The deaths in Washington are as you say, but if you look at cases, the story is quite different. Hispanics have 30% of the population, 13% of the deaths, and non-Hispanic whites have 48% of the cases and 68% of the deaths.
That suggests two hypotheses to me. The Hispanic cases might be much younger than the white cases and thus less likely to die. Also, the white cases might have been earlier on average than the Hispanic cases, leaving some Hispanic people in hospitals in Washington that will die but haven’t died yet. We know that a lot of the early deaths in Washington were in a couple of nursing homes. The news coverage seemed to show these were nursing homes with mostly white residents and mostly white caregivers.
I’d like to attend a late September wedding in suburban LA but don’t want to be stupid. I realize it’s too early to make firm decisions but I still find myself speculating. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if the wedding will be allowed. Will large gatherings be permissible by then? Will airline travel be safe? Will hotels be up and running? What do you think? Glad I have some time to make the call.
My brother is a small business owner who has been closed down without a bailout. He runs a youth league with 1000 kids from 5-18 playing mostly March-May, so the entire season is lost. He’d already ordered uniforms, paint, goals, and all the stuff that has to be replenished every year (first aid kits, paper, pencils for score keeping, balls). He’s already paid the field rental.
So he makes no money for the year. He doesn’t pay the refs so all those people are out their ‘gig’ money (most have other jobs but reffing brings in a lot for second jobs and for a few this is their only job). City gets no fees for field rentals (or seat taxes for concerts or sports, admission to city pools and rec centers). Restaurants near the fields get no sales. The tournaments are all cancelled so all those people are out of their fees and salaries.
And 1000 kids are sitting at home and going crazy to play. Play anything.
Yes, people want to go back to some activities. I want to go to the dentist and the doctor. I want people to get to visit their grandchildren without feeling like they are breaking the law. I want the kids I work with who are in foster care to get to visit their parents, to get to visit their siblings. I want courts to reopen so trials can happen.
And yes, selfishly I want my thrift store to reopen and I’d like a haircut.
The ability to spend the day vehemently lecturing about how everyone needs to stay home, needs to not be concerned about their potential financial destruction, needs to stop even THINKING that economics are a moral or reasonable part of the equation is exhibiting the ultimate form of privilege.
All those…expecting deliveries of groceries, goods, meals…expecting the grocery clerks to be working, the utility company to show up if the power is down, expecting the cable/internet/cell phone to work, expecting their banks to be available, expecting the plumber to come when called … are just screaming their privilege to those who need to show up to serve them.
@suzyq7, thank you, and I’m sorry you’re frustrated - I am too, and worried as well! Just FYI, lots of Florida counties and municipalities issued stay-at-home orders in the March 24 - 28 time frame, and the statewide order came on April 3, I believe. I think the NY stay-at-home was issued on March 22, so really not a huge time difference. Also, I’m sure wherever you live, there are people who follow the rules and also people who don’t. That will be true anywhere. 100% compliance would be nice, but just as there are always some people who break laws, there will be people who refuse to follow these orders and guidelines.
From what I’ve heard from my UCSF and HI docs, this drug HAS already been used in severe cases as compassionate use, when they could get it (it’s been in short supply, especially with clinical trials). It has really helped some patients, but isn’t the magic solution for all.
I hope research continues so more can be determined as to which patients benefit and when it should be administered and in combo with which meds. Also hope supplies of this med become more available.
TWIV discussed Remdesivir today and they were thinking there is a good chance that it would be most effective if given in the first 48 hours of onset, much like Tamiflu. Unfortunately people are told to stay home at the onset and often don’t present until they are a week plus into the illness. So, there’s a chance it would be even more effective if given earlier, but that’s tricky b/c it’s IV and not as simple as popping a pill or two in the first couple of days. And you don’t know in the first couple of days who will get severely ill and who will have a mild case.
Based upon Worldometers numbers, as of this typing NY (state) is the most dangerous place to have been during this pandemic so far. One used to have to make an exception for the city-state of San Marino (34,000 people and 41 deaths). We don’t have to do that any longer (sigh).
Of course, this assumes all countries have been reporting accurately and we rather know that isn’t true for many like Brazil (many, that’s just one making the news).
Of the US states + DC, 10 are currently higher than the US average for per capita deaths meaning 41 are lower than it. I suspect where some states are on that list makes a difference in how they feel about reopening. This too depends upon accurate reporting - not so sure some states are doing that based upon what I’ve read, but no need to open a hornet’s nest. I’ll just go with what the numbers are on that site.
It’ll be interesting seeing how states move up/down on that list over the next month (two weeks for cases, two additional weeks for deaths). It’s already been interesting to watch TBH - for all sorts of data including testing per capita, etc. Just click on how you want the info organized.
Even with the relaxed moderation I don’t think calling out individuals is a good idea. Just look for the subtext of:
YOU need to stay home because I am scared and immune compromised.
YOU need to stay home because I have underlying conditions
YOU need too stay home because you don’t NEED -fill in a service - without a care in the world that that service provider is losing their lives work.
YOU need to stay home because I need the security
YOU need to stay home because despite the fact we’ve flattened the curve, hospitals are under utilized, people can’t get basic medical tests or care because I need to feel completely safe.
If YOU are unwilling to SIP then you don’t care about who dies - YOU are uncaring and YOU only care about yourself (the ultimate irony)
Oh, and I have adequate financial resources to stay home so YOU need to do the same.
“The ability to spend the day vehemently lecturing about how everyone needs to stay home, needs to not be concerned about their potential financial destruction, needs to stop even THINKING that economics are a moral or reasonable part of the equation is exhibiting the ultimate form of privilege.”
I don’t know anyone, either personally or on this forum, who is doing this.
Every time I’ve read one of those I’ve never gotten the impression they meant true essential workers, but rather those who are bored and want to get out or those who might think they are essential but it raises eyebrows to consider them as such (eg tattoo parlors). You might be reading more into it than is intended.
I would love to believe that was the reason for no mask, but I would be surprised it that was why none of them were wearing one. I would assume those deaf or hard of hearing have closed captioning on their tv.
It is typical for people to exaggerate what people whom they do not agree with say in order to get angry at them and try to rile others against them. Especially when the topic is somewhat political (like whenever government actions or lack thereof come into play).
I thought mask wearing is only if you can’t social distance? Not sure if they were all 6 ft apart or not, but I expect most of the people in the meeting are tested frequently.
Note: not wearing a mask at Mayo Clinic, or other health care settings, is not ok.