Well we have made it a full day of staying at home. How is everyone coping? I have a lot on my mind today. Here are my “Random Thoughts”…
THE NUMBERS
According to the website put together by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as of Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm there are 1,791 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Michigan.
Here in West Michigan, there are 31 confirmed cases in Kent County, 15 in Ottawa, three in Muskegon, two in Newaygo, one in Allegan, one in Barry, and one in Montcalm County.
We have had a total of 24 deaths in our state due to COVID-19. One of those was in Kent County.
Keep washing those hands and social distancing yourself.
Hang in there. We will get through this.
RELIEF IS ON THE WAY
Well it looks like our government has finally come together and settled on some relief for most everyone.
The White House and Senate leaders struck an agreement late last night on a $2 trillion measure to aid workers, businesses and a health care system.
It looks like individuals who earn $75,000 or less in adjusted gross income would get a direct payment of $1,200 each. Married couples earning up to $150,000 would receive $2,400, plus an additional $500 per child.
This payment would be scaled down by income and phase out entirely at $99,000 for singles and $198,000 for couples without children.
We will have to stay tuned today to find out just how and when they plan to distribute the funds.
The deal also includes money for small business loans, unemployment insurance benefits, and loans for distressed companies.
STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL THIS AFTERNOON
When you hear the sirens going off this afternoon at 1 pm, it’s not signaling the end of the world!
The state of Michigan is doing a statewide Tornado Drill.
MOVIE THEATER POPCORN DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.
With all of us staying home, and movie theaters closed, there are a lot of people watching movies in our homes.
The one thing that is missing is the popcorn that tastes so good at the movie theater.
Well now, if you live in Grand Rapids, you can get that theater popcorn delivered to your door!
Celebration Cinema still has One Twenty Three Tavern (it’s restaurant at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids), open for takeout business. They are also making freshly-made theater popcorn available through Uber Eats.
You have a couple of options…
You can order a popcorn bucket, which will feed 3-4 people is $11 with no delivery charge.
(Wait, I finish off a whole bucket by myself in the theater! Am I doing something wrong?!)
Or you can also order the “Party Bag” of popcorn that Celebration Cinema says should last an entire family a week. Cost for the party bag, which they say is 40-50 servings, is $25 with no delivery charge. You can get more details here.
I’m still having a hard time believing that I’m supposed to share my bucket of popcorn with 2-3 other people! It’s mine! All mine!
COVID-19 SONG PARODIES
There are some very creative people out there coming up with some pretty funny song parodies.
I thought I would share a few of them with you…
First, there is this one using the Vanilla Ice song “Ice, Ice Baby”
Here is another using the Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ song “Come One Eileen”…
And you knew this one was coming…The Knack’s “My Sharona”…
I hope those put a smile on your face today. We could all use that for sure.
HOME SAFARI
If you are looking for something to do to keep you, or the kids, busy — how about a home safari!
The Cincinnati Zoo is doing a Home Safari Facebook Live each day at 3 pm where they highlight one of their amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home.
If you don’t have access to social media, don’t worry — all the videos are posted to their webpage and to their YouTube channel shortly after the Facebook Live ends.
Here is yesterday’s video featuring very cute Red Pandas (something nice that came from China!)…
CELEBRITY DEATH
This is one of those names you probably won’t recognize, but you will know what this man did.
His name is Eric Weissberg, He passed away on Sunday, at the age of 80, at a senior care facility near Detroit. He had fought a long battle with dementia.
What did he do? Do you remember the song “Dueling Banjos” that was made famous by the movie “Deliverance” back in 1972?
That was Eric (along with Steve Mandell). The song went on to become a #2 chart hit.
Wash those hands, and stay safe and healthy. Keep social distancing. I will talk to you this afternoon — local and live — on 98.7 WFGR. Plus, it’s Wednesday, that means it will be “One Hit Wonder Wednesday”! Please join me.
If you have any comments on the above stories, please leave your remarks below…
