# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1929 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1930 --- ## [Any "virtual happy hours" with STRANGERS available somewhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-virtual-happy-hours-with-strangers-available-somewhere/851472)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-virtual-happy-hours-with-strangers-available-somewhere/851472 "2020-04-12T10:36:09Z")
Everywhere you look, there are articles about people using FaceTime or Zoom or what have you to engage in “happy hour” with their friends and family. And I have done this a few times. But as a serious extrovert, what I… --- ## [There's free theater up on YouTube. This weekend, NEW take on JC Superstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-free-theater-up-on-youtube-this-weekend-new-take-on-jc-superstar/851542)
**Author:** [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-free-theater-up-on-youtube-this-weekend-new-take-on-jc-superstar/851542 "2020-04-12T09:13:24Z")
Here’s an articleon a fresh version. A friend is watching it now. Says there’s street art, great music and Tim Minchin is a whole new Judas. Up for 48 hours, so til Easter Sunday. --- ## ["The most Passover of Passovers I've ever had"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-passover-of-passovers-ive-ever-had/851538)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-passover-of-passovers-ive-ever-had/851538 "2020-04-12T08:59:14Z")
This beautiful essay appeared in my local newspaper today. Love it! https://www.thetelegraph.com/living/article/VIRUS-DIARY-The-most-Passover-of-Passovers-I-ve-15189900.php --- ## [I hate Leonard Cohen now.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-leonard-cohen-now/845355)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-leonard-cohen-now/845355 "2020-04-12T08:37:51Z")
I pit all covers of Cohen’s Hallelujah. Stop treating it as some kind of fucking hymn! It’s just another break-up song, which has this churchy word in it, used as a kind of lament for how great the sex was but she was a… --- ## [Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (TABS) - goofy strategy computer game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-accurate-battle-simulator-tabs-goofy-strategy-computer-game/851575)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-accurate-battle-simulator-tabs-goofy-strategy-computer-game/851575 "2020-04-12T07:54:17Z")
Has anyone played this? I’m having a lot of fun. Very simple, cartoony/goofy ragdoll physics strategy game. You set up different kind of soldiers on a battlefield, and each have varying powers and abilities – from a cl… --- ## [Would Massive Bankruptcies be All That Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-massive-bankruptcies-be-all-that-bad/851600)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-massive-bankruptcies-be-all-that-bad/851600 "2020-04-12T07:54:09Z")
Bankruptcy is a wonderfully American institution. It allows people to have a second chance and closed the debtor’s prisons. In the Old Days, lots of important people went bankrupt, Harry Truman and Sam Clemens spring t… --- ## [91 COVID-19 patients re-testing positive in SK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/91-covid-19-patients-re-testing-positive-in-sk/851535)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/91-covid-19-patients-re-testing-positive-in-sk/851535 "2020-04-12T06:47:38Z")
Just heard this on CBC radio news while I was out briefly. My impression, having just got back in the car and missed the beginning, was that a number of Canadian patients who had recovered from COVID-19 were testing pos… --- ## [Viruses Are Profoundly Strange](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viruses-are-profoundly-strange/850687)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viruses-are-profoundly-strange/850687 "2020-04-12T06:07:10Z")
Have been reading up on virology and the history of infectious disease. You’d think we know a great deal about them. In medical school, we learned about the 250 or so viruses that infect people. We learned less about … --- ## [Unexpected windfall courtesy of Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-windfall-courtesy-of-congress/851553)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-windfall-courtesy-of-congress/851553 "2020-04-12T04:39:37Z")
Apparently I did not read the CARES ACT thoroughly. I knew about the personal stimulus checks. I knew that I could get a small business loan that would be forgiven as long as 75% of it was used for payroll. I even kne… --- ## [Bosch spin-off series announced - Detective Coltrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bosch-spin-off-series-announced-detective-coltrane/851593)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bosch-spin-off-series-announced-detective-coltrane/851593 "2020-04-12T03:19:28Z")
I’m guessing this was meant to be an April Fool’s joke from Amazon Prime Video but they hesitated to release it until now. The introduction my Michael Connelly had me going there for a moment… Bosch Spinoff Announcement… --- ## [Amazon default language changed to Spanish. Need help fast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-default-language-changed-to-spanish-need-help-fast/851547)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-default-language-changed-to-spanish-need-help-fast/851547 "2020-04-12T03:15:23Z")
And even when I translate the pages to English, I can’t find anyplace to change my default language. I searched Help, I checked my account settings and everything I could think of. I logged out and back in again. Only Am… --- ## [Marillion: new version of an old song, recorded virtually](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marillion-new-version-of-an-old-song-recorded-virtually/851598)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marillion-new-version-of-an-old-song-recorded-virtually/851598 "2020-04-12T02:46:12Z")
Thirty-one years ago, Marillion released their 5th album Seasons End, which includes the song “Easter.” Yesterday, they released a new recording of this song, where the band got together online to make the recording. I … --- ## [Long-term effect of COVID-19 on retail/restaurants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-effect-of-covid-19-on-retail-restaurants/849891)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-effect-of-covid-19-on-retail-restaurants/849891 "2020-04-12T02:42:03Z")
Just the other day we were blithely discussing here the retail apocalypse. As that name implies, retail and restaurants were already in fragile shape. Now with the apocalyptic rise of COVID-19, retail and restaurants ar… --- ## [Feeling Lazy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-lazy/851436)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-lazy/851436 "2020-04-12T01:47:20Z")
Anyone else out there feeling lazy while they’re self-quarantined? I’m going into work only as needed - I went in Tuesday to process payroll. I have to go in to do proposals and send out billings occasionally. So I only… --- ## [How tough was college in the 1700's and 1800's vs today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tough-was-college-in-the-1700s-and-1800s-vs-today/754656)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-tough-was-college-in-the-1700s-and-1800s-vs-today/754656 "2020-04-12T01:47:09Z")
I know you had to know Greek and Latin in some cases but with respect to overall intellectual challenge would it be as “hard” as modern college is given that math and science is much more complex these days? --- ## [Primaries and other elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primaries-and-other-elections/851387)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primaries-and-other-elections/851387 "2020-04-12T01:29:07Z")
Awhile back we had primaries here in Texas. I’ve never voted in one. The polling place nearest me was apparently for democrats. That got me to thinking… My plan is to vote for not Trump. Earlier on there was a whole… --- ## [Could you really freeze a person's arm and shatter it with a hammer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-really-freeze-a-persons-arm-and-shatter-it-with-a-hammer/851367)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-really-freeze-a-persons-arm-and-shatter-it-with-a-hammer/851367 "2020-04-12T01:12:20Z")
Lest some of you don’t recognize the reference and think I’m some kind of a freak, the question is about a scene in the movie Snowpiercer. I saw it a couple of years ago when it was on tv and I tuned in just as some dude… --- ## [Canada and CERB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-and-cerb/851513)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-and-cerb/851513 "2020-04-12T00:25:26Z")
Good day, I am in the process of applying for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) online and partway through the application process I’ve been led into an Employment Insurance (EI) site, which is both confusi… --- ## [IRS (and Turbotax) Set Up Online Portal to Get Stimulus Checks Faster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-and-turbotax-set-up-online-portal-to-get-stimulus-checks-faster/851461)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-and-turbotax-set-up-online-portal-to-get-stimulus-checks-faster/851461 "2020-04-11T23:58:56Z")
The site is at: While Turbotax is naturally including an option to file taxes with Turbotax, if you ignore that option the site gives you the option of entering your banking direct deposit information (a bank direct… --- ## [Recommedation needed for a non-coconut-based soap that will kill COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommedation-needed-for-a-non-coconut-based-soap-that-will-kill-covid/851549)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommedation-needed-for-a-non-coconut-based-soap-that-will-kill-covid/851549 "2020-04-11T22:44:01Z")
I have a friend who suffers from many allergies. Coconut is one of his deadliest. He once was hospitalized because somebody standing 10 feet away from him had washed his hair using coconut shampoo. About 95% of the so… --- ## [How Safe Is Alcarelle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-alcarelle/845936)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-alcarelle/845936 "2020-04-11T22:04:42Z")
In case you didn’t know, someone has claimed to invent an alcohol substitute with none of the deleterious side effects. In the advanced age we live in, I guess it was inevitable. Here is the website, if you want to read … --- ## [Ethernet cables - Cat 5 vs 6 vs 7...and I guess there is now a Cat 8?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethernet-cables-cat-5-vs-6-vs-7-and-i-guess-there-is-now-a-cat-8/851559)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethernet-cables-cat-5-vs-6-vs-7-and-i-guess-there-is-now-a-cat-8/851559 "2020-04-11T21:44:59Z")
Main question: These are backwards compatible, yes? If I stick a Cat 8 in to replace a Cat 5, it may or may not work better but it will not do harm? The specifics: I’ve decided I need to move my router from the basemen… --- ## [Off-road bicycles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-road-bicycles/851501)
**Author:** [@stosh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-road-bicycles/851501 "2020-04-11T21:39:05Z")
Hi guys, I’m 69 years old and live in southeastern PA. My Doc. said I should lose some weight. So, I started walking the trails around here and found out that I like it. I am playing around with the idea of getting a … --- ## [How to solve coronavirus-related food distribution conundrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-solve-coronavirus-related-food-distribution-conundrum/851560)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-solve-coronavirus-related-food-distribution-conundrum/851560 "2020-04-11T21:19:03Z")
Dairy farmers are being told to dump huge quantities of milk, at the same time that consumers are facing shortages and purchase limitations and food banks are seeing huge spikes in demand because of coronavirus-related l… --- ## [Is the escapism of sports code for "I don't want to think of issues affecting America"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-escapism-of-sports-code-for-i-dont-want-to-think-of-issues-affecting-america/851571)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-escapism-of-sports-code-for-i-dont-want-to-think-of-issues-affecting-america/851571 "2020-04-11T21:06:00Z")
Most people worldwide, not only Americans like sports as an escape from their daily problems, personal problems. Some feel that the coronavirus health and social world pandemic makes us want to escape to sports to devia… --- ## [When sites ask for your email address to register, and ask for your password](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-sites-ask-for-your-email-address-to-register-and-ask-for-your-password/851478)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-sites-ask-for-your-email-address-to-register-and-ask-for-your-password/851478 "2020-04-11T19:37:00Z")
How secure could this be? I’ve refused to engage this way before. Don’t they have access to my email? --- ## [Are there any records of dictators reactions to movie depictions of themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-records-of-dictators-reactions-to-movie-depictions-of-themselves/810688)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-records-of-dictators-reactions-to-movie-depictions-of-themselves/810688 "2020-04-11T19:36:38Z")
I was watching a youtube video of the famous speech by Charlie Chaplin in ‘The Great Dictator’, that combined with fond memories of Saddam Hussein in Hot Shots Part Deux and Kim Jong Il in Team America World Police made … --- ## [Words that have suddenly become very popular](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-have-suddenly-become-very-popular/848962)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-that-have-suddenly-become-very-popular/848962 "2020-04-11T18:38:44Z")
I first learned the word ‘fealty’ on first reading ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’. I’m not sure I’d ever seen or heard it used again until Trump ascended. Since then, it seems like every day someone lambastes so… --- ## [Why Aren't the Northern Lights Dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-northern-lights-dangerous/851490)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-the-northern-lights-dangerous/851490 "2020-04-11T17:17:53Z")
IANAScientist. But I think I understand some things fairly well. Like the earth’s magnetic field. It apparently protects us from the Sun’s radiation, which is a good thing. Life wouldn’t be possible on earth without it. … --- ## [Is this a good time to buy a new vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-time-to-buy-a-new-vehicle/851493)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-time-to-buy-a-new-vehicle/851493 "2020-04-11T16:57:57Z")
Obviously sales are plummeting, but I don’t know if that necessarily translates into lower purchase prices for new vehicles. And if so, now? Or in the future? Thanks, mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1928) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1930)