Blog and Personal Update

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I wanted to update my readers on what’s been happening since my last post.

We’ve been taking this pandemic seriously for some time in our house. I had been forcing my family to wash their hands when they returned from school or shopping or outside of our home for a number of weeks. Our church had eliminated handshaking for the sign of peace, and receiving communion from the chalice. I told my daughter that she couldn’t go to her friend’s birthday party, which I truly hated doing. (The mom ended up postponing.)

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COVID-19 – New Information and Resources (March 13, 2020)

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I have been trying to leave politics out of my posts regarding COVID-19 out of an abundance of respect for all readers, but I find that it’s not been as easy as it sounded two weeks ago when my family began our precautions. I did my duty as an American and watched the President’s address live on Wednesday. As I said to a cousin when we disagreed politically, while I have trusted sources that I have already vetted, I still prefer primary sources, and will use them whenever I am able. Watching the President live was one way to do that. He did NOT instill in me a lot of confidence, especially when less than five minutes after he finished, there were no less than three corrections to his “planned”, “well-thought out”, “vetted” speech.

I do not say this lightly, but when getting your information about COVID-19, please do NOT listen to the President and/or the Vice President. I would also include Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative Kevin McCarthy, Representative Tom Cotton, Senator John Kennedy (LA), and the head of the CDC, Dr. Redfield as they have all continued to pass on misinformation and lied about the extent of the virus and where we stand on a vaccine, mitigation, and flattening the curve. I am sad to include the doctor in this list of unreliable people, but they are truly that: unreliable. If they refuse to tell the truth in small things, how can they be trusted to tell the truth in the big, important, controversial ones.

I will continue to get my information from Dr. Anthony Fauci of NIH. He has said in his Congressional testimony that this virus (COVID-19) is ten times more lethal than the flu. It is nothing like the flu, and people should stop downplaying it. I will also be checking in on Ron Klain and Dr. Celine Gounder’s podcast, Epidemic where they talk to experts. I have a few new resources to add to my main Coronavirus post that is included below.

There may be up to 1.4 million new tests next week, and 5 million by the end of the month, according to reporting from NBC News. The President declared a national emergency this afternoon which frees up about $50 billion for states and the federal government to get a handle on this pandemic. It is expected that there will be widespread drive-thru testing with results coming within 36 hours. There will be a Google form to fill out if you have symptoms and you will be directed to a testing place. THIS IS INCORRECT. I DON’T KNOW IF THE PRESIDENT LIED AGAIN OR IF IT WAS JUST WISHFUL THINKING. We’ll see how that works out. I am hoping that it does.

Information:

Rachel Maddow’s show transcript from March 11, 2020 or listen to the same on her podcast

Rachel Maddow’s show from March 12, 2020

Cancel Everything (Social Distancing) from The Atlantic

Flattening the Curve, Isolation, Quarantine (from Vox)

How Fox News Misled Viewers about Coronavirus – important to keep up with and recognize the misinformation (CNN Business)

How Trump Set Up his White House to Fail (relates to information access) (The Atlantic)

9 Charts that Explain the Coronavirus Pandemic (from Vox)

Podcast:

America Dissected: Coronavirus with Dr. Abdul el-Sayed. New pods will be broadcast on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Twitter:

Dr. Abdul el-Sayed

Election Connection: 34 Weeks: Get Mitch (or die trying)

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Okay, maybe not literally die, but while Mitch McConnell controls the Senate, people are literally dying. From immigrants at the border to mass shooting victims in schools, Mitch McConnell has done nothing for the American people. Right now, we are in the middle of a serious pandemic, and while other countries are in quarantine, our government tells us to go to work and hope for the best; they have it all under control.

Well, they do NOT have it all under control.

In order to pass laws that stem gun violence through gun control, that provide for the poor in this country, that offer medical attention before you need the ICU and ER, they need to pass in the Senate. The House of Representatives has passed over 200 bills ranging in topics from background checks to election security, from combatting the climate crisis to women’s reproductive rights, and the Senate. led by Mitch McConnell has done nothing. He hasn’t even brought these bills to the floor for an up or down vote.

It’s appalling, and quite frankly it’s un-American.

One way is to get rid of McConnell. Donate to his opponent for the Kentucky Senate: Amy McGrath.

Another way, as Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai’i says, “Pick a Senate race.” Pick a Senate race where the Republican is vulnerable, donate, volunteer, and get rid of McConnell’s majority.

Get Mitch or Die Trying is the link to help him on his way to retirement. Your donation is split evenly between candidates. Learn more at the link.

Click link to GET MITCH.

COVID-19 Update

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(This will also be added to original Coronavirus post that is linked at the top of my home page)

I recommend you follow Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Twitter. He is not currently a part of this Administration, but is the former head of the FDA and Harvard professor and offers good, thoughtful advice on dealing with this epidemic.

His USA Today op-ed: Take Smart Steps to Slow the Spread of the coronavirus

This is a transcript of his interview on CBS’ Face the Nation

Int’l Women’s Day – The Mooncatcher Project

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​On this International Women’s Day, let me tell you about The Mooncatcher Project. They make and donate menstrual kits so girls can go to school. In some of these countries, underwear is a luxury, let alone disposable pads. This kit includes a carrier that can be written without underwear and comes with three reusable, washable absorbent pads plus a way to carry the used one home and wash it. I only learned about this earlier this week and I’m so excited by this project. Each kit costs $5 to make and cost nothing for the girls who receive them. Check them out and help if you can either by making kits or by donating money.

Girls receiving their Mooncatcher Kits. Photo provided by The Mooncatcher Project Facebook. (c)2020


What’s in the Kit. Photo provided by The Mooncatcher Project Facebook. (c)2020

Coronavirus Resources Update

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Talking Point Memo’s Josh Marshall has compiled a list of Twitter accounts giving real time updates and accurate information. If you’re on Twitter, check the tweet here, or go directly to the Epidemic Science & Health link, and follow these folks.

There is also a Coronavirus Live Update Website from Worldometer (h/t to actor Jim Beaver for the link) with statistics and numbers. However, please be aware that the number of cases is based only on those tested. Here in the United States, we are well behind the testing, so our numbers may be higher than reported. This also doesn’t include people who are carrying the virus but are asymptomatic.

I received an email from my health insurance company with their current policy on coronavirus testing. Check with your own health insurance provider to find out when and if you should get tested and how that procedure would work for your specific situation.

I will add this to my original post (link is at the top of my home page) which will continue to receive updated information as I discover it.

Election Connection: 35 Weeks: Super Tuesday/Unify or Die

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With only five Democratic candidates left in the race for the nomination, today’s Super Tuesday voting is as important as ever. One thousand, three hundred, forty-four (1344) delegates are up for grabs, and despite what pundits and naysayers declare, all but one candidate has a chance to lead the field. We’ll know later tonight who that person is!

States voting today include:

Alabama           Arkansas                   California

Colorado          American Samoa (caucus)

Maine               Massachusetts         Minnesota

North Carolina                                    Oklahoma

Tennessee       Texas                           Utah

Vermont           Virginia


Want to help the eventual nominee? Unify, and donate by voicing the photo and giving what you can. Our nominee will need everyone’s help in the general election!

Inspire. March.

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Some of my tools for this year’s Lenten Journey, including art from Bro. Mickey McGrath, my rosary, a key tab from my church, journal and Scripture gift, and really thoughtful and and prayerful daily devotions for Lent from Michelle Frankl-Donnay. (c)2020

“…the road that we seek is often the road we have already found.”

– Fr. James Martin, SJ, My Life with the Saints

Thoughts

One of things I’m learning through the Cursillo movement is how I can grow in relationship to Jesus through the three principles of piety, study, and action. These are key components of Cursillo, and while I did my weekend this past October, it is still taking me some time to regularly incorporate these into my life. I believe that I’ve always done them in varying degrees, but Cursillo has given me new eyes to see what it is I’m doing.

Lent is another way, a time of the year, to reflect on my relationships and what I do for myself in spiritual ways. The picture above illustrates some of my tools for my Lenten journey.

We are all obsessed, those of us who practice with giving up something for Lent. It is usually a food or a technology – social media, cell phone during dinner, etc. A lesser known thought is to add something to your life during Lent. This is only the first full week, and I am still discerning what I will add in addition to reading the daily devotional book my church gives us.

What have I given up?

Pizza. And bacon.

I didn’t even think about it. It just appeared in my head, and once it was there, I knew it was the right choice. My family still can’t believe it.

Adding?

I’m trying to journal a bit more, and heeding Brother Mickey’s advice to take fifteen minutes a day to just be with G-d. I’ll let you know how all of that goes.

In addition to prayer and fasting for these forty days, there is also almsgiving. I always support my church and my St. Vincent de Paul Society, but for this Lent, I will also be supporting RAICES, and I encourage all of you to take up that mantle. There are still children in cages; there are still families separated. RAICES is on the front lines with all kinds of help, and have been since the beginning of this nightmare.