Coronavirus Diary Day 103: June 23, 2020

Numbers (I Know, I Hate This Part, Too)… But Those College Football Players

 

The world is approaching 10 million confirmed Coronavirus cases and just surpassed 475,000 deaths since December 31, 2019 when China alerted the World Health Organization to a mysterious, highly infectious disease. That was almost 6 months ago.

 

In comparison, the WHO estimates that worldwide, the flu results in between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths per year. So, yeah, that’s part of the reason I report these numbers from time to time. Someday, I’ll look back at these pages and think to myself… Putain.

 

Comparing the number of confirmed cases by countries is sort of a futile effort, because testing isn’t consistent around the globe. Also, different organizations report varying numbers, although they’re close enough, I guess. Anyway, for today, let’s look at deaths:

 

Country - Deaths

USA – 123,344

Brazil – 51,502

UK – 42,927

Italy – 34,675

France – 29,720

Spain – 28,325

Mexico – 22,584

Iran – 9,863

Belgium – 9,713

Germany – 8,986

Canada – 8,453

Russia – 8,359

Peru – 8,223

Netherlands – 6,075

Sweden – 5,161

China – 4,634

 

What am I saying about China? In fact, I don’t have an opinion either way. I waited 8 weeks for the delivery of a pink lace dress from China, and what I got instead was a silver catsuit, 2 sizes too small. That doesn’t give me the right to critique their Coronavirus reporting methods, but if you want to share your thoughts, that’s what the Comments section is for. I’ll just wait here in my catsuit, feeding my emotions with Tastykakes.

 

In the meantime, college athletes have returned to campuses for training. And look what we have here: Coronavirus 2.0!

 

Clemson – 28 athletes have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning to practice, including 23 football players.

 

Louisiana State – At least 30 football players are in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 or having had contact with those who did.

 

Kansas State – The school is suspending practice for 2 weeks after 14 athletes tested positive.

 

Other big football programs announcing positive Coronavirus athletes include: Alabama, Mississippi, Auburn, South Florida, Florida State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Texas State, and Troy. And I mean, that’s just for now, yanno?

 

So what happens next? Using football as a benchmark: As regular student bodies start returning to campuses, they will be tested, and many of them will test positive. Those who test positive will be quarantined, perhaps in designated dorms, or perhaps sent home. Right now, it’s impossible to know.

 

Universities will be forced to take responsible approaches, dare I say, decisions, which might include the immediate cancellation of in-person classes and a return to virtual learning. It will be difficult for schools to stay open without a ton of backlash, and yet, difficult for them to close and continue charging full tuition. Quite a conundrum, if you ask me.

 

And since you asked me, I happen to have a newly graduated high school senior who is enrolled at West Virginia University this Fall. I hope for the love of all otherworldly deities that colleges stay open and resume in-person classes. I’d like to see a hybrid approach to distance learning, where all in-person classes are also broadcast live to enrolled students who opt to quarantine, because they have tested positive, or they feel sick, vulnerable, nervous, or hungover. And while we’re at it, let’s just make this status quo forever.

 

College kids are going to catch Coronavirus. They will either be asymptomatic, or they’ll get sick. Either way, give them 2 weeks and they’ll be back in the saddle. The way I see it, 23 Clemson football players tested positive for COVID-19 last week, which means 23 Clemson football players will be ready to play this Fall.

 

As for me, I almost wish I’d get the damn thing already. I’m not alone. Last month, I told friends that I tested negative for antibodies, and nearly every person said, “I’m sorry.” I mean, we all wish we had the antibodies, right? And the only way to get them is to catch Coronavirus.

 

Not that we have any proof antibodies will help us, but, you guys.

 

Speaking of antibody tests, and this is important, so listen up. At the end of May, The Hubs and I each paid $120 to Quest Diagnostics for ours. We did this because The Hubs was pretty convinced he might have had Coronavirus in mid-March. I called him crazy and I was right. But, I wish he had it(?). And me too(?).

 

Don’t tell me you’re not the littlest bit jealous of Chris Cuomo.

 

But back to the important part. For a limited time since June 15, the American Red Cross is now testing for antibodies with all blood donations, and they provide results to the donor. You don’t have to pay for that. To be clear, the American Red Cross will give you a free COVID-19 antibody test with your blood donation, and you will save 3 lives.

 

I donated last week. I’m still negative. There’s always tomorrow.