Coronavirus - There Is Light In The Darkness

The last two weeks have been filled with good news regarding the fight against coronavirus. The LA Times reported that during the 7-day period from 2/26-2/19/21, 2000 new coronavirus cases were running at 2,000 a day vs early January when they were at 15,000 a day. Considering all the talk about variants - South African, UK, even Californian, it appears the vaccinations and herd immunity are overpowering the potential negative consequences.

And regarding the vaccinations, according to the CDC, 66.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the US and 20.6 million people have received both doses. That is a lot people. It is so many in fact that according to ourworldindata.com, we now rank at # 4 in the world in terms of total doses per hundred people after Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Trust me, I was very surprised too after all the negative news we are hearing about supply shortages.

Finally, it appears that the FDA'S approval of Johnson and Johnson's 1-shot coronavirus vaccine is imminent. Not only will this add more vaccine supply to the world's epic fight, but needing only one shot will greatly improve the simplicity of giving the shot and getting people fully vaccinated more quickly.

All this is good news, especially for international travelers. I had mentioned months ago my "fear" that countries my start insisting on vaccine passports before allowing people to travel into their countries. One passport for people who are vaccinated, one for people who are not. Last week, the UK officially advocated to the G8 that vaccine passports should be a thing. Perhaps they want to pressure anti-vaxers into vaccinating.

Which leads me to, yes there are still issues with people protesting the virus, others refusing to take it, a few cases of sabotaging supplies, and an overall shortage of supplies, but the fight is going in the right direction. I am looking forward to putting the virus era behind us.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly.

Coronavirus - Acting Update

Los Angeles asked the entertainment industry to shutdown for 2 weeks because of the rapid spread of covid-19 sweeping the county. Friday, 318 deaths were reported along with 18,313 new cases in Los Angeles.

Through November, I only knew 1 person personally who had covid-19. Since Thanksgiving, I know 4 more people plus their family members who had become infected. I definitely understand the abundance of caution.

Still, asking yet another industry of thousands of people to stop working is tough. (Salons, gyms, servers, amusement parks, and others have already been forced to stop.) I recently had one job postpone a shoot for a month. Fortunately, I secured another gig to replace it. Yesterday, I saw more jobs posted for background actors to work than I had seen in a month. Still, Hollywood is super cautious. I imagine this is due to all the break outs on sets last December. One job posting said that they were going to pay a background actor to be tested 5 times in the next 9 days and to not work any of the 8 days prior to working a one day shoot. Another posting said that to be eligible, a background actor could not have worked any job in the past 4 weeks.

I am very glad Hollywood is taking precautions as nobody wants to get sick - but it takes a toll on the finances.

If only the coronavirus vaccine rollout was proceeding as smoothly as we had hoped. Only 6 million doses as of Friday have been injected across the country versus the 20 million the government had hoped for by 2020. NPR gave numerous reasons for the slow rollout, but whatever the reason, thousands of Americans are dying across the country daily because they have not been vaccinated.

I can only hope vaccination process speeds up for all our sakes and that Hollywood's more strigent precautions are effective in keeping its employees safe in the meantime.

Take care and be safe. Posts weekly

Coronavirus Hope and Disaster

Hope - according to the New York Times the vaccine has been administered to 1.9 million people in the United States as of Saturday.

Disaster - over 330,000 people in the U.S. have died from covid-19. That is more people than the entire city of Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or St. Louis. It is reported that Los Angeles now has 0 beds available in its ICU and the city has instituted a 10-day quarantine on any travelers visiting or returning to the city.

Coronavirus bomb exploding or its last gasp before being extinguished.

It is as if the virus knows there is a vaccine and is making a last stand to infect as many people as possible on its way out.

I am very fortunate that no one in my family has been infected with the coronavirus. However, there are four people I know along with their family members that have contracted coronavirus within the last two weeks. That is scary close.

Fortunately, I have no condition or situation that would make me high risk for complications. However, that also means I will be last in line for the vaccine unless actors are classified as essential workers. The USA Today said I should be able to receive the vaccine by summer. That seems like forever with infection rates soaring and people around me getting sick. 

Jim Cramer from Mad Money feels there will be a glut of vaccine stocks by the spring as new vaccine manufacturers get their product approved by the FDA. I hope that he is right. First, I do not want to get covid-19. Second, I fear that many countries, states, and employers may require a person to have proof of having been vaccinated in order to travel, go to work, or go to school.

Currently, in Hollywood, everyone has to be tested before they can work on set. The big studios have set up testing facilities for cast and crew and pay them to get tested. However, some smaller productions are asking actors to show proof of a covid-19 test in order to employ you but require you to get tested on your own - unpaid and unreimbursed. I have missed two job opportunities because of this in 2020. 

Hawaii requires a negative coronavirus test in order to visit the state or be subject to a 10-day quarantine.

I foresee a time in the near future where productions will only hire people if they have been vaccinated allowing production to avoid the expense of testing and at the same time ensuring the safety of their sets. I understand this from a business perspective, but it is frustrating for those who can't get the vaccine.

Fortunately, we are not there with yet with vaccine work screenings. Hopefully, Cramer's prediction of a vaccine glut by Spring will come true and everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be without delay.

Take care, be safe, and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!

Posts Tuesdays

My Dark Coronavirus Christmas Carol

When I read that a visit from Santa Claus infected 75 people with covid last week, I knew that it was time to share my dark-humored Christmas carol: The 12 Days of Covid. Works best if you sing it rather than just read it.

On the 1st day of covid my true love gave to me, a bat in a Chinese cave

On the 2nd day of covid my true love gave to me, two bottles of bleach

On the 3rd day of covid my true love gave to me, three new tweets

On the 4th day of covid my true love gave to me, four new vaccines 

On the 5th day of covid my true love gave to me, five types of wipes 

On the 6th day of covid my true love gave to me, six stocks a-soaring

On the 7th day of covid my true love gave to me, seven waiters a-swearing

On the 8th day of covid my true love gave to me, eight kids a-zooming

On the 9th day of covid my true love gave to me, nine states closing

On the 10th day of covid my true love gave to me, ten teachers hiding

On the 11th day of covid my true love gave to me, eleven doctors praying

On the 12th day of covid my true love gave to me, twelve nurses crying

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly

Coronavirus Vaccine Is Here - Right?

The end is near…in a good way.

The coronavirus vaccine has arrived!

Actually, not here in the US - but in other parts of the world. England vaccinated its first person with the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. Bahrain has also approved its use.

So when do we get the shot in the U.S.? Can I go to Spain next summer after canceling the trip last summer?

Looking at timelines, I was surprised that it takes approximately 30 days to be protected against the virus from the time you take the first shot. The two part shot has to be taken 3 weeks apart. I did not realize it would take that long. Considering the first to be vaccinated are healthcare workers, the elderly, and people at high risk, it could be well in to the summer before I can get my first shot. There goes Spain.

Looking on the bright side, by the time I am vaccinated any side effects should be ironed out.

It also means that means next summer will be a time for more awesome road trips. I have always wanted to drive across country. Time rack up those free hotel night rewards!

As I finished writing this post, I saw a headline that a FDA panel just approved the Pfizer vaccine for US use. Let the countdown to my vaccination begin.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly (usually Tuesday)

A Coronavirus Thanksgiving

I gathered with family outside my immediate household for Thanksgiving. Even with all the dire warnings, I did it.

There were 7 of us (plus a dog). We all wore masks and ate outside never entering the house except to use the restroom. I even wore gloves when I carved the turkey.

But...

I did see numerous Facebook pictures of family and friends from the holidays (and sometimes large groups of family) not wearing masks.

We all hear about the horror stories of entire families coming down with covid and some people dying, yet people are still gathering and still gathering without masks.

I have one family member who refuses to wear a mask because it does not feel good. I have a friend who says "they" had covid during the summer so "they" can't get it again and are no longer contagious so they don't need to wear a mask. They do have a lingering cough. 

It is hard for me to judge others when I was one of the culprits who visited family. Now I know how Governor Newsome feels for going to a dinner party while telling people to stay home and basically live in isolation.

Fortunately, I had three coronavirus tests last week for work and they all came back negative. My family dodged the proverbial bullet.

I think about single people and the elderly. Is a single person living on their own really not supposed to talk to any friends or family in person for another three to six months until a vaccine is easily accessible? What are they supposed to do at Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day?

The dating scene must really suck right now. 

And if a person has elderly parents, how many more Thanksgivings and Christmas' will they have with them? What if this could be their last one? Can they really not visit?

These are tough decisions we all must make, balancing the risk versus the reward.

I hope that you and your families are healthy and are able to navigate the holidays safely.

Posts weekly

Coronavirus The Fall of The Suit, The Rise of The Sock

The suit's best friend today is the actor. The entertainment industry is one industry that still requires its workers to dress up in suits and ties.  I have gotten by the last two years with my early 2000-era black suit but figured it was time to update my game and add some color. 

So I donned my coronavirus mask and drove to Nordstrom Rack. As I stepped off the escalator to the second floor,  I was surprised by the lack of suits. Prior to Covid, a good chunk of the second floor of the men's section was dedicated to suits, sport coats, and business wear. Today, only a small section in the middle of the store was dedicated to business wear and the once illustrious (and potentially expensive) suits were confined to a small section of the back wall. 

How fashion has changed. 

Lawyers, bankers, corporate office types once needed to own multiple suits that fit well. This goes for men and women. They were the symbol of professionalism, status, and style.

My wife's company said they would be lucky if they returned to the office next year. A lawyer I know has not been in the office for months.

So does anyone need a suit if they are working from home? Even if you have to dress up for a Zoom call, why would you need a suit? A sport coat, shirt, tie, and shorts would suffice. Sport coats are a lot cheaper than suits. And on Zoom, it is hard to tell the difference between a $60 clearance sport coat at Nordstrom Rack and a $1000 suit unless you have an amazing webcam and you are doing a (very unlikely) full body shot.

And shoes? Let's not even talk about how even more inconsequential the need is for multiple pairs of nice dress shoes let alone one pair if you are never in the office.

How are clothing manufacturers staying in business during the coronavirus epidemic?

The answer must be socks.

The evidence lay before me. A section of the store where suits once hung was now an expanded sock selection. Some socks were quite colorful. There were ankle socks, thick socks, Christmas socks, and others with amazing designs. Obviously, if people are staying home and winter is coming, socks will be one of the most important clothing items when a person is on that all important Zoom board meeting.

Perhaps coronavirus was the tool of the socks to overthrow the rule of the suits. 

But fear not, suits, a coronavirus vaccine is on the way, creating a pathway for your return to elite status level. And just remember, actors will always need you to create the fictitious worlds where suits are worn daily.  Seriously, only in Hollywood movies is business casual not the norm in an office.

My search for a suit continues.

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly (target date Tuesday)

Coronavirus New Curfew - Ridiculous!

I was annoyed when I heard about the new statewide curfew ordered by Newsome that went into effect this weekend from 10 pm to 5 am.

People said, "John calm down. The only businesses it affects are the bars. It's the young people who don't wear masks and get drunk and are not cautious." When I stood outside my friend's bar in Oregon, the majority of people inside were older men. There are many types of bars

I said, "Watch this is just the beginning."

Lockdowns and curfews create anxiety. Trader Joes had a line half-way around the block this morning. Yes - around the block. My Pavilions had me wait outside for the first time in months. Toilet paper and paper towels were gone.

Today, LA County announced all outside dining will be closed effective Wednesday. Only take-out will be allowed.

Now waiters, hostesses, and bartenders have all just lost their jobs right before the holidays. Merry Christmas.

Many dining establishments have applied for permits and remodeled to provide outdoor dining or to provide more outdoor dining space. I have seen the changes in my neighborhood on my daily walks. Concrete barriers on the street to create dining areas, awnings installed, heat lamps, etc. 

California Adventure just opened its main street this weekend for shopping and dining. So much for those recently hired employees.

Someone asked me, what should we do.

I said:

• First, tell everyone to wear a mask when you are not eating.
• Second, enforce what outdoor dining is. Look at that joke of the French Laundry where Newsome was eating. Three walls enclosed by plastic. That is not outdoor dining. I have seen more and more restaurants close-in their outdoor dining spaces.
• Third, enforce the six-foot distance rule between tables in these outdoor areas. I have seen food areas getting more and more cramped as restaurants try to accommodate more diners.

But do not close all of these businesses down. Enforce the rules, so that the ones who do play by them don't have to suffer. That is how government can keep us safe. Governor, don't go the French Laundry, see the rules being abused, and laugh it all away.

I believe LA County will ban all indoor retail shopping after Black Friday weekend. If they did it this week, there would be a riot, not necessarily by the customers but by all the businesses that just stocked up on instore inventory. Imagine the financial catastrophe if California did shutdown all in-person shopping for the holidays. That would truly put the nail in the coffin of small businesses in the state.

Can't get this at take out

My Saturday in Julian was great. 90% of the people wore masks. Everyone kept their distance.

I do not understand what was wrong with the other 10% not wearing masks. Seriously, by that 10% not wearing their masks, they just cost all Californians the opportunity to eat out or get a drink.

A family member said they were walking outside near a hospital and a nurse walked right by them with their mask in their hand - not on their face. If heads of the CMA are at a large dinner party with the governor and nurses are walking around not wearing masks, perhaps I can see why the 10% don't take our "leaders" and medical establishment seriously.

But, if a small group of people continue to refuse to follow the three basic rules, we will not go back to a relatively normal life for a long time: wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands often. 

Take care and be safe.

Posts weekly.

Coronavirus Vaccine's Impact

On 11/9, Pfizer announced that their covid vaccine was found to be 90% effective in a clinical trail of 44,000 test subjects. 

What does this mean?

The stock market soared 1500 points first thing Monday morning.

Royal Caribbean Cruises stock ended up 25% while Zoom dropped 13%.

I think that Pfizer's news is wonderful, especially considering the massive outbreaks happening in Europe and across the U.S. (The U.S. is tallying over 100,00 new cases a day).  Deadline reported that 3 entertainment productions have closed this week due to positive COVID tests and I know of at least 2 last week. One of these my son was going to work on and I was scheduled to work another. We dodge the bullet on those shows.

The world knows that we sorely need a vaccine, hence the stock market jump.

However, the exuberance party was short lived as Tuesday the market ended up only 262 points and it is down today 108 points. 

There are two issues.

The first is time. If Pfizer passes all the recommended safety tests, it could be June before the vaccine is made widely available to the public. That is a long time from now. 8 months. I just realized, tomorrow 11/13/20 is exactly 8 months since Los Angeles went into lockdown mode - Friday the 13th of March. 

Trivia question: who said, "Beware the Ides of March"? (Close enough to the 15th to make it relevant. Answer below.)

Second, who is going to get vaccinated? Many people I speak to are scared of getting a vaccine whether it is for covid or any other disease. Safety is their main issue. Can the government force people to get vaccinated? Can the government or private businesses deny services like access to public school or Disneyland or a cruise ship to unvaccinated individuals?

In the movie Children Of Men, a vaccine to stop a deadly plague made everyone infertile. That is a chilling worst case scenario. Only in movies right?

But if people don't get vaccinated, how long will the economies of the world economy continue to be at risk of future shutdowns? Months, years? I read that New York is looking at closing its schools again. Los Angeles' have never opened. 

For now, all we can do is social distance, wear a mask, and keep washing those hands. We have to for at least for the next 8 months.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Weekly (Aiming for Tuesdays)

Trivia answer: The soothsayer to Julius Cesar in William Shakespeare's play.

Coronavirus When Will Disneyland Reopen

That is the million or billion dollar question for hordes of Southern California Magic Castle fans. It is also one of the questions of the 28,000 Disney employees that were recently laid off.

According to CNET, Governor Newsome said Disneyland and similar large theme parks can only open once their county reaches the yellow tier of infections. This means that no more than 1 new case of covid per 100,000 people living in that county. Currently, Orange County is in the red tier at 4.6 new cases per 100,000 people. Once Orange Country reaches that yellow level, then Disneyland can reopen, but park capacity will be capped at 25%.

Disney forcefully rejected that notion. All of their theme parks around the world are open from China to Paris to Florida. Only California remains closed.

The Governor's fear is that large theme parks with tens of thousands of visitors would act like super spreader locations like the week-long 365,000-person Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last August that did spread infections across the US.

So what happened when Walt Disney World (WDW) opened in July?

According to Eric Clinton president of one of the unions for cast members as reported by CinemaBlend, said very few if any cast members have had a work-related coronavirus infection at WDW since the reopening. 

Attendance is down due to limits on attendance. However, the Orlando Sentinel said on a recent day 19,000 people visited WDW down from a typical 60,000. Still 19,000 tourists plus cast members are a lot of people all in one place together. 

WDW has instituted a number of wellness measures including temperature screenings, wearing masks, enforcing social distancing, and limiting capacity. Fireworks, parades, and other activities have been curtailed. 

Those few commonsense safety changes seem to be keeping coronavirus in check. It all goes back to wearing a mask, social distancing, and sanitizing. The rule of 3  once again appears to be effective in keeping the virus at bay in yet another big venue. 

As I have said all along, I am personally concerned that a vaccine, if there is one, will not be ready until well into next year. Another vaccine trial (the third) has been suspended after a trial subject died in Brazil. If there is no safe vaccine for the next year or two, how long will California remain shutdown? Schools closed? Theaters shuttered? Winter is when flu season is the worst.

I know many people who have stated that even if there is a vaccine, they will not get it. 

The US just reported a 70,000-new-infection case day. The virus is not going away anytime soon.

It appears that California, at least Orange and Los Angeles Counties, will remain shutdown through at least the end of the year. 

So my musketeers, you will have to make the long journey to the other side of the country to ride a boat on the Pirates of the Caribbean before 2020 ends, maybe even 2021. Crazy, right?

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday

 

Coronavirus How The NFL Is Staying Safe

Football is back! 

With coronavirus cases still at all-time highs in the United States, the NFL has had two weekends of relative coronavirus-free games. That is almost miraculous. No regular season games have been cancelled due to coronavirus outbreaks. Preseason was cancelled which is probably one of the reasons for an unusual number of upsets in week 1. 

Most stadiums did not allow any fans in weeks 1 or 2 of the NFL. One of the few that did, Kansas City, did have an outbreak in a group of 10 fans. However, due to contact tracing and separating fans into 10 person blocks throughout the stadium, the group was easily isolated.  

While surprising, the low numbers were not due to a miracle, but rather human determination and willpower. Sports leagues have proven sports can be played safely. Before the NFL started up again, the UFC had been having fights almost weekly going back to April. A few fights were cancelled due to a fighter or a person in their camp testing positive. No matter how big the fight, the UFC has been diligent about not allowing fights to continue if there is any risk of coronavirus infection.  That stringent approach has kept the UFC fighters, camps, and their families safe.  

The key that has been proven to work is a rigorous testing regimen. In an article on 9/8 from the NFL, it said of 44000 test of 8000 personnel in August, 8 people tested positive. Those 8 were immediately quarantined and no one else was infected. 

According to Pantherswire (the Carolina Panthers' website) no cases of covid had been reported prior to  week 2's games. This is really amazing considering half of the NFL teams and support staff were traveling around the country staying in hotels, taking planes, buses, etc.  

The entertainment industry has reported a few isolated cases, but not many. Why, testing, social distancing, and the use of PPEs.  Every person on set is tested relentlessly. I had to take three covid tests over three days before I was allowed on set this week to film for one day.  

If the major sports leagues and the entertainment industry are whole heartedly buying into widespread testing, wearing PPEs, and social distancing to keep infections at bay, I really don't know why anyone would argue against using these methods in our daily lives. 

Bring on the sports! 

Take care and be safe. 

Posts Tuesday

Coronavirus Free Weekend

Coronavirus Free Labor Day Weekend

 

Wildfires, heatwave, and a blockbuster movie release dominated local news. It was almost like a regular California Labor Day weekend. Coronavirus, BLM, and politics still dominated the news, but these other stories actually broke into the front pages of the major news outlets.

 

We checked into a hotel in San Diego for one night to escape the 114 degree South Pasadena heat last weekend. It was only 91 (a 25 degree difference). Everyone wore masks at the hotel. There were barriers between hotel staff and guests. All the restaurants at the hotel were closed. But along the Waterfront people rented kayaks and paddleboards. People fished. People bbq'd. People didn't act scared. They didn't appear resentful that they were wearing masks.

 

Being a fisherman, I had to check the San Diego fishing reports while I was there. Every sportfishing boat was booked that weekend. Not only that weekend, but filling up throughout the week. I had noticed that when I went on my fishing trip out of Santa Barbara a week ago - every trip was booked solid. And like on the Santa Barabara boat, the one in San Diego you had to wear a mask and sign a waiver that you were coronavirus symptom free before boarding. (Yes, I did go fishing in San Diego too - I couldn't help myself.)

 

Life seemed normal. And when life is normal you can talk about the heat wave; you can talk about California wildfires; you can talk about the new big movie release even if it is a streamer; and you can go fishing.

 

If the coronavirus epidemic has taught us one thing, it's that humans are resilient and adaptable.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesdays (and some Saturdays)

Coronavirus Mulan $30 Why Now

The biggest movie watching news this weekend is undoubtedly Mulan being released to Disney+ subscribers for $30. This is on top of Disney+'s monthly membership fee. At first I was surprised by the price. I mean Netflix is releasing new content monthly with similarly budgeted movies like 6 Underground $150 million and The Irish Man $159 and they did not charge subscribers extra to watch them. (Mulan's budget is $200 million.) 

Perhaps I am not comparing apples to apples here. Mulan was supposed to be a box office smash hit, while Netflix movies are supposed to be streaming hits. This means Mulan had the potential to earn Disney a lot more money as a one-off project. Estimates ticket sales were a billion dollars worldwide. Netflix is fighting for long term subscribers and has to pump out consistent quality content to keep them.

 

So why did Disney decide to bite the proverbial bullet and post Mulan to its streaming service with a $30 price tag?

 

I have Disney+ since it is free for 6 months as part of my cell phone promotion. I enjoyed watching The Mandalorian. I also watched one classic movie. But that has been it. I have not watched Disney+ since the series ended because there is nothing new to watch. Once I watch Hamilton, my plan is to cancel my subscription and then renew it once the new season of Mandalorian arrives for one month.

 

So content issues is one reason Mulan was put on its streaming service.

 

My other two theories have to do with the Oscars and staying relevant. 

 

There has been a growing discussion regarding where streaming services' movies fit in awards season. Historically, only movies in theaters are qualified to earn an Oscar. What happens when the theaters have been closed for half a year and perhaps for the rest of the year? Do you base you Oscar candidates only on the movies shown in the first three months of the year? Or do you include movies like Hamilton, Mulan, and Tom Hank's Greyhound that were supposed to be released in theaters but went the streaming route? Or do you include all movies now - made for tv, made for cable, made for streaming, and made for theater?  Perhaps by charging pay per view rates for Mulan, Disney can argue that the $30 fee alone differentiates it enough to be considered a "real" movie worthy of Oscar contention.

 

I know people who have already paid for Mulan. I know people who have scoffed at the price. Will Disney make $1 billion? I doubt it. But people are talking about the movie. They are talking about the price. They are talking about the amazing special effects. They are talking about political issues surrounding the movie. And best of all for Disney, it is keeping the studio relevant at a time when its cruise line is shut down and many of its theme parks are still closed. And being relevant can be priceless.

 

As a final thought: what would have happened if Disney had pushed Mulan to 2021 and tensions between the US and Chinese governments continue(d) to rise. The movie might not never be released.

 

One thing is sure, the mouse knows what it is doing and no one is moving its cheese.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Saturdays and Tuesdays

Coronavirus The Heat

Coronavirus you are so mean! 

A heat wave has settled over Southern California for over a week and is forecast to last another two. 98 degrees today in South Pasadena. What do people do when it is hot? They go to the movies, the mall, the museum, eat inside a restaurant, basically go anywhere there is air conditioning. Thanks to the coronavirus all of those options are cancelled.

How about a nice hike? You would have to go really high up to find some relief. Last weekend Lake Arrowhead was 88 degrees at 5,174 feet - still a bit warm.  Big Bear was a little more comfortable at 82 degrees, but they were also having scattered thunderstorms. That would make hiking even more uncomfortable. And again, you can't go inside anywhere to escape the rain or heat.

Being in Southern California, we are blessed with golden beaches and the cool Pacific Ocean. Only issue is millions of other Angelenos would probably be headed that way as well - covid be darned. The temperature at Manhattan Beach last weekend was forecasted to be 86 degrees. So unless you were in the water all day, you will be broiling on the sand. And even if you braved the crowds and sun, once there you would still have to eat your lunch or drink your Starbucks outside.

 

Maybe my teenagers who sleep during the heat of the day and stay up during the cooler evenings night have it right. Night surfing anyone?

 

Note - I did go to Manhattan Beach yesterday despite my fears of crowds and heat. I took my boogie board and had a grand time. The weather was a hazy overcast all morning keeping the temperature in the upper 70s and it was not that crowded. Perhaps Angelenos had the same fears I had and stayed home making traffic a breeze. 

Lots of times one's fears are overblown and once you do something you realize its not so bad. 

Another good thing is theoretically the coronavirus dies in the sun. So if you brave the heat outside, almost everything thing you touch will be sanitized.  

 

Fortunately, in California we have a "dry" heat which means we avoid the humidity of the east coast making life more bearable than many other unfortunate souls. My son remarked yesterday, "Dad, remember how when we stepped out of the airport at JFK and our shirts immediately clung to our bodies." 

"Yes, I do," I said and laughed counting my blessings as we sat on the sand watching the waves.

I will take the California heat anytime - but that coronavirus is really trying my patience.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus - Blanket Ban Lifted on International Travel

I came across a crazy story last week that the U.S. State Department lifted its blanket international travel ban for Americans to travel abroad. (see below)

I thought that was really odd as I am hearing about rising coronavirus numbers in India and Brazil and new outbreaks in European countries. New Zealand just reported its first coronavirus case in over 4 months.

 

So I read deeper and learned that the ban that was lifted was the level 4 warning that the State Department applied to all countries back in March. A level 4 warning prevents Americans from recreational travel to the specified country or in this case all countries. Now the State Department has set the warning level based each country's specific situation. This is the way it was before the coronavirus pandemic. For example, now Mexico and Brazil are still ranked at level 4, but most European countries have a level 3 ban and some Asian countries are ranked level 1.

 

The positive is that people can begin to dream of international travel again. Having dreams and hopes has been proven to be an endorphin booster - make a person feel good.

 

However, just because our rankings have changed, that doesn't mean foreign countries will allow Americans in yet. Spain has not lifted its restrictions on prohibiting recreational travelers from the U.S. even though the State Department gives them a level 3 ranking.

 

The negative is that for Americans who want to travel abroad the situation has become more complicated.

 

When we were told we couldn't go anywhere, we removed the idea of international travel from our mind and started planning the great American road trips.

 

When a situation is unclear, we spend countless hours and time researching or worrying about whether or not we can really book that international trip.

 

Still, the State Department decision shows that the world is trying to return to normal. Hopefully, we can all return to normal sooner rather than later.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/08/07/state-dept-lifted-its-blanket-international-travel-advisory-what-does-that-mean-americans/

Coronavirus A 4-Hour DMV Visit?

A 4 hour wait!

I had to renew my driver's license today and apply for a Real ID. This meant that I had to physically go into the DMV. Anyone who has been to the DMV knows what an arduous process this usually can be. With the coronavirus raging, I imagine it would even be worse.

 My son went for his drivers permit a month ago and his story is an example of what I feared. He arrived at the DMV at 2 pm and the security guard told him it would take at least 2 hours. The line wrapped around the building. It was 90 degrees outside and no shade. The guard told him that people start lining up at 6 am to enter the building at 9 am. Looking at the sun, my son decided to try the next morning.

He arrived the next morning at 5:15 am with his camping chair and powered up cell phone and there was one person ahead of him. In other words, three hours and 45 minutes before the DMV opened people were already in line. When he left at 9:45 am, the line was around the building again.

At my tender age of 49, my main concern was bathroom access. Waiting 4 hours wasn't a realistic possibility.

Still I needed to get the Real ID before October 1st if I hoped to fly within the U.S. and my renewal was coming up for my license. Yes, you can still use a passport, but it is a bit more cumbersome and it feels weird for me to travel within the US using a passport.

The DMV website does tell you how long the current wait times are at each office. I figured I would monitor the site once I had all the paperwork done and when I saw a wait under two hours somewhere, I would head down.

So I started the process of renewing online as my notification said I needed to do. The online process takes a long time as you need to scan and upload four documents to the DMV website for the Real ID. I pray I have no file capturing viruses on my computer or I just made it super easy for someone to assume my identity. However, after spending 30 minutes going through the process where I even had a choose which DMV I would go to, I was rewarded with a confirmation number that said it was as good as having an open appointment to show up at any time at the office I selected and join the appointment line.

I read a review online that said they had an appointment and were done in an hour. Someone else said it was better to go later that earlier.

I arrived at 4:15 pm the next day - 45 minutes before closing - and crossed my fingers. Sure enough, there was a separate line for appointments - no one was in it. The walk-in line which had already been capped for the day had 10 people. So if you are walking in, make sure you go before 4 pm.

The attendant after finishing with his current client, called me forward, reviewed my documents, and then sent me inside. Wait outside - 5 minutes. Inside, the waiting area were 18 chairs all spaced at least 6 feet apart. Behind the counter there was a masked clerk at every other station. My number was called 10 minutes later. The employee asked me to put my documents on the table and then step back to the circle in front of her window - six feet away. She then scooted forward, did her work, and then scooted back. I came forward, reviewed my documents, signed, and then paid for the renewal. She then directed me to the camera room. After 10 minutes here, I was done.

In and out in 30 minutes. Very organized and efficient. Of course, I had the benefit of an appointment. If I had to wait in the sun for three hours, I might have a slightly different tune. So if you need a Real ID; complete the online paperwork; upload the documents; and save yourself a ton of time.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Eating On The Street

Good bye parking, hello dining.

In Manhattan Beach today, I saw how street parking was replaced with outdoor seating. Wooden stands were constructed ten feet into the street, covered with black cloth, and low plastic walls enclosed the dining space.

Between the spaced tables were plastic partitions. Servers wearing masks and face shields served customers. The local ice cream shop had their own street-level outdoor dining area with a pink picket fence separating traffic from their cute white chairs.

Manhattan Beach is serious about the coronavirus and helping its businesses while keeping consumers safe. Driving into Manhattan Beach, a large road construction sign said, "Face masks required, fine $350." I must say 99% of the people on the street and boardwalk wore masks. The exception was the people eating outside. You can't eat with a mask on.  So there is that small risks, something could go wrong.

But, I must say that eating on the patio of a restaurant in Oregon on our recent road trip was a great experience. To sit down and have someone bring us dinner and take care of our dishes for the first time in four months felt odd at first and then energizing.

My mother told me that the Glendale Galleria, an enormous indoor mall, has converted part of its parking structure into an outdoor eating area.

In South Pasadena, Mama's Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta put up an enormous white pop-up in it's parking lot, put out a statue of liberty, and laid out tables with red table cloths for to customer's outdoor dining experience.

Fiore Market Cafe also in South Pasadena had a small three-piece instrumental band play on its socially-distanced patio for lunch the other day.

I am glad to see more and more business adapting to the new "normal" and overcoming the challenges to stay in business.

I was speaking to my barber last week whose store placed a pop-up tent in their parking lot and moved three barber chairs outside and we agreed that the worst is past us - the unknown. Now, everyone knows about the virus; it will not wipe out the earth's population; people and business have dealt with and adapted to living in the  coronavirus environment for over 5 months; and life has entered a new state of normal.

It is still scary and I bid you to take care of yourselves and be safe, but determine how you can make the best of your situation rather than waiting for something to happen.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Best and Worst of Road Trip

Seattle

A road trip during coronavirus?! It was awesome. Here are the best and worst situations we experienced on our two-week roadtrip from Los Angeles to Olympic National Park. Let me say, that we felt safe at every hotel we stayed in as they all had coronavirus measures in place. 

Stringent coronavirus checks

Most - Hyatt Place in Emeryville - asked us 3 coronavirus questions before they let us check in and gave us a handout on covid measures at hotel

Least - Bars - once you had a beer in your hand masks came off

Covid breakfast (every place except 1, staff handed you your breakfast items)

Best - Seattle - only place on entire trip with hot breakfast - scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage.

Worst - Redding - lots of cold choices, but we were allowed to grab our own food

People wearing masks

Most - Olympic National Park

Least - Stockton and small towns in Washington

Reliable bathroom opportunities

Most - rest areas along interstate 5

Least - California gas stations (many were "out of order")

Park experience

Best - Mt. St. Helens - very few people there due to coronavirus - I saw pictures from last year and observation decks were packed with people.

Mt. St. Helens

Worst - Cape Flattery - it is located on Indian Reservation and the reservation was still in Phase 1. We were turned back after an hour drive by police since we were not locals.

Dining

Best - Pastini - first sit down meal in 4 months! Seating was outside. All servers wearing masks, tables were wiped down between guests.

Worst - Oyster restaurant in small town - owner not wearing mask

Coronavirus precaution Items I brought

Best - hand sanitizer I placed in doors of car

Worst - wipes - never used them. We were very good about hand sanitizer and never saw a necessity for these.

Other coronavirus observations: many elevators had spots on floor where you were supposed to stand for social distancing purposes; one hotel said most were operating at 40% capacity or less; one gas station in WA gave out gloves so you could pump your gas; traffic was great- everywhere - even going into and out of San Francisco at rush hour on a Monday; and everywhere we went most people wore masks similar to what we see in Southern California - most people do, but there is that tiny minority that refuse.  Only in a couple of  businesses we found mask wearing lax and we abruptly left.

Being on the road filled us with a sense of freedom that we had not experienced in the last four months. I am ready for another one.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Coronavirus Soaring In Sports

Three UFC fighters had to cancel their fights July 11 after they or their camp members tested positive for coronavirus. The blame on the sudden increase in fighters testing positive can't be blamed on the UFC starting up again. They have had 8 events, with a dozen to two dozen fighters on each card and in all this time they have only had two fighters back out for testing positive.

 

Yet, all sports are getting hammered now with the re-surging first round of coronavirus cases in the United States.

For baseball fans, the AP reported that 31 players and 7 staff members tested positive as baseball begins testing players prior to opening day on July 23. Something interesting in baseball are players being placed on injured reserve with no description of the injuries suggesting the numbers of infected could be higher.

For soccer fans, the first game of the men's season scheduled on July 15 has been postponed because 6 members of one team, FC Dallas, have tested positive according to Soccer Today.  The women's league has been playing since last weekend with no reports of players testing positive.

For basketball fans, NPR reported that 25 NBA players have tested positive - 9 in the round of testing from June 24-25. The NBA is "tentatively" scheduled to resume on July 30.

For NFL fans, there is no word on when systematic testing will begin for NFL players. However, the NFL Players' Association wants all preseason games cancelled.  Training camp is supposed to start July 28. 

Is the surge in cases due to reopening, some people becoming complacent and no longer wearing masks, the protests, coronavirus parties among some young adults, or a more contagious form of the diseases as Fauci suggested last week? It is hard to say. Probably a combination of all factors.

I will say that during my walks with my wife last week, more people are wearing masks than we have seen since the end of June. That gives me hope that life will return to normal sooner rather than later.

Still, sports are a long way from beginning again, let alone having fans in attendance. Except the UFC with its fight island. Yes, Fight Island is real. It is in the Middle East in the country of Qatar as long as no more fighters are infected. 

I hope no one else is infected whether it is a fighter, athlete, or my neighbor.

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus Cases Soaring

At the beginning of June I felt optimism that the worst of the coronavirus was over. Businesses were opening across the U.S. and around the world, the stock market was rebounding, and infection rates were dropping. I mean even Disneyland announced that they were reopening July 15.

Then on May 28, Korea started closing down after a new outbreak. On June 16, China announced Beijing was instituting a soft lock down after another outbreak, halting flights and closing some businesses. Then states in the U.S. that had instituted strict stay-at-home policies, like California, started to noticed an uptick alongside those that had less restrictive policies like Arizona, Texas, and Florida. By mid-June, California was so bad that last week everyday broke a new record of new infections: 3,000 Monday, 5,000 Tuesday, 7,000 Wednesday, then back to 5,000 Thursday.

Yes, a large part of the increase is due to increased testing, but by no means all.

ICUs are starting to fill up again, a definite sign more testing is not the only cause of the spike.

And here is the kicker, the people that are heading to the ICU and make up the majority of the new cases are young adults. According to The Wall Street Journal, 60% of new cases in California are under the age of 49. In Arizona, 60% of new cases are those under 45. When I take my daily walks most people are wearing masks. At least 9 out of 10 people who aren't wearing masks fit that under age 45 category.

Just like a maskless 20-something strutting down the street past a masked elderly couple. I guess he was proud he wasn't wearing a mask to show how "invincible" he was. 

If the spouse of the elderly couple catches coronavirus from him and later dies, can the young man be charged with negligence. According to Wikipedia, the four elements to a negligence case are: duty, breach, proximate causation, and injury. Holy moly, are we going to see a slew of lawsuits against individuals who aren't wearing masks and spread the coronavirus?

My neighbor has not had a babysitter since the coronavirus hit and has been working from home.  But, walking through my local park yesterday, I saw two nannies sitting together on a large blanket with 5 kids. There was maybe a four-foot gap between the two ladies, but none between the kids. Hmm. 

The Wall Street Journal said Texas and Arizona are attributing the rise in cases to the recent reopening of bars and restaurants. The Texas Tribune said the Governor shut down the bars in the state on Friday as intensive care units are being flooded and they are contemplating plans to treat patients at convention centers and stadiums.

A month ago, most people saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Now it looks like we are going back inside.

 

Financially what does this mean? Disneyland has delayed reopening, Apple is shutting down stores, the stock market is dropping, and states are barring other states' residents from visiting them like New York and New Jersey. So, more layoffs, more people on unemployment, and the bonus of less traffic. 

Will the entertainment industry postpone their reopening? I am seeing fewer gigs on the industry job boards. Even fewer than last month. And here I am only talking about non-union gigs as union gigs have been non-existant.

As I mentioned during the last post, Dr. Fauci complained that people keep talking about the 2nd round when we are still solidly in the first round.

I spoke to a young cop on the street a month ago while I waited for my take out. His partner wore a mask but he didn't. He said it was a personal choice.

Hopefully, everyone makes the right choice so we can get rid of this virus once and for all.

Posts Saturday and Tuesday