CLARKSDALE, Miss. – On the sixth day of a 15-day plan to slow Corona Virus spreading, Americans were urged “to stay at home and save lives” by the White House task force during its press conference at noon Saturday.
States under official lockdown orders include New York, California, Washington.
The conference opened at noon Saturday with announcements that income tax deadlines have been extended to July 15; housing foreclosures and student loan payments are being suspended, and Hanes, the manufacturer of women’s underwear is being retrofitted to make face masks for health care workers.
Although small in stature, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and handsdown the most respected member of the task force team, said “I know we (the 15-day plan) is having an effect“ (on the virus spread.)
At an earlier conference Fauci discounted President Trump’s enthusiasm for a drug created to combat malaria – a disease that significantly slowed construction of the Panama Canal.
Fauci urged Americans to postpone elective surgery and dental work. Vice President Pence said the corona virus is three times more contagious than the flu.
Hundreds of thousands of masks and machines – ventilators – are needed, according to Vice President Pence. Tests and medical supplies are being ordered by individual states through Emergency Management officials and FEMA.
On the home front at 415 Court Street, Callie Mae is recovering thanks to Dr. Landess and baked chicken; she and Red required only one midnight bathroom outing while I read about the brave Norwegians who foiled Germany’s plans to secure “heavy water” shipments needed for an atomic bomb during World War II. In 1996 on my first blues trip to Notodden, Norway I was fortunate to talk (on the phone) to one of the brave Norwegians. On another trip my newspaper buddy Knut Slettemo took me to the heavy water plant high in the mountains and we drove by the lake where his countrymen blew up their own steamer and fellow Norwegians to prevent a large shipment of heavy water reaching Germany.
Closing with Tennessee Williams’ favorite all- purpose greeting and closure: “En Avant” meaning whatever you like...something like “Keep on, keeping on.”
Panny Mayfield, once worked for your Clarksdale Press Register at its offices in The Bank of Clarksdale. The byline Journalist Forever was bestowed by her dear friend Ann Abadie.
-30-
