Coronavirus

[BmorePat87]

If you were expecting a paper stimulus check, you gotta wait a few extra days. They're delayed since Trump ordered his name printed on all of the checks.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/coming-to-your-1200-relief-check-donald-j-trumps-name/2020/04/14/071016c2-7e82-11ea-8013-1b6da0e4a2b7_story.html?fbclid=IwAR3iKsGrT2OXSEn_B_aa3G2TMBIHzKITjKQ2KdcQdGlvZT_RlUOo-XSF5t4

Dude needs to manufacture a "W" after taking so many "L's"


Oh... and we're cutting off funding to the WHO because they blew it... but he didn't.

[Vas Deferens]

How do you spell daddy all whacked out on amphetamines?

[*Nately120*]

Side note, I popped by an XFL forum to see how fans of that sport are handling the collapse of the league and more than a few of them are blaming those commies in China and cowardly governors for sabotaging the XFL.

[GMDino]

(04-14-2020, 10:12 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: If you were expecting a paper stimulus check, you gotta wait a few extra days. They're delayed since Trump ordered his name printed on all of the checks.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/coming-to-your-1200-relief-check-donald-j-trumps-name/2020/04/14/071016c2-7e82-11ea-8013-1b6da0e4a2b7_story.html?fbclid=IwAR3iKsGrT2OXSEn_B_aa3G2TMBIHzKITjKQ2KdcQdGlvZT_RlUOo-XSF5t4

Dude needs to manufacture a "W" after taking so many "L's"


Oh... and we're cutting off funding to the WHO because they blew it... but he didn't.

All all the medical students on line are now specialists in international affairs and saying it's "about time" we "did something" about the WHO.

I did not realize there were that many stupid people in the world.  I was wrong.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

A Tale of Two Trumps . . .


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-halt-to-us-funding-for-world-health-organization-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ar-BB12D4Vp?ocid=ientp

Quote:The U.S. will suspend funding to the World Health Organization while it reviews the agency’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, saying the international health agency made mistakes that “caused so much death” as the coronavirus spread across the globe.


“Today I’m instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,” Trump said at a White House press conference.

Trump criticized the international agency’s response to the outbreak, saying “one of the most dangerous and costly decisions from the WHO was its disastrous decision to oppose travel restrictions from China and other nations” that Trump imposed early on in the outbreak.

“Fortunately, I was not convinced and suspended travel from China saving untold numbers of lives,” he said.

It’s unclear exactly what mechanism Trump intends to use to withhold WHO funding, much of which is appropriated by Congress. The president typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding.

One option might be for Trump to use powers granted to the president under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Under this statute, the president may propose to withhold congressional funds, but it requires congressional approval within 45 days. Absent this approval, the funds must be returned to their original, congressionally mandated purpose after 45 days.


When asked by reporters why the administration is choosing now to withhold funds, Trump said the U.S. has had problems with WHO “for years” and the nation should have done this “a long time ago.”

He said the administration will conduct a “thorough” investigation that should last 60 to 90 days.

“It’s not money, but it’s not right. So we’ll see,” he said. “This is an evaluation period, but in the meantime, we’re putting a hold on all funds going to World Health. We’ll be able to take that money and channel it to the areas that most need it.”

WHO didn’t immediately return CNBC’s request for comment.


The coronavirus, which emerged in Wuhan, China over three months ago, has infected more than 1.9 million people worldwide and killed at least 125,678 as of Tuesday night, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Trump had first threatened last week to withhold funds from WHO, saying it pushed back on his travel ban from China early in the Covid-19 outbreak. He claimed Tuesday that WHO “pushed China’s misinformation about the virus, saying it wasn’t communicable and there was no need for travel bans.”

“The WHO willingly took China’s assurances at face value, and they willingly took it at face value and defended the actions of the Chinese government even while praising China for its so-called transparency,” he said. “I don’t think so.”

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/25/politics/trump-coronavirus-china/index.html

Quote:President Donald Trump has in recent days criticized how China handled the coronavirus outbreak, saying Thursday that the "world is paying a very big price for what they did."


But as the virus spread rapidly across China in the month of February, Trump repeatedly praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's response to the crisis, saying he's handled it "really well" and that he was doing "a very good job with a very, very tough situation."

A CNN KFile review of Trump's public statements identified at least 12 occasions in which the President praised or projected confidence about China's response to coronavirus.

This shift in tone from Trump represents a broader change in the President's view of China, as he attempts to deflect responsibility for the ongoing global pandemic to Beijing's initial handling of the crisis. It also shows how the President sought to downplay the threat of the virus in the weeks before the uptick of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US.




CNN White House correspondent Jeremy Diamond on Saturday asked Trump about his shift in attitude toward China.

"China has worked very hard," he said. "China was transparent at that time but when we saw what happened, they could have been transparent much earlier than they were."

He went on to criticize what he said was China's waiting to tell the US.

"They knew they had a problem earlier. I wish they could have said that," he said.

A spokesperson for the White House did not return a request for comment.

"China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus," Trump tweeted on January 24, "The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!"


Speaking on Fox News on January 30, Trump said China was "working very hard" to stop the coronavirus outbreak.

"And we are in great shape," he said. "China is not in great shape right now, unfortunately. But they're working very hard. We'll see what happens. But we're working very closely with China and other countries."

In a series of tweets on February 7, Trump again praised the Chinese President's handling of the crisis.


"Just had a long and very good conversation by phone with President Xi of China. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus. He feels they are doing very well, even building hospitals in a matter of only days. Nothing is easy, but he will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone. Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!"

That same day in a press conference, Trump said he spoke to Xi, who said the country was handling it "really well."

"I just spoke to President Xi last night, and, you know, we're working on the -- the problem, the virus. It's a -- it's a very tough situation. But I think he's going to handle it. I think he's handled it really well. We're helping wherever we can."

Three days later, on February 10, Trump again praised China on Fox Business saying they had the outbreak under control.

"I think China is very, you know, professionally run in the sense that they have everything under control," Trump said. "I really believe they are going to have it under control fairly soon. You know in April, supposedly, it dies with the hotter weather. And that's a beautiful date to look forward to. But China I can tell you is working very hard."

On February 13, Trump was asked by Fox News' Geraldo Rivera if he thought China was being truthful about coronavirus. The President called China "extremely capable" and professional in handling the outbreak.


"Well, you never know. I think they want to put the best face on it. So you know, I mean, if somebody -- if you were running it, you'd probably -- you wouldn't want to run out to the world and go crazy and start saying whatever it is because you don't want to create a panic," he said. "But, no, I think they've handled it professionally and I think they're extremely capable and I think President Xi is extremely capable and I hope that it's going to be resolved."

The next day, while speaking to National Border Patrol Council members, Trump said China was "working very hard on this."

"It's a tremendous problem," he added. "But they're very capable and they'll -- they'll get to it."

Speaking to the press on February 18, the President praised the Chinese government again.

"I think President Xi is working very hard," Trump said. "As you know, I spoke with him recently. He's working really hard. It's a tough problem. I think he's going to do -- look, I've seen them build hospitals in a short period of time. I really believe he wants to get that done, and he wants to get it done fast. Yes, I think he's doing it very professionally."

Asked if he trusted the data from China, the President declined to answer the question, instead, again, praising the Chinese President.

"Look, I know this: President Xi loves the people of China, he loves his country, and he's doing a very good job with a very, very tough situation," he said.

Speaking to reporters on February 23 on the White House South Lawn, Trump was asked if Xi should be doing anything differently in his handling of the crisis.


"No, I think President Xi is working very, very hard. I spoke to him. He's working very hard. I think he's doing a very good job. It's a big problem. But President Xi loves his country. He's working very hard to solve the problem and he will solve the problem. OK?"


In news conferences on February 25 and 26,Trump again praised China for "working very hard" to fight coronavirus. On February 29, he praised measures put in place by China and said similar measures could be put in place in the US to prevent spread.

"We've been in very close contact with China, including myself with President Xi. He very much wanted this to happen," said Trump. "He wanted this to get out and finished and be done. He worked -- he's been working very, very hard, I can tell you that. And they're making a lot of progress in China."

Trump is to Xi as Sarah Huckabee is to Trump.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-halt-to-us-funding-for-world-health-organization-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ar-BB12D4Vp?ocid=ientp

Quote:Trump criticized the international agency’s response to the outbreak, saying “one of the most dangerous and costly decisions from the WHO was its disastrous decision to oppose travel restrictions from China and other nations” that Trump imposed early on in the outbreak.

“Fortunately, I was not convinced and suspended travel from China saving untold numbers of lives,” he said.

So let's take a look at this.

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)

The WHO declared a public health emergency on 1/30/2020 and offered mitigation advice.  The US Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency on 1/31/2020 following the WHO's lead and Trump announced his travel restrictions for travelers from China the same day to take effect on 2/2/2020.

This is what the WHO says about travel restrictions . . .

https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/updated-who-recommendations-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-covid-19-outbreak

Quote:WHO continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.


In general, evidence shows that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations and may divert resources from other interventions. Furthermore, restrictions may interrupt needed aid and technical support, may disrupt businesses, and may have negative social and economic effects on the affected countries. However, in certain circumstances, measures that restrict the movement of people may prove temporarily useful, such as in settings with few international connections and limited response capacities.

Travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic may only be justified at the beginning of an outbreak, as they may allow countries to gain time, even if only a few days, to rapidly implement effective preparedness measures. Such restrictions must be based on a careful risk assessment, be proportionate to the public health risk, be short in duration, and be reconsidered regularly as the situation evolves.

Travel bans to affected areas or denial of entry to passengers coming from affected areas are usually not effective in preventing the importation of cases but may have a significant economic and social impact. Since WHO declaration of a public health emergency of international concern in relation to COVID-19, and as of 27 February, 38 countries have reported to WHO additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic in relation to travel to and from China or other countries, ranging from denial of entry of passengers, visa restrictions or quarantine for returning travellers. Several countries that denied entry of travellers or who have suspended the flights to and from China or other affected countries, are now reporting cases of COVID-19.

Temperature screening alone, at exit or entry, is not an effective way to stop international spread, since infected individuals may be in incubation period, may not express apparent symptoms early on in the course of the disease, or may dissimulate fever through the use of antipyretics; in addition, such measures require substantial investments for what may bear little benefits. It is more effective to provide prevention recommendation messages to travellers and to collect health declarations at arrival, with travellers’ contact details, to allow for a proper risk assessment and a possible contact tracing of incoming travellers.

The fact the US has the most cases of Covid-19 and the most deaths from Covid-19 in the world just bears out the WHO was right.  Or, what they said would happen, happened.

Now, this is the advice the WHO offered when they declared a public health emergency on 1/30/2020 . . . https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)

Quote:The Committee believes that it is still possible to interrupt virus spread, provided that countries put in place strong measures to detect disease early, isolate and treat cases, trace contacts, and promote social distancing measures commensurate with the risk.

It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoVinfection, and to share full data with WHO. Technical advice is available on the WHO website.

Countries should place particular emphasis on reducing human infection, prevention of secondary transmission and international spread, and contributing to the international response though multi-sectoral communication and collaboration and active participation in increasing knowledge on the virus and the disease, as well as advancing research.  

So the strategies we finally started to implement in mid-March which are slowing the spread and flattening the curve were recommended by the WHO in January.  And we are still only half ass doing this stuff because testing is still a major problem.  If you can't test that makes surveillance, detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing, and prevention of spread much more difficult or even impossible.

But, instead we have snake oil salesman pushing unproven, miracle cures against medical advice and blaming other people for his failures.  A president with a fake tan, fake bone spurs, at least three fake charities he uses for personal gain, and a fake university calling reporters who question his response "fake."

But, really none of this matters because the people who are going to believe the snake oil salesman aren't going to believe any evidence to the contrary.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/07/trumps-claim-that-he-imposed-first-china-ban/

[Goalpost]

So i got a govt check this morning direct into my bank acct.

[GMDino]

(04-15-2020, 10:19 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-halt-to-us-funding-for-world-health-organization-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/ar-BB12D4Vp?ocid=ientp


So let's take a look at this.

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)

The WHO declared a public health emergency on 1/30/2020 and offered mitigation advice.  The US Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency on 1/31/2020 following the WHO's lead and Trump announced his travel restrictions for travelers from China the same day to take effect on 2/2/2020.

This is what the WHO says about travel restrictions . . .

https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/updated-who-recommendations-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-covid-19-outbreak


The fact the US has the most cases of Covid-19 and the most deaths from Covid-19 in the world just bears out the WHO was right.  Or, what they said would happen, happened.

Now, this is the advice the WHO offered when they declared a public health emergency on 1/30/2020 . . . https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)


So the strategies we finally started to implement in mid-March which are slowing the spread and flattening the curve were recommended by the WHO in January.  And we are still only half ass doing this stuff because testing is still a major problem.  If you can't test that makes surveillance, detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing, and prevention of spread much more difficult or even impossible.

But, instead we have snake oil salesman pushing unproven, miracle cures against medical advice and blaming other people for his failures.  A president with a fake tan, fake bone spurs, at least three fake charities he uses for personal gain, and a fake university calling reporters who question his response "fake."

But, really none of this matters because the people who are going to believe the snake oil salesman aren't going to believe any evidence to the contrary.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/07/trumps-claim-that-he-imposed-first-china-ban/

Kudos!

[Belsnickel]

(04-15-2020, 10:26 AM)Goalpost Wrote: So i got a govt check this morning direct into my bank acct.

As did I. Just keep in mind that is a credit against your 2020 taxes, meaning come this time next year you will be seeing a lower refund. I just like to make people aware of this so they aren't surprised.

[Belsnickel]

So this story is an interesting one: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/14/state-department-cables-warned-safety-issues-wuhan-lab-studying-bat-coronaviruses/

Quote:What the U.S. officials learned during their visits concerned them so much that they dispatched two diplomatic cables categorized as Sensitive But Unclassified back to Washington. The cables warned about safety and management weaknesses at the WIV lab and proposed more attention and help. The first cable, which I obtained, also warns that the lab’s work on bat coronaviruses and their potential human transmission represented a risk of a new SARS-like pandemic.

When you take it into context with this: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-cdc-exclusiv/exclusive-u-s-slashed-cdc-staff-inside-china-prior-to-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN21C3N5

Quote:WASHINGTON(Reuters) - The Trump administration cut staff by more than two-thirds at a key U.S. public health agency operating inside China, as part of a larger rollback of U.S.-funded health and science experts on the ground there leading up to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters has learned.

How could anyone not see how the ball was dropped by this administration.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(04-15-2020, 02:45 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: So this story is an interesting one: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/04/14/state-department-cables-warned-safety-issues-wuhan-lab-studying-bat-coronaviruses/


When you take it into context with this: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-cdc-exclusiv/exclusive-u-s-slashed-cdc-staff-inside-china-prior-to-coronavirus-outbreak-idUSKBN21C3N5


How could anyone not see how the ball was dropped by this administration.

In addition to cutting the CDC staff in China responsible for emerging disease surveillance, this administration replaced the National Security Council’s pandemic response office with Jared Kushner. Which is why reducing funding to the WHO further degrades our already degraded disease surveillance in places around the globe. It’s f’n stupid. All because Trump refuses to assume any responsibility while claiming absolute authority.

And I’ve also learned the National Science Foundation, the US Agency for International Development, and the USDA office in China that played a roll in disease surveillance were also cut in 2018.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nymag.com/intelligencer/amp/2020/04/trump-fired-pandemic-response-jared-kushner-coronavirus.html

Quote: There is no chance that bringing in a rich kid who happened to marry into the family to direct the federal government’s response to a catastrophic pandemic is an optimal, or even reasonable, management structure.

Ouch.

But, I’m sure he is the best rich kid. After all, he did solve the Middle East peace problem.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-reality-of-coronavirus-testing-continues-to-differ-from-trump-s-claims/ar-BB12zoe6?ocid=msn360

Testing has fallen off 30% and we're importing tests from South Korea.

If we can't test, we can't do disease surveillance.  Also, if we can't test the number of new cases decreases which artificially flattens the curve while talking about "re-opening" the country.

[Dill]

(04-15-2020, 12:39 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Side note, I popped by an XFL forum to see how fans of that sport are handling the collapse of the league and more than a few of them are blaming those commies in China and cowardly governors for sabotaging the XFL.

That makes sense.  Communists know that football is the backbone of our national character--America: the winningest nation of all time.

They think long term. If they destroy football--no matter how long it takes--they destroy American manhood.

Think of an entire future generation of potential men, real men, siphoned off into soccer and baseball. 

Its not just players either. True fans who identify with teams that win year after year their acquire a kind of indirect or reflected masculine character.


PS GO STEELERZ!!

[Dill]

(04-15-2020, 10:19 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: So the strategies we finally started to implement in mid-March which are slowing the spread and flattening the curve were recommended by the WHO in January.  And we are still only half ass doing this stuff because testing is still a major problem.  If you can't test that makes surveillance, detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing, and prevention of spread much more difficult or even impossible.

But, instead we have snake oil salesman pushing unproven, miracle cures against medical advice and blaming other people for his failures.  A president with a fake tan, fake bone spurs, at least three fake charities he uses for personal gain, and a fake university calling reporters who question his response "fake."

But, really none of this matters because the people who are going to believe the snake oil salesman aren't going to believe any evidence to the contrary.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/07/trumps-claim-that-he-imposed-first-china-ban/

Thanks for those last two posts. Really brought some good info together there.

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

(04-15-2020, 04:42 PM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-reality-of-coronavirus-testing-continues-to-differ-from-trump-s-claims/ar-BB12zoe6?ocid=msn360

Testing has fallen off 30% and we're importing tests from South Korea.

If we can't test, we can't do disease surveillance.  Also, if we can't test the number of new cases decreases which artificially flattens the curve while talking about "re-opening" the country.

Remember 3 whole hours ago when I wrote testing is down 30% which artificially flattens the curve?

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-says-white-house-to-release-guidelines-on-relaxing-social-distancing-on-thursday/ar-BB12GtbF?ocid=ientp

Quote:"The battle continues but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases," Trump said at a news conference in the White House Rose Garden.

"These encouraging developments have put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines on states for reopening the country," the president continued, adding that the White House would outline the guidelines during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Of course the data indicates that because testing is down, thus cases are down. As of today, the Georgia Department of Health has only tested 4096 people since this began.  Total.  At the hospital, they have 8 PUIs. Persons under investigation.  Which means the hospital only has 8 people sick enough to be admitted and tested.  Eight!  Yesterday the governor was talking about testing asymptomatic contacts to control the spread, but we can't even test all the sick people let alone their contacts. Asymptomatic patients are considered a "non-priority." Healthcare workers can't even get tested if exposed unless they have symptoms.  But, a sick tiger in the Bronx zoo can get tested.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

All I know is this thing has got to be defeated and allow us people to get back out there doing stuff like working and playing.

I don't care who's fault it is, just fix it and be better afterwards.

Seriously, I just bought a Shimano Nasci 4000 reel with a Shimano SLX 7 foot medium/heavy rod and its too much for my little lake out back. I need to be up on Brookville Lake in my brothers bass boat hooking into some largemouth or down on the Whitewater River in my Jon Boat pulling up Channel Cat or hitting up the Ohio River for a Blue or two. These two pound Bass in my little lake just ain't cutting it.

Hell, the weather needs to start warming up too, I'm tired of this cold weather and rain.

[NATI BENGALS]

(04-15-2020, 01:55 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: As did I. Just keep in mind that is a credit against your 2020 taxes, meaning come this time next year you will be seeing a lower refund. I just like to make people aware of this so they aren't surprised.

My local news disagrees. Surprised our federal government is doing so well getting a clear message out...

https://www.fox19.com/2020/04/15/no-you-dont-have-pay-government-back-your-stimulus-check/

"The rebates are not an advance of a refund a taxpayer would have gotten otherwise.”

[GMDino]

A friend, who I know through our son's school, recommended a I join a group on Facebook called "Pennsylvanians Against Excessive Quarantine" (enjoy that).


Anyway, I didn't join but I also didn't celine so I see the posts come through my feed.


Sweet Jebus.


There is so much misinformation and small-minded/dumb people across this state.

[BmorePat87]

(04-16-2020, 08:45 AM)GMDino Wrote: There is so much misinformation and small-minded/dumb people across this state.

They are Steelers fans  :andy:

[Belsnickel]

(04-16-2020, 01:18 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: My local news disagrees. Surprised our federal government is doing so well getting a clear message out...

https://www.fox19.com/2020/04/15/no-you-dont-have-pay-government-back-your-stimulus-check/

"The rebates are not an advance of a refund a taxpayer would have gotten otherwise.”

So, I've read the bill, now, and I have to say I made assumptions based on how these things usually work. Usually with a stimulus payment, they refund is a pre-payment of the refund you would get when you file your taxes. This is what we have seen in the past. In this scenario, though, Congress created a new credit for your 2020 taxes to be paid immediately. So I do stand corrected; it appears it will not have to be paid back. This is in Section 2201 of 116 H.R. 748, in case anyone is interested in reading it, themselves.