Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[Pete]

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

12 more reported deaths.

[jerrywall]

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).

[BDP]

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.

[oklip955]

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???

[TheTravellers]

Best States to Work During COVID-19

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

[BoulderSooner]

Best States to Work During COVID-19

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

[Bill Robertson]

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.

[Bill Robertson]

Best States to Work During COVID-19

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.

[FighttheGoodFight]

This was kind of funny honestly.

http://www.oudaily.com/coronavirus/j...3J6A-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."

[David]

“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.

[Pete]

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?

[TheTravellers]

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?

[soonerguru]

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.

[Bill Robertson]

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!

[dankrutka]

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.

[Pete]

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.

[FighttheGoodFight]

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.

[TheTravellers]

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).

[jerrywall]

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.

[jerrywall]

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.

[TheTravellers]

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

[BoulderSooner]

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 ...

[Pete]

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.

[soonerguru]

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.

[soonerguru]

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.