COVID-19/corona virus mega thread/prepping thread

[Ben]

I wish they would make up their minds.

https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2020/07/01/who-dont-wear-masks-while-exercising-only-need-to-maintain-3-feet-of-distance/

[WLJ]

I wish they would make up their minds.

https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2020/07/01/who-dont-wear-masks-while-exercising-only-need-to-maintain-3-feet-of-distance/

The feelz is settled.
Until the next feelz comes along that is

[WLJ]

Cue Greta

Ketchup and mustard packets are pandemic best-sellers. That's bad news for the environment
https://www.wlky.com/article/ketchup-and-mustard-packets-are-pandemic-best-sellers-that-s-bad-news-for-the-environment/33022785

[Hawkmoon]

The feelz is settled.
Until the next feelz comes along that is

And then that feelz will be settled again ... still ... until it's not.

[MechAg94]

Cue Greta

Ketchup and mustard packets are pandemic best-sellers. That's bad news for the environment
https://www.wlky.com/article/ketchup-and-mustard-packets-are-pandemic-best-sellers-that-s-bad-news-for-the-environment/33022785

What about all the extra paper and plastic fast food restaurants are handing out because everything is to go? 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

What about all the extra paper and plastic fast food restaurants are handing out because everything is to go? 

That's why God invented fire.

Woody

[bedlamite]

That's why God invented fire.

Woody

[bedlamite]

[charby]

Iowa is rapidly approaching 1% of the population testing positive with Covid 19.

[Ron]

Many (all?) the states and CDC are conflating active infections and those who test positive for antibodies.

The numbers are all BS, believe them at your own peril.

Of all places, the leftwing Atlantic points out the stupidness.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/cdc-and-states-are-misreporting-covid-19-test-data-pennsylvania-georgia-texas/611935/

[Ron]

Nice short video clip of the good Doctor in charge of the State of Illinois DPH.

When they were doing daily press conferences here in Illinois she was the only straight shooter, the rest speaking were obvious partisan hacks.

https://youtu.be/95VEAQ4Cqps

The numbers aren't just suspect but pretty much BS.

The virus is real and potentially dangerous but the reported numbers of infected and deaths are all garbage.

The fear mongers in the media and amongst us are lying to you to manipulate you.

[MechAg94]

Many (all?) the states and CDC are conflating active infections and those who test positive for antibodies.

The numbers are all BS, believe them at your own peril.

Of all places, the leftwing Atlantic points out the stupidness.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/cdc-and-states-are-misreporting-covid-19-test-data-pennsylvania-georgia-texas/611935/

I wonder how much of that was deliberate and how much is just govt clerks adding everything together because they don't know any better.

[Ben]

Buck Sexton makes a good point:

https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2020/07/02/thousands-gather-to-protest-in-los-angeles-as-the-state-bans-large-gatherings-for-july-4th-celebrations/

[charby]

Many (all?) the states and CDC are conflating active infections and those who test positive for antibodies.

The numbers are all BS, believe them at your own peril.

Of all places, the leftwing Atlantic points out the stupidness.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/05/cdc-and-states-are-misreporting-covid-19-test-data-pennsylvania-georgia-texas/611935/

I don't think antibody testing is really all that widespread yet. I think numbers sre being under reported in Iowa for positive nasal swap testing to protect the economy. Why? Because I'm finally having friends and acquaintances test positive, most are asymptomatic so far.

[bedlamite]

Check your phone, they have added covid trackers. In Android it's in settings/Google services. Looks like it uses Bluetooth.

[zxcvbob]

Check your phone, they have added covid trackers. In Android it's in settings/Google services. Looks like it uses Bluetooth.

Yep, there it is.  But supposedly you have to download an app from your state health dept to activate it.

[charby]

Yep, there it is.  But supposedly you have to download an app from your state health dept to activate it.

I came to the same conclusion and need to have bluetooth turned on.

[Ben]

Yep, there it is.  But supposedly you have to download an app from your state health dept to activate it.

I see that. What is it supposed to track and report back? The little blurb makes it sounds like it's just warning you if you've entered an exposure area, but I reckon it's doing a lot more in the background.

[zxcvbob]

I see that. What is it supposed to track and report back? The little blurb makes it sounds like it's just warning you if you've entered an exposure area, but I reckon it's doing a lot more in the background.

It broadcasts an ID (supposedly anonymously) over Bluetooth, and records all those ID's it receives from other ppl's phones, along with the GPS coordinates and the BT signal strength.  If someone tests positive for Covid, they report it to Google and they notify everyone who has that person's ID stored on their phone.  The tracking data is stored for 14 days.

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I see that. What is it supposed to track and report back? The little blurb makes it sounds like it's just warning you if you've entered an exposure area, but I reckon it's doing a lot more in the background.

I don't have a phone that will run any aps so I can't explore what is going on, but I wouldn't doubt there is a lot going on in every background behind any aps that are supposed to be 'helpful' in any way.

I love my 20-plus year old still functioning Nokia 5190.

Woody

[MechAg94]

It broadcasts an ID (supposedly anonymously) over Bluetooth, and records all those ID's it receives from other ppl's phones, along with the GPS coordinates and the BT signal strength.  If someone tests positive for Covid, they report it to Google and they notify everyone who has that person's ID stored on their phone.  The tracking data is stored for 14 days.

Well, that isn't so bad.  I am sure there is no risk of anyone holding that tracking data longer than 14 days.   

[zxcvbob]

Well, that isn't so bad.  I am sure there is no risk of anyone holding that tracking data longer than 14 days.   

It's stored locally for 14 days.  You know the uploaded data on Google's cloud is stored a lot longer than that (until they deem it not worth the storage space it occupies.  And Google has really cheap storage so that could be a long time)

[charby]

I don't have a phone that will run any aps so I can't explore what is going on, but I wouldn't doubt there is a lot going on in every background behind any aps that are supposed to be 'helpful' in any way.

I love my 20-plus year old still functioning Nokia 5190.

Woody

I thought all analog cell service was ended, which means your phone may power up,  but you won't have service.

[Brad Johnson]

I thought all analog cell service was ended, which means your phone may power up,  but you won't have service.

5190 is first-gen digital (2G service). Still works on some services but 2G service is being phased out, by the end of this year if memory serves.

Brad

[charby]

5190 is first-gen digital (2G service). Still works on some services but 2G service is being phased out, by the end of this year if memory serves.

Brad

I think t-mobile is the only network that supports it too. GSM 1900?