We bring you more news about overcoming Covid-19, we get more elite extensions, the PPP relief madness, more on the new pandemic economy, we beat up on morons, some of the latest best credit card offers, we travel to museums and Chiang Mai, amazing photography as always, we meet a team that rescues NAVY Seals, some can smell people with Parkinson’s and a lot more I can not type because I already spend way too long here and the conversion clicks have vanished and I am already thinking of joining Mile Nerd and posting once a week or a month or whatever.
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COVID-19
This is a good timeline: 100 Days That Changed the World. Sometimes it feels like we are in a science fiction movie…so weird.
Must read Twitter thread on the virus by a virologist.
Another interview by Larry Brilliant: How society can overcome covid-19.
These are amazing: Photos from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
I think we may be seeing more of this (“test and trace”) in our future: The Technology That Could Free America From Quarantine. It is our cell phones. Brace for a battle for privacy…
The technology and privacy challenges of tracing will nonetheless be complex, and could normalize a level of surveillance that might seem totalitarian. If we want to get it right, we should learn from the experiences of other countries. In eastern Asia, tracing has already become a part of daily life.
There are three lessons: 1. First, test and trace seems to work—period. 2. …the sheer amount of information made available by tracing apps will be tantalizing for power-hungry governments and data-hungry corporations to monopolize, 3. …the virus creates a dilemma of data.
Compared with our life just six weeks ago, smartphone tracing might seem like a violation of our dignity and privacy—and compared with our life six years from now, I hope it will be. But compared with our present nightmare, strategically sacrificing our privacy might be the best way to protect other freedoms.
This is great stuff, a Q&A at Wired: We Are in the Midst of This Coronavirus Outbreak—Now What? If you wanted to read just one article today with some answers to questions you probably have, this is the one.
Everyone is all out screaming about them “wet markets’ in China. The issue is NOT so simple. Here is a contrary opinion: Why Shutting Down Chinese ‘Wet Markets’ Could Be A Major Mistake. Please take some time to read, it is very educational. As is a lot of what makes into my blog of course!
I have been saying that science will save us! The Rising Heroes of the Coronavirus Era? Nations’ Top Scientists. You should read about the Greeks in this article! Seriously, I am more shocked than everyone how amazing Greece has handled this!
I wish we could stop this but… Why smart people believe coronavirus myths.
Even the simple repetition of a statement – whether the same text, or over multiple messages – can increase the “truthiness” by increasing feelings of familiarity, which we mistake for factual accuracy. So, the more often we see something in our news feed, the more likely we are to think that it’s true – even if we were originally sceptical. [Think about it, Hillary’s emails, Hunter Biden, Russian hoax, etc….this shit works!]
And an inspiring one from a Holocaust survivor: My Cousin Jack Survived the Unimaginable. Here’s His Advice for Right Now.
Amazing data flow tracker: Tracking the spread of the novel coronavirus.
MILES & POINTS
HOT CREDIT CARD OFFERS: New: The CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum now offers 70k AA miles. There is an offer for the United Explorer card offering 60,000 miles. The IHG Rewards Club card offering 140k points too, highest ever. For a standard workhorse card I recommend the 60k Chase Sapphire Preferred card. For a standard premium card I recommend the 50k Chase Sapphire Reserve card. For a standard 2% cash back card I recommend the Citi Double Cash card. Available with my links. Lets move on!
If you decide to go for it, please apply with my links…you can be second this month! Is The Blue Cash Preferred Card The Best AMEX To Have Now? $250 Welcome Bonus, 6% Back On Groceries, And Return Protection.
Having a hard time doing your minimum spending to get your signup bonus now that you are stuck at home? How to Get a Chase Minimum Spend Extension & Why You Should Ask For One!
They are all doing this…except AA so far! Alaska Airlines Elite status updates & frequently asked questions related to COVID-19. Marriott Bonvoy extended elite status until 2022 as well. And then…it was Air Canada too! As I said, many are doing it, Singapore Airlines too—->great, I had some miles expiring in June, they will now expire in December. What if your November award flights get canceled…what happens to the redeposited miles which were supposed to expire back in March, anyone?
More Citi Premier card changes: Citi Adding Grocery Stores & Restaurants To 3x Category, 3x Travel Structure Changing.
Miles and points hobbyists traveling right now, LOL.
TRAVEL
Lufthansa is taking the most drastic measures of all airlines, do they know something we don’t? Lufthansa cuts fleet, says passengers won’t come back for YEARS.
If you go to Chiang Mai: Perfect 4 Days in Chiang Mai Itinerary for First-Timers.
Lets travel to the coolest looking museums. Excuse me, I mean, lets look at some cool looking museums one day we can travel to!
Heard of the Caprivi Strip? Well, now you have! Take a look at the map, so weird. See the things you learn at TBB!
The country of Namibia has a sizeable landmass with an enviable coastline by the South Atlantic Ocean. Yet, a thin sliver of land, no more than 32 kilometers wide, protrude eastward for about 450 kilometers from the north-eastern corner of the country towards Zimbabwe, seeking something it doesn’t have. This odd finger-like intrusion is called the Caprivi Strip, after German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi, who negotiated the acquisition of the land with the United Kingdom in 1890.
PERSONAL FINANCE
There is so much going on with all the aid legislation that is now trying to find its way to the rightful recipients: F.A.Q. on Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses, Freelancers and More.
This is a must read. Shockwave. Not very optimistic in its conclusion…as a natural born optimist I do not agree with the conclusion. But the information laid out is excellent!
ODDZ & ENDZ
I had no idea this was even possible! This Woman Can Smell Parkinson’s. It Might Help Lead To Earlier Treatment.
Amazing photography: Traffic Lights.
The Visual Capitalist with two awesome infographics:
How COVID-19 Has Impacted Media Consumption, by Generation
The Pandemic Economy: What are Shoppers Buying Online During COVID-19?
BLOG BUZZ
We are now entering BLOG BUZZ, a section for advanced hobbyists and veterans of this fast imploding hobby and also a section where I go on and on about some stuff that happens in my life because it helps me feel better about myself.
I received an email from Autoslash. Headline: “The Best Credit Cards with Zero Interest”. How sad is that?
For a moment, the TBB comments resembled the good old days when Ingy was obsessed with my blog. But last Monday apparently Dan of DansDeals had some time in his hands when I called him out for rating Trump 3 out of 10 in how he handled the Covid-19 situation while raging against the Chinese and spreading some crazy conspiracy crap. Hopefully the comments were educational and enlightened you all with some diverse ways of thinking, which is always good.
Only very mentally sick demented individuals will find time in the middle of a global pandemic with so many dying to tweet about…ratings! But no, let’s talk about sleepy Joe smh…
This photo of Wisconsin voters voting amid a global pandemic is probably the best photo right now capturing what is going on…
WTF is wrong with these clowns? Meet the new White House press secretary you guys…
A Detroit techno legend, Kevin Saunderson, tested positive for Covid-19, phuck!
Kevin Saunderson – Rock to the Beat
And I leave you with this…
TBB
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Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
George, let you wife cut your hair… No one will see you for a few weeks anyway?
Teaching online is rough for those who appearance requires professional care!
Thanks for the links and the laugh.
Feels like Saturday today…or Sunday.
No way I am letting my wife cut my hair!
I have enough material to do another post for Monday already!
What a rough month for conversions. NOBODY has clicked a cc link for the past week…not even by accident, I always used to get several of those, wow. I am going to be announcing layoffs soon….of myself Woohoo!
Grilled on Thursday, yesterday Friday it snowed, WTF Michigan!
Good morning to you and all who will be commenting later when you wake up.
For the record, latest Covid-19 numbers, maybe Dan will lower his rating to 2 out of 10 soon? 🙂
USA 468,895 cases and 16,697 dead
Germany 118,235 cases and 2,607 dead
South Korea 10,450 cases and 208 dead
Help me keep my job!
TBB Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=trave08a-20
Intern, i need to buy giftcards: For amazon and then for Safeway. Does this get you credits with theTBB Amazon link?
Think no on Amazon gc’s. Think yes on Safeway ones…Any bloggers can confirm?
I have your link locked in for EVERY Amazon purchase. I’m gonna try getting a new card soon and hopefully through your links but so far this year I am 1 for 3 in attempts. Seems more banks than ever are hating on me for too many applications and such.
LOTS to read here today. Is there gonna be special medals for Cabin Fever Survivors when this is all done? Give me hope to make it through. I am starting to get buggy out here. Lost a day this week somehow as it still feels like Thursday.
Stay safe and healthy!
Thanks for the Amazon and for not giving up on the banks 🙂
Not sure what to tell you…just stay virus free, watch what you eat and move around and don’t do drugs or drink 🙂
I have no idea what day it is today, is it just me?
“while raging against the Chinese”
No he wasn’t. He was raging against the communist CHINA. Stop seeing racism everywhere,
because it makes you a racist.
The issue was settled in an exchange between OAN live news network and our dear leader:
“Mr. President, do you consider the term ‘Chinese food’ to be racist because it is food that originated from China?” Rion asked, preparing for another question about the media.
“I don’t think that’s racist at all,” Trump replied
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/488535-oan-reporter-roasted-for-asking-trump-if-saying-chinese-food-is-racist-dumbest
Thanks for the support you guys…
Please pick a better handle
Hey Buzz-
I am about to make my move on credit cards, and I want to help out.
Any way to get TBB a commission when I cancel a few cards?
Me thinks I should look for a new internship…Maybe at that Bezos company, heard they are hiring!
I agree with Lufthansa. I doubt leisure travel recovers in my lifetime without an effective vaccine, and you don’t get effective vaccines just for working hard & throwing research dollars at it, or we’d have vaccines already for malaria and AIDS. I think the war on cancer was declared in the 1960s, maybe the 70s. As far as I know, we have achieved exactly ONE cancer vaccine, the one for cervical cancer (HPV). Right now, I see no reason for optimism. They’re not pushing junk malaria drugs because they think they’re going to come up with an effective vaccine or “real” treatment any time soon.
You’re mixing things up here. In general, cancer is a genetic diseases. Rather few cancers (# of patients) are known to be caused by viruses. And yes the HPV vaccine is a great example of what can be done (especially if it was used on all kids) in the preventative stage (not treatment stage). However, the largest challenge in the vaccine space is economics. They have to be VERY cheaply made and the market has to be gigantic. And that’s the predominant reason why so few have been developed in the cancer prevention space. In contrast, we are willing to spend just about any $ amount the treatment of cancer.
I think we just don’t know…it all depends on the virus.
The scientific community is all locked in on this one.
I should not be optimistic…but I am…maybe it is because I am by nature optimistic…We have a long way to get out of the woods here in the US based on the totally disastrous way we did not prepare, we underplayed the significance of the problem and responded so late and now we are playing catch up…
Relief money should start hitting bank accounts this week and the bottleneck for small business relief should be addressed starting this week also…
Social distancing works. If only we could have made it universal here…instead of this giant patch up madness!
Whole week and not even one click on a credit card, even by accident. WOW! Who will join FTG next?
“ Social distancing works.“ sure, to bend the curve. And then what?
What’s the plan from here?
Keep bending it….while we figure it out by keeping the phucking moron out of it?
Sad to say it, elections have consequences. We’ll have to live with Covid-19 for quite some time.
Yea sure, any other Prez would NOT have fcuked up this badly
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html
It is the Chinese virus and they should be held accountable!
Would you rate our response 3 out of 10? 🙂
I think I am turning my blog to a Covid-19 blog so when we are finally over it I can just retire, sad lol.
Re your notion of “I think the war on cancer was declared in the 1960s, maybe the 70s. As far as I know, we have achieved exactly ONE cancer vaccine, the one for cervical cancer (HPV). Right now, I see no reason for optimism.”
The official mainstream “wars” on this or that have thus been “wars” on the unsuspecting public: to keep them misinformed and misguided. The “war on cancer” is no different…
If the public were to scrutinize what the medical industry and its government pawns are telling them about the ‘war on cancer’ instead of blindly believing what they’re saying, they’d find that the cancer industry and the cancer charities have been dismissing, ignoring, and obfuscating the true causes of cancer while mostly putting the blame for cancer on the individual, denying or dismissing the serious harms from orthodox cancer treatments and chemical toxicants, and resorting to deceptive cancer statistics to “educate” (think: mislead) the public that their way of treatment is actually successful (read this well referenced scholarly article’s afterword on the war on cancer: do a search engine query for “A Mammogram Letter The British Medical Journal Censored” by Rolf Hefti, a published author of the Orthomolecular Medicine News organization, and scroll down to the afterword that addresses the fraudulent ‘war on cancer’).
The “war” on anything is almost always one big fraud, whether it is actual military war, the war on drugs, the war on poverty, or the war on cancer, because huge corporate interests are the leading motive for these “wars” instead of their officially advocated missions.
The orthodox cancer establishment has been saying a cure for cancer “is just around the corner” and “we’re winning the war on cancer” for decades. It’s all hype and lies (read Dr. Guy Faguet’s ‘War on cancer,” Dr. Sam Epstein’s work, or Clifton Leaf’s book, or Siefried’s work on this bogus ‘war’).
Since the war on cancer began orthodox medicine hasn’t progressed in their basic highly profitable therapies: it still uses primarily and almost exclusively highly toxic, deadly things like radiation, chemo, surgery, and drugs that have killed millions of people instead of the disease.
As long as the official “war on cancer” is a HUGE BUSINESS based on expensive TREATMENTS (INTERVENTIONS) of a disease instead of its PREVENTION, logically, they will never find a cure for cancer. The upcoming moonshot-war on cancer inventions, too, will include industry-profitable gene therapies of cancer treatment that are right in line with the erroneous working model of mechanistic reductionism of allopathic medicine. The lucrative game of the medical business is to endlessly “look for” a cure but not “find” a cure. Practically all resources in the phony ‘war on cancer’ are poured into treating cancer but almost none in the prevention of the disease. It’s proof positive that big money and a total lack of ethics rule the official medical establishment. It’s just like with any bogus official “war” (‘war on drugs’, ‘war on terrorism’, etc) — it’s not about winning these wars but to primarily prolong them because behind any of these fraudulent “war” rackets of the criminal establishment is a Big Business, such as the massive cancer industry. The very profitable TREATMENT focus of conventional medicine, instead of a PREVENTION focus which these official medical quacks (or rather crooks) can hardly make any money off, is a major reason why today 1 of 2 men and 1 in 3 women can expect a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetimes” yet that rate was multiple times lower 5 decades ago when the phony ‘war on cancer’ began (1 in about 16). That fact alone proves we are NOT winning the war on cancer.
At the same time, this same orthodox cancer cartel has been suppressing and squashing a number of very effective and beneficial alternative cancer approaches. You probably guessed why: effective, safe, inexpensive cancer therapies are cutting into the astronomical profits of the medical mafia’s lucrative treatments. That longstanding decadent activity is part of the fraud of the war on cancer.
What the medical establishment “informs” the public about is about as truthful as what the political establishment keeps telling them. Not to forget, the corporate media (the mainstream fake news media) is a willing tool to spread these distortions, lies, and the scam of the war on cancer.
Does anyone really think it’s a coincidence that double Nobel laureate Linus Pauling called the ‘war on cancer’ a fraud? If anyone looks closer they’ll come to the same conclusion. But…politics and self-serving interests of the conventional medical cartel, and their allied corporate media, keep the real truth far away from the public at large. Or people’s own denial or indifference of the real truth.
Wow, long comment, thanks for taking the time.
No doubt the war on drugs was (is) mega BS.
I share your views on focusing more on prevention and avoiding chemical shit inserted in our bodies. But, when you are stricken and you ask what the options are…I am going with the scientists…every time!
What are the “ true causes of cancer ” was that experts have missed?
And
“cancer cartel has been suppressing and squashing a number of very effective and beneficial alternative cancer approaches“
What are these “alternative” approaches?
Genuinely curious.
China looks like they have nothing to hide. Move along now.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/12/asia/china-coronavirus-research-restrictions-intl-hnk/index.html
Clearly, the Chinese are responsible the 15 cases not going down to zero and if it wasnt for that ONE guy who came from China!
And how can they dare to control the narrative…damn communists!
Turkey is closing down. 3-4 weeks after Greece did. How will Greece open up with tourism representing 20% of the economy? I have a feeling that Greece will finally be liberated from Germany.
Nobody will be thinking about going to Turkey in quite some time.
Greece will open up way faster than Turkey.
The key question of course is…when. And how much of its tourism infrastructure will still lay intact until then.