Will Trump Drop Out?

Mike Pence has very visibly wore a mask when he visited Texas, while Trump continues to flounder. The polls, already showing him losing the election, are bound to get worse. James Carville is openly saying that it is more likely for Trump to drop out than for him to win the election.

• Pence In Texas Encourages Residents To Wear Masks Amid Coronavirus Spike
• James Carville: There Is No Chance Trump Will Be Re-Elected

So do you think the Republicans are preparing to replace Trump with Pence?

-------------------------------- Update 7/2/20 -----------------------------

James Carville is getting more vocal of the possibility that Trump may not run.

• James Carville: Significant Chance That Trump Doesn't Run

The next big fear - Dust

Now what! A big Saharan dust cloud is heading our way. It will mostly hit Texas and the Southeast but we may get some of it by next week. The dust may be a problem for those with respiratory problems. Oh, there is also a 100 degree heat wave in the arctic.

• Massive Saharan dust cloud makes its way to Southern states and arctic heat wave
• Saharan dust is on its way

Beginning of the End of Trump

Trump's Tulsa rally was suppose to reinvigorate his campaign by featuring the unquestioning support of his base. Tulsa was chosen to insure a large crowd and the threat of COVID and possible street violence assured the attention of the media. But the spectacle was a dud as only a tenth of the anticipated 100,000 participants materialized.

Trump's strength has always been the large attendance of his rally's; nothing else seemed to matter. Tulsa was his best chance for a large attendance and media attention. The Tulsa rally will continue to be in the news as Tulsa will be blamed for increases in COVID cases over the next two weeks.

Is this finally the beginning of the end of Trump?

• Trump addresses campaign rally at half-empty Tulsa arena

Phase 2 and a Half

The Phase 2 reopenings have been extended by Governor Hogan and HoCo will follow. The extensions are in two parts starting tomorrow:

Friday, June 12th at 5:00 p.m.:

• Indoor dining at 50% capacity, with distancing and following strict public health requirements
• Outdoor amusements and attractions, miniature golf and go-karts
• Outdoor pools capacity increasing to 50%

Friday, June 19th at 5 p.m.:

• Gyms, indoor fitness centers, dance studios, martial arts at 50% with distancing and following strict public health requirements
• Casinos, arcades, and malls

Other reopening updates:

• RTA
• HoCo Recreation & Parks
• Mall in Columbia

Currently, most Maryland counties are in Phase 2. The exceptions, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County and Baltimore City, are in Phase 1. Note that every county may modify the States guidelines and individual businesses may not choose to reopen.

• Summary for HoCo Phase 2 reopenings, current and future
• HoCo announcement
• Maryland announcement

Please remember that the effects of the earlier reopenings and protests are just beginning to have an effect. Please continue to take precaution.

• Has the Country Left the First Wave of the Pandemic?

Your comments on the reopening or any other topics are welcome.

Phase 2

Today Maryland will enter Phase 2 of its Reopening, and Howard County will follow.

• Summary
• Maryland Phase 2 Details
• Howard County announcement

Note that Senior Centers remain closed:

All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10-
501(i) of the Human Services Article of the Maryland Code) shall remain closed
until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the
catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded

Here, There and Everywhere

The protests have spread to Howard County and around the world, while the two cities closest to us, Baltimore and Washington DC, show a sharp contrast. Baltimore is a shining example of how to be smart, while Washington is the epitome of stupidity. Meanwhile, the coronavirus lurks regardless if the the protests were violent or peaceful.

Here are the videos which tells this story:

• Howard County Police Chief Marches With Protesters
• The George Floyd Protests Are Now Global
• Baltimore’s Protests May Be Result Of Lessons Learned
• Defense Secretary Esper differs with Trump on using troops to put down protests
• Growing Concern Over Spread Of Coronavirus Among George Floyd Protesters