Un-BEAR-able

The alternative National Park Service social media account recently shared advice for surviving coronavirus. The last recommendation in the info graphic above (bottom right corner) is my favorite. 😜

I can’t think about bears without thinking about Smokey Bear, the fire prevention icon. The history and evolution of the Smokey Bear marketing campaign is quite interesting. There’s a song about Smokey, cartoon videos, hot air balloon, postage stamps, and a variety of toys and promotional items along with numerous public service announcements. One of my favorites is a tv commercial featuring Smokey giving a bear hug to a camper after he put out a camp fire.

Smokey Bear

According to Wikipedia, the real life Smokey was an orphan cub rescued by park rangers in NM, later relocated to the National Zoo in Washington DC where he lived for 26 years. During that time he received millions of visitors and more than 13,000 letters a week. In 1964 the US Postal Service gave him his own ZIP code, 20252, which is still in use. He loved to eat peanut butter sandwiches to supplement his daily diet of bluefish and trout. In 1962 Smokey was paired with a female bear, Goldie, with the hope their descendants would take over the Smokey Bear title. In 1971, after the pair had not produced any cubs, the zoo introduced Little Smokey, another orphaned bear cub from the Lincoln Forest, announcing Smokey and Goldie had adopted him.

In the spirit of sharing softer news and/or silly vibes:

• 7 trails in NC Great Smoky Mountains belong on hiking bucket list. 
• 30 bear puns are un-bear-ably funny.  
• Brown bear in Italy tagged along behind boy on hiking trail. 
• Turtle smashed through woman’s windshield while she was driving on highway.

Daily pandemic update:  

India's coronavirus death toll overtook neighbouring China's, with 175 new deaths recorded in 24 hours taking the total to 4,706.  Aljazeera.com timeline

29 May 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
9:18 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	5,839,807	5,923,217	359,059	362,393	2,531,534	2,592,758
US	1,751,487	1,768,461	102,431	103,330	493,533	498,725
NY	374,672	376,309	29,553	29,653	65,206	65,689
CT	41,288	41,559	3,803	3,826	6,622	6,622
NC	25,412	25,720	856	867	14,954	14,954

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 and the first 100,000 in the US.

As of today 17% of closed cases in the US resulted in death; 83% recovered.

Globally 12% of closed cases resulted in death worldwide; 88% recovered.

Currently 2% of all active cases are considered serious or critical.

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously.
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter. Son Reid lives in CT. I live in NC. 
Worldometers     Coronainusa     Starsexpress2020     https://ncov2019.live/

In the news: 

• 7 people shot, 1 critical during Louisville KY protest demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.
• Airport dogs could sniff out coronavirus.
• Andrew Yang: after coronavirus we can build economy that works for all Americans.  
• Coal generator Uniper used investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phase out.
• Chinese CDC said Wuhan market may have been site of super spreader event.
• Coronavirus postcard that featured Trump's name cost US Postal Service $28 million. 
• Denzel Washington helped a distressed homeless man in West Hollywood.
• Desert locusts have invaded India’s Rajasthan region, threatening summer crops.
• Eric Trump tweeted “GREAT DAY for the DOW” as US coronavirus death toll topped 100,000.
• GA was first state to start reopening a month ago; infection rate remains steady but no spike so far.
• Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman claimed there is other evidence beyond the video of George Floyd being killed by a Minneapolis police officer that does not support criminal charges against the arresting officer. Minneapolis police precinct was set on fire as protests raged on. MN National Guard activated 500 soldiers.  
• Japan urged citizens to avoid 3 C’s:  closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings.
• NC gym owners sue Gov Cooper, call state restrictions unconstitutional.
• NC released guidelines for high school and youth sports.
• NC Union County School Board voted to defy Gov Cooper’s order by hosting traditional graduation. 
• Outbreaks at NC meat processing plants forced farmers to euthanize 1.5 million chickens. 
• Rabbit populations in western US threatened by strain of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. 
• RNC sent letter to NC Gov Cooper re: convention protocols; no mention of crowd limits.
• Social media executive order sparked debate inside White House. Neil Cavuto reminded Fox News viewers why Twitter needs to fact check Trump.
• UConn anthropocene course explained climate change while reducing eco anxiety.  
• UNC and NC State announced plans to resume in-person classes August 10.
• World health leaders urge green recovery to reduce pollution and improve respiratory health.

Twitter attached disclaimer to Trump tweet for glorifying violence: 

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

• 53 year old tortoise was adopted after owner died of coronavirus.
• CT girl sent more than 1,500 art kits to kids in foster care, homeless shelters during pandemic. 
• G2 Performance Apparel used to make marching band uniforms; now they make masks.

In my personal life…

Yesterday we received news that Aunt Debbie’s PET scan revealed a kidney stone but no cancer. Kidney stones are painful so we are hoping for the best. Mostly we are celebrating she remains cancer free. Knock wood.

I’ve been a fan of Smokey Bear since childhood. Sometimes when Greg is in a playful mood he will insist that Smokey has nipples. Male humans have nipples so it makes sense that male bears have nipples too, though I contend the costumed and cartoon drawing versions of Smokey are not anatomically correct. I’ve never noticed nipples in any promotional materials, except for a parody by Funny or Die. It used to annoy me when Greg would try to initiate a debate about Smokey’s nipples. I’ve learned to just roll my eyes and ignore him. 

Yesterday Greg and I split a salmon bagel for brunch, ate a variety of snacks in the afternoon, then enjoyed grilled pork chops, potatoes, broccoli and rolls for dinner.

My daily action for racial justice today will be to calmly call Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman’s office, phone 612-348-5550, to ask what evidence might prevent criminal prosecution of arresting officer Derek Chauvin after he placed his knee on George Floyd’s throat for 8 minutes.