Former Councilmember John Duran has been doing daily COVID updates on his Facebook page since March 2020. Many members of the community have found them helpful. They are republished here with his permission.
LA County Cases 1,246,821 (up from 1,246,619) LA County Deaths 24,421 (up from 24,416) LA Positivity Rate .4% (unchanged at .4%) LA Hospitalizations 216 (up from 218)
191 new COVID Cases announced yesterday along with 10 additional deaths. Positivity rate DROPS again to .4% – less than half of one percent. Hospitalizations still low at 325.
OLYMPIC GAMES AND COVID
What is Tokyo to do? There are 2 more months to go before the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Games in Japan. Interesting story on front page of the LA Times today.
More than 80% of residents of Japan said in recent surveys that they want the games canceled or again postponed. The last games were in Rio De Janeiro in 2016 before the pandemic. So the summer games that were supposed to happen in 2020 – got postponed to 2021.
But only 2% of the population of Japan is fully vaccinated (compared to the USA where we are at 50% fully vaccinated. Thanks Joe!). Infection rates and death rates are still high.
Is there precedent for cancellation? Well. Yes. During World War II, the 12th Olympic Games were supposed to be in Tokyo in 1940. CANCELLED. And the 13th Olympic Games were supposed to be in London in 1944. CANCELLED. And prior to that during World War I, the 6th Olympic Games were supposed to be in Berlin in 1916. CANCELLED.
So wars have cancelled the games three times since their inception in 1896 in Athens, Greece. Wouldn’t global plague also be a reason for cancellation?
Recently, the US State Dept and Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning advising Americans to NOT travel to Japan because of their latest COVID surge (their fourth one).
Eight people who have been carrying the Olympic Torch relay which started in Fukyshima have tested positive for COVID. 60% of the athletes have already been vaccinated. It is expected that 80% of the athletes will be vaccinated by the time the games are supposed to start.
But over seas spectators will not be allowed. And it is unknown whether even locals will be allowed to attend and watch the games in stadiums or swimming pools or tracks. So really – what are we doing here?
I love the Olympics. I love the competition. But the idea of seeing athletes perform in empty stadiums is heart breaking to consider. It is a sign that we are not out of COVID’s way quite yet. It would be a financial disaster for Japan and the International Olympics Committee.
But it’s not up to me. It’s not up to the USA. It’s up to the IOC. And they are ABSOLUTELY SAYING the Olympics are going to happen.
OK. But why?
For some false assertion that we are in a post COVID world. We are not. Not yet. There are still billions of unvaccinated people around the world. The virus continues to mutate. We are targeting our efforts with science, reason and dollars. And we are preparing for whatever COVID is going to toss at us later this year. Next year. And maybe the next 3 years.
World War I cancelled the Games. World War II cancelled the Games twice. It’s terrible to think about – but plague seems to be a reason to cancel once again.
It’s going to be Sunny with perfect 79 degree weather today in LA. Did you see the FULL HARVEST MOON last night? The moon got really close to the earth again and the sky was clear. The Sun is ablaze. The planets are circling. The Moon is promising a summer ahead. Enjoy Wednesday.
