For those of us who are not familiar with it: Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Sedum) Plant Profile [Click] I’m rather surprised that it survives such hard winters as yours, listener.
Coronavirus kills some people and hardly affects others: How is that possible? [Click] Major takeaways for me: (1) about 50% of people infected have no symptoms, but can spread the disease—that’s the CDC’s reasoning for everyone to wear masks when they go out. (2) It is far more likely to be mild or asymptomatic among children, for reasons unknown. I am reminded that in Africa yellow fever was a not particularly dangerous childhood disease in endemic areas—but when it was brought to the New World along with slaves, it proved to be a very deadly epidemic disease in the naive population. [Note: malaria was introduced into the English colonies by English immigrants— it was endemic in swampy parts of England, which had by the time of the Revolution been drained for farmland, largely eliminating the mosquitos.]
Justin Trudeau, speaking at his daily Covid-19 briefing, says Canada won’t bring retaliatory measures against the United States after the Trump administration announced it would prevent the export of N95 protective masks. The Associated Press reports:
Trudeau says he will speak to President Trump in the coming days. He says his officials are having constructive conversations with American officials. Trudeau says he will tell Trump both countries are interlinked in ways that it would damage both if supply chains are cut. The prime minister says Canada ships gloves and testing kits to the U.S and notes materials from the N95 masks originate in Canada. Canadian nurses also cross the bridge in Windsor to work in the Detroit medical system everyday. ======================== Cuomo says that the Chinese government will facilitate a donation of 1,000 ventilators to arrive into JFK airport today, saying: “This is a big deal and it’s going to make a significant difference for us.” ============================ The state of Oregon is sending 140 ventilators to NY, Cuomo says, calling it “astonishing” and “unexpected.”
*One report was received on 3/22/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative. One report was received 3/23/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative.
Two nursing facilities were hit hard early on. I think a third now. It's so sad. But those deaths comprise only about half the deaths. Were it not for those, we'd be about on par with Maine.
Andrew Sullivan: How to Live With COVID-19 [Click] ”.....It’s hard to go through such ordeals without wanting them to mean something. Out of AIDS came marriage equality, a permanent shift in the relationship between gays and society. Out of this plague, let us erect in its memory another fitting monument that will never age, crumble, or pass away: health care for all." .....
From today's weekend "Quartz": Good morning, Quartz readers!
Depending on where in the world you are, you’ve probably been stuck at home for three weeks. You might have been laid off. Maybe you still have a job, but are juggling it against caring for children or elderly relatives. Or maybe you, or someone you know, has Covid-19.
In short, everyone has a lot to worry about right now. But while we are collectively housebound, one of the greatest rearrangements of power in modern history is happening before our eyes—and there is a very real concern that we’re too overwhelmed to do anything about it.
In past weeks, world leaders have expanded their powers in unprecedented ways in the name of fighting the new coronavirus. In Thailand, the government can now censor the media. In South Korea, officials are using people’s cellphone, credit-card, and GPS records to track patients with Covid-19 in real time. In the US, the Justice Department asked lawmakers for the power to request that defendants be detained indefinitely without trial during emergencies.
On a recent episode of the podcast Talking Politics, two experts in political theory discussed when emergency powers become tyrannical. A state of emergency, they said, is justified if the threat is public, universal, and existential, and if the extraordinary powers are authorized by the people, limited in time, and proportional. Covid-19, which has been called “the great equalizer,” certainly fits the first half of that description, but what of the second?
There’s very little in history to convince us that states are keen on giving back powers once they’ve been awarded. In the US, the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to a sweeping expansion of executive power and violations of personal liberties that outlived the actual emergency by more than a decade. It’s worth noting that few of the emergency declarations passed around the world to deal with Covid-19 come with a sunset clause.
As to the other points, who determines what loss of our personal rights is proportional to the threat? And who gets to speak on behalf of the people? Whatever happens, we can’t let the answer to that question be: whoever is in charge. —Annabelle Timsit
It has been a very long time coming; Herbert Hoover developed the modern US administration, which FDR and succeeding presidents have used to dramatically increase their power relative to the Supreme Court and Congress. Barring the complete collapse of the Republican Party and replacement of the New Democrat power structure I hardly see what we are going to do about it.
Here's a great Bernie video that came out last month. In typical fashion, I'm only just now seeing it. Still, wanted to share, even though all of you have probably seen it already.
I saw that and flipped past it; thanks for the heads-up, Cat. Really enjoyed it. "They say in Harlan County, there are no neutrals there; You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair."
For those of us who are not familiar with it: Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Sedum) Plant Profile [Click] I’m rather surprised that it survives such hard winters as yours, listener.
ReplyDeleteWhich states have done the least to contain coronavirus? [Click] All in the South.
ReplyDeleteThe rightwing Christian preachers in deep denial over Covid-19's danger [Click] If they were only to spread the virus among themselves, that would be one thing; but they endanger all of us. That makes them qualitatively different from Jim Jones and the People's Temple.
Why slowing your breathing helps you relax [Click] Interesting that there is an observable rate for maximum beneficial effect.
ReplyDeleteCoronavirus kills some people and hardly affects others: How is that possible? [Click] Major takeaways for me: (1) about 50% of people infected have no symptoms, but can spread the disease—that’s the CDC’s reasoning for everyone to wear masks when they go out. (2) It is far more likely to be mild or asymptomatic among children, for reasons unknown. I am reminded that in Africa yellow fever was a not particularly dangerous childhood disease in endemic areas—but when it was brought to the New World along with slaves, it proved to be a very deadly epidemic disease in the naive population. [Note: malaria was introduced into the English colonies by English immigrants— it was endemic in swampy parts of England, which had by the time of the Revolution been drained for farmland, largely eliminating the mosquitos.]
ReplyDeleteCurrently 100 known coronaviruses cases in Fresno County, first death occurs (an elderly woman with multiple comorbidities) [Click] Sheriff’s statement on curfew enforcement, summaries for nearby counties and California. It is worth noting that the local Sheriff is decidedly right-wing.
ReplyDeleteNotes:
ReplyDeleteJustin Trudeau, speaking at his daily Covid-19 briefing, says Canada won’t bring retaliatory measures against the United States after the Trump administration announced it would prevent the export of N95 protective masks. The Associated Press reports:
Trudeau says he will speak to President Trump in the coming days. He says his officials are having constructive conversations with American officials.
Trudeau says he will tell Trump both countries are interlinked in ways that it would damage both if supply chains are cut. The prime minister says Canada ships gloves and testing kits to the U.S and notes materials from the N95 masks originate in Canada.
Canadian nurses also cross the bridge in Windsor to work in the Detroit medical system everyday.
========================
Cuomo says that the Chinese government will facilitate a donation of 1,000 ventilators to arrive into JFK airport today, saying: “This is a big deal and it’s going to make a significant difference for us.”
============================
The state of Oregon is sending 140 ventilators to NY, Cuomo says, calling it “astonishing” and “unexpected.”
Vermont shows a jump of 78 cases:
ReplyDelete461*/20
4.3%
*One report was received on 3/22/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative. One report was received 3/23/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative.
Gee, listener; Vermont is getting hit pretty hard. I wonder why. Proximity to hotspots? Travel patterns?
DeleteTwo nursing facilities were hit hard early on. I think a third now. It's so sad. But those deaths comprise only about half the deaths. Were it not for those, we'd be about on par with Maine.
DeleteLuxury resorts face coronavirus crisis as the 1% flee cities for holiday hideaways [Click] Well, that's one problem Fresno doesn't have...
ReplyDeleteTrump’s Failed Coronavirus Response Cost Him Incumbent’s Edge [Click] “The coronavirus did what nothing else has: It neutralized Trump’s ability to humiliate a foe, while giving Biden the perfect reason to lay low.”
ReplyDelete430,000 People Have Traveled From China to U.S. Since Coronavirus Surfaced [Click]
Mnuchin’s Unfilled Jobs Leave Treasury Stretched in Virus Crisis [Click] “Treasury secretary lacks key domestic finance unit leaders”
Coronavirus Hasn’t Stopped Jared Kushner’s Real Estate Empire from Hounding Tenants with Debt Collection, Eviction Lawsuits [Click] At the same time (as I read the other day) he is asking for debt relief from his lenders…
"Trump’s Failed Coronavirus Response Cost Him Incumbent’s Edge"
ReplyDeleteIt's an ill wind that blows nobody good but, still, at what a cost!
Alan in CA4/03/2020 10:54:00 PM
DeleteAndrew Sullivan: How to Live With COVID-19 [Click]
”.....It’s hard to go through such ordeals without wanting them to mean something. Out of AIDS came marriage equality, a permanent shift in the relationship between gays and society. Out of this plague, let us erect in its memory another fitting monument that will never age, crumble, or pass away: health care for all." .....
Isolation tips from a nuclear submarine captain [Click]
ReplyDeleteOhio: 3,739 COVID cases, 102 deaths.
ReplyDelete2.7%
DeleteTrump Axed Massive Mask Manufacturing Plan in 2018 [Click]
ReplyDeleteFrom today's weekend "Quartz":
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Quartz readers!
Depending on where in the world you are, you’ve probably been stuck at home for three weeks. You might have been laid off. Maybe you still have a job, but are juggling it against caring for children or elderly relatives. Or maybe you, or someone you know, has Covid-19.
In short, everyone has a lot to worry about right now. But while we are collectively housebound, one of the greatest rearrangements of power in modern history is happening before our eyes—and there is a very real concern that we’re too overwhelmed to do anything about it.
In past weeks, world leaders have expanded their powers in unprecedented ways in the name of fighting the new coronavirus. In Thailand, the government can now censor the media. In South Korea, officials are using people’s cellphone, credit-card, and GPS records to track patients with Covid-19 in real time. In the US, the Justice Department asked lawmakers for the power to request that defendants be detained indefinitely without trial during emergencies.
On a recent episode of the podcast Talking Politics, two experts in political theory discussed when emergency powers become tyrannical. A state of emergency, they said, is justified if the threat is public, universal, and existential, and if the extraordinary powers are authorized by the people, limited in time, and proportional. Covid-19, which has been called “the great equalizer,” certainly fits the first half of that description, but what of the second?
There’s very little in history to convince us that states are keen on giving back powers once they’ve been awarded. In the US, the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to a sweeping expansion of executive power and violations of personal liberties that outlived the actual emergency by more than a decade. It’s worth noting that few of the emergency declarations passed around the world to deal with Covid-19 come with a sunset clause.
As to the other points, who determines what loss of our personal rights is proportional to the threat? And who gets to speak on behalf of the people? Whatever happens, we can’t let the answer to that question be: whoever is in charge. —Annabelle Timsit
It has been a very long time coming; Herbert Hoover developed the modern US administration, which FDR and succeeding presidents have used to dramatically increase their power relative to the Supreme Court and Congress. Barring the complete collapse of the Republican Party and replacement of the New Democrat power structure I hardly see what we are going to do about it.
DeleteHow GOP Is Using the Pandemic to Suppress Vote [Click] Well, no surprise there. I have long been of the opinion that we need a constitutional amendment establishing the right to vote.
ReplyDeleteHere's a great Bernie video that came out last month. In typical fashion, I'm only just now seeing it. Still, wanted to share, even though all of you have probably seen it already.
ReplyDeleteWhich Side Are You On? - Click
I saw that and flipped past it; thanks for the heads-up, Cat. Really enjoyed it. "They say in Harlan County, there are no neutrals there; You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair."
DeleteHere's another, in case anyone missed it:
Delete"Bernie Sanders: Still Ahead of His Time" [Click]
I was scrolling through some James Fallows columns, and found these particularly interesting"
ReplyDelete2020 Time Capsule #8: ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ [Click]
‘Years of Effort, Undone in Weeks’ [Click]
”Captain Crozier” [Click]