random thoughts of the day
2020-Mar-25, Wednesday 03:53 pmI'm officially an "essential worker" according to Homeland Security cyber infrastructure guidelines (see: Public Works / Communications and Information Technology). I get approval to travel and enter our office building to support internet/phone technology infrastructure, even during the coming lockdown.
Minnesota is ordering greater restrictions. New executive order "20-20" goes into effect on Friday, implementing the above definitions of essential workers. Atlanta mayor says their hospital intensive care units are already at capacity. New York state governor says their projections keep getting worse.
We're still 2-3 weeks away from the peak of USA coronavirus activity. Moreover, this rise is merely the first wave of several peaks. Each time that we relax restrictions, the resulting community spread of infection will cause another surge. It will return in every area of the globe where restrictions are relaxed. The cycle will not end until humans have widespread immunity due to infection (a path that risks death or long-term lung damage) or inoculation, which will take another year or so.
The USA Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fauci, jokes about not getting fired yet for disagreeing with Trump.
Trump's tweet from a month ago did not age well.
I watched a YouTube video of a young-ish gay man in a medical profession talking about similarities with the AIDS crisis. It's a point that I also brought up at my last social events 2 weeks ago, where only a few of us were "out" during that previous epidemic. I think I'll have to write a post specifically about that topic soon.
I'm still coughing occasionally, almost 2 months after having Influenza A. I'm starting to grow thankful of my isolation with every cough. I may try to order groceries for delivery rather than brave the grocery store again.
This party is just getting started.
Minnesota is ordering greater restrictions. New executive order "20-20" goes into effect on Friday, implementing the above definitions of essential workers. Atlanta mayor says their hospital intensive care units are already at capacity. New York state governor says their projections keep getting worse.
We're still 2-3 weeks away from the peak of USA coronavirus activity. Moreover, this rise is merely the first wave of several peaks. Each time that we relax restrictions, the resulting community spread of infection will cause another surge. It will return in every area of the globe where restrictions are relaxed. The cycle will not end until humans have widespread immunity due to infection (a path that risks death or long-term lung damage) or inoculation, which will take another year or so.

"To my knowledge, I haven’t been fired [laughs]."
- https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/i-m-going-keep-pushing-anthony-fauci-tries-make-white-house-listen-facts-pandemic
- https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/i-m-going-keep-pushing-anthony-fauci-tries-make-white-house-listen-facts-pandemic
Trump's tweet from a month ago did not age well.
"The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me!"
- twitter @ realDonaldTrump (archive in case it gets deleted)
- twitter @ realDonaldTrump (archive in case it gets deleted)
I watched a YouTube video of a young-ish gay man in a medical profession talking about similarities with the AIDS crisis. It's a point that I also brought up at my last social events 2 weeks ago, where only a few of us were "out" during that previous epidemic. I think I'll have to write a post specifically about that topic soon.
I'm still coughing occasionally, almost 2 months after having Influenza A. I'm starting to grow thankful of my isolation with every cough. I may try to order groceries for delivery rather than brave the grocery store again.
This party is just getting started.