OT: Corona virus

[CaptBeefheart]

Hello Y'all. I finally caught up to this thread. I'll provide an update from Korea (I normally don't call it South Korea, since if I were referring to the other one, it would be "Our Friends Up North").

Things are starting to get back to normal, although social pressure is keeping people cautious (BBfanboy noted above that there's a "great sense of community responsibility" in these parts, but I'd say it's more like "I don't want to bring shame to myself or my family," and Korea has the added incentive of being very sensitive to global opinion). I always keep a mask in my pocket, but the missus warned me today that Koreans are posting pics of mask-less foreigners on social media. So, for reasons of "etiquette," she wants me to put one on, and not bring shame to the family. In Korea, to the random person on the street, as a grey-haired, i.e. older, and thus higher up the Confucian totem pole, and larger person than most, as well as someone who may not speak Korean, I usually don't get hassled, and I haven't in this situation. I'm more worried about my wife than anything.

Yesterday the Korean government announced schools would re-open on April 6. Barring some new flare up, I think that's a solid date. That will give cover for a lot of things to return to normal, such as the British Embassy pub *cough* re-opening *cough*. I still don't know anyone who has this, nor have I heard from anyone else that they know someone who has it, in Korea anyway. My journo buddies who went into the danger zone of Daegu are all good three weeks later.

As a very rough estimate, I'd say the downtown area has about 30-40% of people working from home, based on number of people walking around and how crowded restaurants are at lunch. About half of my people work from home each day. Speaking of business, although we are returning to normal here, the rest of the world ramping up in infections makes things like international events impossible. One of the things we do is provide PR for such events in Korea, so we’re taking a big hit to project-based income. I don’t see how the Japanese can keep the Olympics going—Japan may well be perfectly fine in August, but what about other parts of the world?

One more tidbit that might interest some: I talked to a buddy who works at the big Camp Humphreys base where most of the U.S. Army has consolidated recently, and he said they are doing temperature checks and asking questions at the base gate (he has to do that every morning). He said his operation, which handles Secret stuff and is “essential,” has gone to two shifts for social distancing purposes. He said if he catches the virus and they determine he got it off-post, he will lose his base access permanently, which essentially means he’ll be fired. Basically, he is prohibited from visiting any bar or restaurant or going anywhere else in the country. The USFK has had a PR problem for most of its existence, so I can see why they are being cautious on this one.

Stay safe out there.

Cheers,
CB

[MakeeLearn]

All the happenings around CV19 remind me of the quote by Henry David Thoreau :

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." = Thoreau

[Scott_USN]

ORIGINAL: MakeeLearn

All the happenings around CV19 remind me of the quote by Henry David Thoreau :

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." = Thoreau

Perfect.

[Scott_USN]

ORIGINAL: CaptBeefheart

Hello Y'all. I finally caught up to this thread. I'll provide an update from Korea (I normally don't call it South Korea, since if I were referring to the other one, it would be "Our Friends Up North").

Things are starting to get back to normal, although social pressure is keeping people cautious (BBfanboy noted above that there's a "great sense of community responsibility" in these parts, but I'd say it's more like "I don't want to bring shame to myself or my family," and Korea has the added incentive of being very sensitive to global opinion). I always keep a mask in my pocket, but the missus warned me today that Koreans are posting pics of mask-less foreigners on social media. So, for reasons of "etiquette," she wants me to put one on, and not bring shame to the family. In Korea, to the random person on the street, as a grey-haired, i.e. older, and thus higher up the Confucian totem pole, and larger person than most, as well as someone who may not speak Korean, I usually don't get hassled, and I haven't in this situation. I'm more worried about my wife than anything.

Yesterday the Korean government announced schools would re-open on April 6. Barring some new flare up, I think that's a solid date. That will give cover for a lot of things to return to normal, such as the British Embassy pub *cough* re-opening *cough*. I still don't know anyone who has this, nor have I heard from anyone else that they know someone who has it, in Korea anyway. My journo buddies who went into the danger zone of Daegu are all good three weeks later.

As a very rough estimate, I'd say the downtown area has about 30-40% of people working from home, based on number of people walking around and how crowded restaurants are at lunch. About half of my people work from home each day. Speaking of business, although we are returning to normal here, the rest of the world ramping up in infections makes things like international events impossible. One of the things we do is provide PR for such events in Korea, so we’re taking a big hit to project-based income. I don’t see how the Japanese can keep the Olympics going—Japan may well be perfectly fine in August, but what about other parts of the world?

One more tidbit that might interest some: I talked to a buddy who works at the big Camp Humphreys base where most of the U.S. Army has consolidated recently, and he said they are doing temperature checks and asking questions at the base gate (he has to do that every morning). He said his operation, which handles Secret stuff and is “essential,” has gone to two shifts for social distancing purposes. He said if he catches the virus and they determine he got it off-post, he will lose his base access permanently, which essentially means he’ll be fired. Basically, he is prohibited from visiting any bar or restaurant or going anywhere else in the country. The USFK has had a PR problem for most of its existence, so I can see why they are being cautious on this one.

Stay safe out there.

Cheers,
CB

Good to hear and being cautious is a good thing. Let's get back to work and move on!

[Scott_USN]

I feel bad for the people put out of work in the US. Especially the restaurant people who probably live week to week money wise (the majority). They closed down all the restaurants here which seems draconian and an over step in government power period. Yeah public safety is one thing draconian movements make me uneasy. We have exactly 2 known cases. 1 was a Cargo pilot from China who took extra measures to called the EMTs and told them what he thought he had and isolated himself and everyone who was in his vicinity was tested and no one got it from him. I give him kudos for being responsible but he has now returned to China after recovering, good job for being responsible bro.

[CaptBeefheart]

Gents: One further bit of interesting knowledge I stumbled upon yesterday. This is a very good piece on the different legal environments of the U.S. and Korea: Lessons for America: How South Korean Authorities Used Law to Fight the Coronavirus.

One reason why Korea has done well is if you get the virus, they'll track where you've been through your phone, credit card transactions and other means, then they'll contact everyone they think you've contacted.

Cheers,
CB

[Anachro]

All the restaurants here have shifted to a curbside delivery model: call in, order, drive up and park and they bring food out to your car. It's not a replacement, but can still get some good food rather than always eating at home (and yes, I am a decent cook).

[Scott_USN]

ORIGINAL: Anachro

All the restaurants here have shifted to a curbside delivery model: call in, order, drive up and park and they bring food out to your car. It's not a replacement, but can still get some good food rather than always eating at home (and yes, I am a decent cook).

Good idea, keeps people employed also.

[NigelKentarus]

Now here in Florida, all bars and restaurants are closed for 30 days, but the beaches are still open.

[Scott_USN]

ORIGINAL: NigelKentarus

Now here in Florida, all bars and restaurants are closed for 30 days, but the beaches are still open.

Yeah that makes sense right? Haha

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Australian researchers discover how body's immune system fights coronavirus COVID-19

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/ ... yPfGswqeNo

With so many things closing, expect a baby boom starting in 9 months . . .

That's quite an accomplishment with 6 feet of social distancing! [:D]

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Australian researchers discover how body's immune system fights coronavirus COVID-19

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/ ... yPfGswqeNo

With so many things closing, expect a baby boom starting in 9 months . . .

That's quite an accomplishment with 6 feet of social distancing! [:D]

Not for the couples who have no place to go in the evenings or whenever they are not working . . .

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Scott_USN

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: Scott_USN

In a few weeks people will be like what?

I don't get the gist of your question. What aspect of people (very complex critters) are you thinking of? Medical condition? Emotional state? Mental state? Political opinion? Physical condition? Financial condition? Nutritional condition? etc.

The insanity over a virus that is less dangerous that the common flu? People hoarding like it is a zombie apocalypse? Is over hyped to me. Overall the hysteria.

"Less dangerous than the common flu" was an early pronouncement when people heard it is less contagious. But we now know it is about 10 times as lethal and does not seem to respond to standard anti-viral treatments. All we seem to be able to do is help the serious cases breathe and hope their bodies can develop immunity before they die. If Alaska has a million residents you figure loss of 20,000 of them would be an acceptable price for your being able to go to the bar?

Part of the problem is we want political leaders to give us maximum freedom but then blame them for not protecting us when something happens. Politicians know that your peeve at restrictions on liberty is less likely to cost them votes than allowing the death of 20,000 residents to happen. They don't have much choice but to shut things down.

The panic buying and hoarding problem is driven by lack of clarity on how long they will be sequestered. Leaders need to paint a better picture on how they see this playing out, including resupply of store shelves so that people know they do not have to have a year's worth of TP.

[Scott_USN]

Flu is horribly efficient and killing humans.

[Scott_USN]

The politicians are nothing but rats. Almost all of them. They have no one in their mind but themselves.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Scott_USN

The politicians are nothing but rats. Almost all of them. They have no one in their mind but themselves.

Not true. Most are decent men and women trying to do a good job for their constituents, but the system makes them spend too much time on CYA and arguing with the opposition instead of finding ways of collaboration. The arguing gets all the press. IMO, we need to get away from the party system so individual pols can talk to each other without a party overseer. It should be OK for members of one party to acknowledge a smart idea from the other party and congratulate them on it publicly. Instead we get attacks on whatever idea they come up with. I'd much rather vote for the guy/gal that is a cheerleader than a jeerleader.

[Scott_USN]

You may agree with that but they are rats in my opinion, my politics are neutral as in all of them are crooks. I am however a nationalist I guess right of center on my beliefs but this current situation reminds me how much I despise all of them. Spending money on nothing. Remind me of children in charge of the banking account.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Scott_USN

You may agree with that but they are rats in my opinion, my politics are neutral as in all of them are crooks. I am however a nationalist I guess right of center on my beliefs but this current situation reminds me how much I despise all of them. Spending money on nothing. Remind me of children in charge of my banking account.

I fixed it for you.

[Scott_USN]

Haha exactly Rangerjoe it is out of control in my opinion. Just mine.

[Scott_USN]

But anyway China and South Korea are already going back to work and moving forward.