Coronavirus thread for June

Parent Cafe
3421

@katliamom Do you deliberately misstate what I say? I never claimed the protests themselves have been shown (at least not yet) to have caused the spikes. I said, as have a number of others, that it gave many folks an excuse to abandon the pretense of social distancing and have their own gatherings and go to bars, etc. I never said this was acceptable- but seeing crowds gathering for protests and for Floyd’s funeral was the last straw for a lot of people experiencing stay-at-home fatigue.

Exercising outside in a mask seems like the most ridiculous thing ever. Not happening in my world. I haven’t seen one runner in a mask- even in groups and even during the shutdown here- and I run outside every day. You can stay far enough apart. The women walking shoulder to shoulder and talking the whole time- maybe.

3422

If outdoor gatherings pose little risk, why have cities cancelled 4th of July fireworks and concerts? I am just asking for one science based set of rules applied to all.

3423

Hi. @Nhatrang

Regarding your question. I can’t speak to the business of any small planning firm or RIA. It depends on their practice and particular niche.

Most advisors that operate under asset based fee arrangements should be ok. Most are not growing per se but they are trying to keep their client base intact.

Fees reflect markets and should be fairly flat year over year without attrition. Fee only and hourly based planning firms must be having a bit of a problem.

Commission based systems are most likely down significantly as well.

On the banking side of things it depends on the size of the bank being discussed.

Money center banks have compression on NII or the spread on deposits and loans. Also mortgage spreads are down but volume is up. Trading revenue can be strong firm to firm. IB new issue and business consolidations are slowed. there is a lot of activity it seems in debt markets with recaps and restructuring so it will be a company by company experience.

Local and regionals are primarily deposit gatherers and mortgage lenders with a small business operation. They operate on narrow margins and growth targets in most cases. They should fine.

However, many banking centers and other offices are closed or reduced staff. If you don’t have a strong digital footprint it’s tougher.

Expenses are down on t and e. That helps the bottom line as well.

3424

Everything outside of your home poses a risk. That’s the catch 22. Stay at home and infections go down, open up the economy infections go up. The government can’t afford to pay everyone to stay home. So what’s the real solution?

3425

So-I wonder how much of this is local to where we are? I’m in a bucolic suburb, can run or bike in a trail without getting close to anyone. I carry a mask in that circumstance just in case I encounter a group. My cousin is in LA and wears a mask biking & hiking - because most of the time there are too many people in his space. Maybe we need to understand that we are dealing with different environments and need to just use our best judgment. I always default to what happens if I end up in a group with a person who happens to be immune compromised. It doesn’t hurt me to wear the mask if I’m amongst strangers abs might help.

3426

Marylands numbers for today.

Positivity rate down 0.06 to 4.86% (7 day). Daily rate at 4.24%.

Hospitalizations down 9 to 478. ICU usage 181.

Maryland started opening up on May 15th, 6 weeks ago. We have opened more since then.

My personal observations.

Went for a hike the other day. It was a nice wide (10’) trail. On my 5 mile round trip I probably encountered 120 or so people including what looked like a coed youth soccer group (15-20 young kids) out for a run. I saw exactly one person with a mask (a bandana). There was for the most part plenty of room for people to keep distance from other groups.

This morning I went to an outdoor farmer’s market in the same town as the hike. Rules there recommend masks in general and require them while in line at stands and purchasing. I generally see a couple others, families there without masks while going around (except where actually required). Today when I went everyone was masked all the time except myself and one other person. There’s plenty of room to social distance outside of being in line. I did put my mask on when in line and at stands. It was very humid this morning. I’m sure there were others throughout the day but I can only speak for my 15 minutes there.

I have yet to see anyone not wearing a mask inside a store. I put mine on when entering stores and remove it when I leave.

I had to go to patient first yesterday because my hip has been bothering me. I wanted to go to my regular doctor but they said I only qualified for a video visit which I felt would be a waste of time. Everyone masked there. They didn’t seem really concerned about hand sanitizing there. I was though so I sought out the sanitizer and used it after sharing pens and cards, etc. Not many people there so it went pretty well. Got x-ray and all is well, just need to take a steroid to ease some inflammation and not stress it for a week or so. I’m going to miss my walks for a bit.

I like reading what people are seeing in their areas. I’d personally rather see everyone’s unique experiences as I find them more helpful to me. I can get my own news stories. Although I don’t believe I agree with most here I do appreciate hearing everyone’s thoughts and having civil discussions about our differences is a positive thing.

I hope everyone here has a mild case when/if they eventually end up getting this. Thanks for listening.

3427

That’s why I can’t understand the reticence to wear masks or the lack of effort in social distancing. Even if it only helps a little bit, seems like a really easy step for every American (barring the small percentage with health issues making mask wearing difficult) to take to help out those front line workers, the small business owners (all businesses!), their favorite restaurant, etc. If we want to successfully find the best compromise between protecting the economy from further hits while also minimize the health impacts and deaths, each of us should choose to be responsible in our actions, even if it temporarily minimizes a minute level of person freedom.

3428

@TatinG our local fireworks are still on- social distancing “requested” and masks required only to buy food. I’m watching from my car in one of the father lots because I’m pretty certain there will be little masks or distancing to be found.

3429

That’s one heck of a strawman, dude.

3430

That’s simply not true. I saw COVID concerns commentary almost every time I saw news on the protests. I read about it in online news sources, it was a topic of conversation on news outlets’ social media constantly. “No mention”…uh, no.

3431

I was at a four hour training recertification course for election moderators this morning. Huge room set up with very long tables (maybe 8 feet long) with one person at each end. Tables spaced far apart. There were 20 of us…in a room that probably can seat 200. We all wore masks the entire time, except for the trainer who we really all needed to understand when she was speaking. She stood quite a long distance from us.

No shared materials or anything else. No refreshments provided including water. It was fine.

Wearing a mask for four hours indoors while sitting wasn’t my cup of tea, but it was required even with sufficient social distancing. Everyone in the room was masked.

We have also been told that all poll workers for the primary and general elections will be wearing masks the full time. We have asked for additional personnel so we can provide some breaks during the Election Day since we have to get there about 5 a.m. and aren’t usually done until 10 in the evening.

3432

Trump campaign postpones Vice President’s events in Florida and Arizona due to surge in coronavirus cases
From CNN’s Jason Hoffman, DJ Judd and Sam Fossum

The Trump campaign has postponed Vice President Mike Pence’s campaign events in Florida and Arizona next week “out of an abundance of caution,” the campaign told CNN.

The decision to postpone the events comes as both states and the country experience a surge in coronavirus cases. Pence had a handful of campaign and political-related events scheduled as part of his trips to both states.

The Vice President’s office did not provide an updated schedule for Pence’s trips.

“The Vice President is still traveling to Texas, Arizona, and Florida this week as he said he is meeting with the Governors and their healthcare teams,” a spokesperson from the office said in a statement to CNN.

The Associated Press and NBC first reported the schedule changes.

During Friday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing Pence said that he will be traveling to Texas, Arizona and Florida, three of the states hardest hit in recent weeks by the pandemic, so he could “get a ground report.”

Pence on Sunday will travel to Dallas where he will speak at First Baptist Church to participate in a “Celebrate Freedom Rally,” which his office bills as a celebration of American freedom and spirit. He will then meet with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about Covid-19.

When pressed Friday by reporters over the wisdom of holding campaign rallies, even as public health officials continue to warn against large gatherings, Pence described it as a personal decision outside the government’s purview.

“The freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble is enshrined in the Constitution of the United States,” Pence said when asked why he and President Donald Trump moved forward with campaign events.

“We have an election coming up this fall,” Pence said. “And President Trump and I believe that, taking proper steps — we created screening at recent events — and giving people the very best counsel that we have, we still want to give people the freedom to participate in the political process. And we respect that.”

3433

In CT outdoor activities are limited to 100 people. There is no way to guarantee that there will be 100 or less at a fireworks celebration…that’s why they have been cancelled.

3434

But it was OK for the president to go to AZ last week? ??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️

3435

Speaking of Europe, this report from England leaves me speechless

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/26/the-atmosphere-was-ugly-bournemouth-aghast-beach-chaos

3436

You say this, but you’ve given us no evidence to believe you. George Floyd was killed on Memorial Day. On Mothers Day a week before, and on Memorial Day, we had a whole lot of gatherings. By that time bars in Arizona had been open for two weeks. The protests started in Minneapolis the day after Memorial Day, but didn’t ramp up nationwide for a couple of days after that. Can you show me a trend line that shows a big relaxing of social distancing starting three days after Memorial Day? I don’t think you can, because I don’t think there is one.

It may be that the protests gave many folks an excuse to abandon the pretense of social distancing. But all the evidence I’ve seen suggest that if they hadn’t had that excuse, they would have found another excuse for doing what they were already going to do. Someone may say that they had a party they wouldn’t have otherwise had, because the protests made them do it, but I say, check when they issued the invitations. I don’t see why we should accept their rationalizations for doing what they would have done anyway. Look what people do, not what they say.

3437

I’m surprised they didn’t hold the meeting virtually. Was there something that required meeting in person?

I’d also be interested - now or down the road - in hearing about any steps being taken in protection beyond masks (and what kind of masks?), mail in or absentee voting being expanded, other changes due to the pandemic to ensure safe and accessible voting for all - voters and poll workers both.

3438

Since we’ve had no set of rule enacted by the Federal government there will never be one set of rules.

Also, just because there were protests doesn’t mean every large gathering should go on - especially ones put on by local governments.

Fireworks shows are also a want, not a need. Some things are just not necessary to do in the middle of a pandemic.

Is it going to kill anyone to not have a fireworks show to go to?

3439

American academy of pediatrics recommendation.

“the AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”

https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/

3440

Are police in your town wearing masks?

A complaint in my town by someone who was pulled over for a traffic violation and the officer who pulled her over leaned into the window without a mask on.