The Furies of August

 

We usually think of August as a sleepy month. Europe goes on vacation, as does Congress and much of the Federal government. Trips to beaches, mountains, and national parks are planned in the last gasp to enjoy summer before schools, colleges and the government get back to business as usual.

Some famous poets have described August:

August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.– Sylvia Plath

Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August.– Denise Levertov.

This morning, the sun endures past dawn. I realize that it is August: the summer’s last stand.– Sara Baume

The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled.–Sue Monk Kidd

And finally:

August is that last flicker of fun and heat before everything fades and dies. The final moments of fun before the freeze. In the winter, everything changes.– Rasmenia Massoud.

So, how do we reconcile these comments with the actuality of August 2021 when we are seeing a resurgent Delta Covid outbreak across the US, Hurricanes Henri and Ida causing weather damage in both New England and in areas around New Orleans and surrounding cities.  And, of course, there is a continuing crisis in Afghanistan. Where to start?

Well, Henri did not do as much damage as predicted although it had large amounts of rain and some areas lost power; however, Ida is another story. Striking New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana on the 16^th anniversary of the arrival of Katrina, this storm is packing a powerful punch. As I am writing tonight, Ida came ashore as a Category 4 and has now been downgraded to a Category 2 storm with winds around 105 miles per hour and gusts over 140 miles per hour. In addition to the winds, large amounts of rain are falling, perhaps up to one inch per hour. New Orleans is without power and is being pelted with winds and rains. The high winds have severely damaged the power grid. Levees around the city so far are holding, but not all pumps are working, which is a concern, as the city is below sea level. Roofs are being lifted off their foundations, trees are being topped and uprooted as the storm and its furies pass through. Hospitals, which continue to be full with Covid patients, are running on backup generators. Low-lying areas along the coast are reporting storm surges and flooding with some residents stranded. They will not know the full extent of damages until the storm passes and daylight comes. Luckily, only one death has been reported so far; hopefully, deaths and injuries will remain low.

In Afghanistan, the remarkable United States Military airlift continues despite some injuries to our troops and the tragic deaths of 13 young servicemen and women due to the actions of an ISIS-affiliated suicide bomber outside the Airport gates. The bombers’ actions also killed and injured over 200 Afghan citizens.  Despite many difficulties and a less than stellar start, as of Friday, over 110,600 people – (over 5000 Americans and others) have been evacuated from the airport.  Approximately 1500 Americans remain in the country and have yet to be evacuated. Some may be unable to get to the airport, others may have dual citizenship and do not want to leave at this time. Many Afghan citizens who believe that they are on the Taliban “kill list” due to their service with US or NATO forces could not make it to Kabul or are in hiding somewhere in the city. Many could not get the special identification papers that they need to be permitted to leave.

Many in Congress have overly politicized this evacuation, criticized the inability to remove all affiliated Afghan citizens, and demanded the negotiated leave date be extended. Some such as Senator Lindsey Graham sputtered and postured, calling for impeachment. Others called for Benghazi-type hearings and claimed when they (the Republicans) regain the House, they will hold President Biden accountable. Whatever happened to rallying around the flag and the President when America was attacked?

Others claimed that the Taliban will execute women who entered professions across the nation of Afghanistan as soon as the Americans leave and claim that the US has abandoned the rights of women to a savage fate. The Taliban claims it needs the talents of all and will not act savagely. Will they allow girls to continue education in schools and universities? I certainly do not know, but I hope they will allow that in the cities where these habits have taken hold. I doubt that the remote villages will see much change as they changed little under the previous government. Only time will tell what will happen. There is one train of thought that indicates the Taliban do not know how to run a country, an airport, or an economy and need international help. Turkey and Qatar have been reported as possible countries whose forces have been asked to man an international airport. The Taliban forces have not ransacked the Presidential Palace or the abandoned US Embassy and the leaders say they want the Americans to keep a diplomatic presence in Kabul. The State Department has not indicated what the plans are for the future and indicated actions will speak louder than words, so they will wait and see.

The American military struck back at the ISIS forces responsible for the bombing at the airport with a drone strike on individuals outside the city the next day and a targeted airstrike on a vehicle said to be carrying bombs in Kabul today. A rocket attack on the airport was reported this evening but was repelled by the anti-aircraft-type defenses. President Biden announced that America will not forgive nor forget these killings.  Most of the US troops killed were in their early twenties and were just babies when this war started. Two of the dead were women, one of whom had been pictured holding an Afghan baby just a few days before. They were trying to help others and did not deserve to die this way.  My condolences go out to their friends and families.

***************************************************************************

As students return to schools and colleges, the Delta variant continues to ravage Florida, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, and South Carolina who are the top five states this week with numbers of cases per 100,000. Florida alone is averaging 246 deaths per day and is still only 52 % vaccinated. In Florida, the number of deaths per day is now higher than at any time since the pandemic started.  Governor DeSantis is pushing Regeneron clinics over mask-wearing – amazing! Since the outbreak across the south, some states are reporting increased numbers of vaccinations; the daily vaccination numbers which had been stagnant are rising across the country. Some physicians believe that the recent full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine might increase acceptance by some who were previously reluctant. They advised the third vaccine for immunocompromised patients and a third shot or booster for those who were vaccinated more than six months earlier.

More patients are currently hospitalized across the nation with COVID illnesses (over 100,000) than at any time since the severe winter surge before vaccines were widely available.

The Florida governor’s restriction against mandatory mask-wearing in schools has been ignored by many school districts and overturned by a court. In Maryland, the State Board of Education mandated the wearing of masks in all schools. As can be seen below, the Maryland case numbers are the highest in months; the vaccination rate is 61 % for fully vaccinated. Vermont has the highest vaccination record with 68 % vaccinated; Alabama has the lowest percentage at 37 %.

COVID STATS – NY Times:

US Totals: Total cases: 38,875,807. New Cases: 156,886.

                  Total deaths: 637,356.      New Deaths: 1296.

Maryland Totals: as of 8/27/21

                  Total Cases: 492,547.      New Cases: 1,373.

                   Total Deaths: 9,971.        New Deaths:  8.

***************************************************************************

This week saw marches in many states advocating for the passage of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Last week the House of Representatives on a party-line vote passed the John Lewis Act. Neither Bill is expected to pass in the Senate unless there is some change in the filibuster rule. Meanwhile, in Texas, both houses have passed what many see as an onerous bill with voting restrictions. This is the bill, which brought many Democrats from Texas to boycott their session and come to DC to push for a national voting freedoms act.  After reworking to collate both versions the bill is expected to soon become the law in Texas. Some 18 Republican-led states have passed restrictive laws this year. I agree with many who are worried about the mid-term elections next year. Since the Republicans are a minority party, the only way they can win is with unfair laws and gerrymandering.  I, for one, will work to counter these measures as much as possible with education and getting out the vote. Please join me. Join former Attorney General Eric Holder also as he advocates for fair elections and an end to gerrymandering.

“Til next week – Peace!