The Department of Labor reported on Thursday that 3.28 million people filed for unemployment insurance last week, confirming that the economy is rapidly transitioning from strong activity to an unwelcome hibernation because of the coronavirus.
...
It’s an economic hurricane, not a typical recession.
Perhaps a better analogy for the current downturn is not past recessions, but rather a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Like the coronavirus, it caused an almost immediate shutdown of one economic region.

Unemployment claims (population in millions) -
Tennessee - 39,096 (6.79)
Kentucky - 48,847 (4.47)
Georgia - 11,746 (10.617)
Alabama - 9,490 (4.9)
North Carolina - 93,587 (10.49)

Kroger
Walmart
Food City
Dominos
And more...

There is a demand for certain jobs.

[Florida Governor] DeSantis said visitors to Florida from other states, including New York, are contributing to the spread of Covid-19 in Florida.

“We’re seeing cases where people clearly contracted it somewhere else and brought it here,” DeSantis said at a briefing at the state Emergency Operations Center on Saturday.

Does this mean he wants to keep Trump and his entourage out as well? Especially since Trump still shakes hands, meets with people infected with the virus, and brings groups of people together.

The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan legislative package in response to the spread of coronavirus in the early hours of Saturday morning following intense negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Trump administration.

The bill passed with broad, bipartisan support and a final tally of 363-40 with 40 Republicans voting against it and Independent Justin Amash of Michigan voting "present."

H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The votes, 363 Yeas, 40 Nays, including Tim Burchett, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 2nd congressional district. Scott DesJarlais, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 4th congressional district, John Rose, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 6th congressional district, and Mark Green, U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 7th congressional district, also voted against.

Dollywood announced on Friday afternoon that they would not be opening for the season over coronavirus concerns.

The Dollywood website says they are closed until March 28. Dolly Parton's Stampede and Pirates Voyage will also be closed beginning March 16.

With the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19 across the nation, is it okay to continue with events that bring together large crowds from a lot of different places?

Many events are being canceled. Many universities are going to online teaching.

Is it fair to the rest of us when events bringing in large groups of people to our area are not canceled? For example, Dollywood is scheduled to open this week. Visitors from all over the East will probably be visiting.

Are we taking the appropriate precautions? Just asking.

Report from WATE,

Jeremy Smith, Director of the Center for Molecular Biophysics, a partnership between the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Micholas D. Smith, a post-doctoral fellow and soon-to-be UTK research professor, began digital calculations to find a chemical, or drug, that might work against the coronavirus.

They say their work is made possible by the “world’s most powerful computer,” or the Summit, at ORNL.

Sooner better than later would be good.

Who's going to get the most delegates in the Democratic primaries? Should be interesting...

Late last night, early this morning a deadly tornado hit Nashville from the Northwest to East. Lots of damage. Lots of power outages. Lots of government offices closed.

From WBIR,
Governor Bill Lee announced an administration bill Thursday that would all law-abiding citizens in Tennessee to carry a handgun without a permit if they're over 21 years old.

...

Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) released a statement after the announcement.
"Governor Lee’s call today for permitless carry is a reckless idea for all Tennesseans. Regardless of where you live in Tennessee, this legislation will not make your family safer. Tennesseans, while supporting the 2nd Amendment, also believe in common sense policies like universal background checks on gun purchases. Our current permitting system has served Tennesseans for years and there is no reason to make these changes now, especially as we have the data to show that states who have enacted permitless carry have seen drastic increases in assaults committed with firearms."

What is wrong with him and those who support these kinds of efforts? This is not the wild west. Why must we regress 100+ years?

NYT: Who is leading the polls (as of Feb. 13)?
Biden, Bloomberg, Buttgieg, Klobuchar (47%)
Sanders, Warren (38%)

538: Who’s ahead in the national polls (as of Feb. 22)?
Biden, Bloomberg, Buttgieg, Klobuchar (48.8%)
Sanders, Warren (37.8%)

Heh. Just getting started. One of the first forms made me laugh out loud.

11. Subtract line 10 from line 9
12. Enter the smaller of line 9 or line 10
13. Enter one-half of line 12
14. Enter the smaller of line 2 or line 13
15. Multiply line 11 by 85% (0.85). If line 11 is zero, enter -0-
16. Add lines 14 and 15
17. Multiply line 1 by 85% (0.85)

They work really hard to make this ridiculous.

The CMS Federal Medicaid block grant program focuses on non-disabled adults under the age of 65.

The Tennessee Medicaid block grant proposal "would cover core medical services for the disabled and blind, children, pregnant women, adults and elderly."

"Tennessee designed its proposal to allow Tennessee to keep 50% of any unspent block grant funds." "In 2018, Tennessee came in $2 billion lower than projected. Under the block grant, Tennessee would have been able to pocket $1 billion,..."

It just keeps getting better. Such a Trump state.

Shameful, Shameful, Shameful...

Will we ever be able to vote these people out? As has been the case for many years, Tennessee and Tennesseeans have been reliant on other states for survival.

The DJT impeachment trial begins today at 1pm.

As of now, each party will have 24 hours in two days for opening arguments. Long days. There may be efforts to change the times/days.

I heard the House doesn't think Pat Cipollone should be on the defense team. There are thoughts he may be too involved in DJT's activities (material witness) of which are impeachable.

A new year, a new decade!

Best wishes to all!

In the Northern Hemisphere we will have the shortest day and the longest night, in terms of daylight.

Winter is here. We may slowly get more daylight, but it will keep getting colder, until it doesn't.

The Vols will face off against Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. on January 2 at 7 pm.

First bowl game since 2016.

Tennessee is 7-5 for the season.
Indiana is 8-4 for the season.

Go Vols!

If you haven't been following the news even a little bit, the president is facing impeachment. From what I have watched and read they have lots of evidence. But, those that defend the president say it is okay or all lies. How have so many given up on the constitution and the responsibilities of the president? Lamar Alexander is one who should be standing up for our country and the people. We'll see how many U.S. Senators stand up for the constitution and the people. It cannot be right for a president to take actions to his benefit instead of the country.

Lee said he prays that Tennessee does not experience a school shooting, that the state’s opioid epidemic will diminish and that Tennessee’s educational outcomes improve. If thousands of people offer similar prayers, he believes God will impart his favor on Tennessee.

So much for separation of church and state.

I have no problem with praying. I do have a problem with people expecting positive results without taking any action.