Linkee-poo Monday

Janiece Murphy's annual fundraiser for suicide prevention is taking donations. Besides Janeice being a friend, working with the ER has made me much more sensative to this cause. It seems like almost every night we have at least one person in for "suicide ideation" (meaning they're threatening or thinking about it in a serious manner). Many of my coworkers don't understand when I say that depression is a fucking killer, but some of the patients know what I mean when I say depression is a fucking liar (I don't say it to all my patients, just the ones who are a little more open and talkative). I've seen tweens and I've seen elderly Amish in the ER for this and I've x-rayed people in all the stages. There is always someone listening if you need them 1-800-273-8255.

"Tropical Storm Isaias gained speed Monday morning as it continued to power march up the East Coast leaving showers behind in Florida and targeting the Carolinas, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. update."

While on thew other coast… "Multiple wildfires are spreading across California, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the midst of a global pandemic… As of Sunday morning, there are 15 separate fires raging throughout the state, according to Cal Fire. The state's three largest fires have already burned through more than 50,000 acres of land."

"If Worldcon wants to have a future, it must change. This doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring the past. But it does mean the past must not be worshipped at the expense of the present day." Jason Sanford's Worldcon wrapup post. As an FYI, many cons faced this decision almost a decade ago. Gen Con pitched it's problematic past and founders and became stronger. Full disclosure, I have not attended a Worldcon, so this may also be me speaking out of my ass. But, IMHO, Worldcon needs to do more to become an actual "world" representative. Especially when it is hosted outside North America (read, "mostly the USA"), and for that you can read comments about not including the New Zealand members, honoring their contributions to the genre, and giving us a taste of flavors other than "Western European/North American." IIRC, when Worldcon was in Japan and Findland this happened a lot more.

"Marking the first US splashdown in 45 years, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley successfully landed in the Atlantic Ocean at 2:48 PM ET. This was the first crewed orbital flight using a private spacecraft to land back on Earth, as well as the first crewed spaceflight from the US since NASA retired the Space Shuttle in 2011."

"A Norwegian cruise ship line halted all trips and apologized Monday for procedural errors after an outbreak of coronavirus on one ship infected at least 5 passengers and 36 crew. Health authorities fear the ship could have infected dozens of towns and villages along Norway's western coast." Oopsie.

"The World Health Organization warned on Monday that, despite strong hopes for a vaccine, there might never be a 'silver bullet' for COVID-19, and the road to normality would be long."

"President Donald Trump said White House coronavirus task force leader Dr. Deborah Birx hurt the Trump administration when she said widespread virus infections in urban and rural America mark a 'new phase' for the pandemic." Narcissists going to narcissist.

"Higher domestic prices are likely due to a combination of the increased costs of manufacturing in the US, as well as the booming demand that has outpaced supply. For example, in December, Johns Hopkins Medicine, where I oversee the supply chain, was paying 40 cents for a gown from our supplier in China. We are now paying $9 per gown from a domestic supplier. That’s more than 20 times the former price — all at a time when we need more gowns than ever. This change has the potential to significantly increase health care costs and will only add to the existing strain on health care providers, health insurers, and consumers." It's not the cost of manufacturing, it's what the market will bear. The manufacturers realize they only have a window of about a year to recoup costs (instead of 5 to 10 years). Then there is the tight supply chain.

"Hundreds of people gathered and marched on Saturday in Portland, Oregon, marking the 66th night of Black Lives Matter protests in the city, according to the Portland Police Bureau… Police said hundreds of people gathered at the federal courthouse Saturday night to protest and hear speeches before marching through downtown. That march was peaceful, police said."

Meanwhile, on Bullshit Mountain… "More than 150 rounds were fired and one woman was shot in Portland on Friday night while protesters on Saturday – some of whom appeared to impersonate press – threw glass bottles and shined lasers at city police officers sent to quell the nighttime unrest witnessed for more than two months straight… Saturday marked the third night of federal and state law enforcement cooperation in Portland, as the Department of Homeland Security continues to weigh plans to withdraw from the liberal Oregon city. It was the 64th straight day of violent demonstrations and rioting in Portland."

"Murphy’s removal comes in the wake of a string of bruising reports about the office he runs. Over the last week, news has broken that I&A compiled intelligence reports about journalists covering protests in Portland, including a reporter for the New York Times. And on Friday, The Washington Post reported it also monitored protesters’ electronic communications. Both stories raise legal concerns." Time to dismantle DHS.

"As Monday marks the one-year anniversary since a gunman opened fire at a busy Walmart store, ultimately killing 23 people and leaving another 23 wounded, there will be no crowds gathering for memorials or strangers linking arms to honor those who died… The pandemic has reshaped just about every aspect of everyday life and the grim anniversary of the one of the nation's deadliest shootings and the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern US history isn't the exception."

"Record-high unemployment has wreaked havoc on personal income taxes and sales taxes, two of the biggest sources of revenue for states. Hawaii's and Nevada's tourism industries have crashed, and states like Alaska, Oklahoma and Wyoming have been hit by the collapse of oil markets. From March through May of this year, 34 states experienced at least a 20% drop in revenue compared with the same period last year, according to data provided to NPR by the State and Local Finance Initiative."

The retail apocalypse continues. "The owner of Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank filed for bankruptcy on Sunday and so did Lord & Taylor, the oldest U.S. department store."

"The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 54.2 last month, up from a June reading of 52.6. Any reading above 50 signas that U.S. manufacturing is expanding."

"Spending on U.S. construction projects fell 0.7% in June as both home building and nonresidential activity declined, the Commerce Department said on Monday. Private and government spending on construction both also declined by the same 0.7% figure." Whispers, it's construction season.

"At least 29 people have been killed in ongoing fighting between Afghan security forces and gunmen who raided a jail overnight in an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group, officials said on Monday."

"A new Netflix docuseries that saw filmmakers gain 'unprecedented' access to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's operations under the Trump administration sees ICE agents open up about what it's like to be seen as 'the bad guys.'"

"Familiar fault lines continue to separate the White House and congressional Democrats on the next coronavirus stimulus package a day after an extended meeting between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and administration officials including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and chief of staff Mark Meadows."

"Facing a political newcomer who raised a jaw-dropping $3.2 million last quarter — much of it from pro-Israel donors who oppose Omar’s foreign policy stances — Omar suddenly finds herself on the defensive against claims that she’s too divisive to effectively represent the solidly Democratic district."

"President Donald Trump threatened legal action Monday after Nevada’s legislature passed a bill to mail ballots to all active voters, suggesting the measure would make it impossible for Republicans to win there in November’s general election." Yes, when more people vote Republicans lose. Thanks for confirming that.