New Forum & News Updates

[Robert99]

Arizona has gotten the word about the virus.

The Governor has closed all K-12 schools until further notice.  The University of Arizona in Tucson will be online only from the end of the spring break on Tuesday.  Students have been told to vacate the dorms by Tuesday and will need permission to come on campus for the rest of this semester.  I imagine that the other universities in Arizona are doing the same thing.

There has been a run on local stores for the last several days.  There are many bare shelves.  I don't think the local stores have been holding anything back so those shelves will probably stay bare for some time.  But a nephew in the DFW area tells me that things are so bad there that he couldn't even find a bag of corn chips in a Costco store on Friday.

FULL DISCLOSURE:  I started getting ready for this day back in January and could probably survive without pain for the next two months without having to leave my house.

[Bruce A. Smith]

I think we all will have a Covid story to tell, and as this pandemic unfolds I'd love to hear yours. I've started keeping a Covid Journal at the Mountain New-WA, and I invite y'all to visit it. Add your comments as you see fit. Or email.

Here's my latest entry:

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[Parrotheadvol]

I hope my Covid story is boring and uneventful. It hasn't hit my hometown in Tennessee yet, but everyone is still taking precautions and raiding grocery stores. I haven't felt too uneasy about it until today. Right now, I'm in a hotel outside of Jersey and I have to work in Long Island tomorrow, and unlike my little hometown, Covid has absolutely made it's presence known on Long Island. I stopped and got a room here so that I wouldn't have to go into New York until the morning. I don't want to go then, and I think it's kind of shitty for the plant that I'm going to to be bringing me in with all of this going on. Hopefully, Mr. Covid don't hitch a ride with me back to Rocky Top.

[Shutter]

It's crazy down here..shelves are empty, businesses closing. masks everywhere...they don't help, by the way....I'm getting "Mad Max" flashbacks....

[haggarknew]

I highly recommend Bruce's journal postings! I personally find them somewhat comforting. I wish you all safety and health. Sounds like the insanity isn't limited to Ohio. (where the hell did all the toilet paper go?) Glad to hear that you are prepared Robert. Safe travels Parrot.

[Bruce A. Smith]

Thanks, Haggar.

All is well this evening in my part of Cooper Country. Comfy, cozy.

[EU]

Hot off the press, a Special Edition of the Daily DB Cooper Bite.

[georger]

Coronavirus ALERT! by Flyjack -

FJ has issued a coronavirus ALERT at DZ. His alert is unjustified, alarmist, and irresponsible imho .

FJ posts: "On a more serious note...
The CDC has announced an update on the global pandemic spreading throughout the US. There has been a mutated cluster found in Arizona tentatively called the CooperVirus-19. "

The mere fact of Virus mutation is NOT something to get alarmed about. Virus's by their very nature mutate - that is to be expected. Mutations of the COVID virus have already been noted and published for every infection site on the planet from China to Europe to the USA etc. The mere fact of mutation is NOT something to get alarmed about!

Viruses mutate quickly by their very nature. Viruses are RNA based genetic systems whereas Human tissues are DNA based genetic materials. Replication in RNA-based viruses is a very sloppy process which always leads to errors, compared to the DNA-based replication process in human tissues which is an exponentially more error-free system, compared to viruses .

In fact, many researchers are trying to exploit the mutation process in the Corona virus family, as a general treatment protocol and remediation buying time until a Covid vaccine can be developed. This work was already underway and being funded at CDC until John Bolton in the current administration cut the funding for this vital work by 80%, just prior to the Wuhan outbreak in China ! The timing of Bolton's actions could not have been worse, in terms of global health and well being!

The mere fact of mutations in COVID-19 is NOT something to be alarmed about but was already an expected outcome for the RNA-based COVID-19 virus, and understanding this natural process may be key to developing treatments while a  COVID-19 vaccine is being developed.

See: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

See: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

FLYJACK and all DB Cooper forums need to understand these are serious life-and-death matters which really have no place on the DB Cooper GONG SHOW!

[EU]

I decided to roll out a 2nd Special Edition of the Daily DB Cooper Bite. Indeed, it features a cameo from my cat.

[georger]

Unless you have been living under a ROCK and are unaware, someone who goes by DEREK (?) has flooded and shut down the Cooper thread on Dropzone by several days worth of pornographic images, which DZ administration has done nothing about ... effectively closing down the Dropzone Cooper forum.

Derek's message is clear!  His images are saying:  the DB Cooper Discussion, socalled, is nothing more than a circle-jerk of old men ... dominated by a minority of people with vested interests .... a virtual GONG SHOW - and in CRISIS where nothing is being accomplished because nothing can be accomplished! Indeed on one forum one person is not even allowed to respond to or reply to R99's posts! A socalled Gentleman's Agreement ?

Derek is saying the whole situation is in GRIDLOCK! That nothing is being accomplished because nothing can be accomplished due to the monopolizing tactics of several posters who claim to be right while everyone else is wrong!

Derek's assessment of the situation may be correct!  His portrayal of the situation with the images he has chosen may be - misplaced!

All of this while America is locked down in a pandemic the likes of which very few people alive have ever seen before, with people's lives literally at risk and being destroyed. Millions of people are a captive audience ... not by their own choice! It is no Gentleman's Agreement !!  You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

People can either tune in, or tune out! Its about social spacing and Equity! Logic and common sense!
 

[Bruce A. Smith]

The Covid pandemic is the Biggest Thing I've ever lived through, G. Everyone is responding in their unique fashion. Some are addicted to watching Covid news 24/7 on TV. Others don't want to talk about it at all. Most are in-between, looking to stay informed, safe, and sane. I'm posting my personal journey at the Mountain News, and I welcome all to take a look. Add comments as you see fit.

Here's my latest posting; from Friday: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

I'll have another piece in the next day or two. I'm collecting lots of tidbits of information and observations, such as the Hell's Angels that went tearing around Eatonville today. Strange. Not sure what that behavior meant. Denial? Defiance? Idiocy? Getting fresh air?

But what is clear to me is that we are reaching the end of Phase One, where most accept that the pandemic is here, acknowledge its seriousness, and many retreat into isolation while the folks who need to work, are. Phase Two, in my view is what happens next as doctors and nurses get sick, and our world begins to unravel further. Not only hospitals, but also grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. Cremona Hospital in Italy is reporting that 20% of its clinical staff have Covid.

I am reluctant to post Covid stuff here, as DB Cooper is a safe zone from Covid worries for the most part. But our Covid concerns are intense, and those anxieties have revealed themselves in this thread, so I thought I'd post my two cents. Not to worry, though. I won't further mention Covid here for a long awhile. Just come to the MN.

[Shutter]

Bruce, the virus concerns should be noted when ever possible and should have no barriers with it's discussion. no moderation required..

[Shutter]

In south Florida lots of things are shutting down or closing early for disinfection...contractors are considering shutting down as well. Walmart closes early, Publix, Walgreens...Cumberland farms gas station closed all together. parks and beaches are closed. city buildings, concerts, playhouses, bowling alleys, bars, pubs. anything food related like McDonalds are drive thru only. no dine in anywhere. a curfew is in affect in Coconut creek 11 pm to 5 am. 

[Shutter]

I'm scheduled to go to Tampa this week to install a 700 foot shipping canopy. hotels are now closing so the job might get put on hold. that's 10 grand out of my pocket! it trickles further with my crews not getting paid. other jobs are in danger as well. this will start affecting everyone financially. I do accept this will be required to put a stop to the spreading but will have negative results for many.

Sometimes I know several months in advance and address accordingly with my schedule. things are set and relied upon. it throws a wrench into things as a business.

[georger]

I'm scheduled to go to Tampa this week to install a 700 foot shipping canopy. hotels are now closing so the job might get put on hold. that's 10 grand out of my pocket! it trickles further with my crews not getting paid. other jobs are in danger as well. this will start affecting everyone financially. I do accept this will be required to put a stop to the spreading but will have negative results for many.

Sometimes I know several months in advance and address accordingly with my schedule. things are set and relied upon. it throws a wrench into things as a business.

A new 45 minute test has been developed for in house hospital use but if production can be geared up it would be ideal for mobile testing station use - food shortage in stores in the Phoenix area - Regeneron has a crash program focusing on mitigation methods until a vaccine can be developed.