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shadowkatIrritable, but hanging in there. I don't like December much normally, but at least it's usually broken up by a vacation to Hilton Head to see my parents, with visits to the beach, walks in the sunshine, and being with my folks. This year? Not happening. Even if I could fly down there - I couldn't get into their community. Can't visit my brother in upstate NY either.
It's another holiday via Zoom. The good news is my church has all these Zoom events around it and during the holiday season for people like myself who are pretty much stuck in isolation.
To make matters worse - I'm running out of work - or into a work lull. Which is why I deliberately hoarded all my vacation time to the end of the year.
I may be too efficient for my own good? It's possible. Although it appears other people have more projects. I don't know. I've no control.
Good news, is after December 17 - it won't matter. I'm off the 18th-1st of January. Oh that reminds me, I have to set up files on the shared drive, so people can access my work if they need to. Not that I'm going anywhere.
It's the first long vacation I've taken in ten months. I've not taken more than a four day weekend here and there, longest was a five day weekend. Two weeks and a day off - at home? I've never done. Let alone during a pandemic.
Should be interesting.
What I've been doing is working on updating my negotiation log, and electronic record-keeping - which I'm woefully behind on. I'm not much of a record keeper - it's not really how I think.
Enuf.
***
After work, I decided to pick up my blood pressure meds. I'd heard from the doctor that I apparently already had a new prescription phoned into the pharmacy. So I called the pharmacy, and got cut off. So called again, and the prescription apparently went through and was available today. (I like new doctor - it's easier to get prescriptions from new doctor.) And the pharmacy is close. But alas...after dropping off the recyclables in the basement and making my way back to the first floor - I ran into a blockade. With a sign that I can't go out the front entrance. A man with a mask informed me that I had to go down to the basement and leave via the basement door and come back the same way. (I was expecting two deliveries today, one a Christmas gift, and one from Aerogarden.)
I of course panicked and got really angry. Because I thought that they were redoing the entire entrance, and I'd not be able to get packages or deliveries - and it's Christmas, and I'm stuck.
But, with a little more information, it turns out it is just for today and only to redo the sidewalk in front of the building.
As I told my mother today, my apartment keeps giving me coniption fits.
Mother: None of the packages that I'm sending you are wrapped.
ME: Huh?
Mother: Amazon didn't provide the option. Sorry. You should be getting one today.
ME: Okay, that's odd, I was able to do it.
Mother: Just didn't provide me with the ability to do it - sorry. But hey, you can wrap them.
Me: Don't exactly have wrapping paper.
Mother: Can't you get some at the grocery store?
Me: No, it's a grocery store.
Mother: Mine has it.
Me: That's because yours is a mall that contains things that aren't food. Mine is a grocery store that just contains food. Although the pharmacy might and I have to go there anyhow.
(I bought tape, wrapping paper and two bows at the pharmacy.)
ME: I suck at wrapping though.
Mother: You'll be the only one who sees it, so what does it matter?
She also informed me that my brother had informed her that he had not retired. He works. He is tending a huge vegetable garden, raising a child, taking care of cats, doing consulting work, and building stuff. He just doesn't need to work for money. Gee...if only the rest of us were so lucky.
He does need to pay for health insurance, which is Obamacare. If they do away with it - he could lose his health insurance. Along with various other family members.
***
The political environment in the US is toxic. And there's no abatement in sight.
The latest, which keeps popping up on FB. In new lawsuit, Texas contests election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania
Can I move to New Zealand, please? Or maybe that moon off Saturn?
I've been listening to Obama's Promised Land on audio books, and I'm at the first year in his first term. And he's struggling to put together a stimulus package.
Obama (to Mitch McConnell): Let's discuss the stimulus packaged and how to stimulate the economy. (2008 after the housing collaspe)
McConnell: And I care because?
It's a scathing take on the alt-right and the Republican Party and how racist and intolerant and biogted they've become since Bush, if not before. He actually liked Bush and various members, it was the alt right, he didn't.
***
New York vs. Corona Virus
As we continue to see the number of COVID-19 cases surge across the nation, it is beyond critical that we ensure hospitals, and hospital systems as a whole, develop additional capacity and prepare to work cooperatively with each other to prevent any one facility from becoming overwhelmed. This work is already underway through the State's "Surge and Flex" program. At the same time we are also focused on what comes next and on ensuring that the vaccine's distribution is fair and equitable.
The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will undoubtedly go down as one of the most massive governmental operations in history. For it to be truly successful, underserved communities cannot be overlooked. I will continue to urge the federal government to fund outreach and take all the necessary steps to ensure that no communities are left behind during vaccine distribution. The communities that suffered the most during this pandemic must not be the last to get the vaccine.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. Tonight a critical step in the FDA vaccine approval process took place. Members of the FDA's vaccine advisory panel—which is made up of scientific experts, infectious disease specialists and more—met all day to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Around 6:00pm tonight they voted to recommend that the FDA grant Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. The FDA will now decide whether to accept their recommendation and could do so very shortly. New York State's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force is meeting tonight as well.
2. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,164. Of the 197,406 tests reported yesterday, 10,178, or 5.15 percent, were positive. There were 994 patients in ICU yesterday, up 42 from the previous day. Of them, 539 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 92 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. To date, New York has conducted over 21 million tests. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
4. Members of New York State leadership and I sent a letter urging Congress to provide stimulus funding. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York labor leaders and I issued a letter urging New York State's Congressional delegation to provide enough funding in the next federal stimulus package to avoid catastrophic cuts to the city and state budgets. New York State has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 and we need funding in the next stimulus to be allocated based on the needs of each state. Read the letter here.
5. New York is launching the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership. Recognizing the economic impact of COVID-19, this program will provide small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to help both parties reach mutually-beneficial lease workout agreements. This service is available to all New York State small businesses and landlords, and participation is voluntary. Over the next year, the partnership has the capacity to serve thousands of small businesses statewide. Learn more here.
6. New York's Annual Toy & Coat Holiday Drive has been expanded to accept shipped packages. This new option allows New Yorkers to make online purchases and have them shipped directly to the drive-receiving locations in Albany and New York City—to be distributed to families in need—through December 18th. With many families struggling economically due to the pandemic, the need to spread cheer this holiday season is greater than ever. I encourage you to participate if you can!
It's another holiday via Zoom. The good news is my church has all these Zoom events around it and during the holiday season for people like myself who are pretty much stuck in isolation.
To make matters worse - I'm running out of work - or into a work lull. Which is why I deliberately hoarded all my vacation time to the end of the year.
I may be too efficient for my own good? It's possible. Although it appears other people have more projects. I don't know. I've no control.
Good news, is after December 17 - it won't matter. I'm off the 18th-1st of January. Oh that reminds me, I have to set up files on the shared drive, so people can access my work if they need to. Not that I'm going anywhere.
It's the first long vacation I've taken in ten months. I've not taken more than a four day weekend here and there, longest was a five day weekend. Two weeks and a day off - at home? I've never done. Let alone during a pandemic.
Should be interesting.
What I've been doing is working on updating my negotiation log, and electronic record-keeping - which I'm woefully behind on. I'm not much of a record keeper - it's not really how I think.
Enuf.
***
After work, I decided to pick up my blood pressure meds. I'd heard from the doctor that I apparently already had a new prescription phoned into the pharmacy. So I called the pharmacy, and got cut off. So called again, and the prescription apparently went through and was available today. (I like new doctor - it's easier to get prescriptions from new doctor.) And the pharmacy is close. But alas...after dropping off the recyclables in the basement and making my way back to the first floor - I ran into a blockade. With a sign that I can't go out the front entrance. A man with a mask informed me that I had to go down to the basement and leave via the basement door and come back the same way. (I was expecting two deliveries today, one a Christmas gift, and one from Aerogarden.)
I of course panicked and got really angry. Because I thought that they were redoing the entire entrance, and I'd not be able to get packages or deliveries - and it's Christmas, and I'm stuck.
But, with a little more information, it turns out it is just for today and only to redo the sidewalk in front of the building.
As I told my mother today, my apartment keeps giving me coniption fits.
Mother: None of the packages that I'm sending you are wrapped.
ME: Huh?
Mother: Amazon didn't provide the option. Sorry. You should be getting one today.
ME: Okay, that's odd, I was able to do it.
Mother: Just didn't provide me with the ability to do it - sorry. But hey, you can wrap them.
Me: Don't exactly have wrapping paper.
Mother: Can't you get some at the grocery store?
Me: No, it's a grocery store.
Mother: Mine has it.
Me: That's because yours is a mall that contains things that aren't food. Mine is a grocery store that just contains food. Although the pharmacy might and I have to go there anyhow.
(I bought tape, wrapping paper and two bows at the pharmacy.)
ME: I suck at wrapping though.
Mother: You'll be the only one who sees it, so what does it matter?
She also informed me that my brother had informed her that he had not retired. He works. He is tending a huge vegetable garden, raising a child, taking care of cats, doing consulting work, and building stuff. He just doesn't need to work for money. Gee...if only the rest of us were so lucky.
He does need to pay for health insurance, which is Obamacare. If they do away with it - he could lose his health insurance. Along with various other family members.
***
The political environment in the US is toxic. And there's no abatement in sight.
The latest, which keeps popping up on FB. In new lawsuit, Texas contests election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania
Can I move to New Zealand, please? Or maybe that moon off Saturn?
I've been listening to Obama's Promised Land on audio books, and I'm at the first year in his first term. And he's struggling to put together a stimulus package.
Obama (to Mitch McConnell): Let's discuss the stimulus packaged and how to stimulate the economy. (2008 after the housing collaspe)
McConnell: And I care because?
It's a scathing take on the alt-right and the Republican Party and how racist and intolerant and biogted they've become since Bush, if not before. He actually liked Bush and various members, it was the alt right, he didn't.
***
New York vs. Corona Virus
As we continue to see the number of COVID-19 cases surge across the nation, it is beyond critical that we ensure hospitals, and hospital systems as a whole, develop additional capacity and prepare to work cooperatively with each other to prevent any one facility from becoming overwhelmed. This work is already underway through the State's "Surge and Flex" program. At the same time we are also focused on what comes next and on ensuring that the vaccine's distribution is fair and equitable.
The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will undoubtedly go down as one of the most massive governmental operations in history. For it to be truly successful, underserved communities cannot be overlooked. I will continue to urge the federal government to fund outreach and take all the necessary steps to ensure that no communities are left behind during vaccine distribution. The communities that suffered the most during this pandemic must not be the last to get the vaccine.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. Tonight a critical step in the FDA vaccine approval process took place. Members of the FDA's vaccine advisory panel—which is made up of scientific experts, infectious disease specialists and more—met all day to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Around 6:00pm tonight they voted to recommend that the FDA grant Emergency Use Authorization to Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. The FDA will now decide whether to accept their recommendation and could do so very shortly. New York State's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force is meeting tonight as well.
2. Total COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,164. Of the 197,406 tests reported yesterday, 10,178, or 5.15 percent, were positive. There were 994 patients in ICU yesterday, up 42 from the previous day. Of them, 539 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 92 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. To date, New York has conducted over 21 million tests. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone positive for COVID, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
4. Members of New York State leadership and I sent a letter urging Congress to provide stimulus funding. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, New York labor leaders and I issued a letter urging New York State's Congressional delegation to provide enough funding in the next federal stimulus package to avoid catastrophic cuts to the city and state budgets. New York State has been the hardest hit by COVID-19 and we need funding in the next stimulus to be allocated based on the needs of each state. Read the letter here.
5. New York is launching the New York Forward Small Business Lease Assistance Partnership. Recognizing the economic impact of COVID-19, this program will provide small businesses and their landlords with informational resources and pro bono assistance to help both parties reach mutually-beneficial lease workout agreements. This service is available to all New York State small businesses and landlords, and participation is voluntary. Over the next year, the partnership has the capacity to serve thousands of small businesses statewide. Learn more here.
6. New York's Annual Toy & Coat Holiday Drive has been expanded to accept shipped packages. This new option allows New Yorkers to make online purchases and have them shipped directly to the drive-receiving locations in Albany and New York City—to be distributed to families in need—through December 18th. With many families struggling economically due to the pandemic, the need to spread cheer this holiday season is greater than ever. I encourage you to participate if you can!
no subject
Date: 2020-12-11 11:10 am (UTC)