Life is Beautiful!It's a gift.
Every day is renewal and opportunity.
Everything is for the best.
Believe it. Live it. And share it.
A smile and a positive attitude is contagious in a good way!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 25, 2020
O - Change The World - O
Every day is renewal and opportunity.
Everything is for the best.
Believe it. Live it. And share it.
A smile and a positive attitude is contagious in a good way!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 24, 2020
Enough! Coronavirus Already
I am soooo SICK of Coronavirus!
It's time to slay this Covid-19 and get this world back to normal.
Sure, I am extremely grateful for every day of health and certainly not to be in the lousy hospital.
But life has got to be about more than Coronavirus.
It's not Armageddon, but slow water torture or death by a thousand cuts.
The repetitiveness is mind-numbing, repulsive already.
The news is boring, snoring everyone to tears.
The fear is morphing into unintended complacency.
The "rescue plan" everyone knows is more pork barrel politics.
The wild gyrations of the stock market is nonstop ticker tape Vegas style.
Even the grocery and toilet paper hoarding has got to have an end in sight.
It's not that Coronavirus isn't serious and important, but what about everything else in the world.
Can we start to give some attention to life again? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 23, 2020
3 Months of Social Distancing
https://covidactnow.org/
You can click any state to see the impact of 3 months of social distancing or 3-months of Shelter in Place.
Basically, it looks like this first round of coronavirus will last until around the beginning of June.
The hope is that we can keep the hospitals and medical system from being overwhelmed while we try to come up and test an effective vaccine.
Of course, vaccines are helpful, but look how many still get the flu every year because viruses mutate and the vaccine misses the mark.
Also, there is a risk that the virus comes back even more virulent again, so we all need to continue to pray! ;-)
(Thank you to my sister for sharing this with me.)
March 22, 2020
Life In The Times of Coronavirus
We Just Magically Found $2,000,000,000,000
This after we already wasted over $6.4 trillion (and thousands of our dead and wounded) through 2017 in unexplainable and endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with no known or lasting benefits to this country (while archenemy, Iran continues their pursuit of nukes unabated).
And for decades, we haven't been able to find money for:
- Decent healthcare for all Americans.
- Ensuring our national security, including adequate planning and disaster preparedness for things like Coronavirus, cybersecurity, WMDs, EMPs, and for critical infrastructure protection.
- Repairing our aging roads, bridges, and infrastructure.
- Fixing our broken public education system.
- Helping our countless of homeless and needy lying the streets of our nation.
- Restoring our space program to get a man on the moon again or put another shuttle into space.
When politics are in play, there is plenty of money to go around.
But when the nation needs proper care and feeding, there are no adults in the room. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 21, 2020
Trying To Maintain Normality
People are trying to get out of the house for just a little bit each day amidst the mandated social distancing.
Especially difficult is to try to get some exercise with all the fitness centers, gyms, and pools closed down.
Some people are just choosing to go for a walk around the track or get in a quick workout with a few friends or family members.
Can we be normal when everything is abnormal? ;-)
(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)
March 20, 2020
Great Explanation of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Great explanation of Coronavirus (Covid-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Need a Part II though to explain what people should do when they get sick--communication on this part has been awful.
BTW, the governor of California stated that he estimates that 56% of their population or 25.5 million people would be infected there within eight weeks.
At a 1-2% fatality rate (lower than the current global 4% fatality rate) that would mean between 250,000 and 500,000 dead just in California.
This is very serious stuff folks. ;-)
(Credit to my daughter, Rebecca for sharing this with video)
The Dog Diet
Funny story from a wonderful relative of mine...made me laugh during this coronavirus outbreak.
-------------------
"I interrupt the COVID-19 pandemic to bring you this lil story...
Last night I went to Sam’s Club to buy a bag of food for my dogs.
Already in line, a woman behind me asked me if I had a dog.
I stare at her (those who know me will imagine my gaze 🤔😳) ...but then why would I be buying dog food...right? 😝😝
So on impulse I told her no, that I didn’t have a dog, that I was starting the dog food diet again, and that I probably shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital the last time, but 15 pounds less!
I told her that it was the perfect diet and that all you had to do is carry the kibbles in your pocket and eat one or two every time you feel hungry (I have to mention that practically everyone in line was interested in my story).
Frightened, the woman asks me if I ended up in the hospital because the dog food had poisoned me. I answered...of course not!
I was admitted because I bent down to smell the butt of a bulldog and I was hit by a truck 😂😂😂
I thought the man behind her was going to have a heart attack...he was laughing so hard!
...Let’s continue promoting reading! 😁
I have to confess...I posted this to make you smile. It's your turn to copy/paste it and make someone else laugh.
We need to laugh more! Have a GREAT DAY😄😄😄"
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
-------------------
"I interrupt the COVID-19 pandemic to bring you this lil story...
Last night I went to Sam’s Club to buy a bag of food for my dogs.
Already in line, a woman behind me asked me if I had a dog.
I stare at her (those who know me will imagine my gaze 🤔😳) ...but then why would I be buying dog food...right? 😝😝
So on impulse I told her no, that I didn’t have a dog, that I was starting the dog food diet again, and that I probably shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital the last time, but 15 pounds less!
I told her that it was the perfect diet and that all you had to do is carry the kibbles in your pocket and eat one or two every time you feel hungry (I have to mention that practically everyone in line was interested in my story).
Frightened, the woman asks me if I ended up in the hospital because the dog food had poisoned me. I answered...of course not!
I was admitted because I bent down to smell the butt of a bulldog and I was hit by a truck 😂😂😂
I thought the man behind her was going to have a heart attack...he was laughing so hard!
...Let’s continue promoting reading! 😁
I have to confess...I posted this to make you smile. It's your turn to copy/paste it and make someone else laugh.
We need to laugh more! Have a GREAT DAY😄😄😄"
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 19, 2020
Coronavirus - Something or Nothing?
And the actions demonstrating unpreparedness, disorganized response, general chaos, and panic do not match the few calming words we are getting.
No wonder everyone is panicking and the bottom is falling from the market.
On one hand:
- The officials tell everyone to remain calm, and there is no reason to panic.
- Help is on the way.
- People are overreacting.
- Most people that get Covid 19 won't even know they had it or the symptoms will be mild (or maybe moderate)
- The death rate is "only" like 3 or 4% and it's mostly older people or those with chronic ailments anyway (as if these people don't matter).
- Younger children aren't really getting it (although we don't know exactly why or the impact on pregnant women).
- It's less contagious and deadly than the flu (wait, it's more contagious and deadly).
- There are plenty of tests available for everyone (no, there aren't).
- It will be over in a few weeks when the seasons change and the temperature goes up.
- A vaccine will soon be ready for testing and then distribution after 12-18 months.
- The numbers of infected are going down in China--see they have it under control!
- Maybe we should allow investigative drugs to be used (or maybe not, the FDA thinks this is a bad idea).
- The impact to the economy will be over probably by August (or will it?).
- It'll ALL be over soon.
On the other hand:
- We don't know what we're facing (people are routinely using the words apocalypse and armageddon).
- This could be the "big one!"
- Is this a punishment from G-d (and is the Messiah coming)?
- This has reached pandemic proportions.
- We are declaring a national emergency.
- This may have come out of a Chinese bioweapons lab.
- Also, China suppressed information and initial response on this making the outbreak worse.
- "China should be punished for these things" (or some version of this).
- Cases are raising around the world.
- The contagion is worse than initially thought (there are comparisons to the Spanish Flu of 1918 which killed around 50 million people)
- The death rate is higher than expected.
- We don't know why or where certain people got Covid 19 from.
- The hospitals are already overwhelmed and are unprepared for a real surge of cases.
- We need to "flatten the curve" so our healthcare system isn't brought to its knees.
- We are already triaging patients and our doctors and nurses are working extra long hours and are exhausted.
- We aren't prepared for this--our healthcare system and government has "failed us".
- We're rolling out unprecedented economic assistance from the Fed, the Treasury...another trillion dollar deficit (no answer for how this gets paid, if ever...can anyone say runaway inflation in the future and lots of worthless dollars).
- Washing and "Social Distancing" are paramount.
- There is a run on toilet paper and disinfectants and these are either sold out or vendors are price gouging these items.
- We are shutting down the country (workplaces, fitness centers, eat-in restaurants, entertainment, travel, places of worship, and any significant gathering of people).
- The instructions to stay at home in "indefinite"!
- People are stuck in the house and worried about how long this will go on.
- Some places like New Rochelle, NY are under quarantine and the National Guard has been called out.
- There is talk of a curfew and further measures of quarantine to be enforced under penalty of imprisonment.
- The lines at the stores (Costco, Sam's Club, Supermarkets, Groceries) are out the door and the shelves are empty.
- Amazon announces that they are running out on consumer stables!
- Businesses are suspending workers, moving them to part time, and laying them off.
- The stock market is down by 1/3 and we're told that this could just be the beginning.
- A recession is looming and the economic impact and duration is unknown.
- Italy is on lockdown.
- Borders are being closed.
- People can't get home from abroad.
- Cruise ships aren't being allowed to port.
- Airlines are screaming for a financial bailout.
- Navy Hospital Ships with 1,000 beds each are being deployed to the east and west coast.
- We're sending $1,000 checks (or something like this) to people below a certain income level (maybe $65,000).
- Taxes are supposedly being deferred (although not filing of returns or estimated taxes yet).
- People are wearing masks everywhere (but we are being told only the sick ones need to wear it and we see everyone in China wearing it and of course our first responders and medical professionals, so which is it).
- Primary voting is delayed in some states and there is question whether the November Presidential election will also be delayed.
Summary:
Does anyone know WTF is going on around here???
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Dashboard Tracker
https://ncov2019.live/data
Developed by a 17-year old Jewish kid from Seattle.
There is a page for data by continent, country, and state.
And another tab with an interactive map of the cases.
Also, a page of useful information from The Center for Coronavirus Information.
The information updates every minute by scrapping information "from reliable sources from all over the world."
I think it would also be helpful to add an aggregator of top news stories on the Coronavirus.
I find this to be a very simple, straight-forward dashboard to keep up with the developments of this virus.
Thank you Avi Shiffmann--job well done! ;-)
(Credit to Minna Blumenthal for sharing this with me)
March 17, 2020
Telework Lessons from Coronavirus
After a number of hours, I hear from my daughter that her laptop stopped working.
Apparently the battery overheated.
Like a good millennial, what does she do?
She puts it in the refrigerator to cool down.
And sure enough, when she takes it out, it's working again.
Next problem of the day is where the VPN circuits are overloaded (too many people trying to login from home).
And when you try to call the help desk, of course all you get is a busy signal.
We sure are learning a lot during this Coronavirus outbreak. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 16, 2020
Germs, Can't Think About Anything Else
Who can think about anything but germs!
Or should I say killing germs.
Nobody wants to get sick.
And we don't want to get others sick either.
- Wash your hands a lot!
- No more handshakes.
- No more touching "suspect" surfaces.
- Keep good ("far") social distancing.
- Quarantine yourself in the house for 2 weeks (actually it's more like indefinitely).
What has become of our world.
Just one big GERM BOWL.
Can we really hide from the germs? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 15, 2020
The Coronavirus Panic
March 14, 2020
Coronavirus Cancels Synagogue
While I understand the rationale to close the synagogues, not to congregate with others and expose ourselves or spread the Coronavirus, I can’t help thinking and believing that what we need now, more than ever, is prayer to Hashem and the mitzvah of Torah study that the synagogue provides to us. Indeed, only in the hands of G-d is the ultimate power of health or illness, and life or death...To me, this Shabbat was not a full Shabbat, because there was no synagogue, no Rabbi’s sermon, no community to talk and share with. I feel robbed of my religion today. I want to be able to go to synagogue and have a real Shabbat. How many other Shabbatot will we have to continue to go through without being able to pray in a minyan, hear the Torah reading, listen to the Rabbi’s speech, and see our community friends?
Many say and I firmly believe that we are on the doorstep of Mashiach and that he is even here among us waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. We’ve survived so much and finally have returned as a people to our homeland of Israel. Now we must survive the final birthing pains of Mashiach and then we will be able to go not only to our synagogues once again, but also to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray and learn at G-d’s very footstep in this earthly world.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 13, 2020
Stop The Coronavirus, Please!
First case in China in November.
Now as a Pandemic in 126 countries!
Over 132,000 confirmed cases, so far .
And around 5,000 deaths 🕱.
The numbers are projected to climb/////.
With Dr. Faucci of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) warning that it will "get worse before it gets better."
Everything is closing down from our work facilities to Cruises, Broadway, and Disney.
Of course, we need the government (at all levels), health professionals, and pharmaceutical companies to get their acts together with an effective response strategy.
Also, this is a wake up call for better preparedness for all sorts of natural and man made disasters that are awaiting.
Today it's a virus (natural or biowarfare) and tomorrow it'll be a devastating cyber attack that we are woefully unprepared for.
No more playing politics, half measures, and waiting for the next shoe to drop (Spanish Flu, Pearl Harbor, 9/11).
The rest of us need to do our "prepping" parts and to say a prayer or two and keep going.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
March 12, 2020
Simpsons Predicted Coronavirus
I understand that the sign in the first photo (top left) was edited from Osaka Flu to Corona Virus.
But still incredibly...
The Chinese workers are seen coughing/sneezing into the box of goods being exported to us.
Simpson opens his new bought goodies.
And instead of the joy of shopping, he gets sick.
And the virus spreads and spreads.
(Source photo: Dailymail and you can watch the Youtube video there as well)
March 11, 2020
Learning Hebrew: One Book at a Time
Start small...as in children's books.
She got a few of these from the library and it actually was fun to read these.
Aside from taking me back a few years in parenthood and bonding as a family over these, I found it useful to solidify my learning.
Dr. Seuss definitely had the right idea. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal with attribution to book בּובי בוא בובי לך by אמי רובינגר)
March 9, 2020
Camel In Thought
March 8, 2020
Peace Or War
Either peace and pay the price or war and take the risk.
It's very smart.
Peace isn't free...there is a price (maybe a large one) to pay for it.
War is also not free...there is a risk of what you will win or lose.
These are very serious life calculations with consequences that are far reaching.
Peace or war and if you are wrong what will it cost and how will you achieve security? ;-)
(Credit photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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