COVID-19 Anarchy, Domestic Terrorism

You’ve noticed that we have been covering COVID-19 from a handful of related and interchangeable avenues lately – the so-called “anti-lockdown” protests, Trump’s irresponsible messaging on the pandemic, premature re-openings of commercial activity and the militant reactions of some shoppers in response to being politely asked to wear face coverings in retail outlets. 

Based on the trends, I am identifying, we will be doing more reporting on these, because you need to be situationally aware of the ongoing health threats these activities and behaviors pose both now and in the near future. 

Shoppers Draw Inspiration From Trump In Defying Retailers’ COVID-19 Rules

In this light, a couple of new examples of what could be termed, “Coronaviolence” have been reported by local news outlets, one in Miami, Florida and the other in Springfield, Missouri. 

CBS 4 Miami, reports that a Pinellas County man, having been arrested on a domestic violence call on March 27th, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of “perpetrating a biological weapon hoax.” 

James Jamal Curry, 31, was being taken into custody by St. Petersburg PD officers, during which Curry informed the responding officers that he was infected with COVID-19 and then, according to court records, proceeded to cough and spit on them. 

But it’s worse. Somehow the presiding judge in the arraignment allowed Curry to post bail on the combined charges of assault stemming from the domestic violence and the incident with the arresting officers. 

CBS 4 says that Curry returned to the scene of the first crime and repeated it. During his second arrest, Curry spit on an officer multiple times, hitting the inside of her mouth with blood-filled saliva, prosecutors said. Curry again claimed to have the coronavirus, laughed and announced that he was spreading the virus around.

Law enforcement obtained a warrant to test Curry for COVID-19, and the result was negative. Curry faces up to 5 years in federal prison if convicted.

The next report comes to us via Kansas City and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.  A hairstylist at a franchise location of “Great Clips” in Springfield, Missouri, who was symptomatic with coronavirus provided services to 84 customers of the salon and additional exposed seven of the employee’s co-workers. 

The health department, on its community alert website, detailed the following:

While symptomatic, our case worked as a hair stylist at the Great Clips at 1864 S. Glenstone Ave. on the following dates: 

• Tuesday, May 12 (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 13 (8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Thursday, May 14 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Friday, May 15 (1 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Saturday, May 16 (8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Sunday, May 17 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• Tuesday, May 19 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 20 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

But this was not the full extent of this one individual’s episode of widely distributing the virus while personally aware they were carrying it.  Additionally, this individual and another unrelated case also visited the following locations while infectious:

• Thursday, May 14; Friday, May 15 and Monday, May 18: 10 Fitness at 1444 S Glenstone between 12 p.m. – 1p.m.
• Monday, May 18: Dairy Queen at 3665 E. Sunshine around 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 20: Walmart at 2021 E. Independence around 7:30 p.m.

Missouri state leaders allowed barbers and salon operators to reopen May 4.  “I’m very frustrated to be up here,” Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director Clay Goddard said. “And maybe more so, I’m disappointed.” 

Goddard indicated that the “recovery plan” – the reopening of commercial businesses with recommendations of safety practices, will go forward, but alluded to the possibility of having to return to the previous status if an atmosphere of negligence persists.  

“I’m going to be honest with you. We can’t have many more of these. We can’t make this a regular habit or our capability as a community will be strained and we will have to re-evaluate what things look like going forward,” Goddard said. “Each of us owns just how this will go forward in our community.”

by Richard Cameron

And in keeping with the related subject matter of acting in a manner that is both in keeping with a civil society but also which reflects the ethic of the Golden Rule from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12), which Western Civilization has universally adopted as foundational – we are happy to present a brief video essay once again, from our correspondent in Japan, Tom Logan:

Anastasia

Rated G  –  Available on most streaming services, Blu-Ray and DVD

Released on Thanksgiving Day 1997, is an animated what if scenario, based on one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th Century.

Directed by veteran animators, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman – and later adapted into a Broadway production by Tony-award winner, Terrence McNally – the story begins in the Russian Empire in 1916, where a young Anastasia (Kirsten Dunst) escapes with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Marie (Angela Lansbury), only to be separated during their escape.

A decade later, two con men, Demitri (John Cusack) and Vlad (Kelsey Grammer), in an effort to find a young woman to pretend to be the missing Grand Duchess to present to the aging Dowager Empress, in order to claim the reward money she offers for the successful return of her granddaughter, recruit Anya (Meg Ryan) a young woman with no past, suffering from amnesia, unaware that she actually is Anastasia.

The story takes the trio on a whirlwind adventure from St. Petersburg to Paris, chased at every turn by the vengeful Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd), who needs to complete his mission for his curse on the Romanov’s to be seen to fruition.

Though the technology feels dated twenty years on, nevertheless it makes for some of the most emotionally wrenching forms of storytelling. The sequence “Once Upon a December,” for example, still has the ability to send chills up your spine, and put a tear in your eye.

Like many Bluth/Goldman efforts, the story focuses on Anya’s search for the identity and love that was stolen from her at such a young age. Although she comes off as a little too cocky on occasion, Ryan does an impressive job as the lost, yet headstrong young woman – a role built on by Christy Altomare in the Broadway production.

Anya’s quest is summed up best in a sequence early on, as Demitri and Vlad are trying to trick her into their scheme at the Winter Palace, looking at a portrait of herself.

“Well, I don’t know. It’s hard to think about yourself as duchess when you’re sleeping on a damp floor. But sure, yeah. I bet every lonely girl would hope she’s a princess.”

Of course, one of the major draws of the film is the reluctant romance between Anya and Demitri. In a relationship reminiscent of “The Cutting Edge,” the couple’s interaction, especially early on is some of the best “adult” comedy in an animated film up to that point, providing some of the best lines between Ryan and Cusack.  The fact that Vlad keeps a tally of the victor at any particular moment is icing on the cake.

The greatest character evolution in the film isn’t Anya, but Demitri. Beginning his life as a servant in the Palace, Demitri is instrumental in saving both Anastasia and Marie during the siege.

It’s his growing love for Anya later in life that changes him from a selfish con man into someone who is willing to give up the things he wants most of all – security, love, and family – for the happiness of someone else. In the end, all three of them end up, not with what they want, but with what they need.

Despite being marketed to a younger audience, “Anastasia” is a story that remains popular among all ages. Though a little cheesy in places, the scope of animation, storytelling, technology, acting and characters makes this film one of my personal favorites.

by Tiffany Elliott   

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