Hey, y’all, a bit of personal news before we get good and going. I got my first shot today. I’m taking the Pfizer vaccine which means I’ll have to go back around in three weeks. As of right now, I’m not feeling any of the adverse effects they’re warning and, so far, my free will has not been completely sublimated by the New World Order. I’ll keep an eye on that, though.
This is as good a transition as any. So far, over 56 million people in the country have received either the total or partial vaccination or almost 17% of the population. Here in Mississippi, just over half our total population has gotten the jab. Back in December, newly elected President Joe Biden promised 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days, which many considered a tall order. He’s getting close, though, with a little over 40 days to go.
Still, people are getting the shot despite anti-vaccination folks and butt-hurt Trump dead-enders. Over four million got it in the arm just this Saturday, a record number of folks. Them that know are warning of a possible fourth surge coming on the heels of a number of states, including Mississippi, either completely or partially. For the record, here in Mississippi, the numbers have stayed fairly low since the Big Freeze. On the flip-flop, Florida has seen a 13% percent increase in cases since Spring Break. I don’t know what they were thinking, to be quite honest.
Speaking of Florida and COVID and complete bastards, Governor Ron DeSantis caught hell from 60 Minutes about allegations that he was pulling some shenanigans with the owners of Publix about who got first dibs for vaccines. The problem is how much Publix is tied financially to DeSantis’ campaign. The answer is a lot. Wealthy folks are using this to jump in line for vaccination, say the accusations. DeSantis says 60 Minutes is being disingenuous, which is totally a pot-kettle thing.
Speaking of disgusting things in Florida, folks around Manatee County, which is south of the Tampa Bay area, are concerned over a possible toxic water spill from a disused phosphate processing plant. The danger is the spill might contaminate the area’s main source of drinking water if the walls holding it back collapse.
As of right now, officials are fairly confident they’ll get things cleared up before it gets out of hand. Regardless, the area around the site has been evacuated for the time being. One of the biggest issues about all this is the government of Florida has regularly canceled official meetings to deal with environmental issues. Like, every single one since DeSantis took office. Funny how that works out.
Finally, the second week of the Derek Chauvin trial continued today and the ex-police officer being charged with several counts of murder got completely bodied by his former chief. MPD Chief of Police Medaria Arradondo wasn’t allowed to discuss Chauvin’s firing. However, he said without any question that Chauvin’s actions against George Floyd violated department policy.
Since the get-go, Arradono has been unequivocal that Chauvin’s actions were beyond the pale, calling it murder in a tweet back in June. The defense has been arguing that Floyd died not because of having his neck kneeled on for almost 10 minutes by a cop but due to a heart attack caused by drug use. Unfortunately, the ER doctor who worked on Floyd when he was finally sent to the hospital said otherwise. Dr. Bradford Lagenfield testified that while a drug-induced heart attack might have possibly happened, it was more than likely Floyd died of a lack of oxygen. Like, so much so it really isn’t worth discussing any other cause.
So there’s that there then.
Dear Y'all 