Schrodinger’s Cat coronavirus conundrum

Schrodinger’s Virus joke that is both funny and not funny at the same time.

Medium offers a quick read (3 minutes) making a somewhat humorous connection between coronavirus data lag and Schrodinger’s Cat. Time is relative, after all. As varying degrees of quarantine continue, days become weeks become months. What feels like a minor inconvenience to me feels like a prison sentence to others. Madonna thinks coronavirus is the great equalizer but scientists disagree because data proves we’re not all impacted in the same ways. Two decidedly different coronavirus camps are emerging, divided primarily along political lines: 

SIDE A:  Commerce must resume immediately so people can get back to work and save the economy. A prolonged shutdown would be more disruptive, and cause more deaths, than a quick return to normalcy. Peaceful protest and the right to assemble are constitutionally protected by the first amendment.  (NOTE: Some of the politically conservative and mostly white citizens who recently protested to reopen the economy purportedly argued against predominantly black and brown people organizing to protest racial inequality in the US; the Black Lives Matter movement, for example.)   

SIDE B:  Physical distancing restrictions and stay at home orders enforced during this global crisis are extraordinary and temporary measures in the interest of public health necessary to flatten the curve and save lives. Scientists and medical doctors are the experts best prepared to manage a pandemic, not politicians and business leaders. (NOTE: The Fridays for Future movement has evolved to include digital climate strikes utilizing social media and video conference technology, proving that people can safely protest online without endangering lives by assembling in public via mass gatherings.)

The moderate centrist within me believes saving lives and saving the economy are both important goals. In Schrodinger’s world, both sides could be right or wrong simultaneously. Dueling interpretations = why some folks hate science. Weird science just don’t make no sense.

Weird Science comic book cover

Wanting to learn more about the ReOpenNC movement, I searched for their Facebook group page but it was not available. It is my understanding the group is private, accepting new members by invitation only. A little sleuthing revealed Tim D’Annunzio is organizing transportation for their next planned protest Tuesday April 21. Dr. Rosemary Hernandez Stein also supports reopening. #ReOpenNC is somewhat active on Twitter. I also stumbled upon an e-commerce site selling stickers and t-shirts.

In an attempt to connect with and learn from people on both sides of the debate, I ended up joining two Facebook groups: Keep Closed or Reopen NC (1,500 members) and Stay Home NC (12,700 members). Both are open to the public and have reasonable group rules to foster respectful discussion. 

*4PM UPDATE: I have been accepted into the ReopenNC group which has 58,000 members. (There is also a Keep NC Closed group with 300 members but I'm going to pass on that one for now.) Exx Montana posted a provocative video to the reopen folks from the perspective of keeping NC closed; unfortunately I don't think it is helping to bridge the gap between the two sides. Michael Morgan posted a press release video representing Stay Home NC which is in my opinion a more respectful effort to communicate with both sides. Open the States is another organization posting on social media claiming to be grassroots but seemingly well funded and organized by Convention of States.

The Pew Research Center asked nearly 5,000 people between April 7 – 12 if they were more worried about state governments lifting restrictions on public activities too quickly or not quickly enough. By a 2-to-1 margin, most said they were more concerned about the possibility of a spike in infections if restrictions are lifted too quickly. Pew found 73 percent of Americans thought the worst was still to come in the coronavirus outbreak, while just 26 percent thought the worst had already happened. 

Another poll result came from Gallup: Among 2,400 respondents questioned between April 10 – 12, more Americans said they are worried about getting sick from COVID-19 than about severe financial hardship because of the economic slowdown.

I personally agree with the majority opinions of both surveys. That’s why I stay home 99% of the time, only leaving to buy food and supplies. When I do go out I am extremely careful, wearing both gloves and a mask. And I only go to businesses implementing safety protocols for the protection of employees and shoppers. Interactions with family and friends are currently limited to phone calls, texts, emails, direct messages, video chats and social media.

I believe NC Gov Roy Cooper aims to balance public health and economic recovery with plans to test, trace, trend and I support the steps he has taken so far. I also believe we need better and faster and more easily accessible testing for this plan to work as intended. Whether you agree or disagree with the strategy, folks can share feedback with Gov Cooper and the NC General Assembly online. 

COVID-19 Venn diagram: sweet spot between saving lives and reviving the economy

Giving President Trump the benefit of the doubt, I want to trust that he has good intentions; that he is doing what he believes in his heart will save more lives. My perspective is different so I tend to think he may be misguided and/or misinformed much of the time. However, I trust that governments and scientists around the world are working hard to manage the crisis, and to develop a vaccine as quickly as possible. I have faith that someone, somewhere eventually will succeed. 

Cynics and skeptics may assume #ReopenNow folks care more about money than human lives but I think that’s an unfair oversimplification. Some are likely looking at the financial aspect of the crisis from the perspective of a business owner or worker, wanting a quick return to normalcy to preserve the only life they know how to live. Some may be familiar with the military strategy of acceptable losses; sacrifice a few to save many. Some may doubt currently available scientific knowledge; the virus is so new that even experts know relatively little beyond basic data points and projections. Some may be overwhelmed by the amount of information bombarding us on a daily basis, unable to discern between fact and propaganda. And some may simply be relying on faith, hope, and optimism along with coping and defense mechanisms to survive in these uncertain times.

I think there are people on both sides of the debate who are scared, sometimes acting and reacting out of fear and panic. As stress levels rise, it becomes even more challenging to stay calm and to think rationally. That’s why I started Pfafftown Corona Chronicles: to calm myself and others through education. Instead of demonizing and mistrusting all sources as fake news, I take the time to research, fact check, and verify before sharing. Over time I’m learning which news organizations are more trustworthy and less biased than others.

As a middle aged, middle class white woman with enough financial security to retire early, I’m not facing the same risks or stresses as most people right now. Plus not everyone has the same amounts of time or energy for deep dives into COVID rabbit holes. Regardless, I try not to judge people who are different from me. We don’t have to literally walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to realize how hard life is for them. Stop and think for a moment. Try imagining this crisis from a perspective other than your own. Just try. 

I honestly and truly empathize with people who are struggling. To anyone who has lost a job or may soon lose a job, I hope our government soon will approve additional funding for continued basic income until you are able to work again. To anyone who has lost a loved one or is scared about the spread of the virus, I hope you are able to protect yourself along with family and friends.

Whether we realize it or not, we’re all in this together. *cringe* and *sigh* Ugh, yeah, I know, that phrase is annoyingly trite, but it’s true. Regardless of our individual circumstances or heartfelt positions, we can all contribute to the joint effort to defeat COVID-19 on our own terms. If you stay home to save lives, you are helping. If you aren’t able to stay home (or choose not to stay home), you can still be helpful by taking simple precautions to protect yourself and others. Both options can be part of the solution. 

If you’re not comfortable being a Couch Potatriot, please don’t be a #COVIDIOT. Coronavirus is our mutual enemy; we have that in common. There may be setbacks along the way, disagreements, battles lost, but I believe we will eventually win the war. Fighting coronavirus is like training for a marathon, not a quick sprint. Let’s focus on the true enemy, the virus, and stop firing shots at each other. Let’s take the targets off our perceived opponents and put them squarely on COVID-19 where they belong. 

I'm gonna get off my soapbox now. 

In the spirit of spreading happy, positive, and/or silly vibes:

• Honest Trailer for the movie Cats will give you nightmares, just like the movie.
• HISHE (how it should have ended) fixed animated Spider Man 3.
• Ryan George (of Screen Rant Pitch Meeting fame) time traveler discovers physical distancing.
• Steel Panther shares a public service announcement.
• Villain Pub gives us Palpatine’s quarantine.

Daily pandemic update:  

Spain reported its lowest daily death toll in nearly a month with 410 new deaths, bringing the total to 20,453 among 195,944 cases. Turkey surpassed Iran for the most infections in the Middle East, as cases there rose to 82,329.  Aljazeera.com timeline

19 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
11:38 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	2,275,782	2,347,887	156,104	161,138	582,443	605,718
US	710,272	738,923	37,175	39,015	63,510	68,285
NY	231,691	242,570	12,822	17,627	28,227	28,884
CT	16,809	17,550	1,036	1,086	63	63
NC	6,200	6,378	182	192	997	1,177

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously. Today Greg noticed a significant discrepancy looking at US and NY death rate changes from yesterday to today. I double checked the data sets to confirm. Can't explain the discrepancy, other than possible data lag and/or source input error. 
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live in NC. 
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/     https://www.coronainusa.com/  

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 in the US.

In the news: 

• Experts worry politics will influence voters’ pandemic precautions.
• Some NC beaches reopening with restrictions; others remain closed.
• Big box stores restrict sales of nonessential items to deter pleasure shoppers. 
• Coronavirus has transformed how Americans spend money.
• IMF chief discussed what coronavirus means for global economy.
• Kansas couple lost 5 jobs between them due to coronavirus economic crisis.
• Axios explored deepening divides in Darwinian US economy.
• Vox explored multiple plans to reopen the economy.
• Gallup poll: Trump ratings drop while Congressional approval is on the rise.
• Rep Gaetz, Senators Burr and Loeffler still in the news for ethics concerns.
• Trump is critical of Drudge and Fox News while praising OANN.
• More than 300,000 pressure networks to end live coverage of daily briefings.
• Nearly 1/3 of Americans didn’t pay April rent; some landlords solicited sex in exchange.
• As hotels feed and shelter front line medical workers, Trump properties opt out.
• If you have difficulty breathing, UK doc advises deep breaths, hold for 5 seconds, cough, repeat; avoid lying on your back for prolonged periods of time.

Following Kenny Beck’s lead to share a few signs of hope:

• 7^th grader sews 60 masks a day to help first responders.
• Beautiful acts of kindness exist amid the outbreak.
• Cindy’s Snow Creamery in Clemmons is now open; physical distancing enforced. 
• Community honors beloved veteran with drive through funeral.
• Coors Light delivers beer to 93 year old woman in quarantine.
• Dole is donating more than 2 million pounds of fresh produce.
• Florida community throws parade for teen with special needs.
• Make-a-Wish gets creative to help 3 year-old.
• Matterhorn in Swiss Alps lit up with American flag and messages of hope.

In my personal life…

The Raleigh News & Observer is documenting how NC grocery stores are protecting their employees and shoppers. Based on my own personal experiences as well as testimonials from Greg and a few trusted friends, I can confirm Food Lion stores in Winston Salem and Greensboro are taking proactive steps: limiting number of shoppers allowed in store at same time, employee near entrance sanitizing carts and greeting/counting shoppers, masks and gloves for employees, plexi-glass shield between cashier and shoppers, and card reader covered in plastic except for card slot. Despite Harris Teeter’s claims, some regional stores had not implemented safety protocols as of April 15; also some associates working in distribution centers have been infected. Local Publix coronavirus mitigation steps also are inconsistent.

Walgreens placed arrows on the floor to create one way traffic flow in the aisles to minimize customer interactions, and signs near the check-out counter designating safe distances between customers while waiting in line. 

Minerva’s friends at Arcadia Veterinarian Hospital closed their lobby to conduct business via curbside and phone.

Local banks and credit unions closed their lobbies though ATMs and drive thru tellers remain open.

Both NAPA and O’Reilly auto parts stores facilitate safer commerce, maintaining safe distance between employees and shoppers by passing products and receipts via a box attached to a long broom handle.

Myers Greenhouse had not initiated any observable safety protocols when I was there a few weeks ago, though most customers attempted to keep a safe physical distance from one another.

Burger King, Chic-fil-A, Dairi-O and other fast food restaurants have adopted safety protocols including contactless drive thru. Marco’s Pizza offers contactless carry-out and delivery. Amazing Thailand in King modified the layout of their restaurant by moving tables and chairs out of the way to make room for customers to physically distance while waiting to pick up meals. Biscuitville attempted contactless food service but measures have not been consistent day to day. 

Those are the only businesses we can personally vouch for at this time. We don’t know what’s happening at other places so please let us know about your favorites. Hopefully lots of others are taking precautionary steps too. 

We’re learning that physical distancing is different from social distancing. Greg interacts with a few coworkers though they try hard to maintain a safe physical distance. I do the same when I chat with neighbors during walks with Minerva. Although we haven’t visited with any family or friends since stay at home orders went into effect, we’re staying socially connected via a variety of technologies: phone calls and WhatsApp video chats with son Reid, phone calls and Facetime with son Austin, phone calls and texts with brother Randy and sister-friend Tonya, emails and Zoom video chats to connect with my friends, phone calls and text messages between Greg and his buddies. If schedules can be coordinated next week we’re probably going to Facetime with several of Greg’s family to celebrate two upcoming birthdays. Life is different now but we are not isolated or lonely, not much. 

Also want to share that we know several people who have switched to online church services; we don’t know anyone still attending brick and mortar churches during the pandemic. Greg’s friend Matt continues to golf when he can, though he says folks keep a safe distance from one another.

Bottom line: we are adapting to make the best of the situation. Current normal is not how we used to live, but it is manageable. Life goes on. Life finds a way. 

Jurassic Park film quote memes...