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Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 01:39 AM Mar 2020

Thinking about Trump's responses to questions today has made me furious

Trump whining about how he inherited a broken system made me fume all day. Every time I recalled how the GOP cut one social program after another for the past thirty years has set me off. They gleefully cut the safety nets, callously destroyed funding for healthcare, education, children, the elderly, disabled and poor citizens. I wanted to shake a Republican until their teeth rattled.

They did it wantonly and without regard for the wellbeing of the country. They lined their own pockets and when they were full, stuffed their ex-wives', their children's and their mistresses' pockets. They bought the land out from under Americans. Stole the wealth of our nation and replaced it with worthless BS about the benefits that would trickle down on us if we would only tighten our own belts.

They deserve rioting in the streets, but the rest of us are too tired, too poor, too downtrodden at this point. We have lost our way, our minds, our values. These may not be recoverable, but damn if I intend to go down without a fight.

Here's what I am planning to do the next few days.

Sew your own masks. If you don't have a machine, sew them by hand. This is the best pattern I have seen online: https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/

I am going to start sewing these for myself and others. We all should do it. Any scrap fabric. Re-purpose your favorite ratty t-shirt. Jammies. Dishtowels. Old quilts. I am used to seeing Asians wear masks. It surprised me that everyone seemed so reluctant to do so in the US. Mostly, I suspect because there aren't enough. "We don't need no steenkin' masks" they tell us. Well screw that. We do need them. They are better than no protection (like condoms).

And when we go outside, we need to wear a coat with a hoody. Wear swim goggles, or any kind of eyewear you have around. Here are some suggestions for anyone who needs to go out in public but does not have the supplies you need. Dig out an old pair of dishwashing gloves. They are thick plastic and washable. Most of us have a pair somewhere in the house. Desperate times call for desperate measures. You will look like the abominable snowman, but so what. Wash all your clothes when you come back home. Take off your shoes in the house. Outside shoes and inside shoes. Try to limit the times you go out to early mornings or evenings. And wash everything you touch.

Remember, Trump is scarier than the virus. And we've managed to survive his cooties for 3.5 years. We are stronger than we think. Sorry for the long rant, but I am stir crazy after so much social distancing.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Thinking about Trump's responses to questions today has made me furious (Original Post) Generic Other Mar 2020 OP
My cousin sent PDF's of family letters written to my uncles while they were overseas in WWII today. NBachers Mar 2020 #1
My older brother has a pair of booties my dad knitted Generic Other Mar 2020 #2
Rioting in the streets? jimfields33 Mar 2020 #3
I think it is just a nightmare I had Generic Other Mar 2020 #4
Lol. I totally get it. jimfields33 Mar 2020 #5
It's OK as long as the rioters maintain the proper spacing. Gotta stay 6 feet apart. tclambert Mar 2020 #15
We're all Scuba Steve now. SammyWinstonJack Mar 2020 #6
Very cool. Thanks for the link to the pattern!!! PatrickforO Mar 2020 #7
Look Around for Other Patterns: Turn Him Off! McKim Mar 2020 #8
Anything is better than listening to that lying murderer. BigmanPigman Mar 2020 #18
Actually mine snugs up very tight Generic Other Mar 2020 #25
It's quite snug as a shoelace can be tightened to fit Generic Other Mar 2020 #26
Today's presser is even worst and he's doubling down on blaming everyone but himself for his kimbutgar Mar 2020 #9
Tell everyone how the Grotesque Orange Pustule has botched it ... Hermit-The-Prog Mar 2020 #10
They WON'T WORK. Warpy Mar 2020 #11
Yeah, surgical masks are to keep the surgeon from sneezing all over the patient. tclambert Mar 2020 #16
Not every health professional agrees with you Generic Other Mar 2020 #19
I was just thinking it over this morning and changed my mind. tclambert Mar 2020 #21
"Smarter than"? czarjak Mar 2020 #12
A MAGAT? Generic Other Mar 2020 #20
Furious is good. warmfeet Mar 2020 #13
It's the Fuehrer Principle of Infallibility bucolic_frolic Mar 2020 #14
Here Is What He Inherited DallasNE Mar 2020 #17
I want Obama to respond to these viscous lies so bad. I hope he is saving it PaulRevere08 Mar 2020 #22
Orange Hitler gets worse and worse Cary Mar 2020 #23
Love your ideas! But...how he blames Obama for Laura PourMeADrink Mar 2020 #24
Screw Trump Generic Other Mar 2020 #27
You might want to check out his approvals. Laura PourMeADrink Mar 2020 #29
If Pres. Obama left Trump a deficient plan and materials to defend against NCjack Mar 2020 #30
I didn't bother watching him today Niagara Mar 2020 #28
He gives me anxiety chest pain. So, I don't watch or listen to him on TV. NCjack Mar 2020 #31

NBachers

(17,007 posts)
1. My cousin sent PDF's of family letters written to my uncles while they were overseas in WWII today.
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 04:05 AM
Mar 2020

Last edited Sat Mar 21, 2020, 05:19 AM - Edit history (2)

My uncles have been gone quite a while; in fact, we're all getting along in years, too.

But, somehow, reading all these letters while we're separated, confined, and fighting our own attacks, I felt a real kinship with these family. They were younger, more vital and grappling with a world out of their control. They were - the people they were before I ever knew them. And the love and support they showed each other, the togetherness, the letters and packages and war bond drives and involvement with each others' lives - it was like I was reading a blueprint for what we can do. They never abandoned each other; they lived their lives with hope and confirmation and encouragement. They pulled through it, and came out of it to live remarkable lives filled with families and achievements; became the people as I knew them.

This is our version of what they were going through. I'll read their common-day letters of their extraordinary lives and draw inspiration.

You have a good plan, Genetic Other - Do It!

November 7th, 1944: "It's election night here, & Lowell's ear is glued to the radio while I scratch off this note. Of course Roosevelt will win he just wants to know by how much!"



We have our own Roosevelt to put into office.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
2. My older brother has a pair of booties my dad knitted
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 04:22 AM
Mar 2020

while he was hunkered down in a foxhole during the Battle of the Bulge. I often think of that 6'3" ex-boxer in a foxhole in the dead of winter knitting.

jimfields33

(15,473 posts)
3. Rioting in the streets?
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 04:24 AM
Mar 2020

I think that’s a terrible choice. No matter how protected you can get, it won’t be enough. And just what we need a bunch of people in jails. Plus most of the population that would participate are in total lockdown.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
4. I think it is just a nightmare I had
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 10:23 AM
Mar 2020

There's so much simmering anger. Of course, I do not advocate such an idea.

jimfields33

(15,473 posts)
5. Lol. I totally get it.
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 10:27 AM
Mar 2020

I feel like we are in this huge coffee maker (old fashioned one) on the stove and when it’s done it’s going to explode. I really feel that way. Right now there is a ton of patient people. That’s gone soon. And when it goes it’s going to be ugly.

tclambert

(11,080 posts)
15. It's OK as long as the rioters maintain the proper spacing. Gotta stay 6 feet apart.
Sun Mar 22, 2020, 12:16 AM
Mar 2020

And no linking arms to make a human chain to block the streets.

The riot police can still stand with overlapping shields, as long as they have N95 masks or better. When they make arrests, only one rioter per vehicle. After every arrest, they have to wash their hands.

In the jails, they're going to have to . . . well, I can't think of any way to make that situation safe.

PatrickforO

(14,516 posts)
7. Very cool. Thanks for the link to the pattern!!!
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 12:37 PM
Mar 2020

Yeah, Trump is scary, for sure, but so is this virus. Watching MSNBC this morning. If we don't have a big stimulus, like a mind-bogglingly big stimulus, we'll go into depression.

Supplies for the front line people.

The supply infrastructure to get them there.

Thinking about medicines we'll need down the line like inhalers.

And also taking into account the needs of small businesses to stay afloat, and the need to figure how to transport food to people who are beginning to go hungry, while still having people who are working and getting paid be able to shop regularly at supermarkets.

That's only the tip of the iceberg, but Trump isn't doing any of this. Instead he's lying about hospital ships and miracle drugs. The guy reminds me of Hitler in his bunker during the last days of the war sending phantom divisions against allied armies. He's pathetic.

I called and left messages with both my Senators today asking they invoke the 25th and get this guy out of office.

McKim

(2,412 posts)
8. Look Around for Other Patterns: Turn Him Off!
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 02:09 PM
Mar 2020

I have seen other patterns that look more effective. Check around. Elastic is important as it holds the mask tight. I would not use just chord. Be judicious in your choice of patterns and materials.

By the way I saw the beginning of Trump’s presser and I turned the channel quickly to Allen Smith’s Garden Home on public TV. Just turn him off. The networks need the message that we are done with Trump’s madness based campaign ads.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
25. Actually mine snugs up very tight
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:29 AM
Mar 2020


YOu put the loop around the back of your neck and synch up the strings. It is my own innovation. Use shoestring. Elastic is now in short supply. Hospitals are using rubber bands and paper clips.

I had a bunch of shoe laces for some reason, but old rope or clothesline would work. I will post a pic of someone wearing this. Hold on.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
26. It's quite snug as a shoelace can be tightened to fit
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:54 AM
Mar 2020


If you want the nose area snugger, put a twist tie inside to push over your nose. Then get out some swim goggles and plastic dishwashing gloves. The best look in town. People will cast envious glances your way!

Also don't wear the outside shoes or clothes in the house. Be like the Japanese, the Taiwanese, and South Koreans who are fighting the virus by doing what they have always done.

We are all in it to win it.

kimbutgar

(20,882 posts)
9. Today's presser is even worst and he's doubling down on blaming everyone but himself for his
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 02:16 PM
Mar 2020

Incompetence.

Warpy

(110,913 posts)
11. They WON'T WORK.
Sat Mar 21, 2020, 06:47 PM
Mar 2020

Look at that fabric, not the holes between the threads. Every one of hose holes is an open airplane hangar door to a virus particle. When the mask gets wet from condensation (which happens in about 5 minutes), transport through those holes is facilitated by the moisture.

What they will do is remind you not to stick your fingers in your face while you are out and until you can wash your hands. They are useless as protective equipment.

I'm sorry to rain so hard on your parade, but that's why hospitals don't use them, even in an emergency. They aren't just useless, when they're wet they can be counterproductive.

tclambert

(11,080 posts)
16. Yeah, surgical masks are to keep the surgeon from sneezing all over the patient.
Sun Mar 22, 2020, 12:21 AM
Mar 2020

N95 masks have elastic bands to keep them tight and contoured borders to fit snugly against bare skin.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
19. Not every health professional agrees with you
Sun Mar 22, 2020, 02:41 AM
Mar 2020

"The masks will, however, block most large respiratory droplets from other people’s sneezes and coughs from entering your mouth and nose, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Coronaviruses are primarily spread through droplets, he said."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/health/coronavirus-surgical-masks.html

tclambert

(11,080 posts)
21. I was just thinking it over this morning and changed my mind.
Sun Mar 22, 2020, 11:52 AM
Mar 2020

The masks won't stop everything, but they will stop some, and that could buy a person's immune system some time. The viruses will double their population in some amount of time. Going from one virus to a thousand takes 10 doublings. Going to a million takes another 10. And going to a billion takes another 10.

If you start with an infection of just one virus, it takes 30 doublings to get to a billion. If you start with a thousand, it only takes 20 doublings. So starting with fewer viruses gives your immune system a little longer to ramp up antibody production. If your immune system gets ahead of the virus (killing them faster than they replicate), you win. A little extra time for your immune system to get going might keep the number of viruses from overloading your system.

My conclusion today is: A bad mask is better than no mask.

PaulRevere08

(449 posts)
22. I want Obama to respond to these viscous lies so bad. I hope he is saving it
Sun Mar 22, 2020, 01:01 PM
Mar 2020

for when the Democratic candidates go full bore to take over the Senate and the WH. Then he'll unload salvo after salvo on the stench that currently defiles the WH. Hopefully.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
24. Love your ideas! But...how he blames Obama for
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:19 AM
Mar 2020

the "disaster we were left with?"

WTF..? Susan Rice disputed. But hell time to go bigger. Obama, stand up for yourself!! His brainwash games on this will build steam. WTF is he talking about?




Generic Other

(28,979 posts)
27. Screw Trump
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 12:58 AM
Mar 2020

We will let them contaminate each other in the Senate gym and swimming pool. We are in full on self-determination mode here. Not by oiur own choice, but by necessity.

Be an ant not a grasshopper, my friend.

NCjack

(10,279 posts)
30. If Pres. Obama left Trump a deficient plan and materials to defend against
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 09:19 AM
Mar 2020

Coronavirus, why didn't Trump use the past 3 years to fix that? He dismantled what Obama left him. He did nothing positive to replace what he destroyed. Instead, he campaigned for the 2020 election, puffing and preening.

Niagara

(7,407 posts)
28. I didn't bother watching him today
Mon Mar 23, 2020, 01:06 AM
Mar 2020

Since he always makes me furious. Lie, blame Pres. Obama, repeat the same catch phrases, lie some more, and having his people kiss his ass.

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