The Mysterious Coronavirus Spreading Worldwide

[Tbs77]

Uh oh...

https://apple.news/AvcmZs63EQeWQaGyVKpNf9A

Coronavirus cases spiked after these counties reopened. Now, officials are scaling back

Lassen County reported its first cases, and Sonoma County has seen an increase after being among the first in the state to ease stay-at-home orders.

Sonoma County was one of the first regions in California to begin reopening after months of restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

Public health officials loosened constraints on construction, car sales and landscaping services in early May. A week later, they began allowing retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery. Last week, outdoor dining, summer camps, drive-in religious services and other ceremonies were allowed to resume. Then, coronavirus cases began rising again, forcing officials to slow the county's efforts to reopen.
Sonoma County has reported 203 new cases of the virus in the last 14 days, doubling its case rate in that time from 20 per 100,000 residents to 41 per 100,000, the county's health officer, Dr. Sundari Mase, said.

[CHecker]

Reading the last couple pages in this topic I read so much fear and sense of no control.

We cannot control the media, the population, social media so maybe stop watching it if it makes you upset. All we can do is protect ourselves as we have determined to do and follow the guidelines of the brothers, period. Irregardless of what the world does or doesn't do we believe and practice differently.  Does what the world decides to do impact is? It might if we don't take extra precautions and sometimes if we do take those precautions,  it's just the world we live in. So stay calm, Jehovah has this firmly in hand. Don't fret over small things, and yes I see all this as small. It's all leading up the BIG thing. 

Besides, there's always something else you could be doing instead of searching news sites, hmm? Find that 'honey do' list and get to work. 🙂🙂

Edited May 28, 2020 by bagwell1987

[Todd komaniak]

Exactly here's a few bites from some scriptures that we all remember tomorrow has its own worries and Jehovah cares for even The Sparrows how much more will he care for us. all is in his hands as long as we put it there

[Julie]

I was put on notice of redundancy on Tuesday but staying positive & applying for jobs

[daydream]

1 hour ago, Todd komaniak said:

 

Exactly here's a few bites from some scriptures that we all remember tomorrow has its own worries and Jehovah cares for even The Sparrows how much more will he care for us. all is in his hands as long as we put it there

   Luke 12 : 6 -7

[Shawnster]

3 hours ago, Bob said:

Local media and government in Southeast Michigan are both deliberately hiding positive information. 

 

I worked for the news media for 15 years, so I do have a bit of bias, as well as a dog in this fight.  Negative news is what sells.  Negative news is what is notable and newsworthy.   This is exactly what I said earlier when I mentioned the tornado or flood ravaging a city.  The news is the amount of death and destruction, not the buildings or people that survived unscathed.  That is not what people are tuning in to see or buying papers to read or what concerns them most.

 

The same is true with this virus.  The news is the amount of deaths.  That is what concerns people most.  How deadly is this disease?  How likely am I to catch it?  How close to me is it?  What damage is it doing to my life?  This is the news.  This is what sells.  This is what people are concerned about.

 

OJ Simpson running from the police and being wanted for the murder of his ex wife and Ron Goldman was a news event.  Nobody was interested in reading about all the people who were NOT murdered.  

 

Now I'm not blind or stupid enough to believe that the media only tells the truth, the whole truth, or nothing but the truth.  Legitimate journalism, however, is completely dependent upon their sources.  If someone lies to them or feeds them false information, then they will repeat that information because they trust their sources.

 

Do some journalism outlets embellish stories and sensationalize news events?  Yes.  Typically these are in the format of opinion pieces, but not always.  Yellow journalism is as old as journalism.  It is a sad part of this system of things.

 

4 hours ago, Bob said:

Totally disagree. Totally. They were absolutely mask shaming. They even said it seems people don't care because they're not wearing masks. Why do they have to wear masks (1) when they're outside, and (2) well outside of 6ft range?

Was this in the video?  I didn't watch the video.  I do not see the word mask in the entire article I linked to.  The only thing I saw was the media giving this restaurant an opportunity to voice their side of the story.  

 

Personally, yes, I feel it's irresponsible for people to not wear masks when they can.  I'm not sure I'm comfortable with going to a restaurant or large public gathering.  Not because I'm afraid of contracting the disease (I may have had Covid-19 back in January.  I'm not sure as I've not been tested.  I was only sick for a couple of weeks with what felt like a bad case of bronchitis).  Everything I've read, however, still leans to this being a deadly virus that is sweeping the globe.  Until the authorities state it's under control, I feel I have no choice but to act as if it's not under control.

 

It's obvious, Bob, that you feel differently.  That's completely your right.  However, I need to ask where are you getting your information to help you form your opinion that this virus is not as deadly as being claimed?  I don't believe you are a scientist doing research on coronavirus or Covid-19.  I don't believe you are in the medical profession.  The only conclusion I can reach is that you are being informed by certain media outlets and other things you are reading online, videos you are watching, or some other information you are taking in.  So, then, this is really boiling down to whom do you trust?  Which websites do you feel are telling the truth and which ones are feeding you misinformation.  Without a science background or scientific research you are performing, it's clear that you are just as influenced by what you read and what you observe as I am.  I'm not a scientist either.  I am not doing any scientific research.  I'm simply taking in the news, reading the data I'm given, observing what I see in the community I live in, and drawing conclusions.

 

Ultimately it looks to me that all this disagreement comes down to which websites we want to trust and which ones we want to reject.  Perhaps I'm being influenced by my life because, honestly, my life is not being affected that much.  I go out of the house to work and I've been employed this whole time.  My refrigerator is full of food.  I'm paying all my bills.  My wife works full time and has worked over time every week since the shutdown began in mid March to just last week.  Some of my social events have been disrupted, postponed, or canceled, but those haven't had that terrible of impact on my emotions or attitude.  I will admit to being biased and not fully understanding all the people who are genuinely being oppressed by the coronavirus.

 

Maybe that is where you are.  Maybe that is why you appear to be taking the stand that all of these precautions are stupid nonsense and overreactions.  Maybe that is why you seem to be coming across as stating that wearing masks is pointless, stupid, ineffective, and an infringement on human rights.  Perhaps you are feeling a greater burden by all of this than I am.  Maybe you are feeling the oppression of the coronavirus. If so, then I apologize.  I'm sorry this has impacted you so hard.

 

I can't help but feel that all these negative reactions would be different if there were more deaths.  Would it have been better if no city, no state, or no nation did anything and simply let nature run it's course?  Would it have been better if everything remained as it always had been with no care in the world, completely open, and millions of people were now dead because of this plague?

Edited May 29, 2020 by Shawnster

[Bob]

21 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

Was this in the video?  I didn't watch the video.  I do not see the word mask in the entire article I linked to.  The only thing I saw was the media giving this restaurant an opportunity to voice their side of the story.  

Well, its the video I linked you to. I am surprised you didn't see it. But here is mask shaming and media hypocrisy at its finest:

 

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=news+station+mask+shaming+backfires&docid=13819412372269&mid=E6C659F784EE8765651CE6C659F784EE8765651C&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

 

 

Quote

Personally, yes, I feel it's irresponsible for people to not wear masks when they can.  I'm not sure I'm comfortable with going to a restaurant or large public gathering.  Not because I'm afraid of contracting the disease (I may have had Covid-19 back in January.  I'm not sure as I've not been tested.  I was only sick for a couple of weeks with what felt like a bad case of bronchitis).  Everything I've read, however, still leans to this being a deadly virus that is sweeping the globe.  Until the authorities state it's under control, I feel I have no choice but to act as if it's not under control.

I am in agreement. But I don't believe you are understanding what I am saying - the CDC recommends mask under two conditions: (1) you cannot maintain 6ft social distance, and (2) when you're in an enclosed public area (like a grocery store). So we don't disagree here. 

 

 

Quote

It's obvious, Bob, that you feel differently.  That's completely your right.  However, I need to ask where are you getting your information to help you form your opinion that this virus is not as deadly as being claimed?  I don't believe you are a scientist doing research on coronavirus or Covid-19.  I don't believe you are in the medical profession.  The only conclusion I can reach is that you are being informed by certain media outlets and other things you are reading online, videos you are watching, or some other information you are taking in.  

Well, it is not as deadly as claimed. I don't know how many times I've posted the inflating recovery numbers, which currently out pace the deaths by 2.5 times and climbing. I don't need to be a scientist - I need to rely on the ones who study this thing. Right now there are 500k recoveries and 100k deaths, overall. Most people recover. In fact, the vast majority do.

 

That doesn't give me the green light to act like its not deadly because it is. I have cut off my social life. I'm fine with that. I protect myself and my family. However, I just looks at the facts not shared by the media. 

 

There is nothing wrong with looking for positive developments and hopeful outcomes. 

 

Quote

Maybe that is where you are.  Maybe that is why you appear to be taking the stand that all of these precautions are stupid nonsense and overreactions.  Maybe that is why you seem to be coming across as stating that wearing masks is pointless, stupid, ineffective, and an infringement on human rights.

That's not fair. I've never said as such. Its just a sad narrative that's pushed by the media. If you are seen without a mask no matter the situation, you don't care about grandma and want to infect grandma. 

 

Its really influencing people, and its generally false. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[Bob]

Mainstream media has sadly but clearly and cleverly crafted a narrative with this virus:

 

Stay locked in your home, stay constantly under the protection of a mask, and you’re taking this seriously.

 

Leave your home, be seen without a mask, and you’re throwing caution to the wind and taking it lightly. 
 

I am saddened that this false dichotomy has influenced the majority in our world.
 

 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[M.J.]

26 minutes ago, Bob said:

Mainstream media has sadly but clearly and cleverly crafted a narrative with this virus:

 

Stay locked in your home, stay constantly under the protection of a mask, and you’re taking this seriously.

 

Leave your home, be seen without a mask, and you’re throwing caution to the wind and taking it lightly. 
 

I am saddened that this false dichotomy has influenced the majority in our world.
 

 

Well it seems Bethel has chosen option A, by remaining under lockdown.

Is Bethel under a false dichotomy?

 

[Friends just call me Ross]

I've been on a sort of a rant for the past few days.

 

I can't bring my cloth 'save the earth' bags in our local grocery store

because they might be contaminated with the virus.  

(They are stored in my car when not in use.)

 

But, in the same store, I saw shoppers wandering around without masks on and not practicing

social distancing.

 

I asked the clerk why people without masks on were being allowed in the store ,

but my reusable shopping bags were not allowed in the store.

 

She said it was easier to keep the bags out than the law-breaking people.   

 

From what I've witnessed, there seem to be two groups. 

 

1.Those who take this potentially deadly virus seriously: 

i.e. , staying home and staying safe, going out for 'essentials' only, 

and wearing a mask when out in public, and practicing social distancing.

 

And  

 

2. Those who take this potentially deadly virus lightly: 

i.e. , disregarding the executive orders by not wearing a mask or practicing social distancing,

and by leaving their homes for non-essential reasons.

  

It's just the way of this messed up Satanic world.  

 

The non-mask wearers will continue to go around spreading the virus.  

 

And I will continue to keep my 'killer' save the earth bags out in my car when grocery shopping.  

[CHecker]

2 minutes ago, Friends just call me Ross said:

 

It's just the way of this messed up Satanic world.  

 

The non-mask wearers will continue to go around spreading the virus.  

 

And I will continue to keep my 'killer' save the earth bags out in my car when grocery shopping.  

Just as I said, you cannot control people. They will do as they please. If they choose to not wear masks, well ok. I will and will use an anti viral spray as I go in. My choice. I stay safe.

[Bob]

28 minutes ago, M.J. said:

Well it seems Bethel has chosen option A, by remaining under lockdown.

Is Bethel under a false dichotomy?

 

Bethel is doing what they feel is correct. They’ve also allowed non bethelites to choose what’s best for their family situation, have they not?

 

So they are not imposing an either/or option on the rest of us. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[EccentricM]

Are we really going to let a virus tear apart our brotherhood in debates and petty insults?

Edited May 29, 2020 by EccentricM

[careful]

13 minutes ago, Friends just call me Ross said:

I've been on a sort of a rant for the past few days.

 

I can't bring my cloth 'save the earth' bags in our local grocery store

because they might be contaminated with the virus.  

(They are stored in my car when not in use.)

 

to friends just call me ross....I dare you, then, if your bags are so ridiculously persecuted.....lick the bottom. Every surface you've ever put them on including the floor,,,your car floor,,,a shopping cart, the hallway of your house when you come in....the check out counter,,,every surface is less than clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CHecker]

33 minutes ago, EccentricM said:

Are we really going to let a virus tear apart our brotherhood in debates and petty insults?

Nope

We follow the slave.  We do as we are reccomend to do.

[M.J.]

46 minutes ago, Bob said:

Bethel is doing what they feel is correct. They’ve also allowed non bethelites to choose what’s best for their family situation, have they not?

 

So they are not imposing an either/or option on the rest of us. 

That is correct. They are not imposing. What they do is set the example. It is up to our conscience and circumstances, how we respond. But their example gives us a very good clue how seriously to take this situation.

[Hotteok]

I think the bottom line is doing our best to protect people's lives including ours. Simple as that. 

 

[Bob]

19 minutes ago, M.J. said:

That is correct. They are not imposing. What they do is set the example. It is up to our conscience and circumstances, how we respond. But their example gives us a very good clue how seriously to take this situation.

So again, you're saying that if I'm not following the Bethel example of locking down, I'm not taking it very seriously. And that's the narrative that's being promoted by the world at large.

Do as I do, or you're taking it lightly. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[EccentricM]

Oh please

 

This is insecure machoism, not manliness. Being a "man" or "tough", is not caring what others think or succumbing to peer pressure, as you do what you do.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/men-face-masks-sign-of-weakness-coronavirus

 

Quote

Men less likely to wear face masks because they see them as 'sign of weakness,' study suggests

 

Edited May 29, 2020 by EccentricM

[Bob]

1 hour ago, EccentricM said:

Are we really going to let a virus tear apart our brotherhood in debates and petty insults?

Well, from what I have seen generally speaking, and not speaking about us per se, is that there is this political and social divide - and I do think we generally have been affected by it. We are human and we all watch the news. 
 

The problem I think lies in the governmental mandates more or less to control instead of protect. 
 

So you have the government say “wear a mask or pay a fine” or “socially distance or I will arrest you” and people who don’t like the mandate and disobey it, are characterized as not caring about lives when they really are opposed to the mandate itself. 
 

So missing that nuance I believe results in people being demonized as not taking covid seriously. They likely do - they are just opposed to the government overreach and rule making, as they see it anyway. 
 

So the media doesn’t articulate that middle ground - they just paint everyone who doesn’t like it being a mandate as not caring about covid.

 

That’s why I hold the media in extremely low regard... very low regard nowadays.  

That’s just my opinion, however. 

 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[pnutts]

If government mandate is not against Christian principles then having public issues with them is not being obedient to the superior authorities hence is publicly taking a stand against Jehovah's authority.

[Bob]

3 minutes ago, pnutts said:

If government mandate is not against Christian principles then having public issues with them is not being obedient to the superior authorities hence is publicly taking a stand against Jehovah's authority.

The people I am speaking about are not true Christians. 

[pnutts]

If they are the superior authorities, of course they are not true Christians.

[AH173]

I just wish for all who have issues with the guidance that the Satan's world governments, false religion and creedy commercial system offers take in with concern and caution. 

For all those who didn't do so, please contact your group overseer (having secure jw login credentials) and ask for what the Branch offers as guidance during this pandemic documents. Especially as family heads we should request that material and make good judgments for following the advice that the FDS encourages during this time. Instead of ranting and raving what Satan's world is propagating as news to consume and offer divergent opinions on and potentiallly harm the faith of our dear brothers and sisters. We need to close ranks and follow FDS and strive for unity as this world is getting closer to the end. 

 

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402013844?q=Close+ranks&p=par

 

Quote

19. How can we close ranks?

 

19 Draw close to your brothers. What does that mean? When a trained army is attacked by an enemy, the soldiers close ranks, that is, they come closer together so that there are no gaps in the fighting line. That way they create a defense that cannot be broken. Satan is increasing his attacks on God’s people. Now is not the time to fight against our brothers. Now is the time to draw close to one another, to overlook the imperfections of our brothers, and to trust in Jehovah.

 

 

It is now time for us to close ranks against Satan and the demons (See paragraph 19)

 

20. What should we do now?

 

20 So let us keep our relationship with Jehovah strong and show a waiting attitude. Let us patiently wait for the announcement of “Peace and security!” and for the final sealing of the anointed. After that, the four angels will let go of the destructive winds, and Babylon the Great will be destroyed. While we wait for these historic events to happen, let us follow the direction from those assigned to take the lead in Jehovah’s organization. Close ranks against the Devil and the demons! Now is the time to follow the counsel of the psalmist: “Be courageous, and may your heart be strong, all you who are waiting for Jehovah.”—Psalm 31:24.

 

And thank you Bro Shawn for your words on the above mentioned post. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by AH173
update

[Mykyl]

5 hours ago, Bob said:

Mainstream media has sadly but clearly and cleverly crafted a narrative with this virus:

 

Stay locked in your home, stay constantly under the protection of a mask, and you’re taking this seriously.

 

Leave your home, be seen without a mask, and you’re throwing caution to the wind and taking it lightly. 
 

I am saddened that this false dichotomy has influenced the majority in our world.
 

 

The GB are saying to take it seriously. To follow direction of the authorities. Enough so that despite what those authorities say regarding loosening up we won't be following them. To not take chances while acknowledging its up to each family head what they do. 

 

We know they are extremely careful in making sure the information they give out is accurate and up to date.

 

Why is your information correct despite all of that?