Day #35 of year 2 of the Pandemic

[shadowkat]

Mother: you okay?
Me: yes, why?
Mother: you sound down.
ME: I'm tired, and kind of languishing or depressed.

Not sure depression is the right word. More a sort of languishing. I'm having troubles feeling much hope that things will improve. I know they will but it's hard to feel hopeful sometimes.

Work is frustrating me. I can't get anywhere with it. I listen to the others who are. And I feel like I don't have much to do. I'm bored. Tomorrow - I've decided to attempt a financial analysis and issue a modification (even though the Financial guy hasn't gotten around to approving it yet - I don't really need him to - the money is already there.) I was kind of resenting all the people who do have lots of work. Not that I want to do what they are doing. One of them, was all dressed up in a suit for teams meetings with attorneys. I think he was trying to get in the mindset for work? Possible a way to cheer himself up? He said he was doing it gradually.

Also, I received notification that my reasonable accommodation to telework from home has been extended to July 2. I'm hoping to take a vacation the first week in July - to visit someone. Right now, it's my parents. I get desperate enough, it will be my brother or an Aunt.



Firefox is being wonky - it won't let me click on the edit button, but at least my mouse will click on - cut/past option.

Been having computer issues most of the day - all morning the computer kept kicking me off. Of course I was spending most of my time on GH Fanboard on FB out of boredom. We got into a debate about a fictional female bad girl and her moral choices - which ...I don't know why I bother debating this stuff on fanboards? I can't win. People are weirdly hypocritical and self-righteous about the moral decisions of fictional characters on fan boards. And it usually gets heated.

But there is something in me that gets off on debating these things. I think I'm either masochistic or sadistic? Don't know. I used to debate Spike's actions. Often I'd play devil's advocate and take the opposite position from my own views to see what happened.

It may well be the lawyer in me? I kind of miss Lando - we used to have debates all the time.I haven't talked to any of my co-workers - outside of Staff Meetings From Doom in ages. Just random estimators and project managers.

I did talk to the intercom repair folks through the door today. Informed them that the intercom was working perfectly well. Also got the new lease - debating on whether I want to sign a one year (no rent increase) or a two-year ($19.29 rent increase).



I'm tired and lonely. I should probably have gone to Bible Study, but often it makes me feel lonelier. I've decided to try and get tickets to the Immersive Van Gough Exhibit - but alas, they are not yet available - so I signed up to be alerted when they are available - the exhibit is in June.

Just checked my email and apparently FED-EX is sending me somthing from "Lulu"?? But I don't remember ordering anything? Okay, it will be a surprise. It may be something I never received from Amazon and forgot about? Maybe it's the binoculars?



New York vs. the Corona Virus

Our continuing coverage of New York vs. the Corona Virus. Thought about it today - we have not gone one day since around March 20, 2020 or thereabouts without COVID deaths. The number of deaths in NY have ranged from around 980 or so a day down to roughly 36 a day. We're right now down to 44-56 a day, which is progress. This is just COVID deaths. Number of cases ranges from 900-10,000 a day. Although it did make it down to below 900 at one point during the summer months. We ironically had less cases this time last year reported than now - because not as much testing.

NY has the highest number of deaths next to California. And the most cases. Not a happy honor. And because of my workplace? I'm aware of it.

I got two emails today from workplace asking me to join the "Mask Up New York Campaign" - they wanted volunteers to go into the city and hand out masks to folks at various subway and train stations. (Uh, considering I've gotten reasonable accommodation to tele-work and I'm trying to keep my blood pressure down - I think not. My anxiety is actually under control at the moment - for the first time in years. I want to keep it that way.)

Also get emails daily about the fire alarms being under repair, which is disconcerting, to say the least.

Anywho - NY is pulling out all the stops to get people vaccinated or rather trying to convince them to do it. More and more of my friends have been. Most have not gotten side effects. Actually on 5% of the folks I know who got the vaccines had any side-effects, if that. All of my family members and friends wanted to vaccinated. This is good news.

We know the vaccine works, but only if we all take it. Getting vaccinated isn't only about you. You are a member of a community and you can make somebody else sick if you opt not to be vaccinated, so I urge everyone who has not yet done so to make an appointment. And to make it even easier, starting this Friday, walk-in appointments will become available to New Yorkers age 60 and older at 16 mass vaccination sites. The only way to defeat COVID is to get the vaccine. It is safe—over 13 million doses have already been administered in the State of New York. And every New Yorker age 16 and up is eligible so roll up your sleeves New York, and let's get vaccinated.

Here's what else you need to know tonight:

1. Starting Friday, April 23, walk-in appointments will be available at 16 mass vaccination sites. Walk-in appointments will only be available to New Yorkers age 60 and up. There may be a wait for those opting to walk-in at some sites depending on demand. All proof of identity and insurance information, if applicable, will be needed. [NY has switched from being test happy to vaccine happy.]

2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,757. Of the 202,400 tests reported yesterday, 4,326, or 2.14 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 2.69 percent. There were 817 patients in ICU yesterday, down six from the previous day. Of them, 505 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 53 New Yorkers to the virus. - And that's why. Consider for a minute that city's like Melbourne and countries like New Zealand shut down with say 53 cases or less. NY has 4,326 cases a day. My area had 976 cases today. And we have 40-60 lives lost daily.

3. As of 11am this morning, 42.6 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 169,746 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 13,852,715 total doses with 29.2 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker. So...progress? We have 42% halfway there, and 29% all the way there? We'll probably be all the way there by August, then all have to get the damn booster shots. Ugh. Pandemics are no fun, just saying. I'd prefer a nice little hurricane instead.

4. The South Beach Psychiatric Center on Staten Island discharged their final COVID-19 patient today. The new but unopened Office of Mental Health facility has served as an emergency hospital since last April, providing care for over 1,000 patients. The Center will be closing its overflow center today following the decline in COVID hospitalizations. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and facility staff who were on the front lines, putting themselves at risk, to care for their neighbors and community. - Well that's good news, I think. Staten Island has had the highest infection rate in the city for well over five months now.



This may be adding to my sense of malaise, who knows. People are experiencing this pandemic differently. I've been in a pseud-isolation for over 12 months, working remotely, and wandering around my neighborhood and a cemetery, while I've noted others are living their lives as if there isn't a pandemic at all. They are going to work, seeing friends and family, etc.

It's very discombobulating.



***

Regarding the verdict in the George Floyd murder case? US legal system is weird. It was on all counts. Normally you do three or four counts in a murder case. First is regarding intent, second regarding weapon, third regarding situation. More counts, less likely-hood of appeal, and higher the sentence. Each count has a number of years attached to it. Say for instance one is 5-10, next is 10-20, the next 5-10. You average them and give something within that range. Often a weighted average. So, if someone was proven guilty for count one - 10-20, with maxiumum (that's 20), count two for maximum 5-10 (that's 10), and next maximum 5-10 (that's 10), this means - they get 40 years in prison or you could do an average and give 20 with parole in 15.

I find it headache inducing. Here's a description : Derek Chauvin Charges. Chauvin was convicted on all three counts, no lesser-included. And waived right to a Jury sentencing (wise move, the Judge will probably be more lenient than the jury.)

The former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 45, faces three charges in the death of George Floyd: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Second-degree murder, also called unintentional murder or felony murder, is killing someone in the course of committing another felony — in this case, the prosecutors will argue that Mr. Chauvin was assaulting Mr. Floyd. This charge does not require the prosecution to prove that Mr. Chauvin had any intent to kill. It carries a maximum sentence of 40 years, but Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of 12.5 years for someone who, like Mr. Chauvin, has no prior convictions.

Third-degree murder is a death that occurs when someone is acting extremely dangerously, without regard to human life and “evincing a depraved mind.” Prosecutors will argue that Mr. Chauvin knew that the restraint he used on Mr. Floyd was potentially lethal and a violation of police procedure and training. Third-degree murder carries a sentence of up to 25 years. The guideline recommendation is 10.5 years.

Second-degree manslaughter is death by “culpable negligence,” in which the perpetrator knowingly risks causing death or serious harm. It’s punishable by up to 10 years, but under the state guidelines a likely sentence would be four years.

So probably between 12.5 and 20, with parole in 15? That's my guess. Because it's a maximum of 40, 25, and 10. He'll get 12.5, 10.5, and 4 which will be 20 or 15.

Sentencing Guidelines vary state to state and are set by the State Legislatures. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines are for Federal Cases only. Also every state has different guidelines on the what the criminal acts to be applied are - which is why you have to pass the bar in each State to practice in that State or have someone who has passed the bar in that State to assist you.

It's been a very long time since I thought of this stuff - so I may be slightly off.

I'm glad they found him guilty. Relieved, really. I honestly didn't know what would happen.

Comments

[mtbc]

The cops will taking some reining in. ): Mostly I want unions to be stronger but police unions less so.

Yes, the more people aren't vaccinated, the more mutants we'll get. It feels like a race, and one the world isn't doing well in. /-: We'll get there eventually but I wonder if I'll need some further vaccination before seeing anything like normality.

[shadowkat]

I agree. I'm in a union - and it has protected me in so many ways - as much as I want to kick it at times, it's also protected me from fickle bosses, who pick favorites. I wasn't protected in my other industries. But I am here. Also it guarantees me a raise, and a job and excellent benefits.

Police unions - I understand the need for, but wish were weaker. The police do - however - have an impossible job. They fear for their lives daily. They have to go into dangerous situations. And aren't paid that well. Unfortunately they are also under-educated and given a bit too much leeway and power.
NY is trying to change all of that - interesting to see if it succeeds. The crime rate in NY and across the country has escalated since the pandemic, there are more murders and gun violence - mainly because the pandemic has hit some communities really hard financially resulting in civil unrest.

There's unfortunately more have nots in this country than haves...

Yes, the more people aren't vaccinated, the more mutants we'll get. It feels like a race, and one the world isn't doing well in. /-: We'll get there eventually but I wonder if I'll need some further vaccination before seeing anything like normality

Agreed. Unfortunately our shared history doesn't serve us well. Historically, it takes at least five years for a pandemic to clear out. The Spanish Flu lasted from 1918 to 1922. That's four years. The Black Death may have been longer.

My gut tells me that this will last until at least 2022. I hope I'm wrong. My poor niece wants to go to London for the London School of Economics Program and travel Europe.

My brother and his wife are getting their second dose of the vaccine this weekend or thereabouts. My brother didn't get sick with the first dose, but his wife did. And both have gotten bad headaches with the shifts in a barometric pressure up north of me, not bad here - though, since I've not had any headaches. Nice change since I was having them daily for weeks during the Winter Months, and most of March and April. Now, they've finally let up. Very happy about this! Sick sinus headaches are the worst.

I worry about the world. India has gotten hit hard, as has various other countries. We need to help each other more than we are. Not doing so, will make the pandemic last longer and kill more people, I think.

[mtbc]

I wonder if the higher crime is partly about people being stuck together more than they'd want to be or about the economic impact driving more people to desperate measures.

[shadowkat]

Here? Mostly the latter - the economic impact is mainly driving it - we have a huge economic disparity in NYC, where crime has gone up. It was there before, but with the pandemic? It's worse.

Although the divorce rate is up for those stuck together longer than they want to be. Lots of divorces and breakups.