First of all, there is no way the world could have prevented this pandemic, once it broke out in Wuhan China, a city of over 10 million people.  Everyone is aware that the Communist Chinese government went to great lengths to hide this outbreak.  By the time this coronavirus garnered sufficient attention outside of China, we were doomed to a pandemic, and the resultant economic collapse was inevitable.  Whether this virus originated in a virology lab in China or a wild animal market, we may never know.  The animal market was bulldozed as soon as word started leaking out.  
I honestly think President Trump has really been doing an excellent job.  We are fortunate that he was our president when this broke out.  More than anything else, Trump is a pragmatist, and that's because he has not been a career politician and came to the White House straight from the private sector.  You can't be a successful businessman without being pragmatic. People need to realize that on January 14 the WHO actually declared that "there is no evidence for person-to-person transmission transmission of this coronavirus".  Six days later the first case was diagnosed in Washington state in a young man who had returned from Wuhan.  Nine days later, President Trump established the coronavirus task force, led by the VP, consisting of an impressive list of experts, like Dr Anthony Fauci who is unparalleled in his expertise when it comes to virology and infectious disease. Nobody even dares question Fauci's expertise. He's the best in the world.  I know Dr Fauci and have attended countless conferences and meetings with him.  He is absolutely apolitical.  He has served at the NIH under six presidents, starting with Reagan.  He was instrumental in the discovery of AIDS/HIV and the identification of the actual virus.  He has examined and treated patients with AIDS around the world.  In Africa, the guy rode a motorcycle from clinic to clinic to see AIDS patients.  He's brilliant, dedicated and tireless....at 79, no less.  My point is that the secret to being a great leader lies in his ability to surround himself with talented people, like Dr Fauci.  
Within 2 days of assembling the task force, Trump took the bold step of the travel ban from China.  He was lambasted and lampooned by the media for "promoting hysteria" and called a "xenophobe" and "racist" by his haters.  The EU condemned and criticized his move, and he stood by his decision, in the face of withering criticism and ridicule.  He took it a step further with his travel ban from Europe and the UK.  In January, across the spectrum of the television and print media, references were made by THEM to the "Chinese Coronavirus" and the "Wuhan Virus".  Now, they have decided to use the most destructive tool in politics.....identity politics.....so now he is a "racist".  Why?  Because Communist China has told them it's "xenophobic and racist".  This is what Trump is dealing with.  These people don't really care about the fate of human beings.....they just hate Trump.  
Now, it turns out, the EU has finally followed President Trump's lead and instituted their own travel bans. Justin Trudeau even invoked a travel ban, some 6 weeks after Trump.  Point being....he is leading, not just the US, but the world.  Dr Fauci has unequivocally debunked the notion that Trump is to blame for the delay in testing, and he made glowing praise of the President's decisive and hugely impactful travel bans.  
Much has been made of Trump's "public-private" partnerships in areas of testing, as well as production of masks, N-95 masks, and ventilators.  The military has been mobilized to set up C-130's for hospital beds, and even the contingency for MASH type hospitals.  Private corporations are pitching in ways we've never seen before....cruise lines offering ships, hotels offering rooms, construction companies donating masks, etc....  Americans are hunkering down, following recommendations, and accepting major inconveniences.  Political adversaries and harsh critics of the President are coming out with a lot of praise for Trump's efforts.  Gavin Newsome, California Governor, heaped praise on him and said Trump gave him all the help he could ask for.  Same thing with Governor Cuomo.  These are Governors fro two of the most severely effected states.

Every day Trump and his team face a hostile press that continually tries to trap them with "gotcha" questions, and pummel him with variations of the same insanely impossible questions to answer, like, "When do you expect this to end?" and "How bad will this effect our economy?"  Literally NOBODY anywhere EVER can answer half the questions they throw at him.  The media hates it when he gives them a sensible answer.  They are the biggest impediment to any unity we can ever expect to see in this country, and yes I do think many of them truly are the enemy of the people.

In many ways, President Trump has been way out in front of much of the problems we are beginning to realize. For example, Trump got "Right to Try" legislation passed.  Because of that, many newer innovative antiviral drugs can be expeditiously put to use, without having to go through daunting red tape regulations over the course of years.  The use of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 will be approved within a day or two, and that's good because there is some promising evidence that these drugs are significantly helpful. The exciting potential use of "convalescent plasma" from people who have recovered from COVID19 is very promising and that use may be implemented in a matter of weeks, instead of many years.  The FDA is streamlining the process of "compassionate use" to allow sick patients to use these newer drugs because of Trump's hand picked director, who knows how important this is.  
Similar to the situation during the Great Depression and Great Recession, Trump and both sides in Congress realize the importance of support for all the relief packages being passed through legislation.  Everyone knows this is life and death for our country, both in terms of human life, but also for our economy....so for once there seems to be unity and things are getting done.  We can deal with the fiscal damage assessment later.  We may not take as huge a hit as some think.  

I do think this is going to look quite a bit worse, before we start seeing positive signs.  Increased testing will result in a big uptick in the numbers of cases, but that increased denominator will also lower the currently reported death rate.  Overall, we are in for a real rough ride.  Nobody knows when we will bounce back from this, but we will.  When we do, I think we will be better than ever and takeaway some key lessons....those are the real "silver lining" here.  One is that we have to realize that many essential products cannot be outsourced....like essential medications.  Another is that trade alternatives to China will emerge....India, Vietnam, South Korea, etc...  Another is that we are hugely fortunate in our ability to be energy independent.  Another is that China had revealed that they are our enemy, and there's no mistaking their long term goals.  Another is that "America First" is not just a clever slogan.  It is a principle that we need to heed.  Another is that BORDERS MATTER.

In my opinion, we are lucky to have Trump.....because of him we have learned some critical lessons.

Bravo!!

Last night on the ABC news the abrasive lady reporter noted that "President Trump falsely declared that this virus 'snuck up on us.'"    "Falsely" honey, that's not journalism that's simply your opinion.

Good report Bear.......wish the end of the rainbow was nearer.

I forgot to add another point concerning the "silver lining".

From K-12 through college, students and parents are stuck with staying home for a long time, maybe even the rest of the year.  They will have to take classes online.  

Maybe we've stumbled upon the solution to massive student debt?  Think about it. 

"Necessity is the mother of invention." - Plato

Please go read his twitter page it will show you exactly what his thoughts were on it with the dates for all to see.

Had he listened to the experts or not got rid of most of them someone may have seen this coming.  He said he was working closely with China on January 27, 20.  Now I admit I didn't watch much news in February but come March 1st I saw a problem and on March 4, he was at a rally stirring people up and not even mentioning it.

So no I don't think he is doing a great job.  I do believe the only reason things got rolling at all is the state level took things they heard very serious.  Andrew Cuomo of NY showed him what a leader looked and acted like and many other people in state government.  I also think the reason they are singing his praises is because it works with him, he has finally jumped on board.  He does it to everyone they are all wonderful, beautiful and perfect, terms not normally used in politics.

Just watched his press conference and I can only say........ What if Obama answered questions like he does?

I heard him say this is an exciting time for medicine, and how he was going to help a lot of big businesses (that handed out hefty bonuses to very well paid CEO's) and thank a lot of people,  However I didn't hear him say or praise our medical personel on the front lines of this thing very much, or even answer when he was going to get them supplies needed.

I think I have said enough for now I'm sure many of you will disagree with me.  The beautiful thing about our country is I am entitled to my opinion.  I am in the high risk group (older) many would like to just kill off to save social security money.  I'm putting putting my hazmat flamesuit on it's been awhile but I have gotten a few threads frozen in my day.  To compare I suggest you check out Obama's twitter page very uplifting in this time of chaos, he was also telling people to wash their hands and to prepare for the Cronavirus on March 4th and telling people to check the CDC website.  Sure wish I would have looked at it before a few days ago.

Stay safe everyone,

Please explain the secrecy in articale below?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-secrecy-exclusive/exclusive-white-house-told-federal-health-agency-to-classify-coronavirus-deliberations-sources-idUSKBN20Y2LM

Oh come on SHE was abrasive..... how dare her.  He also said in his press conference the press was sitting to close together, he should just get rid of them all and only keep a couple that like him.  Good luck with news.

Do you call male reporters abrasive?  She is trying to do a job.

@ Palopony: Cuomo? Seriously? Your several, stated opinions in this and past posts could easily be corrected by long-term, chronic diarrhea. Another Leftist unmasked.

Thank you for caring enough to share.

I meant to quote you texpat, you seem so nice.  Be best

ETA:  I saw where some other liberal, leftist or person who didn't agree posted and now it's gone.  Did you all run them off again?

I don't use Twitter.  I'm less concerned what Trump's thoughts were on a given day as I am with what he actually did.  What he has actually done so far, while not perfect, is pretty remarkable, in my opinion. I outlined what he did in my post....you just tried to insert your assumptions, because in my opinion your main focus is on hating Trump, first and foremost. You didn't mention anything specifically related to solutions...just typical whining and hate filled pap.  Cuomo and Newsome sucked it up and praised Trump, AFTER he worked with him.  They didn't have to say a thing.  Trump still would have worked to help them. Rather than saying you find bipartisanship refreshing, you assume the worst.  
He has heaped praise on healthcare workers, doctors, and nurses on numerous occasions.  Maybe you need to listen more.  I'm one of those people "on the front lines" and I know more about how this is going than you. There are some exciting new developments emerging.  Rather than express hope and optimism you just whine and complain about your hated "Orange Man".  
Why are you commenting about big businesses heaping bonuses on CEO's?  Where did that come from? 
Are you familiar with TARP from 2008?  Were you opposed to that?  What about the "stimulus bill" from 2009?
Were you opposed to that?  Did CEO's benefit from those?  
Where did you come up with this paranoid idea that people want to kill you off to save Social Security?
You don't need a flame suit.  You need help. 

You ask how I thought we were doing and I answered.  Just because you don't like my answers gives you no right to put words in my mouth and call names.  If you would have come on here on the 12th and stated how serious this was instead of conspirancy theories against China if may have been a bit helpful.  I'm not sure your theory is wrong, or who started this crap.

My reference on killing off old people would solve a lot of healthcare problems for many countries.

I never called him the orange man or any of those things.  You really should read twitter since that is how our law makers are trying to contact the president.  I don't tweet either I discovered you can read it all online and don't have to participate.  Cuomo & Trump had a twitter spat and things got done after it.  I used to hate his tweets but now that I read them in order and the comments it's very entertaining and informative.  I can't make this stuff up.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/trump-and-cuomo-fight-over-coronavirus-response.html

I'm a whiner you all been crying about cancellations for a week.

Being a liberal is kind of a full-time job.  Your mind is on opposition and resistance 24/7.   It must be hard to sleep.

No, I don't think my stating how serious this is back on the 12th would have been very helpful.  Anyone with a single brain cell already knew that this is serious business.  I appreciate your admitting that there may be something to what I stated on the 12th.  At least my "conspiracy theory" is plausible... in contrast to the whole "Russian collusion" conspiracy theory people like you can't seem to abandon.  A great many people think China has been engaged in nefarious activities designed to weaken us, and a lot of people are suspicious of them just like me. I gather you don't.

Your comment about killing off old people is just crazy...off the charts.  Just to refresh your memory, it's leftists like Obama and  Bloomberg who have made comments to the effect that we need to just let old people die.  If you deny that, then I submit either you are not paying attention or you lack comprehension skills.

Good for you that you find reading tweets entertaining.  If that is how you get your news and entertainment, then I'm envious.  I bet you enjoy tic-tac-toe as well. Personally, I would rather watch flies fornicate.

He said that because the CDC is telling us to stay at least 6 feet from another person you idiot. And why should he treat the press any differently than they treat him? Every. Single. Day. 

And yet another brings a knive to a gun fight.

Why so hateful towards someone who has a different opinion?  BHW shouldn't succumb to such a low level.  We don't all agree, would you rather this be Republicans only club?

Well since his press conferences were non existant before the War on the virus, if you wanted to find out anything you went to twitter.  The ONLY twitter accounts I have ever read are the President & ex President.  If watching flies fornicate is more important to you than what is on the Presidents mind.  You get you glasses on and watch.  I guess you get all your info from FOX.  

I'm a fuzzy liberal that believes in euthanasia and don't think I would want to live on a ventalator or in a nursing home. So if keeping me alive past 90 unless I can still ride like the queen works for me.  So glad you said I need help, so kind of you being a Dr, Do you insult everyone like that?

Don't like to play tic-tac-toe  (another insult) I would rather read.  I applaud you for being on the front lines of this, I pray for all of you.

To the one who thinks I have nothing better to do, it's raining and muddy.  I am staying home which is not hard since I am retired but I do run a business from home.  It requires me to stay near my computer most of the day and I like to read.  I have watched this board spread untruths for years and now have time to do something about it.  

As far as bringing a knife to a gunfight. I assure this liberal (and most liberals) has some guns, and honestly his twitter makes it easy it has dates on it.

In reading it back we did get a few chopper talk press conferences those are always fun.

If you are assuming I am a Republican.  I'm not.  Some Republicans disgust me more than Democrats.  Unfortunately, I only have two choices:

One being a party that thinks abortions are fine at any stage, that Climate Change is the main existential threat to the planet, that Democratic Socialism is the best way to govern, that free college and free healthcare is essential, that corporate America is evil and greedy, that open borders is mandatory, that sanctuary cities are a good thing, that free education and healthcare of non citizens is a good and fair thing, that people laying in their own poop and needle littered streets is acceptable, that law enforcement is evil, that "One World Order" is inevitable, that energy independence and oil are bad things, and that there is no such thing as "American Exceptionalism".

The other: limp wristed, hypocritical, unreliable, and weak.

I'm forced to side with the latter.  It's the lesser of two evils.

If you want to snipe with drive-by remarks like a little Chihuahua fine.  Otherwise jump in the debate.

I can see where you prefer euthanasia.  

I guess if your entertainment is watching flies fornicate then nursing home life would be just fine for you.

Since we're not really discussing the virus and your really not providing anything useful, we haven't seen on CNN for a week.  Let me mention how a liberal feels about abortion. NO ONE in there right mind would abort a child late term unless a doctor ordered it.  I do believe in quality of life, back to that laying around in a nursing home at $10,000 per month.  I don't thnk many people use abortion as a form of birth control.

I have a few what if's for you......

What if your granddaughter was raped by someone when she was 10?  Didn't even know what sex was.

What if it is a dad abusing his daughter?  And she is 12.

Would your son be willing to pay those nursing home costs for life for a baby that has no quality of life?

Now these are just a few. Then I read about people who have 6 kids, lock them in cages, abuse them daily, don't feed them and don't send them to school.  I call those Republican abortions doesn't seem like a fun ride to me.  I don't think being tortured is good for kids.

If we could snip all the men who produce all these kids no one takes care of, I might stand with you on abortion.

Too many gray areas and a very slippery slope.  I think this decision is between you and God and you have to live with your choices.

I'm free thinking like that.

Biggest question I see on FaceBook is ....... Who's going to take care of my kids cause schools closed.   You had them you take care of them.  JMO

I actually agree with you on your last sentences. If you had kids, you take care of them, you know like we did in the olden days. 

bear

can i copy paste you to carecure the spinal network i am on

i am 1 of those along with a lot more here think its manufactured hysteria and it a dry run for something.. i like trump like a lot of thing  but

i am just the old fart in a chair    fyi iam  69  never had the flu  last time i had a cold was early 2000 i just don/t get sick

Even as a nursing home resident, I would prefer watching flies fornicate to reading tweets, particularly if they are tweets from crazy Democratic Socialists.  In fact, I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a sh!tty hoof pick than read tweets from America-hating, self loathing, woke Democrats. 

You can dispense with the rape and incest drama.  Those cases make up 1% of the quoted reasons for abortion. 
You do a good job of making the case that Democrats are the party of death.  They love euthanasia, abortion, and infanticide, even after the babies are born.  

Sure...be my guest!

You are like a crazy little child.  For a Doctor you sure have an attitude.

Good luck watching those flies.  Amazing you would use that analogy. 

I know men like you.  I gues we have been socialist for 11 years now since I said I only read tweets from the past & present Presidents.

I can't believe you are such a fan to not follow him myself.  I like to get my info from the so called horses mouth.

Does it feel like winning yet?  My 401K says no.  I watched it get sucked away under Bush once.

No point here really but I just have to ask this so someone can explain it to me.  I see all of these people that are up in arms about kids getting seperated from their parents at the border but yet are all for abortion at anytime.  I personally know at least one person that feels this way.  I can't seem to grasp how they think aborting a late term baby is any different.

On a side note I have my doubts about the kids at the border.  I'd have to see it with my own eyes as I just don't have much faith in the "journalist"

I will tell you I have no problem sending them all back unless they come here legally.  Send them back together and don't seperate them and spend money taking care of them.  Put them on a bus and make them get off.  Keep in mind boys and girls I'm a liberal.  Don't get scared I'm sure we have more in common than you think.  However SOME PEOPLE would rather call names and run everyone off.

I remember when this board saved people from Katrina, till a few pushy know it alls took over and ran everyone off that had an opinion that differs.  I don't mean to offend anyone posting we know who calls names.  I don't even mean right now I have read the kool-aid and been called names for years..

Some now talk "Come together and Pray for the President".  I find him to be the least Christian like president ever. Should I do it like you all did for Obama.  He was trashed daily and although I said he would never win.  I don't think he did a bad job.  I sure didn't have to read his twitter feed to find out what he was up to and he answered questions.  You guys told me all the awful things daily.

Sorry to rant but now you know how I feel about that.

How old are you Palopony?

"The Palopony" probably thinks euthanasia and infantacide were Walt Disney movies...another clueless Leftist.

I'll just say I've been wanting Bear to come on for weeks and give his thoughts/opinions/observations since he is a doctor and at the front lines of this.   I'm not downing anyone else, I just am very glad he posted.  During this most confusing time of my life, I appreciate you coming on to talk to us, Mr Scott.  

I would have liked to see the doctor actually give us details on what is happening in the front lines instead of hearing his political agenda again.  How many potential virus patients has he seen.  How available is testing to those patients.  Do he and his colleagues have sufficient access to personal protective gear. Are they going to be able to keep up with the demand for care as the rate of infection expands expotentially.  

This country is facing an unprecedented crisis both medically and financially.  If there was ever a time to put aside personal attacks on those with a different perspective this is it. I really think the bullying and name calling should be beneath the dignity of the adults on this board at all times and now would be a good time to atart.

im gonna agree 100 percent.Nothing on this post really gave any insight on how things are in the medical version of handling this.This post is simply a political fight that didnt discuss the real topic.I would love to see people fight this together its just not gonna happen:(

I'm sorry people, let me see if I can bring him out for you.  He has probably thought of a bunch of new names to call me.

I will answer his question I'm real close to 63 and I'm 5' 110 lbs.  So sweet of you to pick on a little old lady, just cause she disgrees with you.

One would think if he was so informed he would have told you all what was coming instead of throwing out conspiracy theories.  JMO since some of you live so far away from supplies.

These are the people we are trusting to keep us informed and safe.  I guess someone is winning is this and yes there is a Democrat involved in it to.  Richard Burr stood behind Trump and assured the public all was OK, as he dumped his stock and made a ton.  Just wanted everyone to know so you can vote for who you want.

TexPat:  Who took a little jab at me over Disney movies.  Nice of you to tell me how I think.  Better check how many hospital beds per people you have in TX.  The movies would compare it to are more like Outbreak and The Stand.  Sorry to be nasty but you can dish it out behind the keyboard you better be able to take it.  I am really sorry but some of you are just keyboard bullies, not sharing useful info at all.  I wish you would at least read and contribute instead of just trashing people.  I think this is useful info.

GETTY IMAGES

I............................ Nope..............Back button.  

Doing an awesome job again Scott.  As usual.

The guy has a perfect right to contribute as he sees fit.  

Palopony - 2020-03-20 10:02 AM

I'm sorry people, let me see if I can bring him out for you.  He has probably thought of a bunch of new names to call me.

I will answer his question I'm real close to 63 and I'm 5' 110 lbs.  So sweet of you to pick on a little old lady, just cause she disgrees with you.

One would think if he was so informed he would have told you all what was coming instead of throwing out conspiracy theories.  JMO since some of you live so far away from supplies.

These are the people we are trusting to keep us informed and safe.  I guess someone is winning is this and yes there is a Democrat involved in it to.  Richard Burr stood behind Trump and assured the public all was OK, as he dumped his stock and made a ton.  Just wanted everyone to know so you can vote for who you want.

TexPat:  Who took a little jab at me over Disney movies.  Nice of you to tell me how I think.  Better check how many hospital beds per people you have in TX.  The movies would compare it to are more like Outbreak and The Stand.  Sorry to be nasty but you can dish it out behind the keyboard you better be able to take it.  I am really sorry but some of you are just keyboard bullies, not sharing useful info at all.  I wish you would at least read and contribute instead of just trashing people.  I think this is useful info.

 

At least two Republican senators sold hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in stock shortly after Congress began receiving regular briefings about the outbreak of coronavirus spreading around the globe, according to several reports and reviews of financial disclosures.

ProPublica first reported Thursday that Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the chairman of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee, offloaded between $628,000 and $1.72 million worth of holdings in 33 transactions on Feb. 13, shortly after he publicly assured Americans the government was prepared to deal with the novel coronavirus that has since been declared a pandemic. A week after the sales, the stock market began to precipitously fall, erasing about 30% of its value.

Just hours later, the Daily Beast first reported that Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) began selling stocks jointly owned with her husband on Jan. 24, the day the Senate Health Committee held a private, all-chamber briefing from top American officials about COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In a series of 29 transactions ending in mid-February, documented in Senate financial disclosures, Loeffler and her husband sold between $1,275,000 and $3,100,000 in stock.

GETTY IMAGES

The Georgia senator also made two purchases, including one in a company that owns teleworking software, the Beast noted. Loeffler’s husband is Jeffrey Sprecher, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange. The pair are worth an estimated $500 million.

Two other senators made major stock sales around the same time: Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.). Feinstein’s office told The New York Times the lawmaker’s assets are held in a blind trust and she has “no involvement” in the sales.

Selling stock before a market crash can insulate stockholders from any potential losses. It’s against the law for lawmakers to use non-public information to influence financial decisions.

 

Burr’s office has pushed back against ProPublica’s reporting — which is also based on public financial disclosures required by law ? saying the forms were filed “several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak.”

 

“As the situation continues to evolve daily, he has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy,” an aide said in a statement Thursday.

Early Friday, Loeffler called reports about the sales a “ridiculous and baseless attack”: 

Senator Kelly Loeffler

 

?@SenatorLoeffler

 

 

This is a ridiculous and baseless attack. I do not make investment decisions for my portfolio. Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband's knowledge or involvement.

 

4,424

12:25 AM - Mar 20, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

 

22.4K people are talking about this

 

 

 

“Investment decisions are made by multiple third-party advisors without my or my husband’s knowledge or involvement,” she added in a post on Twitter. “As confirmed in the periodic transaction report to Senate Ethics, I was informed of these purchases and sales on February 16, 2020 — three weeks after they were made.”

On Feb. 28, Loeffler moved to downplay the health and financial threat the spread of the virus posed to America, writing that Democrats had “dangerously and intentionally misled the American people” about the country’s preparedness for the outbreak.

“Here’s the truth: @realDonaldTrump & his administration are doing a great job working to keep Americans healthy & safe,” she wrote at the time.

Loeffler was appointed to the Senate in December by Gov. Brian Kemp to fill a vacated seat. She is up for reelection later this year.

Palopony, the reason I asked how old you are is because you whined about your 401K taking a huge hit.  Given your 401k took a huge hit, why do you suppose I would be curious about your age?  I'll let you answer that. Also, are you retired yet, or nearing retirement age?
I don't know what compelled you to include your weight.  I'm not interested in that.  That seemed odd, but I think I know why you wanted to tell everyone how much you weigh. Why did you mention your weight?

Now, as to your extensive C&P about the Democrat and Republicans who appeared to at least be skating on the edge of insider trading, they all should be shamed, voted out of office, and charged.  Go back and re-read what I wrote about my political affiliation......this little sidetrack is yet another reason why I'm not a Republican or a Democrat.  What did I say?  If this is a "gotcha", it failed miserably.  
Now, I'll be interested in your answers....

As does everyone.  I just don't get the need for the personal attacks.  

I was forced into early retirement during the Bush years.  May have been the best thing to ever happen, at the time I sure didn't think so.  I am lucky enough to have married a great guy and been married 41+ years.

I mentioned my weight because people (the President included) always assume people behind the keyboard that disagree with them are sitting in bed eating and weigh 300 pounds and have nothing better to do.

I truly thought your first post was more of a shout out for the President instead of giving any inside information.  Then again I watch all news.  I'm glad to hear you don't fully support either side.  Wish more people would think like that.  I don't care what party you belong to, if I think they will do a good job I will vote for them.  Never understood the all or nothing attitude.

My attitude toward men that think they know everything comes from many years doing the same job as a man and making half the pay.  Sometimes I even got to teach them how to do the job.  

I used to tell my Mother the things posted on here the good and the crazy.  She always wondered why I didn't speak up.........  Honestly some of you are such bullies (I am talking years ago) I was afraid someone would hurt my horses.  She would be so proud of me she has been gone 8 years.  Now I'm old, opinionated, could catch the virus, and your under quarantine.I'm also stuck at home and was just shocked no one was talking about it.

I hope I answered all your questions and you understand me a little better.  I sure do see some great Governors out there gives me hope for the future.

His Twitter page has really changed he is sounding much more Presidential.  Now that he is a war President and getting attention he is all in.  I just call it like I see it I don't care which side.  I just wish people would read and research.

ETA:  I love Dr Fauci I am so glad to see him back on TV.  Trump is having a meltdown on TV taking questions.

Yes I read your post . And what I read is a reiteration of what what Trump has been saying since he figured out that the denial boat sailed. I was hoping for something a little more up close and personal than the party line.

OK, well that all seems sensible.  I would ask that you not lump me into the category of "men" that you seem to despise. You don't know me.  I've tried to be very helpful here to a lot of people over the years, usually on medical matters.  Some here may even vouch for me on that.  Jake16, for example, is one who has been critical of me here for not providing enough information on the medical aspects of COVID-19, is one person who has exchanged several dozen PMs with me on personal medical matters over the years.  I've spent hours of my time trying to give her helpful advice and reassurance, and she comes on here to express her disappointment for not giving any "insight".  Well, just so people know, I've given her an awful lot of insights whenever she asked over the years.  Ask her.  If anyone has any medical questions about COVID-19, I'm more than willing to answer them. I did touch on some of these things in my original post.

Here's why I asked how old you are.  I knew you were at least close to retirement from earlier posts. I have several things to say about this market crash as a result of COVID-19, and I'm sure you know at least some of this.  First, as the saying goes, when it comes to equities and the market, you haven't lost anything unless you sell. Also, in my opinion as well as the opinion of a lot of experts in investing/retirement planning, At our age our portfolios should be positioned in such as way as to minimize risk, such as that seen in 2008-09, and this recent crash.  When you are younger, you can afford to invest more in stocks and less in more stable things like bonds, etc...  For example you might be invested 80:20 in stocks:bonds if you are say 35.  Again, if you don't sell you don't lose, so younger people are smart to just hold tight and avoid panic selling, because that's when you actually lose.  In my opinion, as you approach retirement age your portfolio should be shifted more toward avoiding the risks of wild swings.  That's why I asked how old you are....because you said your 401K took a drubbing.  If the VALUE of your portfolio took a drubbing, that's one thing, but like I said, you didn't really lose unless you sold.  Hang tough, and re-evaluate your vulnerability with your advisor.  In my opinion, if I were a younger investor, I would look at this downturn as an excellent buying opportunity.  Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert or investing advisor!  A lot of savvy people are seeing this as an opportunity.  Of course, if you know a senator like Burr with insider information, you can always ask them.  This crash has not been because of anything Trump did. 

The reason I was quick to defend the President's handling on this is because his political enemies  are assaulting his efforts from all directions, and I think he is the right man for the right task at the right time.  Yes his tweets sometimes pi$$ me off. Yes, he is not the most erudite sounding president we've had.  Yes, he is a counter-puncher.  Yes, certain things could have been done better, but overall I think our response to this has been very good, and certain aspects have been downright innovative, like the public-private partnerships.  His efforts to prod the FDA to fast track approval for the use of certain drugs like Plaquenil for this has been something we've never seen before.  His travel bans were vociferously criticized as provoking hysteria and xenophobia by Biden and the liberal media....and now they are the ones with egg on their face.

I could go on and on, but this is more than just promoting my "political agenda" as SC Wrangler put it.  My own life depends on how we respond, because I am one of those people on the front lines.  I am 65 and I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia.  I work in an emergency room.  I'm at very high risk.  My wife is 62 and she has lupus.  She too is at high risk.  Given that background, my approval of Trump's handling of this is not just because of my political leanings, rather, because I feel what he has been doing effects the risks to which I will be exposed, going forward.

Your timing is exquisite.  I just posted, and saw this afterwards.  Read what I wrote.  You want to talk about "up close and personal"?  LOL. Yes, I am very "up close and personal", to the extent that I am risking my life....very personal indeed.  

Thank you Bear for at least refraining from calling me names.  I have always appreciated your input on here you have actually answered questions for me.  I remember when you name was different I know what you contribute to this board which is why is shocked me you felt the need to acttack me.

Thank you for trying to explain the stock martket to me you sound just like my broker who I talked to before I went on vacation 1/26.  When I came back from vacation I wanted to hurt him and wrote him a very not so nice email.  This was before the crap hit the fan, he is in hiding now.  I truly wished I hadn't listened to the experts.  Monday I went to the biggest CPA firm in town and he proceded to tell me it was all a media hoax too.  Got an email Wedneday he is working from home now.  I'm really tired of people in the top 10% telling me how the market works.  

I applaud you for working, I'm one of those people wishing and griping you don't have the gear you need.  He wouldn't even answer the question about getting you all masks, yet he is sending them to Iran.

Sorry I made you mad I wasn't the one calling you names.

ETA:  Reporter asks....... What would you say to scared Americans?

“”I say that you’re a terrible reporter… It is a bad signal that you are putting out to the American people,” the president shot back. “The American people are looking for hope and the same with NBC and Comcast who you do work for — let me say something, that’s really bad reporting. You want to get back to reporting instead of sensationalism.”

meep meep thinks Bears posts are extremely funny. I guess my sense of humor doesn't align with the left.

So are,you seeing a few patients or are they coming in droves?  Is testing sufficiently available?  Are supplies and protective gear in good supply? Does your facility have sufficient capacity to handle patients?    I know my state is still very short of tests and many doctors don't even know the protocol to procure tests.  Looking for reality, not the official line.

I noticed that too, after you pointed it out, Peggy.  I think that's really all she cares to do at this point.  It's kinda like "gallow's humor" where someone tries to use humor in a hopeless situation.  At least she finds something funny.  Most of them lack any sense of humor.  I must admit that even I try to find humor during these very trying times.  The toilet paper hoarding has served that purpose for me.  I'm sure I won't be laughing if I pick up this nasty bug, and I **** sure won't be laughing if I give it to my wife.  That's what worries me most.  Maybe I should have her wrap me in shrink wrap before going to work and sleep out in the barn when I get home.  Lord knows she's threatened to throw me out there more than once in the past anyway.  

Build you a nice doghouse out back. I saw a REALLY nice one a few weeks ago.  If you have a LQ trailer maybe that? Just kidding.  Kinda.

I have been working 4-7 day stints a couple times a month for an ER in a small town in Northern Minnesota. We've only tested 4 people and only had 20 test kits.  We have a separate drive up for testing.  Visitors aren't allowed in the hospital, except in certain circumstances.  People seem to be heeding the advice to stay home if they have mild symptoms like mild cough, sore throat, and runny nose, and to call in and talk to a nurse who mans the phones first before coming in.  We haven't had a positive test, but we are bracing for a surge. We have enough of the N-95 masks right now.  We don't have a shortage of Purell at this point.  Since this hospital is not set up for ICU patients, a contingency plan is in place for larger hospitals with ICUs to transfer patients to our hospital, if they are getting short on ICU beds.  So, basically we will be serving in an overflow capacity for larger surrounding hospitals with ICUs.  We have had a fairly busy flu season and I've seen a lot of influenza A and B and giving out Tamiflu (both for patients and family members as prophylaxis) like candy.  We are very liberal in testing for Influenza and strep.  We see some infants with RSV too, but that's not uncommon this time of year. I've talked with our pharmacy to be sure we have hydroxychloroquine and Azythromycin ('Zpac") on hand should that modality of treatment become approved or widely accepted.  It's looking like that may happen, as Trump has pushed the FDA on approving this, if his expert advisors agree.  Small studies have claimed some impressive results so far.  People need to realize that hydroxychloroquine ("plaquenil") is not as safe and innocuous as many are claiming.  They need to be careful not to go overboard with prescribing, lest the treatment become worse than the disease.  Stay tuned.  Antivirals are also being considered.  

As of earlier this morning, there have been 115 cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, and I think something like 4 requiring hospitalization.  No deaths so far.  

I don't practice in Texas, but Texas governor Abbott has waived Tx licensing requirements for doctors who are licensed in Texas.  I'm licensed in ND and MN and so far the ER's in Bastrop Tx don't need help.  We have been in touch and they are aware that I am available and willing, should the need arise.  

I say again, thank you. . . For posting and for being out there in the midst of this unprecedented situation.  

I'm very very scared I'm going to get it because I work in public the border was supposed to be closed today which would of meant I don't go to work but it's still open so I'm expected to be there though Mexico said they may close their border which means I won't have to go to work but what are the chances of that.

Some of you were upset because I mentioned Cuomo and what a good job I thought he was doing.  This article shows why I feel that way.  I do think that crisis shows you a person's soul.  Now I want all of you to pay close attention to who does what, in your own area I know I am.  I really want to know why we need to bail out the airlines?   IMO they already took the tax cut and paid big bonuses and bought up stock to inflate the price.  Wrong in the first place making a false market.  Did that trickle down get to you?  Don't they all have airplanes?  Why can't they get a loan like every other business, the interest rate is so low shouldn't be a problem, almost free money..  We have already seen it start, guess who has made any money in the stock market lately?  I do think with pressure this can be stopped but you can't let it keep happening.  Thank you to the reporters who bothered to search.  JMO

What happen to the buck stops here?

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/21/opinions/trump-governors-leadership-zelizer/index.html

Talked to my banker on Friday and they said interest rates were low for a day, but went higher than they were before the very next day. So many people had gone in to refinance their mortgages, the interest rates went back up. 

It's still just 3.25% why can't they get a business loan like every body else?

I apologize if I didn't read the CNN article.  I usually can't watch CNN or read anything from CNN.com because it tends to make me nauseous on an empty stomach.  Right?   Let me guess though.....they made an objective comparison between the job performance Trump, Cuomo, and Gavin Newsome.  Right?

I've been watching and listening to Cuomo's response and he has been serious, sober, and businesslike in his response to this.  He really has buckled down and worked his ass off.  As I see it so has Gavin Newsome.  I also think the President has done a fantastic job under these extremely unique trying circumstances.  Interestingly, both Newsome and Cuomo have heaped praise on President Trump. I think most Americans also believe Trump has done a great job.  People are actually talking about how they are seeing unity.  

hell no to airlines or ant big business    let them work a deal with the bbanks at low cost interest let the ceo cfo take a pay cut bonus no more

our busines s is our truckers are biting the bulletts  and hell no on give aways to people  1000  shees hell no

No need to apologize you don't apologize for name calling or making fun of me or others.  Why for not reading something?  I actually watched Fox news last night and there was a Dr on there touting this new drug, not sounding at all like Dr. Fauci.  He actually said the reason women don't get as much as men, is we have tougher immunity from putting up with men. I really agree with him on that, however he finally said he was joking.  Great news channel very informative.

I don't believe I have told anyone on here how to think or what to believe.  I have only pointed out why I feel the way I do.  Trying to be very careful which is why "I" is everywhere in my posts.

I have seen many wonderful things happening with people working together in the private sector.  Which is hard when confined but look how lucky we are to have social media and a place to discuss and work together.  I tried to get people to post what good they saw going on.  You all don't like my thoughts or ideas or I guess not much good going on in your area.

Good luck to all, I do think is scary and we're in for a bumpy ride.  I will attach a video that will make you mad, but I watch his rallies and I know he says these things.  You can say it's sound bites but he said it in the date or on twitter for all to see.  I think he needs help from the Governors because he has no idea how to serve.  The man has spent his entire life being served.  JMO

Sorry just can't say he's handling it great, he's still fighting with the press, you would think he could handle people better.  If you keep letting them get away with this you get the government you deserve. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/coronavirus-donald-trump-timeline

I still just want you all to think about if Obama would have answered questions from the press  like he does?  I didn't like George Bush either and I feel bad about disliking him as much as I did, not a war fan.  Honestly he's seems like a really nice guy who was trying who just had bad advisors.  Keep in mind this one doesn't have many.  Again JMO

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/03/a-congressman-skipped-the-coronavirus-relief-vote-he-went-home-to-tell-seniors-to-blame-the-media-instead/

ETA:  I'm amazed Bear finds this FUNNY. 

A few days ago my nephew found out that one of his co-workers was pretty ill and tested positive.  My nephew has been self quarantined and became symptomatic yesterday.  He will try to get tested today.  Hopefully his symptoms will remain relatively mild. I am worried as he lives really far from family and is currently alone as spouse is out of town with a family emergency.  

Prayers for him and all his loved ones and people he's been around

Oh dear ...... prayers for him....I am afraid as the days go along, we all may know someone who has been affected .... Hopefully, they will be mild cases! 

Oh no!!! Prayers for your nephew.. Hows he doing now? 

Prayers

many prayers,please keep us updated

I'm afraid we will all know someone with it before this is over. I'm getting worried.

One of the kids my son goes to school with is in ICU, flu tests have all come back negative, waiting on COVID results.  He is 16 or 17 and a really good athlete so it is shocking that he is so sick.  I asked my son if this boy vapes and he said most of the kids do, so yes probably he does.  Very scary how many teenagers and young adults are running around with lung damage and inflamation from vaping.

ETA- They are starting the drug combo on him, sounds like he is in pretty rough shape, prayers it works!  

Vaping is one of my pet peeves.  I actually had to roll up my window at a McDonalds drive-thru the other day because of the massive amount of vape steam coming from the car in front of me.  I think it's worse than cigarette smoking.

Bear, thank you for your insight!

How long do you think this will go on, business being closed, everyone being told to stay home, people losing jobs?  Is this going to get a lot worse before it gets better? Will the restrictions go on through the summer? or do you think we'll be past the worst soon and be able to go back to some normalcy. 

I know it's not good, but I'm just floored that it's gotten to this point. I never thought I'd see anything like this in my life. 

This is all new.  That's the thing here.  It really is a war without guns and bombs.  I look at it that way, just like others have, including Governor Cuomo and President Trump.  
I know a lot of people have asked questions about how long this will last, and when we can expect a return to normalcy.  Nobody can say with a lot of confidence, but if I had to guess, I'd say at least another month, maybe two, before the social distancing and business closures start to open up.  We haven't peaked yet, in terms of this disease incidence, and the deaths will keep mounting.  While it may seem overly simplistic, there is no way around the necessity for social distancing.  I look at it, more or less, as preventing the virus from finding new homes....essentially "starving" it out of food, you might say.  If I stay home the virus can't get me.  If I go to a busy airport, a busy bar, a busy restaurant, a packed rodeo, or even if I get together with seemingly healthy, younger friends, then I'm potentially vulnerable.  The importance of the word "novel" when describing this virus, can't be emphasized enough....."novel" means "new"....so, by definition we don't have anything to go by.  When this first started to come out in the news, my inclination was to look at it like another influenza and I will confess that the idea of this being deliberately sensationalized was my first reaction.  I think many if not most people felt that way. It didn't take too long before Instarted to realize that, regardless of any possible nefarious motives by Communist China, the reality is that we still have to attack this thing with everything we have.  Any half way measures may open the door for disaster.  Like Dr Fauci stated in many different ways, we are better off, in the long run, hitting this with everything we have.  This thing is at least 10 times more deadly than influenza.  It is more  contagious.  If you look at Ebola, for example, we only had about 10 cases in the US.  That virus had an overall mortality rate of 50%, so at first glance, one might think that was a much bigger threat to life, but nothing could be further from the truth, because the only way you caught Ebola was through direct contact with bodily fluids....saliva, urine, blood, and feces.  7 of those Ebola cases were nurses shipped here.  The one person who died was visiting Dallas from Africa when he became ill and eventually died.  The 3 or so people who contracted the virus here in the US were nurses caring for Ebola victims and came in contact with their bodily fluids.  The word "Ebola" strikes fear in people because of it's lethality and the virus basically consumed the victims....they essentially rotted. It was never a real threat to cause any significant epidemic here.  There's absolutely no comparison between Covid19 and Ebola, in terms of the potential for mass deaths, contagiousness, and devastation. This is invisible. Something as innocuous as touching a door knob, counter top, or gas pump by someone assymptomatic, or with minimal symptoms, who is harboring Covid19 can lead to others picking it up.  That's the real danger.  Even widespread testing won't come close to enabling us to isolate perfectly. 
The "multi pronged" approach the team is enacting is continuing to mitigate by social distancing, which hopefully will flatten that curve and allow us time to consider a wide variety of potential treatment options.  The scientists are carefully evaluating drug regimens and implementing trials as we speak.  Hope springs eternal that the latest rage of Hydroxychloroquine ("Plaquenil") with Azithromycin ("Zpac") will turn out to be as good as initial claims out of France seem to suggest.  We have to be careful not to jump to conclusions regarding the safety and advisability of widespread use and prematurely implement that as the standard of care.  Contrary to what the news reports and even some reckless doctors are saying on TV, there are some risks to consider with this combination.  There may be a more scientifically proven antiviral out there that will be safer and more effective. I trust the scientists on Trump's team to carefully consider everything, including risks and benefits.  Having said all that, I am VERY confident that a fairly effective treatment consensus will be arrived at.......Read that again, and hopefully that will be reassuring, at least.  As to vaccines, like Fauci said, most likely not for at least a year.  Convalescent serum from recovered victims of Covid19 looks potentially promising.  

Here's the deal, if I were to answer your question with a tone of encouragement.  I think a treatment regimen may very well drastically shorten this crisis in the US, and I am still hoping that this turns out to be more seasonal than many expected.....just like SARS, when it abruptly disappeared in the middle of summer in 2003.  This virus is a Corona virus just like this one.  It's a possibility at least. 

As far as the efforts to put together a Covid19 relief legislation, I think that will be key in helping people get through this.  Typically, as a conservative, I'm against things like the "stimulus bill" of 2009 and other bailouts, this is a VERY unique situation in the history of the country.  With this crisis, the government directed people to say home.  They basically have ordered the shutdown of businesses. They created directives and orders that dictated people have to shut down, close doors, and stay away from work.  That has never happened in the history of the republic.  That's what makes this incredible Covid19 relief legislation so unique, and imperative, in my opinion.  People are suffering through no fault of their own.  This is one time where government has to come together and help its citizens through any way possible.  The debt will be staggering, but there are some "silver linings" out there cooking that may well offset, even eventually surpass the massive debt.

Scott ..... I have researched and can't find a difinitive answer....how long does the virus live on various surfaces?

edited to add: Since I am basically homebound, I thought you would like to know that, today, I am baking Apple Bread......LOL

I know there are some conflicting numbers out there on this, so the other day I looked up some reliable numbers.
Studies suggest that people may acquire the coronavirus through the air and after touching contaminated objects. Studies have shown the virus is detectable for up to three hours in aerosols, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. 
In contrast, the influenza virus can remain for 24-48 hours, so this coronavirus sticks around a little longer.

I prefer apple pie!  I'll take apple bread, though, especially if it's still warm.  Do you have some good honey?  Milk?  I love milk. 

I believe in this thread I was asked a question, actually quite a few.  I answered what I thought then and still do today.  I tried to explain why I felt the way I did and it's just difficult to state opinions on here.  I honestly can't believe I saw it coming the way I did, I just read way too much.  My time is better used doing something productive around here than trying to convince people they should pay attention.  The little smiley faces are just easier.

Read the threads along with the dates posted.  I'm not a fan of many politicians at all.

I sure thought it was a topic worth discussing, just to talk about it traveling around the country, what's happening in different areas.  Remember when I first started paying attention it was 2 little red dots.  Instead I got raked over the coals for what I think.  Sorry I tried to tell you, it was going to get bad.  I wanted to be wrong, but I had a feeling too.  Have a nice day and stay safe.  Thank you Southtxpony and wanttochase3 for having an intelligent conversation about it.  I don't care if you agree with me or not, I enjoyed you sharing.  I don't have a medical degree but I thought the information I was giving was important.

Thank God for sunshine today.  Have a great day, I'm off to spray roundup and live dangerously, I hate weeds.

ETA: 2 little things that made me pay attention early on on 3/10 JD/EZ said a friend had a trip to Italy cancelled and when Joy took off from the View, I knew she had family in Italy and her kids were very afraid for her.  Plus reading world news and if you listenend to Trump's rallies he kept saying it was a democratic hoax even in early March it's on tape.

Palo, 

Cumo is an idiot.  He has done nothing but whine.  He is in a bad situation but so is our whole nation.  He is the one in February told all New York to go out and have a good time....

He may very well be, but he seems to be trying to do a good job and he is trying to control a whole lot of people.  I just can't even imagine being in NYC in apartments the size some of them have.  I have land and just can't even imagine being in an apartment right now.

Im not a fan of cuomo at all and never have been(former ny'er). I have family in NYC who finally went for a walk yesterday after not leaving their apartment for 2 weeks. They are taking a vitamin supplement because they havent gotten enough sun. Another cousin left last week after not leaving their apartment for 2 weeks, who have a young child about 2 that i seriously doubt was doing well mentally, cooped up like that. Personally i would be going nuts but thats why i live in the country in the south with my horses on my property. Friends up there havent been able to go to the barn because they board and most boarding barns have shut to anyone besides the property owner and the workers. Its a crazy situation all around. 

I listened to a press conference he did a week or so ago, what a whiney ass. 

I couldn't handle it, I had to shut if off. 

Makes me wish we had a whiney ass instead of a republican, since nurses in our hospitals are have to use garbage bags for ppe.

Very sad, in my opinion.

I watched the rally.  He did NOT say it was a hoax.  He said in essence that the Dems were trying to conjure it into another Mueller and/or impeachment hoax.  That's what he meant and all the news media knew that's what he meant.   He also mentioned the importance of this coronavirus situation at his State of the Union Address, you know the one involving the document Nancy Pelosi tore up like a child throwing a temper tantrum.  

Palopony, please explain to me how having Obama or god forbid Hilary as President right now would make this any better? What would they be doing differently than President Trump. .  

How is is President Trumps fault the country is short on PPE? He is working with MANY companies to manufacture PPE and get it out to where it is needed. 

Since you since to want to bash our President, who in my opinion is doing a great job with all of this, what do YOU think needs to be done to remedy the shortage of PPE for our health care workers, or lets take it further, what is your solution to this whole mess? 

God Bless President Trump

When you head to town for feed and a few groceries and have to wipe the cobwebs off your air conditioner vent, I think you can truthfully say you have been STAYING AT HOME!  

I don't think Clinton or Obama would have dismantled the pandemic team.  I also don't think either of them would have said the things he has says at rallies.   I did hear him call it a democratic hoax and it's on tape.  I did not watch his rallies the last 2 weeks of February but the first week of March he sure did, also said we had it under control.

I don't think they would have sent PPE to china in February of this year because someone would have considered we may need it here.  I can't post links to prove my point and honestly most of you would disapprove of them anyway.  I have only suggested you all read, there are crummy politicians on both sides.  True I am not a Trump fan but none of you were fans of Obama.  You can hate on Obama all you want he read everything, and I think tried to do a good job. My 401K and IRA actually did very well while he was in office.  Do I agree with everything he did.  Heck no but I still think he tried.

Going to reply on why those people went on a cruise....... I hate cruise lines but just like when they cancelled the Rodeo in Houston, many just didn't believe it was that big of a deal.  Someone kept telling them it was under control.  I read RV forums also and many had cruises planned and were still going.  In fact they really didn't even consider changing any plans till last week.  Trust me I wondered why too.  Also 85% of truck drivers are still working and we better hope they don't get sick.

I also think stopping spring break travel would have been smart.  Just a few of my thoughts but how to actually slow it.  I have no idea and really don't believe anyone else does either.  News changes daily and who really knows.  I just hope we have some great minds trying to figure it out.  Now that they have admitted it seems to be a problem.

They aren't the President, last I looked.  I could post many crazy things republicans posted.  I have suggested many read his twittter feed.

Whatever happened to the buck stops here?

I could also name a few on both sides who sounded the alarm but no one listened.  Tom Cotton comes to mind, plus many opinion pieces from people who study this stuff.

Wish you gave as much medical information as you do political stuff.  Anytime you talk medicine I never question you and enjoy your input.  For a guy who says he's not a republican or democrat you sure swing right.  I admit on it some things I am very conservative.

Have you ever realized that you seem more concerned about rationalizing your position and defending yourself than you are about an actual issue?  It's not all about you.  
Try mixing it up a little.  Contribute something useful to others in between your defensive rationalization.  

You can watch a a video of Nancy Pelosi in Chinatown SF I believe the first week in March telling Californians to by all means come to Chinatown and enjoy.  In fact you can watch Cuomo and De Blasio doing the same thing in NY for different festivities.........don't worry about the virus.  Cuomo, without stating that sanctuary policies are the culprit in NY alluded to the fact last week that part of the problem is that we are a "welcoming" city.  We're all paying for libs and their sanctuary cities.  

These people may not be president but they certainly contributed to the misery in a major way.

I wish you would delete your statement at the bottom of your page. It sure does not apply to you. Nothing you have posted on this subjrct nor the President has been open minded.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=662253577862379

video  of citizen reporting in ny    ok crazy     who knows someone in ny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pIMD1enwd4&fbclid=IwAR15HnhPOz8AF3TK2gpzGKaR3ETDouuE06JV87tbUXdDelHlc05EHtNKQz0

Mr Scott, I have another question for you.

What's your opinion--- has more damage been done by shutting down the country (for the most part) and the economy vs having only the most vulnerable/compromised be in "lockdown"?   As a doctor and very informed individual,  do you think this situation could have come to a quicker end with less economic devastation and fewer deaths if healthy, less-at-risk people had continued working while older and/or more-at-risk  had been the ones to quarantine?  I hope I'm asking this in an understandable way. 

I was watching a program that asked this and wondered what YOUR thoughts were.

I know there is an tendency to wonder how we would be doing if we would have simply allowed this pandemic to play out, without the mitigation and social distancing.  Well, if we are to believe the experts, based on the "models" they have decided to go with, we are looking at a nationwide death toll somewhere between 100,000 and 240,000, with the current shutdown as it is right now (at least through April).  We are trusting that the epidemiologists and Fauci are giving it to us straight.  Consider this: even if our death toll is on the low end of that "best case scenario" projection, we are looking at a death toll that will be twice that of the entire Vietnam War.  Add to that, as much as Vietnam was very costly, with 59,000 deaths, that was over a 10 year span.  We will experience this kind of death toll over what? 6 months?  A year?  Using the same models, if we had done nothing, we'd be looking at 2.2 MILLION deaths.  That's twice the total number of deaths we've had in all our wars combined, going back to, and including, the Revolutionary War.....TOTAL.  Imagine THAT scenario and the effects on our economy.....I think it might have been much worse. With that many deaths over say 1 year, I think the chances of widespread anarchy and uncontrollable chaos is unimaginable.  I actually think the final death toll will be on the lower end, and maybe even lower than that, because one thing that wasn't factored in was the more widespread use of Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin.  It's looking to me like these drugs might very well make a significant difference. I'm not as convinced as some, but it really is looking that way, if we are to believe in the retrospective analysis of the series where people were treated.  The President seems to be pushing for using these drugs more aggressively.  Another huge unknown, which I think (or at least HOPE) is that this virus will be far less prevalent during the summer months.  It would be a godsend if the infection rate makes a huge downturn over the summer.  They say that even if it turns out to be "seasonal" like SARS and othe milder coronaviruses (the ones that produce colds), we can be almost certain it will cycle back in the fall.  By then, we will have had time to develop consensus on an array of weapons.  
I'm not avoiding your question.  If you look at Sweden, which is what many people are looking at over the past week, They had much more relaxed restrictions.  They made recommendations for social distancing and strongly urged people over 70 to self isolate.  They pushed against large social gatherings.  They didn't shut the country down.  They are starting to see a similar exponential curve in terms of cases.  Sweden has a population of 10 million.  If me multiply their cases by a factor of 35, they are having an even greater outbreak than we are experiencing, actually.  Their death rate is actually greater already than ours.  Also, I think it's apples and oranges comparing our country versus Sweden.  They only have one city that is a larger metro area, Stockholm, and that's about the size of Austin Texas.  They don't have the kinds of hot spots and densely populated areas that we have.  That's where we are having the biggest problem, by far.  New York has about half of our total deaths. President Trump was probably very inclined to open things up, but he saw the projections and the models, and he heeded the advice of experts by asking us to hunker down for another month.  I am GUESSING that he will begin to incrementally ask to open things up in areas that are not hot spots.  At the same time he will probably ask that we maintain the selective isolation and protections of those at greatest risk....people over 65, diabetics, immunosuppressed, obese, heart disease, cancer patients, etc...   He will ask for social distancing and other sensible mitigating measures, while opening things up.  He has a very highly unimaginable burden to bear, in terms of weighing the advice of experts on the science side, versus the reality of the unavoidable downturn in the economy and the huge debt we will be saddled with.  He has also been acutely aware of the death toll as a consequence of a big recession or even a depression, because there will be deaths from suicide, violence, increased crime, and deaths from drug abuse.  The scientists really haven't factored that in.  I happen to believe he has taken the right steps we had to take, to this point.  It really really sucks, but I think that's the reality.  Just understand and remind yourself we are dealing with something the likes of which we've never had to deal with. I think we are lucky to have the current occupant in the WH.  

Not to mention the politician who decided going ahead with Mardi Gras did NOT help her people or the tourists one bit.  What an imbecile. 

My nephew started with mild symptoms and began to feel better within a few days, then he sort of relapsed and felt much worse - fever, bad cough, tight chest and shortness of breath.  He has kept in phone contact with his doctor.  Was sent whatever the apparatus is to monitor oxygen levels.  He is now feeling better again but the cough is hanging on.

I feel sure that when he felt better the first time he probably over did it exercising and doing home projects.  He is a go getter that never wants to sit still.  Hopefully he will be a little more restrained this time.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH--that's exactly the type of answer I was looking for.  

Please explain how you can blame the mayor for hosting Mardi Gras February 25th when the President hosted a fundraiser at Mar A Lago for 900 people on March 7, and a birthday party of 200 for Don Jr's girlfriend on the same weekend?

He also played golf so I guess he wasn't to concerned either.

How many people were at MG?

Many more, I think you missed my point.  Why should you be so upset with some but not all?   

I didn't miss the point, and I'm not upset.   I seriously wondered.   We were close to NO on Feb 29, and we honestly didn't realize how bad the situation was at that point.  One of C's groomsmen and his friend went to Bourbon Street while we were there, and I counted the days down til I knew he wouldn't get sick.  

several thinks why all the finger pointing  hindsight is 20/20 you can say all day long coulda shoulda 

dam it grow up  obama was was our president trump is now    i had to deal with obama   ypu deal with trump  its kinda like hating the cptain of the boat

wish it would sink and your on that dam boat.  in stead of critizing  why don/t you start at the local level

shees

Here's the takeaway from all the finger pointing.  Practically nobody took this threat seriously even after the first cases were reported out of Washington.  Everyone was assured the threat was not very serious at all.  The Chinese said it wasn't.  The WHO minimized it.  Democrats minimized it. Republicans minimized it.  Fauci minimized it.  Trump minimized it.  The press minimized it.  NYT minimized it.  WaPo minimized it.  CNN and MSNBC minimized it.  They even went so far as to poke fun at it.  The MSM said the flu was a much bigger threat than the Chinese Coronavirus. They even went so far as to accuse the administration of creating hysteria over the Chinese Coronavirus.  They criticized Trump's decision to invoke the Travel ban back in January.  They called it racist and xenophobic.  Joe Biden said it was hysteria aimed at China and said his travel ban was unnecessary, racist, and xenophobic. A couple days ago he flip flopped and changed his tune by saying he agreed with the travel bans.  As things developed over late January and through Feb, it seems almost like the world was caught flat footed like a mesmerized deer in the headlights.  We couldn't believe what was unfolding before our very eyes and gaining momentum.  Heck, DeBlasio, the New York City health commissioner, Cuomo, and Pelosi were encouraging people to get out and enjoy the city even in early March.  
Now I can understand all these errors in judgement, and I can see how we blew it early on....because the WORLD  blew it.  What I find obscene is how the Trump haters, including the print and TV media, want to criticize his response and blame this on Trump.  The examples of projection are too numerous to count.  

Because of the video below..  I watched many of you rake Obama over the coals for 8 years and call them all kinds of names.

Especially over stuff he did, I think this President has done some bad stuff.

I do realize we are all in the same boat and have been trying to tell you to be concerned since 3/15 when people thought it was a hoax.

Call me names all you want I think he screwed up and he has a problem admitting it.

IMO if he didn't see this coming he wasn't paying attention, people told him.  Some his own people.

https://nowthisnews.com/videos/politics/former-obama-official-trump-ignored-the-pandemic-playbook-we-created

mam  i never called obama names  he did not alway tel the truth  but i don/t know many that do 100 perscent of time

get that out right now where i  me vicky called him a  name  go get it right now   obama is past history

i like a lot about what isee you post but you also assume a lot like this me vicky calling name  so go get the proof other upi owe me anapolgy

Don't hold your breath, Vicky.  

As far as calling the coronavirus threat a "hoax", most people agree that the Democrats were not going to waste a minute of time in blaming Trump for the pandemic, and our lack of preparedness.  They jumped all over it right away.  That is the part that Trump was referring to as a "hoax".....false accusations and blaming, with no admitting their own hypocrisy and failings.  Like I said, nobody was prepared for this pandemic.  The entire world was caught asleep at the wheel.  Even experts like Dr Fauci underestimated this threat.  You have to understand that the basic underlying motive behind this blame game is raw, extreme hatred of the President.  They don't really care about our recovery from this, in my opinion. All they care about is getting rid of Trump.  One prominent Democrat in the entertainment industry is Bill Maher, for example, when he was brutally honest in his admission that he was hoping we would have a big recession, because he knew that's what it will take to defeat Trump.....and the audience of predominately liberals applauded and cheered, just like they cheered when liberal lunatic elites held up a mock-up of Trump's head.  Just like they applauded his assassination on stage.  Just like they chanted to hip-hop lyrics about killing the President.  Just like they cheered at an actress declaring that she enjoyed imagining the White House blowing up. Things like that amongst extreme liberals are not rare...they are mainstream.  Many of the liberals are noticeably giddy in anticipation of the collapse of the economy.  They want to appear as though they care....but a good many of them, like Maher, don't.  That simply can't be denied.
You won't see a Democrat admitting that those stockpiles of PPE and N-95 masks were depleted by over 75% during the Obama administration and never replaced.  That's just a fact.   I could go on and on, but you get my point.  

We are doing well.  My wife and I and daughters families.  Since my fireworks manufacturer couldn't finish my fireworks order they set me up with a company to buy masks for my family.

I figured if my family needed masks so would others so I bought 1300 masks  for sale to others to protect their families.

I have surgical masks for sale.

I have KN95/N95 masks top of the line.  $6 plus shipping.

I have FFP3/N99 mask top of the line. $6 plus shipping.

I know these are high prices but I paid to have them shipped in by Express air. Just so people will know that I am not price gouging! 

Sent you a pm

I have been buying masks to give to a few people that I know that cant afford them right now since they have lost their jobs. 

You guys are lucky.  Around here stores have signs out front that say we have no masks.

I worry about LB having enough protective gear working in a LA hospital. . . 

The fun and crazy ones I have been buying online. I have not been to town to buy anything just shopping on line. 

Theres quite a few people here and in the San Antoino area that are making masks and donating them to nursing home health workers and others in the medical feild, I cant see making money off masks at this time, these people are wonderful to be putting their time and money into helping others.  

Well I work at a hospital and my coworkers are scrambling trying to find rubbing alcohol to clean our face shields because I'm guessing the hospital is out. If anyone knows where we can get some, please let me know!

I'm curious about this.  It's terrible that hand sanitizer has run out in so many areas.  Have you tried bleach water as a substitute for cleaning your face shields....1/3 c bleach/gallon water.  Also, what's the word on everclear? I think it's about 92% ethanol, so has anyone mixed that with Aloe Vera gel @2:1 by volume?  I haven't seen it done....just curious.  Maybe there's been a run on that, I don't know.
As far as the best possible way to eliminate or kill virus from your hands, I realize it's a little inconvenient, but hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is actually better than hand sanitizer.  

We've tried our bleach wipes but they cloud the shields. I was wondering about everclear as well. I guess it depends on what we are able to find? Our shields are too big to put in our uv box they gave us. 

Well, you could wipe it with bleach, wait 10 seconds, and clean it with any ordinary glass cleaner.  Pain in the ass, but it would work.

Good idea! Until we are out of bleach haha

The first order should arrive Monday so the shipper says but not holding my breath.  But should be soon.

In about a week and a half the big order should arrive.  Let me know if you need masks.  You can text me 801-310-6455

I wonder if you could find some of those eye glass wipes, they are alcohol.

I ended up finding an assortment of bottles and small wipes from people in my town. When I looked online, those were even sold out. I even looked at all the farm supply stores. It's crazy.