FFS Thursday

 meme comparing recent protests in Michigan to a scene from Shaun of the Dead film

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

• Bill Murray reprised role in Groundhog Day for Jeep commercial.
• PA pizza eating groundhog replaced NY pizza rat as best urban rodent.  
• Daily Show explored Love in the Time of Coronavirus. 
• Someone chalked names of trees to educate others during neighborhood walks.
• UK family sang lockdown adaptation of Les Misérables.

Daily pandemic update:  

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the global economy is expected to shrink by three percent this year - the biggest contraction since the Great Depression of the 1930s.  Aljazeera.com timeline

16 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
13:26 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	2,016,855	2,102,320	128,008	136,116	492,016	525,435
US	614,246	644,806	26,644	28,572	38,820	48,710
NY	203,377	214,832	10,842	11,629	26,999	27,598
CT	13,989	14,755	671	868	63	63
NC	5,172	5,426	121	139	883	900

*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.

Three months at a glance... 

Feb 15:            0 deaths

Mar 15:         65 deaths

Apr 15:   28,572 deaths

In the news:  

• CNN explored where all 50 states stand regarding reopening.
• Thousands protested MI stay at home order in Operation Gridlock.  
• Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (IN-R) said letting more people die is lesser of two evils. 
• Trump’s call with Wall Street did not go as planned.
• Trump threatened to adjourn congress and push through nominees.
• Rat scurried behind Trump during rose garden press conference.
• Dr. Birx agreed with Trump about China and WHO misinformation, despite prior Trump praise.
• Dr. Fauci said his concerns became serious mid January when community spread was confirmed.
• US stats now include probable cases without tests to confirm.
• NY taps McKinsey to develop economic reopening plan.
• Reality check: stop trying to make normal happen.
• Axios has realistic advice how to prepare for a pandemic summer.
• Slate explained Trump’s Mutiny on the Bounty tweet.
• The Atlantic explored how San Francisco successfully flattened the curve.
• Bernie, Obama, Warren and some republicans have endorsed Biden.
• Watch a discussion with Mark Zuckerberg, Dr. Priscilla Chan and former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden about how we can fight the spread of COVID-19.
• Chris Cuomo still fighting infection 2 weeks after diagnosis; wife also tested positive.
• AP confirmed Trump name will appear in memo field of stimulus checks.
• IN fire fighter initially received $8 million stimulus deposit.
• IRS mistakenly sent stimulus checks to some dead people.
• FEMA accused of hijacking PPE meant for first responders.
• Wimbledon set for payout from pandemic insurance policy.
• Michael Che paid rent for every person living in same building as his grandmother who recently died of coronavirus.
• March 2020 was first March in 18 years (since 2002) without a school shooting.

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

• Carolina Theatre is hosting virtual open mic nights Thursdays at 8pm EST on Facebook.
• John Krasinski @somegoodnews hosting #SGNprom live on YouTube 8pm EST Friday.
• KY art teacher transforms hospital sidewalks into art as thank you to health care workers.
• Immunocompromised boy in MA surprised by birthday parade.
• Portland OR coalition forms to make hand sanitizer.
• PA hospital employees cheered as first ICU patient was released from hospital.
• Singer Meghan Trainor helped feed Connecticut health care heroes.

In my personal life…

Greg covered our tender plants last night before an overnight freeze. We’re expecting more freezing temperatures over the next few days, despite summer temps last week. North Carolina weather -- bless its heart.