DAY 55: "Stacked Against Us"

 As predicted, the USA reached half-a-million Covid deaths this week. A report published in the professional medical journal The Lancet estimates that 40% of the deaths occurred as an indirect result of the Trump administration's flagrant disregard of the danger, as well as from a decline in organized healthcare beginning as early as the Reagan era.

Vaccines show promise for curbing the disease but not necessarily for blocking the virus. Anti-vaxxers recently shutdown a vaccine drive at Dodger Stadium because it wasn't enough that they themselves refused the vaccine, but that they felt compelled to spread the risk to others. This crowd has vowed to continue their activities. 

Our own landlord here at home has openly refused to take the vaccine despite his age. That way he can make others co-dependent upon the self-perceived whims of his lord of choice.

What these actions seem to have in common is the placement of several severe limitations on the freedom of choice for a majority of American individuals who really just want to protect themselves and everyone in their orbit. But it's all too much to ask, apparently.

DAY 40: "Case# 621000069"

     Brandon was contacted recently via email from the Domestic Violence Coordinator, a part of the combined Shoreline & Kenmore Prosecutor's Office. It seems Jim jumped bail for his hearing in late January, so a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. I've been waiting for another shoe to drop regarding this case, perhaps this is it. I've written to the DVC and asked to be included on the mailing list for any updates. 

     I have no real prediction as to Jim's conduct, as he'd often been self-contradictory and exhibited openly contentious behavior towards his employer and our landlord. We're not even sure he had truly tested positive at Amazon for Covid, or if that was just a ruse on their part to get rid of him, at least for a time. Conversely, he could have developed symptoms which have kept him from appearing in court.

     I'm torn between making inquiries or leaving this whole issue outside my limited panorama. It's a headache in the offing --- yet another aspect of the virus that could strike at any moment. Jim's capable of acting like a decent human being, and I'm sure he sees himself that way despite evidence to the contrary. I had hoped he'd find some peace from all this but things may be getting worse for him now.

DAY 34: "Phase 2 Day"

     Washington State enters Phase 2. Elliott Bay Brewery now allows limited indoor seating, but we elect to sit near a heater outside just to be safe. A return visit won't be in the budget for quite a while, but we got to talk to Dré during lunch. He had to get a Coronavirus test before he started his new job at Fred Meyer, but no regular testing is required as an ongoing concern, which seems a bit risky. 

     Earlier, Rick had questioned the sense of opening the State up to Phase 2, as worse viral strains are brewing just over the horizon. 

     We concur. Time to pay, tip, and leave!

     It was good to have the opportunity to meet & talk about nothing for a time. And after a short busride home, we put away our groceries and are greeted by a happy dog.

DAY 33: "Messages From The Frontlines"

     Not too much to report on the Covid front. The new variant of Coronavirus, B117, has shown up in 33 countries, including Israel, Singapore, Denmark, and in 8 North American States so far. At the very least, the strain is more contagious, but not necessarily more deadly to those infected. 

     Another variant arising in South Africa is called B.1.351 or 501.V2. The Nigerian variation already shows the 501 mutation. 

     It seems the danger is growing. Does this movie have a good ending? I tend to watch old movies so I don't have to think about it.

     A woman, hysterical, calls Hartmann's show today. She's just lost her Aunt to Covid. She, like many of us, has no patience for the Republican Party's calls for Unity, to put behind us all the loss of lives and livelihoods. "Trump needs to go to jail and the GOP need to follow him." We need to force change in America, she says through tears.

     The suffering is real, and too easily dampened by the language we use to discuss it. …Or even think about it.

DAY 23: "Keeping Up With The World"

      Woke & upped my caffeine levels. Brisk walk in the park, 9 laps before I'm short of breath & in medium pain. 9 x 5 days per week is my estimate, after seeing a Washington Post article that suggested 300 minutes of exercise each week to actually lose weight, not just calories. Can I keep the pace?

     In my earphones, Mick Harris' Scorn release from 2019 provides the soundtrack to a devastated landscape, and it feels appropriate for stumbling home.

     News this morning is that Larry King, the undisputed king of talk radio & television, has passed on. He had seemed to recover from COVID-19, having bounced back from diabetes, cancer, heart attacks and the deaths of close family members in 2020.

     King's weekly nighttime show was a big part of my exploration of the world, following my aborted stint in the Army National Guard. His topics ultimately led me to a clearer understanding of my own experience with sexual molestation as a minor.

Day 21: "Economic Stimulus Money"

     Received my Economic Impact Payment in the mail yesterday. Not a check this time but a debit card. Word on the street is that the card will be rechargeable in the future, should further EIP amounts be issued. But the AI voice at 1-800-240-8100 says otherwise. A cryptic note at the shoddy website (EIPCard.com) also says a "One-Time Contribution." I better hang onto the card in any case.

     Activating the card by phone is easy, but I have no intention of using it as a debit. In order to transfer the amount to my bank, I have to create an account online, etc..

     While in Google Chrome, used for only the most up-to-date websites, it seems I can enter in all my data except email address. I try multiple addresses and different checkboxes but nothing works.

     Starting over in I.E. however, reveals to me a hitherto unseen question with a required response field.

     There was also the standard emailing of temporary access & verification codes. As I have to open my email in SeaMonkey due to similar dysfunctions in I.E., I now have three browsers open at once.

     And finally, the sign-out button is well-hidden in plain sight. But the operation was a success.

DAY 20: "The Better New Year's Day"

      We make another jaunt over to LC. Metro Transit buses have confusing Covid rules. Strictly one disabled rider in the handicapped section at any given time, no one else. However, despite all the assigned seating, the driver indicates to us that there are no limits to overall capacity (save that of size, of course). I count 13 seats available by Covid rules, but I guess you pays your money, you takes your chances. I don't press for further information on this account. We're lucky in that the 330 is always nearly empty on the noon run. However, that makes it a candidate for cutbacks.

     We take our time in LC and stop into Elliott Bay for lunch. Seating is strictly outdoors. I have a Pilsner, a mild substitute for a proper Kölsch. Later, on the way to the restroom, the manager points out that I'd forgotten my mask. An understandable embarrassment. 

     Dré pops in & out on his way to work. St.Tom joins us, chats, and takes us home. It's New President Day (finally) and we all have a lot to say along the way.