Quote for today…

So far this is the oldest I’ve ever been. – Unknown

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

This week’s topics include coronavirus information, unemployment claims, a special “Thursday Numbers,” Donald Rumsfeld, poll results, Bill Cosby, select committee, plus much more!

604,718

That is how many people have died in the United States from coronavirus, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. There have been 33,666,198 cases across the country so far. The first death in the USA was reported on February 29, 2020. (Johns Hopkins)

Last week the death total was 602,838.

426,984

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 46% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 421,600.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana’s estimated population in July 2019 was 1,068,778.

Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You by clicking HERE.

364,000

In the week ending June 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 364,000, a decrease of 51,000 from the previous week’s revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000. The previous week’s level was revised up by 4,000 from 411,000 to 415,000. The 4-week moving average was 392,750, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week’s revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020 when it was 225,500. The previous week’s average was revised up by 1,000 from 397,750 to 398,750. (DOL)

*Note: On Thursdays, this column is published right after 6:30 a.m. (Montana time), so I can post the latest unemployment numbers.

500

Pop the cork – this is the 500th “Thursday Numbers” column.

The first “Thursday Numbers” column was posted on June 9, 2011. It was about the unemployment numbers in the news. That day the number of unemployed filing claims was 427,000. Today, the new unemployment claims total is 364,000.

Thanks to you, the readers, for making “Thursday Numbers” one of my most read columns every week.

88

Donald Rumsfeld, a forceful U.S. defense secretary who was the main architect of the Iraq war until President George W. Bush replaced him as the United States found itself bogged down after 3-1/2 years of fighting, has died at age 88, his family said in a statement on Wednesday. (Reuters)

I like Rumsfeld. He was a patriot in my book. Rest in peace…

57

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, was sentenced Friday to 22 and a half years in prison.

This week’s poll question asked, “Do you agree with the sentence given to Derek Chauvin?”

YES: 57%
NO – Not Long Enough: 30%
NO – Too Long: 9%
UNDECIDED: 4%

Thanks for participating!

3

Pennsylvania’s highest court threw out Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction and released him from prison Wednesday in a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as “America’s Dad,” ruling that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby. Cosby, 83, flashed the V-for-victory sign to a helicopter overhead as he trudged into his suburban Philadelphia home after serving nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004. (AP)

This was a surprise.

2

Only two House Republicans — Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois — voted Wednesday to create a select committee to investigate the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol. (CNN)

It’s ridiculous that the Republicans don’t want this committee.

## HELLO JULY ##