Coronavirus

[vu72]

"Normal", as we used to know it, won't return without a vaccine.  Some version of normal can return, I suppose, particularly if we finally get the tests done that we so badly need (both to find out who has it, but more importantly, to find out who has had it, unknowingly and thus would be immune to getting it again)

[FWalum]

Any of you who want expert information in a relatively unbiased atmosphere should view videos from Evolutionary Biologists Heather Herring and Bret Weinstein on Bret's Dark Horse Podcast YouTube channel. These are very informative in-depth discussions. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi5N_uAqApEUIlg32QzkPlg/featured

https://twitter.com/BretWeinstein/status/1247641245175799808

[vu72]

Some thoughts as we near the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord.  We, as a country are in deep trouble and clearly need prayers let alone political sense.  Two weeks ago the National total of cases in America was under 100,000 with 1500 deaths. Today, we are at over 500,000 cases and over 20,000 deaths.  I just saw a photo of what looked like a car dealer lot but it wasn't.  It was a picture of hundreds of cars in line for food from a food shelf in San Antonio.

This is not going away, this week or next month. We are in a death spiral for many.  Be kind, be generous. We all lose track of all the Americans who are living check to check or rely on tips to make ends meet.  There are also plenty of people with good paying jobs who have been laid off with no income or even worse...not health insurance.  If you get sick, can you even get care?

Political parties aside, many of us disagree on many subjects.  As Valpo alums and/or followers/lovers of Dear Old Valpo, we need to come together on this.  Pray, be generous and keep those friends and neighbors in mind who may be very near desperation...very soon.

Happy Easter to all...HE IS RISEN!!!

[FWalum]

For any of you that may be interested in streaming an Easter Service, here is the link to the stream from St. Paul's Lutheran Church here in Fort Wayne.  This is the church that was chiefly responsible for the Lutheran's purchasing Valparaiso University.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3526786380671126&id=120650154618116

[RS]

DEFLECT .... DENY .... DIRECT the blame elsewhere.  President Trump understands those concepts fairly well.  The nice little propaganda film the White House put out is a perfect example.  Everyone else is to blame but his Administration on the outbreak circumstances.

[vu84v2]

To those of you who support Trump, how do you reconcile this gem that he said today?

"When somebody is President of the United States, your authority is total"

Where is this supported in the Constitution? Do you totally reject states rights? By my estimate, this is the 9,356th statement that Donald Trump has made that illustrates he is completely unfit to be President.

[wh]

Getting my popcorn ready for today's chapter of the greatest show on earth.

[wh]

To those of you who support Trump, how do you reconcile this gem that he said today?

"When somebody is President of the United States, your authority is total"

Where is this supported in the Constitution? Do you totally reject states rights? By my estimate, this is the 9,356th statement that Donald Trump has made that illustrates he is completely unfit to be President.

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him. It's as simple as that. The fact that I have seen very little pushback since from the fake news media basically confirms it. Otherwise, more liberal heads would be exploding than just the know-nothing CBS info babe that rudely tried to take the President of United States on in yesterday's briefing.

[vu72]

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him.

Come on wh, you're kidding right?

[vu84v2]

To those of you who support Trump, how do you reconcile this gem that he said today?

"When somebody is President of the United States, your authority is total"

Where is this supported in the Constitution? Do you totally reject states rights? By my estimate, this is the 9,356th statement that Donald Trump has made that illustrates he is completely unfit to be President.

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him. It's as simple as that. The fact that I have seen very little pushback since from the fake news media basically confirms it. Otherwise, more liberal heads would be exploding than just the know-nothing CBS info babe that rudely tried to take the President of United States on in yesterday's briefing.

10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Putting aside this little thing like the constitution, the President says "we're going to open these businesses in these states" and the governors of some of those states say "no, given information from the CDC and other public health experts, we are not going to open those businesses yet". Please explain his recourse. I thought that States' rights were important. And just to correct you...every media outlet that does not consider itself a propaganda machine for Donald Trump has blasted Trump's statement. Lastly, that CBS reporter had more guts and professional integrity than all of the so-called journalists at OAN.

[wh]

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him.

Come on wh, you're kidding right?

The President said today that whatever decisions he makes will be done in conjunction with the Governors. NY Governor Cuomo said today that he isn't looking for fight and fully expects he and the President will work together going forward. Truthfully, I'm pleasantly surprised at how well our President and his team and our Governors have worked together. Let's hope they keep it up and finish the job.

[wh]

To those of you who support Trump, how do you reconcile this gem that he said today?

"When somebody is President of the United States, your authority is total"

Where is this supported in the Constitution? Do you totally reject states rights? By my estimate, this is the 9,356th statement that Donald Trump has made that illustrates he is completely unfit to be President.

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him. It's as simple as that. The fact that I have seen very little pushback since from the fake news media basically confirms it. Otherwise, more liberal heads would be exploding than just the know-nothing CBS info babe that rudely tried to take the President of United States on in yesterday's briefing.

10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Putting aside this little thing like the constitution, the President says "we're going to open these businesses in these states" and the governors of some of those states say "no, given information from the CDC and other public health experts, we are not going to open those businesses yet". Please explain his recourse. I thought that States' rights were important. And just to correct you...every media outlet that does not consider itself a propaganda machine for Donald Trump has blasted Trump's statement. Lastly, that CBS reporter had more guts and professional integrity than all of the so-called journalists at OAN.

"Guts and integrity?"  She was 1 of a roomful of journalistic shills of the Democrat Party on the attack of a duly elected President. If she would have acted that way toward President Obama, she would be a local reporter in Tacoma today. If she would have pulled a stunt like that in front of a President Hilary Clinton, someone in the Clinton family cartel would be planning her impending suicide as we speak.

[vu84v2]

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him.

Come on wh, you're kidding right?

The President said today that whatever decisions he makes will be done in conjunction with the Governors. NY Governor Cuomo said today that he isn't looking for fight and fully expects he and the President will work together going forward. Truthfully, I'm pleasantly surprised at how well our President and his team and our Governors have worked together. Let's hope they keep it up and finish the job.

We can agree that working together is the best thing for everyone. But it is not "the governors get a say, but the President gets the final word". It just does not work that way. If anything, the mayors get the final say unless their state constitutions allow them to be overruled by the governor. But again, working together and reaching a consensus is best.

[vu72]

It is interesting to look back at early posts in this thread and read some of the "its no big deal" posts.  Without naming names, some of those folks have been very quiet recently.  Hopefully they haven't come down with the virus.

[wh]

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him.

Come on wh, you're kidding right?

The President said today that whatever decisions he makes will be done in conjunction with the Governors. NY Governor Cuomo said today that he isn't looking for fight and fully expects he and the President will work together going forward. Truthfully, I'm pleasantly surprised at how well our President and his team and our Governors have worked together. Let's hope they keep it up and finish the job.

We can agree that working together is the best thing for everyone. But it is not "the governors get a say, but the President gets the final word". It just does not work that way. If anything, the mayors get the final say unless their state constitutions allow them to be overruled by the governor. But again, working together and reaching a consensus is best.

You may want to inform Governor Cuomo that he doesn't know what he's talking about:

Cuomo says de Blasio doesn't have authority to keep NYC schools closed


https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2020/04/11/cuomo-says-de-blasio-has-no-authority-to-keep-nyc-schools-closed/amp/

[vu84v2]

You may want to inform Governor Cuomo that he doesn't know what he's talking about:

Cuomo says de Blasio doesn't have authority to keep NYC schools closed


https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2020/04/11/cuomo-says-de-blasio-has-no-authority-to-keep-nyc-schools-closed/amp/

[/quote]

It is possible that Governor Cuomo is right, because his authority to overrule a mayor would be based on the state constitution (and I know nothing about the New York state constitution). However, from the 10th amendment it seems very clear that the President does not have the authority to overrule the states.

[bbtds]

I think this will taper off and much of the fear and hysteria is irrational and overblown.

Because this is new we have zero immunity to it. Figures today said 80 to 150 million Americans will be stricken before this runs its course. I've heard 1% mortality at least for us in the highest risk categories.

Spring is around the corner and viruses typically don't spread in warmer weather.

They believe or maybe are certain that this will not follow that pattern. Italy is a world outbreak hotspot (warm) while South Korea (cold) seems to be winning because they reacted quickly.

I think it's stupid for the NCAA to prohibit fan attendance at the dance. The likely outcome of this will be to cancel the tournament. Boneheaded and gutless decision by the president of the NCAA today.

Or maybe they will look like cautious geniuses.

quote from: Just Sayin on March 11, 2020, 09:26:53 PM
Looking like a genius doesn't make you one.

Not a genius but going forward I will be listening carefully to what VP Pence says and ignoring the president. Much better source of unbiased information.

Let's give justducky the kudos he deserves for his forethought many days ago when decisions were being made about cancelling events we were looking forward to like the NCAA tournament.

[RS]

The president is so toxic to America. Today he is tweeting liberate Virginia. Liberate Michigan. Liberate Minnesota. All he is doing is   escalating the growing unrest in the States. Yes people want to get back to work. Get back to our normal lives of eating out, movies, visiting friends and family, shopping and sporting events and concerts. But according to every medical expert this will not happen for a long time. Maybe even a year or more. Has everyone seen pictures of those Michigan protesters. Right wing Trumpsters carrying automatic weapons and having their children carrying signs that I'm sure they dint have a clue about. It will spread if people are not maintaining recommended health standards and precautions. I'm sure the president realizes that those states are important to his re-election and inciting his Trumpsters is needed. Give me a break. Yes leave it up to the Governors. Opening up the states county by county would seem to be a not very good way of doing it. So you open up Porter county. Whats to keep people from Lake County or La Porte County or even Illinois from coming to Porter County and shopping and spreading the virus. There has to be a more logical way. Yes more testing is needed. As for sporting events ... I would not be surprised as NCAA basketball next fall will be a victim. I hope not. To all ... please be safe. Wear your masks when going out.

[JD24]

How do I reconcile it?  The President said it, and I have no reason to doubt him. 

You should.

[wh]

Trump to 'suspend immigration into the United States' by executive order amid coronavirus

"Given tens of millions of Americans are out of work right now and we're battling a virus that spreads through human-to-human transmission I am dying to hear one coherent argument against this," wrote Spectator USA's Washington editor Amber Athey.

[RS]

Jon Meacham the Pulitzer prize winning presidential biographer has made a very observant but obvious statement saying the corona virus has become a partisan pandemic. With various Republican governors opening up their states one wonders where  their concern for the health of their constituents belongs. At least Holcomb is taking a more measured look at opening up the state.

[vu84v2]

Trump to 'suspend immigration into the United States' by executive order amid coronavirus

"Given tens of millions of Americans are out of work right now and we're battling a virus that spreads through human-to-human transmission I am dying to hear one coherent argument against this," wrote Spectator USA's Washington editor Amber Athey.

What does 'suspend immigration' mean and who does it apply to? New immigrants? Illegal immigrants? Current green card holders? See, here is one of the many problems with Trump's horrendous leadership. He manages as if he is producing a TV show..."make sure you tune in to see what's next". That is not effective leadership...effective leadership involves communicating with clarity. That is especially true in a crisis.

[vu84v2]

Here is yet another example of how poorly Donald Trump communicates and acts:

-Governors, both Democrat and Republican, say they need more capacity for testing. Not only do they need test kits, they need chemicals, access to labs, etc.

Governors: "We need to ramp up testing to be able to have the data needed to open up. The response of the federal government has not been good enough"

Fauci: "We need to increase testing capacity by two to probably three times what it is right now."

Pence works closely with the governors and, my guess, with various suppliers to ramp this up. From anything that I can see, Pence is doing a good job in that he does not deny the problem or let politics get in the way...he just works the problem.

Trump's response: "Democrats are playing a dangerous political game" and "we're in very good shape on testing".

[wh]

Trump to 'suspend immigration into the United States' by executive order amid coronavirus

"Given tens of millions of Americans are out of work right now and we're battling a virus that spreads through human-to-human transmission I am dying to hear one coherent argument against this," wrote Spectator USA's Washington editor Amber Athey.

What does 'suspend immigration' mean and who does it apply to? New immigrants? Illegal immigrants? Current green card holders? See, here is one of the many problems with Trump's horrendous leadership. He manages as if he is producing a TV show..."make sure you tune in to see what's next". That is not effective leadership...effective leadership involves communicating with clarity. That is especially true in a crisis.

Are you completely tone deaf? 

U.S. now has 22 million unemployed, wiping out a decade of job gains

"More than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment aid since President Trump declared a national emergency, a staggering loss of jobs that has wiped out a decade of employment gains and pushed families to line up at food banks as they await government help."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/16/unemployment-claims-coronavirus/?outputType=amp

[vu84v2]

Yes, but again...who?  What types of immigrants? There are many people here legally on green cards and work visas, and many of these people bring critical skills that the U.S. lacks (in terms of knowledge and the needed volume of qualified people). There are not Americans who are qualified to fill these jobs (medical and research is a big one, but this is applicable to many other skilled positions). There are people who are on the legal path to citizenship, so what about them? If you decide to "stop immigration", are you going to go find all of these people and deport them?

The lack of clear communication creates chaos (which might be what Trump wants). But good leadership is preventing miscommunication and chaos - especially during a crisis.

Additionally, Trump is the master of getting people to look at the "shiny object". He has gotten a lot of justified criticism for delays in reacting to the crisis (see the previous history of his comments during February and March). He desperately wants to get people beyond just his blindly loyal followers to agree that blame lies elsewhere, so no blame lies with him - but people are not buying that. Thus, he just raises another contentious issue to move people's attention.