Pandemic, Week 17 (Is this Heaven)

This week, Kanye West announced that he's running for president. The Supreme Court ruled that roughly half of Oklahoma is owned by the Creek Nation and that local prosecutors lack the authority to pursue criminal cases against Native defendants. The Court also ruled that the President does not have presidential immunity and that state prosecutors can obtain his financial records. The President responded by declaring that the he was the victim of political persecution and then commuting the sentence of Presidential Advisor Roger Stone for obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress.

Meanwhile, 12.8 million COVID-19 cases and 568,000 deaths were reported worldwide. Texas set a record of 10,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day this week, contributing to the the U.S. total of 3.4 million cases and 137,000 deaths. The CDC provided guidance on school re-openings which the President criticized as "very tough" and "expensive," after which the CDC said it would issue new recommendations. Also the President wore a mask for the first time in public (at a visit to Walter Reed Hospital).

We made it to Iowa Sunday night in just under 14 hours, with two stops and no conflagration. The next morning, Allen and I began working remotely from the central time zone while the kids kept themselves occupied until we could all go to the pond. Activities for the kids have included Owen's (remote) summer intensive for Duke, a lot of Kahn Academy, editing/writing with Grandma Z, sculpting, and trivia (where Grandma and Grandpa Z proved they are not our lucky charms).

But their favorite part of the day (when it's not storming) is when we head out for a few hours (or entire day if Allen's off work) at the pond. There is a lot of swimming, some new projects (including beginning work on a zip line!), and a lot of not-entirely social distancing with Grace and Grant.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)