Coronavirus has changed the way w live in many respects. And will continue to do so. Some changes will be permanent, others temporary.

The Democratic Convention opened last night. The new way. No thousands of people cloistered close hooting and hollering. Instead the new rules for living in a Covid-19 society applied.

I enjoyed most parts.

The opening left me proud and happy. I was an American experiencing an important American event. The children dressed in red, white and blue singing the National anthem moving. They were the emotional highlight of the Convention’s first 45 minutes.

I enjoyed listening to John Kasich. Former Republican Governor of Ohio.

Kasich has what it take to govern. The old way, the right way. I admired his career in Congress. Followed his actions closely.

A good man.

He crossed over and spoke at the Democratic Convention. Spoke loudly what he thought of Trump. He is not a new comer to the anti Trump group. Even before Trump was elected, he was against him. He saw the evil and without fear spoke out.

He is Republican fodder for the Republican nomination some year in the future.

Kasich’s words right on: “America is at a crossroads.”

Michelle Obama the best of the best. History will remember her. An exceptional first lady, an exceptional person.

Not afraid to speak ill of Trump. Not really ill. She spoke truth. The man is evil.

One of her comments stayed with me: “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do this job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment.”

The most emotional words came from Kristin Urquiza. She spoke of her Dad who died from coronavirus.

Her father had been a staunch supporter of Trump. Her words powerful: “His only preexisting condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that he paid with his life.”

New Zealand’s President is a woman. Scares the hell out of Trump as most women do.

She and Trump have had words in the past. Trump is attacking her again.

Why? New Zealand’s success in dealing with coronavirus.

New Zealand followed the rules and appeared to have defeated the virus entirely. More than 100 days past and no new cases. Then suddenly last week 4 in one day in Auckland. In a family.

Today, the number has risen to 7.

New Zealand does not want to go back where it was when the virus had overtaken everything.

The first step last week was to close everything down, work from home, wear masks, etc. Yesterday, it was announced a new plan was also under consideration. Managed quarantine facilities. Stated simply, quarantine camps. Infected, in you go. Not just the infected person, the entire family.

Such it is believed would prevent spread and eliminate the virus quicker.

Some New Zealanders are not happy with the plan. Referred to their home country as a “police state” if such occurs.

How bad can it be? Full medical staff will be available. Care will be the same as in a hospital. One added benefit, if infected badly and death imminent, the infected person’s family will be at bedside.

I appreciate it is easy for me to talk. I am here and neither sick nor in one of New Zealand’s quarantine camps.

One thing is certain, however. The plan should dramatically help in keeping the spread of the virus down.

Send the kids back to school?

A real issue. A hot one.

My observation involves a university. The University of North Carolina. Student body 30,000.

Opened last week with in person classes. Lasted one week. Closed. Back to viral learning.

In the one week time frame, the coronavirus rate increased to 13.6 percent from 2.8 percent at the beginning of the week.

What will be the numbers when children return to school?

I believe bad. Perhaps more than North Carolina’s percentage wise. Trump will then have screwed up again. He is a master at it.

The opposite of Obamacare? Trumpdontcare.

Trump’s most recent cry is that he is trying to save the Post Office which is sick. His words nothing less than an attempt to save his ass!

Today is Primary Day in Florida. A local election day.

In addition to primaries, people vote for local officials, budget items, and special issues.

I voted 2 weeks ago by mail in ballot. The type of mail ballot Trump claims is ok.

I hope so.

Tiger Wood’s son Charlie is now 11 years old.

A golfer already!

Two sayings come to mind. “Like father, like son.” And, “The apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Charlie played in a tournament in Palm City, Florida this past weekend. He participated in the 11 year old category.

He won.

The kids played 9 holes. Charlie shot a 33. Three shots under par. Knocked in 3 birdies.

Tiger intermittently caddied for his son along the way.

Competition tough. Second place finisher shot a 38, only 5 strokes behind.

Ah, tuesday night! Tuesday Talk With Key West Lou.

So much to rant and rave about.

Join me. Nine my time. A quick half hour. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Saturday’s blog Let Them Eat Cake discussed food shortages on the horizon for the America of today. What is occurring and what could occur.

On August 18, 2016, I published a blog titled VENEZUELA. The blog spoke in no uncertain terms of the food shortages impacting Venezuela at the time. They still exist.

Everything is cause and effect. It is the “effect” I am concerned with in today’s blog. I want Americans to be aware of what could happen if present food shortages continue and become greater.

Don’t say what happened in Venezuela could never happen here. Did you ever think American border personnel would rip babies from the arms of mothers as was done at our southwest border a couple of years ago?

Anything is possible, especially under a Trump regime.

The Venezuela blog is set forth in its entirety.

VENEZUELA

Venezuela was once one of the world’s richest countries. Its oil reserves the third largest in the world.

By the mid 2000s, everyone was eating. Average consumption 2,790 calories a day. Thanks to Hugo Chavez. Venezuela’s President from 1999 to 2013.

Chavez was a SOCIALIST among socialists. He wanted everything for the people. With the people making minimal contribution to paying for things. The government would pay.

Oil was big. Chavez smarter than the oil companies. He nationalized the oil companies and other foreign industries. With the stroke of a pen. All profits then went to the Venezuelan people.

Chavez’s goal was to expand access to food, housing, health care, and education. He initially succeeded in all areas.

Eventually however, Chavez’s extreme socialism began to falter. A society cannot be the end all to all. Especially when few contribute in any significant degree to their own support.

Oil revenues fell. The high oil profits of 2003-2007 became a thing of the past. It was oil profits that sustained Chavez’s socialistic society.

Food a perfect example. Chavez fed everyone. Till the ceiling caved in.

Chavez had the price of all food stuffs set with a ceiling. The people paid no more. The government picked up the tab for the rest. The rest equating to significantly more than the people could directly pay.

Literally, everyone got fat.

Most of the food was not grown in Venezuela by Venezuelan farmers. It was imported. The oil profits were more than sufficient to pay the cost.

When things started getting bad, Chavez got sick. The two not related. The last four years of his life Chavez was fighting to save his life and Venezuela’s at the same time.

He failed.

Chavez died in 2013 from a massive heart attack and advanced colon cancer. Venezuela had become corrupt. He had opposition. There are those who believe Chavez was murdered.

Nicolas Maduro became President. Inept and incompetent from day one. A puppet of the military. The generals wanted to rule Venezuela. From 2013-2016, they succeeded. Today, the generals run everything. They hold all cabinet posts. They hold Maduro in their hands. He dances to their tune.

The government is corrupt. The generals are eating, economically and food wise. They want for nothing. As does the puppet Maduro. And a handful of high level civilians.

At the same time, the people starve.

The first inkling of a problem came in 2013. Maduro had been President less than a year. Venezuela ran out of toilet paper. Once a person is without, the realization hits home that toilet paper is a necessity of life.

There is still a shortage of toilet paper.

Store shelves had less and less food. Eventually no food. People waiting in lines for hours. When finally in the store, nothing remained for sale.

In 2014, food shortages hit 28 percent. In 2015, 75 percent. Forget the percentages in this year of 2016. Famine has moved in. Maduro has declared a national food crisis.

Food has become precious.

The New York Times described the situation as follows: “Venezuela is convulsing from hunger.”

2016 also became the year that water became in poor supply.

Inflation is expected to exceed 700 percent by November.

There is no work. Factories cannot operate. There is no electricity. Maduro provides electricity 1-2 days a week. Maintenance has been neglected thereby causing the inability to produce electricity.

Families need food. People have been forced to extreme measures.

Last year, garbage was a source of sustenance. However, garbage pails only hold so much food products that last only so long when many are searching. Then a point is reached where there is no garbage. People have nothing or little to eat.

Stealing a neighbor’s food came next. Only so much to steal, however.

This year evidences just how bad things have become.

Home pets, generally dogs and cats, were killed and eaten by families. If a family could not kill such a loved one or could not afford to feed the pet, the pet was dropped off on a highway. There others not fond of the pet would pick it up and take the pet home for dinner.

Pets are no longer in supply.

Next were the zoos. In the last thirty days. First chickens, rabbits and the like were stolen and eaten. Then larger zoo animals.

Very recently, a Caracas zoo was broken into in the middle of the night. A black stallion was one of the zoo’s featured animals. When zoo staff arrived in the morning, all that was left of the horse were its head and ribs.

What next? Hunger goes on at the same time the food supply dwindles even further. Cadavers? I don’t know.

To appreciate Mommy, I’m hungry, consider the following.

Families only eat every second day. Some every third. Only one meal. Children included.

Children are malnourished. They faint in class. Some die. Their bodies nothing but skin and bones. The outline of ribs visible. Hands swollen. Skin stuck to bones. Bellies swollen.

Mothers try to make babies sleep till noon to avoid a breakfast of non-existent milk/food.

Whatever is available to eat is fried. With flour. Empty calories. Unhealthy. Nevertheless, adults and children develop bellies. The battle of the bulge. Not a healthy fat, if there is one.

People eat what they can find. What they find is not healthy.

There is a black market. Except for the generals and a handful of people, the others are poor. They cannot afford black market prices.

Meat. What meat? Most have not eaten meat since last December.

On the rare occasions food is available, the cost for a family of five for bare necessities for a month is $226. The problem is few are working. There is no work.

$226 is a lot of money. Especially in a society where the average monthly salary of one working is $15 a month

Medicines/hospitals are the same. Not enough of anything.

Diseases such as malaria and mange have returned. These diseases were eradicated years ago. Neither inoculations nor medicines exists. People are once again vulnerable.

Dengue fever a problem. The disease was controlled with medication. No medication means dengue is likely to be a death sentence.

There are no medicines to treat HIV/Aids. Many HIV inflicted are moving into the Aids category because necessary medicines are lacking.

Hospitals have neither equipment nor medicines. They are filthy. Cleaning products not available. Nor gloves, saline, antibiotics, painkillers, morphine, and anesthesia.

Operations cannot be performed. Not only because of a lack of what is listed in the preceding paragraph. There is no electric power. Therefore, no air conditioning. The risk of bacterial infection becomes too high to operate.

Cockroaches on every floor and every wall.

There is a sick humor to all this. People are dying. There are no coffins. Cannot be manufactured nor imported. No power, no money.

Chavez hated America. He thought Bush 2 was the devil. Recall his sulfur comment before the United Nations.

Chavez was close friends with Fidel Castro and Raul Castro. As is Maduro.

As Castro blamed the United States for everything for fifty years, Chavez and Maduro blame the United States also. Especially Maduro.

Maduro claims the United States caused Chavez’s cancer colon by secretly infecting him with cancer. He further claims the people are poor and without food because of Americans. Finally, he keeps his people in line by telling them the United States is preparing to invade. Just as Fidel Castro did.

I am not sure why I wrote about Venezuela this week. Is there a message? A lesson to be learned?

It hits home that here has to be a balance between socialism and liberalism. Both are needed in a society. However, Venezuela went to far to the left. Totally.

Beware of crazy leaders? Maduro is on the crazy side. A nut. Weigh your vote heavily in the November election.

What else, I don’t know. I think I wrote this column because it is a tale of sickness and sadness. Everyone should be aware. It could happen anywhere anytime. No nation is immune. Even the United States.

Trump’s actions this past week against the Post Office have been swift and decisive. He moved like a thief in the night to remove mail boxes, speed mail sorting machines, and delaying any monies needed.

Except, Trump did not make the moves in the dark of the night. He had them performed in the light of day.

Like screw you! I am the King! Oops, the President!

Trump moved openly and swiftly. Brought to mind Hitler’s blitzkrieg when he invaded Poland. Also similar,  the Night of the Long Knives when Hitler attacked Germany’s Catholic Church.

Trump is desperate to win and does not care what the American people think as to how he accomplishes his goal. I believe he errs this time. The people do care. Democrats and Republicans. Farmers. The elderly.

The first thing Trump’s Post Office actions accomplished was to give the Democrats an additional campaign issue. The American people consider Trump’s moves an assault on the needs of citizens who rely on daily deliveries.

Trump tells us all type things are wrong with the Post Office. If so, the American people were neither aware nor experiencing any deficiencies. Pew Research in an April study reported 91 percent approved the work of the Post Office.

Removing mail boxes a simple move that my mind however fails to understand. I have always believed there are not enough mail boxes. Whether I was living in Utica or Key West. Better to use the Post Office itself. In most instances also meant a 24 hour improvement in delivery time.

Trump hit Oregon, Montana, Indiana and Manhattan in the first round of mail box removals. Yesterday, it was announced Trump had put a stop to the removals.

Trump also has had speed mail sorting machines removed. These machines routinely process millions of pieces of mail a day. His obvious game to slow down mail processing which would cause havoc with mail in ballots.

The man destroys. Hopefully in this instance, the clamor of the American people will stop him.

Today another important one in American history. It was on this day in 1969 that legendary Woodstock opened in Bethel, New York.

Two prominent Key West musical talents were there. Fifty one years ago.  Larry Smith and Christine Cordone. What an experience it had to have been!

Ernest Hemingway had that special touch of genius. He could see what others could not. He was able to convey his observations in writing.

Following is a yesterday Hemingway quote that fits Trump today. Recognizes a difference between the two men: “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.”

Consider these words…..Kamala Harris is the future, so Mike Pence may well be history.

Respectfully, the President is a whore. A manipulator. He is stacking his briefings.

Reporters very favorable to him are invited to attend the briefings. The President knows they are there, who they are, and what questions they will ask. The reporters are from media outlets most have never heard. Far right publications. Like One America Hears and The Epoch Times.

Reporters who throw “softball questions” to the President.

May Johnson does not let grass grow under her feet!

May wrote on her diary pages for 8/15/1856 and 8/16/1856 her dancing with many boys at La Brisa. Almost a daily thing.

May has a boy friend. Ernesto, I think. He works in Miami. Rarely visits Key West. The two keep in contact by letter writing. The problem being the letters are few and far between. Though May writes to Ernesto a bit more than he responds.

I assume Ernesto is dancing with the ladies in Miami. Apparently an “understanding” exists between the two.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Things have gone from bad to worse. Worse is going to worst.

Trump either cannot see or does not care what the effects of his governing wrought. Ability to purchase food for example is getting beyond the capabilities of many of Americans. It will continue to get bad. Minimal temporary relief will be available when the new stimulus package finally becomes law. Then what?

My intent is to zero on one issue in this blog: A food shortage. Basically beginning with where we are, how the problem will develop, and finish by joining the problem with Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Ryan Cooper wrote an article on the issue in the 8/14/20 edition of The Week titled: Are Bread Riots Coming To America?  I shall be sharing paraphrased parts of the article in combination with my thoughts.

The new stimulus package is desperately needed. With the House and Senate home campaigning, nothing may happen till September. Trump does not seem to care whether it ever becomes law. He eats every day and has a roof over his head.

More people with fewer dollars will be the picture this month. The stimulus dollars have stopped till a new bill becomes law. Such means more will be without sufficient funds to feed their families.

The present recession is moving rapidly to becoming greater than the Great Depression.

So many need the stimulus benefits. In addition to Washington not resolving the problem, state bureaucracies are so swamped they are not processing unemployment benefits timely at their end.

A double whammy to many who need governmental funds to survive.

Does the present situation lend itself to food protests and riots? Soon. Seattle, Portland, Washington D.C. and New York City will look like kid stuff.

Many people are down to their last dollar or flat broke, facing eviction or living on the streets, unable to afford vital prescriptions and food.

Many cupboards are already bare, children eating neither frequently nor properly.

The U.S. is at the tip of the iceberg. Ready to topple.

Millions were left out of the initial CARES Act rescue.

With the new stimulus bill sitting in limbo, the numbers are chilling. Twelve percent of households are regularly short of food, 21 percent of renters behind in payments, 28 percent of children living in households with one or the other problem.

The longer it takes to get the new stimulus package out, the worse it will get.

What happens when the new stimulus runs out? Will there be another? Or will Trump and a number of Republican Senators renew their I don’t care attitudes.

The situation will quickly develop into one where the government has the monies to help, can’t agree on how much, etc. and nothing gets done.

Initially there will be food available at the farms and in meat packing houses. No way will be available to get the food to market, however. Super market shelves will go bare. Because people will not be able to be payed and/or people will not have money to make purchases, the farmers will stop farming, the meat packing houses close, and the super markets go out of business. The whole system will die.

Greece of 10 years ago all over again.

Which brings to mind the French Revolution which began in 1789. A starving people rose up in fury and overthrew the government.

Charles Dickens in A Tale Of two Cities described the situation well. One which could occur here.

Legend has it that when Marie Antoinette was told the poor had no bread, she responded: “Let them eat cake.”

She did not care. Her comment was an invitation to revolt. The people did. She lost her head.

Trump does not care for the people, his people. It would be typical of Trump to say something like let them eat bread.

Trump would not lose his head. He would lose the election, however. Typical. He has been a consistent loser.

If Trump were to lose the election and refuse to leave the White, such would be the last straw. People would storm the White House as the French did the Bastille.

Enjoy your day!

Paraphrasing Matthew 21:16…..From the mouths of babes comes truth.

This video a perfect example of a child speaking truth. Her Words: “You’re a disgrace to the world.”

Short. Ten seconds.

There may be another video involving black men attached. I was unable to separate the two. Disregard if it appears.

Some comments by those who viewed the Trump/little girl video: “She is the real deal. / The light of the world. / She’s our future. / I will follow her into hell.”

One for Trump! This is fake news.

It was part of a comedy show. An actor played Trump.

The video appeared initially early in May 2017. It was a clip from the show “The President Show.” Within a very short period, 250,000 had viewed it.

It was debunked immediately by the show’s producer, the actor playing Trump, Buzz Feed, and Huffington Post.

The video is back on the internet.

Though the substance of the video may be correct, the video itself is a phony. The President is entitled to have the world know it was not him.

A new lie was given birth yesterday. One concerning Kamala Harris. Similar to the one Trump used on Obama years ago. The lie: Harris is not a natural born citizen. Ergo, she does not meet Constitutional requirements to serve as Vice-President or President.

The birther lie all over again.

Harris’ parents were immigrants. However, she was born in the U.S.

There is no issue, except for Trump trying to use the argument as he did against Obama. It was a lie then, it is a lie now.

Trump is one bad guy. He is destroying the USPS in hopes of saving himself.

Trump has to recognize he is behind at the moment. Fear has to be setting in.

Therein lies the reason he is attacking mail in ballots and is in effect demobilizing the Post Office.

Pure manipulation.

The stimulus package has $25 billion allocated to prepare the Post Office for the unusual number of mail in ballots expected. Trump wants to kill the mail ins. It is assumed they will be primarily from Democratic voters. He wants to screw the system up so many of the ballots will not qualify.

The funny part of all this is that it is not the Democrats who initially recommended the $25 billion. The request first came from the Post Office’s Board of Governors. All Republican appointees.

Trump’s screwing around with the election system is obviously dangerous. A significant threat to democracy.

Today a major anniversary in U.S. history. On this day in 1945, Japan unconditionally surrendered.

I clearly remember the day. As I did V-E day earlier. I was 10 years old. My father took me with him everywhere both days. Celebrations galore. People dancing in the streets. A lot of hugging and kissing. A lot of crying. Everyone exuding happiness.

Today bears another significance. August 14, 1936. Date of the last public hanging in America.

The event took place in Owensboro, Kentucky.

A day of partying. Referred to as a “Carnival of Sadism.”

Rainey Bethea was a 22 year old black man. He murdered, raped and robbed 70 year old Lischia Edwards. A white woman. He strangled her.

Bethea confessed.

A problem arose. The community was aroused. They wanted to actually see justice done. They insisted on a public hanging.

Kentucky law at the time mandated that execution for murder and robbery had to be held at a state penitentiary.

The public would be denied its pound of flesh were the execution so conducted.

The Sheriff was a white woman. Her husband was Sheriff. He had died 3 months earlier and his wife was appointed to complete his term.

Bethea’s trial a public spectacle also. Reporters came from every part of the country.

The prosecution opted to try Bethea only for the rape. Such permitted a public execution.

The trial was not needed. Bethea had already confessed to all 3 of the crimes charged. Never the less, he was tried before a jury. No testimony was taken. The jury had only one issue to decide. Whether Bethea receive a 10-20 year sentence or execution.

It took the all white jury 5 minutes to return the verdict. Execution.

The Sheriff was a mother of 4. It was her responsibility as Sheriff to “spring the trap.” The thought repelled her. She refused to do so.

Arthur Ash was a retired police officer. He was hired to pull the lever

The crowd assembled for the event was 10,000-20,000.

Phil Hanna was hired to oversee the event. He was the one who put the noose around Bethea’s neck.  It was Ash’s responsibility to “pull the lever.”

When Hanna signaled Ash to pull the lever, nothing happened. Ash was drunk and failed to notice. Hannah had to yell “Do It Now!” to get Ash’s attention. The lever was then pulled.

The crowd cheered. They enjoyed seeing Bethea die.

Two years later, Kentucky abolished all public executions.

Cocktails at 7 tonight.

Enjoy your day!

Eighty five years old and never heard the word parasitical before.

Came across it yesterday. Looked it up.

Parasitical applies to persons having the nature or habits of a parasite or leach. Its practical application in today’s society defines the term as a wealthy class parasitic living off the labor of the masses.

Parasitical persons are all over the place. Control politics, finances, etc. Just about everything. Politicians dance to their tune.

We are told every day in the media that coronavirus has been good for the wealthy. They have become wealthier as a result. At the same time as the poor have become poorer.

Coronavirus should be Trump’s number one consideration. It is not.

He has other problems of more concern to him.

One, his hair.

Trump has been complaining that water coming out of a shower head does not have sufficient force. The slower power makes it difficult for him to do his hair properly.

Several years ago, the Department of Energy had new rules adopted re force of water emitting from shower heads and faucets. Cut back on the amount of water coining through in order to reduce water use.

Trump said, “My hair – I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect.”

The Department of Energy has come out with new regulations to increase water flow and therefore water force as regards shower heads.

The President is pleased.

Yesterday was a big one for coronavirus deaths in the U.S. The most in one day ever. Nearly 1,500.

Florida’s numbers are still off the wall. One reason is the refusal of certain public officials to understand the dangers that accompany the virus and what can be done to limit its number of infections.

Florida’s Governor DeSantis is one of the blind.

Another is Marion County Sheriff Billy Wood. Marion County encompasses the Ocala area.

Sheriff Wood’s department has a staff of 900.

He issued an order that face masks were not to be worn. No discretion on the officer’s part. The order a mandatory one.

The order was issued the day before the Sheriff’s county set a new record for most deaths in a single Florida county.

I do not understand. Ignorance? Stupidity! Sucking up to the Governor? What?

The Key West Citizen’s daily column Citizens’ Voice comes up with some gems. Comments are sent in by readers to express their opinions on various matters.

Two in this morning’s edition especially interesting.

First from a reader who appears as bright as Governor DeSantis and Sheriff Wood: “I have said since Day 1 of this pandemic knockdown mess that it is nothing more than a government experiment to see what it takes to control the people. Governments can create viruses in labs and pretend it is from something and say ‘we are doing this in your best interest’ as a form of control and bend the population. Those that don’t follow protocol will die and those that do will die and those that do will be further controlled.”

The other from a perceptive and humorous reader: “Strip clubs should be the last to reopen on Duval. Whoever heard of a socially distanced lap dance?”

Enough for today. A doctor visit awaits.

Enjoy your day!

While coronavirus has been overwhelming us, dengue fever has quietly been on the rise in the Florida Keys. Dengue as dangerous as coronavirus. It also can kill.

A quick background re dengue.

Dengue is caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The fever’s numbers dramatic. Three hundred ninety million cases a year world wide. Five hundred thousand hospitalized. Forty thousand die.

Dengue was eliminated from the U.S. several decades ago.

Prior to 2009, there had been no reports of dengue fever since 1934. An outbreak occurred in Key West in 2009-2010. In 2009, 22 were afflicted. In 2010, 66.

I cannot ascertain whether there have been any dengue cases since 2010, except for those that occurring now in 2020.

The dengue attack a recent one. In the last 2-3 months. All in the northern Keys. Primarily around Key Largo.

In the past 4 days, 16 new cases reported. Which brings the recent total to 42.

An epidemic in the making, if not already one.

Dengue is considered a tropical and sub-tropical virus. Its symptoms include high fever, headaches, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash.

At higher levels, the virus can cause blood problems.

The problem a global one. Frequent in 120 countries. Primarily, southeast Asia, south Asia, and South America.

A significant rise in cases worldwide occurred in 2019.

Dengue is regarded as the “neglected tropical disease.” The reason being it generally occurs in poorer countries who do not have sufficient funds to combat the problem.

Cost of prevention and ordinary treatment cheap. However the world for all intents and purposes has turned its back on the poorer nations when it comes to dengue fever.

Coronavirus is out of control in the U.S. Mainly because Trump failed to recognize the danger involved and continues to fail in providing necessary guidance and assistance to deal with the virus.

The U.S. is consider, or was considered till recently, the world leader in every respect. No more, especially as far as coronavirus is concerned.

New Zealand is a country that took the bull by the horns immediately and did the right thing. The people of New Zealand followed the instruction of the government. There were no I refuse to give up my freedom cries.

Prior to this week, New Zealand had eliminated coronavirus from its concerns. Again, the people had followed the rules. Stay at home, work from home, wear masks, social distancing, bars closed, restaurants only providing delivery service, etc.

This past week, a family living in Auckland came down with the virus. Four members in the family.

The 4 cases are the first new ones New Zealand has experienced in 3 1/2 months.

New Zealand is not waiting to see if anything further occurs. Immediately, the old rules went into effect. New Zealand basically shut down. The country refuses to go back where it was when the virus first struck.

Kamala Harris the Democratic Vice-President presumptive nominee.

All the ladies considered were Vice-Presidential material.

I assume Biden made the correct choice.

The only negative re Harris by my way of thinking was when she attacked Biden in one of the debates. She was vicious.

The Biden and Harris families wee close. Biden’s son Beau now dead and Harris were very good friends.

It was a cheap shot. There is a line drawn in everything. Regardless of what politics is, Harris stepped over the line in the manner she attacked Biden. I consider such a character issue. Biden says he has forgotten.

Politics does make for strange bedfellows. I can recall John Kennedy selecting Lyndon Johnson as his running mate.

Trump had much to say re Biden’s selection. He hit Harris with everything. False statements galore.

The best was when he said Harris was “mean.” The meanest man in the world calling another person “mean!”

On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz premiered in Oconomowoc (spelled correctly), Wisconsin. Judy Garland starred.

Love the music! Especially, “We’re Off To See The Wizard.” The opening words…..We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Great songs.

Forget not “Over the Rainbow.” Today ranked the most popular song ever.

There was severe competition for the role of Dorothy. Judy Garland and Shirley Temple.

Judy Garland made a statement many years later that had nothing to do with the Wizard movie. However said much about her life.

Garland had been in several movies before the Wizard. She said, “I was born at the age of 12 on an MGM lot.”

I mentioned yesterday the story of the 8 year old special needs student who was arrested in 2018. Disgraceful!

Additional information came to light this morning.

The lawyer for the boy in the civil suit is Ben Comp. He also represents the George Floyd family.

It took almost a year for the felony battery charge to be resolved. It should have been dropped immediately.

The prosecution/police permitted the charges to be dropped based on the child’s mother agreeing to have the child evaluated psychologically and undergo mental health counseling with a clinical psychologist.

Such bullshit! It is the way courts are run when a police officer is out of line and the judicial/police system wants to cover the cop’s ass.

Some William Hackley.

As we daily read his diary, it is difficult to remember the time is 1855. Today’s entry mentions Hackley walking to where Fort Zachary Taylor was being built. He describes the progress up to that point.

The baby mentioned: “The babe not very well.”

I continue to worry about the baby. I wish Hackley would write whether it was a boy or girl and tell us the baby’s name..

Enjoy your day!

There is a saying that if something can happen, it will happen. What follows is an example.

Jacob was born in February at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the Tampa area. He died 3 days following birth.

The hospital lost the body. Even following extensive searching. The hospital is sorry.

I am not sure how the parents feel. It has to be horrendous. First, their son dies. Then the hospital misplaces their son’s body.

The parents have filed suit against the hospital for negligence and reckless infliction of emotional distress.

A horrible ending in every respect to what is normally a most happy event.

Sad beyond words.

The American public was first subjected to the cry that children don’t get infected by coronavirus. Then the word was a few do. However, not really sick and get over it in a few days.

Medical personnel and Trump were on board reporting the preceding.

Then the doctors began saying children’s numbers are going up. Trump saying not really a problem. Few cases and the children recover easily. Trump sticking with that line.

A total of 90 children have died thus far in the U.S. One a baby.

Very recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and The Children’s Hospital Association reported children can get the virus. In the last week alone, there was a 90 percent increase in child coronavirus cases in the U.S.

Why have the number of child cases suddenly increased? The experts belief that when there are more cases overall in the general population, there will be more infected children cases.

The President has to get more serious about the problem overall. He thinks what he thinks. No one can tell him anything. In the meantime, over 5 million virus infected and 160,000 plus virus deaths in the U.S.

Wise up, Donald! You’re killing us!

Another child story. This one broke yesterday. Involves an event which occurred in December 2018. The world became aware because of a police video which went viral yesterday. Two million hits the first day.

The event occurred in Key West.

The video shows a Key West police officer trying to handcuff an 8 year old boy. The cuffs were too big for the boy’s small wrists and kept sliding off.

The boy was 3 feet 5 inches and weighed 64 pounds at the time. He was crying. The boy was being processed at an adult prison. He had previously been patted down.

The boy attended Gerald Adams Elementary School as a special needs student. He punched a teacher in the chest after being reprimanded for not sitting correctly during lunch.

The boy was charged with felony battery.

The parents have retained the services of a Tallahassee attorney to represent their son. The attorney released the video to Twitter and Instagram yesterday.

No further facts are available.

Everyone involved the day of the occurrence seems to have acted in a stupid fashion. I am curious how the judge handled the case.

Black/white issues come from many directions. Most right on. However, there are those that are a bit too far out.

Laurie Rubel is a Brooklyn College mathematics professor.

Two interesting opinions attributed to her.

Using the phrase “2 + 2 = 4” to demonstrate the objectivity and neutrality of mathematics “reeks of white supremacist patriarchy.”

Rewards based on hard work are a “tool of whiteness…..that appeases minorities.”

Alice Reid was a Madam. She operated whore houses in the Key West area in the late 1930’s and into the early 1940’s. The houses of ill repute were known as Mama’s Tea Room.

On this day in 1941, Alice was arrested for operating a house near Fort Zachary Taylor. Three women employed by her were arrested for prostitution.

This was Alice’s second arrest in 1941. On May 6, she was arrested for operating a house at 1016 Howe Street.

Alice was arrested several times over the years. Always to reopen in another location. She was a revolving door.

Alice was not arrested so many times because the community was disturbed by the nature of her work. Her customers included local businessmen, fishermen, and U.S. Navy sailors. The U.S. had a large Naval base in Key West at the time.

The locals did not care. The males were good customers who enjoyed the pleasures her ladies provided. The Navy on the other hand considered her work immoral. It also was costing the Navy money. Many Sailors contacted syphilis.

The raids on Alice’s places of business were the result of the Navy pressuring local government figures to do something. They did. She was arrested. Some small fine or punishment followed. Following which she opened in a new location.

August 11, 1968 was a significant one in Key West history. On that day, David Wolkowsky opened the Pier House Motel. From that 50 unit motel rose the magnificent edifice known as the Pier House today.

KONK Life ran a picture of The Peacon House in today’s E-Blast.

The Peacon House is located at 712 Eaton. A beautiful octagon shaped edifice. It was built in 1885 by Richard Peacon (1840-1914).

Peacon was the owner of Key West’s leading grocery store at the time.

The house is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in Key West.

Over the years. I have attended several parties at the Peacon House. Fell in love with the house the first time. Inside and out, front and back. A very special structure.

Putin and Trump appear to be in a contest: To see who can develop the coronavirus vaccine first.

Putin may have won.

It was reported world wide today by Russian news agencies that Russia had developed the first approved vaccine against Covid-19. The vaccine has been “registered,” whatever that means.

Putin said his daughter was among the first to be vaccinated.

The approval process appears to have been a rapid one. Medical experts are concerned that the vaccine was developed and tested “dangerously” fast.

Wonder what Trump will have to say at his 5 o’clock follies show tonight?

Tuesday again. Tonight, Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. An exciting half hour of all kinds of stuff. Guaranteed you will enjoy.

Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

Trump held a press conference at his private club in Bedminster, New Jersey saturday. He signed 4 Executive Orders having to do with the stimulus package during the conference. All 4 one way or another gave less to the poor.

There is no question things are especially tough economically these days because of coronavirus. People need more, not less assistance. The need was not reflected in the 4 Orders signed.

The fact that Trump was cheating the poor while trying to make it look like a generous gift on his part bothered me enough. One factor even more.

Trump signed the Executive Orders in front of members of his private club. The membership admission fee is $350,000. They cheered the execution of the Orders.

The stimulus package seems to be taking longer than normal to come to agreement. I blame a member of Trump’s negotiating team. His Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows.

Meadows a Republican who served first for 7 years as a Congressman from North Carolina. He was one of Trumps’ closest allies while in Congress.

A person’s character is reflected by the way a person lived.

Meadows’ character is wanting. Such I suspect is the primary reason why the stimulus negotiations have failed thus far.

Meadows misrepresented his educational background. He attended Florida State University for one year. Yet he claimed in his official biography maintained by the Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives that he held a BA from the University of South Florida.

He actually graduated from the University of South Florida with an Associate degree.

Meadows was active in the Tea Party movement. Came to Congress the same year many Tea Party persons were first elected.

His voting record less than stellar. Indicates a lacking on his part for the needs and problems of people.

Recall Hurricane Sandy. Devastated the northeast. He was part of the group of Congresspersons that voted against the relief bill.

He was one of the members who made Boehner’s time as Speaker difficult. Meadows’ tried to strip Boehner of his power as Speaker.

As a member of the Oversight Committee, he has been openly confrontational with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Insulting a better description.

He played a public role in the 2013 governmental shutdown.

He was openly opposed to Obama and occasionally insulting. A promoter of the “he should return to Kenya” theme.

A fellow by the name of West worked in his office. Internal complaints were made against West. West was discharged. Nevertheless, Meadows kept him on the payroll to the tune of $58,125. West was paid for not working.

In 2018, Meadows was fined $40,625 for keeping West on staff while not investigating sexual harassment charges against him and for paying West when he was not on the staff and working.

Can fair play be expected from Meadows?

I continue to find it difficult to understand Trump. He surrounds himself with basically bad people. I shouldn’t. They are people who think like him.

America is moving towards becoming a third world country.

The U.S. is on its way to double digit depression. Twenty to thirty percent of small businesses will have been shut down by the end of the Pandemic. Jobs will not return as part of the “new world.”

The result will be 30 million homeless.

America is “under developing.” It is moving from a “developed nation” to an “under developed nation.”

Many Americans have become too freedom conscious. Like I don’t want to wear a mask. They lack concern for their families and fellow citizens.

One of the reasons coronavirus is still with us big time.

Sturgis, South Dakota a perfect example.

Sturgis is into a 10 day bikers rally. “Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”

Thousands participating. No masks, no social distancing.

These are tough people. men and women alike. They fear not looking death in the face.

One biker said, “I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be cooped up all my life either.”

Go for it man! They should put those words on your tombstone! Merely change both “don’ts” to “didn’t.”

In 3-4 weeks, Sturgis will have a dramatic up swing in coronavirus cases. As will the families and home towns of those bikers participating.

A Key West coronavirus update.

Key West had 41 cases as of June 1 when U.S. 1 was reopened to non-residents. Today, 716.

An example of how swiftly the virus moves. An example of how rapidly Sturgis and the families and hometowns of the bikers will experience a dramatic increase.

Great PGA Tournament. A new star was born. Collin Morikawa. Only 23.

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicholson were 23 when they first won the PGA also.

Morikawa has a great life ahead.

His PGA winnings $1.98 million. He will also receive endorsements in the next few weeks totaling in the millions.

God bless!

He only became a professional last year. He had 2 victories before the PGA.

A major not a bad place to play. Second place payed $968,000.

Enjoy your day!

Coronavirus has closed many doors. There is one situation however where the virus has opened a door.

Sex.

Couples sex. People who are married or live together. Doesn’t work for one night stands or booty calls. Those would require the 6 foot safe distancing rule. Such alone eliminates any notion of sexual intercourse.

Many couples are finding “imposed intimacy” a great way to cope with anxiety and stress.

Sex is highly recommended during the crisis since it keeps people calm, boosts the immune system, revives a lagging libido, and is a form of exercise.

Go for it! Remember however couples only!

For me, coronavirus has meant quarantine. Self quarantine. This is day 151.

There have been exceptions. Doctor and hospital visits.

Age seems to add calamities one upon the other. I now have a kidney problem. That is why my frequency for doctor and hospital visits have increased.

I have been told problem not serious, but can be. Doctor assumes it can be treated with medicine. Another pill to add to my already 19 a day.

I am not concerned. Will explain the problem to you another time. It’s interesting.

Airline industry going broke. Few flying.

Arabs are smart people. One nation has come up with an odd ball solution. May be a good one. Who knows?

It is expected that airline recovery to pre-pandemic levels will not occur till after 2024.

Emirate is a state owned airline and flag carrier of United Arab Emirates. The airline is offering customers a “safety net” to induce them to fly with them.

If a customer catches coronavirus on a flight, the airline will cover all costs related to medical treatment, hospital quarantine, and guarantees to pay funeral costs in the event of death.

A heart-warming inducement! Sick! The suggested offer and those who take advantage of it!

Vietnam an interesting country when it comes to coronavirus. A nation of 69 million.

Till late July, Vietnam had the best record for the virus. Its numbers the envy of the world. Seven hundred eighty nine cases and no deaths.

Vietnam did everything scientists suggested. Were not interested in their “freedoms.” Rather, “survival.”

A problem popped up since late July and has gotten worse. Like a second epidemic. Suddenly many being stricken. Vietnam has “quarantine centers” which presently hold 23,356 persons. Isolated, 6,717. An additional 140,384 have been ordered to home quarantine.

How quickly the virus spreads.

Key West  is now experiencing a dramatic increase in coronavirus cases.

The upswing began with opening U.S. 1 to non-residents June 1. On June 1, Key West had only 41 cases.

The businessmen were more interested in their pocketbooks rather than the good health of the community. Since June 1, the number through yesterday has risen to 705.

The tourists drive down from the mainland and bring the virus with them.

To those businessmen responsible, you can’t spend the money if you are dead.

The State of Florida’s numbers rise dramatically. Because of an “asshole” governor who follows Trump’s dictates to the letter.

Brazil is a festering pot for coronavirus. Its numbers rising dramatically. Expected to be #1 in coronavirus cases at some point.

Flights from and to Brazil still operating at Miami International.

Governor DeSantis should do something on his own for once. Ban any flights from or to Brazil.

A poker game is being played between the federal government and the virus. The virus is winning.

It does not appear the game will end soon. Could be a year or two before the virus is defeated. In the meantime, what do the government and the people do for money?

The first stimulus was ok. Another big one needed. Right away. However the politicians are playing games. Games with the lives and health of the American people.

Whether the money comes from Congressional action or Trump’s executive orders, it will arrive too late and run out at some point. The feds will be required to continue with big time assistance. Only a federal government has the capacity to do so. It can print money.

The end could be inflation as never seen in the U.S. Off the wall!

The need is now however and must be addressed. Every decision a difficult one.

Trump’s 4 executive orders signed yesterday are of little help. People need every penny of the $600, not $400.

The $400 is a joke as to its source. One hundred dollars from the States. Where are they going to get the money. All are broke already. Note the States cannot legally print money.

Th personal tax thing a gimmick. It is taxpayer dollars going directly into the stimulus package rather than Social Security. Means in due course Social Security benefits will have to be lowered. At some point, there definitely will not be enough money in the Social Security Trust Fund for it to continue.

Nothing more than Trump playing games. He neither cares nor understands the plight ordinary people.

I occasionally write that the rich have taken over the Republican Party and the country. Most of those we “elect” no longer have the power they once did. Also, they have learned to dance to tunes selected by the elites.

Canadian blogger Ian Welsh had descriptive words for American elites/rich in a recent column.

“American elites are predators.”

“Greed is good.”

“Covid-19 is making the rich richer.”

At the end of the Pandemic, “U.S. elites will control a larger percentage of the U.S. economy than before. They will be richer and more powerful. And that means tens of millions of Americans are homeless and hungry.” Prices will go up. As far as the elites “are willing for YOU to pay.”

The Bahama Village Arch has returned. The overhang at the intersection of Petronia and Duval.

Years of sun exposure had faded the Arch. It had been taken down to be repainted. Work completed and Arch back up. I am told it is bright and shiny.

The Hackley baby saga continues. A sad one.

William Hackley’s diary entries for August 8 & 9, 1855 advise Mrs. Hews cannot nurse baby anymore. Her milk is no longer sufficient.

Hackley wrote the baby is now on corn starch and seems “to like it very much.”

The next day Hackley wrote a Spanish woman was found who lives nearby who says she will nurse the baby three times a day.

I wish Hackley would tell us the baby’s name. Is it “Baby?” He leaves me confused.

Enjoy your Sunday!