Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Thanks Supernatural Chucklebuck! Glad you're Ok... doesn't sound like fun

Super Chuck says thanks.

It wasn't fun, but it really wasn't that bad comparatively. Went six rounds with Influenza A a couple years ago...now THAT'S not fun. Thought (and felt like) he was going to die...he's never been that sick before. Couldn't keep anything down...bring a bucket to the toilet kind of sick (if you know, you know). One of the worst weeks of Super Chuck's life.

Super Chuck

So Super Chuck is saying that a flu bug hammered him harder than the china virus? Glad you and your family of Chucksters are surviving.

I've had it. Couldn't breathe one day in Jan., went to the hospital that night, they said blood clot on my lungs. Wound up in there for 6 days. On top of that, when they did the mri for the blood clot, they found cancer on one of my kidneys. so I started on blood thinner injections twice a day. (that was my choice, it was easier) till I could be operated on. Had operation on April 9th, that went good,too. but when they opened back up from the shutdown, my wife was sick from c19 within 6 days. She tested positive on 4/19. I tested positive on 4/21. Everybody in my house had it (5), all at almost the same time. It put me back in the hospital with the start of bilateral pnumonia on the 24th. Every one was better by the 1st week in May, but symtoms stil lingered fir couple of months. I'm ok now, the blood thinners for the clot saved me.

The thing that nobody seems to want to understand is, this is a new virus, that's why it's called a NOVEL coronavirus. novel meaning new and unseen before.(I'm not yelling, just hilighting) When this started, it ripped through the east coast, and the hospitals couldn't keep up with it because of how fast it spread. If you look at where it started the worst, they are the major points of entry from overseas, (Seattle, NYC, DC,LA) I have family that work at Johns Hopkins, it scared the hell out of them.

Now, in August, we have had over 200k deaths from this, that's in addition to the 100k that died from the flu last winter. it was no joke back then, and if you have had it, the effects will linger, no one knows how long. Yes, most have had pre- existing conditions, but there are many that should have healed back up like the flu, but are experiencing long term effects, old and young. It does seem that it has mutated, becoming less deadly, even though it's more infectious. Again, because it is new, no body knows what will happen.

You may be lucky like me, but maybe not. It is SOOO easy to armchair quarterback on what should or shouldn't have been done, but that's all that is. As Egras and Hawker have said, I'm trusting the science, not the self serving politicians and trolls that dominate the information we see or can find.

BTW, sorry for the long post, we need more information, not just partisan name calling like we get now.

I hope I am never standing close to you guys who know 40 to 50people who have had this during a thunderstorm.

I knew that many before the weekend--maybe more.  Now I can add 5 more this morning.  2 are students of mine from local high schools.  And I live in a town of 2900 people with no cities within 50 miles of us.  (I teach manufacturing trades at a local community college) 

On the positive side, one of the 5 I know is a nurse.  She is 21 years old and still lives at home with her parents with whom we are good friends with.  Her mother is a nurse as well.  The doctor just told her this morning to use the old "chicken pox party" routine.  He flat out told her and her husband to hang around the daughter and get it over with.  He put the entire family on vitamin C, D, and zinc.  He also gave the mother a different inhaler as she has some minor breathing issues. 

So, the doctor, (her employer) just gave her a prescription to get sick on purpose---basically saying "since you're quarantined anyways for 14 days, you may as well just get sick too so you don't have to do it again"----and she even has a pre-existing condition.  The doctor told her she'll be just fine and will see her back at work in 2 weeks.  

So, this isn't as far and few between as you think.  

i agree.  i used to make comments here and duck.  probably came off as a jerk but was trying to get through any way i could.  

cumberland county had its highest number of cases on saturday with the national open coming in this weekend.  do i want it shut down?  no.  in fact pa sprint car racing has quietly done everyone a favor by being a laboratory.  am i worried about jamming everyone in there without any precautions which is what's going to happen?  absolutely.  if only we could find a middle ground which is really all i've ever been asking.  i'd just be happy if people didn't spit or let my family socially distance in the infield even if nobody else will.

instead we're just going to cross our fingers that this doesn't explode in the next couple of months.  we'll see what happens.

It's definitely going to explode in numbers the next couple of months in areas all over the country.  The question will be, has this mutated into a "very strong cold."  Cases have been exploding in my county but the death rate is unchanged at 6 all the way back from May/early-June.  We had 30 cases and 6 deaths then.  In the last 4-6 weeks it has gone up by 500 cases with no additional deaths and I believe on 3 currently in the hospital.  This is definitely nothing like the virus that started this whole thing out.  This has been documented by various scientists from our country, and other countries around the world----like France for instance.  One study from France says 10 times more contagious and 12 times less deadly than the virus that hit them in spring.   Seems like a prime time to get this thing spreading while it's weak and shut down/mitigate when that data changes.    Just my thoughts.  

 Trying to get my head wrapped around the the deaths across our states, I decided to use something that would give me a visual. I've been to both the Rose Bowl and the LA Coliseum with standing room only, and I decided since they both hold about 100,000, that would give me an idea of the deaths visually.... I need to mentally start filling another stadium, as those two are full.
  Many thanks to those who have shared their story here. Bravo!

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

Glad you are doing well now

hope they get better, and glad they told them about vitamin C,D and Zinc. I started taking all 3 each day after a bad case of the flu 10years ago that put me down for over a week. My annual check up my doctor had even mentioned it since it was in my medical history of supplements I take. She said it was a great benefit to be on them as long as I had since it strengthens your immune system and if you do get sick, your immune system can fight the virus better. I think more people have heard about this because I have not been able to get ahold of Vitamin D supplements for 2months now so I have increased the intake on certain foods that have it.

     With regards to the governor of Ohio and his hardship placed upon our beloved Eldora and her fans.... I will say this.... in his defense.   

To the best of my knowledge he had  no leeway in the matter.  When we were just coming out of quarantine ... the governor received a memo as I myself did .   It placed two counties in Ohio on a National Watch List.  When I investigated to see why... it was actually a simple matter.... there  had been an increase from 3 to 21 potential cases presenting at  local health facilities.   A defense computer algorithm was triggered because of the 700 % increase in base related office visits .  No one wanted to take the responsibility of an override.  As It is critically important  to our national safety to maintain A standing defense force.   The base being watched is actually not in the same county with Eldora... which I am intentionally not naming...  as any blog  containing its name will have to be reviewed.  And I would just as soon not have the General calling me up later this morning.  Saying T....what the ....

     But truthfully ...  the moment I saw the memo.  I knew it was going to be a problem for Eldora.   It's like this.   The last time... I was at Eldora in the fall of last year.   I was leaving late coming out of the pits and stopped by the lemonade stand which also has funnel cake ...   I Love them.  And  i was so glad .... that they were open late.    They should always be the last to close.  Like an amusement park.   But,  Standing  next to me was a woman out of California.   Her and  her husband were there for the race of course.  But they had spent the day at the base.   I do not know what the exact numbers are ... but craft from everywhere coming in... can have passengers hitching a ride to vacation.   It is part of their privileges.  I learned talking to this woman that Eldora was like a homecoming.  Some children raised on the base treat it like home.   And they do come home for a visit.   So thus....because of this fact....any contagion would not be kept to the racing community. 

     And my dear General... if this should happen across your desk.   I am sorry.... I worded it careful.   But, I do have my reasons...    And Thank you for telling the Texas Rangers that they could not take me in their possession for my speeding infraction. Lol...    But,  I am so grateful that you took that call in the  middle of the night ... to save me and my car.  Thank you kindly!

Thanks for sharing, glad you're OK!

Know quite a few people who have had it.  Alot of em went to Destin and didnt take any precautions.  I think a total of 13 got it.  Alot of em considered elderly.  Some of those with pre existing conditions.  All of em are better now.  Everyone of em said it was like the flu cept they lost smell and taste.  No one died.

If there is anything that I learned watching from home this season it's that streaming racing channels have finally become reliable enough and a good enough value to make them a viable option.  After I stopped doing photography at the tracks my attendance dwindled down to two or three races per year.  I was a loner driving by myself and working out of my van and I stood in the infield so I don't really have anyone to travel with and share expenses.  The addition of a large screen TV and a long in the tooth second vehicle that I'm tentative about driving home in at 2am sealed the deal.  The old rusty van works great for hauling to the compost and running for building materials but I stay within 50 miles of home because of it's condition.  Lots of new parts, new radiator, tires, muffler, etc., but it is what it is.  The plan was to replace it but I decided since I'm not going anywhere I'll wait until spring and I might be in a better position to travel to races though I question the reason for doing so without anything that demands my attention at the track anymore.

Basically I learned that I am content to sit home and watch the races.  I know people who consider themselves huge Twins and Vikings fans but only watch on TV and have never attended a game.  Covid concerns aside I found out that it's more fun to watch big races from around the country than going to my local track and sitting through seven classes to watch sixteen Sprint Cars.  There was one race I would have liked to attend but instead I posted some extra money for the non-wing Feature winner and listened to them announce my name from the man cave.  I was happy with that and doubt that I'll catch on with a crowd of fellow race chasers at 69 so this will be the way I'll watch the vast majority of my racing from now on.  Being a television dirt track fan was never easier.

PS, my wife and I found out that one of our former neighbors where we lived in the cities just passed away from Covid-19.  I guess she was having problems and went into the hospital.  They tested her and it came back negative so she went home and a day or so later felt so bad they had to bring her back and she tested positive the second time.  She was gone within a few days.  On a side note her husband is one of those "this is fake and just a flu" people so he has to be feeling aweful right now.

Stan Meissner

Of the people I know personally who died of covid, 1 of the families refused to mention the death in the obituary or on Facebook because they were pretty big opponents of any restrictions.  So, even in the death of a loved one, they remained stubborn to mention and acknowledge it was real.  

I also saw the obituary of a man who was married to a woman I went to high-school with.  I am Facebook friends with her but haven't talked to her in decades.  I never met her husband.  53 I believe?  It never mentioned his cause of death but I found out it was covid.  Why was it never mentioned?  I looked back at their Facebook timeline and everything through the spring and early-summer was on the covid "hoax."  

So Stan, her husband may feel aweful, but he is likely not going to admit he was wrong.  I do believe the masks work to really slow the spread down---especially in confined areas.  I have not been too concerned in outdoor areas or with small groups of friends.  However, I wear one at work (as required) and when my wife and I travel for a day trip, etc.  I also believe the 6' rule helps as well.  Fool proof?  No.  All of that said, I don't believe anything should be shut down at this point.  I believe we know enough and everyone has had a chance to make arrangements to stay the hell away from others should they choose to.  I have no problems with some additional rules, but it's time to open EVERYTHING back up to those that want to enjoy it----with rules.  

Our region----Northwest IL----is going to be shutdown again starting this Saturday and we, along with every business owner in the county, are not happy right now.  Some of these places are not going to make it.  They finally got back open and were starting to recover from being shut for 2-3 months.  To top it off, our county hospital has 3 cases.  3.  Why are we shut down?  The dumbest stat ever----positivity rate.  What does a % of positive cases have to do with anything?  If we, and the politicians could use some common sense, we would be in a lot better position right now.  Don't know how this is going to work out.  I am pretty sure not one single business in my town plans on following the rules and will remain open until dragged out in handcuffs.  

We eat out weekly and as far back (Fargo,ND) as a month ago, there were no masks on people in Applebees or at Spitfire or Texas Roadhouse and except for Spitfire, non of the servers wore masks and all three of the places were packed, with wait times to get a table at two of them.  Target and Walmart, two huge chain stores were encouraging people to wear masks, but I think that was no doubt a decision made by someone at their corporate headquarters wherever that is. 

 Lawlessness and liberalism equals Hell.  NY City, 
Detroit, Seattle, Chicago, Minnepolis, etc. We saw it. 
Burning hundreds of buildings, a thousand assaults and 
dozens of murders. Getting worser and worser.

I'm sure it varies a good bit in different areas.   Since late June the entire Dallas/FW area has mandatory masks everywhere you go indoors, and people are largely complying with it.   Our restaurants recently opened back up to 75% capacity.    Our bars are still shut down, and apparently the thought is that the bars were largely responsible for the surge back in June.  I'm not sure I totally believe that, but I think they contributed for sure.    

When I visited my daughter several weeks ago up in Broken Arrow, OK things were different there.   The restaurants there were full capacity and I saw very few masks.   You'd see masks at WalMart, but nowhere near 100% compliance like you would see in North Texas.   My wife went into a fabric shop there and asked if she needed a mask.   The lady who owned it told her "nah, we're through with all that in this area".   I think in many areas people have had enough and are saying screw it.    

I am retired so I don't have to deal with most of the things I read or hear people talking about.  I go where I have to go when necessary.  Some of the things like indoor dining have been replaced by takeout so we still support local business to the extent possible. As far as it relates to racing mostly the reason I don't chase them is because I travel alone and consider myself boring company and wouldn't trust my old shitbox van on a solo road trip.  Next spring I plan on replacing the van and hopefully that will help me to spread my wings more.

I burned out on going to races during the time I was shooting photos,. I devoted every minute I wasn't working to photography, writing, and maintaining a website.  Nobody held a gun to my head and made me do it, I was obsessed and on a mission.  These days now that I don't chase races I put my money and passion for hobbies and spare change into home studio, music gear and recording and am content to watch racing on tv.  Racing would probably be a better choice the way I have been throwing money at guitar pedals and mixers and other home studio stuff lately. 

This was my first season I didn't attend a race since 1973 my last year in the Navy so it felt a bit odd but I love the amount of time it saves to watch it on streaming channels.  Chasing races comes with a huge amount of windshield time and travel expenses and that is what is keeping me away these days, Covid was just the final push that sent me to streaming channels.  Not attending races is just a part of a bigger life change where I have other stuff I enjoy and don't want to ever put all my eggs in one basket anymore.  I realized that it doesn't make sense for me to argue about this because I probably wouldn't go more than two races if covid had never been a thing.  Too many things on the bucket list for me to be sitting at some race track watching the seven class marathons we have at some of my local tracks.

Stan Meissner

I think you'd be really interesting company & I dig "old shitbox vans"... I had a Ford Econoline that went either 352,000 or 452,000 miles, same engine, lost track ( I got grief on here for calling it a "Chicanoline", which is what the Chicano who sold it to me called it) Wish i had kept it! It was a 1970, with a 215 HP 302... 1974 I replaced it with had a wimpy 139 HP 302 due to lower compression on post 1973 vehicles

Enjoy your races on video & hopefully you can still get to at least a few live races when this COVID shit is FINALLY over....