Drowning in information

meme comparing President Trump’s Council to Reopen America
to sharks wanting to reopen Amity Beach in Jaws movie

In the spirit of spreading happy, positive, and/or silly vibes:

• Here’s a long list of authors and illustrators offering free online story time.
• 5th grader sings parody of Hallelujah about online learning.
• Conan O’Brien and Kevin Bacon explain why #IStayHomeFor is trending.
• Daily Show shares their video chat dos and don’ts.
• FL woman walks dogs while dressed in inflatable unicorn costume.

Daily pandemic update:  

NY death toll surpassed 10,000 while Singapore confirmed another 386 cases in the city-state's biggest daily jump, taking its total to 2,918. Nigeria announced the extension of a 14-day lockdown in three key states for an additional two weeks.  Aljazeera.com timeline

14 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
8:35 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	1,862,571	1,930,014	114,982	119,790	431,732	453,018
US	560,433	587,173	22,115	23,644	32,634	36,948
NY	190,288	196,146	9,385	10,058	25,765	26,463
CT	12,035	13,381	554	602	34	34
NC	4,604	4,889	92	100	325	325

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously.
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter, son Reid lives in CT, and I live in NC. 
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/     https://www.coronainusa.com/  

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 in the US.

In the news:  

• WXII and Second Harvest partnering to host virtual food drive Wednesday April 15.
• Digital town hall scheduled Wednesday April 15 to discuss access to affordable health care.
• Red Cross responds virtually to help Carolinians impacted by storm damage.
• TurboTax launched free stimulus registration tool in partnership with IRS to help low-income Americans who don’t usually file taxes get their stimulus aid checks.
• Trump is establishing a Council to Reopen America along with committees to solicit feedback from businesses.
• As Trump declared total authority to reopen US economy, several governors announced plans. TX is preparing for slow economic recovery and return to normalcy. CA, OR, WA governors announced a pandemic pact and shared vision focused on health, not politics. Northeast compact of governors includes NY, NJ, CT, DE, PA, RI, and MA.
• Recap: IHME director believes infections will rebound if restrictions are relaxed May 1. All 50 states are under federal disaster declaration for the first time in US history. More than 29,000 National Guard are on duty across the country to deal with the pandemic. 
• 10% of US labor force currently unemployed; most Americans’ health insurance tied to job.
• 97% of US population under stay at home order; 7 states with minimal restrictions.
• Army’s Seattle field hospital closing so FEMA can move resources to areas with greater need.
• FBI discovered scam re: promised stockpile of 39 million masks. 
• UK Boris Johnson released from hospital.
• Macron signaled gradual reopening in France; targeting May 11 to ease restrictions.
• OMG Trump, #TrumpMeltdown, and Paula Reid trended after Monday’s presser. 
• NBC legal analyst: fed employees like Fauci can only be fired for cause. 
• 95% of precincts reporting: Biden won WI primary with 63% of votes. 
• Bernie Sanders endorsed Joe Biden during a joint online appearance. 

Following Kenny Beck’s lead to share a few signs of hope:

• Flow Automotive offers free oil changes to thank health care workers.
• NC artist pays tribute to ER nurse with downtown mural.
• Hanes Brands reducing executive pay, ramping up production of face masks.
• British mom gets creative to entertain 4 year old daughter.
• Christ the Redeemer statue lit up like a doctor in tribute to health care workers.

In my personal life…

Holy crow! I’m having difficulty keeping up with all the pandemic related news and events lately. Drafting multiple theme specific posts but haven’t had time to complete any of them because I’m spending so much time reading and fact checking. It’s like trying to drink from a fire hose. Not complaining, just explaining. Some readers have told me they appreciate the factual timeline info while others check in for humorous content or personal musings. I strive for balance though some days are more silly or serious depending on my mood and what I stumble upon day to day.

When someone asked me what I might write about after the coronavirus crisis ends, I responded that I thought the pandemic would keep me busy for a few months, followed by a period of Monday morning quarterback analysis. I may switch gears to document some family history and childhood memories at some point but that project is relegated to a back burner position for the time being. At the rate the Pfafftown Coronavirus Chronicles are evolving, I almost wish I was in a PhD program so I could submit the blog as a dissertation. My writing style doesn’t follow academic standards though so it would surely be rejected in a scholarly context. Still, I feel like I’m assembling some historically significant content, some days. Hopefully grandchildren and future generations will find it somewhat interesting. Or not. Whatever. If nothing else, researching and writing keep my mind occupied so I’m not bored or stressed.

CORRECTION: My memory fails me sometimes so I want to clear up a mistake I made recently. Tonya’s cat Jesse passed away a few years ago. Her current feline family members are Zeus and Mica. I mistook Mica for Jesse during a Zoom chat, so sincere apologies to Tonya and Mica for my error. And a big Benadryl laced e-howdy to Mica! I’m allergic to cat dander and pollen so if/when we meet face to face I may be either groggy or sneezy, or both. Probably both.