Turning tables

Worldwide (Map) 
July 29, 2021 – 196,414,175 confirmed infections; 4,194,100 deaths
September 17, 2020 – 29,902,200 confirmed infections; 941,400 deaths)

US (Map)

July 29, 2021 – 34,724,000 confirmed infections; 612,050 deaths 

September 17, 2020 – 6,630,100 confirmed infections; 196,831 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal) 
July 29, 2021 – 2,422,155 confirmed infections; 71,431 deaths
September 17, 2020 – 653,445 confirmed infections; 15,705 deaths

News blues

There’s a new trend beginning: no more BS about “freedom” and “rights” to not get a vaccination… As idiotic Republican congress people continue to whine about masks  it looks like commonsense is resurging. Let’s hope so, anyway….

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The US is giving 5.66 million Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines to South Africa, the US embassy in Pretoria has announced. Half of them will arrive by plane on Sunday and the other half on Tuesday.
The acting US ambassador to SA, Todd Haskell, explained this was part of President Joe Biden’s promise to give 500 million vaccines to the world by the end of 2022.
The vaccines will be channelled to South Africa through Covax, the international aid initiative to try to ensure that low- and middle-income countries are not left behind in the global effort to vaccinate against Covid-19.
Haskell said the 5.66 million vaccines for South Africa would be the largest donation of Covid-19 vaccines to a single country by the US. The second-largest would be four million to Nigeria.

Read >> 

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The Lincoln Project Heroes  (0:57 mins)
LP chief breaks down at cruelty… 
Rematch  (0:58 mins>

Healthy planet, anyone?

Photos: the week in wildlife >> 

***

Three Americans create enough carbon emissions to kill one person, study finds 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

More heat. It’s been unrelenting heat since I returned to my houseboat in California. Sure, I take time to hunker down in friends’ air con homes, but no air con on my boat. My small fan doesn’t cut it as an effective cooler. And, no, I do not intend to buy a portable air con system. The reality for millions of us, in California and beyond, is that climate change is here to stay (at least for the remainder of my lifetime). Temperatures unhealthy-for-humans are now part of life.
I’ve been waiting out the heat – getting up early to work on the boat, siesta-ing during maximum heat, finding enjoyment as the day wanes and cooler temps prevail. But productive years of my life are flitting away. Can’t go on this way….

***

So, Prez Biden suggests $100 to each vax-hesitator who overcomes his/her hesitation and accepts a jab. 

We shall see. 
California offered $50 to anyone getting the jab after April or May.
I had intended to be vaccinated asap after re-entry to US. The day after I returned, I did exactly that. At the local grocery store. Vaccinations are available almost everywhere.
Soon after my second dose and quarantine ended, I was sent a congratulatory text with a one time code that, supposedly, would allow me to claim my $50 within 65 days. I’ve tried several times and – no go. The online site will not accept my code. I followed directions and contacted the help line. I was shuffled from one human filter to the next, each passing me to someone who was promised to help. No dice. The final person – fourth person and 55 minutes later – said someone else would call me “within 3 days.” I’m still waiting. So, my advice to the $100 bribe-for-vax folks? Don’t hold your breath.
The irony? I didn’t get vaxed to get $50, but now I’m determined – well, sort of – to harass the system until it does what it promised.
Fifty more days to go.

Moon rising

Full moon rises over the river. Gorgeous. 

Things houseboat - and Covid - have kept me so busy that I lost track of the days. It’s already Thursday. Amazing.

A year ago, Week 13, Day 91, Thursday, June 25, I posted “Mindboggling numbers.” 

This week’s numbers of infections and death around the world are rising so precipitously it feels appropriate to examine them, understand them, do our best not to contribute to further rise – and begin a new week fresh and hopeful….
Little did I know, back then, that coronavirus Covid-19 would still be with us one year later. Indeed, that it’s worse in many countries, including South Africa in its third wave of infections.

On the cusp of Week 66’s numbers compared to Week 13, one year ago
Worldwide (Map) 
June 24, 2021: 179,530,600 confirmed infections; 3,890,200 deaths
June 25, 2020: 9,409,000 confirmed infections; 482,190 deaths

US (Map)
June 24, 2021: 33,578,000 confirmed infections; 603,000 deaths
June 25, 2020: 2,381,540 infections; 121,980 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal) 
June 24, 2021: 1,861,100 confirmed infections; 59,260 deaths
June 25, 2020: 111,800 confirmed infections; 2,205 deaths

News blues

Urgent action needed as third wave sweeps Africa 

Covid-19 cases in Africa rose by more than a fifth week-on-week, pushing the total to more than five million. The number of new cases reported in the week has exceeded half the second-wave peak of 224,000 in January, with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Namibia reporting the most weekly cases since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, seven African nations have used all the vaccine doses they received from Covax, the vaccine-sharing facility. Seven more have used more than 80% of theirs.

South Africa’s province of Gauteng is experiencing daily increase in Covid-19 infections that is 21% higher than the previous peak in January 2021.
‘An absolute catastrophe’: Covid-19 deals Gauteng a sucker punch as hospitals fill up 
On the other hand, South Africa has been chosen to host the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) first Covid-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub to scale up production and access to vaccines.
This will be the first in a series of Covid mRNA vaccine technology transfer hubs that the WHO is launching around the world to boost Covid-19 vaccine supplies. Read more >> 

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India's vaccinations hit record with free Covid shots 

India gave out a record five million vaccine doses on Monday under a federal campaign to inoculate all adults for free after weeks of criticism that a chaotic roll-out had worsened a second wave that killed hundreds of thousands. Over the past 30 days India has administered an average 2.7 million doses a day.

Brazil passes half a million Covid-19 deaths 

Brazil's death toll from Covid-19 has surpassed 500,000 as experts warn that the world's second-deadliest outbreak may worsen due to delayed vaccinations and the government's refusal to back physical distancing measures. Only 11% of Brazilians have been fully vaccinated. Thousands of Brazilians protested against President Jair Bolsonaro's management of the pandemic in nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, blaming the administration for the high death toll.

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Expect the Unexpected From the Delta Variant. There’s no way of knowing how bad things will get in the U.S. In a way, that’s a luxury.

This much is clear: The coronavirus is becoming more transmissible. Ever since the virus emerged in China, it has been gaining mutations that help it spread more easily among humans. The Alpha variant, first detected in the United Kingdom last year, is 50 percent more transmissible than the original version, and now the Delta variant, first detected in India, is at least 40 percent more transmissible than Alpha.

Read more >> 

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In hunt for Covid’s origin, new studies point away from lab leak theory

***

The Lincoln Project: 

The Mission  (1:14 mins)
Juneteenth  (1:24 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Oceana: Amazon (AMZN) plastic problem set to skyrocket with Prime Day booming sales.

Anne Schroeer, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Oceana, issued the following statement calling on the major online retailer to reduce single-use plastic packaging and give customers a plastic-free packaging choice. “As Prime Day and Amazon continue to grow, so too does the company’s devastating impact on the environment. In December 2020, Oceana exposed Amazon’s massive plastic footprint, which amounted to an estimated 465 million pounds of plastic packaging in 2019. Our research estimates that, in 2019 alone, up to 22.44 million pounds of Amazon’s plastic packaging waste polluted the world’s freshwater and marine ecosystems where it can wreak havoc on marine life – that’s the equivalent of dumping a delivery van payload of plastic into the ocean every 70 minutes.

Read more >> 
Learn more about Oceana.org >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

I’ve completed my 2-part Pfizer vax program and, while I didn’t win the million dollar prize, California’s vaccine incentive program  will deliver me some sort of runner-up reward, perhaps $50 or a trip to Disneyland, or some other place.
(The million-dollar lotteries is having trouble lining people up.)
I expected my second Pfizer jab to hit me harder than the first, but other than the site of the second jab requiring an ice pack for several hours, it was easy peasy. 

If you haven’t already, and your country is vaccinating, I recommend it.

***

I avoided the Delta and houseboat living for the duration of last week’s soaring temperatures (up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit last Thursday). Temps have been in the balmy upper 80s and low 90s since then. (They start to rise again this weekend, into the high 90s and low 100s.)
I mentioned to a friend that I’m beginning to recognize the reality of climate refugeeism. She thought I was joking. Not so. Decisions I’ve made in my life have me opting for simple: simple living, modest income, creativity, and independence. The upside downside: living in a houseboat suits me, living on the San Joaquin River is a gift. Alas, climate change in California means increasing drought, increasing heat, increasing heat waves. Lack of environmental protections means increasingly foul, even toxic water, air, and land.
That’s the future.
Am I sorry I’m pursuing this "lifestyle”?
Alarmed, perhaps. Sorry? No. 

The moon, after all, is full and bright tonight. Canada geese have been visiting the river the last few days. 

Life is good.

Presidential update

I continue to marvel at how President Ramaphosa addresses South Africans: respectfully, honestly, directly, without threats of violence or calls for mayhem. In the era of Trump, this is refreshing leadership.

News blues…

President Ramaphosa updated South Africans on the country’s response to the pandemic and laid out how we intend to cope over the next month.  (25:30 mins)
Summary:
President Ramaphosa began with heartfelt appreciation for South Africans who observed five days of mourning for those dead from Covid-19 and from gender-based violence (GBV)
His update on worldwide Covid numbers – SA has dropped on the list from 5th to 14th – included the realities of a resurgence of infections across the country that is exacting a heavy toll: 887,200 people infected since March, with a recovery rate 92%, and 21,803 deaths.
There’s a marked rise in new infections and more infected people in hospital. We went from 1,500 new cases per day, to 2,900 the last week of November to 4,400 new as of yesterday (December 2)
Three areas of the country suffering particularly:
Nelson Mandela Bay

Sarah Bartman area 

The Garden Route (due to the interprovincial movement of seasonal workers) 

Eastern and Western Cape showing an increase in deaths
Rise in transmission rates due to:

• interprovincial travel
• people gathering in large groups – and in poorly ventilated venues such as for funerals and “after tears” parties
• increases in alcohol-related trauma admissions to hospital that divert capacity of hospitals and hospital staff to cope with Covid. Many people are NOT wearing masks or practicing proper hygiene and social distancing

The main problem is that people are not complying with current restrictions and basic prevention measures
The plan to deal with the resurgence includes:

• Creating more capacity for hospitals
• Expanding public health
• Increasing awareness campaigns
• “Overall, however, we must change our behavior. The resurgence is like a bush fire: we must quickly extinguish flare ups before they develop into an inferno.”

In order to keep the economy open, we will implement measures: In Covid hotspots: we must track new cases day by day, increase the rates of testing, track positivity percentage, and deal with active hospital admissions, and track deaths

NCCC declares hotspots to practice new restrictions as of midnight:

• Curfew – 10 p to 4 am – no one outside residences, except essential workers
• Alcohol sold only between 10am and 6pm, Monday thru Thursday
• No consumption of alcohol in public spaces, including beaches and parks and in gatherings
• Restrictions on gatherings, including religious: no more than 100 indoors and 250 outdoors, and not to exceed 50 percent capacity anywhere
• All “after tears” gatherings prohibited
• We seek to take steps that are absolutely necessary. The summer season may go ahead in Eastern Cape with the risk adjusted plan approved, including:
• Strict adherence to health protocols, PPE, access to water
• NO initiation schools allowed for the interim in an effort to contain spread and save lives
• National State of Disaster extended to 15 January, 2021
• Level 1 remains throughout the country
• Everyone must play her/his part, respect rules, measures, and protocols; breaking rules will have consequences
• – Taxis: all passengers must wear masks
• Full compliance with curfews

Our only viable defense is vaccine
No one will be left behind
WHO global access to COVAX – countries shall pool resources to ensure equitable access
SA’s Solidarity Fund will make available ZAR327 million to procure vaccines
Currently there are three trails of candidate vaccines and we’re awaiting confirmation that they’re safe, effective, and suitable for South Africans
We, people, remain out own best protection:

• Through wearing a mask in public and staying safe
• Practicing social distancing
• avoiding gatherings
• Washing/sanitizing hands

The safety messages must sink in so download app (1 million downloads so far)
Avoid danger by avoiding complacency, particularly during coming festive season. This is a time for caution
Large gathering are super spreader events so take precautions to avoid spreading the virus
Let there be no relaxing on these measures and do not let down your guard with this coronavirus
Let us recommit ourselves to this fight for our lives, take steps now, stand together, and work together.

*** 

The Lincoln Project: 

On the Ballot  (0:59 mins)
Whispers III  (1:32 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

How Covid sowed the seeds of food security in Johannesburg
During South Africa’s strict lockdown, groups of activists decided to distribute parcels of vegetables as wells as seedlings and gardening materials to hundreds of vulnerable households. A photo essay… 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Covid careful Santa (“Father Christmas”) greeted me at the local grocery store.