https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Qr9d_dBqw

Ancient Rome in 20 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ZXl-V4qwY

It’s a useful intro for don’t know what they don’t know Gen Z semi-literates who prefer video to the written word and contains just the hint of a Black Pill here and there. Grossly oversimplifies things of course and leaves out my imaginary best buddy Sulla, but you can’t have everything.

Had my second Pfizer Covid shot on Tuesday. Felt a bit crummy yesterday, had a nasty headache today, until I took some ibuprofen. Also had my first visit with a new primary care doctor. Mostly just background and get to know you discussion. I had him look at a bit of rash that showed up on my back about a week ago – he thinks it is shingles. That might explain why I haven’t felt great the last couple of days.

I’ve been thinking that Andrew Cuomo will make it through the recent controversies with his position as governor intact. Reading about some new allegations from one of his 9 (!) alleged victims I have to lower the probability that he weathers the storm. Note: I am historically horrible at predictions. The more interesting thing about Andrew is that the assessment of his performance as governor during the pandemic seems to have disappeared, or at least faded from the front page.

BTW — I’ll probably repost this tomorrow in the open thread then, too:

Latest mortality stats on Covid:

50-64 years 81,654
65-74 years 118,850
75-84 years 149,814
85 years and over 165,653
All Ages 539,723

Results:
95.6% — 50+
80.5% — 65+

Hot Take: If you aren’t over 50, you should be more concerned with dying in an auto accident than covid

CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm

And yes, the point had been noted before, but part of the matter, to me, is that it has sustained itself through the entire last year — it didn’t just “hit old people first” because they were the weakest — in only hits old people.

That’s a particularly relevant point which the merdia (correct spelling, these days) has repeatedly ignored it.

When I was working in Latin America, I was once asked to translate some rock song lyrics. I listened to the song and replied that as I had no idea what they were saying in English, I couldn’t translate it into Spanish.