All things Corona Virus

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

10 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

  We have discussed it, but the article did say it's based on reported totals. That is the confirmed death rate. There is also an estimated death rate, but it's only as good as the data used, and it may still be a while before they have an accurate estimate with any degree of confidence. The "official" estimate I saw somewhere was 0.75% IIRC, which was estimating more than 20 million positive cases so far in the USA and also estimating the death totals have been under counted.

So anyone can pick and choose the data they wish to use, based on their personal agenda.  In this case, to make it seem worse than it really is.   Statistics 101.

[Dashinka 24,519]

Biden says he would use federal power to require Americans to wear masks in public
 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-federal-power-require-masks

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

At least Biden has the attention of all the families in audience.  You can listen to how he's going to save America against Trump for 17 minutes, or just skip to 17:20 as he thanks "all the families in attendance".

 

 

[Boiler 45,559]

All I know is that I was in Denver yesterday and traffic seemed back to normal, and the Highway up here was packed with Friday traffic heading up, pretty much back to normal.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

That's good news about Denver.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

 

 

Florida’s coronavirus spike: 5 things to know

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/06/26/floridas-coronavirus-spike-5-things-to-know/

 

SNIP....

 

The spike in cases far exceeds the increase in testing.

 

 

[Dashinka 24,519]

Reading a lot of the news from around the country and here locally in MI, it appears a lot of the new infections are with demographics a lot younger and tied to the reopening of bars and dance clubs, and possibly related to all the first amendment gatherings.  It would seem those are the “petri dishes” at least with this second wave. 

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

The places that should've stayed shut down if any of this idiocy behind shutdowns were sensible (and based on health rather than political/religious targeting) from the start.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

59 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Reading a lot of the news from around the country and here locally in MI, it appears a lot of the new infections are with demographics a lot younger and tied to the reopening of bars and dance clubs, and possibly related to all the first amendment gatherings.  It would seem those are the “petri dishes” at least with this second wave. 

Indeed kind of what I am reading. Thats at least part of the reason deaths are not spiking as hard, plus we are getting better at treatment protocols. The only problem is, those young people expose us, at risk population .

 

Its amazing the conversations I have at work, sadly usually with people that share my political views. 

I was told today that cases were not up, that they just reported them all at once. Uhh no baby that's not how statistically trends work. Then I was told its all a govt lie. My favorite is, how many people do you know personally that have died of the virus. I asked, how many people do you know that died of aids, but yet 7000 have died .

Sometimes I feel like I am in the Matrix, and no one knows it

Edited June 28, 2020 by Nature Boy 2.0

[TBoneTX 45,329]

I heard it mentioned that a possible reason for the spikes in warm-weather states is that people are staying indoors more (in the air conditioning).  I haven't seen much follow-up on this, and certainly no journal articles (not that I've looked).  The virus isn't floating around outdoors in big colloids or macromolecules, and there seems to be consensus that outdoors is safer than indoors, so rather than automatically blame rallies, bars, etc., I'd like to see more investigation of the "indoors more" angle.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

24 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

I heard it mentioned that a possible reason for the spikes in warm-weather states is that people are staying indoors more (in the air conditioning).  I haven't seen much follow-up on this, and certainly no journal articles (not that I've looked).  The virus isn't floating around outdoors in big colloids or macromolecules, and there seems to be consensus that outdoors is safer than indoors, so rather than automatically blame rallies, bars, etc., I'd like to see more investigation of the "indoors more" angle.

Good point. People here are out and about, some restuarants still take out only or limited seating. Our local Asiam store is requiring masks. We also got a lot of people who are ignoring most govt reccomended procedures. 

 

At least you are admitting cases are spiking.  I am having trouble getting Trumpian co workers to admit that. 

 

I will say this the car biz sure putter out in the last 2 weeks

[Neonred 3,569]

5 hours ago, Nature Boy 2.0 said:

 

I will say this the car biz sure putter out in the last 2 weeks

I'm trying to help.  Just ordered a new one recently.

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

3 hours ago, Neonred said:

I'm trying to help.  Just ordered a new one recently.

Cool what did you get ?  

[Neonred 3,569]

6 hours ago, Nature Boy 2.0 said:

Cool what did you get ?  

Well, needed a SUV that could tow at least 5000 lbs and have the luxury my Russian snob wife requires.  Currently have a 2013 Mercedes ML350 bluetec (diesel).  My wife pushed hard for it back when we got it.  I wanted the diesel, and really, really liked the diesel.  Great fuel economy and effortless towing.  But, as I told my wife when she was whining about wanting a Mercedes, as soon as the thing starts being a problem, it's gone.  Mercedes are not the most reliable (need to go Asian for that) and expensive as heck to repair.  Fortunate for me I bought the extended warranty.  First time I have ever done that and it was well worth it.

 

The diesel has been great, but one well known problem with this V-6 motor is oil leaks.  Expensive oil leaks.  Sure enough earlier this year it started leaking.  Little drops in the garage.  Knew it was the typical oil cooler leak.  Unfortunately the oil cooler is buried down in the bottom of the V and everything on top has to come off to replace $20 worth of seals.  Makes it a nearly $3000 job.  No problem, I was covered and thought let's get it done so I can keep this vehicle  for a few more years as my extended warranty runs out mid July.  It was done early March, and had only put a little over 1000 miles on when at the end of May our step son borrowed it to take his kid to the beach.  When he returned he let me know there were some warning messages on the dash.  One said "check oil at next refueling".  Thought that was odd as it was no longer leaking and never burns oil.  Went out and pulled the dipstick to find it was bone dry! (only really measures the top 2 quarts of a 9 quart capacity).  Panic.  Back of vehicle was coated in oil and oil was covering and dripping from the entire underside.  Dealer came to take it away and started it up to drive on the roll back.  Sounded REALLY bad, like it had been driven several miles without oil

 

Dealer found 1, no oil left in motor, and 2, the turbo seal they replaced when they fixed the oil cooler was leaking, and 3, the oil line to the turbo was leaking (apparently not tightened when the other work was done.  They fixed it and checked compression and drove it over 100 miles and told me all is well.  I had an interesting conversation when I picked it up.  They told me that IF I had paid for the repairs they would stand behind their work and warranty it for 2 years.  Because it was warranty work they will stand behind it until the extended warranty is up....middle of NEXT MONTH.  I worry about what damage occurred internally and I no longer trust it for extended trips especially towing.

 

I was interested in possibly a Highlander or Honda Pilot or especially the new Hyundai Palisade.  Guess the wife thinks those are for common people and wouldn't even look.  Test drove the new Mercedes GLE (before this whole disaster) but they won't be getting my repeat business.  Also kind of liked the Audi Q7, but not that much.  Decided on the new Lincoln Aviator.  I know better than to buy a first year new vehicle, and Lincoln has had some QC issues with this one, but I am hoping that this late they are getting those issues under control.  400hp and 415 lb/ft torque with a 6700 lb tow capacity.  Will even burn regular fuel when so many others will only use premium.  Ordered exactly what we want as we could not find it in FL or even south 1/2 of GA.  Found 2 that were close in spec, but they were early builds and still unsold 9 months after they were built.  Scheduled production for ours is 3rd week of July, unless COVID shuts the plant down again.  Built in Chicago...on the south side.  It's the baddest part of town.

 

Edit to add that I also tried the Land Rover Discovery since it's the only SUV I know of that has a diesel option.  As much as I love diesels, I won't risk buying a Land Rover product.

Edited June 28, 2020 by Neonred

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

32 minutes ago, Neonred said:

Well, needed a SUV that could tow at least 5000 lbs and have the luxury my Russian snob wife requires.  Currently have a 2013 Mercedes ML350 bluetec (diesel).  My wife pushed hard for it back when we got it.  I wanted the diesel, and really, really liked the diesel.  Great fuel economy and effortless towing.  But, as I told my wife when she was whining about wanting a Mercedes, as soon as the thing starts being a problem, it's gone.  Mercedes are not the most reliable (need to go Asian for that) and expensive as heck to repair.  Fortunate for me I bought the extended warranty.  First time I have ever done that and it was well worth it.

 

The diesel has been great, but one well known problem with this V-6 motor is oil leaks.  Expensive oil leaks.  Sure enough earlier this year it started leaking.  Little drops in the garage.  Knew it was the typical oil cooler leak.  Unfortunately the oil cooler is buried down in the bottom of the V and everything on top has to come off to replace $20 worth of seals.  Makes it a nearly $3000 job.  No problem, I was covered and thought let's get it done so I can keep this vehicle  for a few more years as my extended warranty runs out mid July.  It was done early March, and had only put a little over 1000 miles on when at the end of May our step son borrowed it to take his kid to the beach.  When he returned he let me know there were some warning messages on the dash.  One said "check oil at next refueling".  Thought that was odd as it was no longer leaking and never burns oil.  Went out and pulled the dipstick to find it was bone dry! (only really measures the top 2 quarts of a 9 quart capacity).  Panic.  Back of vehicle was coated in oil and oil was covering and dripping from the entire underside.  Dealer came to take it away and started it up to drive on the roll back.  Sounded REALLY bad, like it had been driven several miles without oil

 

Dealer found 1, no oil left in motor, and 2, the turbo seal they replaced when they fixed the oil cooler was leaking, and 3, the oil line to the turbo was leaking (apparently not tightened when the other work was done.  They fixed it and checked compression and drove it over 100 miles and told me all is well.  I had an interesting conversation when I picked it up.  They told me that IF I had paid for the repairs they would stand behind their work and warranty it for 2 years.  Because it was warranty work they will stand behind it until the extended warranty is up....middle of NEXT MONTH.  I worry about what damage occurred internally and I no longer trust it for extended trips especially towing.

 

I was interested in possibly a Highlander or Honda Pilot or especially the new Hyundai Palisade.  Guess the wife thinks those are for common people and wouldn't even look.  Test drove the new Mercedes GLE (before this whole disaster) but they won't be getting my repeat business.  Also kind of liked the Audi Q7, but not that much.  Decided on the new Lincoln Aviator.  I know better than to buy a first year new vehicle, and Lincoln has had some QC issues with this one, but I am hoping that this late they are getting those issues under control.  400hp and 415 lb/ft torque with a 6700 lb tow capacity.  Will even burn regular fuel when so many others will only use premium.  Ordered exactly what we want as we could not find it in FL or even south 1/2 of GA.  Found 2 that were close in spec, but they were early builds and still unsold 9 months after they were built.  Scheduled production for ours is 3rd week of July, unless COVID shuts the plant down again.  Built in Chicago...on the south side.  It's the baddest part of town.

 

Edit to add that I also tried the Land Rover Discovery since it's the only SUV I know of that has a diesel option.  As much as I love diesels, I won't risk buying a Land Rover product.

You are spot on. People in the biz have no respect for most European brands. Mercedes and BMW especially.  Terrible resell. Shody quality and crazy expensive to work on. We see a lot of people trying to trade when the warranty runs out.

Pilot and Highlander both good choices. Off the top off my head I think the Aviator is bigger? I hope you have better luck with Lincoln. I agree new year model in a domestic is a bit off a dice toss, but I am married also. Also agree on land rover, its not a solid vehicle. 

 

 

On a side not I drove my first Land Cruiser the other day. They are not a lot out there. I had to gake it for window tinting.  That thing was a tank and rode like nothing I had ever driven. Really nice. But that darn was almost 90k. Ouch.