Quote for today…

Common sense is not a gift, it’s a punishment. Because you have to deal with everyone who doesn’t have it. – Unknown

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” If 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 Super Bowl viewers, nation, state, and local COVID numbers, Montana sports betting, unemployment claims, TWW poll results, immigration, Biden approval numbers, ninth DUI, and more!

112,300,000

The final numbers are in and Super Bowl LVI was a big winner for more than just the Los Angeles Rams. NBC and the NFL are likely doing cartwheels in the end zone with Sunday’s championship game delivering a whopping 112.3 million viewers across NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, NFL Digital platforms and Yahoo Sports mobile properties. (Deadline.com)

I love NFL football…

928,519

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 78,173,320 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 912,257.

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

695,837

According to data from the Montana Lottery, 25,383 people placed bets totaling $695,837 on the Super Bowl through Sports Bet Montana. The average bet was $23.95. And bettors in the state were not able to outsmart the book, with the state only paying out $427,867 — netting it $267,971. (Daily Montanan)

Way down in the article, there is a reveal as to why Montana is still in the stone age regarding sports betting:

“…Montana is one of nine states to require consumers to bet in person, which limits the state’s sports gambling potential, Forman said. “States with those kinds of restrictions lag a bit compared to states where you are able to bet online from their home.”

553,324

That is how many Montanans have been fully-immunized for COVID-19. This is still just 54% of the eligible population. (Source)

Last week, the number of fully immunized Montanans was 551,694.

Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You by clicking HERE.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana’s population in April 2020 was 1,084,225.

248,000

In the week ending February 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 248,000, an increase of 23,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised up by 2,000 from 223,000 to 225,000. The 4-week moving average was 243,250, a decrease of 10,500 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 500 from 253,250 to 253,750 (DOL)

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

66

This week’s poll question asked, “Should the Monday after the Super Bowl be a national holiday?”

Here are the results:

NO: 66%
YES: 31%
UNDECIDED/DON’T CARE: 3%

Thanks to all who participated.

58

Nearly six in 10 Americans, 58%, are dissatisfied with the level of immigration into the U.S. today, while 34% are satisfied. This marks an eight-percentage-point increase in dissatisfaction since last year and a return to the 2019-2020 range. (Gallup)

There has got to be some sort of middle ground where Republicans and Democrats can meet to solve this issue.

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 “Case Rate” and “Positivity Rate” are still “High” in Cascade County.

C’mon people – get vaccinated!

41.4

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

Last week, Biden’s approval rating was 41.3%.

9

Michael Wayne King has been charged with driving under the influence in Great Falls. King, 61 years old, has been charged with felony DUI (9th offense); driving with a suspended or revoked license, and failure to wear a seatbelt. Court documents note that King has eight DUI convictions – seven in Georgia dating back to 1985, and one in Wyoming in October 2020. (MTN News)

Why do we let people like this roam the streets?

## WEAR A MASK INDOORS IN PUBLIC PLACES ##