Signal Wave

wave.gif

OK, I've had one of the worst ten-week periods of my adult life, and this is the best response I have.

Play it. Play it loud.

I love the fact that this (incredibly good) Chicago cover band is comprised of Russians and the occasional Ukrainian.

How are you all today? I hope better than I've been lately.

At least Nick seems to have defeated the virus--though he's going through a long recuperation.

Share
up
21 users have voted.

Comments

Lookout's picture

Wishing you and yours all the best.

We're caught inside this morning as tropical storm Fred sits on us. I was surprised to only see 0.7" in the gauge this morning as it rained most of the night...obviously not too hard.

No trade day this morning either, my usual Tuesday AM activity. As we say, "The flea got washed away." Rain is due to pass by afternoon.

We're moving baby plants in and out to harden them off for the garden. Getting ready for fall as summer crops are still coming in strong. We put up so much last year that we're not doing much storage this summer. Eating fresh and giving away the excess this year.

Well, take care and quick healing to you and your household.

Edit to add:

Now over 2" rain and counting. Still have a few more hours of rain coming.

up
15 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Lookout

Nick is getting better, slowly.

It's always great to hear about your life. It seems to be based on sound principles, and that's always a refreshing thing to see, these days.

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

easier times ahead.

Play this one loud as well.

up
12 users have voted.
Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@randtntx

Not only awesome music, but extraordinarily appropriate message.

Thank you!

up
5 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@randtntx

I noticed it was in Austin.

Of course, Texas, like the galaxy, is a big place.

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal , but I did see her at a small venue, she puts on a good show. We had a really great evening that particular night we saw her, it was fun.

Another one from Austin:

up
3 users have voted.

I was surprised to see some of the reply's to my post about N-95 & KN-95 masking yesterday.
Here is information about the CDC and reporting on breakthrough covid-19 cases. (or lack thereof)

link to source from an article in Newsweek on CDC reporting

On May 1, the CDC announced it would transition "from monitoring all reported vaccine breakthrough cases to focus on identifying and investigating only hospitalized or fatal cases due to any cause."
"This shift will help maximize the quality of the data collected on cases of greatest clinical and public health importance," the CDC wrote.

Some breakthrough cases were noticed after Fourth of July Celebrations in Provincetown MA.
A citizen scientist found the incident and reported it to the CDC.

Link to article from NPR on citizen scientist reporting outbreak from cape cod 4th of july celebrations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a lot of ways to pick up on COVID-19 outbreaks, but those methods often take awhile to bear fruit.

Not so with the Provincetown, Mass., cluster that started around July Fourth weekend. "We triggered the investigation as people were getting symptomatic," says Demetre Daskalakis, a deputy incident manager for the CDC's COVID-19 Response. "Pretty amazing — it is warp speed."

How did they do that? It was thanks to a tip from a citizen scientist named Michael Donnelly. A data scientist in New York City's tech sector, he started publishing his own coronavirus data reports early in the pandemic and launched a website, COVIDoutlook.info, with Drexel University epidemiologist Michael LeVasseur.

Following leads from his personal network, Donnelly documented over 50 breakthrough cases coming out of Provincetown, practically in real time, and shared it with the CDC as the outbreak was still unfolding.

Without Donnelly's effort, the agency would have probably detected the outbreak at some point, Daskalakis says, but "it wouldn't have been as rapturous an initiation of an investigation and response as we had."

The lie of omission about breakthrough cases with mild symptoms from the CDC is understandable.
They are busy trying to get people to vaccinate and any negative reporting is counter productive.
I strongly prefer the unvarnished truth.
I want to be able to make informed decisions to protect myself and those around me.

So IMO it is advisable to mask with N-95 or KN-95 levels of protection when out in public.
My perception of what is happening now is as follows.
The vaccines will not completely stop transmission of the Delta variant.
They will likely prevent severe symptoms from Covid-19 if you catch it.

You need to make up your own minds as to what is needed going forward.
It helps to be informed.
I'm simply putting information I see as important out there for your edification.

up
16 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@jbob

about masking (in good masks). We've done it before and won't be too difficult to return. Another aspect is passing infections outside which used to be a safe venue.

“Delta is generally more contagious – that also applies when you are in the fresh air,” said the President of the Society for Virology, Ralf Bartenschlager.

“It was possible to get infected with earlier variants outdoors, but the probability of it happening increases with Delta,” explained the Heidelberg University expert. Delta infected people would have a virus load that is probably five times higher than the previous version Alpha B.1.1.7. “The more virus there is in an infected person, the greater the risk of transmission, even outdoors.”

https://globalhappenings.com/the-delta-variant-is-also-transmitted-outdo...

We're back to hiding in the holler just to be safe. I think I've got my immune system tuned up, but I'm not wanting to test the idea.

up
13 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Lookout

Great. Just great.

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

lotlizard's picture

@jbob  
distinguishing kinds of people.

One kind thinks sticking to the unvarnished truth is important. There’s a sense that telling any kind of lie pollutes the universe on a numinous level.

The other kind is comfortable with the marketing and CIA person’s notion of “operational” truth—what is “true” is anything you can get others to believe that produces the desired manipulative effect.

up
15 users have voted.
Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@lotlizard

And can I say, lotlizard, that I'm really happy to "see" you? Smile

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@jbob

We haven't always been in agreement, jbob, but I'm 100% with you on that. I am more angry than I can say at the CDC for telling vaccinated people to take their masks off. IMO, that's almost on a level with Trump spreading the notion that the disease wasn't a big deal, or was a conspiracy to make him look bad.

"A plague on both your houses! They have made worm's meat of me. Ask for me tomorrow, and you'll find me a grave man."

up
8 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@jbob

that fully vaccinated people *wouldn't* catch the Delta variant.

IOW, a 61% chance that fully vaccinated people *would* catch it.

Also, vaccination does not prevent spread. So if one of those people does catch the Delta variant, the vaccine will not prevent them spreading it to others.

What it prevents, as you accurately state, is severe COVID--as in COVID that requires hospitalization, or that causes you to die. Vaccination is also good at preventing long COVID.

But Joe Biden is completely wrong when he says that "if you're vaccinated, you don't need to worry about catching the disease." FFS. Is there anybody else up there I can talk to?

up
7 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal As I reported in a comment yesterday the test results from Albany County in NY showed just over 40% of the positive tests were vaccinated people.
But hey one of the pro football teams is completely vaccinated and they will require fans attending games at their home stadium to be vaccinated.
However no masks will be required!
As posted above great, just great!
Shame on the CDC for not reporting / warning of this vector!

On the other hand, I'm going to mask up with an N-95 and go see Ann Wilson of Heart play a show on her current tour tonight.
The venue is requiring masks but once the lights go out....

"Danger is the spice of life" once said to me by a rock climber just before doing a crazy move.

up
6 users have voted.
Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@jbob

but I'm not sure those figures line up with mine.

39% of vaccinated people WON'T catch the disease if exposed to the Delta variant, is what I've heard. 61% will. So it's actually far worse than the numbers you're seeing. If it's the other way around, that's a hell of a relief to me. Still not gonna take my mask off, though!

up
2 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

@jbob Thanks

up
2 users have voted.

NYCVG

The N-95 and KN-95 masks filter out particles smaller than the covid-19 virus particles only if fitted properly. When wearing one of these masks an EZ self test for proper fit is the "smell test".
The masks will block the particles that carry odors into your nose.
If wearing an N-95 mask you can smell a pungent aroma it is a sign there is leakage around the mask.
Important note: These masks will not block petro-chemical particles.
Do not use the "smell test" for an N-95 mask on exhaust fumes or smells from any petro chemicals.

Link to article from SF Chronicle on mask self tests

However, the test reminded me of what CDC representatives told me are the biggest misconceptions about face masks, which is that they prevent spreading rather than contracting the COVID-19 virus. It also reminded me of OSHA fit-tests for N95 masks, which basically amounts to the same thing: you wear the mask and see if you can smell an odor.
Without my KN95 mask, I was able to smell the candle quite well, and with my ordinary face mask (an Everlane “100% Human” mask) the smell was still quite detectable, though perhaps marginally weaker. When I was wearing the KN95, however, I couldn’t detect the candle at all.

up
14 users have voted.
Raggedy Ann's picture

Glad Nick is feeling better - so am I, as we had discussed a couple weeks ago.

We are moving through interesting times the next six weeks, so be alert!

Enjoy the day! Pleasantry

up
11 users have voted.

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Raggedy Ann

Sorry, I don't know the significance of six weeks.

I'm glad you're continuing to feel better, RA!

up
3 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

That cover band is tight as hell, nice find!

First live show I ever saw was Chicago so they enjoy a special place in my musical experience. Went with my mom and a bunch of her friends when I was in 5th or 6th grade, and they put on a fantastic live show back when.

So glad to hear Nick's getting better. Wishing you all well during these nutty mcnutball difficult times.

up
12 users have voted.
Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Reverend Jane Ignatowski

How are you doing?

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

Doing as well as possible, all things considered. Just wrapped up a batch of medical tests with good results, gotta go again right after Thanksgiving, so I'm dialing in a tight focus on getting a few things done and enjoying whatever I can until then.

Things have been so intense everywhere, I hope you're able to get enough rest, or at least some rest, and not feeling pressure to do too much.

And...the cat just barfed behind the recliner, duty calls and good morning to all, lol.

up
4 users have voted.
Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Reverend Jane Ignatowski

or as my aunt might have once said, "Que bueno!"

Really good news. Hopefully, the next set will continue thus.

As for me, I'm trying to get to the point where I've gotten through all the medical shit I didn't do in 2020. Been catching up since I was fully vaccinated in May. That plus some projects (like doing my end-of-life documents) that I started in October. (Yes, October. The legal stuff has been dragging on for ten months. I thought it would be done this week, when I'm signing the docs, but apparently I have to make sure everything is titled right afterwards, so there will still be some i's to dot and t's to cross).

What I'm hoping for is that by Kate's birthday (Oct 23) I'll be done with all the medical catch-up and the projects I started last October. Then it may be possible to have 6 months of so of low activity, if the crik don't rise.

up
1 user has voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

usefewersyllables's picture

The immortal Frank Zappa at the Royal Albert Hall.[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yCJ_Keej4k]

up
6 users have voted.

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@usefewersyllables

A little Zappa makes insane times more bearable.

up
3 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

usefewersyllables's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

up
3 users have voted.

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

up
3 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

You all survived.
Loud music is soul and mind cleanse.

up
6 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@on the cusp

which I will attempt to take. Smile

up
4 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

enhydra lutris's picture

tense regarding your recent horrible times. Also glad that Nick is on the road to full recovery.

I love the fact that your Russkie drummer is wearing a Dodgers hat. Yhat "Police Line" guitar strap isn't too shabby either.

The topic seems to have evolved in the direction of music to play loud. Some songs call for it and some bands demand it.

be well and have a good one

up
8 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@enhydra lutris

that demands to be played loud:

I just found out the Pogues covered this!

God damn. I love that cover!

up
6 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

enhydra lutris's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

be well and have a good one

up
4 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@enhydra lutris @enhydra lutris

Sammy Hagar put this at the top of his top 20 best-produced tracks, and I'm not sure he's wrong. It. Must. Be. Played. Loud.

Shit. I'm having to edit this b/c "video is unavailable...watch on YouTube." I hope the mighty GooTube is not refusing to let people embed videos now.

Trying another video of the same song...

up
5 users have voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

enhydra lutris's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

up
3 users have voted.

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

lotlizard's picture

Taliban take control of a gym at the presidential palace:
https://twitter.com/NewsForAllUK/status/1427545007536361472

Taliban take control of a theme park in Kabul:
https://twitter.com/NewsForAllUK/status/1427367923132346368

Taliban trying out a carousel ride and the bumper cars:
https://twitter.com/rose_k01/status/1427549129740210176

Taliban trying out a trampoline:
https://twitter.com/AsaadHannaa/status/1427363956264419344

up
4 users have voted.
gulfgal98's picture

It sounds as though you and your partners have had more health issues to deal with than should be fair. I hope Nick will be completely recovered soon. You definitely need some respite from your caregiver role. I hope you will take time for yourself in that regard.

As for COVID, I have personally known over 15 people who have tested positive. Two were asymptomatic and four were very sick. The rest had what could be considered normal flu symptoms. The problem is that one's overall health or age did not seem to be a factor in how the virus hit. Of the 15 plus people, two got a break through infection recently even though they were vaccinated. Both had very mild cases thank goodness since one was a cancer survivor. I personally am big on masking but it only works well if everyone or nearly everyone does so.

Stay safe and stay well. (((virtual hugs)))

up
4 users have voted.

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Lookout's picture

@gulfgal98
...is dependent on initial viral load...talking face to face for an hour vs a brief conversation for example.

Folks if you are exposed to others, consider gargling when you go home...
This is a simple easy way to limit your risk if you are in crowds.
From an earlier comment...
This virus is spread with aerosol spray. As a result, infection occurs in the nasal passage and back of the throat. That is where the virus replicates initially and progresses into serious disease. Nip it in the bud with a virus killing mouthwash after being in exposing situations. Here's the FLCCC's advice...

1. Irrigate your nose with a Betadine wash 3x/day. Betadine wash can be made by taking 1cc of 10% Betadine and diluting with 1cc NaCL (saline solution). This makes a 5% solution which can be added to a nose irrigation bottle like the one in the Neilmed Sinus Rinse™ system. This can be a good prevention strategy for when you suspect that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19.

2. Gargle with, but do not swallow, mouthwashes that contain cetylpyridinium such as Scope™,ACT™, and Crest™. You can also gargle with Listerine™, made from essential oil compounds of eucalyptus, thymol (thyme), and menthol. These essential oil compounds have also been shown to be virucidal. Gargling with a Betadine solution is also an option (see nasal wash solution), or povidone/iodine 1% solution as alternative.

up
6 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout My employee's brother in law had COVID, and is experiencing horrific long term effects. He went to an ER very close to my hometown. He was hospitalized overnight, sent home with a prescription for Ivermectin. I was shocked any local drs. would take the chance. My own dr. gave it to COVID patients before the vaccines were available. He was bragging about how his patients were over COVID in a couple of days. I got the feeling my dr. got a warning from someone to stop. He has hospital privileges at the hospital where the brother in law was treated. I was totally shocked at the sanity shown at the ER. Things may be improving for sick people. Maybe they get the top priority instead of Big Pharma.

up
8 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@gulfgal98

Great to "see" you!

I hope Nick will be completely recovered soon.

He's firmly in the recuperation phase. Thank God.

You definitely need some respite from your caregiver role.

You're right! Smile

I hope you will take time for yourself in that regard.

Well, that might happen, at least somewhat, if everybody stays healthy. But I'm also my mom's primary emotional support. So there's some caretaking that's ongoing. A vacation from everything would be nice, but travel is currently too difficult. Maybe when this wave passes. I'm assuming it will, at some point!

As for COVID, I have personally known over 15 people who have tested positive. Two were asymptomatic and four were very sick. The rest had what could be considered normal flu symptoms.

It's the asymptomatic people that worry me. That's always been one of the things that's worried me the most, since this started.

Sure would be nice if we had some TESTING!!!

The problem is that one's overall health or age did not seem to be a factor in how the virus hit.

I'm surprised to hear that co-morbidities had no effect on how the virus hit. I'd love to see data on how vaccination works with the existence of co-morbidities. If a person is vaccinated with comorbidities and gets a mild case, maybe it's because the vaccine is working. How it looks when people with co-morbidities AREN'T vaccinated is the key. Do they get sicker than your average bear? Don't know. Would like to know.

Of the 15 plus people, two got a break through infection recently even though they were vaccinated.

That's lower than the data I have. So either your friends are lucky, or the data is off in a good way.

Both had very mild cases thank goodness since one was a cancer survivor.

Thank goodness indeed! The mildness of the cases IS in line with the data I know.

up
1 user has voted.

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver