Scarlet Pimpernel

I didn't find your comment political. Viruses don't care what one's philosophy is. I was actually worried my long comment below yours sounded too "political" or "charged", but I've about reached my limit so had to vent a little. So I get where you're coming from.

Oy! I don't want to wade into this controversy because I have definite views that are not aligned with yours. And I've got far more than half a brain, thank you very much for the insulting condescension there. But read about 1918. They were no strangers to what we now call "social distancing" or "flattening the curve." Most widely seen image is what St. Louis did vs. Philadelphia at that time, and the difference is stark. And throughout history, quarantines and the like were common practice in the absence of other medicine. As for China, they introduced rather draconian stay-at-home orders. I'm not saying we are headed there, and yes, they haven't gotten "rid" of it, but it did help. The whole idea is to first, keep the emergency facilities from becoming overwhelmed and second, perhaps it will reduce the amount of infection cases at least enough until we can get a vaccine or some other treatment. And we've already got overwhelmed facilities here. You sound like what Boris Johnson in the UK was saying, let everyone get sick and go from there. But even he changed his tune rather dramatically in the past week or so. Fact is if we can keep millions from dying and far more from suffering through bad cases if they do survive, we should do so as a matter of ethics. This whole idea that "it's just the flu" is crazy; it's a virus that nobody has any immunity to, and you may not have permanent immunity after. And it's world-wide. It's also much harsher than the regular seasonal flu or cold. It's not alarmist. And don't even think that even if this settles down through the summer, that it won't come back as we get into the next fall/winter. And by then, we'll have the full complement of the flu season in front of us; not just a couple of months at the end like this year I swear, when I see the complaints, I wonder what those whining about it would have done during WW-II and the Depression, when various laws were put in place to support the war effort or to alleviate the economic disaster...serious sacrifices, etc. Now, there's too much BS about "I don't want the gov'mint taking away my free-dumb during a crisis that they're exaggerating!" OK, sorry to everyone else, I did wade into the controversy, perhaps to my own detriment. But had to vent a little...my apologies!

But he's the Reaper. Can't be a Weenie. Conflict of interest, right?!?! I'm sure he'll get his high-powered Panic Room lawyers on that right away...

You could also release the @Jebman (Kraken??), waving his vaunted shovel around, he'll be sure to keep things plenty cold!!

Yeah. I don't think there's necessarily a *huge* difference from what the orders were before, other than now this gives authority to enforce it if people are blatantly violating. I'd be frustrated if I were him, too. You can still go out for necessities, exercise, that sort of thing. That's mostly all I've done myself the past couple or so weeks. I think they also still have some carry-out at various restaurants...order ahead and pick it up. I've done that a couple of times, too, just to at least still patronize some places to help keep them afloat. Like I said before...yes, this sucks and nobody likes it. But it's what needs to be done if we're to have some chance of curtailing things somewhat.

What are the magic words one needs to say in order to "steal" one of those????

Great day for a bike ride once it started clearing out!!!

You should dust your camera off and get out there, for sure!! Just walk around and see what catches your eye...

Same here...I fully expect at least a month if not more. You do what you can...it's working out OK, I've got my work laptop and access to whatever for the most part that I need. But I won't lie that my attention and amount of stuff I get done isn't at the same level. Mostly just from being concerned and all that of course, plus just being at home. And yeah, everything is all in good fun! Right now, humor and my photography keep me going for the most part. Though at least now it's getting warmer so I can get back to riding my bike too to get out. We can all use some good laughter through all this, at least!!

I would gladly partake of one of those Stouts!!

I've settled into the whole telework thing over the past couple of weeks. By now, it's all I can do to NOT crack open a beer or grab a glass of wine while supposedly working! But I do have a Keurig to keep me going in the morning, hahaha!

Actually, I was mostly concerned he might be in need of a bra!! LOL!!! (ETA: Or, from another Seinfeld episode...a Manzier!!)

His request was rather ambiguous, I have to say...!!

You require a bra?

Heh!! You go, girl!! (ETA: I'm reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer says "That's right...I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!!")

TP...booze...TP...booze...hmmmmmm, well, I can always use leaves out in the yard if necessary! So f*ck it, I'm hording the booze!

Wait...the bra was off *before* you had any wine? Whaaaat? Oh, no, I did not just go there, but alas I did! (all in fun, joking of course!!) You stay well, too...and enjoy the wine! I currently have a glass with me right now!

I see your "irregardless" and raise you with a..."NEVERTHELESS, that looks damn tasty!!" Indubitably, sir!

Ha! Many thanks, my friend! I'll settle for "Casablanca" for now... (ETA: Is that Claude Rains playing the Reaper in the Panic Room casino???)

That's really cool, appreciate it!! Thanks, young lady! I will do so! One way or another.. Appreciate the fine wishes! Thanks everyone, for making the day a little brighter!! Hope everyone is staying well...

Yeah, makes sense for MD to close into the 3rd week of April for right now, rather than the entire year. At least for now. I fully expected that the original March 27 date would be extended. About all you can do is push the date back some...then reassess at that time. I wonder how many schools will extend classes through the summer to make up the time, assuming we're OK to have kids go back en masse at that time. So on a different note, today is my birthday! It's an anniversary of my 29th, but I'm not saying which one (but for a hint...get off my damn lawn! )!! Odd times to be celebrating that, but one makes of it what they can. I remember getting snow on this day in consecutive years here...2013 (4") and 2014 (3")!! That was nice.

Stay well and stay safe everyone. Remember that despite the dire times we're in currently, there are still some pretty things in this world! If all I can have is my Canon 80D and lenses to feel somewhat normal, then so be it. Couple of photos from today:

If they decide to show "famous" baseball highlights, with my luck (as a Cleveland native), they'll show Game 7 of both the 1997 and 2016 World Series in their entirety. Just so I can experience the pain again. Both times, the Indians lost in extra innings!! I think there were like 5 Game 7s in history that went into extra innings, and Cleveland was on the short end of two of those within my lifetime!! I'd prefer to see Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals again...in all its nail-biting entirety!!

Hell, just put it in the Medium Range discussion thread! After the disaster that thread turned into this winter, might as well discuss Corona virus there at this point!!

Hey, a little late seeing this, but will echo what some others have said...hope your mom is OK and stays safe! And you take care as well! And you're absolutely correct about not looking at things from a narrow perspective or that "most" people will likely just have minor effects. Have you seen the graphic of COVID-19 deaths by age group? It's quite eye-opening, and reveals a lot more than the single average value that's typically reported. The numbers increase dramatically from age ~60+, even more so than what the normal flu does. That is primarily why many of these preventive measures are necessary.