March 28, 2020

If the US is "at war" against the virus, isn't trump guilty of treason?

for being AWOL? At least for delaying or denying aid to blue states ("I just don't call them" )? He described himself as a "wartime president". Many others in government and the media are calling it a war.

So, question 1: Can Congress declare actual war on a disease? (Like the war on terror or drugs?) .

Question 2: If so, wouldn't any act against US citizens that helps the "enemy" be considered treason?

March 23, 2020

Oregon governor issues 'stay home' order to enforce coronavirus restrictions

Source: The Oregonian

Gov. Kate Brown, under fire for the ambiguous guidelines she issued Friday on social distancing, issued a more definitive order Monday morning that establishes legally enforceable restrictions on public activity in response to the coronavirus outbreak. “If we all do it we can save lives,” Brown said on a press call Monday afternoon.

The governor instructed people to stay home except when traveling for essential work, buying food and similar critical supplies or returning to their own homes. Recreational travel, of the kind that brought swarms of Oregonians to the coast last weekend in defiance of the governor’s earlier directive, is now forbidden by law.

Monday’s order, which cites authority under four state statutes, is the most profound action in a series of steps that have fundamentally altered life in Oregon this month. Parts of it take effect at midnight; others kick in Wednesday. Those who defy the order can be charged with endangering public health, a class C misdemeanor. People found to have violated her order could be jailed for up to 30 days or fined $1,250, though law enforcement agencies said Monday they’re more likely to inform people about the restrictions than cite them for violations.

But the governor’s announcement specifically exempted construction and manufacturing, two economic pillars, which may continue operating so long as they “ensure that their employees are maintaining social distancing measures.”


Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/03/oregon-governor-issues-stay-at-home-order-to-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions.html

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About damn time!

My spouse has a small construction company. He wants to shut it down yesterday, but he can't. His employees want to keep working, even those who don't have office jobs. All the big contractors are moving ahead full-steam, so it's nearly impossible to say "I don't agree with this plan." And how does one "socially distance" at a construction site? Worse, they have no more N95 masks, only a few have hand sanitizer. I know many of these people. I fear for their safety, and the safety of our community.

March 20, 2020

Anyone see Katy Tur's sign-off right before the start of Ali Velshi's show today?

Holding back tears, she spoke of a longtime colleague and friend who just died from COVID-19 which "stole him away from us". Then she implored viewers to wash their hands and keep their distance.

March 17, 2020

Yertle speaking now on MSNBC

he thinks the House bill has "some shortcomings" and that they may "gag and pass it anyway", but also said that Republicans will also work on what THEY think we should do, and THEN they'll talk to the Democrats, and then maybe come up with a new (additional) bill.

He did say the Senate will not vote remotely; when pressed, said they may choose he amount of time to vote to longer so to maintain distancing.

March 12, 2020

Is "Trump fatigue" why so many people still don't know there's a global pandemic?

If so, it could be causing this disease to spread faster than it would otherwise. Many of us turn off the news now and then to preserve our mental health. But my concern, while admittedly anecdotal, is that the message is not getting out fast enough. Some of my friends and family (almost all liberal-leaning) are unaware how serious this is. Cases in point:

-My husband (who owns a small contracting company) called his office staff in today and told them to start preparing to work from home. Most were SHOCKED. Had no idea how serious this is going to be. They don't watch the news at all anymore ("too depressing" ).

-My BIL called to ask how many tickets we need for his daughter's HS graduation next month. We were astonished they're even considering going ahead with such an event. He had no idea that events are being cancelled. And he's a national sales exec who flies all over the country regularly, but typically works from home.

-Some people are still opening their arms for a hug as a greeting. (I step back and give an "air hug".)