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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 17, 2020 13:06:48 GMT
We're really trending the wrong direction in Minnesota. August 27 was our first day with 1,000 cases diagnosed. Since then, we have had something like 23 days over that mark, including every day since Oct. 8, and with yesterday at a record-high 2,290. Hospitalizations and death are also going up, so it isn't just about testing.
I think most of it is just people being sick of taking precautions.
Same here in eastern/central Pennsylvania. Some of the businesses I frequent through my job are limiting some of their services or shutting down, and/or not allowing me in the building (because of COVID-19). So, my hours are substantially reduced again.
My mother is in an assisted living facility, and we have been restricted to window visits or, more recently, porch visits. We were hoping as the year progressed toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays that she would be able to leave the facility to attend family gatherings. That doesn't appear likely now. It's very sad for someone like my mother who is 88 years old. You want them to be able to see their family (she recently had two great-grandchildren) as much as possible, for obvious reasons...
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Post by Kapitan on Oct 17, 2020 13:19:19 GMT
The holidays have been on my mind, too. Now, me, personally? I don't really enjoy getting the whole family together at once: it's a chaotic scene with kids going berserk, nobody seemingly ever quite comfortable, and my poor mom doing her best to create the perfect moment. (Inevitably she obsesses over little things--quickly cleaning up this or that, doing the dishes immediately--while focusing on her grandkids. Well, as we leave, it's always, "but I barely got to talk to you!" Every time.) So me, I'd just as soon skip big-group holidays.
BUT ... that's my own little quirk, and I know it. Holiday gatherings mean a lot to my parents, who are both in their mid 70s. And as the weather has turned, it has occurred to me that we really shouldn't get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas in the whole-family arrangement. We'd be coming from four different cities, with a few people who have been going to work in offices, several grandkids who attend several different schools ... it's just not especially safe, particularly for my parents. And yet they're the ones who would want it most.
I haven't brought up the subject yet, but I think it ought to be raised sooner than later to steel them to the probable reality. They've been really good about precautions, not even going to in-person church since March. (For them, that's unprecedented. Like, I doubt they'd ever missed three consecutive weeks before.) But I'm sure all along they were assuming it would be OK by the holidays.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 17, 2020 13:38:55 GMT
BUT ... that's my own little quirk, and I know it. Holiday gatherings mean a lot to my parents, who are both in their mid 70s. And as the weather has turned, it has occurred to me that we really shouldn't get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas in the whole-family arrangement. We'd be coming from four different cities, with a few people who have been going to work in offices, several grandkids who attend several different schools ... it's just not especially safe, particularly for my parents. And yet they're the ones who would want it most.
I haven't brought up the subject yet, but I think it ought to be raised sooner than later to steel them to the probable reality. They've been really good about precautions, not even going to in-person church since March. (For them, that's unprecedented. Like, I doubt they'd ever missed three consecutive weeks before.) But I'm sure all along they were assuming it would be OK by the holidays.
My family is faced with a similar situation. We always have a large family gathering on Thanksgiving and Christmas. But this year, with COVID19, that is in serious jeopardy. In surveying the family members who could/would be attending, it's split into three categories - those who aren't taking precautions with COVID19, those who are taking some precautions, and those who are taking extreme precautions. That's not a good mix. Only last night as I was thinking about the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, it occurred to me that we might not have any family gatherings, big or small. How sad...
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Post by Kapitan on Oct 27, 2020 12:05:25 GMT
About a month ago, I went in to the office for the first time (except one hasty May, early-morning trip to gather some supplies) since March for a leadership meeting.
Unfortunately that got people feeling all warm and fuzzy and they decided to make them regular (though still infrequent). So a little later this morning I'll be going in again, and apparently monthly going forward.
I'd care less, but cases and hospitalizations are at new highs, deaths are up, positive test rates are up ... it just doesn't seem like "sure is nice to see people in person!" is a great reason to get people together in an office under the circumstances.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 27, 2020 12:44:08 GMT
About a month ago, I went in to the office for the first time (except one hasty May, early-morning trip to gather some supplies) since March for a leadership meeting.
Unfortunately that got people feeling all warm and fuzzy and they decided to make them regular (though still infrequent). So a little later this morning I'll be going in again, and apparently monthly going forward.
I'd care less, but cases and hospitalizations are at new highs, deaths are up, positive test rates are up ... it just doesn't seem like "sure is nice to see people in person!" is a great reason to get people together in an office under the circumstances.
Yes, and I'm wondering why things aren't starting to close/shut down again. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$?
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Post by Kapitan on Oct 27, 2020 12:49:29 GMT
I think $ is a big piece of it, but so is just personal defiance in my opinion. The "just live with it" attitude. The biggest school district in the state voted 5-1 yesterday to defy state health guidance and continue with extra curricular activities in person despite having just moved all middle and high school to remote learning.
Why? Is a high school football game or band concert honestly so important that it's worth defying medical guidelines, public health guidelines, in the middle of a SPIKING pandemic? These events aren't even big moneymakers. They're just things people want to do, things people want to see.
It's insane.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 27, 2020 13:04:22 GMT
There is something that is perplexing to me. It might belong in a sports' thread, but it's also applicable to this thread. In the NFL, coaches (and players?) are supposed to be wearing masks on the sidelines, even being fined substantially for not doing so. Yet, obviously masks are not required on the field. And, actually, isn't there a better chance of transmitting the virus while blocking and tackling and gathering in a huddle? They make such a big deal about wearing masks on the sideline, then send the players out on the field without them.
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Post by Kapitan on Oct 27, 2020 13:11:36 GMT
Some of that stuff, I honestly think it's about appearances and not much else. Setting a good example for people watching from home. Because obviously, in the pro sports environment, if everyone involved has tested negative (in order to play) and the players aren't masked...
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 5, 2020 14:11:59 GMT
That aforementioned record-high daily case count of 2,290 on Oct. 17 has now been bested something like six times, including the past two days of new record-highs. Yesterday was 3,827. Fatalities in the state are back up, as high as 35 in a day. Hospitalizations are well above last spring's highs, over 200.
My parents last night officially decided not to have a full-family Thanksgiving celebration: it's just too risky considering their age and especially my dad's past few years' health. I had spoken to them prior, and supported that decision. They're pretty heartbroken though.
It weighs on my mind--though admittedly I tend to expect the worst so I can be pleasantly surprised at anything better than that--that we're more likely to see things get worse in winter than better. If people are sick of precautions now (and they are), just wait until late December, with fewer hours of daylight, fewer chances to go outside, and more colds and flus in the air to begin with. Cabin fever in May or June is one thing; in December and January it's quite another.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 5, 2020 17:53:41 GMT
My parents last night officially decided not to have a full-family Thanksgiving celebration: it's just too risky considering their age and especially my dad's past few years' health. I had spoken to them prior, and supported that decision. They're pretty heartbroken though.
This is what's bringing our family down. My Mom is 88 years old and living in an assisted living facility. Her health is declining mentally and physically. Every few months she is admitted to the hospital for something, but she does recover and returns home. Not to appear morbid, but we are viewing each holiday/occasion as very possibly her last. What we like (liked, past tense) to do, and we did it with my Dad when he was living, was try to make sure he/she attended every family gathering possible - holidays, birthday parties, cookouts, etc. We've brought along wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and I even carried my Dad into my sister's house. Since March, the residents in the retirement home where my Mom is living are not permitted to leave the facility unless it's an important doctor's appointment. Therefore, she missed Easter, Memorial Day, 4th Of July, Labor Day, a few birthday parties, and she recently had two great-grandchildren which she has yet to hold. Now, Thanksgiving is probably out and it's just a matter of time before Christmas is added to the list. That's basically what my Mom lived/is living for - her family. There is only so much to do and enjoy in a retirement home. So, basically she has "missed out" on almost everything this year, and we don't know how many more she will have. Of, course there are thousands of others sadly facing the same situation...
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Nov 5, 2020 18:56:30 GMT
That aforementioned record-high daily case count of 2,290 on Oct. 17 has now been bested something like six times, including the past two days of new record-highs. Yesterday was 3,827. Fatalities in the state are back up, as high as 35 in a day. Hospitalizations are well above last spring's highs, over 200. My parents last night officially decided not to have a full-family Thanksgiving celebration: it's just too risky considering their age and especially my dad's past few years' health. I had spoken to them prior, and supported that decision. They're pretty heartbroken though. It weighs on my mind--though admittedly I tend to expect the worst so I can be pleasantly surprised at anything better than that--that we're more likely to see things get worse in winter than better. If people are sick of precautions now (and they are), just wait until late December, with fewer hours of daylight, fewer chances to go outside, and more colds and flus in the air to begin with. Cabin fever in May or June is one thing; in December and January it's quite another.
My aunt and uncle officially decided to *have* a full family Thanksgiving this year. I'm pretty surprised considering they didn't go anywhere from March-May. They're in their early 70s and usually come down with an illness 1-2 times a year. I don't feel especially comfortable going, but if everyone else is, does it really matter?
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 6, 2020 18:32:52 GMT
That aforementioned record-high daily case count of 2,290 on Oct. 17 has now been bested something like six times, including the past two days of new record-highs. Yesterday was 3,827. Fatalities in the state are back up, as high as 35 in a day. Hospitalizations are well above last spring's highs, over 200. That record fell quickly. 5,442 cases, 36 deaths.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 9, 2020 13:25:18 GMT
That aforementioned record-high daily case count of 2,290 on Oct. 17 has now been bested something like six times, including the past two days of new record-highs. Yesterday was 3,827. Fatalities in the state are back up, as high as 35 in a day. Hospitalizations are well above last spring's highs, over 200. That record fell quickly. 5,442 cases, 36 deaths. 5908.
I know it's months away from broad public availability regardless, but news this morning that Pfizer has a drug that seems 90% effective in its tests so far is certainly heartening.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 9, 2020 22:32:39 GMT
That record fell quickly. 5,442 cases, 36 deaths. 5908.
I know it's months away from broad public availability regardless, but news this morning that Pfizer has a drug that seems 90% effective in its tests so far is certainly heartening.
I can think of somebody who wishes this was announced a week or so ago.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 9, 2020 22:42:06 GMT
I don't think it SHOULD have political ramifications. I don't think drug companies are timing such things for or against either administration--they're going to be doing just fine regardless, as both parties have been in bed with pharma for decades--and neither candidate was exactly the guy in the labs working on drugs, or administering tests.
It WILL, just because we blame or credit presidents for everything. But in this case it shouldn't.
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