Hello Readers,
We haven’t had an open thread in a while. Consider this a fresh one, to discuss whatever is on your mind. There are no set rules, beyond a basic expectation of respect. Just don’t make it tough on the mods, ok?
For most of us, it’s been a big slog since the first stuck-at-home thread just three months ago, after Rudy Gobert touched a bunch of microphones, tested positive, and the NBA (and the country) shut down. So let’s check in:
How did you feel when everything shut down? How does that compare to how you feel now?
Better? Worse? Going stir-crazy? How is work for you?
Comparing Then To Now
Let’s compare the COVID-19 numbers in the U.S. from the day the NBA closed down to the numbers on Monday (via the COVID Tracking Project):
Daily Number of Tests
March 11: 4,014
June 15: 449,488
Overall Total Positive Tests:
March 11: 3,315
June 15: 2,103,549
Overall Total Known Dead (actual total likely higher)
March 11: 43
June 15: 109,982
And those numbers included lockdowns. Unfortunately, there’s more bad news: Oregon’s numbers are low, but rising again, though spikes seem to be due to specific groups of people in enclosed indoor spaces, like food processing and churches. Other states, like Arizona, and Texas, are having even bigger increases. We’ll get back to Florida.
Are you still being careful?
COVID-19 has kind of moved out of the front page of the news in many areas, states have attempted limited openings, and that means for some people, “out of sight, out of mind”. That doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous or invasive than it was in the spring.
Basic precautions are still important. Even if your area is not locked down, remember to try to limit non-essential business. Everyone knows to wash their hands correctly by now, right? And when you’re indoors in public, or physically close to other people when outdoors, wear a face mask. If you’re wearing a mask, it shows other people you care! Multiple studies have shown it will reduce spread considerably.
Florida’s a Mess: Let’s Play Basketball!
Florida’s Department of Health on Tuesday morning confirmed 2,783 additional cases of COVID-19, setting another daily total record high since the start of the pandemic. The state now has a total of 80,109 confirmed cases.
A Miami Herald analysis of public and non-public COVID-19 data found that as of June 3, new cases in the state had consistently been trending up since mid-May and the trends could not be attributed solely to increases in testing, which had been inconsistent and sometimes declining during that period. [Miami Herald]
I sincerely hope you’re all finding ways to stay healthy and safe, and I’m always happy to see good people finding their voice. Hang in there, everyone.