More on Omicron

Dr. Mike Hansen has a great 6-minute video summarizing what is known at this time about the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the most concerning pieces of information known about Omicron is that it appears to be more contagious than Delta; it was 1st found on November 9th in South Africa, in less than 3 weeks it was found in about 90% of samples tested. Delta took several months to reach this same level. Yikes!

Janice works in health care advocacy on a national level; we had talked about the Omicron variant when we last spoke on Wednesday. Very early this morning she sent me this graphic of data from South Africa showing the percent of cases over time comparing the Omicron variant with the Delta and Beta variants. (Beta was the original variant that spread around the world at the start of the pandemic.) After about 100 days the Beta variant accounted for about 50% of the known cases that were surveilled. At about 100 days the Delta variant accounted for about 90% of the known cases. The Omicron variant now accounts for about 90% of the cases after about 20 days. 😱 If you are not vaccinated, you might want to rethink your position based on this new, more highly transmissible variant. Even though it is not known how effective the current vaccines are against the Omicron variant, even if they provide you with only 50% efficacy, that's more protection than 0%.  

Today is a Feast Day so I made an orange proothie; I used one of the navel oranges from our tree. But it was kinda big; I should have used only half. It filled the cup up quite a bit more than usual. It took me a while to finish; it was both my breakfast & my lunch.

It's not visible in photo but orange is higher than level of cup.

Usually there is about 2 more inches of space in the cup.

After lunch time, I got a text from Tricia; we have been trying to get together for lunch or dinner since she returned from her trip to California about 10 days ago but have not been able to get our schedules together. For the next few days it looked like Monday afternoon was open for both of us so we tentatively planned for that. Her text today said she sprained her wrist! Auē! But that meant she had to cancel the tattoo session tomorrow so we will be getting together for lunch then! 

I got an email from Sue, our Neighborhood Security Watch captain. She occasionally sends out information about break-ins & other suspicious activities. Today she sent one of a guy that was clearly seen on video. I have not heard yet whether the neighbor was missing anything.

For dinner I finished off the Turkey Chili; I still have some Mushroom & Artichoke Salad and Sauteed Broccoli & Kale.

Just after dinner the cats were all out in the cat run. I'm not sure what happened but S'mores came in & headed to her safe place. She peered around the corner to see if anyone was following her. Luna & Keala stayed outside, watching whatever it was that upset S'mores. After dark I found Keala sitting over the top of the gate keeping an eye on things.

S'mores heading to her safe place.

Luna & Keala checking things out.

I got an email form Dwayne this evening; the Neighborhood Security Watch walk for this coming Monday has been cancelled. Both he & Ken have prior commitments. OUr next walk will be on December 3rd when the 2 officers from Honolulu Police Department will join us. I texted Marjorie to let her know I was available in case she wasn't able to find enough MRC cvolunteers for the kūpuna vaccine clinic on Monday. Fortunately she was able to find enough volunteers for Monday. Finally, I let Dr. Juan know that I could transport injured birds on Monday if needed.

The lava lake is slowly filling up Halemaʻumaʻu crater at Kīlauea volcano. The lake is already at least 200 feet deep but because the shape is an ever widening cone it is more difficult to see the increase in depth.

At 7:32 a.m.

At 4:51 p.m.

At 7:32 a.m.

At 4:51 p.m.

The Aix weather app forecast partly cloudy skies all day for Honolulu; that was accurate. For Kapaʻau, Aix forecast partly cloudy skies until midday when drizzles would begin, becoming rain after dark. Big Island Now forecast mostly sunny in the morning becoming partly sunny with isolated showers & a 20% chance of rain. The Honomu weather station recorded no precipitation for most of the day, ending with 0.01 inches by 8:30 p.m. For Marysville, Aix forecast a lot of rain all day & into the night; the traffic cams supported that forecast.

Kaimukī looking westerly at 7:24 a.m.

Honomū looking northerly at 7:24 a.m.

Marysville looking southerly at 7:26 a.m. HST at a very wet drive.

Kaimukī looking westerly at 1:16 p.m.

Honomū looking northerly at 4:50 p.m.

Marysville looking northerly at 4:51 p.m. HST; pavement still looks damp.

The north and west facing shores had the best surf today. South & east facing shores were much smaller.

Laniakea (N) at 7:27 a.m.

Hilo Bay (E) at 7:28 a.m.

Waikīkī (S) at 7:30 a.m.

Banyans (W) at 7:32 a.m.

Laniakea (N) at 4:45 p.m.

Hilo Bay (E) is AWOL at 4:46 p.m.

Waikīkī (S) at 4:49 p.m.

Banyans (W) at 4:47 p.m.

There were 135 new cases of COVID-19 reported today, bringing the total known cases up to 87,345; it looks like some of the backlogged cases came in today. There were no new deaths reported so the number of fatalities remains at 1015; currently there are 1359 cases that are considered active. There are 37 cases that ar3e currently hospitalized with 9 in the ICU & 7 on ventilators. The 7-day new case average for the State is 76 with a positivity rate of 1.4%. The 7-day new case average for Oʻahu is 36 with a positivity rate of 1.1%. 

Hauʻoli lā Hānau e Patrick & Stacy!