Enjoy your quarantine listening while you can
One problem states have finding enough masks is they keep getting out bid by the federal government. https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/03/20/charlie-baker-donald-trump-coronavirus-medical-supplies |
But seriously, folks: Community is community. This may not be the subject of this forum, but this is affecting/worrying the audiophile community. Let’s not be too nit picky on things, be respectful and keep open the lines of communication. I’m in quarantine like many of us. Not so difficult for me since I practice social distancing as a matter of course as an introvert. Listening to music and watching Netflix all day is actually kind of wonderful, and I spend time checking in on my elderly parents and my grandkids. However, I am worried about the misinformation and misinterpretation I see in the news and on the internet. I would like to take a moment to point out a few things: 1. Please keep in mind the reported numbers are cases AS WE KNOW THEM. A spike in numbers just means more widespread testing is showing results. Remember how West Virginia had no cases for the longest time? Turns out they weren’t testing people. If you don’t look for something you won’t see it. When I was taking a statistical analysis class in grad school that was beat into us. As an Air Force intel officer I was always focused on the validity of the source. People/organizations/countries have various reasons for reporting information, and sometimes the reports are wrong. 2. There is no parity when it comes to reporting information. You need to determine the validity of your source. I have been following reporting on the coronavirus and have developed source validity criteria for several sources. In general terms: Good are Dr Fauci, South Korean government statistics, NPR, BBC, PBS, Washington Post and NY Times. Bad are Chinese government statistics, Fox News, Trump, email strings, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Accurate but need to be careful are MSNBC, CNN, local news due to inexperienced reporters / editors and a tendency towards hyperbole. 3. Which brings me to the “cure” being discussed: chloroquine. Sorry, but no. Chloroquine is being studied. That’s all. There is some preliminary evidence it might be used to shorten the severe period. Preliminary. And for someone who has taken chloroquine and mefloquine, and been around people who have, I can tell you it might not be the panacea you think it is. Chloroquine needs to be taken daily to protect you from some strains of malaria. It does not cure malaria. It also has some nasty side effects for some people, including psychosis and death. Mefloquine is taken once a week, with fewer side effects. I would be curious to see the Coronavirus case reporting in regions where malaria drugs are more prevalent, e.g. Africa. 4. There are a lot of questions out there, and a lot of ignorance as well. Having been through a couple of epidemic situations in the past (viral meningitis and viral conjunctivitis Northeast Brazil 1984, Chikungunya Gabon 2009) I have to point out that viruses are active and persistent threats. You have to be diligent with protective measures such as washing hands, covering sneezes And coughs, and social distancing or the threat will grow and come back. And it will take longer than expected. The best advice I heard was from a medical reporter, who said she is planning for eight weeks in quarantine; if it’s less then she will feel relieved , if it gets extended to 12 weeks then she can handle it. 5. Viruses don’t respect your opinion. They use you to breed, then move on after they kill you. * Insert ex-spouse joke here* 6. I am loving my new Bluesound PowerNode 2i streamer. I have my Apple TV plugged in and can listen to Qobuz or watch TV through my 2- speaker system 7. it’s spring and I am stuck at home. Time for some deep spring cleaning! 8. When it call comes down to it, let reality be your guide. People are kind and gentle, people are cruel and ignorant, people will suffer and die. Take care of yourself, love your family, and most important of all...assess the risk. i think at this point I will find some happy music and have an early lunch. |
