Coronavirus in the United States - news and thoughts

Yes there is data that is contrary to your theory that the increased number of cases is due to the increased numbers of testing. Just look at the numbers from the past week compared to the numbers from May. The positive test rate is rising. If the increases in cases were due to more testing, the positive test rate would be falling.

 

Increased testing and an increased positive rate strongly suggests increased infection rates.

It looks like the positive rate went from 7% in Mid-May to about 10% now. That is despite an increase in tests from 10K tests per day to 15K tests per day. Only two ways that can happen: 1. Expanding infection; 2. Prior misallocation of tests (assuming the goal is to record as many cases as possible).

NC DHHS COVID-19: Testing

 

The problem is that once the hospitalizations go up, it is too late. So, we roll the dice.

 

So what is the option?

 

So if I get Covid, it will likely be from today’s hike. I also see why VA’s numbers are going up... Crazy crowded, no social distancing...I probably passed 100 people in both directions, every time but twice i was the one to try and give more space, and of those 100 or so, maybe 3 even bothered to say thanks. Love that more people are enjoying nature, but good heavens no one today had a lick of common sense, even against basic hiking courtesies.
Plus, having torn my meniscus the first week of quarantine, I’ve been limiting myself a bit and went to a full hike today, one I’ve done before. Between that and the heat, it was way tougher than it should have been. Was completely fried when it was over. But anyway, Raven Rocks in Bluemont.



And in the “some folks live right” category, this is the one house on the opposite ridge overlooking it all.

 

According to several medical experts who weighed in, keeping most of the state's Stay at Home Order in place through May would have gone a long way towards putting us on the down side of the peak. But, Cooper was more worried about re-election and what S Carolina and Georgia were doing to do the right thing by N Carolina.

That said, there is really nothing he can do now short of issue another Executive Order to shelter in place, and send the state police and National Guard to places like Alamance County where the Sheriff refuses to enforce the orders. And, none of that will happen because, well, election.

Also, ventilators nearly a meaningless piece of hardware at this point for Covid patients. If a doctor has to put a Covid19 patient on a ventilator, they are basically telling the family to "get ready", because more than 80% of the time, that person is not coming home. However, the fact that we are under 20% remaining capacity in ICU beds is distressing. One or two more hot "super spreaders" will push the state to edge......and with all of the people around the state who cannot understand that a church is not some musty little, poorly ventilated building, it is going to take exactly 1 super spreader to push the state into near crisis mode, and it is 50/50 right now whether that event comes from a race track or a church.

 

Beautiful. Chances are lower out doors.

 

This is true almost everywhere they reopened. Needs about 30 days then testing and contact tracing. And, local and safe areas could have been reopened. The choice was made to love with it because of the economic harm. Anecdotally, I know 3 people who were on ventilators. Two made it. One did not.

 

Thanks for sharing your hiking pics. It’s been inspirational. Today we did a mini hike at Lester park here in town. Dog had a great time too.

 

I would love to take credit, but they are @oragator1’s pictures. Love the dog!

 

looks like a really cool place!

 

Oops - I meant to quote @oragator1 in my post. Was on my phone, so goofed that up. I'm a fanboy of both y'all, so thanks for what you do too!
Oh and thanks for the dog love. She's a standard poodle and just a joy. My first dog and it's been a great adventure. She lives for trips to the park.

 

We have a series of parks with creeks that run down into lake Superior. Hiking is a huge part of the culture here year round.

 

Not many hikes down here but some good fishing around Captiva. Will be doing some hiking in Alaska end of June. Full day halibut fishing out of Seward on Father's day with 2 of my kids. Denali is self drive this year. Hope to see lot of wildlife there.

 

Hubbards Ice Fields outside of Seward Hope we get another sunny day like this this when we are there in 2 weeks

 

nice redfish. Wish we were heading to Denali in the near future. One day

 

caught 6 reds, lost that many, all 26" or larger, all catch and release due to fish kill from red tide 2 years ago. MIL lives in Wasilla so we will be visiting. Wifey wants to hang with Mom so I go exploring and I hope to secure a couple of nights camping spots in Denali this summer since most people won't be visiting this year. back half of park doesn't open until mid July so will be limited in where we can go but hoping that the wildlife is thick this year

 

I hit the salmon and halibut season there with my oldest years ago, great fishing and we flew back with some tasty fish.