Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2/Covid-19 Megathread

[merithyn]

https://kstp.com/national/iowa-tells-workers-to-return-to-jobs-or-lose-their-benefits-coronavirus-covid-19/5712298/

Iowa tells workers to return to jobs or lose their benefits

Iowa is warning laid off workers that they will lose their unemployment benefits if they refuse to return when their employer calls them back to work.

Gov. Kim Reynolds is moving to partially reopen 77 of the state's 99 counties Friday, relaxing restrictions that were intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Restaurants, some bars, malls, fitness centers, and retail stores are expected to open their doors for the first time in weeks. The reopening comes as Iowa experiences one of the nation's fastest growth rates in coronavirus cases.

Iowa Workforce Development is warning that failing to return to work out of fear of catching the virus will be considered a voluntary quit, which disqualifies workers from receiving unemployment benefits.

Trump is planning to sign an executive order requiring packing plants to remain open, too. Because fuck the poors, amirite?

To be fair, they're mostly brown poors, so doubly fuck them. The Republican mantra at work.

We are going to have to keep the border closed a long time.

I may be seeking asylum soon.

[merithyn]

Trump is planning to sign an executive order requiring packing plants to remain open, too. Because fuck the poors, amirite?

To be fair, they're mostly brown poors, so doubly fuck them. The Republican mantra at work.

Meri, I have no idea about the durability of our food supply chain, but if packing plants need to stay open to keep it going, then they need to stay open. The country won't be better off with food joining toilet paper as items that can't be found in grocery stores.

Then feel free to move up to Iowa and work in those already-dangerous food factories.

Meat isn't a required food item. I'm fairly certain that as a nation we can do with a lot less of it. Or maybe, and here's a thought, we actually pay attention to personnel safety so that people aren't afraid to go into work. Because you know, when 75% of the cases in a state that has the highest increase per capita in the US right now is in meat packing plants, I'm going to say that maybe just maybe the problem isn't that they're at work but that their work doesn't give two shits about the workers.

As an Iowa girl who grew up within biking distance of two meat packing plants and played with the children of those workers, I can assure you that the owners of those factories really don't give a fat fuck about making sure their workers are okay at the best of times, and this is NOT the best of times.

[Razgovory]

Seems like the solution to "Free money" problem is to simply make the employer financially liable if their employees die of Covid.

[DGuller]

Seems like the solution to "Free money" problem is to simply make the employer financially liable if their employees die of Covid.

They may already be liable via Workers Compensation, if they have significant retention.

[derspiess]

Speaking of toilet paper, my monthly Amazon shipment should be arriving Thursday.  They couldn't ship me my April order, but it turns out we had enough of a supply that I didn't need it.

[derspiess]

Meat isn't a required food item. I'm fairly certain that as a nation we can do with a lot less of it.

Not gonna argue your other points, but I really, really disagree with this one.

[alfred russel]

Then feel free to move up to Iowa and work in those already-dangerous food factories.

Meat isn't a required food item. I'm fairly certain that as a nation we can do with a lot less of it. Or maybe, and here's a thought, we actually pay attention to personnel safety so that people aren't afraid to go into work. Because you know, when 75% of the cases in a state that has the highest increase per capita in the US right now is in meat packing plants, I'm going to say that maybe just maybe the problem isn't that they're at work but that their work doesn't give two shits about the workers.

As an Iowa girl who grew up within biking distance of two meat packing plants and played with the children of those workers, I can assure you that the owners of those factories really don't give a fat fuck about making sure their workers are okay at the best of times, and this is NOT the best of times.

I already have a job and I'm not keen on moving to Iowa.

That said, we can probably survive on a diet of chickpeas and green beans, but if the meat runs out in the grocery stores (or the prices quadruple) I'm guessing the panic level will explode. Not to mention that I'm not sure the supply chain can handle an immediate shift to a substantially vegetarian diet without food insecurity.

[PDH]

Then if we declare meat packing to be essential, how about we pay a lot more per hour, give benefits, and institute proper PPE and the like - I mean, it is essential, so therefore valuable.  This is all about the workers being safe, secure, and willing to brave the risks of infection, right?

[The Larch]

So, the government has unveiled the descalation plan. It will be in 4 phases, and it will last 2 months if everything goes well. Provinces will begin at Phase 0 (current situation) on May 4, and will be able to advance to the next phase after two weeks of meeting several criteria (infection rate, testing, etc...). Some islands (Hierro, Formentera, Menorca, Graciosa) will begin straight at Phase 1.

Phase 0: current state.
Phase 1: small shops open, hotels open but not common areas, sports are allowed to go back to training. Restrictions on personal mobility are lifted, but can't leave the province.
Phase 2: restaurants, bar, cinemas, museums, malls, etc... open with a 30% capacity limitation (I doubt many of these businesses are profitable at 30% capacity, but I guess it beats being shut down). "Mass gatherings" of 50 people indoors and 400 outdoors allowed.
Phase 3: "New normal". Capacity limits lifted to 50%, beaches reopen. Interprovincial mobility restored (if all are in the same phase).


The whole thing about making it per provinces makes sense, but I see issues with people who moved to a different province for work.

School to return in September.

I've had to go over all the stages with my mum on the phone as she's really insisting that it's ok for me to go have lunch with them this sunday for mother's day, and I keep telling her that according to the plan it should still wait a couple of weeks as the earliest. I guess that they'll refine the plan and maybe correct some of the wonkier stuff. It's weird that, if everything goes well and we move to phase 1 in a couple of weeks, I still can't go over to visit my parents (social visits are allowed in phase 1, but not to vulnerable populations, if I understood it correctly), but we could meet for a coffee in a bar by then.

[fromtia]

Then if we declare meat packing to be essential, how about we pay a lot more per hour, give benefits, and institute proper PPE and the like - I mean, it is essential, so therefore valuable.  This is all about the workers being safe, secure, and willing to brave the risks of infection, right?

Meat packing used to be a pretty well paid gig, years ago. Cheaper to have immigrants of diverse legal status do it without a labor union or any malarkey like that.

[Zoupa]

At least all those lucky people won't be getting those fat UI checks. Look on the bright side.

[celedhring]

So, the government has unveiled the descalation plan. It will be in 4 phases, and it will last 2 months if everything goes well. Provinces will begin at Phase 0 (current situation) on May 4, and will be able to advance to the next phase after two weeks of meeting several criteria (infection rate, testing, etc...). Some islands (Hierro, Formentera, Menorca, Graciosa) will begin straight at Phase 1.

Phase 0: current state.
Phase 1: small shops open, hotels open but not common areas, sports are allowed to go back to training. Restrictions on personal mobility are lifted, but can't leave the province.
Phase 2: restaurants, bar, cinemas, museums, malls, etc... open with a 30% capacity limitation (I doubt many of these businesses are profitable at 30% capacity, but I guess it beats being shut down). "Mass gatherings" of 50 people indoors and 400 outdoors allowed.
Phase 3: "New normal". Capacity limits lifted to 50%, beaches reopen. Interprovincial mobility restored (if all are in the same phase).


The whole thing about making it per provinces makes sense, but I see issues with people who moved to a different province for work.

School to return in September.

I've had to go over all the stages with my mum on the phone as she's really insisting that it's ok for me to go have lunch with them this sunday for mother's day, and I keep telling her that according to the plan it should still wait a couple of weeks as the earliest. I guess that they'll refine the plan and maybe correct some of the wonkier stuff. It's weird that, if everything goes well and we move to phase 1 in a couple of weeks, I still can't go over to visit my parents (social visits are allowed in phase 1, but not to vulnerable populations, if I understood it correctly), but we could meet for a coffee in a bar by then.

I've been reading contradictory reports about whether phase 1 allows you to visit other people at their homes or not. I guess we'll need to wait until they publish the plan in full, and then they'll probably go and change something at the last minute like usual...

[Eddie Teach]

Meat is essential. I'm ok with it costing a bit more.

[Sheilbh]

For Tamas, a plot twist:

Top Aide to Boris Johnson Pushed Scientists to Back Lockdown
By Alex Morales and Suzi Ring
28 April 2020, 22:28 BST
    Johnson's aide was more than a neutral observer, people say
    King: 'Dangerous' for an aide to filter science advice to PM

Boris Johnson's most powerful political aide pressed the U.K.'s independent scientific advisers to recommend lockdown measures in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, according to people familiar with the matter.

The government has confirmed that Dominic Cummings was an observer at some meetings of its Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the secretive body which gives specialized advice to ministers on responding to the pandemic.

According to two people involved, Cummings played far more than a bystander's role at a crucial SAGE meeting on March 18, as the panel discussed social distancing options to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because the meetings are private, the people said Cummings asked why a lockdown was not being imposed sooner, swayed the discussion toward faster action, and made clear he thought pubs and restaurants should be closed within two days. They then were.

The prime minister's office denied that political advisers influenced the experts on the SAGE committee and said it was appropriate for aides to sit in on meetings and to ask questions. The two people who took part in the meeting said Cummings's actions went further than simply asking for information.

The suggestion that Cummings influenced the group's lockdown decisions is likely to cast doubt on the government's assurances that it has simply followed scientific advice throughout the crisis. As the death toll continues to rise, that could put Johnson in a more difficult position as he seeks to deflect criticism of the government's response.

Powerful Aide

Cummings has been a hugely controversial figure at the heart of the government ever since he was appointed to be Johnson's chief adviser last July.

The pair worked closely on the pro-Brexit campaign, which Cummings masterminded, and then set about continuing their political revolution in government -- ripping up establishment rules and purging the Conservative Party of Johnson's critics after he became prime minister last year.

His role in shaping the U.K.'s much-criticized Covid-19 strategy has been less clear. Johnson's office vigorously denied claims made in a British newspaper that Cummings originally wanted a policy of so-called herd immunity, even if it meant some older people would die. On March 30, it emerged that Cummings -- like his boss Johnson -- was in isolation with coronavirus symptoms.

The Guardian revealed on Friday that Cummings had attended meetings of the scientific advisory panel, known as SAGE, and the Observer newspaper on Sunday said he'd been an active participant in discussions.

But the disclosure that he was so vocal in the debate over lockdown raises questions about his influence on the group's ultimate recommendations.

Herd Instinct

It is "quite possible" that interventions from the prime minister's most senior aide swayed discussions, said former U.K. chief scientific adviser David King. "There is a herd instinct in all of us – we call it groupthink," King, who served during Tony Blair's premiership from 2000 to 2007, said in an interview. "It is possible that a group is influenced by a particularly influential person."

At the March 18 meeting, Cummings asked probing questions such as why the government should wait until the following week to impose a lockdown rather than doing so earlier, according to one of the people. He also said the public should not be allowed to leave work on March 20 and go to the pub afterward. The government ultimately told pubs and clubs to close on that day, before imposing a fuller lockdown that shuttered most shops on March 23.

One attendee at the meeting described feeling uncomfortable that the panel with Cummings's input was taking more of a decision-making approach than simply drawing up options and giving advice to ministers. The attendee added, however, that it was also a relief that Cummings had pushed for a lockdown because there were concerns that politicians had not fully understood how serious the coronavirus emergency had become.

According to one person, Cummings directly asked the group at one point: "What is the Prime Minister going to say?" That was a sign of how far the panel had moved from drawing up advice to taking a policy decision, something that should not happen in a meeting of scientific advisers, the person said.

No Observer

With the government coming under criticism in the U.K. for not locking down earlier, the accounts suggest Johnson's most senior adviser understood the severity of the crisis and was pressing for action to be taken more quickly. Some on the panel clearly agreed. The advisers were heading toward recommending a lockdown soon anyway, one of the people said.

But the intervention from Cummings shifted the dynamic in favor of tightening the restrictions more quickly, one person said, adding: "He clearly wasn't an observer."

Johnson's office said Cummings was not a member of the SAGE committee. "SAGE provide independent scientific advice to government. No political advisers influence this advice," a spokesperson for the prime minister's office said an emailed statement. "The scientists who contribute to SAGE are among the most eminent in their fields. It is completely wrong to imply their advice is in any way not impartial."

Government officials attend or dial in to SAGE meetings "to listen to its discussions and occasionally ask questions which is essential at a time the government is dealing with a global pandemic," the Downing Street spokesperson said.

The disclosure of Cummings's role in SAGE meeting will add to calls for the body to be more transparent. The committee's membership has not been officially revealed.

King, the former government chief scientist, said he had convened several emergency committees during his tenure to deal with crises including Avian Flu, SARS, Scrapie in sheep and foot-and-mouth disease. No political special advisers -- known in Westminster as "spads" -- ever sat in on them, he said.

"What I was very keen to establish was the science advice has to be apolitical," said King. "I also don't like the idea that a spad could report independently of me back to a minister or the prime minister what their understanding – as a non-scientist – of a scientific discussion was. That is a dangerous practice."

For what it's worth I suspect Cummings' rather jaundiced view of the British state has probably increased rather than diminished during this crisis.

[Savonarola]

Meat isn't a required food item. I'm fairly certain that as a nation we can do with a lot less of it.

Not gonna argue your other points, but I really, really disagree with this one.

Can you spot the man with the Argentinian wife?