13 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – June 15 2020”

  1. Joshua…any ideas as to why Vermont is one of the latest hotspots? It seems odd looking by itself on a map with the rest of the southern and western states as being the prime location of cases. Just curious.

    1. Happened to speak to my sister about this yesterday. She says it’s primarily been found among a group of Asian immigrants (Hmong or Burmese) in Burlington.

  2. Everything gets politicized these days. Even the weather!

    I’m fine with Trump holding a rally outdoors and with proper distancing in place, as well as masks. But, I don’t understand why Oklahoma authorities aren’t insisting that the rally not be held indoors.

    What’s crystal clear is that transmissibility indoors is much, much greater than outdoors. Packed indoor arenas, or simply rooms, restaurants, salons, malls, churches, and homes, do often lead to superspreader events. The evidence overwhelmingly points to that. On the other hand, the evidence suggests outdoor events, even if people aren’t properly distanced, aren’t nearly as conducive to spread.

    So, I do get it when those on the right complain about the left not wanting a Trump rally. They call out the left for hypocrisy, due to the protests. But, the difference is that indoor events are much more dangerous. If I was the Tulsa mayor I would insist on an outdoor rally that follows CDC guidelines on distancing and masks. Similarly, the president is planning an indoor event in Phoenix (!) later this month. If I were the mayor of Phoenix I would prohibit such events indoors and insist on them being held outdoors, again with CDC protocol in place.

    I can tell all of you that I will not venture into an arena that’s packed with people for at least the next 12 months. If I don’t absolutely have to (I do have jury duty coming up this fall – so who knows) I won’t even sit inside a restaurant, court, church, synagogue, or conference center for the next 12 months. Outdoor patio, yes. Going indoors to briefly pick up an order, yes. Outdoor venue for a concert with proper protocol, yes. But not indoors.

    1. What type of venue is the DNC going to be held in?…Virtual? Indoors?

      I would assume ‘outdoors’ would not be feasible in any case.

    2. As for jury duty, it will be interesting how and when the courts will resume again. Phase 3 or 4? Wearing masks and social distancing are going to be quite challenging in courtrooms I would imagine.

      I don’t envy you in the least, Joshua.

  3. Two positive trends to report: 1. Death rate is steadily decreasing. I’m hoping this is a persistent trend. This week’s data on Tuesday through Friday will reveal a lot, I believe.

    2. I’m seeing no effect thus far from the protests. It’s Monday, so the data are somewhat polluted, though not as bad as Sunday. Still, this is a good sign. Hopefully the rest of this week’s data will confirm the trend.

    I sincerely believe outdoor activities should be recalibrated accordingly, including all outdoor sporting events. Heck, have the NBA play its games outdoors, in front of, say, 25% capacity stands. I know that for hockey it’s impossible in the summer.

    On the negative side, continuing to see relatively high increases in new cases in the 10 states that had been seeing upticks. Also, seeing higher numbers of hospitalizations there.

    1. I am seeing the death rate drop also. But I am seeing the Long term impact and symptoms of having covid begin to be understood and recognized. It is nothing to be taken lightly.

      1. True. It’s not only about the death rate. It’s a very serious disease. Even if we are `only’ losing 400-500 people a day, it’s a lot. And, some who survive either severe illness or the mild version have long-term effects.

          1. But Vicki, he’s right. If we stop testing there will be no more cases. Problem solved …

            This reminded me of a caller on Car Talk who once called in and told Tom and Ray that her car was sputtering down the highway and the check engine light came on. So, she decided to put a piece of black masking tape over the check engine light so she couldn’t see it anymore.

            That’s sort of the way Trump thinks of testing. If you don’t test you won’t have any more cases. It’s delusional, just like the person who called Car Talk about her check engine light which she couldn’t `see’ after the tape was put over it.

            1. Omg. I remember that episode. Mac and I listened to car talk faithfully and I listen to their podcast replays even know. And how right you are. It would truly be funny if it were not terrifying

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