Dire straights

Trump was impeached for a second time. He made history. It's never happened before. Whether the Senate convicts him and removes him from office after he leaves to prevent him from ever running for office again, or whether NYS or Georgia are successful in prosecuting him for fraud or trying to overturn a fair election remains to be seen. In any case, Deutsche Bank is distancing themselves and probably going to call in his loans. He will never get credit again. 

Meanwhile, the world surpassed 2 million dead from Covid-19 while the US reported more than 100,000 Covid-19 hospitalizations for the 40th day in a row. Biden unveiled his vaccination rollout plan and it is sound. It is all surreal. And now, 400,000 dead in the US and more to come. 

And there are 25,000 National Guard troops in Washington DC and 9-foot high fencing with barbed wire around the Capitol building. None of this would have been predicted a year ago. 

God bless America and keep it the Land of the Free. 

Pandemic surge

Factors around the world conspired to cause a surge in coronavirus transmission in the final weeks of 2020.  In the US, the US elections and corresponding rallies were followed by the Thanksgiving holiday with noncompliant holidaymakers and Trumpers travelling to all corners of the country.  Last week, on the 6th of January when the electoral college met to count the votes and confirm Joe Biden and Kamal Harris' election victory, Trump incited his supporters to storm the Capitol and riot in protest. The country is in a very serious situation, and I'm afraid that like Pandora's Box the evil will not be suppressed this time. How very sad to watch the world's oldest democracy decline. I suppose that's how the Roman Empire went down. 

That was followed by Christmas and New Year celebrations around the world, fueled by virus variants in the UK and SA with enhanced transmissibility. That caused a massive surge in cases in the UK and Ireland as well as throughout Europe. Even the Pope's personal doctor died of complications of Covid. Meanwhile, the bells rang in Brexit as it took its final toll even with a deal. So long and enjoy all the fish. 

The world has surpassed 90 million confirmed Covid-19 cases and almost 2 million dead. In Ireland, I think our peak was reached on January 8 at 8227 cases. That makes sense as it is 7 days after New Year's parties and ocean swims that turned out to be superspreaders events. Even Westport, which has had little prevalence, has now experienced a surge. We know of multiple cases personally. Lockdown should mean that the transmission will slow from yesterday on, but it's in the community and its not going away. 

Meanwhile, two vaccines have been approved in the EU -- Pfizer's and Moderna's -- both mRNA vaccines. We won't be among those immunised early on. I can't believe we'll get it before the end of March in this country as they are quite slow to roll it out. I am weary of the fear and anxiety. But I will take maximum precautions even after immunization and into the summer months. 

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Last updated: January 10, 2021, 11:36 GMT

Graphs - Countries - Death Rate - Symptoms - Incubation - Transmission - News

Coronavirus Cases:

90,173,303

view by country

Deaths:

1,936,554

Recovered:

64,572,624

Thinking

 Sorry, found on the internet. Had to share. Inhale?

New Year's Day 2021

Here comes the sun - 1 January 2021

The dawn of the first day of 2021 was tinted with a rosy glow and full of promise. The weather was benign with a chill -- but no ferocity. We'd had a week of awful rain and wind, so this respite was welcome.  

Our Christmas had been a rather quiet affair, with only Alex's mother here with us. Christmas Eve we'd had a leg of lamb from the farmer who rents our islands. It was delicious. Lots of presents from family and neighbours but no visits. Christmas Day I cooked my half-price turkey which I had soaked in brine for several hours. It was the best turkey ever. I am now a complete convert to brining. 

We'd seen our nephew Cormac before Christmas and again with his girlfriend Louise on Stephen's Day outside at Ross House where they'd been helping his grandmother with some gardening chores. Such a nice young man and woman. No one can now go inside her house as she is very vulnerable. 

Alex and I had gone walking on the Greenway in Mulranny in a bitter cold gale that day. We thought it would be protected but it wasn't. 

Little did we know that on the morning of January 2 we'd be hearing that several friends had tested positive for Covid-19. I knew of four cases among acquaintances in England but these are the first known to me personally in Ireland. The pandemic has exploded with all the gatherings for the holidays. God help us in the days to come. It was certainly the strangest year of our lives. 

 

Over the horizon shortly after 9 am Jan 1

Mid-day on the 30th Jan

Snow-capped Holy Mountain on New Year's Eve, Jan 31

 

 

 

 

All the rest are from Jan 2 at the top of our land 

Wishes for 2021

 On December 8, I noted that 15MM people in America had confirmed Covid-19. Just 3 weeks later it's 20MM contracted and almost 350,000 dead. The projections right now for where the world will be in April are dire. Almost 3 million expected to have died of Covid by 1 April 2021 with the US accounting for more than 500k. 

So on the eve of New Year's Eve, I contemplate the dread. I've been wishing everyone a much improved 2021, but I'm not so certain. 

 United States

Coronavirus Cases:

20,002,300

Deaths:

347,172

Recovered:

11,853,005

What a week!

It's been some week. The US Supreme court has turned down Texas' bid to overturn the election results in four states, the US has a massive coronavirus outbreak clocking up 1.5 million new cases (16.5M total) and 10.5 thousand deaths (305K total) in just the last 5 days, the Pfizer mRNA vaccine got FDA Emergency Use Authorization and began shipping, and the Brexit talks broke down.  

Oh, and Biden-Harris were named Time Person of the Year. 

Crazy world! My elves on the shelf have been up to mischief. At least it's something to do. 

US explosion of coronavirus infection

The US has blown past the 15 million confirmed coronavirus cases in a flash. With 290,000 deaths and more than 200,000 new cases daily demonstrating the post-Thanksgiving crush, the run-up to Christmas is going to be devastating for so many families. And yet, the superspreader in chief throws tantrums and begs for states to overturn the election. I am ashamed. Saddened and ashamed. 

Globally, 68 million confirmed cases and 1.5 million deaths set the stage for the close of a horrible year. But today, the first of the vaccines began to be distributed outside of clinical trials. The first person to get vaccinated in Ireland was an 80 yo woman in the North. Hope is on the way. 

Winter has arrived and the elves are creating mischief on the shelves. 

Coronavirus Cases:

68,055,468

view by country

Deaths:

1,553,150

Recovered:

47,145,603