Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[alfred russel]

I don't quite follow. Are you arguing the people whose jobs are in a limbo and might never come back are too fortunate?

No, I'm arguing that those people who, by the nature of their job, are exposed to higher risks are performing a desperately needed public service and shouldn't be penalized for doing so.

Do you think we would be better off with some form of UBI, or did you like the one time $1200 advance?

UBI is a dumb idea as a stimulus or response to coronavirus. Plenty of us are still working and getting our paychecks, and since the world is shut down don't even have a way to spend extra cash.

When ranking injustice in the world, I don't think that a bunch of laid off workers, concentrated in industries that effectively went to zero overnight, getting sweeter than normal unemployment even registers. I think most people would rather work rather than sit around aimlessly in a world that is short on things to do.

[fromtia]

Be happy to. I love grocery stores. Especially Publix. I already tried applying last week, but the hundred thousand other unemployed waiters must have been quicker off the mark.

Apply later when people are getting that 600/week top up.

Sure, lets see what happens. If there's a riot at Publix and the employees all shoot themselves in the foot, I'll be in like a flynn.

So did you like a UBI sort of plan of some kind, or Mitchs $1200 or something else?

[Josquius]

UBI is a fine idea.
As long as it applies to those still working too.
Otherwise it's not UBI.

Given making it work isn't just a case of handing out money but reforming taxation et al its not really workable at such short notice however.

[Admiral Yi]

Let's be realistic. Donald Trump and Mitch McConnel would never sign a law where the Donald Trump Jrs of the world had to spend a week bagging groceries during a deadly pandemic.

Does this mean we're done discussing the morality?  Did we come to a conclusion?

[Fate]

Let's be realistic. Donald Trump and Mitch McConnel would never sign a law where the Donald Trump Jrs of the world had to spend a week bagging groceries during a deadly pandemic.

Does this mean we're done discussing the morality?  Did we come to a conclusion?

What do you want to do? There's a lot of people working essential jobs with shit pay and higher risk of exposure. Grocery store clerks but also many people in healthcare like the janitors, cafeteria workers, nurse assistants, LVNs, daycare workers, home health aids, etc. I'd support paying all of them more but we have to deal with a Republican Senate and a Republican President.

I'm all for reshaping the economy. Let's triple the federal minimum wage. Let's pass Medicare for All. Let's have universal paid sick/maternity leave. But it's all pie in the sky.

[crazy canuck]

We call that Canada

[Admiral Yi]

So did you like a UBI sort of plan of some kind, or Mitchs $1200 or something else?

I like the extension of UI to people who don't normally qualify.  I would like an extension of UI for people who's regular benefits run out.  I would like a national emergency service bonus for essential workers.

Everyone else can fuck off.

[Admiral Yi]

Sure, Medicare for essential workers who don't have coverage.

[fromtia]

So did you like a UBI sort of plan of some kind, or Mitchs $1200 or something else?

I like the extension of UI to people who don't normally qualify.  I would like an extension of UI for people who's regular benefits run out.  I would like a national emergency service bonus for essential workers.

Everyone else can fuck off.

I can absolutely get behind a bonus of some sort for essential workers. Like a sort of minimum wage type thing. Or a check from the government for four months or six months. I'm all about the working stiffs in the grocery store. I see that Costco is upping everyone's hourly, and they already pay pretty well. You get the extra loot in the middle of April, so you cant die or quit between now and then though. I agree with what they've done for UI in terms of extending its coverage, and suspending some restrictions, but without increasing the amount of benefit, its hard to see it making a meaningful difference to people who have had their jobs shuttered by the government.

[ulmont]

And, yeah, Louisiana is worrying - carrying on with mardi gras may have been a mistake.

Mardi Gras was February 24.  Over 1 month ago and we didn't know shit in the US back then.

...also, Atlanta is running out of ICUs faster than Louisiana.  Louisiana has another week or so.  Atlanta, well.

https://www.cbs46.com/news/atlanta-mayor-says-icu-units-are-at-full-capacity/article_495755b8-6e92-11ea-b9ba-5ff9aadecb3b.html

We're all fucked.  The only hope is if that UK prediction was right and half of us already got it and didn't notice.

[Fate]

The mayor saying that is concerning, but what constitutes an "ICU bed" in the coming months will expand downward. Eventually it's going to simply mean one hospital bed with one ventilator. In normal times it's far more than that.

I don't think Atlanta is out of beds with ventilators yet. If that's true, then all the prepper nightmares are about to be realized.

[Admiral Yi]

I agree with what they've done for UI in terms of extending its coverage, and suspending some restrictions, but without increasing the amount of benefit, its hard to see it making a meaningful difference to people who have had their jobs shuttered by the government.

What does this mean?  All I care about is people who are jobless having enough money to eat and keep the lights on.

[crazy canuck]

Katmai just made it across the border in time.  The Federal Quarantine Act has just been amended to make quarantine mandatory for anyone entering the country.

[Sheilbh]

One sad detail in the UK is this is disproportionately hitting the Jewish community - largely because of the worse situation in London, and particularly North-West London. Of the over 400 deaths, over 20 are Jews (they're about 0.5% of the population) and I understand at least 4 attended a single Synagogue which must be kind of horrifying to deal with as a very small community.

[fromtia]

What does this mean?  All I care about is people who are jobless having enough money to eat and keep the lights on.

should they be able to pay their rent or mortgage and keep their vehicles insured and running as well?