HUGS

                       From Worldometer (new  COVID-19 deaths yesterday):

        DAY  USA  WORLD   Brazil    India    South Africa

June     9    1093     4732         1185        246       82

July    22     1205     7128         1293      1120     572

Aug    12     1504     6556        1242        835     130

Sept     9     1208      6222       1136       1168       82

Oct     21     1225      6849         571        703       85

Nov    25      2304    12025        620        518      118

Dec    30      3880    14748       1224       299      465

Jan     14       4142     15512        1151        189      712              

Feb      3       4005    14265       1209       107      398

Mar     2        1989      9490        1726       110      194

April   6          906     11787         4211       631       37

May    4         853     13667         3025     3786      59 

June   1         287    10637         2346      3205       95

 July   7          251      8440        1595        817       411

Aug    4          656    10120        1118         532      423 

Sept   1        1480    10470          703        505      235

          8        1700      9836          250        339     253

        14        1934      9001          709        281      300

        22       2228      9326          839        279      124

        29        2190      8859         643        309     108

Oct    5        1811       7495          686        285     103

Summary:

• This latest wave has peaked, and there is now the expected decline of COVID-19 deaths.
• The USA still is #1 in new cases with 94,811.
• The UK is #2 with 33,477.
• Texas had 9879 new cases and 281 new deaths.
• Hawaii had 94 new cases and no new deaths.  The Governor is finally considering the possibility of the University of Hawaii allowing a limited number (1000?) of fully-vaccinated spectators with a requirement of mask-wearing at the next home football game at the end of this month.  I believe we are the only university with no fans in the stands.  Virtually every game on television, NCAA and NFL, had swarms of screaming people, with very few wearing a mask.
• China had 26 new cases with no new deaths.
• Taiwan had 7 new cases with no new deaths.

In the coming week I will focus on nutrition, and delve into exactly what is fiber and why this is an important part of anyone's diet, how much water should you drink and assorted medical topics.

Today, hugs, where science shows real benefits, by Crystal Raypole:

• Reduce stress.
• Protect you against illnesses.
• Boost heart health.
• Make you happier.
• Reduce your fears.
• Minimize pain.
• Aid in communicating with others.
• Increase self-compassion.
• Start by hugging yourself.  This Healthline article lists seven self-hugging 101 steps.  Goes on to say do talk to yourself.

How much hugging?  Per day, 8 for maintenance and 12 (not from one of those namby-pamby publications, but Forbes) for growth.  I'm not making this up.  These are from medical studies.  In any case, more hugs are better than not enough.  But isn't this also a big waste of time?  Maybe, but the science sides with the contention that most are touch-deprived.  What about these pandemic days when social convention has minimized getting close to each other?  Well, you could limit your hug to someone who also wants to be hugged.  What about the matter of sexual abuse, which doomed former Governor Andrew Cuomo?  Use good judgement and get a pet.  Never did much hugging, until this past week.

Hugs:

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