Pandemic Film: Disney Landscape

Posted on by admin

This was the first painting I did at the start of the pandemic. Some were rather upset seeing the image and wanted to tar and feather me and run me out of town. That is when I knew I was onto something and the pandemic paintings became a daily habit.

During the lock down getting a pandemic themed painting done every day was easy. The news was changing fast and the absurdity of the response or lack of response was was ample inspiration for insane painting themes.

Taking these hundreds of images and assembling them into a film seems like a vacation. I still have ideas I want to paint but they have to be set aside so I have time to edit and animate the film. After three years many of the images I already painted apply over and over again. Humans keep blindly making the same mistakes and choose willful ignorance to fuel their bliss.

Wen Misinformation Genie

Posted on by Thor

The pandemic is not over. Yet certain talking heads are placating the public and pretending it is over. Almost 4,000 Americans continue to die every week, about 1,000 more that the number of people who died on 9-11. The death numbers are rising. July 4th of last year president Biden claimed the pandemic was over, and a year later despite all the needless death inbetween, he once again proclaimed the same.

Leana Wen is a research professor of health policy and management. She has been a favored host on CNN. At one point in 2021 she said that people should not be allowed out in public unless they are vaccinated. Far right anti-vaxers were furious. Lately however she seems to be on the far right anti-vax pay roll.

Wen claimed that getting infected should be perceived as the new normal going forward. So 4,000 deaths a week is “the new normal.” In a recent column in the Washington Post, Wen claimed, “We are over counting COVID deaths and hospitalizations.” She didn’t reference any research or data to back up her claim but she did talk to several friends.  The anecdotal opinions of these two friends seemed to be the entire basis for her crazy headline. One said that of the patients he treats in Massachusetts,  just 30% are treated with a steroid for patients suffering from low oxygen. He went on to state that he felt hospitalizations are over counted. Strangely, Wen referenced the 30% number and attributed it to deaths rather than hospitalizations, or treatments with steroids which she earlier referenced. Does she not know the difference between death and hospitalization? The article is misleading at best.

Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Bringham and Women’s Hospital, who teaches at Harvard, and consults with the White House. He said on Twitter, “I can’t say for sure if we are over counting hospitalizations, it is certainly possible, although it is not black and white. But I can say with confidence that we are not over counting COVID deaths right now, including Massachusetts, the state highlighted in the Post, because this is literally what I study.”

Excess deaths (orange) in America follow the same trajectory as COVID deaths (black), with excess deaths often being rather higher. These deaths are compared to what would have been expected given the five year averages of deaths prior to the pandemic. If anything, this makes it seem that COVID deaths are likely being under counted. Dr. Faust went on to say, “If we were truly over counting COVID deaths, an important piece of evidence to support that would be if COVID deaths…were exceeding all cause deaths.” So to state the obvious, simply, COVID deaths are not being over counted. It is very likely that COVID deaths are being under counted.

The misinformation Wen is now peddling is dangerous because it ignited the conspiratorial far right anti-vax, Q-Anon crowd. In the early days of the pandemic I used to respect Wen’s opinions and guidance but now she is quite simply encouraging death and denying the facts all around her as the pandemic continues to rage. Wen’s stance is offensive to all the millions of families who lost a love one because of COVID.

Can someone please cork the bottle of this genie of death.

You just need to catch fire and you will stop worrying!

Posted on by Thor

According to recently published data from experts at the Dornsife School of Public Health, closing indoor dining during the first two waves of the COVID pandemic was associated with a 61% decline in new COVID-19 cases over a six-week span, preventing an estimated 142 daily cases per city, compared with cities that reopened indoor dining during that period. The team looked at data from March to October 2020 in 11 U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Atlanta and Dallas. The results were published last month in the journal Epidemiology.

At first researchers believed that  recovering from COVID-19 meant the chances of getting the virus again so soon were low. Scientists thought we were protected for at least six months after the initial infection. This as it turns out is not true. You can be er-infected much sooner. The much raster re-infections are due to relaxed safety precautions such as masking and social distancing, as well as declining antibody levels and additional viral mutations, which can result in immune escape by omicron sub-variants.

Re-infections are common. The antibodies you generate in the face of one infection don’t necessarily protect you against other sub-variants for long.

Return to Normal

Posted on by Thor

The pandemic is not over. We need to stop buying into the denial that we are “back to normal.” The Aztec culture of human sacrifice used to be considered brutal and horrific. However it does not compare to the over 500 deaths a day as officials placate the public to help them feel that it is fine to go back to everyday life with no face masks, social distancing or any improved ventilation of indoor spaces. The elite keep themselves safe and convince the lower classes to return to normal, and infect one another. 

COVID kills ten times more people than the flu. COVID kills more people than car accidents, strokes, respiratory disease, diabetes, pneumonia and Alzheimer’s. Nine  months ago when the public was told that Covid-19 patients retain elevated risk of infection for at least nine months after being infected, now that risk assessment was extended to 18 months. Getting infected does not build up you immune system, it destroys it.

In 2022 there was a 30% increase in heart attacks among 25-44 year olds. Excess deaths have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic and many of these are likely due to prior COVID infections. This number will keep rising with repeat COVID infections. Each month, more than a million people have called out sick for the past three years. About 7% of Americans currently have long Covid, which can affect productivity and ability to work, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

White House COVID Czar, “Ashish Jha almost gleefully explained that vaccines, tests, and treatments for Covid are heading to the private sector, “My hope is that in 2023, you’re going to see the commercialization of almost all of these products.” Cha-ching! Big money to be made on palatine remedies that do not stop the spread of the virus. Soon drug store shelves will be jam packed. But pharmacists at CVS and Walgreens are dropping off like flies, so pharmacy hours are being cut back. Testing centers are a thing of the past as people test at home. All those at home tests go unrecorded so who knows how much virus is actually out there.

Viral History and Human Behavior

Posted on by Thor

People have always responded the same way to plagues and pandemics. When faced by the tragic forces of nature most people stand by and watch. With an earthquake or hurricane maybe 10% of the people do the right thing and help. Another proponent do the opposite they actively impede recovery. Most people however wait to be told what to do. They are the frog in the slowly boiling pot of water. Rather than panic or gear into recovery mode, they mellow out and pretend nothing is happening.

When the twin towers were hit, most people didn’t immediately run to the stairwells. They sat back down and waited to be told what to do. Many who waited died. Today we are still experiencing a 9/11 worth of death every week from COVID and most have mellowed out, pretending nothing is happening. Those who wear masks and social distance are treated with suspicion. They break the illusion promoted by top officials that the pandemic is over.

During the Black Death of the 1830s, the rich stole from the poor and vulnerable and scapegoated people of other socioeconomic classes, along with the sick and disabled. Families abandoned the dead. In general hatred of “others” took hold. Those with money believed themselves to be safe from infection. Leadership in general denied the reality of what was happening. In Europe. the Jews were blamed for purposefully infecting Christians. Doctors advised patients that “the best way to protect against disease, causing bad air, was to expose oneself to more bad air.” Rumors and misinformation flourished.

The 1889 Russian Flu was known for a post-acute stage that caused “nervous disorders” including depression that lasted years. In 1893, Edvard Munch, still suffering post-flu, painted The Scream.

Austrian artist Egon Schiele died October 31, 1918 from the Spanish Flu. His wife, Edith Schiele who was 6 months pregnant died two days earlier.

As bodies piles up in 1918 officials insisted there was no cause for alarm. Propaganda fueled by the WW I war effort had little regard for a statements truth or falsehood. Citizens were considered the mental equivalent of children. The president at the time, Woodrow Wilson never made a statement about the virus.Woodrow Wilson had a bad bout of the Spanish Flu and later suffered a stroke which parallelized his left side and caused brain fog. His inability to focus kept him from promoting his peace treaty at Versailles.

By ignoring the unfolding tragedy terror settled into the populace. As the director of public health in Chicago said, “It is our job to keep people from fear. Worry kills more than the disease.” A war drive parade was held in Chicago despite warnings and there was a huge surge of 8,000 deaths that followed. Mass graves had to be dug. San Francisco on the other hand promoted the use of masks and the weathered the influenza outbreak much better with 1,857 deaths.

What Virus?

Posted on by Thor

A pandemic becomes endemic largely when politicians no longer see any political gain from arguing about it and when the media gets tired of covering the carnage. Americans have become comfortable with about 1000 deaths a day.

Russia has 358,000 reported deaths due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. That is likely a vast underestimate of the true number since Russia wants to project strength as it goes to war.  When discussing Russian deaths due to the war, a Russin military commentator said, “It’s almost a state secret,” the commentator asked not to be quoted by name. “We don’t know exactly [how many people have died] … at the given moment, it’s better to discuss other questions.” On March 21, 2022, The Russian defense ministry data showed 9,861 Russian soldiers had been killed in action. That is about 333 Russian deaths per day. On March 22, 2022 there were 472 death due to COVID-19 reported in Russia.

In Ukraine the reported deaths due to COVID-19 have literally dropped to zero since the invasion by Russia since there is no working health care system to track the numbers. The only deaths being reported are those who are being shot and blown apart by Russian bombs. Prior to the invasion, Ukraine reported 112,000 deaths due to COVID-19.

BA.2 is ripping through Europe and now makes up about 30%  of the cases in America. It is 30% more infectious than Omicron. That makes BA.2 as infectious as the measles. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

Prior infection from Omicron has built up the immunity for those who were not vaccinated. It has inoculated many of the stupid and stubborn. About 75% of the American population has been previously infected or has been fully vaccinated. These people are about 85% protected against severe disease and hospitalization. The other 25% of Americans are highly vulnerable to the next wave coming in the following weeks. Anyone over 65 is is more vulnerable to hospitalization and possible death. Basically everyone will be exposed to BA.2 and 25% of Americans are vulnerable simply because they refused to get vaccinated. People will die needlessly based on a misguided choice. In Ukraine no one has a choice. The bombs are indiscriminate and can kill anyone at any time. Americans do not understand that level of uncertainty and many choose to ignore it.

Ignorance is the Biggest Crime

Posted on by Thor

I was listening to an interview with a Ukrainian health care worker and this phrase struck me the hardest, “Ignorance is the Greatest Crime.” It should be obvious to anyone that the pandemic is not over, yet many go about life as normal. Hospitalizations are dropping, but nations especially in Asia are experiencing renewed spikes in cases.

In Ukraine the Russians will never stop killing women and children until all allied nations enter the fight. World War III has already begun. It took the United States two and a half years before they decided to enter World War I.  It took two years before Pearl Harbor launched America into  WWII. Isolationists in Washington will drag their heals and exhaust all options before fully entering the conflict.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working hard to send 36 metric tons of medial supplies to Ukraine. They will need to raise $45 million for Ukraine and $12.5 million to support neighboring countries providing refugee care. Hospitals and healthcare workers are being attacked in Ukraine. Supply lines are under threat of bombardment.

The ignorant sit idly by as the water begins to slowly boil. By the time they realize the danger, it will be too late.

Freedom to Drown

Posted on by Thor

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.

What Virus? What Insurrection?

Posted on by Thor

Since the start of the pandemic, science deniers have been saying that this COVID-19 is just like the flu. Politicians like the former president and the GOP have played down its lethality and spread.

Many unvaccinated people are denying the virus even exists right up to their dying breath. The curse the doctors and nurses who give them the news that they may have to go one a ventilator. Some beg for the vaccine but it is too late.

People grasp at conspiracy theories which give them someone to blame These theories are easier to believe that the science. The deniers refuse to wear a face mask or publicly disregard social distancing rules. Some deniers raise their indignation to an unnecessarily dramatic level of outrage. It is their rights, that they feel are most important. They care only about themselves. They fear loosing their grip on the only reality they can grasp. Facts no longer matter to them.

Around 13% of Americans think that the coronavirus probably or definitely isn’t real, according to a global survey from YouGov. In this alternate universe, GOP lawmakers are arguing that the rioters who used flagpoles as weapons, brutally beat police officers and chanted that they wanted to hang Vice President Mike Pence were somehow acting peacefully in their violent bid to overturn Joe Biden’s election win. COVID deniers and conspiracy theorists need an enemy and Biden fits the bill although the ex president was impeached twice and still under investigation for his criminal acts. One GOP called the terrorists “A mob of misfits” and another refereed to them as “Tourists.” The big lie that the election was stolen is as believable as the idea that the virus does not exist.

So many in Florida have been acting like the virus does not exist or is just a seasonal flu. They are paying the ultimate price but we all have to suffer because of their ignorance and selfishness. Florida just broke a record with over 21,000 cases of COVID in one day. This is the highest surge sine the start of the pandemic. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis has resisted mandatory mask mandates and vaccine requirements, and he has limited local officials’ ability to impose restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. His denial ism and ignorance is literally killing his constituants.

 

 

Price of PPE

Posted on by Thor

Why are police officers around the country outfitted in high tech riot gear while nurses and doctors have to scramble for basic personal protective equipment? Back in April when New York City was first hit hard by the Covid-19 Pandemic some nurses and doctors had to improvise, using hefty garbage bags since Personal Protective equipment was in such short supply.  Now, with police hitting the streets with pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse protestors we can see that they are very well supplied with PPE.

I decided to host a fashion show with a nurse and an officer in riot gear. I am not great at knowing the costs of fashion items but I will try and research what each is wearing and how much it costs. I will limit myself to the items visible in my illustration.

The Nurse.

It should be noted that PPE costs increased 1000% during the Covid-19 pandemic. While nurses ran out of PPE, and had to re-use face masks, the President accused them of stealing their own supplies..

A basic Face Shield. She is sporting a fairly basic face shield. In May, Amazon began to mass produce face shields at coast for nurses and doctors. Prices are between $12 and $35.

Pro-Safe Skull Cap  $4.06

This nurse is not wearing an N-95 Surgical Mask. The Face Mask she is wearing is not designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. A pack of 50 about 29.00 or $.59 cents each. Face masks can not be shared and should not be re-used.

Disposable Scrubs Top $4.99.

Disposable Scrubs Pants $4.99.

Disposable Vinyl Gloves $16.99 for 100 pairs or $.16 cents per pair.

She should be wearing Waterproof Boots (e.g. rubber or gum boots) $36.45. I have also seen photos of nurses putting hefty bags over their street shoes and duck taping them in place.  $9.99 for 40 bags. or $.49 for a pair. Duck tape is $4.99 for a roll which can go a long way.

Outer Protective Gown is a Hefty Bag with a hefty plastic tie for a belt. $.24 cents.

Any street clothing will not be counted. The total for the ensemble is about $27.52. Her wings are free. She has earned them.

The nurses had resorted to trash bags after the death of assistant nursing manager Kious Kelly, 48, who died of COVID-19 on March 24, 2020. Colleagues have blamed his death on the forced reusing of protective equipment.

Around April Fools Day, Nurses battling the Covid-19 pandemic at Mount Sinai West in New York City finally got more protective gear after The New York Post revealed a shortage so dire that some staffers resorted to wearing trash bags. Should we ant to thank essential workers, we should make sure they are included in city budgets.

Riot Gear Police.

Helmet Lancer Tactical Large – X-Large Industrial ABS Plastic Constructed Maritime Adjustable Crown with 20mm Side Rail Adapter Velcro Padding NVG Shroud Bungee Retention. $65.

Gas Mask is similar to the Evolution 5000 $229.50.

The Upper Body Protector Vest is about $71.42.

The department supplys ammunition. Collapsible batons, chemical spray, handcuffs — both metal and the plastic variety used in riot-type situations — and a leather utility belt to hold these items are other must-haves.

Minnesota officers receive an annual equipment allowance of $980 — rookie cops get three years, or $2,940, up front to start building their wardrobes. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has pledged another $1.1 million for a department wide rollout of body cameras. LAPD officers are outfitted in riot gear that costs tax payers at least $470 per officer, not counting weapons.

I can’t identify the exact less lethal weapon this officer is holding but it is probably just short of $1000. Should anyone be able to identify it with a price, please let me know. The Sting Ball Grenade on his vest is $52.50. Who knows how much more ammo and grenades are in the bag he is holding.

The Body Cam on his vest is about $155.98.

This officer may have on a very nice Paul Newman Rolex Daytona watch.

So an exact pricing estimate seems difficult, but it is fair to say that there is a big difference between the $27.62 Nurse ensemble and the several thousand dollar plus riot police ensemble. By one estimate one officers riot gear could pay for the PPE for 33 nurses.

This leads to the idea of defunding the police to create balance in the community. Rather than investing billions in a culture of violence, we could invest some of that money in services that have a positive impact on the community like youth programs, counseling and affordable housing. The nation wide peaceful protests are helping inspire change.