Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[Pete]

Press release:

*************
OKC Golf public courses to open Friday
04/30/2020

The City of Oklahoma City will open OKC Golf’s public golf courses on Friday, May 1, after the “Shelter in Place” emergency order expires.

A new emergency proclamation taking effect Friday includes requirements for high-risk activities that are intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but public golf courses are allowed to re-open. They’ve been closed during most of COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have thoroughly disinfected and cleaned our facilities since they were closed in March, particularly golf carts and our more heavily trafficked areas,” said OKC Parks Director Doug Kupper. “We will follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to thoroughly clean and disinfect our facilities daily to protect against transmission of the coronavirus.”

Precautions for sanitizing and physical distancing for golfers will be in place. Soap and water or hand sanitizer will be available at restrooms, restaurants and pro shop counters. Other precautions include:

• Tee times will be every 10 minutes. Groups are limited to a maximum of five players, but groups of four or fewer are encouraged.
• Holes on practice putting greens will be at least 15 feet apart.
• Payments for green fees will take place outdoors in front of the pro shop, by credit or debit card only. No cash.
• No more than 9 people, including staff, will be allowed in pro shops or restaurants.
• Plexiglass barriers will be placed at cashier stations.
• In areas where lines may form, there will be markers six feet apart showing people where to stand.
• Golf carts will be disinfected after each use. One rider per cart, unless riders are from the same household.
• Only one group at a time is allowed in any teeing area. Players waiting their turn must stay at least 30 feet from the tee box. Continuous putting is encouraged to prevent standing in groups near the hole.
• Rakes have been removed.
• Water coolers have been removed.
• Restaurants are following all requirements of the City’s emergency proclamation.
• On-course restrooms will be open and have sanitizer. Restrooms in clubhouses will have a restriction on the number of people allowed inside at one time.

For more information on OKC’s public golf courses, visit okcgolf.com.

[EastCoastGator]

Of course, the point experts have been making is that in addition to more suffering and deaths, opening too quickly could backfire and actually cause more economic harm long term. That's the question I've been asking, are you sure opening sooner is good for the economy?

Could, Could, Could....favorite words of the Coronavirus breakfast club. You COULD go outside and not get it all, or COULD get it and it COULD not be too bad. You COULD realize that acting like 90% of the world is supposed to baby the other 10%, whom are so scared, they are buying Depends for themselves. The key word is COULD. Look, you're a smart dude. Life goes on, maybe not for all of us, but life goes on.

[Ross MacLochness]

Press release:

*************
OKC Golf public courses to open Friday
04/30/2020

The City of Oklahoma City will open OKC Golf’s public golf courses on Friday, May 1, after the “Shelter in Place” emergency order expires.

A new emergency proclamation taking effect Friday includes requirements for high-risk activities that are intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but public golf courses are allowed to re-open. They’ve been closed during most of COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have thoroughly disinfected and cleaned our facilities since they were closed in March, particularly golf carts and our more heavily trafficked areas,” said OKC Parks Director Doug Kupper. “We will follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to thoroughly clean and disinfect our facilities daily to protect against transmission of the coronavirus.”

Precautions for sanitizing and physical distancing for golfers will be in place. Soap and water or hand sanitizer will be available at restrooms, restaurants and pro shop counters. Other precautions include:

• Tee times will be every 10 minutes. Groups are limited to a maximum of five players, but groups of four or fewer are encouraged.
• Holes on practice putting greens will be at least 15 feet apart.
• Payments for green fees will take place outdoors in front of the pro shop, by credit or debit card only. No cash.
• No more than 9 people, including staff, will be allowed in pro shops or restaurants.
• Plexiglass barriers will be placed at cashier stations.
• In areas where lines may form, there will be markers six feet apart showing people where to stand.
• Golf carts will be disinfected after each use. One rider per cart, unless riders are from the same household.
• Only one group at a time is allowed in any teeing area. Players waiting their turn must stay at least 30 feet from the tee box. Continuous putting is encouraged to prevent standing in groups near the hole.
• Rakes have been removed.
• Water coolers have been removed.
• Restaurants are following all requirements of the City’s emergency proclamation.
• On-course restrooms will be open and have sanitizer. Restrooms in clubhouses will have a restriction on the number of people allowed inside at one time.

For more information on OKC’s public golf courses, visit okcgolf.com.

Anyone know if this includes disc golf?

[dankrutka]

Could, Could, Could....favorite words of the Coronavirus breakfast club. You COULD go outside and not get it all, or COULD get it and it COULD not be too bad. You COULD realize that acting like 90% of the world is supposed to baby the other 10%, whom are so scared, they are buying Depends for themselves. The key word is COULD. Look, you're a smart dude. Life goes on, maybe not for all of us, but life goes on.

I'm not totally sure what your point is here, but it seems implied you want to open everything up, accept that a ton of people will die, and go the herd immunity strategy. The only way to walk the walk on this stance with integrity is to get COVID-19 on purpose and be part of that plan. That would either end with you most likely having immunity and being able to live your life without harming the health of others, but there's a small chance you could get ill or die. Barring a miracle vaccine, that's the logical conclusion of that view. Yet, I haven't seen anyone step up to the plate. Dan Patrick, for example, talks tough about older people sacrificing their lives, but he hasn't stepped up to the plate to get COVID-19. I'm guessing he's wearing DEPENDS while he talks big.

[jdizzle]

I'm not totally sure what your point is here, but it seems implied you want to open everything up, accept that a ton of people will die, and go the herd immunity strategy. The only way to walk the walk on this stance with integrity is to get COVID-19 on purpose and be part of that plan. That would either end with you most likely having immunity and being able to live your life without harming the health of others, but there's a small chance you could get ill or die. Barring a miracle vaccine, that's the logical conclusion of that view. Yet, I haven't seen anyone step up to the plate. Dan Patrick, for example, talks tough about older people sacrificing their lives, but he hasn't stepped up to the plate to get COVID-19. I'm guessing he's wearing DEPENDS while he talks big.

I honestly don't think a ton of people will die (or would have died) if they had simply locked down the older populations or those with major pre-existing problems. Just my opinion. Shutting everything down for everybody hindered this economy, and probably is what will lead to a spike, since there was not a gradual increase, as there possibly would have been if everything were normal, for those with normal immune systems.

[David]

Given that one of the significant pre-existing problems for COVID-19 is apparently being obese, that would have been like half the country on lock down.

[jdizzle]

Given that one of the significant pre-existing problems for COVID-19 is apparently being obese, that would have been like half the country on lock down.

I was more meaning like, lung issues or immunocompromised individuals. I don't think obesity is a major pre-existing condition, at all.

[AP]

I doesn't really matter what you think.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...gher-risk.html

People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Based on what we know now, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

People 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People of all ages with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, including:

People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
People with diabetes
People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
People with liver disease

For reference, a man that is 5'10", 275 lbs would have a BMI of 40.

[dankrutka]

I honestly don't think a ton of people will die (or would have died) if they had simply locked down the older populations or those with major pre-existing problems. Just my opinion. Shutting everything down for everybody hindered this economy, and probably is what will lead to a spike, since there was not a gradual increase, as there possibly would have been if everything were normal, for those with normal immune systems.

Most of your assertions seem to be in contrast both to experts and evidence of what's happened.

First, at least 60,000 people in the U.S. (and likely many more than that) have already died since March. This is more than die in wars. I don't understand this downplaying of the deaths. It seems likely this would have been much higher if the country had not taken such dramatic actions to shut things down.

Second, they tried your strategy in Sweden and dramatically more people died than in neighboring countries. As other have pointed out, it's not just the elderly who are vulnerable, especially in a state with poor health and high obesity.

Third, it seems to be an oversimplification that we can, or could have, just "opened the economy." It's not even clear that "opening the economy" is better for the economy. Who will return to businesses if they feel unsafe? Most people are not willing to risk their own life or those of people they love if they can prevent it.

I am not trying to seem like there are easy answers or that I know the answers. Everyone is doing the best with the information we have, but you seem to be ignoring some things we do know in your response. Maybe I'm missing some evidence that supports your conclusions.

[TheTravellers]

I'm not totally sure what your point is here, but it seems implied you want to open everything up, accept that a ton of people will die, and go the herd immunity strategy. The only way to walk the walk on this stance with integrity is to get COVID-19 on purpose and be part of that plan. That would either end with you most likely having immunity and being able to live your life without harming the health of others, but there's a small chance you could get ill or die. Barring a miracle vaccine, that's the logical conclusion of that view. Yet, I haven't seen anyone step up to the plate. Dan Patrick, for example, talks tough about older people sacrificing their lives, but he hasn't stepped up to the plate to get COVID-19. I'm guessing he's wearing DEPENDS while he talks big.

Problem with herd immunity for this coronavirus is that AFAIK (unless something's been discovered in the past few days), there is absolutely no proof that you can get immunity by getting and recovering from the virus and having antibodies.

[TheTravellers]

...
Second, they tried your strategy in Sweden and dramatically more people died than in neighboring countries. As other have pointed out, it's not just the elderly who are vulnerable, especially in a state with poor health and high obesity.
...

Great article about Sweden's policies/tactics:

I Just Came Home to Sweden. I’m Horrified by the Coronavirus Response Here.

[kukblue1]

I honestly don't think a ton of people will die (or would have died) if they had simply locked down the older populations or those with major pre-existing problems. Just my opinion. Shutting everything down for everybody hindered this economy, and probably is what will lead to a spike, since there was not a gradual increase, as there possibly would have been if everything were normal, for those with normal immune systems.

I have been saying this all along. I hate to compare this to the flu cause it's spreads easier than the flu seems worse than the flu but if you look at the numbers the death rate for people under 40 is actually lower than the flu. 40-50 I think it's about the same. Over 50 it's much much worse.

[catcherinthewry]

Could, Could, Could....favorite words of the Coronavirus breakfast club. You COULD go outside and not get it all, or COULD get it and it COULD not be too bad. You COULD realize that acting like 90% of the world is supposed to baby the other 10%, whom are so scared, they are buying Depends for themselves. The key word is COULD. Look, you're a smart dude. Life goes on, maybe not for all of us, but life goes on.

Looks like someone is wearing big boy pants. Good for you.

[soonerguru]

By forcing this timeline, businesses are no longer eligible to collect insurance, their employees will no longer be eligible for unemployment, and their business revenue will probably be less than half of normal operations. The “brave” people like East Coast Gator will return to bars and gyms, causing a second spike in cases, leading to further shutdowns and / or scaring away more customers. The future is very grim for all small businesses, but especially restaurants.

[dankrutka]

Great article about Sweden's policies/tactics:

I Just Came Home to Sweden. I’m Horrified by the Coronavirus Response Here.

Yikes. At least the academics said something.

[Cocaine]

My only question is when you have to shut down again in a month what will all the people say who demanded we open the economy back up. How is there anyway possible gyms could reopen thats one of the best places to go and catch something. You know what's weird gyms can open but city owned basketball courts and playgrounds will stay closed. Someone is afraid of lawsuits.

Hopefully businesses get a mountain of lawsuits when there is a second outbreak. Why do spa's, nail salons, and barber shops need to reopen so soon? I get everyone's hair looks like **** mine does too but opening up like this is basically begging the Rona to come back. The dumbest part about this is that mask are not required I've been wearing one since January because well it's just the right thing to do. We get to find out the hard way. Aint this a great state or what.

[Plutonic Panda]

“Hopefully businesses get a mountain of lawsuits when there is a second outbreak”

When the PEOPLE CHOSE TO GO THERE!!! Yeap, folks, this is an accurate representation of modern, sue happy America. The same country where you can order a steaming hot coffee, spill it on yourself, and sue the establishment for it and win. Next.

What needs to happen when there is a second outbreak is people stay home when they are sick or know sick(yes I’m aware many are asymptotic just like many will not ever experience more symptoms than a common cold will give you) and those who are at risk need to stay home. Everyone else can continue on with their daily lives.

Once again, famine alone accounted for millions and millions of deaths as a direct result from the Great Depression. The shortages of food are starting to get worse. It’s a luxury in Edmond where almost anything you want including toilet paper and bottled water is readily available. I’m starting to see a decline in that.

I’ll be right back here when the second wave hits to claim keep the goddamn economy open.

[Plutonic Panda]

I rather enjoy this chart

[AP]

When the PEOPLE CHOSE TO GO THERE!!! Yeap, folks, this is an accurate representation of modern, sue happy America. The same country where you can order a steaming hot coffee, spill it on yourself, and sue the establishment for it and win. Next.

I think you should do a little more research on this specific case.

https://www.caoc.org/?pg=facts

[Pete]

When the PEOPLE CHOSE TO GO THERE!!! Yeap, folks, this is an accurate representation of modern, sue happy America. The same country where you can order a steaming hot coffee, spill it on yourself, and sue the establishment for it and win. Next.

We are way off topic here, but you need to educate yourself on that case because what happened caused a serious injury and revealed some very dangerous operational practices by McDonald's, and the lawsuit forced them to be addressed.

This mischaracterization comes from being brainwashed by big corporate interests that want to limit tort settlements by those legitimately wronged.

This topic is a huge pet peeve of mine, especially because people now love to blame 'the media' for disinformation and then turn around and parrot complete falsehoods.

https://www.caoc.org/?pg=facts

[Pete]

I think you should do a little more research on this specific case.

https://www.caoc.org/?pg=facts

Haha... We had the exact same thought.

[jn1780]

Great article about Sweden's policies/tactics:

I Just Came Home to Sweden. I’m Horrified by the Coronavirus Response Here.

If there is no vaccine or effective treatment, every country is going to end up in the same place no matter how much kicking and screaming humanity does. Unless of course, we are going to shutdown literally everything for at least one month. The country's of the world is going to do a lot of catching up to Sweden as their rate slows and everyone else speeds up because they can't keep their economies closed forever. An individual can change their probability on a daily basis, but society on a whole can't change the long term outcome unless a vaccine does come out. There has been no successful corona virus vaccine ever developed to date, maybe we will get lucky this time?

This "doomsday" report was released yesterday.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/healt...ars/index.html

The death rate in Sweden isn't that far off from everyone else statistically speaking. They have the same problem everyone else does with a large percentage of deaths happening in nursing homes.

[Pete]

Numbers just updated for Friday:

[PhiAlpha]

If there is no vaccine or effective treatment, every country is going to end up in the same place no matter how much kicking and screaming humanity does. Unless of course, we are going to shutdown literally everything for at least one month. The country's of the world is going to do a lot of catching up to Sweden as their rate slows and everyone else speeds up because they can't keep their economies closed forever. An individual can change their probability on a daily basis, but society on a whole can't change the long term outcome unless a vaccine does come out. There has been no successful corona virus vaccine ever developed to date, maybe we will get lucky this time?

This "doomsday" report was released yesterday.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/30/healt...ars/index.html

The death rate in Sweden isn't that far off from everyone else statistically speaking. They have the same problem everyone else does with a large percentage of deaths happening in nursing homes.

This is what people who want everything to remain locked down for the foreseeable future don't seem to understand.

[soonerguru]

This is what people who want everything to remain locked down for the foreseeable future don't seem to understand.

Your ridiculous generalizations are tiresome. Who, precisely, is saying "everything" should be locked down "for the "foreseeable future?" I can only speak for myself but I was fine with OKC following the White House guidelines: let's see a significant decline in cases and then open up cautiously, as outlined.

The mayor said he did use those guidelines but we can all see that the number of new cases is not declining, it is rising, as our new hospitalizations and deaths.

I will resist the temptation to match your generalization of people who seem to take this disease more seriously than you do by making some weird caricature of your position.

This isn't black and white. This is grey. Super simplified arguments and solutions are great for politics, but not for policy.

If we see a massive spike in cases in the next two weeks, which I entirely expect, you are going to really be upset when there is a new round of closures. To me, that would be way worse than just holding out a couple of more weeks with what we were doing.