My Coronavirus Diary #83



There are 4,667,955 cases of the coronavirus in the USA. 154,860 people have died from the virus in this country alone. Florida had  1.230 deaths during the last week. A new model predicts that another 19,000 Americans could die from the virus in the next 20 days. Fun times... NOT!








VIRUS NEWS:

On Friday, President Trump visited Florida to speak with sheriffs there and hold a mini-rally on the tarmac. Several of the policemen who were there to speak with the president were informed a few hours before the engagement that one of their colleagues, who they had recently met with at a conference, had tested positive for the virus. The mini-rally was truly mini...with only a few hundred in attendance and looked smaller than some super market openings I've seen. Masks and social distancing rules were not utilized.


Vice President Mike Pence, who is also in charge of the Coronavirus Task Force, gave a speech at a Cops For Trump campaign rally in Pennsylvania that was a maskless and non-socially distanced event...mere hours after Herman Cain died from COVID 19 (after, presumably, acquiring it at Trump's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma).

An article in Vanity Fair details the national plan of action that was put together at the beginning of the epidemic...and that never happened for some murky reasons that involve Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior advisor.

A Democratic congressman said "We certainly have this perception in the Northeast that all the red states are getting what was coming to them because they refused to follow these mandates, and they're playing politics." It has landed him in some hot water with Republicans.

Don't let the Republicans tell you that the Democrats are the reason a new virus relief package has not happened as of yet. The House of Representatives have already passed a bill. The president and the Republican-controlled Senate want less money to go to unemployment and more to corporate bailouts, military arms, money to redo the FBI facilities and money to revamp the White House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is having to stand strong against the White House and Senate and their scheme for this unnecessary spending that would add trillions to the deficit. At least one Republican senator from Wisconsin points out that there is still $1 trillion dollars from the last relief package that has gone unspent.

With the small business loan money gone, many restaurants are at the mercy of the virus and the lockdowns.

A poll shows that nearly 2/3 of Americans disapprove of the president's virus response. (I'd have thought it would be more...)



"We're dying here," pleaded a newspaper in Florida, begging the governor to issue a mask mandate on Friday.

A pastor for a church in Tennessee left a long rant on YouTube after being asked to wear a mask at a Dunkin' Donuts. In the video he blatantly said he threatened the employee and said that at his church they do not wear masks.

A 27-year-old man from Tennessee, who tested positive along with his pregnant wife and eight-month-old child, details his experiences in this article. The man thought he had a strong immune system and believes that the mandate for masks was all politically motivated. He has since changed his tune.

Dozens of people attended a party for first responders in Los Angeles on Friday. Social distancing and masks were not utilized.

A woman in New Jersey, who was assaulted after asking another woman to pull her face mask up over her nose, speaks out from her hospital bed.

A doctor in California made an impassioned plea for people to wear masks.

Doctors are now suggesting that face masks do not offer enough protection and are recommending goggles as well.

The president once again proved how stupid he was by tweeting that Dr. Fauci was "wrong" about why we have so many cases here, again claiming we have so many cases because we test so much. Since when does not testing stop people from getting sick?


Dr. Deborah Birx said that the virus is extraordinarily widespread and has reached into rural areas as well as urban. She implores people to follow the guidelines (social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing) to try to control the virus.

Health officials warn that the virus can have long lasting (permanent) damage on the heart. Brain fog is another long-term side effect.

The pandemic is causing many mental health issues that has professionals concerned.



As schools are set to reopen, testing delays are causing a nightmare situation.

Yesterday, the day before school was set to reopen (today) in Atlanta, the principal reported an outbreak of the virus among the football team.

Just days after schools reopened in Indiana, one student and one staff member have tested positive for the virus.

A kids camp in Georgia had to shut down due to an outbreak. 344 staff and kids went in...260 came back infected.

The infection rate and hospitalization numbers are down in New York, but the governor is still leery of reopening schools.

A new report suggests kids spread the virus more effectively than adults.

Teachers are having to make a difficult decision or leaving the profession...causing worry about teacher shortages.



The National Republican Convention has banned members of the media from attending due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak and the limits set on the number of people who can attend. The Democratic National Convention is set to be a mostly virtual event.

Governor Abbott of Texas has said he is skipping out on the convention to deal with the virus outbreak in his state.

Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona tested positive for the virus on Friday. He had been in a meeting with Representative Louie Gohmert on Tuesday. Gohmert, who refused to wear a mask, tested positive on Wednesday. He could have been the source of Grijalva's infection.

A Republican state senator from Michigan, who opposed Governor Gretchen Whitmer's coronavirus measures and supported the Unlock Michigan movement, has tested positive for the virus. He remains asymptomatic and is in self-isolation.

Ventilation systems can change the spread of potential viral particles indoors, a new study shows.

Dr. Fauci is confident that a vaccine will be widely available by early next year.

An opinion piece on Forbes advocates giving vaccines now, despite the fact they are still in clinical trials. It is now on a fast track for use in the US.

Concern about who will get the vaccine first, once a vaccine is created and approved, has already been voiced.

Iowa State University researchers have created a no touch, mail-in test for the virus..

The FDA approved a new test that would quantify the approximate number of antibodies in a person who has had the virus.

Researchers in Tel Aviv say that a drug, RLF-100, has caused COVID 19 patients to have a quick recovery.

A researcher at New York University has started trying hyperbaric oxygen therapy to help patients with COVID 19.

For those who ignorantly still support hydroxichloroquine, a new report spells out exactly why it does not work when the virus attacks the lungs. Dr. Fauci himself even--once again--discussed the drug.

There is no evidence that the group, who call themselves America's Frontline Doctors and appear in the viral video that the promoted inaccurate and misleading information (including the use of hydroxychloroquine)--that was retweeted by the president and his oldest son--have ever been anywhere near COVID 19 patients.

Researchers think they know the virus' "Achilles Heel" and are developing a plan of attack.

An anesthesiologist from Virginia has been chronicling heathcare workers that we have lost to the virus.

The FDA has put more than 100 hand sanitizers on a "do not use" list. They say they are unsafe. The full list is in the article.

A teenager in Atlanta, Georgia lost both parents to the virus just days apart.

Two sisters, separated 53 years ago, have been reunited due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Some teens in Texas have been delighting children during the outbreak with visits from superheroes.

Fishermen in New Jersey, who were struggling as restaurants were closed due to the pandemic, got creative and opened a fresh seafood market at the docks.

What do bus drivers, custodians and other classified personnel do when schools are closed due to the virus outbreak? This report looks at that.

The sports world took a blow as players for the Cincinnati Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have tested positive. The coach of the Philadelphia Eagles has tested positive. A pro-golfer withdrew from a PGA event (where he was in 2nd place) due to having been tested positive.

Scientists are studying outbreaks of the virus among minks in European mink farms.

Thirty-six members of a Norwegian cruise ship have tested positive for the virus.

A water park in Wisconsin closed down after several staff members tested positive for the virus.


This fake Trump campaign video is BRILLIANT! A must-watch, but (WARNING!) it does contain some language.








GLOBAL:

There are now 18,080,067 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide. There have been 689.370 deaths around the globe.

The state of Victoria in Australia declared a "state of disaster," recording 671 new cases in the city of Melbourne yesterday. New, stricter lockdown orders have been put in place in order to try and stop the spread. (As a side note, the report of the outbreak in Australia had President Trump self-vindicating his failed leadership of the outbreak here. He is not even close to being vindicated...)

Japan's largest city,Tokyo, had a record of 472 new cases of the virus on Saturday.

Hong Kong is having its third wave of virus outbreaks.

In Germany, thousands of protesters marched in Berlin opposing the restrictions placed on them due to the virus.

Belgium is having a flare up of new cases. Half of those are in Antwerp.

There are now more than 500,000 cases in South Africa.

Mexico is exploding, having recently added more than 9,000 cases in a single day.



STATES:

Maine only had 21 new cases of the virus on Sunday.

New Hampshire reported 21 more cases yesterday.

Massachusetts listed 353 new cases and 11 deaths on Sunday. A crowded Boston Harbor cruise ship has drawn attention to itself. As cases continue there, the mayor of Somerville has put Phase 3 reopenings on hold--despite other parts of the state having gone to Phase 3.

Virginia reported an increase of 981 new cases on Sunday.

On Friday, Florida hit another record for deaths related to the coronavirus (257) for the 4th straight day in a row. On Saturday, as the state braced for Hurricane Isaias, the state had 9,642 new cases reported. According to Fox News, on Sunday the state saw the lowest number of daily deaths in three weeks and the lowest number of new cases in a month (However, the 7,104 new cases reported on Sunday is no cause for celebration). However, due to the hurricane, testing sites have been closed and will remain closed for several days.



Ohio reported 944 new cases on Sunday and 14 more deaths.

Michigan had 7 deaths and 735 new cases on Saturday.

Indiana added 784 new cases and 4 deaths on Sunday.

Kentucky has 463 new cases of the virus as of yesterday.

Wisconsin experienced 922 new positive cases on Sunday. A Native American gaming casino had to close down after two employees tested positive there.

An event known as the "White Trash Bash" was held in Illinois on Saturday with about 500 participants that were unmasked. 1,467 new cases were added to the state's tally on Sunday with an additional 14 deaths the same day.

Minnesota had 769 new cases yesterday and 8 deaths.

Oklahoma had 494 new cases yesterday.

The Chief Medical officer of a hospital in Texas said, "I'm fighting a war against COVID-19 and a war against stupidity," as the virus continues to rage in the state.

Montana added 113 new cases on Sunday.

Wyoming took on an additional 36 new cases yesterday.

Utah reported 473 new cases on Sunday. Sunday also marked the end of the deadliest week in the state since the pandemic began.

Idaho had 218 new cases on Sunday. It was the lowest number of new cases since July 1.

Washington state acquired an additional 1,700+ cases yesterday.

Hawaii said aloha to 45 new cases yesterday. However, there is a report that some of the data is missing and the number of new cases is probably low as a cause of this.



CALIFORNIA:

Yesterday, California became the first state to have more than 500,000 cases.

Los Angeles County added 1,476 new cases on Sunday and 23 additional deaths. The county also reported that hospitalizations over the past week have started to decline somewhat.

After a week of decline, Santa Barbara County jumped up 215 new cases on Saturday.

San Luis Obispo County's deaths have risen to 16.

A Starbucks in Redding had to close down after an employee tested positive.


LOCAL:




Fresno County had it's first child death from the virus. A teenager, who was treated at Valley Children's, has died.

Fresno County's hospitals are filling up and will soon need more beds.

Local blood banks are looking for donors who have recently had COVID 19 in order to harvest the antibodies from their plasma.

Two brothers who helped establish Fresno's first professional soccer term have been infected, one of them in the ICU.

Ampersand Ice Cream has reopened after an employee tested positive.

A fitness center in Clovis has set up a massive outdoor gym.

Fresno Unified has announced its online learning plan for the new school year.

Tulare is readying for distance learning with a couple of options.

Central Unified is creating a new mentoring program to help students during the pandemic. The goal is to not just check on academics...but also the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of ther student.

A buy back event helped farmers, who have had a disruption getting food to market due to the pandemic.

Bass Lake says it will host a free micro-wedding for a lucky couple who've had wedding plans disrupted by the pandemic.

The Junior. Company, from the Good Company Players, has put together an online variety show.

Visalia and Hanford restaurants have taken their business outside in order to stay afloat.

Several Central Valley companies are producing PPE.




CREATIVITY:

I came across these imaginative Quarantine Barbie dolls created by a woman named Tonya Ruiz in Orange County (California). Here are some examples:





I also came across this fake book cover:



This Australian kid, Blake Pavey, has made a pretty amusing (and so sadly accurate) look at various nations and their coronavirus situation:


Remember Trump's cognitive test that he wouldn't shut up about? This is a very clever musical take on it (after the Fox clip intro):


Here is another good take on the same topic:


A few months ago, there was a clever parody of THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT ("VOTE HIM AWAY -- THE LIAR TWEETS TONIGHT"). The people behind it have created a follow up version:


The guy who did that wonderful Adele spoof at the beginning of the outbreak is back with a Backstreet Boys parody...featuring one of the Backstreet Boys.


The political ads keep coming---and they are brilliant and so on target! Here are a few new ones.









MAIL:

I had a message from Mikey in Iowa on Saturday:

"So far, so good here," he said. One of our dogs, Tiki, has a growth that hangs down and drags on the ground when she walks anywhere.   We have an appointment with the vet to have it removed on Tuesday. Right now,  Ray has her all trussed up to keep it off the ground and it seems to help her get around.

"We have been going through a drought lately. It completely ruined our corn. It looks like no corn for us this year, unless we find one of those people that sell it on the side of the road.

"The peppers are doing okay,  but could be better if it would just rain. The tomatoes are really small,  but they are producing. The apple trees also have small fruit. It's just not a good year for gardening in our area.

"We haven't been able to do much outside due to the heat. This Sunday is supposed to be a little cooler,  so maybe I'll be able to get a few things done that I need to do outside. 

"It's getting to be about time to head to town again. Walmart just backed down on the mask thing. They say that they will not enforce the mask policy. They don't want to have confrontations between customers and staff.  At least the staff is still wearing masks.

"I'm sending a picture of Tiki with her 'truss.'  Tanner is in the background."






SHIRLEY:

Shirley stayed inside all day on Friday, sleeping...and making a big mess. UGH! Shirley! She must be part piggy...


So, on Saturday, like it or not, she got a lukewarm bath in a bucket.


After her bath, I put her by the door and after contemplating the backyard and scorching heat, she finally ventured out...so I could go clean up her corner. Fun.Fun. Fun...NOT!

 

Usually she comes in around 4 or 5 pm at the latest. I checked on her several times throughout the day. She would be under plants or sitting on spots of ground that were still damp from the morning sprinklers.


But every time I went out to check on her after 4 or so, she was out toodling around. I called her to come in, but she wasn't having it. She wanted to explore more...which was fine, because --for a wild animal-- she just wants to spend too much time inside.

Finally, around 6:30, she was going to a corner of the yard to go to sleep. Not wanting the spinkelers to get her, I brought her in. She opted to go to the corner by the refrigerator again (the one I'd just cleaned up). She got herself comfortable...by sticking her head under the cabinet. (See the 10 second video below):


Silly girl...



ME:

I know my life probably seems glamorous and exciting (HA!!! Sooooo NOT!), but there really isn't much to tell. While the pandemic rages, I stay home. SNORE. (Although I am going to take myself on little day trip adventures very soon...just to do SOMETHING!)

On Friday, I did have to go to the doctor's office. I needed a note for work, excusing me through August 10th. Why? Well, my legs still aren't working--and I was supposed to go back on July 27th.  I hadn't even had my appointment with the immunologist/rheumatologist to go over my biopsy results. But that appointment is FINALLY happening later TODAY. Hopefully, she will have some ideas about what the results ("Focal loss of large and small myelinated nerve fibers") indicate ...and if there is any sort of treatment for it.

Anyway, I needed a doctor's note...so back to my primary's office I went.


The staff behind the counter kept their masks off or pulled down below their chins ---unless they had to help a patient. Even then, they didn't always wear them correctly. I see that bare nose! Oh my!


On Saturday, I went to Lowe's to pick up some new toilet seats! Oooooo! I've needed one ever since the LIFE IN A DAY filming day, when I snapped the connector part off of the one in the guest bathroom as I struggled to film myself on the toilet. Ha! My other bathroom could use a new seat as well, so I got the two.

Now to put them on... Hmm. I'll get to it eventually.



In addition to my doctor's appointment later today, Vye's birthday is Tuesday and Erich's is Wednesday. There will be a few Zoom calls happening--as well as some other surprises possibly. We shall see...

Stay SAFE!  Stay SHELTERED!  Stay ALIVE!



CHEERS!



Continue to the next part HERE.






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