re: Looks like the Covid is close to making the season a big *

New Zealand has its worst economy since the great depression LINK

Place is run by their version of AOC. Australia is also in horrible shape.

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While spot on the problem is that it is not possible for people with underlying health issues to avoid those who do not have those conditions unless everyone is making an effort to avoid crowds.

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I disagree. I believe it's incumbent on everyone to understand their own health risks as well as the statistical likelihood of COVID mortality based on those conditions and manage risks appropriately. For the elderly, this means telling their children or grandchildren to stay away if they are concerned about exposure or to quarantine before visits. For those children and grandchildren, be considerate of their elderly or at-risk relatives when they know they'll be in contact with them.

They key issue, I believe, is personal responsibility.

As a Christian, I see this more in line with the "weaker brother" concept where a Christian has a duty and responsibility to voluntarily limit their own Christian liberty when that freedom is known to do spiritual harm to their brother or sister (in Christ). The important word there is "known". I have a grandparent that I know thinks drinking alcohol is a sin and it deeply troubles their own conscience, and while I don't agree with their position, I refrain from partaking in alcohol when I'm in their presence and certainly wouldn't tempt them to violate their conscience with an offer of a drink. I don't, however, know if there is an alcoholic behind me at the grocery store who may be tempted when I'm checking out with beer in my cart. I have no responsibility to limit my liberty in public where I don't have a direct knowledge of the "weakness" of others. Those with the "weaknesses" need to understand them and limit opportunities for their own temptation and spiritual health.

Likewise, if I know I'm going to be around someone older or high-risk in a personal or private setting (like at church or a family event), I'll be considerate and wear a mask, socially distance myself from them, and go out of my way to keep them safe (even quarantining if I have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive), but when I'm in public, I am not so cautious because I am accepting the risks of exposure to myself and my family, I understand that we (my family) are all very low-risk for serious health consequences with that exposure, and I'm expecting others to know the risks of being out in public, themselves, and take proper precautions to limit their own exposure. If I see you in public, I expect you to know the risks by now and have accepted them as I have.

And with that--and especially since it seems that the virus will eventually spread regardless of what precautions are taken--I strongly believe that we should protect the most vulnerable and let everyone else enjoy their liberty.

We have lost wayyy too many players to this disease.

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am married to an Australian.

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Congrats on the hot wife.

Japan isn’t allowing, but you might be able to get a good price on a flight to wuhan