investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--China is installing surveillance cameras outside people’s front doors … & inside their homes

( CNN Business ) The morning after Ian Lahiffe returned to Beijing , he found a surveillance camera being mounted @ @ @ @ @ apartment door .
Its lens was pointing right at him .
After a trip to @ @ @ @ @ Irish expat and his family were starting their two-week home quarantine , a mandatory measure @ @ @ @ @ to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
He said he opened the door @ @ @ @ @ installed , without warning .
“ ( Having a camera outside your door is ) @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Lahiffe .
“ It just seems to be a massive data grab @ @ @ @ @ t know how much of it is actually legal .
”

(CNN Business)The morning after Ian Lahiffe returned to Beijing, he found a surveillance camera being mounted on the wall outside his apartment door. Its lens was pointing right at him.
After a trip to southern China, the 34-year-old Irish expat and his family were starting their two-week home quarantine, a mandatory measure enforced by the Beijing government to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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He said he opened the door as the camera was being installed, without warning.
“(Having a camera outside your door is) an incredible erosion of privacy,” said Lahiffe. “It just seems to be a massive data grab. And I don’t know how much of it is actually legal.”
www.cnn.com/2020/04/27/asia/cctv-cameras-china-hnk-intl/index.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--FAKE NEWS: Does anyone remember the DATE libs went crazy with Trump’s disinfectant mention? READ THI

FAKE NEWS: Does anyone remember the DATE libs went crazy with Trump’s disinfectant mention? READ THIS.

Calls to poison control centers were up BEFORE Trump said anything .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23 , 2020 HHS Awards Nearly $ 5 Million to Poison Control Centers as Calls Spike Due to COVID-19 www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/04/23/hhs-awards-nearly-5-million-to-poison-control-centers-as-calls-spike-due-to-covid19.html Poison control calls for cleansers , disinfectants up 20 % during pandemic April 20 , 2020 www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/04/20/Poison-control-calls-for-cleansers-disinfectants-up-20-during-pandemic/9571587409017/ Accidental Poisoning Is on The Rise in The US as People Try to Sanitise Their Homes April 23 , 2020 www.sciencealert.com/in-an-attempt-to-protect-against-covid-19-some-americans-are-accidentally-poisoning-themselves In early months of pandemic , calls to poison control went up for incidents with cleaning agents April 20 , 2020 www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/early-months-pandemic-calls-poison-control-went-incidents-cleaning-agents-n1188276 As Coronavirus Spreads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleaning Products April 21 , 2020 www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/health/coronavirus-poison-hotlines-rise-in-accidents-disinfectants.html Poison control inundated with calls about cleaning products since coronavirus pandemic April 20 , 2020 nypost.com/2020/04/20/americans-go-overboard-on-cleaning-products-during-pandemic/ Calls to Florida Poison Control about disinfectants , hand sanitizer increase during COVID-19 pandemic March 27 , 2020 www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/calls-to-florida-poison-control-about-disinfectants-hand-sanitizer-increase-during-covid-19-pandemic/67-e111a00c-e34d-4a77-92e1-1fc273932491 12,000 poison control calls for laundry pods ?
Here ’ s how that compares to other household products .
www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-laundry-pod-poison-control-calls-20180117-story.html Poison control calls for kids up 160 % since recreational marijuana legalization wgme.com/news/marijuana-in-maine/poison-control-calls-up-160-since-recreational-marijuana-legalization Calls to poison control centers rise in the face of battling COVID-19 Cleaning products and home remedies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , 2020 www.fox19.com/2020/04/22/calls-poison-control-centers-rise-face-battling-covid-/

Calls to poison control centers were up BEFORE Trump said anything.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2020
HHS Awards Nearly $5 Million to Poison Control Centers as Calls Spike Due to COVID-19
www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/04/23/hhs-awards-nearly-5-million-to-poison-control-centers-as-calls-spike-due-to-covid19.html
Poison control calls for cleansers, disinfectants up 20% during pandemic
April 20, 2020
www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/04/20/Poison-control-calls-for-cleansers-disinfectants-up-20-during-pandemic/9571587409017/
Accidental Poisoning Is on The Rise in The US as People Try to Sanitise Their Homes
April 23, 2020
www.sciencealert.com/in-an-attempt-to-protect-against-covid-19-some-americans-are-accidentally-poisoning-themselves
In early months of pandemic, calls to poison control went up for incidents with cleaning agents
April 20, 2020
www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/early-months-pandemic-calls-poison-control-went-incidents-cleaning-agents-n1188276
Poison Control Centers Receive 10 Calls Every Hour for Eye Exposures
February 11, 2019
www.nationwidechildrens.org/newsroom/news-releases/2019/02/ocular-injuries
As Coronavirus Spreads, Poison Hotlines See Rise in Accidents With Cleaning Products
April 21, 2020
www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/health/coronavirus-poison-hotlines-rise-in-accidents-disinfectants.html
Poison control inundated with calls about cleaning products since coronavirus pandemic
April 20, 2020
nypost.com/2020/04/20/americans-go-overboard-on-cleaning-products-during-pandemic/
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Poison control centers report spike in disinfectant-related calls amid coronavirus
April 20, 2020
www.foxnews.com/health/poison-control-centers-report-spike-in-disinfectant-related-calls-amid-coronavirus
Calls to Florida Poison Control about disinfectants, hand sanitizer increase during COVID-19 pandemic
March 27, 2020
www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/calls-to-florida-poison-control-about-disinfectants-hand-sanitizer-increase-during-covid-19-pandemic/67-e111a00c-e34d-4a77-92e1-1fc273932491
12,000 poison control calls for laundry pods? Here’s how that compares to other household products.
www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-laundry-pod-poison-control-calls-20180117-story.html
Poison control calls for kids up 160% since recreational marijuana legalization
wgme.com/news/marijuana-in-maine/poison-control-calls-up-160-since-recreational-marijuana-legalization
Calls to poison control centers rise in the face of battling COVID-19
Cleaning products and home remedies are driving additional calls for help.
April 21, 2020
www.fox19.com/2020/04/22/calls-poison-control-centers-rise-face-battling-covid-/
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Car Loans Are NOT Being Paid! Once In A Century Global Economy Systemic Failure

Do you see the unpaid loans as a problem that will expand as I talk about here ?
Car bills @ @ @ @ @ .
Rent isn ’ t either .
Mortgage payments are piling up .
And everything @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of people are simply waiting for a time to return to normal .
@ @ @ @ @ a couple months time , the new normal won ’ t be like the old @ @ @ @ @ trouble ahead .
Coronavirus Economy : The Fed Should Go Negative Next Week – Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ stocks to new records post-coronavirus : Ed Yardeni

Do you see the unpaid loans as a problem that will expand as I talk about here?
Car bills aren’t being paid. Rent isn’t either. Mortgage payments are piling up. And everything is getting worse. The vast majority of people are simply waiting for a time to return to normal. The issue is that in a couple months time, the new normal won’t be like the old normal. There’s trouble ahead.
Subprime Car Buyers Skip Loan Payments in Sign of Trouble Ahead – Bloomberg
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-20/subprime-car-buyers-skip-loan-payments-in-sign-of-trouble-ahead?srnd=markets-vp&sref=Fbhig0fX
Canadian Credit Card, Auto ABS Outlooks Revised to Negative due to Coronavirus Impact
www.fitchratings.com/research/structured-finance/canadian-credit-card-auto-abs-outlooks-revised-to-negative-due-to-coronavirus-impact-16-04-2020
Coronavirus Accelerates J.C. Penney’s Long March Toward Bankruptcy – WSJ.com
www.wsj.com/livecoverage/coronavirus-2020-04-24/card/Wgd0XPkQVTgGJeAVRxqT
Small business loans: Public companies took $855 million
www.cnbc.com/2020/04/26/small-business-loans-public-companies-took-855-million.html
Coronavirus economic damage hitting the lowest level of wage earners
www.cnbc.com/2020/04/26/coronavirus-economic-damage-hitting-the-lowest-level-of-wage-earners.html
How Fed Intervention Saved Carnival – WSJ
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www.wsj.com/articles/how-fed-intervention-saved-carnival-11587920400
Coronavirus Economy: The Fed Should Go Negative Next Week – Bloomberg
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-04-24/coronavirus-economy-the-fed-should-go-negative-next-week
median S&P stock.jpg (793×562)
www.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/median%20S%26P%20stock.jpg?itok=7Hrn2Ore
market breadth april 26.jpg (818×540)
www.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/market%20breadth%20april%2026.jpg?itok=LHtAFRGp
market cap concentration highest ever.jpg (941×663)
www.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/market%20cap%20concentration%20highest%20ever.jpg?itok=z9eovpWt
today compared with 1929.jpg (992×679)
www.zerohedge.com/s3/files/inline-images/today%20compared%20with%201929.jpg?itok=LDZVn5r9
‘QE4ever’ to drive stocks to new records post-coronavirus: Ed Yardeni
www.cnbc.com/2020/04/26/qe4ever-to-drive-stocks-to-new-records-post-coronavirus-ed-yardeni.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--I’d like Bill Gates to explain why China locked down internally but not internationally between Jan

Bill Gates defends China ’ s coronavirus response : Billionaire says Beijing ‘ did a lot of things right ’ at the start of the pandemic and claims criticism of the Communist Party is a ‘ distraction ’ t ’ s too soon to be talking about whether China deserves blame for the coronavirus outbreak and efforts to shift the focus onto Beijing are a ‘ distraction , ’ according to Bill Gates , who criticized ‘ incorrect and unfair things ’ said about the Communist-run country .
‘ China did a lot of things right at the beginning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows up , ’ the Microsoft co-founder told CNN on Sunday .
‘ They can look back and say where they missed some things.
’ Gates , one of the world ’ s richest men , said that the US handled its COVID-19 response ‘ particularly poorly ’ compared to other countries that have minimized the economic damage .
Bill Gates claims that criticisms of how China lied and covered up the coronavirus is a “ distraction ” : “ China did a lot of things right at the beginning … they avoided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a lot of incorrect and unfair things said ”

I’d like Bill Gates to explain why China locked down internally but not internationally between Jan 7 to Jan 23 and thus allowed 5 million people to spread the virus globally? And why can’t we discuss this and the origin of virus right now? t.co/tkTqhVJhIL — Sari Arho Havrén (@SariArhoHavren) April 27, 2020
Bill Gates defends China’s coronavirus response: Billionaire says Beijing ‘did a lot of things right’ at the start of the pandemic and claims criticism of the Communist Party is a ‘distraction’
t’s too soon to be talking about whether China deserves blame for the coronavirus outbreak and efforts to shift the focus onto Beijing are a ‘distraction,’ according to Bill Gates, who criticized ‘incorrect and unfair things’ said about the Communist-run country.
‘China did a lot of things right at the beginning, like any country where a virus first shows up,’ the Microsoft co-founder told CNN on Sunday.
‘They can look back and say where they missed some things.’
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Gates, one of the world’s richest men, said that the US handled its COVID-19 response ‘particularly poorly’ compared to other countries that have minimized the economic damage.
Bill Gates claims that criticisms of how China lied and covered up the coronavirus is a “distraction”: “China did a lot of things right at the beginning … they avoided the incredible economic pain … I think there’s a lot of incorrect and unfair things said”
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8259591/Now-not-time-Bill-Gates-defends-China-coronavirus-response.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--FBI Raids Detroit-Area Medical Facility ‘For Using Intravenous Vitamin C to Treat

FBI Raids Detroit-Area Medical Facility ‘ For Using Intravenous Vitamin C to Treat COVID-19 Patients ’ The FBI on Thursday raided a Detroit-area medical facility for reportedly treating non-hospitalized coronavirus patients with intravenous vitamin C , which the FBI appears to be claiming is a “ fraudulent treatment.
” Allure Medical Spa , which is owned by Dr. Charles Mok , had been giving out vitamin C injections for free to first responders before the FBI came in and aggressively shut him down .
After talking to staff members off-camera , some believe this is a misunderstanding .
They claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent or shorten the duration .
Dr. Charles Mok , who owns Allure Medical Spa , did a Facebook live video giving an IV-vitamin c treatment for free to a Detroit police officer .
In the video , Mok said “ What I ’ m finding in practice — I treat a lot of COVID patients — is that if we catch people early , get them on intravenous vitamin c , they turn around really fast.
” While it may not be a “ cure , ” vitamin C is being used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals throughout the world and has been shown to be effective in patients with sepsis and severe acute respiratory failure in past studies .
Multiple clinical trials to study its effectiveness at treating the coronavirus are currently ongoing .

FBI Raids Detroit-Area Medical Facility ‘For Using Intravenous Vitamin C to Treat COVID-19 Patients’
The FBI on Thursday raided a Detroit-area medical facility for reportedly treating non-hospitalized coronavirus patients with intravenous vitamin C, which the FBI appears to be claiming is a “fraudulent treatment.”
Allure Medical Spa, which is owned by Dr. Charles Mok, had been giving out vitamin C injections for free to first responders before the FBI came in and aggressively shut him down.
After talking to staff members off-camera, some believe this is a misunderstanding. They claim the vitamin c is meant to help prevent or shorten the duration.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Dr. Charles Mok, who owns Allure Medical Spa, did a Facebook live video giving an IV-vitamin c treatment for free to a Detroit police officer. In the video, Mok said “What I’m finding in practice — I treat a lot of COVID patients — is that if we catch people early, get them on intravenous vitamin c, they turn around really fast.”
While it may not be a “cure,” vitamin C is being used widely as a treatment for coronavirus in hospitals throughout the world and has been shown to be effective in patients with sepsis and severe acute respiratory failure in past studies. Multiple clinical trials to study its effectiveness at treating the coronavirus are currently ongoing.
www.healthline.com/nutrition/vit…oronavirus
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--BOOM! Dr. Birx Takes FLAMETHROWER to Dishonest Media For MILLIONS to See!

Virginia Kruta from The Daily Caller reports , Dr. Deborah Birx said Sunday that the media ’ s insistence on @ @ @ @ @ s mistakes could prevent people from getting useful information .
Birx explained to CNN ’ @ @ @ @ @ United States could play a unique and important role in learning about the novel CV @ @ @ @ @ Trump could hamper that ability .

Virginia Kruta from The Daily Caller reports, Dr. Deborah Birx said Sunday that the media’s insistence on rehashing President Donald Trump’s mistakes could prevent people from getting useful information. Birx explained to CNN’s Jake Tapper that the United States could play a unique and important role in learning about the novel CV, but the focus on Trump could hamper that ability.
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Read More/Source/Credit/FairUse:
dailycaller.com/2020/04/26/dr…


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--South Africa nears economic, social collapse amid COVID-19

South Africa ’ s far-left government is ramping up criticism of President Trump for suspending U.S. funding to the WHO @ @ @ @ @ Kristian Rouz has more .

South Africa’s far-left government is ramping up criticism of President Trump for suspending U.S. funding to the WHO. One America’s Kristian Rouz has more.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--A damning investigation into the World Health Organisation’s hidden practices

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) was founded with the aim of building a healthier future for people all over the world .
Whether it ’ s the effects of smoking , the Swine flu pandemic or a nuclear disaster , the WHO is the body we rely on to advise on and resolve a public health crisis .
But can it be trusted ?
TrustWho documents filmmaker Lilian Franck ’ s quest to discover what lies behind the altruistic façade of the world ’ s largest public health body .
What she uncovers is an alarming picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doc shines a light on how industry lobbies have infiltrated the WHO and asks whether the organisation can be trusted to keep the public healthy .
The W.H.O .
has recently caught lying again .
This time via Twitter on April 25th , 2020 they claimed that “ there ’ s no evidence that people recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.
” .
This is of course a blatant lie designed to promote Bill Gates ’ s vaccine is the only solution to the pandemic and nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gates vaccine .
As Tedros puts it : “ [ Ultimately we will need a vaccine to control this virus ] ” ( twitter.com/WHO/status/1254793482536914944 ) Later they deleted the tweet and rectified saying that “ we expect that most people who are infected with Covid-19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.
” Lies , lies , and more lies .
But that ’ s not the first and won ’ t be the last .
It ’ s time to watch Trust WHO ( 2018 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) an investigative documentary on the World Health Organization ’ s hidden practices that uncovered an alarming picture of corruption and opacity as well as the influence of Big Pharma and its second largest funder , Bill Gates .
Spread the film to educate those who are still oblivious to the lies of this corrupt and incompetent agency .

A damning investigation into the World Health Organisation’s hidden practices
The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded with the aim of building a healthier future for people all over the world. Whether it’s the effects of smoking, the Swine flu pandemic or a nuclear disaster, the WHO is the body we rely on to advise on and resolve a public health crisis.
But can it be trusted? TrustWho documents filmmaker Lilian Franck’s quest to discover what lies behind the altruistic façade of the world’s largest public health body. What she uncovers is an alarming picture of corruption and opacity.
This powerful investigative doc shines a light on how industry lobbies have infiltrated the WHO and asks whether the organisation can be trusted to keep the public healthy.
The W.H.O. has recently caught lying again.
This time via Twitter on April 25th, 2020 they claimed that “there’s no evidence that people recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.”. This is of course a blatant lie designed to promote Bill Gates’s vaccine is the only solution to the pandemic and nobody should resume living before they get jabbed by Gates vaccine. As Tedros puts it: “[Ultimately we will need a vaccine to control this virus]” (twitter.com/WHO/status/1254793482536914944)
Later they deleted the tweet and rectified saying that “we expect that most people who are infected with Covid-19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Lies, lies, and more lies. But that’s not the first and won’t be the last.
It’s time to watch Trust WHO (2018), recently banned by Vimeo (2018) an investigative documentary on the World Health Organization’s hidden practices that uncovered an alarming picture of corruption and opacity as well as the influence of Big Pharma and its second largest funder, Bill Gates.
Spread the film to educate those who are still oblivious to the lies of this corrupt and incompetent agency.
Full Movie
Trailer
h/t jdoered


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--The future for cash is more hopeful than you might think

This is a hardy perennial pf a subject but it now comes with a new twist provided for us by Which Money .
That seems rather unpleasant doesn ’ t it ?
Also I do hope that the new plastic bank notes are cleaner than the old ones or the Bank of England has scored something of an own goal here .
Still at least you are no longer in danger of former Governor Mark Carney dipping into into your curry .
However Which point out that many still use cash .
There are also age issues here .
Actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aunts who is suing cash to settle with her neighbours who are kindly doing some shopping for her .
I have helped her fix her internet so she could pay them online if necessary but I have no great hopes although she does realise the hygiene danger in using an ATM .
On the other side of the coin the banks do occassionally get something right .
Now let us have a ying to the yang above as Sweden is the country which has moved the furthest in terms of using electronic money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern payment method which is using your smartphone then according to the Riksbank it is now as popular as using cash .
On a personal level I remember being impressed when the patient ahead of me paid for their physio with their phone which let me putting some notes in my bag feel a little antediluvian .
But on the other hand I have seen people getting into a mess trying to pay that way at the supermarket .
The trend are clear though .
Cash in circulation has been dropping for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reversal in recent times .
For example it was over 100 billion Kroner in 2010 and fell to 57 billion in 2017 but has since picked up to 63 billion so we will have to see .
The rally is of course minor compared to the previous drop but is intriguing when for example the use of smartphones for payment might make you think it would drop further .
Maybe negative interest-rates have had an inverse effect in the same way they have boosted saving .
Speaking of negative interest-rates there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasis is mine .
This is very significant because it previously was one of the standard-bearers for negative interest-rates .
Having plunged into their icy-cold grip early in 2015 they only ended the experiment at the end of last year and went as low as -0.5 % .
Yet in spite of the economic situation described by them below they have not returned .
Staying with the cash issue we now see that unless there is yet another U-Turn from the Riksbank it will not be put under pressure by the establishment lust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all .
Of course for the Riksbank this means it has run negative interest-rates in a boom and raised them in a collapse which gives them something of a dunce ’ s cap or as Madness would put it .
There are many different perspectives here .
I have looked at Sweden moving away from negative interest-rates and in a minor way ( banks only ) Japan nudged away a little yesterday .
On the other hand the Euro area seems firmly in their grasp .
There have been rumours about New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now but also ones about the US Federal Reserve .
However I think they are not the central banking go to they once were not because of any concern for us but because of The Precious .
Of course ambitious young central bankers will be trying to think up ways of subverting this .
Also whilst Sweden has seen less cash in circulation others have seen it rise .
The US has seen a not dissimilar pattern with the amount of cash in circulation being US $ 942 billion back in 2010 but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
So the in spite of moves like the phasing out of the 500 Euro note by the ECB there is in fact more cash around in many places .
So it is not dead yet .
As ever the official campaign to discredit it goes on .
Meanwhile the large amounts of banking fraud going on is something they hope you will not spot although to be fair the Riksbank of Sweden gives it a mention .

by Shaun Richards
This is a hardy perennial pf a subject but it now comes with a new twist provided for us by Which Money.
According to the Bank of England: ‘Like any other surface that large numbers of people come into contact with, banknotes can carry bacteria or viruses.’ So whether handling cash, debit card or credit cards, wash your hands when you get home. If you can, pay using a bank card.
That seems rather unpleasant doesn’t it? Also I do hope that the new plastic bank notes are cleaner than the old ones or the Bank of England has scored something of an own goal here. Still at least you are no longer in danger of former Governor Mark Carney dipping into into your curry.
However Which point out that many still use cash.
Many are still reliant on cash. Two thirds of those who depend on cash have no digital skills and over a third are likely to be a vulnerable customer. It may be impractical for these people to apply & learn to use a debit card for online shopping in the midst of the pandemic.
There are also age issues here.
Nearly half of those who rely or depend on cash are aged over 65, while nearly a third are aged 55 to 64. Both groups are more likely to need to self-isolate and ask friends, family or volunteers to shop for them.
Actually that reminds me of one of my aunts who is suing cash to settle with her neighbours who are kindly doing some shopping for her. I have helped her fix her internet so she could pay them online if necessary but I have no great hopes although she does realise the hygiene danger in using an ATM.
In the week the UK went into lockdown, ATM use fell by 50%, according to ATM network Link.
On the other side of the coin the banks do occassionally get something right.
The good news is that many banks and building societies have introduced the ability for you to pay a cheque in by taking a photo of it and uploading it to your mobile bank app.
Sweden
Now let us have a ying to the yang above as Sweden is the country which has moved the furthest in terms of using electronic money.
Cash is used to a lesser extent. The figure shows that the proportion of those who paid for their most recent purchase in cash has decreased from 39 per cent in 2010 to 13 per cent in 2018. (As from the beginning of 2018, the question refers only to purchases in physical shops). Source: The Riksbank.
If we switch to a more modern payment method which is using your smartphone then according to the Riksbank it is now as popular as using cash.
Number of payments by Swish increasing sharply. The figure shows that the number of Swish payments (millions of payments per year) made by mobile phone (in real time) has increased from 0 in 2012 to 400 million in 2018. Source: Bankgirot.
On a personal level I remember being impressed when the patient ahead of me paid for their physio with their phone which let me putting some notes in my bag feel a little antediluvian. But on the other hand I have seen people getting into a mess trying to pay that way at the supermarket. The trend are clear though.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
In ten years, the average Swede has doubled their card use.
Cash in circulation has been dropping for some time but there has been something of a reversal in recent times. For example it was over 100 billion Kroner in 2010 and fell to 57 billion in 2017 but has since picked up to 63 billion so we will have to see. The rally is of course minor compared to the previous drop but is intriguing when for example the use of smartphones for payment might make you think it would drop further. Maybe negative interest-rates have had an inverse effect in the same way they have boosted saving.
Speaking of negative interest-rates there have been some ch-ch-changes in approach and the emphasis is mine.
At today’s monetary policy meeting, the Executive Board has decided to continue the purchases of covered bonds and government bonds until the end of September, and to hold the repo rate unchanged at zero per cent. The Riksbank is prepared to continue to use the tools at its disposal to support the economy and inflation.
This is very significant because it previously was one of the standard-bearers for negative interest-rates. Having plunged into their icy-cold grip early in 2015 they only ended the experiment at the end of last year and went as low as -0.5%. Yet in spite of the economic situation described by them below they have not returned.
The great uncertainty over the course of the pandemic
means that the Riksbank, in this report, has chosen to discuss developments on the basis of two different scenarios, rather than a single specific forecast. In these scenarios, GDP in Sweden this year will be 7 or 10 per cent lower than in 2019, respectively, at the same time as unemployment will rise to close to 10 or 11 per
cent, respectively.
Staying with the cash issue we now see that unless there is yet another U-Turn from the Riksbank it will not be put under pressure by the establishment lust for negative interest-rates for some time if at all. Of course for the Riksbank this means it has run negative interest-rates in a boom and raised them in a collapse which gives them something of a dunce’s cap or as Madness would put it.
You’re an embarrassment
Comment
There are many different perspectives here. I have looked at Sweden moving away from negative interest-rates and in a minor way ( banks only) Japan nudged away a little yesterday. On the other hand the Euro area seems firmly in their grasp. There have been rumours about New Zealand today which look just that for now but also ones about the US Federal Reserve. However I think they are not the central banking go to they once were not because of any concern for us but because of The Precious.
The reach of negative rates is limited, however, because commercial banks find it hard to charge negative rates to their retail depositors, who might choose to hold their wealth in cash. ( St. Louis Fed)
Of course ambitious young central bankers will be trying to think up ways of subverting this.
Also whilst Sweden has seen less cash in circulation others have seen it rise.
There are over 70 billion pounds worth of notes in circulation…….That is roughly twice as much as a decade ago… ( Bank of England)
The US has seen a not dissimilar pattern with the amount of cash in circulation being US $942 billion back in 2010 but US $1745 billion in March this year.
So the in spite of moves like the phasing out of the 500 Euro note by the ECB there is in fact more cash around in many places. So it is not dead yet. As ever the official campaign to discredit it goes on.
Large sums are also likely to be held overseas or for illegal uses: the so-called ‘shadow’ economy. ( Bank of England)
Meanwhile the large amounts of banking fraud going on is something they hope you will not spot although to be fair the Riksbank of Sweden gives it a mention.
The number of frauds with stolen card details or identities has increased, for example.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--JRE with Tim Pool: Is Reddit suppressing conservative voices?

There are no conservative voices left on reddit .. none .

I just browsed a bit of reddit today.
It’s pathetic.
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There are no conservative voices left on reddit .. none.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Reopening Does Not Mean That COVID-19 Is No Longer a Threat

I feel like it shouldn ’ t have to be said , yet here we are .
Some states that have begun reopening are already experiencing a surge in new cases .
It ’ s not necessarily the fault of reopening , since COVID-19 has an incubation period of anywhere from 6-26 days and can be carried asymptomatically , but it is important to be cautious .
People are justifiably excited to be able to leave their homes , go to gatherings , and socialize again , but right now this is a privilege .
We will lose this privilege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Currently there is no confirmed treatment for COVID-19 and a vaccine is at least a year away .
Testing is still limited , which makes reopening even riskier by default .
Please continue to wear masks , wash your hands , abstain from touching your faces , and practice social distancing .
Follow the CDC guidelines for prevention measures and staying at home if you ’ re at-risk/experiencing symptoms , and follow your works ’ guidelines for sanitary procedures and no-contact service if applicable .
It ’ s important to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists , and NOT PANIC .
However , it is also important to keep in mind that COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus not seen in humans before .
Viruses and illnesses that transmit from animals to humans are complex and mutate quickly , so this is not just the flu .
It needs to be taken seriously by everyone if we are to prevent dragging this out for years .
Furthermore , the likelihood of COVID-19 “ dying out ” or “ running its course ” is low .
SARS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks , but have not really been discussed until now because there are treatments and vaccines .
It will likely continue to be a seasonal threat after it ’ s lost its pandemic status .
This doesn ’ t mean that it has to be feared forever , just that it will likely become a part of daily life just as many other strains of coronavirus and other respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis .
Finally , the economy WILL recover .
Life WILL become “ normal ” again , albeit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this and see our friends and families again .
We will be able to hold memorials for those we ’ ve lost during this time , whether it was to COVID-19 or other circumstances .
It ’ s okay to not be okay right now , just keep holding on .
We all need to bite the bullet in order to get through this , but it will be worth it 1-2 years from now .

by HemlockNightshade
I feel like it shouldn’t have to be said, yet here we are. Some states that have begun reopening are already experiencing a surge in new cases. It’s not necessarily the fault of reopening, since COVID-19 has an incubation period of anywhere from 6-26 days and can be carried asymptomatically, but it is important to be cautious. People are justifiably excited to be able to leave their homes, go to gatherings, and socialize again, but right now this is a privilege. We will lose this privilege if people aren’t smart about it. Currently there is no confirmed treatment for COVID-19 and a vaccine is at least a year away. Testing is still limited, which makes reopening even riskier by default.
Please continue to wear masks, wash your hands, abstain from touching your faces, and practice social distancing. Follow the CDC guidelines for prevention measures and staying at home if you’re at-risk/experiencing symptoms, and follow your works’ guidelines for sanitary procedures and no-contact service if applicable. It’s important to use common sense, listen to doctors + scientists, and NOT PANIC. However, it is also important to keep in mind that COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus not seen in humans before. Viruses and illnesses that transmit from animals to humans are complex and mutate quickly, so this is not just the flu. It needs to be taken seriously by everyone if we are to prevent dragging this out for years.
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Furthermore, the likelihood of COVID-19 “dying out” or “running its course” is low. SARS and MERS are still around years after their outbreaks, but have not really been discussed until now because there are treatments and vaccines. It will likely continue to be a seasonal threat after it’s lost its pandemic status. This doesn’t mean that it has to be feared forever, just that it will likely become a part of daily life just as many other strains of coronavirus and other respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Finally, the economy WILL recover. Life WILL become “normal” again, albeit with some changes. We will pull through this and see our friends and families again. We will be able to hold memorials for those we’ve lost during this time, whether it was to COVID-19 or other circumstances. It’s okay to not be okay right now, just keep holding on. We all need to bite the bullet in order to get through this, but it will be worth it 1-2 years from now.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--(US) Daily Deaths in the US Show Decline from Peak in Mid-April

The trend is still negative , but younger by a few days .
Peak MA for the whole country was @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Peak MA excluding New York was April 23rd ( 1,540 daily ) .
@ @ @ @ @ the same so you can compare to my OP and see just how big of @ @ @ @ @ been .

by viperdriver35
COVID-19 Deaths Excluding New York
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The trend is still negative, but younger by a few days. Peak MA for the whole country was April 18th (2,190 daily). Peak MA excluding New York was April 23rd (1,540 daily). I left the axes scaled the same so you can compare to my OP and see just how big of a factor New York has been.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Politico Forced to Correct Story “That Trumps Owes China Millions”

More fake news put out on Friday so everyone could repeat the lie over the weekend…but turns out to be @ @ @ @ @ forced to correct : Politico quietly updated a story after first claiming that President Donald @ @ @ @ @ to the Bank of China ” Friday .
The publication posted an article Friday suggesting @ @ @ @ @ owes ” millions of dollars to the Bank of China , adding that “ the @ @ @ @ @ Politico was forced to quietly edit its story after it was determined that Trump apparently @ @ @ @ @ Bank of China millions of dollars .
Politico ’ s headline now reads that Trump @ @ @ @ @ tense – money to the Bank of China .
It now includes an important note @ @ @ @ @ as well .

More fake news put out on Friday so everyone could repeat the lie over the weekend…but turns out to be more fake news Politico is forced to correct:
Politico quietly updated a story after first claiming that President Donald Trump currently “owes millions to the Bank of China” Friday.
The publication posted an article Friday suggesting President Donald Trump currently “owes” millions of dollars to the Bank of China, adding that “the loan is due soon.” Politico was forced to quietly edit its story after it was determined that Trump apparently did not currently owe the Bank of China millions of dollars.
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Politico’s headline now reads that Trump “owed” – past tense – money to the Bank of China. It now includes an important note from the Bank of China as well.
dailycaller.com/2020/04/25/politico-updated-article-claiming-donald-trump-owes-millions-bank-of-china/


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--UK Police – Report a family member for thought crimes

# Prevent | Online platforms can be a fun world .
Unfortunately , they can also be used to exploit @ @ @ @ @ are worried that one of your friends or family is showing signs of radicalisation seek @ @ @ @ @ 101 t.co/qdwc71XzuK pic.twitter.com/PtR8bQt14s

#Prevent | Online platforms can be a fun world. Unfortunately, they can also be used to exploit vulnerable people. If you are worried that one of your friends or family is showing signs of radicalisation seek advice or call police on 101 t.co/qdwc71XzuK pic.twitter.com/PtR8bQt14s
— Greater Manchester Police #StayHomeSaveLives (@gmpolice) April 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--China threatens Australia with boycott over calls for WuFlu inquiry

Ambassador Cheng Jingye has done Australia a great service .
He has taken off the mask .
China ’ s ambassador has shown us the true face of the Chinese government ’ s feeling for Australia .
The Chinese Communist Party for years has been working systematically to undermine Australia ’ s sovereignty .
To “ take over ” our political system , in the words of Australia ’ s former national security adviser and ASIO chief , Duncan Lewis .
China lied about the existence of the virus , until they could no longer hide it .
Then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , until it became obvious that it was transmissible between humans .
Then , they lied about the severity of the problem , while squelching the flow of information to the outside world .
When people inside Wuhan released videos of the true horrible situation , they were murdered by the Chinese government .
China did everything in their power to downplay the virus , so as to maximize the damage the virus did to the rest of the world .
Had China told the world the truth early on , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to China – or at least be better prepared to combat it .
China evidently did not want that .
They had a “ if we go down , we ’ re taking you with us ” attitude .
That is why China needs to be destroyed .
They are guilty of waging biological warfare on the rest of the world .

Ambassador Cheng Jingye has done Australia a great service. He has taken off the mask.
China’s ambassador has shown us the true face of the Chinese government’s feeling for Australia.
The Chinese Communist Party for years has been working systematically to undermine Australia’s sovereignty. To “take over” our political system, in the words of Australia’s former national security adviser and ASIO chief, Duncan Lewis.
www.smh.com.au/national/china-s-man-in-canberra-has-unmasked-the-regime-s-true-face-20200427-p54nhj.html
China lied about the existence of the virus, until they could no longer hide it.
Then, they lied about the transmissibility of the virus, until it became obvious that it was transmissible between humans.
Then, they lied about the severity of the problem, while squelching the flow of information to the outside world.
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When people inside Wuhan released videos of the true horrible situation, they were murdered by the Chinese government.
China did everything in their power to downplay the virus, so as to maximize the damage the virus did to the rest of the world. Had China told the world the truth early on, we may have been able to contain the virus to China – or at least be better prepared to combat it.
China evidently did not want that. They had a “if we go down, we’re taking you with us” attitude.
That is why China needs to be destroyed.
They are guilty of waging biological warfare on the rest of the world.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--One in three Americans found losing work, income due to coronavirus as China starts major trial of s

One in three Americans found losing work, income due to coronavirus as China starts major trial of state-run digital currency

Americans , particularly low-income earners , report losing jobs due to pandemic but most are optimistic about getting them back Coronavirus is changing the world in unprecedented ways .
Subscribe here for a daily briefing on how this global crisis is affecting cities , technology , approaches to climate change , and the lives of vulnerable people .
NEW YORK , April 27 ( Thomson Reuters Foundation ) – Almost one-third of Americans have lost work or income due to the coronavirus , especially low-income earners , by getting fired , laid off or having their hours cut , research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S.-based polling company , found 30 % of adults in America – a nation with nearly 256 million people over age 18 – reported seeing their jobs or finances affected by the epidemic .
China will begin trialling payments in its new digital currency in four major cities from next week , according to domestic media .
In recent months , China ’ s central bank has stepped up its development of the e-RMB , which is set to be the first digital currency operated by a major economy .
It has reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shenzhen , Suzhou , Chengdu , as well as a new area south of Beijing , Xiong ’ an , and areas that will host some of the events for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics .
State-media outlet China Daily said it had been formally adopted into the cities ’ monetary systems , with some government employees and public servants to receive their salaries in the digital currency from May .
Sina News said the currency would be used to subsidise transport in Suzhou , but in Xiong ’ an the trial primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screenshot purported to be of the app required to store and use the digital currency has been circulating since mid-April .
Some reports also claim businesses including McDonald ’ s and Starbucks have agreed to be part of the trial .
Both companies have been contacted for comment .
Ten percent said they had been temporarily laid off – but 85 % of those believed they would get their jobs back – a quarter suffered a loss of income , and one in six had hours reduced .
Among less affluent people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with 2 % of adults overall , according to Gallup , as the number of known infections in the United States topped 970,000 with more than 55,000 deaths .
Among people earning less than $ 36,000 a year , 14 % were laid off and 32 % had a loss of income .
Everything that China does , will come to the West sooner or later .
Trust the plan and communist social credit scoring which is also coming to USA .
Commentary : Why China ’ s social credit system gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the new social credit system will combat a nationwide crisis of trust , says an expert .
ONDON : The Chinese social credit system has been given an unequivocally negative reception by the media in the West .
Set to be rolled out nationwide in 2020 , the system has even been described by one journalist as China ’ s “ most ambitious project in social engineering since the Cultural Revolution ” .
On the surface , this reaction is understandable .
Once the system is fully implemented , Chinese citizens will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their deeds .
For example , failure to pay a court bill or playing loud music in public may cause a low score .
This score can dictate what rights people have .
Those on the “ blacklist ” are prevented from buying plane or train tickets , for instance , as well as working as civil servants or in certain industries .

Americans, particularly low-income earners, report losing jobs due to pandemic but most are optimistic about getting them back
Coronavirus is changing the world in unprecedented ways. Subscribe here for a daily briefing on how this global crisis is affecting cities, technology, approaches to climate change, and the lives of vulnerable people.
By Ellen Wulfhorst
NEW YORK, April 27 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Almost one-third of Americans have lost work or income due to the coronavirus, especially low-income earners, by getting fired, laid off or having their hours cut, research showed on Monday.
Gallup, a U.S.-based polling company, found 30% of adults in America – a nation with nearly 256 million people over age 18 – reported seeing their jobs or finances affected by the epidemic.
news.trust.org/item/20200427193019-avpv2/
China will begin trialling payments in its new digital currency in four major cities from next week, according to domestic media.
In recent months, China’s central bank has stepped up its development of the e-RMB, which is set to be the first digital currency operated by a major economy.
It has reportedly begun trials in several cities, including Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu, as well as a new area south of Beijing, Xiong’an, and areas that will host some of the events for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
State-media outlet China Daily said it had been formally adopted into the cities’ monetary systems, with some government employees and public servants to receive their salaries in the digital currency from May.
Sina News said the currency would be used to subsidise transport in Suzhou, but in Xiong’an the trial primarily focused on food and retail.
A screenshot purported to be of the app required to store and use the digital currency has been circulating since mid-April.
Some reports also claim businesses including McDonald’s and Starbucks have agreed to be part of the trial. Both companies have been contacted for comment.
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/28/china-starts-major-trial-of-state-run-digital-currency
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Ten percent said they had been temporarily laid off – but 85% of those believed they would get their jobs back – a quarter suffered a loss of income, and one in six had hours reduced.
Among less affluent people, 4% lost their job permanently, compared with 2% of adults overall, according to Gallup, as the number of known infections in the United States topped 970,000 with more than 55,000 deaths.
Among people earning less than $36,000 a year, 14% were laid off and 32% had a loss of income.
Everything that China does, will come to the West sooner or later.
Trust the plan and communist social credit scoring which is also coming to USA.
Commentary: Why China’s social credit system gets thumbs-up from citizens
Many Chinese people think that the new social credit system will combat a nationwide crisis of trust, says an expert.
ONDON: The Chinese social credit system has been given an unequivocally negative reception by the media in the West.
Set to be rolled out nationwide in 2020, the system has even been described by one journalist as China’s “most ambitious project in social engineering since the Cultural Revolution”.
On the surface, this reaction is understandable. Once the system is fully implemented, Chinese citizens will be given a social credit score based on their deeds. For example, failure to pay a court bill or playing loud music in public may cause a low score.
This score can dictate what rights people have. Those on the “blacklist” are prevented from buying plane or train tickets, for instance, as well as working as civil servants or in certain industries.
www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/china-social-credit-system-digital-trust-online-fraud-scam-west-12212976
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--DON’T BE A SCIENCE DENIER: Science says it’s time to start easing the lockdowns.

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been enormous , and New York has suffered more than anywhere else in @ @ @ @ @ a separate country , the New York area would rank , by far , as @ @ @ @ @ per capita .
The New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tri-state area accounts for approximately 60 percent of @ @ @ @ @ abound , but the New York area itself is different : New York is the @ @ @ @ @ the hundreds of thousands of tourists coming to the US every month from China ; @ @ @ @ @ density of living that swells daily by millions from workers and tourists ; and Manhattan @ @ @ @ @ daily , mostly on crowded public transit , including 320,000 from Jersey alone .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ , dramatically so in New York , including both hospitalizations and deaths per day .
@ @ @ @ @ isolation policies had a significant impact on “ flattening the curves .
”

via NYPOST:
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been enormous, and New York has suffered more than anywhere else in the world. Compared as a separate country, the New York area would rank, by far, as No. 1 for deaths per capita.
The New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tri-state area accounts for approximately 60 percent of all US deaths. Theories abound, but the New York area itself is different: New York is the top port of entry for the hundreds of thousands of tourists coming to the US every month from China; Gotham has a uniquely high density of living that swells daily by millions from workers and tourists; and Manhattan sees some 1.6 million commuters daily, mostly on crowded public transit, including 320,000 from Jersey alone.
Yet the pandemic toll is falling, dramatically so in New York, including both hospitalizations and deaths per day. Few doubt that the unprecedented isolation policies had a significant impact on “flattening the curves.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--NYC “People Have No Food, People Are Talking About Suicide”

We are very close now Heads up , stay focused on you , family and close friends Time to circle @ @ @ @ @ who you can trust “ People have no food .
People are talking about suicide @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re literally begging you , sir , please come out of your @ @ @ @ @ here in the trenches with your people and actually see what ’ s going on @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrew Cuomo was asked about unemployment Monday , and spoke about the need for @ @ @ @ @ ’ re out of money now .
We are now running a $ 10-15 billion @ @ @ @ @ out of money now , ” Cuomo said .

We are very close now
Heads up, stay focused on you, family and close friends
Time to circle the wagons and figure out who you can trust
newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/04/27/delays-for-unemployment-no-food-people-talking-about-suicide/
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“People have no food. People are talking about suicide,” Izzi said. “We’re literally begging you, sir, please come out of your ivory tower, come down here in the trenches with your people and actually see what’s going on, answer us.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was asked about unemployment Monday, and spoke about the need for federal help.
“We’re out of money now. We are now running a $10-15 billion deficit. We’re out of money now,” Cuomo said.
BU


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Journalism Professors For Censorship

Journalism Professors For Censorship

Halt live coverage of Trump ’ s COVID-19 briefings : Open letter to news outlets from professors of communication , journalism , and media studies .
If the public decides that basically all our institutions are garbage and wants to burn them down , based on the last few years I ’ m going to find it hard to argue to the contrary .
Why is the first inclination of Donald Trump ’ s supporters to lash out at the press when he says something ridiculous ?
Part of it is political expediency , of course .
Most of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even when Trump badly mangles science , journalists , who spend vast amounts of their time chasing gotchas , offer a misleading and histrionic rendering of his comments .
Trump doesn ’ t want Americans to inject themselves with disinfectants or ingest bleach and die .
Journalists know this .
The media are a collection of well-funded outlets that set the agenda , narrative , tone , and focus of coverage while conspiring with a major political party .
Reporters don ’ t openly collude with Democrats ( well , most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they merely share the same objectives and set of values .
This wasn ’ t a problem created by Trump ’ s emergence .
It ’ s problem that ’ s been festering for decades .
And it was on full display during Trump ’ s latest press confeerence : ‘ Media is broken ’ : Journo Olivia Nuzzi asks Trump ‘ possibly the most ridiculous question asked so far ’ at today ’ s WH COVID19 presser ( video ) .
UPDATE ( FROM GLENN ) : Nuzzi ’ s fellow media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But of course , real bravery would be asking Joe Biden about Tara Reade .
No journalist has been brave enough to do that , and despite Nuzzi ’ s previous # MeToo posturing , I very much doubt she ’ ll break that pattern .
JIM TREACHER KNOWS THE ANSWER HERE : Jonathan Turley : Say , why isn ’ t the media talking about Biden ’ s paranoid-conspiracy mongering ?

Halt live coverage of Trump’s COVID-19 briefings: Open letter to news outlets from professors of communication, journalism, and media studies.
If the public decides that basically all our institutions are garbage and wants to burn them down, based on the last few years I’m going to find it hard to argue to the contrary.
DAVID HARSANYI: A Rant against the Media.
Why is the first inclination of Donald Trump’s supporters to lash out at the press when he says something ridiculous? Part of it is political expediency, of course. Most of it, though, is completely understandable. Even when Trump badly mangles science, journalists, who spend vast amounts of their time chasing gotchas, offer a misleading and histrionic rendering of his comments. Trump doesn’t want Americans to inject themselves with disinfectants or ingest bleach and die. Journalists know this. The media are a collection of well-funded outlets that set the agenda, narrative, tone, and focus of coverage while conspiring with a major political party. Reporters don’t openly collude with Democrats (well, most of the time they don’t), they merely share the same objectives and set of values. This wasn’t a problem created by Trump’s emergence. It’s problem that’s been festering for decades.
And it was on full display during Trump’s latest press confeerence: ‘Media is broken’: Journo Olivia Nuzzi asks Trump ‘possibly the most ridiculous question asked so far’ at today’s WH COVID19 presser (video).
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UPDATE (FROM GLENN): Nuzzi’s fellow media flacks are congratulating her on her bravery. But of course, real bravery would be asking Joe Biden about Tara Reade. No journalist has been brave enough to do that, and despite Nuzzi’s previous #MeToo posturing, I very much doubt she’ll break that pattern.
JIM TREACHER KNOWS THE ANSWER HERE: Jonathan Turley: Say, why isn’t the media talking about Biden’s paranoid-conspiracy mongering?
h/t ED


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Democracy Dies In Orwellian Obfuscation

Democracy Dies In Orwellian Obfuscation

“ Developments in allegations against Biden amplify efforts to question his behavior , ” the Washington Post claims , as they go out of the way to be obvious Democratic Party operatives with bylines .
“ ‘ As an editor , I regard this headline as a hate crime and I will be pressing charges first thing in the morning , ’ Washington Examiner executive editor Seth Mandel reacted on Twitter.
” TORPEDO CIRCLES AROUND : “ Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) Chairman Tom Perez said in December 2017 that any candidate or elected official ‘ who has engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside.
’ Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , now stands accused of sexual assault by his former Senate staffer , Tara Reade.
” UPDATE : Perez has plenty of company : What Biden ’ s recent endorsers said about Kavanaugh and # MeToo .
ANOTHER UPDATE ( FROM GLENN ) : Hey , maybe Olivia Nuzzi can interview Joe , and courageously ask him how he ’ s bearing up in this “ nightmare.
” WaPo uses a confusing , passive-voice headline to protect Biden .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crisis communications for the DNC .

“Developments in allegations against Biden amplify efforts to question his behavior,” the Washington Post claims, as they go out of the way to be obvious Democratic Party operatives with bylines. “‘As an editor, I regard this headline as a hate crime and I will be pressing charges first thing in the morning,’ Washington Examiner executive editor Seth Mandel reacted on Twitter.”
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
TORPEDO CIRCLES AROUND: “Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez said in December 2017 that any candidate or elected official ‘who has engaged in sexual misconduct’ should ‘step aside.’ Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, now stands accused of sexual assault by his former Senate staffer, Tara Reade.”
UPDATE: Perez has plenty of company: What Biden’s recent endorsers said about Kavanaugh and #MeToo.
ANOTHER UPDATE (FROM GLENN): Hey, maybe Olivia Nuzzi can interview Joe, and courageously ask him how he’s bearing up in this “nightmare.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
WaPo uses a confusing, passive-voice headline to protect Biden. This isn’t journalism, it’s crisis communications for the DNC.
Cory Booker tried his hardest to ruin Justice Brett Kavanaugh's life and put on a huge show, referring to himself as "Spartacus," but he's been oddly silent about Tara Reade. I wonder why that is… I'm running against Booker for Senate because New Jersey deserves better. — Rik Mehta (@RikMehta_NJ) April 27, 2020
h/t ED


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--New Zealand…Boasts.. ‘eliminated’ Covid-19 after weeks of lockdown

Time to move to New Zealand ?
… Like they would let people from hit zones in ?
After weeks @ @ @ @ @ has achieved its ambitious goal of eliminating the coronavirus .
And on Monday , New @ @ @ @ @ case .
“ That does give us confidence that we ’ ve achieved our goal @ @ @ @ @ meant zero but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from , @ @ @ @ @ Zealand ’ s Director General of Health , said on Monday , adding that there @ @ @ @ @ April 1 where authorities were still investigating the source of infection .

Time to move to New Zealand?…
Like they would let people from hit zones in?
After weeks of lockdown, New Zealand has achieved its ambitious goal of eliminating the coronavirus.
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And on Monday, New Zealand reported just one new case.
“That does give us confidence that we’ve achieved our goal of elimination, which never meant zero but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from,” Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s Director General of Health, said on Monday, adding that there was only one case since April 1 where authorities were still investigating the source of infection.
New zealand coronavirus free news Corp
covid19.govt.nz/


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--We expanded the circumstances under which the United States would consider nuclear first use.

An attack on our civilian population of any sort could be viewed as a threat which could be met with @ @ @ @ @ forces according to that document .

In other words, we expanded the circumstances under which the United States would consider nuclear first use. pic.twitter.com/ObT34ksqAv — Kingston Reif (@KingstonAReif) April 26, 2020
An attack on our civilian population of any sort could be viewed as a threat which could be met with the first use of nuclear forces according to that document.
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h/t Builder


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Biden Has Wife Talk Instead Of Him. WTF?!?

She should put strings around his arms so she could move him too .

She should put strings around his arms so she could move him too.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--BUREAUCRACY KILLS: For Better Health, Find a Cure for Government: In a time of health crisis, govern

BUREAUCRACY KILLS: For Better Health, Find a Cure for Government: In a time of health crisis, government has proven to be a crippling underlying condition.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anything , it is that there is no situation so severe that government can ’ t make it worse .
Government ’ s recent crimes are legion : standing in the way of testing ; complicating efforts to acquire protective equipment ; imposing authoritarian and uniform lockdown rules across very different populations ; and enforcing those rules in dangerous and ill-considered ways .
If you can assess the conduct of government officials through the pandemic and conclude that what we really need is more of that , then we ’ re probably going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a treatment for whatever it is that ails you .
The societies over which governments exert their power are made up of myriad individuals , businesses , churches , and organizations interacting with one another for purposes of their own .
The people in a society may inhabit dense urban areas or sparsely settled countryside .
They may have deep pockets or meager resources .
They may have high tolerances for risk or shy away from danger .
Often , they have little in common except goods , services , and ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to walk in lockstep makes little sense .
“ Americans are being told they must still play by New York rules—with all the hardships they entail—despite having neither New York ’ s living conditions nor New York ’ s health outcomes , ” Bret Stephens pointed out in The New York Times last weekend .
Other than a few basic rules like “ don ’ t murder ” and “ don ’ t steal , ” there is very little you can impose from the top-down on a diverse society that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offending another .
But that ’ s exactly what government does—inflicting one-size-fits-all-mandates that don ’ t fit many people at all and are usually poorly considered , at that .
And during this pandemic , the government has exercised its taste for incompetence and draconian rules with a vengeance .
Famously , the federal government produced a dumpster fire of a COVID-19 test rather than adopt proven tests developed elsewhere .
It also prevented universities , researchers , and private laboratories from developing their own tests , throwing bureaucratic hurdles in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spread .
When it became obvious that available stocks of personal protective equipment were insufficient , federal regulators told aspiring new mask producers that getting approval for their efforts could take anywhere from 45 to 90 days .
Distilleries that tried to shift to producing much-sought hand sanitizer discovered they would be required to pollute their production lines with “ denaturant ” meant to make the product unpalatable—and therefore complicating the return to producing beverages after the crisis passed .
When hospitals and state officials do find supplies , they have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stolen by federal agencies who think they would be better used by somebody else .
Rules closing businesses , limiting gatherings , and even restricting outdoor excursions were supposed to “ flatten the curve ” to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that hospitals didn ’ t get overwhelmed .
But the virus didn ’ t hit the same way everywhere .
Instead , New York City and a few other hot spots got slammed .
Elsewhere , most medical facilities found themselves tending empty beds , pondering the fate of patients whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and back surgeries are deferred to some uncertain date in the future , and watching cash reserves dwindle for lack of patients to treat .

via reason:
If the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated anything, it is that there is no situation so severe that government can’t make it worse. Government’s recent crimes are legion: standing in the way of testing; complicating efforts to acquire protective equipment; imposing authoritarian and uniform lockdown rules across very different populations; and enforcing those rules in dangerous and ill-considered ways.
If you can assess the conduct of government officials through the pandemic and conclude that what we really need is more of that, then we’re probably going to cure the novel coronavirus long before we find a treatment for whatever it is that ails you.
The societies over which governments exert their power are made up of myriad individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations interacting with one another for purposes of their own. The people in a society may inhabit dense urban areas or sparsely settled countryside. They may have deep pockets or meager resources. They may have high tolerances for risk or shy away from danger. Often, they have little in common except goods, services, and ideas to exchange for mutual benefit. Forcing them to walk in lockstep makes little sense.
“Americans are being told they must still play by New York rules—with all the hardships they entail—despite having neither New York’s living conditions nor New York’s health outcomes,” Bret Stephens pointed out in The New York Times last weekend.
Other than a few basic rules like “don’t murder” and “don’t steal,” there is very little you can impose from the top-down on a diverse society that can help and please one group without hurting and offending another. But that’s exactly what government does—inflicting one-size-fits-all-mandates that don’t fit many people at all and are usually poorly considered, at that. And during this pandemic, the government has exercised its taste for incompetence and draconian rules with a vengeance.
Famously, the federal government produced a dumpster fire of a COVID-19 test rather than adopt proven tests developed elsewhere. It also prevented universities, researchers, and private laboratories from developing their own tests, throwing bureaucratic hurdles in their way for weeks and allowing the disease to spread.
When it became obvious that available stocks of personal protective equipment were insufficient, federal regulators told aspiring new mask producers that getting approval for their efforts could take anywhere from 45 to 90 days.
Distilleries that tried to shift to producing much-sought hand sanitizer discovered they would be required to pollute their production lines with “denaturant” meant to make the product unpalatable—and therefore complicating the return to producing beverages after the crisis passed.
When hospitals and state officials do find supplies, they have to worry that they’ll be flat-out stolen by federal agencies who think they would be better used by somebody else.
Rules closing businesses, limiting gatherings, and even restricting outdoor excursions were supposed to “flatten the curve” to slow the spread of COVID-19 so that hospitals didn’t get overwhelmed. But the virus didn’t hit the same way everywhere. Instead, New York City and a few other hot spots got slammed. Elsewhere, most medical facilities found themselves tending empty beds, pondering the fate of patients whose “elective” cancer, heart, and back surgeries are deferred to some uncertain date in the future, and watching cash reserves dwindle for lack of patients to treat.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Groceries could see meat shortages by end of week

This is not the time to pig out .
Beef , chicken and pork could be as scarce as toilet paper soon because so many meat processing plants have been temporarily shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic , industry experts are warning .
“ We ’ ve just completed our third week of reduced slaughter and production , ” Dennis Smith , a commodity broker/livestock analyst with Archer Financial Services in Chicago , said .
“ My guess is that about one week out , perhaps around May 1 , shortages will begin developing at retail meat counters.
” Overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith said , “ which is a huge decline.
” It might be time to save some bacon , since the amount of pork in frozen storage dropped last month by 4 percent , to 621 million pounds , the Department of Agriculture reported last week .
“ The cause of the shortage is reduced production due to labor issues at the packing plants , ” Smith said .
“ Some plants have closed for deep cleaning and will remain closed until the employee base has recovered from the virus .
Others are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing speed at the plants.
” Case in point : The Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls , South Dakota — the state that is now one of the nation ’ s biggest coronavirus hot spots — was closed after two workers died and 783 others tested positive for the virus .

This is not the time to pig out.
Beef, chicken and pork could be as scarce as toilet paper soon because so many meat processing plants have been temporarily shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic, industry experts are warning.
“We’ve just completed our third week of reduced slaughter and production,” Dennis Smith, a commodity broker/livestock analyst with Archer Financial Services in Chicago, said. “My guess is that about one week out, perhaps around May 1, shortages will begin developing at retail meat counters.”
Overall meat production is down 25 percent, Smith said, “which is a huge decline.”
It might be time to save some bacon, since the amount of pork in frozen storage dropped last month by 4 percent, to 621 million pounds, the Department of Agriculture reported last week.
“The cause of the shortage is reduced production due to labor issues at the packing plants,” Smith said. “Some plants have closed for deep cleaning and will remain closed until the employee base has recovered from the virus. Others are implementing safety procedures which in effect slows processing speed at the plants.”
Case in point: The Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota — the state that is now one of the nation’s biggest coronavirus hot spots — was closed after two workers died and 783 others tested positive for the virus.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--At the time, Steele was working on behalf of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, which means the DNC and

At the time , Steele was working on behalf of a sanctioned Russian oligarch , which means the DNC and @ @ @ @ @ colluding with a Russian agent .

At the time, Steele was working on behalf of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, which means the DNC and the Clinton campaign were literally colluding with a Russian agent.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
At the time, Steele was working on behalf of a sanctioned Russian oligarch, which means the DNC and the Clinton campaign were literally colluding with a Russian agent. t.co/ti5I9B33Bw — Sean Davis (@seanmdav) April 28, 2020
h/t Builder


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Trump Seeking Compensation From China Due To Covid-19: ‘We Have Not Determined Final Amount’, Chines

Trump Seeking Compensation From China Due To Covid-19: ‘We Have Not Determined Final Amount’, Chinese Military Warns U.S. Warship In South China

President Donald Trump says the U.S. is investigating how China has dealt with the coronavirus outbreak and would look at pursuing “ substantial ” damages from Beijing .
During a press conference at the White House Rose Garden on Monday , Trump again leveled accusations at China ’ s handling of the pandemic .
Trump and some members of his administration have suggested China should be punished for its response , amid claims of covering up the outbreak and a lack of transparency over the number of deaths and infections .
Trump revisited the theme on Monday , telling reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can hold them accountable , ” that the U.S. was conducting “ serious investigations , ” and that “ we are not happy with China.
” Chinese military is monitoring a U.S. warship , which entered Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without permission , and has warned it to leave , a spokesman said on Tuesday .
On Tuesday , a U.S. warship entered the territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without China ’ s permission .
The Southern Theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army deployed air and navy forces to monitor and verify the ship , and warned it to leave , according to Senior Colonel Li Huamin , a spokesperson of the command .
Trump angers China by warning US may seek damages over virus US President Donald Trump suggested he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus pandemic which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world , prompting a furious response from Beijing on Tuesday .
Beijing and Washington have clashed repeatedly over the outbreak as tensions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest economic powers .
“ We are not happy with China , ” Trump said at a White House briefing Monday .
“ We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source .
“ It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn ’ t have spread all over the world , ” he said , saying there were many options to “ hold them accountable ” .
Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economic damage due to the virus .
Asked if the US would consider doing the same , Trump said “ we can do something much easier than that.
” “ Germany is looking at things , we are looking at things , ” he said .
“ We haven ’ t determined the final amount yet , ” Trump said .
In Beijing , a foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday accused US politicians of “ telling barefaced lies ” , without naming Trump specifically , and of ignoring their “ own serious @ @ @

President Donald Trump says the U.S. is investigating how China has dealt with the coronavirus outbreak and would look at pursuing “substantial” damages from Beijing.
During a press conference at the White House Rose Garden on Monday, Trump again leveled accusations at China’s handling of the pandemic.
Trump and some members of his administration have suggested China should be punished for its response, amid claims of covering up the outbreak and a lack of transparency over the number of deaths and infections.
Trump revisited the theme on Monday, telling reporters there were “a lot of ways you can hold them accountable,” that the U.S. was conducting “serious investigations,” and that “we are not happy with China.”
www.newsweek.com/china-donald-trump-xi-jinping-coronavirus-1500591?piano_t=1
Chinese military is monitoring a U.S. warship, which entered Chinese territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without permission, and has warned it to leave, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, a U.S. warship entered the territorial waters off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea without China’s permission. The Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army deployed air and navy forces to monitor and verify the ship, and warned it to leave, according to Senior Colonel Li Huamin, a spokesperson of the command.
news.cgtn.com/news/2020-04-28/Chinese-military-warns-U-S-warship-in-South-China-Sea–Q3OIm94V6U/index.html
Trump angers China by warning US may seek damages over virus
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
US President Donald Trump suggested he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus pandemic which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world, prompting a furious response from Beijing on Tuesday.
Beijing and Washington have clashed repeatedly over the outbreak as tensions have soared between the world’s two biggest economic powers.
“We are not happy with China,” Trump said at a White House briefing Monday. “We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source.
“It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn’t have spread all over the world,” he said, saying there were many options to “hold them accountable”.
Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage due to the virus.
Asked if the US would consider doing the same, Trump said “we can do something much easier than that.”
“Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things,” he said. “We haven’t determined the final amount yet,” Trump said.
In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday accused US politicians of “telling barefaced lies”, without naming Trump specifically, and of ignoring their “own serious problems”.
english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/9/368166/World/International/READY–Trump-angers-China-by-warning-US-may-seek-d.aspx
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--As Stock Market CRASHES, Big Business Gets BIGGER And Monopolies BENEFIT BIG-TIME!

As we enter into a global depression , businesses like Walmart , McDonald ’ s and Amazon are set to emerge even bigger than before .
Here ’ s why… Josh Sigurdson reports on the strange case of monopolies utilizing the recent crisis to their advantage with a little help from their friend and ally , the government .
While the stock market crashes and we enter into a global depression , businesses like Walmart , McDonald ’ s and Amazon are set to come out of this situation even bigger than before .
Why ?
Because people are obsessively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small business competition is being completely cut out of the market for arbitrary reasons .
For example , a grocery store called Food Fare in Winnipeg , Canada is told to close apparently due to their small aisles , but Walmart can be filled with thousands of people .
All the while , in the United States , many big businesses are trying to get their hands on the massive bailout for small businesses .
This perfectly fits the market fundamentals of what happens when government props up corporations by the hand of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in this video .
Stay tuned as we continue to cover this issue !

As we enter into a global depression, businesses like Walmart, McDonald’s and Amazon are set to emerge even bigger than before. Here’s why…
by Josh Sigurdson of World Alternative Media
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Josh Sigurdson reports on the strange case of monopolies utilizing the recent crisis to their advantage with a little help from their friend and ally, the government.
While the stock market crashes and we enter into a global depression, businesses like Walmart, McDonald’s and Amazon are set to come out of this situation even bigger than before. Why? Because people are obsessively buying out of fear, while the small business competition is being completely cut out of the market for arbitrary reasons.
For example, a grocery store called Food Fare in Winnipeg, Canada is told to close apparently due to their small aisles, but Walmart can be filled with thousands of people.
All the while, in the United States, many big businesses are trying to get their hands on the massive bailout for small businesses.
This perfectly fits the market fundamentals of what happens when government props up corporations by the hand of regulations and taxation. We break this down in this video.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover this issue!


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--No, the Economy Isn’t Re-Opening Soon

No, the Economy Isn’t Re-Opening Soon

“ America will be open for business very soon , ” said President Trump on March 23 , just a week after local authorities began issuing stay-at-home orders .
At that point , the novel coronavirus had killed a total of 689 Americans .
Now , a little over a month later , 689 deaths would be a really good day .
And America still isn ’ t open for business .
But the president and some governors think it should be and are trying to make it so .
Unfortunately , politicians can ’ t order the economy open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Consumers and businesses began shutting down long before they were forced to , and they won ’ t re-open just because they legally can .
This is way more complicated than many people think… which means it will take time .
The news cycle is moving so fast it ’ s hard to remember what happened last week , much less last month .
So let ’ s review .
In early March , companies and local officials had already cancelled many conventions and other large events .
Then several important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced they had tested positive for the virus .
• President Trump , in an Oval Office address to the nation , said risk to most Americans was “ very , very low ” but also banned travel into the US from much of Europe .
The president ’ s address , combined with the popular , well-known Hanks becoming ill , and the NBA ’ s drastic action , suddenly made the coronavirus threat seem “ real ” to millions .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from spring break .
All this happened before the first mandatory stay-at-home orders , which were in California ’ s Bay Area on March 16 .
The idea that “ Big Brother ” government closed everything is incorrect .
The orders simply codified what was already happening .
The hardest-hit businesses are those that put people in close proximity to unknown others : airlines , restaurants , hotels , retailers , hair and nail salons , etc .
Your odds of encountering an infected person are much higher in those places .
Avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid the virus .
That ’ s why many businesses closed before being ordered .
Well , they need to be convinced that visiting those businesses won ’ t make them sick .
Or , to use economic terms , people must perceive a favorable cost-benefit ratio .
The reward has to outweigh the potential harm .
Survey data says most Americans don ’ t think we are there yet .
Here ’ s a CBS News nationwide poll conducted April 20-22 .
A large majority seem uninterested in venturing out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t change until they feel safe .
Now , there are things businesses can do to reassure customers—extra cleaning , temperature checks , and so on .
They help , but they also have a cost .
Often , it won ’ t outweigh the additional revenue it generates .
So financially , the smartest things many businesses can do is stay closed until they are confident customers will come back and spend freely .
Restaurants and retailers can ’ t re-open without workers who must be paid .
Presently , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or hoping to receive soon ) unemployment benefits .
Those benefits are now extra-generous , thanks to Congress and President Trump .
In some states , they are equivalent to a full-time job at $ 25/hour .
That ’ s more than many laid-off workers were making before ( and more than some “ essential workers ” are making now ) .
How , then , is the employer supposed to lure them back ?
“ Come back to work , Joe .
You ’ ll make less money , have to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the virus and die.
” Not very compelling .
Business owners have to think about liability and reputation , too .
What if people get the virus in your restaurant ?
That ’ s another unknown and only partially controllable cost .
It ’ s a giant chicken-and-egg quandary .
Customers can ’ t go to a business that ’ s closed , but the businesses have no reason to open unless they think customers will come , and maybe not even then .
Government isn ’ t keeping the economy closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are keeping it closed , by their own free choices .
No matter what governors say , no matter what the president says , business as usual is not coming back as long as this coronavirus is still a significant health risk .
And it will be until we get effective treatments , a proven vaccine , or herd immunity .
All those are months away , at best .
That means economic recovery is also months away , at best , and probably longer .
It could get even worse .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think most businesses will stay closed , but some will re-open .
Some customers will visit them , too .
Two or three weeks later , we may see hospitalizations and deaths jump higher .
Then the lockdowns will come back and people will be even more frightened than they are now .
The deep recession that was already coming will be even worse .
We ’ ll know soon if the risk was worth it .

by Patrick Watson
“America will be open for business very soon,” said President Trump on March 23, just a week after local authorities began issuing stay-at-home orders.
At that point, the novel coronavirus had killed a total of 689 Americans. Now, a little over a month later, 689 deaths would be a really good day. And America still isn’t open for business. But the president and some governors think it should be and are trying to make it so.
Unfortunately, politicians can’t order the economy open again because they didn’t close it. Consumers and businesses began shutting down long before they were forced to, and they won’t re-open just because they legally can.
This is way more complicated than many people think… which means it will take time.
Probably a long time.
Photo: Pixabay
Reacting Swiftly
The news cycle is moving so fast it’s hard to remember what happened last week, much less last month. So let’s review.
In early March, companies and local officials had already cancelled many conventions and other large events. Then several important things happened on Wednesday, March 11.
Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson announced they had tested positive for the virus.
The National Basketball Association suspended its season.
President Trump, in an Oval Office address to the nation, said risk to most Americans was “very, very low” but also banned travel into the US from much of Europe.
The president’s address, combined with the popular, well-known Hanks becoming ill, and the NBA’s drastic action, suddenly made the coronavirus threat seem “real” to millions.
They reacted swiftly.
Disney closed its theme parks on March 12.
Colleges told students not to come back from spring break.
Churches cancelled services.
Restaurants, theaters, and casinos began shutting down.
All this happened before the first mandatory stay-at-home orders, which were in California’s Bay Area on March 16.
The idea that “Big Brother” government closed everything is incorrect. The orders simply codified what was already happening.
Photo: Pxhere
Viral Aversion
The hardest-hit businesses are those that put people in close proximity to unknown others: airlines, restaurants, hotels, retailers, hair and nail salons, etc.
Your odds of encountering an infected person are much higher in those places. Avoiding them is perfectly rational if you want to avoid the virus. That’s why many businesses closed before being ordered.
What will bring customers back?
Well, they need to be convinced that visiting those businesses won’t make them sick. Or, to use economic terms, people must perceive a favorable cost-benefit ratio. The reward has to outweigh the potential harm.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Survey data says most Americans don’t think we are there yet. Here’s a CBS News nationwide poll conducted April 20-22.
Photo: CBS News
A large majority seem uninterested in venturing out to nonessential places. That probably won’t change until they feel safe.
Now, there are things businesses can do to reassure customers—extra cleaning, temperature checks, and so on. They help, but they also have a cost. Often, it won’t outweigh the additional revenue it generates.
So financially, the smartest things many businesses can do is stay closed until they are confident customers will come back and spend freely.
Giant Quandary
Restaurants and retailers can’t re-open without workers who must be paid. Presently, many of those workers are furloughed and receiving (or hoping to receive soon) unemployment benefits.
Those benefits are now extra-generous, thanks to Congress and President Trump. In some states, they are equivalent to a full-time job at $25/hour. That’s more than many laid-off workers were making before (and more than some “essential workers” are making now).
How, then, is the employer supposed to lure them back? “Come back to work, Joe. You’ll make less money, have to wear a mask all day and might still get the virus and die.” Not very compelling.
Business owners have to think about liability and reputation, too. What if people get the virus in your restaurant? That’s another unknown and only partially controllable cost.
It’s a giant chicken-and-egg quandary. Customers can’t go to a business that’s closed, but the businesses have no reason to open unless they think customers will come, and maybe not even then.
See the problem?
Government isn’t keeping the economy closed. The people who compose the economy are keeping it closed, by their own free choices.
No matter what governors say, no matter what the president says, business as usual is not coming back as long as this coronavirus is still a significant health risk. And it will be until we get effective treatments, a proven vaccine, or herd immunity.
All those are months away, at best. That means economic recovery is also months away, at best, and probably longer.
It could get even worse.
Some states are relaxing the lockdowns. I think most businesses will stay closed, but some will re-open. Some customers will visit them, too.
Two or three weeks later, we may see hospitalizations and deaths jump higher. Then the lockdowns will come back and people will be even more frightened than they are now. The deep recession that was already coming will be even worse.
We’ll know soon if the risk was worth it.


investmentwatchblog--2020-04-28--Think you‘re well diversified buying the All Country World Index? It‘s now pretty much a bet on Tech

Think you‘re well diversified buying the All Country World Index? It‘s now pretty much a bet on Tech and Healthcare… 20 day average for Healthcare & Biotech Optimism indices near *HIGHEST LEVEL EVER*. Forward P/E looks very expensive

Think you‘re well diversified buying the All Country World Index? It‘s now pretty much a bet on Tech and Healthcare… pic.twitter.com/Megv0oMQGz — D.Schrottenbaum, CFA (@David_Schro) April 28, 2020
It's all U.S. tech stocks. I've seen this movie before pic.twitter.com/8cWLhLU4HX — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) April 28, 2020
Forward P/E looks very expensive pic.twitter.com/Bhcw8IQfp5 — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) April 28, 2020
This isn't even close as to what Forward P/E's will be when #estimates are lowered further in the coming months.
Yes…this will matter, maybe not today, but it will matter. pic.twitter.com/ZrybiEsfxo — Lance Roberts (@LanceRoberts) April 28, 2020
Short term headwinds for stocks, particularly tech & healthcare: 20 day average for Healthcare & Biotech Optimism indices near *HIGHEST LEVEL EVER* Not good for stocks in the short term –@sentimentrader pic.twitter.com/yz6vGvkpLW — Troy Bombardia (@bullmarketsco) April 28, 2020
Companies: We have no clue what our earnings will be.
Bulls: We don't either but let's buy stocks. — Sven Henrich (@NorthmanTrader) April 28, 2020
With the S&P 500 Index now up more than 30% from its low, the question arises if this is a bear market rally or a bull market correction. pic.twitter.com/bzd183V4I9 — jeroen blokland (@jsblokland) April 28, 2020