NON_POLITICAL China Coronavirus THREAD

[Mai72]

I know that I'm going to get a lot of hate for this comment, but the one thing that I've noticed during this pandemic is that so many people rely way too much on the US government. I don't care whose in office. It could be Trump, Obama, Clinton, the fairy godmother, Godzilla, etc. No one is coming to your defense. The government isn't going to save you. It's about taking personal responsibility. For example, you should have at the bare minimum a 6 month emergency fund. That fund will cover 6 months of bills. If you are living paycheck to paycheck you need to dig deep and ask why are you in such dire straits financially. Then make changes. You shouldn't buy a car for $40k when you only make $40k a year. Same with having a mortage. People love spending money that they don't have, and when bad financial times hit they are stuck with a pile of bills that they can't pay. It just causes undue stress. I saw this with my parents and vowed that I wouldn't do the same. Live below your means. Let's get back to the basics.

This pandemic is a real wake up call for many.

 

[brianmanahan]

This pandemic is a real wake up call for many.

it should be, but it probably won't stick

 

[Brainonska511]

I know that I'm going to get a lot of hate for this comment, but the one thing that I've noticed during this pandemic is that so many people rely way too much on the US government. I don't care whose in office. It could be Trump, Obama, Clinton, the fairy godmother, Godzilla, etc. No one is coming to your defense. The government isn't going to save you. It's about taking personal responsibility. For example, you should have at the bare minimum a 6 month emergency fund. That fund will cover 6 months of bills. If you are living paycheck to paycheck you need to dig deep and ask why are you in such dire straits financially. Then make changes. You shouldn't buy a car for $40k when you only make $40k a year. Same with having a mortage. People love spending money that they don't have, and when bad financial times hit they are stuck with a pile of bills that they can't pay. It just causes undue stress. I saw this with my parents and vowed that I wouldn't do the same. Live below your means. Let's get back to the basics.

This pandemic is a real wake up call for many.

Of course you're going to get a lot of hate for your comment. You're totally out to lunch on people's financial situations, thinking that people can just pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. You think they like living with no financial safety net?

As for looking to the US government: of course they are - they have the fucking experts for logistics, infectious disease control, etc... it's just that people at the very top are brain dead morons who have totally botched any sort of coordinated response.

 

[snoopy7548]

We look to the government for assistance and help because we pay taxes, which supposedly fund the agencies responsible for providing help in times like these.

 

[Brainonska511]

We look to the government for assistance and help because we pay taxes, which supposedly fund the agencies responsible for providing help in times like these.

You mean that people shouldn't have a reserve fund to hire private disease control experts to individually provide advice on what to do in a pandemic? Get out of here

 

[mopardude87]

There is no In-n-Out in my area. Do they have a mobile app?

They may, i am between cells currently so at that time i couldn't do that if i wanted. The long line was discouraging and i was on my way to stock up for the month at wally world. Not exactly needing it either,working on my weight but it sure in the hell smelled good! Was tough as it is to cut out beer and soda, now its only water but yeah a good burger is hard to past up.

I guess its true, Rome really wasn't built in a day.

 

[misuspita]

We are all focused only on the bad news, but I think this epidemic has also one positive in it

Spoiler

 

[ponyo]

So it's starting. It's every country for themselves. First, Canada, France, Spain, and Germany are pissed at Trump and USA for stealing their 3M N95 mask shipments from China and telling 3M to divert everything to USA. Now PM Modi of India banned all exports of hydroxychloroquine drug. Trump appealed to Modi to release the shipment US already ordered. Trump's actions are going to have consequences. How soon before more countries withhold critical supplies to USA?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ll-exports-of-trump-s-game-changer-virus-drug

 

[misuspita]

That will teach the west to move all production to china/india/vietnam...

 

[Red Squirrel]

I know that I'm going to get a lot of hate for this comment, but the one thing that I've noticed during this pandemic is that so many people rely way too much on the US government. I don't care whose in office. It could be Trump, Obama, Clinton, the fairy godmother, Godzilla, etc. No one is coming to your defense. The government isn't going to save you. It's about taking personal responsibility. For example, you should have at the bare minimum a 6 month emergency fund. That fund will cover 6 months of bills. If you are living paycheck to paycheck you need to dig deep and ask why are you in such dire straits financially. Then make changes. You shouldn't buy a car for $40k when you only make $40k a year. Same with having a mortage. People love spending money that they don't have, and when bad financial times hit they are stuck with a pile of bills that they can't pay. It just causes undue stress. I saw this with my parents and vowed that I wouldn't do the same. Live below your means. Let's get back to the basics.

This pandemic is a real wake up call for many.

While I agree, it's easier said than done when costs of living keep going up every year while salaries stay the same. I have about $300 left over at the end of the month (and it's less each year) after all the monthly expenses like property taxes and other bills go through. I still need to buy groceries and gas up with that.

I do agree people need to try to work towards being more self sufficient financially, though it's just not that easy. For me, I realize it's not doable in a typical city setting because of all the bills and fact that they keep going up each year, so I have been looking for off grid land to build a cabin. Would also have room to build a nice big shop for hobby stuff. I don't have room for that here. If I was to lose my job I sell the house and go move there. There would be hardly no costs of living there as I'd be living mostly off the land and the taxes are less per year than they are per month in the city. I'd still want a passive source of income for hobby stuff though and there would still be SOME costs like if a rogue out of the ordinary hail or wind storm takes out my solar panels or something.

I kinda wish I already had such land and cabin since it would be the perfect place to self isolate especially if I'm financially independent and don't need to go anywhere. It's a long term goal of mine.

 

[Mai72]

it should be, but it probably won't stick

No doubt. People forget very quickly. It's like that overweight guy who gets a health scare, tries to make changes to his lifestyle and realizes that it's too hard to pull off. So they stop trying, forget about their ailment and it just gets worse. Humans are very good at putting things off until it smacks us on the head. It's why for so many any type of change is nearly impossible.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I do hope this prompts more local manufacturing again. This supply chain issue is something that should not even be an issue, we created it by being obsessed with capitalism and the idea of finding every possible way to cut costs so CEOs can make more money, instead of doing what makes logical sense.

 

[Mai72]

While I agree, it's easier said than done when costs of living keep going up every year while salaries stay the same. I have about $300 left over at the end of the month (and it's less each year) after all the monthly expenses like property taxes and other bills go through. I still need to buy groceries and gas up with that.

I do agree people need to try to work towards being more self sufficient financially, though it's just not that easy. For me, I realize it's not doable in a typical city setting because of all the bills and fact that they keep going up each year, so I have been looking for off grid land to build a cabin. Would also have room to build a nice big shop for hobby stuff. I don't have room for that here. If I was to lose my job I sell the house and go move there. There would be hardly no costs of living there as I'd be living mostly off the land and the taxes are less per year than they are per month in the city. I'd still want a passive source of income for hobby stuff though and there would still be SOME costs like if a rogue out of the ordinary hail or wind storm takes out my solar panels or something.

I kinda wish I already had such land and cabin since it would be the perfect place to self isolate especially if I'm financially independent and don't need to go anywhere. It's a long term goal of mine.

Yea. I wasn't trying to critize anyone. Just pointing out what I'm seeing, and like many Americans I'm not any better at saving, investing and working harder. I'm getting better though. It is hard especially if you are attempting change at an older age. My parents were spenders, and hardly saved anything. New cars, homes, credit cards maxed. Going out to dinner 3-4x a week. Relying on my wealthy uncle to fund their new home. I saw it all and it wasn't good. I soon followed in their footsteps. I financed new cars when I should had bought a $2k used car. Spent money like water. It's funny how we can just rationalize our spending. I'd tell myself "oh I can afford that $500 car payment" when I knew damn well I'd have difficulty. I didn't have a budget. No one taught me this stuff. Thank god for YouTube. I soon knew about what it means to live below your means. I followed guys like Dave Ramsey. I didn't even know what an emergency fund was a few years ago. I was so clueless. Anyway, it's never too late to start.

 

[Mai72]

So it's starting. It's every country for themselves. First, Canada, France, Spain, and Germany are pissed at Trump and USA for stealing their 3M N95 mask shipments from China and telling 3M to divert everything to USA. Now PM Modi of India banned all exports of hydroxychloroquine drug. Trump appealed to Modi to release the shipment US already ordered. Trump's actions are going to have consequences. How soon before more countries withhold critical supplies to USA?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ll-exports-of-trump-s-game-changer-virus-drug

India is going to have to take care of their own citizens forst. COVID-19 is expected to explode in India, so hydroxychloroquine will have to be distributed to the local population first before they start exporting the drug. Why can't we make hydroxychloroquine in America? Are we really that dependent on other countries?

 

[skull]

Of course you're going to get a lot of hate for your comment. You're totally out to lunch on people's financial situations, thinking that people can just pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. You think they like living with no financial safety net?

As for looking to the US government: of course they are - they have the fucking experts for logistics, infectious disease control, etc... it's just that people at the very top are brain dead morons who have totally botched any sort of coordinated response.

All the people I know living paycheck to paycheck seem to love spending every dollar and not saving for a rainy day. Same buddy that always asks why I don't buy a new truck or a nicer house said hes going to have to start giving $20 handies if work doesn't pick up. Of course my answer to his questions was always because I don't want to be broke day after pay day like you. Tried warning him maxing out his DTI to buy the last house was stupid. He could of gotten a decent house for half the price... Hes not the only one, for most being broke is a choice.

 

[Brainonska511]

So it's starting. It's every country for themselves. First, Canada, France, Spain, and Germany are pissed at Trump and USA for stealing their 3M N95 mask shipments from China and telling 3M to divert everything to USA. Now PM Modi of India banned all exports of hydroxychloroquine drug. Trump appealed to Modi to release the shipment US already ordered. Trump's actions are going to have consequences. How soon before more countries withhold critical supplies to USA?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ll-exports-of-trump-s-game-changer-virus-drug

India is going to have to take care of their own citizens forst. COVID-19 is expected to explode in India, so hydroxychloroquine will have to be distributed to the local population first before they start exporting the drug. Why can't we make hydroxychloroquine in America? Are we really that dependent on other countries?

From the few reports available on that drug, it honestly shouldn't be a big loss for fighting coronavirus. It seems like it would have a modest, if any effect. Too many people buying wholesale into shoddy small observational studies and other poorly controlled, small studies.

 

[ponyo]

Yea. I wasn't trying to critize anyone. Just pointing out what I'm seeing, and like many Americans I'm not any better at saving, investing and working harder. I'm getting better though. It is hard especially if you are attempting change at an older age. My parents were spenders, and hardly saved anything. New cars, homes, credit cards maxed. Going out to dinner 3-4x a week. Relying on my wealthy uncle to fund their new home. I saw it all and it wasn't good. I soon followed in their footsteps. I financed new cars when I should had bought a $2k used car. Spent money like water. It's funny how we can just rationalize our spending. I'd tell myself "oh I can afford that $500 car payment" when I knew damn well I'd have difficulty. I didn't have a budget. No one taught me this stuff. Thank god for YouTube. I soon knew about what it means to live below your means. I followed guys like Dave Ramsey. I didn't even know what an emergency fund was a few years ago. I was so clueless. Anyway, it's never too late to start.

You can do all that, and you're still going to struggle and live paycheck to paycheck. You might even save little and might be proud of the tiny savings you have but the truth is it's nothing. It takes money to make money. Once you have over a million dollar, it's whole lot easier to make more money. Making the first million is always the hardest. But until you can scale up, you're always going to struggle. That's the truth. And while there are people who get there with lot of hard work, luck plays the biggest role. You build large wealth through lucky investments in things like stocks and/or real estate, not with paycheck. It's why the rich gets richer while the rest struggle. The deck is stacked and favors the rich. They create and write policies that benefits them the most. I don't want to discourage people trying to better themselves but the reality is you're fighting a losing battle.

But there's sliver lining to the current economic situation we have due to the coronavirus. There's going to be massive opportunities to make real wealth. This is when regular Joe can become rich if they get lucky and buy the right investments. Lot of regular people got rich after the 2008 Great Recession.

 

[Kaido]

John Hopkins map & stats:

COVID-19 Map - Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

coronavirus.jhu.edu

 

[CZroe]

Yea. I don't even for one second believe that they had 3k deaths. More like 300k and counting. I lived in South Korea for a few years, and I can tell you that people in Asia don't like losing face. China has a lot to lose if they atually admitted what happened. Wet markets are still supossedly still open in China. How stupid is that?

They are. Still selling bats too.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

So it's starting. It's every country for themselves. First, Canada, France, Spain, and Germany are pissed at Trump and USA for stealing their 3M N95 mask shipments from China and telling 3M to divert everything to USA. Now PM Modi of India banned all exports of hydroxychloroquine drug. Trump appealed to Modi to release the shipment US already ordered. Trump's actions are going to have consequences. How soon before more countries withhold critical supplies to USA?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...ll-exports-of-trump-s-game-changer-virus-drug

You mean every country is considering the interest of their own country as a first priority? WELL SHIT WHERE HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?!

I thought we all held-hands, did sing-a-longs in 50 different languages and never had things in life called world wars.

Again, get off the "Hating Trump and blaming him for every problem or disagreement in the world" wagon.

 

[Brainonska511]

Again, get off the "Hating Trump and blaming him for every problem or disagreement in the world" wagon.

Hard to get world cooperation when he's spent the last 3 years bashing world cooperation with a go-it-alone, reality tv style foreign policy.

 

[misuspita]

Germany had a transport set up ready for delivery with masks. On the runway the USA paid more money to divert the transport to them.

Doing this it ensured the new piracy way. Every country for itself.

 

[Muse]

I know that I'm going to get a lot of hate for this comment, but the one thing that I've noticed during this pandemic is that so many people rely way too much on the US government. I don't care whose in office. It could be Trump, Obama, Clinton, the fairy godmother, Godzilla, etc. No one is coming to your defense. The government isn't going to save you. It's about taking personal responsibility. For example, you should have at the bare minimum a 6 month emergency fund. That fund will cover 6 months of bills. If you are living paycheck to paycheck you need to dig deep and ask why are you in such dire straits financially. Then make changes. You shouldn't buy a car for $40k when you only make $40k a year. Same with having a mortage. People love spending money that they don't have, and when bad financial times hit they are stuck with a pile of bills that they can't pay. It just causes undue stress. I saw this with my parents and vowed that I wouldn't do the same. Live below your means. Let's get back to the basics.

This pandemic is a real wake up call for many.

I've NEVER been like that. I lived for decades below the poverty line in an area where work was tough to get and they fired you willy nilly and for no reason because it was a hirer's market always. I'd look at what's on the store shelves and keep my hands and my money in my pocket because that money was so hard-earned that what I was looking at looked highly unattractive... unless it was something I REALLY needed. Once in a while I'd take a notion to buy something extra... like, finally a new TV (the used one I'd bought at a shop and brought home on a bus flat out sucked). I had no car... I brought that new one home a mile and a half tied to a skate board! Kept it 25 years, a 20" JVC CRT.

Yeah, I have always known how to pinch a penny until it screamed "ouch!"

I live in earthquake country and have been preparing for the BIG ONE for decades. This viral nightmare is a close cousin to that earthquake. My house is intact, yeah, but the world's crumbling in eery ways.

it should be, but it probably won't stick

Not everyone's a dufus. Some people do learn.

 

[Muse]

They may, i am between cells currently so at that time i couldn't do that if i wanted. The long line was discouraging and i was on my way to stock up for the month at wally world. Not exactly needing it either,working on my weight but it sure in the hell smelled good! Was tough as it is to cut out beer and soda, now its only water but yeah a good burger is hard to past up.

I guess its true, Rome really wasn't built in a day.

Let me say it here, because I don't often get the chance:

Nowadays it sure as hell can get torn down in a day.

 

[CZroe]

We are all focused only on the bad news, but I think this epidemic has also one positive in it

Spoiler

View attachment 19199

LOL! Well, it most likely didn't come from one person eating a bat even if it came from a bat intended for human consumption. It would come from an interaction with that bat before someone ate it... whether that is keeping the bat close enough to infect other animals or handling by humans every step of the way.