Quote for today…

Sometimes I wonder if all this is happening because I didn’t forward that message to 10 other people. -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 nation, state, and local COVID numbers, unemployment claims, nukes, Republican Party versus Democratic Party, Trump 2024, TWW poll results about the World Series, and more!

707,797

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 44,060,356 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 695,123.

Thanks to everyone who wears a mask and has been vaccinated – you are patriots!

491,562

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 53% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 486,897.

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.

326,000

In the week ending October 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 326,000, a decrease of 38,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 362,000 to 364,000. The 4-week moving average was 344,000, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 500 from 340,000 to 340,500. (DOL)

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

3,750

In a reversal of Trump administration policy, the State Department on Tuesday disclosed the number of nuclear weapons in the U.S. stockpile. It said this will aid global efforts to control the spread of such weapons. The number of U.S. weapons, including those in active status as well as those in long-term storage, stood at 3,750 as of September 2020, the department said. That is down from 3,805 a year earlier and 3,785 in 2018. (AP)

I know where a few are located…

150

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending October 1, 2021. (Source)

Last week the positive COVID cases numbered 153.

Mask up, Montana!

54/39

Americans by significant margins now view the Republican Party as better than the Democratic Party at protecting the nation from international threats (54% to 39%, respectively) and at ensuring the nation remains prosperous (50% to 41%). The 15-percentage-point GOP advantage on security matters is its largest since 2015, while its nine-point edge on prosperity is its largest since 2014. (Gallup)

The withdrawal from Afghanistan was the correct thing to do. The way it was handled was not good. That probably hurt the Democrats in the poll.

49

The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday still only 49% of eligible individuals in the county are vaccinated. (Source)

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

44

Two-thirds of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they would like to see former President Donald Trump continue to be a major political figure for many years to come, including 44% who say they would like him to run for president in 2024, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 13 to 19. (Pew Research)

I am independent and have moderate political views. I do not want to see Trump run for President again. If he is elected, I think he will finish destroying the country.

43/40

Americans’ opinions of the Democratic Party have fallen slightly from an elevated level this year, and more again view the party unfavorably (55%) than favorably (43%). Meanwhile, 56% have an unfavorable view of the Republicans and 40% a favorable one. (Gallup)

Here in Montana, it would be great if they made it easier for independents to run for office. I think the Republicans and Democrats are afraid they would lose seats.

22.7

This week’s poll question asked, “Which team will be the 2021 World Series Champion?”

Here are the results:

TAMPA BAY RAYS: 22.73%
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 13.64%
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: 13.64%
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: 13.64%
BOSTON RED SOX: 9.09%
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: 9.09%
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: 9.09%
NEW YORK YANKEES: 4.55%
HOUSTON ASTROS: 4.53%
ATLANTA BRAVES: 0%

Thanks to all who participated!

## WEARING A MASK IS PATRIOTIC ##