater” at the grocery store today for wiping my hands. Hope this doesn’t get crazy. @Chef is bang on about Cuomo. He’s been a rock during this.

Lots of craziness on my drive upstate today. Tried to get an oil change at a dealer and two were shut down. Stopped off at gun shop and it was a shit show. Packed with people buying their first shotguns - “Will a 20 Gauge be good for me, honey?”

I would question Chinese numbers. And it's not the west. Per the article:

C19 is more infectious than the flu - an infected person will spread it wider snd faster. It’s more deadly than the flu. And it kills in a different way, essentially flooding the lungs with fluid. Not only is there’s no pharmaceutical treatment, there’s a lack of respirators. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-covid-19-flu-comparison-frieden-analysis/index.html

I just coated it with Purell and the whole thing slid right down. So far, so good.

It's crazy. I bought an orange today and thought about how many hands have touched it and what the proper protocol would be to eat it.

Upon reflection, that finance thing I posed was stupid. Sorry. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I hope we’re all laughing soon.

That was my point. Leadership. This was just sent to me by a finance friend. While it offers no new info, and sugarcoats a few aspects, it does seem to lay out things fairly clearly.

Are there legal provisions during a “national emergency” for hoarding and profiteering?

I’m not blaming him. I’m saying he’s incompetent and the last guy you want in charge as he lacks the fundamental thing a leader need in this situation - discipline. By the way - what transparency? I haven’t disguised the fact that after living in NYC for 20 plus years I know Trump to be a venal, narcissistic, performing monkey.

It was a shits and giggles while things were good and he readily couldn’t screw things up too badly, but man ... Trump is a disaster under pressure. My building is now talking about locking the front door and hiring armed security in the coming weeks. I’m at the apt as I am not feeling well and decided to quarantine from my wife at the cabin.

Cuomo on air right now. Up to this point I really haven't had a strong opinion of him either way, but he is acting like a crisis leader should: straight facts - here's a realistic idea of what's coming - here's what you realistically can expect - here's what we (and NJ/CT) are doing - calling out legitimate bullshit - rallying the troops. I think Trump is waving a letter from Google around saying, "see, they are building a website like I said."

Things are very calm in Delhi and Oneonta. The grocery store is a little busy and the obvious shelves are empty. I grabbed a gas can at Home Depot and it was a ghost town. As are the gas stations. People seem to be doing what they should. Stock up, hunker down, limit contact and wait it out.

Talking to friends in the city, the bars and restaurants are packed. I think much of this is a sense of invulnerability that the young possess. Here in Delhi, almost all of the bars, cafes, etc are closing.

Thanks for that. She can get some sun and I’ve ordered her a ton of groceries. She’s tough as hell so we hope for the best. The bitch is not being able to do anything.

You seem to be pushing for an argument. Sorry, wrong guy.

I’m not. I have been here for 25 years and as a PR have built a life and laid down roots, so I think that allows me an opinion. Especially as every decision made by a president affects my life. I joke about pointing my car toward Canada but strangely when I travel there I feel more American than Canadian. Not totally. I still prefer Tim Hortons over Dunkin’ Donuts; Robertson screwdrivers over Phillips; and pop over soda. Trudeau is a lightweight. A pale imitation of his father who was one of the last true intellectual world leaders. But I certainly hope Justin and his wife are fine. I would have preferred a speech that didn’t have to be walked back within minutes. A speech that didn’t tank the market the next day. This was a no brainer: reassure the American people that the government is doing everything in its power to keep them safe; give them realistic numbers and actions as to what to expect in the coming days: tell them what they can do to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities; and inspire them with the idea that though things will get worse before they get better, Americans are up to the challenge. We are in this together and we will endure. To quote a great leader at a time of historic importance ... “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”

Good luck @crappyice I’m sure she’ll be fine. Why has she been marked for testing? I know people in the city with fevers, coughs and respiratory issues that can’t get tested. My 84 year-old-mother is alone in her TO apt and sick after throwing a dinner party for a bunch of other old ladies last week. Her doctor told her to stay put and wait it out. There’s nothing I can do but wish her well.