Maggie's Farm

Temperature, Humidity and Latitude Analysis to Predict Potential Spread and Seasonality for COVID-19

The distribution of significant community outbreaks along restricted latitude, temperature, and humidity are consistent with the behavior of a seasonal respiratory virus. Additionally, we have proposed a simplified model that shows a zone at increased risk for COVID-19 spread. Using weather modeling, it may be possible to predict the regions most likely to be at higher risk of significant community spread of COVID-19 in the upcoming weeks, allowing for concentration of public health efforts on surveillance and containment.

You're welcome. Again. Some more.

Association of Daily Wear of Eyeglasses With Susceptibility to Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection

Our study found that the proportion of inpatients with COVID-19 who wear eyeglasses for extended daily periods was lower than that of the general population, suggesting that daily wear of eyeglasses is associated with less susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

Can't wait for Fauci to tell us to wear two pairs of eyeglasses.

The Long Decline of Global Interest Rates

Even once inflation is factored in to produce the safe real interest rate, a steady decline after the Volcker era is clearly visible. This indicates that something fundamental is changing in the economy’s view of saving and investment. Bloomberg pundit Joe Weisenthal has glibly suggested, echoing views common on Wall Street, that sovereign bonds—indeed, a wide range of financial assets—are actually stores of value and that negative rates are fees for safehousing money.

Paul Volcker was either a god or a devil, depending on who you ask. But he was certainly nowhere in-between.

Christopher Plummer: Star of The Sound of Music dies at 91

According to reports, Plummer died peacefully at his home in Connecticut with his wife Elaine Taylor at his side. Lou Pitt, his long-time friend and manager of 46 years, remembered him as "an extraordinary man who deeply loved and respected his profession".

He was Commodus before Joaquin was born, and better at it too. He was the definitive Rudyard Kipling, THE skinflint millionaire, Kaiser Wilhelm, more Rommel than James Mason, and more Barrymore than Barrymore. And still they hang the Sound of Mucus around his neck. Rest easy Sir Charles Litton. We'll remember you.

Internet Archive’s Modern Book Collection Now Tops 2 Million Volumes

The collection has been purpose-built to reach a wide base of both public and academic library patrons, and to contain books that people want to read and access online—titles that are widely held by libraries, cited in Wikipedia and frequently assigned on syllabi and course reading lists.

When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes -Erasmus

Texas Republicans endorse legislation to allow vote on secession from US

West is the latest Republican to come out in support of declaring Texas an independent nation. Last month, thestate representative Kyle Biedermann confirmed that he will introduce the bill for a referendum as early as this week. “Texit,” named after the British referendum to leave the European Union, refers to the process of Texas exiting the United States to become an independent, self-governing nation.

Please keep in mind that secession is only cool when California threatens to do it.

'Coup Attempt' of Reddit's Wallstreetbets Forum Is Averted

Behind the scenes, a power struggle for control of r/wallstreebets erupted on Wednesday when the oldest moderators of the forum booted over a dozen newer mods from their duties. The banned moderators then accused the old guard of selling out, and conspiring to secure a lucrative movie deal about r/wallstreebet’s role in the meme stock craze. “They (the old mods) left for years and came back when they smelled money,” wrote “zjz," a banned moderator.

Like campus politics, the fights are so vicious because the stakes are so small.

They had $19 million, a deal with Disney, and dreams of becoming the next Ben & Jerry’s. Then everything fell apart.

“I think if you have solid projections and a solid budget and you plan accordingly, you can certainly do all these things, but we didn’t have any of those,” brand director Kaelin says. Scott, who as head of production oversaw at least $1 million in expenditures, says in three years he was never asked for or given a budget, and never had to file an expense report for his company credit card. “I could put $8,000 worth of vanilla on a credit card and nobody would say a thing,” he says.

Huh. It turns out you have to know something about ice cream, and something about business, in order to run an ice cream business. Who knew?

The Round Table: Fiction, Biography And The Use Of Power -Robert Caro and Kurt Vonnegut

VONNEGUT
I would do the same thing with commencement speeches, I want them to be shapely and to be fun possibly for an actor to say. Where’d you go to college?

CARO
Princeton.

VONNEGUT
I’ve heard of it.

Kurt Vonnegut was funny. Robert Caro wrote four books about Lyndon Johnson, which is another kind of joke entirely.

Ford forced to cut profitable F-150 pickup truck production due to semiconductor chip shortage

Semiconductors are extremely important components of new vehicles for areas ranging from infotainment systems to more traditional parts such as power steering. They’re also used in consumer electronics.Ford’s confirmed plans come a day after General Motors said it would take down production next week at four assembly plants in Fairfax, Kansas; Ingersoll, Ontario, and San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Ahem. A pickup truck has one bench seat, a metal dashboard, three on the tree, and an AM radio. I have no idea what exactly an F 150 is anymore, but it ain't a pickup truck.

Have a nice weekend, y'all. Or if you're Bird Dog, a nice weekend yawl.