Quote for today…

The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday. ― Tony Robbins

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 free home-testing kits, nation, state, and local COVID numbers, unemployment claims, old people, TWW poll results, Biden approval numbers, Pro Bowl, first pill, and much more!

500,000,000

Fighting the omicron variant surging through the country, President Joe Biden announced the government will provide 500 million free rapid home-testing kits, increase support for hospitals under strain and redouble vaccination and boosting efforts. (AP)

This is a good deal – I’ll be ordering mine!

812,069

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 51,546,004 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 surpassed 800,000.

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

536,006

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 531,916.

Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You by clicking HERE.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana’s estimated population in July 2019 was 1,068,778.

205,000

In the week ending December 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 205,000, unchanged from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised down by 1,000 from 206,000 to 205,000. The 4-week moving average was 206,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised down by 250 from 203,750 to 203,500. (DOL)

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

135

China’s oldest person, who is also claimed to be the oldest person ever, has died at the age of 135 in her local township. Alimihan Seyiti, from Komuxerik in Shule County in the north-western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, died on 16th December. According to the county’s Publicity Department, Seyiti was born on June 25, 1886, during the imperial Qing dynasty. (Daily Mail)

That’s pretty much older than dirt…

55.5

This week’s poll question asked, “Do you like or dislike self-checkouts?”

Here are the results:

LIKE: 55.5%
DISLIKE: 30.5%
UNDECIDED/NO OPINION: 14%

Thanks to all who participated!

48

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

There are some ignorant people in Cascade County. C’mon people!

43.4

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

Last week, Biden’s approval rating was 43.8%.

15

The rosters for the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl have been leaking out since Monday with the full reveal coming Wednesday evening. The Indianapolis Colts had the most selections with seven. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers were next with six each. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was selected to his record 15th Pro Bowl. He had been tied for first in Pro Bowl selections with tight end Tony Gonzalez, quarterback Peyton Manning, offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, and defensive tackle Merlin Olsen. The 44-year-old leads the NFL in passing yards (4,134) and touchdown passes (36). (ESPN)

Go Chiefs!

10

That is how many positive COVID cases were reported in the Great Falls Public Schools for the week ending December 21, 2021. (Source)

Last week the positive COVID cases numbered 12.

GFPS announced that “upon counsel with the GFPS COVID Advisory Panel, the District will lift the mask requirements for elementary schools beginning Monday, January 3, 2022.”

I don’t agree with lifting the mask requirements.

1

U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. (AP)

This is great news!

## HAPPY HOLIDAYS ##