Fridays for Future

screen shots of Fridays for Future online protests

Led by Greta Thunberg, young (and formerly young) people around the world continue to #ClimateStrikeOnline as a way to safely call attention to the existential crisis of climate change, AKA global warming. Meteorologists, the United Nations, the BBC and Deutsch Wells among others are studying the likely temporary impacts of COVID-19 on our environment. While the #FridaysForFuture movement urges world leaders to take bold systemic action to save our planet, there are four simple steps we each can take to make a difference:  

  

ü  Fly less or not at all 

ü  Cut down on meat consumption or go vegan 

ü  Join an activist movement like Fridays For Future, AltNPS, or Sierra Club 

ü  Vote 

Fights against the climate crisis and coronavirus go hand-in-hand. As governments work to flatten the curve of the pandemic, many strive toward the longer term goal of building a society rooted in sustainability and justice.

Earth Day Live will bring together activists, artists, performers, thought leaders, and others for an empowering, inspiring, and communal three day live stream mobilization April 22 – 24.

Earth Day 2020, Wednesday April 22, will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day with a variety of digital events around the world.

Locally, the Piedmont Environmental Alliance will host a Virtual Earth Fair featuring videos, webinars, virtual field trips, and blogs celebrating Earth Week April 20-26. Programming will include nature-based crafts and activities, DIY cleaning products, landscaping tips to combat climate change, art contest, live music, cooking classes for kids, and more!
 

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

• Doggo jumps over fence using tail as propeller.
• Health care workers dance to entertain quarantined, and to relieve stress.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt perform 22 musicals in 12 minutes.
• Lunch time is fun with sea otters.
• Mark O’Dea sings parody of the Little Mermaid. 
• Pitbull releases new song about coronavirus: I Believe That We Will Win.
• Quarantine music dance video shared by Lizzy and the Triggerman.

Daily pandemic update:  

The UK government said it would extend restrictions for at least another three weeks. In the US, the number of people who have filed jobless claims as a result of the pandemic rose to 22 million.  Aljazeera.com timeline

17 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
10:59 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	2,102,320	2,193,665	136,116	147,384	525,435	555,590
US	644,806	678,210	28,572	34,641	48,710	57,844
NY	214,832	223,691	11,629	12,248	27,598	28,103
CT	14,755	15,884	868	971	63	63
NC	5,426	5,670	139	156	900	964

*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: 

• Gilead remdesivir experimental medicine is showing promise as coronavirus treatment.
• Stanford mechanical engineers have solution for N95 masks that also circulate oxygen.
• TX hospital is utilizing reusable North 7700 elastomeric respirators; more effective than N95 masks.
• University hospital sterilizing N95 masks with hydrogen peroxide gas.
• Midwest governors form third regional coalition.
• Dr. Fauci expressed support for a proposal to allow sports to resume without crowds of fans.
• President Trump announced phased guidelines to assist governors in Opening Up America Again along with a legislative task force and a council of business leaders.
• US not yet prepared to test, trace, and isolate effectively and efficiently so reopening could take a while.
• 5 million additional Americans filed jobless claims this week totaling 22 million in a month.
• 9 million Americans likely lost health insurance this past month due to unemployment.
• #BailoutHumansNow trended following Steve Mnuchin interview.
• Paycheck Protection Program approved more than 1.6 million business loans, exhausting $349 billion in CARES Act phase 3 stimulus funding.
• Congress is expected to resume phase 4 stimulus legislation negotiations May 4.
• Protestors continue to rally in multiple US states, as well as a Mexican border town.
• Australian man denied refund after purchasing $10,000 of hand sanitizer and toilet tissue.
• President Bolsonaro fired Brazilian health minister after clashing about physical distancing.
• Japan declared national emergency due to worsening outbreak.
• Pregnant nurse in the UK died of COVID-19; baby saved with emergency C-section.
• FEMA awarded $55 million contract for N95 masks to bankrupt company with no employees.
• CNN shared latest Trump fact check.
• Dr. Oz attempted to clarify remarks about reopening schools possibly resulting in 2%-3% mortality.
• World Health Organization promoting #HealthyAtHome initiative.

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

• Clothing company makes custom shirts with magnetic buttons for man with cerebral palsy.
• Insurance companies finding ways to help those impacted by coronavirus.
• John Krasinski surprises nurses with free Red Sox tickets for life.
• Nursing home organized a parade so residents could see their loved ones.
• Photo shoot of neighbors lounging in wedding dresses during quarantine went viral.
• Students write letters to thank truck drivers.
• WA state educator dresses up like T-Rex to comfort children.

In my personal life…

Thursday I spent a good bit of time outside pulling weeds and cutting back our blackberry and raspberry brambles. I think I’m more than half way toward accomplishing my April garden goals though yard work never truly ends. As soon as I finish tending one area, another needs attention. I guess you can say Mother Nature guarantees job security.

Carol posted on Facebook there was snow in Connecticut Thursday morning. I had almost forgotten that people living further north still get snow this time of year. The weather here in NC has been mostly comfortable during the day though cold at night. Greg is continuing to cover some of our tender vegetable plants overnight to avoid frost. Hopefully by Sunday the threat of freezing temps will be behind us; knock wood.  

 rear garden includes berry brambles and some honeysuckle

side garden with raised beds for vegetables and herbs, a compost tumbler,
and ground level weeds that I plan to eradicate with my handy hoe today