Call Travis

A Trump win will only delay the inevitable. There is a growing strain throughout the world to push America into a socialist society. There are pressures from political bodies such as the G20, WTO, WHO, etc. The fact that the Trump administration has blocked these pressures highlights the truth that the collective body of countries (165+) want to control America. A Biden win will accelerate the release of American sovereignty into the hands of foreign powers who do not have the interests of the American people in mind. The status quo of the bureaucratic state would normalize under a liberal leaning administration. This is what world organizations want. Yet, America's constitution is not founded as a Democracy, but as a Republic. As long as the majority of the people under equal representation (i.e., the electoral college) want to limit government control, the balance of power will be in check under the separation of powers in executive, legislative, and judicial equilibrium.

The reactions to 9/11 were dramatic in America. But, in due time, life and work returned to normal along with modifications in travel regulations. However, after corona virus, many aspects of life will not return to how things were before. It's like being in a Sci-Fi movie when you physically and mentally move into a new dimension from the dimension you were just experiencing. The rules of engagement are completely different. Whether it's the Matrix, or Inception, or a scene with Dr. Strange, we all will experience this change differently and it is ultimately our own choice as to how we welcome this new way of living.

I would not be surprised if a similar situation developed in the U.S. I currently work from home and have made a personal choice to make work from home permanent. It will be an interesting transition into a new normal work-life and life-work balance as the economy is turned back on gradually through the summer.

Companies that can provide employees with work from home tools and equipment will likely follow suit with these Silicon Valley companies. As a tax professional, I use Skype phone, live in a city with high speed internet, and have the essential equipment and tools I need to serve clients. I can choose to work from home on a more permanent basis.

I understand the reasoning for having as many people possible stay home to avoid spreading the virus so we don't overwhelm our hospitals. I also understand the uncertain feeling of business owners and the employees feel every day that they are not able to work and bring in regular income. The most immediate resolution is to create a vaccine. But, this might not happen for another 12 or 18 months. An economy where millions of people cannot work is unsustainable. The next best alternative is to increase testing. Improve testing methods to the point where we can test every day, every where. Test so much that we get tired of testing! If we can't test with immediate results in the millions every day, then we will certainly bring on another surge of infection in the Fall as the temperatures come down again.

In my mind, "good person" closely resembles the "good student." The student who is always on time, always prepared, never complains, raises his hand to be called on before speaking, and doesn't talk back. Yet, when you think about it, can there really be many people like this? Doesn't anyone question how or what it is that drives them to be so compliant? It's almost like the conditioned soldier who always responds, "Sir, Yes Sir!" One rule that I live by is this: If two people are in the room and both people agree on everything, then only one person is doing the thinking. I can relate with the author's suggestion that you find a "third place" where you can be free to think for yourself. Whether that's a club, the gym, art, music, a new language, the choices are endless. None of us should be locked up in a work arrangement that constricts free expression of creativity in the pursuit to solve complex problems, engage in critical thinking, and explore unimaginable creativity!

This is very fascinating. I find myself reading less and less, but listening more and more. I often have Siri read books and articles to me in both English and Japanese. I get less frustrated because my reading speed is 1X1, but I listen to content at 2X1.

Without question, this is the balancing act of the century! How do we navigate “public health” and “economic prosperity” so that we reduce the deaths from pandemic and keep businesses open? I have not read the research papers of the experts mentioned in the piece, but they draw on the data that was gathered during the flu pandemic of 1918. Even then, drastic measures relating to social distancing were used to stop the radical spreading of the virus. Locations across the country that practiced social distancing early were shut down economically for a time, but showed the quicker ability to bounce back into economical prosperity because of their discipline to work together on both fronts - protect the public health AND keep priming the pump of economic prosperity. We are seeing how states that took early action against COVID-19 are showing lower infection rates in testing. Utah is hovering between 5% and 6% compared to the 40% rates in New York.

“With Corona” might be the effective way to drive efficiency in the workplace. Before COVID-19, meetings and communications have primarily been done by “gathering” together in person. Before or after the meeting, many people engage in “”small talk” and a 2 hour meeting easily becomes 3 or 4 hours of expended time. Now, with Corona, the gathering in person and small talk surrounding video conferences is less, unless it is scheduled. Don’t misunderstand, I believe that gathering together, even on video is important and that small talk can be a critical “bonding” time with colleagues. However, when you think about the time that is saved once the video conference is over and you find yourself moving on to the next project at home, I can make the connection with how the extra time can be used more efficiently and effectively With Corona.

Very interesting. Even in California, Los Angeles encouraged residents to “snitch” or “tattle tail” on companies that were still keeping their doors open for business during the shelter in period. He even tinted on giving rewards for engaging in this kind of “justice seeking” behavior. I can understand the need to self police people who are belligerent and repeat offenders that endanger the general public. Outside of this small group, I believe most people do want what’s best for everyone as a whole. The struggle is balancing the desire to help others and the pressure to resale goods for profit. In America, price gouging is against the law in many places in order to protect against profiteering. Then on the other hand you have hoarders who boast of their ability to stock pile certain “essential” products almost like promoting status symbol. The “dopamine” rush is apparent on both sides.

I can understand why there is so little data on testing the probability of being infected with corona virus through restaurant take out meals. The method of testing would be insane to try and have a controlled testing environment. To me, it makes sense to actively practice measures to prevent infection. - wash hands regularly - do not touch your face - avoid large crowds, especially with more than 10 people - keep a distance of six feet or more from other people - wear a mask/scarf to help prevent inhalation of droplets in the air that may be carrying the virus We have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes and spray. So, as we bring food home from take out or from the market, we try to wipe down every item separately. We also make every effort to not touch our faces. This is a completely new discipline for us, but, we must keep pressing forward to protect ourselves and others with these and other safety measures.

Two things will come out of this experience. One group of people will come out stronger than before with a resolve that will last for years into the future. The other group will come out with unrepairable despair, pain from loss, and diminished confidence in life. We need the strong to partner with the weak so that more of us survive in the end. America has a strong culture of individualism; I hope that people from Asia who are here in America will share and teach America about the strength that comes from being a collective culture. America has come together in the past, we just need to come together faster in a more collective way. Wash our hands, avoid large crowds, maintain 6 to 10 feet distance, stay home as much as possible, stop feeling shame for wearing a mask. Hardly anyone here in Utah wears a mask. I wear one because my wife is from Japan and we see that wearing a mask in Asia has helped keep the virus from spreading. We should use every measure to stop the spread.