719 new cases today. Last 3 Wednesdays: 666, 597, 670. 7-day rolling average 754.

12 more reported deaths.

Working where I do I’m not at all surprised. We’re years behind on some technology.

Yeah. Up until 2014 I was working for a medical software company, and we'd have to make sure systems were compatible with windows 98 and of course EVEYRONE was still using faxes non-stop. Although it's not just a US thing. I was involved pretty heavily in some NHS integrations and it was just as much of a nightmare. I see the same thing in the real estate and insurance industry. So many folks are still locked into 90's era technologies. Don't get me started in the various DOTs around the country (although government systems you expect to be relics).

If masks work then why aren't the numbers going down?

Masks have to be worn to work. Just having a mandate doesn't mean people wear them.

And, really, in context of our mask mandates, most of the exceptions are for the very places and situations that are in the high risk category. It's kind of like writing a seat belt law that has an exception for driving on the freeway.

I was shopping at Sam's club the other day and yes a lot of people had them pulled down or some not wearing them at all. Also some had theirs so loose and away from their face like half to one inch gap between mask and face, the masks where just for show. These people would just walk by me and one man as I was checking out in the self check, use his cart to push me out of the way while I was using the hand scanner. I'm an older lady, the guy was a big tall guy. What happened to manners???

Best States to Work During COVID-19 (https://assets.oxfamamerica.org/media/documents/BSWI_During_COVID_Report.pdf)

Almost made it into the top 10 worst states, Stitt needs to work on that....

Best States to Work During COVID-19 (https://assets.oxfamamerica.org/media/documents/BSWI_During_COVID_Report.pdf)

Almost made it into the top 10 worst states, Stitt needs to work on that....

that list is laughable

actually being able to go to work not part of the criteria

I was shopping at Sam's club the other day and yes a lot of people had them pulled down or some not wearing them at all. Also some had theirs so loose and away from their face like half to one inch gap between mask and face, the masks where just for show. These people would just walk by me and one man as I was checking out in the self check, use his cart to push me out of the way while I was using the hand scanner. I'm an older lady, the guy was a big tall guy. What happened to manners???
Manners went away for too many people a while ago. I just left the S May Crest and was disgusted. Around 10% with no mask and another 10 to 20 with noses exposed. Even employees. The Crest by home on N Rockwell has almost perfect mask wearing every time I’m in there. The numbers would go down if EVERYBODY would just care.

Best States to Work During COVID-19 (https://assets.oxfamamerica.org/media/documents/BSWI_During_COVID_Report.pdf)

Almost made it into the top 10 worst states, Stitt needs to work on that....Looking at the three stats if there are worse states for unemployment assistance there must be a lot of really hurting people there. Oklahoma’s failed epically. The first stat of providing PPE would be a problem anywhere. We couldn’t get sanitizer, masks, wipes, spray or anything from anywhere from March to a just recently. Still can’t get wipes or spray except in very small quantities. We being a Fed Government office that usually has channels to get anything.

This was kind of funny honestly.

http://www.oudaily.com/coronavirus/joseph-harroz-gov-stitt-visit-ou-food-pantry-discuss-local-impact-of-wearing-masks/article_435be780-ecb6-11ea-b9cd-53b040d8ad25.html?fbclid=IwAR3ov6ngfrHKyY9eJjomseZ 38CnQmh41CV1qDglAQ7bBg3J6A-FnyrqvU98

"Although OU Director of Media Relations Kesha Keith wrote in an email the governor and his staff were offered "OU-branded masks" during the visit, Stitt was photographed wearing a neck-gaiter, which is not considered an acceptable masking option according to OU's mandatory masking policy. The event took place at an indoor university facility, which would require suitable masks to be worn, according to the policy."

“I am not going to do a state-wide mask mandate, we leave that to local municipalities,” Stitt said. “We are not going to mandate a farmer to wear a mask on his tractor when there’s been no cases in those counties. We support masks and support folks wearing those.”

Stitt is worse than useless, he can't even give good counter examples for his inaction. Nobody is really asking a farmer to wear a mask while driving his tractor, they just want that farmer to wear one when going into town.

There isn't a mask ordinance in the U.S. that would require a farmer on a tractor to wear one.

Does Stitt even understand the basics of this virus and the strategies to contain it?

that list is laughable

actually being able to go to work not part of the criteria

Since my other reply was deleted, as I expected, I'll post again. Did you even read the criteria, do you even have a clue what the report was about? Or should I expect another complete non-answer (or no answer at all) that will corroborate my other deleted reply, and finally, do you ever post anything that is actually a valid rebuttal or just one-liner drive-bys?

There isn't a mask ordinance in the U.S. that would require a farmer on a tractor to wear one.

Does Stitt even understand the basics of this virus and how strategies to curtail it work?

Absolutely not, as he has so demonstrably and consistently shown.

There isn't a mask ordinance in the U.S. that would require a farmer on a tractor to wear one.

Does Stitt even understand the basics of this virus and the strategies to contain it?
I’ve often said I blame the people more than I blame any government for this mess. But Stitt has me approaching a rethink. He seems to be COMPLETELY CLUELESS!

The question is whether Stitt is this dumb or he's really playing politics while people die. Either answer means he's negligent. This type of behavior really does show he's unfit for the office of governor. If the U.S. or Oklahoma had a functioning democracy then he'd be impeached for this negligence. There's a big different between political disagreements and showing a lack of understanding or empathy during a public health crisis.

Also, every single county in the state has had cases -- most number in the hundreds if not thousands -- so that's another point Stitt is making that is completely nonsensical.

The question is whether Stitt is this dumb or he's really playing politics while people die. Either answer means he's negligent. This type of behavior really does show he's unfit for the office of governor. If the U.S. or Oklahoma had a functioning democracy then he'd be impeached for this negligence. There's a big different between political disagreements and showing a lack of understanding or empathy during a public health crisis.

I mean I think he does it because most Oklahoman's want to not be forced to wear a mask. It is just easier to let those people be mad at their city council and he is absolved. Smart move to keep yourself popular.

Also, every single county in the state has had cases -- most number in the hundreds if not thousands -- so that's another point Stitt is making that is completely nonsensical.

Yeah, it's nonsensical to us logical, rational folks here on OKCTalk, but do/will those folks in those rural counties believe what Stitt is saying and think "Yeah, he's right, we don't wanna wear masks out in our fields!!!"? I've seen lots of people outside walking their dogs, walking back and forth to work, just walking, etc., all by themselves with nobody in sight, much less within 6 feet, so I really can't put too much confidence in the general public's "sense", sadly (as evidenced by tons of other things during this pandemic).

Eh. I don't think it's a clear cut absolute right or wrong on a statewide mandate. I agree his verbiage was clumsy, but I get his point. Does Beaver County that has had 44 cases total and 0 deaths really need a mask mandate right now? And if we put every single county, no matter how rural and low in cases on a mask mandate right now when it's not necessary, how supportive is the local community, police, and government going to be when the mask mandate really is necessary.

Now why we don't have something happening at a county level, I don't know. But I'm happy with the mandate decisions being made at the local level (although many of them have not been taking the steps they should). I'm 100% pro mask and I've spoken multiple times at my city council meeting in support of the mandate so it's not like someone could accuse me of being a covid denier or a maskhole. I just think there's a balance.

I'd also be curious what percentage of the population is currently under a mask mandate. With OKC, Tulsa, and the other larger cities all having mandates, I feel like most of the state population is currently under one, even if the geographic coverage is much smaller.

that list is laughable

actually being able to go to work not part of the criteria

Just for edification, here are the data points that OXFAM is using to determine the rankings in their report:

Worker protections (45% of overall score):

General workplace protections (15 percent of the overall score):
• Mandated paid sick leave
• Mandated paid family leave
• Protection against sexual harassment
• Pregnancy accommodations
Workplace protections related to COVID-19 (15 percent of overall score)
• Protection against forced return to work
• Protection against retaliation
• State funded childcare for essential workers28
• No state-mandated corporate liability immunity related to COVID-1929
Protections for local communities (15 percent of the overall score)
• State-level loans and grants for small businesses
• State PPE requirements
• State definitions of what qualifies as an essential occupation
• Face mask requirements

Health Care (20% of overall score):
Health care expansion (15 percent of the overall score)
• Expanded Medicaid access
• Expanded telehealth services
• Premium payment grace period
• Waived cost sharing for COVID-19 treatment
• Expanded workers’ compensation due to COVID-19
Transparent COVID-19 case reporting (5 percent of the overall score)
• COVID-19 data disaggregated by sex
• COVID-19 data disaggregated by race

Unemployment support (35% of overall score):
Unemployment support provided in response to COVID-19 (10 percent of the overall score)
• Relaxed eligibility criteria
• Expanded unemployment support (beyond that provided by the CARES Act)
• Eligibility for undocumented workers
General unemployment support (15 percent of the overall score)
• Ratio of average unemployment benefits provided to cost of living
Housing and food assistance provided in response to COVID-19 (10 percent of the overall
score)
• Moratorium on evictions (beyond that provided by the CARES Act)
• Moratorium on utility shutoffs
• Grace period for rent payments
• Increased food assistance

Just for edification, here are the data points that OXFAM is using to determine the rankings in their report:

Worker protections (45% of overall score):

General workplace protections (15 percent of the overall score):
• Mandated paid sick leave
• Mandated paid family leave
• Protection against sexual harassment
• Pregnancy accommodations
Workplace protections related to COVID-19 (15 percent of overall score)
• Protection against forced return to work
• Protection against retaliation
• State funded childcare for essential workers28
• No state-mandated corporate liability immunity related to COVID-1929
Protections for local communities (15 percent of the overall score)
• State-level loans and grants for small businesses
• State PPE requirements
• State definitions of what qualifies as an essential occupation
• Face mask requirements

Health Care (20% of overall score):
Health care expansion (15 percent of the overall score)
• Expanded Medicaid access
• Expanded telehealth services
• Premium payment grace period
• Waived cost sharing for COVID-19 treatment
• Expanded workers’ compensation due to COVID-19
Transparent COVID-19 case reporting (5 percent of the overall score)
• COVID-19 data disaggregated by sex
• COVID-19 data disaggregated by race

Unemployment support (35% of overall score):
Unemployment support provided in response to COVID-19 (10 percent of the overall score)
• Relaxed eligibility criteria
• Expanded unemployment support (beyond that provided by the CARES Act)
• Eligibility for undocumented workers
General unemployment support (15 percent of the overall score)
• Ratio of average unemployment benefits provided to cost of living
Housing and food assistance provided in response to COVID-19 (10 percent of the overall
score)
• Moratorium on evictions (beyond that provided by the CARES Act)
• Moratorium on utility shutoffs
• Grace period for rent payments
• Increased food assistance

maybe a good state for work is a place you actually get to have a job and go to work ...

909 new cases for today. Last 4 Thursdays: 712, 746, 705, 837.

7-day moving average is now 782 cases/day.


14 more reported deaths.

I mean I think he does it because most Oklahoman's want to not be forced to wear a mask. It is just easier to let those people be mad at their city council and he is absolved. Smart move to keep yourself popular.

Stitt is one of the most unpopular governors in the United States. His approval rating is in the thirties. Literally, he is in the bottom five of governors in the US for job approval.

I don't think he does things to be "popular," he is just really dumb. He also is a shyster who cloaks himself in evangelical religion to get votes. His mortgage company was banned from doing business in multiple states.

He is way worse than Mary Fallin.

909 new cases for today. Last 4 Thursdays: 712, 746, 705, 837.

7-day moving average is now 782 cases/day.


14 more reported deaths.

The new spike is under way. We will have more than 1,000 deaths in Oklahoma by October.

Stitt is one of the most unpopular governors in the United States. His approval rating is in the thirties. Literally, he is in the bottom five of governors in the US for job approval.

I don't think he does things to be "popular," he is just really dumb. He also is a shyster who cloaks himself in evangelical religion to get votes. His mortgage company was banned from doing business in multiple states.

He is way worse than Mary Fallin.

Maybe he won't require masks out of fear he'll get impeached by the state legislature.

The new spike is under way. We will have more than 1,000 deaths in Oklahoma by October.

I doubt that it will be over 1000 if most schools and universities have shut down by then and if masks work. I think the main problem for now is that older people, like age 65 or over, don't want to do a good job of protecting themselves. It should be well known by now that is the age group where most people are dying.

OU and OSU are seeing at least a dozen new cases every day.

Mutliply that by every other college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Then, factor in all those young people/staff are then going home and/or interacting with tons of people outside their school.


There is no way this doesn't blow up, especially as we head into the flu season.

Stitt is one of the most unpopular governors in the United States. His approval rating is in the thirties. Literally, he is in the bottom five of governors in the US for job approval.
...

Top Ten (worst), way to go, he's well on his way to his goal!!!

OU and OSU are seeing at least a dozen new cases every day.

Mutliply that by every other college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Then, factor in all those young people/staff are then going home and/or interacting with tons of people outside their school.


There is no way this doesn't blow up, especially as we head into the flu season.

Found this while browsing through the "In The Know" newsletter from OK Policy, fantastic round-up of OK news - https://okpolicy.org/category/in-the-know/

More Than 160 School Districts In Oklahoma Are Reporting COVID-19 Cases (https://www.kosu.org/post/more-160-school-districts-oklahoma-are-reporting-covid-19-cases)

OU and OSU are seeing at least a dozen new cases every day.

Mutliply that by every other college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Then, factor in all those young people/staff are then going home and/or interacting with tons of people outside their school.


There is no way this doesn't blow up, especially as we head into the flu season.
I’m going to possibly look dumb again but what does the flu season have to do with it. The extra hospitalization load?

I’m going to possibly look dumb again but what does the flu season have to do with it. The extra hospitalization load?

Viruses always spread more quickly in the cooler months when most people are inside.

Thus the label 'cold & flu season', which usually runs from October through May, with peak period running from December to February.

OU and OSU are seeing at least a dozen new cases every day.

Mutliply that by every other college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Then, factor in all those young people/staff are then going home and/or interacting with tons of people outside their school.


There is no way this doesn't blow up, especially as we head into the flu season.

Cleveland and Payne counties saw high case numbers today just below Oklahoma and Tulsa counties:


Tulsa - 13742 (+185)

Oklahoma - 13791 (+102)

Cleveland - 4105 (+86)

Payne - 1319 (+80)

Viruses always spread more quickly in the cooler months when most people are inside.

Thus the label 'cold & flu season', which usually runs from October through May, with peak period running from December to February.

And won't there also be people who have COVID-19 symptoms and are positive, but think that they're flu symptoms, possibly adding to the spread because "it's just the flu, I'll be over it in a few days" and they won't be getting tested?

^

Considering having 150K less population, Tulsa County is doing a poor job when compared to Oklahoma County.

But neither is doing well, obviously.

We have had a few cooler days and nights in Colorado lately, (expecting some light overnight snow next week in a town 20 miles from me - yay). I have noticed a significantly higher use of masks where they are not required when it is cooler. I am sure it has everything to do with making the face warmer, but if this coincides with more people being inside hopefully increased mask usage from cooler weather will offset the potential increase in spread.

Cleveland and Payne counties saw high case numbers today just below Oklahoma and Tulsa counties:


Tulsa - 13742 (+185)

Oklahoma - 13791 (+102)

Cleveland - 4105 (+86)

Payne - 1319 (+80)


How many school districts in Oklahoma county are actually in session? I know Edmond goes at least two days a week on an A - B schedule for at least two weeks now and so far Edmond is staying pretty flat.

Oklahoma County is still doing pretty good. Thursday is the highest reporting day and today was still lower than the past two Thursday. Trend is still negative. https://occhd2.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/2c0fbe6497004e098cdb9678f4d33cc9

We will see how Norman and Stillwater does next week. After that inital back to school spike that Iowa and Alabama saw last week, cases so far have fallen significantly from those highs that occurred late last week. Iowa is comparable to Oklahoma right now when adjusted for population.

I saw this graphic today. Really puts this in perspective. Look where we were on July 1 compared to where we are now, only two months later. Staggering.

16395

I saw this graphic today. Really puts this in perspective. Look where we were on July 1 compared to where we are now, only two months later. Staggering.

16395Yep. We “reopened” with virtually no restrictions and the virus had a many thousand current case head start.

I’m going to possibly look dumb again but what does the flu season have to do with it. The extra hospitalization load?

The same factors that favor spreading the flu will be present, possibly increasing the transmission rate for both. But one of the biggest risks will be co-infection with both, or even just flu infections for people with lingering impacts from COVID recoveries. Flu can be deadly, COVID can be deadly, having both is a bad combination.

^

Yes, and remember we were out of the flu season before Covid-19 started to spread.

We are heading into unchartered waters with new cases running at a very high level.

Viruses always spread more quickly in the cooler months when most people are inside.

Thus the label 'cold & flu season', which usually runs from October through May, with peak period running from December to February.
But since it didn’t slow down like colds/flu do in summer we don’t know what cold weather will do with this psycho virus.

But since it didn’t slow down like colds/flu do in summer we don’t know what cold weather will do with this psycho virus.

That does not bode well for the winter.

Other countries in the Southern Hemisphere have minimal spread of the flu this winter, since precautions for COVID also slow the flu.

If we can do the things we need to do to slow the spread, it will help both and prevent the double hit.

Viruses always spread more quickly in the cooler months when most people are inside.

Thus the label 'cold & flu season', which usually runs from October through May, with peak period running from December to February.

That is correct about cooler months spreading viruses but they also die out in warmer months. So this virus is bucking the norm. Who knows if cooler temps will make the spread worse? I don't think that anyone can really answer that right now. Hopefully this thing will have run it's course and will be dying out but who knows by the time Nov.-Dec. gets here..


Best hope is that all the kids on campuses that do come down with show mild to no effects.

That is correct about cooler months spreading viruses but they also die out in warmer months. So this virus is bucking the norm. Who knows if cooler temps will make the spread worse? I don't think that anyone can really answer that right now. Hopefully this thing will have run it's course and will be dying out but who knows by the time Nov.-Dec. gets here..

Viruses spread in the cold months because people are indoors more; this virus spreads mainly through respiration which makes it even worse. It also seems to be much more highly contagious than the regular flu.

The fact that it spread like crazy during warm months means the winter is likely to be much worse, not the other way around.


And absolutely no way this will have 'run it's course' by the colder months. We are still averaging over 40,000-50,000 new cases a day in the U.S. and it will be cool/cold in the northern half of the U.S. within a month.

I will definitely be getting a flu shot this season. And to Pete's point, all the more reason to stay socially distanced (six feet isn't enough indoors, especially without masks), avoid gatherings, and wear a mask. IIRC the major concern about the fall and winter months is that hospitalizations normally go up because of the flu; continuing elevated COVID case rates would put a ton of pressure on the hospital system.

Be safe. Stay home. Wear masks when you are anywhere around anyone.

At this point the colleges and universities are basically stuck. The worst thing they can do is send everybody back home around the country after they got exposed now.

I will definitely be getting a flu shot this season. And to Pete's point, all the more reason to stay socially distanced (six feet isn't enough indoors, especially without masks), avoid gatherings, and wear a mask. IIRC the major concern about the fall and winter months is that hospitalizations normally go up because of the flu; continuing elevated COVID case rates would put a ton of pressure on the hospital system.

Be safe. Stay home. Wear masks when you are anywhere around anyone.

Walgreens got their stock in already and I got jabbed yesterday.

At this point the colleges and universities are basically stuck. The worst thing they can do is send everybody back home around the country after they got exposed now.

Most people on college campuses (not all, of course) will not be majorly affected by the virus (physically). Will some, yes. But 18-22 year olds are not who the virus is killing (only 300 involving Covid amongst college-aged people). College-age people are not suffering at the hands of Covid, for the most part. So leaving them on campus might be best. Sending them home to their 50-60 year-old parents may be the worst thing to happen.

Again, each death sucks, but college kids are safer amongst people their age, since the risk of them spreading it to a person who could very easily die from the disease is greatly limited.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm

https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/COVIDNet/COVID19_5.html

^

There are plenty of people at universities who are not 18-22.

There are older grad students, people who work in admin and about 3,000 just on the academic staff at OU... All within a concentrated area.

OU employs almost 13,000 people in Norman alone; another 7,500 at the Health Sciences Center.

^

There are plenty of people at universities who are not 18-22.

There are older grad students, people who work in admin and about 3,000 just on the academic staff at OU... All within a concentrated area.

A lot of staff at the colleges I am auditing are still working from home. Not that way at all schools, of course.

And yes, I added the caveat that most, not all, students are 18-22. But at universities, there are fewer non-normal students (attending right after high school) than at community colleges.

This is not defending how schools are handling COVID, at all. But learning is important, and a lot of students don't learn well online. So having that option is vital for their education, and with a year off, they may not go back to school. It really is a "damned if you do or damned if you don't" situation.

And yes, I added the caveat that most, not all, students are 18-22. But at universities, there are fewer non-normal students (attending right after high school) than at community colleges. .

Absolutely untrue. Full universities have tons of graduate students of all ages.

Of OU's 28,500 students, fully 6,500 are in graduate programs.


OCCC has a total of about 14,000 students and OSU-OKC only 7,000. And of course, none of those people are living on campus.

Absolutely untrue. Full universities have tons of graduate students of all ages.

Of OU's 28,500 students, fully 6,500 are in graduate programs.


OCCC has a total of about 14,000 students and OSU-OKC only 7,000. And of course, none of those people are living on campus.

So less than 25%, and quite a bit of those are in OKC near downtown.

OCCC is also about 85% online. Not sure about OSU-OKC.

Point being, the vast majority of people on most university campuses (not community colleges, since most don't have residence halls) are not dying, or really getting hospitalized (those under 30 or in good shape are at a minor risk of major complications.

So less than 25%, and quite a bit of those are in OKC near downtown.

OCCC is also about 85% online. Not sure about OSU-OKC.

Point being, the vast majority of people on most university campuses (not community colleges, since most don't have residence halls) are not dying, or really getting hospitalized (those under 30 or in good shape are at a minor risk of major complications.

This is why many folks wouldn't mind seeing a herd immunity happen. Just have to protect the older folks. But all these kids that get it and survive will be able to donate their plasma for the sick people. They can use the plasma plus other meds that work and that will hopefully hold things over til the vaccine is ready.

Most people on college campuses (not all, of course) will not be majorly affected by the virus (physically). Will some, yes. But 18-22 year olds are not who the virus is killing (only 300 involving Covid amongst college-aged people). College-age people are not suffering at the hands of Covid, for the most part. So leaving them on campus might be best. Sending them home to their 50-60 year-old parents may be the worst thing to happen.

Again, each death sucks, but college kids are safer amongst people their age, since the risk of them spreading it to a person who could very easily die from the disease is greatly limited.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm

https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/COVIDNet/COVID19_5.html

What about the faculty and staff? What about them?

OU was featured on tonight's ABC Newscast showing pics of all of the packed bars.

What about the faculty and staff? What about them?

OU was featured on tonight's ABC Newscast showing pics of all of the packed bars.

Again, most. I never said all.

And kids don't have much to worry about.

My department in our university does everything online right now. All classes, meetings, etc. I appreciate how they’ve handled it.

Again, most. I never said all.

And kids don't have much to worry about.

Pardon? I wasn't addressing you.

But, since you spoke up, I will point out that you are absolutely wrong about about people under 30 not having complications. You clearly didn't read the report about the football players developing heart problems. Those are some of the best conditioned athletes on earth.

I don't know why you insist on continuing to parrot disinformation on this forum.

Again, most. I never said all.

And kids don't have much to worry about.

Except infecting their far more susceptible parents or grandparents. Yeah, nothing to worry about. (How do people still not understand this a community problem, not an individual one?)