frantick

38 minutes ago, UbonThani said:

Dont believe u never get the flu

I believe him because I only remember getting it once about 20 years ago. Never had a flu shot. Grew up outside playing in the dirt, maybe that's why.

I do get colds about twice a year, just plugged nose and coughs for a few days.

Retired to Thailand January 26th, last leg of flight from Korea. Around Feb 21st had 2 to 3 days of congested lungs. Didn't eat and hurt to smoke for those 2 days, so I didn't, and slept sitting up on the edge of the bed because my lungs would fill up with phlegm if I laid down. But the number of days from my flight doesn't fit, so probably just bronchitis.

3 hours ago, mixed said:

"Over 60 and believe we should restore freedoms, the economy, and return to normal life"

 

A couple of questions for this group:

 

1. Do you have stocks, bonds or some other funds that are being negatively affected by the lockdown?

 

2. How exactly would we 'return to a normal life' with so many sick and dieing, with health services stretched to breaking point?

 

Sweden is about to change it policies, similar to Asia I believe cultural factors played a part in slow transmission.

 

1. Savings and CD's. Yes, I know they lose money to inflation, but I can live with that and right now they're not looking too bad.

2. Return to normal. Even beds in NYC are much less utilized than expected.

And, of course, they'll all have Corona since they're coming from the US.

As far as life after this mess, I for one won't be wearing a mask nor extra cleaning of my hands unless it's a government requirement. I've never had a flu shot ever either.

'cause science peeps initial models were way off, and now they wish to proceed as if those models are still accurate.

28 minutes ago, Logosone said:

That did not last long, did it? It would appear that economic realities will dictate the agendas of politicians, who will be open to their respective lobby groups.

 

We can look forward to the lockdowns being perforated stab by stab, little by little, until they are like a Swiss cheese.

 

All this talk about overcrowding hospitals and saving patients lives will just be so much hot air. The living have to live and they have to work.

 

The reality of this will sink in.

 

At least with those who have to make the calls. See Germany above.

 

 

 

Good on Germany. Someone's gotta do it or nobody eats and then everyone dies.

Regardless if there's a vaccine or not, yearly there are hundreds of thousands of flu deaths. Those people were infected by a carrier. Do you know 100% that no one ever picked up a bug from you going on or coming off a cold? Stranger at a coffee shop counter, screamer at a concert, co-worker's mother in law, etc.

Why are the flu fatality numbers pre-Covid-19 acceptable to you when you could also reduce those by staying in your rooms all day and wearing your mask 365 days a year? (Remember, vaccines don't work 100% of the time so you can't blame it on the dead.)

I'll answer that for you. Everyone has a number, you're not more caring and compassionate.

On 4/2/2020 at 5:51 PM, Leaver said:

I think the elders in the herd would disagree with you.  Not to mention, there are now over half a dozen new mutations of the original virus. 

 

"Let it rip" and who knows what virus you end up with.  Maybe a virus that kills everyone.

I'm an elder. I agree with @WillyPlatt. And I'm guessing most of the 'herd immunity' group are also.

On 3/29/2020 at 6:34 PM, flexomike said:

How is Social Security taxed? ... You'll be taxed on: up to 50 percent of your benefits if your income is $25,000 to $34,000 for an individual or $32,000 to $44,000 for a married couple filing jointly. up to 85 percent of your benefits if your income is more than $34,000 (individual) or $44,000 (couple).Apr 9, 2019

As I said before, if you (single) only have SS income, no tax. The magic word in most of these articles is 'combined' income, implying more than 1 source of income.

If you don't believe that, fill out the tax calculation form of 23 questions, or whatever, entering ONLY Social Security earnings, and you'll see.

But, this doesn't apply to me anyway so I'll stop persuing truth now.

On 3/30/2020 at 11:03 AM, verticalift said:

 

Covid-19

Feeling confused as to why Coronavirus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. I hope this helps. Feel free to share this to others who don’t understand...

It has to do with RNA sequencing.... I.e. genetics.
 

Seasonal flu is an “all human virus”. The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognized by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year... you get immunity two ways...through exposure to a virus, or by getting a flu shot.

 

Novel viruses, come from animals.... the WHO tracks novel viruses in animals, (sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs in the case of H1N1) (birds in the case of the Spanish flu).

 

But once, one of these animal viruses mutates, and starts to transfer from animals to humans... then it’s a problem, Why? Because we have no natural or acquired immunity.. the RNA sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn’t human, and the human immune system doesn’t recognize it so, we can’t fight it off.

 

Now.... sometimes, the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human, for years it’s only transmission is from an infected animal to a human before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human... once that happens..we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, thats what decides how contagious, or how deadly it’s gonna be.....

 

H1N1 was deadly....but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. It’s RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently, too.

 

Fast forward.....
Now, here comes this Coronavirus... it existed in animals only, for nobody knows how long...but one day, at an animal market, in Wuhan China, in December 2019, it mutated and made the jump from animal to people. (Interesting Fact: There is a Safety Level 4 Bio Lab located only a few city blocks away from the animal market)

 
At first, only animals could give it to a person... But here is the scary part.... in just TWO WEEKS it mutated again and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, “slippery”.

 

This Coronavirus, not being in any form a “human” virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity). Took off like a rocket. And this was because, Humans have no known immunity... doctors have no known medicines for it.

 

And it just so happens that this particular mutated animal virus, changed itself in such a way the way that it causes great damage to human lungs....

 

That’s why Coronavirus is different from seasonal flu, or H1N1 or any other type of influenza.... this one is slippery AF. And it’s a lung eater...

 

And, it’s already mutated AGAIN, so that we now have two strains to deal with, strain S, and strain L....which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.

 

We really have no tools in our shed, with this. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places has helped in the past pandemics. 

 

Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish Flu.

 

Factoid: Henry VIII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him, till the Black Plague passed...(honestly...I understand him so much better now).

Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation...

 

And let me end by saying....right now it’s hitting older folks harder... but this genome is so slippery...if it mutates again (and it will). Who is to say, what it will do next.

 

Be smart folks... acting like you’re unafraid, is not cool right now.

 

 #flattenthecurve. Stay home folks... and share this to those that just are not catching on.

I'd like to know the age of these panic-stricken posters with their science-based diatribe. Anyone over 60 can't really be this frought with fear to post this scare mongering, can they? If you're truly worried about 'others', they have the choice to socially distance, why lock me down?

How's your science measure the affects of living a non-social existence?

Can't wait until real LIFE returns or the Wuhan virus takes me.

Chun Gow!

(Over 60 and slightly chubby)

Y'all (I hear that's a trigger word now) are worrying about this WAY too much. If we lose our Thai money, there'll be much bigger issues in the world to worry about. 

Can't wait for this virus circus to end.

12 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

You are wrong.  Whether one has other income or not is NOT the driver.  The total of 1/2 your SSA + other income if you have it is the driver.   See (b) below for single people fro example.  From page 9 of the 2019 1040 instructions.

"one-half of your social security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000 "

 

So if one had 26,000 in SSA benefits, 1/2 of that would be 13,000.  No other income, fine.  Total income is figured as 13,000 which is more than 12,200 and you would have to file.  Just because other income is mentioned does not mean you have to have it!

 

_________________________________________________________

Chart A—For Most People
IF your filing status is . . .
AND at the end of 2019you were* . . .
THEN file a return if your grossincome** was at least . . .
Single
under 6565 or older
$12,200.    13,850
Married filing jointly***
under 65 (both spouses)65 or older (one spouse)65 or older (both spouses)
$24,400   25,70027,000
Married filing separately
any age
$5
Head of household
under 6565 or older
$18,350 20,000
Qualifying widow(er)
under 6565 or older
$24,400 25,700
*If you were born on January 1, 1955, you are considered to be age 65 at the end of 2019. (If your spouse died in 2019 or if you are preparing a return for someone who died in 2019, see Pub. 501.)
**Gross income means all income you received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that isn't exempt from tax, including any income from sources outside the United States or from the sale of your main home (even if you can exclude part or all of it). Don’t include any social security benefits unless (a) you are married filing a separate return and you lived with your spouse at any time in 2019, or (b) one-half of your social security benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if married filing jointly)

Try any of the online as tax calculators. If you only enter an amount in the SS income field, the tax is $0. I'm sure they're ALL wrong.

36 minutes ago, sirineou said:

IMO it would be more fair that for those who have files 2019 (I have) they use the 2019 as it is a more accurate description fo their financial situation Now, and for those who have not filed in 2019  they would have to use the 2018.

  In 2018 I was working and had a six figure income, but in 2019 I retired and my income was significantly reduced. 

Anyway for many people in  markets such as NY, NJ ,CT and CA it is nothing. 

Same issue here, but I retired just this year. Can't they look at this years earnings to date?</sarcasm>

Let the other people have the money, we don't need it.

12 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

It really is not true that if SSA is your only income you don't have to file.  SSA benefits are taxable if you receive more than 25,000. Now granted many people's SSA benefit is less than that, but above 25,000 ssa becomes taxable so you would have to file to sort things out.  And you would want to file if over 65 because you get some extra standard deduction, etc.

This statement is wrong. If SS is your ONLY income, it is not taxed federally, even if it's more than $35000.

Only if you have other income will they then tax part of your SS; ie pensions, wages, interest, etc.

And I'm talking Federal taxes here because there are many (loser) states that tax SS.

33 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

That's why blue collar workers in the USA are doing so much worse than those in Northern Europe where unions are still strong. Nothing at all to do with the top 10 percent in the USA getting virtually all the benefits of improved productivity. And what are you on about your time. Unions in the USA were much stronger back when than they are now. And blue collar workers were far better off.

Sure they were better off until they strangled the very reason for their existence. I worked blue collar jobs up until I was 28. Then my frontal lobe developed and I knew I had much more to offer than throwing timbers everyday.

I'm not so much against private company unions; if the employer can stay in business, more power to him. I've never been a joiner or wanted to live just to drink with my buds at the local pub. But government unions, where the union employees are voting for their next raise, via candidate A, at the expense of the taxpayer, no way is that 'fair'. I don't have to buy that employer's product, but I must pay my taxes.

I thought the Polish were taking all the good jobs in the UK now, but union still going strong, eh? (My ancestry is Polish by the way)

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

Right. "United we stand, divided we fall" is such a difficult concept to understand.

I think BB must be from the UK. Wanting nanny government and nanny unions to take care of him. 

Fortunately I grew up in a different time. Professors still taught the benefits of capitalism. Told me if I provided a service the employer wanted, I'd be rewarded. If I f'd up, I'd get canned. If I wasn't earning what I deserved, move and find new prospects. If there's no labor pool, wages go up.

I was never treated unfairly by an employer or corporation I worked for. But you have to be willing to move away from mommy or refuse unacceptable work or pay. Some thing most aren't willing to do.

5 hours ago, Berkshire said:

When a Republican says Obama was arrogant, they just mean that he dared to be President while black. 

And there's your failure right there. Play the race card.

I didn't like Obama's personality nor his policies. To like him or his policies just because he's black would be racist.

Like I said, I don't like Trump, just more of his economic policies.

1 hour ago, Andre0720 said:

If someone would like to develop a habit that would irritate others, reduce the longevity of others, let alone reducing their own life be some 10 years or so, I would hope that yes, someone would come and outlaw such a habit or rights...

Like driving a vehicle?

Parents 87 and 86, still each on their own, smokers their entire adult lives. Like me, happy with life, but don't think they'd care if they didn't live well into their 90's.

What's this damn fascination with people wanting to live forever? I just don't get it; must be a narcissistic thing.

Someone stated it nicely in a previous thread, put 100 smokers in a room for an hour with a non-smoker and everyone comes out alive. Put 100 non-smokers in a room for an hour with a running vehicle, and no one comes out alive. But, choose what you wish to worry about.

I'm an outdoor smoker. I don't throw butts on the ground and only smoke in outdoor bars with visible ashtrays. Now if a non-smoker sits beside me am I supposed to stop?

I'd like to believe bars offering  smoking prefer those tolerant types of personalities. Open your own non-smoking bar/restaurant.

Be careful what rights you wish to be outlawed, they'll come for your rights next.

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

Right. Obama just had this awful abusive personality. This is just another post that boils down to "I don't like Trump but..."

Abusive no. Arrogant yes. IMO

Whomever he picks will be president within the first year. He didn't even want to run for president; he'll step down.

Of course I don't think he'll win. And not because Trump will declare marshal law or something. This ain't Russia. I'd fight that even being a Trump-policy supporter. Don't like the man personally, as I didn't care for Obama's personality either.

So every year millions of contagious 'wokesters' head to work just starting or finishing a case of the common flu. About 500,000 people die. Now they're telling us to hibernate for the good of mankind. Where was this attitude last year, and the year before?

Whatever