{"id":40563,"date":"2020-07-29T10:28:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T17:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=40563"},"modified":"2020-07-29T10:28:18","modified_gmt":"2020-07-29T17:28:18","slug":"open-thread-7-29-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2020\/07\/29\/open-thread-7-29-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread – 7\/29\/2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s another busy day here in the CatBox.  WWWendy is coming to destink the sweaty TomCat, goop, and help with chores.  Then I have to meet with the building manager to renew my lease, an hour of routine paperwork.  Yesterday’s PET scan was as unpleasant as always, but it will be interesting to see the results a week from Friday.  This is my only article today, but expect me back in the saddle tomorrow.  Happy Heat Wave Hump Day!<\/font><\/p>\n

Jig Zone Puzzle<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

Today’s took me 3:18 (average 4:45).  To do it, click here<\/a>.  How did you do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Cartoon<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

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As much as he botches about China, that’s still where his stuff is made.<\/font><\/p>\n

Trump* Virus Update<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

\"0729TrumpVirusMap\"<\/font><\/p>\n

Click here for interactive map<\/a>.<\/font><\/p>\n

US Cases: 4,500,102
US Deaths: 152,388
World Cases: 16,936,005
World Deaths: 664,401
Trump’s Share of World Deaths: 22.9%
US Share of World Population: 4.3%<\/font><\/strong> <\/p>\n

Short Takes<\/strong>:<\/font><\/p>\n

From OPB<\/a>: <\/font>Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday unveiled coronavirus testing-related metrics the state must meet before schools can reopen, and it became immediately evident that many of the state\u2019s largest school districts will be online-only this fall.<\/p>\n

Brown\u2019s announcement was swiftly followed by news from school districts: Portland Public Schools will have online classes only until at least Nov. 5 for all grades. Beaverton School District will be conducting classes online until at least Nov. 13. Salem-Keizer, North Clackamas and Tigard-Tualatin districts will also start the year holding online classes with plans to stay remote until at least late fall. <\/p>\n

The list is likely to continue growing. <\/p>\n

According to the latest county reopening guidelines announced by the governor, the entire state needs to have a weekly positivity rate of less than 5% for three weeks. The latest statewide positivity rates for COVID-19 tests for the previous three weeks were 5.8%, 5.8% and 4.6%. <\/p>\n

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero warned online classes could stretch past November for his district. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs an educator, I know that there is no true replacement for face-to-face learning and the interaction between a student and a dedicated teacher or staff member,\u201d Guerrero said in a statement. \u201cBut our announcement today is in keeping with our highest priority during a global pandemic, which is the health and well being of our students and employees.\u201d <\/p>\n

This is how Democrats manage education if the face of Trump’s* Republican plague. Kudos to Kate Brown! Oregon leads the way!  RESIST<\/strong>!!<\/font> <\/p>\n

From YouTube<\/a> (MSNBC Channel<\/a>): <\/font>Dissembling, Defensiveness And Partisanship: AG Barr\u2019s House Hearing <\/p>\n