Disasters in Slow Motion (pt. 9) - Apr 22, 2020

April 11 (00:21 GMT) - Actual Numbers
Worldwide Cases: 1,141,425
Worldwide Deaths: 104,923
Worldwide Mortality Rate: 6.07%
US Cases: 506,008
US Deaths: 18,883
US Mortality Rate: 3.73%

April 22 (13:17 GMT) - Actual Numbers
Worldwide Cases: 2,580,601
Worldwide Deaths: 179,063
Worldwide Mortality Rate: 6.93%
US Cases: 819,321
US Deaths: 45,355
US Mortality Rate: 5.53%

Testing slowed down in the US and so who knows what the real numbers are. As predicted, testing couldn’t keep up with the exponential increase the US had been seeing in new cases so we didn’t see a doubling of confirmed cases - making it look like numbers are going down. What is disturbing is that the mortality rate is going up. In 11 days the mortality rate in the US has gone from 3.73% to 5.53%. Now, a good portion of that spike is likely due to the oldest cases - the longer one is on a ventilator during all of this, the less likely one is to recover. Still, that number is not an encouraging one.

The number had been trending downwards and I’m hoping that we may see that again. Still, true idiocy abounds.

With Trump tweeting that residents of certain states must “Liberate” their states, armed protestors are becoming more and more common. Armed protestors holding rallies are spreading the virus - such as in Kentucky - which saw its largest spike in new cases after the recent protests.

Look, I understand that these people are fellow countrymen - whether I like them or not. I do understand that however I am long past shedding a tear for the willfully stupid and menacing members of the ultra-right in this country. Pastors breaking quarantine, their lawyers, armed militia-members? Frankly, I’m past being sorry about their deaths when I read of them. I am only sorry for those innocents that they may have infected through their actions of reckless endangerment.

People out there are hurting - they are scared - I get that too. Here in Florida, where our unemployment system was custom crafted by Governor (now Senator) Rick Scott, more than 800,000 people are waiting to have unemployment claims verified. Of those verified, the state is only paying 14% of them. Those not on unemployment, still working? They are economic hostages. While it is great from my point of view to still be able to have food and groceries delivered - the people working these services have little choice financially and are taking risks so that I don’t need to.

We need to recognize this and treat these people accordingly. If you can afford to be doing these things, you can afford to tip extravagantly. These people are just as terrified as you are - but they are out there because what they do helps others stay safe. Calling them “heroes” really only makes us feel better - it doesn’t change their fear, their frustrations, their overwhelming stress. So at least show these people some sort of appreciation.

Hell, I don’t care if it is a normally tipped position or not. One of my weekly players is a mechanic - a position deemed essential (and keeping deliveries running would be) - is out there every day but because of the small amount of work coming in, makes less than minimum wage while doing it. Being paid by the job rather than the hour is great encouragement to do things quickly when there is work to do but is just brutal when there is not. But he is out there, on schedule, working his shifts.

So I suppose that is this week’s message - be kind to those working so that you may stay safe. Don’t tip 15-20% - tip in $10-$20 increments - appreciate these people and do them the courtesy of putting your money where your mouth is. If someone is literally risking their health - even their life - to delivery you a pizza? You can at least give them a few extra dollars. It doesn’t come close to properly rewarding them for their service, but it is something.

Meanwhile, other businesses continue to not give a damn about their employees (I’m looking at you Gamestop) and we need to strictly remember these things. Those businesses? They are not ones that should receive our patronage ever again. They should be allowed to die and be replaced by businesses that care about their employees. We talk a great deal in this country about how our politics keep sliding to the right, well the treatment of employees in this country also keeps getting worse, because we as consumers are loathe to step up and take a stand. It can be VERY difficult sometimes (Amazon...damn it Amazon) but if we don’t, nothing will change. So remember those businesses you see in the headlines, abusing and threatening employees during all of this.

In the next seven days, the US will pass 1,000,000 cases of Covid-19. We already make up approximately 1/3 of all Covid-19 cases worldwide and we are closing on fully HALF of active cases worldwide. While other countries are getting things under control, we are foolishly pushing to keep this going. Shame those that do. Remember them too - for the plague rats among us are going to get a lot of people killed.

Speaking of plague rats, after seeing the anti-Semitic protests signs of late, keep an eye out for the Nazi scum that are boldly protesting for their “Freedoms”. They should be named, each and every one of them. Nazis are never forgivable, especially in times like these.