Worldwide (Map)
September 30, 2021: 233,414,450 infections; 4,776,885 deaths October 1, 2020 – 33,881,275 confirmed infections: 1,012,980 deaths
Total vaccinations conducted around the world: 6,219,646,200
US (Map)
September 30, 2021: 43,361,700 infections; 7.808,100 deaths
October 1, 2020 – 7,233,199 confirmed infections: 206,940 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal)
September 30, 2021: 2,898,900 infections; 87,420 deaths
October 1, 2020 – 674,340 confirmed infections: 16,735 deaths
News blues
South Africa returns to Alert Level 1.Speaking to South Africans last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that as many as 20,000 lives could be saved if the majority of the country's adult population received their Covid-19 vaccines. He pleaded for all citizens to do their bit.
For this reason, the country will embark on a mass vaccination drive which will allow people to receive their jabs on weekends. Ramaphosa, his deputy David Mabuza, and other officials were expected to mobilise communities to take their jabs as the “Vooma Vaccination Weekends” programme kicks off from Friday.
Mass gatherings allowed as Ramaphosa moves SA moves back to lockdown level 1.
The last time SA was under level 1 was between March and May this year.
Listen and watch President Ramaphosa (29:30 mins)
Last Week in the Republican Party (2:20 mins)
The Fox Virus (1:20 mins)
Governor Freedumb (0:25 mins)
While holding the positive aspects of vaccination, think also of the waste generated by these efforts (waste that will end up incinerated, in landfill and/or eventually the ocean):
Over 3 days, 990 + 1,200 = 2,200 one-time-use plastic syringes (incinerated… )
Packaging for 2,200 syringes plus dozens of hard paper/soft cardboard boxes of flu vaccine – 10 syringes per box
At least 2,200 cotton balls for swabbing
Plastic packaging for cotton balls
Swabbing antiseptic in plastic containers
2,200 one-time-use band aids
Packaging for 2,200 one-time use band aids
2,200 pairs of rubber gloves for each of 6 nurses. That is, at least 13,200 pairs discarded over 3 days
Packaging for that many rubber gloves (each box holds 25 pairs/50 gloves)
Surgical masks for all staff: 6 nurses, 4 Medical Assistants, 6 to 10 support staff, masks changed several times each day
Additionally, many patients arrive for vaccination either alone in a vehicle or with a spouse and, sometimes, with other family members. Let’s say of 990 clients seeking vaccinations, at least two thirds have more than one person per vehicle (usually SUV or large sedan). That is, 330 to 350 vehicles pass through the tent from 8:30am to 5:30pm each day. That’s a lot of carbon monoxide pumping into the air and captured within the tent where nurses and staff work.
In the SF Bay Area, the hospital system I work for has at least 6 drive through flu clinics and 4 drive through Covid test sites. With the population of the SF Bay Area approximately 7 million, many other companies, from corporate chain pharmacies to grocery stores to independent agencies, offer similar services at similar facilities … all of whom must practice state and federal safety standards. That produces heaps of waste.
Who handles it and how?
Since I work in a Covid vaccination clinic, I know a sore throat can be one symptom of Covid. While my sense of smell remained intact, I chose to exercise an abundance of caution and called in sick.
My manager suggested I take a Covid test. Accordingly, I found a local test site – a drive-through – of the hospital system for which I currently work.
Covid tests are free but by appointment only. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment within the hour and I drove to the facility’s parking garage where tests are conducted.
I drove my vehicle - an older, 6-passenger automatic transmission van currently loaded to the gills a folded Sea Eagle inflatable boat, a 25 HP outboard motor and an electric trolling motor – to the end of a long line of approximately 30 other motor vehicles looping along residential city streets.
Naturally, I have environmental concerns, including dozens of fossil fuel vehicles pumping carbon monoxide into the atmosphere while idling on a city street, moving at a pace of one vehicle length every several minutes) but I mollified my guilt by alternatively running the engine and switching it off then back on. Neither good for the engine nor fuel efficient.
Twenty minutes later, I entered the garage… again to wait in line, albeit in sight of the Covid swabbers. After offering both “nasal passages” for swabbing, I exited the several story garage and drove home. An experience to remember. These photos – edited for patient anonymity – offer another view of life during the pandemic of ’20 – ’21.
For this reason, the country will embark on a mass vaccination drive which will allow people to receive their jabs on weekends. Ramaphosa, his deputy David Mabuza, and other officials were expected to mobilise communities to take their jabs as the “Vooma Vaccination Weekends” programme kicks off from Friday.
Mass gatherings allowed as Ramaphosa moves SA moves back to lockdown level 1.
The last time SA was under level 1 was between March and May this year.
Listen and watch President Ramaphosa (29:30 mins)
***
Kids in the US, from ages 5 to 11, soon could be eligible for vaccine against Covid ***
Seeking resources and information on Covid vaccines? Explore the CDC website >>***
Catching up with The Lincoln Project….Last Week in the Republican Party (2:20 mins)
The Fox Virus (1:20 mins)
Governor Freedumb (0:25 mins)
Healthy planet, anyone?
Last Friday, the drive through Flu Clinic where I work vaccinated 990 clients, from babies 6-months and older to adults and retirees. Today and yesterday, our Covid vaccination clinic jabbed the arms of more than 650 patients each of those two days. That’s a good thing: 990 fewer people with flu this year; more than 1,200 fewer people risking Covid-19.While holding the positive aspects of vaccination, think also of the waste generated by these efforts (waste that will end up incinerated, in landfill and/or eventually the ocean):
Over 3 days, 990 + 1,200 = 2,200 one-time-use plastic syringes (incinerated… )
Packaging for 2,200 syringes plus dozens of hard paper/soft cardboard boxes of flu vaccine – 10 syringes per box
At least 2,200 cotton balls for swabbing
Plastic packaging for cotton balls
Swabbing antiseptic in plastic containers
2,200 one-time-use band aids
Packaging for 2,200 one-time use band aids
2,200 pairs of rubber gloves for each of 6 nurses. That is, at least 13,200 pairs discarded over 3 days
Packaging for that many rubber gloves (each box holds 25 pairs/50 gloves)
Surgical masks for all staff: 6 nurses, 4 Medical Assistants, 6 to 10 support staff, masks changed several times each day
Additionally, many patients arrive for vaccination either alone in a vehicle or with a spouse and, sometimes, with other family members. Let’s say of 990 clients seeking vaccinations, at least two thirds have more than one person per vehicle (usually SUV or large sedan). That is, 330 to 350 vehicles pass through the tent from 8:30am to 5:30pm each day. That’s a lot of carbon monoxide pumping into the air and captured within the tent where nurses and staff work.
In the SF Bay Area, the hospital system I work for has at least 6 drive through flu clinics and 4 drive through Covid test sites. With the population of the SF Bay Area approximately 7 million, many other companies, from corporate chain pharmacies to grocery stores to independent agencies, offer similar services at similar facilities … all of whom must practice state and federal safety standards. That produces heaps of waste.
Who handles it and how?
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Inevitably, the last weeks of commuting to and from work where I run around like a crazy person for 12-hour workdays five days a week, and, on weekends, have been engaged in selling, moving goods from, and bidding farewell to my beloved houseboat – resulted in a dip in my health.Since I work in a Covid vaccination clinic, I know a sore throat can be one symptom of Covid. While my sense of smell remained intact, I chose to exercise an abundance of caution and called in sick.
My manager suggested I take a Covid test. Accordingly, I found a local test site – a drive-through – of the hospital system for which I currently work.
Covid tests are free but by appointment only. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment within the hour and I drove to the facility’s parking garage where tests are conducted.
I drove my vehicle - an older, 6-passenger automatic transmission van currently loaded to the gills a folded Sea Eagle inflatable boat, a 25 HP outboard motor and an electric trolling motor – to the end of a long line of approximately 30 other motor vehicles looping along residential city streets.
Naturally, I have environmental concerns, including dozens of fossil fuel vehicles pumping carbon monoxide into the atmosphere while idling on a city street, moving at a pace of one vehicle length every several minutes) but I mollified my guilt by alternatively running the engine and switching it off then back on. Neither good for the engine nor fuel efficient.
Twenty minutes later, I entered the garage… again to wait in line, albeit in sight of the Covid swabbers. After offering both “nasal passages” for swabbing, I exited the several story garage and drove home. An experience to remember. These photos – edited for patient anonymity – offer another view of life during the pandemic of ’20 – ’21.
 |
| Still in line... but getting closer to the nasal swab.... |
 |
| The swabbers in sight.... |
 |
| Any minute now I'll have a swab stuck up my nose.... |
 |
| Life in Oakland is not back to normal with venues closed and shows cancelled. |
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| Street scene in Oakland, a wonderfully vibrant and human-size city. |
The good news? Within 23 hours, test results declared me free of virus.
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