It was difficult to watch. In Minneapolis, a video showed a white police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, as Floyd was laying face down on the ground. Pleading he could not breathe, the officer continued to kneel on his neck for over 8 minutes. Mr. Floyd died. Within four days the officer was charged with third degree murder under Minnesota law. It did not take long for the demonstrations to turn violent, with looting, burning and rioting in the streets of many cities across the country.
People of all races and all political persuasions were disgusted by what happened to Mr. Floyd. People of good will have also felt revulsion at the looting and burning and rioting. Burning and looting of businesses have nothing to do with happened to Mr. Floyd. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the protests were 'the result of so much built up anger and sadness." Frey: "If you're feeling that sadness, that anger, it's not only understandable, it's right. It's a reflection of the truth that our black community has lived." Well, Mr. Frey, you did not condemn the rioting and looting. And you neglected to say how that sadness, that anger, might be directed in a positive way. That was your job as Mayor.
Atlanta's Mayor is a black woman by the name of Keisha Lance Bottoms. Here is what she said about the looters and rioters: "You're not honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement...when you burn down this city, you're burning down our community." And: "You are disgracing this city, you are disgracing the life of George Floyd and every other person who has been killed in this country."
It was reported that Minnesota's Governor received a call from a State Senator, complaining that her district was "on fire, no police, no firefighters, no social control, constituents locked in houses wondering what they were going to do." I watched in astonishment as a Minneapolis police station was attacked by a mob, and saw the police abandon the station and the neighborhood, as they drove away in one police cruiser after the next. I could not make a better argument for the right to keep and bear arms - no police, and a mob run amok. I also saw, after the state police and national guard were called out and were on the streets, continued looting and rioting. Did no one care about those shop owners whose stores were being damaged and destroyed?
Chrissy Teigen pledged $200,000 to bail out protesters who had been arrested. I was not impressed. It would have said far more if she had donated that money to minority owners of shops whose businesses were destroyed. And LeBron James Tweeted: "Why doesn't America Love US!!!!!????TOO." Does Mr. James really believe that most Americans carry a hatred of their fellow Americans who are black? No one is claiming there are not bad cops. No one is claiming that there is not racism. But just as Jews were murdered in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and at a Chabad House in Poway, California, and even though Jews remain by far the number one target of religious hate crimes, I do not believe that America is a fundamentally anti-Semitic country. Can we do better? Clearly. Do police need better training? Apparently. But let's not condemn every police officer; let's not condemn the entire country.
The agenda-driven New York Times ran with this headline online on 5/30/20: "What Top Conservatives Are Saying About George Floyd and Police Brutality." The implication, of course, is that conservatives were reluctant to criticize the white police officer who killed Mr. Floyd. Which is a total lie. People across the political spectrum were disgusted by what they saw. The Times: "The chilling circumstances of Mr. Floyd's death - particularly the graphic, indisputable video of his arrest - have, at least for now posed a political quandary among some conservative politicians, media stars and President Trump, whose usual instinct is to focus on blaming liberals for promoting lawlessness." A political quandary? What rubbish. But they do make a good point about how some left-wing mayors and governors are willing to look the other way when it's left-wing inspired violence. Recall in 2015, following the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore Mayor instructed the police to not only give space to peaceful protesters, but "we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well."
Another week and another 2.1 million people applied for unemployment. That gives us a ten week total of 40,767,000 people unemployed. A friend told me of eating at an opened restaurant and talking with the female server he knew. During the lock down, her mother died and the longtime family dog died. As a single mother of three she needed to work. But the restaurant could only afford to give her 20 hours a week. That day, this server only had two tables that were occupied when my friend and his wife were in - theirs and one other. The other table left a minimal tip, which my friend and his wife made up for with theirs. But there are 40 million of these stories.
The latest numbers as of last night were 1,816,820 cases in the US, with 105,557 deaths. New York had 378,951 cases and 29,829 deaths, New Jersey 160,916 cases and 11,637 deaths, Illinois 118,917 cases and 5,330 deaths, California 109,883 cases and 4,213 deaths, Massachusetts 96,301 cases and 6,768 deaths, and Pennsylvania 75,794 cases and 5,560 deaths. Later in the evening last night I saw that California had 110,100 cases and 4,214 deaths. Newly reopened Los Angeles County had 53,651 cases and 2,338 deaths. Now, however, with multiple cities in LA County suffering from rioting, the entire County is under a curfew from 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Sunday, May 24, 2020
The Coronavirus Ten Weeks Later (Part II) - Back to Politics
Yes, Joe Biden actually said to a black man: "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black." Yes, he did apologize afterwards. But so what? He could not have said, or even thought of, something like that unless he actually believed it. And they tell us that Republicans are the racists. But it is not just Biden. There are blacks who agree. And there are Jews who do not understand how I, a Jew, can vote Republican. Frankly, it is racist group think.
Meanwhile, over in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz formed a unity government, after 3 elections produced no clear winner. As part of their unity agreement there was discussion of Israel "annexing" parts of the West Bank. However, 18 US Senators, all Democrats and including two Jews, sent a letter to Netanyahu and Gantz, objecting to annexation. "As friends and supporters of Israel, we caution you against taking unilateral steps that would fray our unique bonds, imperil Israel's future and place out of reach the prospect of a lasting peace." Some friends these Democrats are. I don't need friends threatening me.
Instigating the letter were Senators Chris Murphy, Connecticut, Tim Kaine, Virginia, and Chris Van Hollen, Maryland. Also signing the letter were these Senators: Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren (who may be Biden's running mate as VP), Tammy Duckworth, Sherrod Brown, Tammy Baldwin, Patrick Leahy, Jeff Merkley, Tom Udall, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ed Markey, Martin Heinrich, Jeanne Shaheen and Tom Carper. I have discussed in many prior posts Israel's right to "occupy" and even "annex" part of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). I will simply point out here that the Jordan River valley must always remain under Israeli control, lest outside forces (think Iran, Al Qaeda and ISIS) are mere minutes away from Israel's greatest population centers. Furthermore, applying Israeli sovereignty to the 500,000 Jews living across the 1949 armistice lines, makes clear that those people are part of the State of Israel.
The Dems are not taking any chances. In the event that Donald Trump wins reelection, they have put impeachment back on the table. Really. In their recent arguments to get the Supreme Court to order the release of the Mueller investigation's grand jury testimony, the Democrats argued they have an "ongoing presidential impeachment investigation," which they describe as part of their "weighty constitutional responsibility." Essentially, they were on a fishing expedition, and argued that new material may lead to new articles of impeachment. These people are disgusting. They never accepted their 2016 defeat, and it is clear they have no intention of accepting another defeat. (It is worth rereading the March 12, 2017 post (less than 2 months after Trump's inauguration) called "The Deposing of an American President.")
After acting DNI Rick Grenell ordered the release of Omama Administration officials' testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, we learned what a farce the entire Russian collusion story was. James Clapper, Obama's DNI: "I never saw any direct empirical evidence that the Trump campaign or someone in it was plotting or conspiring with the Russians to meddle with the election." Obama's National Security Adviser, Susan Rice: "I don't recall intelligence that I would consider evidence." Obama's Attorney General, Loretta Lynch: "I do not recall that being briefed up to me." Then we have Evelyn Farkas, Obama's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, who desperately sought to distribute as much information as possible about the incoming Administration of Donald Trump: "I didn't know anything." Then Congressman Trey Gowdy specifically asked her: "You also didn't know whether or not anybody in the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia, did you?" Farkas: "I didn't." And all the while Democratic Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, was telling the American people he had definitive evidence of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.
The Justice Department decided to drop their prosecution of Michael Flynn, after it became clear that it was a set-up. The FBI agents who interviewed him did not think he was lying. But an FBI memo made clear, when asking what the goal was - "get him to lie so we can prosecute him or get him fired?" Obama was unable to refrain from commenting on the DOJ dropping its prosecution of Michael Flynn: "That's the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic - not just institutional norms - but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk." Please. How sad that so many Dems actually believe that Obama was squeaky clean. But here is the real story.
As David Hirsanyi wrote in the 5/12/20 National Review: "By 2016, the Obama administration's intelligence community had normalized domestic spying. Obama's Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, famously lied about snooping on American citizens to Congress. His CIA Director, John Brennan, oversaw an agency that felt comfortable spying on the Senate, with at least five of his underlings breaking into congressional computer files. His attorney general, Eric Holder, invoked the Espionage Act to spy on a Fox News journalist...The Obama administration also spied on Associated Press reporters, which the news organization called a "massive and unprecedented intrusion." He further explains: "Obama officials were caught monitoring the conversations of members of Congress who opposed the Iran nuclear deal." Not to mention Obama's use of the IRS to target conservative groups.
But Obama is worried about the rule of law? And Trump is the threat to democracy? I've got the London Bridge for sale, if you're interested.
Meanwhile, over in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz formed a unity government, after 3 elections produced no clear winner. As part of their unity agreement there was discussion of Israel "annexing" parts of the West Bank. However, 18 US Senators, all Democrats and including two Jews, sent a letter to Netanyahu and Gantz, objecting to annexation. "As friends and supporters of Israel, we caution you against taking unilateral steps that would fray our unique bonds, imperil Israel's future and place out of reach the prospect of a lasting peace." Some friends these Democrats are. I don't need friends threatening me.
Instigating the letter were Senators Chris Murphy, Connecticut, Tim Kaine, Virginia, and Chris Van Hollen, Maryland. Also signing the letter were these Senators: Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren (who may be Biden's running mate as VP), Tammy Duckworth, Sherrod Brown, Tammy Baldwin, Patrick Leahy, Jeff Merkley, Tom Udall, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ed Markey, Martin Heinrich, Jeanne Shaheen and Tom Carper. I have discussed in many prior posts Israel's right to "occupy" and even "annex" part of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). I will simply point out here that the Jordan River valley must always remain under Israeli control, lest outside forces (think Iran, Al Qaeda and ISIS) are mere minutes away from Israel's greatest population centers. Furthermore, applying Israeli sovereignty to the 500,000 Jews living across the 1949 armistice lines, makes clear that those people are part of the State of Israel.
The Dems are not taking any chances. In the event that Donald Trump wins reelection, they have put impeachment back on the table. Really. In their recent arguments to get the Supreme Court to order the release of the Mueller investigation's grand jury testimony, the Democrats argued they have an "ongoing presidential impeachment investigation," which they describe as part of their "weighty constitutional responsibility." Essentially, they were on a fishing expedition, and argued that new material may lead to new articles of impeachment. These people are disgusting. They never accepted their 2016 defeat, and it is clear they have no intention of accepting another defeat. (It is worth rereading the March 12, 2017 post (less than 2 months after Trump's inauguration) called "The Deposing of an American President.")
After acting DNI Rick Grenell ordered the release of Omama Administration officials' testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, we learned what a farce the entire Russian collusion story was. James Clapper, Obama's DNI: "I never saw any direct empirical evidence that the Trump campaign or someone in it was plotting or conspiring with the Russians to meddle with the election." Obama's National Security Adviser, Susan Rice: "I don't recall intelligence that I would consider evidence." Obama's Attorney General, Loretta Lynch: "I do not recall that being briefed up to me." Then we have Evelyn Farkas, Obama's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, who desperately sought to distribute as much information as possible about the incoming Administration of Donald Trump: "I didn't know anything." Then Congressman Trey Gowdy specifically asked her: "You also didn't know whether or not anybody in the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia, did you?" Farkas: "I didn't." And all the while Democratic Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, was telling the American people he had definitive evidence of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.
The Justice Department decided to drop their prosecution of Michael Flynn, after it became clear that it was a set-up. The FBI agents who interviewed him did not think he was lying. But an FBI memo made clear, when asking what the goal was - "get him to lie so we can prosecute him or get him fired?" Obama was unable to refrain from commenting on the DOJ dropping its prosecution of Michael Flynn: "That's the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic - not just institutional norms - but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk." Please. How sad that so many Dems actually believe that Obama was squeaky clean. But here is the real story.
As David Hirsanyi wrote in the 5/12/20 National Review: "By 2016, the Obama administration's intelligence community had normalized domestic spying. Obama's Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, famously lied about snooping on American citizens to Congress. His CIA Director, John Brennan, oversaw an agency that felt comfortable spying on the Senate, with at least five of his underlings breaking into congressional computer files. His attorney general, Eric Holder, invoked the Espionage Act to spy on a Fox News journalist...The Obama administration also spied on Associated Press reporters, which the news organization called a "massive and unprecedented intrusion." He further explains: "Obama officials were caught monitoring the conversations of members of Congress who opposed the Iran nuclear deal." Not to mention Obama's use of the IRS to target conservative groups.
But Obama is worried about the rule of law? And Trump is the threat to democracy? I've got the London Bridge for sale, if you're interested.
The Coronavirus Ten Weeks Later - the States Start to Reopen
In the week ending on 5/16/2020, another 2.4 million people applied for unemployment benefits. That brings the 9 week total to 38.6 million people unemployed. I do not even know what to say anymore. On Fox they were talking about bread/food lines in New York City. On the other hand, NBC reported that Walmart and Target combined made $10 billion more online and in stores in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019. Unfortunately, small business revenue was down by 75%.
Meanwhile, many counties in California have been given the okay to partially reopen. Mall stores that have curbside access can reopen. Dining in restaurants is permitted again - assuming they maintain social distancing between the tables, as well as other safety measures. As I expected, partial opening seemed to mean to many people "back to normal." We have seen young people standing in a group right next to one another, outside of a local Starbucks. We have seen similar non-social distancing on TV. In an AP/NORC poll, conducted 5/14-5/18, 69% of Republicans said they would likely go to reopened restaurants, compared to 37% of Democrats. There was less of a disparity with regards to retail shopping - 82% of Republicans were likely to go, compared to 61% of Democrats. The margin of error for the poll was +/- 4.2%.
Dr. Mark Siegel reported on an interesting study by JP Morgan, as reported by Yael Halon on Fox. "States and countries where lockdowns were implemented have had a higher rate of COVID-19 cases than locations that remained open throughout the pandemic." Dr. Siegel: "Locking down destroys our health care system to the point where we have more heart attacks that are not going to the hospital now, more strokes that are not going to the hospital now. More cancer that is not being screened. People say they are afraid to go to the emergency room right now."
Meanwhile, we continue to see a struggle between the federal government and certain local governments. President Trump was particularly concerned about houses of worship not being allowed to reopen when retail outlets were. Trump: "I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. If they don't do it, I will override the governors." While I agree that houses of worship should be allowed to reopen if they can maintain the same safety protocols that restaurants and retail stores must abide by, I do not agree that the President has the authority to override the governors. General police powers are reserved to the states. And, I am not a fan of the heavy hand of the federal government interfering with state actions, absent a clear violation of federal law.
The DOJ was also threatening both LA City and LA County. In a letter to Mayor Garcetti and the County's Director of Public Health, the DOJ wrote: "Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the City and County of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions...Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful." Again, I am not convinced of either the legitimacy or the appropriateness of federal interference with states, counties and cities, absent a violation of federal law.
Speaking of the heavy hand of the federal government, it was recently reported that Lori Laughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, decided to plead guilty in connection with their actions related to the college admissions scandal. The allegation is that the couple paid $500,000 to Rick Singer in order to get their daughters admitted to the University of Southern California. Laughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and in exchange for the plea is to serve 2 months in prison, pay a fine of $150,000, and perform 100 hours of community service. Her husband pleaded guilty to the same charges, plus honest services wire and mail fraud, in exchange for a 5 month prison term, a fine of $250,000 and 250 hours of community service. I am not sure why the different charges and punishment. But that's not my beef.
What bothers me is that, having committed the act of bribery (through Singer), and falsifying their daughters' involvement in sports, they faced up to 50 years in prison if they went to trial and were convicted on all counts. 50 years in prison for trying to get their daughters admitted to USC? That is outrageous. They were not accused of terrorism or mass murder or running a drug cartel. But, because the feds are able to allege their actions violate various federal laws, each carrying lengthy prison terms, they dared not risk a trial. I am not defending this couple's actions - but I am objecting to the fact that what is essentially a single act can violate numerous laws, allowing the Feds to threaten what amounts to life in prison. What if they were innocent? Could anyone take the risk of a 50 year prison sentence? It is not an answer to say they are only getting 2 and 5 months respectively. Not when the threat of 50 years hangs over their heads.
As of today, the latest numbers I saw showed that the US had 1.68 million cases of coronavirus, with 98,011 deaths. New York and New Jersey combine to have 30.5% of the total cases in the US (360,000 and 153,000, respectively), and 35% of the total deaths (23,282 and 11,081, respectively). Next is Illinois with 108,000 cases and 4,790 deaths, Massachusetts with 91,662 cases and 6,304 deaths, and California with 90,631 cases and 3,708 deaths. LA County, with a quarter of the state's population, had 49.6% of the state's cases (44,988) and 56.7% of the state's deaths (2,104). So, who is to say who knows better on reopening LA? Ultimately, it appears the people will decide.
Meanwhile, many counties in California have been given the okay to partially reopen. Mall stores that have curbside access can reopen. Dining in restaurants is permitted again - assuming they maintain social distancing between the tables, as well as other safety measures. As I expected, partial opening seemed to mean to many people "back to normal." We have seen young people standing in a group right next to one another, outside of a local Starbucks. We have seen similar non-social distancing on TV. In an AP/NORC poll, conducted 5/14-5/18, 69% of Republicans said they would likely go to reopened restaurants, compared to 37% of Democrats. There was less of a disparity with regards to retail shopping - 82% of Republicans were likely to go, compared to 61% of Democrats. The margin of error for the poll was +/- 4.2%.
Dr. Mark Siegel reported on an interesting study by JP Morgan, as reported by Yael Halon on Fox. "States and countries where lockdowns were implemented have had a higher rate of COVID-19 cases than locations that remained open throughout the pandemic." Dr. Siegel: "Locking down destroys our health care system to the point where we have more heart attacks that are not going to the hospital now, more strokes that are not going to the hospital now. More cancer that is not being screened. People say they are afraid to go to the emergency room right now."
Meanwhile, we continue to see a struggle between the federal government and certain local governments. President Trump was particularly concerned about houses of worship not being allowed to reopen when retail outlets were. Trump: "I call upon governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. If they don't do it, I will override the governors." While I agree that houses of worship should be allowed to reopen if they can maintain the same safety protocols that restaurants and retail stores must abide by, I do not agree that the President has the authority to override the governors. General police powers are reserved to the states. And, I am not a fan of the heavy hand of the federal government interfering with state actions, absent a clear violation of federal law.
The DOJ was also threatening both LA City and LA County. In a letter to Mayor Garcetti and the County's Director of Public Health, the DOJ wrote: "Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the City and County of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions...Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful." Again, I am not convinced of either the legitimacy or the appropriateness of federal interference with states, counties and cities, absent a violation of federal law.
Speaking of the heavy hand of the federal government, it was recently reported that Lori Laughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, decided to plead guilty in connection with their actions related to the college admissions scandal. The allegation is that the couple paid $500,000 to Rick Singer in order to get their daughters admitted to the University of Southern California. Laughlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, and in exchange for the plea is to serve 2 months in prison, pay a fine of $150,000, and perform 100 hours of community service. Her husband pleaded guilty to the same charges, plus honest services wire and mail fraud, in exchange for a 5 month prison term, a fine of $250,000 and 250 hours of community service. I am not sure why the different charges and punishment. But that's not my beef.
What bothers me is that, having committed the act of bribery (through Singer), and falsifying their daughters' involvement in sports, they faced up to 50 years in prison if they went to trial and were convicted on all counts. 50 years in prison for trying to get their daughters admitted to USC? That is outrageous. They were not accused of terrorism or mass murder or running a drug cartel. But, because the feds are able to allege their actions violate various federal laws, each carrying lengthy prison terms, they dared not risk a trial. I am not defending this couple's actions - but I am objecting to the fact that what is essentially a single act can violate numerous laws, allowing the Feds to threaten what amounts to life in prison. What if they were innocent? Could anyone take the risk of a 50 year prison sentence? It is not an answer to say they are only getting 2 and 5 months respectively. Not when the threat of 50 years hangs over their heads.
As of today, the latest numbers I saw showed that the US had 1.68 million cases of coronavirus, with 98,011 deaths. New York and New Jersey combine to have 30.5% of the total cases in the US (360,000 and 153,000, respectively), and 35% of the total deaths (23,282 and 11,081, respectively). Next is Illinois with 108,000 cases and 4,790 deaths, Massachusetts with 91,662 cases and 6,304 deaths, and California with 90,631 cases and 3,708 deaths. LA County, with a quarter of the state's population, had 49.6% of the state's cases (44,988) and 56.7% of the state's deaths (2,104). So, who is to say who knows better on reopening LA? Ultimately, it appears the people will decide.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
The Coronavirus Nine Weeks Later - Did the New York Times Really Publish That?
Some numbers. In the week ending May 9, another 2,981,000 people applied for unemployment. That brings the eight week total to 36,500,000 people. Absolutely frightening. From February to March, retail sales fell 8.3%. From March to April, sales fell 16.4%. According to the 5/16/20 New York Times, the hardest hit segment in retail was clothing stores, down 89% from February to April. Next were furniture stores, down 67%, followed by electronics and appliances down 65%. Food services and drinking establishments were down 50%. Gas stations were down 41%.
In a story out of Bridgeport, Connecticut, we are reminded how these stay at home orders are taking us back to an earlier era. A dairy company had stopped their home deliveries 28 years ago. Now, the request for home delivery is booming, as they deliver milk, eggs, cheese and yogurt. I am sure I am not the only one to remember, as a kid, having a metal milk container outside our door, for the milk delivery man. The container held 4 quart bottles (they were glass bottles back then, with the cream at the top), and we would put the empty bottles back in the container, to be replaced with new ones. The local grocery store would deliver; although, at times my Mom would give me a list which I would give to one of the employees, who would bag it up for me to bring home; and they would add the bill to my Mom's tab. We would also get home delivery of seltzer (my Dad loved it), and kosher meats.
On the good news front, this increased demand for home delivery has resulted in Instacart hiring 30,000 new employees. And 31% of US households purchased groceries online, an increase of 145% from a year earlier. Here are some interesting numbers unrelated to the effects of the coronavirus. At the end of 2018, Chick fil-A was fifth in overall restaurant sales, behind McDonald's, Starbucks, Subway and Taco Bell. By the end of 2019, Chick fil-A's sales increased by $1.3 billion, allowing it to move into third place, behind only McDonald's and Starbucks. Their success is notable not only because they are closed on Sundays; but also because of the (in my opinion) unconstitutional efforts by various local governments to prevent Chick fil-A from opening new outlets. (See prior blog posts.)
As noted in the last post, the states are feeling the pressure from significantly reduced tax revenues. The largest state, California, has the Governor proposing a cut in the states's budget by $6.1 billion. He has also proposed a 10% pay cut for state employees, which is estimated to save about $2.8 billion. Any cut would reverse a long term trend of ever rising budgets.
As of last night, the US was reported to have 1,435,098 cases of coronavirus, with 87,315 deaths. New York was still leading with 358,099 cases and 28,134 deaths, followed by New Jersey with 146,389 cases and 10,260 deaths. Massachusetts was fourth (after Illinois) with 84,933 cases and 5,705 deaths, and Connecticut was twelfth with 36,703 cases and 3,339 deaths. California was fifth, with 78,685 cases and 3,208 deaths. Los Angeles County (with 1/4 of the state's population) far exceeded its proportional share of the cases and deaths - 37,303 and 1,793 respectively.
Los Angeles County has extended its stay at home order for 3 months, according to the County's public health Director. However, it is expected that restrictions will be eased during that time. The Hollywood Bowl has canceled its 2020 concert season. The California State University system, with 23 campuses and over 480,000 undergrads (making it the largest public university in the country) has announced that students will not be allowed on campus for the fall semester. The University of California's 10 campuses are also unlikely to fully reopen. Also on the good news front, Republican Mike Garcia defeated Democrat Christy Smith (56% to 44%) in a special election held to fill the seat in California's 25th Congressional District vacated by Democrat Katie Hill. A Republican taking a Democratic held seat in the very blue state of California is not exactly a common occurrence.
Did the New York Times really publish this? The New York Times seems to be a little defensive over the fact that New York City has had such a high number of cases and deaths: 197,486 cases and 20,214 deaths. The paper has been running a series of Op-Eds and editorials in defense of cities. On May 15, they ran an Op-Ed by Mary Bassett, a professor and Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. In the piece, she argues that "blaming density for disease (including the coronavirus) is misguided." Ordinarily, I might be surprised by the editors letting this piece make it into the paper or online. But when the agenda calls, facts don't seem to matter. Professor Bassett tells us that "in the United States, over half of the population lives in cities of one million residents or more." Not hardly. The cities with one million or more people include NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose and Austin. 11 cities, with a total population of about 28 million people, in a country of about 330 million people.
Some may say, perhaps she meant "metropolitan areas" and not cities. Perhaps. But rather sloppy for a professor, and for the editors. But then she tells us this: "California and Hawaii, for example, have high population density - but not the highest COVID-19 mortality rates of the states." What? High Population density? Not even in the top ten of states. New Jersey is the mostly densely populated state, with a coronavirus death rate of 107 per 100,000 people. New York, is seventh overall in population density (given the more thinly populated upstate areas), but thanks to densely populated NYC has 140 deaths per 100,000 people. And what about California and Hawaii, cited by Professor Bassett? California is eleventh in density, and has 7 deaths per 100,000. Hawaii is thirteenth in density with 1 death per 100,000. The Northeastern states, NY, NJ, Connecticut, Massachusetts Rhode Island an Pennsylvania - are all far more densely populated and all have far higher rates of death from coronavirus.
I do not question the value of cities, although the politics of many Democratic-led cities is another matter. But, is this really the best argument to be made in support of cities? The message is clear - be wary of what you read, especially if it comes in the form of editorials and Op-Eds in the mainstream media.
In a story out of Bridgeport, Connecticut, we are reminded how these stay at home orders are taking us back to an earlier era. A dairy company had stopped their home deliveries 28 years ago. Now, the request for home delivery is booming, as they deliver milk, eggs, cheese and yogurt. I am sure I am not the only one to remember, as a kid, having a metal milk container outside our door, for the milk delivery man. The container held 4 quart bottles (they were glass bottles back then, with the cream at the top), and we would put the empty bottles back in the container, to be replaced with new ones. The local grocery store would deliver; although, at times my Mom would give me a list which I would give to one of the employees, who would bag it up for me to bring home; and they would add the bill to my Mom's tab. We would also get home delivery of seltzer (my Dad loved it), and kosher meats.
On the good news front, this increased demand for home delivery has resulted in Instacart hiring 30,000 new employees. And 31% of US households purchased groceries online, an increase of 145% from a year earlier. Here are some interesting numbers unrelated to the effects of the coronavirus. At the end of 2018, Chick fil-A was fifth in overall restaurant sales, behind McDonald's, Starbucks, Subway and Taco Bell. By the end of 2019, Chick fil-A's sales increased by $1.3 billion, allowing it to move into third place, behind only McDonald's and Starbucks. Their success is notable not only because they are closed on Sundays; but also because of the (in my opinion) unconstitutional efforts by various local governments to prevent Chick fil-A from opening new outlets. (See prior blog posts.)
As noted in the last post, the states are feeling the pressure from significantly reduced tax revenues. The largest state, California, has the Governor proposing a cut in the states's budget by $6.1 billion. He has also proposed a 10% pay cut for state employees, which is estimated to save about $2.8 billion. Any cut would reverse a long term trend of ever rising budgets.
As of last night, the US was reported to have 1,435,098 cases of coronavirus, with 87,315 deaths. New York was still leading with 358,099 cases and 28,134 deaths, followed by New Jersey with 146,389 cases and 10,260 deaths. Massachusetts was fourth (after Illinois) with 84,933 cases and 5,705 deaths, and Connecticut was twelfth with 36,703 cases and 3,339 deaths. California was fifth, with 78,685 cases and 3,208 deaths. Los Angeles County (with 1/4 of the state's population) far exceeded its proportional share of the cases and deaths - 37,303 and 1,793 respectively.
Los Angeles County has extended its stay at home order for 3 months, according to the County's public health Director. However, it is expected that restrictions will be eased during that time. The Hollywood Bowl has canceled its 2020 concert season. The California State University system, with 23 campuses and over 480,000 undergrads (making it the largest public university in the country) has announced that students will not be allowed on campus for the fall semester. The University of California's 10 campuses are also unlikely to fully reopen. Also on the good news front, Republican Mike Garcia defeated Democrat Christy Smith (56% to 44%) in a special election held to fill the seat in California's 25th Congressional District vacated by Democrat Katie Hill. A Republican taking a Democratic held seat in the very blue state of California is not exactly a common occurrence.
Did the New York Times really publish this? The New York Times seems to be a little defensive over the fact that New York City has had such a high number of cases and deaths: 197,486 cases and 20,214 deaths. The paper has been running a series of Op-Eds and editorials in defense of cities. On May 15, they ran an Op-Ed by Mary Bassett, a professor and Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. In the piece, she argues that "blaming density for disease (including the coronavirus) is misguided." Ordinarily, I might be surprised by the editors letting this piece make it into the paper or online. But when the agenda calls, facts don't seem to matter. Professor Bassett tells us that "in the United States, over half of the population lives in cities of one million residents or more." Not hardly. The cities with one million or more people include NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose and Austin. 11 cities, with a total population of about 28 million people, in a country of about 330 million people.
Some may say, perhaps she meant "metropolitan areas" and not cities. Perhaps. But rather sloppy for a professor, and for the editors. But then she tells us this: "California and Hawaii, for example, have high population density - but not the highest COVID-19 mortality rates of the states." What? High Population density? Not even in the top ten of states. New Jersey is the mostly densely populated state, with a coronavirus death rate of 107 per 100,000 people. New York, is seventh overall in population density (given the more thinly populated upstate areas), but thanks to densely populated NYC has 140 deaths per 100,000 people. And what about California and Hawaii, cited by Professor Bassett? California is eleventh in density, and has 7 deaths per 100,000. Hawaii is thirteenth in density with 1 death per 100,000. The Northeastern states, NY, NJ, Connecticut, Massachusetts Rhode Island an Pennsylvania - are all far more densely populated and all have far higher rates of death from coronavirus.
I do not question the value of cities, although the politics of many Democratic-led cities is another matter. But, is this really the best argument to be made in support of cities? The message is clear - be wary of what you read, especially if it comes in the form of editorials and Op-Eds in the mainstream media.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
The Coronavirus Eight Weeks Later - The Pressure Builds
The numbers. In the prior week another 3.169 million people filed for unemployment. That brings the 7 week total to 33.5 million. In the month of April alone, 20,500,000 people lost their jobs, resulting in an unemployment rate of 14.7%. At the height of the Great Depression, in 1933, the unemployment rate reached 24.9%. The current rate is the highest since 1933. And, an article on AOL suggests that the rate may actually be 20%, because it is believed that many people were improperly classified as "employed but absent" as opposed to "unemployed on temporary layoff." Imagine this - in February, a mere 3 months ago - the unemployment rate was only 3.5%, the lowest in 50 years. Not surprisingly, the hardest hit sector was "leisure and hospitality," with a loss of 7,653,000 jobs.
Worldwide total of coronavirus cases comes to 4,178,154, with deaths at 283,734. The US totals are 1.36 million cases and 80,562 deaths. New York and New Jersey remain the worst two states, with 333,000 cases and 21,271 death in New York, and 137,000 cases and 9,116 deaths in New Jersey. Then we have Massachusetts with 76,743 cases and 4840 deaths, Illinois with 76,085 cases and 3,349 deaths and California with 64,561 cases and 2,678 deaths. Pennsylvania is sixth with 52,915 cases and 3,416 deaths, and Connecticut is tenth with 31,784 cases and 2,797 deaths. The states of NY, NJ, Mass., Penn. and Conn. give us about half of the national total.
In California, Los Angeles County has about 25% of the state's population, about 10 million people out of an estimated 40 million statewide. But, as of yesterday, the County had about half of the state's total cases (31,197) and over half of the number of deaths (1,512). As of Friday, the Governor allowed more places to open up, including toy stores, clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and flower shops - in time for Mother's Day. However, as with restaurants, they are only open for curbside pickup or delivery. Golf courses also opened, as did various outdoor hiking trails and car dealerships. Notwithstanding California and other states partly reopening, they continue to recommend that those 65 or older stay home.
Fox reported that about 40% of McDonald's profits come from breakfast. But breakfast sales are down. Makes sense. If people need not rush out to work in the morning, they are not leaving home just to get a breakfast. People can just as easily have a leisurely bowl of cereal. Here is an interesting number - in April, gun sales were up 71.3% from April, 2019. Approximately 1,797,910 guns were purchased this April. In March the number was 2,583,238. In uncertain times people want to know that they can protect themselves from whatever might happen.
The pressure builds. As states reopen, Governors are not simply feeling the political pressure. They are not only feeling the pressure from businesses. The states themselves are hurting. California is projecting a $54.3 billion budget deficit. Think about it. Most states have a state income tax, but with so many people out of work that revenue source is deeply depressed. The same applies to the sales tax, with so many retail establishments being closed. Then we have the gas tax - but how many people are driving to work? Or anywhere else? California is also projecting an 18% unemployment rate, compared to only 3.9% in January. One friend, a very bright guy whom I have known for decades, and who is a medical doctor, disagrees with the openings. This is a man who has a long history of being distrustful of both big government and big business. Nevertheless, he says states should not be opening until they have the capacity for unlimited testing, and that the country have at least 100,000 contact tracers (health care workers), have quarantine rules for those infected, with civil authorities being able to back up the quarantines.
The New York Times attempted to address the issue in their 5/3/20 full page editorial, titled "When Liberty and Health Collide." The Times: "Civil liberties may feel to some like a second-order problem when thousands of Americans are dying of a disease with no known treatment or vaccine." Of course, the Times was unable to refrain from attacking President Trump: "...it is wealthy and powerful conservatives and their allies, including President Trump and Fox News, who are driving the relatively small protests demanding a 'liberation' of the states from oppressive lockdowns..." And, let's just blame Trump for the whole thing: "It's possibe that at least some of the current lockdowns could have been avoided had the Trump administration led the way back in January when we still had time to take advantage of the information coming out of China and prepare the United States for what lay ahead." The Times called it a "catastrophic failure of timely government action."
One Op-Ed contributor to the Times (Farhad Manjoo) wrote this back in January (1/29/20): "As the World Health Organization declared last week, it remains too early to call the outbreak a global public health emergency." Too early! Of course, when Trump shut down incoming flights from China at the end of January, he was called "xenophobic" by Joe Biden and others. Manjoo: "So far, President Trump has offered a measured response to the virus." A measured response! Again, this was in the New York Times, known for publishing Op-Eds with which they agree.
Conservative commentator Dennis Prager had a different take. "The forcible prevention of Americans from doing anything except what politicians deem 'essential' has led to the worst economy in American history since the Great Depression of the 1930s." He also cited the UN's World Food Programme: "...by the end of the year, more than 260 million people will face starvation - double last year's figures." Said the WFP Director: "There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself." A sobering thought indeed.
Worldwide total of coronavirus cases comes to 4,178,154, with deaths at 283,734. The US totals are 1.36 million cases and 80,562 deaths. New York and New Jersey remain the worst two states, with 333,000 cases and 21,271 death in New York, and 137,000 cases and 9,116 deaths in New Jersey. Then we have Massachusetts with 76,743 cases and 4840 deaths, Illinois with 76,085 cases and 3,349 deaths and California with 64,561 cases and 2,678 deaths. Pennsylvania is sixth with 52,915 cases and 3,416 deaths, and Connecticut is tenth with 31,784 cases and 2,797 deaths. The states of NY, NJ, Mass., Penn. and Conn. give us about half of the national total.
In California, Los Angeles County has about 25% of the state's population, about 10 million people out of an estimated 40 million statewide. But, as of yesterday, the County had about half of the state's total cases (31,197) and over half of the number of deaths (1,512). As of Friday, the Governor allowed more places to open up, including toy stores, clothing stores, bookstores, sporting goods stores and flower shops - in time for Mother's Day. However, as with restaurants, they are only open for curbside pickup or delivery. Golf courses also opened, as did various outdoor hiking trails and car dealerships. Notwithstanding California and other states partly reopening, they continue to recommend that those 65 or older stay home.
Fox reported that about 40% of McDonald's profits come from breakfast. But breakfast sales are down. Makes sense. If people need not rush out to work in the morning, they are not leaving home just to get a breakfast. People can just as easily have a leisurely bowl of cereal. Here is an interesting number - in April, gun sales were up 71.3% from April, 2019. Approximately 1,797,910 guns were purchased this April. In March the number was 2,583,238. In uncertain times people want to know that they can protect themselves from whatever might happen.
The pressure builds. As states reopen, Governors are not simply feeling the political pressure. They are not only feeling the pressure from businesses. The states themselves are hurting. California is projecting a $54.3 billion budget deficit. Think about it. Most states have a state income tax, but with so many people out of work that revenue source is deeply depressed. The same applies to the sales tax, with so many retail establishments being closed. Then we have the gas tax - but how many people are driving to work? Or anywhere else? California is also projecting an 18% unemployment rate, compared to only 3.9% in January. One friend, a very bright guy whom I have known for decades, and who is a medical doctor, disagrees with the openings. This is a man who has a long history of being distrustful of both big government and big business. Nevertheless, he says states should not be opening until they have the capacity for unlimited testing, and that the country have at least 100,000 contact tracers (health care workers), have quarantine rules for those infected, with civil authorities being able to back up the quarantines.
The New York Times attempted to address the issue in their 5/3/20 full page editorial, titled "When Liberty and Health Collide." The Times: "Civil liberties may feel to some like a second-order problem when thousands of Americans are dying of a disease with no known treatment or vaccine." Of course, the Times was unable to refrain from attacking President Trump: "...it is wealthy and powerful conservatives and their allies, including President Trump and Fox News, who are driving the relatively small protests demanding a 'liberation' of the states from oppressive lockdowns..." And, let's just blame Trump for the whole thing: "It's possibe that at least some of the current lockdowns could have been avoided had the Trump administration led the way back in January when we still had time to take advantage of the information coming out of China and prepare the United States for what lay ahead." The Times called it a "catastrophic failure of timely government action."
One Op-Ed contributor to the Times (Farhad Manjoo) wrote this back in January (1/29/20): "As the World Health Organization declared last week, it remains too early to call the outbreak a global public health emergency." Too early! Of course, when Trump shut down incoming flights from China at the end of January, he was called "xenophobic" by Joe Biden and others. Manjoo: "So far, President Trump has offered a measured response to the virus." A measured response! Again, this was in the New York Times, known for publishing Op-Eds with which they agree.
Conservative commentator Dennis Prager had a different take. "The forcible prevention of Americans from doing anything except what politicians deem 'essential' has led to the worst economy in American history since the Great Depression of the 1930s." He also cited the UN's World Food Programme: "...by the end of the year, more than 260 million people will face starvation - double last year's figures." Said the WFP Director: "There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself." A sobering thought indeed.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
The Coronavirus Seven Weeks Later - Some Religious and Political Issues
The numbers. I am starting this post with the unemployment numbers. As another 3,839,000 new claims for unemployment were filed, we have now reached a disturbingly high 30.2 million unemployed in six weeks time. The New York City metropolitan area is the most populated metropolitan area in the country. In the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut there are nearly 32 million people. It is as if nearly every person in those states were out of work. (I know, children and babies are not working. I am looking at the sheer numbers, which are frightening.)
The U.S. currently has 1.17 million cases of Covid-19, with 68,173 people having died. New York State still leads the way with 323,883 cases and 24,648 deaths. New Jersey is next with 127,438 cases and 7,886 deaths, then Massachusetts with 66,263 cases and 3,846 deaths, Illinois with 58,505 cases and 2,559 deaths and California with 53,732 cases and 2,192 deaths. Michigan is seventh on the list, but third in the number of deaths with 4,020.
A Gallup poll from 4/14 through 4/28 put Trump's approval rating back at 49%, with 47% disapproving of his job. That approval rating is up from 43% two weeks prior. Broken down by party, 93% of Republicans approve of the job Trump is doing, but only 8% of Democrats do. However, 47% of Independents approve of Trump's job.
Is the virus a conspiracy? One tenured professor at the Rutgers University Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, thought so. She does not think well of Trump voters: "F*ck each and every Trump supporter." And she Tweeted this: "Not only do white conservatives not care about Black life, but my most cynical negative read of the white supremacists among them is that they welcome this mass winnowing of Black folks in order to slow demographic shifts and shore up political power." This Tweet also: "But the depths of white depravity - the adamant refusal to be swayed by facts, reason or the value of life itself, especially when those lives are Black - it staggers me." White depravity? Sure there are neo-Nazi white supremacists. But they are small in number. And they pretty much hate everybody else - Jews, Hispanics, etc. This virus is affecting every segment of society. I do not get her point. Are whites devastated by this illness okay with dying because Blacks are dying in greater numbers? Need it always be about race? And NJ taxpayers get to pay this professor's salary.
With large gatherings being barred, the result has been that religious services cannot take place other than online, such as through Zoom. Of course, there are legal and First Amendment issues regarding religious practice. One left-wing "progressive" site, the American Constitution Society, claims no issue is involved in shutting down religious services. In citing deceased Justice Scalia, they wrote: "Americans do not have a Constitutional right to disobey generally applicable laws that were enacted without an intent to discriminate against religion." But in a case out of Virginia, one pastor was threatened with jail time and a fine of $2500 for holding a religious service for 16 people who, apparently, were able to practice social distancing in a church that is able to hold 293 people. The DOJ is siding with the pastor, as religious freedom should perhaps prevail over the Governor's order, when safety was being practiced.
From the religious viewpoint, One Christian friend and reader wrote this: "The Christian tradition recognizes that one should not "tempt G-d," or commit the sin of presumption, by unnecessarily engaging in a dangerous activity in anticipation that G-d will provide protection." One Rabbi and Jewish scholar discussed it this way: "We are taught that the protection and guarding of human life takes precedence over all...I frame it in the positive...It is a Mitzvah to safeguard ourselves...We are doing a Mitzvah staying home." (A Mitzvah is a good deed, but one which our religion commands us to do.)
On the political front, the allegations of sexual assault against Joe Biden are getting greater coverage in the news. Unlike the allegations against Republicans, the media is mostly coming to the defense of Biden, as are Democratic politicians and rank and file Democrats. Commenting on the allegations of Tara Reade, one letter writer to the New York Times wrote this: "This is a species of vainglorious righteousness run amok, and does no honor to the principles the #MeToo movement has embraced...This is the moment to stand united for the greater good of the nation." The greater good being to defeat Trump, even if it means ignoring serious charges against Biden. Here's another letter writer: "For those of you who have been all-in to the #MeToo Movement but are now having trouble supporting Mr. Biden in light of Tara Reade's allegation of sexual assault (which Mr. Biden denies), can you handle being a hypocrite if it means getting Mr. Trump out of the White House? I say, yes, I am happy to be a hypocrite. Please join me." I appreciate the honesty. And the writer reflects what I have said in the blog about many on the left for years - the ends justify the means. The end is getting Trump out of office, even if the means is ignoring a woman's voice and justice for her (should the allegations be true).
The New York Times faced a dilemma with regards to the allegations. They hate Trump and are desperate to have a Democratic victory in November, and Biden is the likely Democratic nominee. But they have also been in the forefront of the #MeToo movement. In the paper's 5/1/20 editorial, they wrote this: "Americans deserve to know more about a sexual assault accusation against the likely Democratic nominee." Sounds good. But then this: "The Democratic National Committee should move to investigate the matter swiftly and thoroughly, with the full cooperation of the Biden campaign." So, have the Dems investigate their own presidential candidate? With the candidate's help? Hmmm. But DNC Chair Tom Perez made it clear that such an investigation will never happen: "Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden." Investigation over.
Bret Stephens, the former conservative Op-Ed writer in the Wall Street Journal, who switched to the New York Times after becoming a "never-Trumper," had an Op-Ed on the Tara Reade allegations the same day as the editorial. Stephens: "Being 'heard' is not, and should never be, the same as being believed. The entire difference between hearsay and proof, rumor and reason, mob rule and justice, lies in the distinction." Of course, he is correct; although Judge Kavanaugh got no such benefit of the doubt from the media and the left. Then, the Democrats were on the side of the Queen of Hearts (from Alice in Wonderland): "Sentence first - verdict afterwards." When Alice objected, the Queen shouted "Off with her head!" Indeed.
The U.S. currently has 1.17 million cases of Covid-19, with 68,173 people having died. New York State still leads the way with 323,883 cases and 24,648 deaths. New Jersey is next with 127,438 cases and 7,886 deaths, then Massachusetts with 66,263 cases and 3,846 deaths, Illinois with 58,505 cases and 2,559 deaths and California with 53,732 cases and 2,192 deaths. Michigan is seventh on the list, but third in the number of deaths with 4,020.
A Gallup poll from 4/14 through 4/28 put Trump's approval rating back at 49%, with 47% disapproving of his job. That approval rating is up from 43% two weeks prior. Broken down by party, 93% of Republicans approve of the job Trump is doing, but only 8% of Democrats do. However, 47% of Independents approve of Trump's job.
Is the virus a conspiracy? One tenured professor at the Rutgers University Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, thought so. She does not think well of Trump voters: "F*ck each and every Trump supporter." And she Tweeted this: "Not only do white conservatives not care about Black life, but my most cynical negative read of the white supremacists among them is that they welcome this mass winnowing of Black folks in order to slow demographic shifts and shore up political power." This Tweet also: "But the depths of white depravity - the adamant refusal to be swayed by facts, reason or the value of life itself, especially when those lives are Black - it staggers me." White depravity? Sure there are neo-Nazi white supremacists. But they are small in number. And they pretty much hate everybody else - Jews, Hispanics, etc. This virus is affecting every segment of society. I do not get her point. Are whites devastated by this illness okay with dying because Blacks are dying in greater numbers? Need it always be about race? And NJ taxpayers get to pay this professor's salary.
With large gatherings being barred, the result has been that religious services cannot take place other than online, such as through Zoom. Of course, there are legal and First Amendment issues regarding religious practice. One left-wing "progressive" site, the American Constitution Society, claims no issue is involved in shutting down religious services. In citing deceased Justice Scalia, they wrote: "Americans do not have a Constitutional right to disobey generally applicable laws that were enacted without an intent to discriminate against religion." But in a case out of Virginia, one pastor was threatened with jail time and a fine of $2500 for holding a religious service for 16 people who, apparently, were able to practice social distancing in a church that is able to hold 293 people. The DOJ is siding with the pastor, as religious freedom should perhaps prevail over the Governor's order, when safety was being practiced.
From the religious viewpoint, One Christian friend and reader wrote this: "The Christian tradition recognizes that one should not "tempt G-d," or commit the sin of presumption, by unnecessarily engaging in a dangerous activity in anticipation that G-d will provide protection." One Rabbi and Jewish scholar discussed it this way: "We are taught that the protection and guarding of human life takes precedence over all...I frame it in the positive...It is a Mitzvah to safeguard ourselves...We are doing a Mitzvah staying home." (A Mitzvah is a good deed, but one which our religion commands us to do.)
On the political front, the allegations of sexual assault against Joe Biden are getting greater coverage in the news. Unlike the allegations against Republicans, the media is mostly coming to the defense of Biden, as are Democratic politicians and rank and file Democrats. Commenting on the allegations of Tara Reade, one letter writer to the New York Times wrote this: "This is a species of vainglorious righteousness run amok, and does no honor to the principles the #MeToo movement has embraced...This is the moment to stand united for the greater good of the nation." The greater good being to defeat Trump, even if it means ignoring serious charges against Biden. Here's another letter writer: "For those of you who have been all-in to the #MeToo Movement but are now having trouble supporting Mr. Biden in light of Tara Reade's allegation of sexual assault (which Mr. Biden denies), can you handle being a hypocrite if it means getting Mr. Trump out of the White House? I say, yes, I am happy to be a hypocrite. Please join me." I appreciate the honesty. And the writer reflects what I have said in the blog about many on the left for years - the ends justify the means. The end is getting Trump out of office, even if the means is ignoring a woman's voice and justice for her (should the allegations be true).
The New York Times faced a dilemma with regards to the allegations. They hate Trump and are desperate to have a Democratic victory in November, and Biden is the likely Democratic nominee. But they have also been in the forefront of the #MeToo movement. In the paper's 5/1/20 editorial, they wrote this: "Americans deserve to know more about a sexual assault accusation against the likely Democratic nominee." Sounds good. But then this: "The Democratic National Committee should move to investigate the matter swiftly and thoroughly, with the full cooperation of the Biden campaign." So, have the Dems investigate their own presidential candidate? With the candidate's help? Hmmm. But DNC Chair Tom Perez made it clear that such an investigation will never happen: "Barack Obama trusted Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden." Investigation over.
Bret Stephens, the former conservative Op-Ed writer in the Wall Street Journal, who switched to the New York Times after becoming a "never-Trumper," had an Op-Ed on the Tara Reade allegations the same day as the editorial. Stephens: "Being 'heard' is not, and should never be, the same as being believed. The entire difference between hearsay and proof, rumor and reason, mob rule and justice, lies in the distinction." Of course, he is correct; although Judge Kavanaugh got no such benefit of the doubt from the media and the left. Then, the Democrats were on the side of the Queen of Hearts (from Alice in Wonderland): "Sentence first - verdict afterwards." When Alice objected, the Queen shouted "Off with her head!" Indeed.
Monday, April 27, 2020
The Coronavirus Six Weeks Later - When to Reopen?
The numbers. As of late yesterday/early this morning, the US had 975,798 cases, with 54,941 deaths. New York is still the worst by far, with 293,354 cases and 22,275 deaths. Then New Jersey with 109,038 cases and 5,938 deaths, Massachusetts with 53,348 and 2,730 respectively, then Illinois with 41,777 and 1,874, California 42,688 and 1,695, Pennsylvania 41,697 and 1,804, and Michigan with 37,203 cases and 3,274 deaths. The number of deaths to date is approaching the number of deaths in the worst flu season of the past ten years - 2017 to 2018, when an estimated 61,000 people died in the US. And LA County, which has had 19,107 cases and 895 deaths reported this statistic late Saturday: out of the last 48 deaths, 37 of those people (77%) were over the age of 65. It is fairly clear which age group is at the most risk.
The 4/24/20 New York Times had an interesting chart on page 11 of that day's paper. It showed the death rate from the virus by state. Perhaps not surprisingly, the more densely populated states of the Northeast, which are generally smaller in size, have the highest death rates. Again, New York leads the way with 79 deaths per 100,000 people, New Jersey with 57, Connecticut with 43 and Massachusetts with 32. The worst of the Western states - all large in size but not necessarily population - was Washington with a low 9 deaths per 100,000 people. California, large in size and also the most populated of all the states, had 4 deaths per 100,000 people. Clearly, the large states make it easier for people to practice social distancing. Leading the Midwest was Michigan with 28 deaths per 100,000 people. In the South, Louisiana had 32 deaths per 100,000 people.
In the latest week's unemployment numbers, another 4.4 million people filed new claims. That brings the 5 week total to an astronomically high total of 26.4 million people. This is simply unprecedented. One reporter asked NY Governor Andrew Cuomo at one of his daily press briefings: "Is there a fundamental right to work if the government can't get me money when I need it?" Cuomo's reply: "You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow." That was an unfair and callous reply. Clearly, people are not going to qualify overnight to become a doctor or nurse or paramedic or firefighter or police officer. And I do not believe enough retail jobs are opening to employ 26.4 million people.
So, when will it be time to reopen the country? Five days ago, The Hill reported on a Reuters/Ipsos poll, taken from 4/15-4/21, with a margin of error of 6%. 72% of Americans were said to support keeping the stay at home orders until "doctors and public health officials say it's safe." Broken down by party, 88% of Democrats agreed, 70% of Independents and 55% of Republicans. An AP/NORC poll had similar numbers for Democrats, with 63% strongly agreeing to keep stay at home orders (except for essential workers), and 28% somewhat agreeing - for a total of 91%. For Republicans, 36% strongly agree and 35% somewhat agree - for a total of 71%.
The flu of 1957-58 was a particularly devastating year. It is estimated that 25% of the population was infected, and that 116,000 people died. Yet, nothing was shut down. The country remained open for business - the people's business, whatever that was. But the question remains, when we do reopen - and some states are starting to do so - what will it look like? Will there be a new normal? Will greeting someone with a handshake ever return? What about dining out? Some restaurants say they will check people for a fever before admitting them. Tables may be fewer. Those with booths may have plexiglass between the booths. A company that designs airplane interiors is already working on a redesign of the seating layout, which may also include plexiglass between the seats.
The hospitality industry, hit hard by the coronavirus, already has new policies in place. Fox News reported that anyone entering the 4 Seasons Hotel in New York City will have a temperature check. Check-in and check-out will be done virtually. Each guest will be provided with 3 large bags for dirty linen. Room service - gone. The restaurant, bar and coffee shop - closed. Those policies certainly do not entice me to think about a trip or hotel stay. The 4 Seasons will have pre-made box meals. And rooms will be deep cleaned between guests. Hilton apparently will keep rooms vacant for 3 days after a guest checks out. What about concerts and sporting events? Will most seats remain empty in order to allow for 6 feet of social distancing between people?
Will retail outlets, supermarkets and big box stores limit the number of people allowed to be inside at the same time. So, will we now wait in line to shop, as has already happened in many places. One woman who has a work-out business said she was inclined to continue to run her business virtually. Many white collar jobs can be done as well remotely as in an office. Will an increasing number of businesses see an advantage to allowing their employees to work at home? It can certainly save on office overhead. On the other hand, my daughter has been working at home for 5 weeks now, and her company and customers seem to have some difficulty in distinguishing between work hours and non-work hours. When we venture out into the world, will a mask be the newest mandatory apparel item in everyone's wardrobe? And will we ever step closer than 6 feet to another person in public again?
According to Fox, there was a study of 5700 patients hospitalized at a Northwell Health System hospital. The study, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that of the Covid 19 patients, 94% had at least one other disease or illness. The median age of the patients was 63 years old. 53% had hypertension, 42% were obese, and 32% had diabetes. So, when we reopen, will there be actual orders compelling people in the high risk groups to remain at home? Absent such orders, will those in the high risk groups who get sick and infect others, then be legally responsible?
To end on a hopeful note, we have a story out of UMass Memorial Health Care. It was reported that a gravely ill patient with the coronavirus, improved within a few hours of getting a blood plasma transfusion from a patient who recovered from Covid 19. Let's hope for more of that, and for less cases overall.
The 4/24/20 New York Times had an interesting chart on page 11 of that day's paper. It showed the death rate from the virus by state. Perhaps not surprisingly, the more densely populated states of the Northeast, which are generally smaller in size, have the highest death rates. Again, New York leads the way with 79 deaths per 100,000 people, New Jersey with 57, Connecticut with 43 and Massachusetts with 32. The worst of the Western states - all large in size but not necessarily population - was Washington with a low 9 deaths per 100,000 people. California, large in size and also the most populated of all the states, had 4 deaths per 100,000 people. Clearly, the large states make it easier for people to practice social distancing. Leading the Midwest was Michigan with 28 deaths per 100,000 people. In the South, Louisiana had 32 deaths per 100,000 people.
In the latest week's unemployment numbers, another 4.4 million people filed new claims. That brings the 5 week total to an astronomically high total of 26.4 million people. This is simply unprecedented. One reporter asked NY Governor Andrew Cuomo at one of his daily press briefings: "Is there a fundamental right to work if the government can't get me money when I need it?" Cuomo's reply: "You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow." That was an unfair and callous reply. Clearly, people are not going to qualify overnight to become a doctor or nurse or paramedic or firefighter or police officer. And I do not believe enough retail jobs are opening to employ 26.4 million people.
So, when will it be time to reopen the country? Five days ago, The Hill reported on a Reuters/Ipsos poll, taken from 4/15-4/21, with a margin of error of 6%. 72% of Americans were said to support keeping the stay at home orders until "doctors and public health officials say it's safe." Broken down by party, 88% of Democrats agreed, 70% of Independents and 55% of Republicans. An AP/NORC poll had similar numbers for Democrats, with 63% strongly agreeing to keep stay at home orders (except for essential workers), and 28% somewhat agreeing - for a total of 91%. For Republicans, 36% strongly agree and 35% somewhat agree - for a total of 71%.
The flu of 1957-58 was a particularly devastating year. It is estimated that 25% of the population was infected, and that 116,000 people died. Yet, nothing was shut down. The country remained open for business - the people's business, whatever that was. But the question remains, when we do reopen - and some states are starting to do so - what will it look like? Will there be a new normal? Will greeting someone with a handshake ever return? What about dining out? Some restaurants say they will check people for a fever before admitting them. Tables may be fewer. Those with booths may have plexiglass between the booths. A company that designs airplane interiors is already working on a redesign of the seating layout, which may also include plexiglass between the seats.
The hospitality industry, hit hard by the coronavirus, already has new policies in place. Fox News reported that anyone entering the 4 Seasons Hotel in New York City will have a temperature check. Check-in and check-out will be done virtually. Each guest will be provided with 3 large bags for dirty linen. Room service - gone. The restaurant, bar and coffee shop - closed. Those policies certainly do not entice me to think about a trip or hotel stay. The 4 Seasons will have pre-made box meals. And rooms will be deep cleaned between guests. Hilton apparently will keep rooms vacant for 3 days after a guest checks out. What about concerts and sporting events? Will most seats remain empty in order to allow for 6 feet of social distancing between people?
Will retail outlets, supermarkets and big box stores limit the number of people allowed to be inside at the same time. So, will we now wait in line to shop, as has already happened in many places. One woman who has a work-out business said she was inclined to continue to run her business virtually. Many white collar jobs can be done as well remotely as in an office. Will an increasing number of businesses see an advantage to allowing their employees to work at home? It can certainly save on office overhead. On the other hand, my daughter has been working at home for 5 weeks now, and her company and customers seem to have some difficulty in distinguishing between work hours and non-work hours. When we venture out into the world, will a mask be the newest mandatory apparel item in everyone's wardrobe? And will we ever step closer than 6 feet to another person in public again?
According to Fox, there was a study of 5700 patients hospitalized at a Northwell Health System hospital. The study, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that of the Covid 19 patients, 94% had at least one other disease or illness. The median age of the patients was 63 years old. 53% had hypertension, 42% were obese, and 32% had diabetes. So, when we reopen, will there be actual orders compelling people in the high risk groups to remain at home? Absent such orders, will those in the high risk groups who get sick and infect others, then be legally responsible?
To end on a hopeful note, we have a story out of UMass Memorial Health Care. It was reported that a gravely ill patient with the coronavirus, improved within a few hours of getting a blood plasma transfusion from a patient who recovered from Covid 19. Let's hope for more of that, and for less cases overall.
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