There are now more than 5 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus worldwide. We are actually already closing in on 5.1 million cases. There have been more than 331,000 deaths around the globe from the virus. There have been more than 94,000 deaths here.
President Trump says he will not close the country down again, even if we have a second wave. Scientists from the Obama Administration are warning that the National Stockpile needs to be resupplied because there will be a second wave. A study found that if he had just closed the country down a week earlier, 36,000 lives could have been spared.
The president was touting hydroxychloroquine again. He recently said he was taking it. He later was spewing false information about it being safe and helpful to COVID 19 patients, despite the FDA saying it is not safe. He also recently visited the Ford plant in Michigan that is making ventilators instead of cars. The state and Ford required him to wear a mask...and, of course, he didn't. He even had his own official presidential mask with him. The attorney general of Michigan called it disgraceful and says Trump is not welcome back.
States are supposed to have a downward trend when they reopen. However, a third of states that are reopening have seen case numbers rise.
New York City is planning on trialing an UV light treatment for its public transportation system. It is similar to something we use at the hospital after an infectious patient leaves. This is great but only to be used at the end of the day or while the vehicles are not in use. They are not used throughout the day.
Maryland reopened and quickly saw its biggest virus jump.
North Carolina saw it's caseload jump up by 800 seemingly overnight.
In Ohio, they state had a "marked jump" in cases just as bowling alleys and banquet halls reopen. The state fair has been canceled as a precaution. However, wedding receptions (of 300 or less) can resume.
Michigan has seen more than 5,000 deaths, with the number growing every day.
In Colorado, a man in Costco refused to wear a mask...and was not served in the store.
An article in The Oregonian listed 10 zip codes within Oregon that had the highest rise in cases.
Florida theme parks are beginning the push to reopen.
As many states try to get mail in ballots in place in light of the virus, the president (although he uses mail in ballots himself) is against them and says they cause cheating. He threatened to withhold funds from Nevada (and other states) if the state does that. The attorney general calls him out on it.
The CDC now reports that the virus does not generally transfer to surfaces (although it can).
Dr. Anthony Fauci thinks the early data of the vaccine being developed by Moderna is promising.
While antibody testing is ramping up, having antibodies does not guarantee immunity to the virus. The CDC is now lumping positive tests for COVID 19 with positive antibody tests, confusing and blurring the numbers.
A study suggests that as many as 50% of people with COVID 19 do not realize they have it.
The strange inflammatory syndrome that is much like Kawasaki's Disease and has been hitting children with COVID 19 is now said to be also attacking those in their 20s.
A noted virus hunter caught the coronavirus in March and says that he is still suffering from its effects.
A nurse shows before and after photos of himself after he caught coronavirus. He was in the hospital for 8 weeks (4 1/2 of those weeks we on a ventilator) and lost 50 pounds.
Low vitamin D seems as if it could factor into mortality rates with the virus.
First it was toilet paper in demand...and now it is temperature scanners that people are scrambling for.
As people start returning to work, worry about catching the coronavirus is not a valid legal reason for not going back to work.
GLOBAL:
A pub in Tokyo has a machine that sprays customers with disinfectant as they enter.
Hospitals in Brazil are "near collapse" as the virus continues to ravage that country. A reporter visited a cemetery there where thousands of graves are ready for the dead.
A Canadian woman has tested positive for the virus 8 times.
In England, residents in seaside communities were horrified to see beaches filled with people who were not social distancing as the weather warmed up.
Sweden's non-lockdown herd immunity plan seems to be backfiring as the country is now among the highest deaths due to the virus per capita in the world.
A man who was quarantining in Spain had an emotional reunion with his donkey.
Europe is starting to lift its travel restrictions in regards to flights.
Kids are starting to go back to schools in Europe, but now the new worry of the inflammatory disease that seems to affect children with COVID 19 is having countries second guessing this decision.
CALIFORNIA:
Orange County had its single worst day for deaths and new cases on Wednesday.
Not all students will be returning to school when the state reopens them.
Yosemite is prepping to reopen, but no firm date for that has been set yet.
LOCAL:
Starting today, all residents of Fresno County MUST wear a mask when they are out in public. The order was later revised to say that all citizens in the county "should" wear masks when in public. Wimps.
Both Fresno County and its neighboring Madera County have been cleared to reopen more businesses.
Tulare County does not meet the requirements for a Phase 2 reopening, but the county is ready to just skip to Phase 3....and the state is threatening to withhold funding if they do.
The city of Fresno's shelter in place order will be lifted May 26th.
A church in Fresno is planning on holding services on May 31, even though that is not part of the state's allowance for the county as of yet. The US Department of Justice sides with churches in this manner, apparently. More than 1,200 pastors in California say they plan on defying the order.
The Big Fresno Fair will be offering fair food again through the weekend. The fair may not happen this fall. This may be your only chance to to enjoy the indulgent tastes of the fair this year. There's everything from cinnamon rolls to corn dogs and even cocktails---all to go.
CREATIVITY:
One of my co-workers, Anna, sent this joke meme. First we had the coronavirus...then the Murder Hornets arrived. And now we've got this new peril to deal with:
Remember that old "Lime in the Coconut" song? Here is a take off on that:
Here is a BEAUTY AND THE BEAST parody:
Last time, i featured a teen and his mom doing a take on a HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL number. They are back (with dad) doing another BEAUTY AND THE BEAST parody.
I'm not sure if this is a parody or an original piece, but you can check this out if you like:
Need a Bon Jovi parody? Here you go:
Here is a take on The Carpenters' CLOSE TO YOU.
Normally I would NOT put stick a commercial in here. Someone sent this to me (I forget who...). It's a timely and humorous take on the whole remote office meeting thing that is actually a commercial for Progressive Insurance.
Here is a recent monologue from Jimmy Kimmel:
MAIL:
I got a note from my friend Becki. She and I worked together at The Fresno Bee, in fact we started together on the same day in the same department, years ago. She now lives near Washington D.C., is married and has a son. She gave me a quick update.
"What a 2020 it has been," she said. "We are all doing okay - all healthy. All still homebound, so it's been interesting juggling work and childcare and a dog. I'm thankful that we are still working, though. I'll be home from work until at least after Labor Day, so I'm trying to find a good balance of spending time with Ethan and getting work done. During this time, he learned to ride a bike without training wheels."
Mikey in Iowa sent a note:
"So far so good here, since everything is opening up," he said. "Most of the businesses here are doing their own thing and either still not open, or are opening only partially. The local Chinese food place
is doing take out only. I really hope they survive this as this is the first year they opened. They just purchased the old place from the previous Chinese restaurant and totally refurbished it. It has a whole new menu and all new decor inside.
"We had our grocery shopping day today. Walmart was packed! It was like trying to shop during the holidays. Only this time there was a
major new development; Everyone there, including the customers, were wearing masks. I was shocked! They were stocked up on meat this time. I guess people got tired of all the
hoarding.
"There's not too much else is going on here. The cases are still at 11 in our county and the county next to us (where Walmart is) is at 3. I call that county the 'Walmart County'."
Kim, my CNA friend in Wisconsin, sent a note about what is going on there.
"Things are still going good," she said. "There are a lot more patients on the floor, which we are not used to. That is because we have started up doing surgeries again. We have been really busy. Which is good. And not busy because of COVID.
"The nursing home and assisted living are doing well yet. All nursing home patients get tested for COVID. Before we can place any patients into a nursing home, they have to be negative.
"I did see the county I live in is up to 17 cases, which is a little jump. I make sure to wear a mask in any store. I am not taking chances.
"I am suppose to go to a bridal shower in June in Milwaukee. That is a hot spot. I have to let Employee Health know that I will be going if I decide to. My aunt is watching things closely and is prepared to cancel if needed. She wants to make sure we all stay safe.
"She is till talking about Hawaii in March. Like you said, if there is no vaccine, I do not think that trip will happen until 2022. It doesn't bother me. I will have more money saved. I suppose."
David from Australia sent an email:
"Greetings from down under," he said. "Pablo and I are doing well. Yes, Australia has began to lift restrictions…slowly. Some states and territories have had zero new cases for weeks. Victoria, where I am from, has had a couple of small clusters; one at a meat processing plant and one at a Maccas--that’s what we Aussies call McDonalds (that, and Mickey-Dees).
"The whole of Australia is averaging about 10 new cases per day, which is relatively low. As of today, we have had 7,079 total cases with 6,444 recovered. There are currently only 9 ICU cases in Australia and we have just hit the 100 death mark.
"This is a great webpage for statistics on Australia related COVID stuff:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers#daily-reported-cases
"There's a little bit about the easing of restrictions. The Northern Territory was the first to lift restrictions because they were labelled either the most safe, or one of the safest, places in the world. In true Territorian style, there was a full front page news story about the pubs re-opening saying 'Screw you, we’re having a brew' and 'Are we going to rub salt into the wounds of peasant Southerners?' Only in Australia!"
"Victoria is a little late to the party in easing restrictions. So far, we can gather in a group of ten outdoors and gather in a group of five indoors. We have an extra travel reason added to the list (previously just to get petrol, see a doctor or buy groceries) – now we can visit family or friends! Also, Pablo’s driving lessons are no longer reliant on a run to the store so he can proudly display those Learner’s Plates without fear of a $1600 fine.
"As at 1 June 2020, restaurants and bars will re-open in Melbourne for 20 patrons at a time. I immediately contacted the Peruvian Restaurant, Pastuso, to make a booking for Pablo’s birthday on the 19th.
"I have been told I will be working from home until ‘at least’ July, so I had better get used to this spare room/home office. I have a Magnum PI Pop Vinyl and a Sea Monkey’s Magic Castle to keep me company. I fear that perhaps the Sea Monkey’s have become aware of the current COVID status, because they have been rooting (mating) like there is no tomorrow.
"Also, I was thinking of you this morning when I saw this on a site called Ozbargain – thought it might be up your alley (Or at least something to read while you self isolate - that’s the Australian version of ‘shelter in place’)"
https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2020/05/14/zoinks-dc-offers-more-than-250-scooby-doo-comics-for-free
[I checked it out. Not everything is free, but the Amazon Kindle sites had some free editions. Whoo hoo! Scooby Dooby Doo!]
I also had a quick note from Penny in Georgia:
"Georgia is opening a lot faster than a lot of other places," she said. "Restaurants are open and hair and nail salons. Stores that were closed are starting to reopen. So far, so good. It was so nice to go sit inside a restaurant to eat. All my family and friends and co-workers are all healthy, so far. Hopefully, we all stay that way."
SHIRLEY:
It's probably all for nothing, but I can't help but continue to worry about the old girl. Sometimes she is spunky and climbing bushes. Sometimes she just seems overly tired. These last two days I've been concerned about her. She is usually all over the yard, but over Wednesday and Thursday, she did not venture very far from the patio. She ate well Wednesday, but I don't think she touched her food on Thursday. Not eating is not unusual for her...but coupled with her lack of enthusiasm to toodle around the yard, how can I not worry?
But as I said, she did eat well on Wednesday. In fact, Shirley was a little piggy that day.
ME:
There hasn't been much going on. On Wednesday night, I attempted to make some stuffed mushrooms. Whoopie, huh? I don't cook, so it was a big event for me. They got a tad too toasty in the toaster oven under the broiler, but...
I made a run to the grocery store on Thursday for a grocery pick up. I was going to wait a while longer before going back, however...
Today through tomorrow my street will be closed. The city is going to repave it and so the residents will not be able to leave home or drive on it.
They have already moved large trucks to the adjoining street in preparation. I was so looking forward to sleeping in today. (My insomnia, coupled with having to get up early for various things, have left me exhausted.) However, it's gonna be a noisy couple of days. I'm sure they'll start as early as they can.
UGH!!!!
CHEERS!
Continue to the next part HERE.
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