It amazes me how much exercise and extra fries sound alike! – Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you are 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 the federal debt, unemployment claims, early voting, USA deaths from coronavirus, Trump’s disapproval rating, Trump’s Omaha airport rally, Presidential elections fun fact, Steelers/Jets, and much more!

27,000,000,000,000

ICYMI – earlier this month, the gross federal debt of the United States surpassed $27 trillion. (Debt Clock)

I’m not sure any federal officials care.

76,535,747

That is how many people have voted in the United States so far! (Source)

Last week the number was 44,007,397.

751,000

In the week ending October 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 751,000, a decrease of 40,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 4,000 from 787,000 to
791,000. The 4-week moving average was 787,750, a decrease of 24,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,000 from 811,250 to 812,250. (DOL)

*Note: On Thursdays, my column is not published until right after 6:30 a.m. (Montana time) so I can post the latest unemployment numbers.

417,272

That is how many Montanans have voted so far! (Source)

Last week the number was 243,274.

I voted. When you vote early, it would be great if the campaign commercials would stop airing on your television…

227,703

That is how many people have died in the United States from coronavirus, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 227,703 deaths and 8,859,432 cases across the country so far. The first death in the US was reported on February 29. (John Hopkins)

Last Thursday, there were 222,220 deaths.

53.6

That is President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating according to the FiveThirtyEight blog. His approval rating is just 43.4%. (FiveThirtyEight)

Last week Trump’s disapproval rating was 54.0%.

7

At least seven people were taken to hospitals after an Omaha airport rally for President Donald Trump that drew thousands, many of whom were left stranded miles from their parked cars in freezing weather. (AP)

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday used the image of Omaha supporters left in the cold after the rally to criticize Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s an image that captured President Trump’s whole approach to this crisis,” Biden said. (AP)

2

Two Presidents have won 49 out of 50 states in Presidential elections: Nixon in 1972 and Reagan in 1984. (WalletHub)

McGovern won Massachusetts in 1972 (he also won the District of Columbia).

Mondale won Minnesota in 1984 (he also won the District of Columbia).

1

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) are the only undefeated team in the NFL. The New York Jets (0-7) are the only winless team in the NFL. (ESPN)

The Jets play my Chiefs this Sunday in KC.

## VOTE ##