# ...from the President of the United States: WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 23, 2020, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078 "2020-03-23T05:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/201 "2020-03-25T14:11:29Z")
You don’t close the beaches just because one shark is in the water, right? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/202 "2020-03-25T14:39:28Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > The iceberg has already hit the Titanic, the boat is sinking and people are manning the lifeboats. Your analogy is quite apt. The first several boats that launched were half-full – or even less – because people were reluctant to leave the warm and cozy ship even though the experts, the ship’s officers, were telling them it was sinking. Since there weren’t enough lifeboats to go around there still would have been a lot of even if all had been full, but not as many people were saved as could have been. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/203 "2020-03-25T14:42:10Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > But there’s also a warning: if you foolishly go on and pretend that it’s business as usual, the crisis will eventually explode into something even worse than what we’re already dealing with. And worse than that, people will lose all faith in the government’s ability to manage a crisis. People will stay home anyway. People will come to work, only to get sick and up going to the ICU by the thousands, only this time it won’t be just in New York City but also in cities and towns across the Heartland. > > That’s why I say, as tasteless as it sounds to say it, I think some people need a taste of their own fucking medicine. You want to deny science? You want to laugh because you think you’re somewhere in Kansas and it’s just a blue state, big city, Chinese, Asian disease…well, don’t expect any tears of sympathy from me when I see convoys of trucks carrying out coffins in their cities. Louisiana has the fastest growing Covid-19 infection rate IN THE WORLD. It might make sense when you read headlines like this: Louisiana Pastor Brings 26 Busloads of Passengers Together for Sunday Services > [@](#): > > The church paid for 26 buses to transport 1,825 attendees from all over Baton Rouge to gather for a massive outdoor service — no social distancing whatsoever. > > In fact, witnesses report that parishioners gathered together in close groupings, touching and embracing each other. Nine people were baptized in water. Covered meals were served. Very few people wore protective masks or gloves. Rodney Howard-Browne Used His Sunday Service to Spread Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories > [@](#): > > [ul] > [li]COVID-19 is a “phantom plague.”[/li][li]It was created by the Chinese government to tank the U.S. economy.[/li][li]The media is run by Communists.[/li][li]There’s a 75% chance the positive test is negative.[/li][li]Any vaccine will just be a Big Pharma scam.[/li][li]The outbreak was “planned” at a 2019 event organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.[/li][li]The “deep state” is feeding Donald Trump misinformation.[/li][li]The World Health Organization is conducting “medical tyranny” by telling countries how they ought to respond.[/li][li]Our government has deployed the military for a soon-to-happen war against our national enemies[/li][/ul]. Catholic Cardinal Burke says faithful should attend Mass despite coronavirus > [@](#): > > “In considering what is needed to live, we must not forget that our first consideration is our relationship with God,” Burke wrote in a letter published on his website Saturday (March 21). > > “That is why it is essential for us, at all times and above all in times of crisis, to have access to our churches and chapels, to the Sacraments, and to public devotions and prayers.” The headlines keep coming… [ul] [li]34 tied to Arkansas church test positive for coronavirus, deacon says[/li] [li]Liberty University lets 1,900 students return to campus during the coronavirus outbreak [/li] [li]Mormons Irresponsibly Gathered in Utah Airport to Greet Returning Missionaries[/li] [li]A MESSAGE FROM SOLID ROCK CHURCH: the government ban on large gatherings does not apply to religious worship.[/li][/ul] Science hasn’t got a prayer… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/204 "2020-03-25T14:47:34Z")
Religion is such a catastrophic mess. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/205 "2020-03-25T14:58:26Z")
Some of this seems to have the potential to ‘solve itself’ if these morons keep getting together. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2020, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/206 "2020-03-25T15:55:45Z")
Evolution in action, y’all. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/207 "2020-03-25T16:04:29Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > Louisiana has the fastest growing Covid-19 infection rate IN THE WORLD. It might make sense when you read headlines like this: > > Louisiana Pastor Brings 26 Busloads of Passengers Together for Sunday Services > > Rodney Howard-Browne Used His Sunday Service to Spread Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories > > Catholic Cardinal Burke says faithful should attend Mass despite coronavirus > > The headlines keep coming… > > [ul] > [li]34 tied to Arkansas church test positive for coronavirus, deacon says[/li] > [li]Liberty University lets 1,900 students return to campus during the coronavirus outbreak [/li] > [li]Mormons Irresponsibly Gathered in Utah Airport to Greet Returning Missionaries[/li] > [li]A MESSAGE FROM SOLID ROCK CHURCH: the government ban on large gatherings does not apply to religious worship.[/li][/ul] > > Science hasn’t got a prayer… Yep, and that’s why even though what I wrote was “callous,” I just don’t see it that way. Call me vile and evil - I do not give a fuck. We don’t have to die because of their ignorance - because a) they don’t have to be ignorant, and b) we shouldn’t be forced to live with the consequences. But as it turns out, these fucking “people” _choose_ to be willfully ignorant and we _have_ to live - and die - with the consequences of it. Fuck, fuck, fuck them!!! ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/208 "2020-03-25T16:05:36Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Evolution in action, y’all. True, but they will take some people down with them. And for that I hate them. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/209 "2020-03-25T16:07:06Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Any economy that requires millions of people to die or live shorter, more miserable lives is an economy that doesn’t deserve saving. Pithy, brilliant. So much this ^ ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/210 "2020-03-25T16:10:34Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Any economy that requires millions of people to die or live shorter, more miserable lives is an economy that doesn’t deserve saving. At least one other person would [disagree](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/pxJSFmN-IgSHbYT2Vv3A2oEuLCDOitXfETxf_UQnZbxKZMqsX9Qdtv0lSft9OEecVFq_PeFHYm2ZD7JHvfwBRPFH2DOU9r87dTGqZaao3oZ_RaBCTBpjvpjVv1VicGO8qhtWWMzInA). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/211 "2020-03-25T16:14:06Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > It’s much worse than nobody steering the ship. We have a deranged, arrogantly ignorant captain who’s determined to ram us into every iceberg in the ocean. More like he’s saying “We have to steer close to those icebergs, because the penalty for steering further away and taking longer is too high!” ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/212 "2020-03-25T16:20:01Z")
A note to those who wish specific groups would die for the Corona… grandmothers, church goers, libs, conservatives, whatever… You can’t offer 1% of the population as an offering to appease a virus. It’s not going to respond: “OK, got my 1%, I’m done.” ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/213 "2020-03-25T16:28:31Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > No, there isn’t - if you believe that then you’ve missed the lesson, and you don’t see the warning. > > The lesson is this: pay attention to the facts, to the science, to the scientists. Don’t treat experts like they’re overpaid bureaucratic idiots who have no value. Don’t disband the team that was put into place as a response to a previous deadly outbreak for the express purpose of stopping an outbreak just like this one. That’s the lesson. > > But there’s also a warning: if you foolishly go on and pretend that it’s business as usual, the crisis will eventually explode into something even worse than what we’re already dealing with. And worse than that, people will lose all faith in the government’s ability to manage a crisis. People will stay home anyway. People will come to work, only to get sick and up going to the ICU by the thousands, only this time it won’t be just in New York City but also in cities and towns across the Heartland. I know, **Asahi**. I’m not saying to foolishly go out and pretend it is business as usual. I am saying a Depression is worth avoiding if we can. When people [ain’t got no home anymore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTnVMulDTYA), do they all migrate out of the South to Texas or California like in the last Depression? Are they all going to gather in homeless camps and get fed in soup kitchens? How is that going to work for containing the virus? Be real about the virus threat. Also be real about the Depression threat, that’s all I’m saying. NOT “be stupid.” > [@](#): > > That’s why I say, as tasteless as it sounds to say it, I think some people need a taste of their own fucking medicine. You want to deny science? You want to laugh because you think you’re somewhere in Kansas and it’s just a blue state, big city, Chinese, Asian disease…well, don’t expect any tears of sympathy from me when I see convoys of trucks carrying out coffins in their cities. I don’t agree with this for the simple reason that I think they are victims. Look at what they are being told by the religious authorities: > [@](#): > > ``` > COVID-19 is a “phantom plague.” > It was created by the Chinese government to tank the U.S. economy. > The media is run by Communists. > There’s a 75% chance the positive test is negative. > Any vaccine will just be a Big Pharma scam. > The outbreak was “planned” at a 2019 event organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. > The “deep state” is feeding Donald Trump misinformation. > The World Health Organization is conducting “medical tyranny” by telling countries how they ought to respond. > Our government has deployed the military for a soon-to-happen war against our national enemies > > ``` On the one hand, yes, we are probably talking about people with lousy educations who are socially trapped by being born into strict religious communities. Not to generalize, but Flint isn’t the only place with lead in the water, it happens when the infrastructure crumbles and the South is some of the worst. Not to generalize but acquaintances swear to me that inbreeding is alive and well in some places. Add it all up and we are talking about people who aren’t always the most informed or equipped with the best judgment. OTOH, none of this makes these guilty people deserving of harm. The problem isn’t them, it is their leaders. \*It is not moral to mislead vulnerable populations just so you can get a tax break or get reelected. \* Yeah, politics is always full of bullshit, but the GOP agenda is entirely selfish and not to the benefit of credulous yokels. It takes advantage of them. I’m not very religious myself but I have more shepherding instinct than any of these religion-screaming partisans- you keep people safe and healthy if you can, and when in a position of authority you lead them in their best interests. There’s a debate about how to do that for sure, but it isn’t “Everybody ignore the pandemic, get 3-10% of yourselves killed so my stock portfolio doesn’t go down.” These people are effectively victims. They are given misinformation by effectively evil people who have their trust. They _should_ know better I guess, but a lot of rural areas especially don’t have internet and they don’t have great access to information. Getting sick isn’t in their interest. A Depression definitely isn’t, either. That’s the “there there”. We should attend to both. It is hard to have the conversation when our leadership is full of idiots, we end up talking about that instead of the matter at hand. So you may be right, practically speaking a lot of hurt may be the only thing that focuses their minds. But for the above reasons I avoid actively wishing them harm, and also because of the moral prohibition against… witchcraft. Hear me out- there’s no such thing as magic, but that is the intent of such sentiments and you should avoid them because of the harmful effects they have on yourself. It’ll turn you into a bitter hater and a magical thinker. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/214 "2020-03-25T16:30:15Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Yep, and that’s why even though what I wrote was “callous,” I just don’t see it that way. Call me vile and evil - I do not give a fuck. > > We don’t have to die because of their ignorance - because a) they don’t have to be ignorant, and b) we shouldn’t be forced to live with the consequences. > > But as it turns out, these fucking “people” _choose_ to be willfully ignorant and we _have_ to live - and die - with the consequences of it. > > Fuck, fuck, fuck them!!! Yep! I have a close friend. His wife is in ICU, most likely dying, from a respiratory infection. (Covid 19? No clue. They may or may not have tested her…Testing here has been extremely low…) He hasn’t seen his wife for a week, and he may never see her again. He’s scared, and worried, and alone. She’s dying, and alone. Their kids can’t travel here to be with him, or say goodbye to their mother. Our friend group can’t come together with hugs and meals and comfort. But we all accept that it has to be this way. It sucks. And I hate that people are inviting this horrifying situation into their own lives by ignoring science. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/215 "2020-03-25T17:09:03Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Look at what they are being told by the religious authorities: > > > [@](#): > > > > COVID-19 is a “phantom plague.” > > It was created by the Chinese government to tank the U.S. economy. > > The media is run by Communists. > > There’s a 75% chance the positive test is negative. > > Any vaccine will just be a Big Pharma scam. > > The outbreak was “planned” at a 2019 event organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. > > The “deep state” is feeding Donald Trump misinformation. > > The World Health Organization is conducting “medical tyranny” by telling countries how they ought to respond. > > Our government has deployed the military for a soon-to-happen war against our national enemies Eh. That particular leader is in Florida; you know how weird (and red) they are. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/216 "2020-03-25T18:13:07Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I am saying a Depression is worth avoiding if we can. Too late. It’s already happened. It just hasn’t finished unfolding yet. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/217 "2020-03-25T18:23:14Z")
Yeah, the Depression is already here. We haven’t yet hit the technical definition yet of a “10% drop in GDP” or “a recession which exceeds 2 years” (gonna :rolleyes: on that last one), but since the reports I’m seeing say that GDP is going to take a $2.5 trillion hit over the next couple of months, with a $21 trillion GDP, we’re pretty much there. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/218 "2020-03-25T19:31:24Z")
I’m looking forward to the Easter parade this year. All those ladies in their FUN hats, and a church social with potluck and ice cream afterwards. Maybe even some Barbershop, and a shuffleboard championship afterwards! It’ll be a Great time for all of us suffering from cabin fever. Thanks for working this out with Jesus, Donald; or whomever you worked it out with. I could **Not** be happier!!! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/219 "2020-03-25T20:22:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > A note to those who wish specific groups would die for the Corona… grandmothers, church goers, libs, conservatives, whatever… > > You can’t offer 1% of the population as an offering to appease a virus. It’s not going to respond: “OK, got my 1%, I’m done.” OTOH, Florida was the red state with the smallest % winning margin in 2016 other than the MI-PA-WI triad, with Trump winning only by 48.6% to 47.4%. If enough of Florida’s Fox News demographic gets the virus, that alone could tip Florida blue in November. If that happened, their sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078/220 "2020-03-25T20:51:04Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Eh. That particular leader is in Florida; you know how weird (and red) they are. The world would be better off if we got rid of that stupid place. That’s right, I’m a Fla. turfer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-president-of-the-united-states-we-cannot-let-the-cure-be-worse-than-the-problem-itself/850078.md?page=12)