The Rich are more Protected

[grip]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

The Rich Are Preparing for Coronavirus Differently

The rich are sparing no expense when it comes to minimizing their experience with the coronavirus.

Business executives are ditching first class for private planes. Jet-setters are redirecting their travel plans to more insular destinations. And wealthy clients are consulting with concierge doctors and other VIP health care services.

Another thing people try to avoid, even in the best of times? Emergency rooms. The well-heeled who wish for round-the-clock access to doctors, expedited appointments with specialists and members-only hospital amenities are turning to concierge medical services. One New York provider, Sollis Health, offers family memberships for about $8,000 a year, with facilities " basically, VIP emergency rooms " on the Upper East Side of Manhattan (where a Chuck Close original hangs in the lobby), Tribeca and, in summer, a house call service in the Hamptons.

A Gulfstream IV jet or 150-foot superyacht may make for a fine temporary sanctuary for plutocrats who wish to travel in style in a world of swirling microbes. But for those who really want to bunker down as global infections mount, a well-stocked home bunker represents the ultimate luxury.

A luxe bunker, it seems, can take many forms.

Stein said that another Sollis member, an heiress in Southampton, New York, built a medical isolation room complete with a ventilation system.

The word 'room,' however, hardly captures it. Stein said it is equipped with a negative pressure system to restrict the circulation of pathogens, and is basically an isolated guest wing consisting of a bedroom and kitchen stocked with IV hydration, medicines, lab supplies, gloves, gowns, masks, oxygen and food, as well as a set of dishes and linens.

 

[HumblePi]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

I agree that the middle class and upper middle class population are more likely to survive this epidemic, but not because they're smarter or more important, it's because they have health insurance. The homeless populations of cities like Seattle, Los Angeles and New York are vastly more susceptible and it's not because they're ignorant or have no talent, it's because they're poor and are have more exposure to the virus than the general population. It's unlikely they're going to rush in to see a doctor if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

 

[OrphanSlug]

I am not entirely convinced this will be a rich vs. poor condition near as much as a concentrated areas issue. Cruise ships, airports, hotels, elderly homes, anywhere else this can spread simply because of how many are in a closed area turning the whole thing into a petri dish for mutations and various strains.

"Preparing" for this has become a political argument, while this continues to spread no matter what the wealthy think they are doing.

 

[code1211]

I agree that the middle class and upper middle class population are more likely to survive this epidemic, but not because they're smarter or more important, it's because they have health insurance. The homeless populations of cities like Seattle, Los Angeles and New York are vastly more susceptible and it's not because they're ignorant or have no talent, it's because they're poor and are have more exposure to the virus than the general population. It's unlikely they're going to rush in to see a doctor if they have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Do you believe that personal characteristics play no role in personal well being? Wealth? Education? Address?

Are individual life outcomes determined with no influence needed or possible on the individual level by the individual?

 

[Craig234]

I would happily give them advantages, if the wealth hoarding weren't so extreme.

The sad thing is the idiocy being so common that the have-nots are warriors for the haves.

 

[grip]

I would happily give them advantages, if the wealth hoarding weren't so extreme.

The sad thing is the idiocy being so common that the have-nots are warriors for the haves.

That sums up the OP exactly.

 

[HumblePi]

Do you believe that personal characteristics play no role in personal well being? Wealth? Education? Address?

Are individual life outcomes determined with no influence needed or possible on the individual level by the individual?

As I have already said, the middle class and upper middle class most certainly have advantages over someone that's economically strapped and homeless. It has nothing at all to do with their intellect unless you're assuming that poor people are less intelligent and less talented than wealthier people. Running contrary to popular opinion, many homeless people are well-educated and had successful careers prior to their life on the streets or in shelters.

 

[TheParser]

1. The rich are better protected in every aspect of life.

a. They travel in chauffeured cars, so they are never subject to crazies on public transportation.

b. They live in gated communities, so they are never subject to violence, drug dealing, dangerous dogs, loud parties, etc. that are commonplace in "tough" neighborhoods.

c. They have the best attorneys possible, so they are able to get legal advice that ordinary slobs could never afford.

d. They can pay the best doctors to come to their mansions, so they never have to mix with (the) hoi polloi in emergency rooms.

Being rich is wonderful. Besides, they create millions of jobs for us little people. And they contribute millions to philanthropy. Bless their little hearts!

 

[JackA]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

Far in the backs of their minds are reminders of Louis XVI being led to the guillotine or the Romanov family being led to a basement. In a small way this works to keep them grounded.

 

[Craig234]

c. They have the best attorneys possible, so they are able to get legal advice that ordinary slobs could never afford.

That so understates it.

They buy the politicians who decriminalize their crimes.

They're not investigated or arrested.

If they are, they get special treatment by DA's.

If they are charged, their lawyers get special treatment by judges.

If they are sent to jail, there are 'country club' jails for them.

And then trump pardons them.

It's hard to overstate the advantages they get. The exceptions are very rare, usually when there's an overwhelming political pressure, such as with Cosby, Weinstein, Madoff, Epstein.

 

[danielpalos]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

Of course, according to the right wing, the Rich are simply, worth it, under our form of Capitalism.

 

[Craig234]

Far in the backs of their minds are reminders of Louis XVI being led to the guillotine or the Romanov family being led to a basement. In a small way this works to keep them grounded.

I would suggest there is no such effect at all. That they suffer no such risk and feel no such concern.

 

[grip]

Far in the backs of their minds are reminders of Louis XVI being led to the guillotine or the Romanov family being led to a basement. In a small way this works to keep them grounded.

Most of the USA worship and protects them. I doubt they're that worried about their public image. It's a shame we can't all be better off.

 

[JackA]

I would suggest there is no such effect at all. That they suffer no such risk and feel no such concern.

Some no, some yes. There is a knowing however dim that they can only go so far in pursuit of narrow self interest.

 

[Craig234]

Some no, some yes. There is a knowing however dim that they can only go so far.

Your post seems bizarrely imaginary. It's like saying, "MS-13 saw how the mafia has gone to prison, and it's led them to restrain their crimes, knowing however dimly that they can only go so far." Nice theory, with nothing whatsoever to show for it, as we see the rich showing no such limitations whatsoever.

 

[Mason66]

I would happily give them advantages, if the wealth hoarding weren't so extreme.

The sad thing is the idiocy being so common that the have-nots are warriors for the haves.

I would think you would want them all to die so the government can confiscate their wealth under the death tax.

 

[Craig234]

I would think you would want them all to die so the government can confiscate their wealth under the death tax.

Not at all, for any number of reasons, from valuing their humanity as people, to valuing their contributions. The sad thing is, your point is idiotic, unable to tell the difference between their paying a higher tax rate, and killing them and taking all they have. It's that sort of idiocy that creates bad voters who support the plutocracy.

 

[apdst]

This thread is ironic as hell, considering how many participants want to ban gun ownership.

 

[Good4Nothin]

As I have already said, the middle class and upper middle class most certainly have advantages over someone that's economically strapped and homeless. It has nothing at all to do with their intellect unless you're assuming that poor people are less intelligent and less talented than wealthier people. Running contrary to popular opinion, many homeless people are well-educated and had successful careers prior to their life on the streets or in shelters.

Are you sure about that? Very often, homelessness is related to addiction or mental illness. Or else, the person was barely getting by and then had some bad luck. Probably very seldom someone with a successful career, who did not become mentally ill. Most people have relatives or friends who would help them out for a while, until they recovered their health and got another job.

Someone who is mentally ill or addicted can alienate their relatives, and wind up homeless.

 

[Good4Nothin]

1. The rich are better protected in every aspect of life.

a. They travel in chauffeured cars, so they are never subject to crazies on public transportation.

b. They live in gated communities, so they are never subject to violence, drug dealing, dangerous dogs, loud parties, etc. that are commonplace in "tough" neighborhoods.

c. They have the best attorneys possible, so they are able to get legal advice that ordinary slobs could never afford.

d. They can pay the best doctors to come to their mansions, so they never have to mix with (the) hoi polloi in emergency rooms.

Being rich is wonderful. Besides, they create millions of jobs for us little people. And they contribute millions to philanthropy. Bless their little hearts!

Sounds like you wish you were one of them. But don't we all.

 

[danielpalos]

This thread is ironic as hell, considering how many participants want to ban gun ownership.

We have a Second Amendment and should have no security problems in our free States. Don't grab guns, grab gun lovers and regulate them well.

 

[HenryChinaski]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

No, it’s simply because they can afford Cadillac healthcare.

 

[HumblePi]

Are you sure about that? Very often, homelessness is related to addiction or mental illness. Or else, the person was barely getting by and then had some bad luck. Probably very seldom someone with a successful career, who did not become mentally ill. Most people have relatives or friends who would help them out for a while, until they recovered their health and got another job.

Someone who is mentally ill or addicted can alienate their relatives, and wind up homeless.

How Highly Educated People End Up on the Streets - Invisible People

Sure, many street people are drunkards or drug addicts but we shouldn't assume that they all are.

From this article:

[snip] homeless people

Jeff Bleich, American diplomat, put it this way: “We tend to assume that homeless people are alike in some way, and that they must suffer from mental illness or drug addiction or some other common challenge. But the only thing that’s similar about homeless people is that they lack housing. Like all people, homeless people are much more than just one thing, with their own lives and circumstances.”

Maurice Johnson earned Master’s degrees in electrical engineering at Perdue University and in plasma physics from Dartmouth College. After his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers, Johnson, motivated by family obligation, decided to leave work to take care of his family. He sold everything he had of value in order to save his mother’s house from foreclosure. After ensuring that his mother was safe and comfortable, he began looking for work again. There were obstacles. “When you have no money, it’s very difficult to start over. And so back to the street he went, a holder of two Masters degrees who can’t get a job to pay rent.

There’s the story of Derrick, a multi-millionaire that lost everything in 2008 when America’s economy went belly-up. He spent over 20 years working with the United States Department of Defense as a classified contractor. After developing health issues, he was forced into early retirement at 47 years of age. He made peace with retirement and had the finances to float him for the rest of his life. Two months later his “financial institution went bankrupt. Overnight. No warning. It was devastating.” He’s an educated, well-spoken man with a wealth of experience who ended up living in a tent in Oakland, California.

A recurring theme from these life stories emerges: Many of these devastating outcomes have been the fallout of an avalanche of unfortunate events that would have taken out the best of us. In fact, they have. The next man you see rough sleeping may indeed be better educated than you. That woman on the corner during your commute to work may have been your supervisor under different circumstances.
[end]

 

[danielpalos]

Capitalism requires that Capital circulate and is a capital based reason to solve simple poverty in a market friendly manner to ensure it does in our market based economy.

 

[jpn]

The affluent are more likely to survive and ride out a catastrophe, like COVID-19, than the rest of us. I guess as it should be since they're more important, talented, and smarter than the dummies who don't earn what they do. Surely they're more worthy?

Yes, they were talented enough to be born rich or marry rich. A few even earned their wealth.