Quote for today…

Life is short. Make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers about politics. -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 job openings, coronavirus numbers (local, state, and nationally), unemployment claims, Star Trek, iPhone, the NFL season, and much more!

10,900,000

On Wednesday, the Labor Department reported that employers posted 10.9 million job openings in July — the most on records dating to 2000. (AP)

This is a great time if you want to work!

652,699

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 40,458,930 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 642,093.

469,194

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 51% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 464,191.

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.

310,000

In the week ending September 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 310,000, a decrease of 35,000 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 5,000 from 340,000 to 345,000. The 4-week moving average was 339,500, a decrease of 16,750 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 1,250 from 355,000 to 356,250. (DOL)

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

316

Daily coronavirus cases are four times higher than they were following Labor Day weekend of last year, with the number of daily deaths twice as high as they were this time in 2020, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Health officials noted the biggest difference between this year and last is the delta variant. They blamed the 316% increase over last year’s daily infections on the highly contagious COVID mutation as well as a large number of Americans refusing to become vaccinated against the fast-spreading disease. (NY Daily News)

I think you are a dumbass if you do not wear a mask indoors in public spaces. You are also a dumbass if you do not get the vaccine.

80

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending September 3, 2021. (Source)

Mask up, Montana!

55

Star Trek premiered on September 8, 1966, ushering in creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future. Although it only lasted for three seasons, the show, starring William Shatner, which is now referred to as “Star Trek: The Original Series” had a lasting impact that’s spanned several spinoff TV shows, movies, video games, and countless comic books and novels. (Fox News)

Happy 55th Anniversary! Beam me up, Scotty!

47

The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday only 47% of eligible individuals in the county are vaccinated. (Source)

Where does your freedom end and my freedom begin?

14

Although the iPhone 13 has not been released yet, a new video posted by Apple leaker Jon Prosser provides some sleek new images of what’s purported to be the iPhone 14, Apple’s 2022 iPhone release. (Mashable)

I am a little behind in the iPhone wars…

1

I am ready! Week #1 of the NFL season starts tonight (Thursday), with Dallas at Tampa Bay. Check out the schedule HERE.

Go Chiefs!

## WEAR A MASK – GET VACCINATED – BE A PATRIOT ##