The upside to coronovirus!

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Reports on the BBC suggested they were operating as ‘take away only’ establishments?
 
dbm said:
Reports on the BBC suggested they were operating as ‘take away only’ establishments?
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At the moment, yes. They were closed for a moment, but after some reconsideration they're now take-away.
 
The thought has occurred to me more and more over the last few weeks that this is going to permanently alter people‘s behavior, in both good and bad ways. I usually always say people never change, but I dunno.
 
Endless Flight said:
The thought has occurred to me more and more over the last few weeks that this is going to permanently alter people‘s behavior, in both good and bad ways. I usually always say people never change, but I dunno.
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I am curious how much it will permanently change people. I look at the 1918 pandemic and I assume it must have but honestly until this year that pandemic occupied almost nothing in my history mindspace. Even when reading/watching documentaries about WWI it's almost an afterthought unless you are reading about that pandemic and it's interaction with WWI. It's oddly forgotten. And it's followed by the roaring 20's a time of excess and celebration.
 
Bunch said:
I am curious how much it will permanently change people. I look at the 1918 pandemic and I assume it must have but honestly until this year that pandemic occupied almost nothing in my history mindspace. Even when reading/watching documentaries about WWI it's almost an afterthought unless you are reading about that pandemic and it's interaction with WWI. It's oddly forgotten. And it's followed by the roaring 20's a time of excess and celebration.
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time.com

The World Changed Its Approach to Health After the 1918 Flu. Will It After The COVID-19 Outbreak?

After the 1918 flu pandemic, many countries changed their approach to public health and disease. Will we do the same after COVID-19?
time.com time.com

Even if we don’t talk about it a lot, the 1918 flu changed a fuckload of things socially and in terms of policy.
 
I don't think people will just change unless it is sort of forced. We're having great weather here in Portland, and even though there is a stay at home order in place in our state, many people are not following it. While there is less traffic out, there still seems more than one would likely expect. And I saw a lot of teens/preteens out in groups, and not following social distancing. Even though the CDC suggests wearing masks outside for awhile, hardly anyone is (I am, because I'm more susceptible). The transit had to enforce limits on their vehicles, because people weren't doing it themselves.

Hell, in NYC, which is considered the epicenter for the worst of things, there were a lot of people in Central Park this past weekend. Sure, many had on masks, but still.

Makes me wonder how much of a disconnect many are feeling because they don't know anyone who died (or anyone who lost someone) because of this. Or the mixed messages being shown on tv every day. Just speculation on my part, but I still feel too many people aren't taking this as seriously as they should be
 
If only dumb and selfish people died on the spot instead of ending up spreading it to the innocent...

Here social distancing is going quite well, I must say. Though there is the occasional excess of course. Places that still tend to get crowded are shut. People flocking are told to spread out or go home and fined if they don't obey.
 
Casual Friday is getting a little too casual these days.
 
I don't mean to be a pessimist but people have short memories, earthquake, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, after a major disaster people will get serious about the issue, but within 5 years most are back to their usual routine and griping about the taxes, fees, restrictions put in place when people were still up in arms about making sure it didn't happen again.

Many communities in Southern California have burned repeatedly, many still allow combustible roofs on new construction and residents continue to resist management of the vegetation through managed burns, thinning and the use of fire resistant landscaping.
urbwar said:
I don't think people will just change unless it is sort of forced. We're having great weather here in Portland, and even though there is a stay at home order in place in our state, many people are not following it. While there is less traffic out, there still seems more than one would likely expect. And I saw a lot of teens/preteens out in groups, and not following social distancing. Even though the CDC suggests wearing masks outside for awhile, hardly anyone is (I am, because I'm more susceptible). The transit had to enforce limits on their vehicles, because people weren't doing it themselves.

Hell, in NYC, which is considered the epicenter for the worst of things, there were a lot of people in Central Park this past weekend. Sure, many had on masks, but still.

Makes me wonder how much of a disconnect many are feeling because they don't know anyone who died (or anyone who lost someone) because of this. Or the mixed messages being shown on tv every day. Just speculation on my part, but I still feel too many people aren't taking this as seriously as they should be
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This is definitely a problem and unfortunately because of the way this spreads can become a problem "where it isn't" if people don't take it seriously.

I'm 2 hours north of the SF Bay Area. As of today we have only had 4 confirmed cases in the county which could fuel people thinking this is much adieu about nothing. The county immediately south of us has 120 cases, and 1 death, the county to the south of them 148 cases and 10 deaths.
Then you get to the Bay Area proper with San Francisco 676 cases and 10 deaths, San Mateo County 617 and 21 deaths, Alameda County 674 cases and 16 deaths, Contra Costa County with 462 and 7 deaths, and Santa Clara County with 1380 cases and 46 deaths.

Without the shelter in place which was enacted early in the Bay Area and quickly followed at the state level, the 7-1/2 million Bay Area residents could have easily hopped in the car and brought their Covid 19 up here for wine tasting every weekend. It wouldn't take long for it to get around this heavy tourism based county.
 
Bunch said:
Casual Friday is getting a little too casual these days.
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You've stopped wearing pants to work haven't you. :hehe:


I read an article about a week ago that said sales of tops are seeing a heavy increase, while bottoms are seeing a slump. Sort of a clothing mullet, Tie and jacket up top, ratty boxers and slippers on the bottom.
 
Toadmaster said:
You've stopped wearing pants to work haven't you. :hehe:


I read an article about a week ago that said sales of tops are seeing a heavy increase, while bottoms are seeing a slump. Sort of a clothing mullet, Tie and jacket up top, ratty boxers and slippers on the bottom.
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Well I was listening to one reporter say dry cleaning is an issue. It's not exactly a essential business. So whatever you can do to reduce the cost and necessity of dry cleaning is a a good idea.

I'm wearing pants but as observed by someone else. The dishwasher running twice as much and the washer/dryer half as much.....
 
93188421_10157563521364006_6562496177571364864_n.png
 
Bunch said:
I saw this and there is a collary to that theory. This is only true for people without kids. Anyone with kids who's spending 24/7 with them is going to seriously rethink whether they want to double/triple down on that shitshow should this happen again.
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Spending time with my three kids now, and the coronavirus changed nothing - it's money that prevents me from expanding the family, not nerves:smile:.
3rik said:
See? Why bother?
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The really tragic thing is that even if someone was to fall on a bottle...nobody would believe it:wink:!

Toadmaster said:
It is a (mostly) tasteless protein, it works best mixed in with something actually good that has flavor. Stir fry vegetables or Miso soup are two of the more palatable ways to eat it. I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with tofu is they think it is a meat substitute so they try to use it as the core of a dish like you would meat. If you treat it more like a protein supplement things tend to go better.

I don't mind tofu, and I've had it in things that were good, Miso soup is probably the most common and is very tasty. There may be true tofu dishes that ae good, but most things I've had where people were serving tofu were pretty awful.
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Voros said:
Tofu is also good at absorbing other flavours and like almost everthing is delish deep fried or as tempura. It is a staple in many Asian dishes, particularly Japanese and is best eaten in those cuisines.
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Thank you, guys:thumbsup:! I'll see if I can find some decently-priced tofu and might try a dish.

Voros said:
This is what I was thinking of earlier, it is a Japanese side-dish, agedashi tofu. So yummy.

Note that the dashi broth includes fish stock so this can't be eaten by vegetarians. AHAAHAHAHA!!!

View attachment 16700

Another favourite of mine is Chinese tofu and eggplant in garlic sauce. This is often pretty strong.

View attachment 16701
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The Chinese one seems easier to make. And I've got garlic.


Also, I heard people planning their ski holiday after the Covid quarantine, so I'm hoping that it would show people they shouldn't put off having fun for tomorrow:grin:!
 
The world may be faced with a birth control shortage. The short of it is apparently people are home with "nothing to do" with a wrinkle that unlike other stay at home events many are concerned about adding to their family in a post-Covid world.

Virus may spark 'devastating' global condom shortage


I specifically selected this article because "Bangkok Post". If you don't hear Beevis and Butthead laughing at that in your head, you are a better person than me. :grin:
 
AsenRG said:
The really tragic thing is that even if someone was to fall on a bottle...nobody would believe it:wink:!
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I can kind of see having it stuck in half-way and then slipping and falling flat on your ass or something along those lines... I kind of want to un-see that mental image, though. :sweat:
 
Just come across this, which is all fairly sensible stuff and perhaps worth sharing:

8853C996-C9B7-486D-B8A9-63FAF6D05377.jpeg

Fuller maps

The artist normally makes highly detailed maps of areas, but produced this after being quarantined in Beijing.
 
Nexus said:
I saw somebody's revised budget for quarantine today.

Gas: $0
Rent: $0
Clothing: $0
Food(Delivery): $1635
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Yeah, pretty much except rent, we paid off the house just before this hit. I think I've gotten gas twice since February (once for each car) and we started off at 1/4 tank for one of the cars so that barely counts. We've been eating out much more frequently hoping that we don't lose any of our favorite places, since business here is very dependent on tourists passing through (more of a waypoint than destination). We've also accelerated some planned purchases again hoping it helps struggling businesses.
 
On a positive note, I thought it was nice (and cute) of the RI governor to to a TV spot to calm little kids that were worried the Easter Bunny wouldn't come because of the stay in orders. She assured them he was an Essential Worker and as a rabbit he couldn't catch covid anyway, so he would definitely visit.
 
Nexus said:
I saw somebody's revised budget for quarantine today.

Gas: $0
Rent: $0
Clothing: $0
Food(Delivery): $1635
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Almost none. We paid off the house. I only drive to the hospital for x-rays for my daughter's leg and to the vet for cat medicine.
We haven't ordered any take out or delivery because my wife's scared of unknowns like that. We've been cooking exclusively. Our grocery bills gone up but take out and restaurant has dropped by more.

We're being extra cautious financially.
 
well my stimulus check is now pending in my account. Since I'm still working, I'm going to bank part of it just in case

In other news, I was reading an article from Yahoo Finance where some "experts" are saying that large gatherings (concerts, sports, etc) should be held back until next year. That is never going to fly in the US I think.
 
urbwar said:
well my stimulus check is now pending in my account. Since I'm still working, I'm going to bank part of it just in case

In other news, I was reading an article from Yahoo Finance where some "experts" are saying that large gatherings (concerts, sports, etc) should be held back until next year. That is never going to fly in the US I think.
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It's going to very probably state to state. On the west coast I think baring a vaccine or instant cheap testing you will see that happen.
 
urbwar said:
In other news, I was reading an article from Yahoo Finance where some "experts" are saying that large gatherings (concerts, sports, etc) should be held back until next year. That is never going to fly in the US I think.
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I find this mind-boggling as non-participant observer. In the UK large events seem to have been cleared from the calendar as far ahead as November in some cases.
 
Bunch said:
It's going to very probably state to state. On the west coast I think baring a vaccine or instant cheap testing you will see that happen.
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Given that Oregon has had less cases than California and Washington, I don't think it will work here. People are already starting to come out with the nice weather, so unless they start forcing people to stay inside (which they're not doing now), at least here it is less likely they will enforce that. Not that I plan on going to any major concerts anytime soon (most of the shows I attend are in smaller venues).
 
dbm said:
I find this mind-boggling as non-participant observer. In the UK large events seem to have been cleared from the calendar as far ahead as November in some cases.
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I had a show in March that got postponed to July 10th. Which is currently the day after the state of emergency for Portland's extension will end unless they extend it again. It's not a large arena, but the place does seat at least 200 or more. Most were pushed back to the summer, some as far as October. One concert I was going to attend won't be until next February (given one band is from Italy, it makes sense to push it back farther).

Given how Ticketmaster is already futzing their terms to not pay out refunds unless a show is cancelled, something is going to give. Like Bunch said, each state will be different, but a few are already talking about loosening their rules (and some never issued a stay at home order at all).
 
urbwar said:
I had a show in March that got postponed to July 10th. Which is currently the day after the state of emergency for Portland's extension will end unless they extend it again. It's not a large arena, but the place does seat at least 200 or more. Most were pushed back to the summer, some as far as October. One concert I was going to attend won't be until next February (given one band is from Italy, it makes sense to push it back farther).

Given how Ticketmaster is already futzing their terms to not pay out refunds unless a show is cancelled, something is going to give. Like Bunch said, each state will be different, but a few are already talking about loosening their rules (and some never issued a stay at home order at all).
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It is not hard for the government to cancel shows, they just have to cancel the permits. That is much easier than making individuals stay indoors.

I expected a lot more push back from professional sports, but it looks like at least the NBA was a willing participant to shutting down. Will see how it goes as the other sports come online, or don't. If shutting down professional sports didn't result in the end of the world, I doubt smaller events will even cause a bump. It is going to be really hard on all the "little people" behind the scenes who make those events run.
I know a guy who makes his living setting up sound equipment for events, and he has already had the next 6 months of scheduled work cancelled on him.
 
The History Guy has a couple of interesting 1918 Pandemic features. One was done 2 years ago for the 100 year anniversary, and one more recently since the current situation has increased interest in the 1918-1919 Flu pandemic.

One take away from 1918-1919, the first round hit in the summer of 1918, and was relatively mild. Round 2 came in 1919 and that resulted in the majority of the deaths.



 
Toadmaster said:
It is not hard for the government to cancel shows, they just have to cancel the permits. That is much easier than making individuals stay indoors.
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It isn't hard, but it also isn't hard to push back legally. Given what happened in Wisconsin, I would be surprised to see it happen in other states (where the safety of people doesn't seem to factor into the decision of the court)

Also, people will find a way around it. Look at the illegal club in San Francisco, which took them weeks to find before closing down. Who knows how that will affect how many got infected because hundreds chose to ignore their own safety to party
 
Toadmaster said:
One take away from 1918-1919, the first round hit in the summer of 1918, and was relatively mild. Round 2 came in 1919 and that resulted in the majority of the deaths.
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That is a chilling and sobering thought. Let’s hope enough people remember this and put measures in place.
 
dbm said:
That is a chilling and sobering thought. Let’s hope enough people remember this and put measures in place.
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It's not as likely this time around as for Spanish Flu it was WWI and trench warfare that naturally selected a more lethal strain. Basically the very sick were sent away from the trenches, while mild cases remained, allowing the more lethal strains to become the dominant ones in the global population.

Or at least that's what I've read.
 
Amusing Star Trek trivia.

This guy was a regular extra on the series, and the main cast seemed to get on with him particularly well:

35F053F5-BF6D-4BA0-BC05-7AE1120B0F13.jpeg

They would improvise during scenes, speaking with his characters asking him questions so that he had to respond. Speaking extras got paid more than non-speaking so they were doing this to get him better wages!
 
Jetstream said:
I’d eat more tofu, but I don’t really know how to cook it.
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Mostly with other stuff. You can cut it up and put it into soups or curries, marinate it in various things and fry it (you can also just buy fried tofu), or mix it up and put it into fritters, dumplings or similar items.

In Asia, it's cheap protein. In the West it's exotic hippie food. My wife is from Indonesia and cooks stuff with tofu on a semi-regular basis. She can make things that taste nice with it, and fried tofu is a common street food in Asia.

You might also try Tempe, which is a fermented soy bean cake. For a nice snack, try cutting it up into small cubes, marinating in kecap manis (a soy based sweet sauce that tastes a bit like treacle) and frying. If you can find dried spratts you mix them in while frying. Fry until crisp on the outside. It's very more-ish. Tempe can be a bit stodgy; most edible things involving tempe tend to be marinated and fried.
 
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