Tuesday, August 18th, 2020
Today I signed up to support the democratic campaign by making phone calls to voters in Florida. It started of with a small training on the data base and a few practice calls. I have done phone campaigning before, in one of my old lives when I held public office in Germany. A firm believer that one cannot just complaint but has to take action; sort of earn the right to BMW (Bitch, Moan and Whine) about the system. Granted, it is not the most thankful task, but necessary to ensure high voter turn-out. I have been assigned to Florida, which apparently makes or breaks the election. If Trump loses Florida, so they say, he will lose the election. So, doing my part to help him exit the WH!
Most of my calls ended on voicemail, which is the second-best result. I typically leave a message saying: “I am M, a volunteer for the Democratic Party in Florida. I am calling you today because of the upcoming election in November. We are hoping for your vote in support of Vice-President Joe Biden. Please do vote. We will call you again in case you have any questions we might answer.” One person hung up on me and one was a very firm support of the Democrats, of course that is when I should have stopped making calls to end the day on a high note.
Not only did I go to the pool in the afternoon, today was another Aikido class in the park. We are still working with the Jo. Every time I think I made a step forward with my practice at home, I am humbled in class again., not managing to remember the sequences, getting the hands mixed up and my arms twisted. Sensei has adopted me and is showing me patiently what to do. There are so many moving pieces, literally. The feet, hands and weight-shifts all need to come together in perfect harmony. What I lack in skill I make up for in enthusiasm.
I came across a very well written article on USPS reform, there was plenty of opportunity to get it done when Republicans held both the house and the senate, however the GOP had no interest in it then and did not support a USPS proposal which would have saved billions. That there is room for reform is probably not in question. However, timing could not be worse and whatever changes had been put in place in recent weeks, has significantly slowed down mail service, which is why people are concerned changes are designed to manipulate the election, when due to the pandemic and increase in mail-in voting is to be expected. At least the public outrage seems to have had some effect as Trump’s lacky has suspended all changes, including dismantling post boxes and automatic mail sorting machines, until after the election.
As the Virus continues it spread to a total 21.8 million infected today and 5.6 million in the USA (173k death, ~40k new cases in a day), scientists in Russia are working on a Corona vaccine for cats. The interesting side information: the Russian vaccine Sputnik V has not been tested on humans younger than 18 or older than 60 so may not be used by these age groups.
As the virus mutates vaccines may not be affected. Mutations mean it spreads faster, but may well be less deadly. That is some welcome news.