Never have I seen anything move as swiftly as coronavirus. Dr. Fauci warned yesterday it would get even worse over the next 10 days. I believe him.

The virus is affecting every phase of our lives.

An example is a dear lady friend who resides in another State. She had called me. “I’m afraid,” she said. She is a widow. Has some money and stocks. Cash in the bank a little over $200,000. Value of stocks, who knows anymore.

What do I do, Louis?

I suggested she take all her money out of the bank. Not to hoard it. Buy gold. The stocks I had no judgment on. She said her husband said never sell when the market goes down because it always comes back.

My thought was she should not follow her husband’s advice. We are heading for a 1929 market. She would be dead before the stocks bounced back. Sell and buy gold.

I pressed her to get her money out of the bank swiftly. People are going to begin runs on their banks. The banks will not have sufficient monies to pay off everyone.

She called me later yesterday. She called her bank and asked to have her money ready in cash. She was coming down to close out her accounts. She was told the earliest the bank could have her money available was next wednesday. A major bank.

Those of you reading, do not follow my thoughts. I am not an economist. My only claim to some minimal knowledge is I am 84 and have experienced many things in my life.

Which now brings me to the stock market.

The market was down 1,400 points at close yesterday. Opened this morning already 1,600 points down. At 11:30 this morning, the market was down more than 2,000 points.

With everything closing down, it ain’t going to come back fast!

My yesterday. Blog in the morning. Reworked a part of Growing Up Italian early afternoon. Napped 3 hours later in afternoon.

It was supposed to be Shana Key for dinner last night with Susan. she begged off. Monday was supposed to be dinner with another charming lady who also backed off.

I’m doing good!

I’m beginning to wonder if my age has anything to do with it. None are in their 80’s. They are in less danger than I to acquire the virus. Whatever.

My evening turned out to be a good one. Watched Syracuse play North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. Syracuse destroyed North Carolina 81-53. It was a no competition game for Syracuse.

The amusing part of this tale is that North Carolina demolished Syracuse 2 weeks ago 92-79.

It’s Syracuse/Louisville tonight. I will remain home to watch.

The ACC announced after last night’s game that fans will not be permitted to any further games. A “limited fan policy” has been instituted. A mere handful of visitors will come through the doors. Family and friends.

Coronavirus being felt again.

Trump sits in the hot seat these days. He has heavy decisions to make. All with far reaching consequences.

Is he capable? I do not believe he is.

He did an Oval Office presentation to the nation last night. I assumed to reveal how he was going to handle the crisis from this point forward.

He was totally unimpressive. Totally depressed me.

A couple of solutions suggested which would, per his usual custom, aid the wealthy and screw the poor.

Paid leave. Trump would fund it with a “payroll tax holiday.” Intended to put a “pay check” in a worker’s pocket while he/she remains home because of he virus, to care for someone with the virus, etc.

The payroll tax is 12.4 percent. Sole purpose to pay Social Security benefits. One half paid by the employer, the other half by the employee.

If the employee is self employed, the employee pays the full 12.4 percent.

The reasoning behind eliminating the payroll tax is that it leaves more “disposable income” in people’s hands. They will spend more money, thereby stimulating the economy.

Two negatives involved.

First, the rich will benefit more. They earn more. They will have significantly more disposable income than ordinary persons.

An example of more for the rich and less for the poor.

The second reason even worse. Money will not go into the Social Security account for a long period. Such threatens future retiree benefits. They will be much less than anticipated. Could also affect present retirees. Many need that check, no matter how small. At some point, check amounts will of necessity have to drop.

Washington always wants to cut Social Security. Trump included. It was a mere 2 weeks ago he said at a rally he would not cut Social Security and Medicare. He would protect those benefits for the American people.

Certain businesses are struggling. No question about it. More will be also. Just as the American people themselves will be.

Trump wants to “bailout” certain businesses. Just like we bailed out the auto industry and banks.

The man is a pig, however. One of the industries he wants to bail out are the hotels. Is he mad! He who may still have a financial interest in some or all of his hotel empire. His children own the Trump hotel industry with or without him.

Then there is the oil industry.

Coronasvirus has nothing to do with oil and gas producers. Zip!

The industry is in trouble because of a Russia/Saudi Arabia oil war. Trump’s “friend” Putin behind the war. He hopes it will ultimately adverse the U.S. shale oil industry.

It already is doing so. America’s shale oil industry is and has been heavily debted. A bailout is need. Trump wants to use the virus as an excuse to bail out the shale oil people.

One of he hardest hit companies is Continental Resources. Owned by Harold Hamm. A Trump supporter and also an adviser to Trump on energy issues.

Some additional coronavirus irems.

American movie star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive.

They are in Australia. They went for pre-production work for the movie Elvis Presley. Hanks will play Presley’s long time manager Colonel Tom Parker.

Hanks said he and Rita “felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita…..chills…..came and went. Slight fevers too……tested for coronavirus, and were found to be positive.”

Hanks said they would follow protocol, be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. “We’ll keep the world posted and updated.”

The last sentence may be one of the greatest practical help to all. Hearing first hand from a person we all respect and admire he and his wife’s experiences with the virus.

Google has sent its staff home. All 120,000 of them. They are to work from home.

Princess Cruises announced it has ceased sailing for 60 days.

Dr. Anthony Fauci a medical great. An infectious disease expert. Respected by all. Perhaps not Trump.

He is Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

He reported yesterday before a Congressional Committee that coronavirus is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.

I was a professional. I expected my clients to listen to me.

My life experience as a lawyer has trained me to listen to doctors. I do to the letter what I am told.

I sense based on their advice that this 84 year old man should spend more time in house rather than out on the town. I will. I have already begun storing food and other necessities. I expect a huge supply of Pruell any day. Even ordered plastic gloves.

N95 face masks difficult to obtain. A 1-2 month wait. Supposedly a friend was going to get me some. I am still waiting.

What I am trying to say is I will be spending more time in the house rather than out.

Must entertain myself in some fashion.

Recall Irma and Me. Well, there is going to be a Coronavirus and Me. Beginning with yesterday. Diary fashion. Not my blog reprinted.

Eventually to be published. Assuming the virus does not kill me.

Enjoy your day!

I always considered the worm turning a less than tasteful phrase.  Till I learned its actual meaning.

The short phrase is derived from a 1546 proverb. The actual line: “Even a worm will turn.” Its meaning surprising. A person pushed too far will retaliate.

That is why the Boston Tea Party is part of the title. The colonists were pushed too far by the Crown’s abusive taxing and dumped the tea into the sea.

I take the phrase and tea dumping to introduce Federal District Court Judge Lynn Adelman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Judge Adelman has had it with the conservative Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is striking out. He has written an article for the prestigious Harvard Law Review which will be published soon. The article condemns the Robert Court’s assault on democracy.

Judge Adelman’s observations include the Supreme Court privileges the wealthy and corporate interests at the expense of the public. He states the Court has greatly contributed to income inequality, health care inequality, and the hollowing out of the American middle class.

Judge Adelman wrote, “We are in a new and arguably dangerous phase in American history. Democracy is inherently fragile…..We desperately need public officials who will work to revitalize our democratic republic. Unfortunately, the conservative justices on the Roberts Court are not among them.”

Lower court federal judges do not criticize the Chief Justice or the members of the Supreme Court themselves in such a public fashion. Judge Adelman’s words reflect the boiling cauldron that is tipping.

He is not the only one to recently so criticize. Associate Justice Sotomayor in a recent dissent was critical of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. She asserted they had their thumb on the scale in certain type decisions.

Trump continues to believe Putin is his good friend. There is a saying the blind cannot see. Trump is blind in this regard.

World oil problems reveal once again that Trump’s friendship with Putin is “bogus.”

Putin has initiated an oil war with Saudi Arabia. His intent was not to get at Saudi Arabia. Rather, to go through such a scenario in order to get at the United States. Putin’s goal is to drown U.S. shale oil companies that rely on higher prices in a sea of cheap crude.

The U.S. oil industry is fragile. Built on a mountain of debt. Putin wants to cripple the U.S. shale industry.

There is a reason. Up to 2018, Russia was the world’s largest oil provider. In 2018, the U.S. replaced Russia because of “debt ridden fracking growth” in the U.S.

Thank you again Donald for neither understanding nor knowing what is going on. Continue to think you are friends with the tyrants of the world. You a wanna-be one.

The wonders of Sweden’s socialism is bringing the nation down.

A Woman’s Day March was held yesterday in Malmo, Sweden. One of the marchers carried a sign: Sweden Must Die.

Sweden was the gem socialist state till about 15 years ago. Then Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East began arriving. Free everything!

The result scary.

It is predicted that “ethnic Swedes” will be a minority in their own country in 40 years. Maybe, sooner. Ten percent of babies born in Sweden today have Islamic names.

The Swedes and Muslims are in constant conflict. Violence and crime are on the upswing. Especially since a new migration in 2015. The level of conflict is described as “a small war.”

It is assumed it will only get worse with the passage of time.

Biden is on a roll! Yesterday’s Democratic primary proof. Biden won 4 of 6 states.

Sanders will have to pull out at some point. It does not appear he can be successful.

There is a debate sunday between the 2. Then more primaries tuesday. Let the debate and tuesday primaries go forward. If Sanders still looks bad, he should withdraw and support Biden.

Understandably tough for him to do. He fought the good battle 4 year ago and is fighting it again. Problem is he is not going to make it. Such is life. The goal of all Democrats should be to defeat Trump and save America!

Some coronavirus observations re Italy.

The entire nation is under lockdown. The government’s message: Everyone stays home. The message was received. They are staying  home.

Rome and Milan are “ghost towns.” No one on the streets.

Pope Francis has interjected himself.  He has directed his priests to “get out” and comfort the sick. Makes sense. Francis said, “My priests have the courage to get out…..go to the sick to bring them the comfort of God.”

Francis is correct. From the time of Jesus, priests have made it one of their primary responsibilities to help the sick. Even where the sickness was leprosy.

Italians can be dramatic. I know. I am of of Italian ancestry. My mother was born in Italy. I make the observation because some in Italy are asking the question as to whether the coronavirus is the beginning of the apocalypse.

During the Civil War, Lincoln’s General-in-Chief of all Union armies was General George B. McClellan. Donald Trump in uniform. A more inept general did not exist.

Lincoln picked up on McClellan’s ineptness quickly. Fired him this day in 1862. Actually demoted him to Commander of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan did no better.

He saw the handwriting on the wall. Resigned.

Thought he was smarter than Lincoln. Knew everything. He ran against Lincoln for President in the Election of 1864. Lincoln buried him.

I wrote a term paper on The Presidential Election of 1864 while in college. McClellan and Trump had many similar traits. I would describe them as birds of a feather.

Trump and Nero had similar traits, also.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. The U.S. and the world are in the midst of a deadly virus. How to defeat it the most important issue facing everyone. Including Trump.

Not all the time, however. Yesterday morning instead of tweeting re coronavirus, Trump tweeted charging Obama with all sorts of wrongdoing and called out for support in getting the wall built.

An idea. Trump moved monies from the military budget and other budgets to build the wall. Now big time dollars are required to deal with the cornavirus epidemic. Trump should borrow the unused “borrowed monies” for the wall and use them to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

Washington State hit the hardest from the virus. It is projected that if things continue as they are, Washington will have 64,000 coronavirus cases by May.

May Johnson’s love life?

There is now an “Everest.” Second time in 2 weeks she has mentioned him. In today’s diary she wrote that “she fixed a letter to Everest.”

Enjoy your day!

A pleasant evening last night.

Began with a 6 pm manicure with Tammy. Tammy always good company.

Then to Aqua for Dueling Bartenders. No Dueling Bartenders. Someone was sick so the show was cancelled.

Walked around the corner to the Side Bar looking for David. He was there.

I like David. Good company. Extremely intelligent.

Laurie Tee showed up. Love Laurie! When she began her radio show several months back on 105.7 FM, I joined her for a few weeks. Thought I might help her get started. She never had done a radio show before.

She did not need me. Laurie is a natural talent.

She also functions as stage host for most of Aqua’s functions. Last night it was to be the Drag Show later in the evening. She also does Aqua Idol wednesday nights.

The three of us chatted a while. Then I left, not sure where I was heading. Ended up at Antonia’s for dinner.

The lovely Nicolle bartending. Her diet doing well. Thirty six pounds so far! Keep it up Nicolle!

My diet moving along. Thirteen pounds. Enjoyed lamb chops last night. Perfect for an Atkins type diet.

At some point, two ladies sat next to me at the bar. Soon to be followed by a third. I was fortune. All three lovely and interesting.

Ann and Christine are partners. Snowbirds. Three months a year in Key West. Otherwise live in New Jersey.

Ann formerly in public relations in New York City. Mother of two, grandmother to one.

Ann and Christine live together on a horse farm in New Jersey. Christine has been involved working with thoroughbred horses for 25 years. The ladies also raise angus beef.

A special way of living.

Poochy the third lady. She arrived a bit later. Her for real name Margaret Buchholz. A writer of some renown.

She has published 8 books. I am impressed! The New York Times wrote favorably of her Great Storms of the Jersey Shore. Most of her works involve the Jersey Shore in one fashion or another.

She spent some time back when editing a small seasonal newspaper on Long Beach Island where she grew up.

Poochy lives alone. However, she shares the Key West snowbird home with her friends Ann and Christine.

Bob Woods was at the other end of the bar. He is participating in Aqua Idol this year. Still not eliminated.

A great voice. He has an excellent chance of going all the way.

Tuesday always a busy one for me. My blog takes up my morning. This afternoon will be spent preparing for tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. A busy half hour of me ranting and raving about whatever moves me at the moment. Join me. Guaranteed you will enjoy. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

My afternoon podcast is in its fourth week on Facebook. Key West Lou’s What Bugs Me. Done sometime during the afternoon. Another rant/rave situation. Except, only one topic for a minute or 2.

I have always been impressed with how Monroe County handles the mosquito problem. Key West itself and a few keys north are constantly sprayed, properties inspected, etc.

Dengue fever is rare. Every several years, a case or two. Always concerns me.

The County announced its first case in years yesterday. A man infected with dengue fever by a mosquito. He has been treated and is expected to make a full recovery.

Some Trump/coronavirus observations.

Nero fiddled. Trump plays golf. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump plays golf as America coughs its way into an epidemic.

The public health hazard is Trump himself. He is sacrificing the health of the people of the United States for his vainglory.

Trump bears many titles. President, Commander in Chief, etc. Another should be added. Germaphobe in Chief.

Sources privately say he is terrified about getting the virus: “Donald is a famous germaphobe. He hates it if someone is eating nachos and dips a chip back in after taking a bite.” He calls it “double dipping.”

The word is Trump is in a melt down because of the virus.

Last week, Trump told aides he was afraid journalists would try to purposefully contract coronavirus to give it to him on Air Force One.

He also asked the Secret Service to set up a screening program and bar anyone who has a cough from White House grounds.

It is well known that Trump compares coronavirus to the flu.

The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson wrote yesterday, “Trump’s solipsistic response to the coronavirus crisis offers overwhelming proof, if any more were needed, that it was a catastrophic mistake to give an egomanical reality-television star such power and responsibility. We are all paying the price.”

Some caronavirus observations not directly Trump related.

Italy unannounced yesterday it has 9,172 cases, 463 dead.

Italy further announced it was expanding its lockdown of northern Italy to encompass all of Italy. Bold and unprecedented.

The government has asked its citizens if possible to remain at home three weeks.

I saw on TV yesterday a video of a 16 year old girl on the Grand Princess off the coast of California. She looked great. She thought everything was kumbaya.

I was impressed.

Today a different story has been reported.

Margaret Bartlett is a 77 year old Brit who is on board. She said people were fighting over “rotten” food and were “stir crazy.” Specifically, “The food is rotten and terrible and we have to fight for it.”

The stock market down 2,000 points yesterday. A major fall. I believe the biggest one day fall since the Great Depression of 1929.

At 10 this morning, the market is rallying. Up 600 points.

Don’t get excited. It generally goes up the day after a big fall only to nose dive again the next day.

Enjoy your day!

Key West’s 58th Annual Conch Blowing Contest took place over the weekend.

The contestants do not merely inhale deeply, blow hard, and hope a screeching sound will result. Rather the contestants consider the conch shell a musical instrument and “play music” as such an instrument commands.

There was a female and a male winner .

The female winner was Canadian Aliszon Zaichkowski. A resident of British Columbia. She is a member of the Royal Canadian Navy Orchestra where she plays the French horn.

Blowing the conch shell, she played excerpts from several melodies, including Stravinsky’s The Firebird and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

The male winner was Big Pine’s Vinnie Marturano. He played a portion of Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance.

Impressive!

My out of house sunday event was Publix. Shopped around 1. The wrong time. Packed. Had to wait a couple of minutes to get a cart.

Caronavirus concerns obvious. The Clorox shelve totally empty. So was another detergent shelf. Publix had signs on both that it was reserving the right to limit purchases.

I stayed in the rest of the day because it was cold. The temperature was ok. Seventy six degrees. However the wind off the Atlantic was powerful and brought the cold ocean air with it. Felt more like 66 than 76.

Clabber. Ever drink it? I never have nor had I heard of it. Clabber first came to my attention this morning when reading of May Johnson’s 1896 Key West exploits on this day.

One was she “drank some clabber.”

Researched clabber.

Clabber is sour milk that becomes naturally clotted as it sours. Raw unpasteurized milk must be used. Pasteurized does not contain the bacteria necessary for the clotting process to work in forming the sour milk.

Note clabber is not the same as buttermilk.

My evening planned. A manicure at 6:15. Then Dueling Bartenders. Followed by dinner at Antonia’s.

I definitely will be out. My nails are beginning to look like those of the Wicked Queen in Snow White.

Today one of importance. National Napping Day. Much appreciated, especially as one gets older.

Castelvetro is a small town in northern Italy. In the middle of the coronavirus epidemic. Its people quarantined.

Not everything bad, however.

A local winery malfunctioned wednesday. Caused 1,000 liters of ready to be bottled wine to leak into certain of the town’s water pipes. Twenty homes affected.

Wine flowing from all faucets for 3 hours. People bottling that which was emanating from their faucets.

Officials assured no health issues involved.

Some Louis updates re the coronavirus crisis.

Italy in bad shape. Presents raw evidence of how swiftly the virus can spread. Less than 3 weeks ago, Italy had 17 identified cases. Today, 1,700 plus. Deaths 366.

Italy has quarantined 16 million persons.

Will the U.S. move with the same speed, if at all? Not the issue at the moment in what I am about to report.

Northern Italy hit the worse. Milan and most of northern Italy under what Italians describe as a “lock down.” Quarantine to us.

I have visited Milan several times. A magnificent city. Especially its world famous Square. Piazza del Duomo.             .

The Square is huge. Bigger than that! Duomo Cathedral at one end.

I have many pictures of me in the Square. In fact, came across them last week. Can’t find them this morning as I write. My intent was to show not Louis, but rather the immense number of people crowding the Square.

Today’s internet photos show a totally empty Square. Not one human being!

There are many events which are part of the Square’s history. Since I am a history buff, the stone building where Mussolini stood on the second floor open balcony yelling “War, War, War” to the Italian people. He was telling them of Italy’s attack on little Ethiopia. The people cheered.

A bully scenario. Something like Trump would pull. Mussolini proud of his invasion. Italy’s planes and tanks against Ethiopia’s camels.

Is Trump panicking? It was suggested on one of this morning’s talk shows. I would not doubt it.

His “Trump world” is crumbling around him.

He denies the breath of the epidemic. His “economy” taking a beating. He blames the Democrats and the media for putting out “false” messages. Likens the virus to the flu. Advises people with symptoms to go to work. Lies about many aspects of the problem. A few days ago, the CDC was ordered to release no further information as to number of deaths.

Many continue to follow Trump. Indisputable. They believe in him. They accept his words that the virus in effect is no big thing.

Such can work to an increased detriment in American society.

An example is a community where an entire family was quarantined. One daughter had had been in contact with the virus.

A school dance was scheduled. The daughter could not go. Nor should any one in the family have gone. However, the father and another daughter went in defiance of the quarantine imposed on them.

Trump influenced?

Enjoy your day!

The CDC and other public health institutions are providing advice as to what we should do to protect ourselves from coronavirus.

One admonition is to wash hands. Often!

How long? We are told 20 seconds. How do we clock ourselves? Sing Happy Birthday in your mind 2 times.

So simple!

Fortunately, there remains some humor. Best we not forget our sense of humor while wading through this crisis.

Read an interesting comment yesterday: This morning at the post office, while I was in line, 2 people with masks entered. TOTAL PANIC! Then they said, “This is a robbery”……and we all calmed down.

Clocks move ahead 1 hour today.

I was not aware. Woke, looked at the clock, and thought I had overslept by an hour. It was not till I sat down at the computer that I realized what had occurred.

My entire life this change of time thing has confused me. Even now at 84.

Watched Syracuse get beat by Miami in overtime by 2 points.

Unless Syracuse wins the ACC Tournament, it will not be in the NCAA tourney. The NIT! The shame of it all!

Decided on a change of pace for dinner. Drove up U.S. 1 to Mangrove Mama’s. Fist time since last summer.

It was a bit cool. However the music was good, the people having fun, and the food terrific. I enjoyed a lobster Reuben.

Trump changed plans and did go to the CDC in the morning. He was casually dressed. I assume on his way to Mar-a-Lago to play golf.

Trump’s comments at the CDC meeting clearly reflect his misguided and misleading thoughts. The man is terrifying. The comments reflect Trump’s adverse virtues.

“But I think, importantly, anybody, right now and yesterday, that needs a test gets a test. They’re there, they have the tests, and the tests are beautiful! Anybody that needs a test gets a test.”

“If there’s a doctor that wants a test, if there’s somebody coming off a ship like the big monster ship that’s out there right now, which you know, again, that’s a big decision. Do I want to bring all those people off? People would like me to do that. I don’t like the idea of doing that.”

“I like the numbers being where they are. I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault.”

“They would like to quarantine people.Now when they do that our numbers are going to go up.”

“The tests are all perfect, like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. This is not as perfect as that, but pretty good.”

The best follows.

“I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it…..Everyone of these doctors said, ‘How do you know so much about this? Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for President.'”

My coronavirus observations for today.

China has conducted 1.6 million tests per week with 5 different type test kits. South Korea has tested 65,000 people.

The CDC announced yesterday that the U.S. has tested less than 6,000 people.

Northern Italy has been hit hard. The government has placed 16 million in lock-down. Another way of saying quarantined.

My friend Anna lives in northern Italy. In Novara. Thirty miles outside of Milan. I have been trying to reach her. No response. She might be in Morocco. Her daughter-in-law is originally from there and the family visits often.

Anna is my age. She tends to panic easily. If she is quarantined in Novara, I am sure she is going nuts! I recall on my first visit with Anna, when big time multiple earthquakes occurred, she began running all over the apartment screaming…..We are going to die!

Couldn’t really blame her. The earthquakes were awful. Buildings collapsing and the like.

Back to other things.

On this day in 1917, the Russian February Revolution began. Called “February” because Russia was operating under the Julian calendar at the time.

Riots and strikes over the scarcity of food began in Petrograd.

One week later czarist rule ended with the abdication of Nicholas II.

One of America’s all time great baseball players Joe Di Maggio died this day in 1999.

I had the pleasure of meeting him 4 times.

The first was at Ventura’s Restaurant in Utica. Ventura’s ran an annual golf tournament. The restaurant owner and Di Maggio were friends. He generally appeared as a guest at the tournament.

It was at an after tournament party at the restaurant that I got to meet Di Maggio. A short introduction and 2-3 minutes of words.

Later in life, I would occasionally play golf at La Gorce in Miami. I was the guest of Jim Brock. Brock was a very successful insurance agent and sometime client.

Met Di Maggio in the Club Room following a round of golf. I was invited to sit at his table. Our friendship blossomed as they do under such circumstances.

The next time I ran into Di Maggio was a year later. Again at La Gorce. He was waiting for his car. I had just driven up. “Hello, Louis,” he greeted me. We chatted a few minutes and then went our separate ways.

Some time later, we ran into each other at La Gorce’s Sunday evening buffet. We enjoyed a drink or 2 together.

Enjoy your Sunday!

I suspect I look for that which no longer exists. Honor in the Halls of Congress. Especially the Republican dominated Senate.

I thought we had it when Mill Romney had the courage to stand against his fellow Republican cohorts and vote for impeachment on one of the charges levied against Trump.

I was wrong.

Romney had his second shot at character when it was announced a Senate Committee he sits on was going to vote this monday on issuing a subpoena in the Hunter Biden/Ukraine matter. The hearing shades of Benghazi.

Romney said 2 days ago the move was “politically motivated.” He added he did not know which way he would vote.

He told us yesterday. He is voting to issue the subpoena. Had he not, the vote would have failed and the bogus issue removed from the Presidential campaign to a significant extent.

Honor is adherence to what is right. The term is used to describe people of high moral worth.

Romney failed to qualify.

Seeds of rebellion being planted? Does Trump want physical/military type confrontation between the federal government and the local governments?

He keeps pushing. Shoving what most people believe is wrong in citizens’ faces.

ICE and sanctuary cities the issue.

Certain states and cites have passed sanctuary laws. California has one which prohibits the arrest of  a person on charges involving immigration if such person is at a court house for a hearing on another matter without first obtaining a court order.

The scenario occurred in San Francisco. An illegal immigrant was on the court house steps on his way into the building to appear re a criminal charge in another matter. ICE arrested him.

San Francisco is upset. The third time in 1 year such has occurred. San Francisco has advised it will provide legal representation to the man arrested re the ICE arrest.

ICE takes the position they are federal agents acting under authority of federal law. State or local laws are subservient to federal law.

San Francisco does not agree. There are instances where federal law is subservient.

I hope this particular matter will be resolved in the courts. Not in the streets.

Trump has ICE, the elite Border Patrol and “special agents” working in unison to make these arrests. People and local governments will not tolerate such troops and their military equipment on their streets. There still is a United States of America.

Trump and Pompeo made what they perceived as a great deal with the Taliban to end the 20 year old Afghanistan war. Two weeks have not passed since it was signed.

The Taliban are on a killing spree. Obvious it never intended to be bound by the agreement. The U.S. has at least one time committed its fighter planes to an attack.

Neither Trump nor Pompeo are negotiators of any worth. State Department types are required in entering into these agreements. A real estate contractor and his West Point graduate aide lack the necessary qualifications.

Trump pushed for the agreement so he could go to the American people and say he ended the 20 year old Afghanistan war. No matter how Trump phrases it, the majority of American people will not buy his bullshit. They have been lied to too many times.

Poor Mick Mulvaney. He misspoke one time too many. Trump finally got rid of him.

Mulvaney lost his job as Acting Chief of Staff yesterday. Republican. Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina has been appointed to replace him.

Mulvaney has been demoted to the position of Special Envoy to North Ireland.

Better he quits and goes home.

Mulvaney is the perfect example of a person who sold his soul to the company store. He got what he deserved.

Seems like I will be doing a coronavirus update daily. Following are my today observations, comments, etc.

As the number of coronavirus cases rise, so do ammunition sales. Yes, people are buying more bullets. Sales are soaring. More than hand sanitizers are flying of store shelves.

Gun owners are in a “rush to be prepared” for whatever government action re the virus may follow. It is part of the coronavirus panic.

Lets put the situation in perspective. From 2/23 to 3/5 ammunition sales quadrupled. In less than 2 weeks.

The lobster industry is taking a death blow. In the United States, Canada and Australia. China cancelling the New Year celebration especially hurt. Lobster prices have dropped dramatically.

The fatal blow began with Trump’s trade war. Followed then by coronavirus.

One Maine Company shipped 1,000 boxes of lobsters a week. Now down to 120 boxes. Employees being laid off.

Another Maine company was forced to sell 50,000 pounds at a loss. Eight of 14 employees have been laid off.

A Canadian company reported its sales were down to 5 percent of its normal volume.

Not only are U.S., Canadian, and Australian lobster businesses hurting, certain Chinese businesses also. Smaller restaurants and mom and pop grocery stores.

The 3,500 people on the Grand Princess cruise ship off California still sitting out there. Quarantined to their rooms.

Oh, what fun it must be!

Pence announced a few days ago that “all passengers and crew will be tested for coronavirus.” Yesterday he announced only 46 had. He made it sound like a big deal. Twenty one were found to have the virus.

The other 3,500 are waiting. For what? A place to dump them? Certainly not to be tested in the near future. We don’t have sufficient test kits at the moment for any number….even small.

Earlier in the week Pence also said, “Any American could be tested.” Yesterday, “We don’t have enough tests to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward.”

The Association of Public Health Laboratories must be Trump/Pence friends. It announced, “We are not aware of any widespread testing shortages.”

New York City advised the federal government yesterday that the shortage of testing kits has “impeded our ability to beat back this epidemic.”

As of noon friday, less than 100 people had been tested in New York City.

Another federal official who appears to have trouble with the truth is Secretary Alex Azar of the Department of Health and Human Services. He claims the CDC has sent 75,000 tests to public health labs across the country. Where are they?

My last night consisted of the Chart Room and Shana Key.

Tammy working the bar at the Chart Room. The reason I stopped by. Love her! Had not seen her in a week.

When I arrived, I was 1 of 3 in the bar. Withing 10 minutes, there was no room even to stand.

The season in full bloom!

Mary Lou is a City Commissioner. She and husband Charlie came in for a drink. Good people. They were having dinner later at Pier 1.

Met a great guy from Hampshire, Illinois. About 40 miles outside Chicago.

Gary is an electrical contractor. He and his partners are in Key West with staff for a week long conference.

Gary’s wife Kathy was in their room sleeping. Gary and Kathy have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren.

Met Gary’s partner and his friend. My apologies. Cannot recall their names.

Gary and I had what might be described as a deep conversation. He of Polish extraction. I, Italian. Growing up as such.

I enjoyed his company.

Dinner at Shana Key. An Irish restaurant. Enjoyed corn beef and cabbage. The best in town!

Cow Key Bridge. The trauma begins tomorrow night.

Comcast somehow involved. Whatever Comcast will have to do will be done 3/8-3/10 from 10 pm to 5:30 am. One lane will be closed during those hours. All lanes will be open during all other hours.

The best part of today will begin at 4. Syracuse/Miami basketball. I plan on watching the game at home. Afterwards, I don’t know yet.

Enjoy your day!

Little 300 foot Cow Key Bridge is the only way in and out of Key West. Assuming you are not traveling by boat or plane. The State is scheduled to begin construction soon on the bridge. Reconstruct it.

Initially, it was reported the work to redo the 4 lane bridge would take something like 1.5 to 2 years. At least one lane would always be closed.

A disaster! Totally unreasonable! Had to be a better way!

The State finally advised the job could be done in something like 200 plus days. Still a long time.

Someone commented in the Citizens’ Voice this morning that someone should take a look at Fast 14 for a quicker way to renovate the bridge. I did. An amazing revelation!

I-93 is a major interstate in Massachusetts. Fourteen bridges required reconstruction.

No big deal. The fourteen bridges were replaced on weekends AND the work was completed in 10 weekends.

Work done by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The bridges on I-93 near Medford.

The job was titled Bridge Replacement Project.

Why completed so quickly? The new bridges were pre-fabricated.

Why can’t Cow Key be pre-fabricated? Was such considered in the planning phase?

Lets have some answers. It is going to be like living in hell to live with the long term construction presently contemplated.

Yesterday, a writing day. Per usual, did my blog in the morning. The desire to write overwhelmed me in the afternoon. I wrote and rewrote into the early evening parts of one of the books I probably will never finish and publish.

Key West is a “sitting duck.”

Cruise ships, airlines, and spring break. Key West lies naked. Coronavirus could have a ball here!

Today’s coronavirus update.

Trump was to visit the CDC in Atlanta today for an update. He canceled this morning. Instead going to Michigan for a last minute rally.

Why not the CDC? Because Trump is a coward. He knows the professionals will be all over him because of the way he is handling the coronavirus crisis.

The World Heal Organization estimates the virus’ death rate at 3.4 percent. Scientist/medical expert Trump disagrees. He claims the U.S. attack is mild, many never even see a doctor. He estimates deaths will be less than 1 percent.

Pence told us monday that by friday (today) close to 1 million tests would be available. Late yesterday, Pence had to back track. The number will be less than 500.

He assures us however that 1.2 million will be available by next friday.

William Schaffner is an infectious disease specialist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He says the U.S. is not paying proper attention to the production of the test kits. He claims the U.S. is “tottering along.”

Some testing data.

The U.S. is way behind in testing. Many other countries are not. As of March 1, South Korea has tested 109,000, Italy 23,000, the UK 13,000. The U.S. only 472.

One of the sources for such information is the CDC. It was reported today that on March 2 the CDC removed from its website’s “Total Tested” column the U.S.

Trump not wanting us to know?

The medical experts say one thing and Trump another. Donald will never realize he does not know everything. Trump is giving us false reports. He and Pence should remove themselves from any reporting and leave it to the medical experts. We have to know the truth!

The Vatican reported its first case.

There are photo pics of tourists in St. Peter’s Square. Most are wearing face masks.

China has invoked “force majeure” to protect its businesses. Force majeure exempts businesses from their contractual obligations. As of March 3, 4,811 force majeure certificates have been issued.

The 4,811 certificates amount to $53.79 billion that will be delayed or never payed.

Iran has 2,922 reported cases, 92 deaths.

Pompeo said earlier in the week that Trump had offered to help the Iranians. Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh accused Pompeo of lying. No such offer of help has ever been made. The Minister says, “The United States is lying.”

Muslims are extremely religious. Iran has closed down 60,000 mosques in a effort to contain the virus.

Japan has decided to go ahead with the Olympics which open later in the month. Japan claims its is “impossible”to cancel the games. Sounds to me like money is more important here than human lives.

Stocks are falling again today. European stocks fell sharply at opening this morning.

Since February, various travel businesses in China are suffering big time. Taxis and on line ride hailing are down 85 percent. Railway, highway, and air passengers 80 percent.

Japan has imposed a 2 week quarantine on South Korean visitors already in Japan. South Korea upset.

So much for coronavirus for today.

I have been worrying about ICE for 2 years. Even more today. Especially with Trump’s “war” on sanctuary cities where he is backing up ICE agents with the elite Border Patrol and “special agents.”

A confrontation is inevitable. First between ICE, etc. and the immigrants they are pursuing. Soon to be followed by a confrontation between ICE, etc. and local authorities. Governors and mayors are not going to permit Trump’s thugs to come into their communities and push people around.

Then what? Scary.

The “special agents” involved number 500. I cannot figure out exactly what they are. I have discovered they conduct long term investigations into dangerous criminals and traffickers. Such characteristics are not consistent with those of immigrants illegally here.

These “special agents” are involved with the sanctuary cities problem via an “enhanced arrest campaign” till December 31.

The Republicans never give up! The bully label applies to them. Sen. Ron Johnson wants to issue a subpoena for a witness in the Biden/Barisma matter. One that has been investigated ad infinitum and no wrongdoing found on the part of either Biden.

Interestingly, Johnson came out with his plan soon after Biden swept Super Tuesday.

We can only hope Senator Mitt Romney will stand for right and in opposition to wrong once again. He is on the committee. If he votes against the issuance of the subpoena, the vote will fail.

Enjoy your day!

My Mother. So many years gone. We all love and miss our mothers when they are gone. Whether 1 day, 1 year, or 35 years as in my case.

Certain things bring Mom to mind. A dish she cooked. A meal I ate last night.

I stopped at Shana Key for dinner. Knew what I was going to order before I even arrived. Liver and onions. I had them at Shana Key for the first time a month ago.

My Mom infrequently cooked liver and onions. Each time however, oh so good! I don’t think I had liver and onions in the 35 years my Mother has been gone till Shana Key a month ago.

Just as good! Mom in my mind as I enjoyed the meals.

Continue to miss her dearly!

Before Shana Key, it was Aqua. For Aqua Idol.

A full house. Great performers. I enjoyed.

Bria Ansara one of the performers. Each time I hear her sing, I enjoy her even more!

Bria is a professional entertainer. Sings fridays and saturdays at A & B Lobster Houe. Bourbon Street on monday and tuesday evenings.

Teaches school by day. Taught Robert and Ally art at Montessori. They loved her!

Some coronavirus updates.

The time may come when we will be quarantining ourselves in our homes. Authorities are starting to tell us to prepare. Special foods, etc.

Amazing! Just like preparing for a hurricane. We in the Keys will have no problem getting ready should the necessity arise.

Money becoming an issue. Bills. As we all are aware, money is “dirty.”

Funny because last night that is exactly what passed through my mind as I was watching Aqua Idol. I had a pile of bills in my hand. To place in pails indicating support for various performers. The thought occurred dollar bills could be a virus carrier.

An article on the internet this morning advised the virus could live up to 9 days on paper money.

The People’s Bank of China last month began disinfecting currency deposited at their banks. Bills were first placed under ultraviolet lights. Then “quarantined” for one week before being released back into circulation.

The banks for years have been pushing “digital” money. I have opposed it in this blog the same number of years for reasons not important at this moment.

The banks may finally win. Digital cash in effect is the use of a credit card. We become a “cashless” society.

Assume for the moment that coronavirus impacts the U.S. big time. Will we do what China did? Declare martial law and place people in full blown concentration camps?

The thought is the concentration would not fly. Certain experts believe that finally the NRA will have proven of some value. Their thoughts are so many American are armed that they will oppose any effort to quarantine them in concentration camps.

Notice how Trump tries to minimize the coronavirus danger. Nothing worse than the flu, will be gone on its own in April when the weather gets warmer, etc.

Doesn’t fly. The numbers clearly indicate the risks should not be minimized. The flu kills 1 in 1,000. Coronavirus will kill 1 in 30.

Mentioned yesterday the Centennial Bank on Whitehead had been robbed tuesday. The perpetrator has not yet been caught. The police and FBI continue their search for him.

Turns out Biden won Maine, also. California not yet decided. Only 55 percent of the vote counted.

The tabulation so far is 10 states for Biden, 4 for Sanders.

Winston Churchill will forever be remembered. England’s strength during World War II. He had to deal with the Soviet Union thereafter.

Churchill made his famous Iron Curtain speech following the war at Westminster College in Fulton Missouri. His words historic. Never to be forgotten.

“From the Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the continent.”

Enjoy your day!

If you are in Key West this evening, be at Aqua at 6 for Aqua Idol. You will hear some of the best unknown Key West singers in the process of being discovered. One and a half hours of exceptional singing. No charge. Merely a dollar or two in a water pail if you like a certain performer.

Aqua Idol continues to be Lynda Frechette’s baby. For 14 years. Her vehicle to raise money for the Waterfront Playhouse.

Join Lynda, me, the singers and an overwhelming crowd tonight.

Coronavirus has brought to our attention the need for certain items. N95 face masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves. One more item we in the U.S. were not aware is a necessity.

Toilet paper.

There is a major shortage of toilet paper in Australia. Toilet paper referred to as loo paper there. People are hoarding because of the virus. Panic driven. Supermarket shelves empty. Loo paper available on the internet for more than $100 per roll. Public bathrooms without toilet paper. Stolen. When a truck arrives at a supermarket with toilet paper, people fighting in the streets to get some.

I am curious. Why have we not been made aware of the need for unusual amounts of toilet paper?

What a joke if toilet paper were suddenly needed and the White House were without. Donald would have to make do like the rest of us.

Key West is not a big crime town. Relatively little crime of consequence.

Till yesterday.

A bank robbery.

A man walked into the Centennial Bank on Whitehead, implied he had a weapon, demanded money. Took the money and walked out.

The police have not disclosed the amount stolen.

My yesterday full. Moved at a good pace. Did my blog in the morning. Spent the afternoon preparing for last night’s Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Watched Syracuse beat Boston College 84-71. Did Tuesday Talk. Spent the next several hours into the early morning watching Super Tuesday results on TV.

“Where is Bum Farto?”

Bum Farto is a part of the Key West legend. Years back, he was Fire Chief. Also, a drug dealer and pimp.The authorities arrested him on drug charges. He was convicted.

While awaiting sentencing, he left his home one day never to return. His wife took several weeks to report to authorities that he had disappeared.

He has never appeared anywhere since. Some think the mob may have been involved and he went the way of Jimmy Hoffa.

His reputation does not die. T-shirts sold daily for years in Key West. Emblazoned with: “Where Is Bum Farto?”

Super Tuesday yesterday extremely interesting. Biden, like Lazarus, rose from the dead. He won big! Won 9 states to Sanders 4. Ahead of Sanders now in the delegate count.

Christ like. Took Jesus 3 days to rise from the dead. He was interred on friday and rose on sunday. Took Biden 3 days, also. From saturday to monday.

Biden won South Carolina very very big. Then received several major endorsements.

This morning Bloomberg announced he was withdrawing from the race and throwing his support to Biden, also. In addition to $1 billion.

Last week, Sanders could not lose. Today, it appears he will have a difficult time winning.

Biden won without money and staff. Sanders had both big time. Sanders believed he was unbeatable. He said, “We’re putting together an unprecedented grass roots multi-generational, multi-social movement.”

Apparently not enough.

The word was Sanders had the young blacks. They attended his rallies big time. They failed to vote, however.

Trump did it again! Entered into an arrangement with a foreign power. The agreement is falling apart in less than a week.

Last week, the U.S. and the Taliban entered into a peace agreement to end the 20 year old Afghanistan war. A signed agreement. described as “an historic peace deal.”

I wrote before the agreement was even signed that it would fail. Not because I am a genius of sorts. Rather because it was obvious.

The Taliban is not the government of Afghanistan. Afghanistan has its own separate government. The government was neither party to the negotiations nor a signatory to the agreement.

Al-Qaida still involved. Al-Qaeda not a party to the negotiations  or signing, also.

The agreement provided for an initial 7 day period. If there was “little” conflict in those 7 days, the U.S. and the Taliban would sit down to work out a more permanent deal.

Trump was thrilled with the signing. Reminded me of Chamberlain when he returned from Munich…..Peace in our time!

Trump got bullshitted again. Also, Pompeo who led the negotiations for the U.S.

The first problem arose almost immediately. Afghanistan holds 5,000 Taliban prisoners of war. The Taliban wants them released immediately. Afghanistan said not. We have nothing to do with your agreement with the U.S.

No violence as Trump assumed…..Forget it! Since saturday, the Taliban has committed 76 attacks on 24 Afghanistan provinces. The U.S. also engaged militarily. The U.S. has conducted its first air strikes after an 11 day lull. The U.S. claims they were “defensive” air strikes.

I’m glad Trump knows how to negotiate.

Enjoy your day!

Time again for a morning stew!

Topics shared in order as they appear in my notes. No special arrangement.

Read a platitude re Trump recently. A slogan Trump appears to live by: Fake it till you break it, then blame someone else.

A Dr. Falchi observation re coronavirus yesterday: “It is breaking out” in “epidemic proportions.”

Today the day! Super Tuesday. Interesting to see what the results will reveal tonight.

Joe Biden has had a meteoric 2 days. Last week, he was dead. South Carolina result unexpected. Buttigieg and Klobucher pull out and tell the nation they now support Biden. O’Rourke comes out last night in Dallas and says the same thing.

It could not be better for Biden. Lets see if it is enough.

Pence and Agar did the Sunday media tour. Topic coronavirus. Their comments not really directed at the virus. Rather in protection of Trump. A spin exercise by both to explain the “hoax” comments.

U.S./Afghan peace deal already falling apart. I said it would not last Monday when it was signed. Trump will find a way to make it and himself look like a winner. Probably blame the Taliban and the Afghanistan government.

One of my better nights on the town last evening.

On my way to Dueling Bartenders. Walking past the Side Bar. Heard “Louis!” shouted. Knew it was David.

Went inside and spent some time with David. One of the nicest guys in town. Love his company.

Then around the corner to Aqua for Dueling Bartenders. A good night to be there. Besides Rick Dery, Bobby Nesbitt was performing. Bobby the best of the best.

Ran into Kay and Ted. Met them a week ago at the rib place on Grinnel where Terri was performing. New friends!

I had made reservations for 2 at Antonia’s for 7. Intended taking Mary. We generally run into each other at Dueling Bartenders. No Mary. So it was me alone at Antonia’s bar for dinner.

Lovely Nicolle bartending. She has now lost 36 pounds. Keep going, Nicolle!

Nicolle now refers to herself as “Tuesday Nicolle.” Because I only mention her the day after I have dinner with her bartending at Antonia’s. I have made a mental note to mention her once more before next week. Hope my memory is good.

My meal superb. Fit my diet perfectly. A tuna tatare appetizer and broiled lamb chops.

Great company at the bar, also. Two couples from the Jersey Shore. Live very few miles apart. Never met before.

Jan and Dick from Avalon, Pete and Kathy from Stone Harbor.

There is nothing like the Jersey Shore. If you have never been, try it this summer. The beaches are exceptional.

In years gone by, I spent a couple of weeks every summer in Stone Harbor at Frank and Lois Paladino’s summer home on the intercoastal.

As usual, the cupboard was bare. Stopped at Publix on the way home to pick up a few things.

The nation hears little of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. He is one the best! As good as, if not better, than his father.

He has instituted special help to the public during the coronavirus crisis: Receiving a formal emergency room test without payment. He had New York initiate a ruling that insurance companies are required to waive co-pays for those tested. In effect, the ruling paves the way for all to receive free testing. Whether insured or not.

I commend Cuomo. This is an example of “thinking outside the box” to get something beneficial quickly accomplished.

Today, Tuesday! Big day for Louis. My blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

A quick half hour of me raving and ranting about whatever. A lot of “whatever” this past week!

I restarted my daily podcast 2 weeks ago. On Facebook. Key West Lou. Call the show What Bugs Me Today!

I rant and rave on this show, also. Except only for 2-3 minutes about one topic.

Both shows run forever. Tuesday Talk is intermediately archived. What Bums Me is there in today’s comments on Facebook and runs continuously.

Enjoy your day!