Should Houston metro area shelter in place? (Dallas, Austin: construction, utilities)

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

Dallas County just issued a Stay-at-home order yet Houston metro area has more cases. At least the last time I checked.

DFW has more cases.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

DFW has more cases.

Damn Dallas county really jumped cause I do remember seeing more cases in Harris county initially than in Dallas county.

[Lbjen]

Our case count hasn’t jumped a lot, and we’re coming up on a week since most of the spring breakers got back in to town. The only issue I can really see is that people are starting to get bored, and since our case count hasn’t exploded (obviously because people actually have been staying home), they’ll start to take it less seriously.

[Lbjen]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

If climate plays no role in ease of spread (which I seriously doubt), several things need to be clarified:

1) Why are cold and dry climate places being hit much harder with number of new cases? Even places with high density and much closer ties to China have had very low spread relative to places like Europe or South Korea. This is inevitably when someone says “but new cases are being reported in hot and humid countries”. Of course they are, but at an absolute fraction of a percentage as Europe. No one was hypothesizing that the virus would cease to exist in hot humid places, just that the rate of spread would be far lower.

2) What does it imply about those places where spread has been much slower? We have talked frequently with our family in Thailand and it is a concern there but not like it is here. They also do testing there at a higher frequency than we do here. They are currently around 600 cases which is not nothing, but it is little compared to the US and Europe. So how are the numbers in places like Thailand and the Philippines so much lower when their ties to China are so much greater as is their population density?

You’re forgetting that much of Europe lives very densely. Public transportation is much more commonly used. They are culturally much more social than we are.

Places where it has been slower like Thailand, perhaps it is easier for them to self-isolate than here or Europe. The sense of doing what’s right for the community is much stronger.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Lbjen

You’re forgetting that much of Europe lives very densely. Public transportation is much more commonly used. They are culturally much more social than we are.

Places where it has been slower like Thailand, perhaps it is easier for them to self-isolate than here or Europe. The sense of doing what’s right for the community is much stronger.

The cities in Thailand are WAY more dense.

[jerbear30]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

Ive read papers saying there’s a high probability it’ll be cyclical. What the overwhelming consensus seems to be is: “it’s a new virus so we don’t know”.

Anthony Fauci was just on TV saying it’s very possible that it’ll be cyclical.

And sorry but I don’t turn a blind eye to data.

To say that it might be cyclical is not the same thing as to say that climate is a factor. I don't see anyone saying that climate will play a significant factor in slowing the spread of the disease. I looked--I wanted to find someone who would say that.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by jerbear30

To say that it might be cyclical is not the same thing as to say that climate is a factor. I don't see anyone saying that climate will play a significant factor in slowing the spread of the disease. I looked--I wanted to find someone who would say that.

Yeah, it is the same thing. What do you think makes it cyclical?

[chris_ut]

Our numbers haven't risen because they aren't testing anyone for it.

[jerbear30]

Originally Posted by As Above So Below...

Yeah, it is the same thing. What do you think makes it cyclical?

Right, the seasons are cyclical too, but the thing with this virus is that it didn't start with the usual cycle. It started later, which means it will likely go later. At least that's what I've read. I don't know for sure and while I'm usually a little annoyed when I'm proven wrong, this is one I'd literally cry with joy to be wrong about.

[SanJac]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Our numbers haven't risen because they aren't testing anyone for it.

This is what I think too... lack of testing availability in the Houston area has been a huge disappointment.

Having said that, would a “lockdown” be much different than how we are currently operating? Most people are already working remotely if they have that capability.

What is an essential job? Broadly, health care work is considered essential, as are government jobs that provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public, such as first responders. People who work in construction, public transportation, utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric, sanitation, internet, telecommunications, etc.) are also considered essential, as well as food service providers, such as grocery stores and restaurants that prepare food only for delivery or carry-out.


People who work in construction are considered essential? I guess that means my neighbor’s home remodel will continue during this crisis? I don’t consider that essential at all.