Someone Died In My Bed!

Posted on by Thor

Roughly 1800 kids were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US last week, a 500% increase in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations for children since early July, according to data from the CDC. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said “If your child needs an ICU bed, or more likely if they have COVID and need an ICU bed, we don’t have one.” He said “Your child will wait for another child to die before getting one.”

Emerging data from a large study in Canada suggest that children who test positive for COVID-19 during the Delta wave may be more than twice as likely to be hospitalized as they were when previous versions of the virus were dominating transmission. The new data support what many pediatric infectious disease experts say they’ve been seeing—younger kids with more serious symptoms.

Children under 12 still have no access to a vaccine, so they are facing increased exposure to a germ that’s become more dangerous with little protection, especially in schools where masks as a faint suggestion rather than a much needed mandate. Florida Children’s Hospitals are overwhelmed. Florida education officials who are trying to protect the children with mask mandates are having their jobs threatened by Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis. Florida’s Orange County Public Schools said it would require students to wear masks, except pupils whose parents opt them out with a signed note. Employees, visitors, volunteers and parents also will be required to wear masks, the district said. The CDC recommends that everyone – students, teachers, staff and visitors – wear masks in schools.

8,400 Tampa Florida area students and faculty are in quarantine after being exposed to the virus after just one week of school. An emergency school board meeting will be held the evening of August 18, 2021 to discuss the spread of the virus and take up the issue of mandatory mask wearing in schools. If approved, that could put the school district directly at odds with DeathSantis. Schools in Atlanta, Georgia reported over 4,000 COVID cases in just two weeks. Ten districts in that metro area have already suspended in-person learning.

Over 50 children are being hospitalized with COVID every single day in Florida. The state now leads the U.S. in new COVID-19 infections and has the highest rate of hospitalizations among children in the nation.

Anti-Vaccine Archbishop

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Former Saint Louis, Missouri Archbishop Raymond L. Burke was a vaccine skeptic. He was placed on a ventilator days after being diagnosed with COVID-19. A message from his team asked that supporters “pray the Rosary for him.” He tested positive on August 11, 2021.

Whether Burke has been vaccinated is unknown, but he spoke out against vaccine mandates at the May 2020 Rome Life Forum, saying “vaccination itself cannot be imposed, in a totalitarian manner, on citizens.” He’s also quoted theories that the vaccine contains “microchips” used to control citizens. In the same address, he reportedly argued that the church had not insisted enough on continuing in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic.

He said that the virus is being used by certain forces to bring about a “Great Reset” in which they will bring about a “new normal” through imposition of complete control over people through manipulation and fear. Burke called for prayer and penance to combat the Great Reset.

He also added, “It must be clear that it is never morally justified to develop a vaccine through the use of the cell lines of aborted fetuses.” COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any aborted fetal cells. However, Pfizer and Moderna did perform confirmation tests (to ensure the vaccines work) using fetal cell lines. Fetal cell lines are not the same as fetal tissue. Fetal cell lines are cells that re grown in a laboratory. They descend from cells taken from elective abortions in the 1970s and 1980s. Current fetal cell lines are thousands of generations removed from the original fetal tissue. They do not contain any tissue from a fetus.

For those curious about the visual reference in my painting, the sword is a reference to the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. Thomas was a long time friend of King Henry II who appointed Thomas as the Archbishop. Thomas then turned on the king when ecclesiastical interests ran contrary to royal interests. Henry II grew so exasperated by Thomas Becket that one day, in public, he asked of no one in particular, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” The question was meant to be rhetorical, but four of his knights took the question literally. They traveled to Canterbury and they murdered Thomas Becket in the cathedral, on December 29, 1170.

Duck Tape Fixes Anything

Posted on by Thor

Today, August 15, 2021 the risk assessment map of the United States turned completely blood red. I haven’t seen that since January 10, 2021. We are clearly now in the worst of the Delta Wave.

Through the worst of the pandemic airlines continue to fly passengers all across the country and around the world where they can spared the virus. Only California, Kansas and Hawaii have some restrictions. Most airlines require all passengers over the age of two to wear a face mask.

One in five flight attendants report having witnessed physical incidents involving passengers this year, sometimes violent, often over face mask rules.

One entitled, apparently drunk prick groped several female flight attendants. He then was seen on video throwing punches at a third attendant while cursing at the op of his lungs. That attendant had to duck tape the passenger to his seat. The prick kept screaming that his parents were worth over 2 million dollars and everyone would be sorry. Finally the attendant had to duck tape the passengers mouth closed although the tape did not hold.

Finally duck tape has been used in the fight against COVID-19. There have been over 3,700 incidents of unruly passengers.  Much of the contentious violence is caused by the the last president who made wearing masks a political issue. Conservatives feel that not wearing a mask makes them patriotic rather that proving they are a selfish asshole. Disputes over masks account for over 75% of unruly passenger complaints. Personally I would feel better knowing every flight attendant had a roll of duck tape and zip ties hanging from their belt on every flight. Rather than demonstrating how to use a seat belt they could demonstrate how to restrain with the tape.

27 Test Positive on Carnival Cruise Ship

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The Carnival Vista departed from Galveston, Texas headed to Belize. 26 crew members and one passenger tested positive for COVID-19.

All 27 were vaccinated, had mild or no symptoms, and were in isolation, according a statement from the Belize Tourism Board. The tourism board said 99.98% of the ship’s crew was vaccinated, as well as 96.5% of its passengers. So who were the 3.5 passengers who were not vaccinated?

Carnival announced last week that there were positive cases on board, but the cruise line did not not give specific numbers. Cruise ships are often settings for disease outbreaks because of their closed environment and close contact between travelers from many countries, according to the CDC.

At the beginning of the pandemic the Diamond Princess was quarantined off Japan. Of the 3711 people onboard, around 700 were eventually infected with the virus (567 out of 2,666 passengers and 145 out of 1,045 crew) and 9 people, all of them passengers, died. Quarantine on a cruise ship is dangerous, because the cruise ship does not use HEPA filters which can effectively screen 99 percent of the particles. Airborne transmission likely accounted for over 50% of disease transmission on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which includes inhalation of aerosols during close contact as well as longer range. The CDC issued an advisory to avoid traveling on Cruise ships. The cruising industry came to a screeching halt in mid March of 2020.

The CDC’s no-sail order to expired on October 31, 2020. Cruise lines, including Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival began November 2020 by announcing they would cancel North American sailings through December 31, 2020. With the advent of the vaccines, there was hope that 2021 would see the return of care free cruising. No one was prepared for the Delta variant. The cruising industry has to choose between passenger safety or profit and of course profit always wins.

You Chose This

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Disney said on August 2, 2021 that its parks, experiences and products division returned to profitability for the first time since the pandemic began.

The highly contagious Delta variant has caused a resurgence in the COVID-19 virus in recent weeks, particularly in Central Florida where Disney World is located. On July 28, 2021, Orange County mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed a sate of emergency.

Disney World  eased restrictions in April 2021, which led to a boost in attendance. While guest capacity hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, it improved as mask mandates were loosened during the quarter.

Disney World plans to continue to re-open and increase capacity despite the threat of the Delta variant. Large convention groups are canceling, however people still flock to the parks.

The company reintroduced mask requirements for all indoor spaces, including attractions and merchandise locations, and on all forms of Disney transportation. Guests can still remain mask-free in outdoor areas, or, if indoors, while actively eating or drinking at a restaurant or other designated dining locations. Social distancing markers have not being returned and fireworks displays continue which attract dense crowds.

Revenue at Disney’s parks, experiences and products segment jumped 307.6% to $4.3 billion, up from $1.06 billion during the same period last year. The great thing for the company is that if guests contract the virus in their theme park, the symptoms do not show for 14 days which means the guest likely brought the virus home to share with friends and family. The Delta variant however has a shorter incubation period, 3 to 4 days, instead of 5 to 6 days and it has higher viral loads. Meaning that people are more infections faster and can spread the virus among other guests at the parks. It is impossible to prove the virus was picked up in the park. It just as well could have been contracted on a plane or restaurant. Deniability equals profitability.

Disney’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek said, “In terms of the Delta variant, we see strong demand for our parks continuing.“ Disney World will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, so it is importent to the company to keep increasing the capacity in the park. Should some guests die that is a small price to pay for growing profits.

Back to School

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School children all across Florida have returned to school. Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis issued an royal decree saying parents can elect to not mask their children if they do not want them masked. 815 physicians signed an open letter asking him to repeal his anti-mask laws. Florida currently leads the nation in the number of children hospitalized for COVID-19. A child younger than 5 has died of COVID-19 at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Three Broward County teachers and a teachers aid died on August 12, 2021 all in the span of 24 hours from COVID-19. The Broward County school board voted 8 to 1 to mandate that students must wear masks in school. DeathSantis later said the Florida Board of Education could withhold the paychecks of school board members and superintendents who enforce mask mandates. He later had to back down from his threat to withhold school officials’ salaries if they resist his anti-mask rule since school board officials are not on the state payroll. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended all K-12 students wear masks for in-person learning. All across the state, only 4% of students tried to find excuses not to mask up.

Hospitals in Central Florida are full and as of August 9, 2021 nearly 14,000 people were hospitalized with COVID in the state, according to federal data. 440 students in Palm Beach County have been asked to quarantine just two days into the school year, after 51 students and faculty had confirmed cases on COVID-19. Mike Burke, Palm Beach County superintendent of schools blamed the opt-out rule as the reason for the spike in cases, calling on DeathSantis to make changes to protect students from infection.

In recent weeks there has been a surge in COVID hospitalizations among children in the United States. Nearly 94,000 new child COVID-19 cases were reported last week which is a substantial increase in cases. In Florida, the state with the highest number of confirmed pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in the country, 179 children are receiving care, according to federal data. 29 kids are hospitalized in the Orlando area including 6 in the ICU. While severe illness due to COVID-19 remains “uncommon” among children, experts say the increased trend is concerning.

On August 12, 2021 Florida shattered another record with 24,869 cases of COVID-19 with 357 more deaths.

Freedom to Drown

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They say it is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Only when they are gasping for their last breaths do people lament not getting vaccinated when they had the chance.

Doctors and nurses are shocked that they must deal with sick unvaccinated patients who do not believe the virus is real. The vaccine life boat is there but they refuse to get on.

Right wing politics have made simple heath measures like wearing masks a flash point of contention. Ignorance is more contagious than the virus itself.

With the vaccination roll out coming to an absolute crawl, more than 100,000 Americans are refusing to take the vaccine which could vastly reduce the possibility of hospitalization and death from the virus. With most of the world wishing they could get a hold of the vaccine Americana are simply choosing to risk death to “own the liberals.”

As death rates soar, Facebook groups, Instagram accounts and Telegram channels dedicated to downplaying the pandemic attracted thousands of followers. Many Facebook accounts are run by suburban moms, who post memes about children being traumatized by masks. Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis is playing into that fear. Less than half of Floridians are fully vaccinated. The apocalyptic cults continue to flourish, believing they know more that the scientists and media who report what is happening around the world. Their world view seems limited by their anger and fear. Disinformation will keep this virus well fed far into the future.

The 1918 Spanish Flu lasted for three years. We are now into the second year of this pandemic. 675,000 Americans died due to the 1918 Spanish Flu. To date, 617,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. It looks like COVID will likely surpass the 1918 death toll. You might think that science and reason had developed in the last 100 years but the opposites seems to be true. The internet information age seems to have accelerated ignorance and fear. Over 3000 Americans died the week of August 8. 2021. It did not have to get this bad.

Casa Feliz

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On May 13, 2021 the CDC had announced that fully vaccinated people can participate in many of the activities that they did before the pandemic.

I still refused to hold Crealde School of Art classes indoors choosing instead to take my students to outdoor sites to sketch. On this weekend we went to Casa Feliz in Winter Park.

My first lesson was to make sure you are always in the shade because the Florida sun can be hellish. Most of my students scattered to shady shops under trees but this student decided to sit on the stone wall around the back patio. Within 15 minuted she was baking in the sun.

No one wore masks outside but I wore my mask any time I approached a student. I approached this student and suggested she back up into the shade since the basic outlines of her sketch were established. Adding color to a sketch needn’t always be done in the exact spot where the sketch was started.

I had to do this sketch super fast since I spent most of my time visiting each student and offering feedback and suggestions. The backs of most of my sketches in this sketchbook have the rough sketches I did for each student to advise them on how to set up compositions.

On July 18, 2021 it was reported, that the latest Covid-19 hospital patients are unvaccinated and increasingly younger. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 1,008 daily coronavirus cases with just one week to go before the start of the Olympics.

Ghost Light

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A ghost light is an electric light that is left on the stage of a theater when the theater is unoccupied and would otherwise be completely dark. A popular theatrical superstition is that every theater has a ghost, and some theaters have traditions to appease ghosts that reach far back into their history. One such superstition states that ghost lights provide opportunities for ghosts to perform onstage, thus appeasing them and preventing them from cursing the theater or sabotaging the set or production.

Many theaters forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic have renewed the tradition of ghost lights as a way of indicating the theaters will one day re-open. The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada has burned a ghost light through both the 1918 and 2020 pandemics.

On July 30, 2021 it was announced that Broadway audiences will need masks and proof of vaccination when shows reopen in the fall. Theaters will only reopen to 100 percent capacity. Audiences must wear masks except while eating or drinking in designated locations. The Metropolitan Opera plans to bar children under 12, who are ineligible to be inoculated against coronavirus. All of New York’s 41 Broadway theaters are mandating documentation of full vaccination before allowing indoor entry to patrons, performers, backstage crew and theater staff for all shows.

Exceptions are being made for children under 12 and people with a medical condition or closely held religious belief that prevents vaccination. These guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within six hours of the performance start time.

Pass Over raised the curtain on August 4, 2021 at the August Wilson Theatre. Proof of full vaccination was already required to get a seat at Bruce Springsteen’s sold out solo show seating 1,721, which opened on  at the St. James Theatre June 2021. “A uniform policy makes it simple for our audiences and should give even more confidence to our guests about how seriously Broadway is taking audience safety,” League president Charlotte St. Martin said in the statement.

 

Independence Day

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On March 12, 2021 President Joe Biden declared July 4 could mark the start of US “independence from this virus.” In a July 4, 2021 speech, he celebrated the “heroic” vaccination campaign on the country’s Independence Day holiday. He hadn’t learned from history that declaring victory too early is often short sighted.

In Barnstable County, Massachusetts people gathered in large groups to celebrate the holiday. It was the Hot Vax Summer Celebration and people wanted to party mask less as they had before the pandemic broke out. Pool parties and shirtless conga lines were in store.

469 COVID-19 cases were identified among people who attended. 346 (74%) occurred in fully vaccinated people. Among five COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, four were fully vaccinated; no deaths were reported.

The bottom line conclusion was that the  SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant is highly transmissible and can be spread between vaccinated individuals. The study implies that the viral load of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 is similar. Because of this study the CDC has recommended on July 27, 2021 that all individuals both vaccinated and unvaccinated should wear masks indoors or when in crowds. The delta variant of the coronavirus is more contagious than previously thought. It is more communicable than Ebola and can spread faster than the chickenpox. While vaccines appear to remain strong against the virus, new evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people with so-called breakthrough infections may be every bit as infectious as those yet to receive their shots, even if their own cases remain relatively mild. As of July 31, 2021 the P-Town outbreak had ballooned to 965 cases.

Provincetown, Massachusetts, has restored its indoor mask mandate after a cluster of Covid-19 cases followed the Fourth of July holiday.