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Here's an article noting that a shelter service in KC has noticed a 25% increase in domestic violence calls since the stay-at-home order was issued.

https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/kcpd-domestic-violence-up-in-kansas-city-since-stay-at-home-order-took-effect

That same article mentions that KCMO Police Dept stats indicate an increase in domestic violence incidents without a weapon from 277 to 323 (17% increase) from January through March with no other types of crime showing a similar increase.

Here's an article noting that child abuse cases in Jackson County dropped 50 percent between mid-March and mid-April, likely because children are not being seen by teachers at school who are mandatory reporters. Obviously not indicative of an increase, but the decrease is cause for concern and child advocates caution in this article that an increase in child abuse cases is expected.

https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/kcpd-domestic-violence-up-in-kansas-city-since-stay-at-home-order-took-effect

Further from home, here's a report from Texas that child abuse cases have spiked, there, with 8 children admitted to Cook Children's in Fort Worth from March 17 to April 15 with injuries related to child abuse -- three died, when Cook Children's typically sees 6 child abuse deaths in an entire year.

http://fortworthtexas.gov/news/2020/04/COVID-19-Child-Abuse-Prevention/

The mental health cases requiring hospitalization -- some of that is anecdotal evidence. Things I've heard from people who work in health care settings. But there is also this article from Hays, KS detailing how calls to a local mental health center's crisis hotline doubled between April and May.

https://hayspost.com/posts/5eab10e3eb7f17053603d8a7

Please know that I am sympathetic to those who have a compromised immune system and to the elderly. There are members of my family who fall into these categories. But I also think it's important that we recognize that to many, access to an income-earning job can also be a life or death issue. I think we must recognize the seriousness of this disease for some portions of our population, do what we can to protect them as best as we are able, and then allow others to decide how much risk they are willing to take. For some, I'm sure staying home feels safe and smart because they may have the means to be able to work from home or not have to work at all, and for others I'm sure it feels maddening, not just because of "freedom" and "my rights," but because being forced to stay home means not knowing how they'll be able to afford their mortgage or car payment or grocery bill this month or the next. I feel for those who are scared of this virus for good reason, just as much as I feel for those who are scared that they won't be able to meet their family's most basic needs in an uncertain future. There may very well be SDC employees who fall into that category.

That is pretty well said woodgrain.......That may well be the answer to when will you feel comfortable enough to return to SDC?   

When the emplyees do!

The employees will be forced to.

They can choose not to and face the consequences, sure. But right now, they are being forced NOT to work. Like I said earlier, I think there should be a reasonable reopening of the country/state/individual businesses that respects the dangerous nature of this virus, while also recognizing that it can be just as dangerous to the country/state/individual if we were to attempt to keep everyone shuttered in their homes for 1 to 2 years until a vaccine is widely available. The economic consequences and the subsequent effects they will have on mental health will be dangerous. I know that line of thinking may sound callous and it may sound like the rhetoric employed by folks who also say that this isn't a serious/real health threat, but that secondary catastrophe -- suicides, mental breakdowns, domestic violence, child abuse -- is very real and should be considered in how we think about this, in my opinion. It is true that reports of those things I listed above are on the rise. Sadly, mental health issues requiring hospitalization are on the rise, domestic abuse reports are on the rise, and so are child abuse cases. The consequences of not sheltering-in-place are fairly obvious, now, but unfortunately, the consequences of sheltering-in-place are also starting to reveal themselves, too, and none of them are favorable in the least.

A short answer. A vaccine.

There has never been a vaccine for any coronavirus, including the common cold. Researchers have worked on it for decades, with no success.

I don't expect this virus to be any different, especially since it will mutate within 18 months.

I can't say this with 100% certainty, but isn't the reason why there isn't a cold vaccine due in part to the hundreds of strains and the fact that the duration of most colds is short and the impact on health is minor? There's definitely an incentive to create a vaccine for this. There's no doubt it is a highly-contagious virus that feels like Russian roulette -- we just don't know who will have a bad reaction or who will be asymptomatic. On top of that -- and because of that, actually -- there's money to be made. The whole world is watching and waiting and drug companies are racing to be first.

A short answer. A vaccine.

There has never been a vaccine for any coronavirus, including the common cold. Researchers have worked on it for decades, with no success.

I don't expect this virus to be any different, especially since it will mutate within 18 months.

Not like it hasn't mutated at least a reported 4 times already during this planned-demic

Seriously if you're scared, stay home, the rest of us are going to start living again.  Just keep in mind that staying home will also repress your immune system making you more likely to catch a lesser disease/virus when you actually do go out finally

I will!! and those of you who choose to be cavalier in your attitude please take precautions so you do not infect anyone with a compromised immune system.. I actually hope they keep it closed all year myself so the selfish will not be tempted to infect those who are choosing to be smart. But, Then the ability to ride a roller coaster is a god given right !!! The important things in life. LOL And unless you have a degree in infectious desiese or immunology your medical opinion means nothing.

Please know that I am sympathetic to those who have a compromised immune system and to the elderly. There are members of my family who fall into these categories. But I also think it's important that we recognize that to many, access to an income-earning job can also be a life or death issue. I think we must recognize the seriousness of this disease for some portions of our population, do what we can to protect them as best as we are able, and then allow others to decide how much risk they are willing to take. For some, I'm sure staying home feels safe and smart because they may have the means to be able to work from home or not have to work at all, and for others I'm sure it feels maddening, not just because of "freedom" and "my rights," but because being forced to stay home means not knowing how they'll be able to afford their mortgage or car payment or grocery bill this month or the next. I feel for those who are scared of this virus for good reason, just as much as I feel for those who are scared that they won't be able to meet their family's most basic needs in an uncertain future. There may very well be SDC employees who fall into that category.

We went this weekend for a from-the-car visit with family and a lakeside picnic. Hardly any traffic on the strip. Fast food drive-thrus were open, but we didn't notice that many sit down restaurants open -- if they were, they weren't visibly advertising they were open for carry-out. Maybe a missed opportunity there, but probably not a whole lot of demand for carry-out food from restaurants that normally cater to tourists in a town of ~13,000. We would have avoided the Landing entirely, but did a quick walk-through in search of an open bathroom (while observing social distancing guidelines). No luck. No restaurants or shops were open with the exception of at least one of the restaurants (Cold Stone of all places) in the new strip of stores on the North end of the Landing. Bass Pro had pulled all of their outdoor display units so that courtyard was bare.

Anyone know the story behind the unfinished High Road project? I've always wondered where it was supposed to go and why it was never completed. It's obvious much of the ground work was done but looks like they stopped just shy of bringing in the concrete trucks.

They ran out of money!

You're right! I asked that and then just found this timely story! https://www.ky3.com/content/news/The-future-of-Ozark-Mountain-Highroad-MoDOT-has-no-plans-to-complete-Hwy-465-564627821.html

Cost the state $61 million for eight miles of highway.

I know this might be a long shot, but does anyone know what kind of lights are used on all of the bushes and trees in the square, and likely through the rest of the park? They have one predominant color (say, red) alternating with white, all on the same strand. They also use these on the trees at the entrance on 76. Thought they looked cool and thought I'd ask here just in case they are available commercially.

Anyone know the story behind the unfinished High Road project? I've always wondered where it was supposed to go and why it was never completed. It's obvious much of the ground work was done but looks like they stopped just shy of bringing in the concrete trucks.

Has anyone ever done a class at the Culinary School during Christmas, or at any other time of the year, for that matter? We were thinking about giving it a shot for the first time, this year.

I read SDC's complaint. They are asking for declaratory judgment to affirm their rights to the Mystic River Falls mark, while also claiming that the filing for the Mystic Motel mark relied on fraudulent claims. So they are also asking that D'Avanzo's marks be made void. Also asking for monetary damages and attorney's fees. The letter from Adrenalin's attorney is also included in the case exhibits. It contained a pretty thinly-veiled warning that they felt their client could be entitled to "significant remedies including money damages" should SDC fail to abandon their application for the Mystic River Falls mark.

Adrenalin (defendant) received an extension to file their response to SDC's complaint. That response is due today.

Haven't posted in a while.  But still lurking.  Changing economics and family dynamics limit my visits to SDC to just once a year.  Just got home from ACE's Coaster Christmas at SDC.  It's such a well done event.  At any rate, I wanted to post the songs the new tree plays.
Carol of the Bells and Sleigh Ride are the only holdovers from the old tree that I can remember.  The other six songs are (in no particular order):
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joy to the World (different version)
Christmas Bells (Michael W. Smith)
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy (Gaithers)
Hallelujah Chorus

The new tree is very impressive. And I don't mind the modern music with the tree.  But hearing Dan Fogelberg singing "Same Auld Lang Syne" back in the Grand Exposition was downright jarring. If the PTB read this, please note, I will hear that song on the radio 20 -30 times over the next to months.  You know what I won't hear.....Christmas Bluegrass music.  That's what I want to hear when I'm at SDC.

Of the songs that we saw/heard, Christmas Bells gets my vote for best use of the new video/animation capabilities of the new tree. Matched the lyrics of the song very well.

Heading over to the City this afternoon/evening. Traffic was already backed up on 76 to the High Road at 11 this morning. It appeared they were parking employees in the lot out in Notch this morning.

Isn't the one who swings first usually called the bully?

This guy is a mess. Multiple bankruptcies, federal tax lien, home loan default. Trying to do everything he can to hit the big payday in (or out of) court to pay off debts, while taking on water by incurring attorney's fees.

[and]

Harvest Crafts VS Pumpkin Nights!  = Pumpkin Nights is the victor

Nope, Harvest Crafts and Pumpkin Nights = winner.
Harvest Crafts and lame cowboys = old, and stale.

While I agree the Cowboy Fest has lost some of it's luster in it's heyday it was grand!  Shows like The Pinkerton Man (or Woman depending on what version they did) in Echo Hollow, trick riders and ropers scattered throughout the park, Buck Taylor and friends, Kent Rollins, the mostly western circle acts (Joanie Harms, the excellent Sons of the San Joaquin,etc) and mainstream western performers such as Waddie Mitchell and Riders in the Sky made for an extra special day at the City!  That could very well exist as daytime entertainment while the Pumpkin Fest (and more importantly) extended ride times could cover the evening festivities.

I do miss Kent Rollins this year. I love his simple approach to cooking good food and I felt like he fit right in at SDC. Very kind and helpful. We only use cast iron at home because of his demos at the park!

We were there this afternoon and it was packed. Got to the park around 3:30 and parked out in Lot 7 which was nearly full by the time we got there. Nice to see PN is bringing in the crowds. We left around 6 and people were still flowing in.

Side note: we saw the Christmas tree in the storage area off 76. Very easy to see as it is not very far off the highway at all.