Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan

One year ago, I observed One year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan. It's time for the two year check-in on the state of Michigan during the pandemic, beginning with WXYZ asking Return to normal-ish: Is Michigan entering the endemic phase of COVID-19?

At the popular Cantoro Italian Market & Trattoria in Plymouth, curbside pickup and cross-trained employees have become seamless parts of operating thanks to the pandemic.

This looks like what passed for "good news" in SciShow explains what the Omicron variant means for the pandemic's future and ASAPScience asks 'When Will COVID End?'

The pandemic may finally end, but COVID-19 may always be with us, as another common cold virus, although I think it will be an "uncommon cold" in its effects for years, if not decades, to come if it becomes endemic. That's not reassuring. I expect to be wearing masks during cold and flu season and getting annual booster shots for new strains for the foreseeable future. Sigh.

Even so, people, including those in state and local government, seem to be optimistic and are acting on that optimism, as Fox 2 Detroit reported in At 2-year mark of Covid in Michigan, health expert thinks we've turned corner.

State health officials withdrew their indoor mask guidance recently signaling a change in the fight against COVID-19.

WXYZ responded to this same news when it asked To mask or not to mask? How CDC community levels impact our masking decision.

The CDC has categorized most of Michigan in the low or medium risk COVID-19 category. These categories can help us decide if we need to mask up.

I live in a "green" county, which means it's up to me. I'm going out for a haircut for the first time in three months today and I'm still planning on wearing my mask despite my being vaxxed and boosted. I still think the rate of transmission is on the high side and my health condition puts me at risk.

That's the good news. Follow over the jump for the bad news.

Company Man asks 'The Decline of FYE...What Happened?' A tale of the Retail Apocalypse

I closed National Day Calendar and NASA on International Women's Day and Women's History Month by telling my readers "Stay tuned for a tale of the Retail Apocalypse, which I haven't written about since I posted Company Man on the decline of KB Toys, a tale of the Retail Apocalypse last November." Without any further ado, here is Company asking and answering The Decline of FYE...What Happened?

Remember when there used to be a music store in just about every shopping mall? This video talks about what has happened to them while focusing on one of the longest-lasting and significant ones, FYE.

Once again, Company Man Mike has made one of his trademark thorough yet succinct summary histories of a company. In the case of FYE, changing consumer tastes driven by technology have been the cause of the company's decline. While FYE had a history of aggressive expansion, the kind of leveraged buyout with private equity that has been gutting retail didn't seem to play a part. Neither does recent poor management. Instead, FYE started its decline about the same time that Borders Books did. Borders has been gone for a decade, but FYE is still hanging on. A badly managed company wouldn't have lasted this long. Still, it seems like the chain may not be around much longer, despite trying to move adjacent to Hot Topic's retail niche by selling pop culture collectables.

Enough of the Retail Apocalypse for now. Stay tuned for two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan.

National Day Calendar and NASA on International Women's Day and Women's History Month

Happy International Women's Day! I begin by sharing National Day Calendar's International Women's Day on March 8.

Around the world, organizations, communities, and individuals organize events focused on the mission of gender parity, celebrating the achievements of women worldwide and education.

* Attend a lecture, seminar, or festival.
* Organize an event.
* Speak or perform at a local fundraiser.
* Participate in a march for women's equal rights.
* Learn about the women who paved the way for many of the rights and freedoms we have today.
* Become involved in your local, state, or national political system.
* Invite others to join you, including other women, sons, brothers, sisters, and daughters.
* Share your job skills at a local career fair.
* Celebrate all month long. It is also National Women's History Month.

Speaking of Women's History Month, here's NASA's video observing it, Pioneers to New Frontiers: NASA Women Through the Decades.

Celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth with us as we pay tribute to scientists, engineers, astronauts, and leaders who continue to pave the way for future generations of explorers.

This video ties into Black History Month because of the women who were "Hidden Figures." Intersectionality, anyone?

Stay tuned for a tale of the Retail Apocalypse, which I haven't written about since I posted Company Man on the decline of KB Toys, a tale of the Retail Apocalypse last November.

Vox explains Putin's war on Ukraine

Two months ago, I posted CNBC asks 'Can Sanctions Deter Russia From Invading Ukraine?' The answer to that question was no. To understand why, watch Putin's war on Ukraine, explained.

Ukraine is under attack.
...
On February 24th, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a “special military operation,” but the scale of the attack shows this is a full-scale war that has already caused more than 100 casualties and forced more than half a million Ukrainians to flee their homes.

Ukraine and Russia’s conflict goes back to 2014, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea and Russian-backed separatist forces took over parts of southeastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. But to understand the full context behind the invasion, it’s important to go even farther back, to the time when Europe’s current-day divisions began, and see how that shaped Europe’s power balance today.

To understand the current conflict’s history in less than 10 minutes, watch the video above.

After examining the Russian invasion of Ukraine through comedy, it was time to share a serious news and history perspective, which Vox provided.

I'll have more on the war later. In the meantime, stay tuned for International Women's Day.

'SNL' lampoons Fox News in its Ukraine cold open

Last weekend, "Saturday Night Live" opened with the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York. Last night, "SNL" put on a full skit for Fox News Ukraine Cold Open.

Fox News' Laura Ingraham (Kate McKinnon) and Tucker Carlson (Alex Moffat) host a Ukrainian Invasion Celebration Spectacular with special guests Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson), Steven Seagal (Bowen Yang), Donald Trump Jr. (Mikey Day) and Kimberly Gui[l]foyle (Cecily Strong).

Alex Moffat's Tucker Carlson impression is dead-on and reminds me that I still haven't watched John Oliver's video about Carlson yet. James Austin Johnson's Trump is also very good and enough to make me not miss Alec Baldwin. Kate McKinnon as Laura Ingraham, Cecily Strong as Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Mikey Day as Donald Trump Jr. all looked the part and Strong certainly captured Guilfoyle's energy on stage. She should sing more often. Seeing Bowen Yang as Steven Seagal reminded me that my ex-wife went to school with Seagal's older sister in Fullerton, California, and she was not impressed with him at the time. As for the real victims being the oligarchs, that's very on-brand for Fox News. So was the list of sponsors, which made me realize that the advertisers on MSNBC cater to a slightly younger viewership. I don't feel quite as old now.

Follow over the jump for last night's Weekend Update.

Seth Meyers takes closer looks at the State of the Union and Russian invasion of Ukraine

I approved of Colbert's writers' judgement in a footnote to Colbert's live monologue after the State of the Union plus reactions from Kimmel and FiveThirtyEight.

I don't know if that was a fair summary of the speech, but it sure was a good highlight reel of the evening's funnier moments...Excluding Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert heckling Biden. I think Stephen and his writers made the right decision to ignore "Bizarro Betty and Veronica" except for connecting Greene to mental health. That could have come off as meaner, but I'm not very sympathetic to her.

Seth Meyers' writers had no such compunction, as the pair's antics played a featured role in Biden Warns Putin "Has No Idea What's Coming," Greene & Boebert Heckle SOTU: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at President Biden using his first State of the Union address to condemn Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and warn him that he has no idea what the U.S. and its allies will do next.

On the one hand, I think this sketch worked as a fair summary of Biden's speech, at least concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On the other, Seth couldn't resist Boebert and Greene as easy comedy targets. I just hope his prediction that they will eventually turn on each other comes true. If so, it would be life imitating art, or at least reality TV.

Seth returned to the well of the State of the Union in the next day's Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Scolds High School Students for Wearing Masks: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, berating high school students for wearing masks while Fox News continues to attack Biden's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I think that mades five times that Seth made fun of Chuck Schumer's false start. I also think that's enough.

Seth made fun of Greene even before the State of the Union, as Putin Rattles World with Nuclear Threat as Trump Calls Him Smart Again: A Closer Look opened with her appearances at CPAC and another political conference.

Seth takes a closer look at Vladimir Putin rattling the world by raising the alert status of Russia's nuclear forces as Republicans gathered for the Conservative Political Action Conference and refused to condemn Trump for praising Putin.

I think Greene was showing her true colors, even if she's denying them. The same with Mike Lindell, who showed why he deserved his two Razzies.

Not only was "Absolute Proof" the worst political film of 2020, but, according to the Razzies, the Worst Picture overall last year. I can't think of a more deserving stinker of a bad (faith) documentary.

As for Vladimir Putin making nuclear threats, that's why I wrote "Here's to the Russian invasion of Ukraine not spiraling out of control to prevent next year's parade from happening" yesterday. It's also not how I want him to be the Most Interesting Man in the World.

Speaking of Trump calling Putin "smart," I'm not the least bit surprised. I think it's just another example of Trump and Putin's Bad Bromance and why the FBI investigated Trump possibly worked for Russia.

After all that, I'm ready to leave reality and search for a good fantasy. Stay tuned for the Sunday entertainment feature.

Which drum corps played 'Amazing Grace' best plus the 2022 Rose Parade bands for Marching Music Day

Happy Marching Music Day! March Forth! As I did last year, I open today's post with Drum Corps International asking a musical question, Who Did It Best? | Amazing Grace.

"Amazing Grace" performed by five different corps over more than 40 years. Who did it best?

0:00 - Introduction
0:07 - 1975 Royal Crusaders
1:15 - 1987 Spirit of Atlanta
2:58 - 2008 Blue Knights
4:14 - 2011 Cadets
5:55 - 2018 Boston Crusaders

Out of the above, my choice was 2018 Boston Crusaders, who I featured in 2018 Boston Crusaders 'SOS' for a drum corps 'Mayday!' However, most of the commenters voted for none of the above, instead considering Phantom Regiment's standstill performance of the song from 1993 to be the best. Listen to Phantom Regiment - Amazing Grace, uploaded by my friend goldsmith1210.



Recorded in 1993
Now who did it best?

I conclude with Music213's Marching Bands of the 2022 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

Recap of the 21 marching bands and Herald Trumpets that performed at the 133rd Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on Saturday, January 1, 2022.

I'm glad to see the Rose Parade return after its pandemic pause in 2021. Here's to the Russian invasion of Ukraine not spiraling out of control to prevent next year's parade from happening.

The wildlife of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone for World Wildlife Day 2022

Happy World Wildlife Day! I am taking my cue from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to re-examine the wildlife inhabiting the exclusion zone around Chernobyl. I begin with Channel 4 News in the UK's Chernobyl: inside the exclusion zone.


Channel 4 reuploaded this clip in 2019 and updated the description.

In 2015, we travelled to the Chernobyl exclusion zone. While the accident was a human catastrophe, it's providing scientists a unique living experiment in how nature copes with radiation..

As I wrote in 2015's Radioactive wolves: student sustainability video festival 35, "If anyone wants to see a post-human, post-apocalyptic landscape, one doesn't have to watch 'The Walking Dead.' One simply has to view images of the exclusion zone around Chernobyl."

I knew about the wolves and boars inside the exclusion zone, but the presence of Przewalski's horses and European bison surprised me. It turned out humans deliberately introduced both the horses and the bison, but the latter introduction happened in Belarus and the animals wandered into Ukraine's exclusion zone on their own. The giant catfish surprised me less, as I've seen the effect of people feeding fish in an area protected from fishing. My family used to visit a fish hatchery on vacation and feed them our leftover bait. Those were the largest rainbow trout I've ever seen!

Channel 4 showed that the removal of almost all resident humans has had a positive effect on biodiversity within the exclusion zone. What about the radiation? The Animals of Chernobyl by The New York Times shows the deleterious effects of radiation on the smaller organisms.

Biologist Timothy Mousseau has been studying the lasting effects of radiation on the flora and fauna of Chernobyl, Ukraine.
...
After the Chernobyl disaster humans haven't been allowed to live in the vicinity. That hasn't stopped animals and wildlife from moving into the radioactive area.

While the absence of humans is allowing the megafauna to return and apparently thrive, the smaller organisms, like the insects, spiders, and birds, are showing the effects of the persistent radiation.

Because Science looked at the research in its own smart but sensational way in Did Chernobyl Create Mutant Animals?

It's been over three decades since the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, and while the area remains unsafe for humans to return for long term inhabitation, the wildlife has remained and undergone its own changes in that time. While many might image that sort of radiation would result in bizarre mutations like two-headed deer or giant insects, could the aftermath of such an event actually be positive for the plants and animals that remained? Kyle ventures into the Exclusion Zone to take a closer look in this week's Because Science!

I'm going to say the same thing about Because Science, which I last embedded here in 2015, that I did about WatchMojo, that it's "high-quality, well-researched clickbait," albeit even better researched. As for the conclusion, I agree with Kyle Hill; it needs more research. Here's to hoping that the war hasn't destroyed the populations of large animals and caused even more devastation than the nuclear accident. I'm not optimistic about that.

That's it for World Wildlife Day. Stay tuned for Marching Music Day tomorrow.

Colbert's live monologue after the State of the Union plus reactions from Kimmel and FiveThirtyEight

In the middle of Debbie Dingell discusses Ukraine and the State of the Union Address on Fat Tuesday, I told my readers "I plan on blogging about the address and reactions to it" today. Three of my favorite sources came through with reactions to the speech, beginning with Stephen Colbert Goes LIVE After Biden's First SOTU Speech | A Rousing Call To National Greatness.

Stephen Colbert delivers a live monologue following President Biden's first State of the Union address, where the POTUS touted his covid response, underlined America's steadfast support for the people of Ukraine, and unveiled his "Unity Agenda" of domestic policies.

I don't know if that was a fair summary of the speech, but it sure was a good highlight reel of the evening's funnier moments.* Still, it did capture that the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the pandemic, and inflation were major subjects of tonight's speech, just as Representative Debbie Dingell predicted yesterday, along with infrastructure. No surprises there.

Jimmy Kimmel started with the State of the Union then moved on to other topics in Trump’s 'Tough on Russia' Fairy Tale, Biden Addresses the Nation & Putin's Black Belt Gets Stripped.

Tonight President Biden delivered his First State of the Union speech, Marco Rubio decided to skip because of the COVID testing requirement, Biden did his best to come up with something to uplift all of us, Vladimir Putin has been suspended as the honorary President of the International Judo Federation and stripped of his honorary black belt in Taekwondo, Hollywood is fighting back by not showing the new Batman movie in Russia, a feisty fella from Texas went as far as to join the Russian army, OJ Simpson weighed in with his thoughts on Putin & Trump, Donald Trump Jr is busy complaining about FEMA guidance, 62% of Americans believe that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump was still in charge, a new edition of Cancel Nation, and clarinetist Doreen Ketchens sits in with the Cleto and the Cletones!

I think Kimmel and his writers decided making fun of Vladimir Putin, the Most Interesting Man in the World made for better comedy. I can't say I blame them.

FiveThirtyEight opened with a funny cold open to Unity From Biden, Disunity In Texas | FiveThirtyEight Politics Podcast, making for a good transition from comedy to serious reporting.

It was a night of firsts, with the first primaries of 2022 taking place in Texas and President Biden’s first “real” State of the Union speech. Galen asked the FiveThirtyEight crew what the key takeaways were in Biden’s optimistic State of the Union. They also analyzed the outcomes of the Texas primaries as the results came in in real time.

The panelists seemed confused by Biden bringing up Build Back Better and voting rights, both of which failed because of Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, especially Manchin. They looked and sounded more enthusiastic about the Texas primary elections. I'll take that as playing to their strengths. I might have something to say about the winners of the Texas primaries after World Wildlife Day and Marching Music Day. Stay tuned.

*Excluding Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert heckling Biden. I think Stephen and his writers made the right decision to ignore "Bizarro Betty and Veronica" except for connecting Greene to mental health. That could have come off as meaner, but I'm not very sympathetic to her.

Debbie Dingell discusses Ukraine and the State of the Union Address on Fat Tuesday

Happy Paczki Day AKA Fat Tuesday! Despite today being a fun holiday, serious events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine are taking place. WDIV/Click On Detroit's Michigan US Rep. Debbie Dingell on Russia-Ukraine, Biden's 1st State of the Union speech reflects that.

It's a Fat Tuesday tradition, with Michigan U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell stopping by WDIV. She talks with Rhonda and Evrod about what's happening in Ukraine, and what she's expecting for President Biden's first State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.

In addition to the war, which is taking place next door to Poland and causing refugees to flee to the home of the paczki, Representative Dingell expects the pandemic and inflation will be major subjects of tonight's speech. I plan on blogging about the address and reactions to it tomorrow.

Speaking of holiday traditions, I'm continuing my tradition of using WXYZ's location reporting with today's 'Paczki Day everyone is Polish.' Metro Detroiters wait in long lines for Paczki. I couldn't be "all DOOM all the time" today.


Alex Bozarjian mentioned that this is her first Paczki Day. Welcome to Detroit, Alex! Glad you're enjoying the local cuisine and culture!

Speaking of local culture, today may be Paczki Day in Detroit and elsewhere Polish immigrants settled, but it's better known as Mardi Gras, most famously celebrated in New Orleans. Since I like marching music, I'm closing with Southern University's Human Jukebox at Bacchus parade from WWLTV.

Southern University is one of the most sought after bands for Mardi Gras parades. They entered the Convention Center to huge applause at Bacchus.

That was fun to watch, but not as great to listen to. I might have a better sounding video of the Human Jukebox this Friday for Marching Music Day. Stay tuned.