Mitch McConnell's 2nd "freeze" on camera; Rep. Steve Scalise diagnosed with blood cancer; Metallica cancels show; Jenna Jameson given 1 year to live; John McEnroe skips US Open (CORRECTED)
"School districts in Kentucky, Texas shut down after 'surge' of illnesses"; "Paul Simon Reflects On Mortality As He Continues To Battle Various Health Issues"
UNITED STATES
School districts in Kentucky, Texas shut down after 'surge' of illnesses
Just weeks into the new school year, districts in multiple states are canceling in-person classes for several weeks due to respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, among students and staff. Two school districts in Kentucky -- Lee County School District and Magoffin County Schools -- said they were closing due to "widespread illness." LCD canceled classes on Tuesday and Wednesday and switched to virtual classes on Thursday and Friday. "We're seeing a lot of illness being reported consistent with COVID and influenza," Scott Lockard, public health director for the Kentucky River District -- which includes Lee County -- told ABC News. "Lee County had a surge of cases and attendance dropped below the threshold needed to stay open, so they closed." He said there's been an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases but the true number of infections may be higher due to at-home test results not being reported to the health department. Lockard said there is a concern that cases could increase heading into the fall and winter and encouraged people to get vaccinated with the flu and new COVID booster to prevent others from getting sick. Pete Shepherd, director of the county's Public Health Department, told ABC News there were reports of illnesses including COVID, strep and stomach viruses during the first two weeks of school. Shepherd said Monday and Tuesday there were a combined 40 cases of COVID in the county reported by doctors, mostly among children. Additionally, he said many parents called the department to let them know their child was sick. "The good news is the symptoms have not been as severe," Shepherd said. "The kids are not as sick. Small temperature, feeling bad, flu-like symptoms."
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Mitch McConnell’s health struggles back in focus as he suffers second ‘freeze’ on camera
August 29, 2023
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health struggles are back in focus after he suffered a second “freeze” on camera this summer. He appeared unable to speak and did not seem to register that someone was speaking to him in a concerning moment that occurred on Wednesday at a press conference in Kentucky. Video of the incident emerged after the senator, 81, appeared to trail off in the middle of answering a question about whether he would run for re-election. In the video, an aide approaches him and asks him if he has heard the question while he stares off at the cameras, appearing distant or overwhelmed. He was then briefly led away, before returning. The incident mirrored a moment that occurred just a few weeks ago in the halls of the US Senate when the GOP leader was led away by his Republican colleagues in the middle of a press conference after appearing unable to speak. In that situation he also returned a few minutes later, assuring reporters gruffly that he was fine.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announces he just received a COVID booster shot: 'It was an easy decision'
September 27, 2021
https://www.businessinsider.com/mitch-mcconnell-covid-19-booster-shot-2021-9
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Diagnosed With Blood Cancer
August 29, 2023
House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a treatable blood cancer.
“After a few days of not feeling like myself this past week, I had some blood work done. The results uncovered some irregularities and after undergoing additional tests, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a very treatable blood cancer. I have now begun treatment, which will continue for the next several months,” Scalise said in a statement/
“I expect to work through this period and intend to return to Washington, continuing my work as Majority Leader and serving the people of Louisiana’s First Congressional District. I am incredibly grateful we were able to detect this early and that this cancer is treatable. I am thankful for my excellent medical team, and with the help of God, support of my family, friends, colleagues, and constituents, I will tackle this with the same strength and energy as I have tackled past challenges,” he added.
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/29/steve-scalise-diagnosed-blood-cancer-multiple-myeloma/
Rep. Steve Scalise promotes 'safe and effective' COVID-19 vaccine after getting 2nd shot
August 10, 2021
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep-steve-scalise-promotes-safe-effective-covid-19/story
Lest we forget (or think it’s only Democratic pols who drank—and pushed—the Kool-Aid):
Senator Feinstein introduces bill requiring vaccine or negative COVID-19 for domestic flights
October 1, 2021`
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dianne-feinstein-bill-covid-vaccine-domestic-flights/
Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman Says He's Encouraged By Vaccination Rates
May 23, 2021
https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/fetterman-on-vaccine-rates/
RASKIN: I FELT ‘REBORN’ AFTER GETTING COVID VACCINE
December 21, 2020
https://raskin.house.gov/2020/12/raskin-i-felt-reborn-after-getting-covid-vaccine
Metallica Cancels Show After Lead Singer Gets COVID
September 3, 2023
Metallica had to cancel its Sunday concert in Glendale, Arizona, after lead singer James Hetfield tested positive for COVID. “We’re extremely disappointed,” the band said in a tweet that featured a photo of Hetfield’s test. The cancellation comes after the group ended its Friday show early, skipping “Master of Puppets,” though it’s not clear if that was tied to Hetfield’s illness. COVID cases are surging across the nation, with two variants spreading.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/metallica-cancels-show-after-lead-singer-james-hetfield-gets-covid
Paul Simon Reflects On Mortality As He Continues To Battle Various Health Issues
August 30, 2023
Paul Simon established himself as a prominent songwriter through his collaborations with Art Garfunkel, the two of them making up Simon & Garfunkel. In recent years the singer has been battling a variety of health challenges, the latest being sudden hearing loss during the production of his latest album, Seven Psalms. Recently, during the 40th anniversary of his 1986 album Graceland, Simon candidly disclosed that he is not hopeful about recuperating from his medical problems. During an interview with MOJO regarding the album, Simon openly shared that his recent health challenges have affected his rehearsing and chances of returning to live performances. “I haven’t figured out how to perform with the hearing loss,” he said. “I’ve tried to rehearse with the guys in my touring band, to see if I could manage it. I can’t so far. This is at least an outlet for thinking musically.”
John McEnroe makes surprising decision on US Open after shocking COVID-19 diagnosis
August 29, 2023
ESPN lead tennis analyst John McEnroe will miss the television coverage of the 2023 US Open after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. McEnroe issued a statement saying he hopes to resume his broadcasting duties soon, per ESPN via The Associated Press. “Unfortunately, after feeling a bit under the weather, I tested positive for COVID. I'm watching the US Open from home and can't wait to go back to work soon,” McEnroe said. For its part, ESPN sent its well-wishes to McEnroe and will welcome him back when he has fully recovered from COVID-19.
Jenna Jameson Shares Health Update After Being Given a Year to Live
August 30, 2023
Jenna Jameson decided to take her health into her own hands after spending nine months in the hospital. The former adult film star, 49, shared in a new interview with Entertainment Tonight an update on her health after being diagnosed with "a multitude of things" and being told at one point that she only had one year to live. Jameson said her health issues began "very suddenly" when she began collapsing and eventually lost her ability to walk. During her hospital stay, Jameson said doctors "could not put their finger on what it was" and ended up diagnosing her with everything from Guillain-Barr syndrome to blood cancer. "When I was first told that I didn't have very long to live, I think I just balled up," she remembered. "I didn't really know how to digest that." But Jameson refused to accept her prognosis and said, "I'm not going to let this happen. I refuse. I'm not going to go down like that." After nine months of not "seeing any progression" or "feeling better," Jameson admitted she felt "terrible" and decided to "take [her] health into [her] own hands," at which point she put herself in a wheelchair and wheeled herself out of the hospital. "I ended up just taking everything into my own hands and making it happen," she shared. "I knew that I still had so much life left to live. ... I just decided, good or bad, I'm getting out of here and I'm going to go at it holistically." Since then, Jameson has regained her ability to walk and has improved her memory function with the help of a cognitive therapist and a change in her diet.
I use a sure fire way (other than never having been Covid jabbed) to avoid “testing positive “. Don’t test. If you have a cold, you have a cold. Don’t give that to anyone, but don’t make it a federal case!
Reports of any "Surge of illness" based on the bogus PCR test should be questioned.
The inventor of the test, Karry Mullis, challenged its effectiveness as a diagnostic tool.