Globally

Globally, weekly COVID-19 case incidence plateaued this week, with nearly 3.8 million confirmed new cases reported during the week of 22-28 November 2021, similar to the previous week's figures. However, new weekly cases increased in three of the six WHO regions. While global weekly deaths decreased by 10% in the past seven days as compared to the previous week, with over 47 500 new deaths reported, an increase in weekly deaths was reported in two of the six regions. As of 28 November, over 260 million confirmed cases and nearly 5.2 million deaths have been reported globally.Globally, weekly COVID-19 case incidence plateaued this week, with nearly 3.8 million confirmed new cases reported during the week of 22-28 November 2021, similar to the previous week's figures. However, new weekly cases increased in three of the six WHO regions. While global weekly deaths decreased by 10% in the past seven days as compared to the previous week, with over 47 500 new deaths reported, an increase in weekly deaths was reported in two of the six regions. As of 28 November, over 260 million confirmed cases and nearly 5.2 million deaths have been reported globally.

United States

In the United States, in November, 25 out of every 100,000 residents of heavily Trump counties died from COVID, more than three times higher than the rate in heavily Biden counties (7.8 per 100,000). November was the sixth consecutive month that the percentage gap between the death rates in Trump counties and Biden counties widened.

Some conservative writers have tried to claim that the gap may stem from regional differences in weather or age, but those arguments fall apart under scrutiny. (If weather or age were a major reason, the pattern would have begun to appear last year.) The true explanation is straightforward: The vaccines are remarkably effective at preventing severe Covid, and almost 40% of Republican adults remain unvaccinated, compared with about 10% of Democratic adults.

Charles Gaba, a Democratic health care analyst, has pointed out that the gap is also evident at finer gradations of political analysis: Counties where Trump received at least 70% of the vote have an even higher average Covid death toll than counties where Trump won at least 60 percent.

Hawai'i

Statewide, Hawaii Pacific Health's COVID-19 vaccine clinics and sites on Oahu and Kauai have reached a major milestone, surpassing 300,000 vaccinations administered to date! It's so great to see a community coming forward to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and create a healthier Hawaii! (But then, we do have a Democratic government, and relatively few Trumpsters to gum up the works.)

I'm so pleased to report that Maui is doing very well. The latest data represents a total of 1,581 "active" cases statewide over two weeks. Maui County's seven day average of cases peaked at 57.6 per 100,000 on August 25, and has been on a steady decline since the beginning of September, dropping to 7.9 per 100,000 this month.

As of December 1, 2021, restaurants and bars can return to full, 100% capacity without physical distancing requirements. But patrons may dine indoors only with proof of full vaccination, or verification of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours or, have a signed letter from a medical provider confirming full recovery from a COVID-19 infection. Incoming tourists are subject to the same restrictions. Few wear masks outdoors, but they're required in every store; and I notice that nearly everyone wears theirs correctly these days.

Humor

Meanwhile, the Trumpsters—those who aren't already dead—still provide more than their share of humor (though most of it is gallows humor these days). This month we were treated to not one, but two displays of breathtaking idiocy from the grift that keeps on grifting.

Well, the joke will soon be on them: Two weeks after their unvaxxed family Thanksgivings, like clockwork.

Cleanup

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/2/2021		Page Views: 817
Hashtags: #Coronavirus #Maui
Goodbye, invasive turkey berries.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (66 words)

A local guy, Nahia, and his sons, do clearing of land in the Hana area. My daughter hired them to come by monthly to clean up the property, which, among other things, is overrun with an invasive species called turkey berries. They'll be removing the dead branches as soon as their chipper is repaired. Meanwhile, the following documents what Serenity Slope looks like after its makeover.

A Pain In The Neck

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/4/2021 Updated: 12/16/2021		Page Views: 1,089
Hashtags: #Coronavirus #Maui #Cancer #SkinCancer #Surgery
Minor surgery for a minor cancer.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (259 words)

I had a basil skin cancer spot removed from my back a decade or so ago. Well, I recently discovered I have grown another one, or something very much like it. So, today is the day I had it removed.

Sunny Day at Serenity Slope

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/7/2021		Page Views: 820
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #Photography
Postcards from our property.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (40 words)

Last year at this time we had nearly non-stop rain and mud to our calves. We've had rain this year, too, but we seemed to have gotten the worst of it in October, Today, for example, was postcard perfect.

Sultry Skies of Maui

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/10/2021		Page Views: 754
Hashtags: #Coronavirus #Maui #Sunsets
Photos of beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (40 words)

I don't post here every day, because not every day does something worth writing about, happen. However, a lot of days I take one or two pictures of spectacular skies; and here are the ones I took up through today.

Rats

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/16/2021 Posted: 12/16/2023		Page Views: 395
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Some of the locals decide to move in.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (345 words)

Polynesian Rats were originally brought here to Hawaii by the early Polynesians, and these adaptable rodents can now be found on all the major Hawaiian Islands, including Maui, and including in our house, where Ella and Lilly, our dogs, have accepted them as members of the household.

Full Moon and Empty Desk

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/18/2021		Page Views: 797
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #Eclipse #LunarEclipse #PartialLunarEclipse
Pics of tonight's partial lunar eclipse.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (168 words)

Lunar eclipses are suppose to signify new beginnings. So what better time to clean my desk?

Papalaua

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/23/2021		Page Views: 825
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Photos from November's camoing at Papalaua Beach.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (31 words)

We didn't make as many trips to Lahaina this month as we've been doing, mostly due to being busy at home. But we did camp at Papalaua, our favorite camping beach.

Koki

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/26/2021		Page Views: 844
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui
Koki Beach in November
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (25 words)

Our favorite local beach is Koki, both for its broad, sandy beach as well as its breathtaking views. Here's what we saw there this month.

More Solar Than Ever

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/29/2021		Page Views: 1,053
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #SolarPower
We add panels to the Solar Array.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (297 words)

As regular readers will remember, Keith and I lived in a shed on our Lot D while waiting for our bamboo cottage to be erected. That was supposed to be "a couple of weeks" but still hadn't happened a year and a half later when my daughter sold Lot D. We brought up the solar panels from down there, and today, we installed them.

Day Trip

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 11/30/2021		Page Views: 808
Hashtags: #Coronavirua #Maui #Photography
Stunning views and a spectacular sunset on a short visit to the other side.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (156 words)

We don't always drive to Kahului and back in one day—after all, it's a two-hour drive each way—but, when we do, the view is always worth a few photos.