How safe is it to go to tournaments right now?

Secretly prepping so my neighbours don't know.

   That's what post 142 was pointing out WSama......people who live from paycheck to paycheck just can't afford to get sick. So the're gonna go to work even if they have the flu.

"Whoaaaa!Grrrrppssshhfffk!"

Mrs Goldstein: Did you just hear that?

Mr Goldstein: Son? What's going on up there, what's that noise?

Jimmy Goldstein: uhm... just taming the dragon dad! ...I'm playing Witcher...

Chess players can't even go 10 minutes without touching their face even when not playing chess.

Right, right. I sort of missed it.

I think it's a very serious issue. Perhaps the only solution is to declare a state of emergency and make it mandatory to get a check-up at local designated spots.

Hmmmm, and there are those that think anyone who plays serious chess is (emotionally) ill. Maybe there is a risk going to a chess tournament after all.

I can see it now, tournament directors will have to give on the spot complete physicals to all players and then issue them an all clear card in order to participate in the tourney. That should prove interesting. 

 I think it would be interesting. A pre-tournament quarantine of sorts. Considering how the death toll just hit 3000, I think a little melodrama could've saved some lives.

Jimmy Goldstein: Welcome to Burger Camp, can I take your order?

Sally: We'll have 2 Lean Meaners with extra America.

Jimmy Goldstein: Uhm, your funeral...

Sally: What's his problem? It's says extra America is on special today.

Jen: Excuse me! Is that like extra butter or something?

Jimmy Goldstein: 2 Lean Meaners for table 2!

In many cases they are not hiding it. That's the point. As we are now seeing many people have become infected, and spread it, without even knowing it. My guess is some people have had it, are over it, and never even knew they had it. I think a big part of the confusion is that if it hasn't happened to you, someone you know, or near you then it's not going to happen or it seems far off and not real. In our area it's here. So when we learn new things it heightens awareness. Some people are very put off by this new awareness and want to remain in denial. I just think it makes sense to learn as much as possible and take the precautions necessary. For example, I wouldn't do it, but I totally understand why some people are stockpiling food and bottled water. It's not that they think grocery stores will close or water supplies will be cut. It's because if they have to isolate themselves because they have the virus they dont want to expose other people. I think that's very considerate and commendable.

That sounds suspicious. Please pay your cell phone bill at least, so we can notify you when it's safe to come out 😁.

@btickler -

Here once more is the so-called 4th point of mine that you are obsessed with...

"4. Consider wearing a N95 mask/respirator as described in the links above."

Note the two highlighted qualifying phrases which you are apparently unable or unwilling to perceive the meaning of.  And since you seem to want a map drawn for you, I will instruct you in their interpretation...

a.) 'Consider wearing'  is not the same as 'You must wear'.  'Consider' implies a possibility, the freedom of choice, not a mandate.  This implies that whether or not to wear a mask is, and should be, left up to the individual.

b.) 'as described in the links above' refers to the guidelines promulgated by the CDC as contained in the links that I, as well as you, had previously posted.  The caveat simply means making oneself aware of the information/recommendations provided in the CDC guidelines.

The statement also suggests that many people misinterpret the CDC guidelines to mean that wearing a (N95) mask is only effective if you are what CDC refers to as as Health Care Personnel (HPC).  However, common sense should tell you that your occupation does not determine whether a mask will or will not be effective in preventing transmission of the virus. That is, If a mask is effective for HPC, then it will be effective for those who are not HPC.  

The CDC is responsible for encouraging this misinterpretation because they go out of their way to recommend that a mask not be used by non-HPC, without ever explaining the rationale for that recommendation.  That is, why would they want to exclude non-HPC from wearing a mask, or from leaving the choice up to them?  Whether one chooses to wear a mask or not should be your own affair.  Earlier I had attempted to offer some possible explanations for this blatant omission on the CDC's part - see my previous post discussing this.

If you disagree or take issue with any of this, then so be it.  I've done my best to try to explain my perspective on the topic.

I am now done with you and your contrary argumentativeness.

yeet that outta the window

A. The guidelines are not "consider wearing", and the advice of health officials are not to "consider wearing" N95 masks.  What you are doing is the moral equivalent of telling people to not evacuate a hurricane landing zone after officials have called for an evacuation...i.e. telling people to be asshats, ignore the advice of officials, and think about get a mask for themselves because, hey, always look out for #1. 

B. The "links above" you referenced are information for health care professionals and people that have a legit need for masks right now.  It doesn't matter if you feel wearing a mask is more effective than not wearing a mask in some situation where the individual in question if at close to zero risk of infection.  There's no need for the general public to be buying up these masks.  I don't care if you think you or anyone else is entitled to a mask because you somehow feel protecting your craven existence from a miniscule amount of risk is worth risking somebody else who is taking a much larger risk and who is also thinking about more than their own hide.  

"I am now done with you and your contrary argumentativeness."

You sound more ridiculous every time you say this and then renege on it.  If you are done with it, be done with it.  Buh-bye to you and your dubious ethics .

@btickler -

Good riddance!

Fixed.

There are 9 identified cases in my county, which as is "real" as it gets anywhere in the US right now.  That still doesn't mean panic, exaggeration, and me-first motivated survival measures should become the order of the day, here or anywhere else.

"It's a blackout Jeb!  Get the shotgun...beware of looters...shoot first, ask questions later..."

"The power's been off 8 minutes and it's not even sundown yet, Granny..."

If the CDC changes their current stance, which is that the "community spread" is limited and still containable, *then* people will have some cause to take further actions.  If you take it upon yourself to jump the gun, you are a public nuisance.  If you take it upon yourself to tell a bunch of *other* people to jump the gun, you are a public menace.

You're the one who's done, Sherlock.  You've said so half a dozen times.  I'm not going anywhere.

If only people were so sensible and thoughtful... I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I guess instead they just want to be ready for an apocalypsis. At least many of them.

   The NBA has just out-lawed  "high-5's"..  Its just a matter of time before the entire sports world follows suit. 

Anything that helps to reduce the amount of celebrating in professional sports has my endorsement. :-))))

Well, not Covid-19, but you know what I mean...