OT: The Official Coronavirus thread - Be well, be safe

HarthorneWingo wrote:By the way, South Korea is kicking our ass in addressing this virus.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-testing-south-korea-versus-united-states_n_5e729a8fc5b63c3b6489eb9a

I currently live in Taiwan and have been living her for over 2 years. Initially, Taiwan was supposed to be part of a trip to go abroad and live in different countries, which included Japan and Singapore. The reasons why I chose them was because I wanted to live in a safe, peaceful, friendly place. I no longer had any heart for NYC and the USA, and I wanted to feel more "free." I never ended up living in Japan and Singapore because I met someone, and I now happily married and settled in Taiwan.

We're currently experiencing the 2nd wave of cases, the vast majority of which are imports. They decided to travel abroad DURING the pandemic - in tour groups and probably due to cheap airfares - and have scrambled to return home. As of yesterday, we reached 100 cases (spike of 23 in a day) and even with such a small total amount, people have responded with panic buying groceries, even though there's zero discussion of a lockdown. I knew this would happen, so I made 3 trips yesterday evening when the shelves were still full to collect about a month of non-perishables (nothing too crazy). Today, there's no more toilet paper and no more noodles and pasta, but it's actually not too bad...there's still rice and other items available. But my favorite brands and items are all gone :lol:

Here's a pretty good article on the comprehensive list of things Taiwan did to counter the virus so far: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-taiwan-can-teach-world-fighting-coronavirus-n1153826

Just from my personal observation of what it's like to live here and what it's like to live in America most of my entire life, a lot of the things that are done in Taiwan and other parts of Asia, like South Korea, would never fly in US for the following reasons:

1. Taiwan's healthcare system covers every citizen for a nominal premium. Not only is everyone covered, the healthcare is high quality, you can go to any hospital and see any provider you want, it is hyper efficient, and it is cheap. It was recently voted the best healthcare system in the world by some publication. People are not afraid to use the system here, even for the most minor conditions like the common cold. If I suspected that I contracted the coronavirus in the US, I have to make a tough decision to make. Even if the test were free, who's going to pay for the care and the potential treatment? A few years ago, I broke my collarbone cycling, and the total bills for everything was $23,000 (ambulance, ER, stayed in hospital overnight, no procedures, saw orthopedist twice), and the insurance company wanted me to pay EVERYTHING. It took me over 6 months of daily phone calls, documenting all of my communications, reading the fine print of my policy, invoking NYS law, and disputing each charge individually with evidence to sort everything out, and I was fortunate to be healthy enough and sane enough to do all of this.

2. There are many reasons to point out where the CDC f*cked up, but one of the biggest ones is their guidance on face masks. I know people are going to point to the science of how masks don't work and the need to preserve them for medical personnel, but that's what we do here and IT DOES WORK. If everyone is wearing masks, even if it's just in an affected area, of course it helps. Both the sick and the asymptomatic carriers aren't spewing their droplets everywhere, and it's a visual reminder and barrier for social distancing. Even a cloth mask will help. During the first wave here, 90%+ of Taiwanese here were wearing masks, and it's starting to reach that level now. It's also just part of the culture here; if you are sick, you wear a mask, or if it's wintertime, you wear a mask for caution. It's no big f*cking deal. Taiwan took over the production of face masks from the private sector, deployed their military and ramped up production like crazy. One of the first things South Korea did was to copy Taiwan's strategy of face mask rationing though their pharmacies.

Where is the hand sanitizer? Where are the temperature guns? If I want to get into a sports center here, they take my temperature and they spray my hands. Restaurants here will also spray my hands too. And it's not about perfection, it's about prevention. There is a really good quote: "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

3. People here are willing to give up personal freedoms for safety. Here in Taiwan, there are cameras EVERYWHERE. If you identified as a case, your whereabouts are going to tracked via your mobile phone and if you violate your quarantine, you're going to get caught and you're going to get punished. Not only that but I will be personally notified with warnings on my phone based on other cases' history and current going-ons. Although people's names aren't publicized, but their histories are. I am already finding out details about the most recent cases that can help me prepare for now and tomorrow.

The government here genuinely takes care of its people, and the people trust them and will buy in, although they have to give up freedoms and certain comforts that are a part of American society.

matchman · Post #748 » by **matchman** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:23 am

HarthorneWingo wrote:By the way, South Korea is kicking our ass in addressing this virus.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-testing-south-korea-versus-united-states_n_5e729a8fc5b63c3b6489eb9a

Korea is so intensively testing people, even those without symptoms. Hence the number goes down rapidly.

Due to different handling, hence the very different distribution of infected age groups between Korea and Italy.

Post #749 » by **Deeeez Knicks** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 1:07 pm

best ways to make face masks...vacuum bag seems like the best material from home supplies.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

Home test kits coming soon to US, although takes a few days.

Read on Twitter

stopstandthere · Post #750 » by **stopstandthere** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 1:51 pm

Everyone on earth should wear a face mask at least.

Stannis · Post #751 » by **Stannis** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:31 pm

Deeeez Knicks wrote:best ways to make face masks...vacuum bag seems like the best material from home supplies.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

Home test kits coming soon to US, although takes a few days.

Read on Twitter

I will gladly pay that for my household. Just the peace of mind alone will be worth it.

What I'm worried about is demand and potential back order

Stannis · Post #752 » by **Stannis** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:32 pm

stopstandthere wrote:Everyone on earth should wear a face mask at least.

Only one proven to be effective are n95s. And all those are being scalped.

It'd be nice if there was an endless supply of those though. Then we could make a law where it requires you to wear on if you step outside your house.

Stannis · Post #753 » by **Stannis** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:36 pm

I don't live in a major city.

I know somebody who just went to the ER. She was wearing a mask. The doctor asked "why are you wearing a mask". She said "because I'm scared of the virus going around". He responded "nobody here is going to virus. You are more likely to get in a car wreck than get the virus".

Yea, we're doomed. It's bad enough we are not learning from China and Italy. But now minor cities and towns in the US are not learning from NY/NYC, LA/Cali, and Washington.

spaceballer · Post #754 » by **spaceballer** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 4:08 pm

Read on Twitter

Convoy of 30 military trucks carrying 70 coffins because local cemetery ran out of room in Bergamo, Italy. That town has a population of 75,000. Multiply that by how much larger NYC is.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Coronavirus/comments/fl75f4/italy_bergamo_sight_of_the_coffin_trucks_working/

America seems to be following Italy's path rather than South Korea's. South Korea and the U.S. both had their first case on the same day, but look at the huge difference in response. They have freaking drive-thru testing sites in Korea.

And Cuomo said New York won't even hit peak infections till an estimated 45 days from now....

matchman · Post #755 » by **matchman** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 4:10 pm

AmazingJason wrote:
HarthorneWingo wrote:By the way, South Korea is kicking our ass in addressing this virus.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-testing-south-korea-versus-united-states_n_5e729a8fc5b63c3b6489eb9a

I currently live in Taiwan and have been living her for over 2 years. Initially, Taiwan was supposed to be part of a trip to go abroad and live in different countries, which included Japan and Singapore. The reasons why I chose them was because I wanted to live in a safe, peaceful, friendly place. I no longer had any heart for NYC and the USA, and I wanted to feel more "free." I never ended up living in Japan and Singapore because I met someone, and I now happily married and settled in Taiwan.

We're currently experiencing the 2nd wave of cases, the vast majority of which are imports. They decided to travel abroad DURING the pandemic - in tour groups and probably due to cheap airfares - and have scrambled to return home. As of yesterday, we reached 100 cases (spike of 23 in a day) and even with such a small total amount, people have responded with panic buying groceries, even though there's zero discussion of a lockdown. I knew this would happen, so I made 3 trips yesterday evening when the shelves were still full to collect about a month of non-perishables (nothing too crazy). Today, there's no more toilet paper and no more noodles and pasta, but it's actually not too bad...there's still rice and other items available. But my favorite brands and items are all gone

Here's a pretty good article on the comprehensive list of things Taiwan did to counter the virus so far: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-taiwan-can-teach-world-fighting-coronavirus-n1153826

Just from my personal observation of what it's like to live here and what it's like to live in America most of my entire life, a lot of the things that are done in Taiwan and other parts of Asia, like South Korea, would never fly in US for the following reasons:

1. Taiwan's healthcare system covers every citizen for a nominal premium. Not only is everyone covered, the healthcare is high quality, you can go to any hospital and see any provider you want, it is hyper efficient, and it is cheap. It was recently voted the best healthcare system in the world by some publication. People are not afraid to use the system here, even for the most minor conditions like the common cold. If I suspected that I contracted the coronavirus in the US, I have to make a tough decision to make. Even if the test were free, who's going to pay for the care and the potential treatment? A few years ago, I broke my collarbone cycling, and the total bills for everything was $23,000 (ambulance, ER, stayed in hospital overnight, no procedures, saw orthopedist twice), and the insurance company wanted me to pay EVERYTHING. It took me over 6 months of daily phone calls, documenting all of my communications, reading the fine print of my policy, invoking NYS law, and disputing each charge individually with evidence to sort everything out, and I was fortunate to be healthy enough and sane enough to do all of this.

2. There are many reasons to point out where the CDC f*cked up, but one of the biggest ones is their guidance on face masks. I know people are going to point to the science of how masks don't work and the need to preserve them for medical personnel, but that's what we do here and IT DOES WORK. If everyone is wearing masks, even if it's just in an affected area, of course it helps. Both the sick and the asymptomatic carriers aren't spewing their droplets everywhere, and it's a visual reminder and barrier for social distancing. Even a cloth mask will help. During the first wave here, 90%+ of Taiwanese here were wearing masks, and it's starting to reach that level now. It's also just part of the culture here; if you are sick, you wear a mask, or if it's wintertime, you wear a mask for caution. It's no big f*cking deal. Taiwan took over the production of face masks from the private sector, deployed their military and ramped up production like crazy. One of the first things South Korea did was to copy Taiwan's strategy of face mask rationing though their pharmacies.

Where is the hand sanitizer? Where are the temperature guns? If I want to get into a sports center here, they take my temperature and they spray my hands. Restaurants here will also spray my hands too. And it's not about perfection, it's about prevention. There is a really good quote: "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

3. People here are willing to give up personal freedoms for safety. Here in Taiwan, there are cameras EVERYWHERE. If you identified as a case, your whereabouts are going to tracked via your mobile phone and if you violate your quarantine, you're going to get caught and you're going to get punished. Not only that but I will be personally notified with warnings on my phone based on other cases' history and current going-ons. Although people's names aren't publicized, but their histories are. I am already finding out details about the most recent cases that can help me prepare for now and tomorrow.

The government here genuinely takes care of its people, and the people trust them and will buy in, although they have to give up freedoms and certain comforts that are a part of American society.

AND Taiwan is a prime example proving ethnic Chinese can handle democracy probably, which slaps those mainland bitches loud and clear. I feel so envious lol.

spree8 · Post #756 » by **spree8** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 5:56 pm

Chloroquine approved... hopefully they fast track this like they said they would... South Korea has had a lot of progress with it...

Watch on YouTube

Great news

Post #757 » by **K_ick_God** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:01 pm

What about having the players all fly to say Indiana and have the remaining games there on TV? Just play 5-7 games a day in that one arena. Like summer league but that’s the rest of the schedule and playoffs so travel is restricted.

Start back up in a week.

No crowds at arenas.

Pipe in dial-in noise from first 100,000 fans who dial in.

Thoughts? Prayers?

Clyde_Style · Post #758 » by **Clyde_Style** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:34 pm

This shameful government should have been working with industry to get supplies made and delivered a long time ago.

Instead, we're seeing pleas like this:

Read on Twitter

Zenzibar · Post #759 » by **Zenzibar** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:41 pm

Deeeez Knicks wrote:best ways to make face masks...vacuum bag seems like the best material from home supplies.
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/

Home test kits coming soon to US, although takes a few days.

Read on Twitter

$135. Wow, still trying to make dollars, regardless if everyone can afford it. :nonono:

gavran · Post #760 » by **gavran** » Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:51 pm

KnicksGod wrote:What about having the players all fly to say Indiana and have the remaining games there on TV? Just play 5-7 games a day in that one arena. Like summer league but that’s the rest of the schedule and playoffs so travel is restricted.

Start back up in a week.

No crowds at arenas.

Pipe in dial-in noise from first 100,000 fans who dial in.

Thoughts? Prayers?

Makes sense. Condensing 500 people in a small space.