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Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

npr.org

221–230 of 1001 posts

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#221

We haven't evolved to constantly evaluate our actions against things we cannot see right in front of us (in this case a virus). Nothing actually happening during this pandemic is surprising in the least.

You think a disease with a case fatality rate of like 0.05 (probably like 0.01 for 20-30 somethings) would actually going put evolutionary pressure on anything? These people are looking at the risks and making rational decisions that its not worth shutting down your life.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do essential workers all have to be valued on an equal basis as firefighters, doctors, etc? Because that's what the word "essential" means: Things you can't do without. Not "things I really really really like." How are you measuring value? People who save lives > people who don't save lives.

Both firefighters and doctors are a relatively recent “invention”, I’d say 100-150 years old (with the medical profession being re-invented after a first stint back in Antiquity). As such there’s nothing “essential” about them, you could say that bakers, fishermen or even sex-workers are more essential than doctors and fire-fighters.

Both firefighters and doctors are a relatively recent “invention”

So what? What does that have to do with anything?

you could say that... even sex-workers are more essential than doctors and fire-fighters.

You can say that, but you'd be wrong. That's the great thing about the internet. Anyone can say anything no matter how false it is, and they get to be on an equal footing with people who know what they are talking about.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The last couple months has done more damage than good to me. I'm that type of person who'll lose muscle quickly if stops working out for mote than 2 weeks. It's not about you. It's about everyone else. How can someone be so selfish and self-absorbed that they think their "muscle mass" is more important than the health of hundreds or thousands of other people? I know this question may violate some HN policy, but I can…

If you want to be Howard Hughes that's your choice. If someone wants to stay healthy through exercise that's their choice.

"Staying healthy" can be done with zero equipment and no gym membership. If you think otherwise, then your goal isn't to "stay healthy", your goal is to show off at gym bunnies. And no, your showing off and vanity is not a choice you get to make during a pandemic. Tough.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#224

There is a crossfit gym that I pass by every morning on the way to work. It is full, and never stopped during this pandemic. Even at 7AM, it is full of patrons. I would call the "proper authorities", but since there is a State Police car parked outside every morning, and he is in there working out, just like before the pandemic, I doubt calling anyone would do anything. Adding to the post, I read it earlier... it is…

That's because the landlord still expects rent to be due.

That's because the bank still expects the mortgage to be paid.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I thought it was more insulting for that person to value the work of hairdressers and manicurists and yoga instructors on an equal basis with firefighters, doctors, paramedics, and actual real "essential" workers. Part of fairness is in treating equal things equally, and unequal things unequally. Even talking about non-first responders, the folks in supermarkets are more essential on this spectrum than beauticians…

When armies mobilize, they don’t carry supermarkets, but they do carry barbers.

Regular people shop at supermarkets so they don't starve. Armies carry food supplies so they don't have to shop at local supermarkets. They bring barbers because tight haircuts are essential to military dress and clean shaved faces are critical to tight sealing gas masks.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#226
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Now we have a lot of governors issuing decrees based on emergency authorities that they’ve been using for six months. This is quite simply a conflict with our basic notion of democracy. We do not have rulers, yet our governors are issuing rules purportedly carrying the weight of law with no oversight from legislature. That was my biggest issue with the whole situation in the USA. All of these emergency measures wer…

> doesn't like giving up control after whatever "emergency" situation happens I genuinely don't understand this fear re: COVID. Why would governors want keep gyms and restaurants closed post-COVID? What do mayors gain by forcing people to wear masks post-COVID? It's in the government's interest, as an institution, to open things up ASAP. They're hemorrhaging money. The things I'd actually worry about -- using COVID t…

The way I see it, the issue is that the “as soon as possible” is being interpreted to mean “the time at which there is no risk to my political career,” not merely when it is prudent to reopen.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#227

There is a crossfit gym that I pass by every morning on the way to work. It is full, and never stopped during this pandemic. Even at 7AM, it is full of patrons. I would call the "proper authorities", but since there is a State Police car parked outside every morning, and he is in there working out, just like before the pandemic, I doubt calling anyone would do anything. Adding to the post, I read it earlier... it is…

That's because the landlord still expects rent to be due.

I believe the parent comment isn't bemoaning the business practices of these landlords but instead addressing the unethical behavior of its patrons.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#228

There is a crossfit gym that I pass by every morning on the way to work. It is full, and never stopped during this pandemic. Even at 7AM, it is full of patrons. I would call the "proper authorities", but since there is a State Police car parked outside every morning, and he is in there working out, just like before the pandemic, I doubt calling anyone would do anything. Adding to the post, I read it earlier... it is…

The group thing is real. Some people just really need the motivation from others being present or their perceived judgement to show up regularly. It's not a failing on their part, whatever gets you to the gym and keeps you going, but maybe work on your individual workouts during the pandemic?

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#229
post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can maintain a very healthy body using only body weight exercises, with practically no weights at all from the comfort of your home. With youtube and the like, you have access to near infinite workouts as well. Not having access to a gym is not a sufficient reason to be out of shape.

Once you start training weighted exercises it's very difficult to get similar workouts with bodyweight. If I'm squatting 250lb it's going to be tough to simulate that with my bodyweight and I'm not likely to be able to load the reps the same way.

One-legged bodyweight squats + whatever heavy things you have available (e.g. bottles of water) in a backpack should be difficult enough. If you care about "functional strength" then it's arguably superior than barbell squats. And one-handed pushups are good substitute for benchpress.

Re: Secret gyms and the economics of prohibition

#230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The last couple months has done more damage than good to me. I'm that type of person who'll lose muscle quickly if stops working out for mote than 2 weeks. It's not about you. It's about everyone else. How can someone be so selfish and self-absorbed that they think their "muscle mass" is more important than the health of hundreds or thousands of other people? I know this question may violate some HN policy, but I can…

It's been a while since I've seen mention of actuarial analyses of the pandemic vs lockdowns. Could millions of people with muscle atrophy cause more economic harm?

Could millions of people with muscle atrophy cause more economic harm?

Who cares? Why is "economic" harm so important?

I'm really tired of people saying "But what about the economy?" I really don't care. I care about my health and the health of my family members. If some artisan dog biscuit company goes out of business, so be it.

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