*******************************************
Monday US COVID News

“As Trump's condition makes headlines, America's pandemic is getting worse The extraordinary attention generated by President Donald Trump's fight with Covid-19 has obscured an alarming turn in a pandemic that is showing signs of accelerating as colder weather approaches, Yet there are few signs, despite the virus sweeping through the White House and infecting Trump allies on Capitol Hill of any fresh White House appreciation of the danger or a plan to try to slow the spread of the disease.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/as-trump-s-condition-makes-headlines-america-s-pandemic-is-getting-worse/ar-BB19HxZI?ocid=msedgntp

• “White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement that she has tested positive.
• Concern for White House and residence staff members has started to rise as their workplace has become a virus hot spot.
• More attendees at a Sept. 26 Rose Garden ceremony — which is now drawing scrutiny as a possible superspreader event — tested positive over the weekend.” Washington Post

“White House rebuffed CDC offer to lead contact tracing investigation of Trump outbreak. The White House rejected on Monday an offer from the nation’s public health experts to lead the effort to track down and notify Americans who were exposed to a growing coronavirus outbreak linked to President Donald Trump and several top aides.” USA Today

“Trump removes mask promptly after return to White House. After President Donald Trump returned to the White House just days after starting coronavirus treatment at Walter Reed medical center, he removed his mask for a photo-op despite rising cases among White House staffers. President Trump was seen reshooting his entrance into the White House without a mask after returning from Walter Reed medical center where he was treated for coronavirus.” CNN

Meanwhile, Trump’s followers are praising him as a hero for experiencing COVID – like it was something he was deliberately going through “for them”. They are also feeding off his remarks that COVID is no big deal to be concerned about;; the opposite view of his political opponent.

Unfortunately if people continue to follow his example, an even wider spread of the disease is likely in the USA. Few victims, however, will get the 5 Star Special medical care that the President of the United States has received. Many will die.

*******************************************

We are indeed living in very strange times. My husband had his “annual” doctor’s appointment today via Zoom. Luckily, we’re both very healthy individuals; so Zoom (rather than the normal “in-person” office visit) works for us. The bottom line of the Zoom call today was the doctor firmly repeated that my husband should continue with the fairly strict practice of Stay-at-Home isolation. The doctor said this option is the only true way to “remain safe” from the pandemic; which is notably significant in our Metro. Mask wearing is in our area is not a common practice. So one's risks are higher. Based on my husband’s age (NOT any health problems), "Stay at Home" was his doctor’s only prescription.

My husband's entire office has been tele commuting since March with no plans for a return until the pandemic is a thing of the past. So he doesn't have to go into an office every day, but still has a good job. We can afford to have all our needs delivered by Insta Cart, Amazon, etc. This means he has no problem with following his doctor's orders to "protect himself". What effects me effects my older husband. Therefore, I will be continuing in Stay-at-Home isolation with him. For what that means, read the gallery introduction. My Stay-at-Home galleries will also continue on for as long as necessary...

*******************************************

The Photo Above

Smoke from the wildfires in the West have made their way across the country to our house. Haze was in the atmosphere all day. Then, as the sun became lower in the sky and started to set, the sun glowed golden and then turned into a dramatic, red fireball. Due to trees and the contour of the land, I was only able to photograph the sun - from our deck - while the sun was still fairly high in the sky & playing peek a boo between the leaves.