Late Night Corona Watch

Concerns about the coronavirus (with a possible boost from the Bernie virus) have the Dow set to dive 400 points on Monday morning.

And this is interesting - people are trying lots of ways to get a sense of the Chinese economy:

China’s recent air pollution levels may be telling a story about the coronavirus impact on its economy

...

Analysts are using pollution levels as a gauge of industrial activity. Major cities in China are well known for being choked by smog, due to the extensive burning of coal by factories.

So far this year, pollution levels have been between 20% and 25% lower compared to the same period last year, Tapas Strickland of National Australia Bank (NAB) said in a note earlier last week, suggesting there was a substantial decline in industrial activity in the first quarter.

Referring to the official update that more than 80% of China’s 20,000 manufacturing subsidies have resumed work, Rodrigo Catril, senior foreign exchange strategist at NAB, cast doubt on the actual progress.

“This news should have been embraced warmly by the market, however high frequency data such as pollution levels and traffic congestion gauges in Beijing do not at this stage corroborate the upbeat official message, keeping investors wary,” he said in a note Wednesday.

On Feb. 20 (Thursday), daily coal consumption of six major power plants was 42.5% less than the same time last year, according to Nomura, which has been tracking such metrics daily. The Japanese bank has also been following data on traffic congestion, passenger flows and new home sales in a bid to track the progress of China’s work resumption.

 

Comments

[Melinda]

Be nice if UVC killed off this little bugger.

[Narciso]

Ok i understand that but im comparing othet outbreaks as benchmarks

[Melinda]

Those two aren’t similar, as we currently understand it from the known “data”.

[Melinda]

Ask Amom or DrJ, not me. Just my $0.02.

[Narciso]

So what are appropriate measure, the flu has more net casualties but this seems to have slipped containment protocols.

[ENRDV]

Clarice at 10:20

As Caro said, you never know. A different articulation would be “Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it—wherever you are.” :-)

[clarice]

I'm just going to get a sign that says "NRA member" posted near my front door, and hope the would be intruder is stupid.

[Narciso]

Unrelated but concerning?

https://mobile.twitter.com/disclosetv

[Barbara]

Unrelated but concerning?

Narciso,

The link you posted above seems to show world wide concern and action wrt Coronavirus (#COVID19).

Are you aware of any similar reaction here in the U.S.?

[Narciso]

Not apparently, now they have probably smaller health safety nets relatively.

[Barbara]

Thanks, Narciso.

I'm concerned about the way this virus is behaving. China has a lot to answer for.

I'm waiting to see if the effect of this horrible outbreak and China's role in it along with its insufficient response causes businesses to reconsider where their products are made.

[JM Hanes]

I thought I'd keep the gun talk on the last thread, where I replied to y'all's kindly helpings of advice.

[JM Hanes]

Should have read this thread first!

[Narciso]

They have a peculiar delegate allocation,

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nymag.com/intelligencer/amp/2020/02/nevada-results-2020-live-updates.html

[Barbara]

This video of Navarro being interviewed on Maria Bartiromo's program posted earlier on the previous thread is most interesting.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1231729178371903494

I like the expression that Sec. Navarro used, "We're moving at Trump time." Looks like the administration is ramped up to deal with this. I don't know how you produce a vaccine in "half the time," but it will be interesting to see how that works out.

Note that China stopped the exportation of protective face masks and then nationalized the American company that produced them in China. Not good.

[Narciso]

Well theyve done such a bang up job, sealing off wuhan after the fact and pursuing their cask of thr amontillado strategery.

[Comanche Voter]

A Dow Dive of 400 point is gonna smart.

[Barbara]

Yeah.

[Narciso]

Im just spitballing on why smaller countries have taken more aggressive matters.

[Narciso]

Sealing people in their houses is the amontillado strategy.

[Barbara]

The amontillado strategy

Narciso,

I had forgotten that story until you posted it above. Rather gruesome, wasn't it.

Initially, there were stories of the Chinese people reacting angrily to the way this virus got out and to the way they were being treated. China has doubled down to control both the outbreak and the people.

Navarro mentioned at the beginning of his interview that a good deal of our problem is that our resources (drugs, protective masks, etc.) are offshore in places like China and India. That's coming back to bite us now. I certainly hope that this sparks a change in where critical products like these are produced. It's not like we haven't been warned before.

[Narciso]

Yes its evocative, because china failed as part of the community of nations sarc. Early on. But so has the wto and apparently the cdc

[Barbara]

Goodnight all. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

So we export our manufacturing to China, the literal sick man of Asia, and now we are in danger of severe economic consequences and even restricted drug supplies?
I'm thinking this globalization thing needs a new PR firm.

[Pinandpuller]

In my study of communist societies, I came to the conclusion that the purpose of communist propaganda was not to persuade or convince, not to inform, but to humiliate; and therefore, the less it corresponded to reality the better. When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is...in some small way to become evil oneself. One's standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. I think if you examine political correctness, it has the same effect and is intended to.
Theodore Dalrymple

[peter]

great post, pin

[henry]

Dang. From the link above it looks like only Bernie and Biden got above 15%. Buttigieg just missed. So a two way split on delegates instead of three way.

[henry]

Scavino vid of crowd in India.

https://twitter.com/scavino45/status/1231866864491466752?s=21

[henry]

So deep state has engineered the end of Trump? Or a buying opportunity?

@cnbc

Dow futures extend drop to more than 820 points; American Express, Apple, Goldman, Nike among biggest decliners in pre-market trading
cnbc.com/2020/02/24/us-…

[henry]

What’s Up With That cuts through the noise on Coronavirus

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2020/02/23/cut-thru-myths-to-see-facts-about-covid-19/

[Another Bob]

Henry, I’ve been wondering if the virus hasn’t been hyped by media and market types to try and engineer a market event that both groups want for different reasons,

[henry]

A Bob, never let a crisis go to waste. Note that the virus gives convenient cover to China to stop the Hong Kong protests -- especially to stop them spreading across mainland China during the new years holiday. Same could be said of Iran. Plus the click bait media here.

[henry]

someone goes to court today.

CBS Chicago
@cbschicago

Mayor Lightfoot Says Jussie Smollett Needs To Be Held Accountable

https://twitter.com/cbschicago/status/1231881616701652992

[clarice]

https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/484179-roger-stone-deserves-a-new-trial
Jonathan turley

[Captain Hate]

These guys are hilarious

https://mobile.twitter.com/hodgetwins/status/1231041952608440320?s=21

[Captain Hate]

Have any of our GOP Congress critters brought up impeaching Amy Dunham Jackson? I know it's a waste of time because of Pelosi but it's not like they're doing anything more important. Hasn't DJT taught them that staying on offense and not shutting up is a good way to be?

[Captain Hate]

The Expert reveals his therapy animal

https://mobile.twitter.com/philllosoraptor/status/1231353669079240705

[Another Bob]

Both Maria and Dagan wearing black today. They got the word... ;)

[Another Bob]

Sell? Or BTFD?

Decisions, decisions...

[Buckeye]

Last thing my financial advisor said to me a couple of weeks ago was “I wouldn’t recommend going all cash”.

Why is it every ten years or so, I find out the hard way that, yes, I am smarter than these assholes?

[Another Bob]

If you’re not as concerned with return *on* capital than return *of* capital...

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

हम भारत आने के लिए तत्पर हैं । हम रास्ते में हैँ, कुछ ही घंटों में हम सबसे मिलेंगे!
Translated from Hindi by
We look forward to coming to India. We are on the way, we will meet everyone in a few hours!
11:43 PM · Feb 23, 2020

[Narciso]

Do they say which magic rightball they consulted.

[Another Bob]

Going cash is what makes the advisor’s 1% look big.

[henry]

The Wall Street Journal @WSJ
2m

Michael Bloomberg hasn't held any public events since one in Utah the morning after the last debate, spending his time once again preparing for questions he had already studied for—and yet stumbled through in the last gathering

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

The first lady and I have traveled around 8000 miles around the world to give a message to every citizen of this country. America loves India - America respects India - and
People of America will always remain true and loyal friends of the people of India.

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1djGXQznoNRJZ?t=2s

[MissMarple2]

I am leaving the Sanskrit off most of the tweets and just copying the translations.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

America and India will strengthen their countries, enrich their people, make big dreamers bigger and make their future brighter than ever ... and this is only the beginning

6:07 AM · Feb 24, 2020

[Buckeye]

The standard argument is “you just can’t time the market”.

True, but nuclear bombs aren’t as discriminating as Chris Kyle either.

They don’t need to be.

[Porchlight]

Bernie has foreign policy problems.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/analysis-bernie-sanders-quickly-trips-over-foreign-policy-as-democratic-front-runner

I didn't know NJ had so many Cubans. Trump's early play for the state is looking prescient. Make 'em spend money.

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
2h
Our two national constitutions both begin with the same three beautiful words: “We the people.” That means that in America and India alike, we honor, respect, trust, empower, and fight for the citizens we proudly serve!

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

That is why I have come to India, with goodwill and love so that we can symbolize our desire and expand our partnership and incredible.

[MissMarple2]

LORI HENDRY TEXT TRUMP TO 88022
@Lrihendry
President Trump tweets that sentencing for one older man, Roger Stone, was unfair and the media screams injustice.

Gavin Newsom overturns life sentences for 800 inmates convicted of murderer, rape and other horrendous crimes and the media is silent.

3:13 PM · Feb 23, 2020·
==========================================
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
·
15m
Thank you Lori, so true!

[MissMarple2]

President Trump & Prime Minister Modi have brought the USA and India closer in friendship than ever before, and that's a great thing for both of our countries! pic.twitter.com/bPdqCAQOCv

— PlayTheTrumpCard ⚡️ Text TRUMP to 88022 (@PlaysTrumpCard) February 24, 2020

Link goes to a photo graphic.

[MissMarple2]

I am listening to President Trump tick off PM Modi's accomplishments, including the first time all villages have electricity. (wow!)

In addition, he is praising them as rising to prosperity while remaining peaceful, democratic, and free.

[GUS]

Mike Bloomberg just told me that he is going to invest in black people.

I would never vote a fucking panderer of those epic proportions. Bloomberg is a clown.

[MissMarple2]

Now praising Bollywood and Indian cricket players.

[KevlarKid]

look at the size of that crowd of "international Republican voters"!
/sarc

[MissMarple2]

I am proud of President Trump. He is getting a great welcome.

I think they even appreciate his pronunciation of the names, which would seem to be pretty hard to master, if you ask me.

Praises the 4 million Indians in USA.

[MissMarple2]

President Trump praises the way India has 360 separate cultures but they unite as one Indian nation.

(There is a message there for democrats if they would listen.)

[MissMarple2]

Our First Lady looks absolutely STUNNING in India today! Melania Trump is wearing a beautiful white jumpsuit from Atelier Caito for Hervé Pierre in crème crêpe. The look also features a green silk sash with gold metallic thread.

Thread with details:

https://twitter.com/MELANIAJTRUMP/status/1231933404008079360

[henry]

Another day, more learned.

A massive analysis of the entire genomes of 2,658 people with 39 different types of cancer has identified mutations in 179 genes and gene regulators as “drivers” — variations in DNA sequences that lead to the development of cancer.

https://news.yale.edu/2020/02/20/scientists-find-drivers-cancer-warn-dont-ignore-passengers?

[hoyden]

Observations learned in retreat after trying to discuss politics with Liberal. Won’t change any minds. Superficial Orange Man Bad because pussy-grabbing, children in cages. Difficult to counter Liberal outrage that sets the rules of engagement. Dismiss Conservative perspectives that aren’t supported by equal consideration of liberal, independent, and conservative review. National Review qualifies as legitimate conservative source.

I have greater appreciation that Trump can effectively rally Conservatives and reach out to Independent/Undecided voters. Fools errand engaging with liberals.

No friendships were lost or damaged but lesson learned: find something else to talk about.

[Gentlejim]

Bloomberg investing in black people? How many is he getting and what is he growing? Didn’t we have a skirmish over that type of thing about 160 years ago?

Pandering asshole..

Yes, Captain, the Hodge Twins are very entertaining.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

--So deep state has engineered the end of Trump? Or a buying opportunity?--

I actually think this not a very effective way of doing that. The Kung Flu is one of the few ways he could plausibly avoid having a market crash or recession hung on him.
I also doubt very much Xi and company engineered this to put the hurt on trump or HK by killing a bunch of people in Wuhan.
By far the biggest threat this poses is to Xi and the commie party.
Even if it doesn't break the party's grip on power it has the potential to severely and perhaps permanently disrupt their economic plans upon which all of their dreams of world domination depend.

[KevlarKid]

Melania is a gift from God- it will be intèresting to "hear" what the people of India have to say, a nation with a long memory.

[Extraneus]

I'm with you on the silver lining, Ig.

[KevlarKid]

"No friendships were lost or damaged but lesson learned: find something else to talk about."

Applied that lesson during our trip to St. Paul. Dinner with College Man's girlfriend's parents. One of those long lingering dinners out. A lot to share. Towards the end they ripped open the conversation with rants about the President.

Then they looked at me, and almost in unison, asked "What do you think of Trump?"

Simple reply: "He is the man for our times."

After that comment: "Political beliefs are deeply personal. I'm glad that you both felt you could share without any fear of losing my friendship."

The End >:0

[Threadkiller]

Does anyone understand the point the WUWT author, at 6:30, is making here?

Cases in the US As of Feb 21, the CDC reports that 414 people have been tests and 14 cases confirmed – with no tests pending results.

As of February 15, the CDC estimates that so far this season (since September 9) there have been at least 29 million flu illnesses, 280,000 hospitalizations, and 16,000 deaths from flu. See their summary page and detail page for current information. But remember America’s new motto: “What, me worry?”

He writes like an egghead so I am clueless as to whether or not this was clever sarcasm or random number dribbling.

A brand new virus compared to an existing national problem? May as well compare it to drunk driving related deaths or overdose deaths. It is meaningless IMO.

[Buckeye]

TK

It is all about the panic and over reaction.

[Threadkiller]

I got the idea that the WUWT article was supposed to be calming us, Buckeye.

[hoyden]

KK, nicely handled. Succinct and irrefutable.

I’m in ATL awaiting return flight home.

[Captain Hate]

Simple reply: "He is the man for our times."

That's a remarkably innocuous comment that the reaction to could either be a starting point for a decent discussion or conclusive evidence that it would be a waste of time.

[jimmyk]

Mike Bloomberg just told me that he is going to invest in black people.

Typical Democrat. Isn't that what the Southern slaveholders did?

[KevlarKid]

Was Reagan's first term as overtly successful as Trump's?

my recollecton from 40 years ago was it took most, if not all, of the first to get some economic momentum and build a head of steam on foreign policy ( beyond hostage rescue). but his re-election was a total hippo rampage.

not worried about economic slump or a market correction or other indicators of structural problems Trump dint create.

Xi is toast. Communist China's "correction" seems to be underway, its feet in all that concrete.

[Neo]

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough on Monday called on Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to get out of the 2020 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, with the "Morning Joe" co-host arguing that it would help "consolidate efforts against Bernie Sanders" by other candidates. "People are talking about how as well as she's done, as good of a campaign she's run, it is time for her to get out of the race," Scaborough said of Klobuchar before pivoting to Warren. "A lot of people starting to talk about Elizabeth Warren, who finished weak again."

[Threadkiller]

Some guy in the comments takes the numbers and compares China’s Coronavirus stats to the US flu stats, instead of US CoronaV to US flu, and determines that CoronaV is 49 times more dangerous.

He gets pounced on by flag drapers who declare that “China dumb, America smart!”

[Captain Hate]

Was Reagan's first term as overtly successful as Trump's?

my recollecton from 40 years ago was it took most, if not all, of the first to get some economic momentum and build a head of steam on foreign policy ( beyond hostage rescue). but his re-election was a total hippo rampage.

There was no painless way to beat inflation. Reagan was the only one brave and committed enough to endure the short term loss for the long term gain.

[Neo]

KevlarKid: Was Reagan's first term as overtly successful as Trump's?

My recollection was that Reagan had Paul Volcker desparately trying to reign in interest rates for the entire first term. Frankly, it looked bad for Reagan until the interest rates broke below 10% (from a high of over 20%) in the fall of 1984.

[KevlarKid]

Thanks hoyden and CH.

the two of them have interesting perspectives about almost everything but American politics. adding to that they are dear to Mrs. Kid and to me.

i knew the moment would come but decided He knew what to say. turns out He always does.

coulda been one of those "help me, Mr. Wizard!" moments.

[Buckeye]

TK

I agree. My point was that the public at large is inclined to panic and over reaction,

The stock markets are even worse.

Having said that, the big unknown in my mind is degree of resistance to infection from -19. Appears that most people have none or very little.

Can it be adequately contained until a vaccine is available?

Maybe.

[Dave (in MA)]

the interest rates broke below 10% (from a high of over 20%) in the fall of 1984.

The market had been waiting for me to get my first mortgage in August of 1984.

[Neo]

I've read that the infection rate is quite low for children under 15.
Is that story still holding ?

[KevlarKid]

Thank you Neo and CH.

Trump as POTUS: taking the pain to do what needs doin' FULLY DRESSED!

Harvey Weinstein's naked pics are metaphor for the excesses of the Clinton Cabal and the Deep State. more people than we know are SICK of that--- maybe more than were sick of 20 plus% interest rates.

Trump's gonna do the hippo stomp in November.
woof-woof.

[Captain Hate]

TK,

The trouble is you can't take China's numbers as legit. And frankly I'm skeptical about the CDC apparatchiks.

[KevlarKid]

off to cardio rehab. 4 sessions left.

"...life is funny. bees make hunny.."

[Neo]

NYTimes: Bringing a New Vibe to the Classroom. Some educators are experimenting with their approaches to teaching to make course materials more relevant to various cultures and communities.

A man on a mule leaves New York traveling at 2.3 mph, while a "woman" leaves from LA traveling at 1.1 mph on a llama. If they start at 4:00 AM, at what time will they meet up with ICE ?

[henry]

NYT with late clue.

Tom Maguire @Tom_Maguire
1m

Whoa, what?

"House members either misheard or misinterpreted a key part of the briefing"; "ODNI did not mean to say that it believes the Russians are currently intervening in the election explicitly to help President Trump."

Schiff BS-ing again? No way!

https://twitter.com/Tom_Maguire/status/1231956282032246789

[MissMarple2]

Retweeted by the President. Video at the link.

MUST WATCH: Alice Marie Johnson tells the stories of three of the women whose sentences were commuted by President @realDonaldTrump last week. pic.twitter.com/9ooFkFQTt0

— GOP (@GOP) February 24, 2020

[MissMarple2]

Interrupted by phone call from Democrat sister. She believes vouchers are ruining the public schools, as around here she has noticed all of the Evangelical Christian schools and Catholic schools adding on classrooms.

I hope they are not pulling the same move as the universities did with student loans.

[Melinda]

Volcker warned Reagan that to tame inflation, he would have to Jack short term rates very high, and that the economy could stall. Also was getting told by Laffer that tax cuts for the public would free the economy. Reagan said to Volcker “Do what you have to do. We’ll work to make sure it works.” Then worked to get the tax cuts two years later. Tip made sure Congressional spending also got some juice.

Slick got his retroactive tax hike with no consequences because Reagan’s tax cuts were creating too big a wave to stymie.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Corona virus = Chinese butterfly. Butterfly effect.

[MissMarple2]

Link posted by GOP Chairwoman and retweeted by the President.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/party-of-jobs-ted-cruz-predicts-blue-collar-boom-will-make-difference-for-gop-in-2020

[mike in houston]

For those of you who are weary of winter, a few of these are popping up in the Houston area.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=99DA7052201F3AD392C5A02709A8B3DC7C22C965&thid=OIP.WlMt3Vt1ddNuVzmPx7a6lwHaDU&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sealynews.com%2Fuploads%2Foriginal%2F20180405-122433-DPS%2520wildflowers.jpg&exph=449&expw=1000&q=texas+wildflowers&selectedindex=9&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=1,3,4,6,8,10&ccid=WlMt3Vt1&simid=608025127899301449&sim=11

[James D.]

The trouble is you can't take China's numbers as legit. And frankly I'm skeptical about the CDC apparatchiks.

This is exactly it.

The coronavirus may be hugely overblown and the ever more hysterical news reports may be just irresponsible fearmongering.

But given the longstanding, amply documented incompetence and dishonesty of the people and organizations giving us official information, there's no way for us to be sure, and if it's a matter of life and death, I'm going to err on the side of "it's far worse than the government wants me to know."

[henry]

Nice Mike! we have snow forecast for tomorrow.

[Captain Hate]

The inflation that Reagan conquered was probably the worst economic situation domestically since the Great Depression.

[MissMarple2]

Watch and weep, @DNC... pic.twitter.com/JtEEuUx1cJ

— M3thods (@M2Madness) February 24, 2020

Video at link from outside the stadium, showing crowds.

[Captain Hate]

She believes vouchers are ruining the public schools

The public schools have ruined themselves all on their own. Fuck them and anyone making excuses for them.

[James D.]

I hope they are not pulling the same move as the universities did with student loans.

No doubt there's at least some of that going on.

If every customer who comes in the door has guaranteed government money in their pocket, you're going to increase supply, and raise prices.