The stories emerging from those stranded yesterday on I95 near Washington D.C are gut wrenching. Being stranded in the cold with no food or water and limited sources of heat for nearly 20 hours must have been frightening. I have had many “white knuckle” trips to Petoskey over the years, but nothing like the people endured yesterday. Having the kind of stress they endured on top of all that is going on with covid-19 has to be pushing those involved to their limits of coping.
I sure am glad I am a retired hospital administrator. I cannot imagine the stress and anticipation-anxiety current healthcare administrators are enduring. With the U.S announcing a record 1 million cases today, 400,000 more than the previous daily record set last week and with hospitalizations back on the rise, the next few weeks look “dark”.
Henry Ford Health System had nearly 700 employees test positive in the last week, all who must stay home for five days. It amounts to 2% of their overall workforce. In the meantime, covid-19 hospitalizations have increased 10% in the state during the last week. Expect a much bigger increase in the next few weeks since hospitalizations usually mirror increases in cases in two to three weeks. This scenario is going on at all hospitals across the country. To compensate, hospital administrators are forced to close beds, limit elective surgeries, and reduce clinic hours. The impact on non-covid-19 patients is immeasurable.
Further complicating the staff shortages hospitals are facing is a recent U.S. Labor report indicating 4.5 million people quit their jobs in November, while at the same time employers hired 6.7 million people. This sounds promising, but in many healthcare positions, on the job training and orientation takes weeks before the employee is ready to be productive and see patients. During the training period more staff quit, and the endless “churn” of turnover continues.
Toyota has surpassed GM as the number one car seller in 2021. A strong December allowed Toyota to surpass GM by more than 114,000 vehicle sales.
As the one-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S Capitol approaches, I am amazed at how former President Trump has maintained his grip on the Republican Party. Those that were denouncing him in the immediate aftermath of the insurrection are now falling lockstep in line behind Trump as the head of the Republican Party. Over 70% of Republicans believe the presidential election was stolen from him, despite all the evidence to the contrary. It is an amazing phenomenon the historians are going to have a field day researching as to why. Whether he becomes the 2024 presidential candidate for the Republican Party remains to be seen. However, I do not see one member of the party who is willing to run against him.
The battle over the senate filibuster is coming to a head as Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promises to pass the voting rights bill. Per the NY Times, after withholding his views on prospective changes in Senate rules for much of last year, Mr. Schumer has made it clear that he will pursue an overhaul if Republicans continue to filibuster two voting rights measures that he has sought to bring to the Senate floor. “We hope our Republican colleagues change course and work with us,” Mr. Schumer’s letter to fellow senate Democrats said. “But if they do not, the Senate will debate and consider changes to Senate rules on or before Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections.” Trying to make his case for rules change, Mr. Schumer said the Senate’s traditional reverence for the rights of the minority party have “been warped and contorted to obstruct and embarrass the will of majority — something our founders explicitly opposed.”
What are you doing today to stop violence? What are you doing today to expand mental health services for those in need? What are you doing today to make sure your guns are not are accessible to minors in your household?
Stay Safe. Social Distance. Wear your mask when indoors in public places. Schedule your vaccine and booster.
Orchid of the Day: The Detroit Pistons for getting all of their players back from Covid-19 protocols and then beating defending NBA champs Milwaukee Bucks for the first time since 2018.
Onion of the Day: Mother Nature for dumping 10 inches of snow over a five hour period on Washington DC yesterday
Quote of the Day: “I’m extremely tired “I had to sleep in my car last night on an ice-packed interstate with a ton of other cars.” ,” Senator Kaine said in a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon as he arrived in Washington, having spent more than 20 hours stuck in his vehicle.
Song of the Day: Celebrate-Playing for Change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lu41LulQos