Sunday, July 19, 2020

Wear a Face Mask


Why is this is difficult? Wear a face mask in public! 

It amazes me that so many people resist such a simple measure which according to the CDC Director could help us get coronavirus under control in weeks.


Trump in a Face Mask, Finally
How many Americans must die before we take a simple preventative measure and show concern for others?

The recent publication from the CDC is pretty clear and has a very interesting case study based upon tracing to help confirm what the experts have been telling us. Face masks save lives. Of course looking at the recent increase in infections we really don't need the experts to tell us to wear masks. States were masks are optional are suffering with high infection and hospitalization rates. 

“We are not defenseless against COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. “Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Are face masks safe? There is a lot of misinformation and partially true information on the internet right now, but an article in USA Today titled, Fact Check: Face masks are safe for most, but not kids under 2 lays out the situation. 

Here is the situation--over 1 percent of the U.S. population have been confirmed as infected with coronavirus as of yesterday. Of those infected, nearly 4 percent have died which is 138,782 people who have lost their lives as of yesterday. By comparison, during the 2019-2020 flu season 17 percent of the U.S. population is estimated to have possibly been infected with the flu and of those infected 0.1% (yes, that is one-tenth of a percent) lost their lives. Coronavirus is not the flu! If 17 percent of the American population were to become infected with coronavirus the result could be over 2,200,000 deaths! 

The argument over Constitutional rights just does not hold water in the case of wearing face masks. People have the right not to wear a face mask in public--in some states that will be against the law and there will be consequences, everything has consequences. People do not, however, have the right to possibly infect someone else with a disease. It is our responsibility to take action to protect our fellow citizens.

Wear a face mask. Save a life.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Saturday, July 18, 2020

Baseball Returns


It is back again in the news, hidden in the depths of the sports pages and web sites. 

Baseball! 

Major League Baseball (MLB) is creeping back onto the national stage. 

America's pastime.


Ed Smith Stadium
Sarasota, Florida
February 29, 2020
There is a schedule of three Spring Training (why aren't they calling it Summer Training?) today. Hidden inside the schedule of intrasquad games there are real baseball games between the Pirates and the Indians, the Mets and the Yankees, and the Phillies and the Nationals. 


Fans at Spectrum Field
Clearwater, Florida
March 1, 2020
I am lucky to have gone to Spring Training, the real Spring Training during late-February and viewed real baseball games with fans! And beer! And hamburgers!

It will be very different knowing that there are no fans in the park. Empty cavernous stadiums--it is a sad thought.

But, baseball is returning and the Orioles are traveling to the Phillies tomorrow for a game! 

I definitely need the diversion.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Friday, July 17, 2020

Dog Days 2020


Finnegan Helping with the Deck Project
Elkridge, MD
July 16, 2020
The Dog Days are upon us and the summer is becoming hot and sultry. It has been difficult around the house for the smallest member of the family. Finnegan gets very frustrated when Chris and I are at home, but not available for him to follow and be near--as was the case while we were staining the deck.

Newly Stained Deck Christened by Morning Shower
Elkridge, MD
July 17, 2020
It was day two of the deck staining project and Finnegan, of course, could not be with us. He likes to be a bit too close and stain does not work well in his coat. As we were nearing the completion of the project yesterday, staining the stairs, he could no longer be contained and he rushed the door when I opened it taking a position near Chris as she was staining a baluster.

We managed to complete the project in two days, two long and hot days, using three gallons of stain. Three complete gallons of stain. Fortunately we bought four gallons and there is a gallon remaining to stain the small porch off the garage. I have to replace a board three and it will look nice when stained to match the deck on the back of the house.

The newly stained deck was christened this morning by a passing shower--but fortunately it had been drying overnight and since yesterday afternoon so so damage was done.

As the Dog Days deepen and the coronavirus continues to rage I wonder what other fun projects I will become involved in completing.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Animals in the Area


I enjoy finding and spying on the wildlife that I encounter during daily life. Sometimes I get to rescue the animals that get caught in the waters of my pool. 

American Ermine Moth Swimming
Elkridge, MD
July 14, 2020
The other day, Chris rescued this moth, which we believe is an American ermine moth from the pool. The moth was exhausted from swimming and she placed it in the grasses which border the pool. It was very unique and different. We do not often see such moths. It regained its white background color once it dried from being in the pool.

Turtles on a Rock
Lake Kittamaqundi, Columbia, MD
July 14, 2020
I also spied some small turtles basking on a rock during our walk around Lake Kittamaqundi. They were enjoying the sun and staying away from the boats collecting the aquatic plants.

These turtles were very small and looked like red-eared slider turtle escapees from pet stores. I thought I saw the characteristic red mark on the turtle's neck. Alternatively, there could be Eastern mud turtles, I did not get close enough to be able to make a definitive determination.

It is supposed to be another great summer day. Hopefully we will complete the deck staining project today. I do not suppose that I will have time to discover any other animals lurking around aside from the explosion of rabbits that we are experiencing. I guess the fox has found another place to reside. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Enjoy the Day


Lake Kittamaqundi
Columbia, MD
July 14, 2020
It was another coronavirus day. It was a day when I had planned to be sitting on a Florida beach, but prudence caused me to cancel our trip. But, the need to be near water was overwhelming and so we decided to wander around Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, Maryland. It was a nice walk and I was taken by the clouds in the sky reflecting off the surface of the lake. The amount of algae growth was evident in the water and I also saw two specialized boats scooping the algae put to clear the lake. 

Mowing the Lake
Columbia, MD
July 14, 2020
The water plant removal boats were interesting to watch. It was almost like they were mowing the lake. The bins were collecting massive amounts of the unwanted aquatic plants to help clear the lake. I was unaware of this process before yesterday. 

It was a nice walk and a good way to begin the day. Even Finnegan enjoyed the walk.

Today is a project day! Staining the deck day. It has been coming for a long time and I guess that there is no escaping that the deck needs to be stained and preserved. We will finally also unify the two tones of stain that are already on there deck from where we stained it after rebuilding part of it a few years ago! Home projects. As I always say, they are best when completed!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Random Pandemic Thoughts


Happy Bastille Day! Vive la France!

I note that the French are more effective combatting the coronavirus than we are. France has 209,640 cases and 30,032 deaths compared with the U.S. 3,364,547 cases and 135,615 deaths as of this morning from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.  The seven-day moving average for new cases in France was 577 and the average for daily deaths was 16 as of yesterday, based upon New York Times reporting. The U.S,. by comparison has a seven-day moving average pf 60,521 new cases and 724 deaths, also from The New York Times. Just a thought--1 percent of the entire U.S. population has not been diagnosed with COVID-19.

I think the statement made the Florida governor the other day about schools is probably one of the most revealing for lack of understanding of how opening the schools is materially different from reopening the economy. 

"But I'm confident if you can do Home Depot, if you can do Walmart, if you can do these things, we absolutely can do the schools. I want our kids to be able to minimize this education gap that I think has developed." DeSantis. As reported by CNN on Friday, July 10, 2020

I am amazed that the governor did not see the huge difference between Walmart and a school. First off, wearing masks for an entire school day is going to be a tough experience for many kids and teachers. The spaces are closer together and physical distancing is tough to maintain. Additionally, a trip to Walmart is just that--a trip consisting of minutes. A day at school is just that--a day. We need to get the virus under control before kids can get back to school safely. 

Me in a Mask
Columbia, MD
April 4, 2020
This is a pandemic people--we need to get our heads-out-of-the-sand and take responsibility for ourselves and others. I do not understand the resistance to wearing masks. I think it is clear that states where mask wearing is mandatory are doing better combatting the virus than those where mask wearing is not enforced. That is one of the reasons that I am not in Florida this week--Floridians do not understand the importance of wearing masks. 

From all of the studies I have seen, there are no health issues associated with wearing masks, with the narrow exception of underlying medical issues like asthma or COPD. Some people have suggested that CO2 builds up--that has been patently dismissed as untrue. The worst part about wearing a mask? No washing it after use!

Take responsibility for yourself and stop blaming others!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD


Monday, July 13, 2020

Monday Musings - July 13, 2020



1. It is the second Monday of July. Time is sweeping past quickly. Tax Day 2020 is in two short days. 

Refurbished Stairs
Elkridge, MD
July 11, 2020
2. I can confirm that the flooring project is complete and we also updated the stairs. The place looks great! Now onto the next project. 

3. The quote of the week is from the German Chancellor Angela Merkel: "We are seeing at the moment that the pandemic can't be fought with lies and disinformation, and neither can it be with hatred and agitation." 

4. Apparently, if you can't change the truth you need to stifle those who tell the truth. Seems the administration is trying to silence Dr Fauci.
New Reported Cases in the U.S.

5. How well is the U.S. doing in the face of coronavirus. See the graph from this morning's New York Times.

6. Playing racquetball on an outdoor court at 6 AM really adds a new dimension to the game. 

7. I want to go on vacation--but there is no where to go, safely.

8. Today in History. On July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially open Live Aid, a worldwide rock concert organized to raise money for the relief of famine-stricken Africans. Continued at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia (where Joan Baez famously kicked it off by telling the crowd "this is your Woodstock, and it's long overdue") and at other arenas around the world, the 16-hour “superconcert” was globally linked by satellite to more than a billion viewers in 110 nations. In a triumph of technology and good will, the event raised more than $125 million in famine relief for Africa.



Coronavirus Surge Challenges Struggling Food Supply Chains - The Wall Street Journal

Trump Aides Target Fauci as He Grows More Vocal Over Virus Surge - The New York Times

How Russia Built a Channel to the Taliban, Once an Enemy - The New York Times

Redskins to retire team name today - The Washington Post

China imposes sanctions on U.S. senators Rubio, Cruz over Xinjiang advocacy - The Washington Post

Exclusive: U.S. turns screws on maritime industry to cut off Venezuela's oil - Reuters

Fire aboard U.S. Navy warship in San Diego injures 21 people - Reuters

Taliban attack on Afghan government compound kills 10, wounds dozens - Reuters






Ronald Reagan Quote for the Week

Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Taxes Looming!


Tax day is almost here. 


It seems weird to write this statement during July, but coronavirus encouraged the government to delay the annual pain of settling up by three months. I have to admit, I have delayed paying my tax bill this year. The taxes have been complete since April, but I have been waiting until closer to the Day of Reckoning to submit them.


We experienced some changes during 2019 that resulted in Tax Day not being a lot of fun! I also fell victim to some tax law updates, ugh! I hate it when they change the rules in the middle of the game. But, we have made corrections and adjustments for 2020 to ease the pain of Tax Day 2021. It still bugs me that I pay more in income taxes that some Fortune 500 companies pay in taxes. And companies are able to pass their tax bills to their customers through increased prices on products and services. I, unfortunately, am where the tax bill hits the bank account. I cannot pass my tax bill onto anyone! I confess, I was secretly hoping that Tax Day would be canceled this year--that would have been the best stimulus package!

Later today or tomorrow I will press the send button in Turbo Tax and watch the money in my accounts be siphoned off to support our Republic. It is, after all, my civic duty!

I will be happy to have Tax Day 2020 in my rear view mirror. Sadly, however, the next Day of Reckoning is now only nine short months away!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, July 11, 2020

The End is in Sight


The Final Boards are Laid
Elkridge, MD
July 8, 2020
The end of the flooring project is in sight. Hopefully, today we will complete the project. All of the flooring was laid Wednesday and we spent Thursday evening beginning to install the moulding. 

Last evening, I had the night off to enjoy Happy Hour with friends. 

Today, I will be installing the moulding on the second floor and the doing a facelift for the stairs. This should bring the project to a successful completion. Finally! It has taken the better part of two weeks

Home improvement projects are enjoyed best when they are finished!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, July 10, 2020

Summer Friday


Welcome to the second Friday of July 2020. That is significant because we are in the second half of the year and it has now been a week since the Independence Day weekend which provided a means to escape the pervasive coronavirus presence. 

Last Friday I spent the day laying floors and preparing for the holiday. This Friday the summer is in full swing, except, I have no where to go. Just as it seemed that Chris and I would escape to Florida for a couple weeks--Florida became a coronavirus hot spot. 

Prudence dictated that our trip be canceled and as of yet it not has not been rescheduled. Were we afraid of contracting the virus? Not really, but flying and taking a Lyft or Uber does increase exposure chances. And then there is the shopping for supplies that has to take place. At least the beaches are open! We will try again in August and potentially drive the truck to ferry some larger things to our condo. 

Today, I will go to work and I am very happy to have a job. I will focus on my tasks while counting the hours until I can join friends to celebrate Happy Hour and the arrival of the weekend. At least there is a developing sense of normalcy in the upside down world. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
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