Quote for today…

If you hate yourself, remember you are not alone. A lot of other people hate you, too. -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 national, state, and local coronavirus numbers, unemployment claims, oldest twin sisters, TWW “tilted” poll results, Biden/Supreme Court approval ratings, Election Day registration lawsuit, NFL Thursday night football, and much more!

681,222

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 42,547,004 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 666,627.

481,526

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 52% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 475,440.

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.

351,000

In the week ending September 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 351,000, an increase of 16,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 3,000 from 332,000 to 335,000. The 4-week moving average was 335,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 750 from 335,750 to 336,500.(DOL)

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

161

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending September 17, 2021. (Source)

Last week the positive COVID cases were 107.

Mask up, Montana!

107

Guinness World Records has certified two Japanese sisters as the world’s oldest living identical twins at 107, in an announcement Monday coinciding with Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan. Umeno Sumiyama and Koume Kodama were born the third and fourth of 11 siblings on Shodoshima island in western Japan on Nov. 5, 1913. (AP)

Do you think you’ll live to 100?

60

This week’s poll question asked, “Do you agree with the actions taken by General Mark Milley?”

Here are the results:

NO: 60%*
YES: 38%
UNDECIDED: 2%

*Someone with IP address 72.174.12.83 voted “No” 54 times so the votes are tilted some. Whoever is behind that IP address, thanks for the views and for wasting your time to make my blog earn more $.

48

The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday only 48% of eligible individuals in the county are vaccinated. (Source)

The freedom to not get vaccinated or wear a mask is killing us…

43

Eight months after President Joe Biden’s inauguration, his job approval rating has fallen six percentage points to 43%, the lowest of his presidency. For the first time, a majority, 53%, now disapproves of Biden’s performance. (Gallup)

For the same period in his first term, Gallup reports that Donald Trump’s approval rating was 37%, Barack Obama 52, George W. Bush 51, and Bill Clinton 47.

40

Americans’ opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court have worsened, with 40%, down from 49% in July, saying they approve of the job the high court is doing. This represents, by two percentage points, a new low in Gallup’s trend, which dates back to 2000. (Gallup)

4

A fourth lawsuit has been filed in Montana over the Election Day registration rollback. (MTFP)

The Republicans want to make it harder to vote. It’s that simple.

3

Don’t forget – week #3 of the NFL season kicks off tonight (Thursday) with the Carolina Panthers (2-0) at the Houston Texans (1-1). It’s on the NFL Network. (NFL.com)

Go Chiefs!

## MASK-UP – GET VACCINATED ##