Recent articles I recommend….
Dr. Fauci has been busy trying to help us cope with Covid:
— Dr. Fauci Sees ‘Terribly Painful Months’ Ahead 11/20/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/us/coronavirus-today.html
— When Will We Throw Our Masks Away? I Asked Dr. Fauci 11/19/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/opinion/anthony-fauci-covid-interview.html
— Fauci: Vaccines are an incentive to ‘double down’ on precautions 11/22/20 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/22/fauci-vaccines-public-health-measures-439229
Still not sure how to handle Thanksgiving this year? Here is how one person resolved the issue. I Traced my COVID Bubble, and It Is Enormous 11/20/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/opinion/covid-bubble-thanksgiving-family.html
As the following article says—“In less than 10 months, Covid-19 has killed more people than strokes, suicides and car crashes typically do in a full year — combined.” It goes on to give a terrible context to a quarter million Americans dead of Covid, compared to other leading causes of death. Covid has killed 250,000 people in the US: Comparing this to other leading causes of death 11/18/20 https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/18/health/covid-19-deaths-us-250k-trnd/index.html
Vermont is not the same as Texas or California or Montana, but Vermont DID have a lot of Covid challenges and met them in creative and effective ways that any part of the country could learn from, as this article shows. Social distancing is a luxury many can’t afford. Vermont actually did something about it 11/19/20 https://www.vox.com/2020/11/19/21541810/vermont-covid-19-coronavirus-social-distancing
Nova Scotia, Canada is vastly different from most areas of the US, but—again—its Covid successes can teach us things. I Am Living in a Covid-Free World Just a Few Hundred Miles From Manhattan 11/18/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/18/opinion/covid-halifax-nova-scotia-canada.html
The new presidential administration is already working on a Covid plan:
–The Biden-Harris plan to beat COVID-19 https://buildbackbetter.com/priorities/covid-19/
—Biden-Harris Transition Announces COVID-19 Advisory Board https://buildbackbetter.com/press-releases/biden-harris-transition-announces-covid-19-advisory-board/
In the World
While tending to their own COVID surges, most other countries are staring agape at America’s outrageous election theatrics, as our democracy quite possibly circles the drain. At least we are providing cheap entertainment….
In the US
Starting with something vastly positive—America is back in space! Last week’s successful SpaceX-NASA launch was the first official crewed mission launched from American soil since the shuttle era. It also used the first ever NASA-certified commercial human spacecraft system. (The launch of 2 astronauts in April was a test mission, not a working mission.) On Nov. 15, four astronauts flew a Dragon spacecraft called Resilience, on a Falcon 9 rocket, to dock with the International Space Station. The nighttime launch was dazzling, and the Falcon rocket returned home, to be reused. Previously, since shuttle Atlantis last flew in 2011, American astronauts had to hitch rides to the ISS on Russian spacecraft.
Sorry, that is it, as far as lauding American excellence, as we now come to our continuing twin crises—the election and Covid, both of which got that way due to the sheer ignorance of a very large segment of our population.
The election
Joe Biden STILL won the election, and he and Kamala Harris will be sworn into office Jan. 20. Until then, apparently, we are required to go through fresh hell every day, thanks to the Trump administration’s pathetic grasping at any strategy, no matter how insane, to throw out votes and hold onto power. At this point, dozens of his court cases have failed, with judges noting the complete lack of evidence, shocking over-reach, and blatant disregard for democracy. This article shows just how ridiculous Trump’s lawsuits are–Trump loses lawsuit that sought to block Pennsylvania win for Biden 11/21/20 https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/21/trump-loses-l.html Trump has moved on to inviting state legislators in swing states to come in for White House confabs, which seem to run the gamut from bribery to intimidation. He is using much the same tactics on governors, local election officials, and anyone else in a position to help him deny reality and negate the election.
Trump has also forbidden his administration’s employees to work with the incoming Biden administration, in violation of the rules and norms governing orderly transfer of power. This includes the GSA implementing the transition process as a practical matter (communications clearance, office space, computer access, basic funding, etc.)—something that has been done as a matter of course after every previous presidential election in modern times. Just after the election, Trump fired many people in key roles and appointed stooges in their place; speculation is that he plans to make sweeping changes in our war footing and foreign policy, as well as effect environmental outrages—things that cannot be easily undone come January. With Biden and Harris still locked out of intelligence briefings, there are security concerns. And, with Covid raging and vaccine administration preparations underway, that is a key area where delay in transition could well cost lives.
The coronavirus
Of course, the entire country is on fire with Covid now, due to non-existent or inadequate mitigation efforts in most states and the GOP’s politicization of masks, social distancing and common sense. Rural areas, small towns, most cities—it is everywhere and spreading unchecked. Every day sets records for new cases (nearly 200,000 per day), hospitalizations (over 83,000 people) and deaths (1,500-2,000 PER DAY and climbing). It is impossible to grasp how bad things are, before they get even worse.
Hospitals everywhere are overwhelmed, with medical workers pleading for people to take precautions. Yet, airlines report adding flights to accommodate brisk ticket sales. Thanksgiving is expected to be celebrated as usual by many if not most Americans—families traveling near and far to gather for meals, football and shopping the sales. IN A PANDEMIC THAT HAS ALREADY KILLED OVER A QUARTER MILLION OF US AND IS RIGHT NOW RAGING ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
People blame “pandemic fatigue” and say we are tired of taking precautions. Well, the pandemic doesn’t get tired. And, if America as a whole had taken adequate precautions for long enough, we would all be in a better situation now, and maybe we could safely enjoy the holiday. But, that didn’t happen, and now we pay the price, one way or the other. EITHER, we hunker down and follow expert advice to control the spread of the disease, even at the expense of Thanksgiving traditions. OR, we make ourselves and our loved ones sick, possibly killing people, just for a turkey dinner and the inevitable family squabble.
The really crazy thing is that we do seem close to the end of this nightmare, with good vaccines likely available in a few months. That is the BEST news possible! But, if people get sick and die now, it will be too late for them, and for their families. We should be taking all possible precautions now, in order to BE AROUND for the vaccines and ALIVE AND HEALTHY at the end of the pandemic. Cancel Thanksgiving plans THIS year, so that NEXT year we aren’t looking at empty chairs around our tables and remembering the family members who died of Covid after the 2020 celebrations that we recklessly insisted on having.
Here is an article with ideas on having a virtual holiday celebration–How to Have a Fully Remote Family Thanksgiving 11/18/20 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/18/technology/personaltech/how-to-have-a-fully-remote-family-thanksgiving.html
And, for the rest of you, there is this article—Don’t travel for Thanksgiving, health experts say. But if you do, follow these tips 11/21/20 (As it points out, students coming home from college pose special risks.) https://www.statesman.com/news/20201121/donrsquot-travel-for-thanksgiving-health-experts-say-but-if-you-do-follow-these-tips
In Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is again/still/always under a cloud of multiple corruption charges. He refuses to resign, and Gov. Greg Abbott allows the stench to continue in his administration. Editorial: Texas’ leaders should urge Paxton to step down 11/22/20 https://www.statesman.com/opinion/20201122/editorial-texasrsquo-leaders-should-urge-paxton-to-step-down
57 years ago, this was a very, very bad day in Texas. On Nov. 22, 1963, our 35th President, John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed during a motorcade in Dallas.
In Lakeway
At its Nov. 9 meeting, ZAPCO considered revision of The Oaks PUD ordinance, requiring developer Stratus to begin building the Main Street 4 lane segment on its land by March 15, 2021 and complete the project by March 15, 2023. Most of the Commissioners were miffed at not being privy to the legal issues discussed by Council and the city’s attorney in Executive Session at its Nov. 2 meeting. In the end, ZAPCO unanimously agreed to this revision, sending it back to Council for action.
The Council meeting on Nov. 16 was in-person, despite the current COVID surge in the area. Guess the Mayor and Council members were feeling lucky…. Council followed up on the Main Street issue by revising The Oaks PUD ordinance as planned, to require Stratus to begin building the 4 lane segment on its land by March 15, 2021 and complete the project by March 15, 2023. Of course, that guarantees nothing as far as getting Main Street connected to Lohmans Crossing. The Mayor mentioned during the meeting that Stratus has been unresponsive on this point for months; this will almost certainly end up in litigation, which will be expensive and will waste time getting the road completed prior to the 620 reconfiguration. The city’s failure to get an agreement covering the road signed back in 2014 by Stratus is outrageous and hugely problematic. There should be consequences to those who presided over this lapse. Mayor at that time was Dave DeOme, soon-to-be Mayor Joe Bain was on Council then, and Steve Jones was City Manager. Deputy City Manager Chessie Zimmerman was in charge of managing this PUD; she left the city’s employ in 2017, going to work for … Stratus. Hmmm—coincidence?
Council also got a summary of work done by a sub-committee that has reviewed the Rough Hollow PUD Agreement, signed in 1997 and amended 8 times since then. The stated goal is to reach a new and simplified agreement as the project reaches completion in the next 4 years, and they have been negotiating with developer Legends for months now. While details were not given, some current ordinances will come into play instead of 1997 ordinances, which has long been seen as ridiculously advantageous for Legends these decades later; however, the developer will get numerous concessions on this point in the form of variances (again—no details given). Water quality protections are supposedly increased, along with preservation of more trees. A sore point has been Legends failing to build the water access park and sports field the original agreement required; it sounds like those will never happen, but concessions include a scenic overlook, common areas, trails, open space and parking. Very lucrative goodies that Legends gets in the new agreement include 3 more years to complete the build-out, an additional section for development with large lots (and big sales prices), 40 additional condos, and ability to build a climate-controlled storage unit (for luxury cars and wine storage). The mayor indicated that Council would review the draft agreement, which will be discussed in detail at a future meeting; the agreement itself should be included in the Meeting Packet for that future meeting, and made available to the public that way.
In addition, Council canvassed the election results, with Propositions A, B, C, F and G passing as Charter revisions. It also decided to create a subcommittee to review police department policies, supposedly as required periodically by the Charter. Finally, Council approved sale of 7 acres of city land (located across from the Swim Center, off Trophy Drive) to Lakeway MUD, for $476,375 (as appraised). The land will be used for reclaimed water storage, with a tank and elevated tower.
Go here to watch this Council meeting online—https://lakewaytx.new.swagit.com/videos/107195
Back to me….
Who remembers G&G? Followers of figure skating will never forget Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva. Decades after winning 2 Olympic gold medals, they are legendary, for their breath-taking pairs skating and for their tragic love story.
Skating colleagues remember Sergei Grinkov, 25 years after his death https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/11/20/sergei-grinkov-death-ekaterina-gordeeva/ Watch their 1994 Olympic gold-medal routine in Lillehammer (plus their exhibition performance) here– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmvGHYdCxTM
Today is the 1-year anniversary of my falling on a walk and breaking my wrist. After a series of casts and splints, plus some physical therapy, it is back to about 75%, and I think that is as good as it will get.
At least 2 deer were fatally impaled on metal fences in Lakeway recently, as reported on social media. Sadly, this happens frequently, as deer try to leap the spiked and open picket metal fences that are so popular in this area. Right now, the deer are in rut, with the does running and the bucks chasing…. CAFA worked hard to get City of Lakeway to ban dangerous fences, and this was accomplished in 2018. But, that only covered NEW fencing, and there are countless dangerous fences in place—in private yards, on business lots, enclosing The Hills, etc. Here are examples of dangerous metal fences—
There are several ways to make these fences safe. I had Sierra Fence Company weld a rail across the top, making my open picket fence safe, back in 2018. But, it is fairly easy to remove the protruding pickets or spikes yourself. My fence page has a video of Lakeway resident Hamil Cooper doing exactly that. There are lots of before & after photos. https://ninawriteorwronginlakeway.com/dangerous-fences/
Safe
It is important to know that a toddler in nearby Georgetown was strangled to death on a 4′ tall open picket fence in 2018. https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/georgetown-mother-fights-for-safe-fences-after-sons-tragic-death
A teenager died after impaling his neck on a spiked fence around a Dallas pool in 2019. Recently ,in San Antonio, a roof worker fell off the house and was impaled on the home-owner’s metal fence and very seriously injured. These fences are dangerous to people, as well as to wildlife. If you have one of these on your property, please make it safe.
No one wants precious deer like these to die impaled on a fence.
Panda cub updates:
–Cubbie: When one door opens, another closes. 11/9/20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IymKJIZTio
–Cubbie: 3 Months Old! 11/21/20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naV1iON_WSo
Perspective is key…..
Worldwide, 2 weeks ago, there were just over 50 million cases. The total will exceed 60 million in the next day or so. Daily death counts now usually exceed 10,000.
In the US, cumulative cases passed 12 million on Nov. 19, after hitting 11 million just 6 days prior. Daily new cases have been well over 100,000 the entire month of November; last week, daily new cases neared the 200,000 mark, which experts predict will be exceeded regularly after Thanksgiving. Hospitalizations hit an all-time high of 61,964 people on Nov. 10; as of today, that has jumped to 83,870 Americans currently hospitalized for Covid. Our death toll passed the quarter million mark on Nov. 13, with 1,000-2,000 more now dying daily. Experts say roughly 1 in 100 Americans are now contagious.
In Texas, we have more confirmed cases than any other state, passing the 1 million mark for cumulative cases on Nov. 13. Lately, new cases exceed 10,000 per day, often setting new records. Loving County, Texas (population 169, near Odessa) was the last county in the entire country to register a Covid case, doing so on Nov. 17. Hospitalizations are rising statewide; today the total is 8,245, up from 6,080 just 2 weeks ago. The statewide positivity rate has increased from 10% to 12% in the last 2 weeks. Coronavirus patients now make up more than 15% of the total hospital bed capacity in six regions of Texas (El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland-Odessa, San Angelo and Laredo); this threshold triggers tighter restrictions. Regions including Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler and Paris are expected to exceed the threshold next week. Deaths are rising, as well. Daily death counts have exceeded 100 since Nov. 10; totals have been as high as 230 (on Nov. 19). El Paso remains the area hardest hit, with hospitals overflowing and patients being air-lifted all over the state. Morgues in El Paso are overwhelmed, even with a dozen refrigerator trucks temporarily housing excess bodies. They lack personnel to handle the bodies, as well; area prisoners have been pressed to do the work, and the National Guard is helping out.
Travis County reported 306 new cases on Nov. 18 and 368 new cases on Nov. 20, the highest numbers of daily cases since the July surge. Active cases were estimated at 2,216 for Travis County on Nov. 20.