The Mysterious Coronavirus Spreading Worldwide

[BenJepthah]

19 minutes ago, Thesauron said:

It is a political ideology that media always is dishonest and twisted. It is much better to get your news from a number of reputable sources (Facebook and your neighbour does not count as reputable sources for news.)

It is true that people everywhere do not follow guidelines given. They say they are willing to go to great lengths to protect their country, fellow humans, etc., but wear a mask and stay at a distance, if that is what is asked of them.

The recoveries are known and not very interesting. They are good, but not interesting. What is interesting is why so many people die, and why they keep dying.
 

There are no honest sources. But you can look at the graphs on the CDC site and make up your own mind.

[Bob]

7 minutes ago, Thesauron said:

Yes, in a way, but most people who get well will never be reported to the authorities and cannot be studied.

Regarding immunity, it seems to be a lot harder to reach than was at first thought. No country has reached herd immunity yet. Is it over? No. How do we know? Because people keep dying.

You may be right about the recoveries not being reported everywhere. I know they are reported in the US, but not sure about everywhere else. A

 

As far as your immunity point goes, if we are honest, the lockdowns are what's delaying herd immunity because the spread has slowed, so the pandemic will last longer and people will keep dying, just at a slower pace and over a longer period of time.

 

I am for slowing the spread and preventing death. I am for locking down to keep people alive. But there is a trade off to that; the pandemic stretching over a longer period of time and less death in the short term. Nothing wrong with that in my view if it saves lives, but I'm just putting that out there. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[Thesauron]

There are no honest sources. But you can look at the graphs on the CDC site and make up your own mind.

There are actually some very good sources where the journalists try to do a good job. But, as the researchers for our publications say, they are often pressed by time and economical restraints. Therefore newspapers and news media isn’t a prime source, but it is still good, and used in our publications every now and then.

We have our own authorities in this country. It is the politicians who have made it their business to tell you lies and half truths.

[Bob]

So the question health officials were asking themselves after this thing was wide spread was:

 

Do we want lots of death in the short term and risk crippling the healthcare system, or do we want to lockdown and stretch cases out over the long term to avoid bringing the system to it knees?

[BenJepthah]

5 minutes ago, Bob said:

So the question health officials were asking themselves after this thing was wide spread was:

 

Do we want lots of death in the short term and risk crippling the healthcare system, or do we want to lockdown and stretch cases out over the long term to avoid bringing the system to it knees?

That’s really all the lockdowns were ever for : pay the Rona now or put it in an installment plan.  

[Thesauron]

You may be right about the recoveries not being reported everywhere. I know they are reported in the US, but not sure about everywhere else. A
 
As far as your immunity point goes, if we are honest, the lockdowns are what's delaying herd immunity because the spread has slowed, so the pandemic will last longer and people will keep dying, just at a slower pace and over a longer period of time.
 
I am for slowing the spread and preventing death. I am for locking down to keep people alive. But there is a trade off to that; the pandemic stretching over a longer period of time and less death in the short term. Nothing wrong with that in my view if it saves lives, but I'm just putting that out there. 

The recoveries are reported, and the numbers are easy to find, but not reported with such intensity was the number of deaths. There is a point to this, namely, if we talk too much about how many get well, we might give people the idea that we are close to the end of this and they might let their guards down. That would be disastrous.

Some politicians feel they can open up the society, but they are doing it purely on economical grounds, to be re-elected. I think media would like to revel in something else. Even the journalists and reporters are a bit tired of COVID-19, as everyone else, but it is probably here to stay for the long run.

Speaking of revelling in something else, it is kind of interesting to look at what goes almost unreported, the things that would have made the headlines before COVID-19...

[cricket246]

Reliable news source : https://www.jw.org/en/news/jw/  

[Thesauron]

Reliable news source : https://www.jw.org/en/news/jw/  

Yes, for some things. There are also other journalists and news sources doing a great job with what they’ve got.

[Bob]

6 minutes ago, Thesauron said:

The recoveries are reported, and the numbers are easy to find, but not reported with such intensity was the number of deaths. There is a point to this, namely, if we talk too much about how many get well, we might give people the idea that we are close to the end of this and they might let their guards down. That would be disastrous.

Some politicians feel they can open up the society, but they are doing it purely on economical grounds, to be re-elected. I think media would like to revel in something else. Even the journalists and reporters are a bit tired of COVID-19, as everyone else, but it is probably here to stay for the long run.

Speaking of revelling in something else, it is kind of interesting to look at what goes almost unreported, the things that would have made the headlines before COVID-19...

It could give people a false sense of security, but if you have the information, you’re obligated to share it and allow people to accept it or not and to assess their own risk using that information.

 

You make a good point about the reopening for economic reason.

 

But here is the key: they said they locked down to prevent the crippling of the healthcare system. 
 

So if the healthcare system is in tact, then that condition is met, so they actually have to reopen based on their own lockdown criteria. 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bob

[trottigy]

21 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

CDC is now estimating death rate is less than 1%  https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/tell-me-what-to-do-please-even-experts-struggle-with-coronavirus-unknowns/2020/05/25/e11f9870-9d08-11ea-ad09-8da7ec214672_story.html

 

Science Daily reported the death rate was 1.3%.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200518144915.htm  

 

 

 

It is not accurate to say the CDC is estimating the death rate to be less than 1%. Note the source of that quote is not the CDC, but the Washington Post.

 

If you go to the CDC's site you'll see that 1% is not an estimate but rather guidance for planning purposes. You can see that here

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/COVID19/

 

With this quote:

Quote

The parameters in the scenarios:

• Are estimates intended to support public health preparedness and planning.
• Are not predictions of the expected effects of COVID-19.
• Do not reflect the impact of any behavioral changes, social distancing, or other interventions.

As to the Science daily - I don't have time to dig into and pull out the facts, but ....

 

If you take total deaths and divide by total cases the answer is close to the 6% range. That's true even if you break things out by country - some outliers will obviously exist.

[Bob]

27 minutes ago, BenJepthah said:

That’s really all the lockdowns were ever for : pay the Rona now or put it in an installment plan.  

And here is what they were also hoping for; finding a cure before all the payments are satisfied. So the choice to lockdown was a wise choice. 

 

[Thesauron]

It could give people a false sense of security, but if you have the information, you’re obligated to share it and allow people to accept it or not and to assess their own risk using that information.
 
You make a good point about the reopening for economic reason.
 
But here is the key: they said they locked down to prevent the crippling of the healthcare system. 
 
So if the healthcare system is in tact, then that condition is met, so they actually have to reopen based on their own lockdown criteria. 

Yes, and it is shared. It is easily accessible, but rarely on front pages. Health care systems in most countries are ok for now, even though many are nearing the limit, but the danger clearly isn’t over. That’s the problem. It might possibly take a very long time.

But in the end, the methods used is a political decision, and we don’t sway either way. We just do our best to try to stay safe and healthy, keep others safe and healthy, while also obeying the law, and to do that, we listen to what the authorities say, and experts in the field.

[Tbs77]

I haven't read the news lately because I have too many pressing things going on. But if I were to try to keep up with the latest developments regarding COVID-19, it would almost like a f/t job and IMO a lack of good judgment with regard to time. So, I decided to go to CNN just a minute ago, and WOW. Just exactly how we see the world illustrated in our publications - protests going on regarding that African-American man who was killed, fires, political fighting, worldwide COVID-19 deaths, predictions, droughts, famines, experimental vaccines, more China news, more Trump news, and so-on and so-forth. 
 
I appreciate getting updates on relevant things here regarding COVID, but i think it's a waste of energy to concentrate and criticize the decisions of worldly states and governments, WHO, and other similar agencies on here. Like everyone else said, follow the F&DS. It is their responsibility to lead us and direct us, not the political elements of this world and how we interpret that. I obey Jesus command to be "no part of the world." Besides, I wonder what he would think if he was physically among us. The whole WWJD thing do - concentrate on the world, no. Concentrate rather on the kingdom. Way better use of our time since we can't change the world and how it's promoted anyway.
 
I think this is why many of my bible studies are drawn to our meetings. In some of their former pentecostal, or african churches, there was so much fighting going on. So refreshing to see that Witnesses are different, trying to promote peace instead of misunderstandings.
 

We are witnessing the true countdown to the GT which culminates in Armageddon....I watched Bro Loesch "are you ready" to 147th Class to Gilead last night!...Keep on the watch....especially you long-time servants was wonderful admonition.

Got CO next week can't wait for Public Talk:
"What Does The Near Future Hold?"

[BenJepthah]

33 minutes ago, Bob said:

And here is what they were also hoping for; finding a cure before all the payments are satisfied. So the choice to lockdown was a wise choice. 

 

From the perspective of someone who works in a Hospital I’m glad they did it. My facility got off easy this go round. But in cities nearby we had Nursing and Medical staff die. 

[Amygdala]

55 minutes ago, Tbs77 said:

We are witnessing the true countdown to the GT which culminates in Armageddon....I watched Bro Loesch "are you ready" to 147th Class to Gilead last night!...Keep on the watch....especially you long-time servants was wonderful admonition.

Got CO next week can't wait for Public Talk:
"What Does The Near Future Hold?"

Very timely talk from your CO! We have our visit in June as well.

 

Gotta watch that video. On the to-do list! Inbetween keeping busy with the family, the ministry and studies, fitness activities, keeping up with friends on the phone or video, a plethora of to-do lists, keeping up also briefly on news items, and here also you can really say we as God's people are super busy people!   I am currently re-reading the God`s Kingdom book. Really, really encouraging reading. No bad after-taste from reading, but a feel-good way to end the evening, or sometimes begin my day! It also gives me that personal encouragement to keep on keepin on preaching.

Edited May 29, 2020 by Lieblingskind

[cme]

2 hours ago, zoebarry said:

The WORLDWIDE branch has stated that, even if the LOCAL governments lift restrictions and deem activities safe, we must follow the directions of the GB about resuming ANY public preaching activities, which includes door to door preaching.

 

I’m sure the brothers in France will wait for such direction.

I agree!  It would be great though if we can go out preaching again.  I know that in November we do have that campaign coming so, I'm assuming that we will be doing this door to door unless, the Society deems otherwise.

[Dages]

3 hours ago, Bluebell said:

they should wait for the direction of the Branch

That's what they plan to do. 

Tonight they told us about July OR September...  

[M.J.]

The Org has never indicated that the November campaign will be door to door. The ministry carries on, as it always has, using whatever appropriate methods are available to us. If we can go door to door, fine, but if we can't, it really doesn't affect the fact that we have a campaign to proclaim.

[My little flower]

 

President Trump on Friday announced that the U.S. is "terminating" its relationship with the embattled World Health Organization (WHO) over its failure to enact reforms in the face of U.S. concerns over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its pro-China bias.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-us-terminating-relationship-with-who

Edited May 29, 2020 by My little flower

[pnutts]

Our BoEs mentioned that for the WC 2020 each family will "attend" from their own home for July and August, thus there are no plans to reopen our KH anytime soon. Canada has about 90 thousand confirmed ( probably many times that actually) and 7 thousand dead. Rates have slowed down but there are still occurring in my city, some at grocery stores _employees and medical staff have been hit too, 1st RN to die in Canada was in our city.

[pnutts]

Fox News is never a reliable source of news. It has been my observation for past 12 years that it has its own agenda and support for far right views.

Local affiliates such as Fox25 Boston are not so bad, but the national Fox. Hoo boy. Many take their views before making any views of their own so as some others never.T....s have made it a subject of ridicule. Thus it seems that these rabble rouser reporters are the ones driving policy in some cases.

[Thesauron]

 
President Trump on Friday announced that the U.S. is "terminating" its relationship with the embattled World Health Organization (WHO) over its failure to enact reforms in the face of U.S. concerns over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its pro-China bias.
 
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-us-terminating-relationship-with-who

This is a way of redirecting attention away from how he himself has dealt with the situation, I believe,

[Shawnster]

4 hours ago, Bro Richard said:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-county-reopen-close-again_n_5ed009fcc5b64f10cb09045c

 

One of the first counties in California to open is closing again.

I'm confused by the update at the end of the article.  So, are the closing again or did they terminate the order to close again?

 

UPDATE: May 29 — Lassen County on Thursday terminated its order to scale back reopening, which was initially intended to remain in effect for seven days. Korver cited “contact tracing investigations” in his decision. 

[Tortuga]

Good question. I didn't see that.

Apparently they have now reversed that decision and are moving forward.

 

https://www.redding.com/story/news/2020/05/29/lassen-county-reopens-after-applying-brakes-cafes-and-stores-back-business/5284880002/

Edited May 29, 2020 by Bro Richard

[Old]

1 hour ago, Shawnster said:

I'm confused by the update at the end of the article.  So, are the closing again or did they terminate the order to close again?

 

UPDATE: May 29 — Lassen County on Thursday terminated its order to scale back reopening, which was initially intended to remain in effect for seven days. Korver cited “contact tracing investigations” in his decision. 

My understanding from previous news reports is Lassen County never took any real action on Covid 19 as they are very isolated. That being the case the Governor allowed them to officially start to reopen which they did and now they have active Covid19 in Susanville. So they are closing again but in reality they had paid little attention to being closed at all.