[Aristotle Gumball]

Danukem, on 26 September 2020 - 01:57 PM, said:

Wearing masks outside is total bullshit unless you are very close to other people who are breathing hard. In a marathon I guess that does happen at certain points but most of the time you would be far enough away.

I said on the transport. The bus on the way to the marathon (and back), not the actual event. 5 hours total sitting in a cramped space slowly suffocating, lol.

Thankfully mask-wearing isn't an enforced thing otherwise, which is why I've avoided wearing one for this long. Hope it stays that way.

[ck3D]

Not sure if I've brought it up in here before but (and you guys are going to love this) if you're caught outside without a mask here, you're risking a 135 euro fine according to a law that has been in place for maybe two months now. It's extreme measures but honestly, around here, I can see why that was passed - in the middle of the whole debacle, people here were still very determined to gather at café terraces and on the streets by the hundreds if not thousands, maybe more than ever, usually making for far bigger and closer crowds I was ever used to pre-pandemic. I guess act like a child, get punished like a child - still, when people nation-wide react to a situation of crisis with nothing but provocation, it speaks volumes about the governmental incompetence in public communication and/or a deep disconnection.

I've had to wear masks in public transportation too (including 10-plus-hour commutes) and to me it's barely even a hindrance so no fuss, although lots of friends of mine and I have already been approached by the police several times for not wearing masks while drenched in sweat practicing sports outside in 40+ degree whether (celsius) which is fucking ridiculous, and especially concerning when I see younger, more impressionable teenagers being treated the same. But of course there is this trend of agents who take it upon themselves to forget that they're supposed to be agents, and instead channel their personal frustrations into what they treat as some pathetic hunter's game, because sometimes humans suck.

Obviously, a lot of it has got to do with the country trying to earn back some of the money it had to allocate to individuals and companies whose economy tanked due to Covid. They were surprisingly generous in those regards for the first few months, and now they're trying to get it all back. The country owes me over a thousand euros I'm not even certain to eventually get because as of recently, it's been playing with technicalities to make sure that less and less people actually get their resources, despite still publicly parading around how they exist. Lots of random, new repressive laws getting passed on the side too, e.g. sudden 200 euro fines for smoking marijuana on sight (in addition to the rest of the pre-existing legal consequences). It's all one fucking disgusting fight for the steak here right now.

[Hank]

ck3D, on 27 September 2020 - 02:26 AM, said:

Obviously, a lot of it has got to do with the country trying to earn back some of the money it had to allocate to individuals and companies whose economy tanked due to Covid. They were surprisingly generous in those regards for the first few months, and now they're trying to get it all back. The country owes me over a thousand euros I'm not even certain to eventually get because as of recently, it's been playing with technicalities to make sure that less and less people actually get their resources, despite still publicly parading around how they exist. Lots of random, new repressive laws getting passed on the side too, e.g. sudden 200 euro fines for smoking marijuana on sight (in addition to the rest of the pre-existing legal consequences). It's all one fucking disgusting fight for the steak here right now.

Something like this. Per capita, your share of the dept can be found here; just click on Dept per citizen. Even if you can avoid fines, eventually, they'll come after your income one way or the other.

[Forge]

being at an outdoor cafe and sipping coffee while sitting within 2 yards of another human is taboo. You'll get the lung-hiv and be a mondern day leper.
Can't have that, the number of people being tested is going up, and the number of cases is going up, so we have to shut it all down.

showing up at night and standing in a crowd just so you can throw bricks at cops is perfectly acceptable though; as long as there was no direct transaction between you and a local brick seller.
noxious fumes from burning building & vehicle insulation prevents miasma, thus you won't get the cohivid
this contributes zero to the increase number of cases. nothing to see here, move along.

[ck3D]

Yeah, don't even get me started on the debt; being self-employed, a full third of my earnings already goes to the government every month, and has been for years, in exchange of bad administration (and healthcare I appreciate the existence of, but haven't been using because I actually watch my health before I get sick or get hurt and so far so good). In general I believe I'm managing the whole crisis thing with the responsibility I'm told, distancing, masks and all, only complaining when their enforcement becomes abusive, yet the borders closing down still prevented me from going on several business trips overseas and tanked my year (the money I'm due is supposed to cover just some of that, but now it looks like I can't get it anymore since they just transferred the administration of such concerns from national to regional level, and now those guys are literally investigating for reasons not to pay individuals; in my case it's a tiny difference in the wording of my occupation on paper from paperwork to paperwork, so obviously I must be cheating the system). I've honestly given up on trying to make sense of the whole shitshow from every perspective and just live day to day for now.

Oh and of course they'll be trying to come for more of everybody's income, there's been talk about longer work hours and pushing retirement age back by several years since the very beginning of the pandemic, in a way that's been part of the plan before the government actually started spending the money. Situations of general paranoia notoriously make everything more 'acceptable'.

A personal, recent anecdote that left a friend and I dumbfounded: we were recently mask checked while having lunch outside in the city by zealous agents literally fifteen feet away from a fistfight between homeless people, one of them in crutches (but who looked like the one who started the brawl, so able enough for that at least). The entirety of the fight went down during the police lecturing us what we already knew with their backs turned to it and they never intervened, we couldn't believe it. They only left us after the fight was over and the only thing they did was pick up one of the guys' crutches that he had left behind on the ground when getting fucked up, and disappear in the police car with it.

[Hank]

Well, it looks bad for this Covid-19 Con.

Those are the survival rates, for those few who actually catch this virus.

In short, on average 99.99% will not die.

source Zero Hedge

Meanwhile, the media is telling everyone, a million people have died on this con, forgetting the other ~ 45 million deaths, this year.

[Jimmy]

There are rumours that Fauci has been fired.

[Forge]

don't forget the additional 10,000 children that die from starvation a month because of all the travel and commerce lock downs
so add in 120,000 more deaths

meanwhile an asthmatic mother not wearing a mask at an outdoor stadium and sitting well beyond social distance standards away from everyone gets tasered by a cop.
this violates the American Disabilities Act. It's illegal for the public school to prevent her from attending events, and it's an over-reach by the police to enforce discrimination.

Unmasked Lives Matter

[Jimmy]

Alex Jones has been hammering a point almost daily for months: When the first world is made to suffer in this kind of way, the third world suffers exponentially. The breakdowns in the supply chain are bad enough here (and it will only get worse.) This is the most brilliant evil power grab ever. A Bond villain could not have thought up a plan so evil, it ticks so many boxes and benefits corporations and zillionaires in innumerable ways.

Here in Richmond I know for a fact that Virginia Commonwealth University is chomping at the bit to scoop up all this prime real estate their communist students have opened up for them. Numerous businesses directly around the college itself have been burned to the ground or so irreparably damaged by the riots that they are closed forever. One of the owners of one of the best old dirty Chinese restaurants downtown told me shortly before they closed that VCU offered them like $80,000 for the real estate and it was just an offer they couldn't refuse. Now they'll pay a fraction of that in the next couple months for more real estate. I guarantee it. And this is gonna happen everywhere these riots are happening. It's corporate land grabs. Louis Rossman has a YouTube channel dedicated to electronics repair and related topics, but because he's in NYC he also talks about real estate prices because it's been a huge problem for him because the prices for even the smallest shittiest buildings are outrageous. He's reporting now that prices are, unsurprisingly, plummeting. Wonder who is gonna scoop all that shit up? You know it's gonna be corporations.

[Aleks]

I think people are putting way too much philosophy behind the mask usage than there is needed... That said, of course someone with breathing problems shouldn't be forced to wear it, and wearing one outside makes completely no sense, unless in a heavy crowd (which surprisingly happen more often with people protesting every possible thing all over the world right now somehow...). Luckily here we only had mandatory mask usage outside during April and May, now it's only for public transport, shopping etc., so I'm fine with it. The mask is mostly just a slight nuisance for me.

As for the whole Covid stuff, when the lockdown started in March I have discussed postponing our ongoing projects with my associates and even send out e-mails to customers, but then we decided that we can start a regime of single person in the lab and managed quite nice workflow. I was mostly working from home, which is great, I could get a lot more stuff done and noone bothered me - but then I can understand the complaints of people who have children and were locked with them all the time... In fact, the time of Covid has been probably the most fruitful in my professional career, we've completed a lot of research projects (though we still have unpaid invoices dating back to May, but then it's more of a branch issue than Covid I guess). My initial plan was to finally write my PhD thesis, but of course couldn't also fit that into the schedule as it was busy as never before. And remote teaching was very convenient for me, we will mostly continue it this year (though the rules are more strict now). I don't want random students wandering around my lab anyway, especially since we're starting a large project under strict NDA. On the other hand, my girlfriend is still studying and it's been very difficult for her, since her teachers mostly just spammed them with projects without any proper explanation or actual teaching, but she did great on the previous, remote semester.


When all this pandemic started back in February, I was away on delegation in Italy (not in Milan luckily), barely managed to fly back home without having to undergo a quarantine. The only real drawback for me so far has been conference where I was to attend turning into an online event. I got quite neat financing for it and it was going to be in Athens, so it was basically financing a week of my holidays in there and still leaving some extra cash in my pocket, but now I guess I'll have to give it back unless I can discuss with project coordinator moving the financing into some other event - but then again, no idea when I'll be oficially allowed to travel aboard from work again...

[Hank]

Forge, on 28 September 2020 - 09:29 PM, said:

don't forget the additional 10,000 children that die from starvation a month because of all the travel and commerce lock downs
so add in 120,000 more deaths

meanwhile an asthmatic mother not wearing a mask at an outdoor stadium and sitting well beyond social distance standards away from everyone gets tasered by a cop.
this violates the American Disabilities Act. It's illegal for the public school to prevent her from attending events, and it's an over-reach by the police to enforce discrimination.

Unmasked Lives Matter

Most hunger deaths are the result of local feuds and ruthless oppression. This theoretical increase of hunger deaths is just another deflection of the real cause.

Meanwhile, I am much more irritated about our local despots and blatant mass misinformation all around, because once the reset button is pushed, a lot of us will enjoy the lifestyle of those in poor nations.

One guy got a years jail sentence for having a large party in his home; and publicly apologized for endangering the people by exposing them to this Covid-!9-Con. 1984 is upon us.

[William Beavis]

Nice discussion. I'll listen to mask complaints once the left stops their riots, looting, and violence. I guess social distancing doesn't count when it's for the causes of antifa and BLM.

[jkas789]

Quote

One guy got a years jail sentence for having a large party in his home; and publicly apologized for endangering the people by exposing them to this Covid-!9-Con. 1984 is upon us.

Covid 19 is not a con. Has it been overblown and mismanaged? Yes. Could this has been prevented if the proper measures were taken? Yes. Has there been a blatant overreach in power by governments all over? Of course.

I agree with you on principle, as long as people take the proper precautions they should totally be able to go out and work, have fun, eat at a restaurant. Using a facemask wont fucking kill you. I've done that shit everyday since I became a medic and its frankly a non issue. People with respiratory problems won't die if they use facemasks. I should know I was a GP before being a ortho and I had to rotate in the neumology ward and the IM ward. As long as there isn't a physical injury (say you face was blown off or you had cancer and had to get part of your face removed) you can use a facemask and it will not impair your breathing ability. They are designed for that.

In regard to covid it is definitely not a con. I'm a medic on the frontlines. As an orthopedist I was asked to work as a GP to try and mitigate the avalanche of patients we had clogging the ER that came in critical condition. I know for a fact at least in Mexico the real death numbers are being covered. While my state governor and state Health secretary were reporting up towards of 5 deaths statewide a day, at least 20 - 50 people a day were dying from covid and covid related complications a day (and that is in the hospital I work only). Even 9 months in we are still getting those numbers some days. And guess what the majority of those deaths are not just old people, there are people form the 30 - 40 year old bracket. I've even seen 20 - 30 year olds and younger die. Heck some of my co workers have died from the damn virus. This virus is a fucking beast. It is insidious, silent, and it will be the fucking bane of future GPs for decades to come.

So it is not a con. I can fucking guarantee you that.

Again should you be able to go to work, exercise, gather for a party and all that jazz? Yes, but do try and keep in mind the safety recommendations please. You would make your local medic's lives a hell of a lot easier, and safer as well.


I just wanted to give my two cents on this conversation because I thought it was important to give my point of view as a medic. So take what I said how you will.

[William Beavis]

If wearing a mask and quarantining prevents the spreading, why punish those who are just exercising their basic rights? If you're taking the right precautions, you shouldn't contract it no matter what anyone else is doing. 1984 indeed.

[Hank]

jkas789, on 29 September 2020 - 06:56 PM, said:

Covid 19 is not a con. Has it been overblown and mismanaged? Yes. Could this has been prevented if the proper measures were taken? Yes. Has there been a blatant overreach in power by governments all over? Of course.

I agree with you on principle, as long as people take the proper precautions they should totally be able to go out and work, have fun, eat at a restaurant. Using a facemask wont fucking kill you. I've done that shit everyday since I became a medic and its frankly a non issue. People with respiratory problems won't die if they use facemasks. I should know I was a GP before being a ortho and I had to rotate in the neumology ward and the IM ward. As long as there isn't a physical injury (say you face was blown off or you had cancer and had to get part of your face removed) you can use a facemask and it will not impair your breathing ability. They are designed for that.

In regard to covid it is definitely not a con. I'm a medic on the frontlines. As an orthopedist I was asked to work as a GP to try and mitigate the avalanche of patients we had clogging the ER that came in critical condition. I know for a fact at least in Mexico the real death numbers are being covered. While my state governor and state Health secretary were reporting up towards of 5 deaths statewide a day, at least 20 - 50 people a day were dying from covid and covid related complications a day (and that is in the hospital I work only). Even 9 months in we are still getting those numbers some days. And guess what the majority of those deaths are not just old people, there are people form the 30 - 40 year old bracket. I've even seen 20 - 30 year olds and younger die. Heck some of my co workers have died from the damn virus. This virus is a fucking beast. It is insidious, silent, and it will be the fucking bane of future GPs for decades to come.

So it is not a con. I can fucking guarantee you that.

Again should you be able to go to work, exercise, gather for a party and all that jazz? Yes, but do try and keep in mind the safety recommendations please. You would make your local medic's lives a hell of a lot easier, and safer as well.


I just wanted to give my two cents on this conversation because I thought it was important to give my point of view as a medic. So take what I said how you will.

I christened a con for the simple reason that health experts tell government how people have to behave, while other credible health experts oppose those experts. When those enforced suggestions force small business to close, and are now bankrupt, while shitholes like Walmart are permitted to stay open, there is something wrong with the picture.

Yes, the virus is real. But the cure, enforced by the governments, is far worse than the disease itself. I fully sympathize with your harsh experience as a front-line med. Of course, you will see people of all ages getting sick. Yet, this is not the first pandemic, but it is the first pandemic used to oppress the people.

[Jimmy]

99% survival rate.

[jkas789]

Hank, on 29 September 2020 - 08:01 PM, said:

I christened a con for the simple reason that health experts tell government how people have to behave, while other credible health experts oppose those experts. When those enforced suggestions force small business to close, and are now bankrupt, while shitholes like Walmart are permitted to stay open, there is something wrong with the picture.

Yes, the virus is real. But the cure, enforced by the governments, is far worse than the disease itself. I fully sympathize with your harsh experience as a front-line med. Of course, you will see people of all ages getting sick. Yet, this is not the first pandemic, but it is the first pandemic used to oppress the people.

In that I agree as well. The amount of over reach the governments across the world have done is frankly impressive. I just felt that calling it a con was unreasonable.

[Mark]

heard this morning that Trump and his wife tested positive for Covid-19. No details if either have symptoms. My hope is he will put his money where his mouth is and use the controversial ( wrongly so ) treatment he promoted for Malaria that showed good results in limited testing against Covid.

[Forge]

Pelosi has already came out and blamed the lack White House screening process.

conspiracy theories about Trump being intentionally exposed incoming

[Jimmy]

Trump was taking hydroxychloroquine back in May. It's not really a great idea to take it long term unless you really need it for certain health conditions, so he may not be on it now.

I'm not convinced the tests even work, and it's pretty clear that he's not sick right now so this is just another nothingburger story.

[William Beavis]

It's amazing how leftists bitch about Trump being a ruthless asshole, and now are calling his being infected with what they consider a deadly disease to be "karma".

[Balls of Steel Forever]

Jimmy, on 02 October 2020 - 09:32 AM, said:

I'm not convinced the tests even work, and it's pretty clear that he's not sick right now so this is just another nothingburger story.

Given that he said he's quarantining he's convinced that the tests work.
Corona obviously can manifest itself in different ways.
And we don't really know how sick he is right now,
as he's in quarantine.

[Jimmy]

>implying that he has any other option

We all know that regardless of whether he's sick or not, failing to quarantine would be a media field day.

[Balls of Steel Forever]

Jimmy, on 02 October 2020 - 05:46 PM, said:

>implying that he has any other option

We all know that regardless of whether he's sick or not, failing to quarantine would be a media field day.

he could just say it was fake news.

[Hank]

[NNC]

My test was still positive yesterday (for the fourth week in a row), but my pneumonia got better, my D-DIMER values are slightly better (although still much higher than normal, it shows the risk of pulmonary embolism), and out of hospital to continue a quarantine life at home for two more weeks. Maybe my lousy life will be back one day. This shitty virus really hurt me, my steroid-dependant asthma didn't help. Thanks for Balls of Steel Forever for praying.

[Balls of Steel Forever]

The Watchtower, on 07 October 2020 - 12:25 PM, said:

My test was still positive yesterday (for the fourth week in a row), but my pneumonia got better, my D-DIMER values are slightly better (although still much higher than normal, it shows the risk of pulmonary embolism), and out of hospital to continue a quarantine life at home for two more weeks. Maybe my lousy life will be back one day. This shitty virus really hurt me, my steroid-dependant asthma didn't help. Thanks for Balls of Steel Forever for praying.

No need to say thanks, it's the least one can do.

It's good to hear you are doing better.
I hope such continues.

I learned pretty early that life is what you make of it.
I'm sure you can definitely get to that place,
no matter what situation you find yourself in.

[William Beavis]

Speedy recovery to all who have it!

[Hank]

Pfizer miracle vaccine, 90% effective, to cure a sickness with 99.5% survival rate, aka the Covid-19-Con. It needs only to contain meds to soften the covid symptoms to sell, for billions. Wow, all hail the blind, deaf and dumb of West.
And no, the lockdowns and severe travel restrictions will stay in effect. Coincidentally to the vaccine disclosure, the number of peeps having the Covid-19-Con skyrocketed, and not all nations can afford this vaccine, which allegedly is twice as effective as the flu vaccines.