Davidson Deac II

A lab designed virus, ala Tom Clancy's rainbow six novel, would be far more lethal.

IMO, the president and governors should come out and say bluntly that in two weeks, they will reassess the situation. Make no promises one way or the other, but tell people that they will decide to extend based on the situation then. Of course, people would read into that what they wanted to hear instead of what was actually said, but stupidity can't be helped.

Assuming that means what I think it means, so sorry to hear it.

I worked for Wachovia. Maybe its different for various departments, but we were never on a 2% limit.

From what I read, both of the big Charlotte banks are giving bonuses to employees who make below a certain amount of money. Even though they aren't laying anyone off. That is a pretty decent thing to do.

Depends on what type of equipment you are talking about. Hanes expects to be able to produce 500,000 surgical masks a week in a couple of weeks. But ventilators like GM and Ford are going to try and make, well that will be more difficult. I saw that Musk got 1200 ventilators from china, haven't seen anything about him setting up shop to build them, but maybe he did.

I can't imagine how hard it will be to switch from making autoparts to medical equipment. I think this will be far more difficult than we realize, but hopefully the process goes quickly.

Just found out that my wife may have been exposed to it. Just found out some idiot that my wife works with came to work today despite already knowing that her husband was on his way to be tested for it. Hard to imagine that someone would be that stupid.

Actually, the original program started under Reagan. All that was done under Bush was to add wireless phones to the program. https://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/01/19/the-lifeline-program-through-the-years-from-origins-to-the-present/

Thanks for that. We talked about doing the same, but the restroom thing might be an impediment.

I have some marble chips to spread around a flower bed. And a fire pit to build in the back. Not really looking forward to either of those. Can't use the "we are going out" excuse any more either.

Just to change the tone a bit, what is everyone doing since we can't go out? My wife, son and I rented terminator dark future friday. It wasn't as bad as I heard. On saturday, I did some yard work. Then we got out took a long walk, grilled some chicken, and then she watched a movie on The Filipino Channel, while I watched the old movie Battle of Britain. Today it was another walk, and reading a book that I bought (and planned to read at the beach this week), Countdown to DDay, which gives the german perspective of the buildup to the Normandy invasion

It took a little while for production of those things to get started and ramp up. Ford had some factories making war materials, but it took 6 months to really ramp up after pearl harbor. Some factories are already switching to medical equipment, but it won't happen overnight. https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/hanesbrands-producing-face-masks/83-d0d46c7b-31e8-4903-914a-c8d991cafd55

Man, if they have to quarantine all of congress, that would be catastrophic. I mean what would we do if they couldn't put on a show for the news cameras? j/k, I do hope Senator Rand is ok. But it would be funny if we had to quarantine all of congress, and force them to all stay together for a couple of weeks. Might actually get some things passed.

But his basic point is correct. There aren't near enough military personnel in the US to enact and enforce martial law across the entire country. They could set up checkpoints, but that would just be controlling movement, not enacting martial law.

In fairness, its much much much easier for Singapore and South Korea to be ready. They are much smaller, with stricter governments in place. Singapore is an island, and South Korea has only one land border that is shut off. And they don't have to deal with 50 states/governors. That being said, I agree our government should have done more at both the federal and state level.

I wonder if they actually tried, or they just ask about the possibility of doing it. I have no problem with them asking about the procedure for doing so, or the possibility of it passing. Actually doing it though, well it is way to early for that. Fwiw, Trump might try to do it anyway. Lincoln did it without asking for Congressional approval during the Civil War, although the courts eventually ruled that he didn't have the authority.

Most of the non violent offenders who are in jail awaiting trial will probably be released until the trial situation is resolved. This is done to keep them from being in large crowds and to slow the growth of the virus. And probably because if they get it in jail, the state or county will have to cover the cost of treatment. Its already starting to happen. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article241343476.html

Its interesting that North Carolina has the highest number of cases for any state that has not actually experienced a death. Hopefully, that says something positive about the states handling of the issue so far. Although its probably a large amount of luck.

Will Matt Dillon or Wyatt Earp be in charge?

In my opinion, Martial Law would only be used as a last resort, and only in a handful of areas if the population refuses to follow the rules. For example, if the spring break college kids in florida had refused to go home. Otherwise, they will leave enforcing the rules up to local law enforcement.

Martial Law is direct military control of government functions. There is a difference between that and using the national guard to keep the peace or to assist in a disaster. I believe the last time it was used in the US was when the governor of Alabama felt the local government of a county was corrupt, so he stood them down, and allowed the National Guard to take over control of police operations.

Ten years in the military taught me one thing. The grapevine is rarely correct. Not saying a lockdown won't happen, or that they are not discussing it. But there is no reason to do it as a surprise, or not announce it once the decision is made. Also, enforcing a true statewide lockdown will be nearly impossible. Would have to call up a large segment of the National Guard (ie first responders). Not sure they want to pull cops, hospital workers, fire fighters etc... to enforce a full lockdown.

Because many of the places were blood drives occur are being shut down, we could be facing a severe shortage of blood over the next few months. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/21/us-blood-donations-shortage-coronavirus I may go donate soon. Nothing else to do on the weekends now.

I agree with you. I just hope this thing burns itself out in a month or so, or the damage to the economy could end up being devastating.