Unrelenting

A short post today due to exhaustion – personal and public. A crisis of epic proportions envelopes the planet – almost 40 million coronavirus infections – and effective coordination to manage it is MIA.

News blues…

More than 1,000 current and former officers of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a letter   criticizing the federal government’s response to the coronavirus crisis and demanding “our nation’s leaders to allow CDC to resume its indispensable role.”

The signees were current and former members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, sometimes known as “disease detectives.” Founded nearly 70 years ago, the EIS is a two-year postdoctoral program for epidemiologists to get hands-on experience in the field.
“The absence of national leadership on COVID-19 is unprecedented and dangerous,” the letter said. “The U.S. epidemic is sustained by deadly chains of transmission that crisscross the entire country. Yet states and territories have been left to invent their own differing systems for defining, diagnosing and reporting cases of this highly contagious disease. Inconsistent contact tracing efforts are confined within each state’s borders — while coronavirus infections sadly are not. Such chaos is what CDC customarily avoided by its long history of collaboration with state and local health authorities in developing national systems for disease surveillance and coordinated control.”
The Trump administration has been criticized for sidelining the CDC. It reportedly went so far as to interfere in the agency’s reports as it has largely failed in its response to the virus’s spread.

Meanwhile, in Europe, global coronavirus cases rose by more than 400,000 for the first time, a record one-day increase even as the region enacts new restrictions to curb the outbreak.

Europe, which successfully tamped down the first surge of infections, has emerged as the new coronavirus epicentre in recent weeks and is reporting on average 140,000 cases a day over the past week. 
As a region, Europe is reporting more daily cases than India, Brazil and the United States combined.
Of every 100 infections reported around the world, 34 were from European countries, according to a Reuters analysis. The region is currently reporting a million new infections about every nine days and has reported more than 6.3 million cases since the pandemic began.

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The good news in the US? We, the People are votin’ ….   Will a change in administrations make a difference? Or is it too late to divert the trajectory of this deadly pandemic? 

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The Lincoln Project Swamp  (0:59 mins)
Really American Blame Trump  (1:08 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Bee brokers broking bees. 'You never stop learning about bees, they're just incredible.' 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Temperature rose to 34 C yesterday. My physical exhaustion equaled my psychological exhaustion. I took the day off from selling and moving related action to potter around the garden and the pond. It was the right thing to do.
Tomorrow = renewed efforts.

Dreaming compost

News blues…

'On the brink of disaster': Europe's Covid fight takes a turn for the worse. 

Europe’s second coronavirus wave took a dramatic turn for the worse this week, forcing governments across the continent to make tough choices as more than a dozen countries reported their highest ever number of new infections.
In France, 18 million people in nine big cities risk a fine from Saturday if they are not at home by 9pm. In the Czech Republic, schools have closed and medical students are being enlisted to help doctors. All Dutch bars and restaurants are shut.
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland are among countries to have broken daily case records, prompting the World Health Organization to call for an “uncompromising” effort to stem the spread.

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US passes 8m coronavirus cases as death toll approaches 220,000 

The US passed 8m recorded coronavirus cases on Friday, another unwelcome mark for the country with the most cases and the worst death toll from the global pandemic, approaching 220,000.
Despite there being no sign that the pandemic is under control in the US, on Thursday Donald Trump said that the virus would “peter out”.
Cases are increasing in 32 states, holding steady in 15 and decreasing in just three: Louisiana, Kentucky and Vermont.

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My trusty coronavirus daily reporting app reports South Africa’s toll of new confirmed infections yesterday: more than 2,000.
The third wave?

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Rats abandon the sinking ship that is the Donald Trump presidency. Watch for a new CNN special scheduled to air [US time] Sunday night, "The Insiders: A Warning from Former Trump Officials," in which former senior administration officials - including former national security adviser John Bolton, former Health and Human Services scientist Rick Bright and former Department of Homeland Security general counsel John Mitnick - explain why they think the President is unfit for office. 
The big question: why did they wait so long? Fear? Self-interest? Readying to exploit any power that came their way?

***

The Lincoln Project:

• Donald Trump Jr. With A Brutal Edit of His ‘Crazy Ad’
• Girl in the mirror  (1.25 mins)
• American family (0:55 mins)

Don Winslow filmsTrump attacks black women  (1:23 mins) 

Meidas Touch:

• Trump the Grave Dancer  (0:40 mins)
• Bye Tiffany  (0:44 mins)
• Don’t Gamble on Trump  (0:53 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Qanon. What the…? As conspiracies grow… protect your body from coronavirus best you can – masks, sanitize, distance - and protect your brain from the conspiracy virus. You, and our planet, cannot afford the time sink these conspiracies require. Jitarth Jadeja’s story 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

First snake this season: Rhombic night adder. 

The area I live in now is 1050 meters/3445 feet above sea level. The area where I grew up – Valley of a Thousand Hills - is 799 meters/2621 feet. Those 250 meters/820 feet make a difference in snake populations: fewer snakes here than there. This young Rhombic night adder  toured the perimeter of the ground floor verandah, I used a stout stick to encourage it toward the garden and pond (frogs are a favorite food). It hissed and  squeaked - like air escaping a too-tight suit. I kept my distance, took photos, and enjoyed its lovely markings. 

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Fruit cake is back! Also known as Christmas cake, South Africa’s dark, rich fruit cake is not found in California. Subsequently, it’s a big attraction. It disappeared from shelves the beginning of Lockdown and re-appeared yesterday. Let the feasting begin!

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After mixing another large bag of compost, I checked in with the realtor regarding an approximate date I might move into my new small living unit. She reports, “perhaps by the end of November.” I’m looking forward to spilling this gorgeous, fecund compost into my new garden. The plants I intend to grow will love it!

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Talking about compost… A life goal is, one day in the future, to lie on my bed, review my life, and marvel at the wild ride it has been.
I’ve discovered I was gifted with remarkable resilience and determination and I put these to work each day.
Moreover, I’ve been meeting semi-regularly with a local psychotherapist to guide me through the thickets, roots, and manure that made me who I am. To this end, I began another Dream Journal – recording dreams to examine and make conscious presentations from my unconscious.
Last night’s dream is memorable, not so much for the actual dream, but for its manifestation on paper (photo, left).
How to decipher this mess?

We’re voting – bigly!

John McDonnell/
The Washington Post
via Getty Images

Pundits predict a blowout election for Biden and against Trump. It ain’t over ‘til it’s over… but if the lines for early voting are any indication, punditry is correct.
(Left) On the first day of early voting in Virginia, a long line of voters wait to cast their ballots at the Fairfax County Government Center.

News blues…

In the US, more than 12.8 million people have already voted. 
As many as 80 million Americans are expected to vote early, by mail or in person. 

Thousands of people, some braving hours-long waits, glitches and politically motivated obstruction, are flocking to cast early ballots and writing the story of a pandemic-era election that may change how America votes.
Heavy turnout at early voting centers in Georgia and Texas comes as many voters elsewhere take advantage of mail-in ballots, defying President Donald Trump's misleading attempts to cast the election as the most corrupt in history.

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Call it what it is: voter suppression.  (3:25 mins) But, voters persevere – some standing doggedly in line for up to 11 hours. 

You go, voting Americans! 

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An extraordinary feature of this election cycle is that, for the first time in my more than four decades living in the US – first time ever in the modern era? - honorable Republicans are speaking out, fiercely, publicly, against dishonorable Republicans.
Republican ideology is, in general, not “my cup of tea.” Republican policies and goals are inimical to mine and also, I believe, to a healthy planet and healthy societies over the long term. Nevertheless, I applaud the goals of individual Republicans (Michael Steele, below) and groups of Republicans (The Lincoln Project’s ads and efforts regularly shared). 

It’s comforting to know that ideology differs, but agreement exists on core principles and ethics.  
Michael Steele, in his latest news interview, tells Americans, “Remember The Elected Officials Who Made You Stand In That Line" (4:20 mins)

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South Africans have been under Lockdown since March 15. Level 1, currently in effect, was due to end October 15, but let’s stay safe. 

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The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Western Cape has experienced 40 attacks against staff since the start of the lockdown.

According to data  … attacks occur in hotspot areas. In a recent incident…a crew was robbed of their personal belongings at gunpoint while waiting in traffic in Philippi, Cape Town. In these hotspot areas, known as “red zones”, EMS staff need to wait for police escorts before entering a high crime area in order to provide emergency health services.

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The Lincoln Project states:

In our ever-growing movement, we’ve joined forces with an incredible list of patriotic Americans in our mission to defeat Donald Trump and end Trumpism.
Now, we’re proud to present "Commander in Chief" by Demi Lovato.
Demi's new song is a fierce rebuke of the president’s lies and corruption, and a lament for the Americans who are suffering and dying on his watch.
The Lincoln Project is honored to have produced this music video, and we’re giving you an exclusive first look:
"Commander in Chief" by Demi Lovato  (3:11 mins)
We’re proud to stand with you, with Demi Lovato, and with the rest of the patriots who will defeat Donald Trump on November 3.
Our coalition is growing larger by the day; momentum is building for those of us on the right side of history.

Enjoy,

• Big  (0:55 mins)
• Randy Rainbow Parody IF DONALD GOT FIRED  (4:05 mins)
• VOTE THE BASTARDS OUT - The Spooky Mens Chorale (3:50 mins)
• Meidas Touch: Don’t worry  (0:53 mins)
• RVAT: Trump's Lying About Fauci  (0:33 mins)
• Don Winslow Films & Bruce Springsteen  (2:13 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Daily Maverick webinar: The Climate Risks We Face . Hosted by Kevin Bloom with Bob Scholes and Makoma Lekalakala.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

I delivered what I though was the correct chair – and cushion - to my mother at the Care Center. Alas. Wrong! No arms rests. I asked Center staff if they had a chair with arm rests my mother could use. They did. Alas, she did not want that chair. Deflated, I returned the “wrong” chair – and cushion - back to the house.

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With a potential sale of the house looming, I’ve expected my brother to claim and collect sundry tools – including his elderly concrete mixer I’ve used in the past to mix compost. With many collection dates scheduled then not cancel without notice - including Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday this week - tools remain.
I modified the adage, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” to “when no-shows hand you dirt, make compost.”
I wheeled out the elderly concrete mixer and mixed up two large bags of compost. 

I tossed in kitchen scraps, recycled potting soil, bone meal, swamp cypress needles, kraal manure, vermiculite, peat, assorted leaves, handsful of pond weed, sawdust, ash, fertilizer pellets….
It’s heavy work for an old lady, and dusty, but filling bags with sweet smelling home-made compost is fulfilling and joyous.
I imagine the plants that will enjoy snacking on this fecund feast in the future.

Satisfaction!

Scamdemic

There’s no good news about Covid-19. More than 200 days – 29 weeks - of lockdown in South Africa and deadly infections continues to spread, here, there, everywhere. A new global high in infections with resurging cases in Germany, France, UK, US, other countries… 
The US is at high risk as flu season approaches…  (5:45 mins)
Protect yourself and others. Wear a mask, sanitize, keep your distance. Be wise, be practical, avoid conspiracy theories and “scamdemics” (see below).

Worldwide (Map) 
October 15 – 38,426,375 confirmed infections; 1,091,250 deaths
September 17 – 29,764,000 confirmed infections; 939,450 deaths
US (Map)  
October 15 – 7,911,500 confirmed infections; 216,860 deaths
September 17 – 6,631,650 confirmed infections; 196,800 deaths
SA (Coronavirus portal) 
October 15 – 696,420 confirmed infections; 18,155 deaths
September 17 – 653,445 confirmed infections; 15,705 deaths

News blues…

Texan Tony Green dismissed Covid-19, contracted it, survived it, and - after hosting an event that led to multiple infections - lives with the knowledge that he was likely responsible for at least 14 members of his family contracting it – of which two died.
“I used to call it the ‘scamdemic.’ I thought it was an overblown media hoax. I made fun of people for wearing masks… [Now] The feeling that I have is kind of like what a drunk driver would have if they killed their family.” 

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The Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt’s latest email blast:

The United States Senate has historically been revered as the world’s greatest deliberative body.
Indeed, there was once a time that was true.
But today, the Republican Senate Majority has turned it into a clown show, full of grandstanding, self-aggrandizing, indolent, power-hungry cowards who have neglected their duty, evaded accountability, and betrayed their oaths to the Constitution.
Donald Trump is an acute and especially perilous threat to the pillars of our democracy, our national security, and the very fabric of our Republic. But he could not induce so much destruction to our nation and desecration of his office if not for the dereliction of duty by these obsequious enablers.
That is why they must go.
And we have them on the run.
Mitch McConnell is scrambling as he watches his majority crumble before him, with the likes of Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst nearing defeat.
These Senators made a choice. Instead of affirming their loyalty to the Constitution and to the American people, Mitch, Lindsey, et al. shirked responsibility in lieu of greed and the brazen pursuit of political gain.
The Lincoln Project is working day and night to defeat Trump and Trumpism. Nobody who threatens the survival of our country will be safe hiding in the Senate.
Victory is within reach; the finish line is in sight.

Trump TV  (1:55 mins)
RVAT: Remember when  (0:33 mins)
Trump’s Voter Fraud, Sexy Superspreading & Biden-Bashing  (13:30 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Leading scientists urge rewilding to mitigate the climate crisis. 

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Let’s hear it for voracious goats… 
The problem, however, is larger than goats. A root problem? Lack of agreement on root causes, even on terminology, along with ideology – including capitalism – hamper any progress.

Since 2019, catastrophic fires have afflicted the Amazon, the Congo basin, Australia, Siberia, Argentina, and countless other places. While some on the political Right were in denial that anything unusual was happening, today the entire political spectrum is in agreement that something is horribly amiss. In the US, the Right offers candidate explanations like poor forest management, while Democratic politicians emphasize climate change. What they both agree on is that the current state of affairs in abnormal, unacceptable, and requires action. This, at least, is progress.

Read Charles Eisenstein’s essay World on Fire 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

On a scale of 1 to 10, packing up someone else’s home is a 9. It could be worse, but it’s not easy. Forays into the garden – to weed or simply to appreciate plants, birds, animals – help tamp down the anxiety.
I’ll make another trip to the Care Center today – this time to deliver a chair so my mother can more easily access her closet. For a former project manager, an added stress is the lack of attention to what was, briefly, a coherent plan for execution. Instead, we have constant changing of mind about objects needed, not needed, and essential – at least, until tomorrow.
Each morning, I review my litany of stress-related aches and pains – particularly from clenching my jaws while asleep. Then I promise myself that today I’ll find time to relax. Inch by inch, we move forward. But, oh, it hurts!

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Latest news about the drunken son of my mother’s domestic worker (who threatened to kill, abuse, etc., me). He relocated to Mpophemeni, a local township. According to our gardener and remaining live-in domestic worker, the drunk’s abusive antics in the township are raising eyebrows and ire. Residents urge our staff to “call his mother to come get him – or someone will kill him.” 

Already, he has been beaten and bruised by angry township residents. Alas, his mother’s family do not want him in their township either. A case of chickens coming home to roost?