(05-15-2020, 06:49 AM)fenders53 Wrote: Any opinions on whether or not we are going to ratchet up trade tensions with China? That affects some of my near-term purchase (and possible sale) decisions. I see no need to put my investments in peril when it's avoidable.

*As a side note I am glad this place does not get overly political. For the record I don't hate the president but I get weary of the political rhetoric and I fear we are going to punch China in the face at a VERY bad time as our economy struggles. I probably better get used to it with an election approaching.

(05-15-2020, 08:23 AM)EricL Wrote:

(05-15-2020, 06:49 AM)fenders53 Wrote: Any opinions on whether or not we are going to ratchet up trade tensions with China?  That affects some of my near-term purchase (and possible sale) decisions.  I see no need to put my investments in peril when it's avoidable.  

*As a side note I am glad this place does not get overly political.  For the record I don't hate the president but I get weary of the political rhetoric and I fear we are going to punch China in the face at a VERY bad time as our economy struggles.  I probably better get used to it with an election approaching.

Yes, I think trade tensions with China are going to ratchet up more. I think this epidemic was a huge wake-up call that outsourcing all of your country's manufacturing is a horrible idea.

It's one thing to do that with a country you can trust, but I don't trust China. At all.

I expect the president is going to do all he can to get critical pharma, tech, and equipment manufacturing back to the Unites State ASAP.

(11-01-2020, 09:00 PM)fenders53 Wrote: Update I pulled from another thread for VBIN>  He stated.......

"Talking to some of my friends seems like Covid will continue well into 2022 even with vaccine. It's a virus after all and they mutate and don't disappear just like that. It will become less deadly as human body adapts and herd immunity develops.

People are getting less and less cautious and trying to be more out and about. 2021 beyond travel will start going up and people won't be as afraid to eat out or social."

That sounds reasonable enough to me VBIN.  Just as you state, it's a virus, an incredibly contagious rough version of the flu.  The Spanish Flu took three years. If we fail to get an effect vaccine I see no reason it goes away much fast.  We need therapeutics to increase survival rate even further in the susceptible.  They are making progress, and much more is needed.  I do have some confidence in our MED Tech.  Not so sure about a vaccine with sufficient efficacy, soon enough to help.  I hope we'll know soon.

For now I think I act like an average responsible 58yr old.  I am NOT hiding in my closet, but I know I would likely kill or at least put my mother and wife in ICU if I gave them the virus.  I wear my mask and socially distance at work.  Go out to eat once a month rather than five times.  No bars, huge gatherings.  When the virus spikes locally I get a little more careful, but never reckless even when it isn't.  I vote for no overzealous lockdowns, but don't be stupid when the virus is spiking around you, just because it won't kill you personally.  That's not liberty, it's pure selfishness, and that is not what I want me country to be.  I don't care who disagrees with me.

Sorry for the politics (not really because it shouldn't be politics).   I have some friends and relatives that deeply disappoint me right now.  Nobody is asking for any great sacrifice from them.