# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1972 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1973 --- ## [Trump set to propose $850 billion CV response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-set-to-propose-850-billion-cv-response/849653)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-set-to-propose-850-billion-cv-response/849653 "2020-03-18T06:08:41Z")
Between tax cuts, family leave, new spending, and probably other stuff, this would be the biggest stimulus bill since Obama’s 2009 stimulus and the Bush 2008 Troubled Assets Relief Program. Details are still vague, bu… --- ## [Probability of a global depression happening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-a-global-depression-happening/849486)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-a-global-depression-happening/849486 "2020-03-18T05:36:52Z")
I don’t know how bad this Corona virus is going to get- perhaps it could be the next Spanish flu. But I tend to think that it’s being exaggerated, not only in the US but all around the world. Certainly you can err on the… --- ## [Closures and cancellations: conditions necessary to end these?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closures-and-cancellations-conditions-necessary-to-end-these/849691)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closures-and-cancellations-conditions-necessary-to-end-these/849691 "2020-03-18T05:17:09Z")
Because of the coronavirus, schools, bars, restaurants, and many workplaces, etc. are closed. Sports events are cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Colleges and universities are not holding in-person classes, but some… --- ## [Atlantic City Casinos shutting down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantic-city-casinos-shutting-down/849602)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantic-city-casinos-shutting-down/849602 "2020-03-18T04:54:34Z")
Just got a call from work…stay home the next two weeks. --- ## [National pandemics: no federal plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-pandemics-no-federal-plan/849612)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-pandemics-no-federal-plan/849612 "2020-03-18T04:24:18Z")
We’ve known about the possibility of a serious viral pandemic for 100 years now. How is it that in all that time, the US government never drew up a plan for how the nation should control/react to such a scenario? Or is t… --- ## [Playground equipment - avoid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playground-equipment-avoid/849668)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playground-equipment-avoid/849668 "2020-03-18T04:13:47Z")
I have a 1-year-old girl who really likes swinging. When I go out and walk her and the dogs, I see the playgrounds are mostly empty. Anyone know if putting her on the swings is safe? thanks! --- ## [You can't call it Quarantine unless...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-call-it-quarantine-unless/849688)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-call-it-quarantine-unless/849688 "2020-03-18T03:27:54Z")
Well, you can always go with the out-of-region substitute :wink: --- ## [How accurate is the Coronavirus test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-the-coronavirus-test/849121)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-the-coronavirus-test/849121 "2020-03-18T03:19:54Z")
What is the lowdown on this coronavirus test that is being shipped out? how accurate is it, how long does it take to get processed, who makes it etc.? --- ## [Got to wondering so I Googled, of course gun and ammo sales are way up because of Covid-19](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-to-wondering-so-i-googled-of-course-gun-and-ammo-sales-are-way-up-because-of-covid-19/849503)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-to-wondering-so-i-googled-of-course-gun-and-ammo-sales-are-way-up-because-of-covid-19/849503 "2020-03-18T03:01:47Z")
Roving gangs are coming for your hand sanitizer and TP. :dubious: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ammunition-sales-soar-response-coronavirus-133400231.html --- ## [How would the Corona epidemic been handled before the rise of the Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-corona-epidemic-been-handled-before-the-rise-of-the-internet/849699)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-corona-epidemic-been-handled-before-the-rise-of-the-internet/849699 "2020-03-18T02:50:34Z")
I was curious how would the Corona epidemic been handled before the rise of the Internet? Say 30 years ago in 1990. I mean today people can order just about anything online. Back then they did mail order businesses but… --- ## [Clown/Comedian Career](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clown-comedian-career/849661)
**Author:** [@MrTomato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrTomato)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clown-comedian-career/849661 "2020-03-18T02:35:08Z")
Hi,I’m new to this and I was wondering if you could explain me this career. I have seen a lot of videos of clowns and comedians and I love entertainment. Firstly,I have a few questions: 1)Do you have to act as someone … --- ## [A coronavirus pandemic provides a HUGE opportunity for Democrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coronavirus-pandemic-provides-a-huge-opportunity-for-democrats/848630)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coronavirus-pandemic-provides-a-huge-opportunity-for-democrats/848630 "2020-03-18T02:27:20Z")
David Axelrod said you should never waste a crisis. Democrats need to make Trump and McConnell pay DEARLY for this. Just absolutely BURN them to the ground. This is actually politically perilous for the Republicans… --- ## [Interesting paper- mitigation vs. suppression & social distancing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-paper-mitigation-vs-suppression-social-distancing/849681)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-paper-mitigation-vs-suppression-social-distancing/849681 "2020-03-18T02:18:30Z")
This is an interesting paper, although kind of dire in its predictions. The table at the bottom of page 5 is kind of interesting- it shows the hospitalization rates and critical care rates by age. It doesn’t really t… --- ## [Plague, Inc. A Game for Our Current Crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plague-inc-a-game-for-our-current-crisis/849603)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plague-inc-a-game-for-our-current-crisis/849603 "2020-03-18T02:15:38Z")
This is a fun short game that is science based and applicable to our times. We are a virus and we have to destroy our human hosts before they find a cure. --- ## [The U.S. military's possible role in responding to the pandemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-militarys-possible-role-in-responding-to-the-pandemic/849697)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-militarys-possible-role-in-responding-to-the-pandemic/849697 "2020-03-18T01:50:59Z")
An interesting CNN opinion piece from a retired Army general: Retired general: What is reasonable to expect from US military in a pandemic (opinion) | CNN TLDR: Don’t expect too much, and bringing in the military will m… --- ## [Asymptomatic infections driving the spread of COVID-19](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asymptomatic-infections-driving-the-spread-of-covid-19/849698)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asymptomatic-infections-driving-the-spread-of-covid-19/849698 "2020-03-18T01:45:14Z")
I saw this yesterday, and thought it was interesting. If true, if really underscores the importance of “social distancing.” https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/16/coronavirus-infected-people-without-symptoms-are-driving… --- ## [Are Suicides on the Rise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-suicides-on-the-rise/849684)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-suicides-on-the-rise/849684 "2020-03-18T01:31:07Z")
I’m really concerned that people living paycheck to paycheck, who are suddenly without jobs because their workplaces are closed aren’t going to see any other way out. I’m also concerned that a lot of the people stocking… --- ## [Count in binary.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-in-binary/834443)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-in-binary/834443 "2020-03-18T00:53:52Z")
Simple enough: count in binary. 1 --- ## [Probability of coronavirus spreading if exposed in different ways](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-coronavirus-spreading-if-exposed-in-different-ways/849545)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probability-of-coronavirus-spreading-if-exposed-in-different-ways/849545 "2020-03-18T00:39:11Z")
If someone positive for coronavirus coughs directly on you, and you inhale, it it virtually guaranteed that that it will spread to you? What about something even more intimate, like a an open-mouth kiss? I assume that … --- ## [And here we are.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-here-we-are/849664)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-here-we-are/849664 "2020-03-17T23:58:16Z")
In response to Doper requests, here is a forum dedicated to our current crisis. We will get through this together and we hope this helps, even if just a tiny bit. Jenny your humble TubaDiva Administrator --- ## [When did the whole use-paper-towel-to-open-public bathroom-door thing start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-whole-use-paper-towel-to-open-public-bathroom-door-thing-start/477294)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-whole-use-paper-towel-to-open-public-bathroom-door-thing-start/477294 "2020-03-17T23:14:25Z")
Ok, now everybody does it, but it appears that the standard behavior for people when leaving a public restroom is to use a paper towel to open the door, so much so that now the janitors put a wastepaper basket just to ca… --- ## [Possibility of martial law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441)
**Author:** [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-martial-law/849441 "2020-03-17T22:59:54Z")
I am a fat, slow-moving, retired housewife. I am handling the madness right now as best I can and so far, despite no toilet paper anywhere, I haven’t seen fistfights break out in the aisles of Walmart or anywhere else. … --- ## [Coronavirus alerts: How to get news updates on your phone right now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-alerts-how-to-get-news-updates-on-your-phone-right-now/849675)
**Author:** [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-alerts-how-to-get-news-updates-on-your-phone-right-now/849675 "2020-03-17T22:40:13Z")
Swiped from CNET: Jenny your humble TubaDiva Administrator --- ## [I will never use Travelocity again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-never-use-travelocity-again/849556)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-will-never-use-travelocity-again/849556 "2020-03-17T22:18:56Z")
I know airlines and whatnot are busy, but oh my God. I was to fly to California on the 19th; obviously that is a high risk move now. So I figured I’d ask to change it - I don’t want a refund, I just figure I’ll kick it… --- ## [What to expect from a Global Entry interview](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-expect-from-a-global-entry-interview/848490)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-expect-from-a-global-entry-interview/848490 "2020-03-17T20:45:39Z")
My wife and I have our Global Entry interviews coming up next week. From what I’ve read online they don’t appear to be particularly long or involved, but I was just wondering if any Dopers have gone through one and what … --- ## [Pandemics: how bad before countries seal their boarders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pandemics-how-bad-before-countries-seal-their-boarders/847009)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pandemics-how-bad-before-countries-seal-their-boarders/847009 "2020-03-17T20:32:07Z")
There’s a game, called Pandemic (now up to v2.5 and sadly ripped off by imitators) in which you’re trying to destroy the world with a pandemic by doing everything you can to facilitate the spread of the disease. I played… --- ## [Is the US doing enough to slow the spread of Covid-19? (public health)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-doing-enough-to-slow-the-spread-of-covid-19-public-health/849061)
**Author:** [@Settimo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Settimo)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-doing-enough-to-slow-the-spread-of-covid-19-public-health/849061 "2020-03-17T19:54:18Z")
Your thoughts on the steps being taken to reduce the spread of the virus in the United States? Here’s a March 5th article about a man returning from China, dismayed at the lack of screening at the San Francisco airport … --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1940](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1940/685926)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1940/685926 "2020-03-17T18:19:46Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1940 With Hitler’s army marching through Europe and the work of the New Deal yet incomplete, FDR is the only choice. --- ## [Do seniors have to wait for the Coronavirus vaccine to be developed before leaving their homes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-seniors-have-to-wait-for-the-coronavirus-vaccine-to-be-developed-before-leaving-their-homes/849660)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-seniors-have-to-wait-for-the-coronavirus-vaccine-to-be-developed-before-leaving-their-homes/849660 "2020-03-17T18:18:17Z")
Senior citizens have been advised to stay home to avoid getting infected with Coronavirus. Even after the number of infected people peaks and declines, the virus will still be in the world until a vaccine is developed, … --- ## [Should I postpone/cancel my upcoming annual physical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414 "2020-03-17T17:58:43Z")
I have an appointment for a routine annual physical in about three weeks, and I’m wondering if it would make more sense to postpone it. Note: I am older and have various chronic conditions, including those that put me a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1971) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1973)