NEEDS MASKS? PLANET CAN HELP … POLICE SEEK BIG Y ROBBERY SUSPECT … ‘CRAYOLA’ — A NAME WELL DESERVED
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2020) — THE PLANET begins with two announcements, both involving masks. One mask is for virus protection. The other hides a criminal.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1 — If you or anyone you know needs protective masks, we know a young woman who makes them, and expertly, complete with filters ($10) or without ($7). She recently lost her job, and instead of moping, she took initiative. Sarah remembered her mom had sewing machines and asked her mom for lessons.
She experimented with prototypes and now has the manufacturing nailed, making masks that are not only functional but beautiful, almost works of art. If you can use a mask, she can use the help. If you want one or more, send your order to THE PLANET privately at danvalenti@verizon.net. Include your name and address. We shall forward the info to Sarah and step out of the way as you complete your transaction with her.
ANNOUNCEMENT 2 — On April 29, a masked, white or Hispanic man, 5’9” about 155 pounds entered Big Y Express on West street, demanded money, and made off with a bunch. Police have released photos and have asked for your help in identifying and nabbing him. 
Police are looking for this man, 5’9″, 155 pounds, in connection with a robbery at Big Y Express.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact Lt. John Soules at 413-448-9700 x599. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
And now to the business at hand.
We recently received two inquiries wanting to know (1) Why we call mayor Linda Tyer “Mayor CRAYOLA-19” and (2) Why we don’t we “get behind” the mayor “for her leadership role in aggressively responding” to the pandemic.
Fair questions, even as “sets ups, and both related.
Tyler became “Mayor CRAYOLA” (second reference drops the “19”) for one of the first executive actions she took in response to the virus. She asked children and adults to get coloring books, grab the Crayolas, color pictures, and send them to city hall.
THE PLANET wishes we were kidding. That’s what this overwhelmed “leader” did. Her subsequent action weren’t much better and in some ways worse because they were meant to be taken seriously. As a titular photo-opper, the mayor would have ben well suited for office. When the kitchen heated up, however, she wilted.
The nicknames with which we brand some public figures convey connotations that the proper name fails to elicit. Some contain admiration, for example, The Aging Greek God and The Man from Mensa. Others (Kufflinks, P.P. Jell-O, et. al.) convey an amalgam of disdainful attitudes a single word cannot express, except for the word “satire.” This blanket word — a biting form of humor meant to expose vice or foolishness, particularly in bureaucracy or officiousness — includes ridicule stemming from exasperation and contempt derived from futility. Think of the sneer of a man unjustly facing a firing squad. You feel for the guy and want to express contempt for the offices that have wronged him.
That’s how it is now for Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski. Even before COVID-19, their “representatives” regularly hosed them into silence, submission, and near-bankruptcy through a combination of over-taxation and under-service. The virus has tied The Kapanskis to the post. The mayor and her “well-meaning” supporters and supplicants have loaded the rifles. God save us from political “do-gooders” who know what’s bet for us.
Politicians such as Tyer, Kerwood, Marchetti, and the rest practically beg for satire by virtue of their disregard for aptitude and their love of self-service — what THE PLANET calls the ineptitude of selfishness. That’s what the allure of office and the nature of power does to so many. It finds and brings to the surface character flaws.
As to the second question, THE PLANET doesn’t “get behind” any political person, party, or cause. We cover them. We take the 30,000-foot view of what they say and do then provide accountability. Our columns are facutally based, opinion driven, and never personal. Officials earn our respect by their actions.
Fact is, the mayor took no leadership role in this crisis. She hid. It took a tongue lashing from Gov. Baker to make a token appearance at a now much-ridiculed press conference. Since then, the mayor has not held one live, in-person briefing, particularly where she might be asked questions from the press. She has requested and/or spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from “free cash” without sharing suitable accounting safeguards. She has continued to duck THE PLANET, the only honest media game in town.
Tyer, Tom Shakshaug, Marchetti, and the other bobos in the kitchen cabinet don’t like hearing “discouraging words.” They’d rather rewrite the lyrics to “Home, Home on the Range.” That’s when you know you’ve hit a nerve.
THE PLANET gave Dan Bianchi a rough ride when we felt he had it coming, but, knowing Dan’l for almost two generations, we can tell you one thing for sure: He would have risen to the occasion in a manner far more reasonable, responsible, and caring than the current Administration. He would have Led.
————————————————————————
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough” — Mae West.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. All users of this website — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else making use of its information, hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer. Copyright (c) 2020 by Dan Valenti.
Hello Dan Valenti and all of your blog readers:
Please do not put your elderly loved ones in a Massachusetts nursing home. In fact, families are trying to pull their elderly loved ones out of long-term care facilities.
It looks like “RN” made a valid point about state data being riddled with inaccuracies. Please see the Boston Globe news article, below my name.
Best regards,
Jonathan Melle
“Mass. pausing part of its nursing home testing program; state data riddled with inaccuracies”
By Laura Krantz, Laura Crimaldi and Robert Weisman Globe Staff, April 21, 2020
The state (of Massachusetts) released new data showing 1,059 residents of Massachusetts long-term care facilities have died from COVID-19, making up 54 percent of all deaths from the virus statewide.
The state also reported Tuesday (21-April) that the overall death toll from the coronavirus outbreak had risen by 152 cases to 1,961, and the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had climbed by 1,556 to 41,199. The Department of Public Health also reported a total of 175,372 people in the state had been tested, up from 169,398 a day earlier.
Link:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/21/metro/state-pausing-part-its-nursing-home-testing-program-state-data-riddled-with-inaccuracies/
According to current statistics, approximately 22% of all deaths in the United States occur in nursing homes, with the number over 34% for those dying at 85 years and older. The remainders of deaths take place in the hospital (48%) and at home (27%).
A local paper has an article discussing local virus numbers and their accuracy. But ya gots to pay for a subscription to read it. Perhaps someone can share the jist of it cuz there be a lot of numbers flying around like bingo balls in an air jar and no one seems to want to put out a decipherable accurate dashboard that everyone can understand.
Trumps problem from anyday you want to pick has been his lack of leadership.Trump has excused his bungling with short film and quotes of people saying thank you to him.I am still in shock that he’s fooling some of the people all of the time.Just watch the moronic parade to open things up.Imagine being educated in a plumbing trade and the apprentice after 6 weeks still doesn’t know how a wrench will help him do his work.The apprentice keeps saying its his right to do plumbing work without a wrench.He said he doesnt need one.He repeats that media overplays the need for a wrench.Its all fake news.Some people are just plain stupid.Trump is the worst president in America history.And some people think hes brilliant and its never been done better.
Nothing but hatred.
God loves you.
Trump hated Barrack Obama and Fox News hated Barrack ObamaGlenn Beck hated Obama so much Fox news had to fire him.Limbaugh and Sean Hannity hate Barrack Obama conservative Christian right hated Barrack Obama….Me saying that Trump is not qualified to be the leader of the US is a political observation.
Dan, was the robbery the 19th? or other date?
Police say the 19th.
Thanks Dan.
I don’t do Left Winged Parrot, no $$$ to them since Millers left town. iberk is a shill too
Nothing on masslive.com about it I picked up on……….
The Berkshire Eagle and environmentalists are so happy that while civilization has come to a halt, the ecosystem is thriving and, in the end, isn’t that really all that matters? In preparation for keeping us all “down on the farm” the article is prepping Americans for life under socialism by extolling the beauty of buying everything locally. Driving as little as possible since private vehicle ownership would become a thing of the past. Working at home most of the time which I actually like, but is just being used as another way to keep Americans from any kind of travel. If anyone does need to leave the house for things like groceries or just to get a change of scenery, just hop on some local public transportation. Better yet, have your groceries delivered and you will literally NEVER have to leave the house. Is anyone feeling even just a hint of claustrophobia yet?
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/as-virus-marches-on-environment-responding-in-a-very-positive-way-for-earth-day,602956
Trump promised to protect the Senior citizens.The virus killing people is not good for his polling.He cant fix the testing fast enough.Testing not opening,testing not opening,testing not opening…..This is still a media hoax for Trump and his supporters.Listen to them.Its a hoax.
He has his red state governors opening up their states possibly killing off many of his own voters. This guy has genius in his veins. I am in constant awe of him though not in the same way as some of his disciples.
The real hoax is Nancy Pelosi holding off financial aid for Americans while stockpiling ice cream in her expensive freezers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7DKYML2MRs
Such hatred.
Trump cant continue to tell Americans that its the governors fault for corona virus.We are at war so marching out every night without test after 7 weeks is bad.
More hatred.
God still loves you.
Humans are a bunch of arrogant buggers, confident that we are total masters of our universe. Well, a submicroscopic virus has proven otherwise. I have always argued that the planet is self-correcting and no matter what we do, it’s going to self-heal. Seismologists report that rumblings are down due to the lack of travel. India cities can see the Himalayas for the first time in years. Families who were using smartphones as their primary means of communication and whose lives were just a frenzied convulsion of activities are now forced to reconnect at home. The worst part of all of this is the threat to our fragile financial security caused by the damage to an economy that turned from manufacturing to a service one based heavily in the retail sale of junk made overseas.
Hopefully, we learn something from all of this and stop being hyper partisan jackasses. Remember, you can gesture with either your left hand or your right hand, but if you want to show appreciation and clap, left and right have to come together in the middle. When this winds down, we all can’t let life get back to a normal dictated by the same elected losers that got us here in the first place. Maybe it’s time to take a few steps backwards so we can take a better step forward.
TRUTH
Yes, humans are just that, holding within the greatness of sainthood and the disgusting redolence of corruption. Your comment made me think of a quote by Louis Pasteur: “In the end, the viruses will win.”
Couldn’t agree more.
It could be a LOT worse.
I’m vaccinated for SMALLPOX, how about You?
I think some governments have that virus stored/hidden.
Think about that, Jack!
Know a friendly cow/milkmaid?
My post now refers to the quote I saw yesterday from Senator Hinds. Did I understand correctly that instead of apologizing for the corona cannon fodder veterans in the Soldiers Home he is worried about undocumented workers?
All these goons care is about getting money so they can redistribute to their goon friends. If there is no tax base they will debase themselves in whatever manner necessary to get their grubby mits on Feceral money.
If this were France cars would be tipped over and people on strike in reaction to these repugnant individuals.
I lastly say I wish the Capeless friends would RIP – he didn’t win, Bianchi didn’t win, Masseo didn’t win and is now in a bunker. Maybe they didn’t win because voters thought they were no alternative, that they would just shuttle money to their group of goons.
That is the state of affairs in a one party system. Vaclav Havel could understand Pittsfield. God help those who need heroes. (I think that is from Brecht.)
Gov. Cuomo says these are the times you get to see a persons true character. Absolutely. Lots of greedy grabby hands out there who will risk putting grandma in the grave to feather their own pockets. Characters face is magnified in times of trouble, and so is the lack of it. You be the judge, but don’t lie to yourself unless you have no self respect.
“History is made at night. Character… is what you are in the dark!”
— Lord John Whorfin
Just shows how out of touch voters are. The Planet is on the no voters side. On Covid 19 the experts are saying it will be worse in the fall and winter. Right around election time. I knew I shouldn’t have sold that property in Montana.
The only side we are on is the side of Truth.
Tyer is the worst Mayor in the History of the modern era period. To glorify this political hack is just wrong. This applies to the D A also. Both of these hacks will get severally tested this year on their leadership skills. Crime and the economy with nothing to do this summer-fall is a boiler plate for political Most uprising against politicians in general arise when jobs are eliminated.
I agree they are hacks. I can’t believe my post about the Veterans home investigation got a negative thumb. Don’t the elderly that served their country deserve better? I am sure no one is getting this current pandemic perfect but the shifty money hoarding dishonesty responsibility evading bs is enough. The Eagle sold whatever soul they had.
I zeroed out the negative. Great post. Some clown doesn’t take our service members to heart and the sacrifice made by them.
To be a critic is easy. Please tell us what you are doing to help really? overachievers hate underachievers and underachievers hate overachievers.
Yes, being a critic of malfeasance is super damn easy. It’s made easier every day — you just need of read the news and say ‘holy crap!’ Thanks for your blog Dan.
KERMIT
Thanks for the thanks.
True dat.
The his blog might well be the most interesting reading the next couple years. It is now,but don’t forget Dan owes nobody any favors and seems to be able to continue without kissing ass like some others we know.
DUM
True dat. We owe no one. We won’t kiss up or suck up. Never have. We’re in the Truth business. Only game in town. There is no more trusted source than THE PLANET. Does it cause The Suits agita? Sometimes. And you know what? It’s good for them. In the end, they all realize it and come to thank us, if not outwardly then deep inside.
Massachusetts schools closed for the rest of the year.
(Part one)
The state website now has a Dashboard and is presenting aggregated data in beautiful colorful charts to get a bigger picture of what is happening here in Mass
Some interesting facts for Tuesday, April 21:
– 41,199 positive cases
– 1,961 deaths
– Of the 1,961 deaths, 1,774 have been elderly age 70 and older. (Of those, 1,237 were in their 80s, 90s and 100s)
The next largest age group comes in at a mere 196 – age 60-69. This means that 4.4% of Covid deaths in Massachusetts were people under the age of 60.
– Of the known cases of people hospitalized, 847 (97.7%) people had underlying conditions. 20 people (2.3%) had not.
– Of the 1,961 deaths, 1,059 have been at nursing homes.
– Of the 41,199 positive tests, 7,044 are health care workers or residents of long-term care nursing homes.
As the data becomes more abundant and categorized, it becomes more and more apparent that the real threat of the novel coronavirus has been and is to a very specific population and setting. Has social distancing and quarantine helped the spread among the general public? Perhaps.
Or maybe the general public – the healthy quarantined folks – were never under a severe threat anyway. Maybe their exposure and/or infection would have been (or will be) akin to the common cold or common flu.
The gradual re-opening of states will be the true reveal. Will lots more people die? Or will lots more people get sick, survive and live to survive the next round?
PHIL
That is the question: Was this all an over-response or no? The re-opening, as you say, will help settle it.
Massachusetts schools closed for the rest of the year.
(Part two)
There is a reason why children who are homeschooled meet up with other homeschooled children once a week or so for socializing.
There is a reason why experts in early childhood development know that socialization and human interaction is crucial to the young, developing toddler and preschooler.
Arguments for “opening back up” have centered around the economy and our capitalist society.
It is much more than that. Children NEED school and playtime and social interactions. They need formal education too, but it’s so much more than that.
Likewise, we NEED doctors and dentists and parks and playgrounds. We need fully functioning service agencies and public safety.
We didn’t just shut down an economy. We shut down all of the modern developments of our time that we know to foster good health, education, and mental stability.
We have a vast population of healthy people quarantined, becoming more unhealthy, paranoid, and discontent as this saga drags on.
But the liquor store is open. At least we have that.
Right on Phil. Time to remove the yellow tape and open the playgrounds. These shelter in place order are unconstitutional. There is no emergency now, and I question if there ever was. And notice how you can still buy cigarettes and lottery tickets. Lottery sales should pick up big time when the paper checks go out to the lower class.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/napolitano-unconstitutional-stay-at-home-orders
Fox News
flu, flu
Data shows that covid is nothing more than a seasonal flu, and will die off in the summer months…
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/not-reported-current-data-provides-support-china-coronavirus-reacts-significantly-sun-heat-look-numbers-southern-states/
Stop with the lying.It takes time to learn zbout this NEW VIRUS
You are always an interesting read.
My understanding is that school remains closed because of the danger of children getting it from other kids ( it only takes one to start the spread ) and then bringing it home to mom and/ or dad or grandpa and/or grandma.
I am 76 and have 6 grandkids and as much as I love them I don’t want them near me now. I also have underlying conditions.
Then the answer, Chuck, is for you to isolate yourself and work with your doctor to strengthen your immune system. I agree with Phil – kids need to be in school or home schooled – but closing the schools everytime the flu starts circulating is not the answer.
Maybe all the kids could be bussed to Georgia where the virus does not affect people.
Dear Lenny this is not the flu.
Flu.
If Trump gets re-elected, the flu will return. If he gets defeated, the flu will miraculously disappear.
Its not the Flu….
Flu.
Closing schools never happens in flu season.The entire world closed schools. Do you just watch Fox?
No baseball or parade for sure this year. All protests at a Park Sq called off,no ni f l, no lake usage for boats,safety reason, no restaurants,no little league,babe Ruth,skate parks, and definitely No ARTS of any kind.
I cannot sit idly by as you post blatant mistruths about the mayor and her actions regarding the current pandemic. These so called city hall sources that you say give you the inside info is pure bs.
Mayor Tyer began planning very early and spent her time learning about all the potential issues this city would be confronted with and making action plans, listening to many sources to become informed. She was working very hard at this instead of sitting in front of the press regurgitating the same information day after day like some leaders around the country. Early on, she appointed a coronavirus task force to help her assess the situation and help guide decisions. I was asked to be part of this team in my role as lead ambulance service for the city. The mayor wanted ensure she had representation from ever discipline to help her make important decisions moving forward.
I would really like to meet the person that says that Governor Baker gave the Mayor a tongue lashing. That is the biggest pile of horse dung u have ever heard. I was present when the mayor had a conversation with the Governor and Lt Governor. In actuality, the Mayor was very concerned about some things regarding the early coronavirus response by some other groups. The Governor was truly concerned about what he and the Lt Gov could do to help as our communities appeared to be the beginning of the coronavirus crisis in Massachusetts, seeing the 1st diagnosed cases here. The Gov committed to provide all the support he could and promised a visit to Pittsfield the next day to discuss in person. The Gov and Lt Gov have been nothing but helpful and responsive to this City throughout. So you can stop with the tongue lashing line as that never happened. Both the Governor and mayor have shown great leadership through this.
I could go on for days about what this Mayor and her staff have done throughout this pandemic. I am not one of the political connected in Pittsfield, actually quite the opposite. So my discussion of the mayor comes purely from my interactions with her beginning many months ago when she and Mike Coakley asked to come to learn about our family owned business here in the City later leading to my role on her CV task force. But I digress, the Mayor and her task force nteract every single day, sometimes multiple times to assess the current status of the pandemic, its effects on the city and how to respond. Every single member of this team convenes on a conference call with the mayor every single day to receive data, hear reports and mutually agree on plans moving forward. It was not until Easter Sunday that the same team members took their first break from this daily call but we are all back at it again daily.
I’ve come to realize that this city has a group of naysayers that will bash whatever happens and bash things no matter how good something is. I’ve resisted responding to the multiple bashings that have occurred on this page about the city response to coronavirus but I just couldn’t sit idly by any longer seeing all the misinformation that has been posted. I for one am very proud of what the Mayor has done as well as her administration and while she is working hard to protect our citizens she isn’t wasting time flaunting it to the media. I am sure I will now be flogged by the naysayers so have at it.
BRIAN
Thanks for the response. Ask yourself: Why do people become naysayers? Thy do it because of their “leadership.” If you ask someone, “Can I rob you blind?” you get a naysayer. Your defense of the administration is admirable but must be qualified by your position as one of the mayor’s team. You may have been there for a conversation the Guv had with the mayor, but were you there for THEE conversation? Our source was there. Our source also is someone who you wouldn’t expect to tell tall tales, since he or she is also part of the mayor’s team. Your defense comes across as a bit desperate, though THE PLANET doesn’t doubt its sincerity. We appreciate all you are doing, including responding here.
Your source is total horseshit. I was there when THE phone call was made TO the Governor. And yes it was on speaker phone. I love all the sources, remember I’m willing to put my name on my posts. And BTW I have not always agreed with 100% of the decisions made along the way and I was listened to when I expressed my disagreement. So tell the source to reveal themselves and tell me about this call in person.
And just remember I come from the private sector and don’t work for the city so I owe the mayor nothing so my words are not sincere and aren’t because of any fear or ass kissing. I’ve spent my entire life in this City and am well aware of the politics and I have been shafted by them more than once.
Do you have a contract with the city?
BRIAN
My source is not referring to that call, the one with people in the room. That’s not THEEEE call, which came before the one you mention. I will convey your message to my source and leave it up to them to contact you. On a related matter, would you tell THE PLANET the details of your company’s arrangement with the city? Do you have a contract? How much of your business is city related. That sort of thing. We appreciate your responses and love that you use your real name. Stay well.
Brian you support Tyer the way the planet supports Trump.The truth is Tyer is not crazy and Trump is.
TSC
We don’t “support” any politician. We support or oppose their actions.
You go on the Stooge show Brian, so you are politically connected.
Whoever the stooge is. I can imagine who you a referring to but I get invited on there because of my experience and knowledge about subjects coupled with the fact I’ve known him my entire life.
What would Nelson Mandella do? Or for that matter Ozzie Nelson?
Pittsfield has become a utopia since Tyer has become mayor. You ignorant ingrates just don’t appreciate her. Brian can you list her accomplishments so people can become woke like you and me?
Brian? Brian? whoa Brian,Brian….Brian?
I am not her aide or campaign manager so I don’t keep a list. I am speaking of her as the first Mayor to ever reach out to my family business in 38 years and care about what we have done and see if they could help in anyway and I have seen up close her leadership thru the pandemic so that’s all I got.
When you mismanage a City like Tyer does you better have a way of getting victims to the hospital.
Tyer has done better than Trump
Great Points BA. It’s so easy to be a critic arm chair quarterback etc.. With all the problems being brought forth you very rarely see a solution that goes along with it. We have many many people doing amazing things here in Pittsfield and around the county, they are the doers not the ones who just nit pick during this crisis. Dan, how about a column about them maybe start with Brian Andrews
I have a problem with a private business getting a half million for a boiler….Covanta,or a connected millionaire getting millions in-forgiveness while purchasing new seats from his own company that makes them,and then we get increases in taxes and pay for water plants,unseeded and won’t cover many new viruses, which will do many in. Brian has a vested interest with the business he does with the city. Of course he’s going to go with the current Mayor.
Cam, you hit the proverbial nail on the head. It’s not like were suddenly dissapointed with the mayor due to covid. It all that came before, and then now she wants go take my tax money to subsidize rent for people that don’t pay property taxes, and literraly give a way my state and federal and city money to businesses. Her management of, or lack thereof, Corona is just frosting for the real issues, which all come down to her spending like a drunken sailer on GOBSIG connected businesses.
The solution is easy – stop ripping off the public. You act like stopping the questionable activity is hard or unclear or remotely confusing. It is not. Grow two brain cells and recognize a conflict of interest. Recognize or recognize and care that policies (if they can even be raised to the level) are driving out any tax paying non government dependent beingS. The hangers on or the gov check types are ruining the area. But I think the mayor and others only want patronage jobs and the social services types so they can make adherence to their bs mandatory. When it becomes impossible to live your live with out being adversely effected by the political stupidity than complain the f away!
Brian,
I might say something nice if I contracted with the local officials to do business in the area. No one says it’s her fault for the virus and some just disagree with her handling of it.
Like the part about passing out taxpayer money. Is it fair to a senior citizen on a fixed income to not even have a say in having their tax money used to help business men, some of whom have more money than they have ever seen in their lives?
Yeah because that’s worked out well for us. Invested ton of money in equipment and people to perform 9-1-1 calls when AMR walked out on their half because they couldn’t make money here only to have it stuck to us a few short later.
Kudos to you Brian, for having the testicular fortitude to use your real name and speak your piece. While many good points are often raised on this board, the overwhelming negativity can be incredibly draining. I sometimes think that if the Mayor raised someone from the dead that the people on the board would find a reason to complain.
JON
It’s the default put-down to brand the concerns people bring up about the manner in which the city has been and is being governed with the word “negativity.” It’s a word used by apologists for the status quo, who don’t like being told they are wearing no clothes. The word has been overused and misused so much to knock legitimate concerns from good citizens that when I hear it, I know two things: (a) A nerve has been struck and (b) the assertions that cause one to complain of negativity are most likely valid — that’s because of the defensiveness of the charge of “negativity.” In Pittsfield’s weird political Newspeak, “negativity” means “positivity.”
I have no problem with people bringing up valid concerns. On the contrary I applaud it. My comment was meant for posters who are so poisoned in their own negativity, that they can’t see a positive aspect about anything. I personally can’t stand Donald Trump, but if he does something I think is note worthy and a positive for the country, I am happy to recognize it. I am not so blinded my personal bias that I can’t see the forest through the trees.
JON
That’s a reasonable view we can all support. Appreciate your participation in this board.
jon doe, I believe that she raised voters from the dead in the last election.
Okay, now that’s funny!
She would only do it to tax the person some more.
A little off topic to the discussion at hand but apropos the accelerating speed of Pittsfield’s decline, has anyone seen the odd modern looking office building on Merrill road lately? The one with the railings past the Sunoco station but before Flynns as you head toward Cdane Av? It’s been apparently empty and on the market for years. Now it sports broken windows and a TON of bad graffiti! It’s sad and it’s so indicative of the deep problems within the police department. This building is on one of the busiest streets in the city. With the amount of recent damage, wouldn’t patrolling cops notice something going on there? Plus 2 shooting events in one night…it is time for the police department to take a long look at their leadership and make some tough decisions!
That building used to be the headquarters for Petricca Construction.
And how much tax has been paid on that building in the last 20 years? Calling Mr. Kufflinks???
Where is the health department to make them take care and mow the lawn weekly
Even though this is pretty local nothing is he BS Eagle:
https://www.boston25news.com/news/25-investigates-obtains-emails-holyoke-soldiers-home-where-52-veterans-have-died/QH67GO2JLBOPU3G7FOTYCYR6XU/?_website=cmg-tv-10020
Tyrant number one, Gov. Northam of VA, is violating his own stay-at-home order……he knows this is all a farce….
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/rumblings-virginia-governor-blackface-kkk-northam-forces-virginians-lockdown-spends-weekends-north-carolina-beach-house/
Biden’s new health care advisor, Ezekiel Emanuel (brother of Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel), believes people who aren’t contributing materially to society (the elderly) should get out of the way for the benefit of the strong. Sick!
https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/22/millions-shelter-to-protect-the-elderly-but-obamacare-architect-thinks-old-people-should-just-die/
This is part of preparing people for government run healthcare. Big government will not want to waste money on the elderly because it would cost big government too much money. It’s really frightening!
Trump knows that the longer the virus lasts the less elderly on social security. He also knows it is killing mostly African Americans. So does he really want it to end any time soon? If not, why is he not helping to get testing like most leaders of the developed countries.
Fake News from Johnny Dimentia.
The whole time up until April 12 there were 20,000 deaths in America from the virus. And there have been 27,000 more in just the last 10 days. Does that sound like this thing is winding down? Time to start celebrating victory?
Pat wants to lead the Trump parade.
He is 100% failure with testing.Trump couldnt contribute at the Eagle
More terrible lies.
I wish there was a way we could be told if our comment is awaiting moderation…LOL…or if I just forgot to hit Post! As I had typed earlier, this comment is a bit off topic, but it does go to your ultimate point of ineptitude in city administration. Have you driven past that modern-looking small office building on Merrill Rd., past the Sunoco station on that side of the road but before Flynn’s VW/BMW. Its been vacant and for sale for years, but it seems VERY recently it has just been completely overwhelmed by nighttime miscreants. 20 feet of one of the main roads in the city and is is covered in graffiti with a few smashed big windows too, looking much like the great Hess Forest. This is really brazen and has to implicate the police chief and his apparent laissez-faire approach to policing. Crime has been rampant, in some neighborhoods for years now but nothing seems to change other than that it gets worse and spreads apparently to other neighborhoods. Something different has to be done, please.
MR G
Great post. We drove by it a couple days ago. The building, which was built in the late 60s as Petricca Construction’s HQ, has become an absolute disgrace. Perhaps we can rename it Petricca Forest. The front is loaded with graffiti and what looks like gang tags. Who knows what it looks like in back or inside if they broke into it. Could it be mere coincidence that this all happened after Spectrum opened up its meth clinic there? As you point out, this goes back to the mayor and police chief. The gangs and miscreants (good word!) rule. Good citizens, take cover.
Much like the Arace building on outer rte. 20 that looked like total shit for 20 years this one is also owned by an insider. Hope that answers any questions. But if Johnny blue collar owned either one of them it would have been torn down at their expense. I am sure the mayor would be happy to explain the situation.
JOHNNY
The mayor isn’t available. She’s hard at work fighting tirelessly, 24/7, on the front lines, for the blue collars you mention.
Maybe it can be used to shelter homeless from Boston and Worcester.
And it is within walking distance of grocery stores, fast food outlets and best of all it has plenty of median strips for the panhandling crowd. You really need to get yourself on the mayors collaboration team AA.
And I mean that in a good way.
Johnny Absurd, I am vibrant and dynamic.
But are you collaborative.
On a good day with the wind at my back.
And a meth clinic next door!
Welcome to the Covid Corona
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely space
Plenty of room at the Hotel Covid Corona
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it here
Or the druggies and gang members who come here from NYC, Hartford, and Springfield.
…and if it ends up I did post the same thing twice, my apologies to all!
MR G
It happens sometimes. No sweat. Our Robot isn’t infallible, and when comments go into moderation, they will always be dealt with in time. We could invest more in robotic adjudication of posts awaiting a moderator, but we didn’t, no only for the extra expense but mainly because we want human decisions.
No worries, and I don’t blame your robot at all but rather my faulty memory! I was shocked. Was that like that a month ago? It seemed to go down hill fast!
So Mayor Crayola is all over the news stations rolling out her new Corin19 economic plan, yet it has not even been brought before the City Council for their approval. She is stating monies will be available around May 1st. So taxpayers of Pittsfield you wasted your time going to vote in your ward for a City Councillor to represent you, basically next week. Evidently, Mayor Crayola does not need a City Council and our questions/issues mean nothing to her. Why even bother holding a City Council meeting, virtual or live, it is just a waste of money and time. Meanwhile, she gives out money to SOME people like it is a stick of gum. Is she going to keep track of the monies she gives away? Is she going to have a check and balance that this money is going to be utilized to pay these receivers rents, utility bills, loans are they going to spend this latest bonus on new electronics, bikes, sporting gear and non-essential items? Welcome to Walmart. Most of the people that will be receiving this money already have subsidized rents, utility bill payments from outside sources, EBT cards, etc.. Meanwhile us hardworking tax paying residents better make sure they pay all their bills on time. Spoke to so many friends and neighbors this week that are one step from putting their homes up for sale and getting out of dodge. We don’t stand a chance with Mayor Crayola at the helm.
M&B
This is a Gunfight at the OK Corral moment for the city council. Will they support Chris Connell’s proposal or not? If they do, representative government has a flicker of life. If they don’t, we know have an oligarchy, with political incompetents in charge.
Dan think about it. Yuki needs her money to bail her business out. Kavey needs his new employer HON bailed out. Restaurant critic White needs his favorite haunts bailed out. Moonbeam and Dina are in Mayor Crayola’s inner BFF circle. Pee Pee Petie and Caccamo are pansies that are afraid of going against Crayola. Persip is consistent with talking up a storm against an issue but then turning right around and voting for it. Bet the only Councillors asking questions and most likely vote against it or try to refer it to Finance will be Connell, Morandi and possibly Maffuccio. I give Chris and Kevin all the credit in the world for staying on the Council. They are going to be fighting a brick wall for the next year and a half. We can only hope that some good smart folks will run against these puke faced puppets. Some folks that will give Mayor Crayola a miserable last two years, that’s if Pittsfield last that long.
BELLA CIAO
Bellissima.
We have been so brainwashed by the media that anytime someone mentions a rise of infections or a rare death of a 30 year old everyone is ready to run back inside the house and let the government run their lives.
I wish rather then having 24/7 news cycles talking with infectious disease experts that have by and large worked in government organizations for their entire careers they would interview people working/running small & medium size businesses. Like many viruses, it impacts those with compromised immune systems and the elderly. My friend has a compromised immune system, when he lost his health insurance due to the layoff he lost his ability to pay for his medication that keeps him alive. His analogy is the virus probably has a 1-2% chance of killing him, but having to ration his medication or not take it because of cost will certainly kill him or reduce his quality of life drastically. Poverty, lack of accessible healthcare & medication, and the inability to support yourself or family will certainly kill more then this virus will.
We know nothing about this virus
TSC,
YOU know nothing about this virus. Gotta mouse in your pocket?
Yeah, a bald headed mouse.
Liz Warren hard at work taking care of Massachusetts citizens or is she still running for office? We already know she is a professional campaigner. She is still going after President Trump. She is obsessed with him.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/warren-senate-democrats-call-for-investigation-into-trump-administration-response-to-coronavirus
My home assessment went up five grand wtf?
There you go again with the “we already know” line. Who the hell is “we” Pat? You and Hannity?
Warren should put him over her lap and spank him.
He would probably get all excited and give her a cabinet position.
If you get the COVID-19 you will always have COVID-19. You may not be symptomatic but it will always exist in your system and it can “surge” again. For about one to three percent of people this surge will be deadly. For about 20 percent of the population it will require acute medical care. For 80% of the population, it won’t matter one way or the other, the only thing is the surge will mean you are shedding the virus and are a danger to others.
For those genetically predisposed to problems with COVID-19, they will be the ones that will forever take care. The vaccine will be of no use. This is a much different problem than most things we have felt with.
As the virus mutates, new groups of people will be more susceptible to problems with the new mutations.
What happens to up in smoke,the cigar joint
Wow. This is COMPLETE bullshit. What the hell is wrong with you?
Search YouTube for Debbie Downer Disney World
When this information saves your life you can thank me later.
A more erudite comment would help get you a good response. 100% gutter talk, though, makes it difficult to take you seriously. Better approach would be to point out, specifically, what is wrong with RN’s comment and replace it with better information.
Dan,
Did you even read RN’s post? Consider his/her opening line: “If you get the COVID-19 you will always have COVID-19. You may not be symptomatic but it will always exist in your system and it can “surge” again.”
Specifically, what is wrong with that comment is that it is a preposterous, factually untrue, complete load of horseshit. Is that erudite enough for you Dan?
Usually Dan, the burden of proof is on those who make bold assertions. Partly that’s because it usually isn’t very easy to prove a negative. Anyway, RN fraud is free to post ANY evidence that people who get COVID will ALWAYS have it and be susceptible to it surging again.
This virus is a many headed Hydra as it is and no one knows how many more heads it will grow. There will be no normal any time soon. Buckle up.
Just remember what I’ve said here. They are finding that COVID-19 is much more similar to FCoV than anything else in the way it exists in your system.
In fact a recent studies in China and Japan with a group of 600 patients and one with 1,100 are showing that COVID-19 is persistent, even months after being “negative”. New more accurate antibody tests are showing a cyclical surge in antibodies in previously infected patients.
This surge is detected via an RT-PCR test in fecal mater. For 80% of the patients, the surge never reaches a critical level, in 20% it does and may be mildly to acutely symptomatic.
The most disturbing thing is that it sheds dramatically in that 20% group. It is also infectious to companion animals, and although dogs may carry it, cats will be the real problem.
You will begin to hear things about a “second surge” a “deadly surge” and a COVID season.
Once again, COMPLETE bullshit. COVID19 has NOTHING to do with feline coronavirus and is not similar in any way whatsoever. Worldwide, 2 dogs in Hong Kong, 2 cats in Belgium and a lion at the Bronx Zoo are the only known dog/feline cases. ZERO research shows that COVID is “similar” to feline COV in any meaningful way. RN is almost certainly not an RN, but a liar with an agenda, though I have no idea what that agenda is.
Actually, my data was slightly off. From the American Veterinary Medial Association webpage:
“To date, globally, the only pets incidentally exposed to COVID-19 that have tested positive, with confirmation, for SARS-CoV-2 are two pet dogs and a pet cat in Hong Kong, and two pet cats in in the United States. The two pet cats in the United States both had signs of mild respiratory illness and are expected to make a full recovery. The pet cat in Hong Kong did not exhibit clinical signs of disease. Another pet cat in Belgium tested positive, but details around that case are less clear. The dogs and cats in Hong Kong were each in the care of and had close contact with a person who had been confirmed to have COVID-19. In the case of the cat in Belgium, other diseases and conditions that could have caused those same signs of illness were not ruled out and there are also questions about how samples demonstrating the presence of SARS-CoV-2 were collected and evaluated. That cat recovered.”
April 22, 2020
Re: Open letter to Patrick Fennell
Hello Pat,
I love your idea that they can transfer all of the Beacon Hill State House offices to the Holyoke Soldiers Home so the “nitwit” state Legislators will live the experiences of the dozens of Veterans who are dying there. I would go further by proposing that the Massachusetts State Legislators all get paid part-time minimum wage salaries with EBT cards for their food and MassHealth cards for their healthcare. If they still want to hike transportation taxes by $600 million, then they can donate all of their pay and benefits to the General Fund first so they can lead by example. The retired state Legislators who are now registered Lobbyists can donate their pensions and “bribe money” to the General Fund too.
In closing, Pat, let them experience the struggles that the taxpaying public, who pay for all of their luxuries, go through!
Best wishes,
Jonathan
The VIRUS is not the flu.Do not say it again.
flu
TSC,
You should remain locked in your home. Don’t venture out until after the November election. It’s not safe.
You should hurry out and spread your rights
As long as I still have them I just might. Never know when they will be lost
Let us guess, Trump is the flu
flu you
So at least 5 peopl we believe the virus is the flu and Trump today said the virus is not the flu
flu,flu,flu and flu.
Fear is the new flu.
BHS still lying about the number of COVID+ cases, it should have gone up by at least 7 today.
Incredible.Just incredible.
Once again I will ask can you please tell us where you are getting your data from? Is there a source you can cite? A link you can provide? Tell us what is the “true” number of tests completed positives and negatives. Please provide an approximate time/ date stamp for the data set as well if possible Auto Phil above did a great job with the data set he provided
Thanks in advance
Seems like Gov. Brian Kemp of GA has the most common sense re-opening plan for his state. On Friday, gyms, barbers, & other businesses have been given the OK to reopen, with employers screening their employees for fever/respiratory illness. GA residents given okay to be out & about while being reminded of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Theaters, restaurants allowed to reopen April 27th. Story, Washington Post.
Gov. Baker on the other hand stated on 4/21 that he “feels no urgency in reopening” per iberkshires article. 58% of hospital beds remain unoccupied in the state of MA. Masslive data shows declining covid cases & deaths. Baker disagrees with Trump’s suspension of immigration, “I don’t think it makes us any safer.” The state continues to release prisoners while keeping gun stores closed. Open the state Guv!
I loved Chuck Vincelette’s comments a few posts back. Chuck’s always on target. As much as we’d love to see our grandchildren now it is best to keep a distance. I keep a distance, too, Chuck. For how long, well, we’ll see? Not long, I hope. The important thing is our children are okay. I can remember Miss Callahan and Miss Coffey at Briggs School, Miss Maloney and Miss Coakley at Redfield School, teaching us how to hide under a desk during WW 2 and after. Then we had the Red scare. Our parents sent us to school, North Street was safe, every night we walked to the Boy’s Club or Girl’s Club, we did not dare separate the clubs at that time, and we attended the Kameo or the Strand on Saturday for nine cents and we survived, nicely, I may add. Candy bars were a nickel. About what they should be worth today. Folks today should have heard or seen first hand what war years were like, how it was to live through them, parents fought in them and we are products of the period. Dan’s father fought in The Battle of the Bulge. My dad fought against the Turks in WW 1. The Turks were allied with Germany in the war. Now we have a virus that has shaken us to the core. In the past, we had much tougher foes. Even though we’re now hiding behind bushes and trees we’ll overcome this because we’ve overcome more difficult adversaries in the past. It’s in our DNA. We’ll do it.
CHUCK
Thanks for this great message. The wars our Dad’s fought became a part of them for the rest of their lives. Those folks came back to build Pittsfield into the great city you allude to hear. I grew up in that same safe and beautiful place. Today the city is dangerous and trashy, needlessly. Those strong men and women we knew have been replaced by social service agencies, the drug trade, gangs, welfare cheats, and the rest of it. As for beating the virus, I agree. We will do it.
You have an awesome memory. I remember watching Batman at the Boys Club but I have no idea how I might have gotten there or home. And some days now I have to think real hard, “where is my house”?
If Stooge doesn’t sound stupid talking about Diapers this morning on t b r,on a tape delay no less.Especially with Corona and the state of the city? Put the music on,no one is watching this hack anyway. At least let the radio side be MUSIC.
The music they play pretty much sucks.
Stoogy does love to cater to the gobsig crowd:{
Thanks, Johnny, the memory is not yet mush. Neither is yours. You remember Batmen from the mid-’40s and that tells me your thinking cap remains top-notch. I remember Batmen sitting in folded chairs and cheering for the good guys. Staying on memory lane the Friday night Club movie I remember most is King Kong. Scared us out of our seats. At the movie’s end, Fred Fahey came on stage to tell us the movie is not for real and King Kong won’t get us on our way home. Were we ever relieved? It was a time all club members waked home. Not like today with limos waiting to take kids home. I bet Thomas More remembers all this. Maybe even saw King Kong that Friday night of long age.
You just had to watch out for Red in the batroom.
The war years were different. i had two brothers in the war and that’s the way it was. As a kid you have no frame of reference. My oldest brother who was the 20 came home after three years in France and Belgium. He had to return to Devens on August 2 to prepare for transfer to the Pacific. 5 or 6 days later, Bingo, the war was over. I’m sure Chuck G. will remember the celebration in town on that night. It still seems like only yesterday. It is well remembered because it is the last war that the U.S. fought to win.. We collected tin foil, and mixed margarine because there was rarely any butter, raised chickens for eggs and to eat. We had plenty of red meat but I was told not to talk about it as meat was rationed and families could get very little. I later found out it was venison. Hot dogs from the Linden Lunch were 3 cents and went to a nickle after the war. A large bag of potato chips could be bought for 3 cents at M & G on Linden St. The were the broken chips that couldn’t be packaged.
Great post, TM.
Sure is a great post. I do remember the celebration on the night war ended. I was there at West Street and North. Never forgot it. It was spontaneous and massive. A wonderful night of celebration for a wonderful reason.
Awesome.
you couldn’t have been very old.
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/baker-keeping-close-eye-on-virus-hospitalization-rate,603005
BHS is doing everything it can to skew the numbers down on hospitalizations and positive tests.
The kiosk doesn’t reflect the correct number of positive tests and they are pushing people to stay out of the hospital.
The Governor is looking at new positives, hospitalizations, and death rates to see where things are going and if things can reopen.
If you are a tourist based economy, you want things to open even faster, even if it means more will die.
New study from New York says that 88% of patients put on ventilators ended up dying. Look at how very famous and wealthy patients with the best doctors in the world are treated for corona virus and you will see that they are not put on ventilators. PM Boris Johnson of the UK, for example, had one of the best respiratory doctors in the world and he was NOT put on a ventilator even though he was in really bad shape. He did receive oxygen though and we don’t know what medications he received, but he beat corona virus. These top respiratory doctors are using the most advanced treatments we know of to treat corona virus in their patients so it would be very helpful if they would tell the world just what treatments they used to save their patients.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-04-22/most-covid-19-patients-placed-on-ventilators-died-new-york-study-shows
The Epoch Times produced a video on the origins of the coronavirus. Anyone who posted it on Facebook had it taken down by the Facebook police, but I believe it’s still available on YouTube. The video suggests the virus was engineered in a lab. I’m guessing we will never know as that could start WWIII…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bXWGxhd7ic
Liar Freddo Cuomo broke quarantine – left home with his family while “sick” – then promoted himself emerging from his basement bunker “for the first time” after quarantine. All this while older brother, NY tyrant Andrew Cuomo, refuses to lift lockdowns.
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2020/04/22/nolte-chris-cuomo-knew-he-had-covid-19-still-risked-infecting-others-by-violating-quarantine/
Fake
Hopefully none of your loved ones are in New York state nursing homes, as Cuomo’s new policy requires covid patients to be sent back in…..
No wonder New York’s fatalities are skyrocketing!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/04/explains-new-york-numbers-governors-policies-required-infected-coronavirus-patients-sent-back-nursing-home/
Not good. They should, I hope, be housed in a separate part of the nursing home, but still is dangerous. I know they did this at Williamstown Commons and we know how that has turned out.
It came out today that 88% of those who went on Ventilators in New York have died. Look at how they treated PM Boris Johnson in England. He never went on a ventilator even though he was extremely ill. They did give him oxygen and probably medications although it hasn’t been reported which medications. We should look at how very famous people like Johnson are receiving treatment because he had one of the top respiratory doctors in the world.
If you are on a ventilator that means you can’t breathe on your own. Most people that went on ventilators were probably going to die anyway. The ventilator prolonged their life and in some cases helped.
What they should be doing is MAX O2. Most people don’t need help breathing most just can’t get enough oxygen due to fluid in their lungs.
Max o2 saves lives.
Respiratory therapy department at BMC must be busy.
Pat,
Is this the study that you are referring to? Please read the study in its entirety paying close attention to both the data and methodology
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765184
Boston Herald: ‘Public being misled about protective value of masks’ by Betsy McCaughey.
Several states are requiring everyone to wear a mask or a substitute face covering to leave home. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suddenly flipped from urging the public not to wear masks to recommending that they wear something that covers their nose and mouth.
New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new signature look is a western-style bandana pulled up over his mouth and nose. No doubt he’s well-intentioned. But that kind of face covering is only a hair better than no covering at all. Science shows it’s a mere 2% to 3% effective. It’s misleading.
Government officials need to be honest about what works and what doesn’t. Here’s the scientific evidence:
N95 masks, which are molded and fit tight to the face, filter out 95% of viral particles, even the smallest ones. These masks offer the best protection, but they are in short supply, and public officials want them reserved for health care workers on the front lines.
Surgical masks, the kind you see commonly worn in hospitals and dentists’ offices, are flat and held to the face with elastic. They’re made from a nonwoven material, polypropylene, that is a somewhat effective filter. They protect the wearer from about 56% of viral droplets emitted by an infected person nearby, according to research in the British Medical Journal.
Not so woven cloth masks. They allow in 97% of viral particles. Wearing a homemade cotton mask is a false assurance, explains epidemiologist May Chu. She says it will block only about 2% of airflow. Similarly, a study in Disaster Medical and Public Health Preparedness concludes that a homemade mask should be considered “only as a last resort,” better than no protection at all but not a lot better.
Surgical masks seem available in stores now, and if you can buy a supply, using them is far preferable to making your own.
If you have to resort to homemade, keep in mind that the more layers of cloth, the better. Four layers likely block out 13% of viral droplets, according to a study in Aerosol and Air Quality Research.
Why are public officials suddenly urging mask use, many weeks after the coronavirus struck?
Because of mounting research pointing to the huge role of asymptomatic people spreading the disease before they feel ill. Whenever these asymptomatic carriers talk or simply exhale, they spread very small droplets of virus-laden saliva and respiratory mucous in the air. Scientists call it bioaerosols.
Getting everyone to mask up does double duty — helping to protect the uninfected and keeping the unknowingly infected from spreading the virus.
What’s the root problem? Year after year after year, through three presidencies, federal health bureaucrats ignored warnings about inadequate supplies of masks and other equipment in the event of a pandemic. Ten federal reports sounded the alarm, even as the nation witnessed SARS, MERS, avian flu and swine flu that circled the globe. In 2009, during the swine flu outbreak, the federal Strategic National Stockpile dispersed 85 million N95 masks, as well as other protective masks. The masks were never replaced.
Don’t blame any president, Democratic or Republican, for this oversight. The career officials at Health and Human Services knowingly allowed the nation to be undersupplied. They never requested enough money to adequately stock the Strategic National Stockpile. Their agenda was global, tracking down polio in Pakistan, pouring nearly $5 billion in the fight against Ebola overseas and funding a Global Health Security Agenda serving 49 countries. But no masks for Americans.
When the coronavirus struck, the CDC offered only mask double talk. The agency said, on the one hand, masks are vital to protect health care workers, and on the other hand, masks won’t make the public safer. It defies common sense. The agency should have leveled with people, admitting supplies had to be saved for front line caregivers.
The bill Congress enacted in late March allocates $16 billion to the Strategic National Stockpile, nearly 30 times its annual budget. Next time, the U.S. will have enough masks.
Betsy McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths and a former lieutenant governor of New York.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/04/23/public-being-misled-about-protective-value-of-masks/
N95 masks are good, n99 or r or p are better.
Most of the masks being sold now are KN95 and they are china garbage. Real KN95 masks wouldn’t be allowed in medical environments but right now they are ok to use because no one has n95 or n99 masks.
Many of the Vitamins consumed in the U S are made in……you got it…..CHINA.
The face covering was for the mask wearer not to spread his droplets out.So it depends on people protecting others from themselves then in turn the othe protects you from their spit.It better than 2 people no mask.
Not true it’s for both. When I wear a mask in a room it’s not because I’m worried about infecting the person
Another question for our City Councillors to ask Mayor Crayola about her latest dynamic, vibrant, collaborative free money handout. Since Dottie’s Go Fund Me page has netted $5,922 so far, is this amount going to be deducted from Crayola’s handout? Dotties is asking for $26,000. It seems to me that the owner of Dottie’s could still have her business opened and have a take out menu, after all Mayor Crayola had special signs made up that are now blowing all over North Street. Why should us taxpayers have to pay for her business when she could just get off her lazy butt and be creative to make her business keep running. So many other businesses in Pittsfield have found ways to survive and kudos to them. They evidently realize they are not in Mayor Crayola’s circle. Unfortunately, it is people like the owner of Dotties that will get the most handout and those businesses that are still trying to keep afloat will be ignored. I cringe every time I see Mayor Crayola’s mug on the television news announcing her million dollar plus handout, especially with the picture of the Berkshire Museum included in her announcement. Really Mayor! Something SO WRONG with this picture as usual and not a damn thing us tax payers can do about it.
M&B
I agree fully with your comments about Dotties.
Highland is still working, Chinese place is still working hot Harry’s still working, la Fogatta still working, even the new lantern is still working.
Dottie’s is sitting home doing nothing begging for cash.
A real disgrace. Maybe her coffee sucks and it twice the price of everything around.
Her bakery went out of business because it was expensive and disgusting. $4 for a donut
Holy Cow. A shining example of responsible management, including a hiring freeze, no property tax increase for next year, no capital expenses next year, and a fiscal control board. Too bad it ain’t Pittsfield.
https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/lenox-eyes-22-million-in-cuts-to-offset-virus-born-losses,603069
Mayor Crayola, take note. This is how a realistic city operates! After 4 1/2 years you’d think she’d start with cutting the overblown school budget. Close some elementary schools for pete’s sake!
Many predators single out the weak to prey on. This crisis opens up opportunities for those with power.
FRITZ
The school budget is a overfed, obese monster that is helping to kill the city. Counting what they hide on the municipal side (bussing, benefits, maintenance) it’s in the neighborhood of $125 million a year. That’s bad enough for an overtaxed, shrinking city, but it’s worse when you consider the miserably poor product being turned out by the city’s public school system. It’s due for AT LEAST a 10% correction, minimum, especially after the virus. It will be interesting to see how COVID changes the approaches to the budget this year. Wild cards will be new councilors and level of people’s anger.
An overfed, obese monster that is helping to kill the city? Are you talking McCandles or his budget? Based on his photo, he needs to get up on the new track and the new high school we couldn’t afford and didn’t need, and double time around about 80 times per day, and set an example. He is supposed to be a leader. Trim his beard too. Looks quite disheveled.
What I find really disturbing is that McCandless has stated that he won’t be hiring the consultant in regards to assessing facilities planning. The idea of closing some schools has been kicked down the road for five years. Why can’t McCandass & Curtis figure that out themselves? Enrollment has been declining for YEARS – every other district is consolidating, knowing that revenue problems are coming. McCandass gets paid the big bucks to make those decisions. Appaling!
That’s what happens when you have intelligent leadership that actually cares about citizens.
And he is a city mananger, versus a politician.
That’s because he’s a professional not some glorified secretary who got promoted without merit. [NOTE: THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN EDITED TO REMOVE GUTTER LANGUAGE. WE ASK THAT RN REFRAIN FROM GRATUITOUS OBSCENITIES AND INSINUATIONS].
This comment is way way out of line.
Please show some respect for this Blog. Dan puts way to much effort into this to allow it devolve into that. Dan is more than capable of speaking for himself and moderating. I simply ask as a patron of the blog to keep it out of the gutter. Please
Thank you, 5th. That is a minimum expectation for all of us — keep it out of the gutter. YOU get it.
At least she doesn’t lie as easily as she breathes.
Wednesday 4/23/2020 Your leader Don Trump at or about 6.30pm made a statement and it was his best.This will be tough on you men but he state this Virus is not the Flu.Now off you go to Fox to find it.
I suggest everyone buy the movie …..Wild in the Streets. A sixties classic.
he state? Pop a top again.
Nothing but hate.
God loves you.
Governors, lift the lockdowns before the country is sent into a great depression!
Five important facts to support lifting the lockdowns;
1. The majority of people have no significant risk of dying from covid
2. Protecting older, at-risk people eliminates hospital overcrowding
3. Vital population immunity is prevented by total isolation policies prolonging the problem
4. People are dying because other medical care is not getting done due to hypothetical projections
5. We have a clearly defined population at risk who can be protected by targeted measures
Read the full article here;
https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/494034-the-data-are-in-stop-the-panic-and-end-the-total-isolation
Latest covid death toll numbers less than seasonal flu outbreak of 2017-18. Why are we in lockdown and spending trillions of dollars?
https://www.wnd.com/2020/04/ron-paul-lockdown-big-mistake/
Why do men continue to not wear mask.That should be a fine of 100.The gas station retail store has their employees keeping their mask on then stupid Joe Blow walks in with no mask spitting his virus everywhere seemingly as 95 % are keeping their spit to themselves. No mask no service.You dont have the right to spit and disrespect your retail workers.Throw a cigarette out the window can kill people.That should be a 500 dollar fine.