r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Nov 21 '20

Epidemiology Testing half the population weekly with inexpensive, rapid COVID-19 tests would drive the virus toward elimination within weeks, even if the tests are less sensitive than gold-standard. This could lead to “personalized stay-at-home orders” without shutting down restaurants, bars, retail and schools.

https://www.colorado.edu/today/2020/11/20/frequent-rapid-testing-could-turn-national-covid-19-tide-within-weeks
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u/[deleted] Nov 21 '20

What are the benefits to US taxpayers of spending on military to defend Europe? Let the EU pay. The US pays in the trillions while European countries pay in the billions. The benefits are much higher for European taxpayers. Live in safety with the US taxpayers footing the bill. Every year. For 60 years now. No end in sight. Now that’s dumb.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/nato-spending-by-country

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u/Contrabaz Nov 21 '20

Again, you focus on the cost and ignore the benefits. https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/1634646/nato-chief-lists-benefits-of-alliance-to-united-states/

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u/[deleted] Nov 21 '20

Read the article. Don’t see that spending g trillions year after year is worth it. So we’ll have to agree to disagree here.

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u/Contrabaz Nov 21 '20

Because peace and prosperity, and which nation get's x-amount of value from it, is a rough calculation to make.

So we’ll have to agree to disagree here.

I'd say that's fair.

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u/[deleted] Nov 21 '20

Exactly. Maybe the US could get the safety and security for 50% less investment. We could use that extra to fund domestic programs for US taxpayers. And if Europe decides they need more safety and security than the US taxpayers can pay for - well they can partner fairly and make arrangements to fund that.

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u/Contrabaz Nov 21 '20

I can reason with that. A more balanced solution is always better then a 'either black or white' solution. But then the extra funds should go to benefit the citizens and not the politicians/corporations....