I was in a group setting today. The US is screwed

[captain queeg]

We talked about the coronavirus. A couple people were washing their hand more often but the majority thought it was being blown out of proportion and discounted the whole thing. Several of them used Trumps talking points about the regular flu. I was pretty surprised since I live in Wa.

With so much of the population thinking belief equals fact (alternative facts) there is no way the US will get a handle on this. I think some people look at China and think things are getting better. Not realizing how strenuous an effort China made from the beginning.

Trump is an idiot, but he’s a symptom of a large part of our population. They discount science, don’t understand math, and are smug about it. Too bad the virus doesn’t have an affinity for stupid people. The impacts to society will be well beyond the stock market. When I hear them talk I always want to ask them if they believe in cell phones but of course that would go over their heads. They don’t understand anything about the theory, manufacture, or operation but they all use one; something created by science.

Well there’s my rant for the day.

[getagrip_already]

1. yet they will be the ones yelling the loudest for care

when they do get sick. They will want it preferentially and exclusively.

[Ferrets are Cool]

37. The same ones that complain the loudest about "govment giveaways" but

when their area gets hit with a natural disaster (hurricane, flood) they are the FIRST in line demanding that hand out.

[Jim__]

2. Yes, the crazies are out.

I don't know who Dr. Drew is or anything about Daily Blast, but someone posted this on my NextDoor app today:

[dewsgirl]

5. It's a shame, I used to love him years ago, when he did the

MTV show Love Line, he was like Dr.Ruth for Gen.X in the 90's.

[dewsgirl]

9. Do you know how old this is? I saved it to watch later,

I'm watching a live stream at the moment.

[Jim__]

13. It was posted on youtube Feb 27th - I just saw it today.

Someone posted it to NextDoor today.

[rainin]

50. We need to throw this back at them after it's glaringly obvious they are being lied to

[gldstwmn]

69. I am so disappointed in him for that.

He is not an epidemiologist and he certainly knows better.

[certainot]

73. limbaugh says it from 600 radio stations, leading another 1000. that's where these dumbassses

get a lot of it

[Meowmee]

85. He is a fraud who used his vulnerable patients

To make money off of a reality show

https://www.nickiswift.com/26338/sketchy-things-dr-drew-everyone-ignores/


https://www.thedailybeast.com/where-did-dr-drew-go-wrong

He is also pushing “theraworx relief” on infomericals

[Jim__]

86. Thanks for that info.

I thought he had to be a phony. But when I googled him I read his wikipedia entry and it didn't really talk about those problems.

[Meowmee]

90. You're welcome

I occasionally saw parts of the earlier show he was on when flipping through channels at night and thought he was a creep right away, he is a classic con artist.

[leftieNanner]

3. I am involved with an organization that holds an annual event in May

And today we met to discuss whether we should cancel it or not. Three cases of the virus have been identified in our county so far. There were two people at the meeting who said they think it's all hype and overblown. They metaphorically rolled their eyes as we were having the discussion. We ended up agreeing to follow the lead of the Health Department, a local University, and another public organization. If they shut down, then we will too.

The problem we have is that the event is a major fundraiser for our charity and we need to find a different way to raise the $$$.

Thanks for your post captain!

[Zoonart]

31. I am chairman of the BOD of an

Arts Org. In New York State. We have cancelled our Annual Members Exhibit which would have opened this weekend, and a planned Derby Day Fundraiser in May, out of concern for our arts community and the greater community at large. You made the right call.

[oldsoftie]

56. I agree; listen to the experts.

Our group also has a major fundraiser scheduled. We have no cases in our area, yet, but we no longer meet at the local retirement home out of respect for those living there. We dont want them to worry that we may bring in "something".

But I think by the time your May event comes around, we'll know a LOT more than we know now

[kurtcagle]

58. One canceled, one monitoring closely

I'm on the planning committee for two conferences this year, both next month, one in Seattle, one in Austin.

We decided this week to postpone the Austin conference to the Fall, the other conference is monitoring, but I expect a decision from the committee by next week that we're going to postpone or cancel that one as well.

Both conferences have traditionally pulled from an older demographic (in some cases much older) and especially with the Seattle conference the attendees are well within the high-risk category.

[Claustrum]

4. It is weird, I know

I am an immigrant from Hong Kong and my parents have been criticizing the Hong Kong government and how they handled the lack of supplies for months (mask, etc). We actually had to mail some masks to our relatives there last month. And they have been watching Hong Kong local news for months and know how quickly it can spread. However, they, till now, still don't wear any mask and think it wouldn't come to the US. Somehow, Trump has a hold on them (yes, they are Trumpers /smh) that they can simultaneous believe the virus is dangerous but it wouldn't reach them because Trump.

[virgogal]

12. Maybe they don't wear masks because we have

been told that they don’t help .

[Claustrum]

24. I understand the experts are saying wear mask only if you are sick

However, it's a way to make you less likely to touch your face/eye and get in contact with any potential virus. There is a reason why most people in asian countries (Hong Kong, south Korea, Japan) are wearing mask. It's almost a signal that you are aware of the virus and you are doing everything you can to prevent the virus.

I guess I should add, if my parents are in Hong Kong right now, they wouldn't step foot outside without a mask. But somehow, in US, they are fine to walk out without one.

[certainot]

76. a neighbor told me only people who are sick should wear masks, ridiculing those wanting masks

and almost said "perfect, so if you're wearing a mask you have it and if you aren't you don't!"

[RobinA]

88. Actually,

I believe it's been found that people wearing masks touch their faces MORE often because the masks are uncomfortable and people wearing them constantly readjust them. No, I can't link to the study, but it does make intuitive sense to me. I don't touch my face a lot in general, but I am one of those people who is tremendously bothered by clothing tags and such and I can only imagine what wearing a mask would do to me. Three minutes and it would be ripped off and tossed in the nearest trash can. Needless to say, my surgery career never got off the ground.

[waddirum]

89. I've had to wear masks and respirators for work before

and they begin to itch like crazy. I was constantly sticking my fingers under the mask to adjust and scratch.

[Delphinus]

42. Welcome to DU!

[Claustrum]

45. Thank you

Thank you. I've been reading on and off since 2016 but never registered. It's time to join forces and do our best to get Trump out of office.

[Tanuki]

55. Welcome! Glad you have decided to start posting!

And I agree---we need to join forces. All hands on deck!

[dewsgirl]

6. Pretty freaking scary that they are behaving this way in Washington.😳

[Wounded Bear]

10. Large areas of red here, and Trump country...

Corona is still mostly in the populated, blue areas.

[C_U_L8R]

7. We just spoke with friends in Italy... it's bad.

And the ignorance here at home is even more frightening.

Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

[dewsgirl]

14. They have been like this since the beginning, I'm happy

most here at DU are now aware. American's still seem to think it can't happen here, it's going to be unimaginably hard, I imagine many will be in shock.

[captain queeg]

81. I read that post a couple days ago from a doctor in Italy

Someone posted his Facebook post here. I think that’s where I read it. I suppose it could have been fake but sounded both genuine and scary.

[C_U_L8R]

82. That post prompted us to contact our friend

I don't know if it's quite as bad as the post - but it certainly is not good. Total lockdown except for healthcare and food.

[hlthe2b]

8. I was pleased (initially) to see customers at grocery store mostly stopping at the alcohol wipe

station and wiping down shopping carts and hands thoroughly. That was shortly after Colorado's first cases but before the first in my community. Those hoarding at Sam's Club were likewise greeted with gloved staff wiping down carts as well (some masked). This was over the weekend and Monday morning.

Today, the same grocery store has still not restocked a lot of staples and the Alcohol wipes are long gone with a computer-generated sign explaining and apologizing. I have a little squeeze bottle of alcohol gel attached to my pocket, so I dutifully made the attempt... No one else even paused.

I think there is a spectrum of reactions. Some are in denial, of course, some are scared to the extremes of paranoia, and then many are seemingly becoming fatalistic--still taking some precautions, but finding obstacles to doing so and thus becoming less vigilant. I have overheard some thinking some fleeting thoughts of my own--better to get infected and get it over with. And these are all people (as am I) who are not in the lowest risk age groups, albeit not in the most at risk. And, no, (intellectually), it is NOT better to get infected and get it over with. I think most people know that, given the risk of transmitting and severe disease. But, I understand the momentary thought.

[RockRaven]

11. I've got a family member who has mentioned that 2 of her office-mates are mocking/sneering at

the rest of them (6-8 people total, it's a very small law firm) for using hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, surface cleaners, etc. And these aren't Trump-humpers or FOXNews watchers, they're lefty/liberals. Just smug in their ignorance or nonchalance, in a Northern CA county with documented cases.

[DENVERPOPS]

46. they are oblivious Rock Raven.........

I scrounged thru an old desk drawer and got out a pin to wear on my jacket in plain sight......

I used to wear it in the 60's, still true today:

IGNORANCE SHOULD BE PAINFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dennis Donovan]

15. I'm seeing the same thing - hardcore denial.

Is it that it's too scary for people to get their heads around? I mean, I remember ebola, H1N1, Swine Flu, and none of them triggered *this* kind of response.

[ouija]

17. Same

We’re screwed here in NYC. I give it another 7-10 days and it’s going to take the roof off.

[PatSeg]

36. It seems that in previous crisises

the U.S. was better prepared. Now the incompetence and misinformation from the Trump administration is creating a situation that will be much worse than necessary. When things are running smoothly, we tend to take them for granted. Now we are clearly seeing what we are missing and it is really frightening.

[Dennis Donovan]

16. Oh, and "Too bad the virus doesn't have an affinity for stupid people" is in contention for my sig

[CaptYossarian]

22. It'll have an affinity for anti-vaxxers once we get a vaccine.

Let's see how many we lose by Nov. 3rd.

[Dem2theMax]

23. I was quite partial to that sentence as well.

If only. It's horrible to say, but many of our problems would be solved.

[Cassidy]

83. Viruses may not have an affinity for stupid people, but ignorance increases risk.

Viruses may not have an affinity for stupid people, but failing to act in a sensible manner increases the chances of getting COVID-19 and passing it on to friends and family. I only wish that this relationship were strictly true. Many innocent people are going to die.

Case in point - CPAC!

[Blecht]

18. Good rant

Ignorance is contagious.

I teach science at the college level, and more students every year are unwilling to put in the work necessary to learn how to think as a scientist would. It's depressing.

One of those students just contacted me -- her entire family is sick with pertussis! It was not surprising to discover that she was an anti-vaxxer. At least it wasn't COVID-19.

[LisaM]

28. Yet. It seems that pertussis would put them at a lot more risk.

It's not just vaccinating against the specific disease - it's that you can basically put yourself at higher risk for other diseases.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. The idiot-in-chief is empowering the mini-idiots. . . . nt

[bucolic_frolic]

20. Yes it's a mental reflex action for MAGAzis

They won't spontaneously self-identify, but you can tell. It doesn't exist. It's media hype. It's like the flu. You can only catch a virus by physical contact.

These people will go blythley onward. Some may be culled from the herd. Sad to see, I'm not quite that callous, but stupidity is occasionally weeded out.

[CaptYossarian]

25. I'm glad we don't have the Italian media here.

Their sick and dead people are really overblown. *sarcasm*

[ramapo]

21. Revenge of the stupid people

Obama was everything Trump is not. A lot of people despised Obama for his intelligence, oratory, and calm demeanor.

I’ve said now the idiots get one of their own as POTUS, to the detriment of us all.

[Joinfortmill]

40. Yup, what a mess.

[maxrandb]

26. As they are struggling to breathe on their deathbeds

they will smile because they "owned the libs".

You can't reason with or convert these people. All we can do is outvote them, and hope that eventually their genes die off with them.

[NEOBuckeye]

48. If cutting off your nose to spite your own face is all you live for...

There is no hope for them. Zero. None at all. They are an evolutionary dead end. And the sooner they get weeded out of the population, the better.

[czarjak]

93. They are getting damned good at it though.

[smirkymonkey]

27. I have been hearing a lot of the same sentiment around my office as well.

I don't really know what people's political affiliations are. I suspect it's a mix, however these are all smart, educated people and many of them are not taking it seriously at all, even though we are in Boston and the cases of Covid-19 have been doubling almost daily.

I'm not freaking out, but I am definitely trying to be careful, taking precautions and avoiding crowded places. A lot of people I work with are on the younger side and probably think that even if they do catch it, it won't seriously harm them, but they aren't even thinking about who they could spread it to. I just think they are being very ignorant and selfish.

[Joinfortmill]

39. It certainly sounds like it.

[bdamomma]

61. smirkymonkey

just be careful.

[smirkymonkey]

64. Thanks bdamoma!

I'm trying, but even if you are being careful and other people aren't, you are still at risk. As long as you have to go to work with people like this, there is always a chance of catching something no matter how many precautions you take. You take care too!

[wcmagumba]

29. I live in a Senior apt complex...

in a red red state...Talked to two neighbors yesterday, one said the virus was God's punishment to the US for abortion and gays...I just said I don't agree with that and walked away, the other said "as drumph" it is just the flu...no worries...idiots...

[Amaryllis]

33. I thought hurricanes were God's punishment for gays. Apparently they can be blamed for nearly

anything. (Assume i don't need to add the sarcasm icon here?)

[warmfeet]

30. It will burn a hole through our population and our economy.

So much for belief. Good luck to believers, they will need it.

[oldsoftie]

53. I dont believe its going to "burn a hole" thru our population. Thats a shit ton of people.

i mean, if you dont think the yearly flu deaths are burning a hole, this certainly isnt going to be the one either.

[LizBeth]

32. I talked to a graduate economic professor from Berkley last night

and he too suggested might be over blown. But then, I think it was as much hope as anything because as I discussed it more with him, he was totally informed.

[Bradshaw3]

34. I had the same experience today

Picking up some supplies that included sanitizer and wipes. The guy in front of me (typical MAGAt type) was going on with the cashier about how the "whole thing was ridiculous" while looking at me and my basket. I said something back, but it made me realize that these idiots are going to make the whole thing much, much worse. Not because of their idiocy in backing the chief idiot but because they will not take precautions. We have about a third to almost half of the country who think they are smarter than the scientists and doctors. They will spread the virus and then still not blame themselves or them orange asshole, no matter how bad it gets. Sure, some of them will die but they will take a lot of innocent people with them.

You're right. We are screwed.

[3catwoman3]

35. Ignorance and arrogance...

...are a really shitty combination. I miss the days when science was respected.

And, obviously, you can’t measure what you can’t test.

[Joinfortmill]

38. I hear you. We're in for a rough ride.

[Delphinus]

41. Or no worse than a cold.

I am just ready to give up on trying to explain ...

[johnsolaris]

43. Things I have done to prepare !!!

Hi,

You may think I am crazy or a bit paranoid, but here are my preparations.

1. Drawing up water in case infrastructure goes down. 25 gallons so far & many more to come.

2. Buying extra food that does not require heating. Soups & Canned meats. Several boxes.

3. Buying OTC medicines, as many as I can afford & especially those that will control fever.

4. Antibacterial wipes & Disinfecting wipes & soaps. so far a couple of boxes. Washing my hands often.

5. Prescription Meds up to date & put as many as possible on the 90 day option.

Get ready everyone, it may be a bumpy ride.

[alarimer]

44. I worry most about those with no safety net.

I can weather two weeks off.

I was in meeting today where we talked about it. Most of us can work from home, if need be. But who answers the phones or sorts the mail? What happens to the cafeteria workers if there’s no one to serve? I’m sure they are hourly. No sick leave.

We lack a proper social safety net. It is so obvious to me that we need one, badly. Paid sick leave, universal health care, some kind of basic income.

[AC_Mem]

47. I understand

I have family members who are liberal who think that this is nothing more than the flu and being blown out of proportion. Honestly, I don't care if it isn't as serious as we fear - I think that it is serious enough and that the elderly are dying from it. I'm almost 62 with a history of multiple cases of pneumonia and an immunity issue, plus I work in a healthcare environment. I'm probably at about as high a risk as anyone. I'm willing to go along with the precautions.

annette

[CottonBear]

49. H. L. Menken said it best back in 1920:

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

'The White House will be adorned by a downright moron'

By G. JEFFERSON PRICE III
NOV 25, 2016 | 6:00 AM


There's a delightful exercise in the imagination of how H. L. Mencken, the iconic iconoclast of the early 20th century, would have viewed the election of Donald Trump to the presidency.
So much of the scorn that Mencken heaped on the politicians of his day appears startlingly relevant to the politicians of today. He would have reveled in Mr. Trump and the upheaval he has caused in the American body politic.

One of Mencken's quotes widely circulated since the Trump upset is from a column he wrote 96 years ago predicting that, "On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
The moron observation was the last line of a column that appeared July 26, 1920, in the Baltimore Evening Sun, a newspaper Mencken helped found, excoriating both candidates for president in the campaign of that year: Republican Warren G. Harding and the Democrat James M. Cox, both politicians from Ohio, where Harding served as a U.S. Senator and Cox as governor.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-mencken-trump-20161119-story.html%3foutputType=amp

[bdamomma]

65. Unfortunately

He was correct, and that Moron has done great damage to us, and our country. So sad.

[CottonBear]

71. It is so very sad that we were warned in 1920, yet, now MF45 is in office. N/T

[Ms. Toad]

51. So yesterday was hardcore denial

I was ridiculed for suggesting that we should proactively encourage our students to practice better disease prevention - or for suggesting that we should encourage our students not to travel to Italy or Egypt over spring break.

Today we went to the other extreme: on about an hour's notice, all classes are cancelled for the next 3 weeks. I'm not even allowed to teach the courses that were already online classes.

Since we have to meet ABA mandatory minutes of class contact - we have to extend the school year for 2 weeks while we pause and figure out how to convert.

(I so want to go back to next week's meeting and say "I told you so!" )

[oldsoftie]

52. CERTAINLY dont believe trump. But dont believe the doomsayers either. Truth is in the middle.

And we'll know how serious this is within the next two months, IMO. In the meantime, just be extra careful, regardless of your age. Wash those hands. TRY to stop touching your face. I know, its hard. It sure is for me. Stay in the best shape possible.
Even if it gets worse, this is NOT "the" big one.

[getagrip_already]

54. See No Evil: The Villages Are A Test Case Of Whether Virus Ignorance Is Bliss

https://crooksandliars.com/2020/03/see-no-evil-villages-are-test-case-whether

The villages is in deep denial. So in addition to being the std capital of florida, they won't fare well with this virus.

[SayItLoud]

57. Today during the "briefing" it was clear....if there are major problems it's

the publics' fault...NOT THE ADMINISTRATION! Distracting during the entire presser and pointing the finger at you and me and everyone other then themselves.

[Mars and Minerva]

59. One of my clients gave me a line of Trumpy BS today...

"It's just like the Flu" "I have friends who work in a pharmacy and they says it's no big deal." "It will all be over in April". "I can just go to the doctor for some antibiotics to cure it"

When I explained to him that no one knew any of those things for a fact, and that there is no Known treatment yet, he said that his doctor would give him the medication he gave out for the flu and he insisted it was an antibiotic.

Of course he's a "religious conservative" who get's his info from fox.

I stood well back and washed my hands for good measure.

[underpants]

60. I said last week at work (we don't talk politics there) that RUGID INDIVIDUALISM will screw us

Get off my lawn. Don't tell me what to do. Etc.

An organized coordinated public health effort is almost off the table. Let alone the Clustertrump's fusterclump

[Quixote1818]

62. Yes, this has turned political so a lot of Republicans don't believe any of this

That is 100000% Trump's fault and it's going to cost perhaps 100's of thousands of lives. I have noticed the exact same behavior. It's like Global Warming denial only with something upon us. The eventual outcome of this will prove them wrong pretty fast as schools begin to close and people they know begin to die.

[Danascot]

63. Another chance to drag this one out:

God must love stupid people. Why else would he make so many of them?

[bullwinkle428]

66. Unfortunately, I have a similar story to report as well. People in my workplace were delighted

by the various Facebook memes that have been posted relating to the virus, and were expressing incredulity over the idea that schools were closing, when possibly zero children have been affected by it.

They couldn't comprehend the idea that children could still be carriers, and pass it on to someone incredibly vulnerable. And I'm talking about fuckers with college educations! Maybe someone's elderly parent has to die before a lot of these people start taking it seriously; I just hope it's not mine.

[Lord Ludd]

67. Is there any other country as pervaded by anti-intellectualism

as the Untied (not a typo) States of 'Murka?

Not a rhetorical question.

[captain queeg]

74. I really don't think so

Many of the repressive governments like having scientists in the population, good for weapons design. I think of NK and Iran. I think it comes from having so much material wealth personally. Even people at the bottom of the economic scale in the US live better than the vast majority of the human population. Just look what’s valued here; entertainment of various sorts. Any more it’s probably our biggest export money wise.

[Lord Ludd]

78. Yes

I'm revising my OP to say "pervaded by and celebratory of..."

[OMGWTF]

68. ReThuglicans want 98% of us stupid, poor, and sick/dead.

[Nitram]

72. I agree with everything you say here except that "the US is screwed." We will survive this

and come out stronger at the other end because we will have shed the debris and garbage that have been holding us down. These events will prove to be a dividing line between then and now. The GOP and everything they satnad for has been totally discredited.

[captain queeg]

75. I pray you are correct

I’d like to think so. It’s almost evolutionary. If we don’t rally and get back on track I fear it could be the beginning of end of the US as we know it.

[Hoyt]

77. Ultimately, don't think the most dire projections will occur, but they could.

Therefore, best to follow expert advice, just in case.

[mahina]

79. Oh rats.

[NoMoreRepugs]

80. The stupidity of the Deplorable base will most certainly

increase the number of cases and threaten more of us. My kids do not like me to say this but I truly despise the Deplorables.

[Jillgirl]

84. The virus *does* kind of have an affinity for stupid people

Those who think "common sense" is enough to protect themselves are at greater risk.

Unfortunately, so are their kids.

[subana]

87. I wonder if this part of the reason why Washington has so many cases of coronavirus

did anyone ask why they are placing so much faith in the words of a known liar?

It doesn't matter if they believe it or not, the virus doesn't care if they believe it or not! If they are exposed, it will still make them sick whether they believe it or not!! By being so careless about who or what to believe, they are putting themselves (& everyone they come in contact with) in danger.

[captain queeg]

94. I think they are probably Trumpers

Buying his line of shit. I didn’t hear anyone specifically blaming the democrats but a couple of them used his talking points. I said it’s exponential growth and just because there are only hundreds of cases now doesn’t mean there will not be thousands very soon. They don’t understand exponential but I hope some of them remember what I said.

[subana]

96. true, we don't know the full impact of the disease...

...since we don't have a true number of patients!

They don’t understand exponential

Maybe you should have said 'increasing' numbers.

there are only hundreds of cases now doesn’t mean there will not be thousands very soon.

oh yes!! that's happening to people right now! Earlier today they were reporting the number of confirmed cases was about 700, MSNBC just now says the number has grown to 1100!!!!!

The really terrifying thing is when medical professtionals keep saying it will get worse before it gets better!!!

[Brainfodder]

91. Shows you that so few of us pay attention?

High order correction incoming I guess.

Good luck!

Locals casino run yesterday was muted, definitely saw a significant change, half as many people in general it felt like, and the buffet line was 20% it's usual self at 11am, big difference, that was their busy weekday for seniors, talking play $5 and get a free buffet.

7 strip casinos, MGM & Bellagio included announced buffets closing after this Sunday.
-----
Your excellency, do tell us more how great it's going....
-----

[DBoon]

92. religion teaches belief facts

Americans are trained from an early age to believe authority figures and sacred texts, and not to trust reason and facts

[Meowmee]

98. This, so much this

And denial and cultism etc.

[hibbing]

95. I'm hearing the same things from people n/t

[durablend]

97. They're completely brain dead

Still a "hoax", just the "flu", "nothing to see here", "stop trying to make the president look bad"