Some Ask a Taboo Question: Is America Overreacting to Coronavirus?

[PlayerRep]

This isn’t a debate, it’s a fool’s bargain. Economies can bounce back, but lives cannot be recovered. It’s tough medicine to be sure, but we as a nation have to get this right the first time or the long term economic toll will be catastrophic. We are in the position we are currently because we were not adequately prepared. Do we really want to tempt fate yet again by ignoring the warning of those that spend their lives studying these things?

Why are Americans so arrogant that we believe we don’t have to hold ourselves to the same standards as the rest of the world? The virus will prey upon this laissez faire attitude as it’s our greatest vulnerability. We as a nation have no tolerance for being inconvenienced.

I encourage anyone who is interested in this “debate” to watch Anderson Cooper’s interview with Bill Gates last night. He offers an encouraging, but sobering take on the current state of America.

My view. Even now, the economy is not going to bounce back. The longer this goes, the more economic damage that will done, and the harder and longer to recover. This is already much worse than the 2008
recession, according to financial experts. The US didn't exactly bounce back from that. How about the Depression? Did the world bounce back from that? I hope it doesn't get to a depression.

Bill Gates is a smart guy and built a great company but alot of people think he's not right on this. Including some friends of mine who know him well and used to work with him.

 

[SaskGriz]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

 

[argh!]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

wouldn't the ball be exposed to droplets via being handled by both players, i.e. when the serve, etc?

 

[PlayerRep]

$600 per person unemployment increase:

"The bill increases unemployment benefits for all workers by $600 per week for the next four months. Even the liberal Economic Policy Institute says this expansion would provide a “100% replacement of wage income for the bottom half of the workforce.” Some will earn more by not working.

Benefits are typically based on a worker’s prior earnings and limited to between 50% and 70% of a state’s average weekly wage.

The blunt Democratic solution, which Republicans too easily agreed to as a price of the bill, is to give all laid-off workers a $600 benefit increase on top of their normal unemployment compensation for up to four months. So workers will now make at least $15 an hour (assuming a 40-hour workweek) and as much as $35 an hour in places like Massachusetts—for not working.

Amazon, Walmart, CVS and delivery services are seeking to hire hundreds of thousands of workers to meet a surge in demand even as the virus spreads. Many are boosting pay, but how are they supposed to compete with workers who can stay at home and make more?"

https://www.wsj.com/articles/working-after-the-coronavirus-11585265032?mod=opinion_lead_pos1 paywall issue

 

[PlayerRep]

Is it technically "illegal" to invite the neighbor couple over for dinner?

 

[argh!]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

wouldn't the ball be exposed to droplets via being handled by both players, i.e. when they serve, etc?

 

[MikeyGriz]

Bullock issues shelter-in-place. Starting at 12:01 on Saturday morning, I believe. Overkill.

Shelter-in-place but you can still go out for a laundry list of reasons including physical exercise. Seems like a contradiction to me. Also wonder what is deemed non-essential besides bars, hair salons, and massage parlors?

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/29/12959b53-276e-5026-aaa8-783d53d24fe1/5e7d38a782bc2.pdf.pdf

Okay, I read the directive. It still looks like I can pretty much go out anytime as long as I keep my "social distancing" intact. I still see very little that is not deemed essential.

 

[MikeyGriz]

My wife is concluding that she can no longer play doubles tennis with her friends. They've been playing outside. They got some input from a cop in the group. Seems ridiculous to me.

While a lot of things are permitted, it seems a lot of things are not allowed. Lots of stores. Barnes and Noble and other bookstores have been open. Didn't notice them on the allowed list, but the Bullock letter is very long and hard to read and understand. It seems that a lot of construction is not allowed, altho some didn't seem to be allowed before the last order.

Best Buy. It's been open for curbside service. We went yesterday to get a new router. Not sure where it stands now.

The list of outdoor activities is pretty short. Don't know if more stuff would be okay.

This post is directed at Everett. Curious about his view on outdoor tennis.

Work is going on as usual in my business.
Just taking precautions is all.
I'm viewing it as commercial construction is deemed essential .
I'm just keeping crews and subs separated and /or one trade on site at a time as needed.
Plus 2 of the 3 jobs are in the foundation phase and all work is being performed outside

I sure hope that this is deemed to be fine.

I'm not trying to make light of everything. But honestly for Montanans very little changed after the governors announcement yesterday. At least in regards to what has already been done. You can still go to Target or Costco. Wanna grab a burger at your favorite joint? That's fine too. Or many will deliver right to your door. Need vodka? All liquor stores remain open unless they are within a casino. Get outside; local parks and trails as well as rivers still wide open.

For me personally, very little has changed today from what it was over a week ago.

My take also.

 

[cclarkblues]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

wouldn't the ball be exposed to droplets via being handled by both players, i.e. when they serve, etc?

Tennis, volleyball, city park use no longer allowed in Billings.

 

[MikeyGriz]

Work is going on as usual in my business.
Just taking precautions is all.
I'm viewing it as commercial construction is deemed essential .
I'm just keeping crews and subs separated and /or one trade on site at a time as needed.
Plus 2 of the 3 jobs are in the foundation phase and all work is being performed outside

I sure hope that this is deemed to be fine.

I'm not trying to make light of everything. But honestly for Montanans very little changed after the governors announcement yesterday. At least in regards to what has already been done. You can still go to Target or Costco. Wanna grab a burger at your favorite joint? That's fine too. Or many will deliver right to your door. Need vodka? All liquor stores remain open unless they are within a casino. Get outside; local parks and trails as well as rivers still wide open.

For me personally, very little has changed today from what it was over a week ago.

I think more businesses will have to close.

If nothing changed, why was the order necessary?

What about golf, tennis?

Edit:

What about Dillards at the Missoula mall. Mall now closed, but this store can be accessed from outside. Think it's still open.

What about sporting goods? Think Bob Wards has been open. Looks like Cabela's and Sportsman Warehouse are open today, if their web presence is correct.

Running shoe stores. Runner's Edge seems to be open.

Some but not all Missoula bike shops seem to be open.

Trailhead seems to be open.

"Essential? Retailers Like Guitar Center and Michaels Think They Are"

"At some Guitar Center stores, employees are still allowing customers to try out models of guitars. Dillard’s, a department store chain popular in the South, is still welcoming shoppers looking for clothing and makeup. And Michaels, the arts and crafts chain, says it is keeping many of its stores open to provide supplies to parents teaching their homebound children.


Several retailers — like Sears, Kmart, and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores — have provided employees with letters they can share, arguing that their businesses are essential."


https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/business/coronavirus-essential-retailers.html

It's been quite a few years since Sears has been essential at anything!

 

[MikeyGriz]

Is it technically "illegal" to invite the neighbor couple over for dinner?

Can you stay 6' apart the whole time?

 

[SaskGriz]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

wouldn't the ball be exposed to droplets via being handled by both players, i.e. when they serve, etc?

This is new territory for all of us, clearly there are things like how to handle one's ball's that will have to be worked out.

 

[Spanky2]

In tennis singles or doubles, if anyone has the virus, all players are exposed because they all handle the balls.

 

[cclarkblues]

Getting back to the "Is tennis okay question?" I think singles is fine, but for doubles it probably varies. If you are playing a baseline rally game, tough in doubles but doable, you should be fine. The fear comes when it's serve and volley with a lot of shots up at the net, players could be inside of "social distancing" ranges for quite a while, depending on skill and reflexes. Also clay and grass surfaces are going to hold the virus longer than synthetic or concrete. So yes to the US and Aussie opens but try to keep away from Wimbledon and the French.

wouldn't the ball be exposed to droplets via being handled by both players, i.e. when they serve, etc?

Tennis, volleyball, city park use no longer allowed in Billings.

Edit: City parks OK, playgrounds and BB courts are verboten.

 

[PlayerRep]

In tennis singles or doubles, if anyone has the virus, all players are exposed because they all handle the balls.

Only if they then touch their faces after getting something off the ball. If people wash their hands before they get to tennis, and don't cough on the ball, and don't lick the ball, how would the virus get on the ball?

 

[cclarkblues]

I sure hope that this is deemed to be fine.

I'm not trying to make light of everything. But honestly for Montanans very little changed after the governors announcement yesterday. At least in regards to what has already been done. You can still go to Target or Costco. Wanna grab a burger at your favorite joint? That's fine too. Or many will deliver right to your door. Need vodka? All liquor stores remain open unless they are within a casino. Get outside; local parks and trails as well as rivers still wide open.

For me personally, very little has changed today from what it was over a week ago.

I think more businesses will have to close.

If nothing changed, why was the order necessary?

What about golf, tennis?

Edit:

What about Dillards at the Missoula mall. Mall now closed, but this store can be accessed from outside. Think it's still open.

What about sporting goods? Think Bob Wards has been open. Looks like Cabela's and Sportsman Warehouse are open today, if their web presence is correct.

Running shoe stores. Runner's Edge seems to be open.

Some but not all Missoula bike shops seem to be open.

Trailhead seems to be open.

"Essential? Retailers Like Guitar Center and Michaels Think They Are"

"At some Guitar Center stores, employees are still allowing customers to try out models of guitars. Dillard’s, a department store chain popular in the South, is still welcoming shoppers looking for clothing and makeup. And Michaels, the arts and crafts chain, says it is keeping many of its stores open to provide supplies to parents teaching their homebound children.


Several retailers — like Sears, Kmart, and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores — have provided employees with letters they can share, arguing that their businesses are essential."


https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/25/business/coronavirus-essential-retailers.html

It's been quite a few years since Sears has been essential at anything!

Obviously PR has never had GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) and has no idea of how critical it can be. Obviously never played the game...

 

[Cuervohola]

This isn’t a debate, it’s a fool’s bargain. Economies can bounce back, but lives cannot be recovered. It’s tough medicine to be sure, but we as a nation have to get this right the first time or the long term economic toll will be catastrophic. We are in the position we are currently because we were not adequately prepared. Do we really want to tempt fate yet again by ignoring the warning of those that spend their lives studying these things?

Why are Americans so arrogant that we believe we don’t have to hold ourselves to the same standards as the rest of the world? The virus will prey upon this laissez faire attitude as it’s our greatest vulnerability. We as a nation have no tolerance for being inconvenienced.

I encourage anyone who is interested in this “debate” to watch Anderson Cooper’s interview with Bill Gates last night. He offers an encouraging, but sobering take on the current state of America.

Have you watched Bill Gates' TED talk where he says he thinks the world's population can be trimmed by 15% with drugs and vaccines?

 

[ilovethecats]

Work is going on as usual in my business.
Just taking precautions is all.
I'm viewing it as commercial construction is deemed essential .
I'm just keeping crews and subs separated and /or one trade on site at a time as needed.
Plus 2 of the 3 jobs are in the foundation phase and all work is being performed outside

I sure hope that this is deemed to be fine.

I'm not trying to make light of everything. But honestly for Montanans very little changed after the governors announcement yesterday. At least in regards to what has already been done. You can still go to Target or Costco. Wanna grab a burger at your favorite joint? That's fine too. Or many will deliver right to your door. Need vodka? All liquor stores remain open unless they are within a casino. Get outside; local parks and trails as well as rivers still wide open.

For me personally, very little has changed today from what it was over a week ago.

See these quotes from a Missoulian article. It says order will have a "dramatic" affect.

"The order to stay at home, which takes effect Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and expires April 10, will have a dramatic effect on day-to-day life here."

Bullock's order generally tells people to stay home except to conduct essential activities like purchasing groceries or medications and to travel to some types of work and to care for others in need. Essential businesses are allowed to operate, but all others must close. Employees are allowed to work from home when possible, however. Essential businesses that keep operating must comply with social distancing requirements."

https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/montana-sees-first-covid--death-residents-ordered-to-stay/article_65f424c9-7fd7-56c7-8463-afd06c63f168.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

I read that. I guess I thought my life was dramatically effected 2 weeks ago when they ordered restaurants and gyms to close. And breweries. These closures as well as my kids schools being closed changed our way of living.

As far as the shelter in place, and how I live my life, it didn’t dramatically effect my life at all from what it was last week. My kids are still going to school online. I’m still working, more so now than before. I can still get any food I want if I want to pick it up or if they deliver. Any shopping I did before I can still do. All other shopping I do online. I can still run, hike, fish and walk the dogs. Nothing has changed in those regards.

Bozeman already had closed all salons, tattoo parlors etc. for our county yesterday morning. So those additional closures to what was already closed last week were already done behind the shelter in place yesterday afternoon. I’m curious what else will close here that wasn’t already that would dramatically impact my life?

The next time my life will be dramatically impacted by this is when I finally get to meet my buddies for a beer, take my family out to dinner, or piss away $100 in a keno machine!

 

[Spanky2]

In tennis singles or doubles, if anyone has the virus, all players are exposed because they all handle the balls.

Only if they then touch their faces after getting something off the ball. If people wash their hands before they get to tennis, and don't cough on the ball, and don't lick the ball, how would the virus get on the ball?

Player, I said they would be exposed because they all handle the balls. Not sure if everyone has the discipline not to touch their face if it itches. I am sure that no one licks the balls.

 

[SaskGriz]

In tennis singles or doubles, if anyone has the virus, all players are exposed because they all handle the balls.

Only if they then touch their faces after getting something off the ball. If people wash their hands before they get to tennis, and don't cough on the ball, and don't lick the ball, how would the virus get on the ball?

Player, I said they would be exposed because they all handle the balls. Not sure if everyone has the discipline not to touch their face if it itches. I am sure that no one licks the balls.

You guys don't lick your racket for good luck? Must be a Canadian thing.