Monday, Monday, it just turns out that way

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

•     Comedian Lewis Black video on becoming friends with Robin Williams.

•     You had all day on black twitter.

•     Shirtless dad interrupts daughter’s at home news report.

•     Funny photos of people working from home.

•     Daily Show looks at American unemployment and gun buying records. 

Daily pandemic update:  

For the fourth day in a row, stats in Spain dropped from the previous day. Italy death toll is at its lowest in more than two weeks with infection curve finally on a downward slope. These new numbers offer a glimmer of hope in Europe.  Aljazeera.com timeline

6 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
12:26 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	1,217,724	1,285,257	65,832	70,344	253,744	271,847
US	311,637	336,851	8,454	9,620	14,828	17,977
NY	114,775	123,018	3,565	4,159	11,163	12,977
CT	5,276	5,675	165	189	0	0
NC	2,509	2,677	33	39	61	118

*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:

•     You can Google “open for takeout near me” to find restaurants still preparing meals.

•     Coronavirus mental health help available from NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness.

•     Working class, low-income essential employees severely impacted during pandemic.

•     9 GOP governors still have not issued statewide stay at home orders: Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

•     NC GOP leader indicted on wire fraud and bribery charges.

•     NJ police broke up coronavirus party.

•     Tiger at NYC Bronx Zoo tested positive for coronavirus.

•     UK Queen Elizabeth shared hopeful video message calling for unity to combat virus.

•     UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for tests.

•     Singer Pink donated $1 million to fight coronavirus following her own recovery.

•     After criticizing Trump, Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider coordinated with legislators and US State Dept to bring daughter and others home from abroad amid international lockdowns.

•     Nearly 300,000 people have signed an online petition requesting news organizations fact check White House briefings before broadcasting appropriately edited, accurate parts verified by medical experts.

•     CBS 60 Minutes aired segment on the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and restaurants Sunday night while Fox News broadcast Trump daily presser. If you missed 60 minutes you can pay to watch it on CBS All Access or wait 1 week to watch free on YouTube. 

•     Dr. Fauci spoke publicly about pandemic preparedness in 2017, as did George W. Bush in 2005: “If we wait for a pandemic to appear, it will be too late to prepare.”

•     #70 days, #ClusterTrump, #HeWentToJared, and #TrumpIsALoser are trending due to Trump administration’s response to the outbreak. 

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

•     Goggles for Docs getting sport goggles to front line health care workers for PPE.  

•     Greensboro woman recruiting helpers to make face shields for health care workers.

•     MI woman had cruise themed staycation after cruise with friends was cancelled.

•     TN 6 year old boy with cystic fibrosis shared positive message after beating COVID-19.

•     102 year old Italian woman recovered from coronavirus.

•     Family hosted special prom at home for daughter and foreign exchange student.

•     Surprise wedding parade for couple who cancelled ceremony plans due to virus.

•     Dad built lockdown bowling machine for son.

•     Safe outdoor fitness classes possible with proper physical distancing.

In my personal life…

Worked in the yard a little Sunday but not much. The vegetable garden beds are looking good though I need to trim the blackberry and raspberry brambles before they get completely out of control. Greg enjoyed watching the Sharknado movie marathon on SyFy channel while I did research for the blog and napped. We have adjoining recliners so technically we spent the day together while doing our own thing. Later we watched Walking Dead and Westworld together. I showed him how to Zoom and we’re going to try to video chat with his sister Tonya in Raleigh soon.