Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment.

May 13, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles, the last two chapters of 2 Samuel and the first chapter of 1 Kings.

May 13: Acts 24, 2 Samuel 23, 2 Samuel 24, 1 Kings 1 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 24. Paul was on trial before Felix. After Peter put up a vigorous defense. To no avail, Felix adjourned the trial until Lysius would come back. Two years passed and Felix kept Paul in prison, hoping for a bribe so he could release him. None came and Felix was replaced by Justus, but Paul was still kept in prison past the time allowed, in order to keep the Jews pacified.

2 Samuel 23 records David’s last words, and has a list of David’s mighty men.

2 Samuel 24. David took a Census of Israel and Judah,which was a sin that had to be punished. David chose to fall into the Hands of the LORD, so the angel of death ravaged the land for three days until he came to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. There David built an altar and sacrificed.

1 Kings 1. Adonijah, the heir apparent, since his older brothers were all dead, set himself up as king before David’s death. David had Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet Proclaim Solomon King instead.

Coronavirus death rates and trends for the five worst states versus the five best states. Look at Michigan versus South Dakota.

The trend of the five worst and the five best states of Covid-19 death rates versus percent of population tested:

State death rate trend percentage of population tested

. May 8 May 11 up/down May 8 May 11

Michigan 9.48% 9.64% up 2.4% 3.1%

2. Connecticut 8,87% 8.91% up 3.1% 3.7%

3. New York 7.80% 7.80% __ 5.6% 6.2%

4. Lousiana 7.23% 7.32% up 4.4% 4.9%

5. New Jersey 6.55% 6.71% up 4.4% 4.9%

….

46. Tennessee 1.66% 1.61% down 3.4% 4.0%

47. Nebraska 1.17% 1.16% down 2.0% 2.5%

48. Wyoming 1.08% 1.05% down 2.1% 2.3%

49. Utah 1.03% 1.06% up 4.3% 4.7%

50. South Dakota 0.98% 0.94% down 2.4% 2.7%

Beside from the obvious fact that the five worst states are all run by Democrat Governors and the five best state are all run by Republicans, these are my observations:

The five worst states show a rising death rate, even though the test rate is increasing. The five best state show a falling death rate, which is to be expected as testing is increased.

Michigan has a Detroit problem. The COVID-19 death rate there is over 10%, many got turned away from the few hospitals and were sent home without first being tested. Governor Gretchen Whitmer seems more interested in controlling the healthy population than to protect the vulnerable.

Why Connecticut is second on the list I don’t know, but Hartford County has a problem with a death rate over 10%. It is also next to New York, where the death rate in New York City still is either 7.92% or 10.7% if you include probable deaths.

The problem with New York is that Governor Cuomo ordered nursing home facilities to accept COVID-19 patients, they are not set up to handle highly contagious patients, and so the infection and death rate among the most vulnerable population skyrocketed. One interesting statistics is that two thirds of all New York COVID-19 cases were from people staying home, not going out at all.

The problem with Louisiana is that it let Mardi Gras proceed, people came, did their thing and went back to where they came from, often to under-served areas.

New Jersey is next to New York. Need I say more?

On the other hand, the five best states concentrated their efforts to protect the at risk people, concentrating on hygiene and social distancing rather than trying to micromanage the healthy population. There seems to be no improvement in the outcome by adding testing. In addition the death rate among the five worst states is still rising, whereas the death rate in the five best states is declining.

Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, the state with the best outcome of all states so far did order a clinical test of using the combination Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin + Zinc for five days and that may be the reason the death rate is less than 1 percent. Unfortunately the FDA is concerned that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are being used inappropriately to treat non-hospitalized patients for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or to prevent that disease. Quote:” We authorized their temporary use only in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 when clinical trials are not available, or participation is not feasible, through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). These medicines have a number of side effects, including serious heart rhythm problems that can be life-threatening.”

Here is my suggestion: Issue an executive order opening up a clinical study in the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatment with Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin + Zinc for five days, and open it up to any qualified Physician or Nurse Practitioner who want to participate. They do the heart test, check for other ailments and report the results to a central data base and a follow up report, and even if it is not a double blind study, once you have a million or so results the FDA can approve the medication. In the meantime over 90% of the patients were getting better, and hopefully nobody had given it to patients with severe preexisting heart conditions. The risk is minimal. It is already approved for Lupus, Rheumatism and Malaria, and the same protocol should apply here.

It is very important the drugs are administered as early as possible. By the time the patient is admitted to a hospital it may be too late. Especially if the patient is already on a ventilator it may do more harm than good.

Why is this study even necessary? This medication is too cheap, it is generic, so no pharmaceutical company is willing to foot the bill on something unprofitable, so it must be done by a university or through a government agency.

It is not that daring a thing to do. Here is a result of a COVID-19 study with more than 6,200 physicians in 30 countries.

The three most commonly prescribed treatments among COVID-19 treaters are 56% analgesics, 41% Azithromycin, and 33% Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine usage among COVID-19 treaters is 72% in Spain, 49% in Italy, 41% in Brazil, 39% in Mexico, 28% in France, 23% in the U.S., 17% in Germany, 16% in Canada, 13% in the UK and 7% in Japan
Hydroxychloroquine was overall chosen as the most effective therapy among COVID-19 treaters from a list of 15 options (37% of COVID-19 treaters)
- 75% in Spain, 53% Italy, 44% in China, 43% in Brazil, 29% in France, 23% in the U.S. and 13% in the U.K.
The two most common treatment regimens for Hydroxychloroquine were:
- (38%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 400 mg daily for five days
- (26%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 200mg twice daily for four days
Outside the U.S., Hydroxychloroquine was equally used for diagnosed patients with mild to severe symptoms whereas in the U.S. it was most commonly used for high risk diagnosed patients
Globally, 19% of physicians prescribed or have seen Hydroxychloroquine prophylactically used for high risk patients, and 8% for low risk patients.

And this is a very recent tweet from president Donald Trump, without which frequent and persistent recommendation this drug combination would have already been approved, as it is in at least 12 other countries.

May 12, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and two chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 12: Acts 23, 2 Samuel 21, 2 Samuel 22 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 23, Paul gave his message before the Sanhedrin, which led to the plot to kill Paul. Paul was then sent to Felix under heavy guard.

2 Samuel 21. David Avenged the Gibeonites, and a couple of the Philistine Giants were destroyed, especially Goliath (not the one you think).

2 Samuel 22, the recording of David’s song of praise.

A final? verse on the Obama impeachment song; the new hashtag #obamagate, remember it before it is taken down.

Yesterday I learned a new word, obamagate, to compare the coup attempt against President Donald Trump with Richard Nixon’s “Third rate burglary” , called Waterecause gate.

It quickly caught on, and at 9 am today had 3. 43 million tweets. Since then it is diminishing fast:

The time for impeachment is over, but here is verse 100 to the Obama impeachment song: (Obama singing)

Twitter trends: ‘Obamagate’

Please take it down, it’ll seal my fate.

All because of my Trump hate;

the coup failed, and now it is checkmate.

the other 99 verses here

May 11, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and two chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 11: Acts 22, 2 Samuel 19, 2 Samuel 20 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 22, Paul gave his salvation testimony to the Jerusalem crowd in the Aramaic language. When Paul mentioned the stoning of Stephen and that he preached also to the Gentiles the crowd wanted him killed right away. Paul claimed that he was a Roman citizen, so the next day he was ordered to stand before the Sanhedrin.

2 Samuel 19. David mourned for Absalom, and returned to Jerusalem where he showed mercy to Shimel, Mephibosheth, and also Barzillai, but he preferred to die in his own country. The tribe of Judah and the ten tribes of Israel quarreled about whose King David was.

2 Samuel 20 records the rebellion of Sheba.

May 10, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we continue with one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and two chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 10: Acts 21, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 18 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 21. On the way to Jerusalem Paul was warned everywhere by the Holy Spirit not to go, but Paul continued unmoved, and people finally gave up, saying ‘The Lord’s will be done’. Paul was urged to make peace and purify himself with four other Jews that had taken a vow, which he did. A mob was stirred up anyway and Paul was arrested in the Temple. Because Paul was a Roman citizen he was allowed to address the Jerusalem mob.

2 Samuel 17 tells of the advice of Hushai to Absalom. Hushai also warned David to escape, which he did, and some people provided food and supplies for David and his men.

2 Samuel 18. Absalom suffered an inglorious death (read about it). David heard of Absalom’s death and mourned for Absalom.

Make a nationwide clinical test of using the combination Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin + Zinc for five days to treat COVID-19 patients. It will save lives!

The five worst and the five best states of Covid-19 death rates versus percent of population tested:

Michigan 9.48% death rate and 2.4% of population tested

2. Connecticut 8,87% 3.1%

3. New York 7.80% 5.6%

4. Lousiana 7.23% 4.4%

5. New Jersey 6.55% 4.4%

….

46. Tennessee 1.66% 3.4%

47. Nebraska 1.17% 2.0%

48. Wyoming 1.08% 2.1%

49. Utah 1.03% 4.3%

50. South Dakota 0.98% 2.4%

Beside from the obvious fact that the five worst states are all run by Democrat Governors and the five best state are all run by Republicans, these are my observations:

Why Connecticut is second on the list I don’t know, but Hartford County has a problem with a death rate over 10%

The problem with Louisiana is that it let Mardi Gras proceed and people came, did their thing and went back to where they came from, often to under-served areas.

New Jersey is next to New York. Need I say more?

On the other hand, the five best states concentrated their efforts to protect the at risk people, concentrating on hygiene and social distancing rather than trying to micromanage the healthy population. There seem to be no improvement in the outcome by adding testing. In addition the death rate among the five worst states is still rising, whereas the death rate in the five best states is declining.

Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, the state with the best outcome so far did order a clinical test of using the combination Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin + Zinc for five days and that may be the reason the death rate is less than 1 percent. Unfortunately the FDA is concerned that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are being used inappropriately to treat non-hospitalized patients for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or to prevent that disease. Quote:” We authorized their temporary use only in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 when clinical trials are not available, or participation is not feasible, through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). These medicines have a number of side effects, including serious heart rhythm problems that can be life-threatening.”

It is very important the drug is administered as early as possible. By the time the patient is admitted to a hospital it may be too late. Especially if the patient is already on a ventilator it may do more harm than good.

It is not that daring a thing to do. Here is a result of a COVID-19 study with more than 6,200 physicians in 30 countries.

The three most commonly prescribed treatments among COVID-19 treaters are 56% analgesics, 41% Azithromycin, and 33% Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine usage among COVID-19 treaters is 72% in Spain, 49% in Italy, 41% in Brazil, 39% in Mexico, 28% in France, 23% in the U.S., 17% in Germany, 16% in Canada, 13% in the UK and 7% in Japan
Hydroxychloroquine was overall chosen as the most effective therapy among COVID-19 treaters from a list of 15 options (37% of COVID-19 treaters)
- 75% in Spain, 53% Italy, 44% in China, 43% in Brazil, 29% in France, 23% in the U.S. and 13% in the U.K.
The two most common treatment regimens for Hydroxychloroquine were:
- (38%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 400 mg daily for five days
- (26%) 400mg twice daily on day one; 200mg twice daily for four days
Outside the U.S., Hydroxychloroquine was equally used for diagnosed patients with mild to severe symptoms whereas in the U.S. it was most commonly used for high risk diagnosed patients
Globally, 19% of physicians prescribed or have seen Hydroxychloroquine prophylactically used for high risk patients, and 8% for low risk patients.

May 9, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and two chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 9: Acts 20, 2 Samuel 15, 2 Samuel 16 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 20. Paul left Ephesus and ministered in Greece for 3 months, left Greece and ministered at Troas, where on the last day there he preached on and on and a young man fell down from a third floor window and died, but was revived by Paul. Undaunted Paul continued preaching until daybreak, then he left and went to Miletus. From there he called the Ephesian Elders and when they arrived he exhorted them, said farewell and told them he would never see them again.

2 Samuel 15. Absalom revolted against David, and David escaped from Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 16 tells of Mephibosheth’s servant. Shimel sided with Absalom and cursed David. Absalom listened to the advice of Ahithopel, a supposed man of God.

May 8, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and two chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 8: Acts 19, 2 Samuel 13, 2 Samuel 14 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 19. Paul took the land route to Ephesus, where he met believers that had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. For two years Paul did many miracles there and did defeat evil Spirits, all to glorify Christ. Paul and the many believers were bad for business, which was the idol worship of Artemis (Diana). This led to the riot at Ephesus.

2 Samuel 13 details the seedy story of Amnon and Tamar, all within David’s family. David’s son Absalom then killed Amnon, after which Absalom fled to Geshur.

2 Samuel 14. Absalom returned to Jerusalem, and David forgave Absalom.

May 7, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in the Acts of the Apostles and three chapters in 2 Samuel.

May 7: Acts 18, 2 Samuel 10, 2 Samuel 11, 2 Samuel 12 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Acts 18. Paul left Athens and went to Corinth where he stayed a year and a half, teaching many in the city, among them Priscilla and Acquila. The three of them went to Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Acquila and went to Antioch. Priscilla and Acquila met Apollos, a learned man preaching the baptism of John. “When Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

2 Samuel 10. David defeated the Ammonites and when they fled David defeated the Arameans (Syrians).

2 Samuel 11 is very important, it tells of David and Bathsheba, and how he had her husband Uriah killed in battle. This displeased the LORD.

2 Samuel 12. Nathan confronted David about his sin and David Confessed: “I have sinned against the LORD.” It tells of the death of David’s son with Bathsheba, after which a second son, Solomon was Born to Bathsheba. Finally, the chapter reverts back to war and Rabbah, a city of the Ammonites, was Captured.