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solarbirdThese are all short today. I've been swamped doing other things, and honestly, that's better for my health, but this is necessary. Here's what I've managed to wedge in.
----- 1 -----
An 'alarming' exodus: public health officials fighting coronavirus depart amid growing threats, nonstop work
Michelle R. Smith, Lauren Weber and Anna Maria Barry-Jester
The Associated Press
13 June 2020 - updated 15 June 2020
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/06/13/public-health-workers-fighting-coronavirus-face-growing-threats/3182000001/
Emily Brown was stretched thin.
As the director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department in rural Colorado, she was working 12- and 14-hour days, struggling to respond to the pandemic with only five full-time employees for more than 11,000 residents. Case counts were rising.
She was already at odds with county commissioners, who were pushing to loosen public health restrictions in late May, against her advice. She had previously clashed with them over data releases and control and had haggled over a variance regarding reopening businesses.
But she reasoned that standing up for public health principles was worth it, even if she risked losing the job that allowed her to live close to her hometown and help her parents with their farm.
Then came the Facebook post: a photo of her and other health officials with comments about their weight and references to “armed citizens” and “bodies swinging from trees.”
The commissioners had asked her to meet with them the next day. She intended to ask them for more support. Instead, she was fired.
“They finally were tired of me not going along the line they wanted me to go along,” she said.
In the battle against COVID-19, public health workers spread across states, cities and small towns make up an invisible army on the front lines. But that army, which has suffered neglect for decades, is under assault when it’s needed most.
Officials who usually work behind the scenes managing tasks like immunizations and water quality inspections have found themselves center stage. Elected officials and members of the public who are frustrated with the lockdowns and safety restrictions have at times turned public health workers into politicized punching bags, battering them with countless angry calls and even physical threats.
On Thursday, Ohio’s state health director, who had armed protesters come to her house, resigned. The health officer for Orange County, California, quit Monday after weeks of criticism and personal threats from residents and other public officials over an order requiring face coverings in public.
----- 2 -----
Florida bars and restaurants close just a week after reopening
Businesses on Jacksonville Beach shutdown as state’s second coronavirus wave hits
Gino Spocchia
16 June 2020
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/florida-bars-restaurants-close-coronavirus-spike-outbreak-a9568631.html
Three months after the Covid-19 pandemic forced bars and restaurants to close in Florida, some businesses have shut within one week of reopening as coronavirus cases spike in the state.
At least six bars in northern and central Florida have now announced their closures amid new Covid-19 cases, which peaked on Sunday.
The state’s health department has since confirmed two consecutive days with more than 2,000 new cases, breaking records set when the pandemic began in March.
That announcement came almost one week on from Florida’s second reopening phase permitting bars, cinemas and tattoo shops to welcome customers with some restrictions, as mandated under governor Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan.
Still, increased Covid-19 transmission in Florida has forced some businesses to shut down.
----- 3 -----
Florida attempted a small pop culture event last weekend and it went exactly as you would expect. Because Florida.
Tom Croom
June 15, 2020
http://www.tomcroom.com/2020/06/15/orlando-area-toy-collectors-2020/
“Leeroy Jenkins!”
For those of you unfamiliar with term, there’s a popular online video that shows a group of players in World of Warcraft discussing a plan of attack to defeat an overwhelming enemy in the game. As you listen to the players lay out the needed resources and best approach to overcome whatever is waiting for them behind the door, one player decides “why wait?” and breaks off from the group running past the threshold into battle and starts engaging the enemies. His battle cry while doing so is to yell his own name: Leeroy Jenkins.
One of the players, shocked, immediately reacts with, “Oh my God. He just ran in.”
Florida is, without a doubt, the embodiment of Mr. Jenkins.
----- 4 -----
Republican congressman who just announced he has the coronavirus refused to wear a face mask on the House floor 2 weeks ago
Eliza Relman
Jun 15, 2020
https://www.businessinsider.com/republican-congressman-with-coronavirus-refused-to-wear-mask-in-capitol-2020-6
Rep. Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, announced on Monday that he, his wife, and his son had been infected with the coronavirus. But just two weeks ago, Rice appeared on the House floor in Washington without a face covering.
When CNN reporter Manu Raju asked Rice why he wasn't wearing a mask in the chamber on May 28, the congressman said he could maintain at least 6 feet of distance from everyone on the floor and in the halls of the Capitol and therefore didn't need to wear a mask. COVID-19 can spread even from asymptomatic carriers.
"I do wear it sometimes on the floor," he told Raju in May. "I make an effort to ... stay 6 feet away from folks in accordance with guidelines. And when I'm forced into a situation where I can't do that — like on a plane — I do wear a mask."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone wear a cloth face covering when they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others.
----- 5 -----
Arizona Governor Won't Require Mask Use as Coronavirus Cases Spike, Says People Need to 'Learn to Live' With Virus
By Christina Zhao On 6/13/20
https://www.newsweek.com/arizona-governor-wont-require-mask-use-coronavirus-cases-spike-says-people-need-learn-live-1510713
Republican Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has indicated he will not require mask use in the state amid surging coronavirus infections and hospitalizations.
Since Ducey's stay-at-home order expired last month, Arizona has reported sharp spikes in cases over the past two weeks. As of Saturday June 12, the total number of coronavirus cases in Arizona had exceeded 34,400, with 1,183 deaths caused by the novel disease. About 1,540 cases were added to the figure since Friday, when the state saw 1,654 new infections, the single-highest rise in one day.
During a press conference on Thursday, Ducey told reporters that while he encourages Arizonians to "wear masks when they can't socially distance" in public, he will not be following other states in enforcing face coverings by law.
Ducey encouraged citizens to "learn to live with" the virus and said it won't be "going away" anytime soon.
----- 6 -----
Church tied to Oregon's largest coronavirus outbreak
Sara Cline, Associated Press/report For America
Updated 5:50 pm PDT, Tuesday, June 16, 2020
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Oregon-reports-another-big-spike-in-coronavirus-15344803.php
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A church in rural northeastern Oregon is now the epicenter of the state's largest coronavirus outbreak, as 236 people tested positive for the disease, authorities said Tuesday.
The outbreak also led to Oregon's second consecutive record-setting daily case count.
“I think generally we are seeing increasing numbers, which is what we expected with reopening,” said Thomas Jeanne, the deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist.
In response to the increasing case counts Gov. Kate Brown last week said she was putting all county applications for further reopening from her COVID-19 restrictions on hold for seven days.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 278 new statewide cases Tuesday — a 51% increase from Monday’s case count. Officials cited the rise in cases due largely to increased testing, contact tracing, workplace outbreaks “as well as potential spread in the community.”
The largest outbreak, which was first made public Monday, is associated with Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Union County.
The Observer newspaper of La Grande reported that the church held services in April and May even though Oregon COVID-19 restrictions limited gatherings. Also, The Observer reported the facility recently held a wedding and a graduation ceremony, each with more than 100 people.
----- 7 -----
Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online
16 June 2020
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53061281
A cheap and widely available drug can help save the lives of patients seriously ill with coronavirus.
The low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus, UK experts say.
The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.
It cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.
Had the drug had been used to treat patients in the UK from the start of the pandemic, up to 5,000 lives could have been saved, researchers say.
- An 'alarming' exodus: public health officials fighting coronavirus depart amid growing threats, nonstop work
- Florida bars and restaurants close just a week after reopening
- Florida attempted a small pop culture event last weekend and it went exactly as you would expect. Because Florida.
- Republican congressman who just announced he has the coronavirus refused to wear a face mask on the House floor 2 weeks ago
- Arizona Governor Won't Require Mask Use as Coronavirus Cases Spike, Says People Need to 'Learn to Live' With Virus
- Church tied to Oregon's largest coronavirus outbreak
- Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug
----- 1 -----
An 'alarming' exodus: public health officials fighting coronavirus depart amid growing threats, nonstop work
Michelle R. Smith, Lauren Weber and Anna Maria Barry-Jester
The Associated Press
13 June 2020 - updated 15 June 2020
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/06/13/public-health-workers-fighting-coronavirus-face-growing-threats/3182000001/
Emily Brown was stretched thin.
As the director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department in rural Colorado, she was working 12- and 14-hour days, struggling to respond to the pandemic with only five full-time employees for more than 11,000 residents. Case counts were rising.
She was already at odds with county commissioners, who were pushing to loosen public health restrictions in late May, against her advice. She had previously clashed with them over data releases and control and had haggled over a variance regarding reopening businesses.
But she reasoned that standing up for public health principles was worth it, even if she risked losing the job that allowed her to live close to her hometown and help her parents with their farm.
Then came the Facebook post: a photo of her and other health officials with comments about their weight and references to “armed citizens” and “bodies swinging from trees.”
The commissioners had asked her to meet with them the next day. She intended to ask them for more support. Instead, she was fired.
“They finally were tired of me not going along the line they wanted me to go along,” she said.
In the battle against COVID-19, public health workers spread across states, cities and small towns make up an invisible army on the front lines. But that army, which has suffered neglect for decades, is under assault when it’s needed most.
Officials who usually work behind the scenes managing tasks like immunizations and water quality inspections have found themselves center stage. Elected officials and members of the public who are frustrated with the lockdowns and safety restrictions have at times turned public health workers into politicized punching bags, battering them with countless angry calls and even physical threats.
On Thursday, Ohio’s state health director, who had armed protesters come to her house, resigned. The health officer for Orange County, California, quit Monday after weeks of criticism and personal threats from residents and other public officials over an order requiring face coverings in public.
----- 2 -----
Florida bars and restaurants close just a week after reopening
Businesses on Jacksonville Beach shutdown as state’s second coronavirus wave hits
Gino Spocchia
16 June 2020
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/florida-bars-restaurants-close-coronavirus-spike-outbreak-a9568631.html
Three months after the Covid-19 pandemic forced bars and restaurants to close in Florida, some businesses have shut within one week of reopening as coronavirus cases spike in the state.
At least six bars in northern and central Florida have now announced their closures amid new Covid-19 cases, which peaked on Sunday.
The state’s health department has since confirmed two consecutive days with more than 2,000 new cases, breaking records set when the pandemic began in March.
That announcement came almost one week on from Florida’s second reopening phase permitting bars, cinemas and tattoo shops to welcome customers with some restrictions, as mandated under governor Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan.
Still, increased Covid-19 transmission in Florida has forced some businesses to shut down.
----- 3 -----
Florida attempted a small pop culture event last weekend and it went exactly as you would expect. Because Florida.
Tom Croom
June 15, 2020
http://www.tomcroom.com/2020/06/15/orlando-area-toy-collectors-2020/
“Leeroy Jenkins!”
For those of you unfamiliar with term, there’s a popular online video that shows a group of players in World of Warcraft discussing a plan of attack to defeat an overwhelming enemy in the game. As you listen to the players lay out the needed resources and best approach to overcome whatever is waiting for them behind the door, one player decides “why wait?” and breaks off from the group running past the threshold into battle and starts engaging the enemies. His battle cry while doing so is to yell his own name: Leeroy Jenkins.
One of the players, shocked, immediately reacts with, “Oh my God. He just ran in.”
Florida is, without a doubt, the embodiment of Mr. Jenkins.
----- 4 -----
Republican congressman who just announced he has the coronavirus refused to wear a face mask on the House floor 2 weeks ago
Eliza Relman
Jun 15, 2020
https://www.businessinsider.com/republican-congressman-with-coronavirus-refused-to-wear-mask-in-capitol-2020-6
Rep. Tom Rice, a South Carolina Republican, announced on Monday that he, his wife, and his son had been infected with the coronavirus. But just two weeks ago, Rice appeared on the House floor in Washington without a face covering.
When CNN reporter Manu Raju asked Rice why he wasn't wearing a mask in the chamber on May 28, the congressman said he could maintain at least 6 feet of distance from everyone on the floor and in the halls of the Capitol and therefore didn't need to wear a mask. COVID-19 can spread even from asymptomatic carriers.
"I do wear it sometimes on the floor," he told Raju in May. "I make an effort to ... stay 6 feet away from folks in accordance with guidelines. And when I'm forced into a situation where I can't do that — like on a plane — I do wear a mask."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone wear a cloth face covering when they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others.
----- 5 -----
Arizona Governor Won't Require Mask Use as Coronavirus Cases Spike, Says People Need to 'Learn to Live' With Virus
By Christina Zhao On 6/13/20
https://www.newsweek.com/arizona-governor-wont-require-mask-use-coronavirus-cases-spike-says-people-need-learn-live-1510713
Republican Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has indicated he will not require mask use in the state amid surging coronavirus infections and hospitalizations.
Since Ducey's stay-at-home order expired last month, Arizona has reported sharp spikes in cases over the past two weeks. As of Saturday June 12, the total number of coronavirus cases in Arizona had exceeded 34,400, with 1,183 deaths caused by the novel disease. About 1,540 cases were added to the figure since Friday, when the state saw 1,654 new infections, the single-highest rise in one day.
During a press conference on Thursday, Ducey told reporters that while he encourages Arizonians to "wear masks when they can't socially distance" in public, he will not be following other states in enforcing face coverings by law.
Ducey encouraged citizens to "learn to live with" the virus and said it won't be "going away" anytime soon.
----- 6 -----
Church tied to Oregon's largest coronavirus outbreak
Sara Cline, Associated Press/report For America
Updated 5:50 pm PDT, Tuesday, June 16, 2020
https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Oregon-reports-another-big-spike-in-coronavirus-15344803.php
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A church in rural northeastern Oregon is now the epicenter of the state's largest coronavirus outbreak, as 236 people tested positive for the disease, authorities said Tuesday.
The outbreak also led to Oregon's second consecutive record-setting daily case count.
“I think generally we are seeing increasing numbers, which is what we expected with reopening,” said Thomas Jeanne, the deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist.
In response to the increasing case counts Gov. Kate Brown last week said she was putting all county applications for further reopening from her COVID-19 restrictions on hold for seven days.
The Oregon Health Authority reported 278 new statewide cases Tuesday — a 51% increase from Monday’s case count. Officials cited the rise in cases due largely to increased testing, contact tracing, workplace outbreaks “as well as potential spread in the community.”
The largest outbreak, which was first made public Monday, is associated with Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Union County.
The Observer newspaper of La Grande reported that the church held services in April and May even though Oregon COVID-19 restrictions limited gatherings. Also, The Observer reported the facility recently held a wedding and a graduation ceremony, each with more than 100 people.
----- 7 -----
Coronavirus: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug
By Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online
16 June 2020
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-53061281
A cheap and widely available drug can help save the lives of patients seriously ill with coronavirus.
The low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus, UK experts say.
The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.
It cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.
Had the drug had been used to treat patients in the UK from the start of the pandemic, up to 5,000 lives could have been saved, researchers say.
