As far as I know, the only evidence of the Queen Mary 2 celebrating the Kentucky Derby is me having two mint juleps, and taste-testing Woodward Reserve and Makers Mark Kentucky bourbons.  No Old Forrester on the ship.  Also I don't hold much hope for the sports channels to show the derby.  All they play are soccer, auto/bike racing, darts, with an occasional NBA game. While testing Kentucky whiskies, I also saw a Japanese scotch.  So I tried it too. Post-time for this  150th Kentucky Derb y is 6:57 PM ET today.   The heavy favorite is Sierra Leone at 3-1.  He is a late closer, and there are 20 other horses running, so that could be a major problem.  Starts out of gate 2. I like longer shots, and my favorite is  Forever Young  (right), a 10-1 shot from Japan out of the 11th position.  He has never lost yet. Last night was Gala Evening Attire night, so I had on my ascot set.  For those who don't know,  ascots are making...

   We have suffered  five COVID-19 waves .  Will there be a 6th? Initially, cases were dominated by large cities, which are mostly Democratic.  Thus, the first wave experience a lot fewer Republican deaths.  Later waves gravitated towards fewer Democratic deaths. A higher percentage of Biden-voters get vaccinated.   Over 91% of Democrats have had at least one shot, and only 60% of Republicans . The primary reason is  vaccination , as per million population, 250 deaths occurred in Trump counties, compared to 78 in Biden counties. About that possible 6th wave?  Most likely, when the Omicron Stealth B2 subvariant creates a mild bump in April.  Then, WHO can pretty much declare the end of this pandemic.  But I've now said this at least three times. Incidentally, just about 25% of Americans have been infected with COVID-19.  World?  Only 6%.   Of course, this is where asymptomaticity and under reporting come into...