Takeout Indian food for dinner tonight (my partner and I have really adapted to the stay at home order :P ).

Malai Kofta on the left, Kerala Fish Curry on the right.
https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...e8&oe=5EA571A9
Photo by me

That 2 million number that keeps getting quoted was the estimate if we did nothing. Obviously we have not done nothing, we have closed just about all business etc. The study also showed the drastic reduction in deaths if drastic measures were taken (where the whole flatten the curve came from). The 100k to 200k was a more realistic number (we didn't do as drastic as they recommend but we did better than doing nothing).

If that were the case we should be doing the opposite of shelter in place. We (in South Florida at least) should be doing "Stay outside at all costs, and do not go into your AC-ed homes and offices and trains and cars and restaurants which is where the virus actually is"

We fled San Francisco last Saturday for a family vacation property. Not sure when we will return.

Some places are doing a lot. Some others less so...

I travel every Sunday from San Diego to the central coast, usually on Sundays about a 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 hours. Right now it takes 4:10 because of no traffic slow downs.

The hotel I stay at, I've watched their occupancy dip to +/-20%. They have closed their pool/spa and no longer serve breakfast. All restaurants are take out or drive through only. City beach parking lots are now closed.

In California new home construction is exempted from the states, stay home orders, deeming it an essential industry. I have had no subcontractors who have missed any time on job sites.

Overall the cities feel half empty and I'm sure pollution emissions are way down.

Berlin:

23. February: A leading epidemiologist at Berlin Charité university hospital assumes that a pandemic disease because of COVID-19 in Germany cannot be avoided
29. February: ITB 2020, Worlds largest tourism convention (starting 04. March) is cancelled
01. March: Corona infection confirmed in Berlin for the first time
11. March: Major Football Matches are cancelled
13. March: All cultural events are cancelled
17. March: All schools and clubs are closed
18. March : Chancellor Merkel gives TV speech "State of the Nation" claiming: Germany is confronted with biggest challenge since 1945
20. March: First Corona death in Berlin (man aged 95) is confirmed
21. March: 1025 infections in Berlin (3.6 Million population) are confirmed
22. March : Nationwide restrictions for the population are in place, no gatherings of more than 2 people in public spaces are allowed
25. March: Traffic at 2 major airports dropped by 95%
29. March: 11 Corona deaths in Berlin are confirmed, 2337 infection cases are confirmed

Today: The city streets are empty. Nature is recovering in inner districts. The frst mammoths have re-settled in Berlin ....:rolleyes:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUwYFJLSE...na-Mammuts.jpg

I moved my auto rental reservation to return back a week to early May. We'll see how things are going by then. Actually, I'd rather be hiding in my SF apartment but I'm terrified of having to use an elevator, potentially closed in a box with someone else for a couple minutes. If they cough during the ride I might pass out. I've bought N95 masks, latex and vinyl gloves, goggles, all sorts of PPE, and ordered isopropyl alcohol and aloe to make hand sanitizer, all for if I go back.

Flyover of a deserted London (watch hi def). You're allowed to go out for one exercise a day

• Video Link

Why is Germany doing so well with death rates? Really impressive figure.

A generally healthy country, but very old and high rate of smoking.

Can’t say for sure but I imagine there is a correlation between Germany’s high numbers of physicians and hospital beds per capita, near the top of the world in both categories. Same with South Korea.

Really adds more credence to the whole concept of “flattening the curve” to prevent the healthcare system from being overburdened and potentially killing many more people.

It is to early to describe that phenomenon. The data base in Germany and Europe is to weak and not consistent enough. Some indicators though seem to explain the low death rates:

- Germany did start very early to test the population.
- The tests are not focused on all parts of the society but aim at groups with severe health risks and depend on wether you spend time in highly infected regions.
- Germany does has a pretty comprehensive nationwide health system with very high numbers of IC Units in all cities and regions.
- The average age of infected people is around 10-15 years younger compared to Italy or Spain.
- It is valid to question the stats of fatalities in Italy. There are indications that Italy is adding up influenza deaths AND Corona deaths figures.

BUT: Right now it is too early to conclude that German cities can control the cases. This coming week will show if measures in place are working.

One thing is sure, Berlin and Germany are world champions in " Hamsterkauf " ....

https://www.bz-berlin.de/data/upload...8-1024x576.jpg

yesterday
you could roll a bowling ball up foggy 9th ave


https://i1340.photobucket.com/albums...psmh4sqzfw.jpg



two days ago
apple square in the meatpacking


https://i1340.photobucket.com/albums...psgn6pbcdg.jpg

This, according to Business Insider:

Germany has a remarkably low coronavirus death rate — thanks largely to mass testing, but also culture, luck, and an impressive healthcare system

Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/germ...lthcare-2020-3


And regarding South Korea, this, according to NPR:

How South Korea Reined In The Outbreak Without Shutting Everything Down

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsan...verything-down

The couple elevator buildings I've been in have had notices advising only one person or household per elevator at a time. I wonder how widespread that is?

I was just about to ask about that; I would think that would be the case, especially in a residential building.

our lawyer friend and god daughter's dad was just called to do the very first ever skype arraignment in nyc -- which is happening now.

So far the infected population is skewed younger, and their health system hasn't been overwhelmed. The fatalities will spike when they run out of hospital beds.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/o...ronavirus.html

Stay The Fuck at Home: https://twitter.com/RexChapman/statu...35674895605761

Careful of the backlash. Some communities in Oregon are putting tough restrictions on vacation homes and telling people to stay at their primary residences because their healthcare systems can't handle part-time residents and vacationers.