AUSTIN | Misc. Discussions - No Politics

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by Geographer

Texas reported 10,351 new cases of COVID-19 on July 11. Travis County has an estimated 2,913 active cases.

What changes are you all seeing in your daily routines? What should be done about the skyrocketing infections?

A fresh wave of hysteria focusing on the wrong numbers and zero mention of the flat or falling ultra low mortality rate from any of the media.
2,913 active cases in Travis County, with a population of 1.275 million... that's 0.0023% of the population infected. That hardly qualifies as "skyrocketing" in my opinion.
The Statesman and other Doom & Gloom media outlets continue to frame their headlines as if this is the Black Plague part 2.

The other half is "crisis fatigue" where we're all just sick and tired of everything. The fear and hysteria surrounding "testing positive" needs to stop.

We're not getting a vaccine, and this crap isn't going away for a very long time. Trying to slow or stop it is a futile effort that's just going to continue to piss everyone off with a series of starts & stops & shutdowns & flareups, to say nothing of the economic damage its inflicting.

There needs to be self accountability on all sides here. If you're at-risk, then take whatever precautions you need. Stay home and abstain from things if necessary. Likewise for otherwise healthy people not at risk but who frequently are in contact others who are. Everyone else needs to just get on with life. The faster herd immunity sets in, the faster we can put all this garbage behind all of us.

[psychlotron]

Originally Posted by zrx299

A fresh wave of hysteria focusing on the wrong numbers and zero mention of the flat or falling ultra low mortality rate from any of the media.
2,913 active cases in Travis County, with a population of 1.275 million... that's 0.0023% of the population infected. That hardly qualifies as "skyrocketing" in my opinion.
The Statesman and other Doom & Gloom media outlets continue to frame their headlines as if this is the Black Plague part 2.

The other half is "crisis fatigue" where we're all just sick and tired of everything. The fear and hysteria surrounding "testing positive" needs to stop.

We're not getting a vaccine, and this crap isn't going away for a very long time. Trying to slow or stop it is a futile effort that's just going to continue to piss everyone off with a series of starts & stops & shutdowns & flareups, to say nothing of the economic damage its inflicting.

There needs to be self accountability on all sides here. If you're at-risk, then take whatever precautions you need. Stay home and abstain from things if necessary. Likewise for otherwise healthy people not at risk but who frequently are in contact others who are. Everyone else needs to just get on with life. The faster herd immunity sets in, the faster we can put all this garbage behind all of us.

Well, no. Check your math. You said "2,913 active cases in Travis County, with a population of 1.275 million... that's 0.0023% of the population infected"

But that's actually 0.23%. You may still think that's a small percentage, and that's really up to you. But it's also a 100 times worse than you made it sound in your post.

FWIW, I do agree with you that all of us should practice self-accountability. All day, every day. For my part, I'm definitely wearin' a mask!

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Geographer

Texas reported 10,351 new cases of COVID-19 on July 11. Travis County has an estimated 2,913 active cases.

What changes are you all seeing in your daily routines? What should be done about the skyrocketing infections?

Well I for one have been dealing with COVID-19. Been in quarantine since June 24th. I know I caught it at work from people who either didn't properly wear their face masks or simply didn't take wearing a mask seriously. When it came to physical distancing, there simply wasn't enough floorspace even with a customer limit to really physically distance. It was a horrible experience. There were times I didn't think I could stand anymore of the pain, barely able to sleep because I kept having to sit up to take breaths because the pressure on my chest was so heavy. You do not know how this virus will affect you. Don't just assume you will either have light symptoms or no symptoms. There have been healthy young people who are dead now who probably thought they could ride it out without too much trouble.

One thing I will say about Travis County numbers, seems awfully low considering I know several people who are dealing with symptoms. There are a hell of a lot more people than we know of that are carriers and there are people who are having a hard time even getting tested.

I am glad to report that I am recovering but it has affected my household and so, for the time being, we continue to be in quarantine.

[Jdawgboy]

On another subject. Will be interested on what everyone thinks of this article.


https://www.theguardian.com/artandde...tall-buildings

[Armybrat]

Sorry to hear that Jdawg, but best wishes for a complete recovery.
Maybe if 299 had the same experience, they wouldn’t be so dismissive.

And us old folks have just as much right to live our lives too. EVERYBODY should take precautions, no matter what age or status..... as we get on with our lives.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Sorry to hear that Jdawg, but best wishes for a complete recovery.
Maybe if 299 had the same experience, they wouldn’t be so dismissive.

And us old folks have just as much right to live our lives too. EVERYBODY should take precautions, no matter what age or status..... as we get on with our lives.

Well said. What many of us have a hard time understanding is that what we all do now effects all of us. It's collective action, basic human community stuff. One of the things that's really been mind-blowing during this time is finding out exactly how many of my fellow Americans have either forgotten or never knew how to be in a community with one another. I have a lot of suspicions why that is, but suffice to say it's imperative that we rediscover how to cooperate again, and stat.

For me, I'm wrestling with whether to send my 7 and 11 yr olds back to school next month. Actually, the wrestling part is mostly done -- my wife and I have decided to keep them home at least for the first grading period, which ends in October.

Reopening schools is going to be a clusterf*ck of the highest order, and will end up a meat grinder for kids and teachers and parents alike. And we're only focused on public schools; reopening UT and higher ed in general is going to be another completely awful event. We've had the luxury so far of not having to deal with some of the worst choices during pandemic -- I can't imagine the folks (like teachers, or foreign students, etc) who are in between the rockiest rocks and the hardest hard places.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by Armybrat

Sorry to hear that Jdawg, but best wishes for a complete recovery.
Maybe if 299 had the same experience, they wouldn’t be so dismissive.

And us old folks have just as much right to live our lives too. EVERYBODY should take precautions, no matter what age or status..... as we get on with our lives.

Thank you. I appreciate it deeply.

[zrx299]

I don't know what the answers are, but shutting down the world for 2 or 3 years for this to run its course is a nonstarter. You can only print so much money before the whole system collapses.

The K-12 schools are going to be a disaster either way. Kids don't get this illness, but teachers might. The disparity in school districts, parental involvement, and socioeconomics nationwide is massive, and will intellectually cripple some kids for years if we go back to online-only. It was a total disaster in the spring. Even "good parents" are ill-equipped to continue on this route. So what do you do?

It's not about being "dismissive", it's about simple math at a certain point. We all can tell sad stories about the one person at work, or the one family or family member we know who have been hit hard by this, or even ourselves personally. That's not minimizing their pain and suffering at all. But until that becomes a much higher % of expected outcome instead of anecdotal exceptions, it's going to continue to be an extremely tough sell to the general public. This is exactly what we're seeing now. Especially the 18 to 40 crowd.

[Geographer]

A fresh wave of hysteria focusing on the wrong numbers and zero mention of the flat or falling ultra low mortality rate from any of the media.
2,913 active cases in Travis County, with a population of 1.275 million... that's 0.0023% of the population infected. That hardly qualifies as "skyrocketing" in my opinion.
The Statesman and other Doom & Gloom media outlets continue to frame their headlines as if this is the Black Plague part 2.

The other half is "crisis fatigue" where we're all just sick and tired of everything. The fear and hysteria surrounding "testing positive" needs to stop.

We're not getting a vaccine, and this crap isn't going away for a very long time. Trying to slow or stop it is a futile effort that's just going to continue to piss everyone off with a series of starts & stops & shutdowns & flareups, to say nothing of the economic damage its inflicting.

There needs to be self accountability on all sides here. If you're at-risk, then take whatever precautions you need. Stay home and abstain from things if necessary. Likewise for otherwise healthy people not at risk but who frequently are in contact others who are. Everyone else needs to just get on with life. The faster herd immunity sets in, the faster we can put all this garbage behind all of us.
Reply With Quote

I'm surprised that after 130,000 dead from COVID there is still serious denialism about its severity. If Americans ever want to attend a sporting event, concert, political rally, visit their parents in a nursing home, take a cruise, or travel abroad then Americans need to make an effort to end the pandemic, not live with it. Italy, Spain, France, and the UK took the necessary steps to end their pandemics and they're now returning to normal. America hasn't. If American ever wants to get back to normal it needs to reduce new daily COVID cases by 99% from what we're seeing now.

[zrx299]

Originally Posted by Geographer

I'm surprised that after 130,000 dead from COVID there is still serious denialism about its severity. If Americans ever want to attend a sporting event, concert, political rally, visit their parents in a nursing home, take a cruise, or travel abroad then Americans need to make an effort to end the pandemic, not live with it. Italy, Spain, France, and the UK took the necessary steps to end their pandemics and they're now returning to normal. America hasn't. If American ever wants to get back to normal it needs to reduce new daily COVID cases by 99% from what we're seeing now.

What sporting events, concerts, and political rallies are going on in Europe right now that people can attend?
Sports are still playing to empty stadiums. As soon as they start letting people back in, they'll experience the same thing.

You also proved my point for me by only quoting a highly suspect total death count instead of the actual mortality rate. 130,000 gets a lot more fear-based attention than 0.2%

[We vs us]

I will say one of the things no one seems to be accounting for is the permanent or long term physical trauma that survivors are reporting. Widespread organ and nerve damage, heart and breathing problems, even brain damage. It's awful -- and I haven't seen formal numbers yet on how pervasive each of these knock on effects are, but assume that, because the survivor pool is so much bigger than the fatality pool, so too are the health problems.

That's one reason why herd immunity is such an empty promise. Because getting the full herd immune means not only willfully exposing people to death, but also to permanent health problems and disability. WHY SHOULD WE DO THAT TO PEOPLE, TO OUR ECONOMY, TO OUR SOCIETY. When we are surrounded by countries that have managed to get this under control by NOT throwing their fellow citizens to the wolves, it would seem like we should be able to follow that path, too, no? If South Korea can do it, why can't we?

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by We vs us

I will say one of the things no one seems to be accounting for is the permanent or long term physical trauma that survivors are reporting. Widespread organ and nerve damage, heart and breathing problems, even brain damage. It's awful -- and I haven't seen formal numbers yet on how pervasive each of these knock on effects are, but assume that, because the survivor pool is so much bigger than the fatality pool, so too are the health problems.

That's one reason why herd immunity is such an empty promise. Because getting the full herd immune means not only willfully exposing people to death, but also to permanent health problems and disability. WHY SHOULD WE DO THAT TO PEOPLE, TO OUR ECONOMY, TO OUR SOCIETY. When we are surrounded by countries that have managed to get this under control by NOT throwing their fellow citizens to the wolves, it would seem like we should be able to follow that path, too, no? If South Korea can do it, why can't we?

I am still experiencing nerve issues, in fact it was one of the symptoms I've felt unique to this virus as I have never experienced anything like that ever before. My hearing has also been strange since I got sick. There is evidence this virus damages the inner ear organ. I'm planning to see my ear, nose and throat specialist after I see my regular doctor. But my sense of touch and the way my skin feels is still not normal.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I am still experiencing nerve issues, in fact it was one of the symptoms I've felt unique to this virus as I have never experienced anything like that ever before. My hearing has also been strange since I got sick. There is evidence this virus damages the inner ear organ. I'm planning to see my ear, nose and throat specialist after I see my regular doctor. But my sense of touch and the way my skin feels is still not normal.

Holy crap! I missed you post from yesterday somehow or I would have responded sooner. Yeah, you had worse symptoms than Liesa. Its really weird how it affects people differently, from no symptoms to severe. Happy to hear you are doing better and I hope the lingering issues go away soon for you. I did take stoOgEs' advise and bought a pulse oximeter from Amazon for under $30. I've been finding it very informative and useful. If you are still having breathing issues, this could provide you with data anytime, anywhere.

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I am still experiencing nerve issues, in fact it was one of the symptoms I've felt unique to this virus as I have never experienced anything like that ever before. My hearing has also been strange since I got sick. There is evidence this virus damages the inner ear organ. I'm planning to see my ear, nose and throat specialist after I see my regular doctor. But my sense of touch and the way my skin feels is still not normal.

I am going to get tested tomorrow. I was just coming off of quarantine from contact on june 29th. Have started getting real bad allergy symptoms. Cat is even sneezing and coughing as well.

[the Genral]

One hopefully not too long lasting symptom is the loss of taste and smell. My wife has lingering issues with that but she is well enough to return to work this morning after about 3 weeks of recovery. It may seem minor compared to the far worse issues you mentioned, but imagine not being able to taste or smell what you are eating. To compensate, I have been adding more spices to whatever it is I'm cooking. On a personal note, her not being able to smell that well has taken the joy out of ass poofing next to her. Little to no reaction, even if the volume is turned up. So sad...
btw, even though I spent the last 3 weeks in the same house with her, it appears I escaped getting the virus from her. I may never know because I never got tested but I also never got any of the symptoms. Lucky or I am asymptomatic. Well at least I'm retired now and staying home except when I food and supply shop. Why tempt fate I sometimes always say..

[resansom]

Originally Posted by the Genral

...My wife has lingering issues with that but she is well enough to return to work this morning after about 3 weeks of recovery...

That's great news, glad to hear that your wife is over the worst and that you didn't get sick, at least, not outwardly.

[H2O]

I've been doing all of my shopping online since April, and I may never go back to in person shopping, other than quick trips to HEB to pick up something I forgot. We use Amazon more, but most local stores also offer online ordering and pick up and /or delivery. We still patronize local restaurants for take out only, but probably a little less often. We are still doing our part to keep the economy going. We are just spending more money on groceries, alcohol (Twin's delivers!), and home improvements and less on eating out, drinking out, and traveling. That way, many service industry workers keep their jobs, and I can be confident I am not unwittingly contributing to their exposure to the virus. We also have been far more generous with our tips to essential workers.

[lonewolf]

Originally Posted by H2O

I've been doing all of my shopping online since April, and I may never go back to in person shopping, other than quick trips to HEB to pick up something I forgot. We use Amazon more, but most local stores also offer online ordering and pick up and /or delivery. We still patronize local restaurants for take out only, but probably a little less often. We are still doing our part to keep the economy going. We are just spending more money on groceries, alcohol (Twin's delivers!), and home improvements and less on eating out, drinking out, and traveling. That way, many service industry workers keep their jobs, and I can be confident I am not unwittingly contributing to their exposure to the virus. We also have been far more generous with our tips to essential workers.

I have been a prime subscriber since 2011, great product. The conditions of their shops and warehouses make me sick. watching their market cap balloon during this pandemic combined with watching 20% of small businesses (so far) fail was enough to push me off the ledge. I cancelled my amazon account. Wish me luck lol

[We vs us]

Here's a very thorough, slightly long article about Austin's business scene during COVID. Worthwhile, and echoes a lot of stuff we've discussed here.


https://marker.medium.com/austin-was...t-6d5f5a332e04

[shoreditch]

Long, interseting read. Thank you for sharing. Was a little perplexed at how there was a whole section on corporate relocation activity remaining strong despite COVID, but no mention of Tesla...

Anyway, thanks again.

Originally Posted by We vs us

Here's a very thorough, slightly long article about Austin's business scene during COVID. Worthwhile, and echoes a lot of stuff we've discussed here.


https://marker.medium.com/austin-was...t-6d5f5a332e04