BENEFITS of COVID-19

[sothereiwas]

I hope we keep the enhanced WFH acceptance, hand washing, and respect for personal space. The rest of the potential upsides seem a mixed bag at best. 

Well, I'm selling some firearms I'm tired of at premium panic-buy prices, but that's a pretty narrowly focussed upside that's likely not generalizable. 

[Ellener]

I'm determined to emerge from lockdown looking good so back to plenty of rest, took me a few days to get a sleep pattern going alright but I'm already looking better!

[CAPSLOCK BANDIT]

Well first off, the ONLY reason this isn't considered an act of war is because the initial incident happened on Chinese soil... Even then, for their population, for them to have this story constructed by their media about how these clean up crews went all over China and destroyed this Virus and now their infection rates are lower than OURS?! Think about it like this, the modern flu, has it EVER been put on the table that we are just going to wipe out the modern flu? Oh hey, lets just put guys in white suits, spray chemicals and end the flu! It does not work like that, especially when you consider that this virus is far more transmissible from what we know about it so far.

Now most officials are redacting most of their comments on Covid-19, saying its not nearly as transmissible as they once thought, all this noise, it all feels like a controlled narrative, but I also can't blame them for fear mongering because they were just trying to keep people safe... But this is the point I am making, that we have not heard from our brightest minds about Covid, because they all have conflicting stories, its making me wonder if there are not several strains of the same type of flu released, idk.

[mark clemson]

I think it's possible to contain a NEW flu strain, if it's caught early and firm and comprehensive action is taken. For example the Avian influenza from several years ago. I believe SARS was also similar to COVID. (And both also started in China)

I don't think COVID will ever be under control, it slipped past the radar (apparently) and was too widespread by the time action was taken. Too many US people are resistant to taking significant precautions, so it will just keep bouncing around the population as a persistent low level threat. As you say, just like the flu/common colds.

My belief and hope is that effective inoculations will be developed sooner or later.

[Ellener]

1 hour ago, CAPSLOCK BANDIT said:

we have not heard from our brightest minds about Covid,

I've been posting for literally months the emerging wisdom/expertise from humanity's greatest minds!

It's literally the biggest benefit of Covid the way the medical and technical communities have worked so hard and together, and the reason that though our current daily infection rates are enormous in parts of the US the death rates are not now. 

53 minutes ago, mark clemson said:

just keep bouncing around the population as a persistent low level threat.

That's what I expect to happen, now the expertise and equipment is in place, prevention measures are understood, and eventually treatments and vaccines will exist. The US now needs an across the board dedicated health service and we'll be in a good position to cope whatever happens.

 

[mark clemson]

5 minutes ago, Ellener said:

 and eventually treatments

There are treatments now in fact - Remdesivir + ventilators, although clearly they're not always available/fully effective. Prevention would just be much less expensive and reduce the threat of "overwhelming the system" from too many sick people at the same time.

[CAPSLOCK BANDIT]

10 minutes ago, Ellener said:

I've been posting for literally months the emerging wisdom/expertise from humanity's greatest minds!

It's literally the biggest benefit of Covid the way the medical and technical communities have worked so hard and together, and the reason that though our current daily infection rates are enormous in parts of the US the death rates are not now. 

What medical advancements? This is virus is in the same family as SARS, the virus that they rushed to create a vaccine for.. Then conveniently, they decided not to enmasse manufacture a cure or any type of further studies on viruses like this. We've literally been down this path already, we are down it again, with literally the same virus and THIS is the response? Are you kidding? I'm not trying to be rude, but the medical fields response is abysmal to this. If you look it up, the difference between SARS and Covid-19 are miniscule, there is absolutely no reason we should be ill-informed about this, they were studying the disease at the facility, were they not? Like this is what kills me about it, the Chinese were studying this, how are they not providing the world with this information?

And its not just the medical communities fault, I understand the core problem is lack of funding, that also needs to be remedied... Like how is this not a #1 priority?

[Ellener]

51 minutes ago, mark clemson said:

There are treatments now in fact - Remdesivir + ventilators, although clearly they're not always available/fully effective. Prevention would just be much less expensive and reduce the threat of "overwhelming the system" from too many sick people at the same time.

Absolutely.

Yes, I've been following the history of 1918, 1957, and 1968 and I think we are following a typical pandemic path. The modern-day media involvement has been both illuminating and confusing.

It's interesting @mark clemson I was working with a dementia patient @ 2 years ago whose doctor wife had managed his condition with his top-notch doctors for well over a decade, then a worldwide shortage of Halperidol happened, within a few days he was unstable, within a few weeks he was dead.

I thought at the time, so many things we take for granted...the FDA keeps a list now of current and recently resolved essential drug shortages.

[Ellener]

47 minutes ago, CAPSLOCK BANDIT said:

Like how is this not a #1 priority?

In the US health care has been secondary to profit, the organisation and distribution of resources subject to a political ideology which did not value human life and equality as paramount.

The pandemic demonstrates the same: once someone has been personally affected they don't feel quite the same about suffering, death, poverty or uncertainty; yet there are still many as yet personally unaffected who wish for business as usual.

[pepperbird]

On 7/11/2020 at 5:20 PM, elaine567 said:

I am sure that fact as not been missed by politicians.

 

 

On 7/11/2020 at 8:48 PM, basil67 said:

- Definitely more working from home for those who's job is suitable.   A few days working from home would be of particular use for those who commute in terms of work/life balance

- Better inclusion in classrooms for kids who can't come to class because of distance, illness or suspension

- Hopefully people will stay home when they've got a virus instead of infecting their whole office

With older people, I think the answer depends on their general state of health and personal wishes.  This would be covered under a DNR if they so wish.

 

 

 the more inclusion in classrooms is failing, at least here. Many kids with special needs really missed out because there is no way for their programming to be delivered online.

Edited July 14, 2020 by pepperbird

[Ellener]

Being very aware of the 'benefits' of this Covid-19 experience since you posted this @mark clemson

Today's response:

better budgeting; efficient household inventory; knowing exactly where I stand re all the paperwork/tax situation/ budget for the rest of 2020.

A social work colleague who called me yesterday said most people she's working with are still adjusting to the pandemic. Some of the older people adjust really well to whatever comes along; others resist the slightest change to their worldview or routine. 

[mark clemson]

As they say there's always a silver lining somewhere, although this IS a pretty friggin' dark cloud.

So along the lines I think you were going: getting the "honey do" lists and other household projects done. (Not for me, I'm still working, but for some folks.)

[Ellener]

1 hour ago, mark clemson said:

As they say there's always a silver lining somewhere, although this IS a pretty friggin' dark cloud.

So along the lines I think you were going: getting the "honey do" lists and other household projects done. (Not for me, I'm still working, but for some folks.)

My friend wants me to record some little songs, without pay ( I think I'll be hearing a lot of that in the upcoming months! ) and I want to stay fit, just one week of nursing this bruised rib and I feel fatter, though I'm not. Yet!

I got a letter yesterday from a 96 year old friend, she said I can't talk on the 'phone, can't hear, doc says I need a hearing aid but I'm not ready for that yet! These little things brighten every day....

⛅

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by Ellener

[sothereiwas]

10 hours ago, mark clemson said:

Not for me, I'm still working, but for some folks.

Everyone I know in real life is still working, except people who were already not working before for whatever reason. I wonder who is actually not working. 

[NuevoYorko]

10 hours ago, sothereiwas said:

Everyone I know in real life is still working, except people who were already not working before for whatever reason. I wonder who is actually not working. 

Do you have businesses closed in your community and outlying areas?  If not, I'd be interested to know where you live.  

I pulled over onto the main street of a small town close to where I live; almost every single business was closed.  The restaurant even had the windows boarded.  A bead shop and a second hand store both were closed permanently.  The bank branch had a sign saying "temporarily closed"  (big national chain bank).  Interestingly, the corner bar was open.  There is also a casino closer to the freeway which is open.  

[sothereiwas]

30 minutes ago, NuevoYorko said:

Do you have businesses closed in your community and outlying areas?

Not that I can see, although there are possibly some closed. I don't go out much. Restaurants are open, hairdressers are open, hardware stores, grocery stores, sporting goods stores, all open. Car dealers are open. I guess some places are probably closed, but the dog trainer is open, so that's not really a crucial biz I think?

[mark clemson]

Yeah, a lot of stuff is closed where I am (major US city, but in the burbs more or less). Some stuff that had reopened is now closed again. Most restaurants are just doing take out + many stores are closed. Bank branches have like 1/3 of them open so you have to drive farther, etc.

[Twisted Up]

My view on the benefits:

No more commute. Roll out of bed and start working. Quitting time, right out to whatever I want to do. 

No more awkward socialization. No need to make small talk with strangers in public, or even acknowledge their presence. Just stay 6 feet away and don't even make eye contact except to express that you want them to back off. 

I only see my nuclear family and I see them a LOT more than I sued to. That is great. 

I don't like that people are getting sick and dying but other than that, I love this lifestyle. I wish it could continue forever, without the sickness and death of course. 

[mark clemson]

Interesting - I'm the type that DOES like small talk with strangers (who then become "acquaintances")  but I certainly get that not everyone does.

I do agree that for the KIDS, while mine are missing out on things like summer camps, etc. they do see a lot more of me and my wife and we more game nights and things like that which I know they enjoy. So again a silver lining there...

[Twisted Up]

Oh, and not just kids but pets.  I forgot to mention that I have several now very happy dogs. I imagine other pets are enjoying their owner's constant company too. 

[Foxhall]

benefits I can think of

better appreciation of what you had before-personally I found 2km/5km  travel restrictions from house ( this restriction applied for 10 weeks) to be quite depressing,

will never take for granted again being able to move at free will.

Are people a little nicer to other- perhaps they will stop and talk a little now where as they were too busy previously, 

will it see more of a push for medical advancements- the advancements in technology in recent years has not been matched by developments in medicine- the sad reality is that the threat of serious illness and early death looms over us all.

perhaps it was no harm for many of these mentally pressurised office driven jobs, that they had to slow down for a while. the realisation that health and well being is more important than money.

[Philosopher]

16 hours ago, Twisted Up said:

Oh, and not just kids but pets.  I forgot to mention that I have several now very happy dogs. I imagine other pets are enjoying their owner's constant company too. 

This reminds me of a cartoon I saw in which there was a business meeting of several dogs in which they said 'finally operation Covid-19 has worked, all the humans are spending loads of time with us'. However the one cat at the meeting said 'nobody consulted me about this plan'. 

[Mrin]

Ok this is selfish. But as a guy who already had covid-19 and gets tested every two weeks now for long-term antibody levels (I'm part of a study), it has been great for my dating life. A recent long term antibody test is roughly the modern day dating equivalent of chiseled abs and an 850 credit score. Lol!

Edited July 17, 2020 by Mrin

[schlumpy]

One of the welcome benefits of Covid that I've noticed is that many of our roads are being resurfaced or repaired in a timely fashion. The two months where traffic was low sped things up.

 

[sothereiwas]

1 hour ago, schlumpy said:

One of the welcome benefits of Covid that I've noticed is that many of our roads are being resurfaced or repaired in a timely fashion. The two months where traffic was low sped things up.

People must usually just drive around for no reason I guess. My use of the roadways isn't changed, but then I'm the guy who hasn't put gas in the car since November.