Arizona is now the 8th state to cross the 100,000 case threshold regarding COVID-19. And no, it’s not just ‘more testing’ behind the case of the number of cases. Hospitalizations due to coronavirus diagnoses are way up. From The Hill:
Arizona joins Texas, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Illinois in tallying more than 100,000 cases.
Hospitalizations in inpatient and ICU beds and ventilators in use by coronavirus patients increased Sunday to their highest reported levels since hospital data reporting began in April, according to The Arizona Republic.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) began easing lockdown restrictions on May 1, allowing some salons, barbershops, restaurant dine-in services and retail stores to open their doors. But as cases and hospitalizations began to spike, Ducey last week ordered bars, gyms, movie theaters, waterparks and tubing rentals to close for 30 days.
Donald Trump (image via Flickr/WhiteHouse – public domain) While the Biden campaign’s view of the COVID-19 pandemic is that of a problem that needs not only leadership but empathy and compassion, Team Trump is hoping Americans will simply grow numb to the mounting death count. From the Washington Post:
Trump’s advisers, by contrast, are seeking ways to reframe his response to the coronavirus — even as the president himself largely seeks to avoid the topic because he views it as a political loser. They are sending health officials to swing states, putting doctors on TV in regional markets where the virus is surging, crafting messages on an economic recovery and writing talking points for allies to deliver to potential voters.
The goal is to convince Americans that they can live with the virus — that schools should reopen, professional sports should return, a vaccine is likely to arrive by the end of the year and the economy will continue to improve.
White House officials also hope Americans will grow numb to the escalating death toll and learn to accept tens of thousands of new cases a day, according to three people familiar with the White House’s thinking, who requested anonymity to reveal internal deliberations. Americans will “live with the virus being a threat,” in the words of one of those people, a senior administration official.
Broadway star Nick Cordero A post I truly did not ever want to write. After more than 90 days in the hospital due to COVID-19, actor and Tony Award nominee Nick Cordero (Waitress, Rock of Ages, A Bronx Tale, Bullets Over Broadway) has passed away at the age of 41. Although I only met Nick once in a backstage moment, I can say I’ve never seen such an outpouring for a member of our Broadway community as I’ve seen for Nick. Nick passed on Sunday morning at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife Amanda Kloots, whom he wed in September 2017, and their 1-year-old son Elvis Eduardo. Kloots shared the news in a social media post this afternoon.
“God has another angel in heaven now. My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth.⠀“I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him. Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone’s friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and loved being a father and husband. Elvis and I will miss him in everything we do, everyday.⠀“To Nicks extraordinary doctor, Dr. David Ng, you were my positive doctor! There are not many doctors like you. Kind, smart, compassionate, assertive and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion. You’re a diamond in the rough.
“I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for the outpour of love , support and help we’ve received these last 95 days. You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life. We sang it to him today, holding his hands. As I sang the last line to him, “they’ll give you hell but don’t you light them kill your light not without a fight. Live your life,” I smiled because he definitely put up a fight.
“I will love you forever and always my sweet man.”
In this episode of ‘Gays Gone Wild,’ “Fire Island” was trending on Twitter today after several social media posts went viral featuring tons of shirtless gays at shoulder-to-shoulder parties at the gay summer mecca, Fire Island. No masks, no social distancing. Journalist Chris Weidner curated the following posts and reports via Twitter. Among the ‘Covidiots’ is an apparent 23-year-old Giancarlo Kristian Albanese, currency analyst at EverythingFx. It looksl like he was planning on returning to his parents house (where he lives) in White Plains, NY. Except – his mother reportedly if undergoing chemotherapy, and his brother commented on Giancarlo’s post saying he is now unwelcome at home.
I found her Facebook. It’s true that she has cancer. She also seems like a wonderful person. He must be seriously mentally disturbed to be this unhinged. I feel bad for his family.
Hannon later posted an ‘apology’ video which seemed to twist and turn itself in knots. On one hand, he said he never actually tested positive for COVID-19, but he believed he had experienced it. BUT – even though he took a test for the virus, he still headed out to Fire Island to frolic in the sun amid the gays. He ‘apologized’ for the ‘misrepresentation’ of his COVID story and that his video rant was never meant to be posted to his account as it was just ‘bad humor’ intended to be shared among friends. He also denounced so-called ‘cancel culture’ for how his own posts on social media came back to bite him in the ass. First of all, pal, stop posting every second of your life on social media if you don’t want to deal with the ramifications. You’re not that cool. Second, we can’t cancel what hasn’t happened. I’d never heard of Hannon before today. The idea of ‘cancel culture’ is to ‘cancel’ prominent individuals who have abused public trust in having a following. Dude, you ain’t that famous…
Twitter was NOT havin it:
we’re gonna be in quarantine forever because you expired milk ass f words can’t not wear your ~brand new speedo~ to fire island for one goddamn year pic.twitter.com/b5ktvC0LQq
— All Black Lives Matter. (@samkalidi) July 5, 2020
it’s sending me into a fucking rage seeing videos of all the gays at fire island who decided the pandemic is over because they couldn’t wait a year to wear their tacky speedos and do ghb. if any of you were there please block me, you’re an embarrassment
If you went to Fire Island this weekend do us all in NYC/Long Island a favor and extend your Fire Island stay for an extra two weeks. Stay where you are. Parties are fun, but this shit was fucking stupid. Quarantine your ass like our lives depend on it.
You’d think we gay men would have learned from the last pandemic that brought our community to its knees (HIV) and that we’re still reeling from. We criticize Trumpists for denying science and then turn around and do this. Embarrassing.
CNN’s Dana Bash interviews Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R) During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union this morning, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R), who criticized President Obama in 2014 for exhibiting what she called “failed leadership” on Ebola, was asked by CNN’s Dana Bash if Donald Trump is exhibiting “failed leadership” on the coronavirus health threat. Note: There were only 11 confirmed cases of Ebola reported in the U.S. and 2 Americans died from the virus six years ago. At this writing, the number of American deaths from COVID-19 is just under $130,000. Ernst’s response to the question: “I think the president is stepping forward.”
Broadway actor Adam Perry backstage at Frozen (image via Instagram) Adam Perry, who’s appeared in numerous Broadway shows (Frozen, Rocky, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes, Promises, Promises, A Chorus Line, Wicked) shared his ongoing journey with the coronavirus having lived with symptoms now for over 100 days. For months now, the myth of the coronavirus has been that it “only affects the elderly.” But Perry, who has been in peak physical condition for years thanks to dancing on Broadway and hitting the gym regularly, says his experience with COVID-19 has been “terrifying.” “There is nothing like the feeling of not being able to breathe,” he told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Erin Burnett OutFront.
A Broadway actor says he’s still feeling the effects of Covid-19 after contracting the virus in March.
Since testing positive for the virus on March 17, Perry says his ongoing symptoms start with a cough and then develop into tightness in his chest. Even more disconcerting, every time the veteran Broadway performer thinks he’s beaten the disease, his symptoms return. “I would feel better for a few days and then it would just come and smack me again,” Perry said. “I had two days of symptoms and then felt like a million bucks for three days. So I thought I was off the hook, thought I beat it, but then it came back with a vengeance.” A serious concern for Perry today is struggling with his ‘new normal.’ Adam Perry (center) in Broadway Bares in 2017 (image via Instagram) “I have been doing eight shows a week for 15 to 20 years,” he said. “Now the capacity is not the same. I am just praying daily that it will get back to normal and I will be able to do things again.” The 39-year-old actor shared on his Facebook page that watching the news of new COVID-19 cases surging across the country left him in tears. “I cried watching the news tonight,” wrote Perry. “Cases are spiking. The president makes jokes about coronavirus. People shame others for wearing masks. The country is making it a partisan issue.” Perry urged viewers to “come together, wear a mask, socially distance for as long as we can until there’s a vaccine because this thing has an infinite variable of outcomes for people.” He added that, in his view, there’s “a short term, long term, and ‘we just don’t know,’ so it’s just really important that people take care of each other.” He added, “I just really don’t want other people to have to experience what I experienced.” Watch Perry’s recent appearance on CNN above along with just a few posts from his Instagram account showing how fit the Broadway veteran has stayed over the years.
When Donald Trump told Americans we’d “hit new highs,” I doubt this is what he was talking about. From Reuters:
The United States reported more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the largest daily increase any country has ever reported, according to a Reuters tally.
The daily U.S. tally stood at 55,274 late Thursday, topping the previous single day record of 54,771 set by Brazil on June 19. Just two weeks ago, the United States was reporting about 22,000 new cases a day.
It has now reported more than 40,000 cases for seven straight days and broken records for new cases three days in a row, according to the tally.
The number of new cases has risen in 37 out of 50 states with Florida leading the way with over 10,000 cases reported on Thursday. As testing has increased, so have positive test results which are up 7% nationally.
Some news items you might have missed: • Instagram: If you don’t already, click over and follow @BigKidProblems (above) on the Gram of Insta….I like the way they think 🙂 • Christian Post: A professional photographer has filed a lawsuit against a new Virginia law that he says would force him to violate his sincerely held Christian beliefs by requiring him to provide his services to same-sex weddings. • NBC News: The Trump administration is moving to repeal transgender protections in homeless shelters. If the proposal is implemented, transgender women could be placed in sex-segregated shelters for men. • NY Times: U.S. payrolls grew by 4.8 million in June, according to the Labor Department. It was the second month of gains after a loss of more than 20 million in April when the pandemic put a large swath of economic activity on ice. The unemployment rate fell to 11.1 percent, down from a peak of 14.7 percent in April but still higher than in any previous period since World War II. (image via NY Times) • American Journal of Managed Care: A new study of nearly 78,000 HIV+ people diagnosed with coronavirus indicates that antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications may reduce a person’s risk of getting coronavirus and/or reduce the severity of the disease should they contract it. • Hollywood Reporter: Hugh Downs, the congenial broadcaster whose thousands of hours on network television included two decades on the ABC’s 20/20 and 9 years as the host of NBC’s Today Show, has died. He was 99. Downs also hosted the game show Concentration for nearly a decade as well as five years as announcer and side-kick to Jack Paar on The Tonight Show. • Reuters: Democrat Joe Biden edged out Republican Donald Trump in fundraising for a second straight month in June, according to reports from the rival U.S. presidential campaigns. Biden and allied Democratic groups raked in over $141 million during the month, while Donald Trump and closely tied groups hauled $131 million. • Karen Chronicles: A Costco customer refused to wear a face mask while returning an item. So she staged a sit-in. For perspective, the second video shows you how a Black man was treated when he refused to wear a face mask. Please note the difference in how the two were treated.
Karen had enough. She performed a sit in at Costco after refusing to wear a mask. #costco
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (screen capture) For months, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) refused to require citizens of the Lone Star state to wear face masks when out in public. In fact, he banned local governments from doing so. But with new cases of the coronavirus hitting record numbers, Abbott has now issued a statewide mandate requiring Texans to wear masks in public in any county with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases. From the Texas Tribune:
The order requires Texans living in counties more than 20 coronavirus cases to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while in a business or other building open to the public, as well as outdoor public spaces, whenever social distancing is not possible.
But it provides several exceptions, including children who are younger than 10 years old, people who have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, people who are eating or drinking and people who are exercising outdoors.
The mask order goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. Friday. It immediately applies to all Texas counties, but counties with 20 or fewer active cases can be exempted — if they opt out. County judges must submit an application to be exempted to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. TDEM will list the counties that have opted out on its website.
He also banned certain outdoor gatherings of over 10 people unless local officials approve. He had previously set the threshold at over 100 people.
Without naming names or pointing fingers, Abbott’s order specifically does NOT exempt one group: “any person attending a protest or demonstration” with over 10 people who cannot socially distance. Black Lives Matter movement – he’s talking to you. Hospitalizations for coronavirus hit 6,904 on Wednesday, the third straight day setting a new record.
BREAKING: Gov. Greg Abbott issues order to close barn door a month after all the horses escaped.
— Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) July 2, 2020
Greg Abbott doesn’t get applause for leaving the pan on the stove, watching the flames spread all the way up the side of the house, and then when the smoke is so thick the neighbors are out in the street, finally saying “ok fine, I guess now I’ll call the fire deparment”
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas residents to wear face coverings in public as the state confronts mounting coronavirus cases. "It requires each of us to do our part to protect one another — and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces," he said. https://t.co/yoS9t1PM1gpic.twitter.com/wsHWjNpQsn
(image via JumpStory) The results of the phase one testing of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine are in and the results are promising. According to StatNews, 45 patients were divided into four groups: 12 were given a 10-microgram dose, another 12 were given a 30-microgram dose, another 12 received a 100-microgram dose, and the remaining 9 were given a placebo. The third group (100-microgram) triggered fevers in half of the patients in that group, and they did not receive follow-up doses. The first two groups (10-microgram and 30-microgram) were given a second injection three weeks after the initial dose. Fevers appeared in 8.3% of those in the 10-microgram group while 75% of those in the 30-microgram group developed fevers. None of the fevers were considered serious nor did they result in hospitalization. The vaccine was found to have generated antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Some of those antibodies appear to be ‘neutralizing,’ meaning they seem to prevent the virus from functioning. The levels of neutralizing antibodies were 1.8 to 2.8 times the level of those found in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. But the results weren’t conclusive in proving if the higher levels of antibodies would lead to immunity from the virus. A trial phase involving a larger group of patients will be necessary to prove that people who have received the vaccine are at least 50% less likely to become infected. That next phase of testing is expected to take place this summer. While the results of this first phase have been made public, the data has not yet been peer-reviewed or published by a medical journal. StatNews reports there are 14 different coronavirus vaccines in various phases of testing at this time. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn told ABC’s Good Morning America four vaccines have been given authorization to proceed with clinical trials.
Arizona is now the 8th state to cross the 100,000 case threshold regarding COVID-19. And no, it’s not just ‘more testing’ behind the case of the number of cases. Hospitalizations due to coronavirus diagnoses are way up. From The Hill: 
