With the US dominating air travel, the rest of the world must be wondering what is wrong with us?

[Evolve Dammit]

Why is America so careless and indifferent to infecting others and death?

[2naSalit]

1. Not only that...

Their blatant disrespect for the medical workers who are caring for everyone on demand and being worn out by the results of selfishness. I can believe it, and I am glad I am not so willing to adversely affect others like that.

My best friend's family has all been infected because the daughter's coworker came to work sick, mild symptoms, and ended up dying after infecting everyone in the clinic. Then the daughter brought it home to my friend who is in very poor health, bed-bound trying to recover from the lasting side effects of cancer treatments. They are all having mild, so far, cases but it is depressing how stupid this all is.

[dutch777]

4. Doctors and nurses with one medical group in Tacoma did a one day strike...

...their issue is their contract assures them adequate PPE which they say they are still not getting but used same picketing event to try and tell people to get smart and stop risking everyone's lives for their selfish "freedoms". A Providence hospital in Everett, WA had 6 staff members get Covid in October and the count for November is already 20. They haven't been able to ascertain a vector or vectors in the hospital and are not ruling out community spread from outside the hospital. How many family and friends tied to these people who got Covid was not stated.

I think when the health care workers finally say no national mandate with enforcement then no Covid or other care may be the only way to get politicians and other folks to pay attention. Medical workers would risk their jobs and their medical licenses in that scenario but likelihood of action against the whole of the medical community seem pretty unlikely. Sad commentary indeed that so many cannot see the common good and do something as simple as mask up.

[Evolve Dammit]

8. "blatant disrespect" is the absolute truth. Something is deeply wrong with that.

[area51]

19. +1 n/t

[cwydro]

2. I've been watching the news about this in amazement, and sadness.

But I’ve also read posters here who’ve talked about going on vacation, going to bars, restaurants, gyms, flying places...

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I've Only Done One Risky Activity

I still subbed several days this semester.
But, a lot of it in a school with quite small class sizes.
I consider schools essential, in this area, not every home has internet connections with the headroom for Zoom, and the kids must have a school.
I find the schools doing an excellent job of enforcing extra distancing & masks have been absolute.
Per the Illinois Department of Public Health, the schools are but a minor contributor to the huge flare up here.
I trust their analysis.
That said, I wouldn't go into a school with 3,000 students. Can't see how they'd manage the beginning & end of day.
But, no going out to eat, we don't go to bars anyway, I just scratched the stationary bike at the park district off my things to do, and I did enough flying while working. It's only slightly likely we'll ever get on a plane again, COVID or not!
And tomorrow isn't Thanksgiving. It's merely Thursday. We'll see people when it's prudent.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. subbing is public service, to be commended. Schools where we are seem to be doing a really good job

[cwydro]

14. Agree.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. Our family hasn't gone anywhere except local necessities for 8 months. To keep us all safe(er).

[Pobeka]

3. Mass hysteria. It's been building since Gingich, Fox News sealed the deal.

Hardball partisan politics thanks to Gingrich.
Rampant propaganda thanks to Fox News.

[dutch777]

6. Probably a long shot given First Amendment rights but...

I wonder if some smart attorneys could not get a bunch of Covid death and injured families and form a class action lawsuit saying that Covid misinformation spread by Fox, Trump, et.al. created an unhealthy environment that contributed to their loved ones death/Covid related injury/pain/suffering. If Guilliani can take his insane and weak election fraud accusations forward in multiple states, I don't why this angle wouldn't be worth a try. I am encouraged by the Seth Rich family case settlement against Fox and I think the more of these with Fox on the losing end is the only way to reign in the excesses.

Similarly, I would try this against the Governors who have let so many die and the economy continue to be hammered by their complicity or inaction.

[Evolve Dammit]

10. It went beyond free speech. It was intentional. It was reckless. And it was/is criminal.

The lies were relentless from 45 and all the minions past and present. All complicit when they knew how deadly it was. 45 admitted it to Bernstein in recorded interview (Exhibit "A&quot . Massive class action is totally called for, and/or criminal suit(s). A quarter million dead and climbing. It did not need to be this way. No "president" would do this except a sociopathic criminal.

[dutch777]

20. Certainly true and I agree with your sentiment...

...unfortunately, criminality is a hard case to make governmentally as it relates to policy. I very much worry that Biden et al will cave to not prosecute so as to "not distract" from their agenda. Wrong message in such an aggregious case as the Trump administration. Never a better opportunity to make sure something this terrible ever happens again but we will see. I am glad Kamala is on the team...will be interesting to see where it goes.

[Evolve Dammit]

23. Here's hoping

[Evolve Dammit]

7. That is about when it started. Limbaugh launched in 87 or so. Pretty tame till then

[Miguelito Loveless]

11. Reagan killed

the “Fairness Doctrine” and the decline began.

[Evolve Dammit]

13. definately a big factor and attack on NPR/PBS. Great article in Harpers several years ago on that.

[Pobeka]

17. Yep. Reagan did the country no favors.

[former9thward]

15. What are you talking about?

Covid is a world wide problem. Most countries have shut their borders to anyone else. No one is "wondering" about the U.S. Have you seen the disasterous death rates and infection rates in Europe?

[Evolve Dammit]

22. Comment is that the US is dominating air travel right now. It suggests other countries are careful.

[Baclava]

16. Its not just us, its worldwide, millennials and GenXers are the majority I see traveling

My nephews are flying, they don't see it as a threat to THEM, the bulletproof generation

[ecstatic]

18. My brother is headed to Jamaica next week

My sister went last month. Seems like some people are having the time of their lives, at great prices, mind you. I'm jealous.

[Evolve Dammit]

21. That definately would be nice right now. I'm a bit jealous too but we got a job to do IMHO. Problem

is though, if 30-40% choose not to, we are to remain largely "in place" until a vaccine is widely (widely) accessible. In the interim, stay safe. I'm making future travel plans. Some packages now have totally refundable or re-schedule options.