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Day # 263
It snowed today. Or tried to.
I watched a bunch of cardinals fly about during it. (They aren't pictured. It's really hard to take photos of birds with an iphone.)
Mother told me that her horrific Senator is claiming Georgia is on the brink of a CIVIL WAR over the election and the run-off election. (I deleted what I thought. It wasn't very nice.) She ranted about the evil Lindsey Graham for a bit. The man seems to be impossible to get rid of.
Georgia had a very close Presidential election, 49.08 to 49.50, and certified Biden as President. Also it has not one, but two Senate run-off elections - whose outcome could change the makeup of the US Senate. The idiotic Republican Party is terrified of socialism. I don't know why, it's already part of our country. I'm terrified of fascism and the evil Ult-Right Republican Party who seems to be taking on the characteristics of Terrorists and spews hate wherever they go.
By the way - Biden has received 306 electoral votes, which have been certified now. It's official. There's no fraud.
Today was my Dad's birthday. He turned 85.
Me: So how old are you?
Dad: How old do you think I am?
Me: I'm guessing 83 or 84?
Dad: How about 85.
Me: 85???
I can never remember how old he is. The years blur.
I got him a Penn State Sweatshirt and my brother got him some comfortable shoes with a velcro strap - so they are easier to put on. He loves them.
Today, they were able to eat lunch with their friends - and have a barbecue. With really good food. Inside their bubble or pod. They had barbecued ribs, black beans, corn, salad, and my Dad shared a red velvet chocolate cake with everyone - after they sang happy birthday to him.
He had a good day.
Crazy Company
Today at the Staff Meeting From Doom - Boss actually gave me something to do. (He doesn't know it though. It was clearly a gift from the Universe - because I was trying to figure out what to do with myself for the next few days, while waiting on crap.) Now I get to update the negotiation logs that I stopped keeping after 2017. He wants two - one for operating and one for capital. Ready to go if we are asked. He figures we've been doing it for capital all along, and make sure we do it for operating too. (I stopped in 2017 - due to lack of time, and I figured it didn't matter - they never looked at it. But now, he wants it so in case the agency asks to see how much in cost savings our department had managed to negotiate - we can provide it.)
It's going to be a pain to do from home on a lap-top, but it is doable.
Also I have to update the Comptroller's site. So there's things I can do.
I'm highly efficient. Which is problematic, since I don't like not being busy. OTOH - I don't want to be pulling my hair out to get stuff down before I take off for my two week staycation.
When this is all over - my father suggests that I take an extended vacation somewhere else.
New York vs. the Corona Virus and the annoying Federal Government
The Feds still refuse to give a stimulus package to the States, who are desperate.
The Mayor, the Governor, and the head of the AFLCIO were all begging the idiotic Federal Government today for funds.
The Feds screwed NY. The Mayor reminded everyone again, what happened in February and March, as did the Governor. New York will never forgive the Federal Government for not letting it test when it asked, rather begged, in February.
NY: Uhm, we think we have cases - people are sick with the symptoms, and look JFK!
Feds: Uh, no. Sorry. You don't. It's something else. China is only infecting the West Coast. Provide us proof that China had contact and we'll consider it.
NY: But what about Italy?
Feds: Just China. Don't worry, you're fine.
NY: But, but, we have international airports! And a woman from Iran probably has it. And this lawyer - we think has it. And and..
Feds: We'll think it over. We can't just give tests to everyone who asks for them - there's a shortage. Sorry.
NY: fuck that. I'm going to create my own bloody test!
[And they did. On Spectrum News aka NY1 they were taking bets on when the CDC would let NY test.]
CDC: Well, good news we decided you can test now. We'll send you a few tests. After some thought, it has been approved. Sorry for the delay.
NY: Uhm, about that? We can kind of already developed our own test and got it approved by the FDA. And guess what - we have over 100 cases and counting. I think it's a definite outbreak.
CDC:.....
Epic fail.
For months now, they haven't provided the stimulus package. My agency will have to lay off 7,000 people if this continues. They are trying to avoid it. One solution is to tax second homes, gas, and online sales.
Today, the Governor held his live press briefing virtually, with the reporters calling in their questions via Zoom. It's actually better - since you can hear the questions now. Also everyone is masked, with plastic shields around them. And guests are on Zoom.
Ironic. But I'm probably living in the safest city in the US at the moment. Outside of the cities in Maine, Vermont, and Hawaii.
Staten Island, however, is in trouble. The Governor made a point today about Staten Island having the highest death rate in the state, with a rate of 25%, when it's in reality on 5% of the population.
Per the Governor's email - which is basically a summary of the briefing, NY is distributing the 170,000 doses it receives to nursing homes, healthcare workers and the National Guard.
1. As outlined in New York's vaccination program, high-risk health care workers, nursing home residents and staff will be the first New Yorkers to receive the vaccine. "High-risk" hospital workers include emergency room workers, ICU staff and pulmonary department staff. The State expects all "high-risk" hospital staff will receive a vaccine by the end of week two. Other long-term and congregate care staff and residents and EMS and other health care workers will follow high-risk health care workers. Essential workers and the general population, starting with those who at the highest risk, will be vaccinated after these initial priority groups.
2. New York has opted into the federal government's nursing home vaccination program. Under the federal program, employees of CVS and Walgreens will vaccinate residents and staff at these facilities, much like they do for the flu vaccine. We expect deliveries for this program to begin arriving next week and the federal administration program to begin by December 21st. New York is dedicating a portion of our initial 170,000 doses to this program. Portions of future state allocations will also be used to help complete the program and ensure all residents and staff are vaccinated.
3. There were 10,600 new positive cases yesterday. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,993. Of the 194,595 tests reported yesterday, 10,600, or 5.44 percent, were positive. There were 952 patients in ICU yesterday, up 46 from the previous day. Of them, 521 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 95 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. The CDC has agreed to remove requirements on vaccine reporting data that could have been used to identify immigration status. This means that New York will not send any personally identifying information to the federal government in vaccine distribution—ensuring that no one feels dissuaded from getting vaccinated due to immigration status.
5. The New York National Guard will participate in a vaccine pilot program. The NY National Guard has been selected by the Department of Defense as one of the 16 pilot programs across the nation to be part of the limited distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to military personnel. Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard who serve as part of the State's COVID response efforts will be eligible for the vaccine.
Oh and apparently, a humpback whale was sighted in NY Harbor recently. Less traffic = more nature.
I watched a bunch of cardinals fly about during it. (They aren't pictured. It's really hard to take photos of birds with an iphone.)
Mother told me that her horrific Senator is claiming Georgia is on the brink of a CIVIL WAR over the election and the run-off election. (I deleted what I thought. It wasn't very nice.) She ranted about the evil Lindsey Graham for a bit. The man seems to be impossible to get rid of.
Georgia had a very close Presidential election, 49.08 to 49.50, and certified Biden as President. Also it has not one, but two Senate run-off elections - whose outcome could change the makeup of the US Senate. The idiotic Republican Party is terrified of socialism. I don't know why, it's already part of our country. I'm terrified of fascism and the evil Ult-Right Republican Party who seems to be taking on the characteristics of Terrorists and spews hate wherever they go.
By the way - Biden has received 306 electoral votes, which have been certified now. It's official. There's no fraud.
Today was my Dad's birthday. He turned 85.
Me: So how old are you?
Dad: How old do you think I am?
Me: I'm guessing 83 or 84?
Dad: How about 85.
Me: 85???
I can never remember how old he is. The years blur.
I got him a Penn State Sweatshirt and my brother got him some comfortable shoes with a velcro strap - so they are easier to put on. He loves them.
Today, they were able to eat lunch with their friends - and have a barbecue. With really good food. Inside their bubble or pod. They had barbecued ribs, black beans, corn, salad, and my Dad shared a red velvet chocolate cake with everyone - after they sang happy birthday to him.
He had a good day.
Crazy Company
Today at the Staff Meeting From Doom - Boss actually gave me something to do. (He doesn't know it though. It was clearly a gift from the Universe - because I was trying to figure out what to do with myself for the next few days, while waiting on crap.) Now I get to update the negotiation logs that I stopped keeping after 2017. He wants two - one for operating and one for capital. Ready to go if we are asked. He figures we've been doing it for capital all along, and make sure we do it for operating too. (I stopped in 2017 - due to lack of time, and I figured it didn't matter - they never looked at it. But now, he wants it so in case the agency asks to see how much in cost savings our department had managed to negotiate - we can provide it.)
It's going to be a pain to do from home on a lap-top, but it is doable.
Also I have to update the Comptroller's site. So there's things I can do.
I'm highly efficient. Which is problematic, since I don't like not being busy. OTOH - I don't want to be pulling my hair out to get stuff down before I take off for my two week staycation.
When this is all over - my father suggests that I take an extended vacation somewhere else.
New York vs. the Corona Virus and the annoying Federal Government
The Feds still refuse to give a stimulus package to the States, who are desperate.
The Mayor, the Governor, and the head of the AFLCIO were all begging the idiotic Federal Government today for funds.
The Feds screwed NY. The Mayor reminded everyone again, what happened in February and March, as did the Governor. New York will never forgive the Federal Government for not letting it test when it asked, rather begged, in February.
NY: Uhm, we think we have cases - people are sick with the symptoms, and look JFK!
Feds: Uh, no. Sorry. You don't. It's something else. China is only infecting the West Coast. Provide us proof that China had contact and we'll consider it.
NY: But what about Italy?
Feds: Just China. Don't worry, you're fine.
NY: But, but, we have international airports! And a woman from Iran probably has it. And this lawyer - we think has it. And and..
Feds: We'll think it over. We can't just give tests to everyone who asks for them - there's a shortage. Sorry.
NY: fuck that. I'm going to create my own bloody test!
[And they did. On Spectrum News aka NY1 they were taking bets on when the CDC would let NY test.]
CDC: Well, good news we decided you can test now. We'll send you a few tests. After some thought, it has been approved. Sorry for the delay.
NY: Uhm, about that? We can kind of already developed our own test and got it approved by the FDA. And guess what - we have over 100 cases and counting. I think it's a definite outbreak.
CDC:.....
Epic fail.
For months now, they haven't provided the stimulus package. My agency will have to lay off 7,000 people if this continues. They are trying to avoid it. One solution is to tax second homes, gas, and online sales.
Today, the Governor held his live press briefing virtually, with the reporters calling in their questions via Zoom. It's actually better - since you can hear the questions now. Also everyone is masked, with plastic shields around them. And guests are on Zoom.
Ironic. But I'm probably living in the safest city in the US at the moment. Outside of the cities in Maine, Vermont, and Hawaii.
Staten Island, however, is in trouble. The Governor made a point today about Staten Island having the highest death rate in the state, with a rate of 25%, when it's in reality on 5% of the population.
Per the Governor's email - which is basically a summary of the briefing, NY is distributing the 170,000 doses it receives to nursing homes, healthcare workers and the National Guard.
1. As outlined in New York's vaccination program, high-risk health care workers, nursing home residents and staff will be the first New Yorkers to receive the vaccine. "High-risk" hospital workers include emergency room workers, ICU staff and pulmonary department staff. The State expects all "high-risk" hospital staff will receive a vaccine by the end of week two. Other long-term and congregate care staff and residents and EMS and other health care workers will follow high-risk health care workers. Essential workers and the general population, starting with those who at the highest risk, will be vaccinated after these initial priority groups.
2. New York has opted into the federal government's nursing home vaccination program. Under the federal program, employees of CVS and Walgreens will vaccinate residents and staff at these facilities, much like they do for the flu vaccine. We expect deliveries for this program to begin arriving next week and the federal administration program to begin by December 21st. New York is dedicating a portion of our initial 170,000 doses to this program. Portions of future state allocations will also be used to help complete the program and ensure all residents and staff are vaccinated.
3. There were 10,600 new positive cases yesterday. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 4,993. Of the 194,595 tests reported yesterday, 10,600, or 5.44 percent, were positive. There were 952 patients in ICU yesterday, up 46 from the previous day. Of them, 521 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 95 New Yorkers to the virus.
4. The CDC has agreed to remove requirements on vaccine reporting data that could have been used to identify immigration status. This means that New York will not send any personally identifying information to the federal government in vaccine distribution—ensuring that no one feels dissuaded from getting vaccinated due to immigration status.
5. The New York National Guard will participate in a vaccine pilot program. The NY National Guard has been selected by the Department of Defense as one of the 16 pilot programs across the nation to be part of the limited distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to military personnel. Members of the New York Army and Air National Guard who serve as part of the State's COVID response efforts will be eligible for the vaccine.
Oh and apparently, a humpback whale was sighted in NY Harbor recently. Less traffic = more nature.
no subject
It's good to hear your dad had a nice birthday.
no subject
The good news is Moderna also has a vaccine that is similar to Pfizer's which will be available soon. They won't cover everyone. And people are stupid, and won't behave. If we'd do what Europe did and go under a lockdown - this would work much better.