Pants Rowland

To me, that is the crux of the matter. The police don't necessarily need years of higher education to be effective peace officers, but the militarization of municipal and state police forces is a huge problem and should alarm even the most law abiding citizen. The officers who appear most effective in managing the current protests are the ones in standard uniform, minimal arms, and willing to listen and even join their civilian counterparts. It must take courage, but definitely seems that the more the police emulate a normal living breathing American by shedding the arms and joining the masses, the more they actually can administer and keep the peace. And from everything I have gathered in recent years, the cost to educate and train the police in crisis management and de-escalation is paltry when compared with the heavily armed alternative. So, its both far cheaper and far more effective.

The nuances of whether or not someone died of COVID really have me shaking my head. If there is a statistically significant abnormal spike in American deaths during this time, it is valid to assume it is COVID related, even if not directly. First, the lack of testing makes it all the more likely that many deaths encompassed in that abnormal spike were directly due to COVID, even if not confirmed via test or autopsy. Second, the tax that COVID has brought on the country is real. There are likely many preventable deaths due to diabetes, hypertension, depression, anxiety, etc. that were accelerated by COVID. Hospitals were at capacity, people did not want to go out due to fear, people felt hopeless and isolated, etc. It's all related whether you actually got the bug or not. The fact that we continue to lack a national plan for testing, containment, and safe reopening will continue to feed the societal fears and lead to further indirect deaths. So, whether or not any death can specifically be verified due to COVID is really immaterial to anyone who dies or loses someone important to them. To me, 80K or so deaths is probably an undercount.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/05/how-hong-kong-beating-coronavirus/611524/ Not sure if anyone saw this. In general, The Atlantic has been my favorite source for compelling COVID stories on a regular basis. Hopefully HK doesn't become the latest success story casualty due to excessive accolades, but this does strongly indicate if people wash hands, wear masks, supply medical workers, and prevent uncontrolled outside visitors, this thing can be beaten, but it requires near complete cooperation from the population.

I figured. I stopped catching up on every post in this thread but glad to know it's being shared. Like I said, it gives me a little sense of security when I venture out.

https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them This recent write-up gave me some comfort with respect to the concerns you noted.

Thank you for posting. I was skeptical on the effectiveness of face coverings, particularly when it came to just random homemade masks. Then I read an article in the Atlantic that echoed your post. I have also since heard of real life examples of the rate of spread plummeting in areas with mandatory mask orders. It's what makes it so frustrating when prominent public figures like Trump or Pence refuse to model and promote such a simple, cheap and effective practice.

Been catching up on all these Covid posts and the one thing that still confounds me in this mess is that people still read and respond to Greg. I put him on ignore ages ago but still get snippets when people take his troll bait. His stupidity, whether real or feigned, is beyond baffling.

RIP Farmer. I confess was never a fan of his broadcast style, but hearing this news just drained the life out of me. He always seemed like a good guy and a member of the White Sox family. Another sad sad day, indeed.

Thanks. Great intel!

I just booked a flight for the last weekend of spring training, likely staying near DT Phoenix. Do you all have any tips and tricks for viewing spring games, getting autographs, food, other activities, etc.? My 11 year old is Sox crazed so I want to get the most out of the experience for him. Thanks.

Wait, who are you?!

Regarding adults getting autographs, it really ruins the Soxfest experience. I took my kid and he had a blast. He has also been admiring his autographed photos of Frank Thomas and Tim Anderson since then. With that said, the kids only autograph sessions (which went fast!) did not feature enough of the big name players so we spent the vast majority of the day waiting in broader autograph lines. It also creates huge obstacles throughout the venue when trying to get around constant queues spilling into the walkways. My son's friend (and dad) joined us so we let the kids run around and play games while we stood in line for them, but it really sucked. They could have made a lot more money off me if they gave me liberty to roam and eat, drink, etc. I know I am a grumpy old man, but no way I ever go to one of those things again.

You forgot about the 13-3 Bears team in 2001 that got dismantled by the Eagles at Soldier Field. Injured Bears littered the field throughout that game.

Thanks for that take. I had never heard this before and it is a much better theory than "Ventura sucks," "He never wanted the job," etc. I think anyone 30+ has taken a job they did not necessarily want but convinced themselves it was the right thing at the time. I also think many well regarded people are smart enough to say "no" at first. There are so many success stories that start with a rejection only to be convinced later and it works out great. Ventura is not one of them, but it gets so tiresome to hear sometimes.

What's that mean, judge?