Covid-19 in OKC (coronavirus)

[BoulderSooner]

Are you telling me that young people are willing to participate in high risk activities in order to increase the chances of having sex?

lol

[PhiAlpha]

The objective has always been to slow the spread and flatten the curve (which has always shown cases continuing on the backside).

We are getting dangerously close to gaslighting now.

Is it gaslighting to say that it seems that many people now expect/want the majority of the population to stay at home and/or businesses to remain closed until the virus disappears entirely or new cases completely drop off? Because that sentiment does seem to be present. By no means do I think we need to be packing stadiums right now and I don't think people should be doing stupid things like cramming into Kongs...but I do think we're doing the right things by opening the majority of businesses back up at this point

[jdizzle]

We are at the point that the 4/24 phase of reopening should start either causing a spike in cases or maybe it really is on the downside. I know the 5/1 phase is bigger, but the number of cases not ignorantly spiking is promising.

[Pete]

Is it gaslighting to say that it seems that many people now expect/want the majority of the population to stay at home and/or businesses to remain closed until the virus disappears entirely or new cases completely drop off? Because that sentiment does seem to be present. By no means do I think we need to be packing stadiums right now and I don't think people should be doing stupid things like cramming into Kongs...but I do think we're doing the right things by opening the majority of businesses back up at this point

No, it's gaslighting to say: " the sentiment changed from slow the spread to stop the virus entirely which is not remotely possible until a vaccine is developed".

[PhiAlpha]

No, it's gaslighting to say: " the sentiment changed from slow the spread to stop the virus entirely which is not remotely possible until a vaccine is developed".

Maybe I'm out of line or just speaking from my own experience but by and large, that seems to be what's happened and appears to be why people are arguing against opening things back up now.

[Pete]

Maybe I'm out of line or just speaking from my own experience but by and large, that seems to be what's happened and appears to be why people are arguing against opening things back up now.

You're not out of line, just not seeing anyone advocating for the complete elimination of the virus before moving forward again.

Anyway, we aren't in disagreement just don't like to see extreme statements on either side of this and it's a direct function of the polarization of this country. Was bad enough before, now it's downright dangerous.

[dankrutka]

Experts are divided on how effective non-medical grade masks are. Hopefully, they're better than nothing.

The evidence for mask wearing is overwhelming. I posted this article from Zeynep Tufekci in mid-March here and she was correct on everything: Why Telling People They Don’t Need Masks Backfired

She has since completed this study (under review) that there is strong scientific evidence for how universal masking can reduce transmission (source control) and greatly dampen the spread of COVID-19: Face Masks Against COVID-19: An Evidence Review

The evidence thus far is clear and overwhelming: EVERYONE SHOULD WEAR MASKS when they cannot practice social distancing or are in indoors with other people. It is a civic act that can prevent harm to others. Not wearing masks in public places risks harm to others.

[Bill Robertson]

You're not out of line, just not seeing anyone advocating for the complete elimination of the virus before moving forward again.

Anyway, we aren't in disagreement just don't like to see extreme statements on either side of this and it's a direct function of the polarization of this country. Was bad enough before, now it's downright dangerous.

On the way to work I heard an interview on NPR with the Gov of California. If I understood him correctly he said he’s not going to open Cali until new cases are near zero. That could be a very long time.

[Pete]

On the way to work I heard an interview on NPR with the Gov of California. If I understood him correctly he said he’s not going to open Cali until new cases are near zero. That could be a very long time.

I'm sure he didn't say that and if he did he'd be impeached.

[emtefury]

From the comments above, my understanding of slow the spread and flatten the curve was to not overwhelm the hospitals. It was a temporary measure so hospitals could handle a potential spike in cases. It was not to completely eliminate the spread or deaths. At this time knowing the majority hospitals are not overwhelmed (yes I know a few have a lot of COVID-19, so it is not necessary to come back with one example of a hospital that is overwhelmed) it makes sense to stop the lockdown measures as hospitals are laying off employees due to lack of business as elective surgeries were banned.

Please note, I don’t want everyone to die with my comments above. There has to be a balance to the approach and taking risks is part of eveyday life.

[Plutonic Panda]

I was told by a friend passing through from California that even before the lockdown was lifted, there were way more people out and about here than on the coast, which is amazing given the massive difference in population.

And that makes sense given the politics here and mixed signals provided by local leaders and the national leaders most people listen to in Oklahoma.

Given the crowds at Kong's last night and elsewhere, you can see the physical demonstration of the "you're been lied to" mentality.

Pete, this is true. In March, there were was way more people out doing things in OKC than Los Angeles. I know because I’m the @sshole that ignored orders and drove everywhere around SoCal to take advantage of no traffic. It was a total ghost town. There was not a single, and I mean one single person on Hollywood Blvd walking between sycamore and Highland. No security, police, no one. It was surreal.

Oddly enough, and I’m not exaggerating this, I noticed more activity in Kingman and Gallup than I did Los Angeles.

[Plutonic Panda]

On the way to work I heard an interview on NPR with the Gov of California. If I understood him correctly he said he’s not going to open Cali until new cases are near zero. That could be a very long time.

Newsom said CA is going to slowly start opening next week.

[Pete]

Oddly enough, and I’m not exaggerating this, I noticed more activity in Kingman and Gallup than I did Los Angeles.

Places with polar-opposite political views when compared to West L.A.

[Plutonic Panda]

Places with polar-opposite political views when compared to West L.A.

I will say what I did see is a lot of activity especially in Brentwood and Santa Monica with people walking and running. Lots of people at parks and hiking but I left just as they were plotting on shutting parks and rec down. Lots of people at the beach but social distancing was still happening.

But the thing about OKC is it seemed business as usual for the most part. The streets were pretty empty in LA and the 405 had not a single car on it in the pass that I saw from Church LN to Mulholland. It was very eerie.

[Pete]

My central point is that the political leanings of a city and state have a lot to do with how people are behaving regarding the virus.

And therefore to argue that Oklahoma is "just like everywhere else" is to not understand how swayed people have been by their preferred political leaders and news source. And in those terms, how extreme Oklahoma is.

[Plutonic Panda]

I completely agree. Flagstaff, a city that leans left, was shut down and hardly any activity was happening. Albuquerque too seemed to follow orders more. But then when I went through Amarillo it was chugging along like nothing was happening. I think at that point they were still even allowing sit in dining there.

[Canoe]

My central point is that the political leanings of a city and state have a lot to do with how people are behaving regarding the virus.

And therefore to argue that Oklahoma is "just like everywhere else" is to not understand how swayed people have been by their preferred political leaders and news source. And in those terms, how extreme Oklahoma is.

Pete is right on this point.

[OKC Guy]

My central point is that the political leanings of a city and state have a lot to do with how people are behaving regarding the virus.

And therefore to argue that Oklahoma is "just like everywhere else" is to not understand how swayed people have been by their preferred political leaders and news source. And in those terms, how extreme Oklahoma is.

I’m not sure if I agree. If not mistaken isn’t more of our population registered as opposite party from elected officials? To my point, it would stand to reason under your comment that some are going against their registered party? If 52% are registered in one party and its not the same as elected officials - then doesn’t that defeat your point?

I honestly think it has little to do with party rather a need to interact with people after so long. I could be wrong too but wanted to point that out.

Edit:

Wow, things have changed fast in 10 years! I was wrong and without listing parties here is registered party in 2009, 2015 and 2019:

2009: 1,077,616 / 860,378
2015: 882,686 / 886,153
2019: 777,770 / 1,008,775

I was not realizing it changed so fast, my bad. Should probably delete post but am ok with admitting I’m wrong. I do however still think its people just wanting to interact with others as thats what they’ve done their whole life. Its a very complex situation.

https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_I...on_Statistics/

[LocoAko]

And even beyond that, many of Oklahoma's Democrats are quite conservative, which I think is more relevant to Pete's point than their party affiliation.

[OKC Guy]

And even beyond that, many of Oklahoma's Democrats are quite conservative, which I think is more relevant to Pete's point than their party affiliation.

True

[Pete]

Oklahomans voted for Trump in a higher percentage than all but 3 states, all with considerably smaller populations. In fact, more Oklahomans voted for him than those 3 states combined.

And since he has been telling people to get out and get on with it, many if not most people here are going to listen. And our governor is basically doing the same thing: begrudgingly admitting the situation is serious in a way that seems to convey he is merely being careful and generally following the advice of those around him while doing and saying lots of things that belie that official stance.

I say all this without judgment, just pointing out the somewhat outlying nature of the situation here and how in most ways it does not compare with the large majority of the country.

And BTW, there are very few things were Oklahoma is NOT an outlier when considered in the perspective of the overall U.S. population.

[catch22]

My central point is that the political leanings of a city and state have a lot to do with how people are behaving regarding the virus.

And therefore to argue that Oklahoma is "just like everywhere else" is to not understand how swayed people have been by their preferred political leaders and news source. And in those terms, how extreme Oklahoma is.

Absolutely, I agree with this. Colorado Springs is arguably the most conservative part of Colorado, at least for a large city. It seems to be night and day difference of how people behave compared to Denver, the state's most liberal area. For the most part, everyone here in Co Spgs is complying to the best extent possible (probably due to the high military population here where your job is to comply and not ask questions), but you can tell there is some eye-rolling going on. In Denver, it seems to be taken way more seriously at least attitude wise.

[catcherinthewry]

My central point is that the political leanings of a city and state have a lot to do with how people are behaving regarding the virus.

And therefore to argue that Oklahoma is "just like everywhere else" is to not understand how swayed people have been by their preferred political leaders and news source. And in those terms, how extreme Oklahoma is.

I saw a poll today asking people if they would feel safe going to restaurants, sporting events, etc. right now. The disparity between Republicans and Democrats was alarming.

[catcherinthewry]

I saw a poll today asking people if they would feel safe going to restaurants, sporting events, etc. right now. The disparity between Republicans and Democrats was alarming.

https://twitter.com/brianklaas/statu...00376278007809

[Pete]

The partisan gap in the latest CNBC battleground state poll shows a divide between delusion and reality:

Is it safe to go to a:
Nail salon: 77% R; 9% D
Dine-in restaurant: 70% R; 5% D
Bar: 52% R; 4% D
Large sporting event: 37% R; 2% D

Is the economy in a recession?
50% R; 89% D

Holy cow.