There are 5,403,361 cases of the virus here in the US. There have been 170,052 deaths. As the death toll was closing in on 170,000 on Saturday and his brother was dying in a hospital, where was the president? Out golfing, of course.
VIRUS NEWS:
With the virus still out of control and the upcoming presidential election less than 3 months away, Axios has printed up a list (for all states) with voting information, such as deadlines to apply or mail in your ballot, registering, and information on early voting. With the president doing everything he can to slow the mails down (especially in Blue states) in order to cheat, er...win, I would suggest getting your vote in as early as possible so your vote counts.
Hear former President Obama discuss Trump's attempt to stop people from voting.
Hear Jared Kushner say that the president is doing everything in his power to ensure the post office has everything that they need. (Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!)
Axios has a report stating (the obvious) that the United States' virus response is far behind those of other developed countries.
Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, senior advisor (!?! I never understood that...), and member of the coronavirus task force, was recently on FACE THE NATION. When asked about the plan for the virus, he babbled and really couldn't answer. What a surprise. (NOT!) He did defend the White House's response to the virus, saying we are still below the peak of 2,500 deaths a day (!!???!! THAT is acceptable to him? 2,500 deaths a day? GEEZ!)
The former FDA commissioner discussed the virus outbreak on FACE THE NATION.
COVID 19 deaths are skewing younger among minorities.
Dr. Fauci says that temperature checks are not reliable for determining if someone has COVID 19.
An Arizona school district was supposed to open up today, but it has had so many sick calls that it had to cancel classes. Organizers hope sick outs across the country will happen and send a message that educators do not feel safe returning to the classroom during the pandemic.
In Pennsylvania, many private schools are planning to reopen in person...as public schools will go online.
The Center for Disease Control says that the infection rate in children is rising.
A 9-year-old girl in Ohio is in the "process of dying" after contracting the virus. Her mother is praying for a miracle.
A school in Nebraska had to cancel classes due to staff getting infected with the virus. (This is going to happen over and over all across the country...)
A sorority at Oklahoma State has 23 cases.
A sorority at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga has had an outbreak.
The University of North Carolina reported a 4th cluster of positive cases in the last three days.
Penn State has come under fire for asking students to sign a COVID 19 agreement.
A teacher has created national database of COVID-19-related school closings, cases and deaths.
A teacher has given tips to help little kids stay safe if they do have to go to school.
A high school student in Oklahoma went to school on the first day of classes, knowing he was infected. He thought it was okay because he was asymptomatic.
A high school football player has tested positive for the virus in Tennessee.
In Salt Lake City County, 79 teachers have either retired or resigned due to COVID 19 concerns.
The CDC was blindsided when the president said he may dispatch the organization to schools to help with reopenings.
A school district in Nebraska canceled classes after positive test results.
As schools in Texas reopen, the state is not tracking virus data in the classroom.
At least 2,400 students and school staff across the country have tested positive or are in isolation following a possible exposure to the virus as the train wreck of attempted school reopenings gets underway.
Jared Kushner said he will "absolutely" send his children back to school when they reopen despite virus concerns.
A report suggests that 55% of coronavirus patients still have neurological problems three months after recovering.
Pregnant women face special risks from the virus.
Vacation spots, salons, and youth sport leagues are now asking people to sign coronavirus waivers to participate.
It is okay to say "No" to social events during the pandemic.
One family in Ohio has had 5 members get infected all at the same time---and they claim they were so careful.
COVID 19 cases are on the rise again in nursing homes.
A Toronto strip club worker may have exposed 550 people to COVID 19.
A hospital's ICU unit in Hawaii had to be closed down temporarily after several staff members tested positive.
Two large raves in New York were busted over the weekend. They were in direct violation of state's virus restrictions.
Video from social media shows a large college party at off-campus housing in Georgia with no social distancing and very few masks.
Actor Ryan Reynolds has asked young people to not kill his mother in Canada by spreading the virus.
Japanese residents are concerned about COVID 19 outbreaks at the US military bases in Okinawa.
Costa Mesa, CA was the scene of a large anti-mask protest on Saturday as a bunch of COVIDiots carried signs and demonstrated in the heat, with no social distancing or (of course) masks...right after Orange County marked 800 coronavirus deaths.
The number of coronavirus cases in South Carolina dropped 46% in those areas with mask mandates.
A woman was arrested in a Phoenix airport after refusing to wear a mask on her flight. She reportedly hit a gate agent and was not allowed to board a connecting flight.
France is planning to make masks mandatory in the workplace. (They weren't already??)
The governor of Oregon is expanding the mask mandate.
Some Texas counties have extended mask mandates.
A doctor ran 22 miles wearing a face mask to prove they are safe.
The governor of Georgia is doubling down against a mask mandate.
The Michigan senator who got COVID 19 was not wearing a mask at a protest against the governor.
Here is a very detailed article about the complexities of making a coronavirus vaccine and the incredible speed it is being done in.
Bill Gates is spending $150 million to get the vaccine--when one is deemed successful--available to the poorest countries for as little as $3 a pop.
Although there is currently no vaccine for the virus available, a lawyer has determined that a 1905 legal precedent gives states the right to fine or jail people who refuse vaccines. Whether or not that will ever be used in the case of a vaccine for the coronavirus remains to be seen.
A new report says that 40% of COVID 19 tests come back too late to be clinically meaningful.
As fewer tests are being done, doubt has been cast on the apparent falling case count.
The governor of Texas tried explaining why his state is seeing a decline in testing by stating that not enough people are coming forward to be tested. (That sounds totally bogus, but...)
The new saliva-based COVID 19 test is cheap and could be a game changer.
Should you get tested before meeting up with family and friends?
The first human COVID 19 vaccine test volunteers discussed their symptoms and experience with the vaccine.
A test for COVID 19 T-cell immunity has been developed.
The University of Southern California has determined the order symptoms of COVID 19 come on to help people know when to self isolate and/or seek care.
Evictions are coming. Las Vegas is bracing for them. In California, with evictions on the horizon, more than 1 million still have no unemployment benefits.
In some areas, evictions are already happening. You can see one occurring in Kansas City, where the landlord's representative tells the evictee that it's "not his problem." The problem is so widespread in South Carolina, it signals just how bad the homelessness situation could get here.
The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has spurred on a mass exodus out of high-priced San Francisco.
South Dakota has turned down the president's promised unemployment boost.
As the virus explodes across Africa, Africans have used creativity and ingenuity to combat it with these 10 innovations.
Two top CDC officials have stepped down in the midst of the virus crisis.
The CDC has updated its stance on how long a person maintains immunity following the coronavirus infection.
The president of the St. Louis Cardinals blames the team's outbreak on close quarters and dining halls. Duh!
A poll shows that Americans oppose exceptions from virus restrictions for religious purposes (probably because that has shown to be a recipe for disaster time and time again).
A report discusses those in denial of the realities of COVID 19.
Violent crime is on the rise as the pandemic continues.
Experts say that mental health access during the pandemic is vital for many people.
People in Arizona who have recovered from the virus have shared their stories.
A COVID 19 patient married his fiancee while in the hospital.
A reporter asked the president if he regretted lying to the American people since being elected.
A small boutique has survived the pandemic by holding online streaming fashion shows.
The movie industry is slowly coming back to life at the box office and in regards to movie and TV production. The latest Jurassic World sequel is cautiously back in production. However, one report suggests that the entire future of the movie industry hinges on the upcoming release of TENET...if it ever does come out...as movie theaters have been on life support since the pandemic hit.
Pepperoni is the latest item to come up in short supply due to the pandemic.
A condo community in Chicago has created "The Land of Make Believe" to boost spirits during the pandemic.
The Off-Broadway GOLDEN GIRLS LIVE has become a virtual event.
Not that it is virus-related, but charities need help regardless of what else is going on in the world. You can help animals, the rain forests, literacy programs, etc. at no cost to you, with just a few clicks on your computer or mobile device.
Linda, in Castro Valley, CA sent me this news item about an event the pandemic has called off this year:
GLOBAL:
There are 21,674,130 cases of the virus worldwide. There have been 775,246 deaths globally.
As virus fatalities pass 750,000 globally, many countries are tightening restrictions in the hopes of slowing the tide of death.
Europe is seeing surges of infections in France, Spain and Germany.
The UK has added France to its quarantine list.
A testing error in Germany had the state of Bavaria scrambling to track down people returning from abroad who had tested positive.
Russia reported 5,000 new cases. There are thousands of migrant workers stranded in the country due to travel restrictions.
Mexico's confirmed cases is nearing the 500,000 mark.
South Korea nipped the virus in the bud not long after the pandemic started. Now they've seen their biggest increase of the coronavirus in months.
Australia had 303 more cases and 4 deaths on Saturday. They are all still centered in the state of Victoria.
STATES:
Rhode Island has a 5% death rate from COVID 19. A doctor there criticized the state and added his two cents as to how the state should handle things to get the virus under control.
Massachusetts had 303 new cases and 11 deaths reported on Sunday.
New Jersey had 329 new cases and 4 deaths yesterday.
Maryland became the 19th state to join the 100,000 confirmed cases of the virus club.
South Carolina had 537 new cases reported on Sunday.
A report says that the virus problem in Georgia is huge and expanding rapidly. The state added 1,873 new cases on Sunday.
Florida---wow!---reported 3,779 new cases on Sunday with 107 virus-related deaths.
Michigan reported 565 new cases and 6 deaths on Sunday.
Ohio added 613 new confirmed cases and 2 virus-related deaths on Sunday.
Kentucky had 390 more cases yesterday than it did on Saturday.
Wisconsin raked up 685 new cases and 1 death Sunday.
Minnesota listed 754 more cases on Sunday.
Iowa had 573 new cases and 2 deaths reported on Sunday.
Arkansas had 851 new cases on Saturday and schools will be opening there in less than a week.
North Dakota checked in with 143 new cases and 4 deaths on Sunday.
Cases in Nebraska have leveled off, but there are large spikes in some areas.
A backlog of testing in Dallas County, Texas shows an additional 5,195 cases from the last 6 months. One report says that one in five who are tested in the state are positive for the virus. The infection and death rate in the Texas prison system is one of the worst in the country.
Montana bumped up 92 more cases of the virus yesterday.
Colorado reports that the entire state only has 167 hospitalizations for coronavirus patients.
Utah had 345 more cases and 3 deaths on Saturday and reported 331 new cases of the virus yesterday.
Arizona had 883 new cases and 14 deaths on Sunday.
Idaho reported 299 new cases on Saturday---which was only the third time this month the number was less than 300. The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories has ramped up testing as cases there have really started to take off.
Washington had 746 new cases yesterday and 11 deaths.
Oregon released an updated list of 10 zip codes with the most cases per capita in the state.
Hawaii may be heading for another shutdown in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.
CALIFORNIA:
The coronavirus is being complicated by the worst power shortage in the state in decades (The temperature where I am reached 111 yesterday! Phew!)
San Bernardino County is urging all of its residents to get tested.
California calls for online learning that is 'equivalent' of in-person classes.
A special education teacher in San Jose appeared shirtless in a Zoom class and shocked many.
Some parents in Southern California have sued the governor over school closures.
Lake Tahoe residents plan to protest the hoards of visitors they've been having during the pandemic. They want tourists to stay home.
LOCAL:
Fresno County has issued new guidelines for those who have tested positive for the virus who want to return to work. No follow up testing is necessary (!?!).
Valley school districts say students must be immunized to attend classes--even if they are virtual.
Central Valley schools are finding new ways to make sure students get meals.
New school supplies were handed out at a drive-by event for needy students.
Kaweah Delta Hospital has a social distancing learning area for kids of healthcare workers working at the facility.
A restaurant in Clovis was fined for serving customers indoors.
The Fresno City Counsel COVID panel is deciding how to spend CARES Act money.
A school near Farmersville is holding in-person learning, despite the state's mandate to do remote learning only.
Tulare schools are splitting virtual learning time between mornings and afternoons.
Clovis Unified students must follow dress code for Zoom remote learning classes.
A 13-year-old in Fresno started a free library, so that every child will have a book to read.
Although not virus related, Shirley wanted me to add this. She hopes this little guy finds his person again.
CREATIVITY:
There is a new Quarantine Barbie from Tonya Ruiz:
Here is another clever video about the coronavirus personified:
WILL & GRACE actor Leslie Jordan is back with another vlog entry:
Political ads of this era are smart and to the point. Here are some recent ones:
'
MAIL:
Rosa, in London, sent a brief note, checking in:
"I am really busy with work," she said. "I hope you are okay, and hope you keep yourself safe. In London, all is well, but people are a bit funny with face masks. The government has made it mandatory in shops and on public transport, but not on the streets. So now you have the ones really keen on face masks (wearing it everywhere) being hassled by those observing the rules (wearing it on public transport and in shops), because the latter don't want the face mask rules extended and don't want these 'normalised on the streets.' So, all in all, a War of the Facemask Roses. Finally.
"I should leave you with a cartoon. Just because we both love posters and both dislike...well...you know..."
One of my Instagram friends, Guillaume (or Bill, if you prefer) in France, just celebrated his 25th anniversary with his wife. He and his family recently returned from a vacation in Spain. He sent some photos and a chart when he dropped me this note:
"We keep our masks on all of the time, except when eating in a restaurant," he said. "But we have to put it back on just to go to the toilets.
"The virus is not contained here either. It seemed to be under control, but it's starting to come back strong in some areas. Many people think that, after being confined home, as they were able to go back to work and go on vacation, it was okay. But it's not. Wearing a mask was an obligation only in public transports. And it was strongly advised in the shops. Now it's an obligation in any public spaces. But not yet in the streets. People are told to still pay caution. It's not only a matter of not catching it, it's also a matter of not transmitting it. So far, schools should be open for masked students in the beginning of September.
"It's coming back because people don't pay enough attention. It's not critical yet and no one speaks about a second wave, but it increases.
"In Spain, you have to wear a mask anywhere. Except on the beach, but even there, you're supposed to keep a distance between people. And we got used to that this summer, so we keep on wearing a mask in the street here, also. It's not yet an obligation."
My friend Mikey in Iowa sent an update about life there as well as the fate of his dog late Thursday:
"The COVID cases here are really going up," he said. "It seems that nobody is wearing masks any more except for us and the employees at the stores. The number of cases used to be at around 40 for the longest time, but these past few days have made the numbers grow to 87. I think it's because they had a classic car event going on and, a week after that, the football team of the local high school had a huge get-together. Of course, nobody had masks on. At least we seem to be okay so far.
"On the Tiki front, she didn't make it. It was a very sad day indeed. Tiki had an exam last Tuesday and her surgery was scheduled for this coming Tuesday. Unfortunately Tiki's benign stomach tumor suddenly enlarged yesterday and became infected/gangrenous. She was unresponsive. I called the emergency line and finally got someone to answer. We headed to the vet within the hour for an emergency series of antibiotics and prep for surgery Tuesday morning. The surgery was risky due to her age and heart murmur. She was a tough little booger and we were keeping our fingers crossed.
The exam showed a temperature of 105. The infection was advanced and spreading quickly. They had Tiki on IV antibiotics, fluids and feeding. The next 24 hours would decide if she survived. She had a bad infection and was unable to make it to the surgery, so we took her in to the emergency vet. Her kidneys shut down and we had barely enough time to say goodbye. At least she is at peace.
"We took the other two dogs in today for dental work. I was really nervous about going back to the vet as they weren't wearing masks last time we were there. Today, they all had masks on.
"It has been really hot here lately and we are unable to get anything done outside due to the heat. We also are having a drought. That isn't helping the garden much. At least we don't have to mow the lawn. It isn't growing."
SHIRLEY:
I don't know what has gotten into Shirley lately, but she has just been so restless. I'm thinking it must be the heat. Even though she spends the bulk of the time in my air conditioned home, laying on the cool tile (which is on a cement slab), she must still sense that it is hot outside -- and it's making her a bit wild.
On Friday morning when I got up, I discovered that she had pushed her box house into the dining room table. She wasn't in it. She was sleeping in the corner next to the cabinet.
She later woke up and wanted to go outside. It was late in the day for her to want to go out (and HOT), but I happily opened the door for her and out she went.
She didn't stay out all that long. When she came to the door and wanted in, she walked to the corner by the refrigerator. Usually when she comes in, she goes to sleep. But not on Friday. She kept trying to dig into the baseboard tile. Scratch! Scratch! SCRATCH!
She is a California Desert Tortoise, which is also known as a gopher tortoise, because they like to burrow underground to keep cool. The dirt in my backyard is too hard for her to burrow into and the tile isn't going to give way to her efforts either. Since she seemed so manic that day, I cut up an old Amazon box diagonally and put it in the space so she could dig into the cardboard.
I thought she'd claw at it a while and then go to sleep...but she scratched and clawed at it for hours and hours! What was up with her? She eventually pushed the two halves together and I thought she'd finally go to sleep.
Nope. It was only after she crawled behind the cardboard that she finally settled in for the night.
The next day, she was just as grumpy and antsy as she had been the day before. And she showed me her general dissatisfaction with the universe by not only pooping, but peeing all over the floor back there. UGH! What was up with her? Fortunately, when she emerged from the corner, she wanted to go outside again.
While she was outside (for a long while...and she eventually came back to the door to be let in), I cleaned and mopped up that area of the floor in the corner that she'd soiled. She came in and went to sleep in the corner. I pushed the cardboard pieces behind her to give her some privacy.
On Sunday, she was back into crazy tortoise destructo mode! She clawed her way into another cardboard box I had sitting by the fridge with bottle in it. I was afraid that she'd knock them over and hurt herself, so I piled the bottles up on the counter. She proceeded to rip through the bottom of the box.
She was a pretty wild child all day long and ended up making a big mess. The house is cool--much cooler than outside---but maybe the fact that it is 111 degrees today is driving her bonkers in some secret reptilian-animal way I just don't understand? Poor, Shirley. (Or maybe she's just being an ornery, spoiled poop head?)
ME:
I had my exit interview on Friday. I was dreading it (Was it really necessary?), but it wasn't bad. It started off with with my department's new manager, Eleana, introducing herself. She started after I was out on leave already, but she said she had heard nothing but good things about me. I really didn't know what to say, so I welcomed her to the unit. Eleana informed me that as of that day I was terminated--which I already knew. (I'd actually expected my termination date to have been Monday. Perhaps my scheduled return to work date had been Friday? That would have been my normal work schedule day...) However, she said I was highly eligible for rehiring and she encouraged me to reapply if I was taken off of work restrictions.
Shervin, the woman from personnel that I had been working with through my leave process, told me that my termination had no negative connotations. If I am able to go back to work and get rehired within 6 months, it would be as if I had never left in regards to my seniority and status as an employee. My termination will have no bearing on my state disability payments --- and my health insurance would run to the end of the month (which is super, as I'd had a doctor's appointment with my primary the Tuesday before, have an appointment with the new neurologist later today, have an appointment with my cardiologist Tuesday, my dentist Wednesday, and my hematologist the following Monday. Ha!). Shervin also said that she would send me information on long-term disability insurance if I needed it. I told her to send it, just in case.
It was short and no big deal--but still awkward and a bit surreal to be ending my time with the hospital.
The "fence neighbors" still have their big ass trailer parked in front of my house. It's been there about two weeks now. It's no big deal. It's just the principle of it. It's so rude to just block my view like that. But that is how they are.
Also on Friday, I ran a few errands. I went to the bank---and they handle the whole virus thing very well there, as I have said before.
We (Erich--who is here until Monday, Shookie--in her own, socially distant car, and I) were planning on seeing National Lampoon's VACATION with THE LOST BOYS at the drive in movies in Madera on Friday.
However, we did not go. It was 108 that day and the idea of sitting in the car --even with the windows down-- was unthinkable. So we passed. Shookie really wants to go to the drive in, as does Erich...so we are hoping to go in the fall before it closes for the season. Shookie and I may try to go before then, though. Erich and I ended up watching THE LOST BOYS (which he had never seen) at home on DVD instead.
On Saturday, I got my termination paperwork. Zowie! The hospital wasted no time. They Fed Ex-ed it to me.
Also on Saturday, I got a surprise from my mom. Somewhere she found a place that made me a custom tiki bar sign...with my name on it. How cool! I love it. THANK YOU, Mom.
Since Erich is leaving Monday (and I needed to work on this blog all day Sunday), we decided to have a nice-ish early "farewell"dinner Saturday night. Despite them having set up a nice outdoor seating area with lights and misters in their parking lot, we just ordered and picked up something from Colton's Social House in Clovis to take home. (Misters or not, who wants to eat in the heat?) While we waited for the food to arrive, I snapped a photo. Almost no one is wearing a mask in this picture. Jeepers! How stupid (and RUDE) people are.
CHEERS!
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