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Weekly coronavirus-related chat, questions, and minor updates - week of July 6
This thread is posted weekly, and is intended as a place for more-casual discussion of the coronavirus and questions/updates that may not warrant their own dedicated topics. Tell us about what the situation is like where you live!
Today was my virtual “girlfriend’s” birthday. I don’t deny this anymore: COVID “gave me” a virtual romantic relationship, something I avoided my entire life. We haven’t met yet.
We speak every day and it’s freaking hard. It also gives me perspective. Most people are pretty quick in 2020 and it’s easy to skip important steps.
Brazil is fucked in terms of new cases. She lives in the same city, but it’s a big city. We’re both with elderly relatives and she’s understandably concerned because her grandmother is literally 100+ years old. We won’t see each other any time soon.
I sent loving messages and had a pie delivered at her house. It’s nice “being” with her, but it’s painful to deal with an excess of unmet desires. Oh, well.
Awww, that's super sweet (both literally and figuratively). I'm glad you've found some companionship even if it isn't necessarily what you where looking for. We all need people to lean on.
Thanks!
This is certainly not how I planned this, but she gave me reasons to believe that it’s worth it!
I'm going through a similar experience with someone I met online during the pandemic. Like you, it was something I never thought I would do (unless I went to prison - something I haven't planned on doing). It is tough to get closer to someone without being able to see them in person. I feel for you. This is a bit of a left turn, but if you don't mind sharing, have there been any unexpected benefits? In my case, knowing we wouldn't see each other anytime soon gave us a carefree approach during the early stages. Neither of us really hid our insecurities and we were both really open about stuff, allowing us to really be ourselves rather than falling into the common trap of creating an alternate version that we think might be more appealing. It's nice having time to lay the foundation for a strong relationship for when the day comes where we can finally be together, but some days are pretty tough.
I've contemplated posting about this for a while. I've been really fortunate to be in a position where I continue to get paid despite not being able to work, so I've been able to use a lot of this time for personal growth. I understand that my situation is incredibly rare and that many people are going through a difficult time right now, so I didn't want to come into this space with tales of my good fortune, but I would still encourage everyone to explore dating opportunities despite having to stay at home. I've always sucked at dating apps and had literally never had a good experience prior to this, but you never know when or where you'll meet the right person. Having something to look forward to makes quarantine a little bit easier.
I’m happy this is working out for you! I don’t think I could ever be carefree about anything, I’m just a classic neurotic and overthinker.
But I did see some benefits: nowadays, at least in my region and age group, most people have sex quickly and there’s an expectation to progress to a serious relationship in very short time. This frequently leads to too much pressure, unnecessary insecurity and uncertainty. I think we definitely benefited from not being able to do that. Our emotional involvement is growing in a more organic and powerful fashion.
I also think that sex, when it happens, will greatly benefit from the increased familiarity and knowledge about each other.
Even if this doesn’t become a long term relationship, I intend to use this lesson in the future. It’s probably kinda weird for a dude to say he wants to wait some time before having sex with a new partner, buck fuck it: I’m gonna do it.
Speaking as a dude, no it's not. You do you. Your emotions are yours, and they are valid. I was raised in a conservative family, and even after walking away from my religion I still had a lot of social norms embedded in me. I confused a few women when I declined sexy times because I wasn't comfortable with the idea yet.
That's wonderful! My husband and I spent the first several months of our relationships doing distance dating online before ever meeting in person, and it was great for us. It sounds like you and your girlfriend are going through something similar! In these troubled and lonely times, it's nice to know people are still making connections. I have no doubt she loved the messages and the pie!
Not actually my girlfriend, even though it feels like it and is pretty much the same in most major aspects! I don’t really look for virtual entanglements so I don’t have any experience with this arrangement. If we were presencial, than yes, I would be taking more concrete and explicit steps in that direction. But that’s were we’re headed anyway, no doubt about it.
And she did like it!
Harvard announced today that first-year students are welcome to live in the dorms on campus, but that all classes will be done remotely anyway, so they'll just be doing online learning from their rooms. No reduction in tuition, and sounds like there will be quite a few restrictions, including not being able to go into almost all of the other buildings:
Some more college-related news:
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during
More shortsighted and coldhearted immigration policy from the Trump administration.
Oh wow, so then it won't even be an option for an international Harvard student to live on-campus (or anywhere else in the US).
It's going to be fascinating to see what happens to higher education this year. I'd hate to be someone that just graduated high school and trying to figure out what the hell they're going to do.
That is devastating. The disruption caused by COVID-19 for any student is already difficult enough, and we're choosing to make that far worse for international students by forcing them to either uproot most of their current enrollments or face deportation. Completely heartless.
Harvard and MIT filed a lawsuit over this today, seeking a temporary restraining order prohibiting enforcement of the order.
Harvard release: Supporting International Students
MIT release: MIT and Harvard file suit against new ICE regulations
Separate post about this in ~news.
So my locale has had a huge (per unit of population, anyway) case spike over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Northern Lower Michigan is a fairly representative microcosm of the impact of privileged travelers on service industry workers (and ultimately, their communities) in tourist destinations. I served travelers from Oklahoma, Mississippi, and multiple states adjacent to Michigan, then left work this evening to see a car with a Texas license plate parked next to mine.
We're taking all conceivable precautions - windows open, masks on, marked 6 foot distances, limited occupancy, constant sanitizing, no indoor seating or by-the-glass sales, etc., but aside from the paychecks, this all feels very inessential.
I'm feeling extra hateful because tipping also seems to be inessential for many of the patrons, especially the young, clearly affluent beachgoers.
In the U.S., at least, it's impossible to discuss COVID-19 without confronting the intersection of inequality and public health.
US formally withdraws from WHO
Ars Technica's article about this explains more about the process/restrictions, and how it may not even happen, especially if Trump isn't re-elected: Trump “officially” takes US out of WHO, but withdrawal is a year-long process
I am not entirely against this action, as a symbolic move.
While Trump is using the WHO as cover for his utter mismanagement, criminal negligence, profiteering, and spiteful partisan rhetoric. I do not have enough time or energy to put the full venom that I have towards him here But I do believe the WHO's handling of this crisis has not been without problems or concerns.
UC Berkeley COVID-19 Cases Jump; Series Of Fraternity, Sorority Parties Blamed
[...]
University of Washington in Seattle has seen a similar outbreak:
A summer camp run by a Christian group in Missouri has shut down after more than 80 children and staffers tested positive for the coronavirus, health officials said.
Doesn't make me optimistic about schools re-opening in the next few months...
Right. Because orienting people head-to-foot is going to make a huge difference when you're in a confined space for 6+ hours.
"I thought this was a hoax" | 30-year-old patient dies in local hospital after attending "COVID Party"
Trump Wears Mask In Public For First Time During Walter Reed Visit
Right.
Our Minds Aren't Equipped for This Kind of Reopening - talking about how the decisions involving complex mortal reasoning and risk assessment lead us all into a batch of cognitive biases, with less than ideal outcomes.
Basically, this is why we need strong leadership in difficult times. Because individual people are always going to be inclined to decide a complex problem in favor of their own interests.
Great article - it's summarized some of my own thoughts and practices much better than I had the words for.
President Bolsonaro of Brazil Tests Positive for Coronavirus
Please let him get sick enough to end up in hospital, like UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
I think even if he ends up in the hospital, as long as he recovers, I see him spouting more bullshit about the Coronavirus like "`tis but a little flu"
But not enough for him to die. Bolsonaro is an incompetent far right politician that only spent two years in the armed forces and never amounted to anything. The Vice President is a far right Army general that is very much not an incompetent. He has a much greater chance of unifying the right via dictatorship.
That's why I specifically said sick, not dead.
Yes of course. Forgive me for being a bit irrational. I’m actually scared.
You're not the only one.
Walt Disney World Resort is set for a phased reopening at 9 a.m. ET Saturday even as Covid-19 cases explode in Florida.
It's a bold strategy, Cotton.
The Financial Times published a good interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci yesterday (no paywall): Anthony Fauci: ‘We are living in the perfect storm’
This detail in particular seems completely insane to me:
Has anyone done any deep dives on masks available to the public for purchase and what are the best options?
Here is what I have cobbled together, but would love to see what other people are doing or have come up with.
China Stand KN95 that Complies with GB 2626-2006 seem to be somewhat available online from different vendors.
There is also the cloth mask that work with filter inserts.
Filter Inserts
While I wouldn't trust any of these in a hospital settings, I am looking for something better than just a home made cloth mask.
A few days ago, I ordered this mask from Australian Face Masks. It has two cotton layers surrounding a central meltblown polypropylene filter. It'll take about 3 weeks to arrive.
I had done a wide search, and this was the design I liked the best, balancing comfort and function and price and availability (I did find Star Trek masks, but they're made in the USA so they're expensive and will take forever to get here).
While I'm waiting for the cotton mask to arrive, I bought a few KN95 masks from a local hardware retailer.
I called them up before I ordered. I spoke to a woman with an Australian accent. She didn't seem rehearsed. She seemed legitimately flustered while she was explaining how they've been overloaded with orders, and how they're streamlining their manufacturing to focus on certain colour choices.
And there's a backstory which rings true. There has been a lot of reporting about Australian manufacturers pivoting to new product lines during this pandemic: Bundaberg Rum now makes hand sanitiser, clothing designers are making masks, and so on.
I got a good vibe from this one.
In response to your comment, I've checked the address listed on their Shipping & Returns page. It's in the middle of an industrial park, and there's a legitimate business operating out of that address. When I searched for that business, I found this news story about how the business owners' son "convinced his parents to keep financially afloat by temporarily making face masks".
It looks legit. I hadn't done all this research before I made my purchase, but now I'm even more comfortable with my choice. Thanks for that.
After more research, it appears that the Powecom KN95 are on the FDA's approved list. If that is worth anything in your decision process.
Sidenote: While this is all listed in the first link, I have a hard time trusting what is posted along product info. Also it appears that people say the Headband Style is the only one that 'works' because it creates the best seal to your face.
I had a big trip planned to fly from the west coast to east coast that I ultimately decided to cancel today. While I was prepared to take many precautions to ensure I wouldn't get infected or infect others, I just couldn't live with the idea that someone's pain and suffering was my fault. Fortunately, I was able to get a refund for my airbnbs and hotel stays. Unfortunately though, American Airlines only gave me flight credit instead of my money back, which should be fucking illegal.
I still plan on taking a few days off from work to play online games with my friends. Also really need a break from work. I acclimated to 3-day weekends and now feel the grind again from the 5-day work week.
There may be a shortage of cans (like, for beer) this summer due to the surge in sales from people stuck at home.
🍻
Related: Mexico is experiencing a beer shortage after production was halted by health officials as "non-essential"
I found this to be a very nice investigation into the effectiveness of cloth masks in relation to construction and fit - it's a good piece of study that may aid in discussions with those that aren't convinced of the effectiveness of a mask policy:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252
The US is living in an alternate history right now
A mildly interesting article about how alternate history is being increasingly used to cope and engage in wishful thinking.
I was legit watching The West Wing over the weekend while gaming to let my brain escape to a world where the people in charge weren't complete fuckups.
First Seattle volunteer in human COVID-19 vaccine trials says she feels 'fantastic'
We can only hope at this point. And even if it's true, we'll still have to wait months to be able to confirm it.
Covid-19 death toll is twice as high among people of color under age 65 as for white Americans
Western Australia's COVID-free status sees surge in overseas and interstate Australians trying to get into 'virus-free haven'
In Houston, Overwhelmed ICUs Leave COVID-19 Patients Waiting in ERs
[...]
Monterey County hospitals warn we could soon tax hospital capacity
Trump’s surprising resilience with Hispanic voters, explained
Tl;dr: these are the voters who the Democratic party has focused on the least and the ones most focused on the economy; which somehow is still a Trump talking/approval point.
Edit: I've only just now realized this is only indirectly related to COVID at best, lol.