MIS-C

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Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) cases in children have been on the rise possibly from the holiday season COVID-19 surge. Hospitals in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Colorado, Nebraska and New Jersey have reported an increase in cases.

The uptick in MIS-C cases coincides with a decrease in COVID-19 cases nationwide, in the wake of a post-holiday surge. Experts believe that there is often a lag — sometimes three to four weeks — between COVID-19 infections and the onset of MIS-C symptoms.

Most children infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. While MIS-C is rare, its effects can be devastating and life-threatening, with some patients experiencing inflammation of the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or gastrointestinal organs.

“The rise in MIS-C cases is likely due to the rise in number of COVID-19 infections, ultimately from the recent holiday surges like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and the Super Bowl,” said Dr. Todd Ellerin, an ABC News contributor and infectious disease specialist at South Shore Health. According to the CDC, at least 2.8 million U.S. cases of COVID-19 have been in children. There have been about 2,060 cases of MIS-C, to which 30 deaths have been attributed.

L.A. County reported a 35% increase in children with MIS-C over the last two weeks.

Capitol Police Infected

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38 Capitol Police have tested positive for COVID-19 after the attack on January 6, 2021. Health officials have worried that the thousands of unmasked Trump supporters who  stormed the Capitol would cause a super-spreader event that could expose local residents and law enforcement officers to coronavirus. The new cases at the Capitol Police, which were first reported by the New York Times, mark the highest spike among force in months.

The officer’s union could also not confirm that those officers were on duty the day of the attack. Several police officers were directly assaulted during the insurrection.

Approximately 150 National Guard troops have also tested positive since the attack, CBS News reported.

Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee said, “The union had been pushing the department for testing and recently pushing for vaccines, but the incompetence of the USCP chiefs of police, both former and current with the new acting chief and assistant chiefs, speaks volumes of the lack of leadership at the top of the USCP,” in an emailed statement to DCist/WAMU he said. “The continued systemic failures ‎of this Department is unacceptable and the congressional community as well as the officers that put their lives on the line every day deserve better than being led by inept chiefs of police.”

Steven Sund, the Capitol Police chief, stepped down from his role following the riots, and Yogananda Pittman was named acting chief, becoming the first woman and first Black officer to lead the force. A number of Capitol Police officers were suspended and at least a dozen were investigated for their involvement in or support of the violence.

The Metropolitan Police Department, which at one point led the effort to clear the angry mob from the Capitol, has also seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases. As of January 6, 2021 a total of 498 MPD personnel had tested positive over the course of the pandemic. By Jan. 21, that number had jumped by 82, reaching 580 total cases. It appears to be one of the biggest jumps in positive cases in the recent data.

 

B117 Ground Zero

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In The United States, Florida is ground zero for the highly contagious British variant of the COVID-19 virus known as B117. The number of cases in Florida had quadrupled  in the last month. Thee are 380 cases as of February 17, 2021. B117 is much more contagious than the initial version of COVID-19. It has also been found to be up to 70% more lethal that the initial version of COVID-19.  South Florida leads the state in the number of cases with Broward County showing the biggest numbers. B117, is one of several strains, including ones first detected in Brazil and South Africa, that could spread and kill more efficiently than their predecessors, making it more difficult for the world to emerge from the pandemic. With Florida wide open for business, it can spread among the population at ease.

Country wide the number of COVID cases has been dropping, but this new variant might reverse that trend where it gains a foothold. Researchers fear that B117 will become the predominant strain of the virus in America by March 2021. So far, research suggests current vaccines work just as well against the U.K. variant.

“Florida is leading the way in terms of one of the fastest rates of B117,” Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist with the Federation of American Scientists, told CBS12 News. “Every exhalation of breath has [a] more higher concentration of the virus. And that is why it is so much more transmissible.” Florida does not place any restrictions on capacity or enforce social distancing in businesses. Mask mandates are in place but individuals can’t be fined for not wearing a mask.

Despite the spread of B117 in Florida, tourists have flown into the state in droves and are more than happy to fly back home bringing B117 back with them.

Florida Men Invade Capitol

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Florida Man, Adam Johnson was photographed stealing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s lectern on January 6, 2021 during the insurrection of Donald J. Trump. Johnson was arrested in Bradenton Florida and released on $25,000 bond on January 8, 2021 awaiting trail. He has been charged with three felonies.

He was released on conditions that his wife co-sign his $25,000 bond and that he abides by a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew with GPS monitoring. He also was ordered to surrender all firearms and other dangerous weapons and any travel documents including his passport.

His travel will be restricted to the Middle District of Florida and Washington, D.C. – the latter only for court matters. He is also required to submit to substance abuse testing and evaluation as determined appropriate by pretrial services.

Johnson’s next appearance is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2021 in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Other Florida Men arrested for their actions on January 6 , 2021 include, include,

Joseph R. Biggs 37, Ormond Beach, FL, a Florida-based organizer of Proud Boys events. Arrested on January 17, 2021. He was granted a $25,000 unsecured bond in Orlando.

Samuel Camargo, 26, Broward County, FL. He was arrested at Biden’s inauguration Wednesday after police failed to find him in his Broward County home. A former classmate and social media friend tipped off the FBI that Camargo had posted pictures and content on his Instagram and Facebook pages showing him participating in the rally and riot on Jan. 6.

Matthew Council 49, Riverview, FL allegedly pushed an officer after unlawfully entering the Capitol building, according to the Department of Justice.

Michael Curzio 35, Summerfield, Marion County, FL, He was released from prison in February 2019 following an 8 year sentence for attempted first-degree murder, according to records from the Florida Department of Corrections. He was initially arrested on January 6, 2021 when he was caught near the House atrium during a riot at the Capitol. He was arrested again January 11, 2021 in Marion County Florida.

Gabriel Augustin Garcia, FL was a former Army captain. The FBI said that Gabriel Augustin Garcia published live footage from inside the building. He is a reported member of the right-wing group Proud Boys. He was arrested on January 16, 2021. Garcia turned the camera to himself while filming and said: “We just went ahead and stormed the Capitol. It’s about to get ugly.” A crowd around him chanted “Our house!”

Vitali Goss Jankowski, Honeycutt, FL is a deaf man. In a publicly available video, he is shown near an entrance to the U.S. Capitol building, assisting with passing ballistic shields away, and possessing a black-colored handheld Taser that was handed to him. He activating the Taser multiple times, and pushing himself towards the police line that was protecting the entrance to the U.S. Capitol building.

Rachel Lynn Pert 40, and Dana Joe Winn 45, Middleburg FL, a couple live-streamed their drive to D.C. for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. “We’re on our way to DC because us as American patriots, we’re tired of this shit,” Winn allegedly said in their live-stream. “It’s time to make a stand. I never really knew how deep and corrupt all this crap was and how far back it’s gone. But American needs to wake up. We’re on the verge of fucking losing it.”

Steve Omar Maldanado, 40, Central FL. He was arrested by FBI agents February 10, 2021 at the Orlando International Airport. Maldonado was identified by three unidentified acquaintances who have known him “for many years.” He was released on a $25,000 bond in Orlando Florida, and his case was removed to a court in Washington, D.C.

Anthony Mariotto, 52, Fort Pierce FL. His next court date is set for March 30, 2021. He took a photo of himself in the house chambers. His Facebook post stated, “This is our house.”

Felipe Marquez 25, Coral Springs, Fl drove his Tesla to DC to be a part of the insurrection. He posted several videos of himself at the scene onto the social media app Snapchat.

Jesus D. Rivera, Pensacola FL was arrested January 17, 2021. Rivera uploaded a five-minute video to his Facebook account on Jan. 6, in which he can be identified among people involved in the Capitol riot. Earlier the day of the riot, Rivera made two Facebook live broadcasts showing him approach the Capitol, and the building surrounded by protesters. Rivera was scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m.January 17, 2021 before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola Florida.

Michael Stepakoff 55, Palm Harbor, Fl, Messianic rabbi. In Capitol surveillance video, the DOJ said he could be seen taking approximately eight photos with his cell phone. A person familiar with Stepakoff for roughly 20 years was able to identify him to officials. He took a selfie showing him outside the Capitol in a large group of people. Stepakoff’s wife commented on one of his posts saying, “please continue to [pray] for his protection and to be safe. He texted me privately and said he is okay but it’s very dangerous where he is- He was inside the Capital Building.”

Bradley Weeks 43, Macclenny, Baker County, FL faced a federal magistrate in Jacksonville February 8, 2021. He was released on a $5,000 “signature bond,” where no cash was paid up-front but he could be forced to pay if he violated terms of his release.

Andrew Williams, Sanford FL, firefighter and paramedic. He was arrested January 9, 2021 by federal law enforcement. He was brought to the federal courthouse in Orlando in shackles. Williams was released from custody January 9, 2021 and ordered to have a psychiatric and mental health evaluation. He also must stay in the state’s Middle District, except to attend court proceedings in Washington, D.C.

Cheersport Nationals

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Gimme a C, gimme an O, gimme a V, gimme an I, gimme a D! Whats that spell?! COVID!!!!!!  40,000 fans are expected to converge on Atlanta Georgia, for the Cheersport Nationals. Though event organizers are taking some precautions against COVID-19, it doesn’t take an expert to figure out that it will likely be a superspreader event. By CDC standards, the event is at the highest risk of Covid-19 transmission.

A CDC study from October found that indoor sporting events — even those with far fewer players than the cheerleading competition — can easily turn into superspreading events.

10,000 competitors are expected to take part in the annual Cheersport Nationals event, about half the number of competitors who usually attend. Georgia just recorded its highest single-day COVID-19 death toll. Atlanta where the cheer event is taking place, has seen a 9.8% Covid-19 positivity rate over the last two weeks, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s most recent report.

Public health doctors are worried that competitors and their families could further spread the virus in between competitions and around town. After the competition they then will return home and seed the virus all across the country.

The convention center where the event is being held also houses Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate illness. Attendees “assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19” by taking part. All coaches and cheer performers are required to wear a mask to enter the building and “during the transitions” between practice and performance. The cheerers don’t need to wear masks during their performance.

 

Pre-Pandemic: New York City Subway

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In October of 2019, Pam and I traveled to NYC because she was meeting with colleagues at the 9-11 Museum. I got to attend the 9-11 museum for the first time, but don’t have a window in which to get a sketch done. The huge 9-11 Memorial reflecting pools inhabit the footprints where the towers used to stand. They were a moving tribute to those who were lost. Names were etched in the granite surrounding the dark voids. Photos never quite capture the immensity of this memorial.

I believe this sketch as done as we went up to my old neighborhood, Washington Heights to visit the Cloisters. Pam was disgusted by what she saw on the subway ride. Some guy using his cell phone, wiped his runny nose with the back of his hand, then pinched more snot out of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger. He then played with his phone and reached out with the snot covered hand to grab a support bar. As she said, “He was F%&king gross.” She said she could never live in the big apple after seeing that guy on the subway.

We both got sick on this trip with what we called the plague. It was a really bad cold that lasted for months. It started to clear up by New Years day of 2020. Who knew that 2020 would be the start of the very real world wide plague of COVID-19.

COVID Cytokine Storm

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COVID-19 can cause a strange lingering condition referred to as Brain Fog. People have reported feeling not like themselves: experiencing short-term memory loss, confusion, an inability to concentrate, and just feeling differently than they did before contracting the infection. About a third of patients will have some type of neurological illness associated with COVID-19.

Neurological symptoms have been reported as a common symptom of COVID-19. Coronavirus can enter the brain.

Researchers identified Brain Fog to be a condition medically called encephalopathy. This condition is also experienced by patients who undergo a kind of immunotherapy called chimeric antibody receptor T cell therapy, which is a treatment for blood cancer. The therapy causes immune cells to release molecules called cytokines.In the study, 18 patients had spinal taps to look for the virus, but it was not found. In the rest of the fluid, researchers saw persistent inflammation and high levels of cytokines. A cytokine storm is a well-observed symptom in many COVID-19 cases. Brain fog may be caused by the release of cytokines by immune cells.

Preliminary data shows that COVID-19 is neuro-invasive, meaning the virus itself can invade the brain and nearby nerves. Something as simple as loss of smell, which is a symptom of COVID-19, indicates a neuro invasion because the nerves that are responsible for smell are in direct connection with brain.

A third of people will have complete recovery with no issues. Roughly another third will have lingering effects that improve after therapy and time, and then another third may have permanent effects, especially in cases where the patient has been intubated, has had multiple organ failure or has been under anesthesia for a while.

Bugs to the Zapper

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“In many ways, Jan. 6, was a bug light. It brought extremists from all areas. And they all came with different skill sets,” Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, told NBC. “You have the militias on one side. On the other side, you have the merely curious, people wrapped up in the moment.”

Donald Trump lured the bugs to the light with his big lie, that the election had been stolen. He incited the insurrection with this lie even before the election that he lost. The lie was simple though not based on any facts, he claimed he had won in a landslide though hos opponent had more votes. For months he paid for an ad campaign built around the tag line, “Stop the Steal.” He still insists that his lawyers refer to him as the 45th president rather than the former president.

On that fateful day he whipped up the crowd saying, “And we fight, we fight lie hell, and if you don’t fight like hell you aren’t going to have a country anymore.” But this was only one of hundreds of comments aimed at inflaming the hate red of his followers. He had convinced them over the months that their votes had been stolen. He claimed in a tweet “Dead people voted.” He didn’t offer evidence, he didn’t need to. The lie would incite his followers. On December 30, 2020 he tweeted “JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!” The bugs flew to the light believing they were doing their patriotic duty.

Travel Ban

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The Joe Biden administration is considering whether to impose domestic travel restrictions, including on Florida, fearful that COVID-19 mutations are threatening to reverse hard-fought progress on the pandemic. Discussions in the administration over potential travel restrictions  focus on how to prevent the spread of variants that appear to be surging in a number of states, including Florida and California.

The U.K. variant, known as B.1.1.7, has recently surged in Florida, where over a third of all cases in the United States have been identified. “This is a war and we’re at battle with the virus. War is messy and unpredictable, and all options are on the table,” the White House official said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said “It would be unconstitutional. It would be unwise and it would be unjust,” February 11, 2021 at a vaccination site in Port Charlotte, on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Florida leads the nation in the number of known cases of the B.1.1.7 strain of the coronavirus, the variant that emerged in the U.K. Researchers says the variant now accounts for up to 15% of the new cases statewide. Because it is more contagious, public health experts worry the emergence of the variant could accelerate spread of the disease. Florida had 202 deaths per day on January 11, 2021 and those numbers are slowly settling with a seven day average of 170 deaths a day on February 10, 2021. A Boeing 732 has 174 seats so the state is still experiencing the deaths of a commercial airplane crash every day.

 

 

Pre-Pandemic: Mexican Gastronomic Festival “Ven a Comer”

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LCHA and the Mexican Consulate in Orlando hosted the5th Annual Mexican Gastronomic Festival at Lake Eola 512 E Washington Street Orlando, Florida 32801.  Featured were many Mexican favorites like, Tacos, Elotes, Aguas Frescas, Guacamole and more.

Pam and I stood in a long line for Elotes, (Grilled Mexican Street Corn). We started joking with the people in line with us wondering if the street corn cold possibly be worth the long wait. There were rumors of a shorter street  corn line but we stood our ground. We inched our way to the head of the line until there were just two couples in front of us. Then it was announced that the vendor had run out of corn. Disappointment under those circumstances is an understatement. Luckily a riot didn’t break out. We decided to get the hell out of there. We would not be standing in another line. We went back home and made our own Elotes. The street corn we made was delicious, probably better than what was made a the festival.

I would never return to this festival for the food. However having the chance to draw a huge crowd and a taco wearing a dress would be a welcome pastime if this pandemic ever ends.