Quote for today…

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened. – Terry Pratchett

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 nation, state, and local COVID numbers, unemployment claims, TWW poll results, Biden/Congress approval numbers, fundraising, Trump statement, and more!

741,242

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 45,705,087 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 731,271.

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

503,073

That is how many Montanans have been fully immunized for COVID-19. That is just 55% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week the number of fully immunized Montanans was 499,292.

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.

281,000

In the week ending October 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 281,000, a decrease of 10,000 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 1,000 from 290,000 to 291,000. The 4-week moving average was 299,250, a decrease of 20,750 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 250 from 319,750 to 320,000. (DOL)

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

88

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending October 22, 2021. (Source)

Last week the positive COVID cases numbered 91.

Mask up, Montana – it makes a difference!

50

This week’s poll question asked, “Which Team Will Win The 2021 World Series?”

Here are the results:

DON’T CARE/UNDECIDED: 50%
ATLANTA BRAVES: 27%
HOUSTON ASTROS: 23%

Thanks for participating!

50

The Cascade County (Great Falls, MT) City-County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday still only 50% of eligible individuals in the county are fully vaccinated. (Source)

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

43.6

According to FiveThirtyEight.com, that is President Joe Biden’s approval rating. (Source)

If Biden’s approval stays below 50%, the midterms are going to be brutal on the Democrats.

21

Americans’ approval of the job the 117th Congress is doing slipped six points in the past month to 21%, its lowest thus far in 2021. (Gallup)

But they keep getting re-elected…

9

Nine House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump outraised their GOP challengers over the summer months, new federal election data shows. (Yahoo/USA Today)

7.59

Statement from former President Donald J. Trump: “$7.59 gasoline in various parts in California—a record, and going higher. All over the Country gasoline is spiking. If the Trump Administration were in there, it would right now be $2 a gallon or less.” (Source)

Does anyone but the MAGA people believe gas would be “$2 a gallon or less” if Trump was President?

## WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN PUBLIC PLACES ##