Pearl Jam tour postponed, and I'm not entirely sure which thread I should post it in
global pandemic
- Thread starter deep
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
- Status
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
I didn't see it but I heard Trump was an epic fail at the coronavirus press conference today. And Pence said he didn't know if Trump has been tested. Shouldn't the American public have a right to know that?
Vanityfair.com
“He’s Definitely Melting Down Over This”: Trump, Germaphobe in Chief, Struggles to Control the Covid-19 Story
GABRIEL SHERMAN
MARCH 9, 2020 1:19
Ever since the coronavirus exploded outside of China at the end of January, Donald Trump has treated the public health crisis as a media war that he could win with the right messaging. But with cases now documented in 34 states and markets plunging, Republicans close to Trump fear his rosy assessments are fundamentally detached from reality in ways that will make the epidemic worse. “He is trying to control the narrative and he can’t,” a former West Wing official told me.
The problem is that the crisis fits into his preexisting and deeply held worldview—that the media is always searching for a story to bring him down. Covid-19 is merely the latest instance, and he’s reacting in familiar ways. “So much FAKE NEWS!” Trump tweeted this morning. “He wants Justice to open investigations of the media for market manipulation,” a source close to the White House told me. Trump is also frustrated with his West Wing for not getting a handle on the news cycle. “He’s very frustrated he doesn’t have a good team around him,” a former White House official said. On Friday he forced out acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and replaced him with former House Freedom Caucus chair Mark Meadows. Trump thought the virus was “getting beyond Mick,” a person briefed on the internal discussions said. Trump has also complained that economic adviser Larry Kudlow is not doing enough to calm jittery markets. Last week Kudlow refused Trump’s request that Kudlow hold an on-camera press briefing, sources said. “Larry didn’t want to have to take questions about coronavirus,” a person close to Kudlow told me. “Larry’s not a doctor. How can he answer questions about something he doesn’t know?”
Trump found a willing surrogate in Kellyanne Conway, but Conway’s dubious claim on Friday that the virus “is being contained” only made the P.R. situation worse.
Trump’s efforts to take control of the story himself have so far failed. A source said Trump was pleased with ratings for the Fox News town hall last Thursday, but he was furious with how he looked on television. “Trump said afterwards that the lighting was bad,” a source briefed on the conversation said. “He said, ‘We need Bill Shine back in here. Bill would never allow this.’”
Trump’s press conference on Friday at the CDC was a Trumpian classic, heavy on braggadocio and almost entirely lacking a sense of the seriousness of the crisis. “I like this stuff. I really get it,” Trump told reporters, his face partly hidden under a red “Keep America Great” hat. “People are surprised that I understand it. Every one of these doctors say, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should’ve done that instead of running for president.” At another point Trump compared the situation to the Ukraine shakedown. “The [coronavirus] tests are all perfect. Like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect,” he said.
By now many of the president’s advisers are numb to this kind of performance. “There’s very little that fazes anyone now,” a former official said. But one person who spoke to the president over the weekend saw the press conference as an ominous sign. “He’s just now waking up to the fact that this is bad, and he doesn’t know how to respond.”
As Trump pushes a nothing-to-see-here message in public, sources said he’s privately terrified about getting the virus. “Donald is a famous germaphobe. He hates it if someone is eating nachos and dips a chip back in after taking a bite. He calls them ‘double dippers,’” a prominent Republican said. Former Trump aide Sam Nunberg recalled Trump’s response to the last major outbreak in 2014. “When I worked for Trump, he was obsessed with Ebola,” Nunberg told me. (One Mar-a-Lago guest disputed this and said Trump was handshaking with gusto this past weekend. “He was acting like the opposite of a germaphobe,” the source said.)
Stories about Trump’s coronavirus fears have spread through the White House. Last week Trump told aides he’s afraid journalists will try to purposefully contract coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force One, a person close to the administration told me. The source also said Trump has asked the Secret Service to set up a screening program and bar anyone who has a cough from the White House grounds. “He’s definitely melting down over this,” the source said.
But thus far Trump’s private concerns haven’t affected his public response. Pressure from the public health community is mounting on Trump to cancel his mass rallies, but Trump is pushing back. “He is going to resist until the very last minute,” a former West Wing official said. “He may take suggestions to stop shaking hands, but in terms of shutting stuff down, his position is: ‘No, I’m not going to do it.’”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Vanityfair.com
“He’s Definitely Melting Down Over This”: Trump, Germaphobe in Chief, Struggles to Control the Covid-19 Story
GABRIEL SHERMAN
MARCH 9, 2020 1:19
Ever since the coronavirus exploded outside of China at the end of January, Donald Trump has treated the public health crisis as a media war that he could win with the right messaging. But with cases now documented in 34 states and markets plunging, Republicans close to Trump fear his rosy assessments are fundamentally detached from reality in ways that will make the epidemic worse. “He is trying to control the narrative and he can’t,” a former West Wing official told me.
The problem is that the crisis fits into his preexisting and deeply held worldview—that the media is always searching for a story to bring him down. Covid-19 is merely the latest instance, and he’s reacting in familiar ways. “So much FAKE NEWS!” Trump tweeted this morning. “He wants Justice to open investigations of the media for market manipulation,” a source close to the White House told me. Trump is also frustrated with his West Wing for not getting a handle on the news cycle. “He’s very frustrated he doesn’t have a good team around him,” a former White House official said. On Friday he forced out acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and replaced him with former House Freedom Caucus chair Mark Meadows. Trump thought the virus was “getting beyond Mick,” a person briefed on the internal discussions said. Trump has also complained that economic adviser Larry Kudlow is not doing enough to calm jittery markets. Last week Kudlow refused Trump’s request that Kudlow hold an on-camera press briefing, sources said. “Larry didn’t want to have to take questions about coronavirus,” a person close to Kudlow told me. “Larry’s not a doctor. How can he answer questions about something he doesn’t know?”
Trump found a willing surrogate in Kellyanne Conway, but Conway’s dubious claim on Friday that the virus “is being contained” only made the P.R. situation worse.
Trump’s efforts to take control of the story himself have so far failed. A source said Trump was pleased with ratings for the Fox News town hall last Thursday, but he was furious with how he looked on television. “Trump said afterwards that the lighting was bad,” a source briefed on the conversation said. “He said, ‘We need Bill Shine back in here. Bill would never allow this.’”
Trump’s press conference on Friday at the CDC was a Trumpian classic, heavy on braggadocio and almost entirely lacking a sense of the seriousness of the crisis. “I like this stuff. I really get it,” Trump told reporters, his face partly hidden under a red “Keep America Great” hat. “People are surprised that I understand it. Every one of these doctors say, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should’ve done that instead of running for president.” At another point Trump compared the situation to the Ukraine shakedown. “The [coronavirus] tests are all perfect. Like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect,” he said.
By now many of the president’s advisers are numb to this kind of performance. “There’s very little that fazes anyone now,” a former official said. But one person who spoke to the president over the weekend saw the press conference as an ominous sign. “He’s just now waking up to the fact that this is bad, and he doesn’t know how to respond.”
As Trump pushes a nothing-to-see-here message in public, sources said he’s privately terrified about getting the virus. “Donald is a famous germaphobe. He hates it if someone is eating nachos and dips a chip back in after taking a bite. He calls them ‘double dippers,’” a prominent Republican said. Former Trump aide Sam Nunberg recalled Trump’s response to the last major outbreak in 2014. “When I worked for Trump, he was obsessed with Ebola,” Nunberg told me. (One Mar-a-Lago guest disputed this and said Trump was handshaking with gusto this past weekend. “He was acting like the opposite of a germaphobe,” the source said.)
Stories about Trump’s coronavirus fears have spread through the White House. Last week Trump told aides he’s afraid journalists will try to purposefully contract coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force One, a person close to the administration told me. The source also said Trump has asked the Secret Service to set up a screening program and bar anyone who has a cough from the White House grounds. “He’s definitely melting down over this,” the source said.
But thus far Trump’s private concerns haven’t affected his public response. Pressure from the public health community is mounting on Trump to cancel his mass rallies, but Trump is pushing back. “He is going to resist until the very last minute,” a former West Wing official said. “He may take suggestions to stop shaking hands, but in terms of shutting stuff down, his position is: ‘No, I’m not going to do it.’”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Irvine511
Blue Crack Supplier
May every Republican who whored themsleves over to this vulgar orange carnival barker go down with him.
https://twitter.com/TatianaYSanchez/status/1237201868792532992?s=19
https://twitter.com/TatianaYSanchez/status/1237208720238501888?s=19
Expect more things like this very very soon.
https://twitter.com/TatianaYSanchez/status/1237208720238501888?s=19
Expect more things like this very very soon.
Moonlit_Angel
Blue Crack Addict
Yep. I'm sick and tired of hearing them anonymously telling people how "concerned" and "frustrated" they are about Trump. The GOP-led Senate had their chance to do the right thing a couple months ago. Trump's advisers or any other officials around him could've talked to other members of the GOP about how to get him out of here if they're that concerned. They could do the whole 25th Amendment thing, if need be, or something.
Bottom line, they need to either put up or shut up. And if they continue to stand around and twiddle their thumbs and let Trump trample over everything as he does, then as you rightly note, they deserve to pay the price right alongside him.
From that article MrsSpringsteen shared:
Oh, how we all wish he'd chosen to do anything else other than run for president...
I just saw a clip of him saying this on Colbert's show. On the one hand I shouldn't be shocked, 'cause, Trump, but on the other hand...there aren't enough cuss words in the world to express my thoughts on that. Shut. The hell. Up. You asshole.
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
I have two concerts coming up, one in April and one in May. I suspect the one in April will be canceled. And while that's disappointing, I totally get it and hope efforts like that add up.
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
I’m not looking forward to how my concert schedule might indeed not be cancelled.
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
my partner bought us tickets to see thundercat next week and we've been really looking forward to it for a while, but i'm sadly expecting at any moment for it to be postponed or cancelled outright. i'll be pleasantly surprised if the show goes on.
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
Honestly, I'm such a germophobe right now that I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable going even if my shows didn't get canceled. I feel like I can't enjoy anything that involves me leaving the house.
It's pretty unrealistic to be so afraid since I'm a 29 year old with clean lungs and no underlying conditions that would prevent me from recovering quickly, but then I see these stories about young adults basically dropping dead or needing to be intubated and the anxiety spiral starts all over again.
It's pretty unrealistic to be so afraid since I'm a 29 year old with clean lungs and no underlying conditions that would prevent me from recovering quickly, but then I see these stories about young adults basically dropping dead or needing to be intubated and the anxiety spiral starts all over again.
Last edited:
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
i've pretty much accepted that mathematically i'm almost certain to get it at some point. she works in the international terminal of the airport and takes the airport train home, and i take an overcrowded downtown streetcar to and from work every day. toronto's financial district is so crowded five days a week (and really very little precautions have been taken so far other than making sure people can work from home) that when it hits, it'll be fast.
Vincent Vega
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Don't worry, this group of high risk individuals says it's perfectly safe:
https://greece.greekreporter.com/20...res-coronavirus-not-transmitted-by-communion/
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Just got this email from President of Harvard:
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
Just passing this number on for anyone interested, received it in an email from my Congressional rep
The Disaster Distress Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990, a crisis hotline for people experiencing distress during COVID-19.
There's also the suicide prevention hotline, but it's for emotional distress too...I'm not saying these are suicidal times but they're certainly very stressful. Honestly I've called it numerous times and it's been helpful. More helpful with a good person on the other end of the line.
1 800 273 8255
I'm sure these hotlines are so busy now but it's worth a try.
The Disaster Distress Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990, a crisis hotline for people experiencing distress during COVID-19.
There's also the suicide prevention hotline, but it's for emotional distress too...I'm not saying these are suicidal times but they're certainly very stressful. Honestly I've called it numerous times and it's been helpful. More helpful with a good person on the other end of the line.
1 800 273 8255
I'm sure these hotlines are so busy now but it's worth a try.
Irvine511
Blue Crack Supplier
Maybe I’m being stupid, but I’m living with no actual fear. I ride the NYC subways for more than 90 minutes a day. I take Amtrak trains at 3 hours a trip on the weekends. I’m still seeing all the theater I can (saw two last weekend, one tonight). I’m washing my hands and sanitizing with probably triple the frequency, but I was always pretty obsessive about it because of the subway. And I pop vitamins like it’s my job.
I haven’t had so much as a cold this winter. I don’t have either elderly or (to my knowledge) immunocompromised people in my immediate circle. I’m just not that worried.
Should I be? Honestly wondering.
I haven’t had so much as a cold this winter. I don’t have either elderly or (to my knowledge) immunocompromised people in my immediate circle. I’m just not that worried.
Should I be? Honestly wondering.
MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
My Dad is in a facility so I'm really worried about him. He has COPD and other serious health issues. I think it's time for me to stop visiting and it breaks my heart to do that.
My brother is diabetic and also a hypochondriac. He's been sending me non stop texts about how terrified he is of this virus, that's the word he uses. One cough or sneeze and he'll be convinced he has it.
He's a nightmare to deal with, that's just the truth. He used to put all this stuff on our poor mother and it was very detrimental to her.
Sent him an email last night and gave him some advice. You can't tell him anything though, he knows it all.
My brother is diabetic and also a hypochondriac. He's been sending me non stop texts about how terrified he is of this virus, that's the word he uses. One cough or sneeze and he'll be convinced he has it.
He's a nightmare to deal with, that's just the truth. He used to put all this stuff on our poor mother and it was very detrimental to her.
Sent him an email last night and gave him some advice. You can't tell him anything though, he knows it all.
Over your health, probably not.
Do you have means to WFH if public transit is shut down? Do you have enough in savings if for some reason your work closes shop for extended periods of time? Enough food and medicine if needed to stay indoors for weeks on end?
I am concerned more about the panic that could come if a mass shutdown were to happen. The overtaxed hospitals and clinics seems ripe for disaster too.
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
I wouldn’t start playing around with 1% chance of death. I mean, I’m not worried I’m going to die if I get it, but that is still pretty lethal for the human experience.
OP
OP
deep
Blue Crack Addict
So it seems you got Trump's message? (just kidding)
In 2019 I moved from the beach where I had no family within hundreds of miles.
To a location where I have about 30 within half an hour.
I went to a family gathering birthday party last night, I was the only person over 60. Next was 52. I think myself and perhaps the 52 year old are at some risk. I have tickets to a Wilco concert next Monday, I will most likely go. My younger sister is a substitute teacher, I asked her not to go into a classroom for a sick teacher. She has five children, youngest is 13, and a 52 year old spouse. I have a brother who is 60, he is a 'special needs' teacher in the SF, CA area, I worry about him possibly picking up the virus form a healthy appearing kid at school, also his wife has a very serious illness.
China says this event is on its way out over there. if that is true, we could be 4-6 weeks away form this fading out? here too. I am just trying to get reliable information and screening out all hysteria, and politically bias stuff out there.
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
china was able to build several massive hospitals in under like a week. not a chance is that happening in the US. so i strongly doubt that it'll move as quickly through the US as it did in china.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Whether or not the information we get from China is reliable/believable is one thing, but also remember that they basically quarantined all of Wutang Clan Province and that was the step that led to new infections finally slowing there. Are we here in the US and other countries going to be able to pull off such a mass quarantine if needed?
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
Before I get called a libby dumbo millennial I will reiterate that I endorse no political school of thought
One of the benefits of communism (and authoritarianism too) is the ability to mobilize your workforce. China is far more capable of cracking down and controlling its people.
When Florida (accidentally, supposedly) issued self isolation for all international travelers, my mother (in Ireland right now) quite literally told me “I’m not doing that.” Who will stop her?
China can force its people to comply to some extent. They’re better equipped in that sense, too.
In the US it will spread slower but it’s way harder to contain, especially without centralization of efforts.
Agree on the communism aspect of China. I was reading an article this morning discussing that since they have such a strong state presence in their every day life, they were extremely efficient in controlling the population. It appears to have worked, so far.
That isn't going to happen here. I think we are two weeks away from this really becoming a disaster. Hospitals are going to fill up.
That isn't going to happen here. I think we are two weeks away from this really becoming a disaster. Hospitals are going to fill up.
South Korea has also slowed spread. Probably because they took it seriously from jump street.
We're debating over whether or not people should go to a Knicks game.
We're debating over whether or not people should go to a Knicks game.
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
This debate has raged for decades.
Do you have to have a really good insurance plan to cover that or would most people (those that have insurance), have some cover in relation to that?
I've worked in an ICU. I know how expensive an admission is but it is not something people generally have to worry about here. Though prioritisation of the health service here is an inevitability at the moment.
Irvine511
Blue Crack Supplier
I spent 5 days in the ICU a long time ago. The bill was $40k+. After insurance, I paid out of pocket a fraction of that. I had a plan I purchased on my own independent of an employer. I’ve pretty much always been a freelancer.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Sticky
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
U2 Live From Sphere - Final Show SiriusXM stream
- Latest: Headache in a Suitcase
