Apocalyptic Virus Or Not? - Page 61

SynchroDub · 17th March 2020, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soon2BFit

Wait a minute,you're supposed to stick that thing up your ass? Like a douche?

It is a douche.
Just like an enema.
It cleans better than just plain TP. And it doesn't cost a lot, as well.
Compared to buying a 1-month stock of TP, it is definitely a much more cheaper option.
In these situations, one should be prepared and organized for anything.

Pad · 17th March 2020, 01:22

So I tipped up to Tesco about 5.00 pm on Sunday. The place had been cleaned out even though it's pretty big branch. Zero vegetables, zero meat, a few cartons of milk so I snaffled a couple. All that was left was the crap that couldn't sustain you.

So I got up early and went back to Tesco at 6.30 am and was first person in line before opening Monday morning. When the shutters went up at 7.00 am there was a big queue behind me. Ran in and got what I needed (had to resist the temptation to fill a trolly with a months worth of stuff) and hightailed it asap. I'm sure the place was probably bare by 11.00 am.

Later I went around to my Doctor's surgery to pick up a repeat prescription. Rang the bell and a minute later the door cracked open about 2 inches, a beady eye appeared in the crack along with a loud instruction - "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!!!". It was one of the Doctors assistants, and she sounded a bit terrified. Have to say that kind of freaked me out. It used to be a "walk in" surgery, but now they have changed to strictly by appointment. I'd phoned in my request for my repeat scrip last week, so she went off to get it. Five minutes later the scrip was passed through an even smaller crack in the door and the assistant reluctantly took my cheque.

At this point you've all probably had similar experiences. Just thought I'd record my run-in with Dystopia.

xiandaniel · 17th March 2020, 01:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyeahok

Possibly one of the best articles I've seen so far on this subject in the Washington Post by Tom Bossert:

Code:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/09/its-now-or-never-us-if-it-hopes-keep-coronavirus-burning-out-control/

He's comparing what the US administration is doing to what others are doing around the globe.

"Simply put, as evidence of human-to-human transmission becomes clear in a community, officials must pull the trigger on aggressive interventions. Time matters. Two weeks of delay can mean the difference between success and failure. Public health experts learned this in 1918 when the Spanish flu killed 50 million to 100 million people around the globe. If we fail to take action, we will watch our health-care system be overwhelmed."

"Consider the actions taken in Italy. On Feb. 20, Italy reported three instances of infection and no known deaths. On Feb. 21, Italy had 20 cases and its first attributed death. Officials implemented interventions, including school closures, the following day and instituted a cordon sanitaire affecting 50,000 people. That’s aggressive, but it was too late. On Feb. 22, Italy reported 63 cases and a second death. A little more than a week later, there were 2,036 cases, with 140 patients in serious condition and 52 deaths. Today, the numbers continue to climb, with more than 9,100 cases and 460 dead, and on Monday the government expanded travel restrictions to the entire country.

By contrast, Hong Kong and Singapore acted immediately and are still holding the line, literally. Through isolation, quarantines, contact tracing, canceled gatherings and widespread surveillance, they have achieved linear growth of the virus, meaning a reproduction number close to one. What they are doing is working."

Can the US do what Hong Kong is doing? No, our leaders won't do what needs to be done. They're far more worried about money than us. Good luck.

Well, Singapore and Hong Kong are small citiy-states on little islands and a peninsula. Comparing the situation with a 300000 km² country is unfair.

************************************************************

Old nightmares are making a comeback:

You Tube

What Italian over 40 yo doesn't remember this famous campaign against the spreading of AIDS?

alexora · 17th March 2020, 05:08

Meanwhile, in the USA, people are queueing around the block to buy guns and ammo:

US sales of guns and ammunition soar
amid coronavirus panic buying

Long lines and ‘massive rush’ reported at gun stores across America

Sales of guns and ammunition are soaring across the US as fears of possible social unrest amid the coronavirus crisis are prompting some Americans to turn to firearms as a form of self-protection.

On the west coast, long lines of customers were queueing up outside gun stores to stock up on deadly materials. At the Martin B Retting gun shop in Culver City, California, the queues stretched round the block throughout the weekend.

One customer told the LA Times: “Politicians and anti-gun people have been telling us for the longest time that we don’t need guns. But right now, a lot of people are truly scared, and they can make that decision themselves.”

Larry Hyatt, owner of one of the country’s largest gun shops, Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, North Carolina, told the Guardian that the scenes of mass buying at his store were virtually unprecedented. “This is only the second time in my 61 years of business that we’ve seen anything like this,” he said, adding that the first occasion was the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut in 2012.

“We are experiencing a massive rush to buy guns and ammunition as people feel the need to protect themselves and their families.”

Hyatt said that the type of guns being bought was reflective of the fear prevalent among customers. There was almost no interest in hunting rifles. Instead, people were opting for target guns and there was big demand for AR-15 semi-automatic assault-style rifles.

Asked why he thought the spike was happening, Hyatt replied: “Financial meltdown, pandemic, crime, politics … you throw it all into the pot, and you have one hell of a mess.”

A major online dealer of ammunition, Ammo.com, has put out figures for sales from 23 February to 4 March that give an indication of the scale of the surge. In that 11-day period sales increased 68% compared to the 11 days up to 23 February.
Guns and lies in America: sign up for email updates
Read more

Sales were especially pronounced in North Carolina and Georgia, which experienced a leap of 179% and 169% respectively. Other states with large increases included Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York.

In a statement, Ammo.com’s marketing manager, Alex Horsman, said: “We know certain things impact ammo sales, mostly political events or economic instability when people feel their rights may end up infringed. This is our first experience with a virus leading to such a boost in sales.”

Apart from general anxiety surrounding coronavirus, some gun sale spikes appeared to have specific causes. The Trace reported that in Washington state and California, locations of early outbreaks of the virus, gun sales increased acutely propelled by Asian Americans fearful that they could face xenophobic and racist violence against their families given that the original source of coronavirus was China.

“People are panicking because they don’t feel secure. They worry about a riot or maybe that people will start to target the Chinese,” David Liu, a Chinese-American gun dealer outside Los Angeles, told the Trace.

Amid the rush to stockpile lethal weapons, there were concerns for the safety of children. A sudden increase in guns and rifles in domestic homes could put children at risk through lack of safe storage.

Firearms are already the second most prevalent killer of children in the US after car crashes. In the 14- to 17-year-old bracket, gun injuries are the highest single cause of death, according to research from the University of Michigan school of public health.

Source:

Code:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/us-sales-guns-ammunition-soar-amid-coronavirus-panic-buying

Reclaimedepb · 17th March 2020, 05:31

Perhaps the past possible pandemics fizzled to nothing because of the quick and ongoing spread of information from health organizations to the public through the various media. Is it sensationalized? Of course, but the information they pass along is vital and the vast majority of the time factually correct. If they have an overcasting flaw it is to try to be the first with a story, which leads to conjecture and speculation rather than hard verified facts being spread. They (the media), and I hate using such a blanket term for such a vast industry, are only catering to when consumers demand. Few people want to wait an hour, much less a day, to have reporters deliver well researched stories.
On the other hand you have those folks who prefer a contrarian outlook, and will stick to a jaded and/or suspicious view on anything the mainstream news is putting forth. Most times that is a healthy approach, but in instances where there are human lives on the line, it becomes downright dangerous. This may cause minor symptoms in most, but it is killing people. It is going to kill many more people. However, due to some major changes to our behaviors worldwide we will hopefullysee many fewer than we would if we followed the more self-centered naysayers. We will also hopefully see many fewer deaths from other causes, as our healthcare system won't be as flooded. That last bit is what is most important when it comes to the whole "flattening the curve" concept. If we let it go our systems will be overrun and the consequences of that would be tragic. As I have heard it said, only when it seems we have done too much can we hope we have done enough.

deep breath

That being said, here in Wisconsin we are much like most of the states. Schools closed, with virtual learning to start this week. The stores are completely out of TP, most other paper products, hand sanitizer, most hand soaps, most cleaning solutions that kill microbes... The dry beans, rice, and pasta areas were pretty empty, as were frozen vegetables. Bread was scarce. I heard a food supply expert say that these things will all be restocked, but the mentality is now set, and without hard limits the hoarding/sellout cycle will just keep going.
Things are already a bit anxious out there, and most Americans get freaked by rationing. Hopefully leadership on all levels, as well as common sense and decency, will win out. I have my doubts.
I work in education, so my schedule is blown for a while. I will be able to avoid cabin fever a bit by helping pack and deliver food and technology packages to families in the district who may need it. The kids are socializing with their friends through various apps and video games. My wife already had transitioned to working at home so she sees no change.
I feel as if I'm in the first part of a Stephen King book at times, minus the piles of corpses being bulldozed into the water... Since last Friday I have only ventured out once a day to hunt for supplies. I was laughing at TP hoarders until I was sitting with my last square in hand and the job wasn't done. Luckily I found a place that had napkins still in stock so I loaded up on those as well as baby wipes. I am not at a point where I am all that worried, but I have a family that goes through the basics quickly, and there are definitely some things we will be doing without. But that's what you do as a society to keep other members safe and healthy.

Rubbing alcohol is also getting scarce, but if you mix three parts alcohol (NOT the drinking variety) to one part aloe, you have some nice hand sanitizer. That's why aloe is also out most places.

So take care out there, and wash your hands.

Lando Griffin · 17th March 2020, 05:37

Isn't it sad that grown ass people have to be reminded to wash their hands? You're supposed to learn that as a child. Then again, if they hadn't reminded people, then maybe we could actually find some hand sanitizer.

Lando Griffin · 17th March 2020, 05:44

Do you guys think it will get bad enough for martial law to be declared? To be honest, I'm surprised Italy hasn't already done so.

Reclaimedepb · 17th March 2020, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lando Griffin

Do you guys think it will get bad enough for martial law to be declared? To be honest, I'm surprised Italy hasn't already done so.

If people comply there is no need, as it would only add to the anxiety, bringing it to a possible breaking point. As far as the States, I would love to say no, thinking that these strongly worded guidelines will find receptive ears eager to tamp down the spread of a contagion that is proving to be a very efficient killer of certain demographics as well as uniquely contagious.

If we see people unable to restrict themselves rationally and willingly, who knows. This has changed our lives on a scale not seen since 9/11, and this will probably surpass that in scale really quickly. I think it is fair to say we have had a paradigm shift. Ways of thinking that made sense a week ago are up in the air now.

LongTimeLu · 17th March 2020, 07:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lando Griffin

Do you guys think it will get bad enough for martial law to be declared? To be honest, I'm surprised Italy hasn't already done so.

Hahaha! Martial Law for the 'flu?

You don't think our leaders are that desperate to cling onto power?

JustKelli · 17th March 2020, 09:46

This might not make sense to some (self included) but gamers are a special breed. Maybe you can make a difference here. This is not just an obscure article, it went viral a few days ago including Forbes and every "geek" website known to humankind...

Nvidia's calling on gaming PC owners to put their systems to work fighting COVID-19

By Connor Sheridan 4 days ago

Folding@home has new projects for the study of coronavirus

If you have a gaming PC, you can lend your graphical power to fighting the COVID-19 outbreak. That's not a thing I ever thought I'd write, but it turns out 2020 is occasionally weird in good ways too.

Nvidia is putting out a call to PC gamers everywhere to download the Folding@home application and start putting their spare clock cycles toward advancing humanity's scientific knowledge of coronavirus. The program links computers into an international network that uses distributed processing power to chew through massive computing tasks - something that gaming-grade GPUs are quite good at, as it turns out. You can still turn the application off and reclaim your GPU's full power for playing games whenever you want.

Folding@home has been around for years - it was also available on PS3 back in the day - with users lending their distributed power to all kinds of research. A new wave of projects "simulating potentially druggable protein targets from SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and the related SARS-CoV virus (for which more structural data is available)" were made available on the service earlier this week.

These projects could help researchers better understand coronavirus, and eventually even develop effective therapies against it. If you've been grappling with feelings of helplessness in the face of the worldwide outbreak, this is a small but real way you can lend your aid to the world without any medical experience. It also doesn't hurt that you don't need to leave your house to do it, since we're supposed to avoid that as much as possible anyway.

17th March 2020, 01:22	#602
Pad Fan of Cairy Hunt Postaholic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alice's Restaurant Posts: 5,154 Thanks: 19,822 Thanked 22,976 Times in 4,189 Posts	So I tipped up to Tesco about 5.00 pm on Sunday. The place had been cleaned out even though it's pretty big branch. Zero vegetables, zero meat, a few cartons of milk so I snaffled a couple. All that was left was the crap that couldn't sustain you. So I got up early and went back to Tesco at 6.30 am and was first person in line before opening Monday morning. When the shutters went up at 7.00 am there was a big queue behind me. Ran in and got what I needed (had to resist the temptation to fill a trolly with a months worth of stuff) and hightailed it asap. I'm sure the place was probably bare by 11.00 am. Later I went around to my Doctor's surgery to pick up a repeat prescription. Rang the bell and a minute later the door cracked open about 2 inches, a beady eye appeared in the crack along with a loud instruction - "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!!!". It was one of the Doctors assistants, and she sounded a bit terrified. Have to say that kind of freaked me out. It used to be a "walk in" surgery, but now they have changed to strictly by appointment. I'd phoned in my request for my repeat scrip last week, so she went off to get it. Five minutes later the scrip was passed through an even smaller crack in the door and the assistant reluctantly took my cheque. At this point you've all probably had similar experiences. Just thought I'd record my run-in with Dystopia. Last edited by Pad; 17th March 2020 at 05:08.

17th March 2020, 05:08	#604
alexora Walking on the Moon Beyond Redemption Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 30,972 Thanks: 163,452 Thanked 152,908 Times in 28,697 Posts	Meanwhile, in the USA, people are queueing around the block to buy guns and ammo: US sales of guns and ammunition soar amid coronavirus panic buying Long lines and ‘massive rush’ reported at gun stores across America Sales of guns and ammunition are soaring across the US as fears of possible social unrest amid the coronavirus crisis are prompting some Americans to turn to firearms as a form of self-protection. On the west coast, long lines of customers were queueing up outside gun stores to stock up on deadly materials. At the Martin B Retting gun shop in Culver City, California, the queues stretched round the block throughout the weekend. One customer told the LA Times: “Politicians and anti-gun people have been telling us for the longest time that we don’t need guns. But right now, a lot of people are truly scared, and they can make that decision themselves.” Larry Hyatt, owner of one of the country’s largest gun shops, Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, North Carolina, told the Guardian that the scenes of mass buying at his store were virtually unprecedented. “This is only the second time in my 61 years of business that we’ve seen anything like this,” he said, adding that the first occasion was the aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut in 2012. “We are experiencing a massive rush to buy guns and ammunition as people feel the need to protect themselves and their families.” Hyatt said that the type of guns being bought was reflective of the fear prevalent among customers. There was almost no interest in hunting rifles. Instead, people were opting for target guns and there was big demand for AR-15 semi-automatic assault-style rifles. Asked why he thought the spike was happening, Hyatt replied: “Financial meltdown, pandemic, crime, politics … you throw it all into the pot, and you have one hell of a mess.” A major online dealer of ammunition, Ammo.com, has put out figures for sales from 23 February to 4 March that give an indication of the scale of the surge. In that 11-day period sales increased 68% compared to the 11 days up to 23 February. Guns and lies in America: sign up for email updates Read more Sales were especially pronounced in North Carolina and Georgia, which experienced a leap of 179% and 169% respectively. Other states with large increases included Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Illinois and New York. In a statement, Ammo.com’s marketing manager, Alex Horsman, said: “We know certain things impact ammo sales, mostly political events or economic instability when people feel their rights may end up infringed. This is our first experience with a virus leading to such a boost in sales.” Apart from general anxiety surrounding coronavirus, some gun sale spikes appeared to have specific causes. The Trace reported that in Washington state and California, locations of early outbreaks of the virus, gun sales increased acutely propelled by Asian Americans fearful that they could face xenophobic and racist violence against their families given that the original source of coronavirus was China. “People are panicking because they don’t feel secure. They worry about a riot or maybe that people will start to target the Chinese,” David Liu, a Chinese-American gun dealer outside Los Angeles, told the Trace. Amid the rush to stockpile lethal weapons, there were concerns for the safety of children. A sudden increase in guns and rifles in domestic homes could put children at risk through lack of safe storage. Firearms are already the second most prevalent killer of children in the US after car crashes. In the 14- to 17-year-old bracket, gun injuries are the highest single cause of death, according to research from the University of Michigan school of public health. Source: Code: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/us-sales-guns-ammunition-soar-amid-coronavirus-panic-buying __________________ SOME OF MY CONTENT POSTS ARE DOWN: FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND I'LL RE-UPLOAD THEM

17th March 2020, 05:37	#606
Lando Griffin Wise enough to win the world, but fool enough to lose it Forum Lord Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 1,593 Thanks: 13,696 Thanked 7,389 Times in 1,518 Posts	Isn't it sad that grown ass people have to be reminded to wash their hands? You're supposed to learn that as a child. Then again, if they hadn't reminded people, then maybe we could actually find some hand sanitizer. __________________ Last edited by Lando Griffin; 17th March 2020 at 05:43.

17th March 2020, 05:44	#607
Lando Griffin Wise enough to win the world, but fool enough to lose it Forum Lord Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 1,593 Thanks: 13,696 Thanked 7,389 Times in 1,518 Posts	Do you guys think it will get bad enough for martial law to be declared? To be honest, I'm surprised Italy hasn't already done so. __________________

17th March 2020, 05:31	#605
Reclaimedepb I Got Banned Clinically Insane Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 4,546 Thanks: 41,771 Thanked 11,759 Times in 3,850 Posts	Perhaps the past possible pandemics fizzled to nothing because of the quick and ongoing spread of information from health organizations to the public through the various media. Is it sensationalized? Of course, but the information they pass along is vital and the vast majority of the time factually correct. If they have an overcasting flaw it is to try to be the first with a story, which leads to conjecture and speculation rather than hard verified facts being spread. They (the media), and I hate using such a blanket term for such a vast industry, are only catering to when consumers demand. Few people want to wait an hour, much less a day, to have reporters deliver well researched stories. On the other hand you have those folks who prefer a contrarian outlook, and will stick to a jaded and/or suspicious view on anything the mainstream news is putting forth. Most times that is a healthy approach, but in instances where there are human lives on the line, it becomes downright dangerous. This may cause minor symptoms in most, but it is killing people. It is going to kill many more people. However, due to some major changes to our behaviors worldwide we will hopefullysee many fewer than we would if we followed the more self-centered naysayers. We will also hopefully see many fewer deaths from other causes, as our healthcare system won't be as flooded. That last bit is what is most important when it comes to the whole "flattening the curve" concept. If we let it go our systems will be overrun and the consequences of that would be tragic. As I have heard it said, only when it seems we have done too much can we hope we have done enough. deep breath That being said, here in Wisconsin we are much like most of the states. Schools closed, with virtual learning to start this week. The stores are completely out of TP, most other paper products, hand sanitizer, most hand soaps, most cleaning solutions that kill microbes... The dry beans, rice, and pasta areas were pretty empty, as were frozen vegetables. Bread was scarce. I heard a food supply expert say that these things will all be restocked, but the mentality is now set, and without hard limits the hoarding/sellout cycle will just keep going. Things are already a bit anxious out there, and most Americans get freaked by rationing. Hopefully leadership on all levels, as well as common sense and decency, will win out. I have my doubts. I work in education, so my schedule is blown for a while. I will be able to avoid cabin fever a bit by helping pack and deliver food and technology packages to families in the district who may need it. The kids are socializing with their friends through various apps and video games. My wife already had transitioned to working at home so she sees no change. I feel as if I'm in the first part of a Stephen King book at times, minus the piles of corpses being bulldozed into the water... Since last Friday I have only ventured out once a day to hunt for supplies. I was laughing at TP hoarders until I was sitting with my last square in hand and the job wasn't done. Luckily I found a place that had napkins still in stock so I loaded up on those as well as baby wipes. I am not at a point where I am all that worried, but I have a family that goes through the basics quickly, and there are definitely some things we will be doing without. But that's what you do as a society to keep other members safe and healthy. Rubbing alcohol is also getting scarce, but if you mix three parts alcohol (NOT the drinking variety) to one part aloe, you have some nice hand sanitizer. That's why aloe is also out most places. So take care out there, and wash your hands.

17th March 2020, 09:46	#610
JustKelli I Got Banned Clinically Insane Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: North of the 49th parallel Posts: 4,645 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 19,069 Times in 4,685 Posts	This might not make sense to some (self included) but gamers are a special breed. Maybe you can make a difference here. This is not just an obscure article, it went viral a few days ago including Forbes and every "geek" website known to humankind... Nvidia's calling on gaming PC owners to put their systems to work fighting COVID-19 By Connor Sheridan 4 days ago Folding@home has new projects for the study of coronavirus If you have a gaming PC, you can lend your graphical power to fighting the COVID-19 outbreak. That's not a thing I ever thought I'd write, but it turns out 2020 is occasionally weird in good ways too. Nvidia is putting out a call to PC gamers everywhere to download the Folding@home application and start putting their spare clock cycles toward advancing humanity's scientific knowledge of coronavirus. The program links computers into an international network that uses distributed processing power to chew through massive computing tasks - something that gaming-grade GPUs are quite good at, as it turns out. You can still turn the application off and reclaim your GPU's full power for playing games whenever you want. Folding@home has been around for years - it was also available on PS3 back in the day - with users lending their distributed power to all kinds of research. A new wave of projects "simulating potentially druggable protein targets from SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and the related SARS-CoV virus (for which more structural data is available)" were made available on the service earlier this week. These projects could help researchers better understand coronavirus, and eventually even develop effective therapies against it. If you've been grappling with feelings of helplessness in the face of the worldwide outbreak, this is a small but real way you can lend your aid to the world without any medical experience. It also doesn't hurt that you don't need to leave your house to do it, since we're supposed to avoid that as much as possible anyway.

zproxy.org