Update from The House of Plague, Day 37

[elisi]

We have seen, and will continue to see, that you can’t gaslight a virus.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) April 18, 2020

Tories will Tory :(

Austerity

Tories sacked 10,000 NHS Back Room staff & boasted about it saying they were cutting waste. Back room staff are folks who monitor stock levels of PPE, who carry out risk assessments such as preparedness for pandemics. Good headlines sacking them but consequences haunt

— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) April 21, 2020

73 days ago Boris Johnson said this.

Incredible find by @StefSimanowitz pic.twitter.com/JcvSafz6UX

— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) April 17, 2020

(Direct link: https://twitter.com/ToryFibs/status/1251095928234283008)
(Transcript: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-in-greenwich-3-february-2020)

This article published on 12th March 2020 should be read by all for two reasons. 1. It shows the UK Gov Coronavirus strategy just over 1 month ago. 2. It shows UK Journalism’s basic approach to that strategy. Will leave you to draw your own conclusions. https://t.co/dn4TC4p849

— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) April 19, 2020

~

We live in a topsy-turvy world:

Has Hell frozen over? I’ve just read a story in the Daily Mail. THE DAILY MAIL. About this govt’s failure to take the three chances offered to it by the EU to bulk buy PPE for NHS staff.

Three chances. Bloody EU, trying to help us out.

— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) April 14, 2020

Piers Morgan - How did you vote, in June 2017, when there was a vote to increase #NHS workers pay?

Helen Whately(Care Minister) - That was game playing by the opposition. #PiersMorgan - It's not actually a game... you voted against the pay cap been lifted.. #GMB pic.twitter.com/SC6M1qvla9

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) April 15, 2020

(Direct link: https://twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/1250332372798541824)

~

We also live in a world that proves that movies have been on point this whole time:

i owe the Jurassic Park franchise an apology, it is in fact very realistic the rich would reopen a park in spite of it consistently resulting in mass death

— Brett (@Relentlessbored) April 22, 2020

People going to the beaches during a pandemic makes every dumb character in a horror movie now way more plausible.

— Damon (@houx) April 18, 2020

~

And that those who saw themselves as the heroes in those movies... are not:

I mean you have to admit it's hilarious that the people who have spent their entire lives stockpiling beans & ammo and publishing newsletters about preparing to shelter in place during a global crisis are the ones having meltdowns because they can't go to the cheesecake factory.

— Bill Marx for Congress (@BillforPA14) April 20, 2020

~

And finally, because this is genius and very funny:

My youngest has been banging on about “prank week” and has been royally pranking us all day.

Little does she know, her father is the prank master

Both of them panicking now, the bonus is that their sadness has brought a hush into the house. pic.twitter.com/IsI6MoZb2V

— schwitz (@sentientbomb) April 21, 2020

(Direct link: https://twitter.com/sentientbomb/status/1252537159321518080)



(I know, I am way behind on replies, but it has been a long day.)

Comments

[wolfy_writing]

i owe the Jurassic Park franchise an apology, it is in fact very realistic the rich would reopen a park in spite of it consistently resulting in mass death

— Brett (relentlessbored) April 22, 2020

People going to the beaches during a pandemic makes every dumb character in a horror movie now way more plausible.

— Damon (houx) April 18, 2020

Yep.

[elisi]

Well, this pandemic has taught us many things...

[beer_good_foamy]

Oh my god that prank letter <3

[elisi]

IKR? I read it out loud to the 14 year old (and showed her the screenshot), but she is too wise and didn't quite buy it.

[yourlibrarian]

Great quote from Dan Rather! Also loved the movie ones.

Re: the link about the Preppers, it reminded me of a fascinating item in this news segment on them. (They used to offer transcripts but I'm guessing those people have been laid off). The researcher noted that survivalists tended to see themselves as heroes of future events where their particular skills would be the necessary ones for survival. So perhaps it was hunting, or construction, or farming. However apparently hardly anyone seemed to expect a future catastrophe to be medical (which seems to be a pretty big blindspot given human history). As a result, most of their preparation has not, in fact, yet proved to be all that helpful.

[elisi]

Great quote from Dan Rather! Also loved the movie ones.
You're welcome. :)

Re: the link about the Preppers, it reminded me of a fascinating item in this news segment on them.
Oooh, interesting. Thank you!

[gillo]

How in hell have I started agreeing with, even approving of, PIERS MORGAN???? He's taken to brutal interviews with very deserving characters. (They deserve the brutality.) I am deeply shocked at how often I applaud him.

[elisi]

I KNOW?!?!?!??

I guess he's just using his evil ways in the service of good. He hasn't changed, it's just that his targets have.

[shadowkat]

We have seen, and will continue to see, that you can’t gaslight a virus.

Well, you can try. But it kind of backfires on you - as Scean Hannity has discovered to his considerable chagrin. Not to mention Fox News. Expect lots of wrongful death lawsuits coming their way.

I don't know how you follow twitter. I try, and it just gives me a headache, but so does Tumblr. I may just not have the brain for either?

[elisi]

Well, you can try. But it kind of backfires on you - as Scean Hannity has discovered to his considerable chagrin. Not to mention Fox News. Expect lots of wrongful death lawsuits coming their way.
We can certainly live in hope.

I don't know how you follow twitter. I try, and it just gives me a headache, but so does Tumblr. I may just not have the brain for either?
It's very bite size. I find both (Twitter for politics, Tumblr for fannish stuff) easy to scroll through when I'm tired and don't have the attention for anything complex. No interaction needed, just a like or reblog/tweet if something strikes me.

[shadowkat]

I get comfort from the fact that I know the Universe is weirdly karmic and has a wicked sense of humor. It kind of likes to thrust people on the opposite side of their own arguments, often long after they forgot what the initial argument was even about. The Universe has no real concept of time.
Right now, for example, all the Trump Supporters are on the opposite of the argument they were having in 2016 - except in a really nasty and wickedly humorous way. So too, for that matter, are the Brexit supporters. Like I said, the Universe has a very wicked sense of humor.

[elisi]

Like I said, the Universe has a very wicked sense of humor.
Very true. If only the Trumpers & Brxiteers had a sense of humour also...

[shadowkat]

It may not matter? (shrugs) Although if you have no sense of humor, you're more likely to do something dumb like injecting yourself with Clorox Bleach to kill a deadly virus.

[elisi]

Very true. [insert something about the Darwin Awards]

[shadowkat]

Quite a few have already been handed out in the US to the Trump supporters.
They were good people, many police officers, and a progressive bar tender, all dead because they didn't follow the protocols and followed Trump's advice instead.

[elisi]

:(

This is (one reason) why we need good leaders. To protect people from themselves.

[shadowkat]

I will state that I've been pleasantly surprised that my state governor, Andrew Cuomo has stepped up to the plate in an amazing fashion. Below is his letter to me via email - you can sign up get emails sent to you by the governor's group - and he does live briefings every day:


April 25, 2020.

Dear [my name],

It has been 56 long days since New York's first confirmed Coronavirus case. It has been frustrating, stressful and difficult for all of us. But I want New Yorkers to know that what we are all doing right now is saving lives. That is no exaggeration. We have flattened the curve and brought down the infection rate of this virus. That's one heck of an accomplishment and something to be proud of. I know these 56 days haven't been easy — but the sacrifices New Yorkers are making are not in vain.

Corning Tower in Albany.
Photo of the Day: The Corning Tower displayed a "NY Tough" message at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on Thursday night (Photo by Mike Groll)

Here's what else you need to know tonight:

1. I will issue an Executive Order allowing all pharmacies to test for COVID-19. This will unlock a network of over 5,000 independent pharmacies as diagnostic testing locations and help the state build a collection network to meet laboratory capacity and increase overall testing capacity. Many large pharmacy chains are already performing testing, and this order expands it to all pharmacies.

2. New York is expanding diagnostic testing criteria to include all first responders, healthcare workers and essential employees. That means that these essential workers will be able to be tested even if they do not have symptoms. These are our heroes who are risking their health to get us through this crisis and they deserve priority for testing. The state will continue to expand testing criteria as testing capacity increases.

3. The State is conducting antibody testing for frontline healthcare workers. Antibody testing is being conducted today for staff at four NYC hospitals that have been especially hard-hit by this pandemic: Bellevue Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center and SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Next week, the state will begin conducting antibody testing for first responders and transit workers, including MTA employees, New York State Police and the NYPD.

4. Total hospitalizations continue to decline. Yesterday, there were 1,185 new COVID hospitalizations in the state, down from 1,296. That puts us at about the same level as we were 21 days ago when we were still going "up the mountain." We must continue taking precautions to help ensure these numbers go down as quickly as possible. Total hospitalizations dropped yesterday to 13,524 (down from 14,285 the day before). But tragically, we had an uptick in deaths yesterday — to 438 — which is devastating news. We mourn every single New Yorker taken by this vicious virus.

5. Two Central New Yorkers wrote a book to explain Coronavirus to kids. Titled "The Incredible Docs vs Billy the Bad Virus," the book explains how germs spread and the precautions we can take to be safe and healthy. Proceeds for the children's book will benefit the charity "No Kid Hungry."

6. Remember to respond to the Census. Responding to the Census is safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. Let's make sure every New Yorker is counted. Complete the Census today at my2020census.gov.

Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The Metropolitan Opera hosted an "At Home Gala" event featuring over 40 musicians from around the world performing from their homes, as well as pre-recorded performances by the Met Orchestra and Chorus. Watch the event here.

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State's Coronavirus Updates here.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Now that's leadership and makes me proud I voted for him - even though at the time, I did not have faith in his leadership - and had voted for him as the lesser of two evils. (Shrugs)

[elisi]

*sigh*

We've heard of him (he's in the news a fair bit, what with standing up to Trump) and I am v jealous of the email thing.

To be fair, our MP sent out a lovely booklet full of information and reassurances, but nothing like the same. (Of course my city is in a very veyr different situation to New York. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. I'm glad it was true for you!)

[shadowkat]

I was kind of shocked by it, to be honest. Our favorite past time at work is complaining about the Governor or hating the Governor. Now, ironically, we're thanking god for the Governor. Otherwise we'd be dead.

I'm highly amused by the fact that the Governor who I've been annoyed with for the last eight years, is turning into the transformative leader that is arising from this crisis. LOL!

Oh well. The Universe and it's wicked sense of humor strikes again. We kind of need him - since we have the Doofus who is trying his utmost to kill everyone.

[elisi]

I'm highly amused by the fact that the Governor who I've been annoyed with for the last eight years, is turning into the transformative leader that is arising from this crisis. LOL!
Better than have someone who falls flat! :) :)

[shadowkat]

Yep. While the Doofus, unfortunately, continues to exceed my worse expectations and nightmares, as do his die-hard supporters. Thank god for Cuomo.

[elisi]

We'll just have to grin & bear our idiot...

[sea_thoughts]

Something slightly more upbeat

I cannot wait until Starmar takes on Johnson.

[elisi]

:)

Yeah my Twitter feed has been full of that stuff. Here's to hoping!

[sea_thoughts]

I don't want to gush like some but it was so nice to see someone demand that the government answer questions and interrogate the answers.

[elisi]

Well the other half of my Twitter feed is hissing that it's New Labour all over again, but at this point I'd take Baldrick over the current government...

[sea_thoughts]

This is what I don't get! Starmer speaking well and knowing what he's talking about somehow makes him Tony Blair? Anyone who presents like a grown up politician is the enemy?? Even compared to the CURRENT GOVERNMENT???

(I'd take Baldrick but that would mean we'd get Blackadder as well...)

[elisi]

I think it's more about the internal whatachamacall it? Thingy. (Brain broken.) About how everyone was a backstabbing bitca. IDK. I shall live in hope that people will rise above all those Worst Case Scenario Predictions.

(On the plus side, the currency would be turnips.)

[geekslave.livejournal.com]

LOL - but also sigh at the accuracy - of those movie tweets.

Stacey

[elisi]

Hollywood was right all along...

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

Wow, these are all very on point!

[elisi]

Twitter (sometimes) knows what it's about.