This blog stepped off the curb yesterday into a steamy little pile of poo. That’s tough on the spats. Worse, it creates havoc in the steerage section. Karens everywhere.
The crime was simple, saying people wear masks because they have fear. Fear of Covid. Fear of getting it, spreading it, facilitating it, enabling it. This may be glossed with language like, ‘it’s respect for others’, but anxiety lurks within.
Yes, we’re scared. A new KPMG poll shows just how much. Over 50% of Canadians say they’re too terrified to go back to work and 77% fear their co-workers will infect them if they do return. Six in ten will refuse to venture to the workplace if they deem it unsafe and almost 80% of Ontarians say they don’t want to use public transit to commute. This is a huge problem for employers. It’s a reason all the major banks, for example, have given up – head office workers are off until sometime in 2021. The soaring towers stand mostly empty. The condos around them are eroding in value.
Fear is moving politics. The Canada-US border will stay closed for a long time, despite the economic implications, since 82% of people here are afraid of Americans. Even within Canada there is public support to keep some provincial borders shut. And big debates are taking place about the kids going back to school.
Whether this level of public anxiety is justified by the severity of the virus and its impact on the health care system won’t be known until it’s gone and a rational analysis takes place. But the economic consequences are clear. Millions unemployed. Historic government deficits. Mortgage deferrals. Business failures. Also evident is the terror this has caused in society. It will be a long time before normal comes back, since we no longer trust each other. Masks seem a potent symbol of that mistrust.
By the way, I wear mine. It’s the law in public, indoor spaces. Being masked is being responsible and compliant. However every time I don it, there’s regret. We are growing more distant from each other. Fearing airborne droplets. Afraid of the people we used to call friends at work. Scared of the office. Wary of customers coming into the shop. It’s now a world of online retailing, online entertainment, Zooming, contactless purchases, social distancing and aloneness. Such a state cannot be permanent or the economic and financial security we’ve enjoyed to date will be gutted.
The stated goal when Covid hit was to flatten the curve, slow the spread and allow the health care system to deal with it. In Canada, that was achieved. The hospitals are okay. ICUs not packed. No ventilator crisis. The long-term care homes are far safer. We have been remarkably successful in avoiding infections by doing everything others are not. Much to be proud of.
The new goal appears to be virus eradication. No cases at all, since the current infection rate (less than one half of one per cent of Canadians) is deemed to be too much. All states of emergency remain in place. Governments continue to enforce behaviours. Legislatures are still suspended in most places. Mayors, premiers and the feds act in dictatorial fashion, and with the support of most people.
But at what point will workers stop being afraid of their colleagues or the subway? When will meetings resume? When will shopping no longer be painful, the government cheques end and small businesses stop going extinct?
A vaccine may be the endgame. But what if it doesn’t come for a few years? Or if all the anti-vaxxers refuse to be dosed, compromising herd immunity?
Some months ago we said this was not a virus blog. No serious epidemiology here. No expertise on infectious diseases. No public health insights, or advice to give. Still the case. But that was April. This is August. Covid seems under control in Canada (yay!) but the level of public anxiety has only increased. That KPMG poll is completely bad news for the economy, and the recent mandating of universal mask-wearing in most places is a daily, constant, in-your-face reminder that the virus – despite the numbers of infections – is winning.
Here is today’s question. I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?
370 comments ↓
If fear isn’t abound why aren’t all the restaurants full of people. Lots of people on the streets in Victoria. So is it fear or a lack of money or both.
How does it end for me? Retirement!
It ends as I go out Waco style as Mask Karens turn into Vaccine Karens and demand everyone gets jammed with the needle. That’s the hill I’m likely die on.
Back in March I suspended the retirement planned for this time.
In the retirement plan was travel, travel & more travel.
Instead the missus and I put in a garden and I might as well work, since I do not dislike the activity (not remote).. It has been years since she had a garden and it proves to be therapeutic. There is fear in our household while I am not troubled so much.
It is not practical for me to be working from Motorhome but that is appealing. :)
So, I guess it ends for me with retirement and air travel being practical again. We miss Hawaii and Mexico especially.
Cheers, R
Garth, I’m feeling horrible guilt! I’m doing so much better since this pandemic started! Do you know how much I’m saving?!? Sure, I have to spend a little more on hair conditioner but at least I’m not sitting beside Chatty Cathy on the Lakeshore West GO (AWAY) choo-choo!
Hi Garth, millennial here, and from what I can see living in downtown Toronto, the crazy fear isn’t very apparent. People are on the streets and in the parks, on patios and shopping in stores, albeit with slightly different rules (which are totally reasonable!). Everyone wears a mask inside, which is a common courtesy for your fellow citizen and scientifically proven to be an effective tool against viral spread. If everyone could stop politicizing the simple mask, and perpetuating anti-science from Dr. Facebook and social media we will all return to a better balance of normalcy in the coming years. I have no problem wearing one and struggle to understand why anyone would, or why doing so is eroding any freedoms. If anything, masks give us our freedom back and ensures that if Canadians work together, we can fight this thing down to reasonable levels where contact tracing can stamp out hot spots. I look to countries like Vietnam and South Korea, who even with huge populations have managed this very feat. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep calm and carry on.
We get what we NEED in life not all the other useless stuff that everyone wants.
A basic less stressful way of life where we spend more time focusing on people than profits.
That’s how it ends.
You did step in it, and I still think you were wrong.
I think it is a rational and defensible position that we can wear masks and not live in fear. It stinks when you start but for our family – even for toddlers – it’s become normal and not a big deal. it ends when cases are low enough for restrictions to be lifted.
I think you are wrong to reduce it down ideologically to fear and should reconsider with some nuance.
Nicely retired. Isolated at a nice waterfront cabin. Fishing everyday, will hunt in Fall. But mainly, as I watch the world falling apart, I take comfort in these words:
“I Thesselonians 4: 13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Yes Folks, it’s an old cliche but never been more true…
The End IS near…
Pull this government welfare program, and we’ll see how many people will return to work.
What I do know is we sold our townhouse in Ottawa last December to downsize. It just sold for almost 60k over what we sold for. As for the virus, it will run its course as SARS and swine flu and the rest, humanity will be around for a while. I do mask up in stores but believe it has given some a false sense of security as they ignore physical distancing more now. Just glad I’m able to work from home and still have a job.
August 1st saw the implementation of masks in all indoor public spaces in my city. Before then on the odd occasion I did go into a public space I asked myself if the risk was worth it to not wear a mask. If for example I had to go to Costco mid day Saturday well, its probably a good idea to weak a mask as the amount and habits of people say that its a good idea. If I went to my local supermarket in the last hour before it closes on a Sunday well looks like I can take that risk and not wear one. I was never second guessed by anyone in public as I maintained distance when not wearing a mask.
Now with mandatory masks in place I’ve gone from responsible adult to cared for child on this matter. It seems that logical adults with an understanding of how to assess risk and mindful that risk is never zero are very much in the minority. I understand we have to pull together but I despair that this pulling together must be under threat of legal action.
Can anyone provide me the scientific data on the 6ft rule?
This ends when they come out with COVID-20. It looks to me as an opportunity to use new powers by the governments world wide. This must be restricted. I enjoy reading you from the USA.
How does it end? We muddle through like always. Crisis brings the end to some things, creates opportunity through adaptation. Flight to the burbs creates urban blight. The remaining commuters think to themselves “Gee, there are a lot of Purolator trucks on the road”. Junior keeps his job, Morneau and the Grifter-in-Chief do not. Vaccine arrives next summer. Junior calls an election soon after and wins a landslide.
The toll…look our elites (replete with Le Chateaux) are tracking our mental health. How very nice of them to care about us after destroying commerce and society.
https://www.morneaushepell.com/ca-en/mental-health-index
– It will not end. Incrementalism will continue into 2030 as the New System is rolled out. This is a Prison Planet now.
I thought your post yesterday was good. Gotta watch those indignant Karen’s though. Soon they’ll be asking to speak to your manager. :(
As the sun, finally, sets on the English Empire – a hot war with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization seems pretty inevitable, doesn’t it?
Bonds rallying like crazy today. TLT.US. Something’s up .
It ends when the virus becomes a “normal” threat like the flu. I disagree with the blog today. Look at it this way – Canada has a low infection rate and far fewer deaths per million population than the US. The economy is opening up – just slowly and carefully. We don’t want to go back so being careful and prudent makes sense. Compare the US – they also have a massive deficit, massive unemployment, huge numbers of businesses going bankrupt, AND way more people getting sick and dying. So we have been more thoughful and careful in our re-opening. And no, eradication is not the actual goal – isn’t going to happen. Control is the goal. Today I can go to many more stores, get physio or massage, my own work office has re-opened etc. so the economy is coming back, albeit slowly. If we just pretend it’s all gone, the virus comes back in a big way and we have to close down again. So yes, there is fear, and it is justified, as we need to remain cautious, and open things slowly and carefully to prevent a big step backward. Keep wearing your mask and stay healthy, and it will end when there is a vaccine, which hopefully is sooner rather than later.
90,000 business done in April alone, waiting for the fallout once Govt support ends
https://financialpost.com/personal-finance/debt/insolvency-filings-fall-at-record-pace-as-consumers-businesses-cling-to-government-support/wcm/3c82cf67-c7a6-4007-884a-12ec2bc37d00/.
How does it end for me?
Richer, haha.
And with all house projects done for the first time in the history of forever.
Until a vaccine is available I will keep using my mask and keep the required distance and will no longer travel outside provincial boundaries.
Return of the Jaguar. This question is irresistible.
It will end for me when I board a WestJet flight and feel the sand and ocean through my toes once again in a small country with a very big heart.
I won’t fear the virus on the plane or the ground having cheated death previously, and I will throw in my lot with the bravest people on earth who have been staring back in the face of fear with defiance these past sixty plus years.
We don’t know how much time we have on earth, so best make the most of it while we can. Living with fear is not an option.
November 28th seems like a good day to fly. I’m counting on you WestJet.
It ends when we’re all looking out for one another, mitigating the risk so we can just get back to work, and keep the hospitals clear of this. We have a few tools to help get us manage it and that’s it. Otherwise your parents could die in a few days when they get it.
Until we’re no longer treating wearing a freakin mask – a trivial imposition on all but the snowflakiest snowflakes – then we’re not there yet. Just be a good neighbour for god sakes, wear a freakin mask when you’re near people or inside.
It’s cheap. It’s easy. It might save our economy. It might have huge impacts on society by allowing our kids back to school and allow people to socialize.
And if there’s a freakin vaccine that someone smarter than you has studied within an inch of its life as being safe and effective, don’t be a snowflaky paranoid conspiracy theorist – just get the freakin vaccine.
If not YOU are the ‘karen’, YOU are the snowflake.
Economic depression is likely our future if social and physical contact remains limited – the upcoming autumn and winter will determine whether SARS-CoV-2 is something we can manage successfully or not. Isolationism results in physical and economic depression either way you cut it. The virus is real and the Northern Hemisphere countries, which still control the economy of the planet, will be tested and if lockdowns become mandatory then expect a loss of confidence on a large scale. Arguably, the real wrecking ball is what has been set into motion vis-a-vis the policy of the Federal Reserve and central banks with their response to this pandemic. September 2020 to April 2021 will be interesting.
(Aka…just call me KAREN). I watch Dr. Fauci every chance I get. Birx is a tRump sycophant I tuned her out very early on. Also will pause to watch ALL physicians as they appear on TV over the months. Their advise has evolved over the last 4 months. I’m not quite as paranoid today as I was beginning of March. Am back to eating sushi or salad takeout, as well as other restaurant takeouts, as far as dining in a restaurant, not happening any time soon for me. Continue to Grocery shop off peak hours. Cinema off limits. Morning walks with my minature schnauzer always a good thing, although afternoon walks are abbreviated as too many other pedestrians about.
I predict society will be encouraged to wear masks for at least 2 to 3 years.
As I have a bizarre immune system and physicians that study that stuff will allow me to have some vaccinations and not others. I’ll just have to wait and see what my physicians recommend. Therefore it will definitely be at least another couple of years AFTER the vaccines have been out before I line up.
Just wash your hands…keep your distance…wear your mask.
Maybe politicians who really cared about public health would ban smoking and vaping. Tobacco = 45,000 dead Canadians per year. Covid = 8,900 fatalities. – Garth
/////////////
If letting Covid19 rip through the population raised $8.3 billion for the government coffers, we’d currently be digging mass graves.
http://smoke-free-canada.blogspot.com/2019/12/canadian-government-revenues-from.html#:~:text=Total%20tobacco%20tax%20revenue%20received,from%20the%20sale%20of%20cigarettes.
It ends when everyone gets COVID19 – either by a vaccine or enough people get infected with it to get us to a herd immunity level. I agree that the initial flattening of the curve was a good thing but now we have to live with flare ups for a while. It’s time to find a new normal, buy some masks for when you are indoors since the average person seems to have NO idea what 2 meters (6 feet) distance is based on my shopping experiences so far. We find a way to live with it and get past our fears.
I think it’s best summarized with a few pieces of advice.
1. Don’t listen to most of the people here. TurnerNation for example, he’s like a more senile Grandpa from the Simpsons. The comes a point where fearmongering just makes you look foolish.
2. Be a good Canadian. Good manners, good hygiene. Not a big deal. You wash your hands after you poop or play in the dirt, right? That’s half the battle.
3. Don’t make mountains out of molehills. Remember that most people aren’t crazy anti-vaccers or paranoid, so use some good judgement and at least take care of yourself and those who can’t care for themselves.
4. Read more books and less news websites. Less CP24 and more National Geographic. Less screen time and more time doing what makes you happy. As Garth often advocates, set your portfolio and forget it. The same can be said for new and even this blog, forgetting about it for a little while won’t hurt.
No mask here. Just common sense distancing and sanitizing. Life is otherwise normal but without travel. Cautious but not scared. We will be ok in 6-12 months.
It ends when Trump is gone and the swamp is safe from transparency. Until then expect max chaos courtesy of the puppet masters.
A few weeks ago one of the commenters made the observation; governments are making masks mandatory as those not wearing masks are a visable sign of the lack of efficacy of the “fear” campaign.
If you see others with no mask you start to question if your fear is warranted.
There seems to be a motivation to keep us in fear and to marginalized those that ask questions.
Turner nation may be on to something….
Questions you cannot answer are usually far better then answers you cannot question
I have a young and health friend (35 years young) who is refusing to go back to his Barry’s Boot Camp classes he did for years prior to the lockdowns because he is afraid of the virus.
The problem? He’s gained about 14 lbs since lockdown and smokes pot every day with a few beers/wines and edibles as well.
If people can’t understand the much bigger risk to their health is staying on their couches and not socializing while gaining weight rapidly and abusing drugs and alcohol… well the cure to the virus is worse than the virus.
And that health assessment ignores the bigger issues of mental health, job losses, income declines, deflation, recessions/depression of GDP, social problems from the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer, and yes loss of civil liberties which no Canadian seems to care about very much oddly. The government should only be telling me who I can and cannot hug under the most extreme conditions, which the stats do not bear out in this case I have to say.
(*hides from Faron*)
For you (me) how does this end.
Me personally
First off I goofed in February and said this will be over by May and all will be back to normal by summer.
I am lucky very lucky, retired and healthy I own a home beautiful gardens I walk to the ocean every day, drive to the beach in 30 min. 30 wineries within an hours drive.
So I am still going to embrace life.
How does this end?
I honestly do not know anymore
What I do know what will change for me
I won’t be travelling by plane in 2021 Wife will not travel until there is a vaccine.
More road trips and day trips gotta push the up the price of oil ha ha
I will be saving more just because the wife won’t go to the mall ha ha
I will wash my hands more and wear a mask in public, my choice for respect of others.
To be honest even though you keep repeating the markets will be better in the future and I do agree with you, but for some reason I am stressed about losing the money. So probably more cash and why not up 15 percent for the year. Sit and wait, I know I know cannot time the market, but I want to sleep at night.
Other than that life goes on and I am very grateful and happy.
Have a great day and thanks for asking!
I think the central banks + govs are going to try to keep the economy up by pumping in the money. The assets are gonna rise in price, the overindebted will feel like kings and the saver will cry and say that this is just not fair. So stay invested by any means possible: real estate and or securities market.
#23 the Jaguar on 08.06.20 at 10:45 am
It will end for me when I board a WestJet flight and feel the sand and ocean through my toes once again in a small country with a very big heart.
….I will throw in my lot with the bravest people on earth who have been staring back in the face of fear with defiance these past sixty plus years.
————–
Just a guess here: the indigenous Sami of Finland?
Don’t go barefoot for too long, because, you know, frostbite.
@#9 Mr Happy on 08.06.20 at 10:25 am
Nicely retired. Isolated at a nice waterfront cabin. Fishing everyday, will hunt in Fall. But mainly, as I watch the world falling apart, I take comfort in these words:
“I Thesselonians 4: 13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, blablablabla…..
Yes Folks, it’s an old cliche but never been more true…
The End IS near…
——————————————-
lol
This doesn’t end – everyone’s lost their mind
For me this ends with compromises for sure. But this is tempered with a sense of responsibility to the greater good. My finances will be affected, my tax burden is bound to be greater. There will be an enduring impact on some of my relationships – some for the better, others will drift off the social map. This viral phenom has exacerbated social, financial, mental health dynamics, etc., pushing them towards endpoints that have been perhaps surprising at times and perhaps “meant to be anyways” at others.
At the end of the day, however, “ya gotta do what ya gotta do” and those societies, individuals, and nations who have ignored the advice of the experts in pursuit of selfish interests will have paid the price. Human life is precious – it’s an unspeakable travesty that some leaders have sacrificed lives, especially of those most vulnerable, on the altar of greed and self-interest. The poster child for that happens to be south of our border – a country with, no doubt, the largest inherent capacity, in terms of technology, smarts and $, has been thoroughly undressed and shown to have a minimum of true capacity and compassion.
It ends, for me, with:
-peaceful days at my isolated, lakefront home…that’s cheap
-masked ONLY for a few minutes, when not moving, when absolutely necessary (lawyer’s office, 10 minutes during massage therapy)
-disgust with many fellow Canadians, unable to understand that THEIR situation or body is NOT everyone’s situation or body
-complete and total lack of trust in all levels of government and public health
Yesterday I got this:
“#109 SoggyShorts on 08.05.20 at 8:35 pm
#96 Cdn Mom on 08.05.20 at 7:54 pm
13% filtration efficiency. Not effective enough to suffocate myself with 4 damned layers of fabric.
*******************
If wearing a mask “suffocates” you, you’re probably extremely weak and the virus would kill you so maybe you’re doomed either way.”
………………..
I had about 70% lung function Jan. 2019, due in part to:
-smouldering house fire as a young teen, slept inhaling burning plastics for quite a while, possibly hours
-worked in a shirt factory in my 20s, inhaling cotton particles all day
-also worked in woodworking, inhaling wood dust all day
-had bronchitis in my 20s after a ride with Mr. Flu
Some non-thinking person ragging on me for not being able to breathe through four freaking layers of fabric, or other restrictive masks, because he/she can, is just nonsense. I am losing my faith in humanity’s critical thinking skills.
I had the virus late March. I survived with a few hits of Ventolin. It was uncomfortable, and yeah, maybe it did even more damage to my lungs. Since I can’t get an in-person medical appointment during this period of irrationality, I don’t know. Can’t change that anymore than the fire, or previous working conditions.
#29 Yuus bin Haad on 08.06.20 at 11:26 am
This doesn’t end – everyone’s lost their mind
…….
Close…many have lost their minds. Of the rest, many are very, very angry at the insanity imposed upon them.
I won’t take the vaccine if Bill Gates is involved in any way what so ever ! Imagine having to update the vaccine every 6 to 8 months… maybe it crashes if you have to many options open. Bill Gates designs everything to fail…
I think it ends with acceptance.
We accept a large risk to our health by getting into our cars every day. We accept a large risk to our health by smoking, drinking, over-eating, reading blogs, etc.
IMHO Covid will simply blur into the background of ‘risks we all accept’.
@Midnights,
this is not a science blog but you will find this of interest for 6 feet distancing as a bare minimum:
https://www.cebm.net/covid-19/what-is-the-evidence-to-support-the-2-metre-social-distancing-rule-to-reduce-covid-19-transmission/
and lots of similar lab vids and articles on sneezing/droplet dynamics:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/04/coronavirus-covid-sneeze-fluid-dynamics-in-photos/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763852
This ends when I get a vaccine or there is viable treatment (take this pill twice a day for a week – cured) : then I will go back to normal activity. If you don’t want the vaccine that’s your choice and your problem.
For me it ends when any and all mandatory restrictions on business, travel, and what I do with my body end and people practice what is known as personal responsibility.
You want to wear a mask? Have at ‘er!
You own a business and you want to continue with whatever restrictions you deem necessary? Go for it!
Be advised that personal responsibility entails that all government financial support to business and persons would also end.
Ended already. I have been going to the office for 3 weeks (although company allows to work from home until January 1st). But I am a visible minority now – the whole office tower floor in downtown Vancouver hosts only 3 employees (pre-covid there were a few hundred).
#39 Westcoaster on 08.06.20 at 11:27 am
…it’s an unspeakable travesty that some leaders have sacrificed lives, especially of those most vulnerable, on the altar of greed and self-interest.
The poster child for that happens to be south of our border…
————-
So many riddles today.
Mexico? El Salvador? Argentina?
Help me out here.
It ends with my immune system.
The odds are reasonable that I could catch it, just like any other coronavirus (cold), so my best defense is to keep my Terrain healthy; >7 hours of sleep, good diet, exercise, supplements – in that order.
Masks and draconian measures made sense when the virus this first hit Canada in Feb/March.
But now that we have this under control and it is no more deadly than the flu for a massive majority of the population, its time to get back to work and life.
What is troublesome however, is that as the virus wanes we see more fear-mongering from public officials. What is that? Are they having trouble letting go of their new authoritarian powers after they got a taste? This crackdown we see now is like firefighters telling people to evacuate an apartment after it has been burnt to the ground – a mechanical power-hungry move, and I don’t trust it one bit.
Well, fear is typically used as a pejorative around these parts, so you can’t really be surprised if people hate the insinuation.
Yes, it’s fear, and there are situations where fear leads to taking reasonable steps to protect oneself and others (wearing masks, not buying inflated condos).
The reactionary “freedom” crowd only makes the fear worse, especially when you see the red faces and spit flying over personal rights. Surely there a very small number of people that can’t actually wear a mask for existing medical reasons, but sadly their needs again get trumped by the “freedom” crowd.
Before the cries of whattaboutism start flying from the rest of the steerage section regarding the protests, it’s already been determined that the protests thus far have not caused a spike of cases:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/07/01/research-determines-protests-did-not-cause-spike-in-coronavirus-cases/#7c9481247dac
The main difference? Most of the attendees were wearing masks, whether to protect themselves from the virus or from tear gas. Either way, masks significantly reduced the transmission of the virus.
Imagine, we can all hang out in parties, turn the economy on, send the kids to school, and go to work again with minimal fear just by wearing masks. Seriously, our grandparents dealt with rationing and brownouts all the time, so we can deal with a little bit discomfort in public. Quit being babies.
It ends with tens of thousands more suicides than covid will ever kill. Hundreds of thousands more detrimental health outcomes than covid will ever have.
And Karen-Canadians (Karenadians?) will cheer it all on and Trudeau to the biggest seat count since Mulroney in 2021.
I believe there is no end to this – we have entered a new phase where civilization changes exponentially. Yuval Harari has written an excellent book(s) on where we came from and possibly where we are headed. AI is going to become a major shift in how we live (don’t live). right now we are finding out how compliant people can be so that eventually the implementation of AI will control society – FEAR is powerful.
The futures so bright I gotta wear shades
Honestly, it ended for me in April. I had the virus. It was a rough couple of weeks on the couch, I lived through it, and now go about my life in more or less pre-Covid style. The anxiety (from too much media) was way worse than the actual virus. I was maybe lucky, or maybe we just don’t hear that much about the vast majority of cases where nothing extreme happens.
Garth is spot on when he says that the stated goal was to flatten the curve and keep the hospitals from being overwhelmed. Dr. Bonnie Henry chastises us and wrings her hands on TV every day when we’ve got 20 or 30 new cases, but my many friends who work in the hospitals all say the same thing: The Covid wards are basically empty, the ICU’s are empty, and there’s MAYBE one or two people on a ventilator (in a province of 5+ million). This is a massive, massive success. Herd immunity requires that most people get this virus & recover from it, and that’s going to be the only way forward until there’s a vaccine. And even if a vaccine is approved tomorrow, how long will it take to manufacture a couple of billion doses and get it out to the public? It’s never been attempted on this scale in such a short time.
This ends with the complete loss of faith in the current system .
The currency destruction will come front and centre and overshadow all current issues .
#27 Post Responce re: deaths/covid/cigarettes.
I am a smoker and know that I am not totally carefree from Covid-19. I know I am higher risk for survival if serously infected. I also thank Gov’t who raised the taxes on cigarettes (doubled) back some 20 plus years because smokers are a burden on the health system. Guess what happened to the money? Put in general revenues and since then our health dollars have been scaled back. Phony tax grab.
Now Poster #27 I will up the argument to Over Weight People and Covid-19 risks of survival if one gets it. We know that over weight people add to the death rate dramatically and if no pandemic, we know over weight people have many unnecessary ailments draining the health system. I propose that the Gov’t tax over weight people by $1 a pound over their ideal weight when they visit their doctor or hospital. Lets say we allow a 10 lb leniency on folks and then the $1 tax per lb is surcharged over that 10 lb threshold. Us Canadians being compassionate will allow immunity to such folks that have conditions beyond their control such as pharmaceutical drugs and their side effects and medical conditions that promote weight gain.
Imagine the money saving to our health system, people being saved from Covid-19 deaths because of their pre condition being removed, and think of the people looking “dapper” in their skin apparel. Ohhh the possibilities and to think that “smokers” did not have it cornered for Covid-19 higher death rates.
It ends for me when the government lies are exposed and people start running out of money.
You don’t see a population revolt until their or their children’s stomachs are empty.
That might be problematic is the government starts running the printing presses and kicks the can down the road. In that case, it ends in national bankruptcy and a more painful revolution
If the mask bylaws had anything to do with a ‘virus’, the used masks would be treated as ‘medical waste’ or ‘bio hazard’ and provisions for proper disposal would be in place.
Where does this end?
It ends with permanently diminished minimum wage employment, as automation will be quickly introduced wherever possible. Machines don’t get sick or require expensive OHS adaptations, and may actually be more reassuring to customers who wish to avoid possible virus transmission.
Automation means new taxes on machines, and UBI for displaced workers.
I have COPD, so for me, I need to be careful as I don’t know how my lungs would react for sure.
As a fully employed musician/film extra, both my industries were decimated.
If it weren’t for COPD I could find some other temp job but I’m nervous to do that.
For me it will be over when I can play a gig with a band where everyone is packed on the dance floor. I am super missing that. :(
Stay safe everyone!
Vaccine solves it… even just partially effective and needed every year. They’re coming… amazing science.
Masks – no big deal to wear. Cheap simple way to keep virus numbers down and to help those who need it.
How does it end?
1) The vaccines arrive but they do not really work,meaning lots of boosters required.
2) An end to the Covid medical tests as we know them.
3) Dogs to the rescue, They can sniff this disease. So we just need tons of sniffer dogs. People sniff positive and they go into quarantine. We will be rid of Covid within a few years.
Just google dogs can sniff corona virus.
#83 Drinking on 08.05.20 at 7:22 pm
68 Leigh
This is not an anti or for wearing mask blog. I stated my opinion for wearing one for the fact that along with washing hands and just respecting your fellow scared citizens is just what we should do. Our cases are going downward for it.
Sweden’s case is bogus; they are not doing better then the rest of the world and there economy is suffering as much as the rest of us. They themselves have stated that!
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Well at least they get to keep their rights and freedom.
No curfews. No police checks. Masks are their choice.
Sounds a hell of alot better than what Italy was put through or Melbourne is currently going through.
There is no “over”. There is no “normal”. There will always be fear. Unfortunately the media is very good at pointing this out perpetually.
Vaccine news stories will eventually lose interest one way or another then it will be onto a TN based story.
Vaccine results will turn the narrative. In the meantime, don’t hold your breath.
There is no real ‘end’, just adapt and you will be fine.
#51 Doug t on 08.06.20 at 11:54 am
Doug I just finished Yuval Harari’s new book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Always a smart guy, he thinks at the next level.
Yes – very scary observations on manipulation of human consciousness and limits of human comprehension.
His warning that we have maybe two decades before the algorithms deliver the means for total velvet glove control and human autonomy is lost.
#177 Sail Away on 08.06.20 at 10:02 am
#173 IHCTD9 on 08.06.20 at 9:21 am
If any dogs here want to quit, this is the way to go. Seriously, a miracle. After a month or two, the memory of smoking fades, and the psychological attachment goes with it. All you’ll have to deal with is the cravings when you quit the vape, and that’s over in about a week.
—————
But the memories! Ah, those are yours forever.
Nothing like a cigar by the campfire.
—
Heh, I still buy a pack for camping, never got into cigars- or maybe just never had a good one.
It’s an annual treat for me, dangerous I know, but I’ve been able to keep it at just that. I still have my vape if I lose my composure!
Canada needs a strong PM again.
I have no idea how this ends. There are many significant issues, but one that stands out to me is that most people are not yet hurting enough financially, and so they are still willing to accept government decisions regarding border closures, quarantines, etc. We have surrendered constitutional rights to governments that have become dictatorships, and we willingly do what the dictators tell us to. At some point the government handout money has to end, and then we will feel the economic hurt. And then maybe there will be some significant public pushback. Yes, the pandemic is serious in many places. But not in the Maritimes, where I live. Despite what our chief medical officers of health continually say, it is not “all around us” or “lurking” here in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and PEI. We have virtually no cases. So why do we have border crossing guards posted at the borders between these provinces. Why the never-ending emphasis on masks? Why the depressing and fearful daily government updates on social media? Anyway, until more people begin to hurt financially, and more people are frustrated that they can’t visit families in other parts of Canada without 14 days of quarantine, I don’t see any end. Our provincial governments have complete control, and the majority are still happy with that. Common sense has completely disappeared.
Covid ends when the government and media stop going ape$hit over it. Out of sight, out of mind, everyone is just waiting for the go-ahead.
The end looks like watching a NHL live in the arena, or getting to play team sports again indoors.
I notice they’ve pushed the focus to a vaccine and away from rapid, accurate testing. If you could go to a kiosk and have your saliva or a drop of blood tested (I guess it should be saliva since that is how it is at greatest danger to others) in a minute or two that would reduce stress and fear greatly. I think people would embrace that faster than the placebo masks. This assumes this is all about Covid and not some ulterior plan.
Also, these Covid sniffing dogs should be trained and rolled out fast since they appear to be highly accurate. It appears Garth was on to something with his dogs. Maybe you should deploy covid sniffing dogs on the blog. That would be one way to clean up the comment section
#23 the Jaguar on 08.06.20 at 10:45 am
Return of the Jaguar. This question is irresistible.
It will end for me when I board a WestJet flight and feel the sand and ocean through my toes once again in a small country with a very big heart.
I won’t fear the virus on the plane or the ground having cheated death previously, and I will throw in my lot with the bravest people on earth who have been staring back in the face of fear with defiance these past sixty plus years.
We don’t know how much time we have on earth, so best make the most of it while we can. Living with fear is not an option.
November 28th seems like a good day to fly. I’m counting on you WestJet.
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We have our WJ flights booked and paid for to Mexico Nov 4th. That’s when it ends for me. If it doesn’t go we will find a way (through Dallas or Phoenix) don’t give up.
For me this ends in one of two ways:
1) Pre-Covid life gradually returns. I am already back at work and my wife will be at the end of this month.
2) I lose my job in aerospace manufacturing, sell my GTA home and find a much cheaper small town to live in and do a full restart.
I don’t sense the fear that you speak of, at least not from my coworkers, friends or family.
#13 Midnights
There is none, someone coughs/exhales 6 feet in front of you and your walking, you pass directly into the aerosol suspension within a second.
Next up swimming goggles so that your eyes are protected from aerosol infection.
#60 Conan
Dogs can also transfer the virus if I heard correctly, since Tigers and Minks can transfer the virus to humans.
#52 Russ in North Van
You ever notice that the Chief Medical Officer never wears a mask anymore , same as with our Premier, you would think that someone in their category would be terrified to be without a mask as to the lethality of this virus.
I am not sure how it ends, but for me the most likely one is that it will be a gradual process. I do not believe that they will develop a fool-proof vaccine anytime soon. More likely by spring 2021, some “vaccine” will be developed that provides some protection but there are many questions that will only be answered over time (efficacy, whether it must be updated annually, etc.) For this, one needs lots of data.
In the short term, until covid is under some control in the US, we must keep that particular border shut so as to minimize the chance of getting a huge second wave. If this means until 2021, so be it. I don’t see how we get back to the way it was before Covid, with hundereds of international flights a day between countries if the virus is still rampaging in various parts of the world (Mexico, South America, India). This is the key difference between now and 1918.
This however does not mean that we need to be shuttered in our houses and afraid to go to work. However, wearing a mask and social distancing will be with us for quite some time.
Frankly, our little family does not miss much going out to restaurants or shopping or pubs. We have become much more adventurous cooks and have been doing DIY on so many more tasks than ever before. Playing the guitar, going on long hikes with the dog and socializing with a few close friends is all we need. We don’t have the mindset of throwing $$$ all around just to be good consumers so as to keep businesses afloat. Good to be super frugal and save. We are having a long-term view and are prepared for the long haul as may be needed.
how does it end ?
Very high inflation over the next years.
Oil supply crunch between 2023 and 2025.
Gold to 3000$ by 2022.
Online economy.
Very high bankruptcy in Small business.
Big compagnies gonna take even more market share.
Some sectors going bust (Restaurants, Hotels, travel, Traditional Retail).
No return to normal before a long time…
Two school aged kids returning to different schools, a wife with five comorbiditys, that has been advised to self isolate even from us.
I’m on leave without pay from a good safe 100K+ job, to be primary care giver till we are safe again, or we have a vaccine my wife can take to bring her out of self isolation from the family.
Luckily, I have investments, a modest contingency fund, a small mortgage and will likely end up just putting off retirement a few years when this is all done.
Not sure about the fear. On Vancouver Island there doesn’t really seem to be any at all, often forget this thing is still going on. Hell, I could be back at Jiu Jitsu if I didn’t bung up my knee (smaller classes, mind you.)
Unfortunately this thing isn’t going extinct any time soon though. It’s spread too wide to stop and it is too contagious. It’s going to be added to the other four coronaviruses that go around annually. Vaccines are unlikely any time soon and we don’t know if immunization lasts more than a couple months even once you got it.
The death rate isn’t anything out of this world but people will need to do some math on how many years of life those surviving it lose and how the quality of life for the years they do have left are impacted. Seeing 30-year-olds with brain fog that doesn’t go away months after recovery. The big issue is that it hasn’t mutated enough to be insignificantly harmful as of yet and will take quite a while to do so.
I don’t think the fear in people will end soon
but I do know if you cut off the taxpayer-funded Paychex working from home and then government pogie people will soon be singing a different song.
Well, we shifted a lot of debt to the government coffers and created a false sense of security because no one went hungry and the kids could buy electric bikes. However, we simply can’t keep spending Justin style. It simply has to end. That’s when it will hit the fan and people will be crowding into transit to get themselves somewhere that they can make a living to feed the kids and keep the wife at bay. When? Perhaps by the end of the year?
When you ask “how does it end” are you asking how do we end it, or, what do we see as the end result?
I have NO fear of the “‘virus'”. I only wear a mask when shopping because here in Quebec it’s the rule.
These nearly worldwide mask laws are there solely to keep people living in fear, primarily of each other.
What I am afraid of is that this whole thing has the hallmarks of a communist takeover. Legislatures and courts are closed, so no way to fight this new system. Everyone is being made dependent on government handouts. Mass evictions and foreclosures are coming (people say this won’t happen because landlords couldn’t replace tenants under these conditions, but what they don’t realize is that landlords will be told that their government bailouts won’t come unless their buildings have potential and remaining full of non-paying tenants isn’t potential).
Other businesses are being given financial help now (the printing of money costs the government nothing) just so that their collapse will be down the road a bit. You see, communists always like to project the devastation they create into being the fault of the people themselves. They are setting the stage for businesses to collapse by tactics such as mask mandates, but they’ll be able to stand back and say “we helped all we could, but YOU failed”. Most businesses survive by a 15% profit margin at best, so when you take even 20% of their business away through fear mongering they’re doomed. Letting businesses re-open while keeping people in too much fear to return to work is another part of this scheme. When the free money ends it will be portrayed as the peoples own fault that they aren’t employed.
So this ends one of 3 ways:
1) a populous revolt bringing and end to the madness and the world lets the chips fall where they may in every respect.
2) U.S.S.R. 2.0
3) This whole thing turns out to be an American led sham -a la ‘Q’- which will simply be switched off at some point.
How will this end? Either we go back to work or the electricity, stops to flow, the food shelves are no longer stocked and with no productivity money has no value.
Or perhaps a tourist will return from Holland or Sweden and tell everyone masks are not required for a normal life
Unfortunately this will not end. Insanity and freedom can’t be fixed with vaccines or herd immunity.
The actions taken today will be impacting freedom, physical, mental and financial health years to come.
70 Don Guillermo on 08.06.20 at 12:27 pm
#23 the Jaguar on 08.06.20 at 10:45 am
Return of the Jaguar. This question is irresistible.
It will end for me when I board a WestJet flight and feel the sand and ocean through my toes once again in a small country with a very big heart.
I won’t fear the virus on the plane or the ground having cheated death previously, and I will throw in my lot with the bravest people on earth who have been staring back in the face of fear with defiance these past sixty plus years.
We don’t know how much time we have on earth, so best make the most of it while we can. Living with fear is not an option.
November 28th seems like a good day to fly. I’m counting on you WestJet.
*******************************************
We have our WJ flights booked and paid for to Mexico Nov 4th. That’s when it ends for me. If it doesn’t go we will find a way (through Dallas or Phoenix) don’t give up.
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You sound like the guy from “Under the Volcano”.
Go for it. Booze is cheap in Mexico.
BTW. Excellent book and Movie.
It will end for me when I can drive to my cottage in Upstate New York and return without quarantining.
Final comment:
I think Canadians being more compliant in polls, etc. is due to recent immigration trends. We now import more people from countries that are more authoritarian in nature and they tend to be more compliant with government orders than before. In the past, our immigrants were from European democracies and people were more apt to push back against authoritarianism be it mild or direct. Those coming from other regions have lived a life of obeying government orders since it leads to a much more peaceful life.
This is also possibly why the government has shifted its immigration focus to countries like that
LIVE!
DON’T BE AFRAID OF DYING!
YOU WON’T REMEMBER THE TRANSITION!
Pain is being relieved by opioids. (ask bc)
For me in ends in being wihtout a job. There’s loads of companies that are barely hanging on, with lay-offs still coming in waves – with no end in sight. Ive survived this far – but I doubt ill last much longer. No-one is immune.
It ends when the those in charge deem we have reached herd immunity. However in Canada that does not seem to be a factor in political decisions.
We seem stuck in an endless cycle of partial lockdowns every time we have a surge in cases….never mind hospitals are empty.
There is encouraging evidence emerging that the required herd immunity % may be a pretty low % of the population. Around 20%.
https://twitter.com/mgmgomes1/status/1291162358962937857?s=21
And this guy…..who does pretty accurate modelling for the CDC….
https://covid19-projections.com/estimating-true-infections/
Brother in law does not want me to visit the family. (bellingham wa to vancouver bc) There could be more reasons than covid since we never really did get along.
Did tell him though on his next day off to park his vehicle by the truck crossing in Surrey and watch all the food trucks come in to Canada from the USA. (CDN grocery stores would be empty within 72 hours if these trucks stop)
After saying that to him he really hates me. Too bad. Instead he should be mad at the Canadian Agricultural sector for allowing Americans become the food supplier for Canadians.
#82 Ponzius Pilatus on 08.06.20 at 12:56 pm
70 Don Guillermo on 08.06.20 at 12:27 pm
#23 the Jaguar on 08.06.20 at 10:45 am
Return of the Jaguar. This question is irresistible.
You sound like the guy from “Under the Volcano”.
Go for it. Booze is cheap in Mexico.
BTW. Excellent book and Movie
******************************************
Hahaha. Stereotype much? You forgot about the guy wearing the sombrero leaning against a cactus. Keep hiding under your bed.
#88 dutch4505 on 08.06.20 at 1:03 pm
Brother in law does not want me to visit the family. (bellingham wa to vancouver bc) There could be more reasons than covid since we never really did get along.
Did tell him though on his next day off to park his vehicle by the truck crossing in Surrey and watch all the food trucks come in to Canada from the USA. (CDN grocery stores would be empty within 72 hours if these trucks stop)
After saying that to him he really hates me. Too bad. Instead he should be mad at the Canadian Agricultural sector for allowing Americans become the food supplier for Canadians.
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There’s absolutely no reason for stopping food delivery to Canada. Your childish threat of extortion (which you’re in no way capable of effecting) cements your BILs opinion of you as the right one.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/australia-coronavirus-lockdown-hysteria-overreaction/
As usual, Australia and Canada have a lot in common. Very low death rates (hurray!) and very massive overreaction where the cure is worse than the disease (potentially, and I certainly believe it is).
For countries that locked down so hard that they stopped the spread, you’ve got the economic destruction now that has hit everywhere. But saved the health care for now. What the Imperial College has said is that lockdowns don’t actually prevent deaths, they just flatten the curve so all the deaths don’t come at once.
The only way lockdowns prevent deaths is 1) hospitals can handle all patients and not triage – which is not a risk at present so no deaths prevented and 2) if they are kept in place long enough to develop a cure or vaccine – so I guess this is what Canada and Australia and others are going for?
Good luck.
#60 conan on 08.06.20 at 12:10 pm
3) Dogs to the rescue, They can sniff this disease. So we just need tons of sniffer dogs. People sniff positive and they go into quarantine. We will be rid of Covid within a few years.
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Fantastic idea!
I, for one, am ready to offer the services of my pack to the cause. Well, for a small fee, anyway.
Here’s how I see it going down:
Entering the hunt area from downwind, the dogs are released from the Tesla to their work. Experienced veterans Cinco and Ocho immediately begin sampling the wind, heads high- Cuatro, still a pup, grabs my glove and sprints around in circles, growling. A kibble for the glove and a whiff of a past Covid capture’s mask focuses his attention.
Then they’re off. Quartering through the crowd, single-mindedly ignoring distractions in search of the quarry. A light toot on the whistle establishes range.
Suddenly… a scent! Cinco locks on point. Ocho backs. Cuatro the pup sloppily copies Ocho until the scent hits his nose and he too stiffens, tail quivering. A low whine of excitement escapes.
Identified and confused, the Covid searches desperately for an escape. Seeing none, she clucks in consternation before flushing wildly to the right. At the report of the net gun, she falls to the ground, firmly bound by ropes. The dogs revel in their success while I tag the quarry and text headquarters for a pickup.
#54 dennis hobday on 08.06.20 at 11:58 am
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Yepper, fat soft pillow-like looking folks everywhere, even young people these days. This is especially bad for Men IMHO.
I walk (6km in 45-50 minutes) 4-5 times per week and pump iron – because I basically HAVE to. At my age, not doing so (while working an office job) is a one way ticket to fatsville and feeling like crap. Some folks can diet, it’s easier for me to work it off. I’ve always been able to eat without consequence when young, now it’s tough to change (old dog, new tricks).
We only ever hear of the many good things about quitting smoking, but there is indeed one bad thing, at least – that happened to me: a drop in T levels. I really noticed it, and it was not long before I decided I had to do something about it.
If I had not, ongoing low T levels would have made getting fat, weak, emotionally flimsy, and feeling crummy much easier. IMHO, and at least for Men, you MUST put your body under regular stress, enough to require a shower and feel it the next day. 4 times a week minimum.
How does this end?
Being an optimist, i believe that things will improve, but not before hitting rock bottom first…..
People unless they experience pain seldom change…. so evangelizing the herd is like real evangelization.
People learn best when they learn the hard way.
BTW, i do not know what rock bottom is.
If they had not marketed this CV thing 24/7 and including using social media influencers could you have discerned this year from last year – in terms of flu issues?
You might ask why the global campaign and unchecked government powers, travel restrictions, and economic destruction? Could it be the New Green Deal in disguise?
Stop travel by punishing people (carbon taxes) OR use fear (you will get sick!)
Was this worth giving up your freedoms? And did you notice the most ‘cases’ seem to appear in the regions with highest Testo levels and freedom and strong culture? Australia, Italy, USA
What a way to suppress people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus
“these viruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal. Mild illnesses include some cases of the common cold (which is also caused by other viruses, predominantly rhinoviruses), while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS, and COVID-19”
I think you used the wrong word when you focused on fear. You should have used despair. Despair old geezers feel that their final days, months, and/or years will not be spent as they imagined. How is that different than pre-covid if the median senior only has $3,000 put aside for retirement. Sounds pretty desperate to me.
As to how it ends (better to say – how it begins):
– Canada eradicates the virus within its borders.
– the borders remain firmly shut to other countries where the virus has not been eradicated. Only direct flights between covid free countries who follow those same procedures is allowed. Covid testing and quarantine continues as a safety measure for between 2-4 weeks for each out of country trip).
– a new golden entry visa is introduced to the entire world with a Non-refundable price tag of $25 million per household with option of citizenship after 5 years. Good for up to 4 family members of direct blood relationship with a $5 million premium over and above the first 4 family members. $6 million for each indirect blood relationship. Standard entry visa procedure plus a mandatory 4 week quarantine period at a gouvernment facility guarded by the military (New Zealand style). Covid testing occurs upon arrival, at week 2, 3, and 4.
– the new golden visa funds are applied directly to Canada’s debt. Canada is debt free within 3-5 years (you heard right. Not deficit free. Debt free).
– a new golden era begins. There are so many wealthy people in Canada it spurs an economic revolution and we all benefit.
There’s always two sides to a coin. You can think negatively and despair or you can think about the opportunities and rejoice. I’m a glass half full kind of person so I’ll focus on the positive.
Mask up baby!
You could take a clue from
the Dead Dog Cafe:
“Stay calm! Be brave! Wait for the signs!”.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7251060/pandemic-closes-okanagan-businesses/
Looks like at least 28,000 more business to close in BC alone.
It’s not going to end (soon). White collar workers have gotten the taste of being able to wake up minutes before their shifts start. You really think people will be rearing to go back to the offices? Sure, maybe the productive ones. But what about 90% of white collars whose only responsibility is to have a pulse in a cubicle?
Eventually offices will be in vogue again (worked remote for a year, not being able to have a beer with my coworkers sucks) but not without a fight from the pajama clothed company fat
It’s darkly hilarious that 90-95% of steerage will die from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, car accidents or suicide, and not any corona-virus, and yet so many obsess over Covid.
I just don’t get the fear. I really don’t. Any time you feel frightened, broadly, it’s a sign you are being manipulated in order to be more easily controlled.
This isn’t an opinion, it’s fact. It’s happened before, it’s happening now, it will happen again.
I’ll never understand why this is so hard for so many to see and then react accordingly.
Sadly, despite being one of the fearless, I will also be subject to the imposition of laws that erode freedom because of the many are so easily frightened.
That creates a lot of resentment which will be quite impactful, on a societal scale, as there are more of us than most realize and we love western democratic freedom and have long memories.
Here’s another great article about overreaction:
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/never-has-a-virus-been-so-oversold
“What is unprecedented: never has a virus been so oversold. Why, I’d like to sign on with Covid’s agent. What a publicity budget.
In a recent Kekst CNC poll, British respondents estimated that nearly 7 per cent of the UK population has died from the coronavirus. That would be 4.5 million people. Scots supposed that more than 10 per cent of the UK population has died. That would be seven million people. Astonishingly, Americans believed that Covid has killed 9 per cent of their compatriots, or almost 30 million people!”
People are horrible at math, horrible at analyzing data and assessing risk, and are addicted to doom media headlines who need their clicks to survive more than ever.
Strangely enough I trust health officials. I don’t think they want to be running a pandemic anymore than I want to be working from home endlessly.
I think this ends once we have a vaccine that is widely enough distributed. Until then we’ll be doing everything slightly differently, likely wearing masks for months. It’s not the end of the world, but it is definitely changing the world. To the extent we can resume normal business operations, we should. I think the next thing public health officials need to do is a massive campaign of assuring people we can resume some activities if everyone helps in minimizing risks of transmission. We need to knock down the fear factor people have being out in public so they’ll accept going back to modified work environments.
There will not be a back to normal as we have known it. And for many people, the old normal wasn’t so great, but will be remembered as paradise in the time ahead.
The people have acted in good faith abiding by the dictates of trusted authorities. However as time goes on, the bar is being constantly raised. Authorities know that the peoples’ trust would eventually wane without the constant beat of media hysteria instilling fear into them. A free country cannot be without unbiased truthful press/news media. Unfortunately media is a useful tool in facilitating “the great reset” because it is owned by the designers of it.
Another way to keep people from taking to the streets is giving them free money to replace the jobs they lost. But, in the long term this is like taking a dollar and giving a penny. For now, it keeps people quiet because they’ve become dependent on the dole. Yesterday they had jobs earning their keep and today government is keeping them. This is an age old power and control tactic with a modern twist.
And there is divide and conquer which turns the have nots and have a littles (both making up the 99.9999% of us) to turn on each other.
Authorities asked people for a foot. The people being fearful first, and secondly acting in good faith, being cooperative and trusting of authorities, complied. The authorities have in return taken an entire football field and are floating ideas that they need more. They have acted in bad faith in continuing to push people as far as the people will let them. Be wary when authorities sat they’ll keep you safe. “We will keep you safe” should be considered the five most dreaded words uttered by a politician in a free society.
Covid and the reaction, is about power and control, not about keeping people safe. Since when do the obscenely rich and powerful care about keeping people safe? Heck, a third of the world is starving, without clean water and lacking in medicine. Trillions of dollars are being conjured up to promote the pandemic but there hasn’t been enough to empower third world countries to rise above poverty; not enough to properly take care of our war veterans, the disabled and elderly. It’s about priorities and it is easy to see where they truly are, and they’re not with the people. This is where we are and is a pointer to where we’re headed.
Do we really need to ask how this will end?
I’m on 60 acres next to a 3000 hectare preserve. Lazy days of summer, same as it ever was. Selected friends and confidentés welcome. I can only gaze at the Milky Way and wonder. Thanks for sticking your nose out there and reporting back.
How does it end for me? Given enough wealth; self determination if possible.
I’d like to revise my answer.
This will end for me when I can freely visit my father in his long-term care home. We have been kept from visiting him since mid-FEBRUARY, when they first locked down for a respiratory outbreak. That’s almost 6 months that he has not been able to have in-person contact with his family. I cannot get the home to return my call to book an outside-only appointment.
This is elder abuse.
It’ll wind up like the movie “the Road”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO8EqMsxOiU
#95 TurnerNation on 08.06.20 at 1:19 pm
Thats what I said the New green deal was failing.
This is a bug gift from heaven for the Elites. NGD #2. We are toast cause there are way to many stupid people that dont get it.. Garth is right on many points. The fear campaign is doing well.
T2 is part of the scam and the problem. He runs around planet earth writing cheques. We are broke. Let get our sh!t in order first..nope hes a globalist and a guy pandering to the one world gov…dats da plan man.
This won’t end.
That’s the point.
When they break America, something might change.
That could take a decade.
Meanwhile, enjoy the rising technocracy.
Unlike the plandemic, it’s real.
It’s obvious by reading through the comments section again today Garth, that people still don’t get what you are saying. It really is amazing the level of intelligence (that being very low apparently) of some people. It doesn’t matter what you tell them at this point, whether you give actual stats or not, that 99.8% of people will survive, people have been so conditioned at this point to be afraid, be very afraid – conditioned by politicians, public health officials and MSM – that they throw all logic out the window. That’s what fear does.
In Holland and Norway, the wearing of masks is not mandated. In fact, health officials in Holland have come out and said that: “There’s no scientific evidence for the efficacy of non-medical masks.” In Norway, public health officials have stated that at least 200,000 people would have to wear a medical mask – make the distinction between cloth and medical – to prevent one infection. Therefore, hardly worth the effort. But I’m sure the many cucks and Karens would say that preventing that one death would be worth it.
How does this end for me? I don’t know. If I had a crystal ball maybe I could predict the future but we can’t so there is no point but in my very humble opinion, I can’t see it ending that well whenever that may be.
If it my time, it’s my time.
A vaccine would be nice. If not, then luck of the draw and destiny.
I live observing what Gov Italia asks me to do to keep the virus at bay and of course, continue my pursuits less travel for now.
I do what I can to not stop spending as usual (Cdn products too). People’s jobs are at stake and their well being. I’m doing my best that way.
How does this end?
Sadly, not well for Canada/Canadians. Small business devastation, more government debt, more taxation, widening wealth gap.
But just as importantly, our “weakness” as a nation has now been exposed. A federal government that has no long-range plan/vision for recovery, the expectation among a growing number of Canadians that the government will forever bail them out, the shocking number of Canadians who have little interest in working.
Shame really.
BB
Vaccines are showing promise. The Moderna one created a strong immunological response in all 45 test subjects. Phase 3 trial results will be released this fall. The virus is mutating slowly, meaning vaccines don’t look like they would need to be redeveloped each year like for the flu. It looks like we may be able to vax our way out after all.
I think in 2 years life will be back to normal, and in 1 year it will be mostly back to normal.
One thing is for sure. The wearing of masks does not in anyway hinder the intentions of people who I am dealing with. I find it easier to pick up what people are thinking. Anyone else noticing this?
https://youtu.be/NnWOBMQhNBQ?t=7
For me, it ends when people stop judging each other for wearing/not wearing a mask. There is no common ground anymore.
In my condo building, half the people wear masks and the rest don’t. There is no enforcement of the law, leading to very awkward stares in the public area for both sides.
Nov 4th, this ends the day after the US election as long as Biden takes it.
Covid was a gift to media that despise Trump but couldn’t shake him. There’s been an orchestrated effort to publish only bad things since March. Once Biden gets in – Presto! a vaccine will emerge, reports that the infection isn’t really that bad, a general consensus that it’s time to get back to normal.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the political/media complex used fear to get something it wanted.
For me, a 47 year old unmarried male who is the caregiver to his two elderly parents ; how does it end ?
I am trying to be pragmatic , yet hopeful . A realist of sorts , knowing it could be worse or become with added catastrophe and hardships . This can all be a epilated upon . I am not here to add to the anxiety .
I hope and pray for the best . A solution that would halt to spread or ideally eliminate covid 19 . But realistically , a strategy that would drastically reduce the spread would do the trick .
I would like for myself , my brothers 4 children and my parents not to be infected . For people to find new employment opportunities.
I am hoping for something good to come out of this but prepared fir the worst by taking precautions . Wearing a mask , avoiding public places when not necessary ( I am the point man for my household ), washing my hands more frequently , social distancing .
I am scheduled to have my belly button hernia fixed in a couple weeks that involves elective surgery, just had my consultation yesterday so the wait time in BC is minimal.
It is human nature to be lazy, so I guess that factors into a lot of people not wanting to go to the office and just stay home to “perform” work and goof off. Since our economy/dollar is based on productivity we may now have more problems on the horizon, the Marxists are probably rubbing their hands together in anticipation.
Hearing about masks is just about annoying as people talking about toilet paper back in March.
The corona is a smokescreen for the looting. 300k+ billion in new debt???? that’s the looting. More to come- Lots of 416 store fronts with apts above on College, Bloor, Danforth, Dundas etc. When Doug Ford and John Tory finish their job- which is obviously to bankrupt the businesses, the property owners can sell to condo developers for cheap. No more holdouts.
European press trying to be upbeat about the pandemic, which is good but some of it you just have to wonder.
Today from BBC:
“Downturn less severe than feared – Bank of England”
(The Bank expects the UK economy to shrink by 9.5% this year. While this would be the biggest annual decline in 100 years, it is not as steep as its initial estimate of a 14% contraction.)
“Sweden’s economy hit less hard by pandemic”
(…saw its economy shrink 8.6% in the April-to-June period from the previous three months. However, it was still the largest quarterly fall for at least 40 years.)
——————————–
Worst economic performances for at least 40 years (Sweden) and 100 years (UK) but “less severe” or “hit less hard”.
-You just have to love optimists.
#8 Brad on 08.06.20 at 10:24 am
Mr Brad you wear a mask so I dont have to. My Neighbor runs the post office. And the others scrammed for the excuse for a Covid holiday. Some of the most useless peeps I’ve ever seen. Soooo she comes over for wine yesterday. Big hug despite the 100s of peeps she deals with daily. Shes good and she is keeping our packages moving. Bless her soul. Shes fine.
Oh too boot her kids a emergency high level nurse in Victoria. The Hospital is empty. Hes never been so bored….. Take your fear and mask elsewhere Brad. I’m with TurnerNation. GOODBYE FREEDOMS FOOLS
How does it end? When that which seemed good and reasonable but contributed to the situation is ended, and that which good and reasonable people hissed at but may have had an underlying logic to it is returned. As Edward Luttwak has stated, the Spanish flu got rid of corsets and top hats. So it ends when we figure out what our version of corsets and top hats are/were.
It ends when we stop exporting jobs and importing labor so there are appropriate and reasonable controls on who and what enters the country.
It ends when we stop trying to fool ourselves about a certain large communist nation in order to save a few bucks on a box of Tide at [email protected]@rt.
It ends when we (governments, companies, individuals) live within our means so that we can be prepared for big unexpected problems instead of trying to predict them.
It ends when our bureaucracy shows experienced, practiced competence instead of CYA know-it-all conformity.
People will get used to it. They will see Sweden is not a disaster (Quebec has more deaths per capita). Social distancing will gradually go away as we see that nothing terrible is happening. Yes, more will get sick and some will die but it will be a small proportion of people. It will be with us forever, like the Spanish flu, but less deadly in the future. A vaccine will help but will never eradicate it.
If you need more evidence that Prison rules have been applied to us, into a reward/compliance based system…
In a prison lunchroom you see each gang/group confined to their own tables. Never would they mingle.
In my province:
– Groups must sit down and stay in their seats. No mingling is permitted. If you wish to stand up or use washroom you must comply with the rules and cover your face.
– Time is limited, much like prison visiting
– Size of group is limited, much like the number of prisons allowed into the exercise yard is to be limited.
– Temperature checks required at some places. Compliance and checkpoints are key. Control of movement is a biggie.
– Prisoners are shackled before moving; so too must you tie up your face.
– No singing is allowed; expressions of joy are expressly not permitted; cover up you smile. No joy in prison.
– Contact tracing: to ensure only your gang is allowed in. No outsiders.
– Standing on your mark a perscribed distance away. 100% an existing prison control tactic.
– Lines lines, like a cafeteria line up or morning inspection in prison.
– As in prison your only live entertainment is the telescreen.
– Travel/visiting requires strict permission from the warden (government).
– The State controls your body and medical care. You submit to their process. Yup same as now. You are infantized, in prison and now.
– Did I miss anything?
To keep us safe!! When nobody is actually sick…but for your head.
Everything going forward will be compliance based
Almost forgot: how does this end?
Like every other pandemic in history: it peters out. This, despite anything we think we’re doing to hasten it along. Silly humans.
We do have miraculous immune systems after all. Well, mine works, anyway.
But how it ends isn’t an important question. The important question is what changes will stick around after the virus departs?
Luckily we have the vote, for now. We may be able to undo some of the damage (I know, right, freedom and parliamentary democracy, such quaint nineteenth century notions to lo so many CDN Marxists/Maoists!).
Unluckily, a lot of frightened uninformed maskholes vote too…using the tools of the democracy they despise to hang us with. Sad.
I’m in Whistler. No fear from the vast majority and most are very happy to see the tourists return. No social distancing or masks being used in big numbers either. My hubby is still working in another continent where they still see the economic value of oil. No fear here of a virus, but personally I wonder what kind of country we will be leaving for our kids. Also considering an exit strategy as I will not pay through the nose in taxes for other people’s fears while they sit home on their asses while my hubby is working more than ever.
It will end when there is some form of treatment, whether a vaccine or not. Either that or we actually learn about the virus and what we are dealing with.
This is temporary. The fear has already subsided. Everyone is out and about. We just don’t want a relapse because the fear will then increase.
This is why people are wearing masks. Not because they are afraid of their shadow. Sheesh.
MF
#111 Trojan House on 08.06.20 at 2:24 pm
+1 TH
DUM DUM DUM peeps.
Thank god I spent the last decade making money (ALOT) We just chill now on our sweet property. Give it a year the tent cities will go nuclear.
Ends for my family and I when we are vaccinated. My wife is immuno-compromised and I’m not taking the chance of losing her and becoming a single father of a preschooler.
I’m perfectly happy to keep my distance for another 2-3 years. My company (a large multi-national EPCM) just consolidated office space. I cleared out my office today and I’m officially working from home going forward.
Social Trust
It ends the way the Spanish Flu and the Great European plagues ended. Return to Social Trust and in the belief that your family or your neighbour or your fellow citizen won’t consciously or un- consciously infect you and kill you.
How long this takes is the real question.
#116 Overheardyou on 08.06.20 at 2:39 pm
For me, it ends when people stop judging each other for wearing/not wearing a mask. There is no common ground anymore.
In my condo building, half the people wear masks and the rest don’t. There is no enforcement of the law, leading to very awkward stares in the public area for both sides.
……………………………………………………………….
And that is why I refuse to go into apartment buildings and CONDOS.
Been there done that! High density kills more effective when stupid people DON’T WEAR MASKS!
My wife is a nurse and every time she sees a Karen or a Ken on TV spurting off about their rights and blah, blah blah she cringes and says those people are dumb as a pot.
How it ends?
GOLD & Silver and some form of BITCOIN become main currencies.
As Ray Dalio states ” Cash is Trash”.
For me and most people I deal with daily in Whitehorse, barely anything has changed and life goes on. The biggest impact has been the closure of the Alaska border. I woud travel anywhere in the world right now. At most I would wear a mask in public places. The fear seems insane, and the stats are starting to show so much more death occurring due to the shutdown rather than the virus. Suicides and overdoses are double last year in the Yukon, and we have had roughly a dozen infections, no deaths. This ends when people get a grip on reality.
I think it ultimately ends in complacency, a long time from now. Se will eventually get used to any risk, no matter how ominous. That’s why people still live in earthquake zones & below active volcanoes.
It ends when the Government can no longer print money and needs to balance budgets. (I can’t say when that will be.) When the free money spout is shut off, Canadians will re-learn the importance of a strong economy.
Until then, we remain afraid of our shadows, sacrificing deaths of despair of 30-somethings to save a few Octogenarians.
I understand that the occasional dose of inflammatory/not PC language is part of what sells the clicks on this blog however I would suggest that the reaction you got yesterday was pretty predictable and not a good look on our head blog dog.
By labeling mask wearing with an emotion (particularly a negative one) you’ve tried to shame those who are wearing masks by suggesting they are being driven by emotions rather than logic. Something that in the context of the investments and real-estate discussed most typically on this blog is a big no-no.
You could have framed this as the obvious risk mitigation exercise it is, albeit one with a significant focus on externalities (which doesn’t come up too often in the me-focused topics typical of this blog), but where is the fun in that I’m sure you were thinking as your drafted today’s double-down response.
If you want to talk about fear, its not masks that are the cause of fear in people’s everyday lives. Its the terrible judgment and inability to ingest and observe basic behaviours of those around them. We become desensitized to this ineptitude in the course of daily lives but it’s s been brought front and center in times like these.
Watching your neighbors get up to their eyeballs in mortage debt is one thing. Watching them struggle to wear a mask correctly when lives depend on it is another.
What is the end for me…. Nothing…. My daughter is off to Queens – sadly it will be online but she is sharing a house with some girls so she will have some sort of 1st year University life. My son is going back to school. I go out. One thing I am happy about we sold our house in January and were close to buying land to build – the deal fell through and I suspect we dodged a bullet. We are now renting a great house and happy as clams.
Garth, how this ends is a resurgence in connectedness. After the Spanish Flu, we had the roaring 20’s. Nothing happening right now will change the fundamental need for human connection. Work will change, maybe more remote, but in many ways it is more connected. I don’t need to hug my co-workers (forbidden by company policy anyways…) to be able to be connected. Maybe how this ends is people realize wearing a mask is not an existential crisis, and helps to resolve the issue at hand.
The ridiculous part is medical logic. Everyone thought homeless populations would be very vulnerable. Turns out, nope. They have wicked immune systems because they are EXPOSED to everything all the time. All of this hand washing and masks and everything runs completely counter to what basic immunology would indicate.
Populations where chloroquine is readily available (think LATAM and Africa) are seeing extremely low death rates. Those drugs have been restricted or prohibited in the Western world for a while now. Not sure why, since they have been safe and effective for years. I think people are smart enough to know when the market is being manipulated into getting everyone in line for a vaccine or expensive meds instead of malarial meds that work for a fraction of the price.
Jaded, but much of the control around all of this appears to be grand scale business development for a small segment of the population’s enrichment.
Good question, Garth.
For me, it’s two steps forward and one step back. Yesterday, a Mexican friend of many years, died at home in his daughter’s arms. He was a fit fifties guy and like most Mexicans put work and family first and trusted to God to take care of the rest. He left work Saturday with fever and breathing issues and was dead by Wednesday. For you sun-dogs, this was just a block off Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta.
In Canada, my friend would have been rushed into an ICU under universal health care. There is a reason we cheered the front-line workers. They faced fear. Fear is normal. But yes, like everything human, can be exploited. That’s part of the old normal.
Personally, like many of the blog-dogs, I have been lucky – so far. But unlike some commenters, I am adaptable and do not fear change. I am doing what I can to speak up and put my money where my mouth is and to make that a change for the better. If you really give a sh*t about anyone else, the planet, yeah – wear your mask, but seize 2020 as your opportunity to make this a better place.
Covid is just another tap on the shoulder that we only have so much time here.
Ya, there’s a 2nd wave alright in Canada but not what you’d expect.
This in my email in basket this AM from Leger the pollster:
https://i.imgur.com/T9HSJwk.jpg
A 2nd wave of fear. I don’t get it? Canada’s new cases are not up by that much. Maybe it’s what they see and read in the news coming out of the US affecting them?
That was a surprise to me I have to admit.
—————————-
And StatCan today (as MOM) about Cdn. Mental Health 2015 vs. 2019 (by gender, orientation, race, age, you name it…they have a number for it), “Perceived mental health has been declining”:
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/200806/t001a-eng.htm
That I don’t get either. Pre COVID-19 economy doing well. Maybe Trudeau stressed Cdns out with all his Social Justice Warrior list of bad things Cdns have done, need to cry over and to feel guilty about…and Canadians believed his BS?
Reads like it to me.
—————————-
I don’t think I want to see the Mental Health report for 2020, nope, pass on that if the Leger 2nd Wave of Fear poll results is any indication.
Hi Garth,
The new goal is NOT virus eradication. It is to prevent a second wave while opening up the economy. Hence, social distancing, mask wearing, limited group gatherings, etc.
Honestly Garth, I think too many people are making these types of precautions a mountain out of a mole hill. Masks aren’t very comfortable. I get it. But its temporary (maybe temporary = 1 year). Like you said, pandemics will come and go.
So the goal now is control… and control can only be had when the numbers are low. You can’t contact trace when you have 1000 new cases a day for example.
This ends when we break society into 2 groups, the mask wearers and non-mask wearers. I would prefer the non-mask group and function like we once did.
This virus isn’t going away anytime soon.
i was planning on moving back to UK in April .. . i love it there now much more than here in BC …
i have so many reasons as a retiree . financial , travel , family etc ..
so for me this ends when i buy that one way ticket ..
For me this ends with me getting the virus and hopefully along with it some immunity, though I believe the jury is still out on whether antibodies sustain immunity after infection. If not, I’ll carry on. I do not fear contracting this virus. I am in robust health, no impairment of my immune system here. I will wear a mask if it means the economy will stay open. Hell, if it guaranteed the economy staying open, you could probably get me to wear a dress.
#125 TurnerNation on 08.06.20 at 2:58 pm
Were toast to many idiots bought it and love T2… the dumbest crooked leader anywhere ..while in the G7 for sure. Now we are going to help Beirut? Can’t ever frinken help ourselves. Their blast is not our problem….Sorry it happened…poop happens daily. Like Garth said LIVE WITH IT
It ends when everyone realises they have been brainwashed for purely political purposes.
It ends when our politicians apply critical thinking and sound decision making rather than social justice posturing and decisions based on selfie opportunities.
It ends when our mainstream media presents balanced, truthful and informative news, rather than one-sided, fear based click bait.
Until people wake up and see that their fears are being used to manipulate them by everyone who wants to ultimately get money from them in some way, there will not be an end.
This ends relatively well for my family. I work remote and live on an acreage so this solidifies my job security, and likely makes rural real estate more appealing.
Next few years will be tough, and compensation is down, but I think we come out of it stronger.
And FWIW I don’t see a lot of scared people where I live. Restaurants fully booked, very few masks in our city of 200K. Life feels somewhat normal.
I apologize for continuing posting this long saga
Just wanted to show hoe confusing this is for me.
Today I received my Dividend? or Interest?. here is a direct cut and paste from my cash account As you can see it clearly states Interest.
I wrote BMO Investor line asking to clarify dividend and interest of these three ETFs
Most confusing.
Aug 05, 2020 Interest BMO EQUAL WEIGHT BKS INDX ETF ZEB
Aug 05, 2020 Interest BMO COVERED CALL CDN BKS ETF U ZWB
Aug 05, 2020 Interest BMO CDN HIGH DIVIDEND COVERED ZWC
Cheers
How does it end for me? Wear the mask, respect the law, keep head down and continue working, keep saving/investing, paying off my mortgage (that i can afford), to prepare for the inevitable – return to some version of normal.
Apologies Garth…i didn’t read the blog before commenting this morning.
Their is a good chance i and my kids already went through the sickness. i took note when my wife stayed in bed for a couple of days. (have kids…no time to lay in bed…plus they were all sick at the same time.
My most valuables ‘possessions’ are my two children and my family and friends. I am cautious for them. If i need to don a mask to make others less fearful so be it. My life has not really changed all that much…yet. I keep my mind open and i explain my actions to my kids.
My kids know who you are and why i read the blog. A man of reason and compassion.
My Vancouver Housing Charts are published with July data: http://www.chpc.biz/vancouver-housing.html
Since the beginning of the year, listings are up 40% and sales are up 99% !
The Spousal Unit and I have been working from home for the last +/- 25 years. Eventually we will get vaccinated for Covid 19 as we do for the flu every year. We are already practicing daily exercise and healthy food consumption and we wear masks and face shields if near others.
Spending more time at home has not been a hardship and post the Covid 19 vaccination sometime in 2021 (possibly) we will probably travel much less outside our geographic bubble and most likely we will avoid large indoor groups and we will continue to wear masks in certain situations.
This will not be the last global pandemic in a world of crowding people, transnational travel, industrial animal slaughter, shrinking potable water supplies and wholesale environmental destruction and species decline.
If you have not seen it, here is my table of historical pandemics since 165 CE: http://www.chpc.biz/history-readings/pandemic-update9474494
It does not end well as our society has changed forever. As the dark side desires is simply to succumb to your fears so that the new world order will have complete control. All your wealth, possessions and hope will be for not as it will be in the control of powers that are a comin’.
This ends with a ruined economy that cannot support health care, pensions and Cerb.
How does this end for me?
Assuming we’re “in the middle”, with increased fear of being in public places, I can’t even guess what the next fearful stages might be.
But H and I will never set foot on another airplane. Thankfully we saw most of this fine world in our younger days.
I worry that we will hunker down at home even more, schools closed?, untrained parents homeschooling? Children are missing so much social learning. Will that become a “court defense” in 20 years (“oh, he was a child of the COVID pandemic, forgive him”).
There are so many small commercial properties For Sale, For Lease, For Rent. Will Mom & Pop stores ever reopen? They provided the “fabric” of our small towns.
And what of our dignity and respect for others?
For me “it”was never an issue-have been following public health advice (no masks required yet in BC, except on public transit, hair apts, etc and I comply there). I do not jump out of the way, do not have panicked eyes,m am not on social media anyways but do not join in social lynch mobs in any way. Yes, I will get a vaccine when avail (I get a flu shot every year, makes sense, lowers the risk); that said, any vaccine is best given by reasonable persuasion not making it law. Cannot wait to fly again, I would now if I didn’t have to quarantine both ways o int trips. I still shop in person, follow the arrows, and try to support local business. I am, however, shocked at the level of reactivity and anxiety and tribalism of the average person–the line separating us humans from animals is nonexistant at times. Let kids go back to school in the fall. Don’t agree? Don’t send your kids. Masks mandatory at home? For get it, how are you going to enforce that, every neighbor a KGB spy? Let’s be reasonable, understanding, and not on a high horse. There are not that many antivaxxers, but if a vaccine works let them then be excluded from flights, schools, etc
How does this end for me ?? Meeting friends and family without mask / fear or confined at home post covid if there is a third world war between China & US allies . Sorry if that sounds bit extreme ..The world is now facing an economic disaster and wars are the best way to generate demand for economic boom ( or to continue with the unquestioned legislative emergency power which our politicians have started to enjoy )
One of the best columns I read in months.
For me I will continue to operate as close to normal as possible. I will wear my mask, go out in public, travel, as long as I do not have to quarantine when I come back. Booked in NYC late September, and will go if numbers are low there.
Financially it has worked out. Just retired last fall, and put large amount in market then to collect dividends. Followed the 60/40 rule, and when crash came, I put the 40% to work. Have rebalance now, and increased my yearly income by $12,000 a year due to been able to buy better stocks during crash.
I come from the private sector and have operated 3 companies through the years. In this if you show fear, you will not operate successfully. I will treat covid as this. Use your head, wear your mask, and live your life. I am sure it sucks for people who are afraid of it. I do understand that mindset though.
Hopefully in EI followed by retirement in the best case scenario. Worst case dying on a ventilator in hospital.
If only 2% of the population has been exposed, no wear near heard immunity and a lot more possible carriers.
I wear the Mask and gloves when I leave the apartment, and I am of the mind that this won’t be over for a long time.
So much information floating around – I just go with what my Doctor has said and she is doing appointments on line.
That sort of sums it up.
This is an economic disaster – and it
This is a Fourth Turning, a great reset. It will not end for at least another ten years. The transition period between now and what evolves on the other end is going to be incredibly painful for the vast majority, many of whom will not survive, making the Great Depression look peachy. There will be no vaccine for this man-made virus. It was engineered to make a vaccine next to impossible. But the elites and Big Pharma will pull out all the stops to keep this fantasy going, raking in billions as they convince the masses that they have this in the bag – all the better for them if they convince us we need to be vaccinated annually, like the flu. And don’t forget what Bill Gates et al have as an added bonus for those dumb enough to get a vaccine.
Meanwhile, while countless businesses and people are going/will go bankrupt, and said elites will scoop up all they can on the cheap – businesses, commercial and personal real estate and whatever other assets the minions will cough up when they go under, further consolidating their holding and power. The will do this will all the $ the nice Central Banks are printing for them while screwing main street into oblivion.
MMT will continue until the big wigs at the IMF and World bank are ready to roll out their digital SDR, removing the USD as reserve currency, and using the Ripple/XRP platform. This will replace the SWIFT payments system which is already on the way out, with Russia and China leading the charge against this American hedgemonic system.
On the micro scale, life as we have known it is over. There is no going back to the old way which was built entirely on debt. Thus far there have not been any real consequences to the covid crisis due all the freebies and deferrals being doled out. Many were in trouble before this hit. It is far worse now. Many are still treading water but there are going to be massive commercial and personal bankruptcies. The next few years will not be pretty. And most have no clue what is coming at us, and will not be prepared, financially, mentally, or emotionally for the challenges that will be encountered.
If you think there is a run on gardening stuff and things for resilience now now, just wait… now there is an investment opportunity!
How does this end for me? It doesn’t. The mask is the new seatbelt. Get cozy with it. COVID-19 may ebb and flow, but it’s with us now as much as the regular seasonal flu.
Be careful of using “Karen” Garth. I’ve observed a few times over the past month where some people are triggered by it’s usage and reference. They might want to talk to the Manager (what a viscous circle that would be).
Estimated 1 in 4 of people in India has had covid-19 based on antibody testing. All doing fine and still alive and kicking.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53485039
Keep being afraid people, I’m sure it’s helping matters.
Maybe T.S. Eliot was right
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper through a mask
It’ll be over when… the Fat Lady sings ?
– masks are no longer a fashion accessory & a mandatory thing,
– the Canadian-US border opens 100% for regular passengers,
– efficient meds can mitigate sickness in infected people,
– TurnerNation emerges from his BLS-4 bunker
MA is bang on. Gates has an ugly history…But he’s still on top.
To many naive peeps. Thank god I had the sense to buy commercial RE that supports essential service biz and not strip malls.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/rule-of-law/belgium-files-suite-against-gates-neil-ferguson/
If you’re scared of Covid (or in a higher risk group), if a vaccine comes, get it. If the vaccine works, who gives a crap about “herd immunity” – you should be safe. Go on and live YOUR life (but don’t stick your nose into the lives of others).
For those who don’t want the vaccine – that would be their choice.
What am I missing??? Seems simple to me…
Told you a few days ago I was directly exposed, tested negative, and now remain symptom-free. Turns out that I was the only one of my crew who was spared; all others became positive, sometimes after a second test. Most are free of symptoms, a few have mild fever, sore throat, significant fatigue, etc. Tough to argue that mask-wearing was effective, although I still think a lower viral dose is better than a full one! No personal concern with mask-wearing, but I definitely move away from heavy-breathers and load-talkers…
A vaccine is likely to be only a partial/temporary solution to a mutating threat. However, we should soon get proven treatments and expected outcomes. For me, this ends when we achieve steady-state: clear, permanent and reasonable procedures that reduce infection risk to acceptable levels. This includes better education and social practices. Other elements: end of CERB or similar redistribution of wealth, stable markets despite stopping Fed-stimulus, zombie businesses disappearing, travel resuming (with stricter protocols). Basically remove the ongoing uncertainty!
Best post ever Mr. T.
It ends when the government and the media stop the fear mongering.
It ends when people realize life is about risk/reward.
It ends when people are mature enough to know we all DIE SOMEDAY.
If you are not living you are dying and who wants to live a life of fear.
Grow up anyone who is afraid..you are not that SPECIAL and will be forgotten within a few years of passing…you were given a 1 in a billion chance of life, embrace it.
My god, what a world of babies.
This ends in tears for many. It won’t end until the gov’t welfare is turned off.
It ends with a slow awakening that maybe we were manipulated through fear mongering by all forms of media, as well as our politicians.
Coerced into fearing our fellow humans.
People say they wear masks to protect me, not themselves. How thoughtful. How humanitarian. What a load of crap! Did you wear a mask last year when you had the flu, to protect me? Probably not. I don’t need protection from you or your viruses, so save it. The incessant virtue signalling is getting tiresome.
If I feel like I need to protect myself from you, I will take appropriate measures.
The most insane virtue signalling I see, and regularly, is people walking around the grocery store in their healthcare “scrubs”, with a mask on. So you either just came from work, so your uniform is contaminated, or you’re just on your way to work, contaminating your uniform. Very thoughtful of you, thanks for saving me with the mask.
Why stop at shutting down provincial borders? Let’s further terrorize the citizenry by shutting down municipal borders! Lunenburg & Halifax germs do not mix well. Of course, I am being sarcastic.
Garth, for me this ends when I’m finally able to sit in the Bellagio with my alcoholic slurpee!
A lot of Debbie Downers posting today. Are so many of you experiencing recency bias syndrome? You do realize that tomorrow, the sun will come out again, right?
How does today end on the markets? Not bad. My B&D portfolio is currently +3.95% YTD.
It’s ending a little bit more for me, every time I learn about more things that are known, or has been learned about what can help your body fight the virus.
I wear an N95 mask to go shopping, because I believe the virus is real and can do nasty things if it gets a chance to some. I believe an N95 mask might actually be able to filter some virus size partials. But I guess they are usually attached to bigger spatial/water partials anyway. Double sided cloth masks, how many people washes them or keep track of the side they last used before putting it back on? But if it helps to reduce the total amount of virus getting onto stuff in public spaces so others reduce change of being exposed, so be it. If you can still breathe with a mask on and not everyone can use a masks. Wearing a mask all the time has other possible health issue too. You can’t know if someone can wear a mask by just looking at them, Karan. Karen just wear your own mask keep way 2m or more, and get on with your own live. it will all work out in the end.
Maybe with people using masks and taking things like vitamin D3, the regular flu season with be better this year for many.
Death rates are lower than first predicted they could become thankfully, probably due to the hard and dangerous work that many people did and keep doing, like real Doctors working the front lines that have figured out treatments to help the very sick recover.
Like early treatment with HCQ+Zinc+Zpac and other stuff if you end up needing extra help to fight this virus.
EXCELLENT NEWS: Hydroxychloroquine Treatment Effective on 699 Patients
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFwjY0qe7ro&t=113s
I personally have added some Tonic Water and Zinc to my daily vitamins that include stuff like D3, C, turmeric…
For the how Tonic Water helps Zinc get into cells, and how the Zinc interfere with virus replication, slowing it down, giving your immune system more time to react and fight it off as it was designed to do naturally.
Coronavirus Epidemic Update 34: US Cases Surge, Chloroquine & Zinc Treatment Combo, Italy Lockdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7F1cnWup9M&t=750s
And just out today, about low cost home testing kits.
Cheap, At Home, Paper Antigen COVID-19 Tests: How to Fix Coronavirus Testing with Dr. Michael Mina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP-MHKU_cQE
Vaccines, There isn’t a SARS vaccine still, I understand the animal trials, (not sure they are even doing them for COVID19 for some reason??). The SARS vaccine trails the vaccinated animals compared to unvaccinated, the outcomes were worse for many (death) for the vaccinated when exposed to the SARS virus!
And some of the COVID19 vaccines that are being talked about are quite different than any other vaccine before, some are designed to rewrite your DNA to make stuff that looks like parts of the virus. I can see a number of possible immune system issue that could have bad outcomes.
If you ‘chose’ to get the vaccine because they tell us it works, then you’re protected right. So why try and infringe on others health chose? Denying access to work or education unless vaccinated is coercion and not informed consent. If peanuts or bee stings was thought to protect some from COVID19 would you still thing you’re entitled to force it on all others? Do you read package inserts first on all the drugs you chose to take and understand them, so you’re really the chose of informed consent. We are all a bit different.
But what do I know.
When the public is told “it’s safe and effective” why would I not automatically trust “them” now?
You might recall commensals with the ‘9 out of 10 Doctors prefer camel’s cigarette’ marketing line. The facts do not always match the marketing when you look deeper, even if 9 out of 10 ‘options’ agree. But it does seem to help generate repeat business for some industries. Never mind the negative effects on the individual human beings health.
Blind trust is not always in your best interest.
Might it end sometime after Nov 4th? Wishful thinking maybe?
All pandemics end eventually.
Your guess is better than mine.
I’m thankful the hospitals are not over run.
I’m thankful I haven’t heard of anyone I know that has even been sick. Lucky I guess.
I’m thankful Garth is still blogging for the betterment of throws that will listen.
I’m concerned about the effects it is having on many to make a living and take care of there families.
I always seem to have a better days when not stuck at home, on the web or in front of the TV corporate news.
To much of any good thing like Garth’s Blog isn’t always a good think either.
My days seems a lot better when out walking through the woods, or doing other things I enjoy.
Coronavirus Pandemic Update 56: What is “Forest Bathing” & Can It Boost Immunity Against Viruses?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgDjVEpEOdQ
Something that might explain the Karan/Ken and other things. Plato’s cave.
I certainly don’t have a clue as to what level of the cave I’m on, or how many levels there are. Maybe I’m still at the bottom level. How would I know, at lease I think I can turn my head to look around? But then if you’re in a real cave without a light “you can’t see anything” anyway! And if the cave is really big you can only see as much as your light will illuminate, which might just be a bit the floor around you, as the walls and ceiling are just too far ways to be illuminated with the light you happen to come with. There might even be a water fall close by that is fogging up the view.
Allegory of the Cave – Legion 2018 (one version of many you can find)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-WWoGOf8fY
Acceptance. Buddha’s Second Truth is that suffering is created by selfish craving and personal desire. In other words, wanting something to be different than what it is.
The thought of being around those nasty masks is a form of suffering (to me). Few are washing them after 2 hours of wear and I don’t want to think of where they could have been since the last wash (if ever). Also, many people now feel that they can come within spitting distance of me because they’re masked. This also creates suffering. Mainly because I enjoy personal space. And dislike spit.
I am fortunate to be able to work from home. This has enabled me to re-structure my life in order to reduce suffering. Meal kit delivery services, semi-annual Costco trips and home gym. I only need to go on indoor masked crusades for eggs. And vodka. The bonus is more time to spend doing what I love with loved ones.
How does this end for me? It mostly has.
I’m spending my time preparing for the new system. Why fight the inevitable? The only thing that I’m missing that is within my control is a way to contribute to my community in a meaningful way. We are meant to connect and I believe we will find a new way to do so. That’s where I’m focusing my energy.
I thank Yuval Harari, Salim Ismail and our revered Garth Turner for the clarity of mind. Love you Garth!
#8 Brad: “You did step in it, and I still think you were wrong.”
Garth is never wrong, just misunderstood. Isn’t that right Garth?
Here is today’s question. I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?
———————–
Life will go back to normal for me when the government or pharmaceutical companies can promise me I can interact with people and not end up like the people in the stories linked below or cause someone I care about to become like these people because I was asymptomatic and unknowingly spreading the virus to them.
What if someone goes out and unknowingly caused several people in the office/places of worship/recreational sport teams/volunteer organization to become sick like this? Employee morale would go down, employers wouldn’t be able to hire new staff, customers would stay away due to the stigma attached to the organization.
It’s going to be tough being a parent for the next several years. Cold and flu season won’t be the same.
Also we need more research into the long haulers of COVID19. Why is this happening and how do we stop it from occurring. It sounds like some people may become permanently disabled from COVID19 especially if there are more people waiting for a lung transplant than there are donors.
Everyone that has the means should stay home until more is known about the virus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fXjKOQ9Gjw&t=45s
(first segment- min 0:00 to 7:30)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOYS921UFZ0
Another year of masks and sanitizer. Curve goes up,
curve goes down, curve flattens. After a year just about back to normal. USA who knows.
Economically probably a period of pain for a few years. My business is doing ok because it’s mostly online sales but I know many, many business owners who are really hurting. I don’t know where these “experts” that claim it’s only low wage jobs that were lost are getting their data but it’s not what I see at all.
This housing market frenzy makes no sense whatsoever. Probably a few more months of irrational house buying and then a dip or the very least a long period of stagnant prices.
“for you, how does this end?”
never, Covid 19,20,21…………….
It doesn’t end….
We just do what humans have always done, adapt:
1) No ‘silver bullet’ vaccine is found, as C-19 becomes endemic, like the other six Corona viruses humans already deal with.
2) Business failures wipe away the weak or the vulnerable, creating opportunities for
those able to adjust quickly.
3) A U.B.I. subsidy of some form, is implemented to avoid social unrest.
4) Real world Inflation runs in the high single, to low double digits for the foreseeable future, but the systemic measurement format is again altered to claim only a ‘3% rate’ maximum, to the voting populace. Savers not invested are severely punished over time.
5) Globalism starts to decline as the manufacture of many critical supplies (Rx?) leads the charge home, showing the world repatriation, is not a four letter word.
6) The UN decides all countries will stop tracking national debts in the traditional sense. They instead shift to an allowable (but regulated) straight up $ creation plan, bypassing bond selling (and the paying of interest) altogether. The new world program is based on a agreed upon a % of a sovereign nations G.D.P. (25%?) Countries trying to join the first world economically are given more slack in money creation.
For me the Virus has not really changed my life too much. I did not get out very much pre-covid. Post covid I will just ride my road bike on the roads of Caledon or Erin, my mountain bike at some of the local Conservation Areas and my electric bike on the railtrail. I rarely come across anyone else so there is no reason to worry.
I have no desire to go into Turdonto. Instead I haunt the places where the Turdontonians would go here in Headwaters Country on the weekend but I go to these places on the week day. I retired last year. Everything is in boring GIC earning an average of 3%. I got no worries except for the Turdontonians who come out to God’s Country. Inflation…great…GIC will go up too.
How does this end?
With Trumpocalypse, at full speed in 90 days.
Global catastrophe.
Imagine Beirut explosions everywhere.
Hiroshima X 1000. (Special respect to all those victims today)
PREPARE
Ooops. I forgot to answer your question: “for you, how does this end?”
I don’t understand (see I told you). Do you mean when will I get tired of social distancing and stop regardless government directives? Or do you mean, when do I predict the government will end all COVID-19 restrictions? Or…?
Let’s face it, our political leaders and public health officials are guilty of massive over-reach, panic brokering and constantly “moving the covid goal posts”. The covid crisis will “magically” disappear on November 4 (following the US federal election) and our nation of gullible hypochondriacs will eventually realize how badly they’ve been manipulated.
This is silly… history repeats itself.
People wore masks in 1918… and society moved on and the Spanish Flu was soon forgotten. The same will happen here.
The problem is that people have the attention span of a goldfish and think everything should happen IMMEDIATELY are can’t see past their nose.
I wear a mask where I’m required to, out of respect for others, and I’m fine with it – it’s a few months in my long glorious life.
Trump slaps tariffs on Canadian raw aluminum
The Canadian Press, August 6, 2020
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canadian-press-newsalert-trump-slaps-201108880.html
“for you, how does this end?”
i don’t know. But i do feel a bit depressed. everyone runs off the sidewalk when they see each other.
i think the only thing keeping me happy these days is watching the S&P500 keep zooming higher.
This too shall end in ruin.
The pandemic ends the way every pandemic does.
It fades away from public consciousness over time as
everyone is exposed to it. This may be sooner than we think.
The fear? Garth is right about the fear. It has been weaponized by the media and politicians.
The fear ends when people realize they’ve been led down a garden path.
Maybe the fear turns to relief. Maybe the fear turns into fury. Maybe it never happens.
The economic system we have all lived under is already dead. It just doesn’t know it yet. 10+ years of deficit in 6 months. The debts cannot be paid, will not be paid.
They will be zeroed, one way or another.
You could tell back in late April this was going to happen.
When the surveys were showing the widespread fear, I wondered what happened.
Flattening the curve was mentioned for a couple of weeks but people did not understand nor did the government want to explain because essentially it meant some were going to get infected and it was expected and subsequently would die. Social media did not accept what flattening the curve really meant and that was the cause of why we are where we are today. Society is no longer accepting that death can and will occur. Lives are precious and no one wants to take responsibility for stats. It’s easier to spend the money because one is never called a bad thing for trying to save a life. However making a decision when some will suffer is never acceptable any more.
What would happen if we ever entered into a real war with an enemy that kills. How would social media deal with wars.
At some point lives become too precious. What exactly does that mean?
This says it all.
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/torontos-real-estate-market-smashes-july-sales-record-183232182.html
“I think the big 6 banks, Bank of Canada, and the federal government also instilled confidence in the consumers that they’re basically willing to prop up housing by any means necessary.”
You need no hyperinflation to have currency destruction. The only thing left in the Ponzi scheme is housing.
Shacks in GTA at 5-10 millions is sure bet.
I refuse to hold the shitty currency in any shape or form
Enjoy.
Cheers,
#182 Sara on 08.06.20 at 5:05 pm
Just listen to your leaders cause their way smarter than us…
You are being lied to DAILY. There’s a political war going on for control of planet earth. Its right in front of us. I just lost a best friend cause He thinks BLM is good…and many other silly views. Hes poor I’m the other…because he buys BS. Im so disappointed. He was calling me names cause I’m wealthy…there ya go that’s whats happening….everywhere. I decided being rich is a better gig than being broke and in debt. Now Im under attack cause hes ignorant?…MA correct Western world is collapsing…10 years we are toast. Its all the same stuff just packaged differntly. MOST dont see it.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/rule-of-law/belgium-files-suite-against-gates-neil-ferguson/
Hes correct
https://talkmarkets.com/content/commodities/we-are-all-speculators-now?post=271475
Hi #146 Bill,
I do not agree with your thoughts on the Beirut accident.
Many human beings need some first aid help now.
I’m thankful to be living in a Country that is able to help them out a bit.
I hope your local fire department doesn’t feel the same way as you, if you need to call them.
With the T2 ‘WE’ thing and the socks… you could have a point.
With everyone wearing permanent helmets chanting, *This is the way!” while self-flagellating . Because apparently everyone is a zealot now.
Or in an alternate, funnier future, wearing robes chanting, “bring out your dead!” while smacking themselves in the face with a book.
… as my stoic Norwegian/Viking relatives say, “We can’t wait for this pandemic to end so that we can do away with this two metres distancing, and get back to our regular five metres distancing.”
end for me:
used 35% of my investment portfolio to buy real estate borrow 50% of the property value at 2 %
and let me RRSP and TFSA grow at about $ 450/ month
additional $ 900/ fiscal quarter
Question for the Branch Covidians, if masks and distancing “allow us to re-open the economy” then why could masks and distancing not allow us to NOT shut down the economy in the first place?
You’ve been had. Enjoy your compliance rituals.
#191 G on 08.06.20 at 5:16 pm
Hello…You get your wallet out. Remember T2 “we cant help at this time” Vets, Retires getting their saving inflated to Zero. I had to have a private meeting with city hall because homeless peeps are attacking our properties in Courtenay. Everyone has issues accidents this ain’t even a natural disaster. It was irresponsible. Heck we helped China in their earthquake…really. The largest most industrious populated nation on earth. The CCP party are the richest people on earth period…But WE ARE #1….ya the most in debited country in the G7…
You get your cheque book out pls don’t include me…
We have drug crissis that is huge…
Ill take care of my own before I can help others. Kanada is broke.
The torture never stops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvTyL_Sbyn8
It would end pretty quick if the privileged would start losing their income at the speed that marginal groups are losing it. i.e. white collar jobs, and no ability to work from home. As majority of people seem to take a high moral ground (while having privilege to have income and not take on risks) and push the risk onto temporary foreign workers, front line workers, cashiers, etc. from comfort of their home.
However, there are too many variables to have any reasonable prediction. but my opinion is that vaccine will not be available in time to prevent economic carnage, the virus will run its course over 2 to three year period, I see that we will go through series of easing and tightening of restrictions through fall/winter, with a possibility of lock-downs 2.0, perhaps not the whole country, but big cities such as Toronto, and Vancouver.
In summer 2021 we might start seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and by 2022 the life might start getting to look normal again.
However, there are some major factors that can change the course in either direction, November elections in U.S. being one, some early indication that only ~20% of population exposure can create herd immunity as some of the people already have T-cells, hence many go with mild symptoms, and would economical hardship lead to social unrest and more violent protests across the globe, and creating another geopolitical crises of its own.
how it ends for me, I have some booked work (at reduced capacity) till end of the year, how it goes after that I am not sure. So I will either manage to chug along, or lose all my stream of income, with hope that when things reopen I can regain some of the lost ground. As far as virus goes, I feel that all of us will be exposed to it at some point, so try not to overthink it as data implies that majority go without major issues.
Back to the gold standard and Bitcoin standard
For anyone looking for scientific data certified medical masks (vs custom cotton ones) on prevention of viruses in general public (vs sterile medical environment) an online search will yield many results. I suggest either looking for actual independent objective science-based studies or science sourced (with studies cited) info and being aware funding sources (not always transparent/declared), quality of study etc. Seems expert opinions and outcomes aren’t definitive. Research and educate yourself from various (quality) sources. MDs admit medical professionals cant stay on top of all research. Take responsibility for your own health and choice what goes into your body. A few but many more:
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/are-face-masks-effective-reducing-coronavirus-spread.html
https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/science-and-psychology-behind-masking-prevent-spread-covid-19
From 2010:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/face-masks-to-prevent-transmission-of-influenza-virus-a-systematic-review/64D368496EBDE0AFCC6639CCC9D8BC05/core-reader?fbclid=IwAR2vEwdcNhO22eXmWlVhuuueib74A9VnXsmyL1OhhPOJzZRKd_uaDJnH2hA
I see more division and growing gap btw the socially responsible and the resisting. Both in part based on fear; first supporting and pushing for rules/control and say price is worth the cost, the second pushing back to defend future freedoms, liberties and autonomy. As in politics there’s no grey area or meeting in the middle or listening to the other…yet. Let’s we find a away or I don’t see it ending well for anyone. But I’m no expert.
Here is today’s question. I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?
COVID will go away eventually. People forget a pandemic of this scale – affecting most/all countries planet wide – is a first for everyone. Nobody was alive the last time a worldwide pandemic was present so there’s no point of reference. Of course there is fear, and of course the MSM capitalizes on it. They are not in the business of delivering news, they are in the business of profiting via advertising revenue.
The wearing of a mask is a common sense decision, not only are you protecting those around you when you cough/sneeze, you’re protecting the biggest intake on your body (mouth) from ingesting droplets if someone else coughs or sneezes. It’s not meant to provide 100% protection, it’s meant to lower the risk of transmission to you and for those around you. People who oppose wearing a mask in public are just prolonging this.
There will be a vaccine as soon as the medical industry figures out how to engineer the most profit from whatever solution is put forth.
I predict COVID will be here for another year or two and then slowly fade into history………..
What I learned from Covid…..Nearly every Government- controlled or Government-run service is NON-ESSENTIAL.
#47 Sail Away on 08.06.20 at 11:43 am
#39 Westcoaster on 08.06.20 at 11:27 am
…it’s an unspeakable travesty that some leaders have sacrificed lives, especially of those most vulnerable, on the altar of greed and self-interest.
The poster child for that happens to be south of our border…
————-
So many riddles today.
Mexico? El Salvador? Argentina?
Help me out here.
////////////
It’s sad when even the dogs won’t play with the kid who tied a steak around his neck.
Well, for sure we will have to pay for all this panic. I suspect handwashing will be here to stay, and maybe mask wearing on public transit and in crowded places.
Where do I hope it ends? With voters realizing that lower taxes are not the only important thing. We easily could have had some simple risk mitigation in place: surge hospitals, smaller classrooms, PPE stockpiles, sick leave for all, money spent making air travel safer, instead of making sure we don’t take bottled water on board. However much it would cost, it will not cost this much.
>Wuhan 400 keeps mutating and becomes less and less deadly — Dr. Luc Montagnier (paraphrased from various interviews). It might end up becoming a normal coronavirus (flu virus). I’d guess it’ll take a year or two. Red Pill Warning.
—
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MmqJmleaw8&feature=youtu.be
Nobel Prize Winning Scientist: Coronavirus was….
Apr 19, 2020
—
https://www.pourquoidocteur.fr/Articles/Question-d-actu/32184-EXCLUSIF-Pour-Pr-Montagnier-SARS-CoV-2-serait-virus-manipule-Chinois-l-ADN-de-VIH-podcast
EXCLUSIVE – For Professor Montagnier, SARS-CoV-2 is….
—
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2008/montagnier/facts/
Luc Montagnier
Facts
Luc Montagnier
© The Nobel Foundation. Photo: U. Montan
Luc Montagnier
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2008
Born: 18 August 1932, Chabris, France
Affiliation at the time of the award: World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention, Paris, France
Prize motivation: “for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus.”
Prize share: 1/4
#43 Lefty on 08.06.20 at 11:33 am
I think it ends with acceptance.
We accept a large risk to our health by getting into our cars every day. We accept a large risk to our health by smoking, drinking, over-eating, reading blogs, etc.
IMHO Covid will simply blur into the background of ‘risks we all accept’.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That’s the way it should have been from the start. But no, the powers-that-be won’t let people make that choice. People say “Oh, you can’t choose whether or not you want to be careful because it’s not just about you”; but what they don’t understand is that that kind of reasoning won’t just stop with masks. What’s to stop the future from being one where you can’t even go for a drive (or even a walk) without a ‘valid’ reason and a permit, because you might get hurt or you might be involved in an accident. They’re trying to condition people to no longer accept ANY risks at all and demand that others do the same. There can be NO freedom without the freedom to take risks.
99.8% of people survive…. 20% of people need to be hospitalized for 1-3 weeks, unable to see any loved ones, and a majority of those are emerging with some pretty serious long-term health issues.
Ill add to that “Sorry Garth your getting killed today”
We are the largest country in the world with a tiny population……Like 1.5 cities in China…Why the hell is T2 running around helping everyone around planet earth Paying for fake carbon….trying to buy a seat on the UN? STOP WAIST TAX DOLLARS T2
Is Beirut coming to your rescue if you back yard blows up…
No way in H E double hockey sticks….So just stop it Pls
T2 is a bloody clown and not even a good liar.
Thank god I figure out how not to pay income tax. I can live with 18% corp.
“It will be a long time before normal comes back, since we no longer trust each other. Masks seem a potent symbol of that mistrust.”
Don’t back track Garth, you hit it right first time, and you hit it right the second too. Masks are indeed a symbol of fear. And symbol of lack of trust.
Even if they are hardly effective, with most cotton masks offering N-02 level of protection (instead of N-95). And even if people touch them, and put them in their pockets, and on their wrists, and back on their face, and keep moving them up and down their nose because they suck with glasses, and even if people touch their faces more because of masks, and steam them with their breath up providing a better survival surface for any germs.
..masks are the duck and cover of nuclear warfare.
Darn in Kubrick – how you NAILED IT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1KvgtEnABY
2020 – the year we no longer exchange our precious bodily fluids.
Trust? I think our trust will be reflected in the birth rate in 2021.
I thought there would be a baby boom in 2020 with everyone locked up, no sports, nothing to do but pretzelize in our bedrooms.
Some said I got it all wrong. It was the divorce rate that would spike.
Seems they were right. I was wrong. We’ll see what the numbers say in the “2021 Baby Crash”
#187…”The economic system we have all lived under is already dead. It just doesn’t know it yet. 10+ years of deficit in 6 months. The debts cannot be paid, will not be paid.
They will be zeroed, one way or another.”
………………………………………………………………………………..When the nations debts become zeroed, this is when our sovereign nations will be no more and our creditors invade Canada and the U.S. and divide up our lands amongst themselves……..
Talk of Venezuela hyper-inflation and the like…? It’s coming here prior to invasion.
Talk of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the like…? That too will be the fate of North American large cities prior to the invasion.
As for the people of North America and their coming fate…? Forget it. None here want to know.
Be happy wearing your masks today. These are the good old days (will be).
@#190 Bill on 08.06.20 at 5:16 pm
#182 Sara on 08.06.20 at 5:05 pm
Just listen to your leaders cause their way smarter than us…
You are being lied to DAILY. There’s a political war going on for control of planet earth. Its right in front of us. I just lost a best friend cause He thinks BLM is good…and many other silly views. Hes poor I’m the other…because he buys BS. Im so disappointed. He was calling me names cause I’m wealthy
————-
he’s probably calling you names because you’re an ahole?
Re: “Six in ten will refuse to venture to the workplace if they deem it unsafe and almost 80% of Ontarians say they don’t want to use public transit to commute. This is a huge problem for employers.”
Depends on the employer. Could be a huge opportunity to save $$ on commercial real estate.
Regarding my last post…all within the next ten years…?
Garth this will end when it is politically expedient for it to end. No politician is going to stick their neck on the line for this if it meant losing their seat or power.
You will have noted in the press and in online media that the talk has switch dramatically this week to conclude that this crisis may last another 2-3 years. This has come completely out of leftfield in the last few days, why?
It’s possible that health authorities have now reviewed the first few studies from the current vaccine trials and they’re not promising. But hey, that’s not surprising to level headed folk, vaccines take many years to be developed.
Moderna’s vaccine caused serious side effects in over 80% of those injected with a second dose. The Oxford group had to administer pain killers for 24hrs after the injection of their vaccine.
In a side note, Moderna’s Chief Medical Officer, Tal Zaks, cashed out the majority of his options, accelerating the sale of his stock at the start of this month. That is highly odd in the pharma business when the norm is to purchase more stock before a product launch. More worryingly is that as CMO, Zaks comes from the the medical/scientific side of the business, he is clinician, not a businessman. This does not instill confidence in Moderna’s vaccine.
This will end once we realize dealing with various new virus outbreaks is the new normal.
The probability of developing a magic bullet (vaccine) is likely a pipe dream,as every mutation would render any vaccine ineffective,or useless.
We shall have to develop herd immunity and accept that some shall not pass as is the case with the common flu.
Put resources in place to protect our elders and other at risk parties,and get back to normal as soon as possible.
DELETED
It ends like it began, slowly, months from now, people gradually realizing that this virus has been mostly tackled by a year+ of drastic measures, social-distancing, mask-wearing, fear-induced obediance –which sadly is the only way to go. And then, the covidiots just go back to being idiots…
For Lucinda Williams’ fans (I think Garth is one). Saw this thru Rich Roll whose BIL is guitarist. Good bluesy music for today’s world? I don’t drink but prob goes well with a beer.
https://youtu.be/w8e9sy02AS0
It ends with more and more people giving up on anxiety because the cost is too high. They move on and accept that some people will get sick and some will die. People in poorer health will take more precautions, others will not. And the world will not look the same as before, but neither will it look the same as now.
It ends when your extended family reunion photo shows everyone wearing a mask.
When going mask-less fells odd.
When you forget to take your mask off.
That’s the new normal.
Which sucks.
If it’s not Covid, it will be “what if ?”
Likely going to need a bar code on your mask for surveillance cameras.
To put things in perspective, people should read “The Splendid and the Vile” by Erik Larson. Great historical novel that covers Winston Churchill’s war efforts, his family and England during the blitz.
It is truly amazing to me the way that Londoners (and Churchill himself) handled the blitz. Coming out every morning to find entire neighborhoods flattened, dead and injured littering the streets, yet Londoners (and others in England) remained resolute and relatively positive. Some even used to watch the aerial dogfights and German bombers flying over while they were in the parks having picnics.
Hate to see how the snowflakes of today (including the recent crop of weak-kneed politicians) would handle a real crisis like this. Probably run around waving a white flag (while practicing German) with their hair on fire, looking for the deepest hole to crawl into.
What a difference a couple generations makes. To think this is the Canada that stormed Vimy – where have all our [email protected] gone?
#195 TurnerNation on 08.06.20 at 5:33 pm
LOL Love your stuff…
____________________
Listen again peeps link below…..or maybe when we are all broke you may listen…Not me double the cost of living tomorrow and it would not phase me.
GREAT job Ross….out of the park.
https://www.howestreet.com/2020/08/lockdown-pandemic-real-estate-home-sales-ross-kay/
Awesome portfolio up 165% in 5months…PMs not done YET.
Garth hates them but one should have had 5% allocation…
I threw the farm at it Late Feb but its too late to case them.
Garth I just look at peeps and do the opposite…You get rich. FACT
I always wish the best for all my COMRADES…But they are poor listeners they would rather watch bubble TV like Home and Garden
1. When Trump is in jail. 2. When Ms. Freeland is Canada’s PM.
3. When my spousal unit and I are vaccinated.
It surprises me how easily people can be scared. Well, fear and greed, divide and conquer. I hope we will get back to where we were soon because I notice that humans cannot be in a state of fear for long. Everything shall pass.
It ends when we have effective therapeutics.
It ends if and when we have effective vaccines.
It ends when we can safely open our borders to our neighbours.
It ends when we can go about our normal lives without a Covid update pushed on us through media every 15 min.
In the first month of corona virus Canada wanted to flatten the curve; keep the medical facilities open and available and get a grip on managing our response. Now with each passing month the governments and the Public Health Authorities have taken the cue from Canadians and piled on more and more and more restrictions and by-laws on citizens and businesses. The Police State seems to have crept in and settled in without any notice. We get all bent out of shape on CBC about the atrocities overseas but in Canada day after day removing people’s ability to work; to play; to travel; to live; to go to school are all more and more diminished. Canada makes Donald Trump look like Martin Luther King as Mr. Trump encourages opening schools and businesses while in Canada closing everything down is uber popular.
Obviously, we won’t find a consensus on the pros and cons of wearing masks.
Another positive development that has shown to be very helpful in combatting the virus, is contact tracing.
BC has a comprehensive contract tracing program in place, which is credited with keeping infections and hospitalizations in check.
Contact tracing is not very wide spread in the US, and that’s why they have such a mess.
I think the richest country on the planet should be a leader in the fight against the virus.
Excellent blog today Garth; I don it too! We are all confused and scared; if wearing a stupid mask helps save one life then I will continue to do so. Yes, I am invested, sure, taking profits, keeping cash for whatever is ahead in this crazy society.
It ends with WHO taking complete control over every single online information about the virus automatically deleting everyone that tries to challenge it and way too many people continue to wear surgical masks that do not provide adequate level of protection (wire fence does not stop bugs but the net does), even if worn as a single use mask and according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Garth, I hope you wear N95/3M mask at least, we need your blogs
#62 Phylis on 08.06.20 at 12:20 pm I want to simplify my answer. Once we have 1 solid week of covid free comments then we can declare the end.
#184 yorkville renter on 08.06.20 at 5:08 pm pontificates:
“I wear a mask where I’m required to, out of respect for others, and I’m fine with it – it’s a few months in my long glorious life.”
———————————————————————–
Have you had a positive covid test within the last 14 days? Any symptoms at all? I highly suspect that the answer to both questions above is “no”.
You can’t transmit the virus if you don’t have it. Just like more than 99.5% of all Canadians.
This will never end. It will become like the flu. One year the vaccine will work, the other will not. Some treatment will be developed.
People will get used to it. They will all get to work when they will finally stop receiving money from the government.
I’m retired and glad to have more freedom to be in chosen social bubbles. I wear a mask every time I go out in public and am washing my hands more frequently.
I have empathy for parents working from home with kids in a small space. People who have lost their jobs in 48 hours and wonder how they will sustain basic life needs.
The future wonders:
-opening our borders when there is a safe plan in place. In other countries they don’t see a need to social distance or wear a mask. Here we work together to not only keep ourselves safe but others as well.
-how will we ever pay these billions/trillions back?
-how will future generations work through this massive debt?
– what happens in the fall and winter when the flu rolls around?
Be calm, be kind and be safe.
Be grateful for being Canadian
Now for a glass of wine….It’s happy hour! :)
I truly don’t know how this will end. I hope sometime in 2021 we will be back to some sort of normalcy. School reopening here in Ontario is going to be a gong show. So many kids already were not getting the support they needed to be successful at school, and now try to enforce that they wear masks and keep them from playing too close to their friends. Sad.
” The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.”
H.L. Mencken.
” Never let a good crisis go to waste.”
Winston Churchill
How does this end ?
Not well for the independent, coherent and productive members of democratic western societies.
For all the others, not so good after a while either.
“I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?”
+++++
Just like life began…….. in a hot gaseous cloud……..
For me it ends with retirement in Italy!!!!!
Wearing a mask is quite freeing in that we can go about our business and actually interact with people.
I worry the end will come once we’ve all gotten the virus and some of us have lived, and some of us haven’t. Maybe this is why I’m on antidepressants for the first time in my life?@
It ends when it is eradicated or with an effective vaccine.
Look – even though it seems under control in Canada that can quickly change. Do you remember that shampoo commercial? And then then she told two friends and then she told two friends… It doesn’t take much for it to spread.
With 200 comments already it’s probably too late to answer today’s question “for you, how does this end”?
I’m with Trump, it will just go away. However I differ with him on the timeline. Cases are going to go up, way up, in the fall and on toward winter, especially if they open the schools. But the death rate compared to infections will continue to fall. Then eventually herd immunity will arrive and it will be just another flu. Nobody frets about the Spanish flu anymore, but it was a big deal at the time and took 2 years or more to run its course. That will be approximately the case here too, I think.
Unless, of course, it kills us all. That would be a worst case scenario. But also unprecedented.
And let’s face it life isn’t that bad. The kids are doing their online schooling which was probably coming anyway, the workers are working online which was probably coming anyway, the repair man is still fixing fridges, the Costco shoppers are still shopping, the arborists are still, well, arboring, the dental hygienists are cleaning teeth again, the bloggers are still blogging, the robbers are still robbing, and the garbage guy still comes by to collect the garbage once a week. Sure everyone is wearing a mask but you get used to it. No big deal really.
In a way this could turn out to have been a good practice run for when something really bad happens. Now people know what to do. Keep that pantry stocked and have PPE and first aid kits on hand. Save some money if you can. There is no excuse not to be prepared anymore.
But I do think the government should get out of the business of mandating everything. People and businesses can make their own decisions about what risks they are willing to take. The government is always a day late and a dollar short anyway. The schools were near empty before the government closed them, masks were appearing long before they were mandated, and Costco went to social distancing before they were told they had too. Practically every mandate the government came up with they did so after most people were doing it anyway. The only exception I would perhaps make is in border control, because that is a proper jurisdiction for the government. And, as always, whenever the government gets involved the imposed solution is much worse than the original problem.
This thing will run its course like every other pandemic before it. It will turn out to be one for the history books, but hey sometimes that happens.
Well, being retired and with a healthy portfolio in the hands of a good team, the whole lockdown has been a royal pain in the South Hole. Just before the pandemic hit, I came back from a month in Berlin (fabulous city – really worth a visit although curry wurst is perhaps the single most disappointing thing I have ever tried) and had planned to go visit Japan again this Fall. Not going to happen for awhile is my guess. Not being able to travel is not fun.
For me, it all ends and travel resumes when there is a vaccine. Until that time, I continue to do what is required of me, which is to use a mask, keep a safe distance, and generally treat people with compassion and respect. You don’t want to wear a mask? Fine, I drink to your health. I don’t want to end up being in one of those tussles you see these days where Karen and Ken end up taking shots at a postal clerk who then fires back with an AK-47 tucked away in a mail sack. The police arrive but are driven back by rocket launcher-wielding grannies for peace.
On the more pleasant and practical side of things, I had tried out Business Class on Lufthansa on my return trip and I feel that this will be how I fly in the future. I get lots of room, better grub, and the chances are very good that I get to enjoy a cheese plate for desert with some nice brandy (cheese makes everything better). I am 65, fairly healthy, but I have a few concerns and since I can’t take it with me, I am going to cut loose the purse strings (more cheese, more brandy).
It’s over for me when I can go to the states again to windsurf at the Columbia River Gorge. This is the first summer that I have not holidayed there in over 20 years…
#191 G on 08.06.20 at 5:16 pm
No disrespect.
But The fire chief lives behind my lot. Makes $180k yr and we have 5 fires a year in this town. Hes a friend of mine and crap load of my tax money pays for his and others easy life. Its on ongoi g joke and I aint bitter.. Mine wasn’t easy like his oh well. Ill say it again WE owe Beirut nothing. Very sorry for their loss…awefull.
With your views this country will be run into the ground.
800 dead in BC from OD 200 from covid…its all about the math.
#203 Penny Henny on 08.06.20 at 6:02 pm
#47 Sail Away on 08.06.20 at 11:43 am
#39 Westcoaster on 08.06.20 at 11:27 am
…it’s an unspeakable travesty that some leaders have sacrificed lives, especially of those most vulnerable, on the altar of greed and self-interest.
The poster child for that happens to be south of our border…
————-
So many riddles today.
Mexico? El Salvador? Argentina?
Help me out here.
————-
It’s sad when even the dogs won’t play with the kid who tied a steak around his neck.
————-
Everybody is so SERIOUS today. As if their thoughts amount to a hill of beans.
Getting all existential, self-important and prognosticatory.
…yawn…
Time to let the dogs take me up the mountain.
Ends in death, regardless.
@#88 Dutch4505
“Instead he should be mad at the Canadian Agricultural sector for allowing Americans become the food supplier for Canadians.”
%%%%%%%
Nah,
He’s mad at you because you’re Dutch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcUs5X9glCc
While I didn’t have to endure all the comments yesterday thank dog. I was proud of you for standing your ground Garth
We were out shopping yesterday for some stuff needed for our camping trip and what a stupid experience. No new active cases on Van Isl and people are acting like everyone has the plague. The mere thought of COVID has soften most peoples brains. I know most people had a hard time thinking for themselves before the pandemic, but now it seems any hope for that is lost
It saddens me what personal freedoms people are willing to give up without having a closer look at the actual numbers. I have done and continue to do my part to stop the spread, but this insanity amongst the general public needs to stop. To bad our wanna be dictator, crocodile tearing leader prefers us this way
@#97 Dr. Phil
“Stay calm! Be brave! Wait for the signs!”.
++++
That cant be Dr. Bonnie Henry.
She never raises her voice.
Its something about her monotone speech patterns that have hypnotized 90% of the BC population into Stepford Wives with masks on.
( and a one and a two and a……… Outraged BC sheeple spew vitriol on Crowdie)
The end comes when the Leafs win the cup !
#13 Midnights on 08.06.20 at 10:32 am
Can anyone provide me the scientific data on the 6ft rule?
—————————————————————–
We were at a restaraunt here on the island where the rule was 4.95 ft. Where’s the scientific data for that?
I’m not sure this will end. First, the virus may mutate, leading to new strains & thus justification to continue the health related policies already in place. Second, as one enthused UCP MLA crowed, the limitations imposed for public health – as in, limited public gatherings – are ‘great!’. Because if you can’t gather to protest, then it is much easier to impose legislation that the public wouldn’t like. Oddly enough, this appeals to politicians & those who like having control over others.
As for getting the virus, of course I don’t want to get it. I’m not bothered by dying. It is inevitable. Not quite sure why what has always been the case suddenly seems to have set everyones hair on fire. What I am concerned about is ending up alive but damaged – as in, permanent debilitating health issues. I want to be one of those people who are healthy, fit & active right up to the end. Quality of life & all that. So I’m willing to take reasonable precautions. Key word being ‘reasonable’. If someone is so panicked they want to go about in full hazmat gear, have at it. Just don’t demand that the rest of us follow suit.
The restrictions will slowly disappear, life will be back to normal within 1 to 2 years. Several factors work in our favour:
1. The vaccine development. It is hard to make vaccines against coronaviruses, but the covid-19 vaccine research attracted more experts and more funding than any other infection in the human history. Something will come out of that.
2. Asymptotic spread appears to be several times greater than the official case count. That means, a partial herd immunity will build gradually. Won’t protect everybody, but will help to lower the magical “R” number, aka reinfection rate.
3. All viruses tend to become less deadly as they mutate. For a virus, killing or incapacitating the host is not the best survival strategy. Virus strains that multiply in the host but allow the host to remain functional, spread better, while the immunity they create works against the more deadly strains, too.
Regarding the masks: no crime, no pressure, no karens. Some people think masks are excessive, others including myself believe masks are useful. A polite and respectful debate is healthy.
#241 Mongo Make Light
Well, being retired and with a healthy portfolio in the hands of a good team, the whole lockdown has been a royal pain in the South Hole. Just before the pandemic hit, I came back from a month in Berlin (fabulous city – really worth a visit although curry wurst is perhaps the single most disappointing thing I have ever tried) and had planned to go visit Japan again this Fall. Not going to happen for awhile is my guess. Not being able to travel is not fun.
For me, it all ends and travel resumes when there is a vaccine. Until that time, I continue to do what is required of me, which is to use a mask, keep a safe distance, and generally treat people with compassion and respect. You don’t want to wear a mask? Fine, I drink to your health. I don’t want to end up being in one of those tussles you see these days where Karen and Ken end up taking shots at a postal clerk who then fires back with an AK-47 tucked away in a mail sack. The police arrive but are driven back by rocket launcher-wielding grannies for peace.
On the more pleasant and practical side of things, I had tried out Business Class on Lufthansa on my return trip and I feel that this will be how I fly in the future. I get lots of room, better grub, and the chances are very good that I get to enjoy a cheese plate for desert with some nice brandy (cheese makes everything better). I am 65, fairly healthy, but I have a few concerns and since I can’t take it with me, I am going to cut loose the purse strings (more cheese, more brandy).
———–
1) Yes Berlin is awesome
2) Curry Wurst is everywhere in Berlin and yes it totally blows. I don’t get it either.
3) Yes business class is the only way to go. Lufthansa is great
4)”more cheese, more brandy” Atta boy!!!!!!!!!!!
5) Food in Japan wayyyyy better. Ramen, gyoza and Yakitori. yum yum!!!!
@#221 Im All Right Jack
” where have all our [email protected] gone?”
++++
Apparently Thanos has them…..?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanos
#207 Realist on 08.06.20 at 6:05 pm
Not entirely true.
Social media has been lighting up for the past 2 months or so with stories from young people battling this virus. Lots of athletes, and people who didn’t take it seriously. It looks to be almost random for who gets really sick and who doesn’t. For those who get really sick, they get completely knocked out for a week or so, then appear to be better..except it’s not the same as normal “flu’s”. Lots of complaints about crippling fatigue months later. Difficulty breathing. Inability to concentrate. Difficulty going to work, exercising, thinking. Remember these are still the acute effects. No one even knows what the long term effects are. Like Ace Goodheart posted a few days ago here, viruses can cause all kinds of nasty problems years (even decades) later as they lay dormant. We don’t know what the long term effects of this virus are.
It’s wise to try to listen to the advice of the experts.
MF
Hey Garth, bonehead shill realtor John Pasalis has been dissing you on Twitte lately. Just an FYI!
About people not wanting to return to the office. Gee, let me think why that would be. Being able to stay & even work from home, no daily commute, no transit/parking expenses, no need to dress up, no dragged out meetings because someone just wants to drone on forever & if one is at home the mute button can be engaged or one can say ‘sorry, have to go’ & depart with the push of a button, no icky cube farm, no having to endure the company of people you’d rather not associate with – I could go on, but I certainly can see why many people would much rather NOT return to the office. The virus may be a concern but I’d be very surprised if it was the ‘only’ reason.
It ends when the bond market turns of the government’s cash spigot.
Then people will weigh their fear against a set of very real financial problems, including possibly government layoffs like in the 90’s.
Until then, it’s party on. In Vancouver the beaches and restaurants are full, and there aren’t even any tourists or cruise ships in town!
I work for a major hardware retailer at their distribution centre. We were deamed essential by the Ford government and so I’ve been working full-time WITHOUT a mask (the horror) since March. I’ve even put in 150 hours of overtime.
Pandemic?
I am over it.
Life has continued to move forward and I often forget about the ‘rona especially the mask wearing. I do try to comply with the local bylaws but I usually have to double back to the car to get my mask. I’ve even completely forgotten it a couple times and went right into stores.
I’ve visited with family and friends. 10 person circle LOL.
No I’m not a sociopath, my dad has a tracheostomy tube, mom has asthma, brother had a kidney transplant, mother-in-law is on steroids for Ulcerative Colitis. I’ve seen them all and social distancing wasn’t important to us.
Everything about the pandemic is just an inconvenience or irritation at this point. By continuing to demand “safety” measures we are prolonging our own suffering.
“There is nothing to fear except fear itself.” FDR
This ends when people have to start paying their own way again. It will force them back to work and make them overcome their fears.
I’m sick of masks and the ghosts that wear them too.
Until we get to that herd immunity , with a vaccine or with enough people who survived the virus, the craziness will stay among us.
So by trying to slow the propagation we are hurting ourselves…the faster we get that herd immunity the better….like in Sweden.
Just end this nonsense soon,grandson says this contact-less 2 meters apart mask wearing dating is tough too do .
#113 binky barnes on 08.06.20 at 2:30 pm
“But just as importantly, our “weakness” as a nation has now been exposed.”
-I would argue the complete opposite. Beneath the loud fringe group minority who upset that they are being told to be responsible, and who are using this issue as a political tool, you’ll see ample evidence that the country is much more unified than we ever thought. The mask issue is a good example where around 75% of Canadians agreeing that wearing them is a good idea:
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.47/823.910.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-1685B-Globe-July-Populated-Report-COVID-19-with-Tabs.pdf
This is in contrast with the US right now, where there are deep divisions in their society, not just about masks, but about everything. Not so in Canada.
The debt issue is a problem, however. But it’s the same with pretty much every country on earth and not unique to us.
MF
For the last six months, I have failed to attend three weddings and two funerals.
This ends when I can attend the very next one, be it a wedding or a funeral, whichever comes first.
I never knew I would miss them. And so I did.
#251 Linda
As for getting the virus, of course I don’t want to get it. I’m not bothered by dying. It is inevitable. Not quite sure why what has always been the case suddenly seems to have set everyones hair on fire. What I am concerned about is ending up alive but damaged – as in, permanent debilitating health issues. I want to be one of those people who are healthy, fit & active right up to the end. Quality of life & all that. So I’m willing to take reasonable precautions.
——————-
Here in BC, we have almost no deaths related to Covid anymore.
However, once you’re sick enough to have to be admitted to Hospital, your chances of having some permanent debilitating health issues are quite high.
So, stay safe, and listen to your doctor.
So.
An employee has been on and off EI over the past six Months.
He filed Apr 1st and recieved EI email forms to fill out every two weeks.
No work for him in April.
April 29 he gets 2k in the bank.
No work in May and he fills out the required email forms.
May 29 he gets 2k in the bank.
Starts working a few weeks into June and fills out his EI emailed forms stating he’s working.
Jun 29 receives 2k in the bank.
July he works the entire month and states this on his EI forms.
July 29 receives 2 k in the bank.
He calls EI. to ask why he is still receiving money.
” Anyone filing for EI was automatically put on CERB.”
How do I stop the CERB?”
You have to stop your EI!”
” I want to keep my claim open. What if I get laid off in a few weeks? I’ll have to file for EI and wait 2 weeks before I qualify and you guys will put me back on CERB!”
“Yes.”
He owes them $3500 and they are still figuring out if he will pay a penalty.
He didnt know he was on CERB.
He filled out EI forms online and bi weekly EI employment statements …yet all the while he was getting CERB…….
Does anyone see the potential for fraud here?
this country will eventually be ravaged by either, and/or public personal bebt, brought to you by the BOC.!
Thats how this ends. They may/will very badly hurt the people that made the bones of this nation and their grandkids.
Those that don’t give a shot will make out like your dog!…bandit!
Tottaly off subject.
Apparently the Beirut Explosion was the equivalent of 2.75 Kilo tonnes of explosive.
The Halifax Explosion of Dec 1917 was the equivalent of 2.9 Kilo tonnes of explosive.
So the Beirut Explosion is a very close indication of what the people of Halifax went through over 100 years ago…..
With the added misery of the worst blizzard in 50 years arriving 2 days later to bury everyone living or dead under 3 ft of snow.
https://nationalpost.com/news/beirut-blast-measured-2-75-kilotons-how-does-that-compare-with-other-major-explosions-in-history
All Dawgs and I will include the Felixe’s; just be safe. Whatever your beliefs are, please prepare for the future in a smart way!
How does it end for me….I am getting on a plane for a 10 hour flight Vancouver to Korea. Do I think I am in danger… Yes…. I will have a good quality mask, and a tube of hand rub, and keep quiet and seated for the flight. I am concerned of course, but need to get on with some control over my life…. Managed to find the old Motorcycle goggles, and will give them a try as well…. My take, is everyone should be wearing a Mask, just a courtesy, to anyone of any age, who has Diabetes, Asthma, etc… Even Kids, and if we all stop to think a little extra caution, pays us all back, and we can get on with our lives…… We need to start up with common sense, and respect for others, and of course a little patience and civility.
When you’re an introvert with a few activities, you’re life didn’t change much. I’m also lucky the industry I work in has thrived during COVID. Other than masks and being more conscious, my life hasn’t changed much.
For me and my wife it is mostly business as usual. We go to work and are mandated for continuous masking when 2 metre separation cannot be maintained. We have every intention to send our kids to school in the fall. We are in a small Alberta community so risk is lower. Keep up the good work Garth!
Trump loses the election and then by Spring we have vaccine news. The real source of that vaccine will never be known but it will be the US that declares it. End of 2021 we have a covid-immune population.
#249 Darryl
Now, that was funny; mind you it is 2020 anything could happen!
I agree totally with your post. I hate it when I hear Ford talk today about people collecting CERB and refusing work. My wife is a waiter looking and talking bringing resume in person in answer to ads. All she is getting is restaurant operators are just collecting resumes cause they do not know what the future holds. Restaurants are not busy. We had breakfast there today and it was dead. So people are scared. We have $500 left on the CERB and it ends. Listen we did what we had to do but the rest of the world it appears is into a second wave. We have to close borders with States for at least a year. Airlines from overseas forget about it. But we are so paranoid here if there is one case of coronavirus in the schools the entire population is going to panic. Bars and restaurants will close. There is so much hype about a vaccine it is causing anxiety. The world economy is teetering on financial collapse. I thought this was going to be over but this is going to get worse before it gets better. Yes the pandemic will end but not before there is a total reset. It is the mindset that is firmly entrenched and unfortunately the leader of the free world had a lot to do with it. The world’s leading economy is done for. That will effect everyone.
@#263 MF on 08.06.20 at 8:12 pm
#113 binky barnes on 08.06.20 at 2:30 pm
“But just as importantly, our “weakness” as a nation has now been exposed.”
-I would argue the complete opposite. Beneath the loud fringe group minority who upset that they are being told to be responsible, and who are using this issue as a political tool, you’ll see ample evidence that the country is much more unified than we ever thought. The mask issue is a good example where around 75% of Canadians agreeing that wearing them is a good idea:
https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.47/823.910.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-1685B-Globe-July-Populated-Report-COVID-19-with-Tabs.pdf
This is in contrast with the US right now, where there are deep divisions in their society, not just about masks, but about everything. Not so in Canada.
The debt issue is a problem, however. But it’s the same with pretty much every country on earth and not unique to us.
MF
—-
yup, vocal minority indeed.
total non-issue outside of internet comments sections and the odd karen.
#273 Jake
What if Trump wins? Another 4 years of quarantine?
You can hide but you cannot run. Wearing masks, gloves, alcohol laden hand cleaner, pushing, stepping off sidewalks, walking the other way, shoving to get by……we will not survive this one if we don’t decide what works and what doesn’t……
Oh wait, everyone wanted instant access, instant reporting, instant updates…heck whether it was fake or not and I heard a great saying “Your latest hysteria and worry will only last 48 hours as the public hungers for newer panic and angst….”
So good luck, we will continue to live our lives, wear masks when mandated but actually still have a mind where we will decide the five W’s and How, at least for us.
Thanks Garth for your insights as always.
This pandemic will end eventually. I predict the vaccine will solve it by clamping down on the anti-vaxxers. No proof of vaccine, no school for your kids, or healthcare, or employment etc. It’s not great for personal freedom, but it must be done, and have some considerable oversight to protect us from government overreach. There is a fine balance between freedom and freedumb.
-Major acceleration in manufactured panic / pandemic gets going around mid September
-stock markets come down 20-25% with a small chance of making slight lows relative to match 23 going into January
-more money printing from Tiff(Stiff as I call him) and his PhD quacks in other countries
-brief sharp rise in usd with rapidly rising unemployment from around Halloween onward
-vaccines mostly fail
-massive riots and civil unrest the world over but in America it will be crazy as no one will accept the outcome
-economy continues to slip in and out of recession with taxes and fees rising suddenly and out of control
-govts hey wild and crazy and use emergency powers to change policies suddenly on weekends and launch massive wealth / home equity / property tax / confiscatory actions targeting all types of accounts
-economy slides even deeper into recession as yields are forced higher by bond markets to compensate for sharply rising credit risk and currency debasement
-more deep cuts to govt and by early 2023-2024 maybe one third of the government staff are laid off
-then all of a sudden out of nowhere the grand finale : they shut down the global banking system using the virus as cover , limit atm withdrawals to 2-300/day with lockdown and curfew and military / police patrols and then they eliminate cash and all cash notes are no longer legal tender and everyone has to use the new e-loonie
-taxes are raised suddenly
-no vaccine = no immunity card = no access to life outside your house and no or limited time with friends / family until you get the shot
There – general idea of your next 18-24 m
#223 earthboundmisfit on 08.06.20 at 6:36 pm
1. When Trump is in jail. 2. When Ms. Freeland is Canada’s PM.
3. When my spousal unit and I are vaccinated
—-
Are you actually a real person? Wtf is a spousal unit?
Hubs and I both work in healthcare so we will continue to go to work everyday, and I’m fully expecting to be wearing a mask in all patient care areas until well after a vaccine is found. Even with a vaccine this thing might be circulating and flaming up now and then for years.
We will continue to wear masks in indoor areas, it not outdoors. Thankfully we are pretty outdoorsy people as the new rescue pup keeps us on the move.
We are continuing to go on road trips, but likely will not be visiting other countries or flying around for business for some time. I’m okay with that.
Until we can travel again I will not even think about retirement, which is no hardship since I enjoy my work and it pays well. The advantage of working in healthcare is there are always patients who need my services.
Just explain to me one thing…..
HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO PAY THEIR DEBTS OFF?
If you raise taxes anymore on workers then what’s the point of working.
If you raise taxes on companies then they leave.
So then what??
#43 Lefty on 08.06.20 at 11:33 am
I think it ends with acceptance.
We accept a large risk to our health by getting into our cars every day. We accept a large risk to our health by smoking, drinking, over-eating, reading blogs, etc.
IMHO Covid will simply blur into the background of ‘risks we all accept’.
—————————————————————-
My thoughts as well. Live with it. It will pass when people finally realize that this virus was no worse than any of the other 150 or so that come by each year.
There are some on this blog that have compared this pandemic to the Spanish flu which killed roughly 55,000 Canadians mostly between the ages of 20 to 40 in the prime of their lives including an uncle at 12 years of age who just happened to be in the hospital for some other reason when those infected with the flu were being admitted to the hospital.
The population of Canada at the time was 8.7 million compared to our 37.7 million today. The equivalent number of deaths to Covid19 would have to be 226,000 in Canada alone to compare to the Spanish flu. To date deaths linked to Covid19 are roughtly 9000.
The deaths that will occur or have already occured as a result of this shutdown will far exceed the deaths attributed to Covid and the economic losses will be astronomical. In the trillions.
I shudder to think what would have happened if this virus had turned out to be like the Spanish Flu.
#125 TurnerNation
I agree with you 100%. Well put!
Like my on line handle says-
Freedom First
DELETED
#255 MF on 08.06.20 at 7:53 pm
#207 Realist on 08.06.20 at 6:05 pm
Not entirely true.
Social media has been lighting up for the past 2 months or so with stories from young people battling this virus. Lots of athletes, and people who didn’t take it seriously. It looks to be almost random for who gets really sick and who doesn’t. For those who get really sick, they get completely knocked out for a week or so, then appear to be better..except it’s not the same as normal “flu’s”. Lots of complaints about crippling fatigue months later. Difficulty breathing. Inability to concentrate. Difficulty going to work, exercising, thinking. Remember these are still the acute effects. No one even knows what the long term effects are. Like Ace Goodheart posted a few days ago here, viruses can cause all kinds of nasty problems years (even decades) later as they lay dormant. We don’t know what the long term effects of this virus are.
It’s wise to try to listen to the advice of the experts.
MF
—————-
Why are you highlighting a few cases where young people or athletes are suffering when the counter can be that some old fat slob can get covid-19 and not have any effects?
You are right about one thing. We should listen to the experts. The experts have never said it was as bad as your facebook posts would have you believe.
In fact, the experts have been saying covid-19 is akin to severe seasonal influenza or at most like pandemic influenza rather than SARS or MERS. The numbers show it.
Right wing, muh freedom rhetoric, you say?
“If one assumes that the number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic cases is several times as high as the number of reported cases, the case fatality rate may be considerably less than 1%. This suggests that the overall clinical consequences of Covid-19 may ultimately be more akin to those of a severe seasonal influenza (which has a case fatality rate of approximately 0.1%) or a pandemic influenza (similar to those in 1957 and 1968) rather than a disease similar to SARS or MERS, which have had case fatality rates of 9 to 10% and 36%, respectively.”
Authors: Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., H. Clifford Lane, M.D., and Robert R. Redfield, M.D.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejme2002387
How will it end?….good question…Nationally, until the dumbest people on the planet, yes, I’m looking at your Toranha..pull their heads out of their asses and finally once and for all eschew the evils of socialism, i’m afraid the nervous nelly’s and masked crusaders will continue to have their day…
Personally, I was very fortunate to grab a new gig just before this madness really got going, hoping to keep it for about 10yrs if possible and ride into the sunset, banking about 100k/yr so really i have no complaints, looking at getting that BC vacay property that us wildrosers so covet next year but prices are ratcheting up every where with all this free money.. so we’ll see…
I wear a mask only when mandated other then that, let Freedom Reign!
Off to Van at the end of the month to tear a new one in a few lefties so we’ll see how the flights are…itching to get back to Hawaii this winter but unfortunately the wife’s name IS Karen and is a bit of hard sell.
Here is today’s question. I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?
====================================
Nuking China is an legit option. because they will hit us again and again until we stop them.
Well said Garth. I have been asking my friends and colleagues, “I thought this was all about flattening the curve….??” While social media shaming has become a core competency of the internet, it has now spilled over into the public domain where people are literally in your face, “rage” is the new norm, dare to question this pandemic, you are deemed a heretic.
This ends when the global economy boycotts countries that continue/restart wet markets and known virus-breeding practices.
This ends when Canada’s Public Health Agency’s Global Public Health Intelligence Network, or GPHIN which was world renowned for its operation as a global pandemic early warning system, is given back its autonomy before the group was silenced in May 2019 (source Globe and Mail). The Auditor General is looking into why this group of leading epidemiologists became disempowered.
This ends when non-eligible people are weaned from the government tit that flows money. Or only provide these people with low-interest loans that eventually have to be repaid.
Unfortunately in the long-run this can’t end well for free-spirited young people who will be imprinted from the distrustful, fear-based, germaphobic and non-hugging society we are spiraling towards.
If the human race is lucky, the massive global effort for research and hunt for treatments, vaccine or other preventative measures, will be an inspiring collaborative result without greedy profits, hoarding or corruption. But we all know how that will end.
Recency bias in full bloom everywhere. The stupidity will pass. Life will swing back to normal.
It doesnt. If not the virus it will be something else. Sorry but the bible is becoming more true with every year we pass. Here, and only here lays peace. :) PS we still have no idea or ever will have a good idea how many people have been infected.
#40 Cdn Mom on 08.06.20 at 11:30 am
So I was right, your lungs are weak, and you are very much in the high-risk group.
Seems like my critical thinking was spot on.
People like you are the reason I wear a mask- I’d feel awful if I spread the virus to someone with bad lungs and they died or even suffered for it.
Glad you survived whatever you caught back in March.
———————————-
How this ends?
A vaccine I guess, but I don’t have a lot of hope for that since after the immuno comprimised, the anti vaxx, and the “I’m not getting something rushed” groups, I don’t think we have enough left to reach herd immuntiy in North America.
Hopefully I can get one that comes with a stamp in my passport allowing me to travel freely.
Re masks: Today, I got gas on my way home and my card didn’t work so I put on my mask and went inside to pay. When I got home I opened my glovebox to get a mask since my apartment building mandated wearing one in common areas as of Aug 1st.
I had to chuckle at myself when I realized that I was still wearing the mask from the gas station. Seriously, unless you are damaged, it’s not that bad wearing a mask.
I’ll regurgitate the most intelligent prediction I have heard from an epidemiologist. Wish I remember her name…she was from Oxford in UK
She said all coronaviruses viruses mutate…thats what they do. They essentially ‘try to become more resistant and a coronavirus by it’s nature wants to be able to spread more easily’. She matter of factly said there will definitely be a 2nd wave that hits in the Fall and it is likely to be more infectious and hit all age ranges more proportionately. That’s the bad news.
The good news she offered is that science will offer up multiple different vaccines with varying levels of effectiveness. She warned against rushing the vax out to quickly…
I also found interesting… she said the covid19 coronavirus will never go away – it will be 1 of the annual flu strains every year and once the vaccine becomes available and proves its effectiveness….it will be added to the flu shot cocktail each year.
Thats the smartest prediction I’ve heard to date
MRNA vaccines and treatments will prove to be highly effective, but not totally eradicate the virus. It will become a seasonal disease, but less severe.
There will be a concerted media effort to hang the whole thing on Trump, right or wrong. Biden victory will lead to a tone of general optimism, though little will change in terms of COVID protocols.
Money will print and markets will rip, until inevitably there is a social upheaval. This may take a decade or more.
The average Joe in Canada and the US will become further addicted to government cash, from UBIs to stimulus payments, and bailout after bailout. They will elect whoever gives it to them, as 10% employment becomes structural.
For myself, I will remain in my small rural town, and try to provide the type of idyllic life for my family that I had growing up in the 1990s, as removed from the overreaching control and inevitable madness as possible.
I took a few first and 2nd year biological classes to learn how the acquired immune system operates, broadly speaking, and only personally wear the face diaper when there’s a ministry inspector around.
The human body is perfectly equipped to deal with this virus and many other pathogens; the almost miraculous molecular machinery can manufacture tailored protein antibodies of almost any geometry to bind to existing and emerging threats. But for this to work, one needs to be exposed to it.
And all of the evidence shows us that we are perfectly capable of dealing with the virus, considering how there are practically zero fatalities for people in their 20s and 30s, and none among children.
Yes, the weak, the old and the obese must perish. Human lifespans have become unnaturally extended anyway.
#125 TurnerNation
It’s beginning to look exactly like that- get ready people
I hope it ends with a federal government that realizes deficit spending must end, for even the spendthrift Liberals of the 90s under Chretien and Martin eventually realized this and got their act together. I hope it ends with life returning to normal we knew back in February of this year – seems like a distant memory now doesn’t it? The realist in me however, feels that we are in a new normal where government spending has become a political nuclear weapon which guarantees continued support of the masses and makes them forgive just about any transgression perpetrated by the ruling class. Elections are won by the party with the biggest goodie bag, there is no vision for the long term well being of the nation.
#281 ImGonnaBeSick on 08.06.20 at 9:20 pm
#223 earthboundmisfit on 08.06.20 at 6:36 pm
1. When Trump is in jail. 2. When Ms. Freeland is Canada’s PM.
3. When my spousal unit and I are vaccinated
—-
Are you actually a real person? Wtf is a spousal unit?
….
Step up from the old slag….
This will end when it ends. Life will go on. Change happens and sometimes things end up better than before.
Read too many comments today and the negativity is toxic. It is sad and very ironic that the endless criticism of the government, medical community and media is countered and supported by very personal and uneducated predictions, paranoia and pandering.
Is it not time for a serious reset of the comment section?
I will remain faithful & patient for the return of normal discussion & debate. Here & elsewhere in 2020.
This starts ending November 4th. The pace that it ends depends on who wins.
I run a retail business. I haven’t missed a day of work since this started because we are considered an essential service. I don’t believe the results saying people are scared to go back to work. They’re lazy and they want someone else to pay the bill. Cut off CERB and see how fast people go back to work.
I have customers purchasing from us looking for financing and get mad because they were declined. Deferred mortgage, deferred loan, deferred CC and they want more credit. People just don’t get it…. but they will.
A vaccine is just a pacifier, soother, to calm the mass. And this wonder-drug will never come. Viruses change to adapt, to live. Or another one will come along.
The coronavirus has also taught us how important it is to recognize our nation, the people within the border. And it has slowed down the globalist throughout our system that can replace us so easily without a thought of the damage to us and to our life-blood planet.
But keep on ignoring the protestors, people that live in streets, people that die from overdoses. Ignore the people, their words, concerns, their lives.
Why do you think Boris Johnson and Donald Trump were elected? People within their nation were not heard! And here in Canada, Canadians are not heard either. Canada needs a leader, not globalist ideals (not working for us.)
#266 crowded…sounds like CERB was pushed on this EI recipient without authorization, sly and crooked to me. Unethical and wrong. I would not treat a working- taxpayer with disrespect like that.
thanks to this blog one can air out some genuine concerns without feeling like a total freak. I mean, come on. Swine Flu. Global Pandemic. Not a response such as this. Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask, get in a protest, stay home, take a knee its ok, don’t fly, but WE can fly (Sophie). The whole thing is so suspicious…And on top of it all during an election year. I mean is this really some massive global conspiracy for control? to what end? for an election in the US? its bizarre and kind of feeling like Roddy Piper in They Live.
This is NOT going away. This is The New Normal that they announced everywhere at the same time, all of them reading the same script. You watched it on TV. And you still don’t get it?
There will be milestones like COVID along the way to 2030, none of them good if you value your sovereignty – which apparently most Canadians don’t give 2 sh!ts about anymore if you believe the pollsters. Hmmm, interesting timing how they rolled out the legal weed when they did…
Robot dogs have been unleashed in Singapore parks to keep the sheep in line.
True herd immunity: to be immune from the sheep herd.
All the armchair experts out in full force tonight, reminds me of when the Iranian general was killed in Iraq and all the experts on mideast affairs weighed in with their expertise at that time also.
The big question I am hearing more and more is where is the science behind “social distancing”, please any one of the armchair experts here please post some links to the science that six feet is safe!
I also appreciate all the concern for my fellow Canadians, so much so that homelessness will end(just like wearing a mask, you can do your part and open up your homes).
#279 Kevin on 08.06.20 at 9:16 pm
Thanks Garth for your insights as always.
“This pandemic will end eventually. I predict the vaccine will solve it by clamping down on the anti-vaxxers. No proof of vaccine, no school for your kids, or healthcare, or employment etc. It’s not great for personal freedom, but it must be done, and have some considerable oversight to protect us from government overreach. There is a fine balance between freedom and freedumb.”
Do you often wake up sweaty from dreams of pushing people into ovens because they don’t live up to your superior understanding of the nature of reality?
#243 Bill on 08.06.20 at 7:24 pm
800 dead in BC from OD 200 from covid…its all about the math.
——————————————————————-
219 days into the year, 195 dead. Less than 1 per day. The low numbers are certainly not due to wearing masks.
In our new future everyone’s data is analyzed by AI to spot trends and rising dissent. The powers that be have ultimate control of information and misinformation through the established internet portals. They are able to individually target and track every user and all data they receive or transmit.
The world is split into two warring factions that have created their own spheres of influence. This is mainly a contest for resources rather than influence. Neo-Imperialism.
Media is centrally controlled and targeted with manipulated propaganda to suit the current narrative. Social atomization and the destruction of trust in society is achieved through social distancing measures enforced by police patrols. The old culture of families and religion are replaced through social engineering. The people in charge claim to be doing this in the name of benevolence and equality. The individual then becomes utterly dependent on the state.
It’s weird living in a Philip K Dick novel.
Life on south Vancouver Island is perfect viewing the ocean daily. My family spent Tuesday evening having a wonderful dinner viewing the Sidney spit.However
Jan. Feb. Mar. in WAIKIKI would be perfect.
I think the mask-wearing is about duty… basic civil duty.
This week I came down with a horrible cold; don’t think it’s COVID, but since I can’t be 100% sure, I’m staying the heck out of everyone’s way, no beer run tonight and absolutely wearing a mask whenever I’m in close proximity to anyone… or stepping out of the way from others when I’m cruising down the sidewalks.
I’m in the worst-hit province and masks are hugely important to reopening the local economy without letting daily cases get out of control. The one thing I do know about this virus is that it’s highly contagious and spreads quickly (hear about the camp in the States where all 360 participants tested positive after a single weekend?)
I also know (watched the last virtual legislature sessions) that politicians in my neck of the woods were scrambling on overdrive when this thing first hit and everyone was applauding them for putting party/partisan differences aside to best serve citizens and the economy simultaneously. I also know that this thing is not a politician-dreamt scheme. In fact, it’s their worst nightmare. Imagine having to deal with angry camps of citizens and businesses all with different demands while trying to deal with health edicts from various different health bodies at different levels of government?
And here’s the thing: I wouldn’t say the virus is under control. I would say daily cases are still rising, albeit at a slower rate. But it’s taken a lot of sacrifice to get here. And there could be flare-ups, especially as larger institutions and schools re-open (which is probably a very bad idea unless vaccines are ready and in place).
So yes, it sucks. We have to distance ourselves, wear masks, take a lot of precautions and give up some so-called freedoms. I still think we have a lot more freedoms and enjoy a lot more prosperity than past generations who had to fill trenches, learn the violence of war at a young age and stand in line for food rations. When I start feeling sorry for myself, I think of what my grandparents had to go through, then I suck it up, pour a drink and turn on Netflix. Then I say a prayer of thanks that I have it this good, because there are many people in many places in this world who would give an arm or a leg to have it as good as we do. Then I say another prayer for them in hope that their situations will soon improve.
How does it end for me? Honestly I think people need to realize this will be here with us forever and that we’re just going to have to accept it. I think there will be long term effects that we don’t even know about yet, but that’s the way things go. I think as long as we do what makes sense (washing hands, being respectful) we will have to accept that people will get sick, only because the sort of lifestyle we would have to accept in order for everyone to stay healthy is impossible based on people’s expectations of life.
To stay healthy forever, no more shopping malls, no more mass gatherings of any sort, no more large schools with endless opportunities, no more travel outside your little circle, eating out, concerts, parades, festivals, amusement parks.
Sanitizing everything makes us immune to nothing.
Does that make me callous and heartless, no, because I know I am just as much at risk, and so are my children, but a life locked in a little space is not a life lived. We need social interaction, and the internet is no substitute.
Just my two cents, from a little island that seems to want to sink the ferries and isolate (and I do not want that).
Since the day I got laid off by Air Canada, I have been actively looking for jobs and to this date, no luck!
Give me a god damn job! I am afraid of dying without being able to provide for my family! The virus is nothing to me without a job!
And by the way, I live life the way it was before covid! Whoever wants to leap off when I am on the sidewalk, by all means, go ahead!
266 crowdedelevatorfartz on 08.06.20 at 8:19 pm
So.
An employee has been on and off EI over the past six Months…
**********************
I believe they will start to take it off his present or future EI statements. It already started to happen. What about the real fraud cases?
How does this end? For me? I don’t know the answer. I hate that when somebody asks me a question & I don’t have an answer. I thought I had an answer when they shut down the province. Upgrade the R/E for a higher occupancy. Grinding out cash flow suddenly looks real tough. Small business overhead? Expenses are unbelievable. People think that when thousands go under that’ll mean less competition. Doesn’t work that way. The survivors will keep shaving profit margins trying to stay alive. Lean brutal years coming for the small bizman. That means mean & lean payrolls.
Flight? Yeasss. You can really slash overhead but still need enough to meet family obligations, & live on your principle. If you run you hide. Take a few years off? No comebacks from tired old h-o-r-s-e-s in Canucklestan. Guaranteed millions of fresh eager new tryouts coming from all over the world. Stick & stay & make it pay? Run & hide among the masses? Dr. Garth says start thinking about choosing your medicine.
I’m not fearful but wearing a mask indoors at this point in time is just common sense. I worked in Asia for a while where everyone would wear a mask to work if they had a cold. It’s no big deal.
The office itself might be over though. Who needs it now, really? A lot of people find office environments sterile and soul destroying. The movie “Office Space” is popular for a reason.
Part of my comment yesterday:
“Lung cancer is not infectious.” [like COVID]
Your response, Garth:
“Second hand smoke?”
And we have a social distancing for that – laws and policies prohibiting smoking “in any enclosed workplace, any enclosed public place and other designated areas”.
#114 Piano_Man87
Vaccines are showing promise. The Moderna created a strong immunological response in all 45 subjects.
All of the test case subjects in this study a) could not be over weight, pregnant, have never smoked/vaped ,have diabetes, family history of respiratory problems, history of seizures, asthma, or any autoimmune disease. The one group of 15 that were administered the high dose, three had a” serious adverse event” within 43 days that required hospitalization. When 20% of a healthy test group fall ill, how about the general population where for example in the US there are 34M diabetics.
Vaccine is the new holy grail, don’t count on it.
Keyboard Smasher
“Yes, the weak, the old and the obese must perish. Human lifespans have become unnaturally extended anyway.”
What a sheltered life you must have lead even before the pandemic!
A lot of people in our family circle are seniors, so it just makes sense to wear masks and watch social distancing. I suppose it will end when there is a vaccine.
How does this end? Badly. For young people, for small business owners, for people that are critical thinkers, for the travel industry. The government is milking the opportunity from this very real pandemic that is definitely not an emergency. Make them scared, remove their liberties. The coming tax hikes will be the first victory lap for government with many more to come.
Given the devastating wealth inequality in Canada caused by endless government meddling in the housing market, I am actually hoping for the worse case the WHO is predicting may happen.
A covid vaccine may be as ineffective as the flu vaccine. I hope the virus mutates every year and chips away at humanity slowly.
I demand affordable housing and I don’t care how many people must die to achieve it. If the economy needs crashes by 70% correct home values then let it happen. This may be the one case a money laundering government did not anticipate.
I don’t think ‘it’ ends. From what I can piece together, what we’ve been subjected to is the Military-Industrial Complex has expanded to include Big Pharma and Tech. And since the majority are compliant and in many cases totally onside, freedom we once knew it is gone.
In a cashless society and with AI being implemented in every aspect of life, ‘normal’ ain’t coming back.
TCC
How does it end… if you are referring to Covid-19, it doesn’t end (herd immunity only forces mutations of new strains, the reason for updated vaccines going forward) but fades out as larger, more dominating issues take over. As an example, we have another pandemic coming (influenza variety) and soon. We will all become much more worried about climate change going forward, with good reason. I’ll get into detail at some point, would be happy to expand on future issues, but that’s all the time I have for now.
I think the words that touched things off were: “The masks everyone now sports are visible symbols of a surrender to fear.”
By that logic so are seatbelts. C’mon. You’re better than this.
“Fear of infection. You wear a mask for any other purpose? – Garth
Well, yeah. The purpose of communal mask wearing is to prevent infection of others, not oneself. I can only speak for myself, but nothing to do with “fear”. I have no idea of how you see disparaging people who try to do their small part to possibly reduce the spread of a highly infectious virus, as helpful. Neither is the doubling down on this stance, á la Trump, in today’s blog. Stooping to the “Karen”-calling level? Disappointing.
Adopting a cheap painless measure in specific settings to potentially mitigate viral spread is hardly fearful. Some might call it intelligent. Agree to disagree, I guess.
As to how I see this ending, an entirely pointless question as no one has the answer. Far better to focus on what one is doing in the present to prepare for multiple possible outcomes.
Besides, obviously the best time to prepare for any catastrophe is long before it happens, not during. Which is why the vast majority are S C R E W E D. No plan, no reserves, no resilience, no options left other than pleading with governments to save them.
Ugh.
it will end when we all just say forget about all this nonsense, we are not buying into it any longer, we’re going back to work and f you. like the germans who marched the other day and said as much (twitter). sorry you never heard about this in the msm.
I just wanted to say I’m impressed with a fair number of commentors / blogdogs above.
There’s some very well written and articulate points being made that have been a pleasure to read. Rare for this blog but good job all.
I just wear mine in enclosed public spaces as a mere formality to avoid getting fined. It doesn’t keep me safe from germs…. No point in contributing to the delinquency of government beyond the bare minimum.
I second BillyBob’s comment. Personally, I’ve not worried about it much from the beginning. I try to be smart and diligent about what I do and how I interact with other people. I’m retired now and spend most of my time at my property in the north. Being in introvert it doesn’t bother me much that I don’t interact with unknown people on a regular bases. Doing what I can to reduce the risk of spreading a highly infectious virus I feel is the responsible thing to do.
How it ends for me? I’m sure it will be by the government redistributing my wealth via taxes etc to those who have never been prepared for anything.
The events of this year have allowed democratically elected governments pick and choose amongst businesses of who wins and who loses. This is in direct conflict with the free market economy that helps enable western powers achieve their greatest potential, however flawed.
Any underlying argument against the free market is the lack of belief in freedom itself.
This ends with more government and less freedoms. Simple. There will always be more sheep than shepherds.
@#325 BillyBob
“Which is why the vast majority are S C R E W E D. No plan, no reserves, no resilience, no options left other than pleading with governments to save them.”
++++
Yep.
Our “buy now and pay later” society has reached it’s zenith.
But look at my newest Tats! They’re totally awesome and CERB paid for it. Win!
@#327 TO CA
“There’s some very well written and articulate points being made that have been a pleasure to read. ”
++++
It wasn’t my intent but………..you’re welcome.
How does it end?
With a vaccine, I’d say. Nothwithstanding those ludicrusly ignorant anti-vaxxers, I’d say once most people have been vaccinated, even if that offers only partial immunity, there should be some confidence that we can begin to return to what was normal before this whole debacle.
And yes, I’m aware it’s possible our “new normal” might still be one with seasonal outbreaks of COVID, just like we have learned to live with seasonal flu outbreaks every year, despite flu vaccines being widely available.
But the hope that we can achieve partial immunity, reduced symptoms and mortality, and slower contagion rates thanks to a vaccine (or perhaps en efficient therapeutic to treat people who do catch it) is what we need to return to the way we were behaving before.
Failing a vaccine or efficient medication to treat this, I’m afraid we might have to face a prolonged period of disruption to our daily lives, mask-wearing, reduced traveling, hand-washing and some degree of social distancing being required to keep this to a simmering level of constant, low-level trickle of cases instead of an explosion of cases like many parts of the U.S. are seeing now for lack of precautions taken.
Hi #230 Phylis,
I know this isn’t a contest, but your revised answer I’d place near the top, it gave me a smile, LOL.
“Once we have 1 solid week of covid free comments then we can declare the end.”
how does it end?
It doesn’t.
#317 Balmuto – “I worked in Asia for a while where everyone would wear a mask to work if they had a cold.”
You are missing one point. You are not sick. And you have NO way of proving your health to the State; conversely you are no longer allowed to be sick.
This is medical martial law you are supporting.
Yep all fun has been removed from the New System (prison system). Canada’s Wonderland will not open. We cannot have healthy people getting together. Not allow. They are all sick. You must believe this…mental illness
Once again here is the new system, the A.I. being used to terrorize children. RED Alarm danger – step off the school bus at once. As a wailing child runs back home. Getting them ready for the prison system aka our new UN “SMART CITIES”
…
Gatekeeper Systems Inc. has been contracted by a school district in the United States to equip approximately 40 of its schools with intelligent temperature-sensing systems (ITSS) that will measure the body temperature of students before entering schools.
The PaaS platform will also serve as the AI-based intelligence platform for future applications such as thermal camera sensors (ITSS), passenger counting and contact tracing. The Company is actively evaluating additional solutions that will layer onto the PaaS platform, including new innovations that may be desired by transit authorities and Smart Cities during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, such as contact tracing, bus loading and intelligent routing.
Gatekeeper Systems Inc. has been contracted by a school district in the United States to equip its fleet of more than 100 school buses with intelligent temperature-sensing systems (ITSS) that will measure the body temperature of students while boarding the bus. Installation is expected to begin in September, 2020.
This will all just fade away – eventually. Until then, I am working more than I want due to employees not wanting to work. I wear a mask when it is mandatory. I wash my hands when needed. I walk my dog and try to pay no attention to any virus talk. Wishing for travel.
Fishman – you sound like a Ladner boy.
#333 Fred on 08.07.20 at 8:56 am
There were so many comments I started reading from the bottom up and I didn’t have to go far to read Fred’s comment. His (or her) comment again proves your point Garth. Some people just don’t get it.
Here is today’s question. I ask that everyone making a comment answer it: for you, how does this end?
They want compliance. In a snap they ended small business while billionaires got bigger. The corner shops are dead, Amazon won. High end shops in Manhattan’s 5th Ave are closing, running from rent payments. We traded our rights and freedom for the illusion of ‘safety’. You think social distancing is going away? What happens when winter returns? Restaurants are only allowed to operate at 50% capacity. No playing sports, no social activities in person, “just stay home and save lives!”. Enjoy watching your health and mental wellness deteriorate.
We are now living in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Just swap out Big Nurse Ratched with Fauci and Doctor Bill Gates and you get the picture. Brilliant movie. Jack Nicholson paid a heavy price for injecting some LIFE into the care facility.
Because some of the frail and elderly suffered a flu-like death rate, our ENTIRE country was turned into a nursing home.
8:00 PM. Shops are closed. No nightlife or entertainment other than the monotonous loop of covid porn and junk science streaming on the boob tube. Drink your glass of warm milk, take your meds and off to beddy bye for you.
It’s simply not possible to predict a rational ending to a completely irrational situation. The only thing that will knock out the covid psychosis now is something very horrible and very REAL. Do you think the people of Beirut give a damn about covid anymore?
In addition to masks, Fauci recommends goggles. And Birx wants face shields because you can decorate them nicely. And then there’s our own BC health authorities who have this to say about your sexual protection:
“Avoid or limit kissing and saliva exchange.”
“Use barriers, like walls (e.g., glory holes), that allow for sexual contact but prevent close face-to-face contact.”
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/covid-19-and-sex
Whatever happened to the government that was supposed to stay out of the bedrooms of the nation? Long gone. Along with any remaining shreds of decency or sanity!
@ #16
How dare they? They can stuff their survey.
How will it end? It won’t. It’s a parallel path to FOMO, which was Part 1 of this economic mess. This time it’s FOGI, Fear of Getting It, only this time, business is being clubbed far more than individuals. Hope it gets a sense of what the financially responsible have been putting up with for decades. CB’s will never, ever admit to having f’ed up. Royally.
Anyone can claim that “they’re afraid” to go back to work. This could take decades to unravel and repair.
Not seeing much change anytime soon.
CYA, the next FUBAR shouldn’t be far off.
For me it ends when the PNC try to deport me from ‘Paradise’ for refusing BigPharma’s injection of poison!
No regrets though as its been a good life.
We’ve got nothing to fear but fear itself
Not pain, not failure, not fatal tragedy?
Not the faulty units in this mad machinery?
Not the broken contacts in emotional chemistry?
With an iron fist in a velvet glove
We are sheltered under the gun
In the glory game on the power train
Thy kingdom’s will be done
And the things that we fear are a weapon to be held against us
N. Peart
When will this [email protected] end?
For me it has ended, I refuse to mask up, I refuse to be led down a path filled with fear and anxiety, and I refuse to cower to the powers that be and accept their propaganda.
I haven’t turned on the TeeVee in 6 weeks, and do not listen to any radio stations. I sleep with my positive thoughts and stay healthy by eating balanced meals.
I refuse to wait in any line to enter a store and there are 6 stores I will never enter again in my life and the list I am sure will continue to grow.
I have a trip booked on airplanes in sept as I refuse to stop living. I am not afraid to be human and enjoy life.
to all you freaking scared people, go on your merry way living in fear and keep swallowing the media’s BS…. happy days will come for you when you wake up that you have been played and a fool.
“Fear Builds Walls” ….. R. Waters
Announce a vaccine
Whether is true or not is almost inconsequential. The world gets a victory. Perception is 9/10’s reality. Real economies explode much like the end of WW2. World-wide celebration. Mortality rate? Same. Life goes on – the human life cycle continues with no “pandemic” effects. The data shows it anyway.
In Canada, this ends with a devalued currency, ridiculous home prices, and an incoming conservative government that has to support things that conservatives have never supported (like fighting “climate change”, ensuring people have a “guaranteed income” and protecting the rights of agitators and social disrupters).
Watching Canada try to fit into the norms of political party policies is like watching the Chinese play with communism. Neither of them knows what they are doing.
When the USA’s housing market blew up, the culprit was the US dollar. Everyone expected the currency to blow up. It didn’t. Their dollar is just too strong. It held the weight, like rusty old iron, and did not collapse or give way. The result was a global economic collapse. At the end of it, a US dollar is still a US dollar.
People in Canada seem to think that our dollar will have the same sort of strength. No matter how many dollars our Bank of Canada prints, they will always be worth the same. The massive real estate debt pile, made up of cheap interest rates and money that is rapidly losing value, will push forward, against house prices, rather than backwards, against the currency.
In the end, you will be able to buy a house for a reasonable price, interest rates will go back up to normal levels, and the Canadian dollar will have held up steadfast to the economic headwinds.
We might even collapse the global economy with our economic re-set in Canada (like the USA did with theirs). Our dollar will weather it all, unscathed.
Or……….Canada’s dollar will continue to be able to purchase very little, and people will continue to have to borrow huge sums of money to buy things like houses and cars. We will not recognize, until it is too late, that we are already in the midst of a currency crisis.
The prices of basic goods will continue to go up, salaries and wages will continue to remain stagnant. We will be able to borrow, but not earn, enough money to buy things. This will be OK, because interest rates will remain ridiculously low.
Oh, and the USA will develop herd immunity. If and when the border reopens, we are going to be flooded with a virus which people in the States cannot get sick from, but which will kill many of us.
The comment above about Costco being too fast off the mark with compliance is a fact. They arranged the shortage of toilet paper, starting in Australia- that was obviously a deliberate supply chain manipulation. Tim Hortons said they were closing indoor tables BEFORE Ford did the shut down.
BEFORE the Ford lockdown TREB didn’t cancel open houses but they pulled their member’s listings from REALTOR.CA, which has the same effect ( the public assumed there were no open houses because it wasnt on their phone app) , meanwhile other boards continued to list open houses until Ford shut down open houses. So we have a trade association, TREB, financed by dues paying members, deliberately jumping the compliance gun.
When will it end? When the new scripts arrive.
346 Ace Goodheart on 08.07.20 at 10:36 am
Disagree with most everything you said, except debt and real estate.
Our dollar will be fine. Interest rates have a long way to go up in case people lose faith, that’s for sure. You mentioned that and I agree.
Our dollar is also tied to oil and resources (among other things) so that will keep it buoyant like it always does.
If, like you say, the US gets through this, they will pull us along like they always do. A lower dollar just means more Americans will buy canadian, like always. It’s a great system and is cyclical.
Now your herd immunity assertion is 100% false. There is no evidence that this virus produces herd immunity. There is no evidence of any immunity, actually. The virus will run its course when there is a treatment. Period. The US, like every other country on earth, has to deal with its own issues by itself. Borders around the world will not be relaxed anywhere until there is treatment of some sort.
The idea that opening our border will unleash an army of immune Americans while we suffer because we didn’t expose ourselves is hilarious sci fi. Total junk.
MF
So many BILLIONAIRES and yet so many starving and suffering children across the globe…
COVID is just the 1st wakeup call.
There would likely be more poor people without the jobs rich people create. – Garth
As always, a qualified voice of reason.
Well said.
This blog is now officially nuts. Positive one day, negative the next. Stats being thrown about detailing stellar gains based on previous stellar losses.
Who does that? Could it be that the dreamers who believe in “salvation by market participation” are perhaps doubting their bedrock belief that historical data confirms all future events? Do they get the inkling that the massive printing of money (to keep their reality going) is causing “ripples in the matrix”?
I see a massive influx of dip buyers led by newbie armchair investors with nothing much to do during a pandemic. With no sports to watch, let alone bet on, they flocked to the stock markets and look for “tells”.
To pretend that Covid didn’t effect 90% of businesses and that any “gullies” in their balance sheets have been filled in by actual sales, let alone payed receivables, is preposterous. However, market talking heads are doing just that, and they back up their assertions pointing to today’s “stock valuations”.
Numbers based on the bets of newly arrived “get rich quick” gamblers who know very little about how markets actually work.
And so, they look at today’s stellar gains, which are based on yesterday’s stellar losses, and rejoice.
No end until WW3, covid 19 is the prelude to war, it was planned, it’s clearly a scam, and world war 3 is the end game, probably no later than 2028, then you have a new world order, the new age, and a world population of 2 billion or lower, I guess 200 to 500 million, that should be enough slaves to serve the elites.
#346 Ace Goodheart on 08.07.20 at 10:36 am
Oh, and the USA will develop herd immunity. If and when the border reopens, we are going to be flooded with a virus which people in the States cannot get sick from, but which will kill many of us.
*******************
Source?
Have you ever gotten a cold? more than once?
There is no guarantee that getting infected with SARS-COVID-2 grants permanent immunity.
They tested 60,000 people in Spain who had recovered from COVID and only 5% of them still had antibodies. This doesn’t mean for certain that they can get infected again, but it doesn’t look great.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31483-5/fulltext
There will be no end to Covid 19. No effective vaccine; virus mutate constantly – many variations. Eventually everyone will be infected; most survived. We will learn to live with the virus.
A new normal with many paranoid about the virus.
#352 Doom on 08.07.20 at 12:24 pm
No end until WW3, covid 19 is the prelude to war, it was planned, it’s clearly a scam, and world war 3 is the end game, probably no later than 2028, then you have a new world order, the new age, and a world population of 2 billion or lower, I guess 200 to 500 million, that should be enough slaves to serve the elites.
**************************
Great, let’s make a deal then:
What’s your networth? I’ll give you $0.10 for every $1.00 today, and in 2030 you give me 100% of your money, ok?
You’ll either be dead or a slave right? So there’s no risk for you.
Unless….are youone of the dreaded “elite”?!
Was this not just idiotic fear mongering but an honest revelation of your plans?!
Eeek!
#212 drongo on 08.06.20 at 6:13 pm
No cause his wife is divorcing him. Hes drinking and smoking a ton and contimplating suicide because he didnt plan for retirement.
Dont blame me. I have to live with facts not government handouts.
Being wealthy or poor is a choice in this country.. Its easier to protect you fam when you not up to you butt in debt.
Sighned A HOLE
Ask me if i care
TurnerNation, you are emboldened. You think this is your moment, so now you up the ante; grow more extreme and assume more people will flock to you.
This is what the alt-left and alt-right do, what all extremists do.
I’m a Freedomist, I get it. I want less, much less, government, more freedom and individual rights, and fear the technocratic police state that’s always just over the horizon.
But you only see incrementalism going one way and ignore things that contradict your fear and your beliefs.
You really think a pandemic / plandemic is going to:
– end private property rights
– eliminate currency
– imprison everyone in their homes
– make insurance companies stop insuring houses in rural areas
– close rural fire departments
– close borders forever
– eliminate travel
– suspend forever all charter rights, all common law rights, civil rights and maybe even the US Constitution?
– and not mentioned by you but implied, eliminate the courts, senates, congresses, elections?
What have I missed?
Hopefully you see a pattern here–an unhealthy one.
Also, not sure why temperature checks are so scary to you, either. I think they’re ridiculous–I run at about 37.8 degrees constantly so will get flagged everywhere–but who cares?
It costs money and takes time to temp check everyone forever. Like every pandemic in history, these too will be temporary, especially when they’re proven useless and costly.
So either you’re right, it’s all over, history ends, Skynet is activated and soon T2’s will be patrolling the streets.
Or…. business as usual.
Any chance you’re a fan of William of Ockham?
Here’s one of the great traders of our time.
The first bit he talks vaccines and this plandemic.
I completely concure. Good luk with your choice.
https://www.howestreet.com/2020/08/can-gold-and-silver-go-much-higher-mark-leibovit/
I think it was Cher who was quoted to have said:
“It’s easier to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle”.
I’m a boomer from Vancouver , and I think #6Cheri said it succinctly. Wear a mask indoors, wash hands often , and life simply goes on… Simplicity not rocket science …..
|| how does this end?
best case scenario =
Some entity comes up with a vaccine that is proven to protect people against the virus without significant adverse effects (lets say mid/late 2021 ish). Within a couple of years(2023 ish), the vax is produced and distributed and a majority of the worlds populations are inoculated.
This gets us to the point where the virus can no longer easily find new hosts to continue its path of destruction and it gradually dies out(2024/2025). Life gradually returns to our ‘new normal’l(2025/2026), masks come off, people gather, first in smaller groups, then in gradually larger groups(2027).
The damage has been done though, economies have collapsed, individuals, businesses, perhaps even government bankruptcies in never before seen numbers. The death tolls globally, unlike anything seen in modern times, the worst since the Spanish Flu began over 100 years ago.
I know that seems rather pessimistic for a best case scenario – the bright lights that keep us going will be that 1] statistically speaking, your chances of dying from covid are still relatively slim, your far more likely to die from the usual culprits 3] Mr Market could remain buoyant throughout the course of the pandemic setting record highs every year and 2] GTA/GVA RE values skyrocket with a slanty downtown semis now going for an average of a mere $ 3.9M if you win the bidding war ;)
I do have one question for any doctor or nurse who happens to read this drivel everyday.
Why if this virus is so freaking infectious and contagious, do you need to shove a cotton swab 2 inches up a persons nose and why not swab the back of a throat?
A friend was forced to get a test before getting into a doctors office, and told me his nose bled for 20 minutes after wards from the A-HOLE pressing the swab too deep up his sinus cavity.
one of the reasons i call BS to the whole virus scam…. No masks on me….
cheers
With all due respect Don in Victoria, downtown has become a cesspool for the homeless, mentally ill, and drug addicted criminals the city refuses to deal with and/or who missed the move-into-a-hotel bus if you hadn’t noticed. There may be people out on the streets dog walking and getting air (there are zero active cases here) but who wants to hang out in downtown Victoria? Most locals don’t. Hell, the mayor even allowed the homeless to set up camp and stolen bike detailing biz in oceanside Beacon Hill Park while waiting for their turn at the trough or whatever else they can steal or destroy. It’s a $30M business in this town if you ever asked and there’s no sign of that going away anytime soon. As for this non home owning BC’er putting up with 6% rental increases each and every year? Hightailing it out of of this messed up city first chance I get.
|| how does this end?
probable case scenario =
IF they come up with a vaccine, by the time its proven to be effective and safe and then mass produced and distributed we are still likely years away ( may be 3 , maybe 5) before we see returns on that, so we are stuck with dealing with ‘our covid scene’ as it is now – for some time to come.
The protocols we’ve been indoctrinated with to date – the masks and the meters, the handwashing and the hand sanitizing and the small groups of some acceptable # du jour that are allowed to gather along with the protocols that are still to come – perhaps better contact tracking and tracing and perhaps enhanced border controls and perhaps … – will become routine.
Hopefully we’ll get better at not just accepting them but on executing them and hopefully we’ll bitch and moan less and just get on with it.
Eventually, I’ve read somewhere that “pandemics are temporary and they pass” and one day the arenas will re open for the fans of the Leafs/Canadians/Oilers/Flames/Jets/Canucks/Senators and even for those of Adele and you will be able to stand next to your fellow countryman and cheer and shout and scream to your hearts content as you swill vastly overpriced beer served in a undersized cup, but a much better concern to fret about then a trip to the ICU to deal with the covid.
So buckle up folks, because its going to be a while before that day comes and probably the best thing that we can w o r k on while we wait for the return of Adele the Leafs is getting our economy back in gear and that doesn’t mean just sitting around and waiting for things to return to the way we were, because that’s not going to happen.
We’ve got to be prepared to make some changes and to adapt and to innovate and to perhaps even do some things that we haven’t done before – there will be a new normal – and we need to prepare for that.
The sooner we realize that and the sooner we all get on board with that, the sooner that we can start to dig ourselves out of this economic hole that we are burrowing in.
There is no vaccine for the common cold and Covid shares a similar footprint. Any vaccine for Covid will last weeks/months at best before it’s time for another needle. Factor in mutations from around the world and it will be like getting a flu shot 4 times a year if we are lucky. It’s here for good – and yeah, we are all going to get it, masks or not. And just because you get it once doesn’t mean you can’t get it again – just like a common cold. Pray for successful non-Trump endorsed treatments and forget about a vaccine. The medical experts keep saying “this is the new normal” and they are right. We’re here – this is where it ends.
This is turning into a mental health crisis. It has also been a giant failure of public health communication – the moralizing and panic-inducing statements are a travesty. Teresa Tam should have been fired after her offhand and terrifying 2-3 years of masks comment this week.
It ends when the government handouts end. For most, the fear of being hungry and homeless will outweigh the fear of getting sick. People are only acting this way because we have given them the luxury to do so. Take the precautions, be safe, respectful and kind, but get back to work. Life will start to feel a lot more normal again.
You pose salient questions Garth re the tensions between and social impacts of responsible public health behaviour, pragmatic self-preservation and living life freely. But I don’t know why you think Canada has more or less conquered Covid – BC just posted its highest daily case increase in 3.5 months and Alberta just reported a triple digit daily increase in new cases. A second viral wave seems very much brewing – here and globally.
#369 Tim (i.e. me)
I meant to say “When people go back to the office, maybe the previous trend towards packing more people into less space will *reverse*” not return.
Good question. Here are my predictions, which are worth exactly the paper they’re not even printed on:
1) A lot of workplaces will decide that working from home is the way to go. They will be dazzled by the money saved on office real estate. But over time, a lot of those businesses will realize that having people interact face to face was generating a lot of hard-to-quantify benefits, and many will return to the old way. On the employee end, same arc of attitude: at first it’s 100% good to not have to commute, but over time you end up having to subsidize your workplace by devoting part of your home to it, and the lack of separation starts to wear on you. When people go back to the office, maybe the previous trend towards packing more people into less space will reverse. Overall, it settles as a wash, with more of the white-collar workforce working from home, but those in offices taking up more space per person.
2) When there’s a vaccine, anti-vaxxers are going to get a collective smack upside the head. These ignorami were barely tolerable when the vaccines they resisted were for diseases most of us have never experienced. Polio is an abstraction for almost anyone alive today, so herd immunity to same is not something most of us think about. But when a bunch of people refuse to take their COVID shot and thereby expose everyone else to a disease that, rightly or wrongly or in-betweenly, people view as a clear and present threat to their own lives and livelihoods–watch out.
3) Cities will still be the place to be. That’s not going to change. I’m alternately bemused and enraged by the long history of self-declared experts saying that cities will be deserted because everything people want can be found more easily elsewhere. Such declarations invariably project what the writer thinks is important. (You can get Indian food in suburbia now, so there’s no reason to live downtown!) But the space of the city, the presence of other people, the buildings built up to the sidewalk, the density that supports small and quirky local businesses, and the critical mass of people that allows casual experience that just can’t be replicated in a space where everything is separated by setbacks and parking lots, that offer an experience woven into day-to-day life that can’t be replicated by ordering stuff online–these are all intangibles that are very important to a lot of us. For someone who can’t drive, for instance, there is simply no way for anything outside a major urban core to be anything but a daily exercise in being metaphorically punched in the face.
Urbanites put up with a lot to live in the city; it’s not all about the short commute, and most of us couldn’t explain to you why we love it. The heart wants what the heart wants and it does not explain itself. We don’t expect pundits and prognosticators to share or even understand those priorities, but at least recognize that for a non-trivial number of us, the physical space of suburbia or exurbia fills us with despair and sadness.
#355 SoggyShorts on 08.07.20 at 12:45 pm
Great, let’s make a deal then:
What’s your networth? I’ll give you $0.10 for every $1.00 today, and in 2030 you give me 100% of your money, ok?
You’ll either be dead or a slave right? So there’s no risk for you.
Unless….are youone of the dreaded “elite”?!
Was this not just idiotic fear mongering but an honest revelation of your plans?!
Eeek!
Why call it idiotic, the war drums are beating, conflict is rising. The near future is to be feared, just look what the elites have done to us with this fake pandemic, I see no effective opposition to them, they control over 50% of the population with fear headlines, not enough people think for themselves and research critically the absurd claims. Im done trying to persuade people, its time to retreat and save my own, the dumbed down masses are ripe for destruction. I see the USA on its knees to marxists, I see the food supply at real risk, I see inflation on the horizon. The storm is coming, the long cycles are activated, we are in the fourth turning of a generational cycle that will be devastating. Nothing new here, death famine slavery.
Yes you can have all my wealth in 2030 if i make it, but i doubt you will make any preparations to survive and collect the winnings. Good luck friend.