SoTier

This summer gardening and backyard bird watching have been my main activities. My covered back porch overlooks the brick patio which is surrounded by flower beds on four sides, all of which contain at least some flowers that attract birds and various pollinators. There's a choke cherry tree along the south side of the yard that provides some shade, lots of fruit in season, and overhangs my garden pond which sits in the long flower bed that runs the entire length of the yard. The pond has a waterfall and I have two bird baths. I hang three bird feeders in the summer, two with sunflower seeds and one with peanuts for the bluejays. I can sit for hours watching the birds -- and butterflies -- like I'm doing now. Some birds I only see when the right flowers are in bloom. The hummers come when the scarlet bee balm, hostas, honeysuckle and trumpet vine bloom. I've never had much luck attracting goldfinches even with niger seed except during spring migration when they feast on sunflower seed for a few days than move on. They do return, however, when my sunflower plants' heads mature. They prefer their sunflower seed "au naturel" apparently. When the choke cherry fruits are ripe, I'll see a dozen or so birds of various sizes and species in it, including some unusual visitors like gray catbirds and cedar waxwings. It usually takes them about 3 days to strip the poor tree bare. There's a lot more activity at the bird baths and waterfall right now since it didn't rain here for three weeks (we finally got about a half inch overnight in some thunderstorms). The sparrows and cardinals use the bird baths but the bluejays and robins prefer the waterfall. There are also lots of young birds that have just fledged, so they literally "flock" to the feeders in groups. I've had two new sightings this past week -- an immature black headed grosbeak and a rose-breasted nuthatch.

I venture that he's an immature starling. If his head was noticeably brown, then he might be a cowbird.

August 23, 2020 -- 177,215 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 418. August 22, 2020 -- 176,797 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 476. August 21, 2020 -- 176,321 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1102. August 20, 2020 -- 175,219 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1078. August 19, 2020 -- 174,141 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1171. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 19-22, 2020: 957 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-18, 2020: 1210 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 22, 2020 -- 176,797 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 476. August 21, 2020 -- 176,321 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1102. August 20, 2020 -- 175,219 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1078. August 19, 2020 -- 174,141 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1171. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 19-22, 2020: 957 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-18, 2020: 1210 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 21, 2020 -- 176,321 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1102. U of Washington latest model predicts that as many as 300,000 Americans may die as of December, 2020. August 20, 2020 -- 175,219 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1078. August 19, 2020 -- 174,141 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1171. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 19-21, 2020: 1117 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-18, 2020: 1210 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 20, 2020 -- 175,219 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1078. August 19, 2020 -- 174,141 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1171. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 19-20, 2020: 1125 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-18, 2020: 1210 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 18, 2020 – 172,970 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1383. August 17, 2020 – 171,687 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1635. August 16, 2020 – 170,052 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 647. August 15, 2020 – 169,405 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1358. August 14, 2020 – 168,047 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1076. August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-18, 2020: 1210 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 17, 2020 – 171,687 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1635. August 16, 2020 – 170,052 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 647. August 15, 2020 – 169,405 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1358. August 14, 2020 – 168,047 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1076. August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-17, 2020: 1181 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 16, 2020 – 170,052 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 647. August 15, 2020 – 169,405 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1358. August 14, 2020 – 168,047 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1076. August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-16, 2020: 1090 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

So, "Reality Check" thinks nearly 170,000 deaths from Covid-19 in a little more than six months is funny. Well, for those of you who think the same, ponder these facts: From the first reported American military death in WW II on December 7, 1941 through August 15, 1945 when Japan agreed to unconditional surrender was 1348 days – three years, eight months, and nine days. US military deaths during that time numbered 405,399 or about 301 per day. From the first reported death in the US from Covid-19, February 6, 2020, until yesterday, August 15, 2020 is 192 days – six months and ten days. Covid-19 deaths in the US during that time number 169,405 or about 882 per day. If American soldiers had died at the same rate that Americans are currently dying of Covid 19, the US military deaths for WW II would have numbered 1,188,936. More Americans have died of the cornavirus in the last six months than the 153,090 American military personnel who died in WW I (116,516) and the Korean War (36,574). The CDC recently projected that as many 200,000 Americans could die of Covid 19 by Labor Day, September 7, 2020, which would be 11,310 fewer deaths than the US military suffered in WWI, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict (58,220) combined. Really, the stuff of comedy!!!

August 15, 2020 – 169,405 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1358. August 14, 2020 – 168,047 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1076. August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-15, 2020: 1201 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

Flat earthers aren't the only ones who deny science. Science deniers aren't necessarily stupid but they tend to frequently be ignorant, lack critical thinking skills or have personality traits that make them susceptible to denying physical evidence. Sometimes they have two or all of these traits. Of course, some are just narcissists or sociopaths who deny science for their personal gain.

August 14, 2020 – 168,047 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1076. The CDC says that 200,000 Americans may die of coronavirus by Labor Day, September 7, 2020. August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. Covid Donnie claims that he "follows the science" and tells Biden to "stop playing politics with the virus". August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-14, 2020: 1148 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 13, 2020 -166,971 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1062. Covid Donnie claims that he "follows the science" and tells Biden to "stop playing politics with the virus". August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 12-13, 2020: 1184 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 12, 2020 -165,909 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1306. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 11, 2020 - 164,603 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 525. August 10, 2020 - 164,078 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1227. August 9, 2020 - 162,851 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 469. August 8, 2020 - 162,382 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1539. August 7, 2020 - 160,843 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1243. August 6, 2020 - 159,600 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1137. August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll: 1746 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-11, 2020: 1127 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 9, 2020 - 162,851 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 469. August 8, 2020 - 162,382 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1539. August 7, 2020 - 160,843 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1243. August 6, 2020 - 159,600 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1137. August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll: 1746 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-9, 2020: 1227 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 8, 2020 - 162,382 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single death toll of 1539. August 7, 2020 - 160,843 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1243. August 6, 2020 - 159,600 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1137. August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll: 1746 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-8, 2020: 1416 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 6, 2020 - 159,600 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll of 1137. Governor Andrew Cuomo gave permission for schools throughout New York, once the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, to reopen with face-to-face instruction. This includes the NYC public schools. August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll: 1746 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, August 5-6, 2020: 1442 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 6, 2020 - 159,600 Americans have died of coronavirus August 6, 2020 - Ohio GOP governor Mike Dewine tested positive for Covid-19 just before he was scheduled to meet with Covid Donnie. Dewine is the third individual scheduled to meet with Trump that has tested positive in the last week. August 6, 2020 - Covid Donnie claims that there could be a vaccine for the coronavirus by election day despite his own doctors saying that a vaccination by the end of the year is the best case scenario. August 6, 2020 - the U of Washington researchers whose model showed that 157,000 Americans were likely to die from coronavirus by August 8 now say that it's possible that 295,000 Americans could die by December 1, 2020. August 5, 2020 - Covid Donnie claimed children are "virtually immune" to the coronavirus despite the fact that 350,000 children have already been infected with Covid-19 in the US. Facebook and Twitter removed the video of his claim. August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus with a single day death toll: 1746 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus

August 5, 2020 - 157,854 Americans have died of coronavirus August 5, 2020 - Covid Donnie once again insisted at his news briefing that the coronavirus "would disappear", something he's been claiming since March. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 29-August 4, 2020: 1122 Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021 August 4, 2020 - 156,133 Americans have died of coronavirus July 28, 2020 - 148,056 Americans have died of coronavirus July 21, 2020 - 140,908 American have died of coronavirus. Average daily deaths from coronavirus, July 21-28, 2020: 1,021

The greatest damage from the coronavirus will be all the Americans who have died when they didn't need to ... or the American families that are bankrupted by astronomical medical bills from battling coronavirus ... or the Americans who permanently lose their jobs or the businesses large and small that close permanently. Nobody in the US has the "right" to deliberately put another person in danger. It's why there are all kinds of laws in every state in the Union and on the federal level making reckless actions that endanger others illegal and punishable.

It should be "a witch hunt". Wearing a mask and social distancing whenever possible have proven throughout the world as well as in some states in the US like New York to be effective in stopping the spread of Covid 19. Not wearing a mask and/or gathering in large groups is selfish because it endangers others, especially from asymptomatic spreaders. It is everybody's responsibility to our fellow Americans because the coronavirus doesn't discriminate; anybody -- and there everybody -- can be infected by it. You can't spin selfish behavior as anything but what it is..

You obviously didn't watch the interview ... and I don't believe your claim that you're "not a Trump fan by any means".

When there's that level of dissatisfication with the way the country is going less than 3 months before national elections, the incumbent president and his supporters running for re-election are in deep doo-doo.