Quote for today…

The longer you live in the past, the less future you have to enjoy. ― Robert Tew

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 approval numbers, Air Force vaccines, drunk driving, voter turnout, and much more!

750,431

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 46,253,681 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 741,242.

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

506,997

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 503,073.

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.

269,000

In the week ending October 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 269,000, a decrease of 14,000 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 2,000 from 281,000 to 283,000. The 4-week moving average was 284,750, a decrease of 15,000 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 500 from 299,250 to 299,750. (DOL)

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

8,500

Nearly 8,500 active-duty members of the Air Force and Space Force have missed the deadline for getting COVID-19 vaccinations, including 800 who flatly refused and nearly 5,000 with pending requests for a religious exemption, the Air Force said Wednesday. The Air Force said that of the 326,000 active-duty members of the Air Force and Space Force, 95.9 percent are fully vaccinated, and 96.9 percent have gotten at least one shot. (AP)

I think those who refuse the vaccine should be kicked out. When I was in the Air Force I received every shot available. No big deal.

156

Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was driving at 156 mph with a blood-alcohol content twice Nevada’s legal limit before his sports car slammed into the rear of a vehicle that burned, killing a 23-year-old woman, prosecutors said Wednesday. (AP)

Very sad deal.

67

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending October 29, 2021. (Source)

Last week the positive COVID cases numbered 88.

Mask up, Montana – it makes a difference!

66.67

This week’s poll question asked, “If a candidate receives most of their donations from out of state, how does that affect your vote?”

Here are the results:

Less Likely to Vote for the Candidate: 66.67%
Makes No Difference: 33.33%
More Likely to Vote for the Candidate: 0%

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)

There must be some dumb people in Cascade County…

48

Cascade County Clerk and Recorder Rina Moore said that their office sent out roughly 29,000 ballots and the total sheets processed Tuesday night was 13,976, coming out to 48% participation in the municipal elections in Cascade County. (Source)

It’s not good that less than half the ballots were returned.

42.9

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

Last week, Biden’s approval rating was 43.6%

## WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN PUBLIC PLACES ##