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COVID NEWS
“More than half of all states are ‘trending poorly’ or facing ‘uncontrolled spread’ as COVID-19 continues to make a resurgence in the United States.” Quote from FOX News The exact number on July 13th is 35 out of 50 states.

Missouri is one such state. Despite this fact, the Missouri State Fair is NOT going to be cancelled this Summer. The Missouri State Fair will go on “as normal”; just the same as if there were no pandemic out there. The state fair will be complete with carnival, shows, food vendors, kids zone, tractor pull, rodeo, demo derby, car show, wine classes, indoor exhibits, flower show, animal exhibits, live contests, and even a senior citizen discount day. Talk about a ripe situation for potential COVID community spread!!!

However, the Missouri State Fair rabbit show has been cancelled: https://www.emissourian.com/local_news/county/no-show-for-rabbits-at-2020-state-fair/article_45fc915c-bbb4-11ea-a08c-cfb2867a2a00.html

The rabbit disease is serious stuff. At the same time, it seems strange that all danger to humans going to the State Fair - during this time of increasing pandemic - has been deemed insignificant. Obviously an animal epidemic is more of a concern to "those in charge" than any human one… As much as I am an animal and wildlife lover, I just don’t get it.

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IMO, our local wild rabbits are super cute. I really enjoy seeing these adorable fur balls. I also find the news of a rabbit disease epidemic is very sad & feel that all possible should be done to control the spread.

The rabbit in my photo is quite healthy. Even so, the poor little guy in my photo does seem to have a tick in his ear. That's a problem of life in the wild. Hopefully, he will be okay. Ticks are such nasty creatures. Even before the pandemic, I completely stopped walking in my favorite woods for Nature photography because the ticks had become too bad. So disappointing... A walk in those woods always cleared my head. Now, after the pandemic has forced our family into social isolation, I have discovered that a lot of Nature comes into my own yard. Although the variety may be somewhat more limited, I really don't have to go looking for photo opts. I just have to keep my eyes open. Nature photography is still possible during Stay-at-Home isolation.