8 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – October 13 2020”

  1. Joshua, I’m a bit confused. The governor and crew today kept touting how we are staying in control. It seems to me that we are slowly increasing by the day. I understand that we are testing more, hence More positives. But he has said during every presser that we are testing more than most all other states. And with that in place we do have more positives daily.

    Baker said we are seeing rising cases people anticipated months ago. Is that possible double speak? Other places now saying they are in a second phase of covid said the same thing at first.

    I get we are not where we were in March. But sometimes when you are not careful, things sneak up on you.

    https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-october-12-2020/download

    1. Baker is looking at:

      – Test positivity, which remains fairly low, though inching upwards;
      – Hospitalizations, which remains fairly low, though inching upwards;
      – Healthcare system readiness – which is still at a satisfactory level

      I would say that the rise in cases and hospitalizations in Massachusetts, RI, Connecticut, and even New York, have been gradual and not especially alarming.

      This said, I’m concerned about further deteriorating in numbers, so vigilance is important.

      Right now, the Midwest is where the contagion is running rampant. Hospitalizations and deaths are increasing in all Midwestern states, and in some like Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa, at a rather alarming rate. Keep in mind that obesity and diabetes numbers in these states are among the highest in the nation.

      The Netherlands may now be the country in Europe experiencing the biggest surge in cases (keep in mind, the Dutch ONLY test symptomatic people; they don’t do preventive testing of any kind – so their increase in cases is really frightening), hospitalizations, and ICU usage. Deaths are increasing as well, but as a lagged indicator they’re not growing as fast as hospitalizations.

      Why is the Netherlands worrisome? Well, in many ways the Dutch adopted a Swedish model. They had a light and fairly brief “intelligent lockdown,” employ lots of voluntary social distancing guidelines, appeared to be doing very well this summer. And now, things are bad. Sweden, by the way, is also seeing increasing numbers but not nearly to the degree (yet) of the Netherlands.

      1. Thank Joshua. Your third paragraph is my concern. We have been Steadily higher For weeks. I did understand the criteria. Baker does say that he feels the 20-30somethings are the problem group at the moment.

          1. Perfect. I’m not alarmed either. I have to have faith that baker will recognize an uptick that begins to move even a bit toward alarm bells

  2. Apologies for my radio silence these past few days – we lost power last week from Wed’s storm which also took out our hot water heater and well pump so we have been nomadic for about 5 days now!

    Joshua – thanks for the update on the Homeless community and Covid. Not surprising as they are essentially our most vulnerable in so many ways – but still disheartening.

    Vicki – LOVED the article. I’m a HUGE fan of microfinance based philanthropy- I had only ever known of it being used for 3rd world countries through charities like Accion but I LOVE this concept – and it makes you think about our assumptions! I believe preconceived notions that assume bad traits always play into homelessness and/or poverty is somewhat self-protective and fear based – like so much that’s not heart based.

    If people acknowledge that homelessness or extreme poverty can – and does – happen to almost anyone – that it doesn’t always just happen to “bad people” then they have to acknowledge that it also could happen to them.

    Similar to my best guess Re: Trumpism – If – hypothetically- I was once bullied or abused and I never did the “work” around it I may bully myself and/or side with a bully – bc I don’t want to identify myself as a victim.

    Trumpism is – if nothing else – really forcing us to take a good look at ourselves – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

    Apologies if this is too political anyone! And/or I know many disagree but this Is my own take.

    1. Power is back? Yikes. Is all replaced and working?
      I loved the concept in the very timely article I shared.

      I’m a Big fan of Baker as you know. I thought of you today, though, when he was a big snappy. I remembered you mentioning something to that degree a couple of months ago!!

Comments are closed.