Broadcasters Face Tough Choice

[SirRoxalot]

What makes you so sure that people from rural areas are making the trip to the big city to protest? There are plenty of people right in the city and the suburbs who think that current measures are draconian. There are also plenty of rural residents who have no interest in crossing the city line, and will actually do whatever they can to avoid it.

I think it's reasonable to let local leaders make local decisions based on recommendations and information from state and federal governments. The numbers will bear out how reasonable those decisions are. "Open" or "Closed" is not an all-or-nothing decision. There are still regulations that determine what's open, and under what rules, including mandatory masks, etc. What's the point of not allowing people in big-box home stores to go into the garden center?

As access to PPEs eases and testing for antibodies ramps up county and local governments should be able to make the call. They will have to rely on state and federal governments for access to those resources, which gives those levels a government influence, but let's leave the final decision in the hands of those closest to the situation.

 

[TheBigA]

What makes you so sure that people from rural areas are making the trip to the big city to protest?

It really doesn't matter where they're coming from.

 

[Element9]

Would you be satisfied if a radio station put a format you wanted on their HD-2 instead of their full signal FM?

Specifically stated: "Channel 2 one day last week moved live coverage of the daily briefings to its website and HD2 channel in order to accommodate the station's local six PM news block."

 

[TheBigA]

Specifically stated: "Channel 2 one day last week moved live coverage of the daily briefings to its website and HD2 channel in order to accommodate the station's local six PM news block."

I get all that, but you also said it was a "fair and equitable solution." And for one day, maybe, since it's likely that the hearings were also available on other TV or radio stations.

But the question is: do you feel that moving programming to secondary platforms is fair & equitable? Because that's what this article is talking about, in terms of stations making tough choices.

 

[SirRoxalot]

It really doesn't matter where they're coming from.

You're the one who said "The problem is they hop in their cars and go to the big city, where the virus is in full swing, to hold their demonstration. That opens themselves up to infection." Most rural folks I know would have no reason to go to the city with shopping and businesses closed. If their areas have few instances of people with the virus they may already be over the hump and could begin to expand the definition of "essential businesses" well ahead of urban areas with greater population density. If numbers start to go back up, or if ICU beds and ventilators are in short supply, then adjust to the local situation. At this time, even in NYC, the stress on the system is easing.

As it is you've got local industries closed for no good reason. Nobody says reopen the bars and restaurants, but there are plenty of people who could go back to work in environments that allow for social distancing and the use of masks and other protective equipment.

 

[flybynight]

Ironically, many of those protesters likely take seriously an invisible man in the sky, but not an invisible virus that's already killed nearly 40,000 people in the past month.

 

[TheBigA]

Most rural folks I know would have no reason to go to the city with shopping and businesses closed.

I also said they're going into the city to be on TV. This is not accidental. If you look at the video from Lansing, it's obvious the protesters are not from the city. They're not going in to shop. They're going in with crudely made signs to protest for cameras. And the cameras are waiting for them.

The reason I said it doesn't matter is that wherever they're coming from, they're potentially infecting others with this virus, since only 1% of the population has been tested, and you don't have to show symptoms to have the virus. We now have workers in essential business reporting infections. Meat plants, grocery stores, and hospitals.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Ever been to Lansing? It's surrounded by farm country. The folks who live there - beyond the politicos at the capital and Michigan State - don't have to go far to show up downtown for a rally. The county Lansing's primarily located in recorded six deaths from Covid-19. The surrounding counties have a handful of cases and one or two deaths. It's a very different scenario than Detroit, and the people going to protest aren't heading into a Covid-19 hotspot like Detroit. People in the rural areas want more stores and businesses open. They're not the stupid rubes that you suggest. They can parse numbers as well as you can. They're practical people that expect reasonable solutions, not "one size fits all" based on Detroit's problems.

 

[tbolt909]

Ever been to Lansing? It's surrounded by farm country. The folks who live there - beyond the politicos at the capital and Michigan State - don't have to go far to show up downtown for a rally. The county Lansing's primarily located in recorded six deaths from Covid-19. The surrounding counties have a handful of cases and one or two deaths. It's a very different scenario than Detroit, and the people going to protest aren't heading into a Covid-19 hotspot like Detroit. People in the rural areas want more stores and businesses open. They're not the stupid rubes that you suggest. They can parse numbers as well as you can. They're practical people that expect reasonable solutions, not "one size fits all" based on Detroit's problems.

What's reasonable? Some people don't want to wear masks. Some people want the IHOPs, Waffle House, and bars back open. When New York tried to limit restaurants to half capacity, many did not cooperate. Bars stayed crowded during St. Patrick's Day, hence the total ban.

Rural areas have less population and less density. They will have fewer cases. That doesn't mean they are immune.
Without testing, people have to assume they have the virus and can spread it without knowing it. Wearing a mask is more about protecting the other person.

A gradual reopening of other businesses will happen, but it's not going to be like before. When people accept the new reality, some of your reasonable solutions may be implemented...

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Rural areas have less population and less density. They will have fewer cases. That doesn't mean they are immune.

And are naturally more socially distanced than an urban area, particularly if you take schools out of the equation.

Without testing, people have to assume they have the virus and can spread it without knowing it. Wearing a mask is more about protecting the other person.

Even with testing. Say someone works at a grocery and their employer arranges a weekly test for their staff. If they get tested today, and don't get the result back until Thursday, the test is essentially useless, because there's nothing to say they weren't infected on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[frankberry]

I know that it's miserable to be locked down at home all the time. I'm miserable ... but I'm not infected (as far as I know).
Small communities and rural areas are not immune from this pandemic. Even if all precautions are taken, the food supplies are generally trucked-in from the big cities.
The truck drivers themselves probably come from the big cities.
All it takes is one infected individual to start the spread of the virus, even in a small community.
Until much more testing is possible, the only option is to stay away from others, mask-up and wash or sanitize your hands.
As for us, we're also sanitizing everything that we bring into our house ... Groceries, mail, EVERYTHING.
It's not going to change for a long time so we've just got to accept it.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.

Frank

 

[TheBigA]

Ever been to Lansing? It's surrounded by farm country. The folks who live there - beyond the politicos at the capital and Michigan State - don't have to go far to show up downtown for a rally.

So first you say rural people have no reason to travel into the city, now you say they want stores and businesses to open. Which is it? Make up your mind. This whole thing is about playing to the cameras and getting on TV. They're being encouraged by the president and by conservative media, both of whom see this whole thing as a hoax. If they want "reasonable solutions," they should choose reasonable methods. That's not what this is.

 

[tbolt909]

So first you say rural people have no reason to travel into the city, now you say they want stores and businesses to open. Which is it? Make up your mind. This whole thing is about playing to the cameras and getting on TV. They're being encouraged by the president and by conservative media, both of whom see this whole thing as a hoax. If they want "reasonable solutions," they should choose reasonable methods. That's not what this is.

Bottom line is that some people just won't accept reality. Even when/if a vaccine for COVID 19 is ready, some people will refuse it. It's impossible to reason with that sort. They just want to go back to Disneyland or the local carnival and spend that stimulus check.

The other option is to just ignore the virus. Reopen everything and let nature take its course. Close the hospitals, let the healthcare workers go home and rest, and deny treatment to ANY sick person. No exceptions. You either recover or you don't. Nobody needs health care.
The End...

 

[TheBigA]

Protest now scheduled for Monday in Niagara Square:

https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/h...ffalo/71-94318be3-882e-45f7-b7c0-63eae713f98d

This comes at a time when WBEN is reporting infections & deaths are on the rise in Erie County:

https://wben.radio.com/articles/erie-county-covid-19-deaths-continue-to-rise

 

[SirRoxalot]

So first you say rural people have no reason to travel into the city, now you say they want stores and businesses to open. Which is it? Make up your mind. This whole thing is about playing to the cameras and getting on TV. They're being encouraged by the president and by conservative media, both of whom see this whole thing as a hoax. If they want "reasonable solutions," they should choose reasonable methods. That's not what this is.

Have you ever been out of the city? There are stores and businesses in rural areas that are shut down because they're not "essential". Well, what's essential to NYC people is very different from what's important to people where the virus numbers are small. It's tough to telecommute when the internet infrastructure sucks. The economic impact is hurting people far more than the impact of the virus.

It's not an all-or-nothing situation. Restrictions could be loosened in some areas because the numbers justify it. That's what a lot of people are asking for. They're not stupid, and they're not crazy, and they certainly don't believe that Covid-19 is a hoax. Protesting is reasonable when their concerns are being ignored.

 

[TheBigA]

Have you ever been out of the city? There are stores and businesses in rural areas that are shut down because they're not "essential"

You keep changing locations. First you talk about Lansing, now all of a sudden, you're talking about New York City! Where did that come from? Yes I've been to rural areas. They have WalMarts in rural areas. WalMarts are not shut down, in fact they're hiring 100,000 people right now. All of the grocery stores are open. Drug stores are open. Lots of places weren't affected at all. I eat out for a meal a day, and all the restaurants are open and delivering. I needed to have my car serviced last week, and they're open too. Garbage removal, landscaping, home improvement is all taking place unaffected.

But public gatherings of over 50 people can be dangerous. Fortunately these protests haven't been very large, so hopefully no one will get sick. I saw one person on Twitter saying that protesters should be required to sign a release form absolving them from any treatment if they get the virus. I think that's a reasonable thing to expect. Since they claim to be responsible adults, let them take responsibility for their actions.

As I pointed out in my previous post, there will be a demonstration tomorrow in Buffalo. Enjoy watching grown adults having a temper tantrum.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Apparently you're unable to deal with concepts and feel the need to parse specifics. Since we're on a local, not national, board, the concern here is Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties vs. Buffalo vs. NYC. We haven't had protests (yet) in WNY, yet the discussion went in that direction, so Lansing was cited. I've been to Lansing several times, and no, I've never had a "Michigan".

People are questioning why places like garden centers are closed and fishermen are not allowed to take their boats out. We won't get into the hair salons and barbers, but there are plenty of other services and businesses that could be open in those areas with little virus. Walmart and others have a huge advantage already and are selling merchandise that small stores carry, but the small stores aren't allowed to be open.

The economy can't live off the public dole forever, and guess who's going to pick up the tab on those checks being written by the feds? Us - the working people - and we're going to be paying it back with interest in either bigger taxes or cuts in services.

I think the moron who wants a traffic jam in front of City Hall in Buffalo is just an attention-seeker, but he's hit a nerve with those outside of the urban/suburban area. There will be a few "true believer" deniers, but I hope that his "protest" fizzles because the time is not right for the City of Buffalo or much of Erie county. The time may be right for several surrounding counties, and that's the point they're trying to make.

 

[TheBigA]

The economy can't live off the public dole forever, and guess who's going to pick up the tab on those checks being written by the feds? Us - the working people - and we're going to be paying it back with interest in either bigger taxes or cuts in services.

I don't think anyone wants the economy to live off the public dole at all. Especially the politicians! It's just a few more weeks. We have a president whose election depends on a strong economy, and he won't allow this to last much longer. Truthfully the governors don't want this to last much longer either. Their elections are riding on their economies too. I was in a meeting with a guy the other day who said it was likely that one third of all the restaurants in town would shutter if this lasts into the summer. So I understand all of the pertinent issues. Everyone is getting antsy, everyone is losing money. But these protests are silly, selfish, and unnecessary.

 

[CTListener]

We won't get into the hair salons and barbers

I will. They are closed and for very good reason. All sorts of people patronize them, they come in close contact with all of them, and the hair falls to the floor until it is swept up and disposed of. I can't think of a more fertile breeding ground for this virus, and will gladly let my own hair get long and shaggy until it's safer to be around strangers -- and their hair -- again. Barbers are suffering but it's just not safe to reopen at this point, not even in small, rural towns.

 

[RadioGuy1864]

I will. They are closed and for very good reason. All sorts of people patronize them, they come in close contact with all of them, and the hair falls to the floor until it is swept up and disposed of. I can't think of a more fertile breeding ground for this virus, and will gladly let my own hair get long and shaggy until it's safer to be around strangers -- and their hair -- again. Barbers are suffering but it's just not safe to reopen at this point, not even in small, rural towns.

All true, but: Clients in the salon can be limited to those being serviced at the time, others wait in their cars or outside until appointment time. Everything is swept, sprayed down and sanitized in between clients. Service providers and clients wear masks at all times. Except for the stylist and the client, everyone else maintains social distance, resulting that the salon is running at 30% to 40% of previous capacity. Is it a perfect plan? No, but we don't live in a perfect world. Only haircuts offered, no other services. Full disclosure, I have a financial interest in a salon. That's our plan when we are allowed to re-open.