Senate Pandemics in the Age of Globalization: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Discussion: See OP Warning

Amazing how the MAGA crowd’s answer to everything they disagree with is always a noun, a verb and abortion.

Of course the idea that masks protect those who are already here is completely lost on them, since the post-born are worthless in their eyes.

 

Not to mention that the choice to wear a mask confers more benefit to those that one comes into close contact with than it does to yourself, provided that you choose to wear the right kind and put a little effort into wearing it properly.

But that in a nutshell is why we're, as a whole, failing so miserably at it.

 

WTF is going on in Georgia?!?!?!?!?! Even Texas, while it has many many more cases, allows for counties to pass mask ordinances.

GA sounds like a concentration camp!!!

 

2020 is really a good one: after the plague, we get another plague.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/...-seals-off-village-after-bubonic-plague-death

The WHO says there's no high risk and says the situation is well managed.

Now, where have I heard that before from the WHO? Oh yeah! Back in January and February for Covid-19!

 

Different animal. Bubonic plague is a bacterial infection that can be eradicated with macrolide antibiotics. Not even in the same ballpark as COVID.

 

Apparently this is how they enforce mask-wearing in other countries

 

Good to know, I always already in this state:

 

Authorities in India are very efficient to make sure people respect the rules unlike western countries. You just need to look at how their police have managed the lockdowns and punished the offenders:

 

The U.S. health secretary, Alex Azar, is on a visit for 3 days in Taiwan in order to learn how Taiwan has managed to contain the coronavirus pandemic under 500 cases and 7 death. It is the highest-level visit to the island by an American diplomat in more than 40 years since the U.S. switched diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

 

This should go into Asian Geopolitics section.

 

Most of the EU has extended its travel ban on Americans, leaving just Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia as last-minute alternatives to Ireland for Americans set on visiting the continent this summer, NBCNews reports.

 

Social distancing. Adequate testing and contact tracing. Wearing masks.

Shame Azar had to travel to the other side of the world to be told the perfectly obvious.

 

To add on the bubonic plague thing: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/seriously-dont-worry-about-the-plague

It's already in the US, it just is primarily not spread person-to-person, so transmission isn't as common, on top of what Vaderize said regarding it being treatable. I know areas that do have signs warning people to keep distance from animals that may be carrying it though.

 

You forgot to mention: no disinformation on the internet, and no toxic american / libertarian culture which pushes people to say nonsense stuff as: "I don't want to wear a mask! I want to protect my freedom!" or "5G causes covid-19!"

We also had an anti-mask protest here in Montreal, but they weren't necessarily people from Montreal, they were thousands coming from all over the province of Quebec and some in Ontario: https://www.mtlblog.com/news/canada...-has-sparked-a-lot-of-conversation-on-twitter

Just like this person on Twitter, I'm also waiting for the next protests againt the rules obliging you to wear your security seatbelt when driving, respecting the red light at traffic intersections, no drinking when driving, and no cellphones when driving:

 

I've mentioned this before, but I think it's likely that there's a correlation between those who refuse to wear a mask (or do so only grudgingly) and people who variously ignore many of those other laws whenever possible. I wouldn't be surprised to see some doctoral research along these lines in the future.

 

For what it's worth, I have found that they aren't thrilled with being compared to drunk driving. And in some cases get extremely angry about that comparison.

Which is all the more reason to make said comparison, imo.

 

Bigger concern here will be availability of the necessary antibiotics should widespread outbreaks occur. Thanks to decades of outsourcing—not to mention cornering of supply chains thanks to pharmacy-benefit managers and group-purchasing organizations—the US could run dry really fast.

You know, like what happened with PPE. And both parties are responsible.

 

That was my immediate reaction.

In the age of mass, instantaneous communication, any eejit can get on their laptop or phone, and within minutes be reading up on what strategies Taiwan is adopting to deal with Covid-19.

When I read about a scientific breakthrough on the other side of the world say, that I think people here should know more about, I don't jump on a plane to talk to people there in person about it. I google it, like any sane person, and then inform the curious where I read about it.

In this instance, I would have thought a few emails and phone calls would have set things up nicely, in order for the information to be sent through in minutes; not least because right now might not be the best time to be setting up a meeting on the other side of the world in person.

 

I think his visit is meant to be more symbolic, especially in a changing geopolitical environment in East-Asia, but also for recognition of Taiwan's success in containing the pandemic after being denied once more a seat in the WHO three months ago, despite calls from many countries to include Taiwan.

His visit is still appreciated by the Taiwanese public, especially after being isolated and almost insulted by the WHO when the director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, falsely accused them "to be racist" towards him simply because Taiwan's government criticized the WHO's handling of the pandemic. Director-general Tedros also said he received tweets from Taiwanese people being racist towards him, while in reality it has been proven to be Chinese bots. A citizen from an outside country won't be able to see the differences, but in China, they use simplified Chinese writing, but in Taiwan, they use traditional writing...

 

Maybe he wants to get rid of his daughter. Who knows.

 

And people say Trump and Putin are very similar

 

Agreed. Very unlikely for what little I know about Putin.

Taiwan is doing some great things, of course everyone tip-toeing around China and boneheads like the WHO director-general prevent us from knowing some of this. I hope we can have better relations going forward.