Windy Wednesday Wisdom

To bend in the wind means to be resilient and adaptable to harsh events or adversity in life, like the way a reed that can bend is better able to withstand heavy winds than a rigid tree that might fall down. #WednesdayWisdom

High winds and heavy rain are creating trouble spots in Piedmont Triad region of NC this morning. I don't need to go anywhere today so I'm just going to hunker down at home and try to stay safe. 

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

• Daily Show explored 10 worst presidential scandals during Obama administration. 
• MA man transformed 1970s VW Beetle into unique drivable phone car.
• Randy Rainbow posted a mock interview with Trump.

  

Daily pandemic update:  

Brazil recorded its highest number of coronavirus deaths in a single day. The record 1,179 of new deaths pushed the country's toll to at least 17,971.  Aljazeera.com timeline

20 May 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
11:33 GMT*	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today	Yesterday	Today
World	4,915,587	5,008,368	320,520	325,325	1,921,984	1,974,974
US	1,550,539	1,571,131	91,993	93,558	356,383	361,227
NY	361,266	362,630	28,480	28,648	62,191	62,672
CT	38,116	38,430	3,449	3,472	6,264	6,264
NC	19,208	19,844	693	719	9,115	11,637

*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/

21% of closed cases in the US resulted in death; 79% recovered.

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

In the news: 

• 13 Theodore Roosevelt sailors re-tested positive for coronavirus. 
• 15 GOP state AGs called on judge to dismiss Flynn case after nearly two thousand ex-prosecutors urged judge to question Barr’s controversial move.  Case is currently on hold pending legal briefs and oral arguments scheduled July 16. 
• AG Barr said Obama and Biden are not targets in US review of Russia probe.  Declassified Susan Rice email confirmed Comey told Obama he was handling investigation by the book yet Hannity and others are still outraged. 
• Bank of England is re-considering pros and cons of negative interest rates. European Central and Bank of Japan cut their benchmark rates below zero in a bid to get banks to turn cash into loans and boost economic growth.  Trump has called for negative rates but Fed Chair Powell said Central Bank won't lower interest rates below zero.  Meanwhile Germany and France proposed 500 billion-euro ($543 billion) recovery fund for EU member countries. 
• CDC 4 page coronavirus report was criticized for being inadequate. 
• China deftly maneuvered to avoid embarrassment during WHO virtual conference. Chinese scientists are testing potential treatment drug that might eliminate need for vaccine.  Hu Xijin mocked Trump for governing by witchcraft. Meanwhile Lancet refuted Trump’s claims in May 18 letter to WHO. 
• FBI inadvertently revealed identity of Saudi embassy official who agents suspected had directed crucial support to two 9/11 al-Qaida hijackers.   
• FDA warned hydroxychloroquine touted by Trump is not safe or effective to prevent or treat coronavirus. 
• FL Keys will reopen to visitors June 1. 
• FL researcher allegedly was fired for refusing to manipulate COVID-19 data.
• GA department of health apologized for recent coronavirus data errors.
• GA GOP cancelled election to ensure republican governor can appoint replacement to fill state supreme court vacancy.
• GOP senators attended buffet luncheon with Trump to discuss campaign strategy, not pandemic relief.  Economic optimism has led to republican complacency and inaction. 
• IHME and PWBM coronavirus model predictions of cases and deaths vary widely; both contradict flawed and simplistic Hassett cubic model favored by Trump. 
• IRS is adding 3,500 phone operators to handle questions and complaints about stimulus checks. 
• Judge allows class-action suit accusing Trump family of promoting pyramid scheme. 
• Kroger rescinded demand that employees return extra pay. 
• Leaked Pentagon memo warned pandemic could continue to summer 2021.
• MI Gov Whitmer declared emergency for Midland County after dams collapsed; residents evacuate. 
• Mnuchin defended US fiscal response to pandemic and said he is considering changes to payroll loan program including extensions.  Powell said new Treasury-backed Fed lending programs aimed at mid-size companies and municipal bond markets would begin by June; also Fed is considering extending credit access to additional borrowers including states with smaller populations. 
• National Guard deployments are scheduled to end June 24, just one day before thousands would qualify for education and retirement benefits. 
• Obama White House portrait ceremony will be delayed until after Trump presidency ends.
• Republican political operatives are recruiting pro-Trump doctors to prescribe reviving the US economy as quickly as possible despite CDC guidance.
• Senate Intelligence Committee voted along party lines to narrowly endorse John Ratcliffe as next intelligence director. 
• Snopes dismissed ADA and HIPAA loopholes inaccurately claimed by anti-mask protestors; also clarified reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. 
• Tesla CEO Elon Musk is believed to be negotiating with Almeda County CA to safely reopen plant. Last week Tesla representatives scouted Tulsa OK and Austin TX as potential locations for new factory to build Cybertrucks. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum shared a Cybertruck police car tease, tweeting it would only be right to buy local if the carmaker set up shop in his city. 
• Trump became irritated with CBS News reporter Paula Reid after she asked “Mr. President, Why haven’t you announced a plan to get 36 million unemployed Americans back to work. You are overseeing historic economic despair. What is the delay? Where is the plan?” 
• Trump is scheduled to visit MI Ford plant Thursday; automaker policy requires masks. 
• Trump signed executive order directing agencies to cut more federal regulations. 
• US stocks fell after reports circulated that Moderna vaccine study didn’t produce enough critical data to assess success. Crude oil and Treasuries gained. 
• VA Gov Northam responded after Trump said "We're going after Virginia, with your crazy governor... They want to take your Second Amendment. You know that, right? You'll have nobody guarding your potatoes." 
• Veterans Affairs Administration determined having volunteers place American flags on grave sites for Memorial Day was too risky during pandemic. 
• Yahoo News hosted a food security virtual town hall with Joe Biden and chef-philanthropist José Andrés.  

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

• Alaskan man makes 14-hour boat trip to Costco each week to supply his small city with groceries. 
• RVs4MDs connects frontline healthcare workers and first responders with RV owners to coordinate temporary quarantine accommodations. 

  

In my personal life…

Tuesday was gray and rainy but still a good day overall. Plants in the garden look healthier after a good soaking rain. Overnight winds were brutal though; blew the car cover off Greg’s 1955 Chevy and stressed the young cherry tree which isn't staked but may need to be.

Ate a Scotch egg for breakfast yesterday, shrimp cocktail for lunch, and grilled chicken with alfredo sauce, bowtie pasta, and broccoli for dinner followed by a piece of chocolate pie for dessert.