Syrmax

Banksters... JP Morgan's 'goal' is to reduce HELOCs by 75% to people who have equity in their homes and need money to survive. Banks get bailout; people get "go f*ck yourself" And, https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/hours-its-start-treasurys-small-business-bailout-verge-collapse This looks fugly. These are same banks, mind you, that just sold all $1.6 trillion in securities to the Fed to expand their balance sheets capacity in the past three weeks, and which also just benefited from the Fed's decision to remove Treasurys and deposits from the Fed's SLR test, freeing up another $1.6 trillion in liquidity.

You have to wait until the others resolve, it's a moving target. The other thing eventually worth knowing is how many people die on a regular day statistically...in order to properly assess excess mortality. I don't know the answer but it'll be useful data for people to gauge whether this is a reasonable response or not given that we are self inflicting an economic Depression as a result (and the excess mortality that will inevitably result from that).

CDC now saying we should all wear masks now that none are available. I have the solution!

Very Navy like. Shoot the messenger. Ask questions later.

Thoughts? https://www.insidesources.com/unexpected-consequence-of-covid-19-crisis-empty-emergency-rooms/ After the utter fiasco of the 1976 swine flu debacle (courtesy of CDC malfeasance and media irresponsibilty)...one has to wonder about using a one size fits all approach to pandemics.

Best of luck dealing with all that. Truly feel for you... And yeah, working at a grocery store or healthcare providers...noone is paid for the risk that exists at present. I would hope that as a society we are realizing what kind of jobs are actually "mission critical' to society and that people would be paid accordingly. But I know that's a pipe dream...

I saw the Faroe islands had cases....like a month and a half ago. Which led me to conclude that this thing had already spread far and wide before lockdowns had started outside of Italy. We don't have the complete picture of this pandemic and we may never have it as there wasn't any testing, or an inkling of a need to, prior to the virus escaping China and then Italy. Add in China's suspected coverup of information and it's all murky.

The outrageousness goes on... namely, the heart warming stories of the Healthcare workers at a Chicago Hospital (not the only ones either) being threatened with termination if they wore their own masks...because the hospital didn't have any for them! These are front line workers, not cooks in the kitchen with less risk... https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/31/hospital-is-not-allowing-nurse-to-wear-masks-in-thick-of-covid-19-pandemic-furious-nurse-says/ Couple this with CDC admitting they bullshitted the American public regarding their original recommendation that non-infected people shouldn't wear masks (or that it was of little/no benefit)...because they figured there weren't going to be enough masks to go around for even healthcare workers... This is 1976 Swine Flu-like media and CDC bullshit all over again. The F*ckery and nonsense never ends with these people.

Looks like the natives are restless in Hubei province... https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hubei-residents-riot-after-quarantine-lifted-police-beaten-their-own-shield-cop-cars Reports of unrest in Italy. (You won't readily see this on US MSM outlets cuz...Trump Trump Trump). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/singing-stops-italy-fear-social-unrest-mount-coronavirus-lockdown

Wow. i didn't see that. Of course i had CNN on the background today as a change of pace and this would have required them to relax their 24/7 Trump Derangement Syndrome programming for a bit. So that wasn't going to happen.

Oswego County giving the Finger to Corona, like a Boss!! One thing that's concerning that i've been starting to read about...is supply chain issues. I sort of noticed this myself when i was out at a grocery store yesterday. A lot of things have been restocked...but not completely. And there aren't hordes of people out sacking shelves anymore... "A source at a Walmart Superstore recently confided that the trucks were only delivering a fraction of the items needed to restock shelves. Imports aren’t arriving in California ports, at least not anywhere close to the degree they were before. And because more people are eating at home than ever before, the demand on grocery stores has increased dramatically. This also comes at a time after farmers have been driven out of business by the trade war. (source) We have actual shortages here, and it isn’t just due to “panic buying.” That only exposed the dangers of the Just In Time delivery philosophy used by retailers."

Won't serve time. Won't even be investigated. They'd have to prove insider info was used, which didn't exist. At least how Insider Trading is defined, per my understanding of it. Granted, the optics are pretty bad...from what i've read there were 4 Senators (both parties) fingered in similar type trading. Frankly, i'd give them credit for smart money management if they were private citizens as they knew nothing more than what i did at the time. Now, if they're out in public telling people one thing and doing the other behind closed doors...it may not be illegal but it should be remembered come re-election time...

I'll leave this topic with....if you realllly want to get worked up ..take a deep look into what the Fed is doing right now with it's various "extraordinary" measures to essentially bailout bad corporate and fatcat decision making with their various Special Purpose Vehicles (which are mostly prohibited by the Fed Charter, ahem)...to the tune of $4.5T (yes, Trillion) as we speak...all backstopped by the UST (Taxpayers) as First Loss parties should these corporate bond purchases lose money. Yet again, privatize the profit, socialize the loss. The worst examples (ala 2008) are them buying up Commercial Paper (Bonds) at prices that are ABOVE par, when the market value is below par! So here, we'll give you $ for you bonds that are worth 80 cents on the dollar and not only that, we'll pay $1.10 for it! If there's a loss eventually, the Taxpayer pays as the UST is the Banker/Loaner. Noone learned a thing from 2008/09. Actually, that's not true. What was learned was teat the Fed will bail you out if you are a greedy sonbitch and blow up. LOFL...Ackman is a piker compared to these people.

I have short positions in my trading account. And i increased them yesterday figuring this is a short lived Bear Market relief rally. It's a risk management tool and also a gamble, pure and simple. They're leveraged 2x or 3x so they need constant attention and due to fade, they're not effective as long term holds. I've lost on some of those short trades even as sh*tty as this March has been /was. Short squeezes and bad timing are still a bitch. I wish i had just gone 200% short back in early February like my gut told me to do. Too indecisive. Of course, i'm not on CNBC inciting market routs either...

So what you are really saying is that having health insurance is a "human right". Its semantics but a key distinction.

Ackman's a d-bag. Always has been, always will be. However, CNN, didn't portray the entire story as usual. Ackman, in his full statement, claims he had enough hedges on (short positions) to counteract a certain amount of drawdown in his funds under management. This is pretty typical of big money traders and fund managers - if they want to keep being big money people... So, he didn't really "make" $2.6B, he just avoided a big downturn in his AUM. When he covered the short positions, that would be "profit" on those positions as they are closed out (assuming he did). Which he could then use that money however he wanted. However, the rest of his portfolio did take a large hit - although its just a paper loss until you sell. I suppose he could see a full $2.6B profit if Ackman holds his longs and the Federal Reserve manages to puff enough hot air and fake money back into the market like in 2008/09. The problem i had (and i was seeing this live on CNBC as FinTwitter was going ape real time on this), was that he was basically acting like a bitch and panicking on live TV, in an already jittery market environment and just adding fuel to the fire. Maybe he did it "talking his book" in a calculated strategy. Hard to know. At least I can rest easy knowing he got taken to the cleaners by Carl Icahn over Ackman's now infamous Herbalife short positions, where he basically tried to do the same thing until someone with more power (Icahn) stepped in and crushed his skull.

we do provide certain medical care now, don't we? If you're butt broke and AFU and show up in an ER...won't you be treated? Isn't that already part of the cost that's eaten by taxpayers and insurance premiums? Not saying that's the best way to do it... Just tweaking you...i know what you really mean and most of us would agree. Question really is...how is that done, and/or done more efficiently...(we won't solve that here).

I'll do that at some point but I already made adjustments to my 401k back in February when this was brewing. My IRA Manager thinks its a great time to cost average in, and he's probably right...assuming this isn't the start of a prolonged Deep Recession or Depression, which is not off the table. I'm just hoping to still have a job in 3-6 months. And this is where fear kicks in and creates the conditions for a Recession, or worse.. Many of us still employed look around at what's happening and prudently start pulling in the spending...which feeds into the downward spiral of economic activity and deflation. I think the definition of Recession or Depression is somewhat arbitrary but I suspect it's going to be more severe because even the companies doing ok are looking at having to deal with much more than a business cycle downturn or temporary credit crisis that fueled a recession, ala 2008/09. Noone knows when the hell this is going to end.

But but but we were told there are now plenty of test kits available!

Another day...another 1,000 Dow points down the crapper. Looks like our Bear Market rally has died.

I'd agree but it looks like there is a lot of variability depending on circumstances... My Boss at work circulated this to us today: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL * The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells. * Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies. * The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own. * HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful. * Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus. * Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside. * Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin. * NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive. * NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only: - between 3 hours (fabric and porous), - 4 hours (copper and wood) - 24 hours (cardboard), - 42 hours (metal) and - 72 hours (plastic). But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose. * The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster. * UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin. * The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin. * Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat. * NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%. * LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol. * The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less. * You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom. * You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better. * Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there. -JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

Agree, Mid March thru late April consistently has the most miserable weather of the year around here. Which is pretty much the weather all year in the British Isles and northern continental Europe (Holland, No. Germany etc.).

Yet again, I'm glad I got away from the I-95 corridor when I did.

I saw that a day or so ago. That's ballin! LOL. I'm nervous about the crew on CVN-71. USS Theodore Roosevelt. I rode that on TDY between submarine assignments while I was in, and then as a civilian working for Lockheed Martin during pre-Iraq 2.0 Flight crew certs. These guys are ****ed. They'll improvise something but the military has a way of going out of their way to not take the common sense solutions to problems. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/coronavirus-uss-theodore-roosevelt-captain-removal-quarantine-sailors-aircraft-carrier/

A person i work with and sit next to (usually) is from Kerala Province in India. It's small and on the southwest coast of the country, relatively modern and has a good (and inexpensive) healthcare system. He tells me that its a nice place, not hung up on the caste system and i've seen many photos so i believe him...but when you get outside of that area, and a few select others, it can be...well we've all seen the pics and videos...