I Am Way Behind, y'all!

* "Covid: Foster children needing urgent care up 30%, Barnardo's says:" https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-55781859

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* "Why Scientists Are Very Worried About The Variant From Brazil:" https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/01/27/961108577/why-scientists-are-very-worried-about-the-variant-from-brazil

* Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S.A for 1/28/21 are 25,709,000. The official death toll is 432,000. The real number is likely much higher.

* "First known cases of Covid variant from South Africa identified in the U.S.:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/28/south-africa-covid-variant-united-states-463485

* "New York undercounted nursing home deaths by as much 50 percent, report finds:" https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2021/01/28/new-york-undercounted-nursing-home-deaths-by-as-much-50-percent-report-finds-1360742

* "Florida's Vaccine Rollout Rife With Snags And Inequities:" https://www.npr.org/2021/01/26/960884698/floridas-vaccine-rollout-rife-with-snags-and-inequities

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* "Biden Backs NATO ‘Strongly, Strongly, Strongly’ in Video Message:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-27/biden-backs-nato-strongly-strongly-strongly-in-video-message?sref=MIBMEEoj

* "Putin finds a significantly more assertive U.S. with new Biden administration:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/putin-finds-a-significantly-more-assertive-u-s-with-new-biden-administration-100139589516

* "Biden Administration Restores Aid To Palestinians, Reversing Trump Policy:" https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2021/01/26/960900951/biden-administration-restores-aid-to-palestinians-reversing-trump-policy

* "Biden administration pauses arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE:" https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/us-pauses-saudi-uae-arms-sales/index.html

* "Biden Moves to End Justice Contracts with Private Prisons:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/business/biden-private-prisons-justice-department.html

* "Biden starts rolling back Trump anti-abortion rules:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/28/biden-trump-anti-abortion-rules-463347

* "Biden admin re-engages government with public, press after Trump disconnect:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/biden-admin-re-engages-government-with-public-press-after-trump-disconnect-100138565817

* "Trump officials moved most Bureau of Land Management positions out of D.C. More than 87 percent quit instead.:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/01/28/trump-blm-reorganization/

* James McHenry, don't let the door hit you on your... "Biden administration replaces top immigration court official:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/27/biden-replaces-immigration-court-463053

* Good. "Biden pitching a much vaster climate plan than Obama ever attempted:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/27/biden-climate-orders-energy-463051

* "Biden not waiting for Congress to get started on climate action:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/biden-not-waiting-for-congress-to-get-started-on-climate-action-100139077728

* "‘Let’s think big’: Biden climate advisor says ‘We’re going to invest money in environmental justice’:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/-let-s-think-big-biden-climate-advisor-says-we-re-going-to-invest-money-in-environmental-justice-100130885753

* AOC Extended Interview: https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/aoc-i-m-extraordinarily-encouraged-by-biden-s-climate-executive-actions-100133445634

https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/aoc-there-are-legitimate-white-supremacist-sympathizers-at-core-of-house-gop-100131909634

* "Biden starts staffing a commission on Supreme Court reform:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/27/biden-supreme-court-reform-463126

* There's a special place in hell for people misappropriating health infrastructure funds. "Millions earmarked for public health emergencies were used to pay for unrelated projects, inspector general says:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/01/27/barda-health-funds-misappropiated/

* "2020 was the worst year for economic growth since World War II:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/28/gdp-2020-economy-recession/

* Not fast enough but it has a built in COLA, so much better than nothing. "Democrats introduce bill to raise minimum wage to $15 by 2025:" https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/26/politics/congress-15-dollar-minimum-wage-increase-democrats/index.html

* "Democrats ready to plow ahead on Covid relief:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/28/senate-democrats-coronavirus-relief-next-week-463452

* "Why Democrats get only two chances at major legislation this year (unless...):" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/why-democrats-get-only-two-chances-at-major-legislation-this-year-unless-100201029954

* "Republican resistance to cooperation leaves Democrats few options:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/republican-resistance-to-cooperation-leaves-democrats-few-options-100200005914

* Don't hold your breath on it passing senate filibuster. "Democrats introduce bill to make Washington, D.C., the 51st state:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/democrats-introduce-bill-make-washington-dc-51st-state-n1255841

* "Activists draw on 'constituent power' to press Congress members for change:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/activists-draw-on-constituent-power-to-press-congress-members-for-change-100138053846

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.

This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/

* "Liz Cheney Aide Gay-Baits Matt Gaetz With Makeup Remark:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/2021/1/26/liz-cheney-aide-gay-baits-matt-gaetz-makeup-remark

* She literally issued multiple death threats against Nancy Pelosi, mocked the families of murdered children, and sided with the attempted coup over democracy. "Pelosi rips GOP leaders for sticking with Marjorie Taylor Greene:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/28/pelosi-rips-gop-marjorie-greene-463508

* "‘Absolutely horrific’: David Hogg criticizes Marjorie Taylor Greene appointed to Education Committee:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/-absolutely-horrific-david-hogg-criticizes-marorie-taylor-greene-appointed-to-education-committee-100190277810

* "‘Dead on arrival’: Trump conviction unlikely after GOP votes to nix trial:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/26/rand-paul-impeachment-462655

* "Gay Republican Richard Grenell: Trump to Seek Presidency Again:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/2021/1/26/gay-republican-richard-grenell-trump-seek-presidency-again

* "Did *Certain* Politicians Commit Sedition?:"

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* "DHS issues advisory warning of continued violence by domestic extremists:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/27/dhs-warns-continued-violence-domestic-extremists-463161

* "DHS issues terrorism advisory over domestic extremists 'emboldened' by Capitol riot:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/dhs-issues-terrorism-advisory-over-domestic-extremists-emboldened-by-capitol-riot-100126789614

* CW: Suicide. "Second police officer died by suicide following Capitol attack:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/27/second-officer-suicide-following-capitol-riot-463123

* "Gay 'Former Liberal' Arrested for 'Disorderly Conduct' at Capitol Riot:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/2021/1/26/gay-former-liberal-arrested-disorderly-conduct-capitol-riot

* "Anti-trans 'women's rights' group urges MPs to eliminate 'transgenderism' and scrap GRA:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/27/womens-human-rights-campaign-gender-recognition-act-inquiry-trans-transphobia/

* "Joe Biden ‘backlash’ will prompt ‘dramatic increase’ in Republican attacks on LGBT+ rights, advocates fear:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/26/joe-biden-anti-lgbt-law-bill-state-legislature-joe-biden/

* "Oil Industry’s Public Climate Denial Campaign Dates Back to at Least 1980, Nearly a Decade Earlier Than Previously Thought:" https://www.desmogblog.com/2021/01/15/api-american-petroleum-institute-oil-industry-public-climate-denial-campaign-1980

* "Warning Signal: the messaging app’s new features are causing internal turmoil:" https://www.theverge.com/22249391/signal-app-abuse-messaging-employees-violence-misinformation

* "Why the heinous crimes committed by the Nazis against thousands of queer people must never, ever be forgotten:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/01/27/holocaust-memorial-day-lgbt-gay-pink-triangle/

* "Making It Big: The History of Gay Adult Film:"

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* Wednesday morning I stayed up for lab tests. I messed up a little on the fasting. (I was supposed to be water only after midnight, but forgot and snacked on some almonds mixed with dried cherries between 12 and 1. I debated going to bed early and setting an alarm, but decided working through to get the aggregate out made sense as i knew I'd be thrashed after they took all that blood. As a result I started getting ready at eight and solved a number of small stupid problems and did some bed prep before putting my shoes on. I needed to stop at the bank anyway. I figured in traffic (lighter than normal at that time of day since city hall, etc. are still closed), finding parking, the screening process, and the wait for the lb tech in. My timing turned out to be perfect as i had just started lab tech check in a minute before blood test minimum fast. I am good. Very good.

It was raining pretty solidly when I left the apartment. It had switched to flurries halfway to the clinic. Me: this is going to be fun to stand in for the long outdoor screening wait. It was drizzling when I reached the ATM, and barely a mist by the time I hit screening. *fist pump*

One of the portables is now a 1B Covid vaccination site. The lady was also doing lab/pharmacy screening and gestured me over. They have distancing dots and several people where waiting on the under the awning dots. I stayed out in the full air until she gestured me over, which wasn't long. We were standing with our backs to the vaccination portable, with me just under the awning, facing at slightly different angles for safety. The awning stretches between the two portables and the distance dots that had people were on the clinic side facing the clinic. I was facing slightly the other way on the parking lot side.

I didn't notice anything was wrong, as when I approached I was looking at three backs with mask loops over ears, plus full PPE check in ladies, one of whom was talking to masked patient. So we are talking loudly to each other over masks and portable vent sounds. Her head is down as she writes on the clip board. She glanced up after name and date of birth, did a double take and started her "you need to wear a mask" polite but firm. So I look over and the older gentleman closest is turning around with his mask pulled down. "I'll put it on when i get inside." I draw back fast, wide eyed with horror like he's a rattlesnake, "I'm highly risk! I can't be around you without a mask!" She tells him he has to wear a mask up here too. He grumpily puts it back on. Asshole.

Yes, we are outside and minimum distance, but he could infect people going in to get shots, who are all high risk pool and need to not get sick, or people like me who have to be there and have vulnerabilities, or the nice health care workers who've been risking their lives every day they work since late last February. Jesus fuck, what is wrong with people! Yes, outside is less risk, but you still wear a damned mask.

Anyway, blood was taken. It took ages to get to bed. I got about two and a half hours sleep when Asshole Contractor who does building maintenance and who cheated me twice when I first moved in called. They are finally going to do something about the ventilation issue in Squirrel's bathroom Super cool contractor found last January. he questioned me extensively, then wanted to come right over to look at it. Inside the apartment. In the middle of squirrel's sleep cycle, with no time to clean for him.

Yeah. No. I convinced him that instead of playing telephone about a building structure repair I heard about last year second hand, maybe he should talk to the contractor who saw and could likely describe the problem with the vent shafts in a more useful way. This still meant getting up and finding cool contractor's contact info and relaying it, but it meant not making Squirrel get up and try to panic clean right then. Squirrel likely needs heart surgery again and needs his damned sleep. He's ill enough it scares me.

So I went back to bed and slept. I alerted him to the need to clean at a sensible hour when we were both awake and he's doing his best. Tavy has started hanging out in his room and there have been some issues with him peeing. when that started I asked him if he'd clean litter in his bathroom box. apparently he threw his litter box out when elder kitty died. Me: O.o Well if the cats are going in there you need a box. If he hasn't a clean box handy he will just go where ever. The new box came today and I gave him very specific advice about how to clean and set up so he'll be more likely to use the box. I handed him a bottle of odoban and he went to work. We'll see.

I actually did do a bunch of bathroom cleaning that needed doing. Livia's bathroom box which she uses when she wants no chance of harassment or interruption is clean. The toilet is clean and the floor sorted. Kitchen needs doing, but the nausea is really bad today and blood letting wears me out by itself. I also did some essential bureaucracy that came in and prep for February's bureaucracy.

We're okay, money wise. The stimulus came in time to cover car repair. We had to buy two new space heaters as two of the ancient, second hand ones kicked the bucket this winter. A benefactor has sent extra and I can cover yearly car licensing and for sure the housing tax payment on the bill that will come soon. It remains to be seen if there is enough for the whole year, but if not, I'm getting stuff the animals need, like a new twenty filter, since the last liberty filter died beginning of the month, and maybe some more bedding. I always need more bedding.

We're okay for now, even if I feel like crap at the moment.

* Thursday's big chore was to gas up the car. Look, I get that this is not a big chore for normal people, but my chronic pain situation is extreme even by my standards right now. Getting it together even for a small expedition outside is an exhausting undertaking, especially as Squirrel has been putting trash against the inside of the door, which I then have to move out of the way, clean up after, move back, and clean up after again.

I did that, did the dishes, and made dinner. During lung time, I was seriously considering trying to sort out the big tanks and/or the litter or alternately do the office floor, but when I tried to sit up, I couldn't and there was a lot of screaming. This sort of thing usually only happens in bed, and I keep emergency meds where I can reach them if I'm facing the right way. I'm still fucked if I'm not, and it once took me two hours and a lot of screaming to roll over enough to reach, but usually, it's fairly solvable in a reasonable amount of time.

It's literally never happened on the sofa before. Nearest emergency meds are on the office med desk, requiring me to stand up and make it all the way around to the other side of the sofa. Again, this is nothing until one tries to do it with what feels like several knives stuck in one's back, even tiny movements jostling them causing pain at a level where one's body simply doesn't obey commands any more. The only thing more painful than this in my experience is genital surgery. Just saying.

Yes, I tried yelling for Squirrel, but he didn't hear me. So excruciating micro movements it was. I did finally get there, but it's bad, folks. Really, I needed the next level up pain killer at minimum, but that requires an expedition to the headboard shelving in my room and I couldn't face it. Also, if I did that, I'm down for the night and really I still needed hydration cycle, and sitting upright and very gently and slowly moving my arms and torso muscles after the emergency meds kicked in can help. I think this is the worst one in something like two years.

So yes, I'm way behind on posting. Sorry. I used most of today's spoons before I ever sat down at my desk.

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

The help links are at the bottom under the cut.

* I can't swear to these, but they fit with everything I've heard. "HOW TO FIGHT COVID AT HOME when you are not hospitalized.:" https://laughingacademy.tumblr.com/post/639454183045644288/fighting-covid-when-kept-home

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