# Things we are tired of hearing about COVID-19 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718 "2020-04-13T19:40:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/1 "2020-04-13T19:40:54Z")
1. Everyday when the local news outlet posts COVID-19 stats in my state, the comments section ALWAYS has the following: -A list of annual deaths from the flu, cancer, car accidents blah blah blah (even though COVID-19 is the #1 cause of death in the United States) -A plea for the media to post COVID-19 recoveries -Blaming the media for creating panic -The people died from something else, and the doctors are falsely attributing the deaths to COVID-19 2. Commercials starting with “in these troubled times”. We know things are fucked up. Just get on with the pitch. 3. Claims by people that they were infected waaaaay back in October, and the virus was in the United States the whole time. No you weren’t. You had the flu. Besides there was no test in the United States for COVID-19 in October so how do you know you had it? What is it a badge of honor for you? 4. Dr. Fauci bashing. Yeah, he keeps lowering his projections because safety measures are in place. Yeah, hes only been the pandemic adviser to 6 Presidents. He’s a real idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/2 "2020-04-13T19:51:43Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Commercials starting with “in these troubled times”. We know things are fucked up. Just get on with the pitch. Not to mention all the ads that say “We’re here for you.” Were they not there for us before? ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/3 "2020-04-13T19:59:30Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Not to mention all the ads that say “We’re here for you.” Were they not there for us before? Or “in these uncertain times”… Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/4 "2020-04-14T11:45:37Z")
I don’t think that #3 is a badge of honor thing so much as wishful thinking. Who wouldn’t want to believe that some minor illness they had improbably early was Covid-19 so they no longer have to worry that when they catch it it’ll be serious? ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/5 "2020-04-14T14:04:57Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Not to mention all the ads that say “We’re here for you.” Were they not there for us before? I’m much more relaxed now that so many car companies “have my back”. I was quite concerned about survival in these troubled times, until they provided comfort and reassurance. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/6 "2020-04-14T14:39:02Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 1. Claims by people that they were infected waaaaay back in October, and the virus was in the United States the whole time. > No you weren’t. You had the flu. Besides there was no test in the United States for COVID-19 in October so how do you know you had it? What is it a badge of honor for you? I want to tell them to go volunteer at a hospital, since they’re obviously immune now. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/7 "2020-04-14T15:02:29Z")
All the denier stuff. Things like “I’d risk dying to help the economy.” “It’s just like the flu.” etc. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/8 "2020-04-14T15:12:27Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Not to mention all the ads that say “We’re here for you.” Were they not there for us before? What an odd inference. If you’re personally going through a tough time, and a friend tells you they’re there for you, does it mean that they weren’t previously? That said, no, a random large corporation is not there for you. Obviously. Not now, not then. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/9 "2020-04-16T04:46:49Z")
I hate to add this one, but “We’ll all get through this together!” Unfortunately, no we won’t. 2% of us that get this will die. And besides that how does that make the families and friends of those that died of this feel? Maybe it should be amended to “We’ll all get through this together: except your dead grandma at the nursing home, that is.” ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/10 "2020-04-16T06:29:46Z")
The speed with which all of these corprorations’ commercials shifted to pandemic themes makes me wonder if the ad agencies have templates such as “catastrophic meteor strike promotions,” “catchy pandemic slogans,” or “ideal nuclear conflict catch phrases.” ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/11 "2020-04-16T06:53:49Z")
> [@syncrolecyne](#): > > The speed with which all of these corprorations’ commercials shifted to pandemic themes makes me wonder if the ad agencies have templates such as “catastrophic meteor strike promotions,” “catchy pandemic slogans,” or “ideal nuclear conflict catch phrases.” “Ever since the dead began rising from their graves to feast on the living, times have been tougher than ever. That’s why Dollar Shave Club is committed to keeping you looking as sharp as the machete you’ve been cradling in your sleep in the event that the Hungry find their way into your camp…” ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/12 "2020-04-16T06:58:53Z")
Epoch Times ads on seemingly every Youtube video. Never heard of them before and now they’re everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/13 "2020-04-16T07:37:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > looking as sharp as the machete you’ve been cradling in your sleep in the event that the Hungry find their way into your camp… I resemble that remark. I mean, not the machete, of course, that would be ridiculous. Folding knife. Can you imagine curling up with a machete? What if you rolled over it? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/14 "2020-04-16T08:43:34Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Can you imagine curling up with a machete? What if you rolled over it? Well, that’s exactly why you need the all-new Dr. Carver’s Executive Machete Sheath, available exclusively from Dollar Shave Club. ---
**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 16, 2020, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/15 "2020-04-16T09:40:14Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > 1. Commercials starting with “in these troubled times”. We know things are fucked up. Just get on with the pitch. They’re doing that where you live? Wow, that’s cringeworthy. I haven’t noticed any ads of that sort here. There are plenty of public service ads concerning the pandemic itself, but no for-profit companies seem to be exploiting or even acknowledging the current situation in their television sales pitches. Then again, I don’t watch a lot of TV, so it’s possible I have missed some. (OTOH, I have seen a few print ads that mention the lockdown, but these are usually just overprints of existing ad campaigns mentioning that whatever they’re selling is available only through their online stores and not in person.) ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/16 "2020-04-16T15:19:47Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > They’re doing that where you live? Wow, that’s cringeworthy. I haven’t noticed any ads of that sort here. There are plenty of public service ads concerning the pandemic itself, but no for-profit companies seem to be exploiting or even acknowledging the current situation in their television sales pitches. Then again, I don’t watch a lot of TV, so it’s possible I have missed some. (OTOH, I have seen a few print ads that mention the lockdown, but these are usually just overprints of existing ad campaigns mentioning that whatever they’re selling is available only through their online stores and not in person.) Not “troubled times” but I’d say 1/3 of the ads have language with “in these times” or “in these uncertain times” or “we know things are different” and similar reminders. ENOUGH! ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/17 "2020-04-16T15:59:43Z")
I’m tired of hearing this stuff about high risk people being the most likely to die. Yeah, that’s what high risk means, but low risk doesn’t mean no-risk. Then this stuff about,“oh, they had comorbidity,” which I expect half the people who use that word don’t even know what it means. Many of these comorbid disorders are things like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and hypertension. All of which people can live with for decades. 1 out of 3 adults in the US has hypertension; about 1 in 10 have diabetes; and about 4 out of 10 are obese. These aren’t rare immune disorders and things, but stuff that large portions of all age groups suffer from. The most common comorbid condition for those under 50 admitted to the ICU is obesity. So are you in your 30s, but maybe carrying 50 extra pounds? You’re in the high risk category. I think it’s the general belief and wishful thinking, that COVID-19 complications are something that _somebody_ _else_ has to worry about. “It won’t affect me.” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/18 "2020-04-16T22:59:17Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Not “troubled times” but I’d say 1/3 of the ads have language with “in these times” or “in these uncertain times” or “we know things are different” and similar reminders. ENOUGH! I posted [this](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=22243815&postcount=115) about five days ago in the April mini-rants thread: > [@Locked Down Laments (April Mini-Rants)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locked-down-laments-april-mini-rants/850757/115): > > Be glad you’re not getting inundated with the Chinese expression, “This special situation”. I echo and reiterate your suggestion, even for the Chinese. > > No! This is not a special time; it’s a damn disaster, a pandemic. Special would be graduating from university, falling in love, giving away your daughter at her wedding, or seeing your grandchild for the first time. This is not even close to any of those. > > Nor is this time uncertain. We know what is happening and we know who is screwing up the response to it. If anything, this is now the most certain time in the history of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/19 "2020-04-17T19:33:54Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > -A list of annual deaths from the flu, cancer, car accidents blah blah blah (even though COVID-19 is the #1 cause of death in the United States) > . I doubt that COVID-19 is the #1 cause of death in the US, even right now. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2020, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718/21 "2020-04-17T19:51:20Z")
> [@NastyNas](#): > > I’m tired of celebrities with mansions telling me to stay home. It must be easy when your house has a tennis court. And servants. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-we-are-tired-of-hearing-about-covid-19/851718.md?page=2)