The Liberty Belle (image via NY Sheriff’s Office) Lord, these people just want the pandemic to last forever I guess. From the New York Times:
The Liberty Belle, a riverboat with four bars, three outdoor decks and space for 600 guests, has been touted by its operators as a “favorite venue” of New Yorkers who hold parties, fund-raisers and other trendy events on the water.
But now it has become yet another symbol of reckless socializing during the pandemic: The boat was used on Saturday to host a party with more than 170 guests, violating state and local social-distancing rules, according to the New York Sheriff’s Office.
It was unclear what kind of party was held on the Liberty Belle and how much organizers might have charged for admission. The authorities received a complaint about a party boat departing Pier 36 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side around 8:30 p.m., and deputies intercepted and boarded the boat when it returned around 11:30 p.m.
8/1/2020: Deputy Sheriffs intercept the Liberty Belle at Pier 36 & arrest owners and captain for illegal party: violation of social distancing provisions of the Mayor’s and Governor’s Emergency Orders, Alcohol Beverage Control Law: unlicensed bar & bottle club & Navigation Law. pic.twitter.com/zXZheHdH9O
(image via The Points Guy) One of the first cruises to set sail since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought to a halt after 36 crew members test positive for the virus. From The Points Guy:
Norwegian expedition cruise company Hurtigruten late Friday said four sick crew members from the 535-passenger Roald Amundsen were admitted to the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø, Norway, earlier in the day after the vessel docked in the city. All four had tested positive for COVID-19.
On Saturday, the line said another 32 crew members had tested positive for the illness.All four of the hospitalized crew members had been sick for several days while onboard the vessel, and all four had been placed in isolation. But the line said their symptoms weren’t consistent with COVID-19. They only tested positive for the illness after the ship docked in Tromsø early Friday.
The entire ship has now been placed in isolation, and the 154 remaining crew members on board have all been tested for COVID-19. Hurtigruten on Saturday said 122 of the crew members had tested negative for the illness.
L-R Jared Kushner, Donald Trump (image via public domain/White House)Vanity Fair has obtained a copy of a detailed plan spearheaded by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, that would have provided for a national testing approach for the COVID-19 pandemic. While the goal of the team putting the plan together was “apolitical,” the approach never saw the light of day because, according to Vanity Fair, the virus had mainly affected blue states. With that in mind, the decision was made to let states handle the health threat because “they could blame those governors” as a political strategy if things went awry. From Vanity Fair:
Countries that have successfully contained their outbreaks have empowered scientists to lead the response. But when Jared Kushner set out in March to solve the diagnostic-testing crisis, his efforts began not with public health experts but with bankers and billionaires. They saw themselves as the “A-team of people who get shit done,” as one participant proclaimed in a March Politico article.
[snip]
The effort of the White House team was “apolitical,” said the participant, and undertaken “with the nation’s best interests in mind.”
But the effort ran headlong into shifting sentiment at the White House. Trusting his vaunted political instincts, President Trump had been downplaying concerns about the virus and spreading misinformation about it—efforts that were soon amplified by Republican elected officials and right-wing media figures.
Worried about the stock market and his reelection prospects, Trump also feared that more testing would only lead to higher case counts and more bad publicity. Meanwhile, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, was reportedly sharing models with senior staff that optimistically—and erroneously, it would turn out—predicted the virus would soon fade away.
[snip]
Most troubling of all, perhaps, was a sentiment the expert said a member of Kushner’s team expressed: that because the virus had hit blue states hardest, a national plan was unnecessary and would not make sense politically. “The political folks believed that because it was going to be relegated to Democratic states, that they could blame those governors, and that would be an effective political strategy,” said the expert.
Vanity Fair also reports Kushner’s team allegedly purchased 3.5 million Covid-19 tests from an Abu Dhabi–based artificial intelligence company without using normal procurement procedures. Despite the $52 million price tag, the tests were never utilized after being found “contaminated and unusable.”
Donald Trump (image via Flickr/White House) So. Much. Winning. Remember when Donald Trump predicted ‘only’ 60,000 deaths from COVID-19 and the economy would come roaring back in the summer when the virus magically disappeared? From CNN:
The US economy contracted at a 32.9% annual rate from April through June, its worst drop on record, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said Thursday.
Business ground to a halt during the pandemic lockdown in the spring of this year and America plunged into its first recession in 11 years, putting an end to the longest economic expansion in US history and wiping out five years of economic gains in just a few months.
A recession is commonly defined as two consecutive quarters of declining gross domestic product — the broadest measure of the economy. Between January and March, GDP declined by an annualized rate of 5%.
Additionally, the number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims rose for the second week in a row. Some 1.4 million people filed for initial jobless claims last week, up 12,000 from the prior week’s revised level, which was the first increase in 16 weeks, according to the Department of Labor. At this writing, 152,074 Americans have died from COVID-19. The U.S. has more than 50% more fatalities from the virus than Brazil which ranks second in the world with 91,263 deaths.
Herman Cain (image via Facebook) Herman Cain, former CEO of the Nebraska-based Godfather’s Pizza and former 2012 Republican presidential hopeful, has died from complications from COVID-19. He was 74.
While there’s no way to pinpoint exactly where he contracted the virus, Cain posted a photo of himself with others at the event, which showed him without a mask on.
An unabashed social conservative, he opposed same-sex marriage and abortion rights. Cain had recently joined conservative news outlet Newsmax TV and was set to launch a weekly show before he died in an Atlanta-area hospital where he had been critically ill for several weeks.
You’re never ready for the kind of news we are grappling with this morning. But we have no choice but to seek and find God’s strength and comfort to deal… #HermanCainhttps://t.co/BtOgoLVqKz
Madonna (image via Instagram) Madonna raised eyebrows on Tuesday night when she posted a video of coronavirus conspiracy theory proponent, Dr. Stella Immanuel, who claims hydroxychloroquine can ‘cure’ COVID-19. “The truth will set us all Free! But some people don’t want to hear the truth,” Madge captioned the Instagram post. “Especially the people in power who stand to make money from this long drawn out search for a vaccine Which has been proven and available for months. They would rather let fear control them and let the rich get richer and the poor and sick get sicker.” Madonna closed the post writing, “This woman is my hero … Thank you Stella Immanuel.” Instagram blurred the video and labeled it “False Information.” The social media platform provided viewers with a link to a page debunking the claims and clarifying that there is currently no coronavirus vaccine. Instagram then deleted the post hours later. Raki Wane, a spokesperson for the social media platform, said in a statement the post was removed “for making false claims about cures and prevention methods for Covid-19.” The video shows Dr. Immanuel, a primary care physician in Houston, Texas, appearing on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday with a group called America’s Frontline Doctors. In addition to claiming hydroxychloroquine is a COVID-19 ‘cure,’ Immanuel announced face masks aren’t necessary to stop the spread of the disease. More about Immanuel from The Daily Beast:
Immanuel, a pediatrician and a religious minister, has a history of making bizarre claims about medical topics and other issues. She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are in fact caused by people having sex in their dreams with demons and witches.
She alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments, and that scientists are cooking up a vaccine to prevent people from being religious.
The doctor is also hideously homophobic having posted numerous times on her Facebook page demonizing LGBTQ people writing, “practicing and celebrating [homosexuality] will take you to hell.” Immanuel thanked The Daily Beast in a tweet for properly summarizing her views:
The Daily Beast did a great job summarizing our deliverance ministry and exposing incubus and succubus. Thank you daily beast. If you need deliverance from these spirits. Contact us. https://t.co/IwxmsrjbSw
— Stella Immanuel MD (@stella_immanuel) July 29, 2020
Woah CNN, MSNBC etc are doing free commercials on our deliverance ministry. Fire Power is main stream. Thank you CNN and let me know when y’all need some of them demons cast out of you. I will gladly oblige. You will feel a lot better. Keep up the good work. #cnn#MSNBC
— Stella Immanuel MD (@stella_immanuel) July 29, 2020
Madonna has revealed some interesting thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In one post on Instagram, she’s shared that she ‘took a test’ and ‘found out she has the anti-bodies.’ “So tomorrow, I’m just going to go for a long drive in a car,” says Madonna. “And I’m gonna roll down the window, and I’m gonna breathe in, I’m gonna breathe in the COVID-19 air.” In another post, later deleted, she shared a video showing her in a bathtub filled with rose petals. In the clip, she said, “That’s the thing about Covid-19: It doesn’t care about how rich you are, how famous you are, how funny you are, how smart you are, where you live, how old you are, what amazing stories you can tell. It’s the great equalizer, and what’s terrible about it is what’s great about it. What’s terrible about it is it’s made us all equal in many ways.” In any case, Twitter wasn’t having Madonna’s trip down in the underbrush of insanity:
You think 2020 can’t get any worse and then Madonna goes full demon semen
Who had @Madonna promoting the Demon Sperm Alien DNA woman in a lab coat on their 2020 batshit bingo card? Dangerously misinformed and irresponsible and totally psychotic. Very disappointing.
3. Annie Lennox left this comment on Madonna’s now deleted Instagram post. “This is utter madness!!! I can’t believe that you are endorsing this dangerous quackery. Hopefully your site has been hacked and you’re just about to explain it…” pic.twitter.com/etpmsbWwUv
Sorry, @Madonna, but you can't just delete and retreat. We deserve an explanation, and you should repudiate your hero for the day, Dr. Stella Immanuel. This goes beyond fandom. https://t.co/oPMoIdq58M
I’ve loved @Madonna my whole life. But she gave me a nasty look at the Kabbalah center once. I’ll never forgive her for that, her last album or for promoting a quack doctor pushing #Hydroxychloroquine. Honey, you are cancelled.
I’ve stayed mentally strong for these past four-ish months, but Madonna sharing false, “censored” coronavirus content on Instagram may be what finally breaks me.
Dallas conservative Tony Green (image via GoFundMe) Openly gay Dallas conservative Tony Green thought the COVID-19 pandemic was a ‘scamdemic’ until reality clapped back as he and his entire family fell ill from the coronavirus. In an essay for the Dallas Voice, Green admits he voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and traveled “deep into the conspiracy theory trap” of the coronavirus health threat. That was until 14 members of his family tested positive for the virus. One family member died and another is currently on life support. Green says from the beginning of the COVID-19 health treat, he was totally down for “all the defiant behavior” of Trump’s more radical followers: “I was a hard-ass that stood up for my God-given rights.’” From the beginning, he bought into the pandemic being a ‘hoax,’ writing, “I believed the mainstream media and the Democrats were using it to create panic, crash the economy and destroy Trump’s chances at re-election.” And so, the 43-year-old Republican and his partner hosted a family party on Saturday, June 13. No one wore face masks The next morning, he woke up sick. By Monday, June 15, his partner also grew ill as well as his parents. His in-laws, who had attended the party, traveled to be present at the birth of their first grandchild. The couple took Green’s father-in-law’s mother and one of his partner’s sisters along. The father-in-law and the sister became sick that night. Two days, later, his father-in-law’s mother developed symptoms as well as the new daddy and mommy. Everyone tested positive for the coronavirus except the newborn. On June 24, ten days after the house party, Green and his father-in-law had to be hospitalized. As the virus attacked Green’s nervous system, hospital staff had to save him from a near-stroke.
“Imagine the sound and vibration of an old-fashioned electric heater going through your whole body. Imagine gasping for air with every step you take. Imagine rubbing Icy Hot all over your head to soothe a painful headache. Imagine your eyes in a bowl of water while you’re still seeing through them. Imagine collapsing and waking up in the ER only to find out COVID-19 attacked your central nervous system, and the doctor had just saved you from a stroke.”
His father-in-law’s mother was admitted to the hospital the next day, and less than a week later, she died from COVID-19. No family members were with her as she passed away even though her son lay in the hospital room next to hers. On the day of her funeral, July 14, five more family members tested positive for the coronavirus. That evening, his father-in-law was put on a ventilator. Today, Green is brutally candid about the anguish he bears. “You cannot imagine the guilt I feel, knowing that I hosted the gathering that led to so much suffering,” writes Green. “You cannot imagine my guilt at having been a denier, carelessly shuffling through this pandemic, making fun of those wearing masks and social distancing. You cannot imagine my guilt at knowing that my actions convinced both our families it was safe when it wasn’t.” “The coronavirus is very real and extremely contagious,” he says to pandemic deniers. “Before you even know you have it, you’ve passed it along to your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.” “Trust me,” he adds. “You do not want this virus. And you do not want your loved ones suffering and dying from this because you are taking a ‘political stand’ or protecting the economy over their lives.” Green closes by admitting “I am calling myself out first,” and warns “If we continue being more worried about the disruption to our lives than we are about stopping this virus, not one American will be spared. Not one.” On Monday, Green told NBC News many friends of his remain unconvinced the virus is truly deadly. “I don’t think they’re going to change their opinions unless it bites them in the butt like it did me,” he said.
He says he came forward with his story to help people be more vigilant about wearing masks as the CDC reports increasing evidence that face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
On July 2, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, reversed course issuing an executive order mandating face masks in public in any county with 20 or more cases of the coronavirus.
“Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said in a statement announcing his executive order.
Dr. Stella Immanuel (screen capture) Some news items you might have missed: • The Gaily Grind: It turns out Dr. Stella Immanuel (above), who shot to fame this week praising hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus “cure,” is a homophobic preacher who alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments and gay marriage means that “very soon people are going to be seeking to marry children.” • Page Six: International pop star Elton John is apparently being sued by his ex-wife for dishing on their ill-fated 1980s marriage in his memoir and bio-pic. • ABC News: An ethics watchdog group has accused President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign of obscuring nearly $170 million worth of campaign spending through so-called “pass-through” vendors linked to campaign leadership instead of disclosing the true recipients of the funds. • AP News: U.S. officials say Russian intelligence operatives are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and cause confusion ahead of the presidential election in November. • DisneyPlus: In this ‘Mup Close & Personal’ moment, Emmy Award-winner RuPaul stops by the new Muppets Now and discusses ‘fashion icon’ status with the venerable Miss Piggy. The new series begins streaming July 31.
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo offers to host Major League Baseball games During a press briefing today, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered to host any Major League Baseball game that needs a controlled environment to play.
“New York state could host any Major League Baseball game that any teams want to play and they could play those games in our stadiums. New York state has one of the lowest infection rates in the United States.
“New York state has a full Department of Health protocol system in place. We have a testing system in place. I offer to Major League Baseball, if you’re having problems playing in other states, come play here.
“We could set up a protocol where you get on a private plane in a high risk state, you land in New York, you are transported directly from a plane to a quarantine hotel. You are in the quarantine hotel and tested in the quarantine hotel. If you are negative, you play ball.
“I understand the practical dynamics — teams want to play in their own state and city. I get it. There’s no fans anyways, it’s just about the coverage, and New York is the media capital.”
L-R Deputy Shannon Bennett his fiancé, Jonathan Frey The family of Shannon Bennett, the gay Broward Sheriff’s deputy who died from COVID-19 in April, has been denied insurance benefits covering his death. A 12-year veteran deputy, Bennett became the first South Florida first responder to be killed by COVID-19. Insurance giant AIG denied the family’s claim for accidental death in the line of duty last month. According to Local10News, Bennett’s family received a letter from AIG saying the company had reviewed the claim and determined Bennett’s death didn’t occur in the line of duty. AIG’s position, according to the letter, is that Bennett’s “death was caused in whole or in part by, or resulted in whole or in part from sickness or disease, which is specifically excluded under this policy.” Shannon’s brother, Darren Bennett told Local 10 News, “Essentially, while my family is grappling with trying to get our bearings back, this type of letter comes in and, of course, it floors us.” The Broward County Sherriff’s Office sent an appeal on behalf of the family as the BSO believes Bennett, who was 39-years-old, contracted COVID-19 while on duty. That appeal was denied a couple of weeks later. AIG acknowledged that Bennett did likely contract the virus while in the line of duty, but held firm on the decision not to deny his benefits. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony released a statement which read in part:
“One of the most difficult tragedies to endure in this profession is a line of duty death. We are committed to helping the Bennett family. We pay thousands of dollars each year for this insurance, and I’m extremely disappointed that AIG is denying this claim. We will exhaust all appeals.”
Bennett was engaged and planned to marry his fiancé, Jonathan Frey, in December. The fight over Bennett’s insurance benefits is just the latest chapter in a series of ugliness surrounding his death.NBC News reports that Dale Engle, the South Florida police chief who came under fire in April for a homophobic rant referencing Bennett, has tendered his resignation after officers brought the incident up to the Florida police union. According to several deputies in attendance, Engle ordered his employees to line up in formation in a department parking lot and began to berate officers who raised concerns about coronavirus protocol. During the rant, Engle referenced Bennett’s death telling the officers Bennett died because he was “a homosexual who attended homosexual events.” He was placed on administrative leave, and this week Engle resigned over the incident. Good.
Additionally, the number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims 
At this writing, 
Instagram blurred the video and labeled it “False Information.” The social media platform provided viewers with a link to a page debunking the claims and clarifying that there is currently no coronavirus vaccine. Instagram then deleted the post hours later. Raki Wane, a spokesperson for the social media platform, said in a statement the post was removed “for making false claims about cures and prevention methods for Covid-19.” The video shows Dr. Immanuel, a primary care physician in Houston, Texas, appearing on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday with a group called America’s Frontline Doctors. In addition to claiming hydroxychloroquine is a COVID-19 ‘cure,’ Immanuel announced face masks aren’t necessary to stop the spread of the disease. More about Immanuel from 
