News blues
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the delta variant, first detected in India, now represents more than 83 percent of cases circulating in the United States. People infected with the variant appear to carry a viral load that is more than 1,000 times that of those infected with earlier forms of the virus, allowing the virus to spread rapidly among unvaccinated people, scientists have found. Read more >>***
On the one hand, in South Africa, …might be heading towards a merry Christmas, getting closer to herd immunity in December, thanks to South Africans aged 35 to 49 who broke records queueing to get vaccinated. Read their stories >>Then, there’s the United States,
… where the variant is estimated to be causing more than 4 out of 5 new infections, largely among the unvaccinated, the outbreaks in places like Arkansas and Missouri have once again placed health systems under stress. They’ve also led to more questions about whether delta even poses a threat to people who are vaccinated and complicated the discussion about what precautions schools need to reopen fully in the fall.The Texas city of Austin’s return to Stage 3 risk-based guidelines marks the first time a major Texas city has reversed direction in the trend toward normalcy. The city announced stricter coronavirus protocols for unvaccinated residents as cases increase. But it can’t legally enforce those restrictions. Other cities also report surges in cases >>
Read more >>
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The Lincoln Project Brady (1:08 mins).
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
Another week under the “heat dome” coming up…Temps will rise above 100F/38C mid-week. I’d like to escape to my friend’s home where air con reigns supreme. Alas, since blossoms drop off my sun gold tomatoes when the temps rise, I’ll stick out the hellish heat on the river in an effort to cajole the blossoms into also sticking it out. Can I persuade them that life, as nutritious, tasty, and beautiful sungold-ness, is worth a little heat? I cajole them by explaining that sun golds are the best tasting cherry tomatoes in California – if not the world – and not to deny us paltry humans their delicious presence.
We’ll see if that works, eh?
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I’m getting closer to starting and, please the gods, driving my inflatable with the 15 HP outboard motor. My hesitation to date? I’ve no idea how to do that. As an elderly 1983 model, the paintwork on the tiller that indicates gears/controls has worn off. Then, after a fellow marina resident suggested 15 HP was too much power for the inflatable – and for me - I lost my nerve.
Couple of days later and I’m regaining my confidence….
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Big day tomorrow: I will have a TB test to ensure I’m fit for the workplace. (Yes, after 2 years out of the workplace, 2 years without a steady income, I’m re-entering. More on that later.)After the test, I will join friends for a trip to lovely Point Reyes, my first trip to the California coast in four-plus years. Weather on the coast is far cooler than inland. (I trust the sun golds understand it’s just a day trip before the real heat sets in mid-week.
I notice by the packaging waste in the marina’s recycling bins that marina residents are installing portable air con units in their boats. I have a portable fan and, so far, little interest in air con in my boat. Isn’t paying for a unit then paying to cool (or heat) a boat with inefficient insulation counter intuitive? Isn’t it, essentially, paying to cool (or heat) the great outdoors? Perhaps their boats are better insulated than mine. Open windows, sun-blocking curtains, and a fan do the trick “well-enough” for me.
At least, so far.
