Day: March 22, 2020

20200322: COVID Testing. When Does It End?

Too early for jokes? Of course, we are sensitive to the current global pandemic, and pray for recovery of those who are stricken, as well as the healthcare professionals working on their behalf. We’re talking ’bout the hysteria, here.

Yet, let’s talk about the unreasonable demand for “testing” of the entire population, immediately, and the overwhelming strain such a demand placed on our system. What was mass testing supposed to accomplish? Did we really need it or was it an unrealistic demand artificially created by the media to instill panic, create a run on toilet paper and foodstuffs, and designed to move forward the political goalposts by implying: “No immediate tests for 350 million people = Orange Man Bad.

It’s been my issue with testing all along. If there are only a few cases in a region, testing would reveal chains of possible transmission and be beneficial…. like we did with Ebola. Yet, if thousands of cases exist within a region, no country has the bureaucracy to devote to tracking individual spider-webs of transmissions, and testing becomes a waste of resources. Can we imagine the government trying to test and trace H1N1 infections when 50-60% of our population exhibits antibodies a decade later?

And, as Alison points out, testing begets proximity to those who are potentially infected and wastes protective gear, which are already in short supply for our healthcare workers.

https://twitter.com/Alison4Trump/status/1241608641871929344

Yet, still…… the media is focused on the NUMBER of tests, if the Trump Admin has conducted more/less than other countries. “Is the Trump Admin delivering what was promised to the people” was a source of contention in the presser yesterday, because the Trump Admin promised 1.4 million ….. only to learn more than 10 million tests have been delivered. It’s a media narrative, which fits into a predetermined journalists’ “recipe du jour” for a political story about how the Trump Admin is “bad”. Yet a story about the creation of a new tests, more labs, shortening the testing time to 45 minutes, gets hardly any press at all.

The media slept through the story of Wuhan during December/January because they were fixated on impeachment. Yet, by late February, the media was fairly successful with the idea of mass population testing, creating concern in the urban centers of the northeast/west coast, who are less self-reliant, more demanding of government solutions to individual problems, and those who exhibit hyper-sensitivity….. to…… anything.

But it made no sense given current situation. Testing begets more testing and would never be finished in a pandemic. There would be an infinite number of tests. Follow the logic of a typical urban dweller Dem:

  • Tested negative Monday, but I want to be tested again tomorrow after going to the grocery store…. cuz….. so many people were there.
  • Tested negative on Tuesday, but I want to be tested again tomorrow….. cuz Andre the mailman got a little too close to me.
  • Test negative on Wednesday, but I want to be tested again tomorrow, cuz my throat “feels funny”…… and I know elective surgeries are being cancelled….. but I am selfish…… and what if there is something else wrong with my throat?
  • Tested negative on Thursday, I want to be tested again tomorrow, because I received a box from Amazon…… and CNN/FOX told me the virus lives on cardboard for 24hours…… and I saw a story on social media where an Amazon worker tested positive…….. so, I might die from the transmission.
  • Tested negative on Friday, but I want to be tested again cuz……… I have a dog…… and who knows where the dog has been……. and MSNBC told me the virus could be transferred in a dog’s fur.
  • Tested negative on Saturday, but I want to be tested again on Sunday, because I can’t go to my veterinarian to pick up the organic-gluten-free-hypo-allergenic dog food for my gender-neutral dog….. so, I had to order it from Amazon…… and now I have another dreaded cardboard box to deal with……. which might kill me.
  • Tested negative on Sunday, but I want to be tested again on Monday morning because I heard the government might shut down my state…… so, I have no way to escape my state….. so, I went to the gas station and filled up the tank……. and there were so many people there……. and their breath might contain the virus…… and I could die……..
  • On Monday, I got a phone call from an old college girlfriend I haven’t seen in years, who knows someone, who read on social media, that their mom’s friend, in another state, MIGHT have the virus and is being tested. Surely, on Monday I would need to be tested again……. cuz……… I know someone who might have transmitted the virus…… That’s pretty close to me, right?
  • Tested negative on Tuesday, but I want to be tested again, cuz my friends “who are experts” and the Washington Post tells me my President is lying, and I’m suspicious of all doctors, nurses, and local officials. I need to be reassured.
  • Tested negative on Wednesday but call my doctor anyway because I think I have kidney failure. I attempt to convince my doctor all my lower back pain could not possible be muscle strain from rearranging the pantry to accommodate all the toilet paper I purchased. Doc tests me for COVID anyway…….. cuz the Feds/US Taxpayers are paying for the tests, and there are 10 million of them available.
  • Tested negative on Thursday, but I want to be tested again, cuz I miss the folks at the testing station……. it’s my only social interaction…….. and it might be cool to post the selfies on social media…….. yeah, I’ll get a lot of likes for that one. BUT, there were so many people there…..
  • So, I need to be tested again.
  • And again.
  • And again.
  • Cuz, I am important and incapable of cooperation during a national emergency.

Can’t you see my problem? Feel sorry for me at the victim I have become…. Woe is me.

I can’t go to the gym, or work, or see my friends,………. so I’m bored, and depend on outside stimulation because I am unable to sit quietly and entertain myself………. and I have all this food which I hoarded…………. so, all I want to do is eat pie……. so, I’m going to get fat…… and I can’t afford a Pelaton……. cuz I no longer have a job.

Therefore, all my problems are Trump’s fault.

Whew, I feel better now. Yeah, like I’ve always said, all my problems come back to Trump. I don’t know anything about propaganda. CNN is the most trusted news source in the world.

20200322: Dear CoronaVirus/ COVID-19/ China Virus/ WuFlu, Daily Thread

For the time being, given our national emergency, we are switching to DAILY COVID-19 threads instead of weekly threads. Your comments and updates are most welcome. PLEASE continue to include your valuable information, hard source links, and local observations on these COVID Daily Threads. Additionally, within these Daily Threads, we will try to include links to government and official pressers, so those who no longer have cable can remain informed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HotAd5fC8U

We’ll get through this crisis, together. As a group, there is probably no one better prepared than we are.

For our newcomers: The Q Tree community has been diligent in covering the threat of Coronavirus, COVID19, Wuhan FLU. We started accumulating information about this virus in mid-late January, in what became almost weekly threads. We’ve been weeks, if not months, ahead of MSM outlets to vet rumors and other medical papers, etc.

Primary Update Links:

In our past weekly threads, we assembled information on the following:

  • Primary update links. The dashboard from Johns Hopkins which counts “official” cases all over the world, the CDC, and WHO, and includes the links for our past threads.
  • Hard Data Medical Information- Explanation about testing, reliance on China for drugs, analysis of NE Journal of Medicine results and other published papers.
  • Vaccine and theraputics (new/old drugs to alleviate symptoms) news and updates 
  • Trump Administration response (the timeline and links to various agencies)
  • China Responses, timelines, research, attempt to cover actions, or secrecy in results discovered.
  • An aggregate of info/responses from other countries, listed by country.
  • Economic impact from around the world. A change in economic activity will indicate a “return to normal”.
  • Speculation/debunking on how the virus started
  • Media Bias, political response, and debunking section, like the article from AP News, overt bias from Politico, inflammatory headlines, etc.  
  • Other medical info to boost immune system, herbal remedies, ways to keep your house clean and NOT spread the virus to others. Excellent information to incorporate into daily lifestyle.
  • Hard links for OTHER valuable sources/blogs and a brief sentence or two about what they provide
  • Other news items

Our weekly updates. timelines, collection of valuable information, can be found here:

Please try to keep your sense of humor during this National Emergency, and remember, patience is a virtue.

Love to all!

Dear KMAG: 20200322 Open Thread

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

This Superlative Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

It’s also a place to read, post and discuss news that’s worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.

In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot, unencumbered by political correctness. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.

We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.

Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers.

Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront another poster.

If you feel the need to bare your fangs, we have a companion site – called The U Tree – where all legal speech is allowed and where you can run wild and free with the Wolfpack.

But NOT HERE in The Q Tree. Personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.

In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.

Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.

The Storm is upon us.
Please remember to Pray for our President.

AND WHAT TIME IS IT?
TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!

Our movement is about replacing a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People.
Candidate Donald J. Trump

Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:

  1. No food fights.
  2. No running with scissors.
  3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

His Way

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.

My Way Or God’s Way? (Genesis 27:1-46)

Frank Sinatra’s well-known song, “I Did It My Way,” was shocking for its blatant ungodliness. Of course what Sinatra stated plainly in that song, “I did it my way,” is true of every person who does not submit his life to Jesus Christ. Most people just aren’t as open as Sinatra in stating the controlling force of their lives.

In Genesis 27, four people illustrate Sinatra’s song. Isaac does things his way by trying to bestow the family blessing on Esau, in opposition to God’s revealed will. Esau tries to take back what he had already sold to his brother Jacob. When he is foiled, he plans to kill his brother. Rebekah deceives her aging husband into giving the blessing to her favorite son, Jacob. And Jacob lies to his father and outsmarts his brother. I think that what you have here are four self-centered people seeking their own advantage. They all did it their way, not God’s way. In the end they all came up empty and paid a high price for their selfishness.

Every person must have as a theme song in life either “I Did It My Way” or “I Did It God’s Way.” You would think that the lines would be clearly drawn: Every person outside of Christ would sing, “I Did It My Way”; every Christian would sing, “I Did It God’s Way.” But I find that many who profess to believe in Christ are really just living for themselves, often using God as the means to self-fulfillment. But the genuine Christian life is a matter of God’s confronting our self-centeredness and enthroning Christ as Lord in our hearts.

When we seek our own way, we never get what we want and we pay a high price:

(1) If we sow to the flesh, we’ll reap from the flesh. The law of sowing and reaping is as true for God’s people as it is for unbelievers. If you live for the pleasures of the flesh, you will reap from the flesh corruption (Gal. 6:7-8). If you live for the things of this world, you may get them, but you’ll be poor before God.

Some may protest: “But we’re under grace, not law!” But remember, Paul warned about sowing and reaping in the very letter where he strongly argues for the grace of God – Galatians. You can’t plant spinach and harvest sweet corn. While sin may taste sweet in your mouth, it will be bitter in your stomach and you’ll wish you had never tasted it! That’s true for believers under grace.

(2) You can’t thwart the ultimate purpose of God, so why not work with Him, not against Him? It is utter futility to fight God. It may seem as if you’re going to be able to get away with your plan. But “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord scoffs at them” (Ps. 2:4). Man’s sin can never thwart God’s purpose. It may appear that things are not under God’s control and that the forces of evil are going to turn world history to their own ends. It’s only an illusion. Even the wrath of man will bring ultimate praise to God (Ps. 76:10). God, not man, determines history. You can either smash yourself to bits trying to fight against God or you can submit to His purpose. As the apostle Paul and millions of others can tell you, life is a lot more pleasant when you don’t kick against the goads.

(3) Godly ends do not justify wrong means. Was it God’s will to give the blessing to Jacob? Yes! Was it right for Rebekah and Jacob to gain the blessing through deception? No! Methods do matter! Wrong methods don’t become right just because they work, even when they help accomplish God’s purpose. We live in a pragmatic culture, and many Christians have bought into any method that works. Just because a marketing scheme brings people into the church does not make it right. God’s work must be done in His way.

(4) The way to find your life is to lose it for Christ’s sake. Hebrews 11:20 states: “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.” How can that be, when it seems that he was acting in the flesh? The answer is in Genesis 27:33, where a trembling Isaac realizes that he has really blessed Jacob, not Esau, as he intended. He admits, “Yes, and he shall be blessed.” At that point Isaac realized that he and Esau had been fighting against God and they had lost.

Many Christian counselors are telling hurting people, “Assert yourself! Stand up for your rights! Don’t be codependent! You’ve got a right to some happiness in life, so go for it!” But God’s Word is clear: If you seek your own way, you won’t get what you want and you’ll pay a high price in family conflict. If you’ll die to your way and seek God’s way, He will give you the desires of your heart. You’ve got to decide which will be your theme song: “I did it my way,” or, “I did it God’s way?”

Paraphrased and excerpted from:
*https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-52-my-way-or-god-s-way-genesis-271-46

I Did It His Way

Yes, all the times, I’m sure You knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
Down on my knees, I would call out
You faced it all
And stood me tall
I did it Your way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it Your way

For what is a man, what has he got?
He’s full of sin and he has naught
I say the things I truly feel
Respectful words of one who kneels
The record shows
You took the blows
I did it Your way

Yes, it was Your way

All In His Hands

Men are weak in this life, lacking strength.
We must lean on the LORD’s strong right arm.
He, all-knowing, will work things for good
And, best of all, keep our soul from harm.

Trust in His timing. Wait for the LORD.
Though man’s troubles lie heavy on him,
There’s times and ways for everything,
Even when the days seem dark and grim.

Read His Word. Count on His promises,
Everything He said will come true.
He’ll deliver you from all your fears,
And give His joy and His peace to you.

Wait for His answers, He’ll give you strength,
All you who put your hope in the LORD.
You’ll mount up with wings like eagles,
And run, not tiring, your strength restored.

Believe in all His miracles,
Everything is possible with Him.
For though a loss is certain with man,
With God it will become a big win.

Rejoice in His goodness all the day,
Proclaiming His love in the morning.
Pray with songs and Psalms through the day,
Recall His faithfulness in the evening.

Relax in His presence, be still and know,
Though outside it rages with storm.
Within your heart you know He is Lord,
And He holds you in peace, safe and warm.

Hear His call and come near to God,
Come near and He will come near to you.
Whatever besets you in this life,
He holds your hand and will see you through.

Seek His Face

The days drag on, trudge slowly past;
The night brings sleep, restless and light.
The new day, yet still hours away,
Awake, but not.  Nothing feels right.

A darkness is here, all around,
A world turned sour, a bitter taste.
Menace and malice rule the day;
What goodness remains, turned to waste.

These feelings belie Christian hope.
Thoughts stray away from promised goals
That God has given us to see
As the journey’s end for our souls.

Our fallen, broken world reveals
Not the forest, but trees, diseased,
Though we see a much different sight,
When we look upward from our knees.

We seek God for worship and praise,
And catch small glimpses of His face.
He knows our needs better than we,
And fills us with his mercy and grace.

We’re on earth but for a short while,
And see through a glass, dark and dim.
From those things we see and endure,
We learn and grow to be like Him.

As we look toward our journey’s end,
We see the forest, not the trees;
The dwelling place Christ has prepared,
Full of wonders we can’t conceive.

Remember now, we’re on this earth,
Living but for a flash in time,
Yearning to hear in eternity
“Welcome, beloved, children of mine.”

We’ll persevere; we’ll keep the faith;
We’ll run the race, and win the prize.
We’ll be with God for eternity,
And see Christ’s face before our eyes.