Let's hope that if and when you do get the virus, the hospitals will have a bed for you and all of the healthcare workers who are working 16-18 hour shifts haven't burned themselves out to the point of quitting. I wonder if the scientists said that you could lower your blood pressure 10 points by wearing a mask, you would do it. The same scientists developed blood pressure medicine that keep many people healthy. What's the difference?

Yeah, those who are flippant and not taking precautions probably say to themselves, "If it comes to the Bubble, and if by chance I should happen to get it, and if by chance it kills me, well at least I lived my way."

Well, it is here in the Bubble, it is on my street and I bet the ones who have it wish they could have avoided it.

Probably they wish they could have avoided it. Possibly they have mild symptoms and are just annoyed at the inconvenience.

*I'll" bet that if they are some of "those who are flippant" then they wish they could have avoided it but still feel good about the choices they made for themselves.

My fear is , and has always been, and remains ever stronger, is our country's complete lack of a National plan or a citizenary that cannot discus reality any more.

We are on the edge of a collapse of our healthcare system (see national guard called in Texas for morgue duty). Even on here, we discuss every other country except ours as if we had no problem.

We needed a National plan, not political discussions, and now the lid is opened. Our healthcare system is in great danger of total collapse.

It seems that no matter the directive, or from whom, people will take risks with their life during the pandemic. It was the same during the Ebola danger.

I am heartened by the fact that there are now some means to medically address the pneumonia that affects people differently than ever before and that is saving lives.

I also see the real possibility of two highly effective vaccines arriving soon for the most at risk.

I also know that many will choose not to be immunized.

Ebola is not easily transmittable. Infected people don’t spread the virus until they start showing symptoms, and even then the virus is hard to catch because it is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluid of an infected person, like blood, sweat, and urine, rather than through the kind of particles produced when someone sneezes or speaks. Unless you’re nursing patients (either at home or in a hospital setting) or tending to their body after they’ve died, it’s unlikely you’d acquire the infection.

This Corona has strained our healthcare system so much more because of its method of transmission, and ease of transmission.

We seem to want to discuss death rates, economy, etc. if our healthcare system simply folds under the stress, we will quickly learn economic stress. Folks are acting like this is done, because so many are not severely ill, but again.....our healthcare system is just about at the max.

But, reality seems to have faded in our country.

Perhaps the difficulty in discussing reality is a collective inability to agree on reality. I do not believe "our healthcare system is in great danger of total collapse." That is an extremely unlikely possibility. We can't begin to discuss reality until we are all willing to accept reality.

The economic impact is another story. I believe that your last post was a criticism of how the pandemic was handled politically.

You changed the subject.

I personally think that the majority of Americans, no matter their politics, are aware of the severity of the Pandemic. Polls indicate that about 70 % of the U.S. population consider the pandemic as the biggest problem facing us today.

The economic fallout will hurt us to be sure and not a lot can mitigate it. The sooner the vaccine arrives the easier on the economic impact, but much damage has already been done that could not have been avoided by any means.

Seniors getting "brain fog" from the virus? How would you tell........:1rotfl::1rotfl:
Please! There is NO consistency to the reporting of side effects related to infection.

I did not change the subject.

And, while this pandemic would be horrible under any circumstance, we blew any chance of minimizing its impact on so many aspects of our life.

Understanding the hidden costs of COVID-19’s potential impact on US healthcare | McKinsey

But, just another opinion, worth nothing, so have at it. It is just discouraging watching lives shortened, whether by death or restriction. if you wish to disagree, it is your right. Putting words in my post that are not there is not fair.

For those that "know" a "neighbor" that passed from the virus, I'll one up you by telling you that I know two of my neighbors in their '80s that had it in Feb, one of them hospitalized. Both survived.
To those that think that the simple, home made mask is the magic shield that will protect them I also have another helpful tip. I was told by my cousin's wife's co-worker that has it on good authority from her hair stylist that wearing a copper bracelet will ward off the Covid spirit and protect the wearer from infection. It will also prevent injury resulting from a car accident. I am now wearing my copper lined gloves that I was given for arthritis in my hands. Since I know it works for my hands, it must work as good as my homemade mask made out of a handkerchief or sock. I am predicting a run on copper bracelets, so you better hurry to get your own.

Makes one wonder if the Chinese are enjoying their victory when you see some on here promoting martial law, after complaining about political tyranny for the past few years. The Chinese are surely impressed with the success they are having with those hysterical contributors on blogs and in the media spreading mass hysteria. Hmmm, could some bloggers be working with the Chinese to spread dissension or is this just another random thought that comes to one when we have too much time on our hands, and TV fiction blasting away via the Hollyweird controlled media? Who knows?
On the bright side, we had a nice reduced attendance Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends. Sure hope that the turkey wasn't infected, OR the fowl and ham we consumed either.....:1rotfl:

Nicely played.

///removed because it just ain't worth it ......

Let me try this another way....our healthcare system is severely strained NOW

“Hospitals around the country are running out of beds in their intensive care units due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases.”

Hospital ICUs running out of space due to COVID-19 surges across the country - ABC News


“Tulsa Has Run Out Of ICU Beds And El Paso Is Out Of Morgue Space—Here’s The Latest Grim Toll Of Covid”


Tulsa Has Run Out Of ICU Beds And El Paso Is Out Of Morgue Space—Here’s The Latest Grim Toll Of Covid

As COVID-19 surges in Illinois, when will hospitals run out of beds? - Chicago Tribune

Arizona's hospital beds are filling up as COVID-19 cases again spike | Local news | tucson.com

US hits record-high coronavirus hospitalizations, data shows

US hits record-high coronavirus hospitalizations, data shows | Fox News

Explore the Fox News apps that are right for you at http://www.foxnews.com/apps-products/index.html.

My point was until you decided to misinterpret the thought.....our healthcare system might collapse, and if you think the economy tanked earlier..hang on.

Some interesting data here: Estimated ICU Utilization

Some takeaways:
1. ICU utilization nationwide was 70% on 10/24 and grew to 73% on 11/23
2. There are six States showing a utilization above 85% as of 11/23
3. There are 19 States with a utilization below 70% as of 11/23
4. These estimates are at the State and National level; ICU utilization in individual cities or hospitals may be above or below these levels