There are 4,495,014 confirmed cases of the virus in the USA. There have been 152,070. On Tuesday, Florida broke its record for the number of deaths in a day, 186, while the middle of the country started seeing the virus really starting its attack. By Wednesday, Florida broke records again and had an additional 217 deaths. Five other states have seen record numbers of deaths as well. As we hit the 150,000 dead mark on Wednesday and 21 states have been declared "red zones," the Association of American Medical Colleges warned that we must get the virus under control now or we risk losing potentially "well into the multiple hundreds of thousands." More than 1,0000 health experts signed a letter asking for the government to restart the COVID 19 response and shut the country down again. Every other developed country in the world has it controlled ...except us.
VIRUS NEWS:
The president's national security adviser Robert O'Brien is infected with the coronavirus.
This article suggests that the Trump Administration's months long delay with responding to the virus (have they even really started responding yet?) and spreading misinformation was because the virus was initially only affecting Democratic/blue states (New York, Washington, California) and they thought it would fade away (based on the scientists' call for a lock down---which Trump urged his followers to break).
Congress is still battling it out over a new COVID 19 relief package. This report suggests help with student loans may be one of the problems that is holding up passing it.
The president lashed out at the proposed bill, wanting millions put aside for a new FBI building (!?!), but less for aid for cities suffering from COVID 19. Even more shocking is the $8 billion that is being earmarked for new weaponry for the military. How does THAT have anything to do with a pandemic?
With millions of people unemployed due to the pandemic, White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, said the president would not be extending unemployment benefits because it "paid people to stay home."
This article states that the GOP is looking to cut unemployment benefits down to $200 a week in the new relief package.
After months of undercounting the dead from COVID 19, Texas' death numbers shot up by nearly an additional 700.
Louie Gohmert, a Republican Congressman from Texas who refused to wear a mask for months, tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, just before he was to escort the president on a trip to the Lone Star state. Gohmert actually blames the mask he eventually was wearing as the source of his infection.
Attorney General William Barr is getting tested as he was working with Gohmert on Tuesday.
After Gohmert tested positive, masks are now required in the House of Representatives.
There are several cities in California that will fine you if you do not wear a mask.
This article calls out those who say they have medical reasons to not wear a mask.
A conservative think tank leader from Texas is getting heat for this tweeted message:
South Carolina lost its second child victim to COVID 19.
Child hospitalizations from COVID 19 climb 23% in Florida where schools are being forced to open statewide.
Jefferson City Schools in Georgia are scheduled to open today.
Dr. Fauci warned that children of 9 can spread the virus just as much as adults can as some schools prepare to reopen.
Another study shows that COVID 19-infected children are "major carriers."
One article suggests that sick children in Florida schools could send the state off of a coronavirus cliff.
The Utah Health Department said that children can go to school even after directly being exposed to the virus.
School ventilation systems may contribute to the spread of COVID 19.
Doctors in Florida see school reopenings as a possible "superspreader event."
One in four children tested positive for the virus in Martin County in Florida.
A teacher in Oklahoma wrote about how she voted for Trump, but feels like she signed her own death warrant now that schools will be reopening there.
Cases among those in Florida's juvenile justice system keep rising.
Schools opening around the world (where the virus has largely been contained) show how they've reopened schools safely.
The governor of Iowa has stated that testing must show 15% positive cases before schools can turn to virtual learning...but for now schools will be opening in the fall.
Two high school students in Oklahoma tested positive for the coronavirus after taking the ACT college admission test...and possibly infecting up to 200 others.
Hundreds of Florida high schoolers and their families were asked to quarantine after an outbreak was linked to a high school graduation.
More and more colleges are planning online classes for the fall.
At least 40 individuals have tested positive for the virus after an outbreak among the fraternities at the University of Southern California.
This report looks at the 15 biggest US school districts and their plans for reopening this fall.
One opinion piece says that teachers and students should not be "COVID 19 experiments" in the fall.
A study showed what we already know---that schools were closed down in the spring to prevent the spread of the virus. Reopening when the virus is at its peak is ridiculous.
A "Million Unmasked March" was held in Illinois recently to protest state mandated mask wearing. Only about 150 people showed up.
The president gave a speech in Texas. He apparently struggled to get through it. Very few wore masks, and there wasn't much social distancing, according to this report.
A report claims that mask wearing cuts your chance of infection by 65%.
Whole Foods, Target, and Starbucks now require mask wearing in their businesses.
Mama mia! Masks have become fashion statements in Italy.
A heartbreaking story about a Los Angeles firefighter who died last weekend from the virus (He didn't believe the hype was real) led to his wife's plea to please wear a mask.
At a press conference, the president was asked about his retweeting of a video from a doctor named Stella Immanuel, who says masks do not work and that there is already a cure for the virus. She also believes in hydroxychloroquine and also says researchers are working on an anti-religious vaccine as well as others using alien DNA and that sex with demons is the cause of a lot of health problems in this country. Seemingly embarrassed when called out about this, the president abruptly left the press conference.
Despite Dr. Immanuel's video being debunked and Trump being embarrassed at the press conference about his support for it, his administration is apparently aggressively promoting hydrochloroquine as a treatment for COVID 19 again. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro was recently hocking the drug.
Two doctors from the bogus video with Dr. Immanuel say that they have met with Vice President and Coronavirus Task Force leader, Mike Pence.
Joe Biden slammed the president for promoting the quackery in Dr. Immanuel's video.
The president's son, Don Jr., was temporarily suspended from Twitter for re-tweeting misinformation (Dr. Immanuel's video) about the virus.
Due to the pandemic, some of the places that were to host the presidential debates have backed out. Miami is one of the places that has volunteered to be available.
The first dog in the US to have tested positive for the virus has died.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has suggested that people may want to wear goggles for extra protection from the virus.
As virus cases soar, one article suggests that the "cult of Donald Trump" has become a 'death cult" in their refusal to see or believe or wear masks for the good of their own health---and everyone else's.
Herman Cain, co-chair of Black Voices for Trump, who attended the rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma a month ago, saying he was not afraid of the coronavirus and didn't wear a mask, died yesterday from the virus after a long hospitalization.
The president took to Twitter not long after Cain's death (the change the subject, perhaps?) to again decry the planned use of mail-in ballots as to leading to fraud and suggested delaying the vote until it was safe to have an election.(Wait...it's not safe to hold an election now, but it is safe for kids to go back to school? What?)
The founder/leader of a Pro-Trump group for students has died of COVID 19.
Governors of states being hit hardest by the virus have seen their approval ratings drop.
COVID 19 is spreading through prisons in Florida and inmates are dying.
Florida is now so desperate for nurses, it is spending millions on recruitment.
A Florida couple in Key West were arrested yesterday after continuing to break isolation after testing positive...the day when the state reported it's record breaking number of single-day deaths of 253.
Fourteen members of a family in Texas have tested positive after a family gathering, leaving one dead and one in critical condition.
At a Father's Day gathering in Texas, seven members of a family came down with COVID including the feted patriarch ...who didn't survive.
The daughter of a hospital worker in Texas who died from the virus, invited the governor of the state to her mother's funeral in an open letter lambasting him for reopening too quickly and not imposing mask rules earlier on.
A report from Germany suggests that a vaccine would not be ready until mid-2021 at the earliest.
Russia plans to register the first COVID 19 vaccine in August, although scientists are skeptical about.
Most US voters say they would rather wait for an effective vaccine against the virus that has been fully tested instead of rushing to get one out as soon as possible.
Moderna's experimental vaccine has had more good results.
Dozens of scientists and others have taken a do-it-yourself vaccine...with no proof that it works.
The president has asked COVID 19 survivors to donate plasma to the American Red Cross.
Late night TV host Andy Cohen, who had the coronavirus and recovered, says he has "robust" antibodies but he can't donate plasma because he is a gay man.
With the pandemic occurring now, this article reminds you how vital it is to get a flu shot this year.
Researchers said that there is proof that the body may have an easier time fighting off a reinfection of the virus.
One report states that some people who have not been exposed to the virus may already have some immunity to it.
Florida's state-run testing centers will be closed Friday through next Tuesday due to tropical weather systems approaching the state.
Researchers have discovered six different types of COVID 19.
Dogs that have been trained to sniff out COVID 19 have an amazing 94% accuracy.
A Florida man received $4 million in COVID 19 relief funds...and bought a $318,000 Lamborghini.
The governor of West Virginia is allegedly using COVID 19 relief money as a slush fund.
An 80-year-old woman broke her hip, had surgeries and then caught COVID 19...and laughed it all off.
Two COVID 19 survivors, who had double lung transplants, shared their story.
A doctor in Texas discussed what he is seeing in the craziness of the outbreak in Texas. Another doctor from California who is helping out in Texas, calls his experience the most difficult of his career.
One in three COVID sufferers have long-term damage. Heart damage lingers in bodies, even after recovery from COVID 19.
Still thinking of travelling during the pandemic? This article shares which airlines are going above and beyond during this crisis.
Jet Blue is testing a UV cleaning device on its planes.
The article details what you can expect to experience in airports if you are traveling now.
The European Union again extended its travel ban for Americans due to our infection rate.
The FDA has recalled 87 more hand sanitizers. I actually got a robo-call from Costco because I bought one of the recalled bottles.
The U.S. Open golf tournament is going on as scheduled, but there will be no fans in attendance.
Players on the Miami Marlins major league baseball team have tested positive, putting their already shortened playing season at risk.
The Philadelphia Phillies have had an outbreak.
Target and Dick's Sporting Goods will remain closed on Thanksgiving due to the pandemic. No word on Black Friday, though... Best Buy announced it will also be closed on the holiday.
Starbucks is closing more than 400 locations due to the pandemic.
Lollapaloza 2020 is being held virtually for four nights. It started last night and continues through the weekend.
GLOBAL:
There are 17,297,276 cases of the virus worldwide. There have been 673,223 deaths globally.
The infection rate in Europe seems to be on the rise again, causing leaders to worry about a second wave of infections.
Germany saw less than 500 daily cases of the virus for weeks...but they've recently shot up to more than 800 per day.
Italy has extended its state of emergency over the virus.
Russia reported more than 5,500 new cases of the virus yesterday.
The Caribbean is having a difficult time trying to juggle safe reopening options.
One article suggests that Mexico could have as many as 7 million cases of the virus.
Brazil's president Jair Bolosanaro's wife and one of his ministers have tested positive for the virus. President Bolosanaro recently had the virus himself.
Bolosanaro is insisting on lifting restrictions in Brazil, even with cases climbing to more than 2.5 million and having had more than 90,000 deaths. He is also lifting travel bans. Just Wednesday, the country reported nearly 70,000 new cases.
Bolosanaro has also been accused of crimes against humanity for his neglect of the coronavirus situation.
The quarantine in Colombia has been extended to August 30.
The mayor of Colombia's capitol, Bogota, is trying desperately to save her city.
Chile has lifted it's coronavirus lockdown.
Australia had 723 new cases on Thursday along with 13 deaths, despite the fact part of the country where the outbreak is occurring has been on lockdown for the past three weeks.
STATES:
As the virus is starting to creep into states it barely reached before, Dr, Fauci says there are signs that outbreaks are brewing in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Massachusetts saw 356 new cases of the virus reported after a reporting error was corrected.
Doctors in Rhode Island are sounding the alarm about the rise in COVID 19 cases in that state.
New York state is seeing a rising number of infected teens and young adults.
A growing number of cases in New Jersey have been linked to house parties. The state had a 112% increase in cases in the last week.
Maryland's reopening has been paused due to increased cases and hospitalizations.
South Carolina reported 1,636 new cases and 20 deaths on Thursday.
In Miami, Florida, medical teams feel helpless with the wave of COVID 19 cases they are seeing. More and more refrigerated trucks are being utilized as morgues as the death toll rises. Democrats in the state demand to know why the governor is not following CDC guidelines. A report says that 83% of all deaths in Florida are from those 65 and older.
Ohio has broken a record for the most hospitalizations due to COVID 19 this week.
Kentucky recorded 619 new cases on Wednesday.
Ohio had a new record of 1,733 new cases of the virus yesterday.
The governor of Michigan tightened restrictions in the upper region of the state in an effort to lower infection numbers. A $1,000 fine and potential loss of licenses can be issued to businesses that do not adhere to state virus guidelines. An outbreak has been traced back to a restaurant in the state. The state added 715 new cases yesterday.
Wisconsin announced 1,059 new cases on Thursday...as well as a new mask mandate.
Illinois had another record of 1,772 new cases and 18 dead.
A prison in Minnesota has 122 prisoners out of 584 testing positive. The state had 745 new cases yesterday.
Iowa added 582 cases and 15 deaths yesterday.
Kansas had 698 new cases on Wednesday and 14 deaths.
An article in Newsweek reported that people in Texas are dying at a rate of one every six minutes from COVID 19. Another article called it a "death surge."
The governor of Colorado asked citizens "to not be stupid" as the state sees an increase in cases and hospitalizations. An outbreak at Colorado State University's athletic department has left 17 student athletes infected.
New Mexico had 352 new cases and 6 deaths as of Wednesday.
Utah added 338 new cases and had 6 more deaths on Wednesday. There were 502 new cases and 9 deaths on Thursday.
Arizona had 2,525 new cases yesterday. Zowie!
Idaho reported 7 deaths on Tuesday. The state added 567 new cases and 4 more deaths on Thursday.
Clark County, Nevada, home of Las Vegas (where people like to gamble...apparently with their lives), reported 811 new cases Wednesday and 20 deaths. On Thursday, that number jumped to 848 new cases and 18 deaths.
Washington's Governor Inslee put an indefinite pause on reopening as cases rise there.
Oregon reported a record number of deaths on Tuesday when 14 people died...including a 26-year-old woman.On Thursday, the record for new cases was smashed with more than 400 reported.
Hawaii saw 109 new cases on Wednesday and was considering lockdowns or closures if things did not improve. Yesterday, the state had 124 new cases--a new record.
CALIFORNIA:
In the past two weeks, California has had more than 130,000 new cases of the virus. We had a record 189 deaths on Wednesday.
California is proposing a $100 billion economic stimulus plan. The state is musing helping citizens financially if the federal help does not come through.
A San Francisco health officer stated that the city is experiencing a major surge.
An indoor wedding was held in San Francisco in July in defiance of the governor's ban on such activities. Guests came from various states to attend. Afterwards, 10 guests got sick. Now the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was held, is under fire.
Lompoc Prison is having a severe virus problem.
Food processing companies in Southern California were shut down due to virus outbreaks there.
Four different Costco locations in Santa Clara County have had outbreaks of the virus.
Divorce rates in the state are surging during the pandemic.
Marin County is holding a virtual / drive thru county fair this year.
A new program, that helps homeless pets, has started in Los Angeles.
LOCAL:
The Central Valley's hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID 19 cases and healthcare workers are being brought in to help.
Local hospital staff have been sidelined by the virus.
A local correctional officer died suddenly and unexpectedly from the virus.
Fresno City leaders met to discuss ways to slow the spread of the virus here. (Maybe, if they had enforced the mask rules and shutdowns earlier, things wouldn't have gotten so bad?)
Fresno County politicians spoke out in favor of reopening schools.
How will Central California use $50 million in federal grant money to fight COVID 19? This article gives the details.
Despite losing state funding, Atwater and Coalinga are continuing to allow all businesses to stay open.
A salon owner in Fresno purposefully backed her car into a code enforcement officer after he cited her for violating the governor's rules for businesses during the virus.
The Big Fresno Fair has more or less been cancelled. In its place will be a virtual and drive-thru Fresno Fair. Tulare County will also be holding a drive-thru fair.
Feed the Frontlines, a local organization that wants to give back to frontline workers by giving them a meal, needs more volunteers.
CREATIVITY:
Universal Studios sent out Jurassic Park-themed tiki cocktail recipes. Oooooo. CHEERS!
Domino's Pizza is having a short film contest. Details are HERE. There are various prizes, like pizza for a year and gift cards.
Here is a COVID 19-era parody on the song MANIAC from the movie FLASHDANCE:
Puddles, the singing clown with the great voice, posted a new video:
Political commercials are nothing new. However, these are brilliant---and so timely in these times:
MAIL:
My friend Jenny sent a quick note. Her mom, if you'll recall, died a few weeks ago after getting sick:
"I finally got the test results back on my mom (She has been dead for 3 weeks)," she said. "She was positive for COVID 19. Now they tell us to get tested, too. That is three patients out of six total who have died. This facility charges nearly $6,000 per month. Guests could still visit after one of the patients tested positive (she recovered). PPE was only used when staff tended to the positive person. Also, none of the other patients were tested until I required my mom be tested. This just seems wrong."
SHIRLEY:
Shirley had not been out since Saturday, when the call of the spotlight and a possible appearance in the film LIFE IN A DAY 2020 called to her. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday she just stayed in her cardboard condo and slept, slept, slept. By Wednesday, I decided she needed to have some outside time and put her by the door. She went out...and stayed out most of the day. In fact, she hid (in a new spot) and I could not find her to bring her in. Ha! Eventually, I did locate her new hideaway. I put her by the sliding door, opened it...and she gratefully crawled into the cool kitchen.
Instead of heading to her box, she went to the other side of the refrigerator. I had lots of boxes of various beverages over there, so she initially went over and put her head under a cabinet.
But she decided she was going to try to squeeze herself back into the corner anyway.
On Thursday afternoon, she wandered across the kitchen and had a big, long drink from her water dish (which I had just refilled). She sat next to her box for a bit...then she decided she wanted to go out. And out she went... I was so proud of her. She got out into the flower bed...and then she had a big pee. Good girl going outside. Hooray.
I gave her some food, but she ignored it for several hours. About the time she would normally want in, I caught her eating heartily. That is always a relief to see, too.
When she was done, I called her to see if she wanted to come in. Sure enough, she wanted to come inside... I love that she (sometimes) comes when I call her.
ME:
I don't know where the time goes, but this week has disappeared again and I didn't seem to do anything, really. I did go to the drive in movies in Madera again, though. As I knew it would be hot---and the last time I went to the drive in, it was ugly hot--I decided to order this little air conditioning unit to use in the car.
Although E.T. and BACK TO THE FUTURE were playing on the main screen, I had planned to see the double feature on the opposite screen, two new thrillers, THE RENTAL and BECKY.
I arrived at the Madera 2 Drive In (one of only 18 drive ins left in California) early and was surprised that there was already more cars there than had been in my past visits.
Still, it wasn't that crowded...yet.
But the cars kept coming and coming...
It got pretty full...on a Wednesday? I had always gone on Tuesday or Wednesday before to avoid crowds.
Before the flicks started, the theater played vintage snack bar ads and previews for new movies that have been postponed until next year (WONDER WOMAN 1984, THE KINGSMEN prequel, the TOP GUN sequel, the CANDYMAN remake, the new Christopher Nolan flick TENET, etc.).
Of course, no trip to the drive in would be complete without a visit to its snack bar.
Sure, I'd been in it before...and it's not the nicest snack bar...but it's still a drive in movie snack bar. I can't explain the allure.
I got a pizza and a Coke (which also served as breakfast and dinner the next day).
The movies were okay. I wasn't satisfied with the ending of THE RENTAL and BECKY (which I found to be the better of the two) also had elements of it's finale that were lacking. And the crowded drive in didn't help. The car in front of me on the left kept its motor running through the whole first feature (to keep the car air conditioned, I think). A car in front to the right left its hatchback up, obscuring part of the screen for me. The truck next to me had a teenage couple that talked a lot through out the movie, especially through the second film. They eventually went into the truck's cab...and turned the radio on. UGH! Behind me, a car's headlights went on frequently (every time someone got in or out of the car) and a baby was crying somewhere off to the right. It was not an ideal evening of movie watching...
And the little air conditioner? How did that work? It was a piece o' crap. It did nothing to cool the car. In fact, I just ended up rolling the windows down and enjoyed the nice breeze instead. When i got home, I requested a refund from Amazon and will be sending it back later today. It was such a disappointment.
Stay SAFE! Stay SHELTERED! Stay ALIVE!
CHEERS!
Continue to the next part HERE.
Comments
I loved the video of Shirley eating. What a cutie! I'm sharing this post with my friend Diane who loves animals and the stories about Shirley!
Stay safe Shawn and have a peaceful weekend.
Cheers
Thanks for the note. I'm glad your friend Diane also likes the Shirley bits. I could have edited that video down of Shirley eating, but the LIFE IN A DAY people want the whole thing (for some reason...snore). If anyone gets in the movie, it will be Shirley. She was so "on" that day---wanting to go out AND coming in when called to do so. She's working it. She wants that big Hollywood contract.
CHEERS!