buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 4:50:56 AM

1

Sis just had to euthanize yet another rescue cat, which had a disease it could communicate to the other rescue cat.

Sad.

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 6:12:38 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 1:

Sorry to hear that -- i'ts always tough.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 6:50:13 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 1:

I'm sorry. Does she rescue cats often? 

My kitty had the stitches out yesterday following his eye surgery. It looks pretty good and the vet is pleased with how it healed. I never thought I'd be the kind of person who would spend serious money (that I can't afford) on a cat, yet here we are.

vxbush 3/20/2020 6:59:10 AM

4

In #1 buzzsawmonkey said: Sis just had to euthanize yet another rescue cat

Aw.... I've lost two in the last year and my last one is battling weight loss right now. I can commiserate, and she has my sympathy. 

JCM 3/20/2020 7:43:13 AM

5

There is a guy in the street with a cart yelling, "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!"

Is it time to panic yet?

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 8:15:11 AM

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In #5 JCM said: There is a guy in the street with a cart yelling, "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!" Is it time to panic yet?

That's nothing.  There are people in Congress yelling, "BRING UP YOUR DEBT!"

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 8:28:24 AM

7

While I was at the grocery store I ran into a former student who is a public health person.  We talked a bit about the panic.  Her conclusions were fourfold:

1)  This is a media problem, not a government problem.  

2) Mass self-quarantine is of no use; it is hygiene that is the issue.

3) Airlines in particular will have to rethink how the screen passengers and keep their aircraft clean.

4) Millennials and recent college grads are primarily to blame for transmission because of their lifestyles and the kinds of work they do.

She just got back from organizing some efforts in Bali -- luckily she got back to the states in time so that she was able to get in.

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 8:29:06 AM

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In #5 JCM said: "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!"

One of my neighbors put out all the Halloween decorations, skeletons, grave stones, etc.

JCM 3/20/2020 8:30:49 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 6:

Now you are REALLY SCARING ME!

vxbush 3/20/2020 9:04:35 AM

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In #7 lucius septimius said: While I was at the grocery store I ran into a former student who is a public health person.  We talked a bit about the panic.  Her conclusions were fourfold: 1)  This is a media problem, not a government problem.   2) Mass self-quarantine is of no use; it is hygiene that is the issue. 3) Airlines in particular will have to rethink how the screen passengers and keep their aircraft clean. 4) Millennials and recent college grads are primarily to blame for transmission because of their lifestyles and the kinds of work they do. She just got back from organizing some efforts in Bali -- luckily she got back to the states in time so that she was able to get in.

I agree with #1. #2 I disagree with a little bit, in the sense that we can't prevent the virus. The quarantining we're doing is to slow down the spread, not eliminate it completely. #3 is completely true. #4 is harder for me to judge. I would think that professionals in middle age would be the primary vector, given how many of them prefer to do face to face talks and have to travel to sites for business reasons. 

vxbush 3/20/2020 9:11:46 AM

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Here is a very good statistician talking about the true death rate of COVID, based on the cruise line closed environment. His analysis seems very useful. The problem, of course, is that the same argument of "any death is a preventable death" is going to be weaponized and deployed against anyone who suggests we go back to life as normal. 

Does anyone know what the big, important (ahem) people in Washington, D.C. are doing? Have they been quarantined? I've seen nothing about this. OR, do you know? 

vxbush 3/20/2020 9:16:03 AM

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buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 9:34:03 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 2: Reply to vxbush in 4:

In #3 doppelganglander said: I'm sorry. Does she rescue cats often? 

She's had a whole string of rescues for the last ten, twenty years.  Some found as strays, at least one that she found by the roadside with injuries, etc.  At least several have succumbed to feline AIDs, and one or two others have had other expensive maladies.  And she gets just as broken up every time she loses one, but then gets another one. Or two. Or three.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 9:34:13 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 7:

#4 seems spot on, but more Gen Z under 25. Lots of food service workers and other customer-facing jobs, and they don't seem to be taking it seriously,  as we saw with spring break in Florida. It's hard to believe,  but the oldest Millennials are pushing 40.

Based on my kids and their friends,  their behavior is more like Gen X and Boomers below retirement age. Oldest daughter dropped out of being a bridesmaid in Florida and the bride wasn't even mad. Younger daughter,  who's 27, is taking it seriously. She lost her office temp job because it can only be done on site. She refused a job as wait staff in a rehab facility- we all felt it was too risky. 

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 9:35:39 AM

15

Wash your hands most frequently

And shelter in place

Don't eat out at restaurants

And don't touch your face

---lead-in to the rewritten "Touch Me In The Morning"

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 9:49:32 AM

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In #11 vxbush said: what the big, important (ahem) people in Washington, D.C. are doing? Have they been quarantined? I've seen nothing about this. OR, do you know? 

They haven’t turned up at my place for our usual weekly Thursday night poker game, therefore I believe they must be in quarantine.

/

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 10:09:47 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 16:

DC daughter is working from home. Congress is still in session, of course. It seems to be up to each member whether staff can work from home or must come to the office. Here's an article about it.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/kadiagoba/coronavirus-congress-session-staff-worried-social-distancing

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 11:37:52 AM

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Kenneth 3/20/2020 11:48:26 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 18:

That's so cute ...and sensitive. I'm sure old Ludwig Van would appreciate the comment.

I hope everybody is doing well & keeping safe. Crazy times we live in.

vxbush 3/20/2020 11:55:56 AM

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In #18 Occasional Reader said: He commented, “this sounds like flowers blooming”.

Aawwwww! 

vxbush 3/20/2020 11:56:41 AM

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In #19 Kenneth said: I hope everybody is doing well & keeping safe. Crazy times we live in.

Yup. Word is, the governor of Illinois is going to issue shelter-in-place rules. He'll announce it this afternoon and institute it starting tomorrow morning. 

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 12:10:03 PM

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Kenneth 3/20/2020 12:10:45 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 22:

Good ol' Joe

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 12:19:13 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 23:

I"m kidding. But I think it's sort of a "future headline".

Kenneth 3/20/2020 12:29:11 PM

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Schools were closed starting on Monday, along with all libraries & arenas & pools. Churches & bars were ordered closed a few days ago, restaurants are only open for take out or delivery. My local supermarket has started limiting the number of people in the store at a time. People are told not to gather in groups of more than 10 people. Many people are working from home, if they can. 

There are 128 cases of Covid-19 in Toronto, with eleven in hospital & 4 in ICU. Meanwhile, I'm still seeing teenagers hanging out together in the park across the street, sometimes taking turns using a bong. Parents bring their small children to play on the swings & monkey bars. I think this is unwise of them.

I got a call from the police yesterday evening, around 7. They were at my daughter's apartment answering a call from neighbours who heard some loud & persistent screaming. They were going to take her to the hospital, but I convinced them to let her stay home if I cam e over right away. This happens sometimes, as she can dissociate & be overwhelmed with anger from her alters. She had calmed down fine by the time I got there. The police were received not to have to spend their evening at the hospital. And so I spent the night sleeping on her sofa. She as fine this morning & misspending the day with her mother. 

The lad is upstairs playing some sort of online game with his friends, holed up as they are in their homes. He was set to travel with his baseball team to Florida a week ago to play in a couple of tournaments. My wife & I were set to follow along, see some Blue Jays spring training games and have ourselves a vacation. It all got cancelled at the last minute.

So here we are sequestered in our domicile waiting for the 4th horseman appear.

Kenneth 3/20/2020 12:31:05 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 24:

Malarkey, you bucket head pony soldier here's the deal do you want to take this outside?

Kenneth 3/20/2020 12:45:57 PM

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It seems like long, long ago, way back in February before all this craziness depended on us, I was coaching my son's house league hockey team, to a less than impressive record of 2 wins, 10 losses & 1 tie. There were only 3 teams in the Peewee division, so everybody got into the playoffs. The top team rested, while we played the elimination game to a tough 5-3 win. Then in the championship final, one game winner takes all, my team decided to ignore my advice to hold back, play defensive hockey and score when we get a good chance. No, instead they bursted out from the first face off, charging hard, into exciting back & forth, end-to-end hockey.

It was scoreless for the 1st 10 minutes, and then we notched the first goal on a breakaway up the right wing. Then another, and another. Our goalie was amazing, standing on his head, making saves let & right. With five minutes left in the game, we were ahead 5-0. This was the team that had humiliated us 12-2 in one of our regular season games. Finally, with their goalie pulled, they managed to score in a scramble round the net. Then we scored an empty netter to put it away. 6-1 was the final score. The coach of the other team was stunned, it was all he could do to shake my hand after the game.

At the league award ceremony a few days later, my son got the league MVP award, which was pretty damn awesome, if you ask me. 

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 1:00:42 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 25:

Oh my. I'm glad your daughter is okay. Do you think the stress surrounding the Coronavirus is affecting her? I wonder if that might cause her to have more frequent episodes.

Alice in Dairyland 3/20/2020 1:01:37 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 25:  So here we are sequestered in our domicile waiting for the 4th horseman appear.

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 1:24:04 PM

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In #25 Kenneth said: Parents bring their small children to play on the swings & monkey bars. I think this is unwise of them.

I've explained to Little OR that we won't be doing the playground for a while.  (I've given him a sort of child's version of the coronavirus story.)   So we're instead just doing walks around the neighborhood twice a day.  Tomorrow, I might take him to Rock Creek Park to stretch his legs (and mine). 

Kenneth 3/20/2020 1:28:38 PM

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Reply to doppelganglander in 28: 

The stress doesn't help, that's for sure. Churches aren't holding services, and that was one thing she looked forward to each week. Also, her addiction support group has been cancelled. Her talk therapist is an older woman & has decided not to see patients during this crisis.   

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 1:34:00 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 25:

35 cases in my county at last count, 420 in the state with 13 deaths.

Got a message today from the acting superintendent of schools - currently the plan is to return to school March 31, but more likely not until after Spring Break which is the following week anyway.  One good thing is that they've decided not to do the usual standardized testing.  The tests are useless anyway.

Two kids are doing well with virtual school.  Daughter is not doing her work, but this is par for the 14yo course.  Oldest boy -- only one of his college instructors (an adjunct) has gotten her courses online.  No word from the others, a week after they were sent home.

Kenneth 3/20/2020 1:34:49 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 30:

As the weather gets better fun walks in nature will be possible. My wife & I managed to get our bikes out of the garage for a short ride this afternoon. There was a brief window after the morning rain when it was sunny & warm. Now it's cold & windy again.

I set up a gym in the basement with free weights, a bench & a rowing machine. The lad & I have been doing the weights each morning, alternating upper body & legs days. I can still lift more than him, but he can keep going a lot longer than me.  

Kenneth 3/20/2020 1:43:07 PM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 32:

This week is our standard March Break, and the schools will be off for at treat the next 2 weeks, but I expect it will be extended. The gov't is looking at bringing e-learning courses online, which is ironic as that was one of the issues the teachers were striking against a few weeks ago. Looks like now the Ministry of Ed will tell the teachers to suck it up, and the parents will demand it. My son has been playing online games with his friends, reading a novel (Oliver Twist), and playing his guitar. His courses this semester are Art, Math, Geography & Science. It's going to be a stretch to get him to do some math & geography. I might get him to do some art & science with me. 

Syrah 3/20/2020 1:55:01 PM

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Seattle will get its own hospital ship?

Syrah 3/20/2020 1:56:41 PM

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Rumors are just rumors, until they are not. 

I am going out for a gas tank fill up.

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 2:04:56 PM

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In #36 Syrah said: I am going out for a gas tank fill up.

Careful with the handle on that gas nozzle. Use gloves or at least sanitize heavily when you are done.

Alice in Dairyland 3/20/2020 2:07:28 PM

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buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 2:21:04 PM

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In #34 Kenneth said: My son has been playing online games with his friends, reading a novel (Oliver Twist)

Got a workhouse dance and it goes like this

The name of the dance is the Oliver Twist...

Seriously, however, some interesting things to keep in mind regarding "Oliver Twist."  First, the title is a pun on "All of a twist," i.e., everything upside -down.  

Second, the book is not only antisemitic (pardon my use of the word, since I try to avoid it), but also obliquely anti-Catholic, and very much anti-homosexual.  The antisemitic part has been well documented for years---though most people doing so concentrate on the figure of Fagin, and miss things like the name of the pub that Fagin and his cronies congregate at; "The Three Cripples" is a conscious twist on, and sneer at, the three crosses on Calvary.  Also, the two major villains in "Oliver Twist" are named "Fagin" (though we're constantly reminded he's a Jew, his name is also Irish, which is an allusion to Catholicism) and "Monks" (also a Catholic allusion).  The early-19th century, when "Oliver Twist" was written, was a time of strong anti-Catholic feeling, not only in England, but in the US (this was the era of the anti-Catholic Know-Nothing Party in the US).  

It was also a time of strong anti-homosexual feeling; it was in the first third of the 19th century that most of the draconic anti-sodomy laws were passed, both in England and in various American states.  In England, there were a number of homosexual-behavior scandals in British "public schools"; Arnold of Rugby, lionized in Thomas Hughes' book "Tom Brown's Schooldays," which takes place in the 1830s, was brought in to head that school in order to "clean it up"---and there is a section in one of the chapters which alludes to these scandals.  Fagin, the Jew who is corrupting English boys, is also suggested to be a pedophile; the "pickpockets' training game" which Fagin has them perform is a way of having the boys feel him up, and he refers to the male figures as "my dear." 

The book taps into far more then-prevailing popular prejudice, and far more "headline issues," than is normally recognized.

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 2:36:02 PM

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In #39 buzzsawmonkey said:  In England, there were a number of homosexual-behavior scandals in British "public schools"; Arnold of Rugby, lionized in Thomas Hughes' book "Tom Brown's Schooldays," which takes place in the 1830s, was brought in to head that school in order to "clean it up"---and there is a section in one of the chapters which alludes to these scandals.

Harrow had a major scandal of that sort in the early 1840s.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 2:39:46 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 31:

That doesn't sound good at all. I hope her support system gets back to normal as soon as possible.

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 2:42:34 PM

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In #40 lucius septimius said: Harrow had a major scandal of that sort in the early 1840s.

Yeah, it was hot stuff back then---and, as I mentioned, that was the heyday for passing sodomy laws. 

It's interesting that most of those laws follow the same formula: "the abominable and detestable crime against nature, with man or with beast, shall carry a penalty of..."  They don't actually name the crime/offense.  In later English school stories, e.g., in Kipling's "Stalky & Co.," "beastliness" is the favored euphemism.

Kenneth 3/20/2020 2:48:13 PM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 39:

Interesting background there, Buzz. I knew the antisemitic part, but not the rest.

Kenneth 3/20/2020 2:49:32 PM

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Reply to doppelganglander in 41:

Thank you. She struggles mightily.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 2:57:07 PM

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Reply to Kenneth in 44:

I'll keep her, and you, in my prayers.

midwestgak 3/20/2020 2:57:35 PM

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"CHICAGO (WEEK) -- Gov. JB Pritzker has issued a stay-at-home order beginning at 5 p.m. March 21 through April 7, as health officials have confirmed an additional 163 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the state. . .

During the time of the order, Pritzker said residents will still be able to go to the grocery store, gas stations, doctor's offices and hospitals, as well as go on dog walks or hikes.

All non-essential businesses must stop operations, Pritzker said."

He does not specify liquor stores, however. A local liquor store employees are still awaiting word from the Mayor whether or not they will be allowed to remain open after 5 p.m. tomorrow.  

The angst!

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 3:10:07 PM

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In #43 Kenneth said: Interesting background there, Buzz. I knew the antisemitic part, but not the rest.

Basically, while it is ostensibly a protest against the workhouse system and the criminal classes, it is also an attack on the Jews and the Catholics and the homosexuals corrupting pure British boys.

Let me point out that the public-school system of younger boys serving/waiting on the older boys, which included fetching the wood for the fireplaces in the older boys' studies, was called "fagging," because the younger boys fetched the faggots for the fires.  Since those boys were also not-infrequently sexually subservient to the elder boys, that's where the terms "fag" and "faggot" come from; note, however that the head of the Pickpocket/Crime School for Boys in "Oliver Twist" is not only not a good Christian cleric (like, say, Arnold of Rugby), but a Jew---and his name is "Fagin," i.e., "fagging." 

Everything is, indeed, all of a twist Oliver Twist---the subservient is the master, and the Jew is corrupting Christian boys.

Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 3:10:53 PM

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In #46 midwestgak said: He does not specify liquor stores, however. A local liquor store employees are still awaiting word from the Mayor whether or not they will be allowed to remain open after 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Time to panic buy booze! 

Last weekend when I was shopping, the liquor store still had a good stock, unless you like $9.00 wine bottles. Me, I go for the $16 box wine. It does the job.

PaladinPhil 3/20/2020 3:10:59 PM

49

God I need a vacation. Work hours have  been long. One of my co-workers went to Florida back around the end of February for a month or more. She's currently sheltering in place from what my other co-workers are saying. Which means I have been working six days a week. Then this whole emergency shut down happened. 

Work has cut open hours to 8am to 8pm. We've been hammered on a lot of goods. Some products aren't shipping. Good thing we have a large stack of flour to work with. Two days ago we were wiped out of commercial bread. We ended up baking over 200+ loaves and selling the majority of it. Things are still pretty hectic up here. Everyone is nervous and corporate HQ keeps changing things. Things are going to be rough.

Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 3:12:37 PM

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And Mass. Governor Baker says no stay home order.

So far, something like 400 cases, one death (an 80 year old)

At least one hospital is using chloroquine (sp)

Had one glitch this week in working from home. It will either get worked out or get worse.

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 3:12:56 PM

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In #48 Kosh's Shadow said: Time to panic buy booze!  Last weekend when I was shopping, the liquor store still had a good stock, unless you like $9.00 wine bottles. Me, I go for the $16 box wine. It does the job.

Disinfect from the inside out!

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 3:15:57 PM

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Reply to PaladinPhil in 49:

I just called my local grocery store to ask whether meat and chicken were in stock. They were almost completely sold out when I went a few days ago. The customer service guy said it was "looking really thin." I think I'm going to follow Lucius' lead and shop at the Korean market. 

buzzsawmonkey 3/20/2020 3:17:23 PM

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In #52 doppelganglander said: I think I'm going to follow Lucius' lead and shop at the Korean market. 

"You like bat?  Very tasty!"

Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 3:54:01 PM

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In #53 buzzsawmonkey said: "You like bat?  Very tasty!"

Lots of pangolin in stock. No one buying it.

A few years ago, a chain of Chinese restaurants in Mass. got closed down when a lot of rats were found in their storerooms - not live rats, but rats cleaned and ready to be cooked.

Which leads to this jukebox

Syrah 3/20/2020 4:03:22 PM

55

I have fuel in the vehicles.

While I was there, I braved the crowds at Costco to hoard a last few essential items.

i pointed and laughed at the people buying bottled water as I wheeled my beer and coffee laden cart to the registers. 

They are not going to turn of the tap water.

Beer, on the other hand, that could be a problem 

while all my neighbors are stuck home, bored and baffled, I will be be blithely besotted.

Are we having fun yet?

Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 4:11:08 PM

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Reply to Syrah in 55:

If anyone in town has water, it will be us. The underground tank is on the hill behind our house, and we actually connect to the line from the tank to the water main - before it reaches the main.

I will have to make sure we are well stocked with adult beverages, though.

And the week before the shit hit the fan, I had just opened a 20 pack of toilet paper, and, with a small grocery list, decided to get another. So we are rich by Venezuela standards, with probably 40 rolls. 

My wife insists I get more next time I go shopping.

Syrah 3/20/2020 4:11:53 PM

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lucius septimius 3/20/2020 4:12:06 PM

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Reply to Syrah in 55:

Publix had a big display of bottled water out front, but no one seemed to be buying.  Meanwhile, hardly anything in the way of meat (some beef, no chicken or pork).  No toilet paper, no paper towels, no spray cleaner.  

midwestgak 3/20/2020 4:17:25 PM

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In #49 PaladinPhil said: Everyone is nervous and corporate HQ keeps changing things. Things are going to be rough.

They were for me today, especially after Pritzker's announcement.  Corporate finally allowed our local store managers to put limits on some items:  Bottled water, milk, bread, TP, hand sanitizer (as if we had sanitizer in stock) and paper towels.

Most complied with the "one item per customer" recommendation.  Many did not and some of those got pissed when they were allowed only the recommendation.

One noncompliant woman did not like that she could not purchase two large packages of TP and after a bitchfest made sure to point out another customer which had two four packs. Real high school of her.

midwestgak 3/20/2020 4:20:04 PM

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In #54 Kosh's Shadow said: lot of rats were found in their storerooms - not live rats, but rats cleaned and ready to be cooked.

"Yum", said the owl.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 4:20:11 PM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 58:

See my #52. Heading to H-Mart in the morning.

midwestgak 3/20/2020 4:22:49 PM

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In #52 doppelganglander said: I just called my local grocery store

Best bet - - - find out when the next shipment is coming and already be at the store.  Calling ahead - - - not so much.

lucius septimius 3/20/2020 4:25:16 PM

63

Big Sis finally made it back from her odyssey.  But 4 people on the ship she'd been on tested positive for the Kung Flu so she is now quarantined until April 4.  

That'll teach her to go on a cruise to New Zealand and not take me.

Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 4:25:22 PM

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doppelganglander 3/20/2020 4:25:55 PM

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Reply to midwestgak in 62:

I asked about that. He said deliveries are unpredictable and they put out everything the minute it arrives. I think that reflects disruption all down the supply chain.

doppelganglander 3/20/2020 4:27:53 PM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 63:

I was just thinking about her. I'm glad she's safe.

Syrah 3/20/2020 4:50:32 PM

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Kosh's Shadow 3/20/2020 4:53:28 PM

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Reply to Syrah in 67:

i thought I prevented blank posts?

Occasional Reader 3/20/2020 4:55:48 PM

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