2 ms·

I think you are forgetting that, minus NYC, the disaster didn't happen. Hospitals in states that dragged their feet like Georgia never even approached capacity

by JPKab 7y ago

I think you are forgetting that, minus NYC, the disaster didn't happen. Hospitals in states that dragged their feet like Georgia never even approached capacity. Excluding NYC, the US is on par with Germany. We never came close to being Italy. I thought for sure we were going to be. I saw data that led me to believe it. The data is richer now. There is more of it. I was wrong. Reality is telling us that for once, there is good news. This virus isn't as bad, and the lockdowns can be eased. That's the data NOW. My God, why is it that since Trump got elected, that every position on a factual argument turned into an ideological hill to die on. I changed my mind, yet it's like I'm wearing a maga hat for saying it. Regarding my brother's business: His debt was no issue when he had customers. The government shut down the economy for the first time in the history of the US. He didn't account for that when taking out the loan. This decision now seems unnecessary. If data starts to show that I'm wrong, I will AGAIN change my mind. I just wish others on here would try that themselves.

mindslight 7y ago
> My God, why is it that since Trump got elected, that every position on a factual argument turned into an ideological hill to die on. In general I would say your perception is in line with the general divisiveness of our times. I personally identify as a libertarian, but when I talk to people I'm always perceived as $OTHER because I don't match their overall narrative. But concretely, if you said specifically what should be reopened, or included details about how your brother was planning on keeping contact down, then there would be something constructive to talk about. I myself think there are businesses that are closed that should be open - the small retailer vs "essential" corporate chain thing is especially galling, especially for garden stores. But instead, when saying things can be generally "eased", and even saying that the reactionary shutdowns were a "mistake", it supports obtuse action like Texas reopening malls, restaurants, and movie theaters - probably the worst type of places for people to remain aware of social distancing. (I'd take this back if I saw people in malls actually staying apart and following arrows, but after what I've seen in grocery stores I'm not hopeful) And reopenings may look small business friendly, but rather: https://i.redd.it/f2ry8pgk84v41.png https://i.redd.it/f2ry8pgk84v41.png . Basically the main relief avenues for individuals and small businesses require being completely shutdown. Framing the initial decision as a "mistake" makes it seem like you are repeating a talking point. The goal was to avoid disaster, so a lack of disaster doesn't imply anything. What did necessitate a shut down is a federal government that failed to act for two months, told people to continue on as normal, and actually interfered with the individual states obtaining medical supplies. It's like if a bus driver had a heart attack so one of the passengers took over and stomped on the brakes, and then was told their action was a mistake because they could have simply kept driving the bus. > His debt was no issue when he had customers IMO the debt was an issue the whole time, regardless of his being able to service it. While debt can be useful, we've had artificially low interest rates going on two decades, depleting businesses of operating cash reserves. Financialization causes fragility, as it locks businesses into narrow assumptions, and those assumptions can change.

by JPKab 7y ago

mindslight 7y ago

> My God, why is it that since Trump got elected, that every position on a factual argument turned into an ideological hill to die on. In general I would say your perception is in line with the general divisiveness of our times. I personally identify as a libertarian, but when I talk to people I'm always perceived as $OTHER because I don't match their overall narrative. But concretely, if you said specifically what should be reopened, or included details about how your brother was planning on keeping contact down, then there would be something constructive to talk about. I myself think there are businesses that are closed that should be open - the small retailer vs "essential" corporate chain thing is especially galling, especially for garden stores. But instead, when saying things can be generally "eased", and even saying that the reactionary shutdowns were a "mistake", it supports obtuse action like Texas reopening malls, restaurants, and movie theaters - probably the worst type of places for people to remain aware of social distancing. (I'd take this back if I saw people in malls actually staying apart and following arrows, but after what I've seen in grocery stores I'm not hopeful) And reopenings may look small business friendly, but rather: https://i.redd.it/f2ry8pgk84v41.png https://i.redd.it/f2ry8pgk84v41.png . Basically the main relief avenues for individuals and small businesses require being completely shutdown. Framing the initial decision as a "mistake" makes it seem like you are repeating a talking point. The goal was to avoid disaster, so a lack of disaster doesn't imply anything. What did necessitate a shut down is a federal government that failed to act for two months, told people to continue on as normal, and actually interfered with the individual states obtaining medical supplies. It's like if a bus driver had a heart attack so one of the passengers took over and stomped on the brakes, and then was told their action was a mistake because they could have simply kept driving the bus. > His debt was no issue when he had customers IMO the debt was an issue the whole time, regardless of his being able to service it. While debt can be useful, we've had artificially low interest rates going on two decades, depleting businesses of operating cash reserves. Financialization causes fragility, as it locks businesses into narrow assumptions, and those assumptions can change.