KungFuPanda Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 (edited) I’m a bit wrapped up in the Maryland pandemic drama. I’m happy with how our governor has handled this all along and I watch the briefings as they’re released. I’m glad we’ve secured the half million tests From South Korea that will inch us back towards normalcy. For those not focused on MD politics, Trump told the governors to secure tests so Hogan’s wife worked her South Korean contacts and now we have them. Drama ensued, but the most popular meme is Trump: get your own tests! Hogan: Hold my beer then the updated version where it’s Yumi that says “Hold my beer.” (That’s my favorite.) It’s been an interesting dynamic to watch. That, and our sign language guy has become a minor celebrity because we’re all seeing him a couple times a week when our governor updates us. Maybe we should have executive interpreter olympics! So, any interesting developments in YOUR state? I figure there must be 49 other versions of test/lab drama that I don’t even know about or some clever Covid workaround that is unique to individual states. I like when people get creative and get stuff done. Edited May 2, 2020 by KungFuPanda Events transpired 8 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 As a MD resident as well I've really been impressed with how the governor is handling it. I hadn't seen the memes though 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meena Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 There's always something going on in Florida 😂 Miami Herald reported this morning that Daymond John from Shark Tank had attempted to secure and sell N95 masks to the state at an inflated price: "The price would have been one of the highest the state would agree to pay for the highly coveted N95 protective mask: $7 a piece for 1 million masks. The source of the offer had cachet and seemed legit. He was Daymond John, CEO of the Shark Group and one of the stars of the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” He said he could get them for Florida but the cost would be more than three times the market price for the masks, which normally sell for under $2 each." John issued a statement on Twitter that calls the Herald article a "gross distortion of the truth" in order to "create splashy headlines to mislead readers." The state waived normal contracting rules and procedures including competitive bidding in order to secure supplies quickly, so who knows what really went on behind the scenes. Maybe they should have tried to get a better deal from Mark Cuban or Mr. Wonderful? 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted April 23, 2020 Author Share Posted April 23, 2020 9 hours ago, meena said: There's always something going on in Florida 😂 Miami Herald reported this morning that Daymond John from Shark Tank had attempted to secure and sell N95 masks to the state at an inflated price: "The price would have been one of the highest the state would agree to pay for the highly coveted N95 protective mask: $7 a piece for 1 million masks. The source of the offer had cachet and seemed legit. He was Daymond John, CEO of the Shark Group and one of the stars of the popular TV show “Shark Tank.” He said he could get them for Florida but the cost would be more than three times the market price for the masks, which normally sell for under $2 each." John issued a statement on Twitter that calls the Herald article a "gross distortion of the truth" in order to "create splashy headlines to mislead readers." The state waived normal contracting rules and procedures including competitive bidding in order to secure supplies quickly, so who knows what really went on behind the scenes. Maybe they should have tried to get a better deal from Mark Cuban or Mr. Wonderful? 😂 I’m thinking “a distortion” means the numbers weren’t exact but the intent was there. 😒 Just when you wonder HOW things can get crazier. 🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 I've been happy with how Gov Hogan has been handling the situation too. I do wonder if part of his motivation for early response was the fact that his wife is S. Korean and has family there giving them a blow by blow of the situation in Jan/Feb. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 23, 2020 Share Posted April 23, 2020 I absolutely love that meme. I must say, Hogan’s restraint and diplomacy in dealing with confusing messages from the White House have been admirable. I think I would be over it on the conciliatory words. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 I changed the topic. Now I’m adding to share the meme and to report that Hogan has now hidden these tests and has the National Guard guarding them so the federal government can’t find and confiscate Maryland’s tests and masks. For a Republican governor in a VERY blue state, he has some serious home team cheering right now. This is the original meme followed by the updated one with Yumi Hogan. I’d say she’s a lock for the state First Lady MVPs. 🤣 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 The part that had me going on this story is he not only secured the test kits, but had it hidden somewhere so feds wouldn’t take it (?). It’s crazy. Why would feds take it? Aren’t they supposed to be the ones helping the states not making the situation worse? What is happening that I am not grasping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Meanwhile, my state trusted what the feds told them and repeatedly got screwed. I wish we had someone with powerful connections here. https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/464890-376751-records-show-snags-in-oregons-search-for-covid-19-test-supplies-pwoff?wallit_nosession=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 On 4/23/2020 at 12:48 PM, KungFuPanda said: I’m a bit wrapped up in the Maryland pandemic drama. I’m happy with how our governor has handled this all along and I watch the briefings as they’re released. I’m glad we’ve secured the half million tests From South Korea that will inch us back towards normalcy. For those not focused on MD politics, Trump told the governors to secure tests so Hogan’s wife worked her South Korean contacts and now we have them. Drama ensued, but the most popular meme is Trump: get your own tests! Hogan: Hold my beer then the updated version where it’s Yumi that says “Hold my beer.” (That’s my favorite.) It’s been an interesting dynamic to watch. That, and our sign language guy has become a minor celebrity because we’re all seeing him a couple times a week when our governor updates us. Maybe we should have executive interpreter olympics! So, any interesting developments in YOUR state? I figure there must be 49 other versions of test/lab drama that I don’t even know about or some clever Covid workaround that is unique to individual states. I like when people get creative and get stuff done. Seeing what you can get the sign language interpreters to interpret seems to be hobby of choice in WA. Good to see them taking it in a good spirit and keeping professional! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 Not my state at all but I saw on the news this morning there’s a dude walking around in a grim reaper suit at the beaches in Florida. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 5 minutes ago, Roadrunner said: The part that had me going on this story is he not only secured the test kits, but had it hidden somewhere so feds wouldn’t take it (?). It’s crazy. Why would feds take it? Aren’t they supposed to be the ones helping the states not making the situation worse? What is happening that I am not grasping? See my article for how the feds keep changing the story and trying to shift the blame. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 24 minutes ago, Plum said: That’s awesome! You wanna talk gangsta? LV casino owners have been hustling to get test kits, PPE, you name it. Sheldon Aldelson of the Sands NYPost, pushed for the CARES Act even knowing it wouldn’t benefit him in any way. He flew tests kits and masks in from his casino in Macao. A former casino CEO is head of the governor’s resource task force. As our governor put it, ‘He has contacts that can make things happen and they will pick up when he calls.’ We’ve been making our own swabs and transport medium. Hold my beer. 😁🍻 OK, LV might have some next level gangster stuff going on. 21 minutes ago, Roadrunner said: The part that had me going on this story is he not only secured the test kits, but had it hidden somewhere so feds wouldn’t take it (?). It’s crazy. Why would feds take it? Aren’t they supposed to be the ones helping the states not making the situation worse? What is happening that I am not grasping? They did seize someone's tests lately. I can't remember . . . maybe a New England state? I want to say they grabbed it at the airport. (I'd look it up, but WTM likes to log me out whenever my back is turned.) Hogan had the Korean flight land at BWI instead of Dulles to avoid a repeat of this scenario. 15 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said: Seeing what you can get the sign language interpreters to interpret seems to be hobby of choice in WA. Good to see them taking it in a good spirit and keeping professional! I think the sign language interpretors are becoming minor celebrities. This isn't our current guy, but it's funny nonetheless. 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 2 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said: Not my state at all but I saw on the news this morning there’s a dude walking around in a grim reaper suit at the beaches in Florida. https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/01/us/grim-reaper-florida-beaches-trnd/index.html I think that it was SNL which joked last weekend that the lawyer wearing the grim reaper costume had an awkward moment when he ran into the real grim reaper doing the rounds on the Florida beaches 🙂 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 (edited) Does the Feds confiscating masks and test fall under "imminent domain" laws ? I suspect that is how the Feds are doing it. If you read Hogan's "Road to Reopening" roadmap it does mention in there how the national supply has been completely depleted and getting it back to up pre-Covid levels will take a long time. I'm glad the Pres. said for states to take care of it on their own - but I certainly don't like them turning around and then taking it away. It's as if they're saying "You do the leg work for us and then we'll take it." Ugh. Edited May 2, 2020 by PrincessMommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 It’s a sad day when states have to protect themselves from being robbed by the feds. It’s not imminent domain, Princess Mommy, but the emergency laws that allow seizures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 (edited) On 4/23/2020 at 11:10 AM, KungFuPanda said: I’m thinking “a distortion” means the numbers weren’t exact but the intent was there. 😒 Just when you wonder HOW things can get crazier. 🤣 Well, it's Florida so, in keeping with this thread - 49 U.S. states: How can it possibly get any crazier? Florida: Hold my beer! Edited May 2, 2020 by Lady Florida. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartString Posted May 2, 2020 Share Posted May 2, 2020 54 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said: s a sad day when states have to protect themselves from being robbed by the feds. It’s not imminent domain, Princess Mommy, but the emergency laws that allow seizures. Has anyone seen any reporting on what the feds are doing with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.