investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Storage Shortage + Demand Reduce = Oil The New Water

A lot of people been wondering what would happen to the oil price after the states reduce some of the @ @ @ @ @ because of the storage shortage and demand reduction for oil .
Unless OPEC+ and the @ @ @ @ @ again .
Then , maybe buy the news with extra caution .

by iDestinyXD
A lot of people been wondering what would happen to the oil price after the states reduce some of the restrictions. I recommend caution because of the storage shortage and demand reduction for oil. Unless OPEC+ and the US decided to cut production again. Then, maybe buy the news with extra caution.
Readings:
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oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Storage-Fears-Drive-Oil-Below-18.html
www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil/crude-oil-futures-drop-at-open-of-asian-trading-idUSKBN2210V9


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--AMZN/SHOP – The Fundamental shift towards Ecommerce, SHOP to double

TLDR ; There is a massive shift to E-commerce under way across all demographics , and especially under boomers and older people who have resisted online buying .
With the spread of the virus , these demographics are shifting to online buying , expanding the market by 50 % .
Younger people ordering online are doing it even more .
The sector will see long term extreme growth .
Sales profits will consolidate under SHOP and AMZN .
SHOP will double .
Basically right now , as stocks recover , we are going to see a fundamental repricing of companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some worth less , as the economy and the way that people buy and communicate changes .
The post pandemic economy will be different , understanding this is where the huge economic opportunity lays .
Online sales profits will moon , and the profits consolidate under AMZN and SHOP .
Shopify is poised to see massive growth as a result .
They were already booming , with their previous ATH at 593 , they sit at 590 right now .
The stock was already on a massive bull run with SHOP before this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressable market for ecommerce effectively doubling over night , SHOP is STILL underpriced .
How do I know this ?
AMZN did not start to boom on this until recently announcing they were hiring 100k employees , and then 75k more .
This sent their stock booming last week .
The market had not priced that in until literally LAST week .
It ’ s still early on these stocks .
SHOP is basically an index for ecommerce .
Going forward , holding shopify is like holding an index on small and medium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely low capital requirements , can scale basically immediately as they hold no merchandise , get a cut of every transaction .
This is a dream stock .
“ As we help thousands of businesses to move online , our platform is now handling Black Friday level traffic every day !
It won ’ t be long before traffic has doubled or more.
” Shopify CTO – twitter.com/jmwind/status/1250816681024331777 “ I am presently scaling a client on Shopify who started at a 30k a month ad budget .
Today we scaled past $ 8,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250k a month ) .
I fully expect and we ’ ll hit $ 500,000 a month in ad spend for them monthly probably in the next 2 weeks .
The combination of increased screen time and major companies pulling ad dollars has cratered media prices , and in the process , created a once in a decade opportunity for DTC brands that have cash on hand and are ready to scale up production .
This announcement from Shopify themselves surprises me not at all.
” “ Same here .
We have provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warehouses , as SaaS .
We are ( one of ) the biggest player in the Netherlands , and since “ social distancing ” started here 4 weeks ago we see Black Friday 2019 levels of orders every day , for 4 weeks straight now .
We have some customers that saw there orders come to a stop , even a few bankruptcies already .
But almost all see a 30-40 % bigger order flow .
Some customers that sell DIY hair products see a doubling or tripling in orders per day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest e-commerce players in the Netherlands and the top 3 parcel shippers , they all see ( near ) black friday levels of orders/shipments.
” The best part is it doesn ’ t matter if the virus wrecks the economy , sales and profits will consolidate under AMZN and SHOP .
Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by codeslingingslave
TLDR; There is a massive shift to E-commerce under way across all demographics, and especially under boomers and older people who have resisted online buying. With the spread of the virus, these demographics are shifting to online buying, expanding the market by 50%. Younger people ordering online are doing it even more. The sector will see long term extreme growth. Sales profits will consolidate under SHOP and AMZN. SHOP will double.
Basically right now, as stocks recover, we are going to see a fundamental repricing of companies. Some will be worth more and some worth less, as the economy and the way that people buy and communicate changes. The post pandemic economy will be different, understanding this is where the huge economic opportunity lays. Online sales profits will moon, and the profits consolidate under AMZN and SHOP.
Shopify is poised to see massive growth as a result. They were already booming, with their previous ATH at 593, they sit at 590 right now. The stock was already on a massive bull run with SHOP before this shift to online buying. With the addressable market for ecommerce effectively doubling over night, SHOP is STILL underpriced.
How do I know this? AMZN did not start to boom on this until recently announcing they were hiring 100k employees, and then 75k more. This sent their stock booming last week. The market had not priced that in until literally LAST week. It’s still early on these stocks.
SHOP is basically an index for ecommerce. Going forward, holding shopify is like holding an index on small and medium size businesses selling online. They have extremely low capital requirements, can scale basically immediately as they hold no merchandise, get a cut of every transaction. This is a dream stock.
PROOF:
“As we help thousands of businesses to move online, our platform is now handling Black Friday level traffic every day!
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It won’t be long before traffic has doubled or more.” Shopify CTO – twitter.com/jmwind/status/1250816681024331777
Offhand comments from hacker news:
“I am presently scaling a client on Shopify who started at a 30k a month ad budget. Today we scaled past $8,000 per day (So a little under 250k a month). I fully expect and we’ll hit $500,000 a month in ad spend for them monthly probably in the next 2 weeks. The combination of increased screen time and major companies pulling ad dollars has cratered media prices, and in the process, created a once in a decade opportunity for DTC brands that have cash on hand and are ready to scale up production. This announcement from Shopify themselves surprises me not at all.”
“Same here. We have provide a warehouse management system specifically for e-commerce warehouses, as SaaS. We are (one of) the biggest player in the Netherlands, and since “social distancing” started here 4 weeks ago we see Black Friday 2019 levels of orders every day, for 4 weeks straight now. We have some customers that saw there orders come to a stop, even a few bankruptcies already. But almost all see a 30-40% bigger order flow. Some customers that sell DIY hair products see a doubling or tripling in orders per day and revenue. When I talk to the biggest e-commerce players in the Netherlands and the top 3 parcel shippers, they all see (near) black friday levels of orders/shipments.”
Taken from: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22901231
The best part is it doesn’t matter if the virus wrecks the economy, sales and profits will consolidate under AMZN and SHOP.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Denmark won’t bail out companies that is paying dividends, buying back shares or are seated in “tax

Denmark won’t bail out companies that is paying dividends, buying back shares or are seated in “tax havens”

BLOOMBERG – The government also said that companies which pay out dividends , buy back own shares or are registered @ @ @ @ @ t be eligible for any of the aid programs , which now amount to a @ @ @ @ @ , when including loans and guarantees .
In America that would mean they couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ .

BLOOMBERG – The government also said that companies which pay out dividends, buy back own shares or are registered in tax havens won’t be eligible for any of the aid programs, which now amount to a total of 400 billion kroner, when including loans and guarantees.
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-18/denmark-extends-business-aid-to-increase-spending-by-15-billion
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In America that would mean they couldn’t bail out any companies.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--The 2020-2022 Great Depression Coming to Neighborhood Near You!

Neiman Marcus Group is preparing to seek bankruptcy according to Reuters .
I have warned that brick & motor stores are in trouble and this lockdown will ensure that people will not be returning to malls and restaurants as they did before .
All of the major retail stores are facing credit downgrades .
Forbes has warned many are on a credit-watch such as Dillard ’ s , J.C. Penney , Macy ’ s , and Nordstrom just to mention a few .
Shutting down the economy is unleashing a Great Depression far WORSE than that of the 1930s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has demonstrated that they have no common sense and the abuse they have inflicted upon society for the political benefits is just mindboggling .
There is NO HOPE IN HELL that the economy will recover .
We are looking at a crash and burn into 2022 .
All the headstrong people talking about hyperinflation and the dollar will crash who lost a fortune on the way down since January , are going to lose everything between now and 2022 .
They remain absolutely clueless as to even what capital formation is all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
They all got their orders .
This is beyond FAKE NEWS – we are now entering state censorship .
I personally know some journalists who have expressed their frustration about not being able to report what is really going on .
We can find individual pieces as examples above .
But nobody is allowed to write an article on connecting the dots or what economic damage has truly been done collectively beyond a single incident .
I get emails from people who have lost everything – the jobs and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks to be DELIBERATE or the work of absolute FOOLS moved by the Climate Change contingent to shut down the world economy to save the planet trying to get to ZERO CO2 .

by Martin Armstrong
Neiman Marcus Group is preparing to seek bankruptcy according to Reuters. I have warned that brick & motor stores are in trouble and this lockdown will ensure that people will not be returning to malls and restaurants as they did before. All of the major retail stores are facing credit downgrades. Forbes has warned many are on a credit-watch such as Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Macy’s, and Nordstrom just to mention a few.
Shutting down the economy is unleashing a Great Depression far WORSE than that of the 1930s. Our political leaders are absolute morons. This has demonstrated that they have no common sense and the abuse they have inflicted upon society for the political benefits is just mindboggling. There is NO HOPE IN HELL that the economy will recover. We are looking at a crash and burn into 2022. All the headstrong people talking about hyperinflation and the dollar will crash who lost a fortune on the way down since January, are going to lose everything between now and 2022. They remain absolutely clueless as to even what capital formation is all about.
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The newspapers have to support the lockdown. They all got their orders. This is beyond FAKE NEWS – we are now entering state censorship. I personally know some journalists who have expressed their frustration about not being able to report what is really going on. We can find individual pieces as examples above. But nobody is allowed to write an article on connecting the dots or what economic damage has truly been done collectively beyond a single incident.
I get emails from people who have lost everything – the jobs and no prospects for the future. This just looks to be DELIBERATE or the work of absolute FOOLS moved by the Climate Change contingent to shut down the world economy to save the planet trying to get to ZERO CO2.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Presenting The Federal Reserve Script for Totalitarianism

The Fed goes for the whole ball of wax–deciding who gets put to work and who gets jailed .
Presented @ @ @ @ @ a Sunday morning news show , because the criminals in charge know that that ’ @ @ @ @ @ hide shocking information from a population that lost its capacity TO LISTEN a very long @ @ @

The Fed goes for the whole ball of wax–deciding who gets put to work and who gets jailed. Presented in the bright daylight of a Sunday morning news show, because the criminals in charge know that that’s the best place to hide shocking information from a population that lost its capacity TO LISTEN a very long time ago.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Is it Time for a Class-Action Lawsuit Against the World Health Organization?

I have never seen such absolute rhetoric coming out of any organization that is supposed to be impartial as that from the World Health Organization .
All of their predictions have been dead WRONG .
It is curious how they support Bill Gates and we should remain locked-down until we are all vaccinated and tested .
The tests to see if you have COVID-19 have at least a false positive result of 5 % if not higher .
The CDC admits that the flu vaccine is only 60 % effective .
So why are we locked-down until vaccinated when that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
This is a false narrative .
Now the WHO has the audacity to come out and say that Britain should keep its people in prison and destroy its economy because the test to see if the people are immune is not reliable ?
This is not a virus that is any more lethal than the flu .
We do not lock down the world economy every flu season .
What is their real agenda here ?
The Gates proposal that everything in the world must be vaccinated before the world economy can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world emperor ?
Why is the New York Times , Washington Post supporting Gates against the people ?
WHY ?
The economic damage has destroyed people ’ s lives and that increases the chances of war .
I find this extremely arrogant for most countries do not have unemployment benefits .
Many countries are highly dependent upon tourism like many islands , Thailand , and South Pacific not to mention Greece , Italy , and Spain .
Those people are going to be waiting in lines for soup kitchens in third world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There should be a major class-action lawsuit brought against the WHO which can expand thereafter with subpoena power to see who they have been conspiring with .
It is time to do something that politicians are unwilling to do because perhaps it might involve them as well .
The United Nations is not a sovereign government and should have no immunity .
PS – do not sue them in New York City .
That is probably the most corrupt federal court .

by Martin Armstrong
I have never seen such absolute rhetoric coming out of any organization that is supposed to be impartial as that from the World Health Organization. All of their predictions have been dead WRONG. It is curious how they support Bill Gates and we should remain locked-down until we are all vaccinated and tested. The tests to see if you have COVID-19 have at least a false positive result of 5% if not higher. The CDC admits that the flu vaccine is only 60% effective. So why are we locked-down until vaccinated when that is not a 100% preventive measure? This is a false narrative.
Now the WHO has the audacity to come out and say that Britain should keep its people in prison and destroy its economy because the test to see if the people are immune is not reliable?
This is not a virus that is any more lethal than the flu. We do not lock down the world economy every flu season. What is their real agenda here? The Gates proposal that everything in the world must be vaccinated before the world economy can return to normal? Who make him the world emperor? Why is the New York Times, Washington Post supporting Gates against the people? WHY?
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The economic damage has destroyed people’s lives and that increases the chances of war. I find this extremely arrogant for most countries do not have unemployment benefits. Many countries are highly dependent upon tourism like many islands, Thailand, and South Pacific not to mention Greece, Italy, and Spain. Those people are going to be waiting in lines for soup kitchens in third world countries and starvation is already rising.
There should be a major class-action lawsuit brought against the WHO which can expand thereafter with subpoena power to see who they have been conspiring with. It is time to do something that politicians are unwilling to do because perhaps it might involve them as well. The United Nations is not a sovereign government and should have no immunity.
PS – do not sue them in New York City. That is probably the most corrupt federal court.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--A Comprehensive Analysis of the Continued Bear Market – S&P Will Hit 1000-1500 Within the Next 18 Mo

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Continued Bear Market – S&P Will Hit 1000-1500 Within the Next 18 Months

I ’ ve compiled a bearish case for why stocks will start dropping , probably on Monday .
If not Monday , within the next 3 weeks .
I expect new lows within 2 months and I expect the S & P will hit 1000-1500 within the next 18 months .
Unfortunately , we are potentially looking at massive permanent changes in the structure of our society .
There will be no “ V ” shaped recovery .
Settle in , it ’ s a long read .
Here you go : project-evidence.github.io/ # % 28part._the-end % 29 My personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability for Bats to carry the virus without getting sick .
Apparently the Navy carrier that had a huge outbreak has a 60 % rate of asymptomatic cases .
South Korea has a bunch of positive cured cases .
A homeless shelter in Boston just had a ton of cases with zero having symptoms .
We really don ’ t know what will happen to them in the long run – will their immune systems just kill the virus ?
Will they spread it unknowingly for weeks , or will it reappear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly turn symptomatic at some point or become more or less susceptible to wave 2 or other diseases ?
The long term effects are unknown and that is a risk .
Also the scientist who discovered Aids also believes it is man-made www.zerohedge.com/health/covid-19-man-made-virus-hiv-discoverer-says-could-only-have-been-created-lab Vaccine ’ s aren ’ t easy to make .
Is there a vaccine for AIDS or the Common Cold ?
Also , this virus is spreading quickly which is making it more likely to mutate .
In fact , there are already tons of mutations which makes it exponentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in the works is mostly just hope , providing an excuse to pump the market .
On the positive side , the scientific community seems to believe that it is more likely that it will mutate into a less deadly form , like the common cold .
Also the treatments that are being hyped may not work as effectively as hoped .
The Gilead action was clearly a fake pump and Remdesivir has been known for a couple months as a potential treatment , but not a cure all .
Hydroxychloroquine may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as this report from Bloomberg just this morning .
Again , it ’ s not a miracle cure .
The lockdowns aren ’ t meant to eradicate the virus .
They are meant to control it and allow the healthcare system to handle the stress .
Some areas may contain the outbreak but probably only temporarily .
And even if entire countries get it under control , they will need to keep their borders shut to avoid another outbreak .
Good luck getting the virus under control in poor countries , especially when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it themselves .
Look at all the lockdown protestors out and about lately ?
Does that look like a lockdown to you ?
It looks like the start of a another wave to me .
Global travel is essentially dead and trade is severely impacted .
When the politicians say the lockdowns will be in place for another month , they really don ’ t know .
They hope that will happen but most likely they will just keep moving out the date .
And they know that if there is another outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this also implies is that unless we can come up with a vaccine , this is our new reality , possibly for a few years .
Otherwise , we will eventually reach herd immunity or it will be contained but I estimate it will come at a cost of a death rate of 1 % to 3 % of the global population .
Without the Fed directly buying stocks , there is no real money moving directly into stocks .
The Fed doesn ’ t want hyperinflation and they don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
Even if they were buying stocks , that doesn ’ t mean the market has to go up .
Just look at how that is working out for the BoJ who has been buying ETF ’ s for years .
The amount of stimulus thus far isn ’ t enough to spark major inflation .
It may be enough to prevent deflation but it ’ s still early to tell .
Everyone thought we would have massive inflation in 2008 but that didn ’ t materialize because of the trickle up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1200 stimulus and unemployment benefits will have an impact ; they won ’ t .
Once people panic buy at temporarily high prices , there will be an oversupply of junk we don ’ t need , thus once again , preventing inflation .
Also some food for thought – What asset class will benefit from deflation ?
Bonds , specifically treasuries .
What does the Fed mostly own ?
Bonds .
What asset class gets wrecked with inflation ?
Bonds .
Do you really think the Fed wants inflation ?
Debt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and future EPS All of these companies getting bailouts and issuing more debt and shares to raise capital are all taking a bite out of their future earnings .
Recession/Depression/Expansion whatever , if you double your share count , EPS is cut in half and it takes years to even get it back to what it was before .
Debt leads to the same problem as share raises .
That debt is eating away at earnings and forcing the company to repay debt instead of buyback shares .
And as you may realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for higher EPS and share prices over the past number of years .
This is now over .
This is why I am comfortable being short even if I am ultimately wrong .
The upside is limited .
I think Dip Buyers at this level are forgetting about this .
Whether or not a person or business survives this period in time , they will be permanently scarred .
Everyone is impacted .
Those who lost jobs , those who watched their investments crash , those who got sick or knew someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt .
This applies to finance because people will now want a bigger safety net and this is a good thing .
But it comes at the cost of deleveraging – paying down debt and making less risky investments .
And deleveraging is not good for the stock market and economy .
The psychological impact also carries over to… A lot of people are realizing that working in an office is not necessary .
This will cause a permanent decrease in the demand for offices .
Retail is also impacted and although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or as permanent , the short term effects are much stronger due to all the bankruptcies and closures .
AirBnB ’ s are also screwed .
No one is renting them now and some of the owners are over-leveraged and will now be forced to sell or rent .
If they rent it out , they are probably no longer cash flowing after debt servicing .
Also most major cities rely on property prices increasing to justify investment as most condo units don ’ t cashflow with a mortgage .
And lastly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have already not paid rent in Month 1 of the lockdowns is a very ominous sign .
Residential real estate will also take a hit The Real Estate market is much bigger than the stock market and the debt that backs it up is equally as massive .
What happens when the lockdown is over and people and companies start selling their real estate holdings ?
We have witnessed an era of record high valuation metrics for a number of years now .
Do you really think we deserve to have those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sharp revenue drops ?
Valuations will come back to earth .
Tech and the Nasdaq will Fail Eventually , fundamentals will matter for Tech .
Although these companies will survive , they will be punished .
Google , which derives about 80 % of its revenue from advertising will see those revenues evaporate .
Advertising is an easy expense for most companies to cut .
I could see advertising revenue drop by 20 to 50 % .
Facebook has the same problem .
Apple can feel the pain in multiple ways – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and margin compression .
Netflix and Amazon will both do relatively well .
But how do you justify buying those if Apple drops to a 10x P/E for example ?
All tides rise and fall .
TLDR : Everyone will soon want to hoard cash ( or pay down debt ) and this translates to deflation as well .
Also I believe JPM just stopped approving new HELOCS .
Warren Buffet is not buying to save America In fact , he is raising cash and selling some stakes .
Berkshire ’ s insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weaker businesses will be closed entirely .
They won ’ t be buying until valuations are much cheaper to justify the extreme risk .
Many people are using the Dow or S & P to determine levels that may create or support or resistance and start a reversal .
What these technicians fail to realize is that this is a global pandemic and thus the global market is a much better indicator .
Unlike 2008/2009 , it ’ s not just US Banks and a few other places that overleveraged – China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the recovery .
This time , China is at the epicentre of the problem and although the virus has faded in China , their economic problems are just beginning .
The World is now at the 50 % retracement level .
It closed at $ 68.11 and the exact 50 % retracement is $ 68.47 .
It may have already hit this in theory when it was closed and futures spiked Thursday night/Friday morning .
Or it may hit it this in the upcoming week and then retrace .
SPY ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & P ’ s 2009 low was 666.79 .
Notice all the multiples of 3 ?
This is how the real insiders mark their charts and signal each other to indicate reversals and advances .
I ’ m not saying the selling starts Monday , but I ’ d say within the next couple of days , maybe weeks .
Stop buying naked , short dated calls and puts .
It ’ s so easy for the market makers to screw you .
Let me give you a simplified example of how easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each with $ 1MM .
Player A thinks the market will go down , so he buys $ 1MM worth of puts .
Player 2 sells him those puts , collecting $ 1MM in premium .
Player 2 then buys $ 2MM worth of stock .
Stock goes up due to no selling pressure , puts expire worthless .
Obviously simple but think about it .
Instead , buy longer dated options , use spreads , etc .
TLDR – Stocks going down .
All time highs are years away .
Downside Risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The next couple of years will be miserable for everyone .
Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by TheInvestmentAdvisor
I’ve compiled a bearish case for why stocks will start dropping, probably on Monday. If not Monday, within the next 3 weeks. I expect new lows within 2 months and I expect the S&P will hit 1000-1500 within the next 18 months. Unfortunately, we are potentially looking at massive permanent changes in the structure of our society. There will be no “V” shaped recovery. Settle in, it’s a long read.
The Virus was man-made (Genetically Modified)
Here you go: project-evidence.github.io/#%28part._the-end%29
My personal belief is that they were experimenting with the ability for Bats to carry the virus without getting sick. Apparently the Navy carrier that had a huge outbreak has a 60% rate of asymptomatic cases. South Korea has a bunch of positive cured cases. A homeless shelter in Boston just had a ton of cases with zero having symptoms. We really don’t know what will happen to them in the long run – will their immune systems just kill the virus? Will they spread it unknowingly for weeks, or will it reappear months or years later? Will they suddenly turn symptomatic at some point or become more or less susceptible to wave 2 or other diseases? The long term effects are unknown and that is a risk.
Also the scientist who discovered Aids also believes it is man-made www.zerohedge.com/health/covid-19-man-made-virus-hiv-discoverer-says-could-only-have-been-created-lab
The Vaccine isn’t coming
Vaccine’s aren’t easy to make. Is there a vaccine for AIDS or the Common Cold? Also, this virus is spreading quickly which is making it more likely to mutate. In fact, there are already tons of mutations which makes it exponentially more difficult. All this talk about one in the works is mostly just hope, providing an excuse to pump the market. On the positive side, the scientific community seems to believe that it is more likely that it will mutate into a less deadly form, like the common cold.
Also the treatments that are being hyped may not work as effectively as hoped. The Gilead action was clearly a fake pump and Remdesivir has been known for a couple months as a potential treatment, but not a cure all. Hydroxychloroquine may help but studies are mixed, such as this report from Bloomberg just this morning. Again, it’s not a miracle cure.
Rolling Lockdowns
The lockdowns aren’t meant to eradicate the virus. They are meant to control it and allow the healthcare system to handle the stress. Some areas may contain the outbreak but probably only temporarily. And even if entire countries get it under control, they will need to keep their borders shut to avoid another outbreak. Good luck getting the virus under control in poor countries, especially when the wealthy countries are trying to contain it themselves. Look at all the lockdown protestors out and about lately? Does that look like a lockdown to you? It looks like the start of a another wave to me. Global travel is essentially dead and trade is severely impacted.
When the politicians say the lockdowns will be in place for another month, they really don’t know. They hope that will happen but most likely they will just keep moving out the date. And they know that if there is another outbreak, the lockdown becomes wasted.
What this also implies is that unless we can come up with a vaccine, this is our new reality, possibly for a few years. Otherwise, we will eventually reach herd immunity or it will be contained but I estimate it will come at a cost of a death rate of 1% to 3% of the global population.
BRRRR Money Printing and Inflation
Without the Fed directly buying stocks, there is no real money moving directly into stocks. The Fed doesn’t want hyperinflation and they don’t want deflation either. They want stability and control. Even if they were buying stocks, that doesn’t mean the market has to go up. Just look at how that is working out for the BoJ who has been buying ETF’s for years.
The amount of stimulus thus far isn’t enough to spark major inflation. It may be enough to prevent deflation but it’s still early to tell. Everyone thought we would have massive inflation in 2008 but that didn’t materialize because of the trickle up effect. You may think the $1200 stimulus and unemployment benefits will have an impact; they won’t. Once people panic buy at temporarily high prices, there will be an oversupply of junk we don’t need, thus once again, preventing inflation.
Also some food for thought – What asset class will benefit from deflation? Bonds, specifically treasuries. What does the Fed mostly own? Bonds. What asset class gets wrecked with inflation? Bonds. Do you really think the Fed wants inflation?
Debt and Share Issuance and the Impact on EPS and future EPS
All of these companies getting bailouts and issuing more debt and shares to raise capital are all taking a bite out of their future earnings. Recession/Depression/Expansion whatever, if you double your share count, EPS is cut in half and it takes years to even get it back to what it was before. Debt leads to the same problem as share raises. That debt is eating away at earnings and forcing the company to repay debt instead of buyback shares. And as you may realize, buybacks have been a major driver for higher EPS and share prices over the past number of years. This is now over. This is why I am comfortable being short even if I am ultimately wrong. The upside is limited. I think Dip Buyers at this level are forgetting about this.
The Psychological Aspect
Whether or not a person or business survives this period in time, they will be permanently scarred. Everyone is impacted. Those who lost jobs, those who watched their investments crash, those who got sick or knew someone who passed. Everyone will or has gotten hurt. This applies to finance because people will now want a bigger safety net and this is a good thing. But it comes at the cost of deleveraging – paying down debt and making less risky investments. And deleveraging is not good for the stock market and economy. The psychological impact also carries over to…
Real Estate, WFH and other Trends
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A lot of people are realizing that working in an office is not necessary. This will cause a permanent decrease in the demand for offices. Retail is also impacted and although the demand loss might not be as big or as permanent, the short term effects are much stronger due to all the bankruptcies and closures.
AirBnB’s are also screwed. No one is renting them now and some of the owners are over-leveraged and will now be forced to sell or rent. If they rent it out, they are probably no longer cash flowing after debt servicing. Also most major cities rely on property prices increasing to justify investment as most condo units don’t cashflow with a mortgage.
And lastly, the fact that so many businesses and people have already not paid rent in Month 1 of the lockdowns is a very ominous sign. Residential real estate will also take a hit
The Real Estate market is much bigger than the stock market and the debt that backs it up is equally as massive. What happens when the lockdown is over and people and companies start selling their real estate holdings?
Fundamentals
We have witnessed an era of record high valuation metrics for a number of years now. Do you really think we deserve to have those same metrics in an era of uncertainty and sharp revenue drops? Valuations will come back to earth.
Tech and the Nasdaq will Fail
Eventually, fundamentals will matter for Tech. Although these companies will survive, they will be punished. Google, which derives about 80% of its revenue from advertising will see those revenues evaporate. Advertising is an easy expense for most companies to cut. I could see advertising revenue drop by 20 to 50%. Facebook has the same problem. Apple can feel the pain in multiple ways – supply chain disruptions, cost conscious consumers and margin compression. Netflix and Amazon will both do relatively well. But how do you justify buying those if Apple drops to a 10x P/E for example? All tides rise and fall.
Banks
TLDR: Everyone will soon want to hoard cash (or pay down debt) and this translates to deflation as well. Also I believe JPM just stopped approving new HELOCS.
Warren Buffet is not buying to save America
In fact, he is raising cash and selling some stakes. Berkshire’s insurance business will likely struggle and some of the weaker businesses will be closed entirely. They won’t be buying until valuations are much cheaper to justify the extreme risk.
VT World 50% Retracement
Many people are using the Dow or S&P to determine levels that may create or support or resistance and start a reversal. What these technicians fail to realize is that this is a global pandemic and thus the global market is a much better indicator. Unlike 2008/2009, it’s not just US Banks and a few other places that overleveraged – China was and emerged as a key component of the recovery. This time, China is at the epicentre of the problem and although the virus has faded in China, their economic problems are just beginning.
The World is now at the 50% retracement level. It closed at $68.11 and the exact 50% retracement is $68.47. It may have already hit this in theory when it was closed and futures spiked Thursday night/Friday morning. Or it may hit it this in the upcoming week and then retrace.
SPY’s Friday After Hours Close $286.66
SPY’s all time high was 339.08. S&P’s 2009 low was 666.79. Notice all the multiples of 3? This is how the real insiders mark their charts and signal each other to indicate reversals and advances. I’m not saying the selling starts Monday, but I’d say within the next couple of days, maybe weeks.
And some Advice:
Stop buying naked, short dated calls and puts. It’s so easy for the market makers to screw you. Let me give you a simplified example of how easy it is: 2 market participants, each with $1MM. Player A thinks the market will go down, so he buys $1MM worth of puts. Player 2 sells him those puts, collecting $1MM in premium. Player 2 then buys $2MM worth of stock. Stock goes up due to no selling pressure, puts expire worthless. Obviously simple but think about it. Instead, buy longer dated options, use spreads, etc.
TLDR – Stocks going down. All time highs are years away. Downside Risk is much higher than the upside. The next couple of years will be miserable for everyone.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--When Ray Dalio says Cash is Trash, and Bonds are Crazy…

I just want to make some sense of Ray Dalio ’ s recent comments : Bridgewater Associates ’ Ray Dalio @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest hedge fund , said investors would be “ crazy ” to hold @ @ @ @ @ for years because of money-printing by central banks to rescue the global economy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ 1930-45 period , is a period in which I think you ’ d be pretty @ @ @ @ @ ” Dalio said Wednesday on the Bloomberg Invest Talks webcast .
“ If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ gives you no interest rate , or a negative interest rate , and they ’ @ @ @ @ @ currency and you ’ re going to receive that , why would you hold that @ @ @ @ @ this square with Dalio ’ s famous “ all weather ” portfolio that is 70 @ @ @ @ @ that portfolio no longer valid ?
Or are bond funds in particular exempt from his @ @ @ @ @ ?

by paperlevel
I just want to make some sense of Ray Dalio’s recent comments:
Bridgewater Associates’ Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, said investors would be “crazy” to hold government bonds now and possibly for years because of money-printing by central banks to rescue the global economy.
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“This period, like the 1930-45 period, is a period in which I think you’d be pretty crazy to hold bonds,” Dalio said Wednesday on the Bloomberg Invest Talks webcast. “If you’re holding a bond that gives you no interest rate, or a negative interest rate, and they’re producing a lot of currency and you’re going to receive that, why would you hold that bond?”
How does this square with Dalio’s famous “all weather” portfolio that is 70% government bonds? Is that portfolio no longer valid? Or are bond funds in particular exempt from his sentiments in the above quote?


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Credit Market Turmoil: BofA says Non-IG Bonds Defaults will be >20%

Just to get in front of the “ Fed will buy everything , so no problem , bro ” sentiment…the @ @ @ @ @ , as I continually say the Fed buying bonds means tighter spreads ; it doesn @ @ @ @ @ can pay even at tighter spreads .
If companies don ’ t have the revenue @ @ @ @ @ they default .
And the Fed can spend $ 50trln to buy bonds , and @ @ @ @ @ on the string .

www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20200418118/wave-of-corporate-defaults-could-reach-more-than-20-despite-feds-foray-into-buying-junk-bonds-warn-analysts
Just to get in front of the “Fed will buy everything, so no problem, bro” sentiment…the analysts understand that. Also, as I continually say the Fed buying bonds means tighter spreads; it doesn’t mean the companies can pay even at tighter spreads.
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If companies don’t have the revenue to service the debt, they default. And the Fed can spend $50trln to buy bonds, and it won’t push on the string.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Jeff Gundlach: “Doing some rough math, it looks like the combined value of the U.S. stock market gai

Jeff Gundlach: “Doing some rough math, it looks like the combined value of the U.S. stock market gains off of the recent lows is roughly equivalent to the combined actual-plus-announced increases in the National Debt.”

The Fed printed a TON of money and it all ended up in the stock market so the value of @ @ @ @ @

Doing some rough math, it looks like the combined value of the U.S. stock market gains off of the recent lows is roughly equivalent to the combined actual-plus-announced increases in the National Debt. — Jeffrey Gundlach (@TruthGundlach) April 19, 2020
The Fed printed a TON of money and it all ended up in the stock market so the value of the stocks went up.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--BlackRock got their hands on Infinite Money Printer

The Federal Reserve just made the problem of financial firms considered ‘ too big to fail ’ a whole lot bigger .
That ’ s because the U.S. central bank has hired private equity giant BlackRock BLK , which manages some $ 7 trillion in assets , to run purchases of corporate bonds and commercial mortgages that are part of its response to the pandemic-led recession .
During the 2008 financial crisis , the Fed complained that it had been forced to bail out Wall Street megabanks because of the real possibility that their failure would lead to even deeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dodd-Frank Law were supposed to solve the problem by making banks raise more equity relative to their debt loads , making them less fragile , and giving the Fed the authority and means to wind down very large banks in an “ orderly ” fashion .
However , not only are same banks that received taxpayer funds in 2008 still seen as far too large to be allowed to go under , growth in private equity , hedge funds and other darker corners of financial markets have arguably created a whole new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last crisis , BlackRock ’ s assets under management were $ 1.3 trillion , so they have ballooned in size by over five times in just a decade .
Under the Fed ’ s program , BlackRock “ could buy some of its own funds on behalf of the central bank , ” according to Bloomberg .
It doesn ’ t take a financial expert to find that kind of self-dealing fishy .
The appearance of coziness between central bankers and the private equity giant is further underlined by ex-Fed Vice Chair Stanley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firm not long after stepping down from the Fed .
In addition to the prestige advantage the move gives BlackRock , which has suddenly become instrumental to the transmission of monetary policy , there ’ s also the bonus of management fees : $ 8 million per year .
It ’ s no wonder activists and financial sector critics are sounding the alarm .

by rasuzuki
via forbes:

The Federal Reserve just made the problem of financial firms considered ‘too big to fail’ a whole lot bigger.
That’s because the U.S. central bank has hired private equity giant BlackRock BLK, which manages some $7 trillion in assets, to run purchases of corporate bonds and commercial mortgages that are part of its response to the pandemic-led recession.
During the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed complained that it had been forced to bail out Wall Street megabanks because of the real possibility that their failure would lead to even deeper economic damage.
Financial reforms that became the Dodd-Frank Law were supposed to solve the problem by making banks raise more equity relative to their debt loads, making them less fragile, and giving the Fed the authority and means to wind down very large banks in an “orderly” fashion.
However, not only are same banks that received taxpayer funds in 2008 still seen as far too large to be allowed to go under, growth in private equity, hedge funds and other darker corners of financial markets have arguably created a whole new set of too-big-to-fail firms.
During the last crisis, BlackRock’s assets under management were $1.3 trillion, so they have ballooned in size by over five times in just a decade.
Under the Fed’s program, BlackRock “could buy some of its own funds on behalf of the central bank,” according to Bloomberg. It doesn’t take a financial expert to find that kind of self-dealing fishy.
The appearance of coziness between central bankers and the private equity giant is further underlined by ex-Fed Vice Chair Stanley Fischer decision to take a job at the firm not long after stepping down from the Fed.
In addition to the prestige advantage the move gives BlackRock, which has suddenly become instrumental to the transmission of monetary policy, there’s also the bonus of management fees: $8 million per year.
It’s no wonder activists and financial sector critics are sounding the alarm.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Companies that have declared bankruptcy so far

Behold , the beginning of the end , including both private and public companies : • CraftWorks ( May go @ @ @ @ @ Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment @ @ @ @ @ in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by Neat-Wolf
Behold, the beginning of the end, including both private and public companies:
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True Religion 4/13 XFL 4/13 Frontier communication 4/15 Longview power plant 4/14 Vaps 4/5 LSC communications 4/13 USC Gymnastics and Baseball attaining Center 3/3 White Petroleum Corp 4/1 Hin Leong Trading 4/19 Yuma Energy 4/16 CityJet 4/18 Krystal Burger Restaurant 1/21 J.C. Penny (exploring) Indiana Beach Amusement Resort 4/18 MQ 4/17 RavnAir (affiliate of Alaska Air) 4/6 24 hour fitness (rumored) CraftWorks (May go from restructured to liquidated) Tech 3443 4/17 Phoenician Engineering (?) Insurance companies forced to pay out business interruption policies: www.carriermanagement.com/news/2020/04/17/205567.htm Silver City Hospital 4/12 Bar Louie 1/27 GenCanna 1/30 Kadeau 3/31 Steak ‘n Shake (credit downgrades) Neiman Marcus (rumored) Dean and Deluca 4/1 First state bank 4/3
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--How Gas Trading works

How Gas Trading works

No BS or Filler , just knowledge as too many are giving out bad knowledge on the gas industry from my 25 year old perspective .
Read this through for my thoughts or just review the bullet points as they ’ re useful .
Gas traders have physical Gas pricing of off a daily publisher of prices inside storage tanks which are often a 1 year or beyond lease .
You can have monthly average price or Spot price which is the daily fixed price people will pay .
Commodity traders should NOT make a deal without a firm margin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Demurrage/ Additive & Inhibitor /etc as well as have to buy hedges .
• Demurrage = Basically ship has nowhere to unload cargo or waiting in line to unload .
As it sits idle the owner of the commodity ( trader ) pays stupid amounts of money .
Or or they get paid to become floating storage which is self explanatory .
• Additive/Inhibitor = Extra crucial now as in a short trip/not sitting the chemicals rarely denatured , but now they sit as the world gets warmer so I expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a cargo go bad and ended up blending it with other gas for 6 months ( is that illegal ? )
which I have to imagine is normal .
More refined petrochemicals like butadiene need these more .
• Hedge = RBOB & RVR/RVG which RBOB is gas futures idk its easy , but the RVR/RVG is used to hedge the spread between NY Harbor and US Gulf prices as there is arbitrage albeit not useful as its too known .
This does have the potential to inverse which is very interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alot of costs and many absolute retards are saying , “ THE CONTANGO THOU ” , which really was my inspiration here .
Contango falls to fucking shit when you factor in additional costs .
CONTANGO NO EQUAL : Jan lower Purchase Price & Mar higher Sale Price .
Don ’ t think in a goddam vacum , but understand the definition is a definition and doesn ’ t define the full picture .
So basically the way you should see it is trader ’ s/firms face backwardation in that their value is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yo also often you ROLL the position you ’ re pricing too out to legally cook your books from what I ’ ve seen .
I expect most traders have their positions rolled out May to July and if this is the case then you ’ ll see more of a financial impact second quarter based on my spotty accounting knowledge .
TLDR : Read the Contango section and start blasting the morons who are obsessing over it and ignoring the million other factors .
Otherwise gas fees are expensive AF .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by laxmolnar
No BS or Filler, just knowledge as too many are giving out bad knowledge on the gas industry from my 25 year old perspective. Read this through for my thoughts or just review the bullet points as they’re useful.
Gas traders have physical Gas pricing of off a daily publisher of prices inside storage tanks which are often a 1 year or beyond lease. You can have monthly average price or Spot price which is the daily fixed price people will pay.
Commodity traders should NOT make a deal without a firm margin as they are subject to variable costs such as Demurrage/ Additive&Inhibitor /etc as well as have to buy hedges.
Demurrage = Basically ship has nowhere to unload cargo or waiting in line to unload. As it sits idle the owner of the commodity (trader) pays stupid amounts of money. Or or they get paid to become floating storage which is self explanatory.
Additive/Inhibitor = Extra crucial now as in a short trip/not sitting the chemicals rarely denatured, but now they sit as the world gets warmer so I expect many cargoes go bad. My trader had a cargo go bad and ended up blending it with other gas for 6 months (is that illegal?) which I have to imagine is normal. More refined petrochemicals like butadiene need these more.
Hedge = RBOB & RVR/RVG which RBOB is gas futures idk its easy, but the RVR/RVG is used to hedge the spread between NY Harbor and US Gulf prices as there is arbitrage albeit not useful as its too known. This does have the potential to inverse which is very interesting.
BS Formula for Perspective :
Profit = Sale price – Purchase price – Additive – Demurrage – Broker Fees – operational costs – tank fees – taxes – habor maintenance fee – etc
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So like you see there are alot of costs and many absolute retards are saying, “THE CONTANGO THOU”, which really was my inspiration here. Contango falls to fucking shit when you factor in additional costs.
CONTANGO NO EQUAL : Jan lower Purchase Price & Mar higher Sale Price. Don’t think in a goddam vacum, but understand the definition is a definition and doesn’t define the full picture. So basically the way you should see it is trader’s/firms face backwardation in that their value is going to tank based on external costs.
Yo also often you ROLL the position you’re pricing too out to legally cook your books from what I’ve seen. I expect most traders have their positions rolled out May to July and if this is the case then you’ll see more of a financial impact second quarter based on my spotty accounting knowledge.
TLDR: Read the Contango section and start blasting the morons who are obsessing over it and ignoring the million other factors. Otherwise gas fees are expensive AF.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--CLO Reckoning Arrives: Downgrade Wave Tests $700 Billion Market [Bloomberg]

• CLOs made it through the financial crisis relatively unscathed • Rapid pace of loan downgrades may mean this time is different As U.S. financial markets have rebounded feverishly this past month from the worst of the coronavirus-induced sell-off , one asset has been conspicuously absent from the rally : the collateralized loan obligation .
Prices in key parts of the almost $ 700 billion market — which through large doses of Wall Street alchemy provides financing to companies with less-than-stellar credit scores — have remained deeply depressed , typically fetching less than 70 cents on the dollar .
Back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throttled the economy , they hovered near par .
Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that CLOs , as the securities are known , have been largely left out of the stimulus programs hastily crafted by U.S. officials to shore up markets .
But there ’ s a bigger and more ominous force at work that has investors bracing for the kind of pain they ’ ve never experienced in the decades that the market has existed .
Credit ratings on risky corporate loans that were stuffed into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so frenetic that it threatens to overwhelm safeguards that were put in place to ensure the securities ’ financial strength .
And if that happens , the firms that manage the CLOs will be forced to dump under-performing debt at fire-sale prices or suspend the cash payments they hand over to their investors .

CLOs made it through the financial crisis relatively unscathed
Rapid pace of loan downgrades may mean this time is different
As U.S. financial markets have rebounded feverishly this past month from the worst of the coronavirus-induced sell-off, one asset has been conspicuously absent from the rally: the collateralized loan obligation.
Prices in key parts of the almost $700 billion market — which through large doses of Wall Street alchemy provides financing to companies with less-than-stellar credit scores — have remained deeply depressed, typically fetching less than 70 cents on the dollar. Back in February, before the Covid-19 pandemic throttled the economy, they hovered near par.
Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that CLOs, as the securities are known, have been largely left out of the stimulus programs hastily crafted by U.S. officials to shore up markets. But there’s a bigger and more ominous force at work that has investors bracing for the kind of pain they’ve never experienced in the decades that the market has existed.
Credit ratings on risky corporate loans that were stuffed into the CLOs are being downgraded at a pace so frenetic that it threatens to overwhelm safeguards that were put in place to ensure the securities’ financial strength. And if that happens, the firms that manage the CLOs will be forced to dump under-performing debt at fire-sale prices or suspend the cash payments they hand over to their investors.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--India Has Barred China From Investing In Their Country Without Approval

India just revised foreign direct investment laws in a rebuke of China takeover of their economy….Bravo India….We need to do @ @ @ @ @ !
!

India just revised foreign direct investment laws in a rebuke of China takeover of their economy….Bravo India….We need to do that here in America!!!
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AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Sir Richard Branson warns his airlines will collapse without government cash

Sir Richard Branson has told staff that Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia will need financial help if they are to @ @ @ @ @ The tycoon used an open letter to his 70,000 staff in 35 countries to reassure @ @ @ @ @ day and night ” , doing all he could to invest across his business interests @ @ @ @ @ in and lots going out ” .
He admitted his companies were exposed to many @ @ @ @ @ by the COVID-19 pandemic – travel and leisure included – and also hit out at @ @ @ @ @ use his personal wealth to do more .

Sir Richard Branson has told staff that Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia will need financial help if they are to survive the coronavirus crisis.
The tycoon used an open letter to his 70,000 staff in 35 countries to reassure them he was “working day and night”, doing all he could to invest across his business interests despite “no money coming in and lots going out”.
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He admitted his companies were exposed to many of the sectors worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – travel and leisure included – and also hit out at critics who have suggested he use his personal wealth to do more.
news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-branson-warns-airlines-will-collapse-without-government-cash-11975836


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--NY Govonor Cuomo – we will go door to door, go to random supermarkets to do “aggressive” random coro

NY Govonor Cuomo – we will go door to door, go to random supermarkets to do “aggressive” random corona virus tests

New York will embark on an “ aggressive ” testing program to help determine the full scope of the coronavirus pandemic , a vital step as officials envision how to reopen the state ’ s economy , Gov .
Andrew M. Cuomo announced Sunday .
The program starts Monday with a 3,000-person random survey across the state to determine how many people have COVID-19 antibodies in their system , a sign they had the disease but have since recovered .
“ We are going to do that in the most aggressive way in the nation .
We are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people in this state , across the state to find out if they have the antibodies , ” Cuomo said during a news conference at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset .
Participants in the random testing will be recruited at supermarkets in different regions .
Those who agree to take part will be asked to provide a fingerstick blood sample , which will then be processed at the state ’ s Wadsworth Labs using its IgG immunologic test .
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Medical experts have raised warnings about flawed antibody tests that have not received FDA approval but have come to the market .
The FDA has allowed more than 90 companies to bring tests to the market without federal approval , citing the urgency of the pandemic , according to The New York Times .
Some of the tests being used around the country have mistakenly shown the presence of antibodies in a person when they don ’ t exist .

New York will embark on an “aggressive” testing program to help determine the full scope of the coronavirus pandemic, a vital step as officials envision how to reopen the state’s economy, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Sunday.
The program starts Monday with a 3,000-person random survey across the state to determine how many people have COVID-19 antibodies in their system, a sign they had the disease but have since recovered.
“We are going to do that in the most aggressive way in the nation. We are going to sample people in this state, thousands of people in this state, across the state to find out if they have the antibodies,” Cuomo said during a news conference at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset.
Participants in the random testing will be recruited at supermarkets in different regions.
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Those who agree to take part will be asked to provide a fingerstick blood sample, which will then be processed at the state’s Wadsworth Labs using its IgG immunologic test. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the state’s own antibody test, Cuomo said.
Medical experts have raised warnings about flawed antibody tests that have not received FDA approval but have come to the market. The FDA has allowed more than 90 companies to bring tests to the market without federal approval, citing the urgency of the pandemic, according to The New York Times. Some of the tests being used around the country have mistakenly shown the presence of antibodies in a person when they don’t exist.
www.newsday.com/news/health/coronavirus/mayor-bill-de-blasio-1.43968610


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--This Store is Doing It Right!

This Store is Doing It Right!

Rotating checkout lines every hour , cleaning policy for the store and an employee hand washing schedule .
Most impressive @ @ @ @ @ attendance policy .
Wish other store especially major chains would be so organized and helpful @ @ @ @ @

by AliceReadsThis
Original source www.shady-maple.com/farm-market/the-latest-on-what-we-are-doing
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Rotating checkout lines every hour, cleaning policy for the store and an employee hand washing schedule. Most impressive to me, a relaxed attendance policy. Wish other store especially major chains would be so organized and helpful to both shoppers and employees


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--YOU’LL GET NOTHING, AND LIKE IT!

YOU’LL GET NOTHING, AND LIKE IT!

Illinois Dems ’ $ 41 Billion Demand Includes $ 10 Billion Pension Bailout That Has Nothing To Do With Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ congress and president , and then we need to condition bailouts on splitting Illinois into @ @ @ @ @ the ring counties , and downstate .

Illinois Dems’ $41 Billion Demand Includes $10 Billion Pension Bailout That Has Nothing To Do With Coronavirus.
We need a GOP congress and president, and then we need to condition bailouts on splitting Illinois into two states: Chicago and the ring counties, and downstate.
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h/t GR


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--This is how infections spike. Social distancing needs to be enforced.

Lowe ’ s sucks at doing anything to prevent this .
I went in yesterday with a half mask p100 @ @ @ @ @ bought there in January .
People everywhere just like this .
Even with protection I @ @ @ @ @ to that .
And I feel so bad for the employees .
The girl I @ @ @ @ @ protection and I can just imagine her mindset seeing me .
She has to know @ @ @ @ @ and I magnified it 10 fold .
When all this is over the people risking @ @ @ @ @ to have some type of compensation .
It ’ s a shame most companies won @ @ @ @ @ now .
Lowe ’ s sucks .
I won ’ t buy from them again @

by XingyiGuy
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Lowe’s sucks at doing anything to prevent this. I went in yesterday with a half mask p100 and some goggles which were bought there in January. People everywhere just like this. Even with protection I was pissed I subjected myself to that. And I feel so bad for the employees. The girl I was talking to had no protection and I can just imagine her mindset seeing me. She has to know how at risk she is and I magnified it 10 fold. When all this is over the people risking themselves in whatever profession need to have some type of compensation. It’s a shame most companies won’t do this right now. Lowe’s sucks. I won’t buy from them again.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Could COVID19 disease be a DIFFUSION hypoxemia triggering maladaptive pulmonary vasoconstrictive res

Could COVID19 disease be a DIFFUSION hypoxemia triggering maladaptive pulmonary vasoconstrictive responses?

Do any nurses , doctors , paramedics , etc .
have any input on what this guy is saying here @ @ @ @ @ video suggesting the disease resembled an altitude related illness… sounds like he ’ s in @ @ @ @ @ .
Rather than primarily V/Q mismatch or shunt physiology , could COVID19 disease be a @ @ @ @ @ vasoconstrictive responses ?

Do any nurses, doctors, paramedics, etc. have any input on what this guy is saying here?
I saw his other video suggesting the disease resembled an altitude related illness… sounds like he’s in NYC on the front lines.
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Rather than primarily V/Q mismatch or shunt physiology, could COVID19 disease be a DIFFUSION hypoxemia triggering maladaptive pulmonary vasoconstrictive responses?
h/t BFD


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--CHRISTOPHER DEMUTH: Trump Rewrites the Book on Emergencies: For the first time in U.S. history, an a

CHRISTOPHER DEMUTH: Trump Rewrites the Book on Emergencies: For the first time in U.S. history, an administration is responding to a crisis with deregulation and decentralization.

Washington ’ s response to the Covid-19 pandemic is upending one of the most durable patterns of American politics .
Throughout history , national emergencies have led to a more powerful and centralized federal government and to the transfer of federal power from Congress to the executive branch .
This time , the federal response rests largely on state and local government and private enterprise , with a wave of deregulation clearing the way .
The Trump administration has seized no new powers , and Congress has stayed energetically in the game .
The historical pattern is powerful and might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , natural disaster and economic upheaval , action is king .
The president and his officials and agencies can act with much greater dispatch than Congress can .
They may be forgiven for crossing statutory or even constitutional boundaries—in a crisis , the test of legitimacy is perceived effectiveness .
But emergency actions often set precedents for normal times .
Moreover , crises generate proposals for preventing their recurrence .
These typically take the form of an agency that , with the benefit of hindsight , could have nipped the crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority is political misdirection : It elides the profound problems of uncertainty and conflicting information and interpretation that precede every catastrophe .
That is a sure recipe for highly concentrated , discretionary power .
These tendencies were dramatically on display in the first two national emergencies of the 21st century , 9/11 and the 2008 financial collapse .
In response to the 9/11 attacks , the Bush administration and Congress created two gigantic agencies with extraordinary powers and insulation from congressional control , the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centralized and bureaucratized ; federal police powers were extended down to driver ’ s licenses and much else ; the administration established wide-ranging surveillance programs .
In response to the 2008 crisis , the administration arranged corporate mergers and bailouts with only fig leaves of statutory authority .
It spent hundreds of billions of dollars without congressional appropriation .
These crisis expedients provided the template for the Obama administration ’ s unilateral responses to mere political frustrations—congressional inaction on its climate change , immigration and other legislative proposals .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an army of new regulatory authorities with unprecedented discretion and autonomy .
It is not only crises that propel the administrative state .
Lesser events of the 2000s—accounting scandals and a spike in energy prices—also led to new layers of freewheeling federal power .
But major emergencies have unfailingly been major inflection points .
Until now .
In responding to the coronavirus , the Trump administration has confined itself to longstanding statutory authorities that have been invoked routinely in responding to lesser emergencies .
President Trump has used the Stafford Act of 1988 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has deferred to their decisions regarding social confinement , business closures , testing and treatment .
He has employed the Defense Production Act of 1950 to cajole manufactures to prioritize urgently needed medical equipment—but has relied primarily on consultation , coordination and publicity to coach a private-sector-led mobilization .
He has declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act of 1976 , which can potentially trigger extraordinary regulatory powers—but so far he has used it only for deregulatory purposes , waiving Medicare , Medicaid , Children ’ s Health Insurance and Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrict telemedicine and interstate medical practice .
Mr. Trump has received criticism from all sides for these measured responses .
It is said , on the one hand , that he should aggressively commandeer state police powers and industrial resources to mount a uniform national response—and , on the other ( sometimes by the same critics ) , that the crisis will sooner or later unleash the authoritarian ambitions Mr. Trump has supposedly been harboring all along .
His replies have been characteristically adamant .
He has extolled his administration ’ s performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions—restricting foreign travel , deploying the military ’ s medical resources , mobilizing production of materials in short supply and allocating them among states and cities , providing information on the spread of the virus and guidance on mitigation measures .
He has been jealous of federal prerogatives and sharply critical of governors and business executives he regarded as uncooperative .
But mainly he has given pride of place to federalism and private enterprise—lauding the patriotism and proficiency of our fantastic governors and mayors , our incredible business leaders and genius companies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and our tremendous truckers .
By shouting out many of them by name and documenting their deeds on a daily basis , he has vivified the American way in action ( once reluctantly aroused ) .
When asked why he has not issued orders for nationwide home and business lockdowns , he has emphasized that the intensity of the epidemic varies widely and is best met by calibrated state and local judgments—and added pointedly that such steps would conflict with the Constitution .

via WSJ
Washington’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic is upending one of the most durable patterns of American politics. Throughout history, national emergencies have led to a more powerful and centralized federal government and to the transfer of federal power from Congress to the executive branch. This time, the federal response rests largely on state and local government and private enterprise, with a wave of deregulation clearing the way. The Trump administration has seized no new powers, and Congress has stayed energetically in the game.
The historical pattern is powerful and might have seemed inevitable. In times of war, natural disaster and economic upheaval, action is king. The president and his officials and agencies can act with much greater dispatch than Congress can. They may be forgiven for crossing statutory or even constitutional boundaries—in a crisis, the test of legitimacy is perceived effectiveness. But emergency actions often set precedents for normal times.
Moreover, crises generate proposals for preventing their recurrence. These typically take the form of an agency that, with the benefit of hindsight, could have nipped the crisis in the bud. Positing an omnicompetent government authority is political misdirection: It elides the profound problems of uncertainty and conflicting information and interpretation that precede every catastrophe. That is a sure recipe for highly concentrated, discretionary power.
These tendencies were dramatically on display in the first two national emergencies of the 21st century, 9/11 and the 2008 financial collapse. In response to the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration and Congress created two gigantic agencies with extraordinary powers and insulation from congressional control, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Intelligence was centralized and bureaucratized; federal police powers were extended down to driver’s licenses and much else; the administration established wide-ranging surveillance programs.
In response to the 2008 crisis, the administration arranged corporate mergers and bailouts with only fig leaves of statutory authority. It spent hundreds of billions of dollars without congressional appropriation. These crisis expedients provided the template for the Obama administration’s unilateral responses to mere political frustrations—congressional inaction on its climate change, immigration and other legislative proposals. At the same time, the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 commissioned an army of new regulatory authorities with unprecedented discretion and autonomy.
It is not only crises that propel the administrative state. Lesser events of the 2000s—accounting scandals and a spike in energy prices—also led to new layers of freewheeling federal power. But major emergencies have unfailingly been major inflection points.
Until now. In responding to the coronavirus, the Trump administration has confined itself to longstanding statutory authorities that have been invoked routinely in responding to lesser emergencies. President Trump has used the Stafford Act of 1988 to provide states with emergency financial assistance—but has deferred to their decisions regarding social confinement, business closures, testing and treatment. He has employed the Defense Production Act of 1950 to cajole manufactures to prioritize urgently needed medical equipment—but has relied primarily on consultation, coordination and publicity to coach a private-sector-led mobilization. He has declared a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which can potentially trigger extraordinary regulatory powers—but so far he has used it only for deregulatory purposes, waiving Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules that restrict telemedicine and interstate medical practice.
Mr. Trump has received criticism from all sides for these measured responses. It is said, on the one hand, that he should aggressively commandeer state police powers and industrial resources to mount a uniform national response—and, on the other (sometimes by the same critics), that the crisis will sooner or later unleash the authoritarian ambitions Mr. Trump has supposedly been harboring all along.
His replies have been characteristically adamant. He has extolled his administration’s performance on the measures that are unarguably federal jurisdictions—restricting foreign travel, deploying the military’s medical resources, mobilizing production of materials in short supply and allocating them among states and cities, providing information on the spread of the virus and guidance on mitigation measures. He has been jealous of federal prerogatives and sharply critical of governors and business executives he regarded as uncooperative.
But mainly he has given pride of place to federalism and private enterprise—lauding the patriotism and proficiency of our fantastic governors and mayors, our incredible business leaders and genius companies, our heroic doctors and nurses and orderlies, and our tremendous truckers. By shouting out many of them by name and documenting their deeds on a daily basis, he has vivified the American way in action (once reluctantly aroused). When asked why he has not issued orders for nationwide home and business lockdowns, he has emphasized that the intensity of the epidemic varies widely and is best met by calibrated state and local judgments—and added pointedly that such steps would conflict with the Constitution.


WHO failings

The WHO has almost 200 member countries .
On 22nd Jan the WHO Director-General convened an Emergency Committee ( EC ) to assess whether the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern ( PHEIC ) .
The member states on various committees make decisions and the Executive ( including the DG ) take action on those decisions .
So , at this meeting the 15 independent members ( and 6 advisors ) from around the world could not reach consensus on whether to call a PHEIC , the highest level of WHO alert .
The opinions/votes of individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions ) ; it is understood that some felt that a PHEIC call was too extreme and would have preferred an alert that was not as major .
But that ’ s not in their menu , and perhaps that ’ s a problem ?
Or perhaps they wanted to institute PHEIC , but some member states were under pressure from their governments ?
We ’ ll never know , and that lack of transparency is an issue .
The EC asked to be reconvened in 10 days .
On the 30th January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was two days after the first reports of limited human-to-human transmission were reported outside China .
This time , the EC members reached consensus and decided to declare the outbreak a PHEIC .
As soon as this happened , member countries started to implement their own action plans .
Immediately , many countries starting restricting travel from China , and some airlines stopped flying there .
At this stage , WHO was against this approach : “ Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing , medical supply chains and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screening at official border crossings .
It has warned that closing borders could accelerate the spread of the virus , with travellers entering countries unofficially.
” Unfortunately , screening at border crossings would not have worked .
Due to the move to just-in-time ordering , western countries didn ’ t have enough tests ( or PPE ) .
Hospitals would not have coped with the influx of patients and many sick people would have had to be quarantined .
( Countries , such as Singapore and Hong Kong , that were hit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what a pandemic would mean , but other countries were caught flat-footed . )
Six weeks later , we also know that many infected people are asymptomatic for quite some time ( like Patient 0 in Italy ) , so the screening would not have caught all carriers in any case .
From 16th to 24th Feb : The WHO-China Joint mission , which included experts from Canada , Germany , Japan , Nigeria , Republic of Korea , Russia , Singapore and the US ( CDC , NIH ) spent time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two other cities .
They spoke with health officials , scientists and health workers in health facilities ( maintaining physical distancing ) .
The report of the joint mission can be found here : www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf From the report : Much of the global community is not yet ready , in mindset and materially , to implement the measures that have been employed to contain COVID-19 in China .
These are the only measures that are currently proven to interrupt or minimize transmission chains in humans .
Fundamental to these measures is extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very rapid diagnosis and immediate case isolation , rigorous tracking and quarantine of close contacts , and an exceptionally high degree of population understanding and acceptance of these measures .
Achieving the high quality of implementation needed to be successful with such measures requires an unusual and unprecedented speed of decision-making by top leaders , operational thoroughness by public health systems , and engagement of society .
Given the damage that can be caused by uncontrolled , community-level transmission of this virus , such an approach is warranted to save lives and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the testing of therapeutics and vaccine development .
These are strong words ; about as strong as it gets .
Was this report read , understood , and acted on in all countries ?
By 24th Feb , Italy had 219 cases and 5 deaths .
Canada had 11 cases .
Singapore , South Korea , Hong Kong and Taiwan had already implemented strong ( though varying ) responses .
In the US , on the 25th , all US Senators were briefed on the virus by the Department of Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Institutes of Health and the State Department .
So yes , there are some problems .
Having just one level of major alert–the PHEIC–is possibly an issue .
Once declared , actions countries are likely to take in response are bound to cause major disruption .
There would always be blow-back , and representatives or member countries would want not want to be seen to be crying wolf .
The decision-making process requires consensus , which is always difficult when there are only two binary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No middle ground .
Even a single member country with a representative on the Emergency Committee could block the alert .
And we would never know which country/ies chose to do that , so there is no accountability .
It ’ s too opaque .
It ’ s a less than ideal process .
It will be up to member states to make these changes and let ’ s hope they do .

The WHO has almost 200 member countries.
On 22nd Jan the WHO Director-General convened an Emergency Committee (EC) to assess whether the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The member states on various committees make decisions and the Executive (including the DG) take action on those decisions.
So, at this meeting the 15 independent members (and 6 advisors) from around the world could not reach consensus on whether to call a PHEIC, the highest level of WHO alert. The opinions/votes of individual member countries are not known (secrecy provisions); it is understood that some felt that a PHEIC call was too extreme and would have preferred an alert that was not as major. But that’s not in their menu, and perhaps that’s a problem? Or perhaps they wanted to institute PHEIC, but some member states were under pressure from their governments? We’ll never know, and that lack of transparency is an issue.
The EC asked to be reconvened in 10 days.
On the 30th January the DG reconvened the EC. This was two days after the first reports of limited human-to-human transmission were reported outside China. This time, the EC members reached consensus and decided to declare the outbreak a PHEIC.
As soon as this happened, member countries started to implement their own action plans.
Immediately, many countries starting restricting travel from China, and some airlines stopped flying there. At this stage, WHO was against this approach: “Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing, medical supply chains and harming economies. The WHO recommends introducing screening at official border crossings. It has warned that closing borders could accelerate the spread of the virus, with travellers entering countries unofficially.”
Unfortunately, screening at border crossings would not have worked. Due to the move to just-in-time ordering, western countries didn’t have enough tests (or PPE). Hospitals would not have coped with the influx of patients and many sick people would have had to be quarantined. (Countries, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, that were hit by SARS back in 2002-4 were well-prepared and knew what a pandemic would mean, but other countries were caught flat-footed.) Six weeks later, we also know that many infected people are asymptomatic for quite some time (like Patient 0 in Italy), so the screening would not have caught all carriers in any case.
From 16th to 24th Feb: The WHO-China Joint mission, which included experts from Canada, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore and the US (CDC, NIH) spent time in Beijing and also travelled to Wuhan and two other cities. They spoke with health officials, scientists and health workers in health facilities (maintaining physical distancing). The report of the joint mission can be found here: www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-china-joint-mission-on-covid-19-final-report.pdf From the report:
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The COVID-19 virus is a new pathogen that is highly contagious, can spread quickly, and must be considered capable of causing enormous health, economic and societal impacts in any setting. It is not SARS and it is not influenza. Building scenarios and strategies only on the basis of well-known pathogens risks failing to exploit all possible measures to slow transmission of the COVID-19 virus, reduce disease and save lives.
and
Much of the global community is not yet ready, in mindset and materially, to implement the measures that have been employed to contain COVID-19 in China. These are the only measures that are currently proven to interrupt or minimize transmission chains in humans. Fundamental to these measures is extremely proactive surveillance to immediately detect cases, very rapid diagnosis and immediate case isolation, rigorous tracking and quarantine of close contacts, and an exceptionally high degree of population understanding and acceptance of these measures. Achieving the high quality of implementation needed to be successful with such measures requires an unusual and unprecedented speed of decision-making by top leaders, operational thoroughness by public health systems, and engagement of society. Given the damage that can be caused by uncontrolled, community-level transmission of this virus, such an approach is warranted to save lives and to gain the weeks and months needed for the testing of therapeutics and vaccine development.
These are strong words; about as strong as it gets. Was this report read, understood, and acted on in all countries?
By 24th Feb, Italy had 219 cases and 5 deaths. Canada had 11 cases.
Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan had already implemented strong (though varying) responses.
In the US, on the 25th, all US Senators were briefed on the virus by the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and the State Department.
So yes, there are some problems. Having just one level of major alert–the PHEIC–is possibly an issue. Once declared, actions countries are likely to take in response are bound to cause major disruption. There would always be blow-back, and representatives or member countries would want not want to be seen to be crying wolf. The decision-making process requires consensus, which is always difficult when there are only two binary options–call the alert or don’t. No middle ground. Even a single member country with a representative on the Emergency Committee could block the alert. And we would never know which country/ies chose to do that, so there is no accountability. It’s too opaque. It’s a less than ideal process.
It will be up to member states to make these changes and let’s hope they do.
h/t Sonerous


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Financial Crisis Part 2 Starts Here, Or Are The Lows In Place

Is our banking system about to send us one of the most important messages in the last two decades ?
Joe Friday says , ” Absolutely yes !
!
!
” The top chart looks at the Banking index ( BKX ) over the past 25-years .
The 60-65 price zone is represented by line ( 1 ) .
When line ( 1 ) held as support in 1998 , 2002 , and 2012 , Banks and the S & P both bottomed together and experienced very strong rallies for years to come .
When support line ( 1 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional 60 % + and the S & P fell 30 % + .
Joe Friday Just The Facts Ma ’ am ; Joe humbly does not know if line ( 1 ) will hold .
What does Joe know ?
If this support line holds at ( 4 ) , similar to 1998 , 2002 and 2016 , the odds are high the lows for banks and the S & P are in play and maybe the worst of the virus news is behind us .
If support at ( 4 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look for Banks and the S & P to trade much lower in the future !
Are we headed towards an economic depression or has the majority been fooled and the lows are already in play ?
See our thoughts in this video and how to take advantage of our 40-year anniversary special .

by Kimble Charting
Is our banking system about to send us one of the most important messages in the last two decades? Joe Friday says,”Absolutely yes!!!”
The top chart looks at the Banking index (BKX) over the past 25-years. The 60-65 price zone is represented by line (1).
When line (1) held as support in 1998, 2002, and 2012, Banks and the S&P both bottomed together and experienced very strong rallies for years to come.
When support line (1) broke in 2008, Banks fell an additional 60%+ and the S&P fell 30%+.
Joe Friday Just The Facts Ma’am; Joe humbly does not know if line (1) will hold.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
What does Joe know?
If this support line holds at (4), similar to 1998, 2002 and 2016, the odds are high the lows for banks and the S&P are in play and maybe the worst of the virus news is behind us.
If support at (4) is broken by the banking index, look for Banks and the S&P to trade much lower in the future!
Are we headed towards an economic depression or has the majority been fooled and the lows are already in play?
See our thoughts in this video and how to take advantage of our 40-year anniversary special.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Michigan’s Governor Just PROVED Herself Delusional After PRAISING Sick Lib Talking Point

Bronson Stocking from Townhall reports , Michigan ’ s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is rumored to be on the shortlist @ @ @ @ @ presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , which is a good thing for the governor @ @ @ @ @ throw her out of office at the earliest opportunity .

Bronson Stocking from Townhall reports, Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is rumored to be on the shortlist of possible running mates for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, which is a good thing for the governor since Michiganders appear poised to throw her out of office at the earliest opportunity.
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Read More/Source/Credit/FairUse:
townhall.com/tipsheet/bronson…


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--Dozens of grocery store workers have died from the coronavirus

Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside because of Covid-19 Dozens of grocery store workers have died from the coronavirus , despite masks , temperature checks and capacity restrictions to keep them safe .
So far , supermarkets have resisted the most draconian policy : banning customers from coming inside .
However , some worker experts , union leaders and small grocery owners believe it has become too dangerous to let customers browse aisles , coming into close range with workers .
Grocery stores are still flooded with customers , and experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chains to go “ dark ” to the public and convert to curbside pickup and home delivery for food and other essential goods .
“ Careless customers ” are “ probably the biggest threat ” to workers right now , according to Marc Perrone , president of the United Food and Commercial Workers ’ union .
The union said 85 % of its grocery store member workers reported that customers are not practicing social distancing in stores .
“ Anything that reduces the need for interaction with the public and allows for greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , ” said John Logan , professor and director of Labor and Employment Studies at San Francisco State University .
“ Shuttering stores and repurposing them for pickup and delivery only would be a positive step .
”

Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside because of Covid-19
edition.cnn.com/2020/04/19/busin…index.html
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Dozens of grocery store workers have died from the coronavirus, despite masks, temperature checks and capacity restrictions to keep them safe. So far, supermarkets have resisted the most draconian policy: banning customers from coming inside.
However, some worker experts, union leaders and small grocery owners believe it has become too dangerous to let customers browse aisles, coming into close range with workers. Grocery stores are still flooded with customers, and experts say it’s time for large chains to go “dark” to the public and convert to curbside pickup and home delivery for food and other essential goods.
“Careless customers” are “probably the biggest threat” to workers right now, according to Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers’ union. The union said 85% of its grocery store member workers reported that customers are not practicing social distancing in stores.
“Anything that reduces the need for interaction with the public and allows for greater physical distancing will ultimately better protect grocery workers,” said John Logan, professor and director of Labor and Employment Studies at San Francisco State University. “Shuttering stores and repurposing them for pickup and delivery only would be a positive step.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-20--HIV in novel Coronavirus: Fact or fiction?

We are currently witnessing a major epidemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus ( 2019- nCoV ) .
The evolution @ @ @ @ @ We found 4 insertions in the spike glycoprotein ( S ) which are unique to @ @ @ @ @ present in other coronaviruses .
Importantly , amino acid residues in all the 4 inserts @ @ @ @ @ those in the HIV-1 gp120 or HIV-1 Gag .
Interestingly , despite the inserts being @ @ @ @ @ acid sequence , 3D-modelling of the 2019-nCoV suggests that they converge to constitute the receptor @ @ @ @ @ of 4 unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV , all of which have identity /similarity to @ @ @ @ @ structural proteins of HIV-1 is unlikely to be fortuitous in nature .
This work provides @ @ @ @ @ and sheds light on the evolution and pathogenicity of this virus with important implications for @ @ @ @ @

www.researchgate.net/publication…Xdmz8-thi8
We are currently witnessing a major epidemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV). The evolution of 2019-nCoV remains elusive. We found 4 insertions in the spike glycoprotein (S) which are unique to the 2019-nCoV and are not present in other coronaviruses. Importantly, amino acid residues in all the 4 inserts have identity or similarity to those in the HIV-1 gp120 or HIV-1 Gag. Interestingly, despite the inserts being discontinuous on the primary amino acid sequence, 3D-modelling of the 2019-nCoV suggests that they converge to constitute the receptor binding site. The finding of 4 unique inserts in the 2019-nCoV, all of which have identity /similarity to amino acid residues in key structural proteins of HIV-1 is unlikely to be fortuitous in nature. This work provides yet unknown insights on 2019-nCoV and sheds light on the evolution and pathogenicity of this virus with important implications for diagnosis of this virus.
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CB