Corona Cabin Fever?

N&N - That would seem to be the case. Seems as though Sweden may have had a certain amount of luck, that has now run out. For comparison, I looked at numbers from a country of roughly the same size (Greece), that had locked down early. Comparing that to Sweden, you can see where Greece flattened their curve where Sweden has shown a marked recent increase.

Portugal is similar in size and locked down nearly a month ago and it's curve looks kind of similar to Sweden, which still hasn't locked down as far as I can tell. It's still kind of impressive that Sweden's curve took so long to see an abrupt change considering they haven't locked down, but I suspect they will soon.

"Oregon reverses the measure either last year or the year before."

Sort of. I double checked, because I haven't driven to California in more than a year, and apparently it's true that in some counties in Oregon you can pump your own gas, but only rural counties. Or at least that was true until the state shut down for COVID-19. Now you can pump your own gas until at least tomorrow.

Not arguing why NJ hasn’t changed their antiquated gas pump laws, Oregon reverses the measure either last year or the year before. Agree with everybody that being on lockdown absolutely blows, however, Sweden is a great example of why we are on lockdown. Over the past 2 weeks the numbers in Sweden are going through the roof.

One - Again, you're missing the point. The gas in NJ is but one example. I'll pick on my current state since your knickers seem to be in a twist from picking on NJ.

In the land of Live Free and Die, there is no mandatory seat belt use required if you're over 18. NH trusts it's people will do the right thing. Most, but not all do (hence the "and Die" part ;-) Texting and driving is another. It's against the law in virtually every state, but more often than not I'd see people doing it when I drove to/from work.

The context for my original statement was related to how Sweden didn't shut down like all other countries and, so far, their rate of infection seems no worse than others that have. If that remains the way, I think it speaks more to them as a people.

The question was, "So why did the US have to?" For the above reasons and more, we see too many cases of people in the US not doing the right thing, which is at least one reason why I believe we see and perhaps need more restrictive measures than Sweden.

It's one thing if you're just putting yourself at risk, but there are just too many in the US that don't care about putting others at risk because of their actions.

Oregon also does not allow you to pump your own gas. Since I doubt Oregonians are any less competent than Californians or Washingtonians, I've always just assumed it has something to do with employment. Not sure how other people do it, but I really hate waiting while someone comes to do the half-assed job I could do myself, so when I drive to and from California, I get gas before I enter Oregon and then just drive through without stopping.

Mayhem it's only YOUR OPINION (yes I can capitalize for effect too) that the reason one can't pump gas in New Jersey is because there is such a multitude of individuals who are incapable of doing so without doing harm to themselves or others that the rest of the state deems it necessary to stop all people from pumping gas.

Pricing, jobs and convenience have been the reason behind not following the rest of the country when it's been brought up in the legislature to change the law.

While we may have our fair share of people who would smoke, leave the car running and drive off while still attached it's unlikely we have anymore than in any other state. We New Jersey residents have been known to work and travel outside of the state (pre corona) and I've yet to see a study claiming we cause more gas station related problems outside of our state than other travelers.

Andrews not the one that originally said that that’s a quote from another poster

Well said Vegas cuople But explaining anything to him is a exercise in futility. Claims a lot of stuff he is not One thing he has is an alligators mouth and a hummingbird asshole

The point wasn't whether you WANTED to do something or not. The point is that you are not ALLOWED to do something because enough people can't be trusted to do the right thing.

Actually Mayhem most of us here in New Jersey feel that getting out of the car during inclement weather to get gasoline odor on ourselves while depriving someone of a job is a privilege we can do without.

Andrew said, "Here is what I hear a lot of you saying.
I have no intention of putting a gun to my (or my wife's/parent's/child's) head and pulling the trigger but I'll be DAMNED if the government thinks it can tell me not to!"

It's hard for me to believe that anyone is saying that. After briefly reading your comments that is exactly what you are doing putting a guy to your wife and children. Yes, the government does tell you what to do. If you shoot your neighbor and take his toilet paper, you will be arrested and charged with murder. I f you drive your car 150 mph you will be arrested. If you want to build a pig farm next to my house the government will stop you from doing it.

Here's what really pisses me off. We are sitting at home. We were supposed to be at Hedonism right now. The Jamaican government passed a law that everyone coming into the country would be guaranteed to their room for 14 days. The US now has 435,000 cases of Coronavirus. That number is higher than the next three countries combined. The reason is that our Supreme Leader had your attitude about the virus and he didn't want it to affect his reelection. It is people with your attitude who are going to make this last much longer, cost much more, and kill more people. It's time to start thinking with the big head and protect your wife and family!

AR - There are people doing stupid things everywhere, but if asked if I'd expect 50 random people from Sweden or the US to just "do the right thing", I'd pick the 50 random people from Sweden, and No, I've never even been to Sweden ;-)

I HAVE been to NJ, where it is against the law to pump your own gas. Why? Mainly because they couldn't trust people not to smoke, or to turn their car off before filling it, or from trying to drive off with the nozzle still in the their car.

"Here is what I hear a lot of you saying.

I have no intention of putting a gun to my (or my wife's/parent's/child's) head and pulling the trigger but I'll be DAMNED if the government thinks it can tell me not to!"

Yeah, it's called America. Governors, mayors, and health dept. directors, in a grand nationwide act of bipartisan fuckery, are acting like kings while they take a big smelly dump all over the first and fifth amendments of the U.S. Constitution, maybe the second amendment too depending on where you live, and their state constitutions in most cases. Some of us have an issue with that.

Now maybe you could make an argument to justify that if it was a real killer virus that lived up to its hype, but it doesn't. The projections were absurd on their face, which any thinking person should have been able to see. Also, don't try to tell me that this lockdown bullshit had anything to do with it. There's no spike in the death rate from last year to this year, and you should look up SWEDEN. Do it yourself if you care. They didn't lock down. The only restriction is no groups over 50 people. Bars, restaurants, stores, malls, most schools and businesses, STILL OPEN, and have been the entire time, while their infection and death rate IS THE FUCKING SAME AS THE COUNTRIES THAT SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN! None of this bullshit was necessary. If you look it up, some of what you will find is people in other countries getting mad at Sweden, because Sweden is making the leaders of other countries look like either FOOLS, or people using manufactured fear to push some other agenda.

Wait, what? I am in agreement with Fred outside of sports?

Maybe this really is the end of the world as we know it. ;^D

~Scamp

Fred is absolutely correct. Even though I'm telecommuting 90% of the time, there are times I have to head to the office as an essential employee. I'd stay in 100% of the time if I could, but it's not what I signed up for.

I think it’s important for people to understand there are essential employees that have to be out there. They are taking a risk just being out there. So everybody should follow all guidelines to help keep the essential employees safe and able to do their job without added risk that could have been prevented.

"You shouldn't have to lie, but then, you shouldn't be out risking your health and the health of others just to prove a point either."

^This^

~Scamp

At least for now, people are allowed to walk/jog/bike where I'm at so long as you keep your distance. Getting groceries is essential, so that is of course allowed. If you REALLY wanted to visit a friend (assuming you have friends that would even entertain company right now) and got stopped for some reason, you can always say you're going out for food/supplies.

You shouldn't have to lie, but then, you shouldn't be out risking your health and the health of others just to prove a point either.

Luckily we live in a rural area of Downeast Maine, we are able to go for walks without contact with other people. We also try to work out at home. It keeps us away from the cabin fever at least a little bit. When this is over a bouncy party sounds like fun even if we do have to travel across the State to get there.

Sometimes it takes hyperbole to get a point across. ;^D

~Scamp

_rabbit_n_scamp_ pretty much although the analogy is a bit over the top.

Here is what I hear a lot of you saying.

I have no intention of putting a gun to my (or my wife's/parent's/child's) head and pulling the trigger but I'll be DAMNED if the government thinks it can tell me not to!

~Scamp

Our governor just issues a statewide "Home or Work" order but there are exceptions for necessities. Problem is with a guy like me I now want to go places and walk around in defiance. I also will not be pleasant when the jackboot wearing enforcers ask for my papers. Of course staying home is pretty much my normal day to day activity as we live well out of town and with the pond out back I have everything I could want except for a little variety in fishing location or species sought.

This bring us to the real reason many are staying home even with plenty of invites to do otherwise. "Heading to my FWB house." is not a legitimate reason to be out when such orders are given. Here you will face a fine or 30 days in jail and that assumes you handle the stop well (normally I would but not so much right now). It has gone from voluntarily staying home and keeping your distance to being forced to.

@ne

A "drain on healthcare" is one thing but being a carrier of a virus that will kill people you randomly bump into is another level.

It's good that most of us are staying in and hopefully this push back on infringement of our rights won't encourage people to disobey common sense restrictions designed to save lives.

~Scamp

Mayhem, when this is over, you should set up the boucey house at your next party. It can't be much worse than the air mattresses at that "other" party