If anyone I know was asked if they wanted any others to die from COVID 19, the answer would be a resounding "NO." if anyone I know was asked if they would like to see the US economy completely destroyed, the overwhelming answer would be "NO."
Therein lays the rub. We are fighting a two front war. However, each of the wars interacts with the other. The tactics differ with each battle. If one overreacts to the needs to win one war, you most certainly will lose the other. In both wars, emotion is not a good soldier.
For example, I have just read that the brother of the ex-mayor of Chicago is now a consultant to Joe Biden and he is proclaiming that quarantining is recommended for another 12-18 months. Of course, this jerk is a compete idiot. Total lock-down for another 12-18 months would destroy any semblance of a US economy. Conversely, any relaxation of controls TOO EARLY would run the risk of firing up COVID 19 all over again.
Proponents of each war are very vocal in their support. For example, they are protesting in the streets of several major cities in the US supporting a relaxation of the quarantines. At the same time, we have the moron in Chicago campaigning for 12-18 month continuation of a lock-down. Emotions are running wild without checks. This is not good. If one war is won, the other is lost under current "wisdom." If one saves lives successfully combating COVID 19, how many lives are lost because of disappearing jobs, bankruptcies, alcoholism, suicide, divorce? Thousands of lives are lost or destroyed no matter which war is won.
It is clear to me that the best solution is somewhere in between the two extremes. Can I tell you what that particular compromise is? Nope. However, I can tell you that if we don't get our heads out of our butts, and start thinking instead of emoting, we are in for some dangerous and destructive times ahead. I don't think you have to be too smart to figure that out.
It is easy to be compassionate for victims of COVID 19. It is also easy to be compassionate about victims of a destroyed US economy. You can shout your pain and compassion for either of the victims to the rooftops and you will not necessarily be wrong..........but you haven't solved anything. You have succeeded in only making noise.
I would like to see some probability numbers for each of the two scenarios. I would like to see informed and educated forecasts of loss of life and the economic probabilities and it's estimated loss of life. I have not seen any on any news sources. Any veteran knows that if you are ordered to take a hill, you are going to lose troops. But you also know if you don't take that hill, you're going to lose more troops. It's a calculation.
To any that say I'm tossing away lives, particularly those at more risk because of age, other sickness, or any of the other maladies of the "high risk group," I would like to point out I am a member of that "high risk group." I would prefer to put myself at risk rather than my kids or grand-kids. My kids and grand-kids need a secure and safe economic future, as well as a vaccination against COVID 19.
So, even tho I don't have the answer, I admit it. It is time to stop bloviating on Facebook about uninformed and unsubstantiated stories and start looking for informed answers. I feel everyone is dedicated and busy on the official front trying to solve this mess. No one wants it. Quit wasting energy blaming Trump. He didn't cause this crap. If you're going to spend energy, spend it on intellect, not politicizing. I am so fed up with self appointed experts that have no idea what they're talking about. I appreciate the work being done by our medical experts in Washington, but they are not economists. Conversely, people who are facing destruction of their lives due to hunger, foreclosure, utility shut-offs, loss if insurance, and depression can hardly be blamed for wanting to go back to work.
Folks, it's time to use our heads rather than our mouths. Me included. As soon as I get this figured out, I'll let you know.
Therein lays the rub. We are fighting a two front war. However, each of the wars interacts with the other. The tactics differ with each battle. If one overreacts to the needs to win one war, you most certainly will lose the other. In both wars, emotion is not a good soldier.
For example, I have just read that the brother of the ex-mayor of Chicago is now a consultant to Joe Biden and he is proclaiming that quarantining is recommended for another 12-18 months. Of course, this jerk is a compete idiot. Total lock-down for another 12-18 months would destroy any semblance of a US economy. Conversely, any relaxation of controls TOO EARLY would run the risk of firing up COVID 19 all over again.
Proponents of each war are very vocal in their support. For example, they are protesting in the streets of several major cities in the US supporting a relaxation of the quarantines. At the same time, we have the moron in Chicago campaigning for 12-18 month continuation of a lock-down. Emotions are running wild without checks. This is not good. If one war is won, the other is lost under current "wisdom." If one saves lives successfully combating COVID 19, how many lives are lost because of disappearing jobs, bankruptcies, alcoholism, suicide, divorce? Thousands of lives are lost or destroyed no matter which war is won.
It is clear to me that the best solution is somewhere in between the two extremes. Can I tell you what that particular compromise is? Nope. However, I can tell you that if we don't get our heads out of our butts, and start thinking instead of emoting, we are in for some dangerous and destructive times ahead. I don't think you have to be too smart to figure that out.
It is easy to be compassionate for victims of COVID 19. It is also easy to be compassionate about victims of a destroyed US economy. You can shout your pain and compassion for either of the victims to the rooftops and you will not necessarily be wrong..........but you haven't solved anything. You have succeeded in only making noise.
I would like to see some probability numbers for each of the two scenarios. I would like to see informed and educated forecasts of loss of life and the economic probabilities and it's estimated loss of life. I have not seen any on any news sources. Any veteran knows that if you are ordered to take a hill, you are going to lose troops. But you also know if you don't take that hill, you're going to lose more troops. It's a calculation.
To any that say I'm tossing away lives, particularly those at more risk because of age, other sickness, or any of the other maladies of the "high risk group," I would like to point out I am a member of that "high risk group." I would prefer to put myself at risk rather than my kids or grand-kids. My kids and grand-kids need a secure and safe economic future, as well as a vaccination against COVID 19.
So, even tho I don't have the answer, I admit it. It is time to stop bloviating on Facebook about uninformed and unsubstantiated stories and start looking for informed answers. I feel everyone is dedicated and busy on the official front trying to solve this mess. No one wants it. Quit wasting energy blaming Trump. He didn't cause this crap. If you're going to spend energy, spend it on intellect, not politicizing. I am so fed up with self appointed experts that have no idea what they're talking about. I appreciate the work being done by our medical experts in Washington, but they are not economists. Conversely, people who are facing destruction of their lives due to hunger, foreclosure, utility shut-offs, loss if insurance, and depression can hardly be blamed for wanting to go back to work.
Folks, it's time to use our heads rather than our mouths. Me included. As soon as I get this figured out, I'll let you know.
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