April 6th: Wisconsin Primary Tomorrow
Headlines:
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister moved to intensive care.
US Reaches over 10,000 Coronavirus deaths. Number of cases: 357, 036. Next highest is Spain: Cases: 135,032 - Deaths: 13,055
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the Governor could not postpone Tuesday’s elections because of concerns about the coronavirus. That means huge groups of people out voting tomorrow.
One of today’s press conference hot topics was an Inspector General Report from HHS, written by Christi Grimm (appointed January 2020). It was a survey of US hospitals and found critical supply shortages, including PPE. This was based on info from over 400 hospitals in March.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern makes us all want to be Kiwis.
Good news for the Bay Area - new coronavirus cases slowing.
Bored yet? Good news! You can stream a lot for free, including HBO, Showtime and Sundance Now. If you haven’t watched Veep, please do.
You can participate in a “Puppy Yoga” class on April 11th thanks to Atlanta Humane.
Milwaukee, WI. Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Though it was not my intention, I stayed up until about 3:30am to finish a book that I was suddenly soooo close to finishing at bedtime. It centered around dogs, San Francisco, and had a little bit of romance. You see the problem. But I ask you, what do we need more than a little escapism right now? There are only so many episodes of Outlander.
I make a point not to turn on the TV during the day until the White House press conference at 2pm. Sometimes I watch it via DVR depending on if I feel I can mentally handle the theatrics that will surely transpire.
Being from Ohio, I have many friends and family who are Trump supporters. I truly want to stay away from combative debates regarding his Presidency, as they don’t seem to accomplish anything. I try my best to see other’s point of view and not speak with a “my opinion is fact and you are wrong” strategy. However, I don’t know how to temper what I’ve observed. At the daily press conferences I’ve observed the President:
Become angry and combative journalists when asked him very relevant questions regarding lack of testing and PPE.
Assert repeatedly that the US has done more testing than any other country. We have NOT tested more on a per capita basis. Population is extremely relevant here.
Proclaim that he will not wear a mask as recommended by the CDC.
Speak in a very unflattering way about several Governors and proclaim that they should be more grateful to him.
Assert that problems with testing and lack of prep are the fault of the last administration despite the fact he’s been in office 3.5 years and dismantled the pandemic task force in 2018.
Refuse any assertion that the US response should’ve begun much earlier.
Stop Dr. Fauci from answering a direct question about hydroxychloroquine.
Cannot tolerate any level of criticism.
Honestly I could go on here, but you get it. Each day I wish that Pence could run the briefings and take over the Q&A. While I’m admittedly not a fan, he is even tempered and well spoken and mostly sticks to the script. I think it would put many people at ease to watch him over the President.
Though I know some old friends back home have read this blog, many may strongly disagree with some of what I’ve written today. To them I say: Please watch a press conference and tell me what you see. I’m sincerely interested. I’ve added links above, but if you’re interested in more info, I’ll happily provide it. I’ve just never seen a President behave in such a way with members of the Press and I find it inappropriate and frankly, frightening.
Temporary Streaming Options
HBO is going big for the month of April and offering 500 hours of free programming on HBO Go, HBO Now and On Demand. Films, documentaries and series such as The Wire, The Sopranos, Barry, Veep, Succession and Six Feet Under.
You can do a 30-day free trial of Showtime, SundanceNow, among others.
Atlanta Humane Society: Kittens & Puppies
Please watch this video of humane society kittens running loose in an aquarium.
Online puppy yoga on 4/11 at 11am EST / 8am PST.