Day 139 Of Coronavirus Shutdown

We are on day 139 of the Coronavirus shutdown and counting. Numbers are continuing to rise to record highs across the country with no end in sight. People are tired of the virus. People want their lives to get back to normal. People are ready to "wash their hands" of this situation and be done with it. Well, people, none of that matters. We are in a pandemic. We are fighting a truly dangerous virus. A TRULY DEADLY VIRUS! And just because you're tired of it and ready to get back to life as usual doesn't change the fact that the virus is here. THIS VIRUS IS REAL! 

Take a look at these numbers below.

The U.S. has surpassed more than 4.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 154,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Cases have skyrocketed in many Southern and Western states in recent months, and now they are warning of emerging hot spots in the Midwest.

The latest national ensemble forecast, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, predicts the U.S. could record as many as 182,000 total deaths by Aug. 22, just three weeks away. Can any of you wrap your minds around that for a second? If we actually reach 182,000 total deaths by Aug 22nd, those are not just numbers! Those are lives. People. HUMANS. 182,000 FAMILIES affected! Just stop and think about that for a second. Hell, remind yourself of that daily. 

It's truly horrible and America needs to get it's shit together. There is no other option.

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I have only one sliver of good news to bring you all today. Just a little science. (Something many Americans don't seem to care for in these current pandemic times.)

The first four people in the country were given a potential coronavirus vaccine last Monday afternoon on the 27th after approval was given from the federal Food and Drug Administration.

Here is what the article in the local Democrat And Chronicle news paper had to say below. 

"The University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health made the announcement during a joint press conference Tuesday, stating Rochester's two largest health systems are partnering with Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech for a late-stage vaccine study.

The Phase 3 clinical trial, the last stage before potential FDA approval, production and distribution, kicked off with four volunteers Monday. Officials said 30,000 volunteers will be recruited at more than 120 different sites across the world. That includes up to 200 participants in Rochester."

They are saying that in this trial, half of the volunteers will be given a placebo, and the other half will be given the vaccine. They're looking for people in the Rochester area between the ages of 18 and 85, Focusing on people high risk for coronavirus infection, such as health care workers, first responders, teachers, and people who work in restaurants or retail.

The article also says that the results will not be known for quite a long time.

This vaccine is one of five so far approved for worldwide Phase three trials and just the second in this country.

This is truly the only good news we have going for us right now. Especially because the current administration hasn't taken this virus seriously from the start and as a result, a lot of the American people haven't taken it seriously either. 

I want to thank you all for taking the time to read this blog today. Please stay home if you're able too. Please wear a mask if you need to go out, and please continue to practice social distancing.