July 2021: Pandemic Month 17

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Viewed: 4/19/2024	Page Views: 836
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
And relief from the evil of the Republican Party comes from an unlikely source: Republicans.

Globally

Globally, The global number of new cases reported last week (12-18 July 2021) was over 3.4 million, a 12% increase as compared to the previous week. Globally, COVID-19 case weekly incidence increased with an average of around 490 000 cases reported each day over the past week as compared to 400 000 cases daily in the previous week. Following a steady decline for over two months, the number of weekly deaths reported was similar to the previous week, with almost 57 000 deaths reported. The cumulative number of cases reported globally is now over 190 million and the number of deaths exceeds 4 million.

United States

Around 15,081 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the United States on August 3, 2021. Between January 20, 2020 and August 3, 2021 there have been around 34.8 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with over 608 thousand deaths in the U.S. as reported by the World Health Organization.

The Republicans and Fox Noise continue to downplay the severity of this virus and the need for masks or to get vaccinated. Many still believe it's a hoax, going so far as to berate nurses as they lay hooked to a ventilator and dying, to not cure them of a "hoax".

It's hard to grok the political advantage to killing your own voters, but no one ever accused a Republican of actually being smart. Still, this seems short-sighted, even for them.

Hawaii

The state Department of Health reports that there were 485 additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai'i on Saturday. Today's total is the largest single day total for Hawai'i since the pandemic began.

The latest data represents an average of 356 cases per day for the state over the past four days. Governor David Ige hosted a press briefing on Friday in which he joined Dr. Libby Char, director of the state Department of Health in discussing the recent spike in cases amid a rise in cases involving the Delta variant.

In Maui County, there is an average of 24 new cases with a 4.5% test positivity rate over 14 days. For every 100,000 residents in Maui County, there have been an average of 14.4 newly reported cases per day over the last seven days. There are 18 individuals hospitalized in Maui County with COVID-19. There are 18 ICU beds being used in Maui County at this time (out of 31 currently available). Four of the ICU beds are being used by COVID-19 patients. Eight ventilators (out of 38 available) are being used in Maui County, with three being used by COVID-19 patients.

Through July 30, 2021, an estimated 1,754,554 doses of vaccine have been administered statewide. The state's total population is 1,415,857.The Department of Health reports that 66.8% of the state population has had one dose of vaccination, and 60.1% have completed full vaccination.

On Maui, the DOH reports that 62 percent of the total population in Maui County has initiated a vaccine, while 54 percent have completed a full course of vaccination.

Back To The Beach

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/1/2021	Page Views: 643
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Papalaua
How wonderful to be back on Maui, enjoying the beach.

When Keith and I first came to Maui (on vacation, a year before we moved here), we spent several nights in our rental camper at Papalaua Beach Park. Being on vacation, we were able to simply hang out at the beach, listening to music, swimming, and chatting. It was wonderful. So, what is retirement (in theory, at least!) than a permanent vacation? And so, the day I returned from vacationing with family in Arizona, we went right to that same beach to camp.

Haircut

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/2/2021	Page Views: 651
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
My first professional haircut since before the pandemic.

In February, 2020, I got a haircut and beard trim at a Great Clips in Tempe, Arizona, after which I went home and died my hair its customary brown. I had no idea that would be the last time in a year and a half.

Soursop

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/6/2021	Page Views: 679
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
We try to eat a local fruit.

Our friend, Kai, owns and runs a fruit stand about a mile from our property; and he gave me a fruit that, he says, he grows on his property and is considered a delicacy. It's called a "Soursop". So, as soon as we got it home, we attempted to cut it open to eat it. And that turned out to take longer than anticipated.

Tour of Lot D

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/7/2021	Page Views: 668
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
My daughter has decided to sell one of our two lots..

My daughter, Jenny, has decided to sell one of our two lots as 28 acres is really too much to care for. (The invasive turkey berries are rapidly overtaking us.) So the real estate agent asked if I could take some photos and maybe a video of the lot we are selling; and of course I was happy to oblige.

Wahikuli Park

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/9/2021	Page Views: 659
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #WahikuliPark #Lahaina
A visit to a little beach park on the Maui's West side.

Since Keith and I spend a lot of time on West Maui Doordashing, we also spend a lot of time visiting the many little parks that have been set aside there. Today we visited Wahikuli Park in Lahaina.

Orange Colored Skies

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/10/2021	Page Views: 681
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Sunset #Sunrise
I see what Nat 'King' Cole was singing about.

We live in an extraordinarily beautiful place, there's no denying that. This morning, after car camping at Papalaua Beach, I woke to an exquisite sunrise.

The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Purloined Quad

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/11/2021 Updated: 7/16/2021	Page Views: 852
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Quad #Hana
Theft in a small town.

So, Keith and I were waking up to a beautiful morning at Papalaua Beach, where we'd spent the night after some Doordashing in Lahaina, when I noticed a message on my phone. "Do you have the quad?" one of the work traders had asked, referring to our workhorse all-terain vehicle. "No," I responded. "We're on the other side." There was a pause. "Shit," she texted finally. "Then it's been stolen."

Flipping The Quad

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/12/2021	Page Views: 690
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Quad #Hana
Now I can add something else to those checklists people are always passing around.

Keith and I had just come back from Hana to pick up mail and a couple of things, and we'd loaded the quad with ourselves and the bags of loot, when Keith noticed a car at the gate and someone waving. Without given it a moment's thought, I headed the quad directly up the slope to the gate. The quad slowed as the hill steepend, and I gave it a little more gas. The next thing I knew, I was looking at sky.

Reading At Koki

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/13/2021	Page Views: 655
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Koki
Studying Philosophy at the beach.

As the past year of (mostly) isolation has gone by, Keith has found himself pausing most days to do some meditation and studying of philosophy whilst sitting on the beach or near the shore. The spot he likes best is at Koki Beach, whic, even now that Maui has reopened to tourism, remains mostly a local secret.

Feral Cats

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/18/2021	Page Views: 672
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
Kittens in the wild.

One of our favorite spots is Hana Beach Park. The parking area backs against a cliff, and today I spotted some feral kittens on what might well be their first day exploring since birth. Not to worry; on Maui, cats are apex predators. No one else messes with them. So our feral cats don't need to be "rescued".

Scenes From The Other Side

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/19/2021	Page Views: 662
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #PapalauaBeach
Living in a postcard.

Keith and I live in Hana, on dumbbell-shaped Maui's east side. Drier Papalaua Beach is on the west side, which locals call "the other side". And it's true the two sides are as different as pork and beans. Both sides are beautiful. But we spend so much time on the other side, that I've collected a lot of photos of it and so…here they are.

Kula Sunset

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/20/2021	Page Views: 663
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Kula
From halfway up the mountain.

We had occasion today to drive up the slope of Haleakala to the town of Kula, where the truck had been taken for repairs. Along the way we enjoyed an exquisite sunset.

Remember the Cottage?

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/21/2021	Page Views: 665
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #BambooCottage
After a year and a half of waiting, construction has finally begun. Maybe.

As you may recall, when I first moved to Maui in March, 2020, I was expecting to camp for a few weeks while our bamboo cottage was shipped from Bali and assembled. The pandemic and shitdown put a hold on all that, of course. And so my husband and I have been camping for a year and a half, while I turned 70.

The Littles at Hamoa Beach

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/25/2021	Page Views: 668
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #HamoaBeach
Waves too rough? Not for THESE kids!

I finally got to see my grandchildren for the first time since they arrived on Maui for vacation. In addition to 4 (almost 5) year-old Dominic and 6 (almost 7) year-old Gianna, we are also hosting 9-year-old Julianna, Dom and Gianna's cousin from New Jersey. And we decided to go to Hamoa Beach.

The Littles at the Hyatt Hana-Maui Resort

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/26/2021	Page Views: 685
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #HyattHana-MauiResort
Fun at the resort pool.

A year and a half ago, when I first moved to Maui, my first couple of nights were spent with my daughter and grandkids at what was, then, the Travaassa Resort. Since then it changed owners, having been bought by Hyatt. So when Jenny and the kids flew back this month for vacation, that's where they stayed.

More Cows

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 7/28/2021	Page Views: 672
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui #Cows
An udder set of cow photos for you boviphiles.

As previously described, we share our property with a small herd of cows. I must admit, they are a hoot to watch, especially when the babies are new. So, here's a few new ones for those of you not yet tired of them.

July 2021: Pandemic Month 17

My Trips

Buying Me A Gift?

If You Like My Site
You'll Probably Like My Books

Highly Recommended Sites

Globally

United States