#halloween 2022 is on a monday ok

[dealgemeneverwarring]

De Algemene Verwarring #84 - 9 January 2023

The eighty-fourth episode of De Algemene Verwarring was broadcast on Monday January, 2023, and you can listen to it by clicking on the link below that will take you directly to the Mixcloud page:

https://www.mixcloud.com/MedialabKortrijk/de-algemene-verwarring-84-9-januari-2023/

Pictured below is Ekin Fil, real name Ekin Üzeltüzenci, from Istanbul, Turkey. Usually I write a few lines about the pictured artist, but this time I would like to limit myself to promoting her as one of our favorite experimental artists, and apologizing for always comparing her to Grouper. Ekin Fil has developed a style of her own, produces a load of music and every album I buy of hers is just simply great. I played a track from her new album Dora Agora, released by the Helen Scarsdale Agency, on this show and I hope you enjoy that track. Other music comes from Gee Tee, The Nomads, Religious Overdöse, Image Of Life, Abwärts, Fleur, Plus Instruments, Théorème, Luster, The Haxan Cloak, Grant Hart, and more! And below the photo you can find the playlist for this show. Enjoy!

Playlist:

Gee Tee Vee: Buddy Holly Lives In My Basement (7” Halloween 21” on Goodbye Boozy Records, 2022)

Gee Tee: Dudes In The Valley (7” “Atomic” on Goodbye Boozy Records, repress from 2022, originally released in 2020)

The Nomads: I’m Not Like Everybody Else (LP “Temptation Pays Double” on Closer Records, 1984)

Religious Overdöse: 25 Minutes (LP “Strung Out On Heavens High 1980-1982” on Optic Nerve Recordings, 2022)

Abwärts: Beim Ersten Mal Tut's Immer Weh (12” “Beirut, Holiday Inn” on Mercury Records, 1982)

Fleur: Allez Allez (7” “Besoin de personne/Allez Allez!!!” on Bickerton Records, 2022)

Théorème: Les Artisans (LP “Les Artisans” on Maple Death Records, 2021)

Plus Instruments: Freundschaft (LP “Februari-April ’91” on Domani Sounds, reissue, 2022, originally released in 1981 on Kremlin Records)

Grant Hart: All Of My Senses (CD “Intolerance” on SST Records, 1989)

The Danse Society: Danse/Move (12” “Seduction” on Society Records, 1982)

Image of Life: The World Is Ended (LP “Attended By Silence” on Hertz-Schrittmacher, 2019)

Luster: Espace, éther (LP “Luster” on Morc Records, 2022)

The Strange Girls: Thug (LP “It’s Ok To Be Happy” on Fordamning Arkiv, 2022)

Ekin Fil: Farba (LP “Dora Agora” on Helen Scarsdale Agency, 2022)

GHQ: Pyramid Merchandise Pt. 2 (LP “Crystal Healing” on Three Lobed Recordings, 2007)

The Haxan Cloak: The Drop (LP “Excavation” on Tri Angle Records, 2013)

[voyagerstypewriter]

Monday, October 31st 2022

Ok yeah this hair shit is really fucked up. Like I really fucked up my own shit so bad that I have to hide it from the agency like come now. My shit looks nothing like my normal hair, its hella straight, none of the products make it look like my old hair, I want to wear a hat for a minute. It’s that bad. I want to call Pops but I’m trying to learn to at least wait until he’s off work so I can have his full attention and word. He has a job too, I just have a different schedule for mine. I just now thought about why it was actually really fucking bad. I walked in there, asked for some guy named fucking Brad, when there was a barbershop right next door. That’s why the hair stylist from LA said barbershop… my dumb ass. I can’t lie what is wrong with me for wanting some boogie ass wash and dried hair and have the ends cut like come on man you doing too much. Look what doing too much got you. I made this problem though, and the reality was all the sad, angry, moping attitude was from the fact that ignored tz’s call. I knew this shit was coming. I can’t avoid or try to act like the days wont stop passing.

My bed time routine was… 2AM madden and fall asleep in my bed randomly at 8AM = 6 hours of sleep. That’s why you look crusty as hell.

The self sabotage really is myself.

The person I feel most hurt by is myself.

Every day I wake up I’m judging myself, what I did, my faith, my values, what I think about.

My head feels like its in Formula 1. Being present is a challenge for me.

I never get to feel how I feel because I’m judging if its right to feel the way I feel.

I am really a heart soul inside trying come out from masters whip, THE PERFECT LIFE.

I dream every day about being someone special. Someone looks up to, or is it beneath the surface of who I am that covers up because of the fear of feeling what it would be like. In love with picture not in love with the picking which paint.

I ask myself often if I like myself. Who I am currently. I’m always asking.

I write here and I look at the page and say wow it feels like I didn’t write enough but I got so much out.

I ask myself do I feel trapped?

Not trapped, but I need to reconnect my heart and mind. I have to like myself.

I ask myself what do I do, now that I’m with my agency

If only I knew how many times I check outlook, I always have it open.

It’s like I need to disconnect to reconnect.

In the morning I thought about the fact that I need to just keep the busiest schedule so I can’t think about all this shit so much.

Amuse myself. I do have a lot of time. I ask myself am I using it right? Man video games the biggest love hate.

I said to myself today Money really doesn’t buy happiness.

I also told myself that I don’t love myself enough for someone to love me. Hurt but its true.

I also keep saying that I don’t like New York.. I have the freedom every day to pick what I want to do and I choose not explore New York.

It brings me to battle the question if I’m holding myself back. Or do I like staying inside. Damn what’s the personality test roommate even told me im being introverted. But I just watch football on Sundays.

I think I can finally stop the vomiting. Yes, i’m sad do things to make yourself feel better. Take care of yourself Alexander.

1. Walked to the bodega yesterday with Fields shitty food but its an experience.

2. Grateful for tz at least he got mad, at least he is trying to help. He really is going to be a special person in my life.

3. Playing video games

4. Jake again, I miss Jake a lot he would always let me talk

5. My whiteboard its teaching me I have to keep turning the page.

I’m working on committing to my journal

Why do I not want to go out for Halloween?

- I need makeup for my costume

- I realistically don’t have any moves or asked for any because its fucking Monday

- I don’t really care for Holidays

- I don’t want to drink

- I want to keep my week going.

- Making a better friendship with Amanda

- Hear more about Brazil, meet her friend

- Say I did something for Halloween

- Go outside because I should spend more time outside.

- I don’t want to think about planning my schedule today

- What am I going to feel like at the end of night? Unhappy because I didn’t go? Or happy I didn’t

- I don’t know her and her friend and if she got black out in Milan how am I gonna keep up with her and her friend plus I don’t got no backup

- I want to take a picture for Halloween

I don’t want to go out because I need to buy makeup, I don’t have backup, and I want to keep my week going good.

Thank you journaling Mr. Alexander, best luck on your voyage

[byulsgrease]

sweet surprise

(moonbyul x fem reader, ~2k words, req is here)

cw: smut (basically just fingering + teasing byul for being a softie) - this is… soft. but also has no real direction. why am I like this

a/n: WHY IS THIS THE LONGEST ONE SHOT I'VE EVER WRITTEN?? WAS NOT MY INTENT IN THE SLIGHTEST JAKSLDF sorry in advance if flow is kinda off, I... cannot proofread to save my life. anyway I had this mostly written but then the purple kiss smn happened so I rewrote a couple parts to fit. happy halloween! hope this makes up for the fact that I didn't do kinktober or write anything halloween related this month 💀

Halloween night and she's working? Typical.

The only work you've done is somehow getting into this outfit and tuning into her broadcast, fighting to stay awake. What else is there to do while you wait up for her?

Her set’s cute though, arranged with fake cobwebs dotted with plastic spiders, pumpkins, and of course, candy. A lot of it. You can't help but laugh at the Snow White dress pulled over her sweats since she’s hosting the 7 dwarves of Purple Kiss, so you take the liberty of texting her during a song break.

You time the last message perfectly with the last few notes of the song, unable to stop the grin that spreads across your face when you know she's been caught off guard, rushing to adjust her in-ears and compose herself to speak again. Throughout the rest of the show, you can't miss the fact that her hand keeps returning to her lap. Probably feels like her phone's burning a hole through her pocket. Byul rushes through the outro, hand calmly waving bye to the camera but her eyes tell a different story, teeming with urgency.

You throw your phone on the bed beside you. thumbs twiddling restlessly with the ties on your outfit. No need to text, she’s definitely on her way home. Your eyelids dare to close, weighed down by the hour. Yeah, late nights are in her job description, but you’ve got a day job too. Thankfully it’s not too long before you hear her keys jangle just outside the door followed by the click of the deadbolt.

The sound makes you stand up abruptly, fumbling around trying to figure out how to position yourself. Didn’t exactly think that far, you realize. A little late though because you hear the door swing open, so you just stand in front of the bed with all the confidence you can muster.

“Wow,” she draws out, eyebrows raised as she stands frozen in the bedroom doorway, your favorite candy bar in hand. Good to know she kept her end of the deal. “Quite the surprise.” Her mouth suddenly feels… rather dry. She starts sputtering something incomprehensible about why, or how— but she’s just drawn to you with her mouth slightly ajar, abandoning her bag on the floor and tossing the candy atop it after closing the door with her foot.

“Aw, where’s the costume?” you whine. She gestures back at the bag on the ground.

“You really thought I was gonna drive home in a dress over my sweats?”

“I mean it’s all coming off anyway, princess.” Can’t resist the opportunity to call her that, can you?

“Is it now?” she chokes out as a blush moves through her face, trying poorly to keep her cool. Her hands stay clasped behind her back, eyes taking in your form while leaning forward slightly at the waist. You reach out a hand to pull her in for a kiss and she can’t help but relax into it, lips stretching into a smile against yours. It's not long before it deepens into a rhythm that’s bound to leave you both absolutely breathless if it keeps going for much longer.

She’s so tired that she could probably fall asleep on you, but she can’t deny how enticing this outfit is. It’s not every day you dress up for her like this, it’d be criminal to not appreciate it in full.

You steer her back into the closed door by the front of her shirt and bring a knee between her legs, body pinned by your thigh. Even though it’s your job to lure her in per the part you’re trying to play, you can't help but feel secure and at home in her arms. It feels silly putting this much weight behind a gesture, her arms casually draped over your body with hands coming to rest on your back. It’s not even overtly sexual and yet the sheer security of it all flusters you to no end.

You move to plant open-mouthed kisses on her neck and the hitch in her breathing makes her entire body momentarily freeze when your canines barely scratch at her skin. The artery underneath thumps erratically in response, anticipation warming every place your lips touch. Byul moves her head back and to the side with a groan, guiding you further into the crook of her neck with a hand, ring-clad fingers toying with the hair at the nape of your neck. You suck in hard, guaranteed to leave some kind of lingering proof to cover up later as her fingertips tug more decidedly at your hair in reply.

You pull at the front of her shirt again, guiding her away from the wall to push her onto the bed. She flops down softly, hair splaying out in messy tendrils over the sheets. You follow to straddle her waist between your thighs, laying atop her chest to give her a soft yet deep kiss with her head between your forearms. Your hands find hers to trace little shapes on the surface of her palms.

Byulyi absolutely adores being loved like this, affectionate intention behind every action. She’s just a big softie and in most contexts feels embarrassed to admit it, but moments like these with you are nothing but safe (and teasingly playful, within reason). So she’s okay with her body surrendering to your touch, grasping at your hands to hold them in hers as she kisses you back, gnawing gently at your lower lip.

It’s hard to miss the fact that she’s rolling her hips up into you, vying for more already. A teasing laugh escapes your throat when you give her a sweet peck on the cheek telling her to be patient as her face contorts into a pout. You sit up off her front to begin unbuttoning her shirt while she kisses at your face and neck, letting out a low chuckle against your warming skin when your fingers mistakenly fumble with the bottom button. Obviously, you’re in a bit of a rush to get her undressed, too.

"Hm, no bra?" you inquire lightly.

She just raises her eyebrows cunningly in reply. That means she expected you to do this, wanted to take the risk at work, knew you'd be watching, or took it off between the end of broadcast and getting home. Regardless of the real reason, your head shakes at her presumptuousness.

Her fingers tease at the edges of your outfit in the meantime, not-so-stealthily trying to figure out how to get it off. You whisper with assurance that she doesn’t have to do a thing, gently stilling them with a hand. She relaxes and smiles softly at the prospect, having you in the drivers seat. She might’ve laughed a little too hard the first time you tried to do so, which lit a fiery determination to prove yourself that night. Needless to say, she’s never questioned your abilities since. And she’s not really about to say no to being taken care of after a long day.

Byulyi can’t decide where to look— the subtle smugness plastered on your face, how your outfit fits in all the right places, or to watch every little thing that you’re doing to her with your hands, which now trail decidedly down her front. She hisses when your fingertips barely ghost over her sensitive nipples, moving down to drag over her abs. Sliding her sweats down her legs along with her underwear, she can’t help but feel a bit exposed. Your outfit might not cover much, but hey, you’re still covered. Her slender hands and arms come up to block her burning face, as if that does anything to abate her flustered state. Byul feels your lips ghost her skin, muttering praises as your fingers encircle her wrists, gently tugging at them hoping she'll relax.

With her backed all the way up against the headboard, you position your entire body between her legs with a thigh right up against her, wetness already dampening it as you push in ever so slightly.

“Fucking tease,” she breathes with eyebrows furrowed, remaining firm in her usual stubbornness to not ask for exactly what she wants. Having her squirm beneath you is nothing short of pure indulgence. You back off a little and slide a single finger into her heat, thrusting slowly with absolutely no resistance. It’s useless even attempting to hold back the satisfied hum that leaves your lips at how wet she is, the teasing deepening her flush further.

She clutches at your hand moving all-too-slowly inside her, as if she could even dream of controlling the pace. Her lips collide with yours in desperation, accompanied by a complaining whimper when you starting thrusting faster but much more shallowly.

Byul figures that if she can’t get what she wants, she just has to make you give it to her— she’s surely too proud to ask straight-up. So when she reaches in and her fingers swipe over your barely clothed slit, she can’t help but sneer mockingly about how soaked the fabric is when you let out a pleasured sigh. Despite her outwardly poking fun, she’s always a little flattered that you manage to get like this just from working her up.

She eventually joins in your movements with her own hand on her clit, eagerly impatient as ever. Normally you’d make her stop but she’s tired, may as well help herself along in the way she knows best. Her vision blurs once you slip in another finger and start curling them inside of her, stimulation inside and out rapidly careening her towards the edge.

When you go back to kiss her lips again, you barely catch them in yours because she can’t keep her mouth shut, pleasured sounds reverberating freely from her throat. You move to kiss at her blushing cheeks and trail around to the shell of her ear, whispering lovingly about how cute she’s being, incoherent and unraveling just for you.

By the way her walls clench around your fingers and how her moans are pitching higher with every brush at her clit, she’s definitely close. Her free hand grabs at everything and nothing, finally clutching at the back of your neck to pull you in. She just wants— needs all of you as close to her as possible, indicated by the way she shakily moans your name, barely able to keep it together with a cheek carelessly smashed against yours. You whisper reassurances by her ear to remind that you’re there for her, and she just trembles in response to the gesture, wholly unable to do much else.

When her hips desperately grind upwards into the combination of both your hands with fingers in all the right places, you add in another. The fervent pace of hand movements in tandem with the stretch have her absolutely writhing, fully dedicated to pursuing her impending high.

Byul shudders against you with a stuttered cry as the orgasm wracks her entire body, becoming painfully aware of the sweat on her back making her glide against the headboard. Her hand leaves her clit and slumps to the side having ridden it out, but you unexpectedly thumb her throbbing clit while drawing your fingers out of her, sending one final jolt to her aching core. Her face twitches at the contact, chest heaving with deep breaths while facing the ceiling with her eyes shut, trying to ground herself.

You pepper kisses all over her face and hum sweetly against her skin, making her grin mindlessly. You take her in your arms as she comes to rest beside you, head resting on your chest. She’s taking measured breaths and her eyelids keep fluttering shut, but she can clearly make out the closures on your outfit now that she’s up close and more clear-headed. One of her eyes opens wide and shoots you a pointed look through her forced wink.

“I’m happy about the surprise, but did you really think I wouldn’t take care of you too?” she questions simply, hand snaking up your front to painstakingly undo every single tie on your outfit.

[calyxaomphalos]

The Ghosts of Windy Ridge

Turn #62, three components

location #3 - Windy Ridge Academy (6) neighbor #19 - Black Shuck (1) item #14 - brings a smile to my face

16 April 2022, Saturday Afternoon

The weird little religious book which turned out to be the QRS Knowledge Lectures was the other puzzle I had from the night before. My plan for finding clues to that was to go out to the Academy library again and check out any history I could find about the Quartzite Rockburst Society and/or the Chi Rho Sigma club from the years before they were expelled and the club disbanded.

When I got to the Academy, I noticed the parking lot seemed to be more full that usual, and it's Saturday. But most of the cars were parked down by the athletic field, so perhaps there was some sot of game or event. I found a spot and grabbed my bag to go into the library. I had both the book and the box in there, plus a paper notebook and a couple of pens.

The next thing I knew, Black Shuck was up in my face, like larger than usual and the smoky effect much more roiling. I stopped short. "Whoa, there! Calm down, Shuck, easy boy," I said, as if I were talking to a real dog.

Black Shuck's eyes glowed brightly orange, almost yellow. His teeth were bared, with a silver gray glinting look about them. He was growling at me in a way I'd not seen him behave ever before. But he had backed down just a bit. I was pinned between the trunk of my car and Black Shuck.

As he stood his ground growling, I noticed his attention seemed to be focused on my bag. "Is there something in my bag that you don't like?" I asked.

Black Shuck yipped once and returned to his low rumbling growl. I was thinking what I needed most for my research. I put the bag into the trunk and turned around again. Black Shuck had sat down in place, his growl lessened.

I turned back to the trunk and took out the notebook and pen, then turned to face the smoky ghost dog. His demeanor was unchanged. Next, I extracted the Knowledge Lectures book from my bag and turned back. Shuck's eyes seemed to open wider and he pricked up his ears and cocked his head to the side. "This one is OK, then?" I asked.

Black Shuck's tongue lolled out of his mouth. He licked his nose and then sat waiting. I almost knew before I showed it to him that this would be the problem. It was the puzzle box. Maybe it smelled bad to him or something. I turned back and held out the box. There was no doubt that Black Shuck did not like it *at all*.

Putting the box into the trunk of the car, I turned back with my bag in one hand, notebook, book and pen in the other. Black Shuck sat quietly. "OK, fine, I can do this without the box," I said, closing the trunk. "You gonna let me get to the library, then?"

Black Shuck made one of his snuffling sneeze-like nods and then headed off across Academy Road into the little streamway. I quickly made my way to the library now that I've been here a few times. To my surprise, there were more students in here now than there were on Monday evening. Maybe everyone had been at dinner or something.

I was looking for anything related to official Academy records, yearbooks and the like. Perhaps there was a school newspaper. That's the kind of thing they might just keep as hardcopy, for historical purposes. I found exactly what I was looking for, though I had walked past the anonymous-looking dark blue binders several times before realizing that is what they were.

The question of what date to start my search had me deciding I'd look at 1986, the year of the mine disaster. It looks like back then they published the paper every other week. Each issue had a section for clubs and club meetings. This was perfect!

The Halloween issue was the first one out after the mine disaster. And in the clubs section, there was a proposal charter for a new club - the Quartzite Rockburst Society.

[covid19updater]

COVID19 Updates: 10/29/2020

Belgium:  NEW: Number of COVID patients being treated at Belgian hospitals surpasses peak during first wave

Belgium:  Belgium reports 21,000 new coronavirus cases, by far the biggest one-day increase on record - New cases: 21,048 - Positivity rate: 27.6% (+1.2) - In hospital: 5,924 (+370) - In ICU: 993 (+82) - New deaths: 132

World:  Coronavirus: Second wave could last until April in ‘worst-case scenario’, leaked document reveals LINK

World:  Li-Meng Yan: "Coronavirus is a biological weapon" LINK

Europe:  Coronavirus mutation spread across Europe: report LINK

China:  Large Covid outbreak in China linked to Xinjiang forced labour LINK

RUMINT (US):  I had to "suspend" someone yesterday. Every day we are required to do temp checks upon entering the building then again when we leave for the day. Well, I noticed one woman kept her coat and hat on all day (it was 61 degrees yesterday...not cold). Oddly, I didn't think anything of it until I accidentally saw her duck out a side door to cough deeply into her coat sleeve. She was quiet about it but it was a deep one. This made me curious about the temp check ledger and holy shit... Her temp was 100.8 when she came in yesterday. I went back a day and her first check yesterday was 99.7 and then 100.1 at the last check. So, I kindly asked if she was ok (to be fair, she looked awful. Dark areas under her eyes, clearly suffering chills) and her immediate response was "I am NOT sick!" I stated she clearly was and I needed her to clock out. She wanted to blow up for about a second until she deflated, giving in. I told her she needed to get a test today and I need to see the results in some official form. Its unbelievable how selfish people can be. Its not like she has to fear loss of income. If you test positive, we pay you for three weeks at full pay until you get a negative test. I know the tests aren't perfect but its all we have, ya know?

World:  Coronavirus: People who contract COVID may develop red and swollen toes which turn purple, say scientists LINK

World:  Moderna says it’s preparing global launch of Covid vaccine as it takes in $1.1 billion in deposits LINK (Be cautious...a rushed vaccine is dangerous)

Europe:  New variant of #COVID19 named 20A.EU1 is responsible for the new infections spreading through Europe. It has 6 mutations, was found in farm workers in Spain & follows a previously reported mutation D614G making the virus more infectious & vaccine difficult LINK

World:  Phylogenetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 clusters in their international context - cluster 20A.EU1 LINK

Russia:  Despite the massive increase in corona numbers in Russia, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin sees no reason for a nationwide lockdown 

France:  France's health minister Olivier Veran does not rule out a third wave of coronavirus. He tells the radio station France Info. From Friday, stricter measures to contain the virus will apply in France. Veran says there are currently probably a million people infected with the virus in France 

Belgium:    All of Belgium´s hopsitals have issued an appeal: "A hard Lockdown ! It´s not one option, it is the only option, if there is any time left, to limit the collapse of our health system"... 

Germany: Commission: vaccination of the population only in 2022 The chairman of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) at the Robert Koch Institute does not expect a comprehensive vaccination of the population against the corona virus until 2022 

Switzerland: reports 9,386 new coronavirus cases, biggest one-day increase on record 

Italy: +26,831. Yesterday: 24,998 /// Last week: 16,078 

Colorado:  Pueblo, a city near Colorado Springs, announces 10 p.m. curfew due to surge in COVID cases

Ireland:  The study states 60% of all new cases in Ireland are of this variant 20A.EU1 and notes the freedom of movement between Northern Ireland, as it was observed up North 2 days before here on July 21st. Would have gotten here anyway regardless. LINK

World:  It may be time to reset expectations on when we’ll get a Covid-19 vaccine LINK

Europe:  It's also important to note that while 20A.EU1 is prevalent in some countries that have had recent spikes in cases, it's not the major variant in *all* countries with recent rises: other variants are more common in France (20A.EU2) & Belgium (S: S98F).

UK: +23,065. 280 deaths

New York:  New York Giants player tests positive for COVID-19, close contacts told to stay home from team facility LINK

France:  French sports minister says professional sport to continue even as nation goes into second lockdown LINK

Sweden:  Sweden reports 3,254 new coronavirus cases, by far the biggest one-day increase on record, and 7 new deaths.  Sweden's state epidemiologist says coronavirus situation is "rapidly deteriorating" - Expressen

South Korea:  Coronavirus may ‘reactivate’ in cured patients. The possibility of reinfections could have significant implications for our understanding of Covid-19 immunity, especially in the absence of an effective vaccine.” It’s even possible that there was a continuous infection with some sort of deactivation-reactivation dynamic. About 51 patients classed as having been cured in South Korea have tested positive again, the KCDC said in a briefing on Monday. Rather than being infected again, the virus may have been reactivated in these people,

US:  U.S. sets Covid-19 record with Election Day looming: 80K new cases LINK

Iowa:  Cownie asks DSM residents to 'limit or reconsider' Halloween plans LINK

France:  FRANCE REPORTS 47,636 NEW CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES IN PAST 24 HOURS, FROM 36,437 ON WEDNESDAY

Ohio:  COVID IN OHIO: STATE REPORTS 3590 NEW CASES, SHATTERING RECORD LINK

France:  BREAKING - Mass exodus from Paris. 800km of traffic jams in the city as people try to leave the city before 9 pm curfew and before confinement begins at midnight. A spike multiple times the normal traffic.

Germany: reports 18,526 new coronavirus cases, biggest one-day increase on record - New cases: 18,526 - Positivity rate: 7% est. (+0.5) - In hospital: 8,121 (+437) - In ICU: 1,700 (+123) - New deaths: 77

Vermont/New York:  NEW: 6 hospitals in Vermont and New York affected by cyberattack; urgent care continues, some procedures postponed

U.S:. reports record 91,295 #coronavirus cases in 24 hours: tracker , more than 1,000 new deaths - New cases: 88,452 - Positivity rate: 6.7% (-0.7) - In hospital: 46,095 (+1,050) - In ICU: 9,208 (+174) - New deaths: 1,049

Texas:  BREAKING: El Paso County (including city of El Paso) announces 2-week lockdown. "Shutdown of all non-essential services" effective at midnight tonight.

Texas:  LUBBOCK REPORTS 281 NEW CASES LINK

Czech Republic: COVID update: First drop in hospitalizations in nearly a month, daily deaths set new record - New cases: 13,051 - Positivity rate: 34.4% (+0.1) - In hospital: 6,604 (-20) - In ICU: 1,031 (+69) - New deaths: 187

Belgium:  Belgium lost the battle. Tests vs positive tests on a colored scale for positivity rate. It dropped down from 30% quickly due to increased testing during the first wave. Now we're almost there again, with a LOT more tests. WHO sees 5% as alarming. We're at 22% and rising...

China:  New Research Points To The People's Liberation Army Hospital In Wuhan As Origin Point For Global Coronavirus Pandemic LINK

US:  IHME model at Univ of WA predicts 399,000 #COVID deaths in the US by Feb. 1, a 15,000-death increase over last week’s prediction. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation says it’s likely that by the middle of January, 2,250 Americans will be dying every day from COVID19

Massachusetts:  I have all the symptoms of a Covid-19 long-hauler — but I’m hesitant to identify myself as one LINK

Texas:  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says El Paso's shutdown is in "direct violation" of the governor's executive order, says his office is "quickly exploring all legal actions"