Coronavirus - are we all doomed?

[NauticalGent]

I am heading back to the Lions Den today from the States. The stupidity of it all is disheartening.

 

[NauticalGent]

Also, the airport looks like a set from one of those zombie apocalypse movies. My flight to DC has less than 20 people on it

 

[NauticalGent]

That explains a lot. I don't trust anyone who doesn't partake

In that case you would trust me with your life...!

 

[vba_php]

That explains a lot. I don't trust anyone who doesn't partake

that's because you're not faithful. but I HAVE been known to down a Smirinoff Ice once in a while at a bar.. Does that count? and please, don't tell me it's a woman's drink!

 

[pbaldy]

My flight to DC has less than 20 people on it

My employer is a transportation provider. We get bookings and cancellations daily from Expedia, among others. Typically 300-600 bookings a day and 25-50 cancellations. This morning 175 bookings and 145 cancellations. People are staying home.

I had dinner at a sports bar last night with some friends and was surprised to see reports on the various events that will be done without fans. Formula 1 race, college basketball tournaments, etc. I'm half surprised them make the players travel, but I'd guess the television money is too much to pass up.

 

[vba_php]

The college in my town is requesting that students take classes for the next two weeks online only and not come to the school buildings. Now that's freaking stupid

 

[pbaldy]

Now that's freaking stupid

That's your trained medical opinion? I just read something about how this type of action slows down the spread and flattens the spike of cases, enabling the medical community to keep up. But I'm sure you know better.

 

[Jon]

Complacency > faster spread > more death.

 

[moke123]

St. Paddys day parades NY and Boston cancelled. Boston marathon may be delayed. I think they just shut down broadway plays in NYC. NBA games are done.
My secretary went to store at lunch- barely a roll of toilet paper to be had.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Now that's freaking stupid

In the context where you said this, so were you, Adam. That disease is real - and really bad. It is not stupid to take precautions.

 

[moke123]

Complacency > faster spread > more death.

your dark side is showing.

 

[Jon]

I've been doom and gloom for a while now, spreading The Word in my local cafe, who all dismiss me as some eccentric nutter. They won't for long. It is already starting to get a lot quieter in there. Next I will turn up dead, and who will be laughing then!

 

[pbaldy]

who all dismiss me as some eccentric nutter

Maybe it's that accent?

 

[NauticalGent]

I think Paul might be on to something regarding Jon's accent.
DC airport is deserted too. Dont know WHY I am being forced to return to the hot-spot but I just may miss my flight and take my chances

 

[NauticalGent]

So...normally when I return to Europe from the states, the requested commodities are booze and Hershey's chocolate bars. Today it is cotton face masks and hand sanitizer.

If I could get a truckload to Naples tomorrow I could be a rich man. In reality, my conscience would win and I would give them away...

 

[vba_php]

That's your trained medical opinion? I just read something about how this type of action slows down the spread and flattens the spike of cases, enabling the medical community to keep up. But I'm sure you know better.

why are you asking if I have a medical opinion, Paul? I'm not a medical professional nor do I plan on ever being one! The point is that the virus exists for a reason and that is not Medical in nature.

 

[NauticalGent]

An interesting read for those who have not taken this issue seriously...

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/who-gets-hospital-bed/607807/

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The point is that the virus exists for a reason and that is not Medical in nature

You can only mean one of two things, Adam, and you are already stretching credulity either way.

One possibility: You COULD think this is China (People's Republic of) waging germ warfare and not caring how many of their own people they kill, since they are overpopulated anyway. Not buying into it, though.

The other possibilty: You COULD think this is a punishment from God. If so, it shows you don't even understand your Bible as well as I do, and I'm an atheist. By most Christian dogma, God doesn't punish people until they enter His domain at "the pearly gates" or whereever it is that judgment is actually passed. He doesn't visit unselective catastrophes on people any more ever since he made the mistake associated with the flood. "Mistake!" you say? Yes, an action for which He repented enough to make a promise to never do it again. Whether he called it a mistake or not, that is the way you atone for your mistakes.

Corona virus is living proof (well... OK, viruses aren't technically alive) of evolution in action. Anyone who doubts evolution should read headlines about how this is a new strain of a virus that mutates in various ways.

 

[pbaldy]

why are you asking if I have a medical opinion, Paul?

Never mind, I was trying to use logic. I forgot the futility of using logic in a situation like this. I'll bow out, as I don't know any other way of discussing issues.

 

[Jon]

viruses aren't technically alive

You bring up a good point Doc. I was told by a genetics student many years ago that virus only have 3 out of the 5 characteristics that define something as being alive, such as reproduction, produce waste etc. So indeed, there is debate on whether or not viruses are "alive" or whether they are just bits of genetic material floating around doing their destructive thing.