December 2021: Pandemic Month 22

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Viewed: 4/19/2024	Page Views: 800
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Deadly Holidays.

Globally

Globally, during the week 20-26 December, following a gradual increase since October, the global number of new cases increased by 11% as compared to the previous week; while the number of new deaths remained similar to the number reported during the previous week. This corresponds to just under 5 million new cases and over 44 000 new deaths. As of 26 December, over 278 million cases and just under 5.4 million deaths have been reported globally.

The Region of the Americas reported the largest increase in new cases in the last week (39%), followed by the African Region, which reported an increase of 7%. The South-East Asia Region continued to report a decrease in new cases as compared to the previous week (12%) while in the European, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific Regions, the number of new cases was similar to those reported during the previous week. The African Region reported the highest increase in the number of new deaths (72%), followed by the South-East Asia Region (9%) and the Region of the Americas (7%). The European and Eastern Mediterranean Region reported decreases of 12% and 7% respectively, in the incidence of deaths, while in the Western Pacific Region, the incidence was similar to the previous weeks.

The huge spike in cases in North and South America were clearly driven by Thanksgiving and Christmas parties thrown by anti-vaxxers.

United States

In the United States, New U.S. Covid cases are at a record seven-day average of more than 265,000 per day as of Tuesday, surpassing the previous high mark of about 252,000 average daily cases set on Jan. 11, 2021. That spike in cases came from morons who insisted on celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas together, indoors, maskless; and so, of course, is the current spike.

About 75,000 Americans are hospitalized with Covid-19 and the country is reporting more than 1,500 daily deaths. Though both figures are rising, they are lower than when the last daily case record was set nearly a year ago. That's because more of us are vaccinated, and also because so many of the unvaxxed stupid ones (as opposed to those unvaxxed due to immune system issues) have already died.

Hawai'i

Statewide, Hawaii announced a change to the guidelines to remain in keeping with the CDC's. Cases have started to increase, most due to the more-virulent Omicron variant.

Cases on Maui have increased recently and are extremely high: The total reported for the past week was the highest of the pandemic. The number of hospitalized Covid patients has also risen in the Maui County area. Deaths have remained at about the same level. The test positivity rate in Maui County is very high, suggesting that cases are being significantly undercounted.

At the beginning of the month, restaurants and bars returned to full, 100% capacity without physical distancing requirements. So of course this spike resulted, acerbated by Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. At the end of December, dine-in restaurants were back to being closed for all but take-out.

Lack of Progress

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Posted: 12/1/2021	Page Views: 718
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
In April I was told the cottage would be completed in May.

Good news! I was told today that "experienced bamboo construction workers" would be starting on the project next week. Of course, I was also told that in April, when I was also told the cottage would be completed in May.

A Busy Day

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/2/2021	Page Views: 710
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Apparently some retirees are bored. I don't see how.

Today I got a lot done, including bug removal, security camera installation, and setting up a new computer!

Kona Low

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/3/2021	Page Views: 911
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
When is a hurricane not a hurricane?

The "Kona Low" is a type of seasonal cyclone in the Hawaiian Islands, usually formed in the winter from winds coming from the westerly "kona" (normally leeward) direction. They are mainly cold core cyclones, which places them in the extratropical cyclone rather than the subtropical cyclone category. Hawaii typically experiences two to three annually, which can affect the state for a week or more. Among their hazards are heavy rain, hailstorms, flash floods and their associated landslides, high elevation snow, high winds which result in large surf and swells, and waterspouts.

The 98-Year-Old Homebody

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/4/2021	Page Views: 459
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
When introspection is a good thing.

Back in the '80s I lived for a period in Nebraska. One day I took my wife and kids for a ride in the country, and when I saw a sign advertising fresh eggs for sale, I pulled in. An elderly man, presumably eager for a sale, came up to meet us. I had never bought eggs from a farmer before and so we started talking: First, on how to keep eggs fresh for six months (they needn't be refrigerated), and then about him.

Power

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/6/2021	Page Views: 702
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
The solar panels giveth, and the solar panels taketh away.

Our power has been off for the weekend, but today I learned how to get it back on.

After The Storm

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/7/2021	Page Views: 731
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
It got pretty wet.

This is the first day after the Kona Low that we've felt confident enough to go to the other side of the island for supplies.

December Dogs

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/10/2021	Page Views: 644
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Ella and Lilly enjoying their best life on Maui.

In all this rain, there's not much for me to photograph, other than our dogs Ella and Lillly. So, here they are.

Secession

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/18/2021	Page Views: 713
Topics: #Coronavirus #Politics
Let them go.

So, apparently a few States—you know the ones—have decided to secede from the Union. Because, you know they didn't learn their lesson the first time. But I say, this time, just let 'em go.

Tough Mudders

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/21/2021	Page Views: 671
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
I love Maui…except when I don't.

This being my second winter here, the mud and the rain and the mud shouldn't surprise me. But somehow, possibly because we are experiencing this in the smaller hut we moved to when Jenny sold Lot D (with the larger shed we'd been camping in) so that might explain why it's bothering me more this winter than last.

Rain Along Hana Highway

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/22/2021	Page Views: 624
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
When it rains on East Maui, it pours.

Keith swears last year was rainier, but I'm not convinced. To get away from the mud, we decided to go Doordashing in Lahaina, on the West side of Maui, which gets almost no rain, compared to Hana. But the rain didn't let up until we had left Hana Highway. Since most photos of Maui are taken in sunshine, I'd thought I'd share the pictures of what Maui looks like when it isn't posing for a postcard.

December Cows

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/23/2021	Page Views: 654
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
The latest moos from Hana.

When the cows that Kamana manages come up tto our part of their grazing grounds, I usually take a picture because I really like cows. (And the babies are so precious!) Here's a few.

On The Dry Side

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/24/2021	Page Views: 659
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui #PapalauaBeach
Escape from Hana's seemingly interminable rain.

Fed up with the rain and mud, Keith and I took advantage of a brief break to get ourselves up the hilll to the car (we can't drive it to the hut because mud) and made a dash for Maui's dry side. Here are some postcards.

Camping for Christmas

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/25/2021	Page Views: 629
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui #Christmas
Keith and I decided to spend Christmas at the beach.

It's still raining in Hana, and since Keith and I were at Papalaua Beach anyway, why not spend Christmas here?

Taking Stock

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/30/2021	Page Views: 630
Topics: #Coronavirua #Maui
A quick look at the property.

My daughter, Jennifer, who owns the property I live on but who rarely gets to enjoy it herself, asked me to take an end-of-year set of pictures of the upper part of our lot (the part you see from the road), and the parts of our cottage that are still being worked on.

New Years Eve

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 12/31/2021	Page Views: 632
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Off with the old.

We camped again at Papalaua Beach last night, but decided to return home in time for the ball to drop. But, man, were the waterfalls running along Hana Highway!

December 2021: Pandemic Month 22

My Trips

Buying Me A Gift?

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

Highly Recommended Sites

Globally

United States