Thursday, April 30, 2020

And another day of protesting, punishing a country for his own mistakes, billions to large companies, a staggering number of unemployed, and now over 63,000 deaths that for some reason makes him proud comes to a close:

"House Republicans created a special committee and spent more than two years investigating the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya. Now, Republicans resist any House attempts to investigate Trump’s mishandling of the coronavirus." -- Max Boot

Deaths
US: 63,861 (+2193)
World: 234,105 (+5882)

Countdown: 187 days.

The Trump administration is formulating a long-term plan to punish China for the coronavirus pandemic, including the possibility of sanctions, canceling US debt obligations and drawing up new trade policies.

Hundreds of protesters, some carrying guns in the state Capitol, demonstrate against Michigan's emergency measures. -- Assault rifles to protest the 6-foot social distancing guideline? WTF?

"Our death totals, our numbers, per million people, are really very, very strong. We're very proud of the job we've done." -- Donald Trump. Yes, he said that.

While Trump minimizes the toll, government orders 100,000 new body bags.

Rare complication seen in some kids with COVID-19.

Trump contradicts US intel community by claiming he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab. -- He declined to give specifics.

The US plans to lend $500 billion to large companies. It won't require them to preserve jobs or limit executive pay.

A Staggering Toll: 30 Million Have Filed For Unemployment.

The Biden Trap. As the candidate faces credible assault allegations, his progressive female colleagues are being offered a poisoned chalice.

Danes and Czechs say easing lockdowns has produced no Covid-19 surge.

Brazil's surge in coronavirus cases, and its open borders, alarms neighboring countries.

The novel frugality. After decades of materialism, some Americans are experimenting with thriftiness for the first time.

States Expand Internet Voting Experiments Amid Pandemic, Raising Security Fears.

Costco will require shoppers to wear face coverings.

Georgia waives road test requirement for driver's license during coronavirus. The state government will rely on the honor system, with parents giving young drivers the OK to obtain a license.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

And another day of deaths, demands, contradictions, unemployment benefits, sexual allegations, McConnell being McConnell, Kushner being Kushner, and Trump being Trump comes to a close:

“By a lie, a man...annihilates his dignity as a man.” -- Immanuel Kant

Deaths
US: 61,668 (+2402)
World: 228,223 (10,251)

Countdown: 188 days.

More Americans have died of the coronavirus than in the Vietnam War. — And it only took three months. The Vietnam conflict lasted nearly 20 years.

Public, private health labs may never be able to meet demand for coronavirus testing over supply chain shortages.

Trump downplays the need for coronavirus testing in another whiplash contradiction.

A tale of two summers: White House diverges from health experts over what's to come.

The White House has ordered intel agencies to probe whether China and the WHO initially hid what they knew about the pandemic. A specific "tasking" seeking information about the outbreak's early days was sent last week to NSA, CIA, and DIA. — He is desperately searching for a scapegoat, but, you know? It’s the Republican way.

States tell workers they'll lose unemployment benefits if they refuse to return to jobs. “If you're an employer and you offer to bring your employee back to work and they decide not to, that's a voluntary quit," Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said Friday. "Therefore, they would not be eligible for the unemployment money.” — To Republicans, you are expendable. They are literally trying to kill you.

A very deliberate reopening by Inslee: Washington is not Georgia.

McConnell's focus when the Senate comes back will be judges, not coronavirus. — He knows his time to keep fucking the country over is coming to an end.

Kushner calls US coronavirus response a 'success story' as cases hit 1 million. -- I’d hate to see a failure. Seriously, though, they are just following the playbook of repeating lies until people believe them.

Trump said the federal coronavirus social distancing guidelines that were set to expire Thursday won't be extended and will be "fading out" because "now the governors are doing it."

Russia’s coronavirus outbreak is getting bad. Putin says the worst is yet to come.

Trump says he hopes for "massive" rallies of "25,000" this year. -- Such a small, petty man.

Federal judge unseals new set of documents provided to lawyers for fmr. Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, that could provide them with new ammunition for attacking the FBI's handling of the case.

New Information Emerges Around Biden Sexual Assault Allegation.

Trump erupts at campaign manager as reelection stress overflows. -- He didn’t like the poll numbers.

Elon Musk slams "fascist" social distancing measures in California, saying the orders pose a "serious risk" to the company: "Give people back their g**d*** freedom". -- Shut up, Musk. Rich people want poor people to risk their lives to make those rich people richer.

'Dangerous & disrespectful': Doctors tear into Pence's mask-less hospital visit. -- Pence respects no one.

Meteorologists say 2020 on course to be hottest year since records began.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

And another day of abhorrent American leadership setting horrendous examples for the American people comes to a close:

“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.” -- John C. Maxwell

Deaths
US: 59,266 (+2469)
World: 217,972 (+6366)

Countdown: 189 days.

U.S. coronavirus cases top 1 million, having doubled in 18 days.

Guidelines call for 14-day drop in cases to reopen. No state has met them. -- But who needs guidelines when you’ve got your gut.

Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open amid coronavirus pandemic. Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to use the Defense Production Act to compel meat processing plants to stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic, and he will provide liability protections, according to three sources familiar with the plan.

This May Be the Real Reason Trump Is Throwing a Bone to Meatpackers. It’s unclear what Trump meant by “liability.” The White House did not immediately return a request for clarification. But here’s a theory.

COVID-19 testing for anyone draws a crowd in hard-hit Detroit. Detroit residents waited for hours on Tuesday to get free COVID-19 tests at a new facility that for the first time offered testing to people who did not already have symptoms of the disease and a doctor’s authorization for the test.

Trump says he wants blue states to give him "sanctuary-city adjustments" in exchange for federal financial relief. WTAF?

How Washington state, a model for public health, plans to relax social distancing.

VP Mike Pence, who leads the White House’s coronavirus task force, tours the Mayo Clinic without a mask. Vice President Mike Pence toured the Mayo Clinic without a mask despite that renowned medical facility requiring all visitors had to wear masks to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

Pence flouts Mayo Clinic policy by touring coronavirus testing facility without a mask. Pence defended his actions afterward, saying he didn't need a mask because he is "tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis." -- And that matters because...?

Out of 12 antibody tests that were studied by the COVID-19 Testing Project, one gave false positives more than 15% of the time. Three other tests gave false positives more than 10% of the time. "That's really terrible," one of the study authors said.

Trump said today that Fauci had said in late February that the virus was “no problem.” That’s not what Fauci said.

Rep. Justin Amash, a Republican-turned-independent who has been critical of President Trump, says he is launching an exploratory committee for the 2020 Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination. -- If he runs, this could help Trump.

Who is Worthy? Deaf-Blind People Fear Doctors Won’t Save Them From the Coronavirus.

Sweden says its coronavirus approach has worked. The numbers suggest a different story.

German doctors have stripped naked in a series of photos to show how vulnerable they feel without adequate PPE on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump tells governors to 'seriously consider and maybe get going' on opening schools. -- Shut up, Don.

The Americans who suffered when the economy shut down are also in more danger as it reopens.

Fifa medical chair does not want to restart this football season.

'Don't have to fight for pennies': New Zealand safety net helps sex workers in lockdown. Sex workers have spent decades working with the government. This has proved life-saving during the Covid-19 crisis.

Mandatory evacuation orders are expanded as flooding worsens in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Thick ice jams stretching for kilometres downstream have caused the Athabasca River to spill into low-lying parts of town.

Ohio election to test vote by mail during coronavirus crisis.

“There's never time to just stop.” “I am just in awe of those moms who are balancing multiple kids, trying to work while also suddenly trying to also be their kids’ teacher, while also getting food on the table and trying to keep sane at the same time.”

The pandemic is messing with our concept of time. If it feels like your brain is turning into mush, you're not alone. Experts say it all has to do with how the pandemic is affecting our cognitive health -- meaning, our ability to clearly think, learn and remember.

The coronavirus might be bringing entire sections of the global economy and society to a halt, but it has not slowed the militarisation of space.

An asteroid estimated to be 1.2 miles wide will fly by Earth early Wednesday morning, but it's not expected to collide with our planet. -- It’s only a matter of time until one does again.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, April 27, 2020

And another busy day comes to a close:

"There has been so much unnecessary death in this country. It could've been stopped and it could have been stopped short, but somebody a long time ago, it seems, decided not to do it that way. And the whole world is suffering because of it." -- Donald Trump

Wow. A confession.

Deaths:
US: 56,797 (+1384)
World: 211,606 (+4611)

Countdown: 190 days.

Trump suggested Monday that the federal government should not be responsible for bailing out states and cities that are struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Remember, he boasted about wanting to see it all come crashing down. It appears he’s actively trying to make that happen.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell concedes there will probably be money for state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief bill, counter to what he said last week.

Trump downplayed coronavirus despite more than a dozen warnings in daily briefings. Trump received more than a dozen warnings about the coronavirus outbreak in daily briefings in January and February, but continued to downplay the virus' threat and severity.

Trump's Monday coronavirus news conference in the White House Rose Garden was shorter than usual and at least somewhat less acrimonious than many of the briefings he's held over the past month. But Trump still made false and misleading claims, most of them repeats from past briefings. And Vice President Mike Pence accused a reporter of a misunderstanding about testing that Pence's own words had created weeks earlier.

Some physicians are reporting increases of patients in their 30s and 40s with COVID-19-related strokes that result when clots block blood vessels leading to the brain.

Antibody tests can't yet say who's immune to COVID-19, but they can show who's at risk.

Groceries could see meat shortages by end of week amid plant closings.

Trump said he takes no responsibility for the spike in people using disinfectants improperly. -- Of course he does. Because he’s an asshole. Which I really shouldn’t say because assholes are necessary. Trump isn’t.

The head of the Kansas Poison Control Center reported a more than 40 percent increase in cleaning chemical cases. “Including a fellow over the weekend who drank a product because of the advice he’d received" from Trump. -- Trump and Republicans are literally trying to kill you.

New York has to borrow money from the federal government to pay its state unemployment benefits.

Barr directs prosecutors to look for state and local stay-home orders that go too far. The AG said he was concerned about directives that could be "violating the constitutional rights and civil liberties of individual citizens."

Thousands visit beaches as Southern California experiences heat wave amid coronavirus outbreak. -- Just keeping the virus keeping on.

Texas to lift some virus-linked restrictions, restart business in phases: governor.

Inslee announces partial reopening of outdoor recreation activities. The restrictions lift on May 5.

On Monday, restaurants across Tennessee are allowed to welcome dine-in customers for the first time in nearly a month. That comes a day after the state reported its highest single-day jump in newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Italy, UK explore possible COVID-19 link to child inflammatory disease.

Wuhan is on a slow path back to normality after 76-day coronavirus lockdown.

As stores reopen in Germany after a month-long lockdown, wearing face masks on public transit will be mandatory — with some regions imposing fines on those who don't comply.

New Zealand claims 'elimination' of coronavirus with new cases in single digits. “...that never meant zero but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from."

Harvard will reopen this fall, although remote learning may continue, provost says.

Dr. Birx waves off Trump’s disinfectant comments, says ‘this was a musing’. — Yep, she has no credibility left.

Trump used his latest coronavirus briefing to push a bizarre lie about the national deficit. He wants you to believe the deficit was falling before the coronavirus hit. In fact, it increased each year of his presidency. Trump has a long history of telling lies about everything from Obama’s birth certificate to wind turbines causing cancer. But this particular claim about the national deficit still stands out as whopper, even by his impressive standards.

Republicans may undermine mail-In voting just by running down the clock.

New York state cancels presidential primary over coronavirus risk.

U.S. House committee launches probe of Trump WHO aid cutoff.

Disruption [in education] isn’t just exposing inequities. It’s multiplying them.

With about 20 million barrels of crude oil on board, dozens of tankers are anchored along the California coast — turning into floating storage as the demand for oil plummets.

Former WNBA player Tamara Moore becomes only female head coach in men's college.

“Millions of people every day are throwing away poopy diapers, and they don’t realize how much information is actually contained in each poop.” What if the Secret to Preventing Several Common Diseases Is Hiding in Our Babies’ Poop? There’s one big problem, though: The bacteria has largely disappeared in American babies.

The largest-ever Arctic ozone hole developed this spring. Now, scientists say it's closed.

Pentagon formally releases 3 Navy videos showing "unidentified aerial phenomena". The Navy pilots found an oblong object about 40 feet long hovering about 50 feet above the water, and it began a rapid ascent as the pilots approached before quickly flying away. "It accelerated like nothing I've ever seen.” -- Yes, these are cool.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

And another day of economies, beaches, proposals, warnings, antibody tests, vaccinations, tracing apps, and “uncivilized behaviour” comes to a close:

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” -- Winston Churchill

Deaths
US: 55,413 (+1148)
World: 206,995 (+3706)

Countdown: 191 days.

Europe's economy was hit just as hard as the United State's, but they're handling their financial crisis differently. The U.K. is paying 80% of laid-off workers' salaries — and they have the guarantee of going back to work after the pandemic is over.

Seattle’s leaders let scientists take the lead. New York’s did not. The initial coronavirus outbreaks on the East and West Coasts emerged at roughly the same time. But the danger was communicated very differently. — I’m so very grateful to be living in the Pacific Northwest.

People crowd Southern California beaches despite coronavirus concerns.

Governors in several southern states have moved to reopen at least parts of their economies. But experts warn a "toxic mix" of extreme health inequities, lack of local hospitals, and poverty ensures the pandemic will "rage" through the South.

Republican senator proposes a $500 billion bail out for state and local governments. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a republican from Louisiana, is proposing a $500 billion bill that would give emergency relief funds to state and local governments as several of the nation's governors say they need federal money to continue daily operations.

A housing association representing the richest zip code in America was approved to receive $2M of emergency coronavirus relief from the small business loan program, despite suffering no layoffs and no apparent financial impact from the pandemic.

Could Coronavirus Antibody Tests Really Help Colleges Reopen in the Fall? At Arizona, leaders are considering telling students who get positive antibody results that they may gather in ways that their antibody-negative peers can’t: attend pep rallies, for example, or take classes in person...There are a few major problems with using antibody tests as a “go/no-go” signal right now. One is the question of any test’s accuracy.

Missed vaccinations could lead to other fatal outbreaks, doctors warn.

Children in Spain are allowed out of the house for the first time in six weeks as coronavirus deaths in the country continue to decline.

Beijing bans "uncivilised" behaviour such as not covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, in a new set of regulations to improve public hygiene amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Australians rush to download coronavirus tracing app, PM's popularity soars.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

And another day comes to a close:

“Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is.” -- Charles M. Schulz

Deaths
US: 54,265 (+1780)
World: 203,289 (+6044)

Countdown: 192 days.

Trump says briefings 'not worth the effort' amid fallout from disinfectant comments.

There is no evidence yet that people who have had coronavirus are immune from a second infection, the World Health Organization warns.

Trump Has Started Accusing the Dems of Stealing the 2020 Election.

The world is facing multiple famines of "biblical proportions" in just a matter of months, the UN has said, warning that the coronavirus pandemic will push an additional 130 million people to the brink of starvation.

Deutsche Bank declined a request by some U.S. senators to provide information about the lender's recent business dealings with President Donald Trump and his family.

A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump admin. was again violating a longstanding agreement that compels the government to release migrant children detained at the border within 20 days and ordered the minors be released.

Social distancing in 100 square feet: Hong Kong's cage homes are almost impossible to self-isolate in.

Why North Korea Is Hell For Women. At least the women in “The Handmaid's Tale” don’t have to cheer in between rapes.

The largest oil-producing area in the U.S. is leaking enough methane to power 7 million households for a year — and it could have catastrophic impacts on climate change.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, April 24, 2020

And another sarcastic day in America comes to a close:

“Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.” -- Samuel Butler

Deaths
US: 52,485 (+2340)
World: 197,245 (+6591)

Countdown: 193 days.

U.S. says will not take part in WHO global drugs, vaccine initiative launch. — Isolationism is not the answer.

World leaders launch $8 billion collaboration to develop coronavirus vaccine. Guess who isn't participating.

Firms with Trump links or worth $100 million got small business loans.

GOP senators open to more emergency relief for states amid divide in party. — In case you forgot, Mitch McConnell is a complete asshole. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Want a mask contract or some ventilators? A White House connection helps. Trump and his top aides have played favorites in awarding coronavirus contracts and allocating scarce resources. -- Trump is all about making him and his cronies richer. He doesn’t give a shit about the American people.

U.S. weighs taking equity stakes in U.S. energy companies, Mnuchin says.

Trump owes tens of millions to the Bank of China — and the loan is due soon.

Not a Joke: The Trump Admin Hired a Dog Breeder to Run Its Coronavirus Task Force. — WTAF?

As U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 51,000, handful of states move toward reopening. — Yeah, that’s smart.

At least 150 doctors have died in Italy after contracting coronavirus, the Italian Association of Doctors said.

The Trump administration said that it plans to ask the Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling that allows the House of Representatives to access secret grand jury material gathered in former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. — Because he wants some things to remain hidden. Mainly his crimes.

Governors' push to reopen states risks second wave of infection, experts warn.

Las Vegas mayor won't give businesses social distancing guidelines for reopening: 'They better figure it out. That's their job'. — Apparently she doesn’t think she has a job.

Sun Rays, Disinfectants And False Hopes: Misinformation Litters The Road To Reopening.

Revealed: leader of group peddling bleach as coronavirus 'cure' wrote to Trump this week. Mark Grenon wrote to Trump saying chlorine dioxide ‘can rid the body of Covid-19’ days before the president promoted disinfectant as treatment

Lysol is begging you not to listen to Donald Trump. “We must be clear that under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route),” the company, Reckitt Benckiser, said on Friday. “As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines.”

The EPA is reminding people to use disinfectant only on surfaces.

Trump says floating injecting disinfectant was sarcasm. — Um no. No it wasn’t. Anyone that watched you say it knows it wasn’t sarcasm.

Dr. Birx has lost all credibility.

Public health experts urged landlords across the globe to carefully re-open buildings to prevent outbreaks of the severe, sometimes lethal, lung infection Legionnaires’ disease.

Hundreds of Amazon tech and fulfillment center employees called out sick Friday, rallying together — virtually — to protest what they say are unsafe and unethical working conditions at its network of fulfillment centers around the world.

The mayor of Japan's third-largest city is facing a public backlash after he suggested men are better suited to grocery shopping during the coronavirus pandemic, because women take too long and contribute to overcrowding at supermarkets. — Dude, shut up.

Germany's Bundesliga could be the first major football league back playing amid the coronavirus pandemic, pending approval from the country's government. The plan could see games restart as early as May 9, with all matches played behind closed doors.

Saudi Arabia to end flogging as form of punishment: document.

Trump: US Postal Service must charge Amazon more, or no loan. The US Postal Service has said that it may not be able to continue service past September without help. — He’s such a vindictive asshole.

Trump said Friday that he won't approve a $10 billion loan for the U.S. Postal Service unless the agency raises charges for Amazon and other big shippers to four to five times current rates.

If we let the US Postal Service die, we’ll be killing small businesses with it.

"Donald Trump’s vendetta against Jeff Bezos continues at Corleone family levels, with the US Post Office caught in the middle.”

A new iOS text-bomb bug can crash your iPhone.

An asteroid estimated to be 1.2 miles wide will fly by Earth next week, but it's not expected to collide with our planet.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

And another day of Trump injecting people with stupidity comes to a close:

“My heart is broken in the face of the stupidity of my species.” -- Joni Mitchell

Deaths
US: 49,845 (+2169)
World: 190,654 (+6431)

Countdown: 194 days.

Coronavirus spread 'under the radar' in US major cities since January, researchers say.

Progressives want Congress to stop bailing out the Pentagon during the pandemic. “If taxpayers are being asked to adjust their budgets, surely the recipient of three quarters of a trillion of our tax dollars can be asked to do the same.”

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday derided Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's suggestion that states whose finances are depleted by the coronavirus epidemic could declare bankruptcy as a "really dumb" idea and warned that financial markets would tank if that were allowed to happen. — Mitch needs to go. Kentucky is like fourth in the country that is subsidized by blue states. He’s a lying sack of shit that’s done more damage to the country than anyone else over the past several years.

Cuomo tells it like it is to McConnell.

Fact check: Trump wrongly suggests sunlight could help cure coronavirus.

Trump inquires about injecting disinfectant to kill the virus. 

"The most important thing is to turn off the faucet of new immigrant labor," Stephen Miller said, according to a person who participated in the call. "Mission accomplished with signing that executive order."

Washington State Builds Coronavirus Contact Tracing 'Fire Brigade'.

The coronavirus pandemic is a dress rehearsal for what awaits us if governments continue to ignore science.

New HHS spokesman made racist comments about Chinese people in now-deleted tweets. The new spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services in a series of now-deleted tweets made racist and derogatory comments about Chinese people, said Democrats wanted the coronavirus to kill millions of people and accused the media of intentionally creating panic around the pandemic to hurt President Donald Trump.

The coronavirus pandemic and its social repercussions are fueling violence by both frustrated individuals and domestic terrorists, a DHS report says.

Trump announces that Thunderbirds and Blue Angels will perform flyovers across the U.S. to honor medical workers. — Seems medical workers would prefer PPE, more testing ability, and ventilators instead, but...

"A fake pandemic": Anti-vaxxers are spreading coronavirus conspiracy theories. — Anti-vaxxers are literally trying to kill you.

The House has approved a roughly $480 billion package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand Covid-19 testing.

Congress Authorizes Another Unconstitutional Giveaway for Religious Worship in Latest Coronavirus Stimulus. — Separation of Church and State, huh?

More than 25% of young Americans say their lives are worse because of President Trump, a new Harvard's Institute of Politics poll finds, in yet another sign that Trump could motivate more younger voters to the polls in November. — He has fucked over their future.

A seemingly healthy 57-year-old Bay Area woman who "suddenly died" in early February has now become the first known US death related to coronavirus.

GOP Quietly Pushes Through Long-Sought Priorities As Pandemic Rages. Rolling back environmental regulations, imposing voter ID, banning abortion — it’s all happening while the public is focused on the coronavirus.

In win for Trump, U.S. Supreme Court makes deporting immigrants for crimes easier.

As people stay home, Earth turns wilder and cleaner. — Earth will be just fine without us. It’s not the planet that needs saving, it’s us humans.

The era of peak travel is over. Covid-19 changed the world’s jet-setting ways in the blink of an eye. It could take years to return to normal.

Dairy farmers dumping milk amid COVID-19: Pandemic's impact on the dairy industry.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

And another day of What The Fuck comes to a close:

“We can all be conned but at what point do we realize that we’re being conned and to what point do we allow ourselves to be conned?” -- Guy Ritchie

Deaths
US: 47,676 (+2336)
World: 184,2223 (+6582)

Countdown: 195 days.

WHO chief urges U.S. to reconsider funding, says 'virus will be with us for a long time'.

Financial doomsday: State, local governments face layoffs, service cuts, projects derailed.

McConnell says he favors state bankruptcy over more federal aid. McConnell said in a radio interview that Republicans would not support giving state and local governments more money in future coronavirus aid legislation, saying those funds could end up being used to bail out state pensions. Speaking on Hugh Hewitt’s syndicated conservative talk radio show, McConnell said he instead “would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route.”

There is no anti-lockdown protest movement. There are protests, but this isn’t a movement, and it’s not the Tea Party 2.0.

Fox News stars have been cheerleading protests against state lockdown orders — yet rarely noting the health risks involved in those very demonstrations. -- Stop watching Fox News.

U.N. warns of 'hunger pandemic' amid threats of coronavirus, economic downturn. An additional 130 million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of 2020 as a result of the outbreak and its economic ramifications.

Director of key federal vaccine agency says his departure was retaliation. The director of the office involved in developing a coronavirus vaccine says he was abruptly dismissed from his post in part because he resisted efforts to widen the availability of a coronavirus treatment pushed by President Donald Trump.

As the coronavirus has begun to appear to be linked to kidney issues, a new round of ethical questions are being raised about who gets treatment and who doesn’t.

People with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are at greater risk for complications from coronavirus, according to a large study of hospitalized patients with the illness.

Covid-19 causes sudden strokes in young adults, doctors say.

'I'd love everything open': Las Vegas mayor's coronavirus interview sparks ire. “Well, how do you know unless you have a control group?” she said, adding that she had offered to let Las Vegas be a control group but was rebuffed by statisticians. -- There’s more. This lady is a whack-job.

Southern states largely go it alone in reopening decisions.

New Study Shows Nearly 9 in 10 Covid-19 Patients on Ventilators Don’t Make It.

Trump mum on hydroxychloroquine as early trials falter, but sick Americans still taking desperate measures to fill prescriptions

Fox News falls out of love with hydroxychloroquine. The quiet abandonment of hydroxychloroquine comes as studies indicate it is not an effective treatment against the coronavirus. -- Both Fox News and Trump repeatedly told the country they believed hydroxychloroquine was a potential cure without any evidence. Why should they be trusted on anything ever again?

The Pentagon Will Use AI to Predict Panic Buying, COVID-19 Hotspots.

Earth-size, habitable-zone planet found hidden in early NASA Kepler data: While the star it orbits is much smaller than our Sun, it gets about 75 percent of the sunlight Earth does.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

And another day of “more important things than living” comes to a close:

“The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.” -- Mark Twain

Deaths
US: 45,340 (+2826)
World: 177,641 (+7205)

Countdown: 196 days.

Operation reopen America: are we about to witness a second historic failure of leadership from Trump?

GOP Texas Lieutenant Governor Says We Need to Take Risk to Get Back to Work: 'There Are More Important Things Than Living'.

Experts say we still don’t have enough tests to safely do something as complicated as reopen the economy.

Trump says "we're in very good shape on testing." A new report shows how far off he is.

California reports highest one-day rise in coronavirus cases. — Yeah, the country is ready to “reopen.”

Bipartisan Senate report backs the intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered to help Donald Trump in 2016 election.

CDC Director Robert Redfield says there could be second, possibly worse coronavirus outbreak this winter.

A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large analysis of its use in U.S. veterans hospitals. There were more deaths among those given hydroxychloroquine versus standard care, researchers reported.

Does Trump have the authority to halt immigration? The answer appears to be yes. Any such sweeping action is bound to produce court challenges, but it's not at all clear that they would succeed.

Two-thirds of voters back vote-by-mail in November 2020. — Demand your state move to vote-by-mail.

From San Francisco to Massachusetts, local and state health departments have begun rolling out efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus by tracing the contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Justice Department will consider taking legal action against governors who continue to impose stringent rules for dealing with the coronavirus that infringe on constitutional rights even after the crisis subsides in their states, Attorney General William Barr said.

Barr calls stay-at-home orders 'disturbingly close to house arrest'.

7 Wisconsin virus cases linked to April 7 in-person voting, health official says.

Colorado will no longer be ordered to stay home starting next week.

Oregon governor says her state cannot rely on the federal government to help with testing

Coronavirus very likely of animal origin, no sign of lab manipulation: WHO.

Nurses don't have proper protection to fight the coronavirus. They're begging Trump to help.

FDA approves first at-home coronavirus test.

Denmark bans companies registered in tax havens from accessing coronavirus bailout money.

Beware a new wave of populism, born out of coronavirus-induced economic inequity.

The pandemic has sparked a rise in hate speech blaming Jews and Israelis for spreading the coronavirus — with anti-Semitic violence increasing 18% since last year, according to a new study.

In a letter to law enforcement officials, FBI Director Christopher Wray said there are concerns "about the potential for hate crimes by individuals and groups" targeting US minority populations who they believe are responsible for spreading coronavirus.

Company With Ties To Trump Receives Millions From Small Business Loan Program. — $5.5 million.

The government is now offering $600, the equivalent of $15 an hour, or double the federal minimum wage, to people who've lost their jobs because of the coronavirus. A Kentucky cafe owner says she's had to close because her workers make more staying home. — Keep in mind the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised in a decade.

Today, the U.S. Department of Education reversed its previous position on the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by excluding students who do not have a social security number.

The Fashion Industry produces about 20% of the wastewater in the world and floods oceans with half a million tons of microplastics every year. Here’s a look at the industry and how it’s harmful.

Televangelist Pat Robertson says God will only cure coronavirus if people ‘confess and forsake’ gay weddings. — Fuck off Pat Robertson.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced today it would be ending its use of PredPol’s predictive policing tool, which the company claims uses artificial intelligence to predict crime, but which critics have called "fundamentally flawed." — Only because of financial constraints due to Covid-19.

Got a Zoom-bombing problem? Zoom will soon let you report attacks in real time.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Monday, April 20, 2020

And another day of white privilege and Republican threats to public health comes to a close:

“Everybody knows that the world is full of stupid people.” -- The Refreshments

Deaths
US: 42,514 (+1949)
World: 170,436 (+5367)

Countdown: 197 days

Trump says WHO didn’t share early information about Covid-19. A new report shows that’s not the case.

The White House Has Erected a Blockade Stopping States and Hospitals From Getting Coronavirus PPE.

Trump said on Monday he will be signing an executive order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States.

The White Privilege of Protesting Stay-Home Orders During a Pandemic. These men and women on the steps of this and that statehouse want the public to see their whiteness, which they know cannot be challenged or punished.

The Republican Party Is a Direct Threat to Public Health. — Has been for quite awhile now.

Fox News Defends Its COVID Lies, Saying First Amendment Protects “False” Speech.

Stay-at-home order protesters represent a minority view. -- But they can still kill many that are in the majority.

Four days after firing his health minister, Brazilian Pres. Jair Bolsonaro says he wants social isolation policies to end this week—as many Brazilian states say they are committed to such policies.

Donald Trump is mad at a Republican governor for buying coronavirus tests for his state.

Covid-19 test makers "falsely claimed" antibody tests can detect the virus, FDA warns.

Georgia governor to reopen some businesses as early as Friday as other states signal similar plans.

Some restaurant chains facing sharp criticism after receiving loans from the government under a small-business relief program.

Oil prices plunged below zero on Monday as demand for energy collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic and traders don't want to get stuck owning crude with nowhere to store it.

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many people to work at home for the first time ever. It could be a prescription for better health if you're disciplined, one doctor says. "This is really your opportunity to get in the best shape of your life."

Just Give Up on Distance Learning. The situation into which almost every parent in America has now suddenly and unwillingly been thrust could not be more different. One-size-fits-all education barely works in a classroom, but it is completely unmanageable with kids spread out across their various households working independently.

Megadrought Conditions Not Seen for 400+ Years Have Returned to the West, Scientists Say. Scientists have long known that the West suffered in the distant past under anomalous dry periods that lasted for decades. The region returning to what researchers call a megadrought or a “paleo-drought” is considered to be a worst-case scenario for water managers.

Coronavirus Fears Have Produced A Lot Of New Gun Owners - And Safety Concerns.

Rise in accidental poisonings coincides with coronavirus lockdowns.

A Chinese football club says that work is underway on a 100,000-seater stadium -- which would be the largest football stadium in the world. Designed in a lotus flower shape, the stadium is scheduled to cost $1.7 billion. — Yeah, right now this doesn’t seem very important.

8 of the 10 most banned books of 2019 were challenged for LGBTQ content, according to a report by the American Library Association. Nearly 600 books spanning a variety of genres and reading levels were the target of censorship attempts at libraries, schools and universities last year, and 8 out of the 10 that made the American Library Association’s “Most Challenged Books” of 2019 list shared a common denominator: LGBTQ content.

NASA telescope sees a massive planet vanish from view.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

And another day “dumb” day comes to a close:

“All imaginable futures are not equally possible.” -- Kevin Kelly

Deaths
US: 40,565 (+1550)
World: 165,069 (+4310)

Countdown: 198 days

US officials at WHO relayed real-time coronavirus information to Trump administration. The reported line of communication undercuts President Donald Trump's assertion that the virus' spread in the US largely stems from a lack of communication from WHO. — Because Trump’s a liar.

We Won’t Know the Exact Moment Democracy Dies. “This is exactly how autocracy works. It creeps in, staking one claim after another, but it does not firmly and finally announce its own arrival.”

Thousands of Americans backed by rightwing donors gear up for protests. Yet while organisers claim the protests are grassroots- and people-driven, a closer look reveals a movement driven by traditional rightwing groups, including one funded by the family of Trump’s education secretary, Betsy DeVos. The rallies have drawn comparisons to the Tea Party movement, which sprang into life in 2009 following the election of Barack Obama and was driven in part by Americans for Prosperity, a group founded by rightwing donors Charles and David Koch.

A group linked to Betsy DeVos helped promote the right-wing protests in Michigan.

How the pandemic gave blue states new leverage over Trump. Republicans control 26 of 50 governorships, but the 24 states with Democratic chief executives account for 58% of America's gross domestic product, according to calculations by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. And those states -- led by behemoths California, the nation's technology hub, and New York, its financial capital -- have made clear they will maintain current restrictions beyond the May 1 target date Trump favors.

Governors decry Trump support of coronavirus protesters: 'Dangerous.’ Governors across the country on Sunday criticized President Donald Trump's expression of solidarity with those protesting various state-issued stay-at-home orders, saying his comments are "dangerous" and "don't make any sense."

Obama administration asked for funding to tackle future pandemics but Republicans refused. — Because Republicans don’t care about your health. They just want you to make them some money

Europe reaches grim milestone, surpasses 100,000 coronavirus deaths.

# FloridaMorons trends on Twitter after images of crowded Florida beaches go viral amid pandemic.

Experts say it may be time for grocery stores to ban customers from coming inside. However, some worker experts, union leaders and small grocery owners believe it has become too dangerous to let customers browse aisles, coming into close range with workers. Grocery stores are still flooded with customers, and experts say it's time for large chains to go "dark" to the public and convert to curbside pickup and home delivery for food and other essential goods.

Trump’s dangerous “LIBERATE” tweets represent the views of a small minority. Don’t let Fox News and the president fool you.

How do you know voting by mail works? The US military's done it since the Civil War.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister May Be the Most Effective Leader on the Planet. Jacinda Ardern’s leadership style, focused on empathy, isn’t just resonating with her people; it’s putting the country on track for success against the coronavirus.

Japan doctors warn of health system 'break down' as cases surge.

People on the Navajo Nation are testing positive for the coronavirus at a rate more than 9 times higher than people in the entire state of Arizona, based on reported cases and 2010 census data.

Italians debated Sunday their first cautious steps out of a coronavirus lockdown that has left an estimated half of the working population seeking government support.

Putin says coronavirus crisis under full control despite record rise in cases. — Sounds familiar.

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv --following social distancing rules -- to warn against what they said was a threat to democracy from ongoing coalition talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz.

How Russia pioneered “fake news.” And then used it to sow chaos in America.

Why Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro joined a protest calling for a military coup. Bolsonaro happily endorsed the right-wing demonstration fueled by anger over coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.

Brazil’s President Still Thinks The Coronavirus Is Like A Little Cold. He’s Putting People In Favelas In Mortal Danger.

Washington state recalls 12,000 COVID-19 test kits due to possible contamination.

These photos show the staggering food bank lines across America. The images are almost apocalyptic, flashing by in the collage of pictures that populate the intro to a sci-fi film. They’re also becoming frighteningly common.

Trump ally Charlie Kirk calls on 'Students for Trump' members to launch 'peaceful rebellion against governors' over stay-at-home orders.

Nancy Pelosi slammed Donald Trump on Fox News this morning. Trump responded with an unhinged Twitter rant.

Trump won't say whether he will pardon Manafort and Stone, calls FBI investigators 'human scum'. -- You voted for a mob boss.

Gunman kills at least 16 in rampage across Nova Scotia.

White supremacists are targeting Jewish groups on Zoom. ‘Extremists never miss an opportunity to leverage a crisis for their hatred.’

Executive order allows couples in New York to get married via video conference.

What it's like to be polyamorous during the coronavirus quarantine. For polyamorous people who have multiple partners — whether with them or not — social distancing adds another ripple into the fabric of these relationships.

Rare white orca spotted in Puget Sound.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Saturday, April 18, 2020

And another day circling the drain comes to a close:

“When it comes to idiots, America’s got more than its fair share. If idiots were energy, it would be a source that would never run out.” -- Lewis Black

Deaths
US: 39,015 (+1857)
World: 160,759 (+6503)

Countdown: 199 days

Health officials are trying to figure out why some coronavirus patients have tested positive again after seeming to recover.

Antibody research indicates coronavirus may be far more widespread than known. The first large-scale community test of 3,300 people in Santa Clara County found that 2.5 to 4.2% of those tested were positive for antibodies -- a number suggesting a far higher past infection rate than the official count.

Protesters in Texas, other states demand end to lockdowns day after Trump's 'LIBERATE' tweets.

Governors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced Saturday the reopening of boatyards and marinas for personal use.

Floridians return to beaches as state begins to loosen restrictions.

Trump claims U.S. coronavirus cases have peaked. Not so fast, doctors say.

Fact check: Trump's Saturday coronavirus briefing was littered with false claims, old and new.

10 coronavirus-unit nurses are suspended, potentially for weeks, for refusing to work without N95 masks.

A number of universities are beginning to consider the possibility that in-person classes may not resume until 2021.

Sen. Kelly Loeffler just blamed socialism for her coronavirus stock sell-off.

U.S. judge blocks Twitter's bid to reveal government surveillance requests. Twitter Inc will not be able to reveal surveillance requests it received from the U.S. government after a federal judge accepted government arguments that this was likely to harm national security after a near six-year long legal battle.

Americans in both parties want an ethical president, but Democrats more likely to say that’s ‘very important’. 39% of U.S. adults say it’s at least somewhat important for a president to share their religious beliefs – though Republicans (53%) are about twice as likely as Democrats (27%) to say that this matters. — It really only matters if one religion drives governmental direction. Then it must be squashed.

The US won’t run out of food during the coronavirus pandemic.

Amazon is now using thermal cameras at warehouses to identify possible covid-19 cases.

Walmart CEO says we're in the 'hair color' phase of panic buying.

Beer may lose its fizz as CO2 supplies go flat during pandemic.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.

Friday, April 17, 2020

And another day of Donald Trump being the greatest threat to America comes to a close:

“You know what solves it? When the economy crashes, when the country goes to total hell and everything is a disaster. Then you’ll have a [chuckles], you know, you’ll have riots to go back to where we used to be when we were great.” -- Donald Trump on Fox News, February 2014.

Deaths
US: 37,158 (+2544)
World: 154,256 (+8735)

Countdown: 200 days

We’re not overreacting to the coronavirus. In other words, the benefits of social distancing aren’t very visible, while the pain from it is. That creates a situation in which it can be easy to take for granted that social distancing is, according to experts and models, likely preventing hundreds of thousands of deaths in the US.

In Trump's 'LIBERATE' tweets, extremists see a call to arms. Trump's tweets pushed many online extremist communities to speculate whether the president was advocating for armed conflict, an event they’ve termed “the boogaloo."

Trump lashes out at Democrats, seeking to pass the blame for economic pain.

President Trump claims "partisan" voices are spreading misinformation about coronavirus testing. But it's public health experts who say the shortage of coronavirus tests will make re-opening the U.S. economy difficult.

Coronavirus in NY: New Yorkers must wear masks or cover face in public, Cuomo says.

Around the country, labs and public officials tell AP that critical shortages in supplies such as swabs and chemicals make it impossible to increase COVID-19 testing to the levels needed to keep the virus in check and reopen the economy.

First hit, first opened? Seattle eyes reopening economy.

Fox News keeps inviting TV doctors on air who say crazy things. -- Oz, Phil, and Drew. None of them are virologists. But they’re all spouting dangerous bullshit. Fox News is literally trying to kill you.

Voting by mail in the spotlight as U.S. Congress debates how to secure November elections. — Will it matter?

Millionaires to reap 80% of benefit from tax change in US coronavirus stimulus.

A stimulus program set up to prevent small businesses from shuttering and their employees from going on unemployment officially ran dry Thursday morning, less than two weeks after launching.

Beaches, parks to reopen in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday. Additionally, parks will resume their normal operating hours, but the city's beaches will only be open for use between 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Ohio racetrack owner vows to reopen despite coronavirus restrictions. "I'm not asking, I'm opening.”

Heartland hotspots: A sudden rise in coronavirus cases is hitting rural states without stay-at-home orders. -- Imagine my shock.

Two weeks after the firing of the captain of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, the Navy's top admiral is mulling the next steps in the ship's saga that, among other things, could include the possible reinstatement of Capt. Brett Crozier.

Landlords are targeting vulnerable tenants to solicit sex in exchange for rent, advocates say.

Don't take pets' heartworm medicine to treat coronavirus, FDA and state agencies say. The U.S. Food and Drug administration and Michigan state agencies have recently issued warnings against taking ivermectin – a pill to treat parasites – as a coronavirus cure or prevention for pets or people.

Switzerland's famed Matterhorn mountain was illuminated with an American flag for a few hours as a symbol of solidarity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus crisis spotlights the inequalities in American education.

Democrats grapple with questions about Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden.

The Next Casualty of the Coronavirus Crisis May Be the Academic Calendar.

Life’s short. Live, love, create, and help others.

Until next time, my friends. Good night.