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Coronavirus

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Yep, historically the reports coming in during a pandemic are lower than the actual numbers (people get sick, recover, and never get tested; people get sick and die without a test being done and it never is). Even in places where testing rates are quite good studies are still finding, through those randomized antibody tests, that more people were sick than their testing indicated.
Yeah, I read about that anti-body study some weeks back. I told my wife then that WAY more people have it or have had it than they could ever imagine. What kills me is the media drumbeat about the record number of cases day after day. Cripes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you broaden the test base you are going to see increased numbers. What will be interesting to see is where the fatality rate ends up when this is all done. Although it will never ever completely go away.
 
So that's like a salaried employee, except worse? :unsure:
Perhaps you get well compensated hourly, but your math suggests you get about 10 days off without pay.
That's pretty much an entry level amount of time a salaried employee gets for annual vacation time.
IIRC a base level salaried employee will then get another 7+ days sick time off (we're talking very rough number here for conversation sake).
Which means, uh, you get average vacation time, but no real sick time off?
Even if you switch vacation/sick time around it still doesn't sound too great.
Is there a union lurking around there some place?

Hold on while I do some math. And I am going forward on the assumption that math itself is not inherently "racist".

I receive 234 paid hours off a year, so assuming a typical 8 hour shift that is 29 days off a year with pay. 234 divided by 8 equals 29.25.

Am I missing something?
 
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I worked Private sector for 23 years, then public sector for 14. That does not include the 4 years in the Air Force. We did not have PTO where I worked, but had 3 “Personal days” Per year Plus Vacation. Working for the county we had “Sick days“ that were accrued per pay (I think 1.7 hours per pay) it was difficult to use due to the 24/7 nature of my job but was nice when I needed 4 weeks off for a surgery. It was also abused a lot by a lot of folks. I see the pros and cons of it.

Just my thoughts

EDIT I do have a problem when the government dictates to the private sector what kind of Sick time they should provide. The private sector has to make a profit unlike public sector work.
 
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Hourly (USA) private sector, non union employee checking in here. I receive 9 hours PTO (Paid Time Off) per pay period. There are 26 pay periods a year (bi weekly) so that is 234 paid hours off each year. PTO is used whenever I am off for any reason (sick or holiday). I have no problem calling in sick when I am ill.

I'm surprised to hear you get that much vacation. Is that because you're a specialist and your workplace wants to sweeten the deal a bit to keep you there? Or do hourly wage workers in the USA generally get that much holiday time?

Back in my travelling years, I often met Americans who would tell me that they had very little vacation days a year.
 
I'm surprised to hear you get that much vacation. Is that because you're a specialist and your workplace wants to sweeten the deal a bit to keep you there? Or do hourly wage workers in the USA generally get that much holiday time?

Back in my travelling years, I often met Americans who would tell me that they had very little vacation days a year.

Every full time hourly worker, regardless of occupation, at the corporation I work for receives the same amount of paid time off, depending on how long they have worked there. You start off getting seven hours PTO every two weeks, then after five years service you receive eight hours, then after fifteen years you receive nine hours. We have a decent benefit package, to be honest. At the risk of sounding corny, pretty much any able bodied citizen of the USA, who can show up to work on time and is willing to work hard can find a decent job. If you are smart enough to learn a trade, or a profession, you can earn really good money. The malcontents are, I believe, mostly "low effort" people. :)

There is a reason we have a problem with illegal immigration. Most of the people crossing our southern border are looking for a better life.
 
I have an idea for a new immigration program. For each alien we allow in we deport a malcontent or a multi-generational welfare recipient. Clearly the aliens want to work for a better life, whereas the people we would be replacing are wanting a better life at someone else's expense.

Only 51% of Americans pay taxes, and I am one of them, so in my opinion, 49% of the country are parasites and have no skin in the game. Maybe we start by replacing them.
 
Nice call @MeatEtr . Badger73 would be proud.
I'm convinced a huge effort has been directed that way, but wary of these crash programs being effective.
I can see something being rushed to market because of the huge amount of $ involved, but in the end just having a placebo affect.
Looking forward to having my general pessimistic POV proven wrong (again).
 
Nice call @MeatEtr . Badger73 would be proud.
I'm convinced a huge effort has been directed that way, but wary of these crash programs being effective.
I can see something being rushed to market because of the huge amount of $ involved, but in the end just having a placebo affect.
Looking forward to having my general pessimistic POV proven wrong (again).
I saw in the paper where the gov has already awarded a 2 billion vaccine contract to a company. Sorry, have not read the details yet. But all tests so far are positive. As studies have shown, the antibodies don't stay in some folks systems for very long, so a vaccine will probably have to be administered yearly like the flu shots.
 
I saw in the paper where the gov has already awarded a 2 billion vaccine contract to a company. Sorry, have not read the details yet. But all tests so far are positive. As studies have shown, the antibodies don't stay in some folks systems for very long, so a vaccine will probably have to be administered yearly like the flu shots.

That is a production and distribution contract for 100 million doses, for when a vaccine becomes available.
 
Nice call @MeatEtr . Badger73 would be proud.
I'm convinced a huge effort has been directed that way, but wary of these crash programs being effective.
I can see something being rushed to market because of the huge amount of $ involved, but in the end just having a placebo affect.
Looking forward to having my general pessimistic POV proven wrong (again).

Well, Taylor is releasing her new album at midnight tonight, so maybe that pessimism will be shortlived...
 
I'm starting to get the "hot, new rushed video game" vibe from the vaccine efforts world-wide. I might sit out the first few million doses, just so all the 'bugs' can be worked out. :p I might opt in around version 1.1.
Yeah, but then like the flu shots you will probably be on the hook for the annual " DLC "...
 
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