A leader should set the examples by which his people should live. He should not say do this and then he does the opposite.

The face mask! Trump refuses to wear one. As the coronavirus stealthily creeps into the West Wing, he may be sorry at some point he has not.

Pence seems to follow his leader. He refuses to wear a face mask.

It is possible he may be afflicted. His right hand person Katie Miller has come down with the virus.

Pence was at a meeting in Iowa where 5 CEO’s from food industries were present. Pence was not going to wear a mask during the meeting. The 5 CEO’s were asked to remove theirs. They did.

To add to the interest factor, all this occurred AFTER Pence became aware his Press Secretary was coronavirus sick.

The Tara Reade sexcapade continues. She was on FOX the other night. Nothing new came out.

Two thoughts have developed in my mind. If Biden was interested in sexually molesting Reade, why did he do it in a “public corridor?” The other, why has no one else come forth with similar type charges? These cases generally have “victims” coming out of the woodwork in droves.

Someone commented in my blog over the weekend with what might be an appropriate solution to the Reade accusation.

Biden and Trump will be opponents in November. Why not have both agree to take polygraph tests?

I would love to see Trump’s response to the suggestion.

I have a growing concern regarding Trump and the anti-lock down militias.  There is an itching for violence.

Received an e-mail from Tino.

Coronavirus has resulted in no work as an extra. Their need has been eliminated since it requires crowds of 50-100 waiting standing/sitting in a confined space to determine who will be selected.

Tino suspects when “extra work” returns, few if any seniors will be selected.

Tino also advised he has fallen 4 times this past year. Doesn’t know why. It just happens.

He fears a broken bone. A fractured hip especially.

Enjoy your day!

To all Moms, Happy Mother’s Day. Includes my Mother who has been gone many years.

A mother is a forever friend. Think about it. I can clearly recall my Mother being there for me even in my older years. She was a constant comfort as only a mother can be.

So much to share today. Combining 2 days of notes. From this point forward, I am writing as if today’s blog is a Morning Stew.

The coronavirus numbers for Monroe County and Key West are relatively good. On the low side. Seventy nine cases in all of Monroe County, with only 3 deaths. Thirty seven of the cases in Key West. None of the deaths occurred in Key West.

I attribute the success to our governmental leaders who were on top of everything and on occasion imposed restrictions even harsher than the State. I also attribute the good numbers to the people of the Keys. A different breed in most instances. Understand what is involved and follow the rules.

There have been exceptions, though few. The most glaring friday night. Smokin’ Tuna. It opened for friday night and saturday night.

A mistake of the highest order!

Photos show the place was packed. Everyone having a good time. No masks. Restrictions ignored.

Charlie Bauer is Smokin’ Tuna’s managing partner. He issued an apology saturday on Facebook. He thought they were doing the right thing. Give the locals a chance for a night out.

He did not expect the huge crowd.

Whatever, he acknowledged the error and promised Smokin’ Tuna would sin no more. Smokin’ Tuna had been following the rules up to friday night.

I am curious to see if any coronavirus cases pop up in 3-4 weeks involving persons who were at Smokin’ Tuna friday night. I suspect there will be.

There is a move to have a referendum re cruise ships. How many should be permitted. I say none. However it appears the referendum’s purpose is to limit, not eliminate.

In one month, 20.5 million unemployed. The virus hits hard!

The number represents 14.1 percent of the working population. The highest unemployment figures since 1933. Double 2008.

The number is expected to go up for May.

Life will be different after this epidemic ceases. Jobs are not going to jump out. It will take several years for things to return to a near normal state as we understood it prior to coronavirus.

Trump has his hands full with the epidemic. He continues to add to his burden, however. The problems with Saudi Arabia and China examples.

Now comes Venezuela. A mercenary group attempted an invasion in order to overthrow Maduro. It was like the Bay of Pigs. Failed. The mercenaries employed by Silvercorp USA. Most retired Green Berets.

Sixty men captured. Two were Americans.

Many who perhaps should not have “eaten” from the Paycheck Protection Program have.

A most recent example the Catholic Church. Nine thousand Catholic Churches were approved to receive loans. The Church’s argument is they have a payroll to meet re Church employees.

Note the Catholic Church has one of the strongest lobbies in Washington.

Note also the Catholic Church pays no taxes.

Protestant and Jewish religious organizations also received loans, but to a lesser degree.

Thomas Jefferson viewed Napoleon Bonaparte as “a cold-blooded, calculating, unprincipled usurper, without a virtue; no statesman, knowing nothing of commerce, political economy, or civil government, and supplying ignorance by bold presumption.”

Many of the “qualities” Jefferson found in Napoleon can be found in in Trump.

Then there was Santa Anna. The Mexican President who slaughtered every man at the Alamo. He considered himself the Napoleon of the West.

Trump may consider himself a Napoleon of sorts. The Napoleon of the Americas?

On May 9, 1960, the world changed for women. The FDA approved the birth control pill.

The Beatles were hot stuff for many years. Especially in 1964. They held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 1/2 months. The group’s success began with “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”

It seemed like the Beatles would be #1 forever.

There is no forever in anything, however.

On May 1, 1964 there was a new top performer with a new tune. Louis Armstrong and Hello Dolly. No one expected a man of his age to be on top again. He surprised everyone!

This past week a big one for coronavirus. Made it into the White House.

First Trump’s personal valet. Then Pence’s Press secretary Katie Miller. She is Stephen Miller’s wife. Stephen is Senior Advisor to Trump with an office close to the President’s.

Ivanka Trump’s personal assistant was then diagnosed with the virus.

Yesterday, it was announced Dr. Anthony Fauci was going into a “moderate quarantine.” The man who is America’s top gun re the virus. He had been exposed.

The same day, it was announced that CDC Director Robert Redfield and FDA Commissioner Stephan Hahn had also been exposed. They are in home confinement and will work from home.

The word is Trump still refuses to wear a mask. Even in the Oval Office. Even though the virus is appearing around and near him.

Trump is a known germaphobic. Yet he reuses to protect himself and others by wearing a mask. One tough guy! He’ll go nuts if he gets as sick as Boris Johnson did.

I cannot understand Trump’s thinking in general about the virus. On March 1, there were less than 100 dead in the U.S. Today 9 weeks later, 75,000.

May Johnson apparently better. Was up and about this saturday in 1896. Even went to La Brisa.

Obama said of Trump this past week: He is “an absolute chaotic disaster.”

Little Palm Island Resort to open soon.

The resort prior to Hurricane Irma was considered one of the finest and most expensive in the U.S. On September 10, 2017, Irma hit as a Category 4. Wiped Little Palm Island out!

Renovation and rebuiding has cost $34 million.

A Nobel Resort. Nobel known for fine accommodations.

Little Palm Island will continue to be expensive when it reopens. Actually, a bit more expensive. Off season, accommodations $1,500-$2,000. In season, $1,900-$3,800. Per night, of course.

On this day in 1940, Winston Churchill became Britain’s Prime Minster.

Three days later in his first speech to Parliament, he said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” He promised his country and the world that the British people would “never surrender.”

Che Pasa stated in an article: “We’re in uncharted waters without a captain and without a vision of where we are or should be headed…..We should be past the point of blaming anyone; we never got to the point of actually doing anything about the existential crises we knew we would face. And so we drift along.”

I cam across a comment this week that I wrote down but failed to note its source. I never the less share it with you. It involves an issue the Democrats may be mishandling: “Democrats pretending that 27 year old claims of sexual something matter, but dementia and corruption do not…..Democrats are being side tracked.”

Biden has to hit hard on every front!

Enjoy your Mother’s Day, enjoy your Sunday!

Good morning! Almost afternoon.

There will be no blog today. I’m tired and pissed.

Research complete. Too tired to write, however.

I fell last night. Down the stairs. Nothing broke. Everything hurts. And my blood thinners have left me with a number of bruises. Even actually bled in 4 places last night.

My fault. I was not using the cane.

I have been having trouble with Bank of America and Instacart since my card got hacked and was replaced by Bank of America. Instacart would not deliver saying that Bank of America was declining my charges.

Finally resolved the problem by having Insacart paid with another card I had on file with them.

Everything supposed to be ok at that point. Not. For several days, Bank of America keeps declining my charges on the new card. I thought the problem was with Instacart. It was. However after resolving it, Bank of America continued to decline my Instacart charges.

Finally got a human being on the phone with Bank of America this morning. The first time I have ever been pleased with how Bank of America handles things. They are much like Comcast.

Frances from Nevada straightened the whole thing out. Bank of America had never corrected the problem when Instacart said the bill had been paid.

Took quite a while to finally correct the problem, however. At one point, I told Bank of America to pay the $55.42. I did not care if I was paying the bill twice. Just free up my card!

Everything done. I am fine now. Still can’t use the Bank of America card. I was told it would take 24 hours for their records to be corrected.

I am tired from the bullshit this morning and the pain remaining from last night.

Some of today’s research will appear in tomorrow’s blog. Has to do with the rip off being pushed by Trump’s people with the newest stimulus package. What is being done is Kudlow and company are telling everyone to tell everyone that it is a Main Street stimulus whereas it is primarily a bank bailout with taxpayer dollars up to $6 trillion over a period of 4-5 years.

We are being hoodwinked again!

Enjoy your day!

A trip back to a popular TV series in the 1970’s: Welcome Back, Kotter.

Remember? Assuming you were born and had a few years added on.

Kotter was a middle aged school teacher who returned to his scrappy Brooklyn neighborhood to teach remedial students at his former high school.

He found things different.

The show was originally labeled Kotter. A song was written involving the show. Its title: Welcome Back. The song became a pop hit in May 1976. The number one song in America.

The TV show was renamed Welcome Back, Kotter.

A fun show. One laugh after another.

The students were humorous hoods off the street. Kotter had to deal with them.

John Travolta one of the stars. He played Vinnie Barbarino. A black leather man. Good with the ladies. Knew everything. The leader of the pack.

Interesting to note John Travolta never graduated from high school.

The participants had sayings they uttered every show. Travolta’s was “What, what?” Arnold Horshack’s “Oooh, oooh, oooh.” Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington “Hi therre.”

Kotter the teacher. His full show name Gary Kotter. His famous bit “Up your nose with a rubber hose.”

T-shirts became big sellers because of the show’s popularity. Uncle Sam and King Kong. The students were known as Sweathogs. T-shirts with their picture, the label Sweathogs and Off My Case Toilet Face.

Memories.

The show a good one. Made people laugh.

The Chinese announced the result of a recent clinical study. Small, yet soon to be expanded.

The study revealed that coronavirus was found in the semen of some men afflicted with the virus. If correct, sex can result in the transmission of the disease.

Not surprising. Coronavirus can be found in stool and certain body fluids.

I take 11 different pills a day. Some twice a day. My totally daily intake 19.

They must work. I’m still here.

One is a blood thinner.

Blood thinners show promise for boosting survival chances in the sickest coronavirus patients.

The Michael Flynn saga continues. Five years already.

Attorney General Barr’s directing Justice to move to have his plea withdrawn and the charges dismissed a perversion of Justice. Reflects the exercise of favoritism at the highest levels of government.

The motion is not automatic. The Judge must decide if the relief sought will be permitted.

Judge Sullivan has shown streaks of toughness at various phases. If I were Judge Sullivan, I would deny the motion and appoint a Special Prosecutor. One outside government at this time. A leading attorney. Let him get to the bottom of why this gross miscarriage of justice is being attempted.

Recall Watergate. The break in desperadoes would have gotten away with it if Judge Sirica had not smelled a rat. Something did stink in Denmark. Sirica dug for it.

All paid. Including Nixon and his closest cohorts. Note that it was Sirica who ordered Nixon to turn over the tapes.

Trump keeps seeking to destroy the Justice department and the FBI which is a part of it. His lack of respect for our system of law must stop. His followers cease and desist.

Over Trump’s 3.5 years in office, he has wracked and wrenched the offices of Justice so that many people believe there is corruption within. An absolute falsity, except of those like Barr who have done Trump’s bidding.

A society cannot survive if there is no respect for law. The law must apply to everyone, regardless of position. Otherwise there will be rumblings. Tie them in with all other faults developed by Trump and revolution is possible.

Things have gotten way out of hand.

Everything Trump touches, he contaminates. Disrupts. Destroys.

Take Saudi Arabia for example. Trump’s friend. Or, was.

The Saudis pissed Trump off about something. Trump retaliated. Using the power of America’s shale oil, he caused Saudi Arabia’s oil to drop in price dramatically.

The Saudis have threatened to retaliate. They may. The country is teetering. The Princes could fall.

U.S. military have been stationed in Saudi Arabia for years to protect the Saudis from an Iranian invasion. Trump has or is removing U.S. forces. Everyone and everything.

U.S. troops home, the Patriot anti-missile system home, 2 U.S. jet fighter squadrons home. All that remains will be U.S. Naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

Recall Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia soon after his election. He was treated like royalty. The Saudis sucked up to him good. He did not even understand what was happening.

Trump pulls out U.S. troops for something that most recently upset him. Thus leaving the Middle East more vulnerable to war than ever in recent years.

David Beasley, Director of the UN World Food Program, announced tuesday that famines of “biblical proportions” could occur within months. He said, “The world is on the brink of a hunger pandemic crisis.”

I had an opportunity to review some present day photos on the internet yesterday of the Key West of today. Ain’t nobody on the streets. The town deserted. As if some strange disease swept the community and no one survived.

Harry Truman loved Key West and Key West loves Harry Truman.

The great man was born this day in 1884 in Lamar, Missouri.

Poor Alice Reid Griffin. She was Key West’s leading Madam in the 1930’s and into the early 1940’s. Her houses of ill repute famous and well attended.

The authorities were always closing her down. The Navy pushing the local gendarmes. The Navy thought sex with a prostitute unhealthy.

Alice always came back. She would open somewhere else.

However all things at some point must come to an end. Nature’s way. On this day in 1941, Alice was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for violation of the Mann Act. Prohibited white slavery. Alice had transported a woman from Atlanta to work for her in Key West.

She was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison.

It was Cocktails at 7 last night. Third time. Cathy in Seattle and Louis in Key West. We Skyped for a couple of hours, had a drink or 2, and enjoyed.

Enjoy your day!

Many nations world wide are feeling the coronavirus plague. Most still in tough shape. In varying degrees. The U.S. one of the worst. Greece on the other hand is coming through this disaster in relatively good shape.

Numbers first. Numbers an effective way of telling the story. I acknowledge the U.S. is larger citizen wise than Greece. Considerably. Never the less, the contrast is revealing.

As of this morning, the U.S. has 1,270,000 confirmed cases, deaths 75,000 plus. Greece, 2,663 confirmed cases, 147 dead.

Theo Markis and Jim Brown are 2 Greek friends. I have commented about them in the past. I mentioned 2 weeks ago how both were shocked that people in the U.S. were going into the streets protesting stay-at-home rules, etc. They thought those doing so in the U.S. were crazy. Lives were at stake!

Yesterday, I came across a photo on the internet. Showed 3 Greeks at a table in a restaurant. Table rectangular. The 3 seated awkwardly. Obviously paying attention to the 6 foot rule still in effect.

A police officer was measuring the distance between them with a tape measure.

That is how serious Greece is about the virus!

The Greek government and people were up front with each other and in unison from the beginning. The government told the people what to do. They did it.

The level of commitment and action were without deviation. Everyone wanted to live. They conducted themselves in such fashion that demonstrated an awareness of the severity of the problem.

The people understood from day one that what they had to do was not a drill, not a time to give up, nor a time for excuses. It was time to pull out all stops in the fight to defeat the virus.

Success in Greece’s instance can also be measured in another fashion. Acropolis and Parthenon. Too bad it is not possible for all to see Athen’s Acropolis hill.

The ruins sitting on top say it all. History preserved to this day.

Many climb the hill daily. Primarily tourists. Greece as part of its attack on the virus, closed Acropolis, Parthenon, etc. on March 13.

I am pleased to share that Acropolis and the magnificence still standing on top will reopen to visitors May 18. A mere 9 week shut down.

Why, because the government  and people of Greece took the bull by the horns and did the necessary. Something we in the U.S. do not always do. It is the nature of our laws and the way we have been brought up.

We are like children. How many have to die before we learn we cannot have it our way all the time?

A better President from day one would have helped also.

I mentioned sewage testing a few days ago as a method to determine levels and locations of coronavirus. Could be a help to the U.S. since we are not testing effectively.

I have since learned the Netherlands is successfully following cononavirus via the sewage method.

Pakistan has been successfully using sewage testing for a different problem. To monitor the polio virus. To identify hot spots for attacks.

I used to think Pence was smarter than Trump. Though screwy from a religious perspective.

Pence it turns out either lies as Trump or has Trump’s mental deficiencies or both. Two weeks ago, Pence said, “By Memorial Day Weekend we will largely have this coronavirus behind us.”

This past week, Pence said disbanding of the Task Force was possible because of  “the tremendous progress we’ve made” against the virus.

How? In less than 2 months, we have seen more Americans die than in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan,  and Iraq Wars combined.

Nicholas Kristof in a recent Opinion Piece in the New York Times wrote, “The virus is winning.”

A UN official recently said, “None one is safe until everybody’s safe.”

True. The virus spreads everywhere. Knows no boundaries. The nations of the world must join together in fighting it.

More than 80 nations afflicted with coronavirus joined together last week via the internet to discuss working together and raising money for the projected effort. Just under $8 billion was pledged.

Trump failed to participate nor would he give permission to anyone to represent him.

Birds of a feather. Putin did not participate nor have anyone represent Russia. Russia is getting killed big time at the moment by the virus.

Russia is reluctant to share their number of dead.

Recently, 3 Russian doctors involved with the virus fell out of windows. Two died, one injured. Foul play is suspected. One thought is that the government was sending a message to people working with the coronavirus problem: Speak not of Russia’s failure!

Some Key West.

Understand first that I share little information about Key West because there is nothing to report. Key West has been under a strict shut down. Began opening monday a bit. Nothing news worthy at the moment, except for the Duval Loop Bus.

Another problem is I am not out on the road evenings as previously. Today is my 57th one in self quarantine. Eight weeks! Can you imagine! I envision at least 1 more month. Perhaps 2.

I am not complaining.

However being home all the time makes it difficult to see if anything is going on. Even the Chart Room remains closed.

This morning’s Citizen reported the Duval Loop Bus will no longer be free. It has been since its opening 3 years ago. Effective immediately, a charge of $1. Except for residents who will still be able to ride free.

The reason for the charge is the lack of tourist revenue during the virus crisis has left the City with insufficient monies. It’s revenue from any source time.

Gluttony is part of Key West’s life. All areas blamed. Public as well as private. My fear is Key West is going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Prices the past several years for everything have gone through the roof. Even tourists will only take so much.

The City Commission I suspect recognizes this $1 charge might not be a smart move. Recall that it was a straw that broke the camel’s back. The Commission agreed to look at the matter again in 6 months.

May Johnson. Her diary clearly indicates life was different in 1896. Socialization was primarily visiting people. Going from house to house.

La Brisa at the end of Simonton Street was a place the upper class frequented to dance and party. It was not for the poor.

On this day it appears May was better. She had been sick in bed for 2 weeks with the “chills.” She dressed, though did not go to work.

She did go to La Brisa in the evening where she “had a very pleasant time.”

Cocktails at 7 scheduled for last night cancelled. Seven o’clock my time in Key West is 4 in the afternoon in Seattle. Cathy had to work late.

We are rescheduled for 7 tonight.

She asked what my booze situation was. Nothing. I have not been out of the house. I will drink Diet Pepsi while you imbibe. No problem.

One hour later a knock on my door. She had ordered a quart of Beefeaters and it was being delivered.

Nice lady!

Enjoy your day!

An insanity is overtaking us. A perversion. The belief that some must die to bring the economy back. The thought that money is more important than life itself.

Trump acknowledges some lives may be lost in the push to “reopen.” He says it is “possible.” Knowing full well such is the game plan.

I have always respected Chris Christie. In spite of his being a Republican. A tough over weight guy whose primary thought was to help people. I must have been blind when I had those thoughts. No more. The eyes are open and can see!

Christie ws being interviewed. He said the economy must come back now! “Now” expressive in tone.

He compared coronavirus to World War I and World War II. People died in both wars to save the country.

The country requires saving again.  Coronavirus similar to the wars in that regard. His position to the effect that if 3,000 people a day had to die, so be it.

Pure insanity!

America has become a leaderless nation adrift in a crisis.

The Task Force. Trump advises it soon will be yesterday’s news. Its value gone. To be replaced by an economic task force.

The economy is not going to return till Covid-19 is gone. Controlled by a vaccine or some other means.

Sick and dying people cannot work. Many will initially return to work. Because everyone is out and about, the virus will spread. Rapidly. Coronavirus moves like a meteor. When such occurs, who will be available to work?

The “immediate cure all” will fizzle.

Trump should show respect for activities which are intended to return our Nation to health. Like wearing a mask and keep 6 feet between yourself and another.

Trump appeared yesterday at a Honeywell plant in Arizona. A plant where face masks are being produced big time. Trump neither wore a mask not respected the distance separation rule.

The President failed to do that which the medical experts tell us must be done as part of the effort to deter coronavirus.

He shows no respect for his own Guideline, for himself, nor the people he governs. No wonder there are those violently opposed to such restrictions.

One of the comments to yesterday’s blog was from a man who said in effect I did not understand. People have to work. They need money to support themselves and their families.

My response a simple one. Go to work! Live the new reopen society to the fullest. If and when you get conoravirus, you will be sick. And with the way the numbers are moving, may die.

Then I ask who is going to take care of your wife and children? They will be in far worse shape for many years without the pay check and guidance of their husband and Dad. Think of it, your children growing up without a father. Your wife working harder than she does now to put food on the table.

You have value. You are needed for the long haul. Your family cannot afford to lose you.

Peter Wehner wrote an interesting article re Trump’s present mental capacity. You may want to read it. The title: “The President Is Unraveling…..The country is witnessing the steady, uninterrupted intellectual and psychological decomposition of Donald Trump.”

Trump tweeted tuesday he MIGHT give federal coronavirus aid to States IF they comply with his political demands (emphasis mine). Aid would be conditioned on those States eliminating sanctuary cities, payroll taxes, and capital gains taxes.

The first 2 items will affect/hurt the poor and less affluent. The third a give away to his rich friends. The poor do not worry about capital gains taxes.

Things getting tougher by the day. Due to the meat shortage, Wendy’s announced that some of its restaurants would take burgers off the menu effective today.

An interesting comment in the Citizens’ Voice portion of today’s Key West Citizen: “Should we bemoan the desegregation of Bahama Village or celebrate the diversity?”

Poor May Johnson. On yesterday’s date in 1896, she was still ill. Appeared to be getting better. Wrote an interesting comment. I ask where did Dr. Fech come from?

May wrote she dressed, but laid on the bed all day. She thought about Dr. Fech. Had she accepted his proposal of marriage, it would have been her wedding day. She had rejected his proposal. She wrote the day passed serenely never the less.

Cocktails at 7 tonight!

Enjoy your day!

Something wrong with the American people. Their actions do not make sense.

Coronavirus kills. The epidemic not even close to being over. Yet they want out of their homes, onto beaches, back to work, etc.

Whether they are aware, they are being led by the nose by Trump. Even if they dislike him and are not going to vote for him in the next election.

They want to be free!

To me, they want to be dead!

Coronavirus moves at a rapid rate. Unbelievable the increasing numbers afflicted and those dying.  Reentry into the outside world the past month has not helped.

Yesterday’s New York Times ran an excellent and detailed article re the increase in confirmed cases and number of deaths.

New updated models are frequently coming out. The White House has its own. It is a combination White House/Fema compilation.

The White House/FEMA model indicates 25,000 new coronavirus cases a day. It projects 200,000 a day by June 1. Less than 1 month away. Keep in mind at all times that this virus moves with lightning speed.

Recent death numbers indicate 1,750 per day. By June 1, 3,000 per day. A 70 percent rise.

The projected increases attributed to the reopening of the economy.

The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation issued a new report also.

The report projects 135,000 deaths by the beginning of August. Deaths now 68,000. A doubling between now and August.

Trump has the habit of minimizing cases and deaths. To make himself look good, I suspect. A few months ago, the number was in excess of 2 million. Suddenly Trump announced things were better and the number would be 50,000-60,000. In 2-3 weeks time, he has raised that number to 75,000-100,000.

The Institute attributes the increase to the rising mobility in the U.S. People are abandoning lock downs, want to work, go to the beach. Another factor is the easing of social distance measures. People are in more and closer contact making virus transmission easier.

Most medical experts believe we are reverting. Reverting back to roughly a month ago when coronavirus patients were lying on gurneys in hospital hallways because there was no room.

An “only in Italy,” not the U.S., occurrence.

Italy was hit heavily with the virus.

A bunch of transgender prostitutes showed up at Rome’s Beata Vergine Immacolta Church. They needed help of all sorts. Food, shelter, medical assistance.

The transgenders were originally from Argentina. The pastor suggested they contact the Pope. He is from Argentina.

The group did. The Pope reacted instantly. The Pope’s alomer was assigned to deliver help.

The Catholic Church hardly has a global reputation for approval of either transgenders or prostitutes. It was considered surprising that the group went to the door of the local parish for assistance.

However in Italy everyone knows when the chips are truly down, the parish is the last line of defense.  When all other doors are closed, when family and friends walk away, when the state seems distant and unresponsive, the parish is always there.

Does Italy stand alone in this regard. I doubt most Catholic Churches in the U.S. would respond similarly. An exception would be Key West. A community that accepts everyone. Churches of every denomination included. We are one human family.

Roughly 2 months ago, I wrote about toilet plumes. Invisible plumes that shoot up when the toilet is flushed. The admonition was that the seat should be down.

Human defecation contains coronavirus, if the person who defecated has the disease. Even where the person is not aware they are a carrier.

The flushing shoots aerosolized feces into the air. Sometimes as high as 15 feet. The older the toilet the further the virus is spread. It touches other parts of the bathroom in the vicinity of the toilet.

Why a repeat of the article I shared? It was announced yesterday by I don’t know who that a study should be made of sewage. Public sewage. It would be a quicker way for predicting the virus’ onslaught. Testing was failing in this regard because grossly insufficient testing has been done.

I do not recall who made the statement. I was half asleep with the TV on.

A commentor to this blog said re Trump: “When his lips move, he’s lying.”

Who am I to argue?

Another asked that I remember when Obama was President. We could go outside.

Trump’s mind is fertile when it comes to creative thinking. As the death toll goes up, Trump tries to cast it as an achievement.

Trump cheers on the Governors as they ignore even White House guide lines in the race to  reopen.

A 5 year old boy driving an SUV on an interstate. For real!

The youngster lives in Utah. Told his mother he wanted a Lamborghini. Mom said no.

He took the family SUV and started driving to California to buy a Lamborghini.

Mom called the police when she saw her son and the car were missing. A State Trooper found him driving along on the interstate. He had to sit on the edge of the seat to make his feet reach the pedal.

The officer knew what was up. He asked the 5 year old where he was going, etc. He said to California to buy the car.

A Lamborghini costs $200,000. The boy had $3 in his pocket.

No one knows where he learned to drive.

Restaurants opened in Key West yesterday. Not all. Some will open later in the week.

The rules are only 25 percent capacity and social distancing.

No big rush yesterday to eat out.

Charles P. Toppino died on this day in 1958. He is recognized as a pioneer developer of the Florida Keys. His family has followed in his foot steps.

Mr. Toppino is most famously known as the Man Who Built U.S. 1.

Don Shula died yesterday. At age 90. A sportsman never to be forgotten.

Shula coached the Miami Dolphins. He was considered the perfect coach. He was in fact the NFL’s winningest coach.

Shula made professional sports matter in Florida.

A sad situation. Florida has achieved a grim milestone. More than 1 million workers have filed unemployment claims.

Tuesday already! Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou time. Tonight at 9. A lot to talk about.

Join me for a fast moving half hour of Louis ranting and raving. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West Cemetery is one of Key West’s most famous tourist spots. Now located in Old Town. Not always the location.

I came across 2 interesting  bits about early Key West burials.

The first involves location.

In the early 1800’s, the first cemetery was located on the “western beach between the town and Whitehead’s Point.” Most of the graves were located in the space between Emma Street and the Marine Hospital Building.

The cemetery was not like today’s or anything even similar to what we have come to know as a cemetery. A body was buried and a few stones randomly placed on top of the grave. No grave stone as such.

An 1830 visitor described the stones. Few had any names etched on them. Most were “a few plain stones to tell that the possessions of the little tenant below once lived and died.”

Some stones marked the length of the body below.

The question generally asked was: “Who sleeps below?”

The use of stones was probably copied from the Indians who frequented the lower Keys. They sprinkled/set a few small stones above a grave.

For several years when my children were young, we vacationed on Block Island. An island off the coast of Rhode Island.

There was a “painted rock.” A stone about 4 x 4 feet. Kids used to go and paint the stone. My children did it several times. Everyone always painted over the previous person’s paint job.

A tradition.

I was standing watching my children one day when a Block Island local began talking to me. He asked if I had seen the Indian cemetery. I had not. It was across the street from painted rock and a way in the woods.

A small open area. Weedy. Small tones in an irregular grouping here and there. The Indians of Block Island were buried similarly as the early residents and the Indians of Key West.

Respect for the dead was common place. As it is today. Except the respect evidenced in a different manner.

From the mid 1800’s to the early 1900’s, the Key West custom re burials involved the closing of the doors of all stores while a funeral procession was passing by. All business along the line of march was suspended.

The late 1960’s and into the 1970’s, public demonstrations were frequent. By those opposed to the Vietnam War. College students and adults alike.

An anti-war demonstration had bean going on for several days on the Kent State University campus. The National Guard had been called in.

On the third day of the National Guard presence, the National Guard shot at the students. I recall the TV showing of the shootings. The students were running down a slightly slopping hill to get away from the Guardsmen. Shots were being fired. Four students were killed. One paralyzed.

Similar shootings will take place at some point in the U.S. At State capitols. The difference with Kent State is the demonstrators will be shooting at government officials.

Armed protesters make such an occurrence inevitable.

J. Crew filed for bankruptcy protection last week. A Chapter 11. Means the company will continue in business while working out a debt repayment plan that the company can handle. The Bankruptcy Court says who gets paid and when. Gives a company such as J. Crew breathing room to get going again.

It was announced that 5  northeast States have joined together to purchase ventilators and protective gear such as masks and gloves. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The Governors of the 5 States decided they could get better prices and avoid getting into a bidding war with each other.

I am confused. Trump keeps saying we have so many ventilators now. He has them stored in a federal facility. So many, that he keeps telling us how he is providing them to other countries. Whether free or for money, I am not sure.

If Trump has so many, why do the 5 States need to go elsewhere for ventilators?

Does not make sense to me. I suspect somewhere along the line Trump is bullshitting us or perhaps charging too much.

Trump was interviewed last night by FOX in the Lincoln Memorial. Sitting directly in front of Lincoln.

I consider it an insult that Trump featured himself in such place. An Abraham Lincoln he is not.

A top Italian medical authority revealed that 75 percent of the people who died in Italy from coronavirus had high blood pressure.

I’m doing good. I’m 84 and have a bad heart. Also have high blood pressure. Since I was 30 years old.

Involves the heart, I know. However I view it as another malady. Mine is controlled by pills each day. Keeps my blood pressure low. Exceptionally low.

God bless the pills!

An observation. Coronavirus is nowhere under control. I believe the reopenings are foolish and too soon. People who are on the side of what I consider early reopenings are gambling with their lives.

Why don’t they understand?

The U.S. Senate is returning to Washington today. Washington is infested with coronavirus. Trump insists there are enough tests for the law makers.

He tweeted, “There is tremendous caronavirus testing capacity in Washington.” Despite multiple reports of the Senate’s shortage of tests.

At 10 this morning, the stock market was down 300 points.

Enjoy your day!

Mobile crematoriums.

What a topic for a Sunday morning!

I write about the subject because of the number of bodies building up in parts of the U.S., especially New York City.

Mobile crematoriums are just as the phrase sounds. A vehicle of sorts within which to place a number of bodies and cremate them. Then dispose of the ashes where ever.

The vehicle looks like an over grown tank. Some with .50 caliber machine guns on top.

Four countries involved.

The first Nazi Germany. Hitler tried to use them. Inefficient from his perspective. Could not keep up with the number of bodies to be incinerated. So Hitler went to the large furnaces.

The next 3 countries are China, Russia and the U.S.

In researching the topic, the most interesting item is that each country tends to keep secret the number of crematorium deaths. Actually, the number of coronavirus deaths. Like for shame this is happening to a country.

I cannot understand.

In any event, China appears to be the biggest user of mobile crematoriums. In Wuhan, especially.

As of February 1, China had 48 mobile crematoriums. The number insufficient. More were ordered in February. The number not disclosed.

China operates these crematoriums around the clock. Twenty four hours per day, 7 days a week.

The volume of bodies to be cremated obvious.

Numbers of bodies incinerated difficult to ascertain. The numbers all over the place. It is represented that it takes 2 seconds to incinerate a body. Another estimate is 5 tons of corpses per day.

China had previous experience with mobile crematoriums. Used in the past for animal carcasses and garbage.

The number of coronavirus deaths kept secret. Many are labeled as pneumonia to keep the actual number down.

One article suggested China is incinerating so many corpses that the sulfur dioxide emitted has resulted in an increase in acid rain world wide.

Russia has been playing secret with the actual number of coronavirus deaths also. Russia using mobile incinerators as China. However, not in similar numbers or volume.

Putin first put mobile crematoriums to use in the Ukraine. It was the method used to dispose of the bodies of dead Russian soldiers.

The United States a problem.

There were a number of news articles in 2015 re the issue. The elitist American group part of the articles. The same elitist group financing protests today re State mandated coronavirus restrictions.

It was thought at the time these elitist groups were testing mobile crematoriums. The crematoriums were being tested to assist with the elimination of the homeless.

Mobile crematoriums were seen in Texas and Montana.

The questing in my mind is whether the U.S. has mobile crematoriums today. With the military perhaps? If so, appears secret. However if so, more important that these crematorium be put to use now to assist in body disposal. Especially in New York City.

Not much to work with here. Not much information available.

I get upset with the verbal garbage being printed in some instances. An example is an article by David Horowitz titled Dark Angel: The War To Destroy Christian America.

Horowitz begins: “I am a Jew, but I know these are especially dangerous times for Christians. The war on the virus has become a war on Christians.”

His motivation in writing the article: The closing of most churches to avoid the spread of coronavirus. He views it as trying to keep Christians from practicing their religion.

Horowitz is pro Trump. His thoughts supported by Mike Huckabee, Russ Limbaugh and Tucker Carlson.

It has been suggested that jailed inmates are not receiving proper attention re avoiding coronavirus nor necessary care if they do.

A federal jail in Brooklyn has been named in a class action law suit. The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District is defending the law suit.

The prison has 1,700 inmates.

The Judge ordered an inspection of prisoner records. There was an allegation records were being destroyed as part of a deliberate effort to obscure the number of incarcerated people infected with coronavirus and to avoid providing them adequate care.

The inspection complete. Turned over to the Judge. Only 6 of 1,700 inmates per the records was found to have been infected with coronavirus.

The attorney for the inmates said the number did not make sense. He said it represented only the tip of the iceberg.

In many of the demonstrations since Trump became President and especially the ones in Michigan recently, the question arises as to whether Trump’s nationalism is advancing on a predictable trajectory to violence? Will his supporters kill?

A matter for concern.

The U.S. economy has been fragile in recent years. The stock market may have risen. However, a high stock market alone in not an indicator of a good economy. Most economists will agree.

The U.S.’s economy was fragile going into the coronavirus epidemic. The stimulus bailouts add to the fragility big time.

A government cannot survive long under such circumstances. Failure inevitable. A collapse of huge proportions.I give Trump credit in this instance. He is aware of the fragility. He is doing everything in his power to avoid a collapse. Not for the country necessarily. More for his personal image.

Whatever, I wish him well.

The local government in Stillwater, Oklahoma required face masks be worn in stores and restaurants recently reopened.

Friday was the day.

Withing 3 hours, the requirement was rescinded. The wearing of masks became optional. Customers threatened employees with violence and heaped abuse upon the employees. One even threatened the use of a fire arm.

The customers kept spouting the mask requirement was not Constitutional. I am unaware how the Constitution enters into the argument. The matter is one of public safety, pure and simple.

Seat belt and helmet laws similar in nature.

It was announced last week that a House Sub-Committee had invited Fauci to testify this coming Wednesday. The White House announced it was barring Fauci from testifying.

Most of America, if not all, had to come to the same conclusion. What did Trump have to hide?

It was announced yesterday Fauci was scheduled to testify before a Senate Committee on May 12. Senator Lamar Alexander made the announcement.

Is this a Republican/Democrat thing? Is Trump saying screw you to the Democrats. If a “star” like Fauci is going to testify, it will be before a Republican Senate Committee.

Childish bullshit!

Asia has been a primary source of America’s headaches this year. Coronavorus the major one.

Now another. A new one. One you will not believe.

Scientists have announced an invasion by a deadly hornet. The Asian Giant Green Hornet. Appeared in the State of Washington for the first time anywhere in the U.S.

As much as 2 inches long. Referred to as the “murder hornet.” Bites the heads off bees. Can be deadly to humans if a human suffers multiple bites.

So much for today.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson is one of the world’s outstanding columnists. No question about it.

He and his wife enjoy Key West. They spend one month during the season here. She painting at the Studios of Key West. He reading, writing, giving talks, and walking around chatting with those he runs into.

In a recent column, Robinson commented at length about the protesters who have been demonstrating in several states. He opened the column with an old Cole Porter song. Don’t Fence Me In. Published in 1934. Its popularity remained strong through World War II.

I recall singing it many times with my parents. That’s what we did back then. My Father used to buy sheet music. Words only. Some evenings, we would sit int the living room as a family singing off the sheets.

Don’t Fence Me In had an unusual popularity. Remained popular an especially long time. Recorded by some of the top singers of the era: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Ella Fitzgerald, and Willie Nelson.

As Robinson reflected, the tune fits today’s protesters. Describing the song as the Protesters Aria for today’s generation my doing.

Don’t Fence Me In’s opening words: “Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, / Don’t fence me in. / Let me ride through the wide open country that I love, / Don’t fence me in.”

The “protesters” don’t understand that unless they “fence” themselves in, many more deaths that should not have occurred will occur.

A step back in Key West history. A banking story.

The Bank of Key West sat at the corner of Front Street and Exchange Alley. The bank had been opened by some affluent Key Westers. The building was destroyed by fire in 1846.

The people of Key West were panic stricken. As far as they were concerned, their money burned in the fire. The bank owners sensed a run on the bank in the making.

Fortunately, all books, cash, notes and valuables were stored in a fireproof safe on the second floor of the bank. The owners were aware however that their depositors might not believe that their monies were safe.

Two of the owners took the bull by the horns. The day after the fire, they took space at the U.S. Naval Station. A large table was set up. “Heaps of silver dollars and packages of currency were piled on the table. Bags of silver were stacked all over the floor.

Behind the table were two of the owners. George Lewis and George W. Allen. The sight of the men and money dissuaded the crowd who had come to withdraw their funds. They left without doing so. Their confidence restored.

“Square Grouper” is a familiar Keys term. In the 1970’s and 1980’s when drug trafficking was big, boats or planes would fly offshore the Keys and drop bales of marijuana into the water. Local dealers would go out in small boats and pick up the bales.

Apparently square grouper days have returned.

Thursday afternoon a barrel of marijuana washed up on shore in Marathon. The barrel contained 5 separate large plastic bags. The contents of each marijuana. Total weight 90 pounds.

This morning’s KONK Life ran a photo the north end of Duval in the late 1960’s. What a difference the years have made!

The area totally unrecognizable. No Pier House, Ocean Key Resort, Hogs Breath or Mallory Square.

The price of gasoline has benefited purchasers from the over supply of oil world wide. Everywhere, but in Key West. Till this week. The price dropped under $2 a gallon. At one station only. The Shell Station in Key Haven at the corner of U.S.1.

The Lower Keys Medical Center is opening to additional business. Not a total reopening. Effective May 4, the hospital will resume outpatient surgeries and elective procedures.

All hospitals hurt financially if they cannot perform outpatient surgeries and elective procedures. A hospital full of coronavirus patients is not a money maker.

The hurricane season is a month away. Opening day June 1. The word is it could be a rough one.

Powerful hurricanes not expected till mid August. These are described as the “red meat” of hurricanes.

I have learned not to place much faith in hurricane prognostications. They rarely are accurate. The “big one” usually comes when least expected.

The hotel industry taking a beating. Understandably.

The Hotel and Lodging Association released new data. These are nation wide figures. Seventy percent of employees are laid off or furloughed. Eight in 10 hotel rooms remain empty.

May Johnson still sick. Today’s entry from her 1896 diary: “Better but very weak from yesterday’s vomiting.”

Trump time.

I mentioned yesterday New York City’s problem with dead bodies. Insufficient funeral personnel and inadequate monies to bury people.

The government could pick up the bill. FEMA is authorized by law to finance the burials IF the President consents. Trump has refused to consent.

Ergo, the bodies stack up. Many in large refrigerated trucks.

A senior living facility has experienced 98 deaths. Most of the bodies stacked in refrigerated trucks outside the senior building.

Donald, a little help for the dead! Can it be so bad? Is it because they cannot vote? Or perhaps because many are Puerto Ricans and black?

The banks, hotels, corporations, universities, etc. receive stimulus assistance. What about the little guy who lives in a small apartment with his family. The rent came due yesterday. He could not pay it.

Several months ago I suggested a solution to the problem. It was one we all knew had to occur.

My solution simple. Defer rent payments till things return to some semblance of normal. Where the landlord has a mortgage, defer mortgage payments to the bank for the same length of time.

A big help!

Why not done? Others have made a similar suggestion. Is it because it would screw up a bank’s cash flow?

The White House announced it is prohibiting Fauci from testifying before a House Appropriations Sub-Committee wednesday.

Why?

I do not know whether the President has power to do so with Fauci.

I do know this. It makes it appear Trump has things to hide. I doubt anyone would argue the point.

It is wrong to bar Fauci from testifying. The coronavirus crisis is perhaps the worst that has ever faced this nation. Transparency required. The people have a right to know exactly what is going on.

Trump always likes to keep the truth hidden. Wrong each time. Especially wrong this time.

Donald, Donald, Donald. When are you going to stop screwing around with China? You have already caused enough damage going back to the time you were elected.

The stock market began a radical drop friday afternoon. It began with the White House announcement that Trump was considering imposing additional tariffs on China in response to the Covid-19 epidemic.

The market will probably open down monday morning.

I cannot understand Trump. To his way of thinking, a strong market means a strong economy. A position I do not agree with.

Not the issue, however. Trump does think so. It would seem he is cutting his own throat by imposing additional tariffs.

His thought process confusing.

Enjoy your day!