# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2020 Breaking News

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [February 11, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758 "2020-02-11T01:16:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 136

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**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2708 "2020-04-24T05:49:03Z")

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> [@QuickSilver](#):
>
> I guess this is the place to put this:
> 
> [Elizabeth Warren loses oldest brother to Covid-19.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/23/elizabeth-warrens-brother-donald-reed-dies-coronavirus/3011072001/)

> [@](#):
>
> According to information provided by his family, he had been diagnosed with cancer years ago and undergone treatment, and was hospitalized for pneumonia in February. He then moved to a rehabilitation center to recover. The family did not identify the center.
> 
> The coronavirus has posed a particular risk to people at inpatient care facilities. Other patients in the facility where Herring was staying had active cases, according to what the family was told, and he was tested for the virus in early April. He received a positive result the next day, but did not show symptoms of the virus for another 11 days. Herring was moved to intensive care at Norman Regional Hospital on April 15 and died six days later.

> **[Elizabeth Warren’s oldest brother dies of coronavirus in Oklahoma - The...](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/23/nation/elizabeth-warrens-oldest-brother-dies-coronavirus-oklahoma/)**
>
> Donald Reed Herring, 86, and Warren's other two brothers became a silent fixture of her presidential campaign. She mentioned them often but they never spoke to the press.

Large numbers are getting the disease at nursing homes and similar places–and because of their age and pre-existing conditions lots are dying.

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**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2709 "2020-04-24T07:35:47Z")

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> [@Sage\_Rat](#):
>
> Apparently, up to 92% of a population can become infected, so…herd immunity seems to have limited effect (granted, this is talking about a very dense population):
> 
> [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/494322-92-percent-of-inmates-tested-for-covid-19-at-indiana-prison-receive](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/494322-92-percent-of-inmates-tested-for-covid-19-at-indiana-prison-receive)

Up to 92% of _those tested_ can be infected. In other news, 8% of the prisoners who think they have C19 don’t actually have C19 at all.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2710 "2020-04-24T10:56:02Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> I have to post without comment.  
> [Trump muses about whether disinfectant injections can treat the coronavirus - Vox](https://www.vox.com/2020/4/23/21233628/trump-disinfectant-injections-sunlight-coronavirus-briefing)

How long before he wonders whether drinking sanitizer could help kill the virus? I’d say in about another week.

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**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2711 "2020-04-24T12:57:26Z")

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> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#):
>
> :eek: It’s not a political comment to say that the level of ignorance on display here, and the complete lack of appreciation of this ignorance, is truly staggering.

When he says something like this a net should drop from the ceiling and then haul his ignorant ass off stage. I wonder how many of his ignorant followers are going to shoot themselves up with bleach.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2712 "2020-04-24T14:31:14Z")

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> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#):
>
> :eek: It’s not a political comment to say that the level of ignorance on display here, and the complete lack of appreciation of this ignorance, is truly staggering.

He DOES claim to excel at everything… :rolleyes:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2713 "2020-04-24T15:27:08Z")

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> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> I wonder how many of his ignorant followers are going to shoot themselves up with bleach.

[_Bleach Boys_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sumb3GYuAT8) - The Dead Milkmen, ‘Beelzebubba’

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MaverocK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2714 "2020-04-24T17:57:45Z")

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Ecuador wtf? 11536 new infections

> **[COVID - Coronavirus Statistics - Worldometer](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)**
>
> Daily and weekly updated statistics tracking the number of COVID-19 cases, recovered, and deaths. Historical data with cumulative charts, graphs, and updates.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2715 "2020-04-24T18:05:41Z")

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He is now claiming the comments were sarcastic and directed to the media.

> **[Trump claims comments that disinfectants could treat coronavirus were sarcastic](https://www.axios.com/2020/04/24/donald-trump-disinfectants-coronavirus-sarcastic)**
>
> He said he wanted "to see what would happen."

The state of play: During a signing for the interim coronavirus funding bill, the president told reporters that he “was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen” with the response, per a pool report.

He’s just so fucking exhausting.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2716 "2020-04-24T18:44:20Z")

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[Another Navy warship at sea reports a coronavirus outbreak](https://apnews.com/20d512ae263968fbb288979afa53b046)

> [@](#):
>
> Navy officials said at least 18 members of the crew of a destroyer, the USS Kidd, have tested positive and it expects the number to grow. It said it is evaluating the extent of the outbreak aboard the ship.
> 
> The Kidd is off the Pacific coast of Central America, where it has been operating as part of a U.S. counter-drug mission. The Navy said it has a crew of about 350. It is only the second Navy ship, among about 90 deployed around the world, to report a coronavirus outbreak at sea. The other is the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
> 
> One sailor who displayed symptoms was flown off the Kidd on Thursday to a medical facility at San Antonio, where he tested positive for the virus.
> 
> After the positive case was confirmed at San Antonio, the Navy deployed a specialized medical team to the ship to conduct contact tracing and additional onsite testing.
> 
> “The first patient transported is already improving and will self-isolate. We are taking every precaution to ensure we identify, isolate, and prevent any further spread onboard the ship,” said Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet. “Our medical team continues coordinating with the ship and our focus is the safety and well-being of every Sailor.”
> 
> The Navy said the ship will return to port, where the crew will continue to clean and disinfect the ship, observing protocols in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Navy-specific guidelines.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2717 "2020-04-24T20:04:33Z")

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> [@RTFirefly](#):
>
> > [@psychonaut](#):
> >
> > The protest will be held just down the street from where I work—I am thinking of popping down to have a look-see, though on the other hand I’m not sure I want to give this group the benefit of a visible audience.
> 
> Maybe you could just walk past them on the other side of the street as if you’re on your way to somewhere else. 🙂

OK, so this afternoon I moseyed on down to the protest to provide this report for y’all. I had the ferret in tow in hopes of making it clear to the police that I was not part of the demonstration, but just an innocent passerby taking his pet for a walk. Unfortunately, this plan turned out have a nearly fatal flaw: the ferret, being the epitome of cuteness, attracted so much attention from the police that I soon found myself surrounded by a large crowd of them snapping photos and asking me if they could pet it. I ended up spending more time passing the ferret around for constabulary cuddles than observing the demonstration. But I digress…

Legally speaking, there was no anti-lockdown protest today. Police withdrew permission for it just a couple hours before it was due to begin. It was explained that the advance media publicity of the event would attract more people than would be safe. (Recall that only five demonstrators were supposed to show up, probably because that’s the upper limit on public gatherings according to the current lockdown rules.) So the group that applied to hold the protest did not, in fact, show up. But several supporters who got wind of it _were_ in attendance. It’s hard to tell just how many people I saw were part of the protest as opposed to simply observing it—I’d say there were between 100 and 200 people in all, not counting the police, but only around 30 or 40 people were actively demonstrating in the centre of the square (see [this photo](https://images.derstandard.at/t/13/livebericht/2000117081651/f9d6c10c-9d9a-4ee4-ad3a-c0b8a53bb767.jpg)). On the whole, the event was pretty sedate. The protestors generally stood peacefully, talking quietly amongst themselves and keeping sufficient distance from one another. Most of them didn’t even have signs, and those that did were of the looney conspiracy theorist variety: at least a couple people had signs blaming Bill Gates for the pandemic, and one was wearing anti-vaxxer slogans. I later heard on TV that some notable far-right extremists were also in attendance, including the leader of the local [Identitarian movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identit%C3%A4re_Bewegung_%C3%96sterreich).

Police were there in large numbers and had the demonstration surrounded, but not in a particularly threatening way. They had batons but not full riot gear. Most of them were located well away from the crowd, loitering about in large groups in side streets. (These were the ones that intercepted me to squee over the ferret.) About an hour into the event, as the crowd swelled and became more dense, the police used LED signs and megaphones to ask the protestors to keep their distance from one another, which prompted some shouting and booing, and then some brief chants of “We are the people!” and “Kurz must go!” (referring to the federal chancellor). The protestors refused to spread out, so after a few minutes the police instructed the crowd to disperse. Most people slowly started to leave. A core group of recalcitrants, including the Bill Gates and antivaxxer conspiracy theorists, remained to shout cries of defiance to the police and to give nonsensical interviews for the news crews. A single protestor, a middle-aged man, was taken away in handcuffs, allegedly for attacking a police officer. Police systematically demanded ID from the rest of the protestors who refused to leave and then slapped them with the usual fines for breaking the lockdown rules. No further arrests were made and everything just fizzled out. The protestors collectively lost several thousand euros and some lucky police officers went home with ferret selfies to show their families.

If anyone is interested, you can see some [videos of the protest](https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/Polizei-Einsatz-Festnahmen-Corona-Demo-eskaliert/427523676). The second video on that page is a short one; it has some wide shots of the core protestors followed by (German-language) interviews with them. Several of the interviewees claim that the virus is not dangerous and that the hygiene rules advocated by the government are senseless. One man claims that Kurz doesn’t want Austrians to develop herd immunity so that he can profit from selling everyone vaccines. Several women speak out against “forced vaccinations”.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2718 "2020-04-24T20:18:29Z")

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> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#):
>
> :eek: It’s not a political comment to say that the level of ignorance on display here, and the complete lack of appreciation of this ignorance, is truly staggering.

Well, if you think so, but I’d bet dollars to donuts I’d be Warned for that.

Good luck.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2719 "2020-04-24T20:29:30Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Well, if you think so, but I’d bet dollars to donuts I’d be Warned for that.
> 
> Good luck.

**Moderator Note**

Please don’t junior mod. If you think a post is over the line, report it.

Colibri  
QZ Moderator

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2720 "2020-04-24T20:39:50Z")

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> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#):
>
> He is now claiming the comments were sarcastic and directed to the media.
> 
> [https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-disinfectants-coronavirus-sarcastic-3037f953-1888-4797-a7d1-84da830ad45b.html](https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-disinfectants-coronavirus-sarcastic-3037f953-1888-4797-a7d1-84da830ad45b.html)
> 
> The state of play: During a signing for the interim coronavirus funding bill, the president told reporters that he “was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen” with the response, per a pool report.
> 
> He’s just so fucking exhausting.

Which of course just makes it worse: if true (which we of course all kinda suspect it’s not), that means he’s not just ignorant and uninformed, but rather, willing to play childish mind games with the press over issues where thousands of lives are at stake. That the fact that he’s not saving face with such comments, but making himself look even worse, is not abundantly clear to him is almost more worrying than the initial comment.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2721 "2020-04-24T20:44:13Z")

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**Psychonaut** , I assume that you are aware that ferrets can catch this virus? He may go for a walk but you might want to encourage him to socially isolate (ie no random petting). I don’t think they make masks that small. Also, I am missing cute ferret pictures.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2722 "2020-04-24T20:45:44Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> **Moderator Note**
> 
> Please don’t junior mod. If you think a post is over the line, report it.
> 
> Colibri  
> QZ Moderator

In no way did I think his post was over the line.

I wish him well.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2723 "2020-04-24T21:12:46Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> In no way did I think his post was over the line.
> 
> I wish him well.

**Moderator Instructions**

Then you are complaining about moderation outside of ATMB, which is also against the rules. You said that you would receive a warning for that post, while someone else wouldn’t. But none of your warnings are for political commentary in the wrong forum; all of your warnings are for personal insults, failure to follow a moderator’s instructions, or being a jerk.

In any case, don’t complain that you are being treated unfairly outside of ATMB again. Don’t post again in this forum regarding moderation, or junior mod. Doing so may result in a warning for failure to follow instructions.

Colibri  
Quarantine Zone Moderator

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2724 "2020-04-24T21:38:04Z")

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> [@psychobunny](#):
>
> **Psychonaut** , I assume that you are aware that ferrets can catch this virus? He may go for a walk but you might want to encourage him to socially isolate (ie no random petting).

I’m aware of this, but I think the risk for today’s interactions was acceptably low: police officers here are regularly tested, and they wear face masks when on duty.

> [@](#):
>
> Also, I am missing cute ferret pictures.

[Here he is!](http://files.nothingisreal.com/tmp/knoedel.jpg) His name is Knödel.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2725 "2020-04-24T21:38:59Z")

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> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> I’m aware of this, but I think the risk for today’s interactions was acceptably low: police officers here are regularly tested, and they wear face masks when on duty.[Here he is!](http://files.nothingisreal.com/tmp/knoedel.jpg) His name is Knödel.

He is darling. Thanks for the picture!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2726 "2020-04-24T21:42:36Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> **Moderator Instructions**
> 
> Then you are complaining about moderation outside of ATMB, which is also against the rules. You said that you would receive a warning for that post, while someone else wouldn’t. But none of your warnings are for political commentary in the wrong forum; all of your warnings are for personal insults, failure to follow a moderator’s instructions, or being a jerk.
> 
> In any case, don’t complain that you are being treated unfairly outside of ATMB again. Don’t post again in this forum regarding moderation, or junior mod. Doing so may result in a warning for failure to follow instructions.
> 
> Colibri  
> Quarantine Zone Moderator

My apologies. You misunderstand me, but I can see why.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2020-breaking-news/847758/2727 "2020-04-24T21:44:16Z")

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> [@psychonaut](#):
>
> [Here he is!](http://files.nothingisreal.com/tmp/knoedel.jpg) His name is Knödel.

Awww! (I also happen to recognize that “Knödel” is German for “dumpling”; the fact that I know this is a very long story. 😃 )

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