Deaths from the Covid Vaccines

People are interpreting deaths reported to the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System web site as deaths from the vaccines. This is not the case.

Those are ANY sort of death. These reported deaths have not been traced to the vaccines. Correlation is not causation. About 6,500 people die in the US every day so it's not unusual that people die after receiving a vaccine. These are the reporting guidelines: 

Healthcare providers are required to report to VAERS the following adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination [under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)], and other adverse events if later revised by CDC: 

• Vaccine administration errors, whether or not associated with an adverse event (AE) 
• Serious AEs regardless of causality. Serious AEs per FDA are defined as: 

1. Death; 
2. A life-threatening AE; 
3. Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization; 
4. A persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions; 
5.  A congenital anomaly/birth defect; 
6.  An important medical event that based on appropriate medical judgement may jeopardize the individual and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. 

• Cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome 
• Cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or death 

Notice the "regardless of causality." 

So far there are THREE deaths linked to the Johnston & Johnson vaccine. There are also reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome related to the J & J vaccine. 

There have been a small number of cases of Myocarditis from Pfizer and Moderna. One person is reported to have died as a result in New Zealand. But the virus is 1,000 times more dangerous than any of these rare side effects.

So no, there have not been thousands of deaths caused by the vacines.

The Corona Virus, September 28, 2021

 There are currently 43,896,086 reported cases in the US and 704,296 deaths.

US Cases

Dec  28-Jan 3 -- 1,484,497,  7.7%

Jan   4 -Jan 10-- 1,766,398   8.5%

Jan 11 -Jan 17-- 1,559,170    6.9%

Jan 18 -Jan 24-- 1,206,819   5.0%

Jan 25 -Jan 31-- 1,049,667   4.1%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--    855,743   3.2%

Feb  8 - Feb 14--   645,973   2.4%

Feb 15 - Feb 21--  476,821   1.7%

Feb 22 - Feb 28-- 487,627   1.7%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  -- 414,986   1.4%

Mar 8 --Mar 14 -- 371,939   1.3%

Mar 15--Mar 21 -- 385,590  1.3%

Mar 22-Mar 28-- 429,180  1.4%

Mar 29-April 4-- 439,617   1.4%

April 5-April 11-- 480,732  1.6

April 12-April 18-500,013  1.6%

April 19-April 25-442,584  1.4%

April 26-May 2-   338,093  1.0%

May 3  --May 9-   280,293  0.9%

May 10--May 16-  227,441   0.7%

May 17--May 23-  175,653   0.5%

May 24--May 30- 138,104   0.4%

June 1 --June 6--   99,209

June 7 -June 13--  86,318

June 14-June 20-- 65,265

June 21-June 27--64,745

June 28-July 4----82,898

July 5---July 11---100,556

July 12--July 18 --145,510

July 19--Jul 25  ---235,732

July 26--Aug 1  ---404,539

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---635,340

Aug 9---Aug 15  --912,812

Aug 16--Aug 22-1,049.409

Aug 23--Aug 29-1,094,413

Aug 30--Sep 5---1,130,566

Sep 6--Sep 12----1,031,425

Sep 13--Sep 19---1,025,166

Sep 20--Sep 26--- 848,948

About a 20% drop which has been noted elsewhere. Hopefully it will keep going down.

'New Jersey Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3 ----30,821   6.7%,   9.9%

Jan    4 -Jan 10 --- 36,012   7.3%, 10.1%

Jan   11 -Jan 17 --- 37,043   7.0%,  8.3%

Jan   18 -Jan 24 -- 29,905   5.3%,  8.7%

Jan   25 -Jan 31 -- 28,539   4.8%,  7.4%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7---   21,470   3.4%,   8.1%

Feb  8 -  Feb 14--- 20,186   3.1%,   6.4%

Feb 15 -  Feb 21--- 17,549   2.6%,   6.2%

Feb 22 - Feb 28--  18,979   2.8%,   6.2%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  --  19,214   2.7%,    5.3%

Mar 8 --Mar 14  -- 21,112   2.9%,    9.5%

Mar 15--Mar 21  -- 22,939 3.1%,    5.4%

Mar 22-Mar 28  -- 24,483 3.2%,    6.7%

Mar 29-April 4  -- 25,535  3.2%,    7.8%

April 5-April 11  -- 22,045 2.7%,    6.7%

April 12-April 18--21,467  2.6%,    6.6%

April 19-April 25--16,367  1.9%,    5.0%

April 26-May 2--- 10,824  1.2%,    3.8%

May 3--May 10---   5,283  0.6%,    2.0%

May 10-May 16---  2,413   0.3%     1.3%

May 17-May 23---  2,934  0.3%     1.1%

May 24-May 30--  1,620   0.2%     ??%

June 1 --June 6--- 1,400 

June 7 -June 13--  1,177

June 14-June 21-- 1,253

June 22-June 27--1,254

June 28-July 4----1,172

July 5---July 11--- 1,546

July 12--July 18--  2,598

July 19--Jul 25  --- 4.354

July 26--Aug 1  ---  5,832

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  8,344

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  9,932

Aug 16--Aug 22---10,779

Aug 23--Aug 29---11,691

Aug 30--Sep 5-----11,526

Sep 6---Sep 12---- 12,345

Sep 13--Sep 19---  12,870

Sep 20--Sep 26--- 11,755

New Jersey dropped a bit as well. Not as big a drop as the national number but pretty healthy. Again, let's hope that it continues.

Bergen County Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3--- 2,717,  6.0% Dashboard New Cases = 2,715

Jan    4 -Jan 10---3,110,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,126

Jan   11 -Jan 17---3,266,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,413

Jan   18-Jan 24---2,858,  5.2% Dashboard New Cases =2,999

Jan   25-Jan 31---2,716,  4.7% Dashboard New Cases = 2,876

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--- 2,328,  3.9% Dashboard New Cases = 2,490

Feb  8 - Feb 14---2,085,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,185

Feb 15 - Feb 21-- 1,934,  3.0% Dashboard New Cases = 1,982

Feb 23 - Feb 22--2,244,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,335

Mar 1 ---Mar 7 --2,305,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,341

Mar 8 --Mar 14--2,399,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,434

Mar 15--Mar 21--2,664,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,690

Mar 22-Mar 28--2,770,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,856

Mar 29-April 4-- 2,806,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases =2,930

April 5-April 11-- 2,273,  2.8% Dashboard New Cases =2,474

April 12-April 18-1,902,  2.3% Dashboard New Cases =2,009

April 19-April 25-1,446,  1.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,503

April 26-May 2 --   802,  0.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,001

May 3---May 10 -- 693,  0.8% Dashboard New Cases = 809

May 10--May 16 -- 348,  0.4% Dashboard New Cases = 468

May 17--May 23 -- 246,  0.3% Dashboard New Cases = 329

May 24-May 30 -- 173,   0.2% Dashboard New Cases = 204

June 1 --June 6--   104

June 7 -June 13--   116

June 14-June 21--  123

June 22-June 27-- 147

June 28-July 4---- 152

July 5---July 11---  146

July 12--July 18  --267

July 19--Jul 25  --- 440

July 26--Aug 1  ---  619

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  815

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  972

Aug 16--Aug 22--1,040

Aug 23--Aug 29--1,058

Aug 30--Sep 5----- 948

Sep 6--Sep 12---- 1.033

Sep 13--Sep 19---1,055

Sep 20--Sep 26--1,041

Bergen County remains flat.

Well, we got our booster shots around noon. Pretty painless once we found the place. It was in the Garden State Plaza and it took a few minutes. But once we found it we walked right in and both of us were taken together in a few minutes. If it hadn't rained and we hadn't parked in the wrong area (bad combination) it would have been really easy.

Booster Shots

Booster shots for those over 65, health care workers and those with underlying conditions have been approved for Pfizer.

We're getting our tomorrow at the Valley Medical Group Wellness Center in Garden State Plaza. I'll let you know how it goes.

One confusing part is that they hit us up for $10 copays. I didn't think that was a thing. I'll check into it after we get the shots.

Funding and the Debt Limit

Meanwhile, on Mars, the Republicans in the Senate have blocked bills on funding and raising the debt limit. So we are now on the precipice of an economic catastrophe which will be caused by the Republicans but which they will blame on the Democrats.

This is serious stuff. The GOP has decided that destroying the national economy in order to score political points is OK.

Let's see how creative Pelosi and Schumer can be to get around this one.

The Corona Virus, September 21, 2021

There are currently 43,055,314 reported cases in the US and 690,008 deaths.

US Cases

Dec  28-Jan 3 -- 1,484,497,  7.7%

Jan   4 -Jan 10-- 1,766,398   8.5%

Jan 11 -Jan 17-- 1,559,170    6.9%

Jan 18 -Jan 24-- 1,206,819   5.0%

Jan 25 -Jan 31-- 1,049,667   4.1%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--    855,743   3.2%

Feb  8 - Feb 14--   645,973   2.4%

Feb 15 - Feb 21--  476,821   1.7%

Feb 22 - Feb 28-- 487,627   1.7%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  -- 414,986   1.4%

Mar 8 --Mar 14 -- 371,939   1.3%

Mar 15--Mar 21 -- 385,590  1.3%

Mar 22-Mar 28-- 429,180  1.4%

Mar 29-April 4-- 439,617   1.4%

April 5-April 11-- 480,732  1.6

April 12-April 18-500,013  1.6%

April 19-April 25-442,584  1.4%

April 26-May 2-   338,093  1.0%

May 3  --May 9-   280,293  0.9%

May 10--May 16-  227,441   0.7%

May 17--May 23-  175,653   0.5%

May 24--May 30- 138,104   0.4%

June 1 --June 6--   99,209

June 7 -June 13--  86,318

June 14-June 20-- 65,265

June 21-June 27--64,745

June 28-July 4----82,898

July 5---July 11---100,556

July 12--July 18 --145,510

July 19--Jul 25  ---235,732

July 26--Aug 1  ---404,539

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---635,340

Aug 9---Aug 15  --912,812

Aug 16--Aug 22-1,049.409

Aug 23--Aug 29-1,094,413

Aug 30--Sep 5---1,130,566

Sep 6--Sep 12----1,031,425

Sep 13--Sep 19---1,025,166

I had an error in my spreadsheet that I have now corrected. It brought the numbers down for several weeks. Looking at the correct numbers it looks as if things have actually been flat since mid August but at a big number.

The FDA has voted to endorse boosters only for those over 65 or otherwise vulnerable, only for Pfizer and after six months. That means my wife and I would be immediately eligible. I hope it's not as big a zoo as last time.

'New Jersey Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3 ----30,821   6.7%,   9.9%

Jan    4 -Jan 10 --- 36,012   7.3%, 10.1%

Jan   11 -Jan 17 --- 37,043   7.0%,  8.3%

Jan   18 -Jan 24 -- 29,905   5.3%,  8.7%

Jan   25 -Jan 31 -- 28,539   4.8%,  7.4%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7---   21,470   3.4%,   8.1%

Feb  8 -  Feb 14--- 20,186   3.1%,   6.4%

Feb 15 -  Feb 21--- 17,549   2.6%,   6.2%

Feb 22 - Feb 28--  18,979   2.8%,   6.2%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  --  19,214   2.7%,    5.3%

Mar 8 --Mar 14  -- 21,112   2.9%,    9.5%

Mar 15--Mar 21  -- 22,939 3.1%,    5.4%

Mar 22-Mar 28  -- 24,483 3.2%,    6.7%

Mar 29-April 4  -- 25,535  3.2%,    7.8%

April 5-April 11  -- 22,045 2.7%,    6.7%

April 12-April 18--21,467  2.6%,    6.6%

April 19-April 25--16,367  1.9%,    5.0%

April 26-May 2--- 10,824  1.2%,    3.8%

May 3--May 10---   5,283  0.6%,    2.0%

May 10-May 16---  2,413   0.3%     1.3%

May 17-May 23---  2,934  0.3%     1.1%

May 24-May 30--  1,620   0.2%     ??%

June 1 --June 6--- 1,400 

June 7 -June 13--  1,177

June 14-June 21-- 1,253

June 22-June 27--1,254

June 28-July 4----1,172

July 5---July 11--- 1,546

July 12--July 18--  2,598

July 19--Jul 25  --- 4.354

July 26--Aug 1  ---  5,832

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  8,344

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  9,932

Aug 16--Aug 22---10,779

Aug 23--Aug 29---11,691

Aug 30--Sep 5-----11,526

Sep 6---Sep 12---- 12,345

Sep 13--Sep 19---  12,870

New Jersey continues to creep up a little.

Bergen County Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3--- 2,717,  6.0% Dashboard New Cases = 2,715

Jan    4 -Jan 10---3,110,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,126

Jan   11 -Jan 17---3,266,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,413

Jan   18-Jan 24---2,858,  5.2% Dashboard New Cases =2,999

Jan   25-Jan 31---2,716,  4.7% Dashboard New Cases = 2,876

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--- 2,328,  3.9% Dashboard New Cases = 2,490

Feb  8 - Feb 14---2,085,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,185

Feb 15 - Feb 21-- 1,934,  3.0% Dashboard New Cases = 1,982

Feb 23 - Feb 22--2,244,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,335

Mar 1 ---Mar 7 --2,305,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,341

Mar 8 --Mar 14--2,399,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,434

Mar 15--Mar 21--2,664,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,690

Mar 22-Mar 28--2,770,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,856

Mar 29-April 4-- 2,806,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases =2,930

April 5-April 11-- 2,273,  2.8% Dashboard New Cases =2,474

April 12-April 18-1,902,  2.3% Dashboard New Cases =2,009

April 19-April 25-1,446,  1.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,503

April 26-May 2 --   802,  0.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,001

May 3---May 10 -- 693,  0.8% Dashboard New Cases = 809

May 10--May 16 -- 348,  0.4% Dashboard New Cases = 468

May 17--May 23 -- 246,  0.3% Dashboard New Cases = 329

May 24-May 30 -- 173,   0.2% Dashboard New Cases = 204

June 1 --June 6--   104

June 7 -June 13--   116

June 14-June 21--  123

June 22-June 27-- 147

June 28-July 4---- 152

July 5---July 11---  146

July 12--July 18  --267

July 19--Jul 25  --- 440

July 26--Aug 1  ---  619

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  815

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  972

Aug 16--Aug 22--1,040

Aug 23--Aug 29--1,058

Aug 30--Sep 5----- 948

Sep 6--Sep 12---- 1.033

Sep 13--Sep 19---1,055

Bergen County remains flat. It would be nice if it started to drop.

Not much really happening on the home and I like it that way.

the Corona Virus, September 14, 2021

 There are currently 42,086,081 reported cases in the US and 675,626 deaths.

US Cases

Dec  28-Jan 3 -- 1,484,497,  7.7%

Jan   4 -Jan 10-- 1,766,398   8.5%

Jan 11 -Jan 17-- 1,559,170    6.9%

Jan 18 -Jan 24-- 1,206,819   5.0%

Jan 25 -Jan 31-- 1,049,667   4.1%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--    855,743   3.2%

Feb  8 - Feb 14--   645,973   2.4%

Feb 15 - Feb 21--  476,821   1.7%

Feb 22 - Feb 28-- 487,627   1.7%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  -- 414,986   1.4%

Mar 8 --Mar 14 -- 371,939   1.3%

Mar 15--Mar 21 -- 385,590  1.3%

Mar 22-Mar 28-- 429,180  1.4%

Mar 29-April 4-- 439,617   1.4%

April 5-April 11-- 480,732  1.6

April 12-April 18-500,013  1.6%

April 19-April 25-442,584  1.4%

April 26-May 2-   338,093  1.0%

May 3  --May 9-   280,293  0.9%

May 10--May 16-  227,441   0.7%

May 17--May 23-  175,653   0.5%

May 24--May 30- 138,104   0.4%

June 1 --June 6--   99,209

June 7 -June 13--  86,318

June 14-June 20-- 65,265

June 21-June 27--64,745

June 28-July 4----82,898

July 5---July 11---100,556

July 12--July 18 --145,510

July 19--Jul 25  ---235,732

July 26--Aug 1  ---404,539

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---635,340

Aug 9---Aug 15  --912,812

Aug 16--Aug 22-1,049.409

Aug 23--Aug 29-1,369,931

Aug 30--Sep 5---1,206,448

Sep 6--Sep 12----1,031,425

That's another pretty good drop. Hopefully it will keep going.

The booster shot situation continues to be confused.

'New Jersey Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3 ----30,821   6.7%,   9.9%

Jan    4 -Jan 10 --- 36,012   7.3%, 10.1%

Jan   11 -Jan 17 --- 37,043   7.0%,  8.3%

Jan   18 -Jan 24 -- 29,905   5.3%,  8.7%

Jan   25 -Jan 31 -- 28,539   4.8%,  7.4%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7---   21,470   3.4%,   8.1%

Feb  8 -  Feb 14--- 20,186   3.1%,   6.4%

Feb 15 -  Feb 21--- 17,549   2.6%,   6.2%

Feb 22 - Feb 28--  18,979   2.8%,   6.2%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  --  19,214   2.7%,    5.3%

Mar 8 --Mar 14  -- 21,112   2.9%,    9.5%

Mar 15--Mar 21  -- 22,939 3.1%,    5.4%

Mar 22-Mar 28  -- 24,483 3.2%,    6.7%

Mar 29-April 4  -- 25,535  3.2%,    7.8%

April 5-April 11  -- 22,045 2.7%,    6.7%

April 12-April 18--21,467  2.6%,    6.6%

April 19-April 25--16,367  1.9%,    5.0%

April 26-May 2--- 10,824  1.2%,    3.8%

May 3--May 10---   5,283  0.6%,    2.0%

May 10-May 16---  2,413   0.3%     1.3%

May 17-May 23---  2,934  0.3%     1.1%

May 24-May 30--  1,620   0.2%     ??%

June 1 --June 6--- 1,400 

June 7 -June 13--  1,177

June 14-June 21-- 1,253

June 22-June 27--1,254

June 28-July 4----1,172

July 5---July 11--- 1,546

July 12--July 18--  2,598

July 19--Jul 25  --- 4.354

July 26--Aug 1  ---  5,832

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  8,344

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  9,932

Aug 16--Aug 22---10,779

Aug 23--Aug 29---11,691

Aug 30--Sep 5-----11,526

Sep 6---Sep 12---- 12,345

New Jersey jumped a bit. I read an opinion that the Northeast hasn't seen the real Delta surge yet.

Bergen County Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3--- 2,717,  6.0% Dashboard New Cases = 2,715

Jan    4 -Jan 10---3,110,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,126

Jan   11 -Jan 17---3,266,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,413

Jan   18-Jan 24---2,858,  5.2% Dashboard New Cases =2,999

Jan   25-Jan 31---2,716,  4.7% Dashboard New Cases = 2,876

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--- 2,328,  3.9% Dashboard New Cases = 2,490

Feb  8 - Feb 14---2,085,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,185

Feb 15 - Feb 21-- 1,934,  3.0% Dashboard New Cases = 1,982

Feb 23 - Feb 22--2,244,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,335

Mar 1 ---Mar 7 --2,305,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,341

Mar 8 --Mar 14--2,399,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,434

Mar 15--Mar 21--2,664,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,690

Mar 22-Mar 28--2,770,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,856

Mar 29-April 4-- 2,806,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases =2,930

April 5-April 11-- 2,273,  2.8% Dashboard New Cases =2,474

April 12-April 18-1,902,  2.3% Dashboard New Cases =2,009

April 19-April 25-1,446,  1.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,503

April 26-May 2 --   802,  0.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,001

May 3---May 10 -- 693,  0.8% Dashboard New Cases = 809

May 10--May 16 -- 348,  0.4% Dashboard New Cases = 468

May 17--May 23 -- 246,  0.3% Dashboard New Cases = 329

May 24-May 30 -- 173,   0.2% Dashboard New Cases = 204

June 1 --June 6--   104

June 7 -June 13--   116

June 14-June 21--  123

June 22-June 27-- 147

June 28-July 4---- 152

July 5---July 11---  146

July 12--July 18  --267

July 19--Jul 25  --- 440

July 26--Aug 1  ---  619

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  815

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  972

Aug 16--Aug 22--1,040

Aug 23--Aug 29--1,058

Aug 30--Sep 5----- 948

Sep 6--Sep 12---- 1.033

Bergen County is still pretty flat.

Ultimately we decided not to go to the Broncos. I just couldn't justify the chaos that would ensue if any of us came down with even a mild case. I sold the Falcons tickets as well. All I have left are the Rams, Raiders and Washington.

The Corona Virus, September 7, 2021

There are currently 40,869,168 reported cases in the US and 662,589 deaths.

US Cases

Dec  28-Jan 3 -- 1,484,497,  7.7%

Jan   4 -Jan 10-- 1,766,398   8.5%

Jan 11 -Jan 17-- 1,559,170    6.9%

Jan 18 -Jan 24-- 1,206,819   5.0%

Jan 25 -Jan 31-- 1,049,667   4.1%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--    855,743   3.2%

Feb  8 - Feb 14--   645,973   2.4%

Feb 15 - Feb 21--  476,821   1.7%

Feb 22 - Feb 28-- 487,627   1.7%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  -- 414,986   1.4%

Mar 8 --Mar 14 -- 371,939   1.3%

Mar 15--Mar 21 -- 385,590  1.3%

Mar 22-Mar 28-- 429,180  1.4%

Mar 29-April 4-- 439,617   1.4%

April 5-April 11-- 480,732  1.6

April 12-April 18-500,013  1.6%

April 19-April 25-442,584  1.4%

April 26-May 2-   338,093  1.0%

May 3  --May 9-   280,293  0.9%

May 10--May 16-  227,441   0.7%

May 17--May 23-  175,653   0.5%

May 24--May 30- 138,104   0.4%

June 1 --June 6--   99,209

June 7 -June 13--  86,318

June 14-June 20-- 65,265

June 21-June 27--64,745

June 28-July 4----82,898

July 5---July 11---100,556

July 12--July 18 --145,510

July 19--Jul 25  ---235,732

July 26--Aug 1  ---404,539

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---635,340

Aug 9---Aug 15  --912,812

Aug 16--Aug 22-1,049.409

Aug 23--Aug 29-1,369,931

Aug 30--Sep 5---1,130,566

I corrected some numbers. I'm not sure if this is a real flattening or a part of the holiday slowdown. We shall see.

The booster shot situation is still confused. Will someone please make a decision.

'New Jersey Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3 ----30,821   6.7%,   9.9%

Jan    4 -Jan 10 --- 36,012   7.3%, 10.1%

Jan   11 -Jan 17 --- 37,043   7.0%,  8.3%

Jan   18 -Jan 24 -- 29,905   5.3%,  8.7%

Jan   25 -Jan 31 -- 28,539   4.8%,  7.4%

Feb  1 -  Feb  7---   21,470   3.4%,   8.1%

Feb  8 -  Feb 14--- 20,186   3.1%,   6.4%

Feb 15 -  Feb 21--- 17,549   2.6%,   6.2%

Feb 22 - Feb 28--  18,979   2.8%,   6.2%

Mar 1 ---Mar 7  --  19,214   2.7%,    5.3%

Mar 8 --Mar 14  -- 21,112   2.9%,    9.5%

Mar 15--Mar 21  -- 22,939 3.1%,    5.4%

Mar 22-Mar 28  -- 24,483 3.2%,    6.7%

Mar 29-April 4  -- 25,535  3.2%,    7.8%

April 5-April 11  -- 22,045 2.7%,    6.7%

April 12-April 18--21,467  2.6%,    6.6%

April 19-April 25--16,367  1.9%,    5.0%

April 26-May 2--- 10,824  1.2%,    3.8%

May 3--May 10---   5,283  0.6%,    2.0%

May 10-May 16---  2,413   0.3%     1.3%

May 17-May 23---  2,934  0.3%     1.1%

May 24-May 30--  1,620   0.2%     ??%

June 1 --June 6--- 1,400 

June 7 -June 13--  1,177

June 14-June 21-- 1,253

June 22-June 27--1,254

June 28-July 4----1,172

July 5---July 11--- 1,546

July 12--July 18--  2,598

July 19--Jul 25  --- 4.354

July 26--Aug 1  ---  5,832

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  8,344

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  9,932

Aug 16--Aug 22---10,779

Aug 23--Aug 29---11,691

Aug 30--Sep 5-----11,526

A slight flattening in New Jersey but we'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

Bergen County Cases

Dec  28 -Jan 3--- 2,717,  6.0% Dashboard New Cases = 2,715

Jan    4 -Jan 10---3,110,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,126

Jan   11 -Jan 17---3,266,  6.4% Dashboard New Cases = 3,413

Jan   18-Jan 24---2,858,  5.2% Dashboard New Cases =2,999

Jan   25-Jan 31---2,716,  4.7% Dashboard New Cases = 2,876

Feb  1 -  Feb  7--- 2,328,  3.9% Dashboard New Cases = 2,490

Feb  8 - Feb 14---2,085,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,185

Feb 15 - Feb 21-- 1,934,  3.0% Dashboard New Cases = 1,982

Feb 23 - Feb 22--2,244,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,335

Mar 1 ---Mar 7 --2,305,  3.3% Dashboard New Cases = 2,341

Mar 8 --Mar 14--2,399,  3.4% Dashboard New Cases = 2,434

Mar 15--Mar 21--2,664,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,690

Mar 22-Mar 28--2,770,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases = 2,856

Mar 29-April 4-- 2,806,  3.6% Dashboard New Cases =2,930

April 5-April 11-- 2,273,  2.8% Dashboard New Cases =2,474

April 12-April 18-1,902,  2.3% Dashboard New Cases =2,009

April 19-April 25-1,446,  1.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,503

April 26-May 2 --   802,  0.9% Dashboard New Cases =1,001

May 3---May 10 -- 693,  0.8% Dashboard New Cases = 809

May 10--May 16 -- 348,  0.4% Dashboard New Cases = 468

May 17--May 23 -- 246,  0.3% Dashboard New Cases = 329

May 24-May 30 -- 173,   0.2% Dashboard New Cases = 204

June 1 --June 6--   104

June 7 -June 13--   116

June 14-June 21--  123

June 22-June 27-- 147

June 28-July 4---- 152

July 5---July 11---  146

July 12--July 18  --267

July 19--Jul 25  --- 440

July 26--Aug 1  ---  619

Aug 2---Aug 8  ---  815

Aug 9---Aug 15  --  972

Aug 16--Aug 22--1,040

Aug 23--Aug 29--1,058

Aug 30--Sep 5----- 948

Bergen County was flat and perhaps even dipped a little. We'll see how things go over the next couple of weeks.

We are still planning on going to the Broncos game. They keep telling me that I should be pretty safe. I hope they're right.

The Vaccine Insanity

 I haven't said anything about this because I don't really understand what the hell is going on.

There has been significant resistance to taking the Covid vaccines. That's changing a little bit now that the FDA has officially approved the Pfizer vaccine but not a lot.

I've been sort of looking about and I've done some talking with folks. There is clearly a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding. I have heard a number of reasons. I'm going to ignore the "I don't trust (pick one or more: the government, the CDC, the WHO, doctors, pharmaceutical companies)" excuse because that's always around.

Reason #1 - I'm young and healthy so it's not necessary. Well, even if that may be true for you personally you're acting as a human petri dish and potentially allowing the virus to mutate and spread.

Reason #2 - The vaccines are ineffective. I've head this especially with respect to the Delta variant. Evidence I've heard supporting this position are either anecdotal (everyone I know even those who have been vaccinated has gotten sick) to the increasing reports about breakthrough cases. Massachusetts recently reported that 75% of new cases were of vaccinated individuals.

The Massachusetts thing is under investigation but it sounds like it might be based upon special circumstances. First of all about 70% of people in Massachusetts are vaccinated so it's not surprising a large number of the new cases are among vaccinated people. The majority of the cases are also among young people, typically under 40. How that figures in I don't know so I suppose I will wait and see.

Reason #3 - The vaccines are dangerous. The CDC has a database called the Vaccines Adverse Effect Reporting System (VAERS). Health facilities are required to report adverse effects and anyone can file a report.

The number of adverse effects in the database, especially deaths, is frighteningly high and and several websites have been reporting these numbers as evidence that the vaccines are dangerous. The problem is that this is non-validated raw data. The website warns against using these numbers until they have been investigated. Correlation is not causation and the overwhelming majority of these reports usually turn out to have nothing to do with the vaccine.

Reason #4 - Politics. Somehow this has become a political issue. At CPAC they cheered the fact that the vaccination goals had not been achieved. This is by far the dumbest reason.

Reason #5 - Opposition to vaccines in general. There are some people that take this position and if they're not willing to take vaccines that have been around for a while they sure as hell aren't going to take the Covid vaccines.

None of these reasons strike me as valid. People won't get vaccinated but they'll take Ivermectin instead.

Does Ivermectin work? They seem to think so in India and are using it both as a treatment and as a prophylactic. WHO and the European Medicines Agency have warned against using it. The FDA has said it doesn't have any evidence one way or the other. Merck, one of the manufacturers of Ivermectin, says that it has no Covid-19 benefit.

There are human dosage levels of Ivermectin used to combat parasites. If you take those it may not help but it may not hurt. But people are taking horse and cow level dosages and poisoning themselves.

I don't get it. People won't take a vaccine touted as safe and effective by medical authorities but will take a parasite drug based upon what some asshole on the internet says. We really are a nation of morons.

I'm vaccinated. The side effects were minor and I will get the booster if and when it's recommended. The risk-benefit balance is heavily in favor of that course of action.

I'm Depressed

I didn't think I could suffer from depression. I was wrong.

Things have gotten bad enough that I'm feeling really bad. I woke up this morning wit only my wife's car's air conditioning to worry about. That has sort of worked its way out.

But things went down hill from there. 

My grandson started kindergarten and came home with a fever. Hopefully it's nothing but it has me worried.

I've also been exchanging comments with people on YouTube and the Washington Post. The conversations on the Post used to be polite. People could disagree and not be nasty about it. That's no longer the case.

YouTube has always been iffy. But talking about Covid and the vaccines has gotten me completely out of whack. The ignorance is scary; the fact that these ignorant people are so certain they're right is downright terrifying.

It never ceases to amaze me that people will reject what doctors and other experts tell them but will believe what some crazy on the internet tells them.

Here's the key. If someone says something along the lines of "based upon what we know then A," then they're probably trustworthy. This is especially true it they're willing to share the data that they're basing their conclusion on.

If someone tells you something along the lines of "the answer is definitely B and anyone who tells you different is up to nefarious things," then watch out. This is especially true is they're not sharing the basis of their conclusion.

I understand people like certainty. But often life isn't that simple and things can change as new information is discovered.

Anyway, I'm retiring from commenting on any platform. It's not worth the trouble. I'm too old for this shit.

Edit: My grandson's fever is gone and his Covid test was negative so that's the best news I've had in a while. I also couldn't resist a view YouTube comments but on mostly non-controversial topics although these days it feels like everything is controversial.