Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Republicans, machine, corruption)

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by Williepaws

Did you ever think that the lady who sneezed has allergies esp with pollen counts so high? Oh I know we arent suppose to have any conditions that make the person, sneeze, cough, cant breathe, etc etc. and god forbid anyone should be allergic to elastic or many disinfectants etc.

The lady who sneezed is a neighbor of mine and she wore a mask until today. But she's the type who tends to believe the entire thing is a hoax and she goes into all the stores and does't take precautions. There were no disinfectants, there was nothing but fresh air as three of us were sitting outside the apartment on a patio.
All of a sudden she started whining about how masks make her feel claustrophobic. I think this is a new trend, whining about how the mask makes it hard to breathe or it scares you to wear a mask or you have a mental block against wearing a mask. Yet in other countries people just get on with it, no whining, and they wear a mask.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

The lady who sneezed is a neighbor of mine and she wore a mask until today. But she's the type who tends to believe the entire thing is a hoax and she goes into all the stores and does't take precautions. There were no disinfectants, there was nothing but fresh air as three of us were sitting outside the apartment on a patio.
All of a sudden she started whining about how masks make her feel claustrophobic. I think this is a new trend, whining about how the mask makes it hard to breathe or it scares you to wear a mask or you have a mental block against wearing a mask. Yet in other countries people just get on with it, no whining, and they wear a mask.

Doctors and nurses wear these masks all the time, they want more of them, not less, and they have no problems. Republicans though, are insisting that if you wear a mask, you'll get hypoxia or die of suffocation. They do sound like they don't have enough oxygen getting to their brain, I'll have to give them that.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

Doctors and nurses wear these masks all the time, they want more of them, not less, and they have no problems. Republicans though, are insisting that if you wear a mask, you'll get hypoxia or die of suffocation. They do sound like they don't have enough oxygen getting to their brain, I'll have to give them that.

In fairness, it’s not “Republicans,” it’s a small subset of conspiracy theory nuts who identify with a variety of political beliefs. As someone who leans a good deal left of center on most issues, this MA COVID-19 thread has been one of the better examples of agreement on both sides of the aisle that I’ve seen in a while in CD. Many of the posters here who are in support of the restrictions and safety measures are Republican (or at least conservative). We have a few who are a little nutty and tend to regurgitate misinformation, but for the most part, they’re in the minority.

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

Outside eating would be ok. It’s the indoor restaurants particularly in Boston with the ridiculous wait times. People won’t be able to sit in a waiting area together like they used to.

I saw a Facebook poll where people asked what people will visit first when things open. Most people said salon. But another person said she can’t wait to take her kid to 6 flags. I can’t imagine 6 flags will be open anytime soon. I was already grossed out by germs at amusement parks. I suspect many of them will go out of business now.

My friend (who is an epidemiologist) says she's taking her kid to DisneyWorld as soon as it opens because she thinks the crowds will be really low.

We have a trip planned to Hershey, PA for August--house rented and tickets to the park bought before all of this happened. I'm planning to keep the trip if I can. So far house hasn't been canceled and Hershey Park is "planning" to open in June, but we'll see...

[bjimmy24]

Children with Kawasaki disease often not testing positive for Covid, chief scientist of WHO reveals

WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan has said there is still no clear link between coronavirus and the disease

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...e-covid-chief/

Not trying to ruin the panic porn, but some might find this useful!

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by lrfox

In fairness, it’s not “Republicans,” it’s a small subset of conspiracy theory nuts who identify with a variety of political beliefs. As someone who leans a good deal left of center on most issues, this MA COVID-19 thread has been one of the better examples of agreement on both sides of the aisle that I’ve seen in a while in CD. Many of the posters here who are in support of the restrictions and safety measures are Republican (or at least conservative). We have a few who are a little nutty and tend to regurgitate misinformation, but for the most part, they’re in the minority.

I would agree with that assessment - my frustrations aren't based primarily on this thread, which has largely reasonable contributors. In fact, I've taken the position several times that we really need to have greater priority on getting businesses and schools reopened, one that is held more often by Republicans - so I actually get that. I have also been visiting another state forum and the "politics and controversies" forum, though. I have had it up to here with all the conspiracy talk, which does come primarily from the right. When I tell my Dad, who himself is a lifelong Republican, what these people say, he only says to me "Why do you even bother to argue with these kooks"? I suppose he has a point there. People who are way out there, aren't going to be listening to alternative viewpoints.

[BostonMike7]

I tend to lean right. I roll my eyes at all the conspiracy theory talk and try to not engage. You're just not going to convince some people.

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

...When I tell my Dad, who himself is a lifelong Republican, what these people say, he only says to me "Why do you even bother to argue with these kooks"? I suppose he has a point there. People who are way out there, aren't going to be listening to alternative viewpoints.

I often think, "What's a centrist to do?" I always registered Independent, always voted D, mostly because the national R Party lost its mind some time ago. I don't consider the current situation to be a Republican situation, although I do think a lot of extremist views are tolerated by what could now be called the trump Party. Not to start an inappropriate discussion here, just that it's unfortunate to be either "left or right/trump" when I think so many people are neither. I do think there are more of us in the "neither" category and do not neatly fall nicely into left/right, with us/against us categories.

Conspiracy theorists are frustrating, not because of any party affiliations (or lacks thereof) but because they cannot reason their stances. I have tried, not because I want to convince anyone, but because I want to hear a cogent explanation of our differences, after all, I could be wrong on my understandings. But they seem markedly unable to explain what they're mean and believe, and just put out bumperstickers and slogans. I imagine that's because there isn't reasoning behind the beliefs, which does make discussion pointless.

I have frequently "ignored" people on these forums, not because we disagree, but because they can't discuss or explain their points. It's an emotional reaction they're having, not a rational one, and there really is no point to try. I do see people trying on these forums and I appreciate they don't want misinformation propagated (I don't either) but I do think some people are not misinformed, they are something else and it's not amenable to information or discussion. Same as some people on my local forum, in very real discussions about our county or state opening, or the two National Guardsmen who were here to assess testing sites, people thought they were here to "take over" and "force us to take vaccines" and so forth and so on.

[justyouraveragetenant]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

I would agree with that assessment - my frustrations aren't based primarily on this thread, which has largely reasonable contributors. In fact, I've taken the position several times that we really need to have greater priority on getting businesses and schools reopened, one that is held more often by Republicans - so I actually get that. I have also been visiting another state forum and the "politics and controversies" forum, though. I have had it up to here with all the conspiracy talk, which does come primarily from the right. When I tell my Dad, who himself is a lifelong Republican, what these people say, he only says to me "Why do you even bother to argue with these kooks"? I suppose he has a point there. People who are way out there, aren't going to be listening to alternative viewpoints.

Here is what i cant understand I post something from a immunioligist and molecular biologist that has had over 100 peer reviewed publications and 5000 citiations with over 25 years of experience and people immedietly knock it down.

the truth is the experts can not even agree on this virus.

I Have been accused of being a conspiracy theorist what ever that means but I see other forums and some of those people go way out there.

I like to challenge conventional wisdom.

why is it that the immuniologist says we don't need masks then? no you will not suffacate from a mask but you are lowering your oxygen levels.

so how can people disregard a expert like that? she has very high credentials.

https://people.ucd.ie/dolores.cahill

[NewfieMama]

Neither a republican, nor a democrat here. So I always avoid politics since I never agree with anybody. And I generally do not trust politicians.

What I do appreciate are those who think critically and look at all the data points. I think it is important to not just get news from one source. And even though we don't all agree, I've enjoyed the back and forth, especially when it doesn't devolve into getting disrespectful.