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Post by surfgirl on May 9, 2020 17:54:20 GMT
“That says they’re not working, they’re not traveling, they’re predominantly downstate, predominantly minority, predominantly older,” Mr. Cuomo said. I think it's important to note that most of the demographic Governor Cuomo is talking about aren't just 'predominantly minority, predominantly older', they are also highly likely to be of lower income, struggling economically even before the pandemic hit, and live in settings where self-isolating is not only difficult to impossible, but also culturally difficult. If one lives in a multi-generational situation, in a small apartment in a low income setting, and has nowhere else to go, there's not much that person can do to protect him/herself if, lets' say for example, their teen/young adult grandchild decides to hang with their buddies outside and bring the virus into that home. Or if that person lives with a child that works in an essential business sector and brings it into the home. That is the type of scenario I think of when I read that description.
Also, I'm going to give a huge shout out to those here speaking up for Gov. Cuomo! He's been more far more of a leader than we've had at the national level, and he is being guided by truth, facts, and science. No amount of prayer is going to pray this pandemic away. We the People have to stand up for what is right and true, and that is factually-based, scientific evidence, period end of story. This is a global pandemic, and as an international public health worker for over 30 years working throughout Africa and Asia, I can share with you this fact - I and my colleagues have never ever seen anything like this in our careers. Even the HIV pandemic, in its heyday, wasn't like this because we knew it's transmission was isolated to a few main modes of transmission and if you weren't engaged in high risk exposure it was unlikely you'd become infected. But COVID-19 is a completely different pandemic because it is easier to transmit and carriers can carry unknowingly. SO...what I have seen in the way New York, as a state, is that it's been guided by science, facts, and a deep caring for the people of the state. Could Cuomo have acted earlier? Yes, absolutely, and just imagine the bitching he'd be getting now from those who want to open up everything now because they feel their 'rights are being infringed'...Imagine how much more complaining they'd be doing now if he'd acted sooner...
Lastly, I want to share an experience I had yesterday which brought me to tears. I had to run a quick errand yesterday - safely, with mask and minimal contact with anyone - and I unknowingly turned a corner onto a main street in my city and drove right into one of these 'protests' by a bunch of people who clearly have no clue what's going on. American flags abounded, being waved frantically out truck windows and the guy in the truck in front of me was trying to grab a flag being passed out the window of the truck in the next lane. He kept swerving and finally I laid on my horn because he was going to cause an accident, just so he could wave his little flag and make his point with all the other yahoos. And what was their point? I'm not sure. I saw people carrying signs that said "Bill Gates can Vaxx off!" So I guess those folks don't realize that the phone and computer organizing - much of it done by hate groups hiding behind these protesters - that told them where to be for their little protest was able to happen because of people like Bill Gates, so yanno, not a very bright sign statement if you ask me. Plus, are they going to refuse the vaccine for COVID-19 once it's developed? I hope they have to sign a document saying they will never ask for it, nor go to the hospital for treatment if they get it, because clearly they don't think it's an issue that will affect them. I was so disgusted by the blatant ignorance and willful "I don't give a shit about anyone but me" attitude that I was literally in tears by the time I got to my destination. It was scary to be around this much concentrated idiocy. And I felt for the scores of police officers who had to be there to keep the peace so these morons could exercise their free speech when they all should have been home instead, keeping themselves and others safe. Nothing says "eff everyone except me" like forcing people to protect you while you put them at risk by not wearing masks and being out en masse with other unmasked people.
*Thanks for letting me vent, I needed to get that off my chest after my experience yesterday*
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Post by fullmahina on May 9, 2020 18:08:04 GMT
surfgirl -- -Very well said. Thank you and sorry you had to be subjected to the "protest" display by that bunch of fools.
I can share with you this fact - I and my colleagues have never ever seen anything like this in our careers. Even the HIV pandemic, in its heyday, wasn't like this because we knew it's transmission was isolated to a few main modes of transmission and if you weren't engaged in high risk exposure it was unlikely you'd become infected. But COVID-19 is a completely different pandemic because it is easier to transmit and carriers can carry unknowingly. My fellow nurses and other healthcare professionals that I know have expressed exactly the same sentiment. Every time I heard some armchair "expert" say "This is no worse than the flu!" I wanted to scream. For exactly the reasons you stated, this is NOT anything like the seasonal flu. And now with the horrible issues that are coming forth regarding how COVID-19 may be more of a disaster for children than we previously thought this is indeed so much more devastating than the flu. Continue precautions for yourself and others. Every life is precious but if I thought my reckless behavior had resulted in the death of an innocent child it would rip my heart out.
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Post by DotRen on May 9, 2020 21:53:39 GMT
surfgirl , sorry you had such a frightening experience. Not to get political, but when the "leadership" claims it's a hoax, no worse than the flu, etc and people blindly follow that in spite of every bit if actual fact saying it's not a hoax and it's not "like the flu", it's really sad because they won't listen to facts as long as their "in charge" person leads them down the path of ignorance. It reminds me a lot of the news stories where the lead sheep falls off a cliff and the rest of the herd follows him to their deaths.
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Post by finreporter on May 9, 2020 23:03:19 GMT
surfgirl , sorry you had such a frightening experience. Not to get political, but when the "leadership" claims it's a hoax, no worse than the flu, etc and people blindly follow that in spite of every bit if actual fact saying it's not a hoax and it's not "like the flu", it's really sad because they won't listen to facts as long as their "in charge" person leads them down the path of ignorance. It reminds me a lot of the news stories where the lead sheep falls off a cliff and the rest of the herd follows him to their deaths. that's exactly what seems to be happening here. only in our case, the herd following to their death is grabbing a bunch of innocent lives on the way down. we really got stuck with the worst "in charge" at the fed level. this is not the effing flu. this is not a hoax. this is real and more americans have died from this than in the vietnam war. who in the their right minds would celebrate and say the "in charge" is fabulous? bring on more! this whole thing has angered me (as you can all probably tell!). sorry rant over.
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Post by choney2 on May 10, 2020 11:20:35 GMT
Governor Cuomo acted with great maturity and leadership when he sentenced many residents to their deaths in NY nursing homes by insisting that those nursing homes take on Covid patients. Yeah great leader folks....NOT. We all make mistakes, even Andrew. And what about his wonderful brother going on national media to advance his own fortune while being quarantined during his own personal bout with Covid. Anyone remember that his brother was caught out in public with his family in their neighborhood (social distancing? ? Guess that does not count when you are the governors baby brother) during his quarantine. That being said, Cuomo has handled some aspects of this crisis well. But he is no saint. And now its time for him to allow the very upstate counties to slowly start to open up. I do not watch him any more, his daily lectures are tiring and many times too sprinkled with complaints and self aggrandizing comments. I do read his daily emails which mean that i do not have to deal with his obnoxious personality.
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Post by DotRen on May 10, 2020 14:32:31 GMT
I don't envy the position of any "leaders" in this crisis. None of them knew how to respond, but some have done it in a much more adult fashion than others. Take the very young Judge Lina Hidalgo (she's 29!) in Houston. She has a quiet, calm demeanor than really almost can make you overlook her, but through all the daily press briefings, she's come across as concerned and informative without being political. I have been really impressed with her "surface" in the face of all this.
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Post by choney2 on May 10, 2020 19:32:49 GMT
Agreed, Rene, its been tough being a leader in this crisis. And there is the debate of states rights over national leadership, where does one begin and the other start? Tough call to make for sure, and its so easy to see how the living in a densely populated state (or region) is very different than living in a sparsely populated state. Its surely not a one size fits all response, nor should it be. I super respect my county executive who 6 days a week provides a concise broadcast with mostly facts....and how he is working with several other county executives from neighboring counties to come up with a plan to get this county back to work. Restraint and maturity are what I see.....and a heart to understand what the residents are going through. I would love to see him in Albany (state capital) but would miss him terribly in our county. will have to check out Judge Hidalgo....see what I can learn about her.
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chook
Epic Member
Posts: 327
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Post by chook on May 11, 2020 9:46:11 GMT
We are just beginning to lift restrictions, with the States in total conflict from what our Prime Minister has allowed.
My particular state is the strictest in the country. I for one, am grateful for that. I am a health worker and required to go into work every day. One of our departments is Covid testing and it’s very scary. I take public transport to work and it’s reassuring that there are currently less than half a dozen ppl per train carriage....but soon that will change, once businesses are given the go-ahead to re-open.
Protests are only just starting up now and I just shake my head. Police are fining numerous ppl everyday ($1600) if you are caught breaching current restrictions, and have been fining ppl for well over a month now.
Today we entered stage 1 of coming out of restrictions. There are 5 reasons to leave your home: to go to work or school (if you cannot work from home and if your school is open), to shop for essential supplies, to get medical attention, to provide care to someone (and new today), to visit someone. You can now have up to 5 visitors to your home. Other states are far more lenient and our state government wants to see what happens over the next few weeks, so we don’t lose whatever gains we have made.
Our country has been so fortunate in that we have had less than 100 deaths in the entire country, mainly due to these strict restrictions.
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Post by choney2 on May 11, 2020 11:14:33 GMT
Chook, would love to know where you live....and indeed you are so fortunate that you have had so few deaths in your country due to Covid. You bring up a good point regarding the discrepancy of local government authorities in conflict with national guidelines....that is being seen all over I guess. Thanks for your dedication as a health worker- i know from a family member who is also essential services that there is a bit of fear as others renter transportation systems and roads. Its scary for me to see videos of individuals who have come off lock down and are totally disregarding any restrictions on social distancing and wearing face masks. I am sure you are a bit battle weary also.....again thanks for the service you provide to your nation. Stay safe.
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Post by fullmahina on May 11, 2020 12:16:38 GMT
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Post by neen on May 11, 2020 18:05:13 GMT
Indiana allowed restaurants to open for inside dinning today at 50% capacity. Some one posted a picture of students lined up outside of a local bar, no masks, all close together. I get the semester is over, I get that they want one last "party" at the bar, I GET IT! BUT all these students will soon be going home to their hometowns/states and if anyone in that group is sick, they all (probably) will get it and take it with them. It makes me angry and sad. I'm glad I can still work from home.
(and yes, the University switched to distance learning back in March, but some students still came back to campus)
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Post by bbbearsmom on May 11, 2020 19:10:33 GMT
neen, Just read an article in the Washington Post about a restaurant in Colorado who opened in defiance of the governor's orders. They were opened on Mother's Day and had about 500 people with no social distancing. The owner said they did it in defense of the constitution. Also there was one person in the video that had on a mask.
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Post by luanne on May 11, 2020 19:41:13 GMT
neen , Just read an article in the Washington Post about a restaurant in Colorado who opened in defiance of the governor's orders. They were opened on Mother's Day and had about 500 people with no social distancing. The owner said they did it in defense of the constitution. Also there was one person in the video that had on a mask. I really don't understand what is wrong with people.
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Post by DotRen on May 11, 2020 19:41:31 GMT
They were showing a mothers day luncheon for first responders in Florida(I think) that was sponsored by a sports team. So many women sitting elbow to elbow, no masks, etc. Gave me the skeeves! First responders should know better.
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Post by finreporter on May 11, 2020 20:13:43 GMT
my ex talked to his mom yesterday and she went on and on about how nice it was to see his brother (who lives in the same town as her) and his family for mother's day. they also (brother and family) were on there way to see another set of family and hang out for mother's day.
so basically no one gives a crap about social distancing when it's mother's day. i was so angry when i heard that.
i wish i could scream out, "you don't think i want to see my mom too for mother's day!!?" we don't, because i'm not going that route. i'm willing to protect her and she's smart enough to know it's a good idea for a 70+ year old woman to protect herself.
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