Late posting today, on a rest day, sort of

Rest day... almost

This was weight workout day with the trainer.  Surprise!  My arms and shoulders didn't want to do as much... those muscles were a bit tired from yesterday's paddling!  

So it wasn't a full rest day, but no running today.

For the numbers geeks amongst us:

The New York Times summary this morning led with a discussion of statistics related to how often breakthrough infections of Covid-19 occur.  Even with the Delta variant taken into account.  They use the "breakthrough" term (although somewhat inaccurate or misleading) to indicate an infection among the fully vaccinated population.  They pulled their numbers from states that actually report cases based on vaccination status (ours doesn't report this).  They were pursuing the question of whether we as a society are being more anxious than we need be about the risk of infections, if we are "average vaccinated" folk.

From their summary:  "How small are the chances of the average vaccinated American contracting Covid? Probably about one in 5,000 per day, and even lower for people who take precautions or live in a highly vaccinated community."

I found these statistics somewhat comforting.  Still, 1 in 5000, in a sellout crowd of 86,000 at Memorial Stadium would predict... say 75% of the crowd are vaccinated (the local county number), that works out to 64,500 vaccinated folks.

Of those 64,500, if one in 5000 were to become infected, that comes to 13 vaccinated people getting infected.  If you reduce the percentage of vaccinated to 50% (the statewide number), that would make 43,000 vaccinated folks, and one in 5000 works out to 9 vaccinated people.  

To reduce your personal risk... wear your mask, wash your hands, try to keep your distance (although you really can't, in that crowd).  Me?  I just avoid going to big gatherings like that!

Meanwhile, it's Tuesday, so we had a news conference from the director of public health and an update to the risk dial.  Last week they did not raise it.  Today, they did not raise it either.  We are still at high risk.  But we might be seeing the beginnings of this surge leveling off.

We are now two weeks past the big Garth Brooks concert (sold out at Memorial Stadium), which inspired my Geeky numbers, above.  It is also almost two weeks since the current masking order was put in place.  The Public Health Director said from what she sees, that concert (with masks strongly recommended, but not mandated then) did NOT have a significant impact on the case rate in the state.

Yes, case rates are rising, out-state, especially.  She believes this is due to low vaccination rates.  They have been losing folks in nursing homes again.  Some people have fallen victim to the disinformation that's been circulating.  This situation has been brewing for some time, it's not about the concert.  

A pulmonologist spoke at the news conference, too.  He spoke of a young woman he's treating in his ICU.  She is unvaccinated.  She caught Covid, delayed treatment, was given Ivermectin, which resulted in blood clots.  She had to be transported in from out west, almost didn't make it, and they still aren't sure they'll be able to save her.

The doctor's major message to us was to be a sheep dog, not a wolf (referencing the movie American Sniper)... protect your community, don't prey on it.  Getting vaccinated (still our best defense against delta), wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping distance work together to keep our friends, family, and the whole community safer.

Enough Covid 19, how about the general pep talk?

How did your day go?  Was it full of hope?  Were there bright spots in it?  Did you make good choices and give yourself credit for them?  That's great!  

Were there a few "mistakes" sprinkled in?  That's OK, too.

However it went, it's over now... you have lived most of the only Tuesday, September 7, 2021 we'll ever get.  Let it go, and let peace wash over you as you prepare for a well-deserved rest.  Be kind in your thoughts toward yourself, and sleep well.  

For life is good, and each of us is worthy of self-care and love.  Tomorrow, we'll Spark another one!✨💖🔥