Tough sled ahead indeed.

Well, it is my opinion that the hysteria has died down, but unfortunately, 6-8 weeks later, things are not "under control", because we haven't been able to follow up the lock down with a robust program of testing, isolating and contact tracing as was recommended by the medical/scientific community.

The basis for my opinion at the time - to which you've made reference - was the assumption that the powers that be would've somewhat faithfully followed "doctors orders"! .... Oh well... lol

Btw, it was no accident that I used language such as SHOULD, HOPE, WISH in talking about this previously. (See posts #25, 27,29,etc)

"Under Control" : Lifting the lock down, and managing the situation effectively from that point on, so that people (the economy) can continue to live (function) without a vaccine for COVID-19 without undue anxiety.

Doctor's don't care about the economy or economic damage, which can have devastating effects on human lives too (including deaths). That aside, my only question is regarding this:

"robust program of testing, isolating and contact tracing as was recommended by the medical/scientific community."


Do you really believe this country of 330 million will all be willing to line up and accept testing and contact tracing? There's a huge don't tread on me crowd in this country. I just don't see everyone agreeing to a nationwide testing and tracing program. A lot of people don't trust the government and quite frankly seeing how a global viral pandemic has become politicized, I can't say I blame them.

QUOTE=ShyGuy;3055370]Doctor's don't care about the economy or economic damage, which can have devastating effects on human lives too (including deaths).[/QUOTE]

I mostly agree with you....

Yes, typically doctors look at a problem and it's solutions from a strictly medical point of view. Just like senior military generals however, if a doctor goes high up enough in the food chain to the point where he starts interacting with policy makers and politicians, eventually he might be required find a solution to a medical problem that is weighted by some political/economic considerations.

I think you're seeing this in real time with this Pandemic:
Politicians want to lift lock downs earlier than doctors would like and the doctors having to make adjustments for this reality.
Or taking short cuts (I mean that in a good way) towards finding a vaccine.



I didn't say what I believe or didnt believe about the American public's reaction to Testing, Isolation, and Contact Tracing (TICT) but yes, given how divided we are, that would definitely be a challenge.

I do believe in the scientific explanation about the options available absent a vaccine and I know that the virus doesn't care about one's politics, race, religion, ideology, age or if you have an underlying condition.

We as Americans however are free to inject any of those consideration, as well as anything else we choose, including our own economic viability, into the calculus about whether TICTs is something we'd be willing to participate in or not

Just waiting for the day business (Airlines in particular) try and force compulsive CVirus vaccination

They cannot force it, not even the government can force you to get a vaccine.

But they almost certainly can (and likely will for some period of time) exercise their right to refuse service to anyone, including those who don't get vaccinated against what our dear leaders have convinced everybody is catastrophic threat.

Over time it won't be necessary, enough people will get the vaccine that it will won't be any more of a threat than other relatively rare communicable diseases like TB.

Yes, this.

Here's a doc (MD and academic) who focuses on public health policy, who does a good job articulating the balancing act:

https://thehill.com/opinion/healthca...otal-isolation

Indeed...

Our military leaders are the masters of the battle field, but it is the political leaders, sometimes for questionable reasons, who ultimately decide if we go to war.

Similarly, Public Health officials, while experts in their field, ultimately have to dance to the tune of their political leaders, or risk being cast aside.

Natural or acquired, it takes great political skills to succeed or survive at the top of the military, corporations, or govt.

From my perspective, MANY people are becoming more scared of this thing. For the life of me, I do not understand why. Look at California, masks just now became mandatory statewide outside of your home. Many "essential" businesses where I live (downtown seattle) are now asking customers to wear a mask. And this just started happening this week! So I know many people are weary of the situation and ready to get back to real life, but there seems to be equal numbers of people that are becoming more scared as time goes on.

For some reason, it almost seems to be becoming a partisan political issue.

I saw today where we're basically giving up on "Shelter In Place" (we are hopelessly behind on testing) and will now focus on "Harm Reduction" going forward, where we accept the risk of living with the virus and go about our business while taking prudent steps to minimize getting infected. People (myself included) are weary and wary of staying in, plus we can't practically keep the economy on idle much longer.

I guess that could be reason for the mask request or requirement for those areas that weren't already doing so?

As for it becoming a partisan issue... yeah,..... sadly everything breaks down in a partisan way these days, no matter how simple. We don't see each other as Americans anymore, but rather as libtards and conned-servatives, with hardly any middle ground.

Interesting to see how one part of the Delta union has decided to lay it on its pilots:


ALPA C44 also today in an email:


Any pilot hired after December 1, 2016 should anticipate a bid result of ATL 717 B UNA (unassigned) or NQAT (not qualified, awaiting training). We expect that management will make it official in the next few weeks and announce their intention to furlough as many as 2,500 pilots beginning October 1, 2020. If there is an opportunity to secure a job that will pay your bills for the next 12 to 24 months, we advise you to take it.