Stupid Shit in Bogota

[PVMonger]

Whenever the Democrats do something stupid, and politicizing an incurable disease is really stupid, the Republicans turn it around on them and hit them with it 10 X as hard. I can now see someone with colon CA being denied care because "Well, you were stupid you didn't get a colonoscopy" or when you have a heart attack, someone saying, "Well, did you exercise every day?" You can do it for any illness but the worst is for an incurable illness. Can you imagine if doctors treated patients like Democrats have treated Republicans with this pandemic? "Did you socially distance? No, well then no oxygen for you."

On top of that, there is the notion that all that matters is government. If you are a Democrat, then Venezuela, Nigeria, and Cambodia have the best forms of government, and Democrats should probably move there so they can live to be 100+. Because all that mattered with the pandemic is who voted for whom and who the leaders were, these countries must have the best leaders, best governance, and best health care in the world because of their numbers on Covid. Remember all that mattered with Covid is how governments acted...

Every time I read one of your posts, it has become more and more apparent that you have gone off the deep end.

Democrats "politicized" an incurable disease? Really? Unless "politicized" means follow the freaking rules, then they did not.

Only a lunatic would say that Democrats think that Venezuela, etc. Are great places. Some probably do, but that number is far less than the number of tRUMPettes that believe the election was stolen. You believe far too many Republican talking points.

As far as COVID goes, the virus doesn't move itself. People move it. Any measures to control the virus mean reducing the ways the virus can spread. Period. Full stop. Some governments were more effective at convincing their citizens to do this than were others. Donnie the Dumbass and his merry band of morons weren't effective at all. The major reason for that was that tRUMP took no responsibility (see his March 13th presser). Even though he broke his own rule about responsibility (and he is too stupid to remove the tweet) . "Leadership. If it happens, you're responsible. If it doesn't happen, you're responsible. " Yes, Donnie the Dumbass actually said that. Again, you believe too many Republican talking points.

[Elvis 2008]

China locked down, used masks, and did all the right things so that a real biological thing. A virus, could not spread. Yep, it does not take a genius to understand that. It's just basic biology.

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

And basic psychiatry.

Let's grant that China did engineer the virus and release it upon the world (the reality is much depressingly ordinary. Rich people like eating bats and pangolins and shit). Literally all we had to do was wear masks and social distance and provide our citizens with a safety net generous enough to allow them to ride out a 2-week quarantine. As we are reminded over and over again. The US is the greatest country in the world, richest and most powerful. And we couldn't even handle a pandemic that pretty much every other developed country has managed 100% better. If this was engineered by China, good game, well played. The better team won. They proved to the world that the US is a falling empire, that its ruling class has so efficiently atomized, divided, and broken down its citizenry that we aren't even willing to wear a piece of cloth over our face in order to protect the most vulnerable. Hats off to the "best President we ever had" who shat himself on the world's stage while being "attacked" by China. Funny how this virus was specifically designed to kill Americans, and not Canadians, Australians, Thais, Germans, New Zealanders, etc. I guess I would need to be a "Genous" to figure that one out.

Whenever the Democrats do something stupid, and politicizing an incurable disease is really stupid, the Republicans turn it around on them and hit them with it 10 X as hard. I can now see someone with colon CA being denied care because "Well, you were stupid you didn't get a colonoscopy" or when you have a heart attack, someone saying, "Well, did you exercise every day?" You can do it for any illness but the worst is for an incurable illness. Can you imagine if doctors treated patients like Democrats have treated Republicans with this pandemic? "Did you socially distance? No, well then no oxygen for you."

On top of that, there is the notion that all that matters is government. If you are a Democrat, then Venezuela, Nigeria, and Cambodia have the best forms of government, and Democrats should probably move there so they can live to be 100+. Because all that mattered with the pandemic is who voted for whom and who the leaders were, these countries must have the best leaders, best governance, and best health care in the world because of their numbers on Covid. Remember all that mattered with Covid is how governments acted.

For all their bashing of creation and praising of Darwin and evolution, Democrats have been hypocrites. In their mind, viruses do not mutate and adapt (well at least not until Trump is out of office). When I said there was variants of the virus, I was accused of making it up. Trump is out of office so lo and behold there is a more contagious mutation. Wow, there was none before hand? Really? Shiiiit!

Before all I heard was how great Europe was in handling the disease (save for those Swedish morons). My God, if the USA just had done what Europe had done, the USA would have done great and saved countless lives and then.

To me, who has actually followed the variants, there was no surprise with a second wave in Europe. The reason the Americas got hit harder was they had more contagious versions of the virus and it was just a matter of time before those variants spread to other places.

If you are going to hand out medals to countries who handled the virus well, (and Lord knows the NY Times has been doing that on a daily basis), it is totally okay to do because the pandemic is over or it will be as soon as Biden is sworn in. There is no way that a country like China can be hit by the newer more contagious versions of Covid and suffer a second wave because their country and government are just so damned good.

The same goes with Venezuela. Have you seen their numbers compared to their neighbors? Man, we should hold them up as a shining example of how to handle the virus. I cannot wait to see how many Democrats move there.

Just remember, everyone, government is the answer. I forgot the question but does it matter?

So the virus will be gone in a few weeks as will climate change. With Biden in office, every day will be 80 degrees and sunny. Man, am I looking forward to that.

[ChuchoLoco]

They certainly had more in the early stages than they let on. But they had draconian measures to stop it, which worked. The virus certainly can be stopped if you basically don't let anyone come close to anyone else for a few weeks. That's just the biology of it.

There are many people, foreigners, in China that have observed and been part of their lockdowns and measures. How many people died? We don't know, they don't probably even know since many in the early stages were not classified as Covid.

The cover up of the early part of the epidemic in Wuhan is a story that has more attention in China than anywhere else in the world. The doctor who tried to get the word out, and convince people how bad it was, and who eventually died of Covid, is a national hero. A whistleblower against city and local officials who wanted to cover it up. And possibly the central government was on side with that until they realized they had to take a different course. In any case, I agree the total truth is not known. But, the measures they took work, work other places, but cannot be tolerated in more democratic and open societies.

When people say that various measures don't work they are comparing apples and oranges. Lockdowns, quarantines, distancing, travel restrictions, masks. They have all worked in many many countries. But unless the measures actually stop people's interactions with each other they are also doomed to fail. If a significant percentage of the population ignores them, then they don't work at all. See the USA.

I remember before it became a worldwide epidemic that news reports showed massive mobilization and construction of hospitals almost overnight in Wuhan. SP?

So, it should have been obvious that something was going on. Incredible mobilization and almost like a time lapse video of the construction. That's how fast they got after it. Ours and intelligence of others should have known something was up and I believe they did and even warned but to deaf ears.

[Zeos1]

Not so simple my friend. I realise you don't like Trump, but let it not bias your view of this epidemic. No doubt the US(including he Trump administration) could and should have done better. Yet the Chinese story is a fable, and if you buy into it, well, dunno what else to say but you're gullible.

1. 5 B people and far more crowded than pretty much anywhere, massive urban centers, and with plenty of chance for epidemics and reintroductions and yet no disease spikes? Yeah right. Many island nations with strict travel bans and even lockddowns haven't been able to clear this surge reliably and you believe China is doing that? The truth to this story is unknown, and deserves a closer look, and the eventual conclusion maybe a natural event, but there sure is plenty circumstantial evidence to ponder and investigate.

They certainly had more in the early stages than they let on. But they had draconian measures to stop it, which worked. The virus certainly can be stopped if you basically don't let anyone come close to anyone else for a few weeks. That's just the biology of it.

There are many people, foreigners, in China that have observed and been part of their lockdowns and measures. How many people died? We don't know, they don't probably even know since many in the early stages were not classified as Covid.

The cover up of the early part of the epidemic in Wuhan is a story that has more attention in China than anywhere else in the world. The doctor who tried to get the word out, and convince people how bad it was, and who eventually died of Covid, is a national hero. A whistleblower against city and local officials who wanted to cover it up. And possibly the central government was on side with that until they realized they had to take a different course. In any case, I agree the total truth is not known. But, the measures they took work, work other places, but cannot be tolerated in more democratic and open societies.

When people say that various measures don't work they are comparing apples and oranges. Lockdowns, quarantines, distancing, travel restrictions, masks. They have all worked in many many countries. But unless the measures actually stop people's interactions with each other they are also doomed to fail. If a significant percentage of the population ignores them, then they don't work at all. See the USA.

PS.. I should say, they have partially worked in the USA. I think it would be a whole, whole, lot worse if no measures had been taken. We have all observed the times when cases doubled every 2 weeks before measures were put in place. If that had been allowed the US would likely have deaths into the millions by now. It is still killing around 1.5-2% of known cases.

[Questner]

China locked down, used masks, and did all the right things so that a real biological thing. A virus, could not spread. Yep, it does not take a genius to understand that. It's just basic biology.

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

China has massive cemeteries with rows after row same black granite and a portrait graves with names and dates on them, so don't be duped. I find it inane to believe any government, they are all Olympic champions in lying.

[Rextor]

Not a case of Covid in Wuhan since May? Really?? And that's because of a mask law!! J ajaja Open your eyes cupcake. The entire world has had mask laws and we're dropping like flies. China only had mask laws in certain areas. Has NOTHING to do with the best President we ever had. What it does have to do with is an attack by China to halt the fall they were in the middle of and they struck quick and decisive. Also riddle me this batman, the president had nothing to do with the mask laws anywhere! Every country choose their own form of restriction, every state, like California choose their form of lockdown and they are dropping like flies. Newsome has had complete control of his state. So if you were a Genous you would know that.

I really love this line of logic. Let's grant that China did engineer the virus and release it upon the world (the reality is much depressingly ordinary. Rich people like eating bats and pangolins and shit). Literally all we had to do was wear masks and social distance and provide our citizens with a safety net generous enough to allow them to ride out a 2-week quarantine. As we are reminded over and over again. The US is the greatest country in the world, richest and most powerful. And we couldn't even handle a pandemic that pretty much every other developed country has managed 100% better. If this was engineered by China, good game, well played. The better team won. They proved to the world that the US is a falling empire, that its ruling class has so efficiently atomized, divided, and broken down its citizenry that we aren't even willing to wear a piece of cloth over our face in order to protect the most vulnerable. Hats off to the "best President we ever had" who shat himself on the world's stage while being "attacked" by China. Funny how this virus was specifically designed to kill Americans, and not Canadians, Australians, Thais, Germans, New Zealanders, etc. I guess I would need to be a "Genous" to figure that one out.

[Xpartan]

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

And basic psychiatry.

[Xpartan]

Now that's bizarre.

I can understand not traveling at this time. Crowded airports and full airplanes, regardless of air travel industry studies, seem like an added risk. I can understand wanting to wait for the vaccine, or avoiding the obvious potential exposure represented by mongering.

I just can't imagine dropping all your plans solely over having to wear a quarter ounce worth of paper on your face.

I'm going to start traveling when the risk to catch the disease drops significantly, which happens after the vaccination. However, according to the CDC, no one knows whether getting vaccinated will prevent you from spreading the disease. Mask mandates aren't going anywhere.

Still, I can see the opposing point of view. Wearing masks in hot climate is beyond annoying. You're already miserable even without the mask. Plus mandating wearing masks outside in uncrowded conditions is a huge overkill. You're extremely unlikely to catch COVID in a couple of seconds it takes to pass someone on the street.

Having said that, masks are certainly a lesser evil than having to stay put.

[LatinaLover#1]

China locked down, used masks, and did all the right things so that a real biological thing. A virus, could not spread. Yep, it does not take a genius to understand that. It's just basic biology.

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

Not a case of Covid in Wuhan since May? Really?? And that's because of a mask law!! J ajaja Open your eyes cupcake. The entire world has had mask laws and we're dropping like flies. China only had mask laws in certain areas. Has NOTHING to do with the best President we ever had. What it does have to do with is an attack by China to halt the fall they were in the middle of and they struck quick and decisive. Also riddle me this batman, the president had nothing to do with the mask laws anywhere! Every country choose their own form of restriction, every state, like California choose their form of lockdown and they are dropping like flies. Newsome has had complete control of his state. So if you were a Genous you would know that.

[GeneHickman]

China locked down, used masks, and did all the right things so that a real biological thing. A virus, could not spread. Yep, it does not take a genius to understand that. It's just basic biology.

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

Not so simple my friend. I realise you don't like Trump, but let it not bias your view of this epidemic. No doubt the US(including he Trump administration) could and should have done better. Yet the Chinese story is a fable, and if you buy into it, well, dunno what else to say but you're gullible.

1. 5 B people and far more crowded than pretty much anywhere, massive urban centers, and with plenty of chance for epidemics and reintroductions and yet no disease spikes? Yeah right. Many island nations with strict travel bans and even lockddowns haven't been able to clear this surge reliably and you believe China is doing that? The truth to this story is unknown, and deserves a closer look, and the eventual conclusion maybe a natural event, but there sure is plenty circumstantial evidence to ponder and investigate.

[Elvis 2008]

As to whether the masses will take it, it depends, for now I think 2/3rd will take it.

Nice post Gene and thank you for making it apolitical.

Everything you said was accurate but I am more optimistic than 2/3. There are a lot of people more afraid of getting Covid now than side effects from the vaccine.

Right now, officially, one in 35 to 40 Americans has Covid. I think it is more in the one to 15 to 20 range because not everyone who has Covid has been tested and the false negatives on testing are not the 5 to 15% rate the experts are saying but IMO are closer to 50%. I have seen too many families where one in three or two in four test positive when they all have symptoms. I also had a buddy who had blood clots everywhere and was tested for Covid 4 times and was negative all those times, and he is convinced he had it and I agree he probably did.

He is getting a super sensitive antibody test and I have been underwhelmed with the testing for antibodies as well. Apparently, a person can have a small number of antibodies but make a lot if the virus presents itself, and that small amount is not detectable.

Flip flop Fauci has done it again. First it was we do not need to wear masks. Then we do, but I was not wrong. I was just lying so health care workers could get masks.

Now he has upped the percentage with regards to herd immunity from 70 to 80 or 85%. No one really knows, but I think even if we can get 150 million Americans vaccinated in the next year and there are 20 to 40 million people with natural immunity, we can put Covid in the rear view mirror. From what I am seeing and hearing, I think that number is doable but we shall see.

I am not sure when Colombia gets the vaccine. What I wonder is if how off is their official number. Supposedly, only one in 200 Colombians is running around with Covid right now. I am not sure I buy that number either. It seems too low to me.

[Zeos1]

While this time of year is normally slow the virus only enhanced the lack of talent. The PYP declared by Lopez isn't helping but I really believe a lot of the less desperate girls, especially with a kid, are less likely to take any chances catching the virus. I have a friend who danced early last year in the high end clubs in the North she told me very, very few are open during the pandemic. Face it guys, this virus has destroyed our hobby, economy and countless of lives, all over the world. EXCEPT for China! It doesn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together.

China locked down, used masks, and did all the right things so that a real biological thing. A virus, could not spread. Yep, it does not take a genius to understand that. It's just basic biology.

And another certain country, who's king vacillated on whether the virus was real, and who's people cannot simply follow any health advice, got heavily infected, worse than any other nation on earth.

It does not take a genius to understand that. It's all just basic biology.

[LatinaLover#1]

Gentlemen, another trip update coming in hot:

I woke up this morning feeling particularly motivated and, against my better judgment, decided to see if the casas in Chapinero were open. I figured what the hell since SF isn't going anywhere.

I took an Uber from my hotel to Chicas Milenio only to find it was closed. From there I walked south stopping at every casa until I reached La 64 (the North to South list is on Routard's Guide from 2018). Yes, you read that correctly. Every single one for a total of 19. Only two casas were open and it isn't even worth sharing because the talent was absolutely atrocious. PM me if interested both honestly not worth your time.

Refusing to give up, I hopped in another Uber and went to La Mezzanine only to find two girls working. They weren't bad. One was a solid 6. 5, had a great body and pretty face. The other was a soft 5 with a good body but not so pretty face. I almost went with the 6. 5 but, after all my efforts thus far through Chapinero, I refused to settle.

Ever more determined, I hopped in another Uber to Abadubai Spa. Ole' reliable. Except this time she wasn't so reliable as she was closed. Sad face. At this point I'm thinking, "well I'm already in the north and anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards. " So, I walked to Colorin, Isis, Lido, and Loutron. All closed. Skipped Absolut because I am not a fan of their general price to quality ratio. It is worth noting that Colorin had a sign on the door that said call for an appointment but I wasn't interested. Disclaimer: I expect Lido to be open later but I was walking by around 3 pm so the gates were closed and no guard was standing outside. Loutron was completely locked up and no one in sight.

Ever the wiser, I hopped in an Uber back to my hotel.

Before anyone says, "why didn't you call the places?" let me stop you right there. I did. Several of them. But today was about the journey, the experience, and the exercise.

Takeaways:

- My last Uber driver confirmed what other members have already said here. Most places will be closed until after January 6th. He said next weekend will be much better overall as people come back from vacation and the January 6th holiday, but many Colombians are gone through much of January. On the bright side, there is minimal traffic.

- My reliable waiter from SF the other night told me that some of the clubs will be open, so heading there later on. Report on that will come later.

- I'm going to stick to SF until next weekend because most places will be closed. Since I've done my long walk this trip, I'll be calling the places I want to visit (Abadubai and Loutron) early next week to see if they're open.

- Most importantly, I found a good place to watch football tomorrow.

Cheers,

TIA.

While this time of year is normally slow the virus only enhanced the lack of talent. The PYP declared by Lopez isn't helping but I really believe a lot of the less desperate girls, especially with a kid, are less likely to take any chances catching the virus. I have a friend who danced early last year in the high end clubs in the North she told me very, very few are open during the pandemic. Face it guys, this virus has destroyed our hobby, economy and countless of lives, all over the world. EXCEPT for China! It doesn't take a genius to put 2 and 2 together.

[GeneHickman]

Most of the time the vaccine works partially; but its enough to create a "herd" immunity.

This is one area the mRNA vaccines exceeded expectations. 95% efficacy is far more than even the optimists predicted. And the 5% getting it, got mild disease. Agree the longer term side effects aren't known, but can't be either, under the circumstances. Agree noone should go put themselves at risk, but purely from an odds perspective, once mRNA vaccine is in, one can be more chill. Flu vaccine varies 30-60% efficacy by year and strain and other such variables, and the chicken egg / attenuated adenovirus vaccines are coming up 60-70% efficacious v Covid also. Those maybe less protective but will and can be mass manufactured for the global masses. Their long term safety is also somewhat better known. I suspect like for flu, even for those that get it despite the shot, the shot is likely to make people get it less severely. So mortality will go way way down, this thing is here to stay, that's for sure and who knows what mutants emerge in the future or how long our immunity will last. As to whether the masses will take it, it depends, for now I think 2/3rd will take it. That maybe adequate to bring numbers down to acceptable low level noise, such that the country can fully reopen. Heck we accept 40-60k flu deaths annually, so we will learn to accept a few thousand of this too. However 350k(9mths) or 0.5M a year despite the lockdowns is unacceptable, And with a 95% vaccine its good enough to protect the takers adequately even without herd.

[BigButtDetecto]

Because you believe the vaccine is efficient? Don t be so nave the vaccine must be politically efficient, probably it will be so efficient as the normal flue vaccine. We all know a lot of people who got the flue despite getting the flue vaccine. In the contract between Pfister and Europe Pfister ask Europe to pay for all the side effects of the vaccine this demonstrate how confident they are with their product: take it easy and protect yourself.

Most of the time the vaccine works partially; but its enough to create a "herd" immunity.