Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Public House › virus news … (+ some dark humor)
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March 25, 2020 at 8:53 pm #112962
InvaderRamModeratorMarch 26, 2020 at 12:11 am #112969
ZooeyModerator
March 26, 2020 at 1:29 pm #112991
nittany ramModeratorAs a former health insurance exec, I don’t think any story better illustrates my old industry’s racket than the one I’m about to tell you: Right now, as we enter the worst public health crisis of our lifetimes (#COVID19), health insurers are still raking in record profits. (1/11)
— Wendell Potter (@wendellpotter) March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020 at 2:45 pm #112995
znModeratorWendell Potter@wendellpotter
As a former health insurance exec, I don’t think any story better illustrates my old industry’s racket than the one I’m about to tell you: Right now, as we enter the worst public health crisis of our lifetimes (#COVID19), health insurers are still raking in record profits. (1/11)Wendell Potter@wendellpotter
With the COVID19 death & illness count growing each day, you might expect health insurance companies to be one of the industries taking a huge hit right now. After all, they must be reeling from all the medical care Americans now need & all the claims being filed. Right? (2/11)Get ready to be outraged. The country’s big for-profit health insurers may actually be one of the huge winners from the pandemic. Among the few corporations to see big jumps in their stock price this week are Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna & Humana (where I used to work). (3/11)
Investors clearly believe insurers will make a killing, with one Wall Street analyst boosting Cigna to “strong buy.” As medical claims skyrocket how on earth is this possible? A toxic combination of skimping on coverage for COVID19 treatments & raising next year’s premiums (4/11)
How do I know this? I used to handle financial information for Cigna & learned that industry CEOs reveal stuff to financial analysts they’d never say to the general public. Few reporters bother to listen in to insurers’ calls with analysts, but one who does is @bobjherman. (5/11)
@BobJHerman reports that in a recent call with analysts, health insurance CEOs said they don’t expect their profits to fall due to COVID-19. They even expect to meet their most ambitious 2021 earnings goals (and they’ve already been seeing record profits in recent years). (6/11)
How do health insurers continue to see huge profits during this crisis? “If medical claims start to rise uncontrollably,” @bobjherman reports, “they’ll increase everyone’s premiums next year.” Humana CEO Brian Kane put it more opaquely: “We would price for this for 2021.” (7/11)
They’re already prepping for big rate increases next year. California officials say they expect insurers to hike premiums up to 40% next year for plans in the state’s Obamacare exchange. Those getting coverage through employers should also brace for big premium hikes. (8/11)
In addition, Anthem’s CEO said his company expects to realize a “net saving” because hospitals are canceling non-emergency & elective procedures due to COVID-19. And we already know insurers are refusing to waive copays & deductibles for COVID-19 treatments. (9/11)
This is all music to investors’ ears, who are rushing to buy these stocks. When the market closed today, the Dow was up 2.39%. By comparison:
*Cigna: Up 6.5%.
*UnitedHealthcare: Up 6.67%.
*Anthem: Up 9.93%.
*Humana: Up 14.92%.
It’s high times for the insurance racket. (10/11)So, while many suffer serious illness or death — and millions lose jobs & health insurance — the industry sitting pretty in the United States right now is the health insurance industry.
That perfectly sums up all you need to know about healthcare in America in 2020.
(/END.)March 26, 2020 at 11:23 pm #113019znModeratorTalking to my homie in Ireland. They immediately nationalized all hospitals. Paying 70% of workers salaries. Unemployed get $2k, rent, mortgage, utilities freeze
America, like WTF we doing?
— Anthony Clark in the Struggle (@anthonyvclark20) March 25, 2020
March 27, 2020 at 10:58 am #113037
wvParticipantThere’s always this kind of notion, when these crises happen. Pointing out all the systemic under-the-MSM-radar situations that ‘should’ be considered mega-crises but are simply ignored…
“….The story does not end there. Let me keep aside the human cost of terrorism and extremism as well as the nuclear threats for the time being. Here are some of the facts compiled from the reports by the United Nations and its related bodies on global challenges due to our life style based on deliberate ignorance and cynical manipulation.
There are more than 1billion people suffering from hunger. What does it mean? One in every seven people on this planet doesn’t get sufficient food. In the last few months of this year, the number of death due to hunger are over 1.7 million. Statistics showed that around 9 million people die annually in hunger. Out of the total fatalities, there….see link…”
March 27, 2020 at 11:13 am #113040wvParticipantPrime Minister Boris Johnson has the virus. Lotta rich folks have it.
I wonder if it would be a ‘Crisis’ if only poor people got it?
Man who boasted of shaking hands with Coronavirus patients has Coronavirus. That aside, God bless & get better soon you eejit. pic.twitter.com/5w39z94lDG
— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) March 27, 2020
March 28, 2020 at 9:12 am #113091znModeratorI’ve been a union rep for multiple healthcare and hospital unions and the running joke is that instead of fair wages, safe equipment, or proper staffing — mgmt is always bringing in free pizza. https://t.co/RwR1d6CGbw
— Union Express (@Grbssss) March 27, 2020
March 28, 2020 at 9:29 am #113092wvParticipantThe evil wv-ewe sent me this, fwiw:
—
The following is from Irene Ken physician, whose daughter is an Asst. Prof in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, quite informative.* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).
By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
-between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
-4 hours (copper and wood)
-24 hours (cardboard),
– 42 hours (metal) and
-72 hours (plastic).But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.
They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
-JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
March 28, 2020 at 1:31 pm #113105March 28, 2020 at 2:57 pm #113113nittany ramModeratorI demand to know who made this meme and why they didn’t just @ me. pic.twitter.com/eFl0SmPMqJ
— the apocalypse, but fashion 🦝 (@ElleArmageddon) March 27, 2020
March 28, 2020 at 3:52 pm #113115ZooeyModerator
March 28, 2020 at 8:03 pm #113125
MackeyserModeratorOkay, that last one has me laughing at my keyboard.
Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.
March 28, 2020 at 8:50 pm #113131ZooeyModeratorOkay, that last one has me laughing at my keyboard.
That pleases me. I made it. A friend of mine had that picture on her feed with something else above it, and I re-purposed it. Which is why it’s sorta ugly. I used some program on Windows I never used before, and I made a bit of a mess of it, but…it’s only a meme, so….
March 28, 2020 at 9:20 pm #113133znModeratorThat pleases me. I made it.
Hey I didn’t realize that. Good for you.
March 28, 2020 at 11:40 pm #113136ZooeyModeratorThat pleases me. I made it.
Hey I didn’t realize that. Good for you.
I’ve made a few, mostly with some kind of web-based generator, but I don’t announce when they are original to me. I just post them. Memes aren’t rare, and it doesn’t take any special talent. Once in a while, an idea strikes, and that’s that.
March 29, 2020 at 8:38 am #113155znModeratorMA received 17% of requested medical supplies from the Trump admin. ME: 5%. CO: 1 day's worth.
FL got everything they requested. + an identical shipment the next week. oh, and a 3rd is on the way.https://t.co/4AmYkn70Jm pic.twitter.com/ZUCGF2NsfX
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) March 29, 2020
March 30, 2020 at 1:48 pm #113189MackeyserModeratorSo… my son who works at a grocery store stayed home today.
Mild fever and sore throat. He’s isolating and we’re hoping it’s any number of other things. He feels fine.
We’re a very huggy family, so it’s very hard not to hug someone in the family. Isolating folks for us is very hard.
Seems the worry will continue.
Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.
March 30, 2020 at 5:28 pm #113200znModerator==
March 31, 2020 at 10:12 am #113224wvParticipantMarch 31, 2020 at 7:32 pm #113240wvParticipant—-
April 1, 2020 at 9:18 pm #113272April 2, 2020 at 3:11 am #113275znModeratorIn order to be on track for an estimated ~100,000 deaths from coronavirus in the United States, and a peak of ~2,500 deaths per day, the University of Washington model cited by the White House would expect 899 deaths today.
The latest @CNN number is 946 deaths reported today.
— Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) April 2, 2020
==
“Roughly 280 million masks in warehouses around the U.S. were purchased by foreign buyers on Monday alone, according to Forbes. A FEMA spokesperson said the agency ‘has not actively encouraged or discouraged U.S. companies from exporting overseas’.” https://t.co/e4Xob5bhHC
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) April 1, 2020
April 2, 2020 at 5:43 am #113276znModeratorSocial distancing baptism pic.twitter.com/S1CJiNPcOC
— Stephen (@GeronimoFrost) April 1, 2020
April 2, 2020 at 11:18 am #113283znModeratorHow to ensure you don't get follow-up questions on Fox, apparently. pic.twitter.com/nOUqw4ZVhO
— Ben Smith (@benyt) April 2, 2020
April 2, 2020 at 6:36 pm #113289znModeratorA stunning admission of deadly ignorance from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who says he only just learned that asymptomatic people can transmit #Covid19. “ndividuals could have been infecting people before they ever felt bad, but we didn’t know that until the last 24 hours.” pic.twitter.com/T7NZWk2GDR
— Andisheh Nouraee (@andishehnouraee) April 2, 2020
April 3, 2020 at 2:00 am #113290nittany ramModeratorSo when someone says “Single payer healthcare would not have prevented COVID-19” just know that they are evading talking about this stuff right here https://t.co/uR9XLAAknw
— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) April 2, 2020
April 4, 2020 at 1:04 am #113311znModeratorVivid dreaming is incredibly common during this pandemic. “This is global. I’m working in the U.S., Australia, India, China, and Japan. Story is the same everywhere. People are dreaming up a storm," one dream analyst told me. My latest, for @InStyle: https://t.co/CvowYY1dhY
— Britni de la Cretaz (@britnidlc) April 3, 2020
April 4, 2020 at 8:03 am #113317znModeratorApril 5, 2020 at 1:55 am #113346znModeratormichael_nielsen@michael_nielsen
Bill Gates is setting up factories to manufacture 7 leading vaccine candidates before we know which is best & safest; we can test the vaccines in parallel, and then throw away all but the factory for the best vaccine. May save many months. -
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