Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

Fight them, without becoming them!

The jury literally has a bell they can ring to force Trump to show up on command. Greatest thing ever!

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

He really is that stupid.

It could be worse. Vance could have said “post-menopausal sows.” Waiting for that audiotape to surface.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

Donald Trump, welcome to your everything, everywhere, all at once.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

He wakes up lying, and he lies all day.

If you are in line to indict donald trump, stay in line.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

I’m more Christian than these people and I’m an atheist.

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

It’s a good piece. click on over. but then come back!!

There are some who say that there are too many strawmen arguments on this blog.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

The media handbook says “controversial” is the most negative description that can be used for a Republican.

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Reader Interactions

231Comments

  1. 1.

    cain

    Have you been sniffing one of your pet’s dandruff ? that is a hell of a picture :-)

  4. 4.

    Jerzy Russian

    Rats don’t carry the plague, it is the fleas on the rats that do! There, I ran rings around you logically.

  5. 5.

    Patricia Kayden

    You know that Keith Richards and Betty White will be all that’s left by the end of the year, right? And Twinkies.— ??Canadian Beaver?? (@CanadianBeave13) July 9, 2020

  7. 7.

    azelie

    Just last fall, I was teaching a grad seminar that included some new-ish research on the Bubonic Plague pandemic of the 14th century. One student was sure that if something like that threatened to happen now it would be easy to deal with because we know so much more now (not like those ignorant people in the Middle Ages). I think about that interaction frequently and I wonder if this all happened because that student brought on the wrath of the whatever from on high atop the thing.

  8. 8.

    Nicole

    I laughed. And then also despaired, because I went to my local grocery store and saw several people wearing their masks below their nose and one wearing his around his chin and I’M SO FUCKING ANGRY ABOUT IT.

  9. 9.

    Quaker in a Basement

    “Hey, that’s my emotional support rat and this is my honest-to-goodness-genuine laminated card that says I CAN TOO HAVE A RAT!”

  10. 10.

    Sab

    @Jerzy Russian: And I am doing nothing to control my pets’ fleas because worried about Covid. So there! Also too I should be worried about standing water in the back yard. Mosquitos don’t get Covid but they transmit other stuff.

  12. 12.

    James E Powell

    @Jerzy Russian:

    Rats don’t carry the plague, it is the fleas on the rats that do! There, I ran rings around you logically.

    14th Century Twitter. And it’s not a pike, it’s a halberd, libtard!

  13. 13.

    Sab

    @Nicole: I was buying presliced and bagged turkey from the deli, and then I went by when they were slicing it and they all had their noses sticking out of their masks. I didn ‘t buy, went home and fed the rest to the dogs, called management to complain ( common-sense, not Karenish behavior) and then set the calendar watch ahead another week. Sigh.

  16. 16.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Alison Rose:

    Otter, and penguins and dinos! Oh my!

    A moment of relaxing sea otter content is the perfect way to float into the middle of the week. ?Watch as Ellie looks for snacks in a toy! This type of enrichment is mentally stimulating, rewarding and taps into a sea otter’s foraging behavior. pic.twitter.com/bLJzgaEpnb— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) July 1, 2020

    Penguin friends Izzy and Darwin waddled over from the reopened @shedd_aquarium to meet some new friends! ??? Exciting Field reopening news coming soon, so you too can visit SUE! ?✨ pic.twitter.com/FpjLL7aTwT— Field Museum (@FieldMuseum) July 8, 2020

  17. 17.

    Sab

    @Nicole: Our governor made us Code 3 so now we are entitled to yell at them instead of just being elderly wimps. I am bursting with angry enthusiasm. Hope nobody beats us up.

    My current dogs aren’t at all large. The canine love of my life was 28 inches at her shoulder and weighed 135 pounds and always had my best interests at heart. But she liked cats, kittens, puppies and guinea pigs ( as friends and playmates, not as food.)

  21. 21.

    Bruuuuce

    Author Seanan McGuire is also a musician, and wrote a long, excellent song about The Black Death (sadly, no audio copies are online) in which she argues that it wasn’t Y. pestis but a hemorrhagic fever of some sort. I am not in a position to judge its accuracy, but assuming her facts are accurate, the case is good.

    And it is the basis of a GREAT story she tells about trying to contact the CDC (IIRC).

  22. 22.

    Bill Arnold

    WSJ on strong-arm tactics by the DoJ to try to prevent M. Cohen from publishing his book. He refused(though is reported to have agreed, too late). (It is unclear if it was because of his being photographed in a restaurant, or just the justice department seeing if they could strong-arm him.)
    I am very much wanting to see W. Barr squirming futilely under oath. If Trump pardons him, then harsher fates (may) await. And he’s not the only one in the DJT administration deserving of punishment. After a fair trial and conviction, of course. (My lineup; Barr, Miller, Pompeo, Wolf, Trump, Navarro, others, oh so many others.)
    Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen Sent Back to Prison – Bureau of Prisons says Cohen breached conditions of home confinement

    Mr. Cohen was released to home confinement in May over coronavirus concerns. On Thursday he and his lawyer, Jeffrey Levine, went to the courthouse to sign papers for the home confinement and pick up his ankle bracelet, according to Lanny Davis, Mr. Cohen’s legal adviser and former lawyer.
    When the two men arrived, Mr. Davis said, probation officers presented a list of eight terms Mr. Cohen would have to agree to as part of his home confinement. They included agreeing not to speak to any member of the media, not to tweet or post on social media and not to publish a book while serving out the remainder of his sentence, which is slated to end in May 2022.
    Mr. Cohen has said he started writing a book while serving time in an Otisville, N.Y., federal prison since May 2019. He told the probation officers he had already finished his book and didn’t want to give up his right to publish it or to engage with reporters or on social media, Mr. Davis said. Mr. Cohen noted he had been able to interact with reporters while in prison.

  25. 25.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Okay, this is kind of terrifying, but the person in the picture looks exactly, I mean clone-identical, to my brother.

    The one who completely and non-ironically believes the earth is flat.

    (Why yes, he did vote for Trump, why do you ask?)

  26. 26.

    MagdaInBlack

    This year I have potted herbs on my balcony. Today a sparrow spent all afternoon pruning my thyme; clipping off pieces to line the nest. Im fascinated with the bug repellant knowledge, and it made me smile. Thought I’d share it ?

    Who cant use a birb smile ?

  36. 36.

    lamh36

    Sup BJ.

    So, last week, I had that screening phone interview with the hiring manager for a Lab Supervisor position with my current employer at there ref lab in Houston.  They contacted me today and I’ve been advanced to phase 2…a 60min panel interview (w/4 people) via Skype.

    I’ve never interviewed via Skype. Any pointers on using Skype, including aesthetic pointers? Also it’s my first Supervisor position interview. I know they are interesting in someone who can work along with another Supervisor and handle more of the personnel issues along with the technical issues (the other Supervisor is very good on the Technical part, they need someone to complement the Tech part).

    So any advice for interviewing via Skype and what types of “examples” should I have for the interview.

  37. 37.

    Spanky

    If the Black Plaque happened in 2020 …

    Uhhhhh.

    (CNN)In the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia, a city is on high alert. On Tuesday, they confirmed a case of a disease that has persisted centuries after it caused the most deadly pandemic in human history — the bubonic plague.

    The case was first discovered in the city of Bayannur, located northwest of Beijing, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. A hospital alerted municipal authorities of the suspected case on Saturday. By Sunday, local authorities had issued a citywide Level 3 warning for plague prevention, the second lowest in a four-level system.

  38. 38.

    Ken

    @Bill Arnold: IIRC in one of Spider Robinson’s “Callahan” stories, the bar regulars were having a “That’s Amore” punning contest. I remember a couple:

    When an eel bites your heel and make-a you squeal, that’s a moray

    He’s a comic, a ham, and his name’s Amsterdam, that’s a Morey

    A New Zealand lad sports tattoos by his dad, that’s a Maori

  39. 39.

    geg6

    @Bill Arnold:

    Those fuckers are terrifying.  Ran into one or two while scuba diving on some reefs (no touching of the reef allowed!).  Much more terrifying than sharks, which generally shy away from humans.  Barracuda are the most aggressive, though, I’ve found.

  40. 40.

    Ken

    @Spanky: There are a half-dozen or so plague cases every year in the U.S., it’s endemic in the west. Pro tip: When in the Rockies, do not pick up dead or dying rodents.

  42. 42.

    debbie

    @lamh36:

    Make sure you have a good background and good lighting. Make sure you are in the center of the screen and that the camera isn’t looking up your nose. And as Adam would advise, hydrate!

  43. 43.

    mrmoshpotato

    @geg6:

    Barracuda are the most aggressive, though, I’ve found. 

    Sounds like barracuda are crazy on you.

  44. 44.

    Martin

    @Spanky: There’s always some bubonic plague cases around. US still gets 20 or so each year. Doesn’t spread because we’re relatively sanitary now.

  45. 45.

    MomSense

    @Nicole:

    I’ve been dealing with coworkers who refuse to wear masks even though we are all in the office together all day.  I’m the only person in my office who wears a mask. The person who infuriates me the most is the office manager who has been complaining that we are back at work because her mom has stage four cancer and cannot get COVID.  I tried suggesting that at the very least we should all be wearing masks.  She balked at that because she supposedly can’t breath in a mask.
    Well this morning she complained to me (standing way too close not wearing a mask) that someone came into the office not wearing a mask and stood way too close talking to her.  She told me and I said nothing – NOT A THING and now she is not happy with me.
    A very helpful jackal suggested I order some face shields so I mentioned them to her because it would protect her and she wouldn’t have trouble breathing.
    I was soooo nice about it and she balked and thought it was ridiculous.
    I fucking hate people.

  49. 49.

    CatFacts

    @lamh36: You may want to try it out with a friend first to see how your normal speaking style works with Skype. I’ve been on meetings with people who unconsciously rock back and forth when they talk. It’s not really noticeable in person, but on a webcam it’s super distracting.

  50. 50.

    Auntie Anne

    @lamh36:  I would have examples teed up about times when you took a leadership role among your peers, even though you weren’t their supervisor. Maybe you coordinated/collated everyone’s test results for the supervisor – something along those lines. Did you lead a team of your peers for some project? Collaborate with others on a presentation? You’re looking for examples of your ability to work and play well with others without directly managing them.

  51. 51.

    Yutsano

    @lamh36: Have a bookcase behind you. You’ll look intelligent and put together.

    EDIT: formatting on mobile is getting difficult. Firefox on Android.

  54. 54.

    piratedan

    @lamh36: Debbie had some important notes, I would add a couple of others…

    go to the bathroom before the meeting

    have something to sip on, because doing a lot of talking can cause the coughs

    close your door to reduce distractions

    power off your cellphone unless you need it to go into the mtg

  55. 55.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Sab:

    called management to complain ( common-sense, not Karenish behavior)

    …although if ever there were a time to go Full Karen….

  58. 58.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @MagdaInBlack:

    Today a sparrow spent all afternoon pruning my thyme

    ? I’m prunin’ my thyme,
    ‘Cause that’s the kind of birb I’m ?

  60. 60.

    Phylllis

    @MomSense: There’s one person in our small office who says she can’t wear a mask due to severe allergies & sinus issues–which she does have. A face shield appears to be a bridge too far for her as well. Never mind we ordered one of these for everybody.

  66. 66.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @debbie:

    And as Adam would advise, hydrate!

    But not too much. You don’t want to be excusing yourself so you can go pee.

  68. 68.

    Martin

    @lamh36: Control your backdrop. That’s different from most interview situations. Clean, not too distracting. Try and control audio as best you can. Headphones should be fine for this sort of thing now – Zoom is now pretty routine. Airpods or equivalent if possible – the integrated mic usually also improves audio quality on their end.

    Have a backup device ready to go in the event of a technical problem – your phone is fine. Makes sure it’s silenced during the call, just like in a regular interview.

    Having interviewed people on Skype, etc. we’re usually a bit more forgiving because, well, it’s a weird and awkward way of doing it. Supervisor hiring I focus most of the questions on supervision of staff. Usually they’re in the pool because they’ve proven their technical background so I don’t need to probe that too much, but supervising is a whole different animal.

    Good opportunity for hypotheticals – lots of HR challenges in the time of Covid. In many cases taking a more relaxed approach because people have less ability to control the world around them, but that needs to be balanced against the needs of a lab whose operation might be critical to saving lives. They’re probably just looking at judgement. I don’t think too many people have definitive ideas of how to handle this, so not many ‘right answers’. But do you have good judgement. Can you weight the needs of your staff with your responsibilities? Are you up to handling challenging interpersonal problems – employee X accuses employee Y of harassment. Easy answer is refer to HR professionals, your OEOD office, whatever, but do you keep them scheduled working together, etc.

    I usually also ask about mentorship style. Some supervisors are very hands off, which can be bad for overall productivity, others are too hands on, stifling people. Where do you look for the balance. And these things can be drawn from your experience under good or bad managers. It’s fine to say, here’s an experience I didn’t like, and here’s how I wish it had been handled. Or here’s an experience I did like and I would model that management style.

    And that of course will vary a bit depending on your relationship with the interviewers. Since they might know you well, don’t bring in bad situations that involved one of them. But if there were situations that they were aware of but not involved it, that can help because it lets you get to the point quickly without having to build a context. I find being interviewed for a supervisor position  by people I know to be fairly challenging unless I really understand well everyones office politics/alliances/etc. In those cases I try to draw on experiences outside of the office when I can.

  71. 71.

    CaseyL

    @lamh36: Excellent news!

    One Skype tip: don’t  have the screen lower than your face.  The camera will give you extra chins and neck wattles.  Don’t have it too high, either, or you’ll appear to be looking up out of a well.

    Also, make sure the background is something you don’t mind them seeing.

    For personnel matters, I’ve got nothing.  Maybe an awareness of confidentiality, which as a HC worker you already know about.  Maybe have some examples of things  you’ve done to facilitate teams?

    Best of luck with the interview!

  72. 72.

    MomSense

    @Phylllis:

    It is all total bullshit.  Too many of us are just too fucking stupid and selfish to handle the demands of modern society let alone a pandemic.  I was so close to walking out and telling everyone to fuck off.
    The problem is that I have humans and a dog who depend on me financially.  At the same time I’m terrified that I will bring home COVID -19 and kill my mom who lives with me.  She also depends on me financially, so I’m just  fucking stuck.  And now I’m going to go and find a distraction because I feel like crying and I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.

  73. 73.

    debbie

    @Auntie Anne:

    Seconded. Not sure what they’re called now, but PAR statements are great. Problem, Action, Results. Come up with problems you’ve encountered; how you resolved them; and the good that came out of your actions.

    I used to get really nervous about interviewing, but once I had come up with PAR statements for each phase of my work history, I was far more relaxed and better able to handle whatever questions came at me.

    Elevator statements were also helpful, but I don’t know if they’re still a thing.

  75. 75.

    Kirk Spencer

    @lamh36: The goods ones are taken, but here are a couple.

    Put a stick note next to the camera, and when you’re talking look at that. As much as possible look at that when listening, too, instead of looking at the speaker’s image. It triggers the impression of eye contact.

    If you can afford it consider an external free-standing mic that sits off-camera. Second choice is a blue-tooth lapel mic. Regardless, make sure it picks you up while you are sitting back in your chair while talking. Sound quality is the most frequent annoyance of these meetings

  77. 77.

    dmsilev

    I’d like to congratulate UPS for their excellence in package routing:

    07/09/2020 5:05 A.M. Los Angeles, CA, United States Arrived at Facility
    07/09/2020 5:00 A.M. Sylmar, CA, United States Departed from Facility
    07/08/2020 5:37 P.M. Sylmar, CA, United States Arrived at Facility
    07/08/2020 4:22 P.M. Louisville, KY, United States Departed from Facility
    07/08/2020 2:33 A.M. Louisville, KY, United States Arrived at Facility
    07/07/2020 7:54 P.M. Long Beach, CA, United States Departed from Facility

    Long Beach to Los Angeles via Louisville. Makes perfect sense.

    (yes, I know they do the central-hub thing for air shipping. But still.)

  78. 78.

    debbie

    @MomSense:

    Make it obvious. I would take some duct tape to work and tape a boundary around your desk. Ask your co-workers to respect your boundary. And if someone doesn’t, you throw the roll of tape at them.

  79. 79.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @RepubAnon:

    I was just thinking that if the Black Death came back, all the MAGA folks would be having flea circus parties.

    Cirque de Puce?

  81. 81.

    NotMax

    @RepubAnon

    Repeating, yet linking again as it fits in too well.

    “But they’re singing about the plague!”

    “I know. Shakespeare would never do something like this!”

    “Because it’s a terrible idea!”

    :)

    If understanding the lyrics a problem, an expository link.

  83. 83.

    lamh36

    @Martin: thx.

    The job is Supervisor for the lab in Houston. So I don’t actually know any of the interviewer (except the hiring manager who I spoke to over the phone).  I was able to get a pic of each interviewer thx to the company email which requires a pic for upper/lower management personnel.  So that kinda makes it easy to test out stuff.

    Thx

  85. 85.

    CaseyL

    @MomSense:   Have you tried having a few coughing fits at work?

    Seriously, though: If you have a good face shield and mask, and wash your hands frequently, that might give you good protection.

    @debbie: Why be subtle?  How about a spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol?

  87. 87.

    Anya

    I laughed so hard because it’s really sad that a huge number of 2020 Americans are so resistant to science and reason.

  88. 88.

    Sab

    @debbie: I went to the bank yesterday. It was really hot. The teller is plumpish and was wearing a v-neck t-shirt. Quite literally all I could see for the first minute was six inches of cleavage until she got her face in camera range. I thought it was funny but awkward.

  92. 92.

    senyordave

    This just popped into mind for some reason.  One ex-Trump official I have some respect for is Rex Tillerson.  I have a strong suspicion that he all but called Trump a fucking moron to his face.  I think Tillerson was so full of himself that he thought he could re-invent the whole State Department and run it like a CEO would run a Fortune 500 company.  He might have thought that Trump was a neophyte and he would get up to speed, but after a few weeks I’m guessing he realized that Trump was just a complete idiot.  And I don’t think he was in it for the grift.

  95. 95.

    dmsilev

    @senyordave: It’s amazing, and somewhat sobering, that as bad as Trump’s initial appointments were, their replacements were usually worse. Tillerson->Pompeo. Sessions->Barr.

  96. 96.

    Sab

    @CaseyL: Isn’t MomSense newish to this job? I could be difficult at my job since I had been there reliably for twelve years, and I still couldn’t shape up the office manager. Some folka just don’t believe in science.

  100. 100.

    Kay

    maricopaelectionaudit
    @maricopaAZaudit
    ·20h
    Grieving mourners of Covid victims began assembling an Ofrenda at the State Capitol this evening. They encourage others to bring pictures of loved ones. RT if you want Doug Ducey to understand the consequences of his failures

    Listening to the months of shrieking from people who are mad at masks or stay at home orders, it never occurred to me that we hadn’t yet heard from the families of the people who have died.
    Looks like we’re going to start hearing from them in Arizona.

  101. 101.

    WaterGirl

    @lamh36: When is your Skype interview?

    The two supervisors thing sets off alarm bells for me.  It will be super important to know how they view the two supervisors working together.  Is one the boss of the other?  Are both positions considered equal – everyone has to understand what’s what going on.  Are you expected to make decisions together?  Or do you have responsibility x and s/he has responsibility Y?  What if there is an issue in the gray zone?

    Is the other supervisor the main supervisor, and you are just there to shore up the places where s/he is weak?  If so, are you okay with that?

    Are you good with the technical side?  I imagine yes.  So you will likely have opinions about stuff on the technical side.  Will you be part of that, or might you be a worker bee who has some side responsibilities that aren’t of interest to the current supervisor/manager?

    The two supervisors need to know the expectations, and so do all of the employees.  Otherwise it will likely be bad news for everyone.  “You’re not the boss of me!” has ruined many a situation.

    Also, no one likes a micromanager.  So you can talk about the difference between delegating authority and assigning tasks.  If you’re assigning tasks and hovering… not good.

    If you delegate authority and clarify what the rules of engagement are , that’s better than assigning tasks.  But clarity is needed up front – these are the kinds of things I want to be consulted on, these are the kinds of things I want to make the decisions about, these are the kinds of things I would like you to handle, but would like you to let me know about.

    Know your style, let them see that you have thought about it.  Do you like to be “friends” with the folks who work with you, or keep a bit of a professional distance because you are the manager?

    One question I always asked in interviews was something along these lines:  “Please share a situation in which you conformed to a policy with which you didn’t agree.”  You might want to have an example in your pocket in case they ask about that.

    Definitely agree about being able to talk about the managers you have had, good and bad.  What made me a good manager was a combination of “I don’t want to be anything like Shirley” and “Arthur was a great manager, i want to be like that”.

    Those are my random first thoughts, for what it’s worth.

  103. 103.

    Roger Moore

    @lamh36:

    Someone else mentioned rocking back and forth, but I would say that moving around in general is more noticeable in a video conference than it is in person.  It’s OK to shift in your seat a little when another person is talking, but do your best not to move around when you’re the center of attention.  The same thing if you need to take a sip of water or whatever; wait for people’s attention to be elsewhere.

  106. 106.

    Roger Moore

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    I like that the departures occur before the arrivals.

    No they don’t.  You may be confused because the package sat in one location for just under 24 hours, so the time for the departure was before the arrival, but the date was the next day.

  107. 107.

    jl

    I’ll go look for old public health newsreels and posters for post-WW II TB outbreak control that call people getting tested dirty commies and Soviet spies. They must be there, since that was when America was Great.

  108. 108.

    Sab

    @senyordave: Running companies, even multinational companies is nothing like running a government. I do not know why oldish CEOs have never managed to notice this in their long lives. Civil servants are not normal employees. They have some job security, and they also actually care about the entity they work for and the people they serve. Company employees are just scared rabbits almost always.

  110. 110.

    jl

    A mainstay of recent best-practices Hantavirus control is pix people wandering around in clouds of old dried up rodent poo. Toughens you up!

  112. 112.

    chopper

    @Ken:

    what’s that thing in the reef with the big shiny teeth, that’s a moray…

    what’s that thing in the brine that’s all covered in slime, that’s a moray…

  113. 113.

    WaterGirl

    @MomSense: There may be no way for you to win here.  By win, I don’t mean you win, she loses, but your boss may be so tricky that there’s no good way to successfully navigate this.

    Having said that, what if you come in on Monday and say you are super worried about your mom, as she is about her mom, so you did a bunch of research over the weekend and you wonder if she would be interested in hearing some of the good ideas you read about.

    You could try to make it clear that they aren’t YOUR ideas, in case that’s an issue for her.

    I read something that suggested that offices put tape around all the desks that would extend out 6′ from where the person sits, because when you’re caught up in your workday, it’s easy to forget to distance sometimes.

    Maybe it will go over better if you read something from an “expert” rather than anything being your idea?

    The folks who wrote the “Crucial Conversations” and “Crucial Conversations” books had a free workshop this summer related to Covid, and they talked about how to communicate with people when they are in your space or when you feel unsafe around them.  You could check out their website and see if there’s anything there.

    They also have a program, I think, about how to reopen safely and create an environment where both the people who work there and the customers/clients feel safe.

    Send me email if you’re interested in more information?

    edit: maybe you could say “I have been so worried about my mom that I talked to my doctor, and s/he said…”

  115. 115.

    jl

    @dmsilev: Wiki says Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is still an attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim. When it reopens, anyone can go there to get the Must futurama tunnel experience, at least from what I’ve read of reviews. Except Toad ride is smoother and better scenery, fun story, has a beat and you can dance to it. Maybe Musk can get the former problem fixed, I have doubts about the others.

  116. 116.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @Nicole: Me too. Went to Kroger affiliate yesterday and all the offenses were by employees! I went at 6:15 in the morning, only self checkout  at that time and the employee running the area….no mask. While having to get close to people to help with non-scans, coupons, etc. Her workmate…yelling about the mask she got for the day was for a child. I’ve been going to this same branch for a long time and “know” these workers…they have been delightful and helpful over the years…but they are now old like me and thus higher risk, so I just don’t get it. I sent an email to Kroger.

  117. 117.

    WaterGirl

    @MomSense: I think I’m going to order the shield linked to by Phyllis at #60.

    If you had one of those, with your mask, maybe the added protection on your end would make you safer?

  119. 119.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    listening to Joy Reid announce her new weeknight show, it’s the first time I realized she won’t be doing her weekend show now, that’s gonna change my Sunday routine

    And for those who like SP Warren, she’s gonna be on the Hayes program. Harris on with Maddow later.

  120. 120.

    Obvious Russian Troll

    @dmsilev: I had a package go from Chicago to Oklahoma for a week before finally landing in Madison, WI. Which is roughly a three hour drive from Chicago.

    I do not think that that was intentional.

  122. 122.

    debbie

    @WaterGirl:

    Now that we know the virus is airborne, we know it can settle on any surface. We could carry it home on our clothing.

  123. 123.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @NoraLenderbee:

    SWOON, but you probably should propose to Ira Gershwin. I would never have been able to come up with that great rhyme on my own.

  124. 124.

    azelie

    @Enhanced Voting Techniques: Yes, and there are currently some cases in Inner Mongolia.  Now the plague bacillus can be treated with antibiotics.  But I think this was an example of someone thinking that pandemics in general are a thing of the past because SCIENCE and overestimating the extent to which people make decisions based on scientific evidence.

  127. 127.

    Josie

    @lamh36:

    This sounds funny, but if you set up the computer a bit higher than usual, you will be looking slightly up to the camera and will look better on screen.  Try looking at your image beforehand to get the right angle.  On my Mac there is both a Face Time app and an iphoto booth that can be used to do this.  Not sure about a pc.

  130. 130.

    jl

    I guess you could go SCUBA gear when you go out in low compliance areas. I see an outfit called Divers Supply will send you a complete kit from tank to regulator, mouthpiece and mask, with a handy carry bag for just under $1K, free shipping.

    Let’s see, what else? Ansell disposable self-contained hazmat suit for $189.55, comes in 6 sizes. How many times can you re-use? Maybe DuPont Encapsulated reusable model at $1025.81 is a better buy?

  131. 131.

    MagdaInBlack

    @ Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Allegedly it is. I am impressed the bird knew. (my theory)

  132. 132.

    dmsilev

    @jl: I think an essential requirement for any such gear is that it makes Darth Vader breathing sounds.

  133. 133.

    NotMax

    @Josie

    This. Elevating the camera aids in dissipating the fisheye lens effect.

    As well as keeping people from being able to closely study your nostril hairs.

  134. 134.

    Peale

    Don’t know if it’s been mentioned here yet, but Gary Larsen released new far sides today

  135. 135.

    jl

    @dmsilev: Might scare off the anti-maskers. Need to keep a distance. Otherwise might be danger to suit integrity when they throw boxes of frozen food at you for your anti-American soy-boyism.

  136. 136.

    Lyrebird

    @lamh36: Hello lamh, I hope I am not too late to chime in!

    #1 – try to put a smiley face or an arrow on a post-it or a piece of tape BY THE WEBCAM so you make “eye contact” instead of looking at them on the screen.

    Examples?  Write down what your big takeaways, like how you’ve handled giving directions to older colleagues or conflicting deadlines or whatever, and make sure you have a pithy example for each one.

     

    GO GO GO GO GO!!!

  137. 137.

    Anya

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Thanks for the heads up. Watching Warren now. I am pretty impressed with the seamlessness that Biden incorporated a policy from all of his opponents. He really has a skilled team. I think it helps that they don’t have a worshipful relationship with him.

  138. 138.

    divF

    @Martin: For many years, we were subscribers to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). They would have regular articles about occurrences of reportable diseases. For ones like plague, for which there were around twenty cases a year, they would give a summary of each case (location, description of the patient, and outcome). One that really was striking was that of a 96 year-old woman in rural Texas, who contracted the plague. She survived.

  139. 139.

    jl

    @Spanky: 7 to 8 cases of plague per year in western US on average. Several hundred hantavirus all over, but mostly western states. Around 200 leprosy.

    We are all doomed. Kill all the armadillos, I say. Armadillos gotta go, sorry armadillos.

  140. 140.

    Brachiator

    @MomSense:

    I’ve been dealing with coworkers who refuse to wear masks even though we are all in the office together all day. I’m the only person in my office who wears a mask.

    Are masks mandatory or optional in your city/county?

    If the company had a policy about masks can you kick this matter up to HR?

    Could you work from home? Could you negotiate working from home for the sake of the people you need to protect? My sister had to do this before her state government began requiring that people wear masks.

    A bit more extreme, perhaps. Could you arrange it so that your desk/work area is more than 2 meters/6 ft away from anyone else’s?

    Your coworkers might have “valid” reasons for not wearing masks, but this doesn’t reduce the importance of providing you with a safe environment.

  146. 146.

    divF

    @jl: In my case, yes, although Madame Dr. divF is an MD, so we had some minimal justification for keeping it coming. We used to scatter the latest few issues on the coffee table in the living room, for guests to browse.

  147. 147.

    Brachiator

    @azelie:

    But I think this was an example of someone thinking that pandemics in general are a thing of the past because SCIENCE and overestimating the extent to which people make decisions based on scientific evidence.

    Science has maybe removed the obstacle of looking at pandemics as acts of an angry and inscrutable God, but stupidity remains.

  148. 148.

    LongHairedWeirdo

    @Ken:  “If King Kong will leave you flat, catch the flick Vampire Bat, that’s some more Wray”

  149. 149.

    NotMax

    @Bracfhiator

    When do the RWNJs starting tweeting about the comet Cheryl mentioned earlier on the front page as a sign of heavenly approbation of Dolt 45?

  150. 150.

    NotMax

    @NotMax

    Apologies for misspelling your nym, B. Circumstances have deemed it a relief to keep my right arm suspended in a sling today, so typing not up to snuff.

  151. 151.

    Brachiator

    @lamh36:

    Good luck with your Skype interview.

    I have never done a video interview via Skype, but if you are doing a video interview, I agree with some others that a lapel mike might be good. The main thing is to avoid using a mic that might run against your skin or clothing.

    Otherwise, I say just relax and feel confident that you can pull from your knowledge and experience to answer any question.

  154. 154.

    jl

    @divF: Depending on you live, your state’s reportable infectious and parasitic disease manual might make a nice coffee table item. Had a public health nurse aunt growing up in California who got the new one every year, but pretty cheap production and black and white pix. I do remember a big special edition with big color photos, though. I was the right age to think that the bot worm section was cool. I learned that some Native Americans ate them for food, but they were very careful about the handling.

  155. 155.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Anya: I was impressed how Hayes introduced the segment as how Biden has borrowed from Warren, and Warren turned it around to what Biden has done

    team player 

    and I believe Hayes resisted the silly VP speculation, which I hate 

  156. 156.

    lamh36

    @WaterGirl: Skype interview is scheduled for 11 am CST. Tuesday

    Of course with all the COVID shit, I’ve got work.  But I live 10 min from work.  But I’ve already asked for a 3 hr window to leave and come back to work.  So I can relax, prepare do the interview, decompress and back to work.  COVID pandemic allows for not much time…ugh.

    Just another reason I am trying to leave the hospital lab.

    As for the position…it is not uncommon in large labs to have more than one “section” supervisor a shift.  It’s hard enough for one supervisor to handled 30+ employees, 5+ sections of Micro, QA/QC, technical lead, administration, payroll, budget, validations…etc.

    In general the work is split as evenly as possible.  I have the technical bench experience, what I am lacking is the “leadership” skills.   The current supervisor has been on the job for a little over 2 years, so there is not the aspect of “seniority” just that they’ve had 2 years head start.  Otherwise we would be equals.

  158. 158.

    jonas

    @azelie: Yes, there’s been some really interesting new genomic research on the origins of the plague and its spread. Incredible what you can do with DNA analysis these days.

  159. 159.

    Brachiator

    @NotMax:

    When do the RWNJs starting tweeting about the comet Cheryl mentioned earlier on the front page as a sign of heavenly approbation of Dolt 45?

    Hah!

    Dope: We believe that Donald the Orange was sent by God to deal with the pandemic.

    Skeptic: That’s fine. But why would your God send Trump to kill you through incompetence? Maybe you need a new God.

  160. 160.

    Roger Moore

    @debbie: 

    Now that we know the virus is airborne, we know it can settle on any surface. We could carry it home on our clothing.

    The big worry seems to be getting it by inhaling an aerosol someone else has breathed out, not from surfaces. The studies showing how long it could last on various surfaces were using very high viral loads- equivalent of somebody sneezing directly on that surface from close range- rather than “some got on your clothes because your coworker was breathing in the same space as you”. It’s still probably smart to change clothes when you get home, but the most likely way you’d bring the virus home at dangerous levels is by getting infected.

  161. 161.

    jl

    @Brachiator: Back when we were warriors and tough, periodic epidemics would kill off several thousand of the superfluous population every couple of years for the sake of the stock market.

    That’s why we have the ‘Again’ in Make American Great Again.

    I don’t know why I have to spell it out for you people.

    We started going soft in the first half of the 20th century when we cut the annual epidemic toll down to a few hundred to just one or two thousand. The rot goes way back.

    Edit: I’m waiting for the David Brooks column about how everyone used to be right mined, well mannered and deferential, with character, and just sat there and died whenever shit happened.

  162. 162.

    Ohio Mom

    MomSense,

    Do you have an N95 mask?

    Some of them have exhalation valves; that wouldn’t protect your workmates from you, but who cares, an N95 will provide *you* with better protection. A face shield will also help protect you.

    The other thing you can do is take good care of yourself so your immune system is as strong as it can be — get enough sleep, eat well, etc.

    It’s very tough, not having a choice about working under risky circumstances. We have that issue here in Ohio Family.

    My irritation with people who won’t wear masks grows each day. I didn’t mind wearing one before the temperature rose to the 90’s but now I’m miserably hot in it. Still, I’m keeping it on, furious that my efforts to protect others is not being returned.

  163. 163.

    jonas

    @Martin: There’s a worrisome outbreak in China right now in fact, traced to people hunting/handling marmot in Inner Mongolia. Fleas or parasites from marmots in Central Asia, incidentally, is where they now believe the Black Death originated — not in China proper, which is still what most of the textbooks teach.

  166. 166.

    jonas

    @Brachiator: We believe that Donald the Orange was sent by God to deal with the pandemic.

    I like this one better: RWNJs: “Trump was sent by God!”

    The rest of us: “Yes, as a test.”

    The results are coming back…poor.

  168. 168.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    the silly VP speculation, which I hate

    At this point, I just want to scream and throw things when the host says (to Harris/ Duckworth/ Lance-Bottoms/ name the female) “I know you’re not allowed to answer this, and I’m really not expecting you to say anything, but I’m required to ask you….”

    Ugh. It’s so coy and phony and cynical. I hate it.

  169. 169.

    jl

    @jonas:

    ‘ I like this one better: RWNJs: “Trump was sent by God!”

    The rest of us: “Yes, as a test.” ‘

    “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

    Looks like we flunked that sucker in 2016.

  170. 170.

    Torrey

    @lamh36: Avoid gestures. The hands look much larger on screen, and unnecessary hand movement can be distracting. Good luck with the interview!

  171. 171.

    Anya

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I am so glad we’re not dealing with the very destructive division last time. EW is always skilled at these things. I love how she changes trolling questions into a chance to give her positions/talking points.

     

     

    @Baud: Our saving grace. He might also be teflon.

  172. 172.

    Anya

    I am afraid for Rachel Maddow’s health. I think Trump’s criminality is getting to her. She can’t believe all the shit he keeps getting away with.

  175. 175.

    MazeDancer

    @lamh36: Framing the camera matters. Wider is better. Like frame from chest or waist up.

    Raise the camera so it is eye level with you. Try to have a window to your side. Depth of background helps. Don’t be up against a blank wall.

    Practice on Zoom or FaceTime with friends until you get a framing you like and feel comfortable.

  176. 176.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @SiubhanDuinne: I haven’t thrown a punch in decades, but when O’Donnell starts in with his precious, patronizing grin…. my knuckles itch

  177. 177.

    Feathers

    @MomSense: what immediately popped into my head was a water pistol with a six foot range. And a sign “If I think you are too close, I’ll use my water pistol to check. But I’m a stinker.

    @lamh36: From a public speaking course I took: apple juice is the same viscosity as saliva, so it is the best thing to sip if you are trying to stop a cough or undry your throat for talking.

  178. 178.

    jl

    @Anya: ” Our saving grace. He might also be teflon. “

    Pretty hard to land one on old handsome Joe with his trademark aviator glasses. Now he adds that ‘how you like me now, punk?’ black mask, and whew.. stuff just bounces off. High octane old man cool that goes to 11.

  179. 179.

    Kay

    Trump who? Senate GOP candidates in tight races avoid any mention of the president in campaign ads,

    That’s what we want to see. Next we’ll see it in not-so-tight races.

  181. 181.

    Brachiator

    @jl:

    I’m waiting for the David Brooks column about how everyone used to be right mined, well mannered and deferential, with character, and just sat there and died whenever shit happened.

    I would love to get Brooks, Andrew Sullivan, and a few other pundits in a room together.

    Then I would close the door, lock it, and walk away.

  182. 182.

    Kay

    Claire McCaskill
    @clairecmc
    · 1h
    Breaking: @sendavidperdue has undergone surgery to separate himself from Trump and is now airing ads in Georgia that don’t even MENTION Trump. No one has carried Trump’s water with more enthusiasm than Perdue. And now he ghosts him. Like rats from a sinking ship….

    In Georgia.

  183. 183.

    jl

    @Feathers: Sadly, this is a case where the math demands it. At least if dimwit governors just sit there in the middle of a railroad bridge pretending not to hear the whistles coming closer.

  184. 184.

    jl

    @Kay: They can run on for a long time, run on for a long time, sooner or later Trump gonna cut ’em down, tell the rambler the gambler, the long tongued liar, the midnight rider, sooner or later Trump gonna cut ’em down.

    They can run from Trump but they cannot hide.

  187. 187.

    jl

    @Brachiator:

    ” I would love to get Brooks, Andrew Sullivan, and a few other pundits in a room together.

    Then I would close the door, lock it, and walk away. ”

    That is a cruel monstrous thought. Trump makes monsters of us all.

  188. 188.

    Anya

    @Kay: Because he’s a baby once he realizes they’re ghosting him he’ll start to attack them. I will live for that day.

  191. 191.

    Anya

    @jl: He’s also old, white and male. Not that they won’t try but I don’t think the old attacks will work on him.

  192. 192.

    Gravenstone

    @jl: 

    DuPont Encapsulated reusable model

    Those require either an SCBA or a supplied breathing air line. And you have to drain your sweat from the boots when you doff it if you wear them for any period of time in even temperate conditions. Also, wearing light colored clothing underneath is not advised, as it will be see through when you take the suit off.

  193. 193.

    Kay

    @jl:

    I was hoping he’d attack them on Twitter but then I realized that might help them, but maybe no one will tell him and he won’t know since they all lie to him constantly.

  195. 195.

    Martin

    @Feathers: Fatality rate is just now turning upward. The infection rate turned upward about 2-3 weeks ago, and now the death rate will track with it, just with a time lag. Daily new infections has tripled over that time, daily deaths probably will as well. Guessing we’ll be at 3,000 deaths per day in early August. And that will go up if the daily cases continues to go up.

  196. 196.

    Gravenstone

    @jl: No, the cruel monstrous thought is to toss in a few baseball bats before locking the door.

  198. 198.

    Kay

    @Anya:

    In 2006 before the D wave I was mad for like a week because I realized “Republican” had disappeared from all the Republican yard signs. Foiled again! You have to watch them like a hawk.

  199. 199.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    I’m reading Yangsze Choo’s THE NIGHT TIGER on my kindle, picking it up and putting it down all day. I just started the chapter that was open and events had moved along with a great leap. It took me a while to realize I’d somehow skipped four chapters.

  200. 200.

    Omnes Omnibus

    No links, but it was reported to me that the CEO of Goya came out with some pro-Trump statements and now Latin Twitter is appalled at the need to switch to McCormick.  I suggested Penzey’s and the message is going to go out.

  201. 201.

    Steeplejack

    @azelie:

    One student was sure that if something like that threatened to happen now it would be easy to deal with because we know so much more now (not like those ignorant people in the Middle Ages).

    The Trump administration has stifled a lot of my “laugh at history” tendencies.

    “Silly Romans! The emperor’s horse in the Senate?!”

    “Those wacky Bavarians with their mad King Ludwig!”

    Not so funny now.

  202. 202.

    Martin

    @jl: I think it’s clear we’re hurtling toward 2 wetsuits and a dildo territory for any public social interactions.

  203. 203.

    trollhattan

    @Martin:

    CA’s ICU capacity is beginning to drift downward. Had been holding steady at 35% up through yesterday and today is 33%. Worth keeping an eye on.

  204. 204.

    Aleta

    A month after mass demonstrations against racial injustice filled city streets across America, epidemiologists and a McClatchy analysis of COVID-19 case data suggest the protests did not lead to dramatic increases in transmission, providing further insight into what does — and doesn’t — lead the coronavirus to spread.
    …
    Some metropolitan areas such as Miami, Dallas and Boise have seen increased case counts and “positivity rates” — the percentage of coronavirus tests that come back positive — since May 25. But other cities that had some of the largest protests, such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Washington and New York, have actually seen a decline in case counts and prevalence of the virus, as measured by the percentage of positive tests.

    If the protests had played a direct and meaningful role in the coronavirus spikes, epidemiologists say they would have expected to see a consistent trend throughout cities across the country that saw mass demonstrations. But that has not occurred. In Miami, for example, the positivity rate was roughly 4% on May 25. Since June 15, it’s been in double digits practically every day, and has even topped 20% on a handful of days. By contrast, in Washington, D.C., the positivity rate was above 10% in late May, but has consistently been below 5% since mid-June.

    The recent data has led epidemiologists to question whether large outdoor gatherings have served as the “superspreader” events they initially feared — and is providing them with further evidence that major coronavirus spreading events are occurring primarily at indoor facilities.

    (There’s a graph for 6 cities at the link.)

  205. 205.

    jl

    @Martin: I never saw the movie. Never expected to see such a horrifying demo of what ‘eyes wide shut’ can mean. I don’t know if that is the meaning it has in the flick, but that is the meaning it has for me now.

  206. 206.

    Other Suzanne

    I’m late to the post, but DAMN, if that ain’t funny. I’m STILL laughing!

  209. 209.

    jl

    @trollhattan: At least 1,500 cases at San Quentin, cases from Southern California, southern San Joaquin Valley and Kern Basin going all over state. Those are just as important factors as ‘dang kids on the beach’ and backyard BBQs that I think stem from the ill-conceived SF Bay Area social pods and bubbles plans.

    I haven’t heard news of several dozen people infected every other day at large worksites over last week. So I hope because Cal/OSHA got its act in gear. But maybe because not big enough news right now. I hope that is not the reason, I hope they are ended.

  211. 211.

    Martin

    @Omnes Omnibus: No links, but it was reported to me that the CEO of Goya came out with some pro-Trump statements and now Latin Twitter is appalled at the need to switch to McCormick.  I suggested Penzey’s and the message is going to go out.

    This reminds me how shitty the ethnic food market must still be outside of places like SoCal.

    Growing up there was a thing called ‘mexican seasoning’ which apparently is still a thing. That’s all they use in Mexico, you know. Tacos, fish, cakes, ice cream. Just pour that shit on and it’s instantly authentically mexican.

  212. 212.

    Patricia Kayden

    The term “cancel culture” comes from entitlement – as though the person complaining has the right to a large, captive audience,& one is a victim if people choose to tune them out.Odds are you’re not actually cancelled, you’re just being challenged, held accountable, or unliked.— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 10, 2020

  213. 213.

    Martin

    @trollhattan: Yeah. I was hopeful that CA’s rate of acceleration was low enough we could quickly jump on that, but I’m not so sure now. It’s still far below TX, AZ, FL, but it’s not good.

  214. 214.

    Another Scott

    @lamh36:

    Some more recommendations, for Zoom meetings (in general).

    DeLong – https://www.bradford-delong.com/2020/07/stafford-quentins-zoom-webinar-checklistnoted.html

    Stafford: Quentin’s Zoom Webinar Checklist—Noted
    Quentin Stafford: Quentin’s Zoom Webinar Checklist https://statusq.org/archives/2020/07/05/9701/:

    * [Consider] Webinar mode… a paid add-on,… [with] an Eventbrite-style registration system, polls, Q&A chat windows, post-call surveys, the ability to livestream to YouTube, etc.
    * Make sure your camera is around eye-level or higher. Laptop users, I’m looking at you!…
    * Make sure there’s more light in front of you than there is behind you.
    * Use ethernet rather than wifi if you possibly can.
    * Use a decent microphone….
    * Avoid distracting (or boring) backgrounds.
    * Don’t use virtual backgrounds or automatic blurring.
    * Mute yourself when your microphone isn’t needed….
    * Have at least one trial session!… You, any speakers, and one or two other helpers. You want everyone to know what it’s like to be a panelist, and what it’s like to be an attendee. Things you’ll want to find out:
    * Can attendees take part in the chat?
    * If so, will that distract the speaker?
    * If, instead, you’re using the Q&A window, who sees what and when?
    * Have one of your test attendees submit questions and answer them privately, publicly, or reject them. What do they see?
    * Suppose you want to allow an attendee to say something using audio, how do you do it?
    * How much of this will the speaker be able to see when they’re sharing their Powerpoint presentation?
    * If they have a video embedded in their presentation, will everyone hear its audio?
    * You need more than just two of you to try this kind of thing out.
    * Don’t hold your trial session just before the event!
    * If your speakers are going to be sharing their screen, test that out in advance with every speaker.
    * Giving the talk, running the meeting, and collating questions are three jobs and ideally need three people.
    * You will get lots of last-minute requests for the meeting link, no matter how many times you’ve sent it out beforehand. Have it to hand at all times.
    * Create a TinyURL link to it in case you have to text it to someone at short notice.
    * Consider disaster scenarios.
    * Make yourself a checklist.
    * Are you recording this? Have you notified everyone? Will you make it available afterwards?
    * Do you want attendees to be able to use the chat? Turn it off if not.
    * Do you want attendees to be able to use/see the Q&A window? Set appropriately.
    * Have you enabled screen-sharing for participants? That’s an option on the host’s screen-sharing menu.
    * Tell the panel: turn off your phone, turn off notifications on your desktop and quit all other apps, make sure your family and dog know you’re not to be disturbed.
    * Make contingency plans so you aren’t distracted if your doorbell rings?
    * Tell the attendees: whether you’re recording the meeting, whether the video will be available, where the video will be available, whether you’re using Zoom’s ‘Raise Hand’ feature, and how you’re handling Q&A.
    * Have a backup plan for what to do if something suddenly goes badly wrong?
    * ‘Spotlight’ the current speaker’s video.
    * ‘Spotlighting’ the speaker’s video is a good safety measure to stop unexpected switches when somebody’s dog barks in the background after you forgot to mute them!
    * Think about how you are going to finish the meeting professionally. Consider the final words you want to be ringing in hundreds of people’s ears as they depart.
    * Beware the still-live microphones and cameras.
    * Stick around afterwards for a while

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  215. 215.

    Kay

    Megan Messerly
    @meganmesserly
    ·22m
    .@GovSisolak
    says he had a call with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today + was advised that if Nevada did not take “swift policy action” to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we would be in a “precarious position” w/ hospitals overwhelmed in the near future.

    The Trump Administration hires go out and lie to the general public while at the same time making phone calls like this to individual states. The level of dishonesty is just horrific.

  216. 216.

    Gin & Tonic

    @Martin: News flash: there are Mexicans (and Guatemalans and Hondurans…) and Asians living in places other than Southern California. Some even own markets, that are open to the public. Hard to believe, I know.

  218. 218.

    lamh36

    Late comment, but thx for all the advice for my Skype interview.

    I’m filing it away and plan to test out everything this weekend.

     

    Thx

  219. 219.

    Viva BrisVegas

    @Jerzy Russian: Rats don’t carry the plague, it is the fleas on the rats that do!

    Not to your point, but I think the current school of thought is that plague wasn’t generally spread by fleas jumping from rats to humans, because even in medieval times people had as little to do with rats as possible.

    It appears there were more than enough fleas on people to account for the person to person spread.

  220. 220.

    The Pale Scot

    @Sab: I’ve been buying the pre far smoked stuff that is usually located next to the ham steaks. The Pale Pop is not impressed

  222. 222.

    rikyrah

    One of the benefits of COVID-19 on television is the interview inside of the house. Seeing people’s homes. I love Presidential historian Michael Beschloss’s library. It’s what I would want for a home library.

  223. 223.

    Brachiator

    @jl:

    At least 1,500 cases at San Quentin, cases from Southern California, southern San Joaquin Valley and Kern Basin going all over state. Those are just as important factors as ‘dang kids on the beach’ and backyard BBQs

    The governor talked about efforts to deal with the virus in prisons and other locations, during his briefing this afternoon.

    Also, some interesting changes to the way that evacuations will be handled in case of brush fires in order to factor in the pandemic. These plans may not be perfect, but they attempt to encompass as many variables as possible.

  224. 224.

    Brachiator

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    No links, but it was reported to me that the CEO of Goya came out with some pro-Trump statements…

    From NPR and elsewhere…

    Robert Unanue, chief executive of the family-owned operation since 2004, said that the country was “blessed” to have Trump at the helm, during remarks following a roundtable with Hispanic business and political leaders from across the country.

    “We’re all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder,” Unanue said during the Rose Garden speech.

    I can understand it when Trump’s staff and the GOP leadership heap praise on him. But damn, this guy has been gulping down the Kool Aid.

  225. 225.

    The Pale Scot

    @debbie:

    Use painter’s tape. You can periodically pull it up and put it back down a little differently and incrementally expand your territory.

     

    Debbie needs lebensraum, her needs cannot be negotiated.

  226. 226.

    Ohio Mom

    rikyrah @222: I am enjoying seeing my far-flung cousins’ homes on our monthly Zooms. It’s the closest I’m probably going to get to Montana and Seattle for a long while, if ever, and my cousins with tiny studio apartments in New York don’t have space for company. But now I have “been” to their homes.

  227. 227.

    CaseyL

    @divF: 

    @jl:

    Oh, gosh, we used to get MMWR at a job I had a long, long time ago.  it’s enthralling reading.  Do you have to be a healthcare professional to subscribe?

  228. 228.

    CaseyL

    @Brachiator:

    Maybe you need a new God.

     

    Hah! That’s what I’ve started saying to the fundies who go on and on about how it’s God’s Will for people to suffer in life so they get rewarded after death, or how one sin will land you in Hell for all eternity:

    “Sounds like you worship a sadistic sociopath. Find a better God.”

  231. 231.

    J R in WV

    @MomSense: 

    The person who infuriates me the most is the office manager who has been complaining that we are back at work because her mom has stage four cancer and cannot get COVID. I tried suggesting that at the very least we should all be wearing masks. She balked at that because she supposedly can’t breath in a mask.

    Sounds like she is deliberately trying to kill her mom to me. But don’t tell her I said so!!

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