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Very true. We don’t believe as much of the hype. While New Yorkers were hiding in their homes I went out for Mexican last night. Traffic is nearly normal, stores are mostly open and people are shopping. Some are wearing masks here but most people believe this to be a dangerous overreaction that is a huge threat to our economy. In fact many, myself included hold all those who started this hysteria in contempt.
Maybe the north should close the Mason Dixon line off too because we ain’t doin your crazy with you.
One would like to think, that many in the older-and-wiser contingent have realized that mere life itself is less precious than quality of life. It isn't bullheaded ignorance or a diet of slanted news that muddles one's capacity to get with the official program. Rather, it is a weighing of pros and cons, and an active and conscious decision that maybe even for a highly vulnerable person - indeed, especially for such a person! - the proverbial medicine is worse than the illness.
Younger people might have children, spouses, or other relatives. Perhaps their own parents are still alive. There is a web of responsibilities. One can't unilaterally surrender, without causing cascade of grief and misfortune. But for those who have outlived their peers, who have no such relations and no web of responsibilities, the calculation of pros and cons is different.
Many of the people I saw yesterday at work, younger parents, were actually bringing their kids into the store, letting them pick out candy bars, or snacks and then they would stand in the long line, right next to everyone else!! I could not believe what I was seeing.
These people are not even risking it for necessity items, its for candy, soda, snacks, beer, cigarettes, lottery!
At 72/76, my wife and I weren't taking this thing as seriously as we should have been. Even though we had been watching the 24/7, 'hair on fire, news panic,' we've learned NOT to believe much of what the news (or politicians) have to say. Sadly, the media and politicians today are "the boy who cried wolf too many times" ... and people will now suffer for it.
Two things finally changed our minds: (1) My son (50) did some statistical research/analysis on the Spanish Flu (and other Pandemics) ... and concluded that we are likely to ultimately see millions of infections in this country ... and over a million deaths worldwide. (2) The people and community around us began to take things like 'social distancing' and 'isolation' seriously.
We've now cancelled all unnecessary gatherings and are exercising caution even with doctor's appointments. For example, we cancelled an appointment with an eye-doctor who typically crowds his waiting room with older, coughing patients. We're also re-thinking our near-term contact with the grandkids.
The Villages, giving the Virus and warning the finger two weeks ago, is now starting to close down and get hit hard. There are MANY people getting testing and all functions have shut down. An Army Field Hospital is being built nearby - for a reason! There are 150,000+ seniors in the area and no hospital of any note. They don't believe in the virus. Or they didn't until 4 days ago.
Now it's starting to go bad.....mental health pros are seeing panic attacks and I suspect many such things as well as heart attacks will occur from fear and realization of what they may be in for.
I feel badly for the 30% or so of Villages residents who were trying to instill reason into the heads of the other 70%. But they wouldn't listen. They said everyone has to die from something and they were not going to change.
I fear we won't see those same "heroics" in the days ahead when care has to be rationed to these people. The odds of getting enough ventilators and health care workers out there in the boonies is about zero. Maybe a bunch of them will take off in their cars and drive to orlando and fly elsewhere to infect others.
This situation alone should be fair warning to those over-65 and others who downplay this.
Here's a sobering stat: A recent poll released this week from NPR and PBS Newshour found that less than 40 percent of Republicans in the U.S. currently view the coronavirus as a real threat.
"The differences between political parties are stark, with a majority of Republicans saying it is overblown and the vast majority of Democrats considering it a legitimate threat.
"Since the pandemic has taken root and grown in the United States, Democrats and Republicans are now poles apart," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion. "The consequences of these differing perspectives are shaping how people are responding to calls for action."
Lots of people talking here about this virus thinning the herd. Those who are in denial are the herd who will take the greatest thinning. I'll try to feel bad about it.
Here's a sobering stat: A recent poll released this week from NPR and PBS Newshour found that less than 40 percent of Republicans in the U.S. currently view the coronavirus as a real threat.
"The differences between political parties are stark, with a majority of Republicans saying it is overblown and the vast majority of Democrats considering it a legitimate threat.
"Since the pandemic has taken root and grown in the United States, Democrats and Republicans are now poles apart," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion. "The consequences of these differing perspectives are shaping how people are responding to calls for action."
Lots of people talking here about this virus thinning the herd. Those who are in denial are the herd who will take the greatest thinning. I'll try to feel bad about it.
So its about party politics and perception (not being scared enough) and not about the real economic damage being wrought upon households?
Many of the people I saw yesterday at work, younger parents, were actually bringing their kids into the store, letting them pick out candy bars, or snacks and then they would stand in the long line, right next to everyone else!! I could not believe what I was seeing.
These people are not even risking it for necessity items, its for candy, soda, snacks, beer, cigarettes, lottery!
Okay, here's a question for you. If all we're reading in the news is that millenials and teenagers are not taking the coronavirus outbreak seriously and refusing to participate in bans on public gathering and non essential businesses, where the hell are the outspoken activists that the media had said were leading their generation?
I'm talking about guys like David " Lil' nazi" Hogg and that weird german girl, Greta Thunberg? They've been dead silent and done nothing to make any public awareness announcement. Unless its a partisan political attack, they must have nothing to say.
Many of the people I saw yesterday at work, younger parents, were actually bringing their kids into the store, letting them pick out candy bars, or snacks and then they would stand in the long line, right next to everyone else!! I could not believe what I was seeing.
These people are not even risking it for necessity items, its for candy, soda, snacks, beer, cigarettes, lottery!
So they are refusing to join in with the psychosis of the mass media led mob style panic.
Weird. {Sarcasm}
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