11 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – September 3 2020”
Advertising. In some ways a uniquely American phenomenon, in terms of scale and scope (eg, DTC prescription drug advertising), but also lack of regulation.
I saw something last night that blew my mind. It was an ad for ColdEze (tablets containing zinc). The commercial claimed it reduced (length of) cold symptoms by 42%. Okay, That may be so. But, the imagery was stunning. It showed a package of ColdEze surrounded by what looked like coronaviruses – red balls with spikes. No other country I know would allow for a misleading ad like that. Sure, the novel coronavirus looks like a common cold virus. But, it’s not the common cold. The imagery is suggestive that ColdEze could help against coronavirus. It can’t.
In July and August we were repeatedly bombarded by car ads – can’t remember the brand – saying with a slight Southern drawl “come one, America, it’s time to road trip.” Imagery was of a car on a highway surrounded by mountains or hills. There were several images shown which depicted very different landscapes, indicating cross-country a road trip. The message that Americans should get back to road tripping was repeated over and over again. As you all know, I certainly wouldn’t advocate people staying put in their homes all summer. Driving out of state is fine, too. But, a cross-country road trip. Really? During a pandemic. I guarantee such ads wouldn’t make it past the regulators in any other industrialized nation. Not that there are stay-at-home orders in place. But, there are strict travel orders (14-day quarantines) in place overseas, and also across the U.S. A road trip wouldn’t therefore be advisable or even feasible, unless one was flouting the rules.
Final note on these ads. Ever wonder why we’re so litigious. So many law suits. Well, some of it has to do with misleading information presented in advertisements. Not just to consumers, but also to doctors (eg, prescription opioids).
I heard this morning that those who get the vaccine will need another dose shortly thereafter. I thought I heard “weeks” as opposed to months.
Frankly this “November 1” date seems a bit too good to be true. I’m surprised that Dr. Fauci appears to be going along with this so readily.
Joshua, your thoughts on this?
Joshua, once the vaccine is widely distributed, how long thereafter in your opinion can businesses completely get back to normal?
When can we all safely “party like it’s 2019” again? 🙂
Agree with you on Fauci. It’s too early to judge the vaccines’ safety and efficacy in Phase III. Most enrollees haven’t had their 2nd dose yet. And, most are only about 3 or 4 weeks in. What happens if the neutralizing effect dissipates quickly. I’m not saying it will. But, we have to be mindful of this. This has killed other vaccines in the past.
Vaccine distribution will hit snags. But, the federal government has produced guidance, and I think the first doses could be administered as early as late fall/early winter to those with first priority. My best guess hasn’t changed regarding when vaccines will reach the masses: By late winter/early spring. We’ll be able to return to a semblance of normalcy by May. I still think there will be precautions for a few months, possibly longer. But, next summer will look MUCH more normal than this summer did.
Thanks Joshua for your thoughts. Hopefully by next summer theaters and museums can finally reopen. They are really hurting as well.
Sadly, I suspect masks will be with us for awhile yet…in one form or another.
Some museums – eg, Museum of Science – have reopened. I see that on my run every day. There are capacity restrictions.
I don’t think masks will part of the street scene in 2022. But, until next spring or summer you’ll continue to see widespread use of masks across the U.S.
Some concerning news, just tweeted out by a person I respect. See link below. Interviewed him last month. Note, he’s not an alarmist. Just a realist. He and I have been exchanging emails about the Midwest uptick for several weeks. Unfortunately, that uptick is now a surge in some places and it’s causing the decline in U.S. cases and deaths to stall. Missouri has concerned me for 10 days, as its hospitalizations are rising significantly. But, there are other bad pockets, like Iowa City and Des Moines. https://twitter.com/VincentRK/status/1301642010454093829
I will reiterate this is why it’s a disservice to our nation that President Trump keeps saying “we’ve gotten everything under control.” And, his team refuses to comply with even the most basic coronavirus protocol. What this conveys to people is that no longer have to be careful.
He can offer a positive message while at the same time tell people to remain vigilant, to physically distance and mask up. For example, he could say: “Folks, we’re hoping to get a vaccine to you in record time. Still some work to be done, but I’m optimistic. But, please, for your sake, your family’s, your loved ones, and others, remain vigilant and careful. Make sure you follow the guidelines and protocols on masks and social distancing. We’re seeing improved numbers in some previous hot spot states. But, the virus is still circulating, infecting many, and still dangerous to some.”
Would that message be so hard for the President to utter?
Thank you Joshua and with a deep sign I say that It would not be hard for a Healthy individual and President. Ours is not
C-19 / 9-4 ready…
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Advertising. In some ways a uniquely American phenomenon, in terms of scale and scope (eg, DTC prescription drug advertising), but also lack of regulation.
I saw something last night that blew my mind. It was an ad for ColdEze (tablets containing zinc). The commercial claimed it reduced (length of) cold symptoms by 42%. Okay, That may be so. But, the imagery was stunning. It showed a package of ColdEze surrounded by what looked like coronaviruses – red balls with spikes. No other country I know would allow for a misleading ad like that. Sure, the novel coronavirus looks like a common cold virus. But, it’s not the common cold. The imagery is suggestive that ColdEze could help against coronavirus. It can’t.
In July and August we were repeatedly bombarded by car ads – can’t remember the brand – saying with a slight Southern drawl “come one, America, it’s time to road trip.” Imagery was of a car on a highway surrounded by mountains or hills. There were several images shown which depicted very different landscapes, indicating cross-country a road trip. The message that Americans should get back to road tripping was repeated over and over again. As you all know, I certainly wouldn’t advocate people staying put in their homes all summer. Driving out of state is fine, too. But, a cross-country road trip. Really? During a pandemic. I guarantee such ads wouldn’t make it past the regulators in any other industrialized nation. Not that there are stay-at-home orders in place. But, there are strict travel orders (14-day quarantines) in place overseas, and also across the U.S. A road trip wouldn’t therefore be advisable or even feasible, unless one was flouting the rules.
Final note on these ads. Ever wonder why we’re so litigious. So many law suits. Well, some of it has to do with misleading information presented in advertisements. Not just to consumers, but also to doctors (eg, prescription opioids).
My latest Forbes piece is on Trump’s ambiguous relationship with Obamacare: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2020/09/03/trump-reneges-on-promise-to-produce-phenomenal-replacement-for-obamacare/#1b77d4df7cd1
I heard this morning that those who get the vaccine will need another dose shortly thereafter. I thought I heard “weeks” as opposed to months.
Frankly this “November 1” date seems a bit too good to be true. I’m surprised that Dr. Fauci appears to be going along with this so readily.
Joshua, your thoughts on this?
Joshua, once the vaccine is widely distributed, how long thereafter in your opinion can businesses completely get back to normal?
When can we all safely “party like it’s 2019” again? 🙂
Agree with you on Fauci. It’s too early to judge the vaccines’ safety and efficacy in Phase III. Most enrollees haven’t had their 2nd dose yet. And, most are only about 3 or 4 weeks in. What happens if the neutralizing effect dissipates quickly. I’m not saying it will. But, we have to be mindful of this. This has killed other vaccines in the past.
Vaccine distribution will hit snags. But, the federal government has produced guidance, and I think the first doses could be administered as early as late fall/early winter to those with first priority. My best guess hasn’t changed regarding when vaccines will reach the masses: By late winter/early spring. We’ll be able to return to a semblance of normalcy by May. I still think there will be precautions for a few months, possibly longer. But, next summer will look MUCH more normal than this summer did.
Thanks Joshua for your thoughts. Hopefully by next summer theaters and museums can finally reopen. They are really hurting as well.
Sadly, I suspect masks will be with us for awhile yet…in one form or another.
Some museums – eg, Museum of Science – have reopened. I see that on my run every day. There are capacity restrictions.
I don’t think masks will part of the street scene in 2022. But, until next spring or summer you’ll continue to see widespread use of masks across the U.S.
Some concerning news, just tweeted out by a person I respect. See link below. Interviewed him last month. Note, he’s not an alarmist. Just a realist. He and I have been exchanging emails about the Midwest uptick for several weeks. Unfortunately, that uptick is now a surge in some places and it’s causing the decline in U.S. cases and deaths to stall. Missouri has concerned me for 10 days, as its hospitalizations are rising significantly. But, there are other bad pockets, like Iowa City and Des Moines. https://twitter.com/VincentRK/status/1301642010454093829
I will reiterate this is why it’s a disservice to our nation that President Trump keeps saying “we’ve gotten everything under control.” And, his team refuses to comply with even the most basic coronavirus protocol. What this conveys to people is that no longer have to be careful.
He can offer a positive message while at the same time tell people to remain vigilant, to physically distance and mask up. For example, he could say: “Folks, we’re hoping to get a vaccine to you in record time. Still some work to be done, but I’m optimistic. But, please, for your sake, your family’s, your loved ones, and others, remain vigilant and careful. Make sure you follow the guidelines and protocols on masks and social distancing. We’re seeing improved numbers in some previous hot spot states. But, the virus is still circulating, infecting many, and still dangerous to some.”
Would that message be so hard for the President to utter?
Thank you Joshua and with a deep sign I say that It would not be hard for a Healthy individual and President. Ours is not
C-19 / 9-4 ready…