Good morning everyone!
If you live in California, (and according to our Sunday Map fully 13.6% of our currently plotted Gnusies do reside here in the Golden State), you’re always aware of earthquakes, at least on a subconscious level. We’ve had some doozies: 1812, 1857, 1868, 1906, 1933, 1952, 1971, 1983, 1989, 1994 and most recently just last year in the Ridgecrest area.
The worst thing about an earthquake is that, unlike a hurricane, it comes as a totally unexpected visitor. And once you’ve experienced an earthquake, it makes you horribly aware that everything that seemed solid really isn’t, at least for a spell.
There are, of course many other fault lines beyond the geologic: religious, political, social, you name it. And we’re sitting on top of another fault line right now: a historic one which will affect us for the rest of our lives.
This fault line is the one between Before and After. We know where we were and what we were doing prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. We don’t, and can’t know what’s going to happen next. We have, to a large part, been forcibly separated from those things which helped define us, those things we regularly do out of habit, reason, or necessity, and many of those things which gave us a sense of purpose and meaning.
We thrive on certitudes, and they’re just not in stock today.
Our normal isn’t normal any more. It was taken away from us, and we’re left with an impersonal shadow hanging over all of our heads over which we have little if any control.
But that is only today, and this visitation will eventually pass.
If history provides any clue, people usually want to get back to normal as soon as possible and try to forget the fault line ever existed. One human constant is the desire to forget unpleasant things. And therein lies the challenge for each of us.
The vast majority of us will get through this current crisis, one way or another, and once across the fault line into After we’ll have to determine where we want to go from there. What better time to start thinking about that than when you have all this spare time on your hands? Do you want to go back to Before? Or try for something different and help create a perhaps better After?
We’re on the verge of being able to make that choice.
And yes, some News too!
Artist Seán Corcoran says thank you to Irish health care providers
Florida has moment of sanity
From the Miami Herald:
“Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he would sign an executive order limiting all activity in Florida to essential services only for the next 30 days to try to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The order would go into effect Thursday night at midnight, he said.
DeSantis said he was taking this action after President Trump extended the social distancing guidelines nationwide for another 30 days.
The previous guidance from the White House regarding an easing back into normal life by Easter “isn’t going to happen,” DeSantis said.”
According to the Hill, “Twelve states have yet to issue stay-at-home orders to their residents despite a rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths across the country.”
For once, the Brits are ahead of us: a virtual Parliament!
From the Guardian:
The government is to set up a virtual parliament to allow MPs to scrutinise its response to the coronavirus crisis following demands from the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, and opposition parties.
The move was announced on Wednesday night amid mounting concerns that the government has failed to get a grip on the crisis, with claims that health workers’ lives are at risk because of a lack of protective equipment and a shortage of tests for the virus.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, announced the move in a statement that said the government and parliament hoped appropriate technology would be in place by 21 April, when MPs are due to return to Westminster.
He said: “Parliament’s role of scrutinising government, authorising spending and making laws must be fulfilled and in these unprecedented times that means considering every technological solution available. We are exploring options with the parliamentary authorities in readiness for parliament’s return.”
Kelly Loeffler: another Republican role model
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s most recent financial disclosures show that millions of dollars in stocks were sold on her behalf at the same time Congress was dealing with the impact of the coronavirus.
The largest transactions — and the most politically problematic — involve $18.7 million in sales of Intercontinental Exchange stock in three separate deals dated Feb. 26 and March 11. Loeffler is a former executive with ICE, and her husband, Jeff Sprecher, is the CEO of the company, which owns the New York Stock Exchange among other financial marketplaces.
During the same time period reflected on reports filed late Tuesday, the couple also sold shares in retail stores such as Lululemon and T.J. Maxx and invested in a company that makes COVID-19 protective garments. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution got the first look at these reports, covering mid-February through mid-March and shedding new light on Loeffler’s financial transactions during the pandemic. Previous reports — which have put Loeffler in the national spotlight — covered her trading during the first six weeks of 2020.
The newer stock sales came as the broader markets were diving, and they are likely to fuel allegations that Georgia’s new senator used her insider knowledge about the severity of the pandemic to dump holdings while simultaneously releasing statements about the strength of the American economy and complimenting President Donald Trump on his response. The STOCK Act, a law that went into effect in 2012, makes it illegal for senators to use inside information for financial gain.
Clever, simple, and low tech!
“In a nation famed for its cutting-edge robots and toilets, one prefecture is going defiantly low-tech in its effort to defend its officials against COVID-19.
In what has been proudly dubbed a “Tottori-style office system,” the Tottori Prefectural Government has begun using cardboard and plastic sheets as partitions between officials’ desks.
The use of cardboard boxes, which was requested in a notice sent to officials Tuesday, has already been implemented in many divisions within the prefectural office where space constraints prevent staff from sitting two meters away from each other, said Hideki Maeta, a human resources official.
“I hope this system will send out a message that even Tottori, where no infections have been reported yet, is being very vigilant.”
In the finance division, which is frequented by staff from all across the prefectural government to request budgets, officials have been conversing through a massive piece of cardboard with a square-shaped hole in the center. The hole is covered by a plastic sheet so that the speakers won’t be exposed to each other, Maeta explained.
Just in case your life is too quiet…
We’ve done the toboggan run. We had a roller coaster ride. Now try this!
Today in History:
I have included a “Today in History” section in the majority of my 16 previous Roundups.
Today I’m going to defer to WineRev, who seems to be having a ball covering this field, and does a superb job.
With one exception. Today is Alec Guinness’ birthday (1914-2000). Many of you remember him as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars Trilogy. I remember him more particularly as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai, and especially as George Smiley in the BBC/Paramount television productions of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley’s People.
And of course there were the Lavender Hill Mob, the Ladykillers, Dr. Zhivago and Laurence of Arabia as well.
Interesting Bits!
Goat Invasion in Wales!
From UPI:
March 31 (UPI) -- Residents of a Welsh town said a herd of more than 100 goats is taking advantage of the coronavirus lockdown by overrunning their neighborhoods and eating their plants.
Locals in Llandudno said approximately 122 Kashmiri goats wandered away from their home in the Great Orme country park and ventured into city's streets, which have been low on human activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents said the goats have been feasting on their hedges and other plants.
A North Wales Police spokeswoman said authorities believe the goats will eventually leave town on their own and officers will not be responding to non-emergency calls about the animal trespassers.
and we have video, courtesy of the Guardian!
Beer rescue in the Czech Republic!
From Euronews:
Czechs are among the world's biggest beer drinkers and a call has gone out for them to step up amid the coronavirus crisis.
Hundreds of the country's microbreweries face a bleak future after a nationwide shutdown of bars and restaurants began in mid-March.
Now a website has been launched urging Czechs to snap up the discounted beer and provide vital income microbreweries.
The Moritz Inn, based in the east of the country, is one of almost 170 microbreweries that have signed up to ZachranPivo, or “Save The Beer,” a recently-launched initiative that allows small brewers to sell their surplus stock before it spoils.
As of March 31 there are 5,970,750 bottles of beer from 169 small breweries that “are waiting to be rescued”, its website states.
Another toilet paper tragedy
From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
A semi-truck carrying toilet paper overturned Wednesday morning and caught fire
on a Dallas highway, according to news reports.
No injuries were reported.
The wreck occurred on westbound Interstate 20 at Interstate 45 in Dallas, according to WFAA-TV.
The truck was carrying industrial size toilet paper.
Neither the driver or his dog were injured in the crash.
And to think, it was less than a month ago that the same thing happened in Australia and got the attention of the world!
Hot Links!
From the BBC: Coronavirus: The unusual ways countries are managing lockdowns
From the Washington Post: CNN, MSNBC refused to carry full Trump coronavirus briefing. Yay!
From the New York Times: Take a Virtual Tour of New York’s Museum District
From Deutsche Welle: Opinion: From US to China, lies and coronavirus pandemic
From the Atlantic: Is That Nostalgia You’re Feeling?
From SFGate: Larry David orders Californians to stay at home and watch TV
From Politico: Poll: Trump's coronavirus bounce fizzles
From the Smithsonian Magazine: Watch Seven Medieval Castles’ Digital Reconstruction
From ABC (Australia): The Kindness Kombi bringing laughter and music to Adelaide's people in coronavirus isolation
From the Associated Press: AP PHOTOS: Birds claim Peru beach emptied by virus outbreak
From the Sacramento Bee: University of California cuts SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 college applicants
From the New Yorker: “Parent” as a Verb: Quarantine Edition
From the Guardian: Coronavirus retreat for wealthy to wait out pandemic cancelled
And from Bored Panda: If You Think People Are The Worst These Days, These 35 Wholesome Pics May Change Your Mind (New Pics)
That’s a Wrap!
Please throw in your comments, criticisms, and whatever good news you can bring to the table.
Please stay healthy, both in mind and spirit, wash your hands regularly, maintain your safe distance and as always,
Have a great day!