'Overwhelming': British hiker emerges from wilderness to find New Zealand in grip of Covid-19 [Click] “We start bombing along the road. There were no cars except police cars. There were no people anywhere. It was very spooky. The whole trip felt like Black Mirror. They kept saying “‘oh have you heard what’s happened in China? America is absolutely fucked. You know this whole thing is spreading?’”
This is really incomprehensible to me. It can't use be the money. I think it's hubris. It's the groups who pastors believe themselves wise and important who are doing this. They are holding their human-made beliefs more closely than the love of God.
EVERY church and clergy person I am connected with is absolutely offering online worship ONLY. To do otherwise, under the guise of rights and separation of church and state is complete hubris. And, it may be, survival of the fittest.
It's one thing for someone to improve the gene pool by removing themselves from it; it is quite another matter if they take innocents with them. Now bear in mind that I am by no means an expert on this sort of thing, but I recall reading a discussion of the biblical admonition that "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" [KJV Exodus 22:18] may actually have meant "a poisoner." I leave it to others to decide for themselves whether that is equivalent to knowingly spreading a plague.
Alan, I don't find anything in my Commentaries that would support that definition of the term. It was more regarding it not being considered okay for the people of faith to try to use magic. There was the high Magic of the Magi, which was not disdained. But the low magic of sorcery was seen as attempting to force the hand of God, and that was not acceptable for people of faith. However, the claim that they believe God will keep them safe from the virus leans in that direction. If they were performing some sort of ritual that was alleged to ensure that, it would be spot on.
Here’s one discussion. [Click] Upshot seems to be that no one really knows what the word meant, just like there is debate about the meanings of various birds’ names.
Normalized for population (New York about 20,000,000; California about 40,000,000) makes the ratio of deaths about 20:1 in favor of California. But New York City is very densely populated:
In round numbers:
NYC: 27,000/sq. mi. Manhattan 69,500/sq. mi. Brooklyn 35,500 Bronx 33,000 Queens 20,500 SF 17,000 LA: various parts average about 12,500
I had to go to the grocery this morning. First time out in 10 days. I was pleased to see that I was not the only one wearing a mask. Well, glad too, because I had been worried I'd look like a nutter, but I was just one of the small herd.
Nope. Just came home and put it away. Interesting to note that the store I go to has put up plexiglass shields between the cashiers and the customers. Except for having cancer, which I obviously survived, I've only been sick one time since 2009. It may be nutzoid, but I strongly believe that refusing to be sick has some kind of impact. I am the oldest of five siblings. One is already deceased and the rest are in frighteningly poor health. I am the only one who is healthy of my siblings.
Maureen Dowd: [Click] “At the Thursday briefing, the president brought out another wealthy, uninformed man-child who loves to play boss: Jared Kushner. Where’s our Mideast peace deal, dude? . . . Now he is leading a group, mocked within the government as ‘the Slim Suit crowd,’ that is providing one more layer of confusion — and inane consultant argot — to the laggardly, disorganized response.”
Official Counts Understate the U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll [Click] Probably the best way to get an estimate is to calculate the excess of deaths during the epidemic over the average deaths for several previous years. When they did that in Lombardy, the excess deaths were, as I remember, three or four times those attributed to coronavirus.
Holy Moly Did you see it? The Queen's Speech...! Did you hear Queen Elizabeth's live address to her people and the world? She has done so only a handful of times. Wil and I both got tears in our eyes...history right here and now. What meaningful leadership. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52171176
I set my alarm to wake from a nap in time to go for a walk with Wil before it rained. Randomly, I happened to check BBC News two minutes before the Queen was to speak live! We watched it together, and got really choked up over the gravity of the moment.
Ohio: 4,043 confirmed COVID cases, 119 deaths. (I figure the real number of cases is more like 8,000+ because of the shortage of test materials). The arena here that is doing testing is now testing for only four hours a day on weekdays.
Rollout of Economic Relief Law Is a Mess [Click] Washington Post: “The Trump administration has stumbled in its initial push to implement the $2 trillion coronavirus aid package, with confusion and fear mounting among small businesses, workers and the newly unemployed since the bill was signed into law late last month.”
Why, who could have guessed that if you gut the government agencies and put bootlicking chowderheads in charge of them, that they might not run like well-oiled sewing machines?
Flashback Quote of the Year April 5, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
“We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here… and isn’t it refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama.” — Trump campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnamy, on Fox News on February 25, 2020.
Three-stop trip tomorrow: pick up art supply store order at curbside, pay tax person, and deliver copy of Japanese TV schedule for the week to a friend. TVJapan, the company that provides Japanese TV in the US via cable and satellite, is headquartered in NYC and is evacuating their office. In place of their regular programming they are streaming the premium NHK (like BBC) channel, without time shifts for the west coast. I found the schedule in Japanese, printed out two copies, and overwrote the times (only one column) from Mexico City time to Pacific Daylight Time.
Surgeon General: COVID-19 Cases Next Week Will Be ‘Our Pearl Harbor Moment’ [Click] Sorry, kid; US deaths from coronavirus exceeded those in the Pearl Harbor attack [2403] by March 29th. Today it’s four times as many—officially. It could really be three or four times that. But let's not say that around our Dear Leader.
The AtlanticThe Revolution is Under Way Already [Click] I think this is the essay of the day. Bill, if you can’t get it to display, let me know and we will figure out a workaround.
Gee, that's a nice touch for the priest!
ReplyDeleteYeah, he missed the people, so had them email him a photo, and did this! I think it's brilliant.
DeleteI can't see the picture.
Delete'Overwhelming': British hiker emerges from wilderness to find New Zealand in grip of Covid-19 [Click] “We start bombing along the road. There were no cars except police cars. There were no people anywhere. It was very spooky. The whole trip felt like Black Mirror. They kept saying “‘oh have you heard what’s happened in China? America is absolutely fucked. You know this whole thing is spreading?’”
ReplyDeleteThe US churches and pastors ignoring 'stay-at-home' orders—with the cooperation of governors. [Click] It seems odd to me that their concept of religion is that it is so fragile it cannot survive missing a few group meetings in person.
ReplyDeleteIt's the empty collection plates they can't handle.
DeleteI should have thought they were routinely taking credit card payments...
DeleteThis is really incomprehensible to me. It can't use be the money. I think it's hubris. It's the groups who pastors believe themselves wise and important who are doing this. They are holding their human-made beliefs more closely than the love of God.
DeleteEVERY church and clergy person I am connected with is absolutely offering online worship ONLY. To do otherwise, under the guise of rights and separation of church and state is complete hubris. And, it may be, survival of the fittest.
It's one thing for someone to improve the gene pool by removing themselves from it; it is quite another matter if they take innocents with them. Now bear in mind that I am by no means an expert on this sort of thing, but I recall reading a discussion of the biblical admonition that "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" [KJV Exodus 22:18] may actually have meant "a poisoner." I leave it to others to decide for themselves whether that is equivalent to knowingly spreading a plague.
DeleteAlan, I don't find anything in my Commentaries that would support that definition of the term. It was more regarding it not being considered okay for the people of faith to try to use magic. There was the high Magic of the Magi, which was not disdained. But the low magic of sorcery was seen as attempting to force the hand of God, and that was not acceptable for people of faith. However, the claim that they believe God will keep them safe from the virus leans in that direction. If they were performing some sort of ritual that was alleged to ensure that, it would be spot on.
DeleteHere’s one discussion. [Click] Upshot seems to be that no one really knows what the word meant, just like there is debate about the meanings of various birds’ names.
DeleteGermany’s strongly federalized system of government is showing its value in the coronavirus emergency. [Click]
ReplyDeleteCalifornia nursing students will graduate after state relaxes rules during pandemic [Click]
ReplyDeleteWhy are California and New York different in the virus crisis? [Click] From several days ago, but apparently still valid. Total deaths as of 4/1: California 204, New York 1951; projections for today, 4/5: California 373, New York 4237.
ReplyDeleteNormalized for population (New York about 20,000,000; California about 40,000,000) makes the ratio of deaths about 20:1 in favor of California. But New York City is very densely populated:
DeleteIn round numbers:
NYC: 27,000/sq. mi.
Manhattan 69,500/sq. mi.
Brooklyn 35,500
Bronx 33,000
Queens 20,500
SF 17,000
LA: various parts average about 12,500
Republican fundraiser looks to cash in on coronavirus: selling critical medical supplies. [Click] Sources of his supply unclear; a cynical person (not me, certainly) might wonder he could be involved with the confiscation of such supplies by alleged federal officers.
ReplyDeleteRepublicans are dirt.
DeleteI had to go to the grocery this morning. First time out in 10 days. I was pleased to see that I was not the only one wearing a mask. Well, glad too, because I had been worried I'd look like a nutter, but I was just one of the small herd.
ReplyDelete
DeleteDid you wash down every bit of packaging when you got home, then take a shower?
Also, there's a particular way to put on and take off a mask that minimizes contamination. Hint: Only touch the ear loops!
May you remain well and safe, Susan. ❤️
Nope. Just came home and put it away. Interesting to note that the store I go to has put up plexiglass shields between the cashiers and the customers. Except for having cancer, which I obviously survived, I've only been sick one time since 2009. It may be nutzoid, but I strongly believe that refusing to be sick has some kind of impact. I am the oldest of five siblings. One is already deceased and the rest are in frighteningly poor health. I am the only one who is healthy of my siblings.
DeleteMy sincere apologies to Susan for my query. I was feeling afraid for her, and wasn't listening very well. So much for my name.
DeleteBiden will wear a mask in public [Click]
ReplyDeleteTrump forced his toadies in the CDC to approve use of malaria and lupus drugs to treat coronavirus. [Click]
Biden Calls Navy Captain’s Ouster ‘Close to Criminal’ [Click]
Capt. Brett Crozier, the Navy captain who was removed from command of the coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, has tested positive for Covid-19, the New York Times reports. [Click]
Maureen Dowd: [Click] “At the Thursday briefing, the president brought out another wealthy, uninformed man-child who loves to play boss: Jared Kushner. Where’s our Mideast peace deal, dude? . . . Now he is leading a group, mocked within the government as ‘the Slim Suit crowd,’ that is providing one more layer of confusion — and inane consultant argot — to the laggardly, disorganized response.”
Trump Says Watchdog Firing Was Retaliation [for obeying the law] [Click] (The included link is to PBS, not AP.)
Well, that is more than enough for a morning. We are having what seems like a typical winter storm.
I'm heartsad that Capt. Crozier has COVID-19! May he pull through. The next Admin will need him.
DeleteI think he would be an outstanding choice for Secretary of the Navy.
Delete4:00pm today, an encore performance of Mozart's Requiem at the Washington National Cathedral (from last year's Palm Sunday)
ReplyDeletehttps://cathedral.org/event/encore-performance-mozarts-requiem/
Official Counts Understate the U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll [Click] Probably the best way to get an estimate is to calculate the excess of deaths during the epidemic over the average deaths for several previous years. When they did that in Lombardy, the excess deaths were, as I remember, three or four times those attributed to coronavirus.
ReplyDeleteListener, your box arrived today. Sis and I each tried a chocolate, and we agreed they're scrumptious. Thanks again very much! ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are enjoying the truffles, Cat!! You were so kind to share one with Sis. (Remember, they make good bribes. LOL!)
DeleteRepublican Strategist Denounces the Party's Response to COVID-19 | Amanpour and Company - Click
ReplyDeleteVermont team invest emergency ventilator
ReplyDeletehttps://www.uvm.edu/uvmnews/news/vermont-team-invents-emergency-ventilator?fbclid=IwAR3ijJsA27c6D0HHGVHNVe2vT5daDx3IgPJ_BieVLSnP5CaI4ZC9UbMD2Zk#.XoetW1yLDRk.facebook
Very good! Excellent! Here's hoping they can get an assembly line going soon.
DeleteAlan
Holy Moly
ReplyDeleteDid you see it? The Queen's Speech...!
Did you hear Queen Elizabeth's live address to her people and the world? She has done so only a handful of times. Wil and I both got tears in our eyes...history right here and now. What meaningful leadership.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52171176
I set my alarm to wake from a nap in time to go for a walk with Wil before it rained. Randomly, I happened to check BBC News two minutes before the Queen was to speak live! We watched it together, and got really choked up over the gravity of the moment.
Breaking News:
DeleteBoris Johnson (who has COVID-19) has been taken to hospital.
Oops! You beat me to it!
DeleteI think Johnson being taken to hospital is part of what caused the Queen to speak calming words to the nation just before they learned of it.
DeleteOhio: 4,043 confirmed COVID cases, 119 deaths. (I figure the real number of cases is more like 8,000+ because of the shortage of test materials). The arena here that is doing testing is now testing for only four hours a day on weekdays.
ReplyDelete2.9% (higher death rate again) :-(
DeleteTiger at Bronx Zoo tests positive for COVID-19
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/amp/s/abc7ny.com/amp/coronavirus-nyc-news-updates-new-york/6079276/
Rollout of Economic Relief Law Is a Mess [Click] Washington Post: “The Trump administration has stumbled in its initial push to implement the $2 trillion coronavirus aid package, with confusion and fear mounting among small businesses, workers and the newly unemployed since the bill was signed into law late last month.”
ReplyDeleteWhy, who could have guessed that if you gut the government agencies and put bootlicking chowderheads in charge of them, that they might not run like well-oiled sewing machines?
Flashback Quote of the Year
ReplyDeleteApril 5, 2020 By Taegan Goddard
“We will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here… and isn’t it refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama.”
— Trump campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnamy, on Fox News on February 25, 2020.
Boris Johnson admitted to hospital with coronavirus [Click] Doing his part for herd immunity, eh?
The Worst President Ever [Click] Says Max Boot, evidently a professional talking head.
Three-stop trip tomorrow: pick up art supply store order at curbside, pay tax person, and deliver copy of Japanese TV schedule for the week to a friend. TVJapan, the company that provides Japanese TV in the US via cable and satellite, is headquartered in NYC and is evacuating their office. In place of their regular programming they are streaming the premium NHK (like BBC) channel, without time shifts for the west coast. I found the schedule in Japanese, printed out two copies, and overwrote the times (only one column) from Mexico City time to Pacific Daylight Time.
ReplyDeleteSurgeon General: COVID-19 Cases Next Week Will Be ‘Our Pearl Harbor Moment’ [Click] Sorry, kid; US deaths from coronavirus exceeded those in the Pearl Harbor attack [2403] by March 29th. Today it’s four times as many—officially. It could really be three or four times that. But let's not say that around our Dear Leader.
ReplyDeleteCoronavirus 'game changer' testing kits could be unreliable, UK scientists say [Click] Well, change the game; give everybody a pair of dice.
ReplyDeleteThe AtlanticThe Revolution is Under Way Already [Click] I think this is the essay of the day. Bill, if you can’t get it to display, let me know and we will figure out a workaround.
ReplyDeleteIlluminates the previous essay: This Is What Happens When the Federal Government Abandons You [Click] “Local officials and health-care workers are losing faith in the national response, and struggling to improvise their own solutions.”
DeleteThanks, Alan. I don't seem to be having any trouble accessing The Atlantic these days.
Delete“The Trump organism is simply collapsing. He’s killing his own supporters.” [Click]
ReplyDelete