The real pandemic death toll is higher than officially reported.

So far this year there have been 300,000 more deaths than should have occurred. About 220,000 of those are directly attributed to the virus. The rest are thought to be undiagnosed virus deaths and avoidable deaths that occurred because people feared seeking help or because hospitals were stretched too thin to help. Notably, younger people suffered the greatest increase over expected deaths.

You really have to wonder if the people in the WH ever talk to each other, including the 1st couple.

https://www.pilotonline.com/coronavirus/ct-nw-melania-trump-coronavirus-20201020-hhfvw3ckvrccdom3wjankn466a-story.html

It makes the news for a couple days that the little woman will be accompanying her other-half for some rallies and for the upcoming debate. Guess she didn’t know he told everyone she was coming along, and he didn’t know she was still sick. These people are nowhere near normal, either of them.

A very disturbing sight.

Yesterday, Sunday, my wife and I drove over to Northwest River Park to go for a walk. Coming and going we passed by Hickory Ridge Farm which was having a seasonal pumpkin event. The parking lot was overflowing and the grounds were packed with families enjoying an outing. The hay rides were literally stuffed with people. Several hundred people – at least – were in attendance. A very large percentage of the people in this crowd were not wearing masks and there was zero sign of social distancing. This, IMHO, is a manifestation of the pernicious influence of Republican wishful thinking about the pandemic. It would only take a few people with the virus to turn a gathering like this into a super spreader event with dire consequences for everyone in the community. It is no wonder that the pandemic is back with a vengeance. Wishful thinking or social distancing fatigue will not make it stop.

The nightmare of every Republican pol is coming to pass. Thanks Trump!

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/black-americans-rush-to-polls-in-surge-of-emotion/

Building a political movement on Birtherism, race-baiting, White Supremacy and voter suppression comes with a price. The Democrats have always struggled with turnout and supporter apathy. This year, not so much. I am put in mind of Admiral Yamamoto’s remark after Pearl Harbor . . . “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” So, Thanks Trump!