Syrmax

I have short positions in my trading account. And i increased them yesterday figuring this is a short lived Bear Market relief rally. It's a risk management tool and also a gamble, pure and simple. They're leveraged 2x or 3x so they need constant attention and due to fade, they're not effective as long term holds. I've lost on some of those short trades even as sh*tty as this March has been /was. Short squeezes and bad timing are still a bitch. I wish i had just gone 200% short back in early February like my gut told me to do. Too indecisive. Of course, i'm not on CNBC inciting market routs either...

So what you are really saying is that having health insurance is a "human right". Its semantics but a key distinction.

Ackman's a d-bag. Always has been, always will be. However, CNN, didn't portray the entire story as usual. Ackman, in his full statement, claims he had enough hedges on (short positions) to counteract a certain amount of drawdown in his funds under management. This is pretty typical of big money traders and fund managers - if they want to keep being big money people... So, he didn't really "make" $2.6B, he just avoided a big downturn in his AUM. When he covered the short positions, that would be "profit" on those positions as they are closed out (assuming he did). Which he could then use that money however he wanted. However, the rest of his portfolio did take a large hit - although its just a paper loss until you sell. I suppose he could see a full $2.6B profit if Ackman holds his longs and the Federal Reserve manages to puff enough hot air and fake money back into the market like in 2008/09. The problem i had (and i was seeing this live on CNBC as FinTwitter was going ape real time on this), was that he was basically acting like a bitch and panicking on live TV, in an already jittery market environment and just adding fuel to the fire. Maybe he did it "talking his book" in a calculated strategy. Hard to know. At least I can rest easy knowing he got taken to the cleaners by Carl Icahn over Ackman's now infamous Herbalife short positions, where he basically tried to do the same thing until someone with more power (Icahn) stepped in and crushed his skull.

we do provide certain medical care now, don't we? If you're butt broke and AFU and show up in an ER...won't you be treated? Isn't that already part of the cost that's eaten by taxpayers and insurance premiums? Not saying that's the best way to do it... Just tweaking you...i know what you really mean and most of us would agree. Question really is...how is that done, and/or done more efficiently...(we won't solve that here).

I'll do that at some point but I already made adjustments to my 401k back in February when this was brewing. My IRA Manager thinks its a great time to cost average in, and he's probably right...assuming this isn't the start of a prolonged Deep Recession or Depression, which is not off the table. I'm just hoping to still have a job in 3-6 months. And this is where fear kicks in and creates the conditions for a Recession, or worse.. Many of us still employed look around at what's happening and prudently start pulling in the spending...which feeds into the downward spiral of economic activity and deflation. I think the definition of Recession or Depression is somewhat arbitrary but I suspect it's going to be more severe because even the companies doing ok are looking at having to deal with much more than a business cycle downturn or temporary credit crisis that fueled a recession, ala 2008/09. Noone knows when the hell this is going to end.

But but but we were told there are now plenty of test kits available!

Another day...another 1,000 Dow points down the crapper. Looks like our Bear Market rally has died.

I'd agree but it looks like there is a lot of variability depending on circumstances... My Boss at work circulated this to us today: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL * The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells. * Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies. * The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own. * HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful. * Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus. * Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside. * Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin. * NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive. * NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only: - between 3 hours (fabric and porous), - 4 hours (copper and wood) - 24 hours (cardboard), - 42 hours (metal) and - 72 hours (plastic). But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose. * The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster. * UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin. * The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin. * Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat. * NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%. * LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol. * The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less. * You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom. * You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better. * Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there. -JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

Yet again, I'm glad I got away from the I-95 corridor when I did.

I saw that a day or so ago. That's ballin! LOL. I'm nervous about the crew on CVN-71. USS Theodore Roosevelt. I rode that on TDY between submarine assignments while I was in, and then as a civilian working for Lockheed Martin during pre-Iraq 2.0 Flight crew certs. These guys are ****ed. They'll improvise something but the military has a way of going out of their way to not take the common sense solutions to problems. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/coronavirus-uss-theodore-roosevelt-captain-removal-quarantine-sailors-aircraft-carrier/

A person i work with and sit next to (usually) is from Kerala Province in India. It's small and on the southwest coast of the country, relatively modern and has a good (and inexpensive) healthcare system. He tells me that its a nice place, not hung up on the caste system and i've seen many photos so i believe him...but when you get outside of that area, and a few select others, it can be...well we've all seen the pics and videos...

Most of India is so 3rd World we'll never get an accurate accounting of what goes on there. Other than I don't see how it won't be really ugly.

yeah, i've been wondering this myself. This is a very unstable period. One candidate is a nation state that is close to breaking (Iran, NK?). Russia is always a candidate for settling old scores but can't be in good shape with the collapse in oil prices, and who they would go after is another issue. The collapse in oil prices hurts their economy particularly hard. They're already in Syria and unofficially in eastern Ukraine. India and Pakistan are always a tense situation. Turkish adventurism could also increase although that would be more subtle and they are already meddling in Syria. I would be more leery of some sort of "asymmetric" financial attack...like China, Russia, etc, dumping US Treasuries or something like that, perhaps coordinated with China making a move with some of their offshore island claims. It's long been posited that due to mutual economic dependence (similar to the Mutual Assured Destruction theories), the Chinese would be cutting their nose off to spite their face. However, with the collapse in global trade, that equation may be changing. If something like this did happen it would be sudden and unannounced, and timed to be at a point of maximum financial market instability.

I'd agree. At the very least we need state and national based supplies of certain medical equipment. Gloves, masks, faceshields, etc etc. They're not THAT expensive normally esp when bought in bulk. It's ridiculous that health care workers and providers are in the position they are in.

Interesting tidbit i caught in the daily podcast from Chris Martensen, regarding why Germany likely has such a low Case Fatality Rate...currently it's thought they are just doing a better job at testing more people. And they're health care system has been able to cope better. Typical German efficiency you could say. It almost has to be because its not that they're much healthier than us on average (they smoke like fiends and drink Bier moreso than average American). This aligns with a hypothesis (based on emerging data) that about 86% of COVID-19 cases are "undocumented". Thus the denominator of the rate equation is likely understated - by a lot. More to follow but IF this holds true, it would point to a CFR of ~0.4%, which is considerably lower than we are seeing right now in many countries. It's still 4x worse than seasonal flu in terms of CFR but not orders of magnitude higher. The cluster areas that overwhelm local healthcare systems are one of the biggest problem with covid-19 as there is no "herd immunity" yet and populations / govt were not prepared to think about, much less rapidly do anything about, an outbreak like this. If the above does eventually confirm, it would (in my mind) point to a general lack of preparedness to deal with a pandemic in many countries (US included). This isn't a Trump thing as the lack of preparedness was identified in ten (10) separate reports by US Federal officials between 2003-2015, as reported recently by CNN. Specifically, insufficient medical supplies, lifesaving and protective equipment (and especially ventilators) was pointed out during the last two Administrations. Nothing was done. Throw in this Administrations peculiar dysfunctionality and it's...not good. What i'd expect to see going forward are procedures...public awareness efforts (should be easy now), equipment stores, plans to ramp up testing etc. in a rapid manner, all need upgrading so that the next time we don't put so many people, especially health care workers, at ridiculous amounts of risk. And we can respond without having to panic into a global economic depression.

Thanks. Good video. I watched it all.

Bring gloves to the store...things you touch, like self scanning guns at checkouts and door handles are prime locations to transmit...masks, i dunno. If you stay far enough away from others we should be ok from what I've read.

Part of the problem is we don't know how much has been "spread" versus a function of increased testing rates, presuming that it's probably been around at some level for longer than we realize.

I want to lash out at some people on local social media. Mainly the busybodies that can't mind their own f*cking business in the best of times.. and at the "corona deniers". But I've held my tongue. No need to create additional shitstorms now. Afterwards.. the knives can come out.

Stay safe as you can. I worry about my son in the Navy. There's only so much they can do..

This is actually a really good piece and worth a read. A lot of solid thought and perspective. I really identify with the "building an airplane while in the air analogy" as far as the evolving covid-19 response. We have data, but how much of it is useful?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is requiring travelers from Louisiana to self-isolate for 14 days and said the Florida Highway Patrol will install checkpoints on major roads to screen travelers from that area, he announced on Friday. DeSantis is imposing restrictions on travelers fleeing to Florida from Louisiana — particularly New Orleans, which is emerging as one of the hotspots of the coronavirus outbreak. Snip... The Florida Highway Patrol will install checkpoints on the major roads along the Alabama-Florida state line and screen drivers from Louisiana, with the exception of those driving commercial vehicles. “There’ll probably be a diversion for folks with certain license plates,” DeSantis said.

Der Kommisar sagte daß Sie drinnen bleiben müssen. Hau ab!! I've seen shite on NextDoor app. People grousing about people taking walks in their neighborhood. Onesies and twosies... the horror

I still enjoy my son's Call of Duty that we would play on his PS4. Compared to the Space Invaders, PacMan and Atari that I grew up with, this stuff is great!

FYI...Rhode Island not f@cking around with New Yorkers. Like a BOSS! https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-03-27/rhode-island-police-to-hunt-down-new-yorkers-seeking-refuge?__twitter_impression=true On Saturday, the National Guard will help them conduct house-to-house searches to find people who traveled from New York and demand 14 days of self-quarantine. Maybe it's time to polish up those ol' jack boots I've had stashed away for years.