Quote for today…

Someone is out there holding their breath waiting on you to fail…make sure they suffocate. – 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 the national debt, coronavirus deaths, fully immunized Montanans, unemployment claims, Afghanistan, poll results, HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” Summer Olympics, Royals, and much more!

28,631,721,000,000

That is the national debt in case you were wondering. (Debt Clock)

Politicians care about the debt when they can use it to attack the other party (See Steve Daines).

618,496

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 36,193,174 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 614,804

448,533

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 49% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 444,705.

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.

375,000

In the week ending August 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 375,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 385,000 to 387,000. The 4-week moving average was 396,250, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 500 from 394,000 to 394,500. (DOL)

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

90

Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan’s capital in 30 days and possibly take it over within 90, a U.S. defence official cited U.S. intelligence as saying, as the resurgent militants made more advances across the country. (Reuters)

This is a sad deal considering all the lives lost and people injured, and millions spent to train the Afghans.

73

This week’s poll asked, “Should women be required to register for the draft?” (Background)

Here are the results:

YES: 73%
NO: 17%
UNDECIDED: 10%

Thanks to all who participated.

16

The 16th edition of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” started this week with the Dallas Cowboys being featured. (HBO)

After watching the first episode, I think the Cowboys will lead the series in how many times the players and coaches say the “F” word.

Hard Knocks will probably be the highlight of the Cowboys’ season.

15.5

U.S. viewership for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, a competition clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, dropped to about half the audience for the London Games in 2012, according to data released by Comcast Corp’s (CMCSA.O) NBCUniversal on Monday. The 17-day event averaged 15.5 million primetime viewers on the NBC broadcast network and digital platforms including the Peacock streaming service, the company said in a statement. That represented the smallest audience for the Summer Games since NBC began broadcasting them in 1988. (Reuters)

It was tough watching some events when I already knew the results.

12

Luke Voit had a two-run single in New York’s three-run first inning and the Yankees beat Kansas City 5-2 on Wednesday for their 12th straight series victory over the Royals. (AP)

The Royals are back to sucking again.

## GET VACCINATED ##