Trump 2020

Contrary to what is stated below,the USA is one of the worst responders to Covid-19. All scientific institutes say so, see f.i. the Johns Hopkins site,

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/animated-w\norld-map

On another page on the same site the breakdown per state shows that the virus will be soon out of control in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Arizona with the current (lack of) measures.

Totally agree MrO. It's so obvious that the strategy by Trump is solely aimed at his election prospects and with complete disregard for American lives. He has disgracefully gagged Fauci and the medical experts. It's not just his ignorance and self belief now, it's far far worse.

Could we please agree on the fact that a conversation about the orange moron does not fit in here?

I'd rather we didn't stoop to Trumps level of name calling, we're more intelligent than that and we should be able to debate in a respectful manner and listen to another side of the story. As I said before, I think part of the problem here is integrity in media in the US has largely disappeared, and has been taken over by partisan politics.

Worse still, mob rule is alive and well and backed up by ridiculous military hardware. Keep it all peaceful and you have the moral high ground. The silent majority of Americans must surely be out there and prepared to cast their votes. Do not lose democracy.

Still stumped on yesterdays hard puzzle.

start

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Done click-fest

man, Phil FTW. only one so far that seems like he's actually interested in a conversation

Hightower2232 makes a fantastic point as well (ignoring name calling)

Agreed Phil, Mr.O - What's happening here is reprehensible. I am heartened by international voices who can look at the situation here in a much more objective manner. We Americans need much more feedback from the world. A mirror needs to be held up to this country.

I live in Oro Valley, Arizona - a bedroom community northwest of Tucson. I am assuming Phil and Mr Ooijer do not live here (but if I am incorrect please forgive me). My living here does not make me an expert any more than there reading "news" reports about the virus in Arizona makes them an expert. Most of the C-19 cases are located in Phoenix and its conurbation. We are under a mandatory mask policy in Pima county where I live and my observation is that most people are following that mandate here.

*their reading (oops)

Part of the problem, KT, is that Americans are so inured to their freedoms & rights, that they can't put that aside to do the clearly reasonable thing. Mandatory means everyone. There's a excellent reason why the word "mandatory" is used. "Most people" is clearly not enough. Everyone needs to cooperate, or we're doomed. It's different here, fewer than "most" are wearing masks, it's largely people in their teens, 20's & 30's. In a city of 5 million, it's extremely difficult to maintain that minimum 6 foot perimeter. Also, it's astounding how many people seem to have no idea the size of 6ft, or just don't care.

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The mandate includes exceptions - kids under 5, people with medical reason to not wear a mask, and some others. I was in the grocery store yesterday - I did not see anyone without a mask.

The only reason I mentioned this is not to refute Phil or Mr O, but to point out that the news media speaks in generalities and stereotypes. Arizona is a huge geographical area but has one very large population center - Phoenix (4.3 mil) and a one medium pop center - Tucson (1 mil). The rest of the state is a bunch of small communities - many of them rural. So when the news says a spike in cases but does not specify the locus of the spike we end up with statements like " the virus will be soon out of control in ... Arizona" which I think is ludicrous. It is out of control in the Phoenix area but not Arizona as a whole.

Very fast clicking all the way. 8.

Hong Kong could be a great model for responding to COVID 19. Even though they are a densely populated city (to say the least!) located directly adjacent to China, they immediately implemented testing, contact tracing, and mask wearing. To date, they have had a total of 5 deaths. Not 5 per X hundred thousand, five full stop.

KT, your point about not conflating urban and rural areas is a good one. But keep in mind that smaller infection rates are more devastating in rural areas than the same rates would be in urban areas, because rural hospitals have more limited facilities and equipment and fewer specialist doctors than urban hospitals. They can be overwhelmed with even small infection rates. Which is why prevention--social distancing, masks, hand washing--and prompt testing and contact tracing are especially important in rural areas.

@janet - that was not my point - my point was that repeating media tropes and generalities do nothing positive. Mr O said, " the virus will be soon out of control in ... Arizona" which have implications that are not true. It is out of control because Arizona and many other states have weak leadership at the state, county, and city level. Our governor (who is Republican) is weak and politically motivated. The mayor of Tucson (who is Democrat) is power-obsessed and shuns any factual data if it is not politically expedient. If this pandemic stops it will be due to the responsible actions of citizens who care about life and not the next election.

I care nothing about political affiliation. This country is a constitution representative republic where the political power lies with the citizens. Wishing for federal or state authorities to do the right thing is akin to believing in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

amen to that, KnightTime. my theory: if you are concerned, wear a mask and/or don't go out. period. you are responsible for your own self, not anyone else. likewise, if you don't want to wear a mask, don't. Don't be a jerk about it and respect other's personal choices. Don't be offended if a private business has a mandatory policy.

it's pretty simple. This pandemic isn't going to be world ending, any more than previous ones were. c-19 will be here for a long time, and ultimately deaths from it will happen, even with all the precautions in the world. The only key is to avoid overwhelming the hospitals. That's the best we can hope for in the end.