LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Hell AND Highwater At the Same Time, Yet We Persist

      . . . . Well as predicted after some nice weeks of new infections staying below 1.0, since the weekend we have gone up to 1.14 new cases per million.  Nobody could have predicted this, could have known, would have dreamed that with the colleges and universities reopened and the High Holy days new infections would begin to surge, now could they? I spit.  Many times, I spit.  But hey who cares that some get sick and die. It's just about old people and black people.  Who needs them? Who wants them?  Especially old women.

[....Some of the neighborhoods experiencing surges have substantial Jewish populations and the upticks come as people have been celebrating Rosh Hashanah. The Health Department did not immediately respond to a question about whether there’s a link between the surges and religious gatherings, and Choksi wouldn’t say what kind of get-togethers are leading to the latest surges.

“The rule is simple, regardless of whether it’s a wedding or some other large event,” he said. “If you’re having large gatherings with many people indoors, and particularly if masks are not being used regularly, those are the things that we know from New York City, as well as around the world, [that] can lead to further transmission.....]

And the public schools aren't even open yet. That happens on the 30th, Wednesday. 

Show me where large gatherings gather and the students are physically on campuses this isn't happening.

Also so is indoor dining supposed to resume, at 25% capacity.  But very few of the restaurants, at least around here, even outside, bother with more than four inches separating diners.

Other burning anxieties will we be able to vote? Will our votes be counted? All federal funding for everything is supposedly being cut off for NYC.  And the Supreme Court, that doesn't look good either does it?  We donate a small sum to Dems every day, as we're both too fragile to be out there on the street, demanding a General Strike.

And then there are the people who are in terrible medical danger -- and not from covid-19 but other conditions that have't been as well cared for due to covid-19.  The cancer remission of someone whom I hold in deep affection has turned into a new spread.  This is ... just wrong.

Plus the streets are getting more dangerous all the time, as people get more and more desperate and see no hope, no end to this, only worse.

But! we continue the scheduling and tech for NOLA Reconnect.  It really is coming together.  As long as there isn't a hurricane....

I have scheduled flu shots.  El V got a great hair cut last week, and I've scheduled one for me on Sunday, while the temps are warm enough for the salon door to stay open.  Only one stylist working per day, and only a single customer at a time.  Unlike Nancy Pelosi I won't have any trouble having my hair washed while wearing a mask, you betchum Red Rider.

This latter is HUGE for me.  I have refused over and over to meet with friends in restaurants in the last weeks.These friends have been doing this for a while.  I don't know who else they see.  So far, it still remains only our small pod of B, K&C and S that I'm willing to sit with without a mask for any length of time. I DO NOT see other people, to interact with at all, except at the doctor's office, and occasionally in a food store or Farmer's Market.  I do not plan to change this.

We are planning Thanksgiving, up north.  As Our Host said when it was being discussed, "Come November I will either be suicidal from the election result or I will want to celebrate.  Either one means I need friends and a good meal. I haven't cooked a turkey in years, but I damn sure will this year."

And tonight, while el V and Our Captain on the New Orleans ground discuss fees and scheduling I have been making dinner of home grown and butchered pork chops with home grown rosemary in a bouquet garni with home grown apples.  Home grown heritage potatoes. Home grown kale and corn -- the last of the year.  And a beautiful bottle of wine from Alsace.

Yes. We persist in persisting. Even though shoggothinchief says it doesn't matter that people our age die, and young people aren't affected by the coronavirus.  What else can we do?  And it's so much better for us than for millions and millions.  No bottle of wine from Alsace for them. Or even anything to eat.


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