Hiking up Robertson Mountain and Stony Man – Possible therapeutics for COVID – The CDC changes recommendations about masks again – The investigation into the January 6th riot – A failed press conference – Evening statistics
I was not looking forward to today’s hike with the Vigorous Hikers, since the weather was forecast to reach well over 90 degrees, and the hike begins with the ascent up Robertson Mountain, 2200 feet of elevation gain within three miles. But I need not have worried. We began the climb fairly early, when it was less hot, and the trail is well-shaded throughout. The haze at the summit was less dense than what we saw last week, so it appears that the smoke from the wildfires is dispersing. Afterwards we continued ascending until we reached the summit of Stony Man, where we had lunch. At well over 3500 feet high, it was considerably cooler than the fire road where we began, and breezy as well – quite comfortable, in fact. When we returned back via the Corbin Mountain and Indian Run Trails the air became much more sultry as we descended into the hollow. However, one of the best swimming holes in Shenandoah National Park lies along the Nicholson Hollow Trail (our return route), about a mile from the parking area. Even though its level was lower than usual, on account of the recent hot, dry days, it was still deep enough to reach over one’s head in some places and large enough to swim a few consecutive strokes without encountering any rocks. The little waterfall at its end has a massage-like effect when you position yourself so that it pounds the shoulders. So even though it was a strenuous hike (3800 feet of elevation gain total) at the hottest time of the year, it proved to be surprisingly pleasant.
We spoke together about the virus, of course, and of the possibility of masks being mandated again. A couple of the hikers mentioned that various therapeutics being developed in Israel are showing promise. If these treatments prove feasible, then a combination of a significant portion of the population being vaccinated with therapeutics effective enough to cure those being hospitalized may bring down the virus to the level of a disease such as flu: an endemic disease that will be an annual issue of concern chiefly during the winter months, but not serious enough to affect how businesses operate or to impinge on most people’s daily habits. Even at this point the mortality rate is considerably less than it was in earlier stages. Formerly it was well over 2%; now only 0.6%-0.8% of those who contract the disease result in fatalities.
In the meantime, however, the CDC is recommending that everyone wear masks indoors, either vaccinated or not, indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of the virus. These areas include nearly two-thirds of all U.S. counties. Currently the vaccination rates are as follows: 49.2% of the total population, 57.6% of all Americans over 12 , 60.1% of American adults, and 79.8% of American seniors are fully vaccinated. 56.9% of the total population, 66.6% of all Americans over 12, 69.1% of American adults, and 89.5% of American seniors have received at least one dose.
The investigation of the January 6th riot (or, as I prefer to call it, the January 6th insurrection) began today. The only two Republican members on the panel hearing the testimony are Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Kevin McCarthy proved to be so unwilling to cooperate with Nancy Pelosi in the matter that she had little choice but to make her own selections for panel members. Initially she offered Republicans an independent commission with an equal number of members from both parties. McCarthy refused. Pelosi thereupon invited McCarthy to choose five House GOP members for the special select committee. He responded with choices of members who clearly had no interest whatever in delving into such matters: one of them was Jim Jordan, a personal friend of Donald Trump.
The first day consisted of testimony from four of the police officers who endured the brunt of the violence from the rioters: Aquilino Gonell, a Capitol Police sergeant; Daniel Hodges, a Metropolitan Police Officer; Michael Fanone, another Metropolitan Police officer; and Harry Dunn, a Capitol Police Officer. The testimony from each comprised a disheartening catalogue of wanton violence, racial invective, and blatant disregard for the basic principles on which the country was founded on the part of the rioters; and of callous indifference on the part of the GOP law-makers towards the men who risked their lives to protect them. Fanone in particular had bitter words to say about the latter: “My law enforcement career prepared me to cope with some of the aspects of this experience. Nothing has prepared me to address those elected members of our government who continue to deny the events of that day and in doing so, betray their oath of office.” Dunn likened rioters to criminals carrying out illegal orders from a “hit man.” He did not specify Trump by name, but everyone knew what he meant.
The Republicans are not likely to come out well as a result of the inquiry no matter what they do, but their current attempts to divert attention from it only makes them look worse.
A group of Trump’s most vocal allies, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar, and Louie Gohmert – that is to say, some of the most disreputable people in the two chambers – tried to hold counterprogramming in the form of a press conference outside the Justice Department to demand a status report on imprisoned Capitol riot defendants. It failed, however, in a ridiculous manner. A group of counter-protesters continually heckled them until they abruptly terminated the event, fleeing the scene in short order and, in the confusion of their retreat, leaving their microphones behind. Liz Cheney denounced the attempted distraction as a “disgrace,” and few are likely to disagree with her.
Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 195,923,263; # of deaths worldwide: 4,192,177; # of cases U.S.:35,343,829; # of deaths; U.S.: 627,379.