Needed the pandemic to pop the debt bubble, trigger a correction in valuations, and get back to a reasonable gold-backed currency.

Global stock and bond markets have seen $25 trillion of paper wealth erased in the last month.

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I was also going to touch on the economic implications but figured I'd sound even more callous. I agree, the equities bubble was just looking for something to correct and the virus has been the pin to burst it. No problem, we'll just print more money.

Not sure it's going to do anything for the debt bubble though. Just destroy the dollar and trigger inflation? Who knows. Will depend how long this thing plays out.

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Do you call yourself an African since everyone knows that human species originated in Africa? If you don't call yourself an African you shouldn't be referring to the virus as the Wuhan Virus. Scientists had already genome the virus and the source of the virus is Europe, not China. People may argue that it originated in China, but if you accept that argument you should also accept the fact that you are an African and not any other nationality.

As for being lack of preparedness to combat the virus, think about where all the masks and other PPE are being manufactured. With the trade tariff that the US placed on goods from China do you think that a distributor is going to stock up on goods from China? Pay the tariff on the good (no China does not pay the tariff on goods imported into the US) and keep it in a warehouse?
Plus the fact that US companies outsource a lot of the goods to other countries with cheaper labor rate, non union workers, and no regulatory agencies to comply with like OSHA and EPA. No, we shot ourselves in the foot and have no one else to blame. But like our leader who claims "No Responsibility" for what happened many of us will follow his lead and blame someone else rather than accept responsibility.

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I don't understand why the world would ever be in the need of a pandemic that kills people around the world.

Perhaps the next administration will increase the CDC budget instead of reducing it, expand the task force instead of disbanding it, increase the funding of the WHO to better monitor what will emerge or the next administration will respond with a great preparation plan addressing the CDC, WHO, and Bill Gates warning all put forth years ago.

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This is the part about lack of leadership, pointed out by BC on a later post.

It is what it is, we need to look forward and prevent this lack of preparation from happening again.

Many experts predict another rise in infection in the fall/ winter season. Let's hope we fare better.

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2003 X5 4.6is Estoril Blue, acquired March 2018
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Based on *literally nothing*. It reminds me of all the speculation during election nights trying to guess the outcome. Just wait two more hours and *know* the outcome.

Likewise there is perhaps just as much chance that like cov1 this cov2 will just disappear, so let's prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And tell "experts" that think they have a clue to predict the future to put that guess where the sun don't shine.

Anybody that suggests there is a better chance one way or the other is pulling that out of their ass.

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All of those reasons above might be a few reasons the world needs a pandemic. A reminder about how things come and go a few times a generation that we aren't necessarily prepared for. Ever. This one will pass, nothing will change, and we'll be having this discussion again in 20-30 years. Hopefully a Democrat is in office so the Republican voters can have their turn blaming the opposing administration.

People dying from natural causes, or phenomena doesn't bother me in the way it does some. I'm not of the mind we can save all people all of the time. As Andrew has put it, in no uncertain terms, we are not seeing deaths on a level beyond what we might see from the flu. And that's with most deaths being attributed to CV19. For varying reasons, the numbers being collected are wildly inaccurate (including attributing flu deaths to CV19).

We are not in a black plague-like situation, and talking about it like we are is not going to help the situation. Obviously, I don't wish anyone's grandparent, parent, or themselves to die. OBVIOUSLY. But, if elderly people are always more susceptible to the flu, and we don't freak out that the majority of flu deaths every year are in that population, why are we doing so now? Just like every flu season, the elderly need to be cautious, hygienic, and get the flu vaccine. The rest of us can wear masks, wash hands, etc to help the situation and protect them as much as possible.

Andrew. Even at only 30% effective for the flu vaccine, that's a large statistic. Yes, sometimes it's ineffective because the wrong strain is targeted, but the statistics still show it's better for the public (especially elderly and young children) to get the shot over time.

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I respect your opinion that a pandemic is needed from time to time but don't share that with you. If nothing happens when we have a pandemic doesn't seem like a reminder is needed, but whatever.

I think it is premature to conclude deaths are similar to that of the flu since people are still dying. If the Covid 19 count is overstated are we sure the flu count isn't also?

I'm sure some folks are freaking out but I don't see anyone doing that here nor anyone acting like it is the Black Plague. Are you referring to someone here?

Important differences between the flu and the Covid 19 virus is we have a treatment regime and a vaccine that at least somewhat effective each year so we have some control over the flu. We aren't there with Covid 19. Another difference is the permanent damage they are now finding in organs from blood clots that may be also happening in cases where all ages, that recover may have.

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Nobody wants the reminder. I certainly don't want there to be pandemics. It's more a reminder on a personal level of how really small and not in control of everything we all are (including our self-important government). How quickly things can change. I've spent more time with my parents and enjoyed watching them with my kids more now than ever before. It's nice to get the reminder that life is finite and to enjoy those you love for as long as you can. They seem to appreciate it more as well.

I don't think things will change on a national level, except maybe going to war with China (or someone else) once more information is gathered about its origination. But I hope I'm wrong on both counts.

No, I was referring to the media and certain politicians. They love to report on the most sensational, least rational, and greatest money generating points of view they can find.

Valid point. There are definitely differences between the seasonal flu and cov19. But there are similarities as well. The quote below from health.com shows how many people die (estimated) of flu each year according to the CDC and there is a range associated with the numbers as well, they are giving the estmate, while the CDC's website shows the whole range.

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/past-seasons.html

I definitely think the number for cov-19 will be higher than the seasonal flu, for reasons you mentioned (no vaccine, treatments). But it is not going to be catastrophic. As Andrew pointed out, it disproportionately affects the elderly just like the flu. Especially those with pre-existing conditions. If there has to be a silver lining, it looks like cov-19 might be less deadly to children than the flu.

All valid points. We are still learning about this. But don't let the "permanent damage" fear take hold yet. It could be true, we don't know. It's only been a few months. And it might only be in like .05% of cases if there is permanent damage... or it could be in 10% of cases. We don't know.

But as someone who has had walking pneumonia for a year without knowing (I have really large lungs and it took that long to progress and fill up with fluid enough to affect my breathing) and developed scar tissue in my lungs. With therapy and exercise, it does heal. My last set of films showed my lungs nice and clear again and I no longer wheeze on deep breaths. Smokers are also able to clear their lungs from years of damage after they quit. My sister was a lifelong smoker and would hack and gag all the time. She quit about a year ago, sounds like a totally different person.

^Now that above paragraph is unrelated to cov-19 per se, but the human body can repair itself to an amazing degree.

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Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles)

2010 X5 35d Build 02/10
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