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