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7/22/2022: Counterproductive Covid Restrictions

PLUS: Endangered Monarch, Kate vs. Meghan, and JJ Watt’s Kind Gesture

Jul 22, 2022

Today is Friday, July 22, 2022.

It is the 203rd day of the year.

162 days remain.

HIT LIST

How annoyed is too annoyed that you got stood up for a date?

One woman in Detroit has sued the man who stood her up all the way back in 2020 for $10,000. She says because the date was scheduled on the same date as her late mother’s birthday, his failure to show up caused her emotional distress.

The man only had one date with her before he decided not to show up for the second one, and it’s becoming increasingly clear why.

Video of the hearing shows that she tried to sue him for perjury, apparently. When the judge asked if she knew what perjury is, she got very angry. It became clear she was using her phone to attend the virtual hearing while walking through an airport.

The judge then told her the case belonged in Circuit Court, not the criminal court where she filed the case.

The circuit court judge then tossed the suit.

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Amazon is expanding its electric vehicle delivery fleet, and is spending big money on a major Tesla competitor to do it.

Amazon has contracted with EV company Rivian to beef up its fleets in Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis so far. It hopes to have the electric vans in more than 100 cities by year’s end, according to an Amazon news release.

In pilot programs, drivers in Rivian vehicles have delivered 430,000 packages and clocked 90,000 miles.

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TikTok isn’t just for the kids, and it’s not just for stupid dance and lipsync videos, either.

The Guardian reports that 7% of adults in the UK rely on TikTok for news.

WORTH NOTING: A good number of Gen Z-ers are technically adults these days, which likely contributed to the increase.

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NASA will test the rocket designed to take humans back to the moon as soon as August 29.

No humans will be on board the 332-foot-tall United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, but weighted mannequins will be.

MEANWHILE: Goodyear is developing metal tires for a new lunar rover that’s being produced by General Motors and Lockheed Martin.

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared the North American monarch butterfly an endangered species.

West of the Rocky Mountains, that butterfly population has declined almost completely – 99.9% – since the 1980s. East of the Rocky Mountains, they’re down 84% between 1996 and 2014.

Researchers blame the decline in milkweed plants typically eaten by caterpillars for the butterfly’s demise. Those hoping to boost the population are encouraged to plant milkweed of your own native to you area.

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BY THE NUMBERS

📈 The Dow added 162 points (0.51%) to close at 32,036 on Thursday. The S&P 500 picked up 39 points (0.99%) to close at 3,998 while the Nasdaq added 161 points (1.36%) to close at 12,059.

🛢 Crude slid on Thursday, with West Texas Intermediate trading at $96.43 while Brent Crude fell to $103.86.

⛽ The national average price of a gallon of gas was $4.44 on Thursday.

₿ Bitcoin lost more than $100 on Thursday, trading around $23,100.

🛩 There were 4,686 flights within, into, or out of the United States on Thursday, and 278 such cancellations.

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CHARTS

New to Amazon Prime:

Anything’s Possible (Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%)
Prizefighter (No Score)
Irresistible (Score: 40%)

New to Hulu:

All My Friends Hate Me (Score: 88%)

New to Netflix:

The Gray Man (Score: 53%)

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DEATHS

AN AN, the world’s oldest male giant panda in captivity, has died.

According to Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, the panda was “euthanized to prevent further suffering.”

He was given to the park 23 years ago by the Chinese government.

An An was 35.

WORTH NOTING: A panda’s average lifespan in the wild is 14-20 years, according to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

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SHONKA DUKUREH has died.

She most recently played Big Mama Thornton in the new “Elvis” movie.

Dukureh was reportedly found dead in her Nashville-area apartment. No foul play is suspected.

She was 44.

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TAUREAN BLACQUE has died.

The actor, known for his role as Detective Neal Washington in the “Hill Street Blues,” passed away Thursday in Atlanta following a brief illness.

He was 82.

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BABY NEWS

MISTY COPELAND, 39, welcomed her first child with husband, attorney OLU EVANS, 42, three months ago.

The ballerina revealed the news Thursday, announcing that her son, Jackson, had arrived.

She also shared that the family of three would soon be embarking on their first international trip, but did not share where.

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BREAKUPS

SHEP ROSE, 42, and TAYLOR ANN GREEN, 27, have called it quits.

The “Southern Charm” stars split after two years of dating because Rose “refused to commit to Taylor,” a source told PEOPLE magazine.

Reps for both refused to comment on the news.

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THE SWAMP

President JOE BIDEN has covid.

He is double-boosted and surrounded by people who test constantly and probably wear masks to bed with their spouses, partners, and other sex-friends, and he still got covid.

Doctors are pumping him full of Paxlovid, the Pfizer treatment regimen. He’ll return to normal work after testing negative.

WORTH REMEMBERING: It was one year ago to the day that Biden told a CNN Town Hall, “You’re not going to get covid if you have these vaccinations.”

WORTH NOTING: At an afternoon press briefing, reps for the administration scoffed away the questions journalists asked about efforts the White House was taking to trace contacts close to the president, where he might have contracted the virus, when he started exhibiting symptoms, and the efforts staff were taking to avoid getting covid themselves.

Obviously, much has changed in the last eighteen months and Americans should feel safer than ever in a world where Covid-19 exists. But the White House has never acknowledged this reality to the American public. The Biden administration and his leftist apologists want to keep the threats of lockdowns, mask orders, and other pointless mitigation efforts at arm’s reach so they can once again weaponize fear for their own political gain.

MEANWHILE: A shocking, unpredictable, bombshell report in the New York Times reveals “it may take students at least three to five years to recover from the pandemic.”

WORTH REMEMBERING: Absurd, draconian, heavy-handed, authoritarian, non-legislated, politically-motivated lockdown, distancing, and masking orders were mostly issued by leftists to keep children – who are scientifically the least likely to get sick from covid – to stay away from classrooms and learn virtually. Except for Florida Governor RON DESANTIS and, like, six other Republicans, most elected Republicans did nothing to stop the far-left leaders who championed these measures.

MEANWHILE: Based on CDC data, between April 2020 and June 2021, counties with no stay-at-home orders had fewer covid cases than those who did. This isn’t study or theory, this is reality: The asinine efforts taken to “try to stop the virus” – whatever that even means – were not only failures, they were counterproductive, and the people who supported them should apologize to the millions of people who lost their lives to addiction, who lost their livelihoods, who died alone or had to watch loved ones die from afar because of these policies.

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There are only two states where more voters approve of President JOE BIDEN’s performance than disapprove: Hawaii and Vermont. In Hawaii, a whopping 49% approve while 39% disapprove, and in Vermont, 42% approve while 40% do not, based on a Civiqs poll.

On Thursday, Biden also hit an all-time low in the Real Clear Politics average; it’s lower than at any point in former President DONALD TRUMP’s first term.

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The Respect for Marriage Act has passed the House of Representatives and is being considered for a vote in the Senate, where it would likely need 60 votes to pass.

Too many people are wrongly suggesting the Act would “enshrine” gay marriage rights in the United States currently protected by the Obergefell decision. But this isn’t what the bill does.

As a law, it would 1) require states to recognize the legal validity of a marriage performed in another state and 2) grant the corresponding federal rights that married spouses are entitled to.

IN OTHER WORDS: The Respect for Marriage Act is NOT a federal legalization of same-sex marriage. Under this law, individual states would still have the right to not recognize same-sex marriages performed in their state in the event Obergefell is overturned by the Supreme Court in the future.

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LOTTERY

No winner for Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $630 million jackpot or a $359.7 million cash payout.

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No winner for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing. Saturday night’s drawing will be for a $119 million jackpot or a $69.2 million cash payout.

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SHOWBIZ NEWS

These albums drop today:

Alex The Astronaut, “How to Grow A Sunflower Underwater”
Anthony Green, “Boom”
Beach Bunny, “Emotional Creature”
Cuco, “Fantasy Gateway”
Jackboy, “Majorly Independent”
Jack White, “Entering Heaven Alive”
Nebula, “Transmissions from Mothership Earth”
Nina Nastasia, “Riderless Horse”
Oh Wonder, “22 Make”
Pool Kids, “Pool Kids”
RZA, “RZA Presents: Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes”
Sean Nicholas Savage, “Shine”
Spacemoth, “No Past No Future”
Traams, “Personal Best”
Ty Segall, “Hello, Hi”
ZZ Top, “Raw”

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The 45th class of Kennedy Center Honorees was announced Thursday.

The recipients set to be celebrated for their lifetime artistic achievements include GEORGE CLOONEY, U2, GLADYS KNIGHT, AMY GRANT, and TANIA LEION.

The celebration is set for December 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C.

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MARGOT ROBBIE is the new highest-paid actress after raking in $12.5 million for her role as Barbie in the film based on the Mattel doll.

Co-star RYAN GOSLING, who plays Ken in the flick, also scored $12.5 million, according to Variety.

“Barbie” is set to hit theaters on July 21, 2023.

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CHRIS CUOMO is making a comeback with a new podcast.

A source told The Post that the 51-year-old has rebranded himself as a “free agent” and plans to launch his podcast soon.

It will be streamed on both his website and on YouTube.

The gig comes after his firing from CNN.

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MILES TELLER said his wife KELEIGH SPERRY made him get rid of the mustache he grew for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick.”

“My wife made me shave it immediately [after filming],” Teller told PEOPLE magazine.

While Sperry may not have been a fan, several TikTok users decided to cut their facial hair to mimic Teller's while documenting it on the social media platform.

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DAVE CHAPPELLE’s sold-out show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday night was canceled in another example of businesses cowering to words from the woke.

People flooded social media, calling out the historic venue for hosting the comedian after his controversial Netflix special, in which he makes transphobic jokes.

First Ave released a statement in response to the backlash, saying they let people down by not holding themselves “to the highest standards.”

Chappelle was still able to perform on Wednesday night, however. He took the stage at the Varsity Theater in Dinkytown.

WORTH ASKING: The venue was aware of Chappelle’s jokes prior to booking him, so why act like they didn’t know what they were doing?

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A cameraman working on the set of 50 CENT’s new horror flick, “Skill House,” reportedly passed out due to the extreme gore.

TMZ obtained footage of the camera operator shooting a particularly bloody scene and then losing consciousness on the spot.

Medics stepped in to check on the man, who sources say is going to be fine.

The movie co-stars BRYCE HALL and PAIGE VANZANT.

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CASTING CALL

Disney+ has added three Marvel movies to its lineup: “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2” and “Logan.”

All three films come with an R-rating.

The additions come after the platform expanded into TV-MA/R by updating its existing Parental Controls in the US.

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ADAM PALLY has joined the cast of Netflix’s yet-to-be titled spy adventure series, starring ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER.

The series is about a father (Schwarzenegger) and daughter (MONICA BARBARO) who learn that they’ve each secretly been working as CIA Operatives for years, and soon realize their entire relationship is a lie.

Pally will play a charismatic black market middleman known as The Great Dane.

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TAMRA JUDGE confirmed she is returning for Season 17 of “Real Housewives of Orange County.”

She shared the news during her recent appearance on ANDY COHEN’s show, “Watch What Happens Live.”

Judge joined the cast in 2007 and got the boot in 2020.

Insiders say her return is due to her being a fan favorite.

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COURT CASES

Former Minneapolis police officer THOMAS LANE was sentenced Thursday morning to two and a half years in prison for violating GEORGE FLOYD’s civil rights.

He is one of three former officers who were convicted earlier this year of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care during his arrest on May 25, 2020.

Sentencing dates for the other two have not yet been set.

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CRIB NOTES

TOM CRUISE is looking for the perfect London abode.

The actor has reportedly been looking in the upscale Kensington area, near Kensington Palace.

A source told Page Six that Cruise is seeking a home in the “$10 million range.”

Entrepreneur RICHARD BRANSON, fashion designer STELLA MCCARTNEY and actor ROWAN ATKINSON all live in the swanky ‘hood.

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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS

A Kardashian-insider told The Post that KRIS JENNER is concerned about her youngest daughter, KYLIE’s spending habits.

“Kylie has been spending so much that, after she bought the jet, her mom had to step in and tell her to slow down,” the source said.

A second source denied that Kris has stepped in, adding “Kylie has actually always been very good [with her money].”

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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS

While the world tries to figure out just what role MEGHAN MARKLE and KATE MIDDLETON have played in the growing rift between PRINCE HARRY and PRINCE WILLIAM, a new book from investigative journalist TOM BOWER sheds some new light on fiasco.

WORTH REMEMBERING: Last year, Meg told OPRAH that Kate said something nasty that made her cry before her wedding to Harry.

BUT WAIT: Bower’s reporting says Meg was the one who made Kate cry.

There’s a lot of names and snide remarks here, so buckle up.

Meg’s best friend’s daughter, IVY MULRONEY, was to be a bridesmaid in the wedding, alongside Meg’s future niece, PRINCESS CHARLOTTE, whose parents are Kate and William. (In this case, bridesmaids are the American equivalent of a Flower Girl, not the chicks who gossip about each other and drink for free all day at your wedding).

During a dress fitting, Kate said the hem on her daughter’s dress was too short. That’s when Meg snapped and said she favored Ivy over her own future family, Princess Charlotte.

No word on exactly what she said, but it was enough to make Kate cry.

The incident was previously covered by multiple media outlets, though Kensington Palace released a statement denying the feud ever took place.

OTHER CLAIMS MADE IN THE BOOK INCLUDE:

Camilla Parker Bowles allegedly made a racist remark about Harry and Meg’s unborn child, asking “Wouldn’t it be funny if your child had ginger Afro hair?”
Meghan was still living with her then-boyfriend, chef Cory Vitiello when she went on her first date with Harry.

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SPORTS

JJ WATT has offered to cover funeral expenses for the grandfather of a Texans fan.

The kind-hearted NFL all-star, and Wisconsin native, made the generous offer after seeing a tweet from fan Jennifer Simpson, who was trying to sell her JJ Watt shoes and jersey in an effort to raise money for the funeral.

“Don’t sell your shoes and jersey, we’ll help with the funeral. I’m sorry for your loss,” Watt responded to her tweet.

Watt, who now plays for the Arizona Cardinals, was a longtime Texans star.

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LIST OF THE WEEK

JENNIFER LOPEZ and BEN AFFLECK are not the first famous couple to tie the knot at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

Here are some other A-listers who also tied the knot there:

Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner - 2019 - still hitched
Britney Spears & Jason Alexander - 2004 - annulled 55 hours later
Sarah Michelle Geller & Freddie Prinze Jr. - 2002 - celebrating 20 years of wedded bliss
Bruce Wilis & Demi Moore - 1987 - divorced in 2000
Frank Sinatra & Mia Farrow - 1966 - split in 1968
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward - 1958 - ‘til Newman’s death in 2008

*Info courtesy of A Little White Chapel

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DAY OF THE YEAR

National Penuche Fudge Day

National Hammock Day

National Rat Catcher’s Day

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ON THIS DATE

1706 – England and Scotland agree to The Treaty of Union.

The legislation joined the countries under the flag of Great Britain when it was ratified the following year.

The two countries had shared a monarch since 1603, when King James VI inherited the English throne through a convoluted line of succession following the death of Queen Elizabeth I.

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1894 – Jules Albert de Dion wins the world's first motorized race, held in France between Paris and Rouen.

Le Petit Journal, a newspaper, organized the event after the French public took a special interest with motorized transportation -- a new phenomenon.

Dion also started the Paris Motor Show in 1898.

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1933 – Wiley Post completes his solo flight around the world in a Lockheed Vega.

Wiley took off from Floyd Bennett Field in New York 7 days earlier. On the way he landed in Berlin for minor repairs, Konigsberg in western Russia for some maps he had forgotten, Moscow for a tune-up, Irkutsk for another go at the autopilot, Alaska for a series of rest stops, and a stop in Canada before landing again at Floyd Bennett Field.

This wasn't Post's first 'round-the-world adventure. Two years earlier he embarked with a navigator for a similar feat—it's the inspiration for the book “Around the World in Eight Days.”

Both accomplishments earned him New York ticker tape parades.

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1951 – Two soviet cosmo-dogs are the first of their kind in space.

Dezik and Tsygan made a sub-orbital flight that maxed out at an altitude of 70 miles.

Both pooches survived. Dezik made another flight later on with a lass named Lisa, sadly, neither survived the journey.

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2003 – Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay are killed in a bombing raid by a strike courtesy of the 101st Airborne.

Other casualties included Qusay's son and a bodyguard.

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2019 – Marvel film “Avengers: Endgame” becomes the highest-grossing film in the world, earning $2.9 billion.

The spot was held by “Avatar,” which brought in $2.7 billion.

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BIRTHDAYS

Prince George - son of Will and Kate - 9

Javon Walton - actor, “Euphoria” - 16

Alisha Newton - actress, “Heartland” - 21

Madison Pettis - actress, “Cory in the House” & “The Game Plan” - 24

Ezekiel Elliott - football player - 27

Selena Gomez - pop singer - 30

Israel Adesanya - MMA fighter - 33

Keegan Allen - actor, “Pretty Little Liars” - 33

AJ Cook - actress, “Criminal Minds” - 44

Jaime Camil - actor, “Jane the Virgin” - 49

Shawn Michaels - wrestler - 57

David Spade - actor, “SNL” & “Joe Dirt” - 58

John Leguizamo - actor, “Moulin Rouge” & “Collateral Damage” - 58

Keith Sweat - R&B singer - 61

William Dafoe - actor, “The Boondock Saints” & “Wild at Heart” - 67

Alan Menkin - composer, “Aladdin” & “Beauty and the Beast” - 73

S.E. Hinton - author - 74

Danny Glover - actor, “Lethal Weapon” & “Angels in the Outfield” - 76

Born On This Date

Alex Trebek - game show host, “Jeopardy!” - 1940 (d. 2020)

Bob Dole - politician - 1923 (d. 2021)

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy - mom of JFK, RFK and Ted - 1890 (d. 1995)

Emma Lazarus - poet, “New Colossus” - on the base of the Statue of Liberty - 1849 (d. 1887)

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