# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1612 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1613 --- ## [Took a swab test for Covid-19 today. Who's had one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-a-swab-test-for-covid-19-today-whos-had-one/927697)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/took-a-swab-test-for-covid-19-today-whos-had-one/927697 "2020-12-18T00:47:10Z")
This was SARS-Cov-2 PCR test, I guess. They only stick the swab up about an inch or a little more, twirl it around for 6 seconds, then do the other nostril. It’s irritating but not painful. Fortunately, I had a very good… --- ## [Vintage Steam Train Toy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-steam-train-toy/927147)
**Author:** [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-steam-train-toy/927147 "2020-12-18T00:38:08Z")
Hey Guys I need a little help here. When my Dad was a kid, he had a train engine that he would play with. It was a metal train engine and he would pour water in it. The train would heat the water and steam would come ou… --- ## [His Dark Materials question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/his-dark-materials-question/927651)
**Author:** [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/his-dark-materials-question/927651 "2020-12-18T00:29:53Z")
I’ve not read the books, but I’m enjoying the HBO series. There’s something I’m wondering about daemons. Lyra, Roger (sniff), Azriel, and Lee Scorseby regularly converse with their daemons. Mrs. Coulter never talks to h… --- ## [Has any correlation been found between a person's reaction to vaccines and susceptibility to the virus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-correlation-been-found-between-a-persons-reaction-to-vaccines-and-susceptibility-to-the-virus/928223)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-correlation-been-found-between-a-persons-reaction-to-vaccines-and-susceptibility-to-the-virus/928223 "2020-12-17T22:12:41Z")
I’ve taken annual flu shots since the early 90’s. Most of the time I have no reaction. Once in awhile I’ll get a sore arm. I only remember feeling bad with aches and fever a couple times (after a flu shot). Does that in… --- ## [Medicaid, Obamacare, and college student (need answer fastish)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicaid-obamacare-and-college-student-need-answer-fastish/928135)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicaid-obamacare-and-college-student-need-answer-fastish/928135 "2020-12-17T21:52:28Z")
So Dweezil turned 26 this year. As such, we cannot cover him under our health insurance after December 31st. He’s a college student (mild autism meaning this has taken a lot longer than the usual 4 years), and has not w… --- ## [Facebook sued by over 40 states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-sued-by-over-40-states/927664)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-sued-by-over-40-states/927664 "2020-12-17T20:58:53Z")
For the worst haircut of a CEO? more like anti trust . Never used facebook so I guess I miss out on what my friends from 40 years ago had for lunch. --- ## [Scammers rake in 7 million from false Covid aid in Cleveland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammers-rake-in-7-million-from-false-covid-aid-in-cleveland/928211)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammers-rake-in-7-million-from-false-covid-aid-in-cleveland/928211 "2020-12-17T20:58:32Z")
Three people identified so far. One small home registered 27 fake farm business early this year and applied for aid. He received 4.2 million dollars. There are others, 45 businesses in total: --- ## [Strategy for buying a pickup?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strategy-for-buying-a-pickup/928067)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strategy-for-buying-a-pickup/928067 "2020-12-17T20:55:47Z")
In other posts I’ve been asking about 5th wheel trailers and towing with a truck etc. I gather there are two ways to approach the situation. Look at the truck you have, see what specs it has, and pick a trailer that … --- ## [Is there a database that keeps track of monster of the week vs. mythology episodes for popular shows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-that-keeps-track-of-monster-of-the-week-vs-mythology-episodes-for-popular-shows/928291)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-that-keeps-track-of-monster-of-the-week-vs-mythology-episodes-for-popular-shows/928291 "2020-12-17T20:48:02Z")
The terms monster of the week episode and mythology episode started back in the late 90s with the X-files. To define the terms for those who didn’t watch X-files, the mythology episodes were more about a long arc and fo… --- ## [Buying new HVAC system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-new-hvac-system/927199)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-new-hvac-system/927199 "2020-12-17T20:34:01Z")
For AC and heat, using gas heat. Any brands or things to get (or avoid)? Probably end up with Trane or Carrier since almost all local dealers sell them. Here in the SE I believe AC SEER 14 is the lowest you can ge… --- ## [The 2020 election's (rough) equivalent of Pizzagate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-elections-rough-equivalent-of-pizzagate/928212)
**Author:** [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2020-elections-rough-equivalent-of-pizzagate/928212 "2020-12-17T20:26:45Z")
At least this time no shots were fired. I guess we can be thankful for that much. --- ## [Closing threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-threads/928063)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-threads/928063 "2020-12-17T20:23:59Z")
I finally get chance to get back to the Dope and reply to comments in a thread I was following… and it’s closed. Again. Is this the new style of modding? Because I don’t like it. Telling disruptive posters to knock it of… --- ## [Best DLC PC/Console](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dlc-pc-console/928105)
**Author:** [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-dlc-pc-console/928105 "2020-12-17T19:58:03Z")
This was also posted in the Red Dead Redemption thread, but I thought I might give it a general airing. To me it’s: Prey: Mooncrash. It has a definite ending, and I had done pretty much everything in it. Yet ten minute… --- ## [Games similar to Age of Empires II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-similar-to-age-of-empires-ii/928263)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/games-similar-to-age-of-empires-ii/928263 "2020-12-17T19:02:25Z")
Hey all! A friend and I are hoping to spend a little casual gaming time together online this weekend. In our college days we’d play AoE, Starcraft, and similar. We’re not necessarily masters at this type of game, but i… --- ## [The Old 'The Stand' Mini-series casting and a couple of observations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-old-the-stand-mini-series-casting-and-a-couple-of-observations/850717)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-old-the-stand-mini-series-casting-and-a-couple-of-observations/850717 "2020-12-17T19:01:45Z")
Haven’t watched since it came out. I rewatched about the first 30 minutes. That part was pretty good. The gulf between TV actors and movie ones is pronounced. The small part that Ed Harris plays is fantastic. And hilari… --- ## [These Vaccines Don't Prevent Transmission of the Virus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-vaccines-dont-prevent-transmission-of-the-virus/928074)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-vaccines-dont-prevent-transmission-of-the-virus/928074 "2020-12-17T18:07:06Z")
I was pretty bummed out when I read that neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccines necessarily prevented the transmission of SARS CoV 2. I don’t remember where I first heard about this but here’s one cite: neither th… --- ## [Aperitifs - Help Me Out on How Best to Drink Them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aperitifs-help-me-out-on-how-best-to-drink-them/927776)
**Author:** [@Lavender\_Pebble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lavender_Pebble)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aperitifs-help-me-out-on-how-best-to-drink-them/927776 "2020-12-17T17:54:48Z")
I was gifted a large set of aperitifs for Christmas, but I’m not much of a drinker and extremely ignorant about how to approach them. What should I do with them? The set suggests drinking them straight or mixed with ton… --- ## [MLB negro leagues update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-negro-leagues-update/928192)
**Author:** [@Scarlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlax)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-negro-leagues-update/928192 "2020-12-17T17:20:26Z")
Manfred announced that negro league status is being updated to major league with ramifications no doubt related to representation in the HoF and museums, but also to effectively merge stats. @RickJay and other experts: … --- ## [Highest-lettered highway exit in US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-lettered-highway-exit-in-us/928205)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highest-lettered-highway-exit-in-us/928205 "2020-12-17T16:25:09Z")
I could swear that when my family traveled across the US from Virginia to Nevada, that at some point in a major metro area in Missouri we started getting some bizarre highway exit lettering schemes. I mean things like “… --- ## [Help me curate my at-home birthday film festival](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-curate-my-at-home-birthday-film-festival/928113)
**Author:** [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-curate-my-at-home-birthday-film-festival/928113 "2020-12-17T16:13:23Z")
My birthday is next week, and owing to pandemic blah blah blah, I can’t really go anywhere or do anything to celebrate. So I’m having an at-home film festival. I am planning to “screen” three different titles based aroun… --- ## [Ideas for professional development](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-professional-development/928266)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-professional-development/928266 "2020-12-17T16:13:10Z")
I work in academia, primarily helping people with grants; and I work with Tech transfer for entrepreneurs and small businesses trying to make a go of it. I have to spend money (as much as $5k) on professional developmen… --- ## [Lower the U.S. Voting Age to 16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lower-the-u-s-voting-age-to-16/927434)
**Author:** [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lower-the-u-s-voting-age-to-16/927434 "2020-12-17T15:56:36Z")
I strongly believe that the U.S. voting age should be lowered to 16. I am a long time Social Studies teacher at the high school level and as someone who has interacted with 16 and 17 year olds at a high level, believe me… --- ## [Intersections in tunnels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intersections-in-tunnels/927599)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intersections-in-tunnels/927599 "2020-12-17T14:38:45Z")
There’s a tunnel being built (actually almost complete) in the Faroe Islands that will have a three way intersection in the middle. It connects two parts of one island with a second island. The intersection is under the … --- ## [Pairs of actors who played each other's original roles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pairs-of-actors-who-played-each-others-original-roles/928208)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pairs-of-actors-who-played-each-others-original-roles/928208 "2020-12-17T14:16:58Z")
Bill Murray originated the role of Dr. Peter Venkman in the movie Ghostbusters. In the spinoff TV series The Real Ghostbusters, the same character was voiced by Lorenzo Music. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Music originated the ro… --- ## [FDA OKs genetically engineered pigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-oks-genetically-engineered-pigs/928116)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-oks-genetically-engineered-pigs/928116 "2020-12-17T13:58:53Z")
Some of them are probably smarter than many politicians especially ones in DC --- ## [Gift of maid service - welcome or insult?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-of-maid-service-welcome-or-insult/925160)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gift-of-maid-service-welcome-or-insult/925160 "2020-12-17T13:16:25Z")
Was talking to a mature adult who did not know what to buy their adult child for x-mas. They were considering giving them cleaning services, but didn’t know if it would be perceived as an insut. Whaddya think? --- ## [HBO Max finally coming to Roku!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hbo-max-finally-coming-to-roku/928228)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hbo-max-finally-coming-to-roku/928228 "2020-12-17T12:23:26Z")
The deal is done. It will be there tomorrow 12/17! I am happy! --- ## [Were the Danes the first to coin the name England for the southern part of today's England in 897?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-danes-the-first-to-coin-the-name-england-for-the-southern-part-of-todays-england-in-897/925954)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-danes-the-first-to-coin-the-name-england-for-the-southern-part-of-todays-england-in-897/925954 "2020-12-17T11:28:41Z")
Were the Danes the first to coin the name England for the southern part of today’s England in 897? I had always assumed that the Angles had called their land “Angel land(?) or Engla land(?)(not sure of the spelling! )”" … --- ## [MSG and racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msg-and-racism/927200)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msg-and-racism/927200 "2020-12-17T10:47:26Z")
I know there’s a lot of noise on the internet about how bad people consider Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) to be, and then there’s also a fair bit of discussion about how those claims are overblown; this is fairly typical fo… --- ## [Help me identify this Rock/Fossil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-rock-fossil/928069)
**Author:** [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2020, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-rock-fossil/928069 "2020-12-17T10:40:25Z")
I have had this for a long time. Found it camping in the Midwest, I don’t know specifically where. It is Nonferrous. Weight 465.1 grams. Displacement in water approximately 115 cc. It is very dense (heavy for size). Smoo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1611) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1613)