Pity the fool, no joke

The United Nations chief has warned the coronavirus pandemic presents the world with its "worst crisis" since World War II, with more than 875,000 people around the world having been diagnosed with the virus. The US announced some 800 deaths in a single day, bringing the total to more than 3,700. Spain, the United Kingdom and France reported their largest single-day increase in deaths to date. China is due to release data showing the number of asymptomatic cases, data not previously released publicly.  Aljazeera.com daily snapshot

1 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
12:38 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	802,614	876,766	39,013	43,533	172,319	184,965
US	164,435	188,647	3,175	4,059	5,507	7,251
NY	67,325	75,983	1,342	1,714	67	67
CT	2,627	3,128	51	69	0	0
NC	1,373	1,536	7	8	0	0

*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/  

In the news…

Google canceled April Fool’s Day. Mother Nature didn’t get the memo so she struck Idaho and Montana with a 6.5 earthquake; fortunately no injuries or damage were reported.

Heads up fellow Americans: our leaders and scientists finally agree on something. The next two weeks are going to get rough. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects the US is 13 days away from peak coronavirus resource use. By April 15 there will be a need for more than 220,000 hospital beds, along with shortages of at least 13,000 ICU beds and 26,000 ventilators. IHME also projects there will be more than 80,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US by August. Please heed all the warnings, stay home, and be safe.

Project N95 is a national clearinghouse getting personal protective equipment to frontline medical workers throughout America. By coordinating with manufacturers and suppliers across the globe, their team is sourcing gowns, gloves, and masks. Meanwhile governors, health care workers and policy advisors are asking FEMA and the federal government to coordinate bulk purchasing and distribution of medical equipment to eliminate bidding issues.

The US coronavirus task force has frozen foreign aid to offset PPE shortages. Companies including Ford and GE plus GM and Ventec are partnering to manufacture ventilators. Home crafters and professionals are making millions of masks while health experts reconsider recommendations. The 3D printing community is also stepping up to make face shields and other needed medical equipment.

Food banks are struggling nationwide. Here in NC, the Second Harvest Food Bank can help you if you need it, and asks for support from those of us who are able.

Politico explored the impact impeachment may or may not have had on public health policy. After some politicians attempted to defend their handling of the pandemic by blaming others, #MAGAvirus, #MitchPlease, and #MoscowMitchMcTreason trended. Timeline spoiler alert:  CDC issued first warning Jan 8.  Trump held campaign rallies Jan 9, Jan 14, Jan 28, Jan 30, Feb 10, Feb 19, Feb 20, Feb 21, Feb 28 and he golfed Jan 18, Jan 19, Feb 1, Feb 15, Mar 7, Mar 8.  The first time he admitted coronavirus might be a problem was Mar 13.

More than 185,000 people have signed a petition asking news organizations to delay broadcasting Trump’s daily coronavirus briefings, to allow time for editing and fact checking. CNN waited until the president finished speaking and Dr. Birx stepped to the podium before airing Tuesday’s presser.

Florida Gov DeSantis was praised by Trump and Pence, despite criticism from health experts.

Pelosi and Trump are considering phase 4 plans; both support infrastructure spending. Robert Reich also has some suggestions.

NC Rep Mark Meadows resigned from congress to become Trump’s new chief of staff while some conservatives in NC doubled down on their positions.

Dem voters consider Biden, Bernie, and Cuomo despite delayed primary elections.

CNN host Chris Cuomo tested positive; he is the brother of NY Governor Andrew Cuomo.

An MIT researcher said coronavirus droplets can travel 27 feet, which is 4.5 times the current recommended safe physical distance of 6 feet.

With more people utilizing video conferences while adhering to physical distancing guidelines, screen backgrounds are becoming increasingly creative. Zoom is popular because it is free and easy to use. For folks worried about security, there are tips to combat potential hackers.

Hunger Games fans mapped out the US into districts.

Ancient Turkish calendar, astrologers, and prophets claim to have predicted 2020 crises. Some astrologers also offer hopeful horoscopes and explain Saturn entering Aquarius.

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

·         AltNPS challenge to flood Facebook with landscape images.

·         Chalk the Walks and Hearts in Windows.

·         Masks for Our Heroes local partnership to create face masks and visors.

·         Caravans and parades in lieu of parties.

·         Baking with Lucy cooking demos with 97 year old mother and daughter.

·         Dog delivering groceries to neighbor during self quarantine.

·         Carolina Theater hosting virtual open mic nights.

·         Winston Salem woman provided meal to health care workers.

·         Billboard and Glamour list of live streams and virtual concerts.

·         Broadway living room concerts.

·         John Krasinski posting good news videos on YouTube.

·         Dolly Parton reading bedtime stories for kids on YouTube.

·         Lavar Burton also considering live streaming story time.

·         CNN list of 50 virtual museum tours.

·         Good Housekeeping list of museum, theme park, and zoo virtual tours.

·         Yahoo also tracking some uplifting stories.  

In my personal life…

As a mom, I can’t help but worry about son Reid living in Connecticut, sandwiched between New York City and Boston. He’s an introvert so probably faring better than some of his extroverted house mates. Hoping everyone is getting along and not going stir crazy.  

Like typical GenX couples, Greg and I spend time watching tv together. John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight is one of our favorites.

Over the weekend we binge watched Ozark. The entire cast is incredible though Julia Garner as Ruth and Tom Pelphrey as Ben were stand outs this season.

We also watch Walking Dead. If we lived in that fictional universe, Greg would be Daryl and I would be Carol I think.

For those of you who haven’t yet seen Greg dance shirtless, Jack Black looks remarkably similar. Greg does a pretty good impression of the Caddy Shack gopher too.