Posted by FreeLee I could not agree more. I bounce back and forth between outlets to try and get to the bottom line. I used to rely on the BBC, they still do a decent job, but even they have to much opinion peaces and click bait titles. Opinion pieces are not news! CNN has serious gone downhill and its a real shame. But this is not about news sources, that's the issue. I think the problem is critical thinking and education. We as a society have not kept up with technology and society is not ready. I see big changes over the next couple generations. “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” For now we have to bounce between new outlets and do the best we can. The truth is out there (X-Files music) I gave black a hard time because of my cynicism over a story on fox the other day, ended up being true. Its really hard to see your own biases. We see life though a lens. Anyway. We all need to get together, light a J and talk about this. We all put our pants on one leg at a time don't we? B

Well spoken. For a rookie! Youre right the truth is out there heres the deal.

Media outlets (both parties) don't make money by providing news, they make money by selling advertising. Lots and lots of advertising.

In order to sell ad space at a higher i.e. profitable rate, they need higher ratings. Viewers are counted a number of ways including online. You are just a number. They can keep you tuning in by hiring hot anchor women (admit it some of those news babes are pretty damn hot) and, by sensational headlines that compel you to keep watching. Watching the news and watching the comercials.

Theres no question the network owners have a bias towards one party or another that cant be argued. Im a right leaning but open minded old fart that listens to both sides. I decide what to believe or when to call b.s. Its the television business folks. watch CSPAN too if youre really really bored but you already know how theyre gonna vote. Try OAN One America News theyre kind of conservative but their stories seem to be less biased at least for now.

Actually Ive been tuning in here to keep up with COVID19 that's sounds more medically accurate then coronavirus or corona virus its a total farce what some communities and states are doing but if we can slow it down a bit hot weather hits, more of the numbskulls might go outside and be healthy for a change.

Posted by FreeLee I could not agree more. I bounce back and forth between outlets to try and get to the bottom line. I used to rely on the BBC, they still do a decent job, but even they have to much opinion peaces and click bait titles. Opinion pieces are not news! CNN has serious gone downhill and its a real shame. But this is not about news sources, that's the issue.

I agree with Abby and Free, some of the responsibility is in fact ours. We are educated enough to think for ourselves and suss our what is fact and what is opinion. If it’s not reported across a broad spectrum of sources have a healthy dose of skepticism. Do some of the research yourself. Does the salacious tidbit you were given hold up? Sharing amusement (memes) is one thing. Sharing salacious falsehoods is another (clickbait that’s just too clickybaity to pass up). Stop. Think. Ask. Review.

It is imperative that we as humans follow some adjustments right now. It’s not partisan. It’s not based on who your favorite news source is. Those are about as important as what a celebrity or sports-baller thinks about all of this. What matters is reducing exposure by limiting movements voluntarily so that essential services like healthcare and infrastructure support can continue. My job serves some of the most at risk people in our community and the nature of who we see is such that we cannot postpone every appointment. Keeping my family, my team, and our patients safe are the only things that matter to me right now. But it won’t happen if too many of us are selfish and take the perspective that the rules don’t apply to us or that “they” are lying to us. We is what we have right now. Not “us” vs. “them”

Life on the ground out here looks pretty much the same except that schools are closed until further notice, all restaurant are only serving take-away, bars are all closed as well as casinos and the grocery stores are ALL opwraring on limited hours.

There's a slight uptick in ham radio traffic, but just people checking in with each other. There's no massive communications outage at the moment, so the ham radio community is getting ready for a possible outage.

I had to go by the grocery store today and they're out of eggs and toilet paper.

Not sure why there's an egg shortage.

There are about 160,000 ventilators in the US.

The top 1% works out to about 3,000,000 people.

Are we ready for class-warfare?

https://www.nytime...ator-shortage.html

Coronavirus monkey business...
https://www.foxnew...ronavirus-outbreak

Okay so I highly doubt I am alone here. But I have been desiring to take pictures from roadways which do not have sidewalks for a very long time. With this current major event and many people staying home, I am thinking one of these evenings there will be significantly less traffic, and be the perfect window of opportunity to go for some highway hiking for some night long exposures from very rarely shot angles. If anybody stops and has an issue I will assure them that I am practicing social distancing.

Posted by Radio2600 https://www.nytime...ator-shortage.html

That was a depressing read.

I think there's some BS in the last paragraph of that article. Physicians don't generally operate ventilators. Respiratory therapists and critical care nurses do, per the wiki page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventilator

I wouldn't want to hold any of the job titles mentioned above these days.

Posted by Emperor Wang That was a depressing read. I think there's some BS in the last paragraph of that article. Physicians don't generally operate ventilators. Respiratory therapists and critical care nurses do, per the wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventilator I wouldn't want to hold any of the job titles mentioned above these days.

It's not just ventilators, it's ICU care which is skilled labor intensive.

My suggestion is if you think you have it, conserve energy as much as possible even if you don't feel that sick.
If things go south you'll need every bit energy you have to survive.
Be extremely proactive about keeping your lungs clear.
Sudafed might be helpful.

I suppose I'll report in for Mid Atlantic; here's the story in North Carolina...not so much different from what's going on everywhere:

https://www.wxii12...-counties/31740166

And in South Carolina:

https://www.wistv....es/?outputType=amp

Posted by blackhawk It's not just ventilators, it's ICU care which is skilled labor intensive.

But how many patients can you deal with before you catch the thing yourself? The Persian cutie that fixes my Friday tacos tells me that fully half of the health care practitioners in Iran are ill. They're transmission vectors even as they're trying to help quell the thing. That's pretty much the definition of 'you are fucked'.

Western Canada is totally freaking out now.

Saskatchewan: https://globalnews...id-19-coronavirus/

Alberta: https://news.googl...gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen

British Columbia: https://www.theglo...-three-more-covid/

Look at the bright side. Every one from Amazon to the hombres that cut your grass now using the same excuse

… due to unprecedented circumstances we cant: bla bla bla etc.

in not so many words...

This is an easy way to spread hope and happiness during this difficult time.

All I have to do is flip a switch.

https://whotv.com/...p-during-outbreak/

This Friday they're deciding whether or not to close the bridges between Indiana and Kentucky and Louisville is rumored to go on a full lockdown.

Posted by Emperor Wang But how many patients can you deal with before you catch the thing yourself?

Exactly. It's a level 4 biohazard.
Full positive pressure biohazard suits should be worn... not near enough.
There have already been some young doctors killed by it.
Attrition of the medical personnel is a huge potential problem.

Posted by blackhawk Exactly. It's a level 4 biohazard. Full positive pressure biohazard suits should be worn... not near enough. There have already been some young doctors killed by it. Attrition of the medical personnel is a huge potential problem.

Seriously, NOT AN EXPERT. Please do not comment and spread fearmongering bullshit if you're not a professional in the field or even a related field.

SARS-CoV-2 (the pathogen responsible for COVID-19) is classified as BSL 3, with some work that can even be done at BSL 2. Even the considerly deadlier SARS (2003) and MERS are BSL 3.

https://www.cdc.go...ty-guidelines.html

Posted by Radio2600 There's no massive communications outage at the moment, so the ham radio community is getting ready for a possible outage.

why would there be a HAM radio outage?

edit: sp

Posted by dtewsacrificial Seriously, NOT AN EXPERT. Please do not comment and spread fearmongering bullshit if you're not a professional in the field or even a related field. SARS-CoV-2 (the pathogen responsible for COVID-19) is classified as BSL 3, with some work that can even be done at BSL 2. Even the considerly deadlier SARS (2003) and MERS are BSL 3. https://www.cdc.go...ty-guidelines.html

I think you are dead wrong.

https://www.emedin...bs-for-coronavirus

Time will tell...

Posted by RescueMe1060 why would there be a HAM radio outage? edit: sp

Not a ham radio outage, but a general outage leaving only ham radio for functional communications.

With more people telecommuting (VOIP and video conferencing) and schools closed indefinitely (kids watching TV all day) that is projected to put a strain on residential bandwidth. Response to network incidents will also be degraded due to reduced staffing in the call centres.

Then there's simple matter of getting repair people dispatched. Vehicles, repairs, fuel, etc. are all up and running at the moment, but like everything else in this global fiasco, it's all subject to change without notice.

Posted by blackhawk I think you are dead wrong. https://www.emedin...bs-for-coronavirus Time will tell...

Seriously, a CARDIOLOGIST'S EDITORIAL (read: opinion based on no primary research) published in a 3rd-world E-newspaper?

By the time the dust has settled, I predict that almost all of us will know someone that died from this disease, many of us will lose friend/s or loved ones.

I think people are still in denial about this.