Sometimes my mind wanders off to a happy place where I’m allowed to punch people in the throat, and there are cute puppies and free cake. – Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you’re a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm and humor.

This week’s topics include unemployment claims, Brett Favre, The Lincoln Project, coronavirus deaths in the USA, 2020 Census, Trump’s approval rating, 2020 NFL schedule, saluting first responders and health care workers, Trump vetoes, Willow Creek School, and much more!

3,169,000

In the week ending May 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 3,169,000, a decrease of 677,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 7,000 from 3,839,000 to 3,846,000. The 4-week moving average was 4,173,500, a decrease of 861,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,750 from 5,033,250 to 5,035,000. (DOL.gov)

1,100,000

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre is repaying $1.1 million in welfare money that he received for multiple speeches where he did not show up, the Mississippi state auditor said Wednesday. Favre, who lives in Mississippi, faces no criminal charges. (ESPN)

Interesting. I think if I had $1.1 million deposited in my account I would try to find out where it came from.

1,000,000

The Lincoln Project, a Republican super PAC critical of President Trump, says it saw its biggest single-day fundraising haul yet after the president repeatedly blasted the group on Twitter earlier this week. Reed Galen, a member of the Lincoln Project’s advisory committee told CNBC the group raised $1 million in a day after Trump’s tweets, which took aim at the group over its anti-Trump ad titled “Mourning in America.” (The Hill)

Good job, Mr. President!

73,808

That’s how many people have died from the coronavirus in the USA. (Reuters)

Last Thursday the deaths numbered 60,778.

There are too many people who don’t believe this threat is real and think it’s some sort of conspiracy. These people are morons.

45

That’s Montana’s rank in the 2020 Census self-response, which is the same as last week. Montana has an embarrassingly low 48.8% response rate. Minnesota leads the nation with a 67.9% rating. The average is 57.3%. (Census.gov)

Many Montanans are afraid of the ‘gub-a-ment’ and think this is a roundabout attempt to take their guns.

43.5

That is President Donald Trump’s approval rating. His disapproval rating is 51.3. (FiveThirtyEight)

He’s going down down down and the flames went higher…

32

Are you ready? The 2020 NFL schedule will be unveiled Thursday night (May 7) at 8 ET on the NFL Network, the NFL app, and NFL.com. Opponents for all 32 teams were previously released on Dec. 30, 2019, but Thursday will see the 2020 slate unveiled with times and dates. Hence, Thursday will be the first opportunity to look forward to just when the league’s biggest and best matchups will be played. (NFL.com)

There are rumors that the first four weeks will be AFC vs NFC.

21

The Montana Air National Guard flew C-130 aircraft over hospitals and clinics in 21 cities Wednesday to salute first responders and health care workers who are treating COVID-19 patients. (AP)

I miss the jets…

7

With President Donald Trump vetoing the Iran War Powers Resolution this week, he has vetoed a total of 7 bills. There have been 2,581 presidential vetoes since 1789. (Senate.gov)

1

Willow Creek School with 56 students in Montana will be among the first in the U.S. to resume classroom teaching this week after being closed for nearly two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP)

As schools open look for the saying, “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a 10-foot pole” to make a comeback.

 

##END##