Alerts and advisories

News blues

South Africa’s President Ramaphosa addressed that nation and upped that country' Covid Alert Level, from 2 to 3. As of today, “action will be taken” against those not complying with restrictions that include:
   Curfew from 10 pm to 4am
   Restaurants and “non-essential business” must close by 9pm to allow travel home.
   Funerals and cremations max 50 people or, for small venues, 50% of space capacity
   Max 50 indoors, 100 outdoors
   Alcohol retail sales from 10am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday; no consumption in public or on public holidays
   Officials are closely monitoring data and expertise to save lives. Going forward:
   Masks must cover nose and mouth (criminal offense not to do so
   Social distancing must be practiced.
   People must take action to protect themselves and others.
   Vax program: shortages, hindrances, supplies reduced, but 500 sites currently operating. Aim for 250,000 vaccinations per day
President ended with:  “We’ll not be deterred. We will succeed. We are people made of sterner stuff: succeed we will and succeed we must.”
Listen and watch (24:10 mind)

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South Africa’s Covid Dashboard (Updated 11:30, 14 June 2021):
Confirmed Cases: 1 747 082
Confirmed Deaths: 57 765
Confirmed Recoveries: 1 606 581
Vaccines Administered: 1 773 417

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Delta, a scary new variant of the coronavirus, is spreading both stateside and abroad. The good news: In the matchup between vaccines and variants, the vaccines remain ahead for now.
To help you better understand what Delta means for you, and for the global fight against the coronavirus, review the answers to six quick questions. 

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COVID infections drop where people are vaccinated, rise where they’re not As recently as June 4, US states with higher vaccination rates did not have significantly lower case rates than states where few people were vaccinated. 

Read more >> 

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The Lincoln Project: Celebrate  (0:43 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Carbon Dioxide in Atmosphere Hits Record High Despite Pandemic Dip

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Since last week, the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories that include warnings about “excessive heat” with temps varying from 104F to 111F/ 40C to 44C – hot in any measurement.
The 104F temperature I endured soon after I returned to my boat knocked me out. I’ve no reason to expect several days of further excessive heat will be easier so I plan to skedaddle to more temperate climes. Weather in the “inner Bay” – Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco is predicted to run 25 to 30 degrees (F) cooler. 

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After 14 days of alternatives, I adopted the “nuclear option” for plugging the plumbing problem under the boat: a putty and tape combo replete with warnings of toxicity, mandatory use of gloves, etc. I consider applying toxic materials, particularly near river water, a last resort. But it worked: after 14 days with no running water into the boat and many attempts to plug the pipe – one attempt included fish biting me on the butt, twice! – I succeeded in plugging the pipe.
I’ve have running water for more than 24 hours. Luxury!
I inspected the area today and it looks solid.
Over the past 14 days, I frequently thought of fellow South Africans who must carry empty utensils, buckets, etc., to fill at a communal “tap” (faucet) then schlepp that heavy load home. Onerous. A crying shame in a country whose leaders, 26 years ago, promised people decent homes, running water, etc. Instead, corruption reigns.
More corruption: Over the past two weeks, Eskom, the national power supply commission, subjected the nation’s people to more load shedding … and increased the cost of the minimal electricity they did supply.
Eskom’s bill for my mother’s house doubled. This, for only two people drawing electricity – lights only, no electric hot water heaters, no electric stoves, sitting around a fireplace at night.

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What is remarkable in the marina: no Covid cases and very little mask compliance. Perhaps its the outdoor lifestyle?