san diego: dialed in: COVID-19: J&J Held Up In Delta Surge; mRNAs Held Up For Omicron | A Surge Is A'Comin | Butterflies Return To San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Polynesian Dancers at Sea World San Diego (Taken 3.19.22)

It's been a mostly great weekend, which is why I never got around to a Friday/Saturday post. Darren worked at the Casbah on Friday for Emo Nite, so I was left to my own devices and binged the rest of Life and Beth on Hulu. I had kinda lost my love for Amy Schumer over the years -- maybe I aged out of the crass sex jokes and constant weight self-depracation -- but during the pandemic we enjoyed watching her cooking show with her husband, and as a married mom she's evolved, and this scripted show feels really personal and definitely has it's laugh out loud moments.

On Saturday I napped a lot because I'd been up so late and the plumber had turned our water off again for like the 4th time in a few weeks. My sister called and said she had no kids for the day, so we made afternoon plans to go to Sea World for the Seven Seas Food Festival, mostly because I wanted to see the Polynesian dance revue. As it happened, she had free tickets to San Diego Seals La Crosse at Pechanga, so we hit Sea World for a couple hours, watched the show, then zipped over to catch the 2nd half of what was a very exciting and close game that was full of action, some interesting power plays, a fight, and ultimately a win for the home team.

I ended up staying up late again, but not for any real fun reason. I did watch The Adam Project on Netflix and had a few drinks, but mostly I was keeping an eye on the pets because Ficus was sick and I detected worms on Jacaranda, which is SO.FUCKING.GAG. but fortunately there's an inexpensive over the counter single use pill that comes in a three-pack that I was able to order online at Petco which Darren picked up and administered today. Fingers crossed because, again, GAG. And of course Jacaranda is the lover of the bunch who wants to come and snuggle on the bed in the mornings, so it will be a big full laundry day on Monday.

Right now I'm at the Music Box selling merch for Bahamas and the opener, Cece Coakley is on right now but the crowd is super loud at the bar. Hopefully it doesn't carry so much to the stage. It's nice though, my merch gigs have been so busy that I don't usually have time to sit on my laptop. I'm looking forward to a full week, hopefully Darren hears from Safari Park, I'll possibly be doing merch for We Were Promised Jetpacks, and a friend wants to go see Geese, so that's a possibility, too.

I know it's hard to watch this war on the news, the numerous mass shootings over the weekend, so much bad and sad in the world, but life is for living while we can so I hope we all can find the joy around us.

Stays safe out there.

COVID-19:

One-Dose J&J COVID Vaccine Quietly Effective Throughout Delta Surge — Real-world claims data finds often-maligned vaccine showed little waning over 6 months - MedPage Today (3.17.22)
COVID Vaccines Staved Off Severe Outcomes During Omicron — Racial disparities in hospitalizations also highlighted in latest CDC studies - - MedPage Today (3.18.22

Studies show vaccines protect against serious Omicron illness - CIDRAP (3.18.22)

Fauci anticipates US COVID-19 case increase - Becker's Hospital Review (3.18.22)
If You Thought Covid Was Over…Congratulations, You’re an Idiot. Covid’s Back and the Pandemic’s Not Over. Just Like — Wait for It — Science Said. - Eudaimonia and Co (3.17.22)
Ivermectin didn't curb COVID-19 hospitalizations in largest study to date - Becker's Hospital Review (3.18.22)

Politics:

2022 State Legislative Sessions: Abortion Bans and Restrictions on Medication Abortion Dominate: 519 abortion restrictions have been introduced in 41 states so far this year - Guttmacher Institute (3.16.22)
The AP Interview: Health chief warns of COVID funds shortage - AP News (3.18.22)

'We Are Turning a Corner on COVID': HHS Secretary Calls for More Funding — Urges Congress to put politics aside and fund medicines, vaccines and testing - - MedPage Today (3.18.22)

Russian Invasion:

Russia demands Mariupol lay down arms but Ukraine says no - AP News (3.20.22)

Russian model who called Putin a ‘psychopath’ found dead in suitcase - Greek City Times (3.18.22)

News:

Say, 'Trees!' City Heights just got a lot more of them - kpbs (3.17.22)
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Welcomes Back Spring Safari - From March 19-May 8, Spring Safari is back at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, featuring Butterfly Jungle ($15 extra ticket per person for 20 minute experience). There's live music and entertainment daily throughout the Village and the Baja Garden is in full bloom so dress for warm weather, grab a sun hat, and explore the upper (often ignored) area of the Park. The park is open daily from 9am-6pm.

Other Reading:

It's a mad mad mad world and for people who have money to donate, there are an abundance of worthy causes that deserve your attention. But locally, the San Diego Humane Society hosts an online 'baby shower' for the inevitable abundance of kittens and other animals that arrive in the spring. (We know because we adopted a pair last year and we've already had two veterinary emergencies for them). Save tiny lives by choosing a special gift off their Target, Walmart, or Amazon registries.