That Smell partN

Will be transferring a novella over to the internets (or maybe as a book, haven't decided yet). I know I promised a collection of all the stories since 1000001 American Nights that were published, some unpublished, but I haven't had the time. I'm sorry and will focus on that in the coming months. Been a minute since I put something out there. This one, first published by Red Rock Review is available as a short story. Not on amazon, though, so enjoy it however you can. 
That being said, things here are well. I'm trying hard not to look at the constant scream of the internets. 
Try. 
This right here being the prime example.
Again, the pandemic certainly played a role, but remember how I pointed out (and many in grassroots movements have been doing the same) how inequality will only continue to make this worse. And it's gotten worse (the pandemic exacerbating the issues from before) with no relief in sight (especially given Manchin and the GOP's stance on helping children etc). 
Unfortunately, this comment thread was followed by a whole host of people crying about China. Suppose the comparison isn't fair, the US is still the anomaly in the world. Compared to other rich countries, it's the worst (especially with GDP, not so much inequality). Completely the worst. 
And, again, it only helps our elites when we start screaming about some other country instead of our own. Read this:

I'm just a volunteer and I'm seeing people dying (or at least dying quicker) due to short-staffing. I had a really horrible experience today on my shift that I wanted to share.

A sobbing woman came up to the desk when I was literally the only one at the nurse's station because everyone was with patients. I was juggling transfers for about four calls at the time so I didn't notice she was upset and crying for a second. 

She asked if she could talk to the charge nurse or a social worker or someone with power to transfer or discharge a patient. Her mother, who is hospitalized for CHF exacerbation at 80ish and otherwise pretty good health for her age (no obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc, just an old lady whose heart is giving out), hasn't had meds or vitals or breakfast or anything done since the daughter had gotten there at 7 am. It was around 11 am when she spoke with me. 

She wanted to pull her out of treatment and sent her to a hospice instead of continuing to suffer on the floor. I did my best and tried to comfort her and got her mom a sandwich at least, but what the fuck else am I supposed to do? 5 nurses and 2 techs between 30ish patients on a stepdown cardiac unit. We've got transport and patient safety people helping with vitals and basic tasks like bedsore turning and helpijg people brush their teeth or go to the bathroom between their actual jobs it was so short-staffed today. I can't actually do anything to help them other than get water and blankets, keep stuff stocked, do charts, and whatever other busywork needs doing. I just wanted to cry with this lady for her mom but there were calls to transferred, patients to get water for, and everything else. The day moves on.

I let the charge nurse know in the hallway and she started tearing up and just went on break in the staff room. I called SW and the woman on the phone sighed and sounded exhausted. I spent the rest of my shift helping our TWO TECHS restock linens and clean out rooms because we're also down janitorial staff. It's been getting worse pretty much my entire time volunteering, but this is as bad as I've seen it. Everyone is one inch from breaking point and there's nothing I can do to help except offer to break down charts or wipe down wheelchairs.

By the time my shift was over, they were rolling this lady out in a wheelchair, presumably to go die at home. There's no way they found her a spot at a hospice that quick around here. They must've really needed the bed because a discharge usually takes all day. I passed them on the way out in the discharge lounge and grabbed the daughter some coffee at the hospital shop. It was all I could do.

Yeah, not good, bob, not good at all. And yet where are the newspaper articles on that? *checks stock market* ok, I guess that's why. 
Profits over people will continue until morale improves. 
Meanwhile we're still dealing with some stupidity regarding COVID. Of course we shouldn't just say "business as usual" but stuff like this:

Just annoys the shit out of me. I mean, are those two population groups at the same risk as each other? All evidence points to no. But online (even Hasan, who I like) you get points for "dunking" on people, even if you're wrong. The stance here is, oh look, hypocrisy! You want them to get covid but not yourself. 
well, no. Nevermind that since the beginning we knew kids were better off than adults or old people, but to act as if you don't know this (and are on the side of a pure "0 covid stance") is beyond dumb. Yet this is what makes the algorithm happy, I suppose. 

Speaking of which, here is an eagle watching one chick eat away at the smaller chick. Reminds me of our algorithms in charge of our thinking (or organizing our thinking). Which only goes to show with great power comes minimal responsibility. 
Have fun out there and stay safe. 
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