Thursday, April 2, 2020

Self-isolation Day 17.


Even though I left the apt yesterday, I’m still going to count it as an isolation day since I didn’t have the freedom to go wherever I wanted.


Last night I went to bed at 10:30, fell asleep quickly, woke up at 5:15 and got up at 6:15.  I took a little nap after breakfast.


My pension and SS money arrived in my account so at least I know the government’s computers are working.


I called Jose to check on how he and Maria are doing.  They are as bored as we are.


A military helicopter circled overhead a couple times broadcasting something about the coronavirus.


I had Teresa call Alpha, the nature store, and deliver a bottle of L-Arginina for 31,900.  (I think the original price is closer to 25mil but I guess that’s the cost of delivery in these uncertain times.)

Per Johns Hopkins data, reported coronavirus cases worldwide passed 1,000,000 with 50,000 deaths.  (Confirmed cases topped 500,000 a week ago so its doubled in a week.)

World Health Organization: “Over the past five weeks, we have witnessed a near exponential growth in the number of new cases, reaching almost every country, territory, and area.”

If you don’t want to reread my Trump coronavirus posting, may I direct your attention to at least Infectious disease specialist Dr. Desai’s statements April 1^st on Fox News.


Look at the contrast between these two quotes:

February 5^th, 2020: Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweets “Just left the Administration briefing on coronavirus.  Bottom Line: they aren’t taking this serious enough.  Notably, no request for ANY emergency funding, which is a big mistake. Local health systems need supplies, training, screening staff, etc. And they need it now.”

March 9^th, 2020: Trump: “The Fake News Media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything within its semi-considerable power to inflame the CoronaVirus situation, far beyond what the facts would warrant.

So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!”

That was the month the Trump administration wasted, 4+ weeks that could have been used to prepare for the coronavirus.  I can’t wait to see the congressional investigations.  Back to “what did you know and when did you know it?” for agencies and individuals.  Someone(s) should be held accountable for the lack of preparedness.  Let’s find out who it was that put the country in unncecessary danger.  Of course, now we’re busy fighting the coronavirus so it won’t go into high gear until this epidemic is in the rear-view mirror.



Joke of the day

A newly ordained priest, nervous about hearing confessions, finally asks an older priest to observe how he does and give some tips.

After listening in on the second confession, the older priest suggested that the younger man fold his arms, maybe rub his chin with one hand while saying phrases like "I see" or "I understand" or "Yes, my child. Go on".

The young priest puts the suggestions into practice and later tells the older priest how much it has helped getting more information from his flock.

"You've done well," said the older man.  "Isn't that much better than slapping your knee and yelling 'No way! What happened next?'"