Forward momentum!

News blues…

New variants raise worry about COVID-19 as scientists discovered a new version of the virus in South Africa that’s more contagious and less susceptible to certain treatments.

Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. People also can get second infections with earlier versions of the coronavirus if they mounted a weak defense the first time, new research suggests.
How long immunity lasts from natural infection is one of the big questions in the pandemic. Scientists still think reinfections are fairly rare and usually less serious than initial ones, but recent developments around the world have raised concerns.
In South Africa, a vaccine study found new infections with a variant in 2% of people who previously had an earlier version of the virus.
In Brazil, several similar cases were documented with a new variant there. Researchers are exploring whether reinfections help explain a recent surge in the city of Manaus, where three-fourths of residents were thought to have been previously infected.
In the United States, a study found that 10% of Marine recruits who had evidence of prior infection and repeatedly tested negative before starting basic training were later infected again. That work was done before the new variants began to spread, said one study leader, Dr. Stuart Sealfon of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
“Previous infection does not give you a free pass,” he said. “A substantial risk of reinfection remains.”

Let’s be careful out there, people. Wear your mask, keep your distance, ventilate your facility, sanitize your hands…

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The Lincoln Project on the cusp of Trump’s second impeachment:
Convict   (0:55 mins)
Now This: Trump's Impeachment Defense, Debunked   (4:33 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Big Business squirms as Biden tightens climate regulations. Corporate America has made bold pledges to fight climate change, but it's resisting government efforts to hold it to them.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

First the good/bad news: My mother is looking a lot more perky. She’s still very weak, can hardly speak, and, sitting in her Laziboy chair, can slowly move her hands and legs. Nevertheless, a Care Center staff person phone me yesterday afternoon to report that dear old stubborn mom had tried to climb out of her Laziboy and had fallen – again! This time, however, no bones broken and no discernible damage done.
What to say?
Stubborn is as stubborn does!

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Our gardener returned to work yesterday. He’s a mere shadow of his former “bonny” – that is, plump – self. In two weeks he lost at least 20 pounds/10kgs. Moreover, he claims he did not have Covid. Rather, the doctor suggests he may have an ulcer, or a similar stomach ailment.
He set about weeding … something badly needed and not too taxing.

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Looks like we have a buyer for the house!
The third person who saw the house on the first day it was advertised, made a reasonable-enough all-cash offer. (The first couple that saw it made an unreasonable offer. I refused it and they didn’t make a counteroffer.)
Another party inspected the house yesterday and appear interested. Ironically, if they purchased, they’d create a medical step-down facility. They’d offer elderly folks a place recuperate with their pets and the ability to garden. Nice idea. Perhaps I could check my mother in…
Now to work out the nitty-gritty details.
Seems the concept of “as is” doesn’t mean much here. There’s talk of me having to erect a fence around the only section of swimming pool that doesn’t have a fence…and other annoying fixes.
Time will tell.