My Halloween Display Plans

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On a walk with the dogs, Pam asked me what I would like to do for Halloween. The idea popped into my head that it might be fun to create hundreds, or thousands or hundreds of thousands of virus sculptures about the size of pumpkins and lay them out on the lawn, each being lit by those old big bulb Christmas lights. Of course we would have some skeletons, zombies and tombstones.

My first thought was to make paper mache viruses but they might not hold up to the Florida rains. Maybe spike proteins could be poked into tennis balls or pumpkins. The thoughts were flowing. How many should we make?  If we made 700,000 of them then the pile would cover and envelop the entire house and probably the block or several blocks. The logistics might be  bit much.

Her response was a simple, “Um, NO.” Regardless I am left wanting to create the perfect pandemic display in my mind. Maybe she will change her mind when she sees the possibilities.

White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN October 10, 2021 that kids can “go out there and enjoy Halloween,” an approach he attributed to the fact that more and more people are now vaccinated against COVID-19 and that most Halloween activities, including trick-or-treating, are held outdoors.

“It’s a good time to reflect on why it’s important to get vaccinated,” he said, urging unvaccinated adults and teens to get shots before Halloween. “But go out there and enjoy Halloween.”

Crealde’ Demo

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At my Crealde Urban Sketching class, I noticed that my students who were working on thumbnail drawings were getting caught up in too much detail as they were sketching with lines. I was surprised at the amount of time they were taking for each thumbnail.

I decided that the best way to loosen them up was to do a quick demo. Rather then do a thumbnail, I decided to fill an entire page since they were watching from a six foot distance.

In this sketch I decided to focus on the foreground sculpture. I might usually try and make sure the base id fully visible but I decided to crop the base so the sculpture could be as large as possible.

Three totems were behind the sculpture I as sketching. Those totems were visually taller than the sculpture I was sketching, but I decided to make them smaller so the foreground sculpture was the largest thing in the sketch.

From where we were sketching the cube shaped cement bases were hidden by ferns. I explained that seeing those cubes was critical to seeing how the sculptures were grounded in the scene. The totems were also different sizes compared to one another but I grouped then as if they were all about the same size using one point perspective. The vanishing point as across the lake.

I lightly blocked in the basic shaped in pencil and then immoderately started blocking in large watercolor washed. The bridge was one big red wash the ferns in the foreground were bright yellow since they caught the sunlight and the rest was a messy wash of green and browns. The primary point o the lesson was that I never painted the sculptures until everything else was painted in around them. The sculpture are most visible because they are surrounded by darkness. The detailed line work in the totems was also added as a thought rather late in the process. For much of the time they were amorphous columns of white that I painted around. I enjoy the process most when I am playing with abstract patterns of light and dark puddles. Staying spontaneous and playful is the biggest challenge. If I feel the fun slippnig away, I close the sketchbook and walk away.

A lizard perched on the sculptures hand for the longest time and I sketched it into place. Most people don’t notice this little detail but for me it is everything. In general my sketch is a mess and that is what I encouraged my students to strive for. When one of my students complained about getting paint on her hands, I shouted out, “Yes! No you are cooking with grease!”

Flat Earth Mentality

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Flat Earthers, Anti-Makers, and Anti Vaxers have been around for centuries.

In past pandemics, as today, strong anti-science movements hindered public health and the waning of disease.

The New York Times pointed out that, as soon as Edward Jenner introduced the first smallpox vaccine in 1798, posters appeared in England showing humans who had been vaccinated “sprouting horns and hooves,” Dr. Snowden said.

“In 19th-century Britain, the largest single movement was the anti-vaccine movement,” he added. And with vaccine resisters holding out, diseases that should have been tamed persisted.

Today the science deniers have the platform of social media to spread misinformation far and wide. We are now experiencing a social media fueled pandemic.

In July 2021 Joe Biden declared that July 4th would be a celebration of freedom from the virus. However that weekend resulted in a cluster of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated individuals who had let their guard down. This had been happening for the past 20 months or so. There is a huge spike in cases followed by a decline in cases. As the numbers decline everyone thinks the pandemic is over and they stop wearing masks and social distancing. Holidays hit and people gather despite any warnings and then there is once again another steep incline in cases.

October 2021  has resulted in a series of amazing scientific developments that could help curb the pandemic. Vaccines are being approved for children and a new anti viral pill may reduce hospitalizations for the vaccinated. The problem of course is that the unvaccinated will refuse any science that may save their life. They would rather sail their schooner off the edge of their flat earth in the name of their politics. Death is preferable to reason and has been through out human history.

Neuro-COVID

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Medical News Today reported that neuro-COVID a phenomenon  resulting from long COVID. The serious neurological and neuro-cognitive impairments, result in problems concentrating, keeping up with conversations, and multitasking. All of which can keep people from being able to return to work for many months.

About 1 in 3 people who tested positive for COVID-19 and who were usually not admitted to the hospital for treatment do not recover fully in 3 months.

An international study of people with long COVID documented 203 different symptoms across 10 body systems. More than 88% of the 3,762 people who completed the online survey reported memory problems and cognitive dysfunction, making these the “most persistent and pervasive symptoms in this cohort, equally common across all age groups.”

Two-thirds (65%) reported experiencing symptoms for 6 months. Cognitive dysfunction was one of the top three most debilitating symptoms, alongside fatigue and breathlessness. Brain fog is the most common symptom described by people with cognitive dysfunction following COVID-19 illness. Long COVID, consists of ongoing physical, cognitive, or both symptoms at least 6-12 weeks after having a positive test for COVID-19 or symptoms of acute COVID-19. It is associated with anxiety, as are many of the respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms of long COVID, such as breathlessness, palpitations, and dizziness.

Using fine-grain automated analysis of the brain scan images to pick up changes that would not be visible to the naked eye, the researchers found that compared to controls, participants who had COVID-19 showed:

  • a greater loss of grey matter in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex
  • an increase in signs of tissue damage in various regions in the brain, including in the brain’s smell center (the olfactory nucleus and tubercle)
  • more signs of generalized brain atrophy.

Individuals who had COVID-19 also showed a larger cognitive decline on several cognitive function tests. Since the unvaccinated are the ones getting infected and filling hospitals, it is clear they can not afford to loose any more grey matter since their brain functions are already stilted.

Alzheimer’s and COVID-19

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A study has found that Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 share a genetic risk factor. An anti-viral gene that impacts the risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and severe Covid-19 has been identified by a University College London (UCL)-led research team.

Lead author Dr. Dervis Salih (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL) said: “While Alzheimer’s is primarily characterised by harmful build-up of amyloid protein and tangles in the brain, there is also extensive inflammation in the brain that highlights the importance of the immune system in Alzheimer’s. We have found that some of the same immune system changes can occur in both Alzheimer’s disease and Covid-19.” “In patients with severe Covid-19 infection there can also be inflammatory changes in the brain. Here we have identified a gene that can contribute to an exaggerated immune response to increase risks of both Alzheimer’s and Covid-19.”

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers from the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL have pivoted their attention to investigating the long-term neurological consequences of the virus. Using biomarkers found in the blood and fluid surrounding the central nervous system, they are aiming to track neuroinflammation and injury to the neurons. Dr Salih said: “If we could develop a simple way of testing for these genetic variants when someone tests positive for Covid-19, then it might be possible to identify who is at greater risk of needing critical care, but there is plenty more work to be done to get us there.

“We are also continuing to research what happens once this immune network has been activated in response to an infection like Covid-19, to see whether it leads to any lasting effects or vulnerabilities, or if understanding the brain’s immune response to Covid-19, involving the OAS1 gene, may help to explain some of the neurological effects of Covid-19.”

Cloud 9 COVID Breakthroughs

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A new study published in World Psychology from the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that fully vaccinated patients with substance use disorders are more likely to get breakthrough infections from COVID-19. The study analyzed health records for more than 580,000 fully vaccinated people in the U.S.

The researchers found that underlying health conditions and socioeconomic factors of health, which are common among those with substance abuse disorders, were “largely responsible for the increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections.”

People who had substance abuse disorders were also more likely to have a severe reaction to COVID-19, as well as hospitalization and death. Marijuana advocates said the study did not show that marijuana could be a cause in breakthrough cases, also noting that most marijuana users are not dependent on the drug.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the institute, said it’s important for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “First and foremost, vaccination is highly effective for people with substance use disorders, and the overall risk of COVID-19 among vaccinated people with substance use disorders is very low,” she said in a news release.

 

 

140,000 Orphans

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Over 140,000 children in the U.S. have lost a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19.

A peer-reviewed study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, described this as  “a hidden and ongoing secondary tragedy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” The study found that roughly 1 out of 500 children in the United States “has experienced COVID-19-associated orphan hood.”

The study defines orphan hood as the death of one or both parents. The study also tracked the loss of care giving grandparents. Researchers found racial and ethnic disparities in the deaths of caregivers from COVID-19. The study broke down the disparities of those orphaned as follows, 1 of every 168 American Indian/Alaska Native children, 1 of every 310 Black children, 1 of every 412 Hispanic children, 1 of every 612 Asian children, and 1 of every 753 White children experienced orphan hood or death of a parent or caregiver.

California, Texas, and New York — states with large populations — had the highest number of children being orphaned by COVID-19.

A similar study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in July 2021 found that more than 1.5 million children worldwide lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19 during the first 14 months of the pandemic.

Losing a parent or caregiver in childhood is a significant trauma. The study notes that this type of adverse childhood experience “may result in profound long-term impact on health and well-being for children.”

“The numbers don’t tell the full stories,” he says. “The full story is really in the lives and the affected future of these children and adolescents and their families.”

Phantasmagoria

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This was to be Phantasmagoria‘s first live performance in about 2 years. John DiDonna the company’s founder took every imaginable precaution to keep his cast safe during rehearsals. A custom build HEPA filter with a large fan recirculated air in the rehearsal space and all the cast was vaccinated.

Performances were scheduled on a train and they were told that everyone would be masked on board. When the cast arrived they found that few were masked among the train crew and audience, so the performers had to walk.

John let me know that the theater they were performing at in Orlando required vaccination cards and photo IDs. Therefor I felt relatively safe to venture out and experience live theater again.

I knew the Shakespeare Theater required vaccination cards since I had just sketched Every Brilliant Thing. For some reason I figured Phantasmagoria was at the Shakes. When I got there the folks in the ticket booth were confused. Phantasmagoria was not at the Shakes, it was downtown at the Dr Phillips Performing Arts Center. We still had about half an hour before curtain time so Pam drove like a New York taxi driver to try and get us there on time. Downtown traffic near the Arts Center slowed to a crawl. Pam realized that it was Pride weekend and some event must be slowing things down. A car broke down in front of us and I decided to hop out into traffic and run to the theater to pick up the tickets. She managed to valet park and we met in the lobby.

I have had my vaccination card in my wallet for the past 6 months assuming someone would ask for it eventually. I gave it and my drivers license to the security in the lobby. The government in their wisdom used cheap disappearing ink on the vaccination card. It was more that a challenge to read the faint ghostly lettering. My intrepid guards checked it under a flash light and managed to pick out my name and some dates. One joked that she got to put o her Nancy Drew hat. Panting, we got to the theater entrance with moments to spare.

An usher pointed out our seats which were in the center of a row with everyone pressed shoulder to shoulder. A guy had his mask off in his lap and when asked by the usher to put it on he pointed at his drink. I suddenly realized that I wasn’t comfortable shoving my way into those seats, even if these folks were vaccinated. We stood in the aisle and debated. There was an empty row behind the one the usher wanted us to press into, so we decided to wait until the lights went down and then we sat behind the masses. We were still only a few feet from the couples in front of us but at least we were breathing down their necks rather than the other way around. Behind us was an open row. We caught our breaths behind our KN95 masks. The house was dark, so I could not see the marks I put on the page.

The performance was awesome. I was impressed by the projections that played with each macabre story. The idea behind Phantasmagoria is simple. They are a troupe of Victorian storytellers whose stories become all too real, and once a story is begun, it must be finished, regardless of the consequences. I think my favorite story was Edgar Allen Poe‘s the Fall of the House of Usher. Between stories there was dance and fire choreography. John performed as a fabulous demon barber with his outlandish outbursts of laughter. Puppetry played a part as the cast battled a huge 10 foot high Golem.

It was inspiring to see live theater again. It was so nice to get lost in the Victorian horrors to forget for a moment the everyday horrors of this pandemic.

Every Brilliant Thing

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Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe runs at the Orlando Shakes (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803) runs through October 16, 2021. Suzanne O’Donnell did a magnificent job ass the narrator in this one person play.

The Shakes is coming back with full safety precautions in mind. All cast and crew at the Shakes are fully vaccinated. The theater also insists that the audience bring a vaccination card and photo ID to the performance.

I have had my vaccination card in my wallet for the last six months and this is the first time anyone has asked to see it. I was excited and proud to finally show my vaccination status. Those vaccine cards however are printed with cheap diapering inks. The police officer outside the theater had a hard time making out the faint marks that remained on the card. Ultimately I was waived in and I got to see my theater posters full size for the first time.

Pam and I elected to sit in the socially distanced section of the theater. In every row black lace marked several seats in alternating spots where people should not sit. This would allow for at least 4 feet of social distancing between groups. Everyone was wearing masks. I felt safe and secure to relax and enjoy the show as I sketched. Members of the audience were given numbered cards with list items on them. During he show Suzanne would shout out a number and an audience member would shout out what was written on their card. Pam pointed out that one guy kept removing his mask when he had to shout out his item, which kind of defeated the point of having a mask. One drawback is that the audience wasn’t always on top of their callback game but the actress handed these glitches with grace and humor.

Every brilliant thing has to do with a list the narrator began compiling as a child which was expanded later in life. She started the list because her mother was depressed and felt no desire to live. The list was for her mother to remind her of every brilliant thing that makes life worth living. Number 1 was of course ice cream. Later in life the items became more subtle like lending a book to a friend and actually having them read it. This was a perfect play for these pandemic times. We have all been isolated in some way and the joys in life must be found even through the isolation. Happiness was mixed with a pinch of sadness.

Suzanne exuded joy and passion for life, and in the end as she relaxed on her lounge listening to music I left feeling she would be fine, even though life is bitter sweet.

Three cheers to the Shakes for bringing back theater safely and responsibly. They are a bright light in these dark times.

 

Swiss Cheese

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At the start of the pandemic Americans got crafty at home and sewed cloth masks. People began sewing masks from old tee shirts. Pam researched the best mask designs and sewed several quality masks that had three layers including a pocked for surgical mask material as well.  I have been wearing the same cloth mask for the past 18 months. Originally these masks were intended as a stop gap until quality masks became available. In the early months America purchases huge shipments of surgical masks from China. Those masks however turned out to not be the quality masks that were promised. They were cheap knock offs which did not have the fine mesh needed to stop the viral particles from getting through. Cloth masks, although far better than going mask less, weren’t as protective as other types.

Epidemiologist Dr. Michael T. Osterholm compared cloth masks to wearing Swiss cheese. Of course viral particles will get though those large holes. However if several layers of fabric are worn in the same mask then there are fewer and much smaller holes. Even better is to wear a quality well fitted KN95 mask. Pam and I purchases a set of the KN95 masks but those bands that fit around the ears are incredibly tight, giving any wearer Dumbo ears that stick out and an ear ache from the elastic pressure. I stated to wear the KN95 held in place with the cloth mask. The cloth mask Pam designed has a cloth band that ties around the neck and also around the back of the skull. This makes the mask convenient to flip up or down as needed. When down it resembles an ascot.

A recent study in Bangladesh, which has yet to be peer-reviewed linked wearing surgical masks (those ubiquitous blue masks surgeons wear) with an 11.2 percent decrease in COVID-19 symptoms, while cloth masks were associated with only a 5 percent decrease. Many countries, including France, Austria, and Germany, shifted their mask guidance away from cloth masks toward those offering higher protection a long time ago.

Back in July 2021 Joe Biden declared that vaccinations would signal a freedom from masking. On July 4th weekend Pam, her niece and I went to Saint Augustine and we were stunned to see huge crowds pressed together on the main street and for the river front fireworks display. We masked up and were in a minority that weekend. At the time I only had the three layer cloth mask to navigate the crowds. At the time of July 4th the Delta variant was just beginning to gain momentum n America. We were lucky to dodge the bullet.

Mask wearing has become a political binary war zone. “People are just divided into either you’re masked or you’re not. And that would be like saying everything that has wheels”—including a tricycle and a jetliner—“is the same.” said Osterholm. Americans generally don’t pay enough attention to the quality of a mask and how it’s worn. I am always amazed at the number of chin straps I see or people who are unable to cover their nose as well as their mouth.

Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage wrote to an Atlantic reporter that, surgical masks are like to a sturdy, well-made umbrella and cloth masks are like the cheap kind that inverts. “Both are better than a plastic bag held over your head, which is itself better than nothing,” he said. “I can’t speak for the CDC,” Hanage said, “but I would hope that they would be able to convey the message that all masks are not alike, just like all umbrellas are not alike.”

At the start of the pandemic the US government had a plan to ship free masks to every American but that plan was scrapped by the former president. Had messaging been consistent masks would not have become a political football. Though the number of deaths are finally dropping, this pandemic is far from over. What happens any time the numbers drop from their astronomic highs is that people immediately abandon masks and distancing and then another surge is the result. Stay vigilant and wear a quality mask. Flash your wisdom by wearing a KN95 instead of a cheap cloth mask.