Friends, new research out of California indicates that the percentage of the population that's been exposed to the coronavirus may be much higher than previously thought. That's both good news and bad news. It's good news, because it means that the virus is far less deadly, in terms of its death rate, than has been reported to date. It's bad news, because it means a much higher percentage of virus-carriers must be asymptomatic, and thus telling who has it and who doesn't, and containing it by sequestering those who do, is nearly impossible.
https://www.yahoo.com/gma/antibody-research-indicates-coronavirus-may-far-more-widespread-155200568.html
What does all this mean? Possibly, it means that President Trump's recent comment -- that we need to shift to a strategy of protecting the most vulnerable, rather than incarcerating everyone in their homes indefinitely -- may be correct. At least, it might be the most realistic way to fight the pandemic in the next few months.
What's your view?
The United States of America needs to get going again. Of course it looks like President Trump has left things to the governors. That means not all states will be up and running again at the same.
ReplyDeleteIt would behoove people to get tested for the virus. I don't know anything about the details of testing, but of course I know it exists. So people should be encouraged to get tested. Ultimately, everything is on a case by case basis.
But no matter what let's get going again.
No matter what, this COVID-19 crisis is just the beginning of a lot more trouble the Government of China is going to cause the U.S. and the world in the future. Nixon's recognition of the most ruthless dictatorship in the world has "come home to roost."
ReplyDeleteThe worst is yet to come. If this sounds pessimistic, so be it. No apologies!
Business as usual for sure. Just saw an advertisement (with a Chinese model) for some brand of women's baseball hat with a big visor in front, that looks like a welder's mask. The b s never ends does it? It just keeps coming at you in endless waves.
ReplyDeleteBut President Trump has put the decisions on when we need to open up and get moving again in the hands of the governors. He did the right thing in this regard. However, it is crystal clear that the country is not going to start moving again at the same time. For example, it will be very interesting to see what the Governor of California does to get things back on track in his state. Regrettably, the guy hates Trump with a passion, so he was going to do whatever he wanted to do in the first place, Trump be damned. And of of course the Left Coast states have already formed a block against Trump, long ago.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Ray -- it's going to be fascinating to see how individual states and localities behave. I concur that Trump is right to leave many of these decisions in local hands. Constitutionally, I don't believe he has any choice in the matter. I still expect, however, that when some states prove that life and business can resume WITHOUT creating a universal apocalypse, the pressure even on foot-dragging Dem governors will be intense. Help is on the way!!!
ReplyDeleteYep, and this should also be a good lesson on states' rights. Sometimes, this irritates me, but in the end, it is our country's strength. If Californians don't like what their governor does, they can also vote him out of office.
ReplyDeleteAgree with both of you, no sense in saying more.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: Yours is a very creditable point about the results of differing state approaches to reopening the culture and economy promising solid evidence as to which approach is best conceived. Of course, empirical evidence is DROSS, DUST to such as doctrinally driven Cuomo and Newsom. What other states would be as foolish as to empower such as those two? But for the real world, this will be productive. Of course the MSM will do its best to discredit anything which denies its leftist convictions (and let's remember, to the left, convictions are CONVICTIONS!) But we have Fox and the President. And this situation can contribute mightily to the eventual marginalization of the MSM, like unto Professional Wrestling.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy et al: As a general principle , respecting the rights of the states to enact their own policies in this crisis is sound. But when a Governor arbitrarily denies a sizeable minority (remember that word Andrew?)the equal protection of Federal laws by openly flouting those laws, as did seversl Southern governors in the '50's, then the Feds must take them in hand. Cuomo and Newsom will do whatever they are allowed to get away with, they have been doing it ever since Trump had the temerity to win and they fairly beg a political reckoning with President Trump. It is reasonable to expect them to continue this defiant pattern in the present, subjecting all other considerations to their prime purpose: the destruction of our duly elected President.
ReplyDeleteRay -- I agree that states' rights are a double-edged sword. Here in NY it might be nice to have Trump dictate terms to Cuomo, but in the end it just isn't the American way.
ReplyDeleteJack -- you're absolutely right that, if red states reopen their economies earlier and everything works out fine, that doesn't mean that Democrats and liberals will admit for a second that they were wrong. In fact, if a single person dies of COVID-19 in those red states after the lockdowns are lifted (a certainty), the Dems will say that Republicans have blood on their hands. But we already know what the Dems will say before they say it. They're nothing if not predictable.