To my readers in Europe who are facing the worst of the crisis right now, please stay safe. We here in the United States are just now dealing with the virus. We’ll all make it together, it will eventually pass.
—Christopher—
Month: March 2020
Coronavirus: Why We Are 3 Weeks Behind Italy
“Until [containment] is impossible, we should keep trying.”
–Dr. Mike Ryan, Head of WHO Emergencies Program
I think it would help today by starting this post with a few quotes that reveal the path of thinking from health experts around the world as this global crisis has unfolded:
“The more we learn about it, the greater the possibility is that transmission will not be able to be controlled with public health measures” (Dr. Allison McGeer; Director of Infection Control, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 1/28/20).
“Increasingly unlikely that this virus can be contained” (Dr. Thomas R. Friedman; Fmr. Director CDC, 2/2/20).
“This looks far more like H1N1’s spread than SARS, and I am increasingly alarmed” (Dr. Peter Plot; Director, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2/2/20).
“The tipping point–after which our ability to prevent a global pandemic ends–seems a lot closer after the past 24 hours” (Prof. Paul Hunter; Professor of Health Protection, University of East Angola 2/23/20).
Continue reading “Coronavirus: Why We Are 3 Weeks Behind Italy”
#20: Video Fridays in 60 Seconds — Prisoners & Coronavirus: What We’re Doing to Stay Safe
*Letters from Christopher will now be sharing a new piece of inmate art or craftwork in each week’s Video Fridays segment. Each piece will be added to an upcoming gallery where they can be viewed as a collection.
Here in Ohio, the coronavirus is being taken very, very seriously. The governor has declared a state of emergency and is moving swifty, limiting mass gatherings, and forcing cancellations of public events. He has mobilized every resource and is drawing upon federal assistance. I think he is one of the few politicians in the country that understand the gravity of the situation.
MONDAY: Training Murphy, and A Perv Strikes
Early this morning– Sometime before the birds wake I find myself sitting up in bed. Man that was a shitty dream. Something about tornadoes and volcanoes suddenly appearing out of nowhere. What the hell is that all about? Looking around the dorm and it’s peacefully quiet. It’s still very early and almost everyone is asleep except for the usual suspects. I make my way down the long aisle to the bathroom because I need to take a leak. My cube is located at the farthest distance away from the bathroom as possible because I am in a dog cube (as I am a dog trainer and handler in the staff dog program). The location of my cube is a blessing really, because I have the entire corner to myself and it’s traffic free. No one has any business being there except for myself and my cubemates. It’s a curse because by the time I return I’ll be half awake having walked all over tarnation. Thankfully I get back to sleep. **
Continue reading “MONDAY: Training Murphy, and A Perv Strikes”
#19: Video Fridays in 60 Seconds — Wow! What a Clock!
Arts and crafts are a big part of prison life, and for many guys this is where they find peace of mind and solace. When you are making a craft item your mind is free to imagine and free from these walls and razor wire fences. This clock is hand made literally from craft sticks, and I have provided pictures of it from beginning to end:
Some guys draw portraits or pictures of wildlife using pencils and pens, while others spend their days creating unique wood crafts. There are so many different types of crafts, and I’ve showcased them throughout these posts. Behind every craft item there is a story. They are stories about real people who have similar hopes and dreams as those out there in the free world. In today’s videos I share with you one of them.
If you missed some of the other arts and crafts I’ve posted, see #12: Video Fridays in 60 Seconds for an amazing butterfly, knitted wares, and an outhouse, #17: Video Fridays for a color drawn cross, Ivory Soap Eagles and Hummingbirds for an amazing animal portrait, custom drawn greeting cards, and a wishing well, and Prison Hustles Make the World Go Round for a video of a hand made Harley Motorcycle. Above all, be sure to see the portrait painting in Ryleigh Payne–An Angel Returns Home from beginning to end, commemorating the beautiful life of 9 year old Ryleigh Payne.
*Remember be prepared for coronavirus. I wish health and happiness to everyone.
—Christopher—