If the state you live in is adding restrictions on holidays, gatherings, or dining— believe me when I tell you, it’s the last thing they wanted to do. Most are even too late and many will reverse it too early. 1/
Just because something is legal and still allowed doesn’t make it smart.
There are no helmet laws where I live. But the government can’t make me not where a helmet. 2/
Politicians by and large are the worst arbiters here. They want you to like them. So by the time they do this, it’s bad. 3/
I’ve had restaurant owners that they love tell me how careful they are and how food their practices are. And I believe them. They are getting screwed by Mitch McConnell.
Want to make a fuss about it, that’s the fuss to make. 4/
They’re fighting for the lives of their businesses. Don’t expect them not to hope you eat there. 5/
I know many plane tickets for Thanksgiving are already purchased (several hundred million). There are 35 million potential super-spreader events. My advice is start planning for next year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas, not this one. 6/
If your state isn’t asking you to dine in your bubble, remember @KristiNoem & @GovRonDeSantis don’t care about you. If you die or get sick, their life will not change. They were not elected because of their skill at comprehending a crisis. 7/
If in doubt, just call a few nurses in your neighborhood and ask what they want you to do these next few weeks. 8/
Some of this feels like deprivation. But to be blunt about it— we don’t deserve anything. Sometimes stuff sucks and we have to just get through it. So Zoom and call the crap out of people. Anyone you know who’s the least bit lonely. Ask for help if you need it! 9/
In a couple of months, things will be looking up! I wish it were weeks or days or hours, but I’m grateful it will not be years. 10/
1 in 10 people getting tested are positive now. In some places it’s 5 in 10. Several hundred new people getting intubated every day and we are intimating far fewer people than before. 11/
If you want to know what’s really going on... listen to @T_Inglesby and...
It is simply more dangerous out there than it was a few weeks ago.
At the beginning of October, 5% of people tested were positive. Now it’s 12.3%. Activities that were safer then aren’t any longer. 1/
34 states are now above 10% test positive. 22 above 15%. Mostly north, central and west but including AZ & FL.
1.4 million new tests/day and it’s clear we’re not close to scratching the surface.
In North Dakota, 2/3 of tests come back positive. Hospitals in Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas are growing fairly rapidly. Mitigation efforts in these states are weak.
COVID Update November 19: Here’s the idea. It’s a 3 pronged patriotic appeal here for Americans: #BarBonds.
Buy bonds. Save lives. Save businesses. (And eat and drink.)1/
We are at a watershed moment in the response to COVID-19. 1900 deaths
175,000 cases
Per day & worsening
Alarming rates. Winter months are coming. Holidays. Fatigue. Hospitals are nearing the point in many places where caring for patients will be difficult. 2/
Belatedly, state governors are beginning to act. Those that are acting consistently are in much better shape.
They are beginning to take actions on everything from small gatherings to mask mandates to limiting bars & restaurants. Often late. Reluctantly. 3/
COVID Update November 18: With 20% of hospitals, mostly in rural America, well beyond staff capacity, many without spare beds, Americans are enjoying their gift of freedom. 1/
The freedom to show our faces, enter bars, dine in restaurants, avoid taking tests, not notifying acquaintances, continuing to travel when exposed are being upheld. 2/
These specific tests of our freedom were not seen as important by, say, our founding fathers to do much as hint at specifically— despite a plague in Philadelphia during their day. 3/
COVID Update ovember 16: One of the most powerful weapons has sat dormant— the presidential bully pulpit. Here’s how Joe Biden should use it. 1/
“Folks, some people have tried to convince you that COVID-19 is a political matter or something that should tear us apart. Nothing could be further from the truth. We all have our differences but this is one opportunity to show our common humanity. 2/
“I’m not naive. The place you get your news or who your role models is has a greater effect on everything these days. And we have to deal with this— I will do my part by gettin*you objective facts. Good news or bad. You will hear the straight story from me. 3/
COVID Update November 15: Yesterday we hit a milestone where the number of daily new cases will equate to the number of deaths on 9/11...potentially by Christmas.
On this day I want to address the topic of sacrifice. 1/
Sacrifice is what first responders did on 9/11 when they ran into the building and up stairs. 2/
Sacrifice is what EMTs are doing every day they give mouth to mouth to a dying COVID patient. 3/