RockHardNYC

I live in a fairly large building (Co-op). Management just sent another update email. Governor Cuomo has issued another order. Essential building workers only. We have quite a large staff here. I'll bet half just lost their jobs. Also, all beauty, barber, nail, and facial salons have been ordered to close by tomorrow night. I suppose that means spas, too. That's a lot of people out of work, and most of those workers have no safety net.

Ah yes, what an art form. Been there, done that. I admire professional writers. At least the good ones. Almost as deflating as very bad breath. I don't think big business can afford to appear so callous. The domino effect is very real. If one corporation sends a compassion letter, then all must. They are often left with little choice, especially when most senior executives are absent any creative thought. I was pleased when one of my banks wrote to say that some branches would be temporarily closed. The list included my branch. Not all compassion letters are without service to the customer. I belong to the school of thought: It's never a bad idea to remind your customer that you care about their well being. It does help if you mean it and the lip service is not obvious. For that, you need a good writer.

It seems your skin is thicker than others, a good reason to admire you.

The hyperlink to the article is the fourth paragraph in said post. It's sitting there underlined all by itself. As a kindness to readers and because I felt the Dr.'s perspective was important, I provided both the link and the text. Buddy2, I'm going to cut you some slack. I know you're a bit older than I am, and I suspect you may have other issues. I really don't care if you find fault with my posts. Whatever it is that slows you down or makes you go cloudy, it does not deserve pricking from me. I wish you good health.

I knew that, but I did not assume all others knew it, too. I don't assume things the way you do. I find assuming rude, smug, and obnoxious.

In the past, I have been critical of others who posted entire "news articles of importance," believing it was a waste of Oz's bandwidth. Then today I was reminded, not all news websites are available for free. Therefore, I am changing my opinion. For news sites that aren't free, I will never again criticize someone posting the entire article (as opposed to a simple link). With that in mind, here is an opinion piece from today's NY Times, written by Dr. Cornelia Griggs, a Pediatric Surgery Fellow at The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. She is writing from the front lines of this virus tragedy. A New York Doctor’s Coronavirus Warning: The Sky Is Falling A New York Doctor’s Coronavirus Warning: The Sky Is Falling Alarmist is not a word anyone has ever used to describe me before. But this is different. By Cornelia Griggs Dr. Griggs is a pediatric surgery fellow. March 19, 2020 I’ve had hard conversations this week. “Look me in the eye,” I said to my neighbor Karen, who was spiraling to a dark place in her mind. “I make this personal promise to you — I will not let your children die from this disease.” I swallowed back a lump in my throat. Just the image of one of our kids attached to a tube was jarring. Two weeks ago our kids were having a pizza party and watching cartoons together, running back and forth between our apartments. This was before #socialdistancing was trending. Statistically, I still feel good about my promise to Karen because children do not seem to be dying from Covid-19. There are others to whom I cannot make similar promises. A few days later, I got a text from another friend. She has asthma. “I’m just saying this because I need to say it to someone,” she wrote. She asked that if she gets sick and has a poor prognosis, to play recordings of the voice of Josie, her daughter. “I think it would bring me back,” she said. Josie is my 4-year-old’s best friend. Today, at the hospital where I work, one of the largest in New York City, Covid-19 cases continue to climb, and there’s movement to redeploy as many health care workers as possible to the E.R.s, new “fever clinics” and I.C.U.s. It’s becoming an all-healthy-hands-on-deck scenario. The sky is falling. I’m not afraid to say it. A few weeks from now you may call me an alarmist; and I can live with that. Actually, I will keel over with happiness if I’m proven wrong. Alarmist is not a word anyone has ever used to describe me before. I’m a board-certified surgeon and critical care specialist who spent much of my training attending to traumas in the emergency room and doing the rounds at Harvard hospitals’ intensive care units. I’m now in my last four months of training as a pediatric surgeon in New York City. Part of my job entails waking in the middle of the night to rush to the children’s hospital to put babies on a form of life support called ECMO, a service required when a child’s lungs are failing even with maximum ventilator support. Scenarios that mimic end-stage Covid-19 are part of my job. Panic is not in my vocabulary; the emotion has been drilled out of me in nine years of training. This is different. We are living in a global public health crisis moving at a speed and scale never witnessed by living generations. The cracks in our medical and financial systems are being splayed open like a gashing wound. No matter how this plays out, life will forever look a little different for all of us. On the front lines, patients are lining up outside of our emergency rooms and clinics looking to us for answers — but we have few. Only on Friday did coronavirus testing become more readily available in New York, and the tests are still extremely limited. Right next to my office in the hospital, a lab is being repurposed with hopes of a capability to run 1,000 tests a day. But today, and likely tomorrow, even M.D.s do not have straightforward access to testing across the country. Furthermore, the guidelines and criteria for testing are changing almost daily. Our health care system is mired in situational uncertainty. The leadership of our hospital is working tirelessly — but doctors on the ground are pessimistic about our surge capacity. Making my rounds at the children’s hospital earlier this week, I saw that the boxes of gloves and other personal protective equipment were dwindling. This is a crisis for our vulnerable patients and health care workers alike. Protective equipment is only one of the places where supplies are falling short. At our large, 4,000-bed New York City hospital, we have 500 ventilators and 250 on backup reserve. If we are on track to match the scale of Covid-19 infections in Italy, then we are likely to run out of ventilators in New York. The anti-viral “treatments” we have for Covid-19 are experimental and many of them are hard to even get approved. Let me repeat. The sky is falling. I say this not to panic anyone but to mobilize you. We need more equipment and we need it now. Specifically gloves, masks, eye protection and more ventilators. We need our technology friends to be making and testing prototypes to rig the ventilators that we do have to support more than one patient at a time. We need our labs channeling all of their efforts into combating this bug — that means vaccine research and antiviral treatment research, quickly. We need hospitals to figure out how to nimbly and flexibly modify our existing practices to adapt to this virus and do it fast. Doctors across the globe are sharing information, protocols and strategies through social media, because our common publishing channels are too slow. Physician and surgeon mothers are coming together on Facebook groups to publish advice to parents and the public, to amplify our outrage, and to underscore the fear we feel for our most vulnerable patient populations, as well as ourselves and our families. Please flatten the curve and stay at home, but please do not go into couch mode. Like everyone, I have moments where imagining the worst possible Covid-19 scenario steals my breath. But cowering in the dark places of our minds doesn’t help. Rather than private panic, we need public-spirited action. Those of us walking into the rooms of Covid-19-positive patients every day need you and your minds, your networks, your creative solutions, and your voices to be fighting for us. We might be the exhausted masked face trying to resuscitate you when you show up on the doorstep of our hospital. And when you do, I promise not to panic. I’ll use every ounce of my expertise to keep you alive. Please, do the same for us. Cornelia Griggs is a mother, writer and pediatric surgery fellow in New York.

I can't reveal all my secrets online. Give me a break. One thing is for sure, I am trustworthy while Lucky is not. It helps to have a spine.

Buddy2, you are weird. You say some weird shit. Just because I find the HYPE humorous, never have I ever wanted the Event to fail or not continue in the future. The absolute truth is, no matter the pricking and the jabbing, I've always supported the party and encouraged escorts to go. I have never advised an escort not to go, even when the escort was on the fence. I'm delighted that Lucky is all bent out of shape over this thread. He deserves to be bent. LOL. Sucks for you. Well, his ignoring me took all of ten minutes. Classic hypocrite. The QUEEN HYPOCRITE. LOL! And the beat goes on...

Thank you, Oliver, for doing the right thing. Notice of cancellation has recently been posted on the other board. Hopefully, next year will be a different story with many happy endings.

LOL. There she goes trying to control others, again.

LOL. I love the audacity of you thinking you know me. You don't. I have plenty of emails from you begging to meet me in New York City, but I constantly refused. When you finally asked to meet with my son, I knew I had to draw the line. I told you no and explained why not. I said everyone I know who knows you, who has met you, advised me that you can't be trusted. You've been sour and angry ever since I shared that truth with you. I prick you because you are a prick and you behave like a prick. You are a QUEEN HYPOCRITE with no credibility. I have a quote from Daddy that he banned you permanently because he was "tired of your shit." And there I was trying to get you re-instated. Good grief. Thankless prick. I'd be thrilled if you did, but you can't. I work in show business. Attention is my livelihood. LOL. I get yours every time.

I am. You called me a jerk and I responded. I call your words a poor choice. Will it affect my life or the situation? No. How simplistic. I don't agree with you. I'm not homophobic (that's actually kind of funny). Words are filled with nuance and complexity. I hope you're teaching your students to use their brains. Fill in the blank? What the fuck is that? What city do you live in? As a New Yorker, I'm listening to our governor, Andrew Cuomo. I've been out on the streets in my neighborhood. Let me tell you a fact: NYC is about to be devastated. And it's just the beginning. Many stores are already closed. Streets are almost empty of people. Grocery stores and pharmacies have many empty shelves. Hospitals are nearly overwhelmed. Trump just approved a warship to come in and be used as a makeshift hospital. Cuomo is not taking the Trump route, he's speaking as painfully honest as he can. He says August may be the clear month for the virus, if all goes well now. This reality will be DEVASTATING. Businesses will die. Thousands if not millions of people will be without jobs, money, and healthcare. What alternate, cock-sucking reality are you living in?

I'd rather be perceived a jerk (online) than be a host who knowingly puts his guests in harm's way.

Please don't be a pussy, and don't ask me to be one. Won't happen. I don't feel in any way that I "attacked" Oliver. But I do know that I pricked Lucky, and that was my intention. Lucky begs to be pricked. The PS Event is commonly known as OVERBLOWN HYPE. (That's right, capitals and bold.) The organizers want/need ESCORTS to be enticed to come. Most of us know the deal. Otherwise, it's a bunch of old, not-so-pretty, fat people eating and drinking around a pool in 100º heat, fantasizing about sucking cock and the good old days. People who have no rocks in their head know what this party is. IMO, the PS Event is not worth dying over or risking infection, of escorts and/or their customers. In my own way, I created sarcastic humor inspired by historical reference to point to the fact that the posthumous HOST, Oliver, has not said one word since the virus broke in the U.S. on the PS Event thread that he started, the thread that all interested members are paying attention to: 2020 Palm Springs Weekend! #17 Party enthusiasts seem to be scrambling to figure out what to do. And I'm observing that the HOST is without public comment, reminding me of Nero who fiddled while Rome burned. I'll let interested readers decide what they think of that.

Or perhaps you misunderstood that "I realize the new board TROLL may be near brain death" is a reference to Lucky and not Latbear4lbk. Feel free to mock me all you like, Buddy2. It seems to bring you joy, and there are too many in pain right now, so I don't mind.

I've read his musings and commented on them in the past. I know other people, including escorts, who have attended the PS Event. It would never occur to me to "attack" Labear4lbk. WilliamM, sometimes you write things that don't make any sense, and I wonder if something unknown is causing this?

Yes, now you understand. I realize the new board TROLL may be near brain death. But I am not. Having been forced these past few weeks to rethink and ultimately postpone a two month trip to Italy to enjoy my new home, I have Italian history on my mind. Ancient Roman history is another hobby of mine. While there is horror all around me with the devastating effects of COVID-19, my playful imagination is still working. No one enjoys sucking cock more than I do. And under normal, healthier conditions, I would praise the generous, pleasurable, subservient position. But in case no one is paying attention, there is a devastating, highly contagious virus attacking our country, and the painful ramifications of this tragedy are going to be felt for a very long time. The whole point of social distancing and "shelter in place" is to save lives. This is no time for a cock sucking party. And any man with a brain in his head or a heart in his chest should be able to realize that. The World We Once Lived in Has Vanished. Even if we manage to defeat the coronavirus, that world will not return.

Excuse me? I thought you were a teacher? Ever hear of Nero?

Today I received a new email from Bloomingdales:

I think it's time for a little levity… Much to my surprise, Episode 2 of Drag Race Season 12 introduces Sherry Pie. The contestants were split up between two-part episodes, I guess to arouse excitement in the limp-wristed ratings. And with that introduction came the VH1-World of Wonder disclaimer: I find this whole scan-dowell fascinating. Season 12 was filmed in 2019. Why did they (VH1 and World of Wonder) wait until March 2020 to announce that Sherry Pie had been disqualified? Fans are questioning why she was allowed to go as far as she did. Sherry Pie ended up winning on Episode 2, and they awarded her $5000 (which they claim has since been donated to charity). The real question is: was this a fake publicity stunt? Totally pre-planned? The show is losing watchers, and drag queens love their dose of DRAMA. Is there a better way to attract dramatic attention to this tired drag fest? Unless the so-called "seven accusers" come forward and go public in some meaningful way, couldn't they all be paid participants in a PR blitz? Do any of them really need to go public? If they are all fake, will anyone know or care? On the surface, it doesn't make sense why Sherry Pie/Joey Gugliemelli would agree to tarnish her reputation in this way, but let's get real: THIS IS DRAG. Does a tarnished reputation in drag EVER effect anyone? In this age of Trump, there really is no such thing as bad publicity (unless your drag name is COVID-19). Sherry Pie may not be eligible for the final win, but if this ending was part of the mix from the very beginning, what has she lost? She got much more than 15 minutes, and she can milk this for as long as she desires. And who knows how much RuPaul paid her to participate in this PR blitz, if that's what actually happened? The bottom line: as homely, campy, and theatrical as her drag is, Sherry Pie seems to project sincere talent. And perhaps a lot of talent. Who will care that she'll be forever known as the predatory queen who attempted to trap cute male actors into masturbating for her on video? Hip-hip-hooray for Joey Gugliemelli! What a super way to get free cock in your Inbox. You did it, girl! You go! Here’s How RuPaul’s Drag Race Is Dealing With Its Sherry Pie Problem

I'm not arrogant enough to make such assumptions.

On the totem pole of life, health ranks much higher than money. However, that wasn't the point. Unless you are prepared to sustain financial loss, every lost dollar can cause further pain in the presence of crisis.

When it comes to bad news, host Oliver is more silent than Trump. Guess he's too busy on his knees to care about his guests. If and when the PS party revelers come to their senses (some are doing so), it will be interesting to see how PS gay hotels handle refunds. Under normal conditions their refund policy is quite strict. The gay hotels in Palm Springs live or die by each high season, unless someone is quite liquid. Palm Springs is a seasonal destination, with March and April being the busiest months. Gay hotels are open year round, but they are not usually booked to capacity outside of March and April. It's extremely difficult for a seasonal hotel to issue refunds past their deadline dates. They don't have any way to recoup that money. The COVID-19 situation is unique. Fault lies with no one, and businesses are being forced to do things they would not normally do. If cancellations are going to occur, it will be interesting to read from fellow gays who gets their deposit money returned and who does not. This issue now enters the realm of customer service. Most gay hotels in PS are privately owned, so any decision to return deposits will be individual. Any generosity and compassion is going to have to come directly from the owner of each hotel. No two gay guys think alike when it comes to generosity and compassion. I wish good luck to the guys seeking a refund.

With schools and restaurants closing everywhere, because people don't want to get sick and die, this ASSHOLE is telling people to go dining. This is precisely why many voters believe that the only thing Republicans care about is money. Nunes Encourages People to Dine Out as Experts Urge Them to Stay Home

The news is more bleak than ever. Le Bernardin, Daniel and Other Top New York Restaurants Temporarily Close. Others are likely to follow as owners’ worries shift from canceled reservations to survival. N.Y.C.’s Economy Could be Ravaged by Coronavirus Outbreak "With the closing of museums, Broadway theaters and restaurants, tourism is plunging, leaving New York facing mass layoffs and business failures." This is not something from which one can easily recover. Most businesses can't remain closed for too long without dying. The number of people out of work will be staggering. Most people don't have savings of $400 in case of an emergency. Scary stuff.