Friday, July 17, 2020

And another day closer to the “And then they came for me” part of the descent into fascism; the Book of the Month Club; and of course, Republicans continuing to literally try and kill you comes to a close:

“Fascism will come at the hands of perfectly authentic Americans.” -- John T. Flynn

Deaths

US: 142,064 (+946)

World: 599,341 (+6664)

Cases

US: 3,770,012 (+74,987)

World: 14,189,223 (+242,586)

Countdown: 109 days.

Trump Unleashes His Secret Police in Portland. In a dangerous authoritarian move, federal agents in camouflage and without badges are rounding up American citizens.

Federal law enforcement officers have used unmarked vehicles to detain protesters in Portland, according to news reports. Videos shared online show officers driving up to people, detaining individuals without explanation, then driving off, Oregon Public Broadcastingfirst reported. Officers appeared to detain people who weren’t near federal property, and it isn't clear that all of those being arrested had committed a crime, according to OPB.

Federal officers deployed tear gas and fired less-lethal rounds into a crowd of protesters in Oregon, hours after the the head of the Department of Homeland Security visited Portland and called the demonstrators “violent anarchists.”...During a visit to Portland earlier Thursday, Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said state and city authorities are to blame for not putting an end to the protests, angering local officials. Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local officials have said they didn’t ask for help from federal law enforcement and have asked them to leave.

The Authoritarian Operation in Portland Is Only a Dress Rehearsal. Why in the hell is this not a bigger story? A major American city is being softly Pinochet’ed in broad daylight. And, if we know one thing, if this president* and his administration* get away with this, it will only get worse.

Mayor of Portland to Trump: Get your troops out of the city. “Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said at a news conference.

To eliminate the spread of the novel coronavirus, governments should synchronize lockdowns, a new model shows. When intermittent lockdowns were synchronized across Europe, half as many lockdowns were needed to end community transmission on the continent.

Can kids spread the coronavirus? 'Conclusively, without a doubt - yes,' experts say.

Trump says 'I don't agree' with CDC director's mask message. -- He is literally trying to kill you.

White House blocks CDC from testifying on reopening schools next week. -- Again, Trump is literally trying to kill you.

Republicans eye sweeping shield from coronavirus liability. A new plan from Senate Republicans to award businesses, schools, and universities sweeping exemptions from lawsuits arising from inadequate coronavirus safeguards is putting Republicans and Democrats at loggerheads as Congress reconvenes next week to negotiate another relief package. -- All Republicans are literally trying to kill you.

Task force report says 18 states in coronavirus "red zone" should roll back reopening.

Texas deaths hit record, schools get OK for virtual classes.

Australian researchers invent 20-minute coronavirus blood test. The researchers at Monash University said their test can determine if someone is currently infected and if they have been infected in the past.

India crossed one million coronavirus cases on Friday, behind only the United States and Brazil, as infections spread further into the countryside and smaller towns.

Preliminary evidence suggests the coronavirus can pass through the placenta — and pregnancy slightly raises a person's risk of a severe case of COVID-19. Medical experts urge calm and common sense. Here's what you need to know.

Trump Administration Push To 'Consolidate' CDC Data Worries Public Health Experts. -- It should worry all of us.

With CDC Out Of Data Collection, Some States Lose Access To COVID-19 Hospital Info.

Breonna Taylor was alive after police shot her. But no one tried to treat her.

Trump claims he’s the “ultimate member of The Book of the Month Club.” Then he rambles about NDAs signed by John Bolton and Mary Trump. The man is as crooked as they come.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says her liver cancer has returned. She said she is undergoing chemotherapy and will remain ion the court. — If she dies, McConnel’s precedence should be adhered to. We’ll have to fight him to make that so. 

The Democratic National Convention Committee says members of Congress should not plan to travel to this summer's party convention, following its previous guidance that all members of state delegations should plan to participate this year remotely.

Biden Releases Proposal For Reopening Schools.

Most people can't afford a "traditional" funeral. Is it time we reevaluate our relationship with dying and burial?

The Honolulu Cop Who Forced a Homeless Man to Lick a Urinal Is Going to Prison. “You took from him his only possession: his dignity as a human being,” the judge said to the officer during his sentencing.

If you need an IUD, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment now in case everything shuts down again.

This tiny robot may become your new electronic BFF.

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

Until next time, my friends. Stay safe and stay sane. Good night.