This mom supports MOM

As a mother, blogger, novice archivist and scrapbook enthusiast I am happy to announce Pfafftown Corona Chronicles is participating in the Memory of Mankind (MOM) preservation project. Founded in 2012 by Martin Kunze, the goal is to preserve knowledge about present human civilization from oblivion and collective amnesia. It is free to submit text to be included in the time capsule project. Also, personalized tiles are available for purchase as gifts. Son Reid told me he prefers to inherit digital archives rather than paper when I am gone. Hopefully some day he will appreciate the tile too.

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

• Dame Judi Dench dances with grandson during video chat.
• Just Wash Your Hands parody of Tom Jones.
• Quaran Queen sings parody of Dancing Queen.

  

Daily pandemic update:  

Italy reported its lowest number of deaths in a week, while the country recorded its first drop in the number of people currently suffering from the novel coronavirus since it recorded its first infection in February.  Aljazeera.com timeline

21 Apr 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
12:20 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	2,444,614	2,501,898	168,005	171,735	640,342	658,561
US	771,197	792,938	41,356	42,518	71,489	72,389
NY	248,431	253,311	18,298	18,822	29, 275	29,593
CT	17,962	19,815	1,127	1,331	63	63
NC	6,852	6,981	202	220	1,177	1,247

*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:  

• 5 year old Skylar Herbert was the first child with COVID-19 to die in Michigan.
• CA protestors played Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” unaware of irony. 
• GA Gov Kemp reopening restaurants, gyms, salons, bowling alleys and more.
• Instagram founders launch app to track growth of COVID-19.
• IA sheriff urged Tyson Foods to close slaughterhouse to prevent further spread.
• NC state legislator Jeff Jackson shares video in support of stay at home movement.
• MD Gov. Larry Hogan and wife Yumi Hogan secured deal with suppliers in South Korea to obtain 500,000 test kits; thanked Trump for use of labs.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be in seriously ill; South Korea refuted report.
• Pentagon extended travel ban for all troops until June 30.
• #QuarantineQuotes and #TrumpCoronavirusTestFailure trending.
• ReOpenNC rally scheduled today at 11am in Raleigh.
• SC opens nonessential retail stores, flea markets, florists, bookstores and music shops.
• Trump invokes DPA to produce more testing swabs, weeks after known shortages.
• Trump announced plan to suspend immigration with executive order.
• WaPo: COVID-19 fast becoming leading cause of death in US.
• Yamiche Alcindor asked Trump about rallies during Monday presser. Lt Gen Semonite left early.
• 100,000 defied lockdown to attend funeral in Bangladesh.
• Thousands of Israelis wore masks and marched 2 yards apart to protest Netanyahu.
• After cartels distributed care packages, Mexico president tells gangs to end crime.
• World Health Org warns worst is yet to come.

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

• GA woman discharged from hospital after 17 days, just in time for 100th birthday!
• Lego Bricks4Kidz-Asheville offers mobile visits to children in Buncombe County. 
• Michelle Obama and PBS bring story time to children.
• NC farm rents out mini donkey named Mambo to crash video calls.
• Project Mask WS started as a way for three friends to help others. A month later, thousands of volunteers have made more than 25,000 masks for health care workers. 

In my personal life…

Sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed thinking about the daunting task of pulling weeds from all our garden beds and mulched areas. Even though he doesn’t like yard work, Greg has been hoeing too and our combined efforts are finally showing noticeable results. Weeding is a never ending task so there will always be job security. However, the yard is looking better and better every day. Yay spring!