Perhaps we should have exercised the same type of forward thinking in our own pandemic preparedness, and it would have assisted us in preparing for our current situation.
Elon thinks its dumb:
Elon Musk sent a memo to SpaceX employees on Friday underplaying the dangers of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, which is now considered a pandemic, according to a report from BuzzFeed News.
Musk’s email, sent earlier today, told employees of the space transport company that they were far more likely to die from a car crash than COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He also said that, based on the evidence he had seen about COVID-19, he doesn’t think it’s “within the top 100 health risks in the United States.” The email follows a tweet Musk sent last week saying “the coronavirus panic is dumb.” SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump actually used the words “wants” not “needs” at least once. I’ve already quoted that for you a day or two ago with evidence.
Just to chime in on our experience, I’ve mentioned before that yesterday, a coworker of my husband has all the symptoms typical of covid19 and had recently traveled to a covid19 hotspot. She was tested yesterday for flu, strep and pneumonia which all came back negative. The doctors told her they can’t/won’t test her until next week, and she should quarantine herself until then.
Elon isn’t good at meeting deadlines. He’s not the one you want. 
Why are we parsing words and spending time discussing really pretty much nothing. Actions speak louder than words and the actions are being taken. Hopefully some of them work. Some won’t.
The updates and specific info is helpful.
Maybe the next admin would challenge the virus to a push up contest and the new virus would leave the country.
He got the solar power array in Australia set up pdq…
A mass testing system just seems like a challenge he’d like, whether he really believes in it or not.
CC is not a debate society so leaving this specific testing topic. I suggest watching the local 11pm news tonight. You’ll get the local stories of folks not being able to get tested.
Next:
The children in RI will be interesting to examine. Did they spread it to other students while not showing symptoms? Do they have symptoms? Did they spread it to their parents? This will help us understand if children, who show no symptoms and test positive are viral enough to spread.
Africa records cases in 19 countries
Covid-19 has now taken a foothold in 19 countries in Africa, a continent authorities are particularly worried about due to a lack of health services.
Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Guinea and Mauritania all confirmed their first cases of the coronavirus on Friday.
Most of Africa’s reported cases were foreigners or people who had travelled abroad.
Cases were previously reported in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The numbers of cases in most of the countries are still in single figures.
Mauritania’s health ministry says its first coronavirus patient is a European man, whose nationality was not specified, had returned to Nouakchott on 9 March and had since been in quarantine.
Senegal confirmed 11 new cases, raising the total in that West African nation to 21. Its health ministry said 16 had been infected by the same man who had returned from Italy.
Kenya’s health minister, Mutahi Kagwe, said the country’s first case, a 27-year-old Kenyan, was diagnosed on Thursday after travelling home via London on 5 March. (Guardian)
Perhaps sales have fallen so much that there is no point in staying open for the time being?
That’s true. I am not sure why after our experience with swine flu, H1N1 in 2009-10 where over 12,000 Americans died we didn’t ramp up for the next potential epidemic. Ultimately we as a nation could have done better. It’s not a new thing though.
I think had we had testing up and running and contact tracing and quarantine early on by using WHO or other tests instead of making our own, we would have far fewer cases and so that’s what makes this issue a sticking point for many. We now have direct impact in our lives with schools closing and my work very disrupted and etc. It was frustrating to watch decision after decision that I felt at the time were very wrong and now still think they lead directly to the situation our country is in. I watched China’s situation early on and in more depth than most in America because of my husband reading it all in Chinese and talking to friends there, showing me stories and videos. I had a good idea of what was and wasn’t working there from all that. We didn’t seem to learn anything from the experience of the Chinese in how we handled things. I don’t understand this. I expected our government would do well in this type of situation. It isn’t about like the president or not. it is about our country’s safety. I’m not impressed so far but am relieved to see things finally seem to be taken seriously and a lot more urgent action steps being taken.
Thanks to the moderators who allow this thread to remain open—it’s my main source of accurate Covid-19 info.
Following reports that vulnerable people including the elderly are struggling to buy essential items such as toilet paper as Australians rush to panic buy, supermarket giant Woolworths has announced a deal with Meals on Wheels in New South Wales to help deliver toilet paper directly to the elderly in the community. (Guardian)
<3
When I got the flu, my initial symptoms could have been for the new virus. I asked my doctors about that possibility and it was dismissed immediately because they didn’t think there were even any cases in this part of the country (never mind just our state). less than 2 weeks later we are shutting down schools all over this part of the country. My work is impacted. If I had those same symptoms now I think it would at least be considered by doctors that I might have the virus. It wasn’t at all then. I don’t think there was a high chance at the time. I think there was a tiny, remote chance. but I did inquire and talked to the doctor in detail. I do think our state has community spread that isn’t diagnosed yet.
Now I think you’re just trying to get this thread shut down.
In think @dos is right. This was a brave decision by Patagonia. And hopefully they are not a business causality later.
Unless you are closing up for good, there are what we call “sunk” costs that will be embedded into their cost structure, these do not stop because stores are closed. Occupancy. Insurance. Salary. Benefits. Utilities.
All due even if closed. Even a few sales are better than zero from a pure economic standpoint.
The cost savings would be negligible. Unless they have been considering closing for other reasons and this is a step one. I don’t follow the name to know other than brick and mortar are struggling somewhat universally.
The post about Woolworths and TP is the best news I’ve heard all day.
Speaking of Musk
As is this from post #1120 in the other thread I suppose:
There aren’t enough tests, there aren’t enough masks, things are getting rationed (now).
Then there aren’t enough beds if things get bad, there aren’t enough health care workers, there aren’t enough ventilators…