Severe Heat Warning
We went outside anyhow.

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USA COVID-19 report
“More than 70,000 coronavirus cases were reported in the United States on Friday, for the country’s second-highest daily total of the pandemic.” NY Times

“Single-day record number of coronavirus deaths reported in Kansas City metro area. As the number of new coronavirus cases continues to climb in the Kansas City area, a spike in deaths is creating even more worry.” The Associated Press

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At this same time: still another of our neighbors is throwing a big party tonight.

Live band, DJ, and a really large crowd of guests. With “everyday” people continuing on in this way, there seems to be little hope that the pandemic can be brought under control in the US.

Very saddening. Very discouraging.

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Above is the dog’s water & my water as we continue to hang out together at home in social isolation. Not set up. Just noticed as I got ready to go inside after sunset. Even with the super hot weather, being able to spend time outside is mentally therapeutic. Today is another day when I don’t feel like linking one of my better photos to this photo diary.

Instead, I’ve chosen a shot of the extreme mundane.

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We’re doing the best we can. The human psyche wasn’t meant to handle a continuing, long period of social isolation such as ours. It is quite frustrating to listen to the large party in the close distance & realize that those actions are preventing our life from returning to any kind of normal anytime soon.

How I long for the past before COVID. Or a present that should have been. Back in March, I should have been in New Zealand; photographing that wonderful country for my 4th time. Right now today, I should be on my planned trip to Alaska; enjoying photographing Grizzly Bears in the wild. I should not be confined to home in an effort to protect my husband & my health.

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Too many people, who are actually listening to the CDC and following all the rules of pandemic, are still getting infected. That's probably because there is so much virus out there, & it is more contagious than anything this country has ever experienced in modern history. Carriers of the virus can also be asymptomatic. Even with our extreme personal precautions, we still have our cloth masks to protect others when we need to absolutely go out. We care about our fellow human beings. Wish all Americans did.

Though each action of personal selfishness, some Americans are prolonging - and even actively helping - the spread of the virus to "others". A percentage of those "others" will die or have disabling health issues for life. This is a sad commentary on America and self centered Americans. The politicians are not alone in the blame for COVID-19 being out of control in the USA. The blame for what is currently happening in America is shared by the selfish.

We’re doing what we can to stay healthy & alive: one day at a time. That's all we can do.
Meanwhile, the dogs are really enjoying having their people home with them. So I guess that’s the bright point in today and each day stuck in stay-at-home isolation. The dogs are happy just to be with us: at home or anywhere. As long as they have us, they don't worry about anything.

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It will be close to 100 degrees tomorrow. With high humidity and super high heat indexes close to 115. However, we'll be outside again in the evening tomorrow. Hopefully, no more neighbors will have another big party. I've seen more big parties being thrown in our neighborhood during the past 4 months than I have during all the many years we've lived here. IMO, America should party when COVID is someday defeated. Not now; with coronavirus as a party guest.