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How is it that so many people missed the boat on the COVID-19 crisis? Because it’s not rocket science. It’s not trivial, but it is definitely not rocket science.

The response of the Federal Government was insidiously purposeful and caught everyone off guard. We, the people, lost time. Precious time and it cost lives. And will cost more lives.

Because people assumed that the national government would function as the central command. Function as had in the past during emergencies.

How wrong we were.

The Silicon Valley, just over the hill from here, makes products, fast. They have been doing this since the late 70’s using critical thinking, something that is clearly missing at the top level of our government. And they actually do rocket science.

And now that ingenuity is being applied to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis. Gavin Newsom and his team have a plan. An actual plan. A plan that considers end cases and worst case scenarios. Simply said, a plan that will provide enough PPE (personal protective equipment), hospital beds, ventilators. A plan to house the homeless, and to help people who have lost their jobs.

This was the response that our nation needed - weeks ago. People knew. The people in the health care industry clearly knew what was needed, what was missing and when the Coronavirus tsunami was coming.

‘We’ here on the left coast, are hip to your game, oh great Federal wasteland. ‘We’ do not trust you. You have failed ‘us’ now in so many ways.

And now as I look back on this, I wonder if the slow response was planned, premeditated, intended to gin up chaos and fear. I simply do not understand how it could have just been bungled so badly.

I was under the impression that the messaging from the president was highly crafted. If so, then it is insidious. If not, we are in deep kimchi. Either way it is a shadow strutting and fretting it’s hour upon the stage.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

I simply do not understand how it could have just been bungled so badly.

In a word: incompetence. When you are driven by greed, you are generally incompetent at most other things. Greed is blinding. Looking left or right is not an option. Greed is all encompassing. Nothing else matters but your wants, your desires fulfilled. Greed had brought us here and is on full display by our elites who want us to die for their greed.

Have a pleasant day, be well, stay safe! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Centaurea's picture

@Raggedy Ann

and their political enablers are addicts. The only thing they can see is their next fix.

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"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi

"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone

Raggedy Ann's picture

@Centaurea
since greed is good became the mantra over 30 years ago.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVxYOQS6ggk]

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

magiamma's picture

@Raggedy Ann I wonder what they talk about in their meetings. It is surely driven by greed. It is so blatant.

How are you holding out? Here people have bought out all the seeds and starts from the garden stores. The shelves are mostly empty in the markets.

I am using instacart to shop and am well stocked up for a couple of weeks. A friend went to fed ex yesterday to pick up alcohol for me because I am spraying everything before it comes into the house.

People are sheltering in place for the most part now. We know it will make a difference.

Happy to see folks stepping up. Be well and have a good one.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@magiamma
Shelves are not quite empty here, which is good. Stores are limiting the number of people going in at a time - a new way of life. We are well stocked. I was poor and learned to hoard food/supplies. We are okay for about a month or six weeks. Actually, we could make it a year if we didn't need TP! We are putting in a big garden and we secured 23 chickens for eggs. I have dried beans and rice to last, easily a year. I can make my own bread and will now learn to make pie crust and other things! It's a new way of life.

Live in the present. Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

magiamma's picture

@Raggedy Ann
Butter kept in ice water and cut into to the flour. with two knifes to pea-sized balls. Rolled out carefully to flatten the butter balls while keeping them each coved with flour. Yummers. Flakey.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@magiamma
to make such a pie crust. Practice is in order!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

TheOtherMaven's picture

@Raggedy Ann

I've been using Fannie Farmer's basic piecrust recipe for decades. There are a couple of tricks to it, one of which is to keep the butter as cold as possible as long as possible (my brother freezes the butter and grates it in). Another tricky bit is exactly how much ice water to add (and yes it must be ice water, not just cold water). You can start by adding a little less than the recommended amount and then dribble the rest in by teaspoonfuls until the dough just begins to ball up and sticks together - this is a variable depending on the ambient humidity. You don't want the dough too dry or too wet, or you'll have all kinds of trouble with it.

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

@Raggedy Ann @Raggedy Ann It's about the money, and not wanting to roil the markets. While, simultaneously, if the crisis is quieted or denied, that gives those in the know an opportunity to sell off their stocks. It's what happens every time you leave a rat in charge of the cheese.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Paul ADK
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVxYOQS6ggk]

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

WoodsDweller's picture

@Paul ADK
suckers rush in to buy "bargain stocks", allowing the big players to unload their positions. Then comes the big crash when the suckers try to sell and there aren't any buyers. When you sit down at the poker table and you can't figure out who the sucker is, the sucker is you.

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"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone

ggersh's picture

@Raggedy Ann Jimmy and company tell us how the Bailout is of by for the corporations

This is a robbery in progress. And it's not a bailout for the coronavirus. It's a bailout for twelve years of corporate irresponsibility that made these companies so fragile that a few weeks of disruption would destroy them

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXPjNLIJ3W4]

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Raggedy Ann's picture

@ggersh
we expected this - I did, anyway. Why would it be different? It will only change when we cripple the health system and bankrupt the insurance industry. It will only change when we cripple the corporations that will have to stay closed even longer than the great orange one wants. It will only change when the people become fed up with the crumbs and begin to demand more because they are failing.

If the people don't start demanding more, nothing will change.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Cassiodorus's picture

They want people to die. "The economy" is a higher cause, never mind that "the economy" isn't going to thrive with all sorts of people dying of COVID-19, with no health services for anyone because all of the medical staff are busy with triage, and with the Federal government trying to interfere with social isolation strategies. A cause demands martyrs!

I mean, what, is Donald Trump going to declare war on California if it doesn't open up its businesses by Easter? Congress has already pretty much declared war on those who have lost their jobs. No money until May, when the bottom 40% of America lives from paycheck to paycheck? The Democrats are joining in, declaring war on America by giving it Joe "I might not make it to July, much less November" Biden.

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"The war on Gaza, backed by the West, is a demonstration that the West is willing to cross all lines. That it will discard any nuance of humanity. That it is willing to commit genocide" -- Moon of Alabama

Raggedy Ann's picture

@Cassiodorus
I don't think my state will be on board to open back up if we our numbers are still increasing. Our order is in effect until April 10, which is sooner than Herr Drumpf wants, but I suspect the order will be extended, unless we flatten our curve and keep the world out of our state and all the people in it. We will continue to be exposed.

My suspicion is that the governors and the people will decide when it is safe to start life over again. This is a life changing event - nothing will ever be the same. This is their fear. Their little elite worlds are imploding before their eyes and we, the people, are responsible! Horrors!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

magiamma's picture

@Cassiodorus
Yes! The government is trying to interfere with isolation strategies. This after refusing to help get the necessary equipment. Do you think people will all go to church on Easter Sunday and share the virus? Not here surely.

I watched Newsom’s presser yesterday. Coherent. Nuts and bolts. We have the fifth(?) biggest economy on the planet. Everyone is pulling together now. tRump declare war on CA? Not likely, but there will be more obstructing strategies. Right? Don’t know why it surprises me so much.

Have a good one

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@Cassiodorus I can think of a big orange goon I'd love to martyr.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@Paul ADK
elites and their security state apparat, it is unwise to post such statements because the site (and Johnny) could be subject to myriad hours of investigation and harassment. Accordingly, you should probably tone it down. Censorship is an ugly and unpleasant thing, even self-censorship, but self-censorship if preferable to external censorship.

Thanks and have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

TheOtherMaven's picture

@enhydra lutris

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Cassiodorus's picture

@enhydra lutris -- those of us who are still alive are going to witness a very precarious situation throughout the United States, with very large, desperate populations from coast to coast. Let's keep in mind as we witness this that the United States was mostly an impoverished Third World country before the coronavirus hit.

Now, I think it's fair to insist that participants in Caucus99percent not make any threatening statements in the comments sections. However, when the US fills up with very large populations whose lives are worth nothing, not even to themselves, do not be surprised if such an insistence only goes so far.

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"The war on Gaza, backed by the West, is a demonstration that the West is willing to cross all lines. That it will discard any nuance of humanity. That it is willing to commit genocide" -- Moon of Alabama

So much legislation benefiting the 1% can be pushed through in a crisis. If there is no crisis one can be created. The one thing that shines through is the contempt both parties have for the 99%. If they throw us a bone it's because the legislation they pass is so one sided, so obvious they need the cover.

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magiamma's picture

@Snode
So how many of the 99% do you think are hip to this robbery. First they rape the planet for all the resources using poor people to do the work. Then they rape the poor for the crumbs that are left. Bernie certainly has shifted the awareness. But is it enough?

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@magiamma G'morning. As much as the internet has opened up the world, it seems harder to find out how other people, countries react or participate in civics. Le Monde used to have an English edition, no more. It's hard to get a feel beyond team red or blue. It feels more and more like the US is an echo chamber of least useful knowledge and propaganda. The worst thing is that for a generation, this is normal, and it will only get worse.

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magiamma's picture

@Snode
as well. Especially overseas. I rarely read the msm. I get enough overflow from other sites. Any suggestions are welcome.

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Lookout's picture

So corporations have been buying their own stock and the market tanked. They are underwater and what do we do? The fed is buying corporate debt and throwing pennies your way. Propping up a failed banking and fossil fuel industry to the tune of trillions. This is the biggest boondoggle of my life time. The empire can't fall fast enough to suit me. The petrodollar is on its last leg. As the USD continues to rise in value compared to other currencies, it won't be long before a new currency of trade emerges.

The great irony is our beautiful spring this year. Human society collapses and nature cycles on. The garden is flourishing as things crumble. It is just so odd.

Hope you are all weathering the pandemic. The other day John Campbell was looking at the data of infection and 70% of the serious cases are obese people. Time to rethink our recommended diets....past time. Be well friends!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

magiamma's picture

@Lookout
We are fine here in Santa Cruz. Over the hill is more concerning but they are also getting everything in order. Across the Bay it is even more worrisome. El will have to report on that. LA and the south is also prepped. The worry is the folks in the ‘internment’ camps. And the homeless, but that problem is now being addressed in a big way.

The bailout IS a boondoggle. Why am I surprised. Bernie gave me so much hope. Yep, I’m with you - adios empire. And the Climate Crisis is gayly marching along its exponential path.

70% are obese? Wow, that says a lot. Diet and exercise.

Thanks. Have a good one.

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the implications of our failed response to this pandemic. We wonder why it is so, then offer ourselves from among a few of the mildest and most innocent of possible excuses; Incompetence, Stupidity, Ignorance. Dementia. Good people will look for good reasons for such an abject failure of government to protect its people. Unfortunately I can see none.

The possibility that intentionality has shaped our current predicament, and possibly even created it altogether, can not be discounted. This is the true horror of the situation, a most difficult possibility to consider, one almost impossible to accept. But there it is, right in front of us, rearing it’s ugly specter.

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Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all."
- John Maynard Keynes

magiamma's picture

@ovals49
That possibility should not be discounted. It really speaks to a vey dystopian future. It happened in Germany. That is to say that select homo sapiens have made such a choice before. The possibility exists such that it could happen again. That is my worry. Time will tell. We need to keep a very close watch.

Have a good one.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@ovals49
Many are finally waking up to what Bernie has been saying. This is why it is imperative he stays in the race. People need to witness true leadership at a time like this. He's our best hope but he cannot do it without millions behind him. I think it's coming.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

...and this is not just a major health crisis….the way our entire economy is incestuously intertwined with the casino and global capital flows…all that hypercomplexity the bosses built in to hide their rapine….

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magiamma's picture

@QMS
that. People here are preparing for a complete shutdown for months. Holding out for a better solution.

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I watched a bit of Beckwith last night, you know, for old times sake, to reminisce about the days when things were only extremely alarming. Smile He dug up and presented some old wisdom from the ancients; ..."when there is a plague in your country, stay at home".

Hopefully soon I will be able to do that. Right now I'm trying to ensure that extended family is able to shelter in place safely and I still work part-time which is unfortunately not at home.

I think everyone should try to plant a few kitchen herbs. I know for some that is not easy, but even a small planter of something could potentially help boost your immunity. At the very least it would smell and look lovely. These, for me, are the easiest to grow. Basil, small hot peppers, rosemary, sage, thyme, aloe vera, chickweed, dandelion, lemon balm, nettle, mint, red clover, oregano, hyssop, bay leaf, lemon grass, lemon verbena. Many of these supposedly have some anti-viral properties. Even if it is only a bit, they may help boost our immune system.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) can be used to soothe coughs and sore throats. It also can be used externally as a disinfectant wash.
To make a tea I just mix thyme with mint to make a total of about a tablespoon of the leaves and then steep them for about 5 minutes in almost boiling water. Add a bit of lemon if you like. This is not a medicine, just a home remedy that could be useful but for me is comforting.

Everyone take good care.

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magiamma's picture

@randtntx
Beckwith is a walk down memory lane. Thanks for that. I have yet to watch his videos on global dimming. Should be interesting.

How long will seeds last before the won’t germinate anyway ??

Herbs are indeed wonderful and thanks for all the tips. I have a rosemary bush by my front door. I heard somewhere years ago that evey good witch has rosemary planted by her front door for protection. Lol

Don’t forget shallots. Amazing for respiratory problems.

Be careful. Be well. Have a good one.

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WoodsDweller's picture

@magiamma
he's come up with some really low estimates. I don't know where he was getting his data, I'm guessing old IPCC stuff. We'll see soon enough. This worldwide shutdown is a textbook experiment in aerosol reduction. If we live long enough, someone is going to write some great papers on it.
Arctic sea ice is in a short-term dip. It's anyone's guess if it reverses in a few days or if this is a reflection of reduced aerosols.
Story yesterday about farmers not being able to get migrant labor to work the fields due to border closings. Nothing good can come of that.

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"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone

magiamma's picture

@WoodsDweller
Well, of course, close the borders to migrant workers. Like I said, maybe not declare war on CA but there will be other strategies to obstruct. That really disturbs me. CA produces much of the produce for the the states.

Petri dish R us. Heh. I guess we will find out. McPherson said that it would only take weeks. He referred to a study (during a talk when he was here) that I could never find. And I tried. But tipping points are still tipping.

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enhydra lutris's picture

digress, where, exactamundo, is that pic. My wife and I have pic-nicked up and down the coast, and been to many a spot with very much that view. I keep thinking of all of these places it could be, up by Davenport, down by El Capitan, etc. Just wondering if I've ever stood on that spot.

Didn't think to check seeds and starts, interesting, must look into that, pronto. We somewhat hoard seeds, and have seed packets of many varieties, but all are getting pretty damn old, time to get more, if possible, damn!

Still in middle of morning routine, back in a bit.

have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

magiamma's picture

@enhydra lutris @enhydra lutris

Edit to add: Oh duh. I missed your meaning completely. Thought you were talking about the CA response. Oy... Wilder Ranch about a mile up the path.

Not a place, a way of being. Yes, good point and I thought about that as I wrote but it was too much of a digression. It is in our best interest to nip this sucker in the bud here and we all have to work together to do it. It is possible. Thinking things will come out on the other side differently. And that speaks to possible organizing. Don't know, it's a mess. My hope is that here we can escape the tsunami at least.

So how long is it before old seeds will no longer sprout. I can look it up but just asking.

Have a good one.

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WoodsDweller's picture

@magiamma
What happens is the rate of germination goes down. Out of 100 seeds planted, how many will germinate. They've managed to grow seeds they found in Egyptian tombs.
If you're using some sort of peat pots or something where you germinate in a small area then transplant into the garden you're fine, just plan to plant extra. If you're sowing directly into the garden you'll have sub-optimal use of space.

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"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone

enhydra lutris's picture

@magiamma

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

on Trump Himself.
He could not be any more perfect to deflect away from this depopulation event that was known ahead of time, in large part preventable, and it is happening anyway.
While I can easily understand the mindset of the 1%ers, seems they not only to not understand the 99%ers, they grossly underestimate our anger.
Hope everyone is well.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

magiamma's picture

@on the cusp
I do think that 'we' are more informed, more organized, have more tools, and are very angry about the continued scraping and gathering. 'It' is too complicated for just one person to execute. What the details are and just who is involved remains to be seen. I don't like guesswork. But, it is pretty clear that a lot of planning and preparation was not only missed but punted.

Have a good one.

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in this little corner of the world
is how to keep commerce alive
in spite of all the closures

being an independent causes me
to deal with many others in the same
state of affairs

respecting distance and health concerns
does not preclude the ability to do
business and make a living, imho

so we push on beyond the obstacles
getting shut down for fears has never been
a good enough reason to cease efforts

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magiamma's picture

@QMS
Keeping on keeping on. How to do that? How long will it last? How do we keep the net wide and tight to catch all those that need catching? It's non trivial but we have to try our best.

Have a good one.

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I have a strong suspicion the answers will lead someplace dark. So what's new? I think they are questions worth recording.

1) Why did we refuse the COVID-19 tests available from the W.H.O. which were available early on and might have helped track the progress of the COVID cases in the U.S. and respond more effectively?

2) What company(s) provide the current COVID tests now, and how much profit is being made from them?

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TheOtherMaven's picture

@entrepreneur

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

magiamma's picture

@entrepreneur
Those are exactly the questions. Especially about the refusal to use the WHO tests. Theories abound. None of them good. Thanks for pointing that out.

Have a good one

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edg's picture

@entrepreneur

Altruism and hubris. Altruism, because the WHO tests are targeted at the world's 60 poorest countries that don't have capability to develop their own. Hubris, in thinking that we could quickly whip up our own test with no problem because we're the Mighty USA.

The problem with the CDC test kit involved the reagent used. This reagent is manufactured in Europe by Qiagen, a Dutch company. The reagent as supplied with the initial test kits was contaminated, probably by CDC itself. The reagent problem was compounded by supply shortages of fresh reagent from Qiagen.

You can also add red tape to altruism and hubris. FDA was very slow in its approval for private companies to manufacture test kits and waited over two weeks to tell state labs they could use the CDC kits if they simply didn't use the reagent in 3-reagent tests or else replaced it with reagent from a different manufacturer.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@edg @edg
any help". Altruism would not be a factor for this administration, probably no admiistration since LBJ.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

enhydra lutris's picture

As of Wednesday per KQED

Here is an update on the latest number of confirmed cases in each county, pulled from health department websites:

Alameda: 135 cases, 2 deaths. (No reported change from yesterday) (moi - el)
Contra Costa: 108 cases, 1 death (+22 cases)
Marin: 60 cases, 0 deaths (+13 cases)
Napa: 3 cases, 0 deaths (as of 3/24)
San Francisco: 178 cases, 1 death (First reported death 3/24)
San Mateo: 165 cases, 5 deaths (4 new cases and 4 new deaths)
Santa Clara: 459 cases, 16 deaths (84 new cases and 1 new death)
Solano: 31 cases, 0 deaths (+7 cases)
Sonoma: 37 cases, 1 death (+3 cases)

Keep in mind that those 9 counties cover about 7,000 square miles and contain roughly 7.756 million permanent residents. Alameda County, 135 cases and 2 deaths per above, is 821 square miles and over 1.66 million people. San Francisco county has around 880,000 people not counting about 60,000 stuck on highway 101 at any given time Smile

Other counties

Santa Cruz: 25 cases, 0 deaths (+1 case) [607 square miles, 275,000 people] **
Sacramento: 113 cases, 5 deaths (25 new cases and 1 new death)
Los Angeles: 799 cases, 13 deaths (137 new cases and 2 new deaths)
San Diego: 297 cases, 2 deaths (67 new cases and 1 new death)

L.A. county has over 10.1 million people and covers over 4,000 square miles, San Diego is 3.338 million people and 4,526 square miles.

Santa Cruz population increases greatly on summer weekends and probably doesn't include a sizeable chunk of non-censused persons.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris - by infections per population and deaths. It's a wealthy county and relatively young.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@Marie

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Cassiodorus's picture

@enhydra lutris Though I don't know what it's like there now that they've shut down the university.

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"The war on Gaza, backed by the West, is a demonstration that the West is willing to cross all lines. That it will discard any nuance of humanity. That it is willing to commit genocide" -- Moon of Alabama

magiamma's picture

@Cassiodorus not sure what’s going in up there now. People I know are working on dissertations from home. Town is shut down.

They have moved the homeless to the parking lot next to the kaiser pemanente stadium with large spaces between tents and have put up many portapotties and hand washing facilities. Heard that a lot of the street folk who survive on panhandling are going hungry because nobody is out now.

Not perfect but things are being organized more each day. There are a number of services that are providing food.

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I felt in control, confident I did the right thing.
Now that I awaken today to the enforced closure, I am feeling a little differently. I hate taking orders. Even good and necessary ones.
I think I will call and maybe harass the county judge.
He could probably use a little distraction right about now.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Lily O Lady's picture

@on the cusp

already made the sensible decision on your own. The mandatory closure is for the senseless idiots.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

magiamma's picture

@on the cusp
I hope the judge was cheered by your call. Lol
Everyone is working from home here that can. A very slow moving tsunami coming our way. I isolated a couple of weeks before everyone else here. Now they are following my lead. Heh.

Have a good one.

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in general, or for Big Box stores in particular, but folks here might be interested in this little blurb from the Best Buy website:

Employees

Speaking of our employees, everyone working right now is doing so on a voluntary basis, and all hourly employees who volunteer are receiving a temporary pay increase. Additionally, anyone feeling sick is told to stay home, and they will be paid for that time. Finally, anyone exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 is also told to stay home, with pay, and we are paying employees who may need to stay home to care for their children.

All of us at Best Buy are grateful that so many states and localities believe we are an essential business, allowing us to continue to serve you when you need it most. We thank you for your patience and loyalty and look forward to continuing to provide you with the technology and home essentials you require to stay connected and work and learn from home. Thank you.

It's not everything on the wishlist, but it's a good chunk of it.

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9 users have voted.

The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.

magiamma's picture

@UntimelyRippd
For a big box store Best Buy is good. I don’t shop much but they are my first go to. I am glad to hear that they are doing this for their workers.

Have a good one.

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Lily O Lady's picture

wet dream come true. Government has been shrunk down to the size that it has been drowned in a bathtub of influence peddling and greed.

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6 users have voted.

"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

magiamma's picture

@Lily O Lady @Lily O Lady
So disturbing. No tests. No masks. No money. This is so huge.

Forgot to say - have a good one

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Lily O Lady's picture

@magiamma

to ruin, TPTB are now ridding it of those of us who had least to do with the destruction. I had a fantasy that Grover Norquist would slip on the soap and drown in his own bath tub. We might be better off if he had.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

WoodsDweller's picture

Coronavirus measures could cause global food shortage

...Harvests have been good and the outlook for staple crops is promising, but a shortage of field workers brought on by the virus crisis and a move towards protectionism – tariffs and export bans – mean problems could quickly appear in the coming weeks...
Kazakhstan ... has banned exports of wheat flour, of which it is one of the world’s biggest sources, as well as restrictions on buckwheat and vegetables including onions, carrots and potatoes. Vietnam, the world’s third biggest rice exporter, has temporarily suspended rice export contracts. Russia, the world’s biggest wheat exporter, may also threaten to restrict exports ...
problems could start to be seen within weeks and intensify over the following two months as key fruit and vegetables come into season ...
Countries such as the UK, with a sinking currency and high level of imports, are also likely to see food price rises unless the government takes action or retailers absorb some of the costs ...

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"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone

magiamma's picture

@WoodsDweller
Thanks for this. And production is catawampus too with the stalling of the jet stream. See the handwriting on the wall...

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smiley7's picture

and read.

My clock's screwed up, sleeping during day, up reading all night, a little strange doing this without make-up on. Smile

Frigging lobbyists leading the charge, as usual, against the people in favor of the dollar.

Good California has a thinking governor.

Even with the better parts of this virus bill, Bernie pushed through, we know millions are left out, with no means to pay the bills, buy food and so on. As a person living on the edge financially as so many on c99 are, i just hate to think of families under this stress now as well. Our patch-work non-profit safety net already tittering, i fear, will be pushed beyond the brink.

believe i'm correct in this, 14 trillion supporting the banking and corporate enterprise in the recent few days, and the new bill five trillion more ... so much for the 'how you going to pay for it, " nonsense; it is and always has been about political priorities. Hope this is seeded in the American mind, forever.

A little light and clever vid:

Be safe, good friend.

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magiamma's picture

@smiley7
Too fun. Sent it to my grandson.

I know. No money until May. The whole thing is so unreal. The good news is that Bernie is staying in the race and going to do the next debate. Naturally people’s many hairs are on fire. Heh.

My clock is awry too. Hunker down and be safe. Our thoughts are with you.

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