Yesterday, I wrote about the food supply diminishing. A strange topic since no one seems to be talking about it. Neither the government nor consumers. The reason probably being we are all so concerned about the initial problems involved with coronavirus that our minds have not  traveled far enough into the problem.

The government has thought about it. Plans are in place in the event  widespread domestic violence occurs as a result of food shortages brought about as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Martial law will come into play. Suddenly! Without warning!

There was much concern immediately following 9/11 as to the need for martial law in the event a nuclear device were exploded in one of our cities. CONPLAN 3502 was adopted.

Under Trump, CONPLAN 3205 has been amended several times. The most recent, CONPLAN 3600.

Ever hear of a CONPLAN. Probably not.

It provides for the U.S. military takeover of the government in the event of 1 of 2 specific happenings. Described as “extraordinary happenings.”

The first if widespread violence breaks out due to food shortages. The second if Constitutional successors are incapacitated.

The most recent addition/amendment to the CONPLAN took place February 1, 2020. Less than 2 months ago. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper signed orders directing the U.S. Northern Command to take certain actions.

The U.S. Northern Command was established following 9/11 to provide “homeland defense military authority.” The U.S. Northern Command’s responsibility is to “prepare to deploy” in support of “potential extraordinary missions.”

Described as “emergency authority.”

Recognize the whole idea of the U.S. Northern Command being deployed where food shortage is involved is a new problem. As is military takeover if so many of our elected officials are dead or so sick there is no one to run the government.

Uncharted waters without question. Coronavirus and its attendant problems new to the U.S. Ergo, new laws, rule and regulations required to act if the coronavirus pandemic adversely affects the U.S. in the 2 instances earlier specified.

The “boss” would be four star General Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy. Age 55. An Air Force Academy graduate. Presently “Combat Commander” of the U.S. Northern Command.

The military take over is not permanent. Intended to only be temporary. Except no one knows for certain how it will come to an end since the whole take over game in a pandemic situation is new.

Important to note that Trump does not have the power to implement martial law under the circumstances and law described herein. The military makes that decision solely on its own. A when circumstances warrant situation.

I bring what is contained herein to your attention since such is basically unknown to the American people. Would be surprising to wake one morning and see tanks rolling down the street in front of your home.

Another reason is that the food shortages I described in yesterday’s blog could very well happen. The government and military believe it. Otherwise, there would be no need for the CONPLAN law involved.

Some will ask what’s the difference. I would respond whatever, we have a right to know (1) our government foresees a coronavirus food shortage problem which it has not disclosed to its people and (2) ground rules are set for a military takeover of government based on food shortage violence and/or physical incapacity of our government leaders.

Some will say there was martial law during the Civil War. Yes, Lincoln declared it.

The difference is that Lincoln was alive, well and running the government. Under the plan described herein, there is in effect no President or Constitutional successor running the government. The military then steps in and takes over.

Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Please join me. I will be discussing food shortage and military takeover, plus other coronavirus inspired problems. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Note that I have also been doing a daily Facebook podcast. A few minutes of me ranting and raving on one particular subject.

Enjoy your day!

Key West may be small. Key West may sit out in the Atlantic as the southernmost point in the United States. Until it became a tourist mecca, few visited Key West.

Key West has had is share of epidemics. Some pretty bad. Others, a mere touch.

Yellow fever the big winner. The most epidemics over the years. Infected many, killed many.

Other epidemics included smallpox, cholera, chagres fever, dengue fever, leprosy, and influenza.

And now coronavirus. Though no reported cases yet, it has to be here. A tourist community, cruise ships, airlines, and spring breakers. Inevitable!

There has only been one reported case in the Keys. The upper Keys. A man who brought it with him from the U.K.

No other “reported cases” for a very simple reason. No test kits. No way to legitimately identify and verify.

Yellow fever was the most flagrant in the late 1800’s.

Quarantines were common. In homes and on ships.

The 1899 epidemic the worst. One thousand three hundred twenty infected, 68 died.

The nuns at what was then known as the Convent of Mary Immaculate all became infected. None died.

At some point, there was a vaccine. The population during one of the bigger epidemics was 16,500. Thirteen thousand were vaccinated via a door to door program.

It is interesting that many ways of dealing with yellow fever are similar to what is being done today with coronavirus. Basic medicine is basic medicine yesterday, today, and will be tomorrow.

Cholera was limited. A ship came in with some persons affected. The ship was immediately forced away from the island. No one in Key West was affected.

Leprosy had its day in Key West. Still does, though on a minimal basis.

The disease was in and out of Key West over a period of many years. One year, 96 cases were diagnosed. Seventy eight of them contracted leprosy while living in Old Town.

Leprosy was dealt with in days gone by as were diseases mentioned in the Bible. In 1909, a man died of leprosy in a house on Virginia Street. The house and all its contents were destroyed by fire at the direction of the Fire Chief.

In the Keys overall, there were 9 cases in 2015. Amazing. So recent. Records indicate 2-12 cases a year.

The “today” cause are armadillos. They are carriers, though the disease does not affect them.

It is difficult to understand Trump’s thinking. We are in “dire” need of test kits, N95 face masks, rubber gloves, medical attire, inhalators, etc. What does Donald do? He offers help to Iran and North Korea.

He takes from us to give to them.

Wrong! They are our sworn enemies. God is not going to love us for helping them. They will smile and laugh with glee: Look what dumb Trump is doing now!

You take care of your own first!

Trump gives us a daily update on the fight against the virus.  Generally does more harm than good as regards his image. He promises, says next week, things being delivered…..And nothing of any significance happens next week or the week after or the week after.

The man is inept. He lacks the mental sufficiency to be President.

Yesterday, he spoke more of the billions it was costing him to be President than the reality of satisfying his people’s needs. Like he is doing us a favor!

He further failed to spend much time on the Senate vote. The one that failed to pass the $1.8 trillion stimulus. The vote along party lines. 47-47. Sixty votes required.

The problem has to do with what the bill favors, who it helps, etc. The big corporations. Working Americans though not ignored, not taken care of.

Trump does not know what he is doing. I wonder if the Senate does. Perhaps they are greasing their own pockets.

Bailing out the airlines an example.

The airlines say they need $50 billion. They need nothing! I wrote last week and spoke to the issue on my podcast and blog talk radio shows as well why the airlines for example do not require money. Money that should go directly to help working Americans.

The airlines want loans, guarantees, and outright cash grants.

Trump favors giving the airlines the money. Says he does not want them to go out of business.  Such shows how little he knows about the issue. Or, perhaps he knows but is playing dumb.

Recall Trump’s Atlantic City debacle with the casinos. He has to understand.

There are 2 ways the airlines can save their asses. The first is to negotiate terms of credit with lenders outside of court. The other, and the one frequently used, is to seek Chapter XI Bankruptcy protection.

Either the way the planes keep flying.

Chapter XI does not contemplate “death.” Business goes on. Not all employees are fired. Assets are not sold off for scrap.

Between 2002 and 2011, Chapter XI was frequently used by airlines: American, Delta, Frontier, United, and US Airways.

A Chapter XI gives an airline breathing space. Old bills do not have to be paid while in the XI. Sometimes 2-3 years. They are renegotiated and generally paid off at a lesser amount.

Banks love to loan to Chapter XI companies.  The loans receive “high priority” for repayment.

Food does not seem to be a major issue. Yet! True, people are hoarding. That will stop as soon as their is no more room in their freezers and cupboards.

Store shelves are emptying rapidly. Might even be described as empty.

I am into my 12th day of self quarantine. My food is delivered. Primarily Publix and Walmart.

Great, if they have food.

Publix is running out. Those who call or otherwise communicate with me tell me so.

I am experiencing it with Publix deliveries. They have fewer and fewer items I want. Down to about 50 percent. I am required to cancel that portion of the order or take something else in its place. The something else is not what I want or generally eat.

Walmart has been terrific till this past week. I sat down ordered $200 plus of food yesterday. I’m hoarding! Most of the items I wanted were not in stock.

Fewer people are working. Families are without sufficient dollars. Who is manufacturing the food products? Will they be in good supply again and soon?

I question it.

When people are without monies to purchase food or food is in insufficient supply, things happen. Bad things.

I recall one of my Greece trips several years ago. During the time Greece was in deep shit financially. No work. Government assistance insufficient. Food stores closed because no food to put on shelves. Farmers stopped farming because they could not get paid what it cost them to grow their product.

I have written this story in the past. Families ate every other day. Including babies. Milk ran out. They ate their pets first. Then they raided the zoos, killed the animals and ran home with pieces of meat.

Cooked and ate anything that grew. Even grass. Then roots.

The Greeks expressed their unhappiness. They were downright pissed off!

I was in Athens. Athens has a famous top of the shelf street. Something like New York’s 5th Avenue. Ermous Street. Expensive goods for sale. Top of the line designer stores.

The people rioted. Destroyed the stores along the street. Some to get rid of their pain. Others to steal and sell in hope of finding something that was for sale at an exorbitant price.

Ermous looked like it had been bombed. Beggars overtook the street. Walking and sitting. Seeking money.

These were for real “beggars.” Not the homeless we see in the U.S. Painful to see. Mothers holding their babies out with one hand and the other out opened asking for money. Cripples sitting or lying on the street seeking money.

The worst was a man without arms or legs. His face badly scarred. His hair crazy. The only way I can describe it.

A bucket sitting in front of him. His friends had set him up somehow so he would not fall.

All this because people were not working, there was no money, there was no food.

It could happen here. We live in strange times. Things are moving fast.

I worry.

Enjoy your day!

No blog today. Sloan and I have been working since 7 am on updates, etc. we have to do. Still not done. So there will be no blog today.

Based on the Comments, we could all use a day off.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Slowly American society is being pushed into a quarantine situation. Considered by some to be necessary to protect against a continuing spread of coronavirus.

Most by law, edict or order. Some by personal decision.

I am one remaining in by choice. I refer to it as self quarantine. At 84 and having a few physical problems, I felt it better to do what I could to protect myself. Better safe than sorry!

There are those in history who have self quarantined for political reasons rather than medical. One where death was a possibility.

People are beginning to complain about having to remain at home. I don’t understand. Disease driven death confronting the world in the face at the moment.

Anne Frank suffered from a possible death consequence during World War II.

Place quarantine in proper perspective.

Anne Frank was a young girl who spent 761 days in an attic hiding from the Nazis in Germany during World War II. She and 6 others lived in 450 square feet.

They were required to remain still and quiet by day. Other people in the building. During the evening, they had to move quietly.

The key to their salvation was to remain quiet and undiscovered. Thereby, living. If caught, death inevitable.

Those who have visited the attic have a clear recollection of squeaky floorboards. The reason no one could move by day.

Our sequestrations will in no way be as mentally tortuous nor as long as Anne Frank’s was. Coronavirus should be well gone sometime in 2 years. We will then be out and about. Anne Frank never got the opportunity to be out and about. Once caught, all that faced her was a short trip to the gas chamber.

Complain not, my friends!

There are those who refuse to believe coronavirus is a real problem. The know it alls. Many Trump supporters. Persons who believe the whole thing is a hoax.

What percentage of the U.S. society? There are statistics, polls, etc. All over the place. Best I can determine, from 31 to 62 percent. Not very dependable numbers. Whatever, the figure is substantial.

These same persons refuse to follow the practical rules for fighting/thwarting the disease. Many will infect others.

May the doubters be the first to meet their Maker!

Trump went on a tirade at the Task Force public TV appearance yesterday. He defecated on NBC’s Peter Alexander for asking what Trump considered an improper question arising out of poor journalism.

The President came like a bolt out of the blue. Hit hard! Forgot his manners.

Edmund Burke said about manners: “Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe in.”

Donald ain’t got no manners!

Some coronavirus observations.

New York has closed down “non-essential” businesses. Liquor stores not listed as non-essential. Ergo, liquor stores considered “essential.” They will remain open.

The beach closing situation in Florida a shame. Mostly spring breakers on the beach. A good number of adults also, however.

It took a while for Florida to close the beaches. Reminded me of the movie Jaws. The town refused to close the beach for a “little” fish because the town merchants did not want to lose precious tourist dollars.

Poor Italy. Wow! The beating!

Six hundred twenty seven died yesterday. In 1 day.

The hospitals are overwhelmed. So far, 47,021 persons have been infected, 4,035 have died.

Congress is going back and forth re how to pay people who are out of work. Complex and timely ideas suggested.

The U.K. has the same problem. I consider Boris Johnson a nut. Similar in every respect to Trump.

However, Johnson has come up with way to pay employees that seems simple. Pay those employees unable to work 80 percent of their usual salary. To a maximum of $2,875 per month. Retain them on the payroll. Whether the employer is open for business or not.

The plan would provide payment for the first 30 days. Then to be looked at again.

Starbucks. In the U.S. and Canada.

Those company operated are closing their doors. Only drive through service will be available. Sixty percent of U.S. Starbucks are company operated.

Reusable cups will not be permitted.

In the event things continue going bad and employees have to remain home, Starbucks will pay their full salaries for 30 days.

It has become obvious after 3 years of Trump as President that he is expert in everything. He knows, he feels, he understands. The fact he is full of horse manure is immaterial.

His most recent exposure of brilliance involves support of 2 drugs that are unproven as a cure for coronavirus. The 2 are presently used in helping those with malaria. They are untested as to coronavirus.

Trump spoke as to the 2 drugs possibly being cures for the virus. He was all excited. Spouting false encouragement.

Dr. Fauci had to take the microphone. He said the drugs were only anecdotalevil. Till properly tested, not sure the drugs would be effective.

Dr. Trump v. Dr. Fauci. Who do you believe?

The stock market dropped another 800 points yesterday.

Moving on.

May Johnson appears to have been an attractive belle of the ball type back in 1896 in Key West. On this day, she and a Mrs. Rowen had a tour and lunch on the USS Amphritite which was in port. A row boat had to take them out to the vessel.

They were the sole guests of the Captain during the tour and lunch. The lunch consisted of fish and mutton chops.

At the end of her diary for the day, she described the day as GRAND! LOVELY!

Mark Twain was in Key West this day in 1902. He stopped on his way to Cuba.

I close with Key West’s beloved President Harry Truman.

The President left for Washington this day in 1951 after a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

The thought occurs. Truman was a President. Trump is not. If Donald were a reader of history, he might have learned some things from Washington, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Truman, Kennedy, and Reagan. Even Obama. However, Trump’s dislike for Obama is so great he is blinded as to the good Obama did. He continues to tear down Obama’s successes one at a time.

Enjoy your day!

If Trump had been President when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, Japan would have been settled in on the west coast in January.

As irresponsible a job as he is doing with the coronavirus crisis, many people love him. A poll on the internet this morning shows Trump’s favorability rating with regard to his handling of the crisis in excess of 50 percent. Up from somewhere in the 40’s last week.

Would you believe!

I cannot understand!

He gets “better” by the day. Written facetiously, of course. Yesterday he attacked the Governors. Who in my opinion are doing one hell of a job.

Natural disasters are the responsibility of the federal government. States alone cannot handle them. And coronavirus may be the greatest natural disaster to ever have confronted our country.

Trump continues to pass the buck. He always does. It is never his fault. Yesterday’s comment in response to State requests for helping with medical supplies an example: “We’re not a shipping clerk.”

Local health systems are overwhelmed. Life saving supplies in great demand and low supply. The federal government the only entity that can help. Critical medical equipment is needed. Otherwise the epidemic will be worse. Can’t say out of control since I already believe it is.

The President is leader, savior and everything else when it comes to protecting the country. Trump should be a George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He is not. With no chance for redemption which scares the hell out of me.

This is the day!

I wrote yesterday of Jared Kushner’s entrepreneurial scheme with his brother Joshua, Joshua’s corporation Oscar, and Joshua’s father in law Dr. Kloss. Private drive through testing sites. For profit. Jared and family profit.

Jared said such would begin today at selected sites. Will it happen? Or will “the happening” be consistent with those of his father in law the President?

The Trump Presidency failed to prepare for the virus. True, he could not have know it would occur when first he took office. However, he failed to prepare for the inevitable. Within 2 yeas he cut back all federal budgets that would have been concerned with the problem. Also because of the budget cuts, experienced medical staff whose specialties were epidemics were let go.

No problem, Donald. Understood. You needed money for the wall.

I am not referring to a vaccine. I refer to the basics that we are now in short supply of. Swabs, testing solutions, test kits, N95 face masks, and ventilators.

The lack of sufficient ventilators strikingly exhibits what is to come. A Sophie’s Choice situation. Due to an insufficient number of ventilators, doctors will have to decide who will live or die.

Where are the testing kits? Weeks now. This was supposed to be a 4 million kit week.

Many, most, I don’t know…..However, it appears the government is unaware of what it has or certain departments are prohibited from releasing such information.

The need for ventilators and respirators is critical. In 2-3 weeks, the tipping point may be reached.

It was announced yesterday, the Pentagon has respirators and ventilators. It is making 5 million respirators and 2,000 ventilators available.

What else is there? Has to be some and more of everything. Seek and ye shall find!

The third piece of critical legislation was passed by the Senate yesterday. The biggest part. Initially thought would be $1 trillion. We are now told it will be closer to $2 trillion.

The Republican Senate passed it without consultation with the Democratic House. It now sits with the House for consideration.

This is the bill that will pay each person $1,200 twice and $500 per child twice. Then, no more.

This bill will also bailout the big corporations with billions of dollars. Small businesses will be given loans that will be forgivable (means maybe not have to be paid back).

I do not like the whole thing.

I favor giving working persons money. Someone has to pay their everyday bills, put food on the table, etc. Two payments will not be enough. The virus problem will be with us for at least several months more.

It is the big corporations I have a problem with. Those we bailed out following 2008 did not use the money to help workers. The corporate hierarchy and the business itself used the money to personally benefit the big officers and shareholders.

It has to be different this time around!

Perhaps not even provide the big corporations with a bailout. The Bankruptcy Law has built in safeguards where the businesses can reopen and not have to pay creditors for a number of years.

I believe the working force has to be kept alive and vital. When the dust settles and work is available, they can easily do so. Not having significantly suffered during the down turn.

Small businesses another story. They have to be helped. Not sure how at this point.

I finally heard from Anna!

She is alive and well. Confined to her home 24 hours a day. All of Italy is.

Anna has a large elegant apartment. Ten thousand square feet, 2 floors. For real. As a result of the crisis, she has taken one huge room and turned it into a gymnasium. At 83, she is still concerned with her figure. She admonished me not to get fat.

Anna wrote that no one is permitted on the streets with 3 exceptions. A statement from a government agency permitting the person to be out and about to go to work, buy groceries and go to the pharmacy.

Police vigilant. Everyone watched. Failure to have such a letter and being on the task identified results in automatic arrest. Anna says no sympathy or excuse. Jail 30 to 90 days. The law is being strictly enforced.

The numbers indicate that the virus will have a greater impact on Italy than it is having on China. More sick, more dead.

The bodies of the dead have become a problem. Forget the cemeteries. No room. Crematoriums in many cities are overwhelmed.

Army trucks are being used to transport the bodies to other cities to be cremated. Large convoys of trucks.

An example is Bergamo in northern Italy. Military trucks operating daily transporting bodies to several other cities.

Morgues are collapsing.

The obituary page clearly spells out the volume of dead persons. Obituaries taking up 10 pages. An average of 150 obituaries each day.

A 95 year old woman advised the number of dead was far worse than during World War II.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson not fully recovered. Out of the hospital and isolation. As far as it goes for the moment. They are now self quarantined.

Tom’s sister reported, they are “not great, but still ok.”

Tom says energy a problem: “Folding the laundry and doing the dishes leads to a nap on the couch.” Tom further reports the headaches are gone. However, the “blahs” continue.

The lights are out on Duval. Like Paris during World War II. Few people on the street day or night.

I have not seen it yet. I am into my 9th day of self-quarantine. Those that have describe the feeling as “eeri.”

I hope to drive down to Duval over the weekend to take a look. Remain in my car all the time. I am beginning to develop a need to get away from the house a bit.

Key West is the southernmost point in the U.S. Only one way in and out is U.S. 1. One hundred twenty miles.

Only one coronavirus case so far. Died. Announced yesterday. A visitor from another country. Assumed the virus was brought in with him.

The Monroe County Commission has voted to basically close the Keys to visitors beginning 6 pm sunday. At that time, all hotels and lodging facilities will be closed to everyone.

The exception will be monthly and multi-month rentals. Those persons will be permitted to stay.

Closing down the hotels, etc., provides an excellent opportunity to solve a soon to be coronavirus problem. A shortage of hospital beds.

California closed down hotels and motels a couple of weeks ago. Governor Newsom’s order provided the closed facilities could be used as hospitals. California has already begun doing so.

The Keys should do it. All of Florida, if necessary. We only have 2-3 hospitals in all the Keys.

This Navy hospital ship idea Trump has come up with does not provide immediate help. He wants one off the coast of California and the other New York. It has been reported it will take at least one month for the vessels to arrive.

I called a friend this morning to see how things were going. I was not aware the museums had been shut down. I caught him at the Unemployment Office. He was doing the necessary paper work.

No Hemingway House or Little White House for a while.

May Johnson. Key West’s 1896 19 year old school teacher. Her diary for this date found in bold letters at the end: NO LETTER DISAPPOINTED.

Miguel out of town?

Enjoy your day!

No question. Coronavirus moves at warp speed. Its cures lag behind. The drive for corrective measures create hints of and in some instances actual improprieties. There are those who seek gain from the suffering of others.

Want to be tested. Need a test like yesterday. Forget it. They are not available in sufficient numbers.

Yet persons of influence/wealth can be tested quickly in some instances.

A disgusting episode has come to  light in the past 24 hours. Involves professional basketball players.

The game that led to the NBA canceling the balance of its season occurred last week. The Utah Jazz involved. Its center Rudy Gobert had been tested. The result positive. While the game that evening was ongoing, it was stopped. Followed by total cancellation of the season the next day by the NBA.

Within a day or two, the entire team was tested. How many players on a pro basketball team? Ten, twelve, fifteen? Whatever, 58 “employees” of the team were tested.

Sounds fishy to me. Reeks of preferential treatment. I can see lay help, spouses and families in the testing mix.

The mass testing was kept quiet. Until yesterday.

At a Task Force briefing, the President was asked if non-symptomatic professional athletes were getting preferential treatment. Were the well connected going to the front of the line?

The President answered he did not know. Such things do happen in life. Some people do go to the front of the line.

Makes me wonder. who else is receiving preferential treatment? Regardless of what the President has said, he and his family? His children and their families? How about Congresspersons? Certain Senators and Congresspersons?

People have a right to know. Lets find out. Each should be media checked to determine if any have been moved to the front of the line. There are records. Everything is computerized. A few buttons pushed and voila answers.

The cry will go up it is against the law to reveal medical records. Not in  a crisis situation such as coronavirus. Everything should be open and subject to inspection.

It pisses me off that where life and death are involved, some can take advantage and get preferential treatment while others die.

The Trump family seems to always look for a way to make a buck. Using Dad’s position to acquire businesses. Businesses that Dad will benefit from when he is no longer President.

Jared Kushner seems to be involved in everything.

Testing for the virus an obvious problem. There has to be a better way. Kushner seeking it. Improperly, with conflict of interest hitting him squarely in the face.

The revelation of NBA players receiving preferential treatment is a mere 24 hours old. So too is the information regarding Jared.

Jared has formed what is described as a “shadow task force.” It operates out of the White House in a room above the Oval Office.

Jared and “his people” got serious about getting involved in the testing problem a week ago wednesday.

Jared’s task force people are different from the President’s Task Force people.

Jared believes private enterprise is capable of succeeding where the public sector cannot. His thought appears to have his group come up with a workable plan for drive by testing and certain medial products relevant to the virus. A privately owned corporation.

The corporation appears to be Oscar. Jared’s younger brother Joshua is principal of Oscar. Also involved is a Dr. Kloss. Kloss is Joshua’s father in law and an emergency room doctor.

It has been reported that Jared’s group is “causing confusion.” Some Task Force members do not even know the people on Jared’s task force.

Jared claims his “entrepreneurial approach” will be up and operating in select cities by friday. Friday is tomorrow.

Conflict of interest and personal gain do not appear to be of concern to Jared.

In January, German scientists developed what turned out to be a valid and quick test. The WHO thought it was. They offered it to everyone. No problem in delivery. The test became swiftly available and test results obtained without delay.

Sixty countries accepted WHO’s offer. The U.S. did not.

The U.S. has said recently WHO’s test results were not dependable, etc. The C.D.C. would come up with its own.

We are still waiting. This again is supposedly the week.

In the meantime, the test has proven reliable where used in Asia and Europe.

Trump and Republican figures have a disdain for international organizations, alliances of any kind, and foreigners in general. Results in help from overseas are considered more terrifying in many minds than viruses from overseas.

When Trump became President, he had holdings in V. F. Corp. and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The companies are involved in testing.

Did Trump dispose of his stock at any time? No one knows. It’s like his tax returns. Can’t tell unless you can see them and Trump refuses to provide them.

Testing for the virus has been a failure from day one. Has personal interest caused the problem?

Three situations having the appearance of impropriety. Sort of like if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck,  it has to be a duck.

Enjoy your day!

As of 5 pm yesterday, all bars, night clubs, and restaurants in Key West were ordered closed.

Party time ended swiftly. On St. Patrick’s Day no less.

What was will return when the virus passes. The world will come alive again. In the meantime, we all have to be careful. Better safe than sorry.

The Governor closed all bars and nightclubs state wide. Restaurants will be permitted to remain open. No alcohol to be served. Restaurants must only operate at 50 percent capacity. People must be seated with a 6 foot separation.

A stupid move on the Governor’s part. Shut it all down! The idea is to keep people home and not out and about. Might not be a problem in the end. People will be out of work and have no money to spend. Even with government assistance money will be in short supply.

Information is generally swift on TV and the internet. So much going on that not everything is shared.

The Key West Citizen is useless. They only publish every other day. For more than a year now. Finances.

The best place for local news is KONK Life. I refer specifically to the KONK Life E-Blast which appears every day on the internet. Subscribe to it. It’s free.

Guy de Boer does a wonderful job!

Sometimes, I see what others do not.

I predicted sunday that the House bill would not be acted upon by the Republican Senate monday. Here it is wednesday and it still has not been acted upon.

The true problem is the Republicans want to favor corporate interests above those of the working class. The Republicans want to really make the working class second class citizens this time.

Another prediction. Better phrased as a concern.

I reported 4 weeks ago when all this started that ammunition sales had increased 400 percent in one week. This weekend it was reported that gun sales have surged.

Why? My sense is people are concerned about themselves and their families first. Properly so. They trust not the government. Blame Trump.

With everything closing down, they fear what may come. Food scarcity, thievery, etc. It will be each man for himself.

Don’t say no. An inevitability in the making.

A coronavirus update, some observations.

A world wide report. As of yesterday, the virus had doubled world wide in 2 weeks. Now more than 200,000 cases. Deaths reported at more than 8,000.

Some Republicans still do not believe coronavirus a significant danger. No big deal. They consider it a media generated frenzy.

Wait till they or a member of their family get sick. Even worse, die.

McConnell is the perfect two-face. His duplicity exceeds Trump’s.

The House bill from friday still has not been voted on by the Senate. The bill provides protections for the working class.

McConnell failed to keep the Senate in session friday night. He let them go home till 5:30 monday. Mnchin and Trump had approved the bill friday night. Over the weekend, certain Senate Republicans, the President, and McConnell came out of the woodwork saying more had to be done with the bill. A bill the nation is “desperate” for.

Nothing happened monday. Yesterday at noon, McConnell said many changes were required. By 5 pm, he was telling his dissident Republicans to “gag” and pass the bill, there were other bills ahead they could work to achieve the benefits they sought. Like more for corporate America and less for the working man.

Will the Senate pass the bill today? The one we felt confident would be passed monday night. Or, more bullshit?

Blame for the condition the U.S. is in is being placed at the feet of Trump. He waited too long. Too long to acknowledge the problem, too long to act.

I have mentioned more than once in recent days Italy’s move in staying all mortgage payments. One way way to help people get ahead of the crisis.

I suggested it should be done here. Even going one step further. All tenant rent payments should be stayed. Renters need help also. If the landlord does not have to make a mortgage payment, the tenant should not be required to pay the landlord.

It will all balance out in the end. The banks will survive. They always do. The government right now is dumping trillions into their pockets and want to provide more.

Give the working class a break!

Which now brings me to the U.K. My thought re not having tenants pay rent for a while is being pushed in Britain. Johnson wants rent payments to be stayed.

The matter is under serious discussion. All facets being reviewed. No mention of Italy’s suspending mortgage payment plan yet. I suspect the U.K. might adopt both parts of the plan.

At 10 this morning, the stock market was down 850 points. Another 1,000 day drop in the making? God forbid, 2,000!

The market is no different than the people. Each can take a beating only so long.

Note, it is only beginning. The worse is yet to come.

The hotel industry is getting hit big time. The Trump family may lose a dollar or two.

The occupancy rate in New York City dropped to 74 percent following 9/11. Dropped to 79 percent following the Lehman Brothers collapse in 2009. This past week found some New York City hotels with occupancy running 5 percent.

The writing is on the wall. Major hotel chains see it. They are furloughing employees by the tens of thousands. Many are closing on a scale en masse.

Italy keeps moving ahead. PornHub is providing free porn to Italians. Something to do/watch while at home.

Kentucky Fried Chicken has suspended its “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan.

Enjoy your day!

How?

So much news out there. Especially re coronavirus. Makes it impossible to organize. So it is another Morning Stew day. I go as far as my notes will take me.

A problem. I am into my sixth day of self-quarantine. Isolation. Spend a lot of time on my cell phone and computer.

Since yesterday both are moving slow. Takes forever to go from one thing to another on the computer.

A few weeks ago, I began a podcast on Facebook. A day time thing. Several minutes, one issue. I rant and rave.

Do the show off my cell phone. The last step is “connect.” Not connecting. I have been unable to do the podcast for 3 days.

Means a visit to Verizon. Do not want to leave the house. I am Pruell equipped. N95 masks and gloves not yet received. Expect delivery this week. When received, I will be off to Verizon to correct the cell phone problem. Face mask, gloves, and all.

In the meantime, my What Bugs Me Today podcast will be off the air.

I am having my groceries delivered from Publix. Second delivery yesterday.

I enjoy salmon. Never would buy it in a store to prepare at home. Always enjoyed it out. Stuck now. So I had 4 filets delivered. Looked up on the computer various ways to prepare. Followed the frying instructions. A little olive oil, salt and pepper. Voila! Chef Louis did it!

Delicious!

I may learn some things during my home confinement.

I will be doing Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9 my time. A quick half hour. Definitely ranting and raving! Coronavirus provides the opportunity. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Key West is a prime real estate town. Many buying and renting.

The coronavirus is affecting the manner of selling/renting. The virus has affected the way 1 in 4 properties are sold or rented nationally.

Open houses have been stopped. Potential buyers or renters are required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. They must also remove shoes or wear footsies.

The percentage of change is higher in Washington and California. Washington 47 percent and California 34 percent.

It will become modus operandi for Key West in short order.

The world is slowing down. The U.S. included. With all the closings and everything else happening, America is at a standstill.

China hit the worse. Millions of Chinese affected by the virus.

In every picture I saw of China, the people were wearing masks. The reports were the Chinese people were also being tested.

I appreciate the Chinese can make anything and swiftly. However the numbers affected were overwhelming in China.

Now comes Jack Ma. He is China’s richest man. He announced friday he was shipping 1 million masks and 500,000 testing kits to the U.S. They were ready to fly out of Shanghai friday.

He did not say where or to whom the masks and kits were going.

Ma previously pledged $14.5 million towards development of a vaccine.

Italy is in total lock down. The number afflicted and death toll continues to rise.

I still cannot find Anna.

Death has become additionally sad for family and friends of a deceased.

Mourners face death alone. Mourners grieve in isolation. No traditional funeral services. Gatherings of any kind prohibited and funerals fall into the situation.

An 85 year old man died last week. His 70 year old wife of 50 years wanted to give him a traditional funeral service. Church and cemetery.

She was refused. Traditional funeral services are illegal throughout Italy. They are part of Italy’s “national restrictions against gatherings.”

Italy is thinking outside the box re its problems. What is the saying…..Necessity becomes the mother of invention.

Businesses are closed. People not working. In effect, the nation is in total lock down.

Italy has suspended all mortgage payments.

A terrific idea! Banks normally get helped out first. Not by this procedure. The banks are best able to handle the no pay problem for a while.

Something for the U.S. to consider.

I would go a step further. If a landlord does not have to make a mortgage payment, a tenant should not have to pay rent. The landlord not hurt because he is not obligated to pay the bank. Unjust enrichment not right.

Another beauty aspect of this arrangement is that there will be less reason to bail banks out with American tax dollars.

The stock market closed 3,000 points down friday. Wow!

Not so bad this morning. It is 10 am and the market is only down 10 points today.

My blog sunday was “I Am Concerned.”

The House had passed an emergency aid bill friday night. Mnuchin acting on behalf of the President approved. The President later said he was ok with it.

What remained was for the Republican Senate to approve the bill. The indication again was the President was with it. Repetition for purpose of being clear on the President’s support.

The Republicans went home friday knowing the bill would be coming to them that evening. Which meant this “emergency” measure would have to wait till monday for a vote.

I wrote of my concern. Trump would change his mind on some things. Certain Republican members also.

The unexpected came from left field first. Rep. Louie Gohmert is a Texas Republican. A die hard Trump supporter. A far right winger. Every time I have seen him on TV, I thought the guy was a nut.

Some “minor technical changes” were made by the House over the weekend. Why, I do not know. The way these things are normally handled is for any technical problems to be corrected as an add on in a subsequent bill of any kind.

Gohmert suddenly became holier than thou. He said he could not vote to approve the bill without going over the “minor technical changes.”.

Monday morning, he did. Said everything was ok. Note that under House rules, one member can hold up a bill as Gohmert did.

The emergency bill still awaits passage. I doubt this very important bill will pass the Senate today. The word is it will go before the Senate in 3-4 days.

Trump said he has some changes he wants to make. Event though he said friday night everything was ok.

I had reason to be concerned. My gut was correct. Neither Trump, McConnell or the Republican Senate are to be trusted.

Key West announced over the weekend the closing of 3 landmarks. Smathers Beach, Southernmost Point buoy, and Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.

Corporate McDonald’s announced it was closing all seating and play areas in its facilities. Franchise owners are not part of the arrangement. Corporate McDonald’s believes they will follow corporate’s move in this regard.

Key West Regal Cinema is closed till further notice beginning today.

Trump not looking favorably on his son in law Jared Kushner these days. Bad advice re how to handle the coronavisus crisis.

Especially, the Oval Office speech a week ago.

The word emanating from the White House is Trump “is pissed at Jared.”

Jared convinced the President to treat coronavirus as a PR problem, rather than a national emergency.

Trump’s attitude change was evident in his coronavirus update yesterday. He now views the problem as a national emergency.

New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is at the forefront of the virus fight in New York. Trump should follow his lead. Cuomo is being active rather than reacting.

He and Trump are at a cross roads. Not agreeing on one of the things that should be done.

Cuomo wants the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be used to build hospitals to handle the gigantic flow of patients expected. As early as 2 weeks from now, the word is hospitals will be overwhelmed.

The Corps is trained to erect hospitals and to do so immediately.

No one knows why Trump opposes the idea. Could be because it was not his originally.

Bailouts being discussed already. Typical of the way bailouts have been approached in the past.

I do not approve.

The bailouts are being directed at the corporations/big guys rather than the people. Similar to 2008. The banks were bailed out and millions of Americans lost their homes.

The airlines and hotels are already crying for bailout relief. Both can wait. Provisions of the Bankruptcy Law will keep them operable till they can resolve their financial problems.

A hotel industry bailout! Absolutely no way! The Trump family are in the hotel business. They will gouge the program every which way.

This time Main Street should be taken care of. Not the airline and hotel industries.

America’s most favored movie couple have been released from the hospital. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were discharged yesterday They are now in self quarantine at a private home in Australia.

Enjoy your day!

Wow! Another day with a ton of things to discuss. Too many. Coronavirus is overwhelming even blog reporting.

Here we go! As the material shows up in my notes. No specific order.

Biden/Trump debate last night. Biden decidedly the winner.

I felt sorry for Sanders. He looked beat up, tired. Hunched over more than usual. Slouched even more as the evening went on.

He was tired. It showed. Tired so much that some of his comments made no sense.

I feared on occasion he was going to pass out.

If tomorrow is decidedly for Biden, Sanders should walk away. His time came and passed. No disrespect intended.

I sometimes think the media gives up when it comes to Trump.

Early last week at one of his Rose Gardens coronavirus updates, Trump or one of his “experts” said we would have 1.4 million tests available by sunday night.

Sunday night came and went with no testing units. The new word was 1.9 million would be available in 3-4 days.

This is the same bullshit we have been getting for 4 weeks. The only difference the number of tests units that would be available.

No one has called Trump on this.

Notice I did not use the word “kits.” The reason is each kit is capable of providing 5-7 tests.

Trump and his people never mention this distinction either.

Ventilators. We are told not enough. A real problem. Doctors will be deciding who will live or die. Not everyone will have one if needed.

We know the need is coming and will be dramatic! Plan for it! Require those plants that make them to work extra hours and extra shifts. Discover immediately a quicker method to produce them.

It can be done. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Rick Pitino will be leaving his coaching duties in Greece at the end of the season. He will become coach at Iona.

Amazing! Iona is one of the smallest colleges in the nation. When I attended Manhattan College in New York City, Iona was north of the campus either in the City or Yonkers.

Pitino is one of the greatest basketball coaches ever. He has had a checkered career. Like inducing recruits with prostitutes while at Louisville.

Yeas ago, he took over coaching duties at little Providence. In 2 years, he brought the team to the Final Four.

Pitino and Boeheim are close. Interestingly, Providence lost to Syracuse in the 1987 Final Four semi-finals.

Pitino is a horseman. Buys and races horses. I know him through Saratoga and his basketball coaching days. A New York Broadway type. A good guy, with a few shortcomings.

He will make a great coach at Iona. Don’t be surprised if Iona becomes a major college basketball team within 5 years.

Sunday afternoon, Key West’s Mayor declared a State of Local Emergency. As did the Mayor of Monroe County, also.

No coronavirus cases have been discovered yet in Key West or the County. Does not mean they are not here. Test kits a rare commodity. Next to none.

Key West is a tourist town. Its business tourism. Cruise ships, hotels, bars, restaurants, and beaches.

The cruise ship lines self closed for 30 days. Key West is burgeoning with tourists who drove or flew in. Spring break time on top of the usual tourist load.

Key West bars, small and large alike, packed day and night this time of the year. As are the beaches and restaurants.

New York City a tourist town. Closed Broadway last week. This past weekend closed all bars and restaurants. I would not be surprised to see it happen in Key West in the near future.

I feel sorry for the bar and restaurant workers who bust their asses accommodating tourists. They will be out of work. No way around it, however.

If the coronavirus crisis is not effectively dealt with, the situation will become as it was in 1918 with the world wide Spanish Flu Epidemic. Many will die. Key West will be a ghost town for several years. There will be no jobs then, also.

Better we deal with the problem up front. Not the way Trump is doing it.

Trump announced he had the coronavirus test and passed. Negative for the virus.

He may be. I don’t know. I would not believe him and his cohorts around him on  a stack of bibles.

Recall when Obama was early on running for the Presidency. Trump insisted Obama was not a citizen. Insisted Obama provide a birth certificate. Obama provided a copy. Trump insisted on the original

The same thing should occur here. Trump should be required by the media and his Democratic opposition to provide his negative virus report. The original, of course.

My primary care physician is Dr. Jack Norris. He also serves as Chief of Staff for the Lower Keys Medical Center. He reported yesterday that so far no confirmed cases had been reported in Key West or the Keys. He pointed out however there were few testing kits available.

Dr. Norris also reported that the hospital has been advised it will receive 5 new test kits. Sounds like the toilet paper shortage.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman. On this day in 1950, Truman arrived in Key West for a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

The stock market is anticipated to open on the down side again. One thousand two hundred points. The down slide was predicted to continue throughout the day. This could be another 2,000 point day. At the best, a mere 1,000.

Whatever, our financial situation is not getting any better.

Italy has 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Three hundred sixty dead.

One reason Italy’s numbers are so bad is that Italy did not “get ready” for the virus till later. Much like the U.S. Some medical experts believe the U.S. path will be similar to Italy’s because of our failure to recognize and move swiftly re the problem.

Thank you, Donald!

Trump is a mental freak. My apologies, however he is. He has a compatriot. British Prime Minister Johnson. Friends who are birds of a feather.

Trump has a tendency to listen to world leaders who he admires. All persons of danger in one fashion or another.

The U.K. is afflicted with the coronavirus problem.

Johnson recognizes the elderly are the most vulnerable. He is thinking of putting all over 70 in camps. He claims to better care for them. His real reason to protect the younger. They have a better chance of surviving and their care costs little in comparison to the elderly.

Many in Britain are opposed. His idea is considered a “wartime attack” on the elderly. Culling the expendables. Fascism.

Do I believe Trump might consider or even try such. Absolutely! Anyone who would snatch babies for mothers’ arms and treat children at the border as he has would.

Of course, Donald is well over 70. He might have to set the age at 80 in the U.S.

In the past 2 weeks, I have written and talked about a run on the banks. Could happen. Will happen if economy keeps going kaput.

Many have discussed this personally with me. Most angrily…..Take my money? No way!

I share with you what occurred at 2 New York City banks. One on thursday, the other friday.

The market dropped 2,300 points thursday. Bank of America has a branch in midtown Manhattan. In the heart of the financial district.

People lined up to take cash out of their accounts. Some tens of thousands of dollars. All wanted cash.

The Bank was able to meet the demand. It ran out of $100 bills and had to pay out in smaller denominations as the day wore on.

JP Morgan Chase has a branch across the street. On friday, it had the same experience Bank of America had the day before.

Most people are hoarding groceries. Depositors are stockpiling their cash.

The worry factor is developing.

Note both banks had sufficient funds each day.

No Dueling Bartenders and Antonia’s tonight. I am in self-imposed isolation.

Enjoy your day!

I am concerned. Not about coronavirus directly. Rather whether the Republican Senate will do the right thing tomorrow night when it votes on the Emergency Relief Aid package the House passed Friday night.

I trust neither Trump nor McConnell.

Notice Trump stayed out of any direct negation with Pelosi. He worked through Mnuchin. I am confident Mnuchin communicated with Trump along the way. I do not trust Mnuchin either, however.

My gut tells me there will not be a Senate vote Monday night. Certain Republicans will find fault with certain portions.

Also, if the Republicans considered the vote important (as it definitely was), they would have remained in Washington Friday night to vote.

I fear it is part of a game plan involving Trump and the Republican Senate. By keeping himself out of direct negotiations, Trump can claim he is lily white. He agreed to what the House passed through Mnuchin. His claim will be he cannot control everyone. The Republicans bucking the bill did what they did on their own.

I hope I am wrong. We need the emergency aid like yesterday.

Why are people hoarding bottled water? Little mention of the hoarding. I caught a brief few seconds about it on one of the news shows last night. Something about the virus could end up contaminating the water supply.

If so, the American people should be clearly told. Amazing how little is shared with us.

At one of the Rose Garden “shows” last week, my recollection is we were told testing for 1 million would be available by Sunday evening.

If my recollection is correct, the White House has remained silent since that announcement.

Today is Sunday.

It would be horrible if the government failed to meet its most recent deadline.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson remain in quarantine in Australia.

An interesting couple. They are communicating their present existence. Turns out Rita has a huge sense of humor.

Two days ago she said she only “wanted Corona from Mexico in the future and then only to drink!” Yesterday, she came up with “Quarantunes.” Songs she put together that reflect an isolation existence. Thirty two of them. Like All By Myself, I’m So Tired, and Survivor.

Interestingly, Tom and Rita have been married 31 years. Obviously a good marriage, especially for Hollywood.

When ebola was the international health scare in 2014, ministers on the religious right blamed Obama because God was unhappy with the way he was treating Israel.

Now comes coronavirus. The same minsters are telling us to worry not. It will pass. God will not punish us. The reason being Trump’s position on Israel and abortions.

Politics and religion should never be joined.

Dr. Fauci said yesterday that as many as 1.7 Americans possibly could die because of the virus. He added however that such was “unlikely.”

Tino back!

Tino e-mailed me. Movie and TV productions in Chicago where he lives and play acts are shut down till further notice. Coronavirus responsible. So his pics will be few, if any, for a while.

Tino sent me a photo from a show he did earlier in the year. It is from the Amazon PRIME TV series Fargo. A hoodlum/mafiosi series.

The photo has 5 men sitting around a table. The time the 1930’s. They are Chicago gangsters planning the overthrow of a group of Kansas City mobsters.

The 5 around the table are playing Italians. Tino is of Mexican origin. Four the the 5 are of Mexican origin.

Key West is beginning to lose cruise line business. It is anticipated to increase. Many cruise lines have suspended operations for the next 30 days.

Publix is reacting to the virus by cutting hours. Two hours a day. Will close at 8 in the evening. The reason advised is to give employees time to restock produce and sanitize shelves.

I joined the Publix home delivery service a month ago. Shopped in store yesterday. Forgot to get several items.

Since I have opted to go into some form of quarantine, I used the service this morning. Delivery expected between 1-2. Will let you know how it worked.

My “form of quarantine” is motivated by my age 84 and various maladies I have. Better safe than sorry. Not sure how stringent “my quarantine” will be. I see it as a day to day thing.

Hispanics have become a large voting block in the U.S. Most are Catholics. Hispanics make up 40 percent of all U.S. Catholics.

If the Democrats wish to win elections in years to come, the party better begin working to change the Republican Hispanics to Democrats.

One more political bit. The Biden/Sanders Democratic Primary Debate is this evening. No audience. The debate will take place in a studio. The candidates going at it face to face.

Sponsored by CNN. Eight this evening.

Enjoy your Sunday!