The "Re-Opening" the Economy Thread

[NoCalMike]

So the party of private business rights to run their business according to how they choose is threatening businesses with lawsuits for requiring masks?  How exactly is it possible they win this, outside of a Trumper judge ruling based not on actual law but ideology?

Edited March 12, 2021 by NoCalMike

[tshile]

The craziest part of it all is that the mask thing is such a dumb hill to die on. 
 

[Ball Security]

30 minutes ago, tshile said:

The craziest part of it all is that the mask thing is such a dumb hill to die on. 
 

It’s a slippery slope.  First everyone has to wear a mask.  Then nobody is allowed to make out with their sister.  Have to draw the line in sand somewhere.

[China]

3 hours ago, Ball Security said:

It’s a slippery slope.  First everyone has to wear a mask.  Then nobody is allowed to make out with their sister.  Have to draw the line in sand somewhere.

 

To be fair, it's pretty difficult to make out with your sister while you're wearing a mask.

Edited March 13, 2021 by China

[Larry]

4 hours ago, visionary said:

 

 

"The War on Christmas" is now a bi-annual imaginary event.  

 

3 hours ago, tshile said:

The craziest part of it all is that the mask thing is such a dumb hill to die on. 
 

 

"Crazy" and "dumb" is the demographic they depend on.  

Edited March 13, 2021 by Larry

[TradeTheBeal!]

First time open since Black Friday...LETS GOOOOOOO!

 

 

[PleaseBlitz]

🎶Goin' out to fancy dinner tonight.🎶

[purbeast]

Son went back to school in MoCo yesterday and seemed to enjoy it.  I'm sure it will take a week or so for him to get in the groove.  

 

The teacher took a bunch of pictures and showed everyone (via Seesaw) what the classroom is like and everything, which was neat so that we can see exactly how it is going.  They are all spaced out and stuff and everyone wears masks, etc.  But now he gets to be taught by a teacher in person which is so much better for a kindergarten aged kid.  He does have 3 virtual classes a week - art, pe, and music.  But other than those, it's all in person, and he has a 30 minute recess which is good too.

 

I hope they can stay safe and I believe they will be able to as long as they stick to the protocol.

Edited March 16, 2021 by purbeast

[China]

NYC strip clubs sue New York state over COVID shutdown

 

A group of New York City exotic dancing clubs sued New York state Thursday, saying it’s not fair that they’re being kept closed when everything from axe-throwing venues to bars with live music and casinos can open up.

 

The lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court claimed that thousands of employees are forced out of work by the state’s ban because of the coronavirus. Defendants included Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state's liquor licensing authority.

 

Exotic dancing clubs including “Starlet’s,” “Sugar Daddy’s” and “Gallagher’s 2000” in the borough of Queens asked the court to declare it a violation of the First and 14th Amendments to keep their clubs closed while letting other enclosed establishments open up.

 

The lawsuit comes as the state’s widening of rules for bars and restaurants have led many to open this week.

 

It also was filed after similar clashes between establishments that allow nudity or dancing in other states. In December, a judge in California let two San Diego strip clubs make their own determinations about providing a safe environment for dancers and patrons during the pandemic.

 

A spokesperson for the governor's office said the lawsuit attempts to undermine “science-based public health measures.”

 

“While we are working to reopen as many facets of the economy as quickly and safely as possible, science, data, and common sense dictate that exotic dancing is not allowable at this time,” spokesperson Jack Sterne said in a statement.

 

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, maintains that four strip clubs in Queens have been ready to open with COVID-19 safety protocols since the early days of the pandemic.

They pledged to require masks and temperature checks for guests and employees, to keep everyone safely apart and to engage in frequent cleanings of all surfaces with ample supplies of disinfectant throughout the clubs.

 

Yet, the lawsuit said, Cuomo and the state have ordered restaurants and bars “with exotic dancing to remain closed while permitting night clubs, lounges, jazz dinner theaters, churches, axe throwing venues, billiards halls, event venues for weddings, casinos, restaurants and bars with live music and bowling alleys that pose similar or greater risks of COVID-19 transmission to reopen.”

 

Click on the link for the full article

 

[NoCalMike]

Schools in my district are still just offering a hybrid option for the students.  We decided back in December just to keep the home for this school year.  Of course at the time there was no vaccine being administered yet.   If the school offers summer school classes (in person) I will be signing my kids up.  Now I will say  my kids have handled this entire situation pretty well. It took a bit for them to get used to it, but once all the kids figured out how to zoom with each other and add all their friends to their gaming friend lists etc etc.....everything to better.  I probably would have been okay sending them back under a hybrid system until I actually read how it works and it comes off like the worst of both worlds, way more of a hassle on parents/families as if most working class families are in the position to drop off and pick up their kids during the middle of the day etc etc.....no, just no.

 

 

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Loudoun County update...

 

The hybrid model is expanding on April 20 to 4 days per week. So, for the final two months of the school year there will be about 20% of the kids in person 4 days per week and 80% of the kids fully virtual. My kids are in the 20% and I think it'll be a good normalizing period for them. Just the first couple weeks of 2-days-per-week was a culture shock...getting up early, putting on clothes, etc. It sounds basic but after a year of being tied to your home, it's an adjustment. I'm glad we get this trial run in the spring before everyone (or most) are back to full-time in-person. 

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Argh, as someone who supports hybrid at UVa in IT, I can tell you it is a nightmare for everyone involved (faculty, staff AND students). I really hope it's not the norm, but the administration is acting like even post-COVID it might be here to stay. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by TheMalcolmConnection

[TD_washingtonredskins]

10 minutes ago, TheMalcolmConnection said:

Argh, as someone who supports hybrid at UVa in IT, I can tell you it is a nightmare for everyone involved (faculty, staff AND students). I really hope it's not the norm, but the administration is acting like even post-COVID it might be here to stay. 

 

My kids were ready and excited to go back. They did fine with virtual learning but do better with the socialization and in-person environment. Having said that, I don't know how you EVER go back to 100% in-person with this batch of kids. I would think that students are going to have a choice for next school year.

 

My hope though is that it's not handled the way it is now. Right now, my kids and other in-person kids basically are doing virtual learning in a classroom. The teachers are still teaching through Zoom or whatever. Obviously that makes sense as things are shifting on the fly. Next year, I hope those who choose virtual are either in their own classes or the focus shifts back to in-person learning with them following along. The norm needs to be in-person...

 

[TheMalcolmConnection]

18 minutes ago, TD_washingtonredskins said:

 

My kids were ready and excited to go back. They did fine with virtual learning but do better with the socialization and in-person environment. Having said that, I don't know how you EVER go back to 100% in-person with this batch of kids. I would think that students are going to have a choice for next school year.

 

My hope though is that it's not handled the way it is now. Right now, my kids and other in-person kids basically are doing virtual learning in a classroom. The teachers are still teaching through Zoom or whatever. Obviously that makes sense as things are shifting on the fly. Next year, I hope those who choose virtual are either in their own classes or the focus shifts back to in-person learning with them following along. The norm needs to be in-person...

 

 

Agreed. No matter what, Zoom will be here to stay for sure. We invested $100,000 to install cameras, microphones and upgrade our historic building on Grounds because the room itself wasn't even a class space. It was an event space that could hold 200 and now we can fit 58 students in there. Every professor I help seems to have the same opinion that while hybrid is "fine", both groups currently suffer a good bit, not to mention the balancing act the professor has to do while engaging remote students and in-person students. 

[Cooked Crack]

 

[China]

Today's double-feature:

 

AG Nessel announces arrest of Holland restaurant owner

 

Friday Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest of Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, owner of Marlena’s Bistro and Pizzeria in Holland.

 

The AG’s office said Pavlos-Hackney has continued to willfully violate the state’s food laws, public health orders and a court-ordered Temporary Restraining Order which was converted into a Preliminary Injunction.

 

“This owner has continued to willfully violate the state’s food laws, public health orders and the order of the court – a dangerous act that may have exposed dozens of diners and employees to the virus following the discovery that one of Marlena’s customers tested positive for the virus within two days of eating there,” said Nessel “MDARD is particularly concerned because the potential exposure happened at a restaurant that refuses to comply with basic COVID-19 measures required by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.”

 

The Allegan County Health Department issued a news release informing the public about any potential exposure to COVID-19.

 

On March 11, Pavlos-Hackney was advised by MSP via phone that a warrant had been issued for her arrest and she was advised to turn herself in by March 18, which she failed to do.

 

Click on the link for the full article

 

--------------

 

Michigan restaurant open, packed after owner’s arrest over coronavirus restrictions

 

Despite Marlene Pavlos-Hackney’s arrest for violating state coronavirus orders, her restaurant, Marlena’s Bistro & Pizzeria, still opened Friday, March 19.

 

Her supporters showed up in force, packing the Holland restaurant for breakfast.

 

“We’ve got to keep our freedoms,” a woman said, declining to be identified.

 

“I’m really proud of her for what she’s doing and I support her 100,000 percent,” Ed Krasinski said while eating breakfast at the restaurant.

 

Pavlos-Hackney, 55, was arrested by state police early Friday. State police had told her to turn herself in by Thursday, which she said she refused to do.

 

The state had suspended her food license alleging she violated state food laws and public-health orders related to coronavirus. She had kept her restaurant open after the state in mid-November banned indoor dining.

 

She also did not require customers or workers to wear masks or socially distance. Based on MLive’s visit to the restaurant Friday morning, many weren’t wearing masks inside.

 

Click on the link for the full article

[China]

Big Brother in Japan will be tracking you:

 

Travelers entering Japan will have to install location confirmation app, Skype on smartphones

 

This week a new policy went into effect for travelers entering Japan through Haneda and Narita Airports, the two major international air hubs for the Tokyo area. Enacted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the regulation affects all classes of inbound travelers (Japanese citizens, foreign residents of Japan, and temporary business/tourism travelers).

 

As of March 18, inbound travelers will be required to install three apps on their smartphones before leaving the airport. The three apps are the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s COCOA COVID-19 contact tracing app, Skype, and OSSMA, a location confirmation app. The combined apps are to be used in confirming compliance with the 14 days of self-quarantine that inbound travelers are required to complete before moving about the general population.

 

So what if you don’t have a smartphone, or are using an outdated model that can’t run the apps? You’ll be required to rent a phone that can from the airport, and pay for it out of your own pocket.

 

Click on the link for the full article

[Simmsy]

On 3/19/2021 at 4:06 PM, TheMalcolmConnection said:

Argh, as someone who supports hybrid at UVa in IT, I can tell you it is a nightmare for everyone involved (faculty, staff AND students). I really hope it's not the norm, but the administration is acting like even post-COVID it might be here to stay. 

I don't think it will catch on with regular people. I think most people want to get the hell away from their children at least for a little bit. Now, the people who want to home school or anti-vaxxers whose children arent/won't be allowed in school...they could go for it...

[TD_washingtonredskins]

13 hours ago, Simmsy said:

I don't think it will catch on with regular people. I think most people want to get the hell away from their children at least for a little bit. Now, the people who want to home school or anti-vaxxers whose children arent/won't be allowed in school...they could go for it...

I don't want this to happen, but I could also see a model where they can teach more kids with fewer teachers if the entire industry moves to a hybrid model. Something like alternating days when kids are in-person or remote would remove physical space as an obstacle. 

[Busch1724]

Thing is our failure rates at my school are about 4 times higher than what they typically are. Four times higher is not hyperbole either. We've done hybrid the whole time. Most students are not capable of working on their own. They just don't have the skills to do so yet. 

 

Cyber school works for a few, but at least 90 percent of the kids are not there yet. 

[BatteredFanSyndrome]

1 hour ago, Busch1724 said:

Thing is our failure rates at my school are about 4 times higher than what they typically are. Four times higher is not hyperbole either. We've done hybrid the whole time. Most students are not capable of working on their own. They just don't have the skills to do so yet. 

 

Cyber school works for a few, but at least 90 percent of the kids are not there yet. 

My son just turned 14, in 8th grade, is very smart, picks up things easily, and is a regular A student, with some B's due to only laziness.  He's been on remote learning all year and it's been a challenge.  I'm of the belief that most kids simply don't have the discipline and accountability for remote learning.  We are now constantly keeping after him, to where that feels like a job itself.  

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I agree that students need to be in-person. I think as we are currently constructed in the education world, either students will struggle with a full curriculum or the curriculum will be reduced. Either is obviously not OK. I do wonder if, over time, the training, etc. can be in place for it to be more effective. It could be that many kids can't thrive because we were forced to change instantly, not as part of a larger plan. 

[Simmsy]

6 hours ago, TD_washingtonredskins said:

I don't want this to happen, but I could also see a model where they can teach more kids with fewer teachers if the entire industry moves to a hybrid model. Something like alternating days when kids are in-person or remote would remove physical space as an obstacle. 

Its scary! I saw an ad on YouTube that basically removes the need for you to see a doctor, yet you're still going to the doctor's office. If I can't stand calling Comcast and being stuck with menus and robots, I can't imagine what I would do if I went to the doctor and I wasn't even able to see the doctor.

[NoCalMike]

I can't speak for schools around the country but for our school district the hybrid model is basically twice as much work for even less face time with the teacher than distance learning offers.  It also seems to require someone to be available to pick the kids up in the middle of the day assuming either one parent isn't working or a grand parent is available to do it 5 days a week.  I understand that a hybrid model was going to be "challenging" but as we are about to hit April I really don't see the point of pushing this model on everyone for the last two and a half months of the school year.  I'd be much more interested if the schools offer some kind of in-person summer school coures to help bridge any gaps created from distance learning.  My kids seem to be doing okay scholastically but I would probably sign them up regardless.

[Busch1724]

19 hours ago, Simmsy said:

Its scary! I saw an ad on YouTube that basically removes the need for you to see a doctor, yet you're still going to the doctor's office. If I can't stand calling Comcast and being stuck with menus and robots, I can't imagine what I would do if I went to the doctor and I wasn't even able to see the doctor.

 

Yeah beyond cost savings, I don't see much benefit for telemedicine.