Same in Seoul. Also during cold and flu season you see more masks in public.
Trump lost the Klan in Seoul?
It was a tenuous grip.
haha That was meant to be a reply to the mask thing. We have our own unique brand of racism here, no pointy hats and all the swastikas are backwards and hanging in front of temples.
1 Like
A few weeks ago some clown on Twitter was trying to make the argument that a swastika isn’t a racist symbol in the West since it’s a religious symbol in the East. I’m assuming he was saying it with a straight face.
Back on topic… I work in higher ed which is considered essential, and our leadership is requiring everyone to get tested for the 'rona ahead of our phased reopening that starts next week. So I got tested this morning. I’ve seen several videos of people saying it was the worst thing ever. They’re either overreacting or just pussies. They aren’t lying, though: that swab goes about four inches up your nose. It’s worse than a flu swab and reminded me of when my sinuses got scoped (although I got novocaine for that), but I’ll still take it over a strep throat swab.
I wish I could get them to test the staff at my mother’s retirement home,
Before all this started my mom and dad had decided that by the end of the year they would transition from their house to an independent living facility. Now they’ve decided to stay in their house.
2 Likes
Throughout my travels in Asia, I’ve found that racism is very much alive and well. I guess it’s not so much race as it is ethnicity, but it’s still very prevalent in many forms.
1 Like
So it’s hitting home here. Someone at my wife’s office, whom she would ordinarily have daily contact with, now has it. Of course, my wife has not been in the office in months, but it’s a reminder. Our office was scheduled to start the first phase of re-opening (25% return, I think) yesterday, but after last week’s spike, that has been delayed.
A friend of mine (in Houston) is recovering from it. My office just sent around a memo to say that two people from another company in our building have tested positive. My company is working from home at least through Labor Day but, like yours, it’s a reminder that the virus is out there.
Harris county currently has confirmed cases equivalent to 1 in 266. Texas - after a fall back on Sunday to 1,422 new cases - yesterday posted its 5th new case count over 2,000 in 6 days. Deaths are now started to trend back up, naturally following the increase in cases.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Gov. Abbott - who declined to issue any statewide orders to limit transmission (still hasn’t) and then forced counties who had to re-open business despite the case count rising at the time - is blaming the kids.
“We are beginning to see for the month of June an increase in the number of people testing positive who are in the age group the 20s, meaning between the age of 20 and 29,” Abbott told KRGV. “People of that age group, they’re not following these appropriate, best health safety practices.”
“They are not wearing face masks, they’re not sanitizing their hands, they’re not maintaining social distancing,” he added. “And as a result, they are contracting COVID-19 at a record pace in the state of Texas.”
Fuck that guy.
1 Like
It makes no sense. The kids are following the leads of the adults.
2 Likes
If only there was someone in a position of authority over the state who could mandate the wearing of masks in public places…
2 Likes
Ho-Lee-Shit!
Texas cases exploded today. Worldometers has Texas at 3971 for today’s reported cases and several counties are still to report. The previous record was 2437 on June 10.
Cases increasing in Florida, California, and Arizona among others.
Must be all that extra testing. Mike Pence said the higher numbers were because of testing.
The final number for the day at Worldometers was 4413. An explosive increase. I looked into it a little and I think some prison deaths got dumped on the counties that contain the prisons.
1 Like
For sure. Here its typically less threatening. As my African-American friend that lives here says, “At least they don’t want me dead.” And ironically as a white American male I still have more privilege in the eyes of the locals than someone from Southeast Asia. Part of it is probably racism but most of it is probably based on country development, education, native language, etc etc. Those are important in a homogeneous society. In any case we’re still fighting flare ups and at 30 new cases a day or so but it ain’t so bad all things considering. Wear your damn masks!
1 Like
The numbers reported in the Texas Tribune, which is what I’m used to seeing, only have 2,622 for the day. Still, the highest ever for Texas but far below the number from the other site.
Not sure what’s behind the disparity, but either way, Texas is in a bad way and the state leaders are pretty much in denial. One day in the near future, I would assume they will have to acknowledge it. I’m also betting that by November, they will wish they hadn’t been so irresponsible and cavalier.
