From Worldometer (new COVID-19 deaths yesterday):
DAY USA WORLD Brazil India South Africa
Summary:
- While our new deaths figure is beginning to drop, yesterday, we remained #1, with South Korea at 348 and UK at 317. On a per million population rate, new deaths/million.
- U.S. 1.2
- South Korea 6.7
- UK 4.6
- Hong Kong 12.8
- New Zealand 4.4
- Finland 4.8
- Chile 4.6
- Still a lot of new cases (in parentheses, per million population):
- #1 South Korea 224,761 (4381)
- #2 Germany 200,547 (2382)
- #3 France 158,792 (2424)
- #4 Italy (1172)
- #5 Australia 64,000 (2462)
- #6 Japan 54,142 (429)
- #7 Vietnam 45,886 (464)
- #8 UK 41,934 (61)
- #9 USA 32,659 (98)
- #10 Brazil 27,139 (126)
Before I post on first class air travel, some updates on old news:
- Yesterday I reported on that momma fox in DC that was euthanized for biting people.
and its family are safely relocated and wishing it a happy and prosperous future.- More on animals, a rare virus is killing wild cottontail rabbits with a lethal hemorrhagic disease in Dinosaur National Monument, located in Colorado and Utah. Began in France in 2010, and confirmed in the U.S. in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. Apparently not transferrable to humans or dogs.
I recently reported that Bruce Willis was insulted with a special Golden Raspberry Award. Now we learn, perhaps, why this happened. He has aphasia. His family announced that he will retire from acting. Aphasia is caused when there is damage to the language-dominant side of the brain, and can be caused by a stroke, tumor, infection or dementia. In certain cases, treatment can improve performance. Here with daughter Rumer.
U.S. men's soccer team qualified for the World Cup.- Sure, in their last match they lost to Costa Rica 2-0, but there is an overall goal differential table that allowed Canada, Mexico and us to go to Qatar.
- Costa Rica has a one-game playoff with New Zealand to determine the final spot.
It took seven months and 14 games to make it.- The average USA starting lineup age was just short of 24, the youngest in history.
- They were placed in Group B along with England, Iran and one more from either Wales, Scotland or Ukraine. This delay is because of the Ukraine war. Our first game will occur on November 21 with the winner.
- All games will be shown on FOX sports.
- So what's the big deal about qualifying? In 2018 we failed, for this 8-year absence.
- Notice to the right the Iranian national team name is IR Iran. Why? Stands for Islamic Republic of Iran.
Many airlines now have no, or very little, first class flights. Almost a decade ago I took My Ultimate Global Adventure, first class around the world on Star Alliance. Departing Honolulu, quote:
Ultimately, I flew a little more than 35,000 miles at a cost about one-third of what individual fares would have been. The longest leg of 7408 miles was San Francisco to Sydney. Thai Air and Lufthansa first class were the best, with United the worst. On international flights, try to avoid United First, for they don't serve caviar, Dom Perignon and Johnny Walker Blue Label.
Around the World in 51 days. My first class on Lufthansa from Beijing to Frankfurt was wonderful.
A couple of years ago I tried to put together another first class global journey, and could not find enought first class legs to justify the cost. I don't think prices have changed that much, but not long ago it was around $22,000 for first class, $12,000 for business class and $6,000 for economy class. This is because many airlines blended first and business into a hybrid class that is not as classy for a lower cost. For example:
United Polaris is a reinvention of our international premium cabin travel experience, offering elevated comfort and service from lounge to landing for a restful night's sleep in the air. Our focus as we developed the United Polaris experience was on providing our international travelers with what they've asked for: better sleep in the sky. Features include exclusive United Polaris lounges with rest spaces and high-end pre-flight dining options; a custom-designed personal onboard suite with added privacy, comfort and convenience; sleep-focused amenities such as custom Saks Fifth Avenue luxury bedding and premium skincare products from Sunday Riley; and reimagined dining options created in partnership with chefs from The Trotter Project.
However, a few airlines have gone to positive extremes. For example:
- Singapore Airlines features its A380 Suites providing:
- 59 square feet of space.
- Starts in a special The Private Room portion of their lounge that serves Dom Perignon.
- Choose from a dozen meals before departure.
- Your seat is a swivel chair.
- Desktop and bed.
- An electronic tablet allows you to control lights, color, etc.
- The TV measures 32 inches.
- You can combine two of them into a 100 square-foot palace in the sky.
Air France La Premiere Class Boeing 777-300ER- The epitome of sophistication, and your seat area is actually an ultimate relaxation chamber.
- High thread count bedding.
- Car takes you from the lounge to your plane.
- Urged to fast 24 hours so that you can survive the the Alain Ducasse masterpieces.
- Sisley skincare complimentary facial.
Emirates 777 First Class- Virtual reality, zero gravity seats (like you're floating in air) and fabrics by Mercedes-Benz.
- Imbibe from a $500 million wine cellar.
- Of course the standard 32 inch TV screen.
- Wherever you seat, you can see outside in HD clarity.
- Floor to ceiling privacy.
- Byredo eye cream, chamomile sleep oil and pillow mist.
- Chargrilled wagyu burgers and foie gras terrine.
No United first class worthy of mention, but All Nippon Airways (a Star Alliance partner) has one:- The Suites on a 777-300ER has fully closing doors and a 42-inch TV.
- Lengthy list of sakes, sochu and plum wine.
- Japanese omakase or Western menu.
- Free internet.
Lufthansa 747-8, also a Star Alliance partner.- You don't bother with the airport terminal, but go to a private building with a restaurant, napping rooms, shower suites, cigar bar and dedicated security/immigration service.
- Luxury car transfer.
- Free internet.
- Heaping helpings of caviar.
- Elegant after-dinner cheese spread.
- I experienced this in Munich.
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