• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Not all heroes wear capes.

People are complicated. Love is not.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

I’m sure you banged some questionable people yourself.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

So many bastards, so little time.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

The words do not have to be perfect.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Mobile Menu

  • Winnable House Races
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • Balloon Juice 2023 Pet Calendar (coming soon)
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • War in Ukraine
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • 2021-22 Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Open Threads / Trump Press Conference: Shit and Shinola

Trump Press Conference: Shit and Shinola

by Betty Cracker|  February 29, 20201:21 pm| 225 Comments

This post is in: COVID-19 Coronavirus, Healthcare, Open Threads, Politics

FacebookTweetEmail

Trump is holding a press conference shortly:

Trump Press Conference

Here’s what we know: he thinks this event will help him personally and/or politically in some way. That’s Trump’s only motivation for doing anything, ever. The only question is whether he’ll 1) take credit for something good others did, 2) blame people for upcoming bad news, or 3) some combination of the two. My guess is door #3.

Since Trump is a liar and a moron who is incapable of grasping let alone communicating important information on a complex subject, the only part of this matinee I’ll find interesting is the post-media analysis. And when I say “interesting,” I mean in the sense that watching someone shape fresh dog turds into little squares, frost them with dumpster slime and serve them as petit fours would be “interesting.”

I saw that rambling, incoherent, petulant, know-nothing shit-show of a press conference earlier this week with my own eyes and then watched the NYT excrete it as “President Trump named Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday to coordinate the government’s response to the coronavirus, even as he repeatedly played down the danger to the United States of a widespread domestic outbreak.” So yeah, interesting.

Open thread.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « Everything Dies, Baby That’s A Fact
Next Post: Open Thread: In the Face of A Global Pandemic, Where Is ‘Our’ Secretary of State? »

Reader Interactions

225Comments

  1. 1.

    MattF

    February 29, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    Stenographic record of presser:

    Me, me, me, me, me, me, me…

  2. 2.

    feebog

    February 29, 2020 at 1:27 pm

    Gah.

  3. 3.

    Bbleh

    February 29, 2020 at 1:28 pm

    he thinks this event will help him personally and/or politically in some way

    No doubt. But why? My only guess is, damage control. The reviews of his Wednesday “news conference” were generally bad.

    It may also be because the blame game isn’t working so far, and he wants to reinforce it. Expect lots of complaining about the media and Democrats.

  4. 4.

    geg6

    February 29, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    Well, we have our first death, so he’ll be more insane than ever.

  5. 5.

    clay

    February 29, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    Just saw the headline that the first US death from the Coronavirus has been confirmed. That might be the cause of the conference.

    Will he take questions? Or just (poorly) read a statement and leave?

  6. 6.

    LuciaMia

    February 29, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Will he be announcing his ‘creative’ solution to the coronavirus, Tax Cuts!

  7. 7.

    A Ghost To Most

    February 29, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    Obligatory FTFNYT.

  8. 8.

    Shalimar

    February 29, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    @geg6: Oh my God!  Nancy Pelosi has already killed someone!

  9. 9.

    Mary G

    February 29, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    I can smell the flop sweat from California. Even the right wing neighbor who usually blames everything on “the illegals” and tried to get me to get rid of my housemates is pissed at Trump

     

    ETA: For my health I won’t be watching.

  10. 10.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    February 29, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Good article by Bill Clinton’s press secretary about what Trump needs to do. No surprise, he’s not doing it yet. We’ll see if today’s event makes any difference.

    To date, he’s done almost everything wrong. He has consistently underplayed the potential for a serious public health crisis here at home. Worse, he has made a series of off-the-cuff remarks on a complicated scientific problem that has undermined the work being done both at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  11. 11.

    Lapassionara

    February 29, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    @Mary G: Me either. I hope someone watches it so I don’t have to.

  12. 12.

    zzyzx

    February 29, 2020 at 1:38 pm

    Please tell me someone will watch and report back so I don’t have to.

    I work at a company that depends on business travel for its existence and I live in Seattle, so I am not in the mood for Trump on top of that.

  13. 13.

    RobNYNY

    February 29, 2020 at 1:40 pm

    One petit four. Two petits fours.

  14. 14.

    PsiFighter37

    February 29, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    It’s a sunny (albeit cold) Saturday in NYC. Why would I want to ruin it by watching the shitgibbon talk live?

  15. 15.

    Ivan X

    February 29, 2020 at 1:43 pm

    And when I say “interesting,” I mean in the sense that watching someone shape fresh dog turds into little squares, frost them with dumpster slime and serve them as petit fours would be “interesting.”

    omg this is Pulitzer material right here

  16. 16.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    For what it’s worth, Shinola shoe polish is no longer made, and the company that made it went out of business in 1960. Another company took over the name and now uses it to sell luxury goods assembled in the US from imported parts.

    Depressing, though not surprising in the circumstances, that the Trump administration is dealing with with COVID-19 purely as a political/PR situation instead of a medical crisis situation.

  17. 17.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    @LuciaMia:

    How far away is the idling heli? “Man shouting over idling engines” never gets old. Never. Not a good time for Mr. Sniffy, though.

  18. 18.

    Betty Cracker

    February 29, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    CNN’s Brian Stelter says Trump has squandered credibility but he can get it back: “It’s like a gas tank; you can fill it back up.” What fucking planet are these people on?

  19. 19.

    rikyrah

    February 29, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    I haven’t been on much lately,mainly because my new job has me so busy.

    But, I have to admit that I’ve been down lately.

    You have to admit, we’ve just been lucky.

    Outside of the Courts, which are lost for 2 generations, because of 2016…

    And, we’re creating our own hemispheric terrorists with the family separation policy….

     

    But, outside of that..

    We had lucked out.

    I thought that Iran was the point where our luck would run out, and having the Orange Menace would mean something truly irrevocable.

    But, I honestly think our luck has run out now, with this virus. His incompetence, plus ignorance, and corruption, and that they shut down the agencies who would have been working all along not only in this country, but other countries. Bolton’s traitorous ass got rid of those who would have been doing it from a National Security issue.

     

    We are woefully unprepared. And then, he put Mike ‘ I oversaw an explosion of rural AIDS cases because of my incompetence’ Pence over the Federal Response?

     

    Our luck has run out.  :(

  20. 20.

    Starfish

    February 29, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Yes! People who heard it in real time were saying that it was insane, and NPR was trying to make it sound coherent. If it is incoherent nonsense, say that.

  21. 21.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    In more and also worrying news, Liverpool trail 1-0 at hosts Watford in the second half.

  22. 22.

    LuciaMia

    February 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    Just saw the headline that the first US death from the Coronavirus has been confirmed

    Maybe thats why its delayed.  Taking questions?  I read that he has to leave to speak to the faithful at CPAC at 3, so who knows.

  23. 23.

    RandomMonster

    February 29, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    My mom, sister, and other family all live in Seattle. I’m so pissed that this idiot is endangering lives with his incompetence and corruption. 

  24. 24.

    West of the Rockies

    February 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    @geg6:

    “We have our first death, but somebody said it could have been caused by anything.  I’m told the person was a Biden supporter, so it could be a hoax, we really don’t bigly know….”

  25. 25.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    Now Liverpool trail 2-0 at Watford, both goals scored by Ismail Sarr. Woe is me!

  26. 26.

    West of the Rockies

    February 29, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    @trollhattan:

    Mr. Sniffy, huh?  I call mine The Duke.//

  27. 27.

    Renie

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    It’s not surprising that he doesn’t seem to grasp that every time he talks about the virus and spews bullshit, it makes the situation worse.  Especially his beloved stock market that he worked so hard to crash.

  28. 28.

    LuciaMia

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    His breathing sounds terrible.

  29. 29.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    @Betty Cracker: They’re high off huffing their own farts.

  30. 30.

    Cacti

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    The press will do like they did with Reagan and Dubya.

    Pretend that Trump is competent and in control of the situation, all facts and evidence to the contrary be damned.

    It’s what they do for every semi-literate, barely functioning, Republican doofus who holds the office of POTUS.

  31. 31.

    Damned_at_Random

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    @PsiFighter37:

    Because it’s a talking shitgibbon! It’s a spectacle like no other. And anytime now it might start flinging feces

  32. 32.

    Mike J

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Not any more.

  33. 33.

    Betty Cracker

    February 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    He’s yammering on and on and on about Afghanistan in a notably dejected tone.

  34. 34.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    Holding a conference about Coronavirus and somehow we’re already off track with the Taliban.

    Never forget, never forgive.

    Edit: they interrupted the Olympic marathon trials for this piece of shit.

  35. 35.

    RandomMonster

    February 29, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    So far he’s just verbally jacking off about the agreement with the Taliban. I wonder if he’ll even talk about the virus.

  36. 36.

    Mike G

    February 29, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    I for one sleep better at night knowing the guy in charge of managing a pandemic is a magical-thinking bible-thumper with contempt for science and evidence.

    Thanks again, Trump voters.

  37. 37.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    February 29, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    every case I’ve heard of is north of San Francisco and west of the Continental Divide, so of course the answer is: Blame the Messicans

    Rick Wilson @TheRickWilson
    Stephen Miller’s grubby paws are all over this

    Ted Hesson @tedhesson
    EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration is considering imposing entry restrictions at the US-Mexico border to control the spread of the coronavirus in the United States, according to two DHS officials

  38. 38.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    @LuciaMia: He sounds sick and his makeup is worse.

  39. 39.

    Benw

    February 29, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Omg the US marathon trials have been preempted by Trump. He’s blathering on about the troops. NBC keeps having to adjust the text as he rambles. It started as a special report on Coronavirus and now says Trump on US-Taliban agreement. Now they’ve switched back to Coronavirus. They’ve got him on the downers: solemn Trump

  40. 40.

    Mallard FIlmore

    February 29, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    @LuciaMia:

    Will he be announcing his ‘creative’ solution to the coronavirus, Tax Cuts!

    There is no problem that is so intractable that it cannot be solved by tax cuts for the rich.

  41. 41.

    Mike G

    February 29, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Mexico has 3 cases. The US has 63 – that we know of so far.

    If this made any sense Mexico should be closing their border to the US.

  42. 42.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    This is unbelievable. I’ve avoided watching or listening to him, but I’m at Mama Cisco’s and couldn’t duck this one. He sounds stupid and doped up.

    But mostly stupid.

  43. 43.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    TIM APPLE! DRINK!

  44. 44.

    Betty Cracker

    February 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    This is shaping up to be worse than earlier this week. Jesus.

  45. 45.

    Ohio Mom

    February 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    Amir @21: I don’t follow any sports and have no understanding of your periodic game updates — I assume they are playing soccer but maybe it’s cricket? — but they always make me smile. I don’t know why, but they do.

    Maybe because they remind me of less fraught times, and seem like a promise those times will return.

  46. 46.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    February 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    Maggie Haberman @maggieNYT

    POTUS has told aides that Azar and others have an “alarmist” view of the virus. He has wanted little to do with providing information about it himself, according to multiple officials. But watching others deliver info, he has the impulse to put himself in front of the podium.

  47. 47.

    RandomMonster

    February 29, 2020 at 2:01 pm

    He moved so quickly on the Coronavirus. He moved on Coronavirus like a bitch.

  48. 48.

    Betty Cracker

    February 29, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    He’s bragging nonstop about his own heroism but in the most dejected, doped-up tone. It’s utterly bizarre. Now mewling about the coverage.

  49. 49.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    When he closes his eyes you see his true skin color and it reminds me what Vader looked like without his helmet on.

     

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: A narcissist demanding to be front and center. Shocking.

  50. 50.

    LuciaMia

    February 29, 2020 at 2:03 pm

    Even Pence is staring at him like “WTF?”

  51. 51.

    clay

    February 29, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Trump could absolutely regain credibility if he dedicated himself to complete honesty and forthrig HAHAHAHAHA, I couldn’t finish that sentence.

  52. 52.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    And now, Mike Dense.

  53. 53.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    So fat bastard just said not to panic; does that mean it’s time to panic?

    I’m glad NBC is switching back to the marathon trials.

  54. 54.

    Mai naem mobile

    February 29, 2020 at 2:04 pm

    This guy is a fucking moron. Why is he talking about Tim Apple? Nobody gives a shit about fucking Applr when you’re talking about the virus. El Dumbo. He just can’t keep out the topic that he really truly cares about which is how the virus affects the economy. I wish somebody would bitch slap him straight.  And you damn well know he is going to blame Inslee for the Washington state death because it’s a blue state.

  55. 55.

    Betty Cracker

    February 29, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    Now Pence is up, and of course he starts sucking Trump’s dick immediately. Jesus, if we’re not doomed, it’ll be pure luck. Also, he’s lying because Trump didn’t stop all travel from China, just from certain areas at first.

  56. 56.

    The Dangerman

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    @Mallard FIlmore: 

    There is no problem that is so intractable that it cannot be solved by tax cuts for the rich.

    Perhaps we should just make the tax rate on rich people zero and be done with it.

  57. 57.

    RandomMonster

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Their first and super-important measure: travel restriction on Iran.

  58. 58.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    @Amir Khalid: oh no. What’s happening? I am not watching because I am outside but how?

  59. 59.

    LuciaMia

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Trump:  “Yes, a woman died from the virus but she was kinda sickly anyway so its no big deal.”

  60. 60.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    @Mai naem mobile:

    Why is he talking about Tim Apple?

    I thought that was snark….

  61. 61.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    @Mai naem mobile: I can’t wait till he withholds federal funds to help fight this until they agree to ban sanctuary cities/close the boarder, ala NY and travel visas.

  62. 62.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 29, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    @Betty Cracker: 
    That’s the problem with lying or just bullshitting, sooner or later everyone gets it and never believes you again. On the other hand Steller is a member of the press and professionally gullible.

  63. 63.

    Elizabelle

    February 29, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    You guys got me to look, but Pence was speaking so I ducked right back out.

    Trump looks like the personification of a lizard skin belt.  A used one.  Goodwill.

  64. 64.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    @Ohio Mom:

    It’s football, the English Premier League. My team Liverpool FC came into this match having won 26 of the season’s 27 matches and drawn one, to be on 79 points out of a possible 81. They are now in danger of losing that unbeaten record.

    As I write this, Watford have scored yet again, and now lead 3-0. Oh noes! Oh noes!

    ETA: Liverpool lead the league by 22 points, and Watford are 19th of 20 teams on 24 points. This is a tremendous upset.

  65. 65.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    @LuciaMia: “I heard she was against Trump, never liked Trump. Very disloyal.”

  66. 66.

    MattF

    February 29, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    I’m a bit irked that this is, apparently, a specialty item only for the ladies.

  67. 67.

    Mai naem mobile

    February 29, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    @Leto: his make up has been markedly worse for several days now. Maybe a couple of weeks.

  68. 68.

    Benw

    February 29, 2020 at 2:09 pm

     

    @Betty Cracker: he’s such a weird dude. But the news anchor on NBC is summarizing his speech like it was a normal thing that just happened with announcements and information and stuff, which is even weirder.

     

    ah back to marathons!

  69. 69.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 29, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    @Amir Khalid: In more and also worrying news, Liverpool trail 1-0 at hosts Watford in the second half.

    And they claim us Americans are the easily distracted ones? ROFL

  70. 70.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Pence is so servile. How does one reach a point where they surrender all their dignity to someone like Trump?  I might slightly understand if it was for someone worthy. But then again someone who’s worthy of respect will never demand of people total obedience and absolute  surrender.

  71. 71.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    @Amir Khalid: well maybe they put in some of the kids that need some minutes, rest up the starters, and see what life the subs can bring. Trying to find the positive and all ;)

  72. 72.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    @Mai naem mobile: maybe one of the injector nozzles is clogged/broken, and that’s the real reason he’s worried about manufacturing: he needs a replacement. Honestly it looked like there was a bit more red in the mix. Just a slighter red/orange hue, versus straight up OJ.blend.

  73. 73.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    Trump has now started talking about the coronavirus, which he calls “a tough one.” He says “unfortunately one person passed away overnight.” He says she was “a wonderful woman” and “a medically high-risk person.” He says four other US patients are “very ill.”

    — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 29, 2020

  74. 74.

    Mike J

    February 29, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    @Amir Khalid: And Watford is in 17th place out of 20 teams.  One might expect a close game or even a loss against one of the top teams, but before this game there was a very good chance that Watford wouldn’t even be in the Premier League next year.

    (For non-football fans, the worst teams in the league are sent down to the minor leagues and the best teams from the minors come up to the bigs every year.)

    Did Liverpool play their u-17s expecting an easy day?

  75. 75.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    @Anya: Dignity Wraith.

  76. 76.

    frosty

    February 29, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    @rikyrah: I would love to tell you things aren’t that bad and not to despair, but I can’t. The best thing I’ve seen lately was this morning’s email from Heather Cox Richardson. She thinks this chaos is signaling the end of the Reagan Realignment of 1980. I hope she’s right. We won’t be going back, the best we can hope for is go through to something different and better.

  77. 77.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    @Leto:

    Actually, no. Liverpool have been looking out of sorts since the winter break a few weeks ago. It’s not the end of the world, and their league lead still looks insurmountable, but the dream of an Invincible (i.e. unbeaten) season is now no more. I haz a sad about that.

  78. 78.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 29, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    @LuciaMia: (and let is not forget) ,…but before she died she called him up at the White House and with tears in her eyes thanks Trump for being the best president ever,

  79. 79.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    @germy:

     

    He says she was “a wonderful woman”

    Means she’s white.

  80. 80.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    Welp, gonna have to hang up their boots after this. :)

  81. 81.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 2:17 pm

    It always amazes me that the people who covered Obama’s tan suit, when Obama ordered a burger with — wait for it — Dijon mustard like it was a big scandal or Hillary’s cough like she was dying are choosing to ignore Trump’s clear cognitive decline and his weird breathing and slurring or simple words. What’s up with that?

  82. 82.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    Dishonest dismuzzlement.

    Fauci is dancing on the head of a pin, or atop a pinhead. Politics and medicine go together so well.

  83. 83.

    Kent

    February 29, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    @Ohio Mom: Must be soccer.   Cricket gets weird scores like 279 to 195

  84. 84.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    @Anya: He’s GOP, and male. That’s pretty much it.

  85. 85.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    @Anya:

    His software team is not nearly as good as Mittens’. Romneybot 2.0 was a spectacular success, considering the lack of beta testing.

  86. 86.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 29, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    @germy: I think as always Trump is dumber than we think; it’s not he is worried that the Virus will tank the market and screw up his re-election chances, oh no, what’s going on is Trump is in a panic that the Virus is going to draw attention away from him.

    Trump doesn’t understand object permanence and thinks if other people stop paying attention to him, he goes away.

  87. 87.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    February 29, 2020 at 2:20 pm

    @Anya:

    Ken Gude @KenGude
    Imagine if the press covered Trump the way they cover… Joe Biden.

  88. 88.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Sorry bud. Was trying to find any silver lining in the 3-0 shit show. Hopefully this is a boot to the rear and they regain their form. Sometimes things like this are a needed wake up call.

  89. 89.

    lumpkin

    February 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    Those who write the lies that from trump’s mouth falls,

    Should mold his shit in little balls,

    Those who believe these words of wit,

    Should eat those little balls of shit.

  90. 90.

    Ben Cisco

    February 29, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Trump doesn’t understand object permanence and thinks if other people stop paying attention to him, he goes away.

    We should be so lucky.

  91. 91.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: maybe Dems should scream about it at every chance they get. Some should feign sincere concern and say: “I hope he’s okay. I am praying for his health. Something seems to be off with him. This is not the Trump we know.” Others should outright mock him.

  92. 92.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    @Kent:

    After eleventeen overs. And after lunch. Crikey! The only weirder sport is Aussie rules football. Hilarious listening to radio broadcasts of that. Endless string of WTFs.

  93. 93.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    Good men’s marathon trials. Two Army guys were in the top five/six. One finished in fourth, just a few seconds behind 2 and 3. #3 guy is my age, 43, which tickles me to no end. Women’s event still going and looking like a good race.

  94. 94.

    The Dangerman

    February 29, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    I wonder when Trump starts showing up at his rallies (and, hell, in the White House, if he has to be in the presence of, ya know, people) in something like the Popemobile? Hermetically sealed against outside air. The Trumpmobile could be modified to somehow make his ass look smaller, too.

  95. 95.

    donnah

    February 29, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    Press asked Trump about using “hoax” and he denied using it as a descriptor for the coronavirus, but said he meant that the Democrats were the ones guilty of perpetrating false stories about the coronavirus. He claimed to have jumped on the virus reports instantly and the vaccine should be available soon.

    Fauci claimed that he hasn’t been muzzled but cancelled appearances in media shows because the story developed so quickly that he had to be approved as a spokesperson. And he keeps getting “looks” from Trump and Pence as he continues to outline possible issues from the virus spreading.

    So Trump essentially boasted that he has been in total control and the American people are in little danger. And Pence and Fauci are repeated the phrase, “under the president’s leadership” about thirty times.

    So basically a bunch of lies.

  96. 96.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    @Leto: We’re missing captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner, who are out injured. If they were playing, Hendo and Milly would never tolerate such a lame display. Watford have outplayed Liverpool all day.

  97. 97.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    "We have received a lot of power on the southern border over the last couple years from the courts" — Trump says he's considering closing the southern border in response to coronavirus (no cases have come from Mexico) pic.twitter.com/NTpLIlZ1CP— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 29, 2020

    The solution to every problem: Close the southern border and create more tax cuts.

  98. 98.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    @rikyrah:

    Our luck has run out.

    Scary and awful times indeed, and “interesting” in the Chinese curse sense.

    But I think that the pandemic and Trump’s visibly pathological responses to it will drive the weakly-attached away from Trump and Republicans.

    So I’m expecting that many will be sick, and some of them will die, and that too many of the dying will be older white people in red states for Trump to spin this one away, or distract with some other shiny issue.  Also, the pandemic is going to cause a steep downturn in the economy, not just in the Dow, Real Soon Now, and that downturn will also be impossible to hide.   As someone remarked about the war in Indochina, it’s impossible to keep the bombings secret from the people who are being bombed.

    So I expect Trump’s approval to fall continually until November, unless he stages a Reichstag fire (which I wouldn’t put past him).   Fortunately for us, the entire Republican Party has bound itself to the mast of USS Trumptastic, and some Republicans are likely to drown when that ship goes down.

  99. 99.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    And it ends 3-0 to Watford. Excuse me. I need a good cry.

  100. 100.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    @donnah:

    Have it on the radio and I could still see Fauci’s face when he claimed dismuzzlement.

  101. 101.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Can you spot how many mistakes this man makes?

    Fox News just interviewed a Pennsylvania man who went through the coronavirus quarantine process — but he couldn't stop coughing during the interview ? pic.twitter.com/kzoIYQM8x6

    — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 28, 2020

  102. 102.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Does your guitar gently weep?

  103. 103.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Never a wrong time to go after Obama. Thank you sir! “We’ve done a great job.” Thank you, sir!

    Great, he just invited Russia back into Afghanistan. His lack of knowledge remains spectacular.

  104. 104.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    every case I’ve heard of is north of San Francisco

    We have three in Santa Clara County (Silicon Valley), fifty miles south of SF.    Two of those can be traced to the cruise ship.  But the third is scary, because no one knows how the patient came to be exposed — it looks very much as if the coronavirus has gotten loose in the Silicon Valley community.

    The next week is going to be *lit*.

  105. 105.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 29, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    @Ben Cisco: I know, but look, but that’s not snark, he’s going nuts trying to make the virus about him when the logical course for the President is delegate to experts and then step in at critical moments.  Right now, Trump is setting his own reptile brain base up to turn on him like rabid wolves the second they start getting sick for not protecting them like Trump promised.

  106. 106.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    @germy: I saw this yesterday, and considering Avalune and I are in PA (as well as a few other Jackals), and just thought… whelp, we had a good run. Survived the motorcycle accident but stupid people are determined to fucking kill me, so…

    (Only partial snark with that)

  107. 107.

    Montanareddog

    February 29, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    @Amir Khalid: I suspect that  the Anya and Amir lovefest for Virgil van Dijk the other day was the kiss of death

  108. 108.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    @joel hanes:

    IIUC the UC Davis case has no travel exposure.

  109. 109.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    @Mai naem mobile:

    the topic that he really truly cares about which is how the virus affects the economy

    Close.  The only topic he really cares about is the media image of Donald Trump, and things are more or less important to him based on how they affect that image.   The economy is only important because an economic downturn will damage his “ratings”.

  110. 110.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    @Leto:  This man is a perfect illustration of how diseases spread. I’m worried about his daughter.

  111. 111.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 2:36 pm

    “The risk is low the American people need to go on with their lives.” is eerily similar to Bush the lesser advising everybody to go and shop.

    “Now watch this drive.”

    The virus and not unrelated market crash is Donny’s greatest nightmare. Can we cue the taco truck invasion?

  112. 112.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    @trollhattan:

    IIUC the UC Davis case has no travel exposure.

    That’s my understanding too.

    But Vacaville and Davis are far from me, and north of San Francisco per the comment to which I was replying.

    Santa Clara is where I live.

  113. 113.

    Elizabelle

    February 29, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    @rikyrah:   Good luck with the new job!  Had noticed your absence, and hoped it was not just for despair.

    Cannot say how this virus will play out, but if it exposes what a sham our healthcare system is for working people, there is your silver lining.

  114. 114.

    divF

    February 29, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    @joel hanes: As someone remarked about the war in Indochina, it’s impossible to keep the bombings secret from the people who are being bombed.

     
    Doonesbury, 1973.

  115. 115.

    The Dangerman

    February 29, 2020 at 2:39 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Trump is setting his own reptile brain base up to turn on him like rabid wolves the second they start getting sick for not protecting them like Trump promised.

    Right now, the cases with unknown origins are all blue states (2 CA, 1 OR, and I’m not sure about the WA death). Basically, Trumpies could give a shit; when this hits Ohio, there will be pants shitting on a scale I can’t even imagine right now.

  116. 116.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    Ca. 1918-1919. “Precautions taken in Seattle, Wash., during the Spanish Influenza Epidemic would not permit anyone to ride on the street cars without wearing a mask. 260,000 of these were made by the Seattle Chapter of the Red Cross which consisted of 120 workers, in three days.”

    I love old photos like this, but it’s sad.

  117. 117.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    @Leto:

    Yes.

  118. 118.

    Mike J

    February 29, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    @germy: Always take precautions when you ride the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley.)

  119. 119.

    Kelly

    February 29, 2020 at 2:48 pm

    @The Dangerman:

    Perhaps we should just make the tax rate on rich people zero and be done with it.

    Refundable tax credits to give the rich negative tax rates.

  120. 120.

    Shalimar

    February 29, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    @The Dangerman: Blue states are testing people as best they can.  Who knows whether there is a case in Idaho or Kansas no one knows about.

  121. 121.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    @germy: It is. Also makes me think of the movie, 12 Monkeys.

    @The Dangerman: take a look at the video germy linked. It’s probably coming to PA next because of dumbshit MAGAts.

  122. 122.

    Boris Rasputin (the evil twin)

    February 29, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    @Mike J: So, if this was applied to pro sports in the US, there would be no major league football, basketball, or hockey teams in New York, and perhaps just one baseball team?

    I like it.

  123. 123.

    Brachiator

    February 29, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    Well, I missed the news conference. But it doesn’t appear that I missed much.

  124. 124.

    Keith P.

    February 29, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    @Anya: remember when John Kerry ordered a cheese steak with provolone instead of cheeze wiz?

  125. 125.

    Mary G

    February 29, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    I read someone like Munchkin or the drunk Larry Kudlow actually said “The fundamentals of the economy are strong,” just like McCain in 2008. WASF.

     

    @rikyrah: I too was hoping we might get through the Twitler years without a Katrina-level event, you’re right that we ran out of luck.

  126. 126.

    yellowdog

    February 29, 2020 at 2:52 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques: No, they will blame it on Democrats. Logic is not one of their  strong points.

  127. 127.

    Leto

    February 29, 2020 at 2:52 pm

    Two of the three women who will represent us at the Olympics in the marathon, came here to study in college, stayed, became American citizens and “wanted to realize the American dream.” Awesome :)

  128. 128.

    RaflW

    February 29, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    At this point, does this Admin understand that the only thing between them and mass panic is Dr. Anthony Faucci? I did appreciate his quip about how even Reagan didn’t shut him up.

  129. 129.

    Misterpuff

    February 29, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    Was there any questions about test kits and testing plans/protocol?

    If there was, I missed it.

    If test kits weren’t mentioned, more proof the Admin is whistling past the (future) graveyard.

  130. 130.

    Cameron

    February 29, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    @The Dangerman: It’s going to be a mess here in Florida – lots of Olds, lots of Poors, no Medicaid expansion.  Me and my 68-yr-old COPD-shot lungs can’t wait….

  131. 131.

    Amir Khalid

    February 29, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    @Boris Rasputin (the evil twin):

    In English football there are hundreds of local teams in professional, semi-pro, and amateur leagues, with promotion and relegation between them.

  132. 132.

    Another Scott

    February 29, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    I haven’t read the comments yet.

    I assume he’s doing it now – over the weekend – so that the stock market won’t fall another 4% instantly, but will instead wait until Monday.

    “Not my fault!!1”

    :-/

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  133. 133.

    RaflW

    February 29, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    Also, when Trump defended his use of the term hoax (which inevitably will be reprised in his CPAC mania this afternoon), it was crystal clear that he means accountability.

    Any attempt by press or Congress to make him or his team answer for shortcomings is a hoax. It’s super childish and obvious.

  134. 134.

    Shalimar

    February 29, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    @joel hanes: An expert casually mentioned on  Maddow last night that 100 members of Congress could get it.  A reminder that they can’t isolate themselves if they want to get re-elected,  and we could see members of Congress die if it gets as bad as expected.

  135. 135.

    scribbler

    February 29, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    Our White House press corps are worse than useless.  How about a question about how woefully behind we are in having test kits disbursed around the country where we need them?  Or a question about how far behind in testing for the virus we are?

  136. 136.

    WaterGirl

    February 29, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Betty, I am torn between hoping that you do something for a living where the world gets the benefit of your way with words, and thinking it might be gratifying to be able to use your superpower only when you wish to, not on command for some possibly not-loved organization one might work for.

  137. 137.

    WaterGirl

    February 29, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    For what it’s worth, Shinola shoe polish is no longer made, and the company that made it went out of business in 1960. Another company took over the name and now uses it to sell luxury goods assembled in the US from imported parts.

    That may the most on brand “Amir” thing you have every written here.

  138. 138.

    Kent

    February 29, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    @Leto: Two of the three women who will represent us at the Olympics in the marathon, came here to study in college, stayed, became American citizens and “wanted to realize the American dream.” Awesome :)

    Listening to the news this morning, there is starting to be serious discussion about whether the Tokyo Olympics can even be held this July.  You could not invent a more perfect infection vector than to bring hundreds of thousands of athletes, fans, and officials from every country on the planet to mix in close proximity for 2 weeks then send them all home.

    They can’t put the decision off until the last minute.  They will really need to decide by April or early May at the latest whether to even hold the Olympics this year.  Most likely scenario if they don’t would be to just postpone it for a year and have Tokyo 2021.

    Press conferences and action plans are one thing.  Shit starts to get real when you cancel multi-billion dollar events.

  139. 139.

    Another Scott

    February 29, 2020 at 3:12 pm

    @Anya: Speaker Pelosi says things like that all the time.  And I think she means it.

    But she also has said, and means, that she wants to see him in prison.

    There’s actually no contradiction there.  ;-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  140. 140.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:19 pm

    @Kent:

    Non-zero chances of a cancellation or the odd middle ground of games held with no audience. Tuned, we shall stay.

  141. 141.

    Another Scott

    February 29, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    @joel hanes: I’m getting flashbacks to the early days of the AIDS crisis and the GOP and the press saying that it’s “only” Haitians and gays that are affected.  Oh, Haitians, and gays, and intravenous drug users.  Oh, Haitians, and gays, and intravenous drug users, and hemophiliacs.  Oh, Haitians, and gays, and intravenous drug users, and hemophiliacs, and anyone who received a blood transfusion, …  :-(

    It’s not a good flashback.

    Does ACT UP need to get the band back together??

    :-(

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  142. 142.

    Fleeting Expletive

    February 29, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    I’m still unclear about transmission of virus on surfaces–how long is it viable.  Long years ago, the Texas state Capitol building was generally open to visitors, where I remember being told that the ornate doorknobs were made of brass intentionally to inhibit germs.  Could there be truth to that?

  143. 143.

    West of the Rockies

    February 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    @joel hanes:

    Make it so.

  144. 144.

    JaySinWA

    February 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    I was at a Costco last night. As I came in the door they reminded me about closing time and noted they were out of Clorox bleach, wipes and toilet paper.

    I noticed a lot of near empty racks of frozen food, I didn’t check canned goods.

    I presume stockpiling is beginning.

  145. 145.

    HalfAssedHomesteader

    February 29, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Bernie Madoff just sat up in his cell!

  146. 146.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    @Fleeting Expletive:

    Great question.

    IIUC measles is the gold standard of transmissability, lingering viable in the environment, air included, hours after somebody with the virus passes through. Hopefully this is not anything like that.

    If it’s similar to the flu, droplets from sneezing or coughing is a significant route. Could be airborne and directly inhaled, could be on a surface with hand-to-mouth/nose/eye transmission.

  147. 147.

    zhena gogolia

    February 29, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    Has Martin been around? He’s in CA.

  148. 148.

    HumboldtBlue

    February 29, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Posted this in the older thread but the virus is now impacting national and international sporting events.

    And yes, Liverpool lost and the team’s incredible unbeaten run in which they took a possible 106 of 108 points in league matches in the past year comes to an end.

    Soccer league matches in Italy died this weekend after the entire slate was postponed indefinitely due to virus concerns (what am I supposed to use, Corona or Corvid?).

    They have already been playing in empty stadiums in Italy and Japan and now the status of major international tournaments — Olympics, Euro 2020 (bi-annual European national soccer tourney and immensely popular and lucrative) in particular — may soon be headed into uncharted waters and the possibility of postponement of both now seems less than far-fetched.

    And we have President fucknozzle in charge.

  149. 149.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    @JaySinWA:

    Not that you don’t have reasons to be paranoid, but the first Friday-Sunday of the month is payday for a LOT of folks on a monthly pay cycle, Social Security and pensions included. I try and avoid Costco on these weekends, sometimes I can’t even park.

  150. 150.

    Incitatus for Senate

    February 29, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    @Fleeting Expletive: From what I understand the Coronavirus has a short life on metal surfaces, maybe a few hours, but can survive several days on paper and plastic at room temperature.

  151. 151.

    Just Chuck

    February 29, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    @rikyrah: Everything Trump does makes more sense when you imagine he’s doing it to cause as much harm to as many people as possible.  I don’t throw the word “evil” around much, but I’ll make an exception for him.

  152. 152.

    Another Scott

    February 29, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    @Fleeting Expletive: There are lots of surfaces that help kill normal viruses.  Kleenex/Puffs are good because they dry the normal viruses out and they “die”.

    MayoClinic:

    Cold and flu virus-laden droplets may remain infectious for several hours, depending on where they fall. Viruses generally remain active longer on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces than on fabric and other soft surfaces. Other factors, such as the amount of virus deposited on a surface and the temperature and humidity of the environment, also determine how long cold and flu viruses stay active outside the body.

    It’s possible to catch the flu or a cold after handling an object an infected person sneezed or coughed on a few moments ago. But personal contact with an infected person — such as a handshake or breathing in droplets from a cough or sneeze — is the most common way these viruses spread.

    […]

    This corona virus is different – I don’t know if they’ve done studies of things like that yet.

    The stories about people getting infected, getting better, then being tested weeks later and again/still having the virus are concerning. Did they not clear it? Did they pick it up again? Are they infectious to others?

    There are still many, many unknowns…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  153. 153.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    @Just Chuck:

    If he’s ever done something nice in his life, it was by accident. So yeah, evil and not in a comical way.

  154. 154.

    WereBear

    February 29, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    @Fleeting Expletive: the ornate doorknobs were made of brass intentionally to inhibit germs.

     
    Yes, my cat fountain has copper tubing for the same reason.

  155. 155.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    @Another Scott:

    Recall how disappointing it was to learn you can catch a cold while you already have a different cold. I was told there were rules against such things!

  156. 156.

    trollhattan

    February 29, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    @WereBear:

    Yes, my cat fountain has copper tubing for the same reason.

    What kind of flow do you get from that thing? Is it measured in cats/minute?

  157. 157.

    trnc

    February 29, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    @joel hanes: So I expect Trump’s approval to fall continually until November, unless he stages a Reichstag fire (which I wouldn’t put past him). Fortunately for us, the entire Republican Party has bound itself to the mast of USS Trumptastic, and some Republicans are likely to drown when that ship goes down.

    I hope  you’re right, but I have to ask – what is your batting average on political predictions since Summer 2015?

  158. 158.

    Jeffro

    February 29, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    @JaySinWA:

    I was at a Costco last night. As I came in the door they reminded me about closing time and noted they were out of Clorox bleach, wipes and toilet paper.

    I noticed a lot of near empty racks of frozen food, I didn’t check canned goods.

    I presume stockpiling is beginning.

     

    Ha!  Amateurs.  I loaded us WAY up on high-calorie soups and other non-perishables back on Tuesday.  Also TP, dog food, etc.

    Will probably be doing some more shopping this coming week as well.  We only have enough Advil to get us through 2024… ;)

  159. 159.

    Jeffro

    February 29, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    @trollhattan: LOL

  160. 160.

    JaySinWA

    February 29, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    @trollhattan: I hadn’t noticed the first of the month crowd before. I should have realized. I don’t think that alone explains the Clorox and wipes, or the even the toilet paper, although the latter might be a once a month thing for monthly payroll folks.

    I did go last night thinking today would be a zoo. There really weren’t a lot of people there after 7:30.

  161. 161.

    chopper

    February 29, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    @LuciaMia:

    he sounds like he just walked a quarter mile.

  162. 162.

    Barbara

    February 29, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    @Incitatus for Senate: Tuberculosis survives for hours as well. Measles not only lasts but is contagious before victims are symptomatic, for a week or more. My mother knew things like this.  Reposting link to article trying to answer questions such as how many people are infected from a single vector. The answer for measles is 11-17, higher than any other common disease.  https://www.vox.com/2020/1/31/21113178/what-is-coronavirus-symptoms-travel-china-map

  163. 163.

    trnc

    February 29, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    @Leto:

    It’s probably coming to PA next because of dumbshit MAGAts.

    TBF, it will be coming to a lot of states because of at least one.

  164. 164.

    WereBear

    February 29, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    @trollhattan: Well, it does get clogged from cat hair, which slows it down.

  165. 165.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    February 29, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    @JaySinWA:

    “I’m just stocking up before the hoarders get here.”

    (Old Johnny Carson joke during a media scare over a [toilet paper?] shortage.)

  166. 166.

    Martin

    February 29, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    I think the bigger fallout here is going to be  our MBA religion of ‘move slow and optimize’. We run so much of the nation on a razors edge, always confident that nothing will go bad. That’s fundamentally what happened in 2008, and we needed to bail the economy out. This will be worse.

    • People without sick leave – efficiency
    • Insufficient staffing for when people do go on leave – efficiency
    • Just in time production – efficiency
    • Narrow supply chains – efficiency

    We’re losing 4 care providers to quarantine for every patient. That’s not going to hold up for much longer. So, how do we keep them on the job:

    1. Give them protective gear and isolate Covid intake
    2. Have them work while sick becoming a new transmission vector

    Ok, obviously 1. Is anyone setting up isolated intakes? Is any protective gear being distributed?  Given that most of what was in the supply chain probably got soaked up in China, where do we get more from? (see face mask shortages literally everywhere).  We may be forced into 2 simply because nobody wants to spend money on reconfiguring facilities ahead of the crisis point, and because we simply can’t get protective gear made for us.

    It just spirals downward from there.

  167. 167.

    delk

    February 29, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    @Another Scott:

    Does ACT UP need to get the band back together??

    Don’t think I could squeeze myself into the old t-shirt.

  168. 168.

    Fleeting Expletive

    February 29, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    Also there were conflicting reports on the incubation time, both for how long before exposure results in infection, and I suppose whether a person could become a vector without exhibiting symptoms.  And also whether the infection can reoccur once the person recovers.  Yeah, handshaking is so over.

    Thank you all for replying!

  169. 169.

    Another Scott

    February 29, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    @Fleeting Expletive:

    Maybe high-copper brass helps, but of course reality is complicated. (Pure copper will oxidize, etc., quickly.)

    ASM.org:

    […]

    Here a small change in the percentage of the copper in the alloys tested (70 to 80%) had a large effect on efficacy in inactivating MNV. C28000 had the lowest copper content (60%) and an efficacy similar to that of pure nickel [i.e. did nothing to the norovirus over ~ 30 days], despite the higher zinc content of 40%. All other copper alloys tested were very effective, totally inactivating 5 × 105 PFU per cm2 within 2 h at room temperature.

    [ Figures ]

    A recent study has found that a zinc oxide passivation layer developed on brass surfaces in eccrine fingerprint sweat within an hour (27). It is yet to be determined whether this might affect the antiviral efficacy of brass.

    […]

    This research was supported by the Copper Development Association, New York, NY, and the International Copper Association, New York, NY.

    […]

    FWIW.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  170. 170.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    I was under the impression that the woman who died from the virus was elderly.

    She was in her late fifties.

  171. 171.

    Sab

    February 29, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    I need free legal advice, internet related, for a friend. She has been asked to moderate a chatroom about dogs. The content ranges from cute puppy pictures to discussions about dogs to discussions about specific dog breeds. It sounds a bit like BJ. Mostly the discussions are friendly, but occassionally they get nasty. Your breed sucks! That breeder sucks! He is ruining the breed!

    My friend would love to be a moderator there, but wonders if there are legal risks if she is moderating a chat that offends someone.

  172. 172.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Oh for fuck’s sake, grow up. Your side just lost one game that will make no god-damned difference to their finish in the league.

    You wanted major ágita, you should’ve been a fan of the Baltimore Ravens NFL franchise this past season. Since you are by all evidence innocent of the American version of professional football, let me elaborate:

    After an early embarrassing loss at home to division rival Cleveland, the team’s new GM pulled off a series of trades & free-agent signings that stabilised the roster & led to a 12-game winning streak. “Poe’s Crows” (named after the poem “The Raven,” whose author died in Baltimore) ended the regular season with a league-best 14-2 record, including drubbings of the reigning Super Bowl champions, the team they beat in that Super Bowl, and leading teams of other NFL divisions. They featured Lamar Jackson, the league’s Most Valuable Player in just his second year, leading a near-unstoppable offense and performing insanely athletic feats himself.

    Widely regarded as the best team in professional football, Baltimore were the league’s surprise team, heavily favoured to reach and win the Super Bowl. Then, en route to their first postseason encounter, everything went wrong.

    The leading receiver, Jackson’s favorite target and a key part of the offense, sprained an ankle 3 weeks from the regular season’s end. The featured running back, another key offensive player, suffered a freak non-contact calf strain the next week. Neither were fully recovered by the first playoff game; both tried to play, with little success.

    Early in the game a pass bounced off the normally sure-handed receiver’s hands, directly into those of an opposing defender, leading to a score. The Ravens defense could not stop the opponent’s star runner. Barely one quarter into the game, the Ravens were in unfamiliar territory, down by 2 touchdowns with the clock ticking. Players continued to make crucial mistakes, the coaching staff panicked & abandoned its customary game plan, the team never came close to mounting a comeback, and before the home sellout crowd, in a stunning upset Baltimore went down to defeat and was eliminated from the postseason.

    Got that, Amir? ELIMINATED. In sixty minutes of uncharacteristic, unforeseeable fuck-up, the whole brilliant, triumphant season turned to ashes in their fans’ mouths. The team might as well have lost every game they played, for all the good it did them – at least they would have had a higher selection in the coming draft of college players.

    But you have chosen to become a Whiny-Arse Titty Baby over a defeat which has absolutely no effect on your side’s successful season.

    This Baltimore Ravens fan would like to cordially encourage you to GROW THE FUCK UP.

  173. 173.

    Baud

    February 29, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    @germy:

    Health officials in Washington state said on Saturday a coronavirus patient has died, marking the first death in the U.S. from COVID-19, the illness associated with the virus.
    The person who died was a man in his 50s who had underlying health conditions, and there was no evidence he contracted the virus through travel, health officials said.

  174. 174.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    Not a planet that any sane person wants to live on.

  175. 175.

    Barbara

    February 29, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    @germy: I think they plan a news conference around 1:00 pm PST.  Just take a tip that my pediatrician gave me when I brought home my premature newborn:  In addition to the “normal” handwashing triggers (after bathroom, before cooking) wash as soon as you come inside (anywhere, work, home or other people’s homes) no matter where you have been. Make other people you are with do the same in your house.

  176. 176.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:09 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    There is only one way it gets better. And that is if he is nowhere near the levers of power and a microphone, like so far away it takes and ICBM a week to get there.

  177. 177.

    ThresherK

    February 29, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Amir, I was depending on the Reds to at least tie Watford.

    West Ham are in a three-way-tie for third-from-the-bottom place* and are only ahead of Watford (and out of the drop currently) due to goal differential.

    (*H/T Joe Blowmentum Lieberman.)

  178. 178.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    That’s all he ever has is impulses. Never a second of even deranged thought, he’s all impulse. Whatever insane, ignorant, impossible thought meanders through his one working brain cell, he always knows how to make anything worse.

  179. 179.

    Barbara

    February 29, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Uncle Cosmo:  WTF?

  180. 180.

    frosty

    February 29, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo: This Ravens fan agrees. Through a combination of factors I got to watch the game from my company’s box. What a letdown.
    In the bathroom some drunk kid was wailing “I’ve never been so disappointed in a game!” I turned, said, “Orioles, 1979, 7th game of the World Series” and left to a few appreciative nods.

  181. 181.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    @Anya:

    Mike Dense is a follower. He always follows, if he’s driving he’s always behind someone else. He follows mother, he follows god, he follows trump. His only skill is to follow. He can’t even ask where to fall in line, he’s so lacking.

  182. 182.

    Kathleen

    February 29, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    And when I say “interesting,” I mean in the sense that watching someone shape fresh dog turds into little squares, frost them with dumpster slime and serve them as petit fours would be “interesting.”

    Betty C, that is the most perfect description of a Maga Haberman tweet I’ve ever read. I don’t know if that’s what you intended to satirize, but it works for me.

  183. 183.

    Kathleen

    February 29, 2020 at 4:29 pm

    @Betty Cracker: Planet I’ll Say Anything To Keep My Job and My Prestige.

  184. 184.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    February 29, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    @germy: gotta love that he coughs on his hand puts same hand on his daughter’s hand then drinks from her water and hands it back and she drinks from it again…

  185. 185.

    Kathleen

    February 29, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    @West of the Rockies: Cue the inevitable narrative: “Hillary Clinton is sickening and murdering people to make me look bad”, followed by FTFNYT, NPR and the usual suspects solemnly intoning that this is one more example of Hillary Clinton’s inability to let go of bitterness from 2016.

  186. 186.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    @trnc:

    what is your batting average on political predictions since Summer 2015?

    decidedly mixed

    Thought Sec. Clinton had it in the bag in 2016

    Thought we’d have a blue wave in 2018.

    Thought that Mueller would be more forthright.

    Thought Pelosi would delay formal impeachment until she had the votes of essentially her entire caucus.

    Thought the Senate would acquit.

  187. 187.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques:

    Well, trumps only thing is attention, narcissism being what it is and all that, but now that people now have to pay attention to him he’s as gotten as much as he’s ever going to or has had. He might have actually had the notion that he can’t make money and he might have figured out that all he can get is attention so that’s what he’s angling for. Now that assumes a lot more thought and intelligence than he’s ever shown so it’s just a wild ass guess but he is an attention whore so expecting that he doesn’t seek it 1000% of the time might be underestimating him.

  188. 188.

    joel hanes

    February 29, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    If you’re getting prepared, one thing you should put on your list is a new fever thermometer for each person in your household, and at least one spare.

  189. 189.

    Haydnseek

    February 29, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo:You can come sit by me.  I’m a lifelong Dodgers fan.  Try having a great season, you’re one victory away from winning your first championship since 1988.  You lose that crucial game 7, but such is life. Then you find out you very possibly lost because THE OTHER TEAM WE’RE MOTHERFUCKING CHEATERS!!!

  190. 190.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    @joel hanes:

    Crowed states or areas will be hardest hit from any virus. More exposure means more possible contact means more cases.

  191. 191.

    Sab

    February 29, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone: Wow!

  192. 192.

    HumboldtBlue

    February 29, 2020 at 4:45 pm

    @Haydnseek:

    The Astros literally stole from their peers — money, trophies, awards — by cheating in the fashion they did. MLB thought they could sweep this under the rug by the time Opening Day came around but from what I can tell the anger is still simmering among fans and players.

    Just imagine your nym of you were Sikh.

  193. 193.

    chopper

    February 29, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo:

    what the living fuck, over?

  194. 194.

    Ruckus

    February 29, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    @Brachiator:

    You missed an increase in your BP.

    Of course you could imagine how bad it was, multiply by 100 and zoom, up goes the BP, right to where it would have been had you watched.

  195. 195.

    Haydnseek

    February 29, 2020 at 4:49 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: Well done!  Wish I had thought of that, especially since there are several Sikh families here in my neighborhood, and the word does come to mind from time to time.

    I really hope the Red Sox are found not to have cheated.  Twice in a row might just finish me off.

  196. 196.

    geg6

    February 29, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    @frosty:

    As a Pittsburgher, let me just say…HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    But then, just mention Syd Bream and Atlanta to me and I’m right there with you.

  197. 197.

    debbie

    February 29, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo:

    Lighten up, Francis. Seriously.

  198. 198.

    Jay Noble

    February 29, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    Good article here on the How Long . . . ? Spoiler: 9 days

    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-long-coronavirus-disinfecting-surfaces_l_5e580e7fc5b6450a30bbd12a?utm_campaign=share_facebook&ncid=engmodushpmg00000003&fbclid=IwAR0szmVD5Gs4tQ1X7wmfK0I9MoEne2jf328i1kWPktt9LpdeCykEEX2JE2I

  199. 199.

    Ksmiami

    February 29, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    @Shalimar: as long as Republican congressmen die- well…

  200. 200.

    Felanius Kootea

    February 29, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo: Damn.  That was harsh.  Poor Amir.  Can’t even take a second to cry without getting shit on. I do feel for the Ravens fans but it still sucks when your team loses.

  201. 201.

    Starfish

    February 29, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    @MattF: I won’t question your manliness if you choose to purchase this bag for yourself.

  202. 202.

    PJ

    February 29, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    @Sab: only if someone makes fun of Devin Nunes

  203. 203.

    Laura Too

    February 29, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    @joel hanes: Thanks! I hadn’t seen that on any list and it is most valuable.

  204. 204.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 5:16 pm

    @Montanareddog: *weeps in a corner*
    Legit I’ve jinxed them because I declared they’d win by 4. I shall keep my projections to myself.

  205. 205.

    Anya

    February 29, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo: not cool, dude. Not cool. No need to shame people for rooting for a team or being disappointed. Life is full of awfulness, no need to be a dick over things that doesn’t harm anyone.

  206. 206.

    A Ghost To Most

    February 29, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    @Haydnseek: Bah. Try losing 4 straight Super Bowls. At least my Capitals ended their decades of futility in 2018.

  207. 207.

    germy

    February 29, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    Trump acknowledges first coronavirus death, but mentions woman was “a medically high-risk patient in her late 50s.”

    “Additional cases in the US are likely, but healthy individuals should be able to fully recover,” he adds. pic.twitter.com/H57kD1zRh8

    — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 29, 2020

  208. 208.

    MJS

    February 29, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo: In keeping with your screed, fuck the Ravens. They have two Super Bowl wins due in no small part to allowing a participant in a murder continue to play for their team. Said participant in murder not only became the face of the team, and the favorite of all Ravens’ fans, but, if I’m not mistaken, they even have a statue of said accomplice to murder near their stadium. Fuck. The. Ravens.

  209. 209.

    debbie

    February 29, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    @MJS:

    It’s the Ghost of Paul Brown. They never should have snuck out of Cleveland. //

  210. 210.

    Martin

    February 29, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    @zhena gogolia: I’m here.

    I’m expecting some degree of school closures in the next few weeks. We have students at 5 CA colleges in quarantine. The new case in Washington is a student, the case in Oregon is a teacher or school administrator.

    It’s believed to be fairly widespread in the Bay Area, and limited but probably in the wild in SoCal. Epidemiologist friend now believes we’re probably 500-1000 undiagnosed cases in the state. That’ll double every 4 days or so until we start widespread testing, and there’s scant evidence that’ll happen soon.

    We are just digging this hole deeper, and about as fast as we can. The state is working hard and frustrated by the feds for the lack of tests and the limitations on testing. The hospital is frustrated on the lack of tests and the limitations on testing, lack of protective gear and help getting protective gear, support for ramping up for an increase of cases. Every day they feel their job gets harder.

  211. 211.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    @frosty: In the amortal words of Ben Jabituya**, Bangalore! In my mind’s eye, over 40 years later, I can still see Eddie Murray in the late innings launching a screaming liner into deep right-center field that looked like it was going to spark a comeback – and that sonofabitch Dave Parker reaching as high as his 6’7″ allowed to snag it & kill the rally.

    Aah, but don’t expect any sympathy from the Pittsburghers on this site, damn them all to hell. (“We Are Family,” my arse. Addams Family? Manson Family, more like…)

    ———

    ** Fisher Stevens’ character in Short Circuit, whose consistent & insistent mangling of English-language cliches was ROTFLMAO material . The character actually never said that, but if he had had to mutilate “Bingo!” that’s what I’d have bet on…(FTR at one point Newton Crosby [Steve Guttenberg] asks Ben, whose character is clearly played as South Asian, where his people are from, & he replies, “Bakersfield.” “No, no,” Newton continues, “I meant your ancestors.” “Oh, them!” Ben laughs. “Pittsburgh!“)

  212. 212.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    @Felanius Kootea: I do feel for the Ravens fans but it still sucks when your team loses.

    It sucks one fuck of a lot less than it does when that loss effectively invalidates a season of successes that preceded it. That was the point I was directing at Amir. (FTR New England Cheetahs ;^D fans will recall their 2007 season – 18 straight wins from opening day into the playoffs, only to lose in the Superb Owl to a NY Giants team that was clearly overmatched, just not that particular day – & understand.)

  213. 213.

    Subsole

    February 29, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques: To turn on Trump these golks would have to face the enormity of their screw-ups (moral, ethical, intellectual, patriotic,etc).

    Not seeing a lot of hope there…

  214. 214.

    Subsole

    February 29, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    @Uncle Cosmo:

    Y’know, you REALLY shouldn’t stifle your emotions like that. Gives you constipation.

  215. 215.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    @Anya: See my previous post. IMO, anyone who can’t handle a single unimportant loss by their chosen team without dissolving into uncontrollable lamentations deserves no response beyond contempt. Suck it up or turn in your fan club membership card.

    (And just FTR I draw a distinction between you & Amir in that, aside from his propensity to obsess on his “footie” boys, I usually enjoy and value his posts here.)

  216. 216.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 6:41 pm

    @MJS: Like the fans of every other NFL team, you are woefully and willfully misinformed as to the circumstances you cite. But you’d rather hate. Forget your team – you are cordially invited to go fuck yourself with a rusty chainsaw.

  217. 217.

    Uncle Cosmo

    February 29, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    @Subsole: Given the meds I’m on, constipation is the least of my worries. ;^D

  218. 218.

    J R in WV

    February 29, 2020 at 6:55 pm

    never mind…

  219. 219.

    eddie blake

    February 29, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    she’s SUCH a fucking IDIOT.

    …people stand on TOP of podiums. not, you know, in FRONT of them.

    (and tang the conqueror is SUCH a damaged human being it’s not even funny)

  220. 220.

    eddie blake

    February 29, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    she’s SUCH a fucking IDIOT.

    …people stand on TOP of podiums. not, you know, in FRONT of them.

    (and tang the conqueror is SUCH a damaged human being it’s not even f

  221. 221.

    eddie blake

    February 29, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    @Another Scott:

    my older brother, who was a hemophiliac, was given HIV by his drug company. he died two days ago, 17 years ago.

  222. 222.

    JAFD

    February 29, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    As Senator Romney said about the Winter Olympics…

    “Some days you win, some days you luge”

  223. 223.

    WaterGirl

    February 29, 2020 at 7:43 pm

    @eddie blake: I’m very sorry.

  224. 224.

    Darkrose

    February 29, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    @Haydnseek:  It sucks and I don’t blame Dodgers fans for being upset. Still, losing in a game 7 in your own park when you had home field advantage…that’s not all on the Houston Asterisks. All the banging on garbage cans in the world isn’t going to fix the fact that your ace chokes in the postseason.

  225. 225.

    cain

    February 29, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    They are desperate for his pivot to being a real president. They are the Charlie Brown of the Lucy football of trouble.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Political Action

Postcard Writing Information

Recent Comments

  • Nina on Friday Morning Open Thread: Be Aware of the Autumn Supermoon (Sep 29, 2023 @ 9:10am)
  • bbleh on Friday Morning Open Thread: Be Aware of the Autumn Supermoon (Sep 29, 2023 @ 9:09am)
  • Uncle Cosmo on Thursday Evening Open Thread: TFG’s (Predictably) Fake ‘Union Autoworkers’ Audience (Sep 29, 2023 @ 9:09am)
  • SiubhanDuinne on Friday Morning Open Thread: Be Aware of the Autumn Supermoon (Sep 29, 2023 @ 9:09am)
  • bbleh on Friday Morning Open Thread: Be Aware of the Autumn Supermoon (Sep 29, 2023 @ 9:07am)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
We All Need A Little Kindness
What Has Biden Done for You Lately?

Balloon Juice Meetups!

All Meetups
Talk of Meetups – Meetup Planning

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
TaMara
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight Signup Form
All Join the Fight Posts

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Cole & Friends Learn Español

Introductory Post
Cole & Friends Learn Español

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!