Thursday, May 28, 2020

Notes on the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic



Updated 5/28/2020
The world is fighting a virus pandemic that is called COVID19. The first outbreak was is Wuhan, China around December of 2019. Emily and I traveled by train through China in May of 2019. One of the train stops was Wuhan, but we did not depart the train. The virus has spread rapidly throughout the world. It is the worst pandemic since the 1918 Spanish Flu. The first American death was in February 2020. Today, May 28, 2020, America recorded it’s 100,000 death. As of today, 1,680,913 Americans have been infected. Over 39 million Americans have become unemployed, more than double the unemployment of the great depression. As of today, worldwide 5.6 million people have been infected and over 350,000 have died.

Five Netflix One Amazon Recommendations 2020



Never Have I Ever
A very enjoyable coming of age series. It is an easy binge to watch season 1 in one evening. We follow the lead characters through sophomore year in high school. It is funny and touching.
Easy
A very sexy and often erotic series. Each episode introduces new characters that then reappear in later episodes. The episodes address same sex relationships, non-monogamous (swinging) relationships and other sexual experimentations. The series is very entertaining and bold. Highly recommend.
Ruby Sparks
Here is Rotten Tomatoes review of this very enjoyable film,
 Calvin (Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing - as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby (Kazan), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.” I love every film that Zoe Kazan is in. This is a very enjoyable and satisfying film.”
Masters of Sex (Season 4)
This is one of my favorite series based on the work of Masters & Johnson, sex researchers. Season 4 is a study in contracting gender roles. The women are treating sex in a manner that is expected of men (#metoo). The women are driven and use sex as a means for their advancement. They are also independent, competitive and risk taking. They initiate sex and sexual experimentation. The men seek understanding, cooperation and partnership. They put limits on sexual experimentation. They seek reassurance from their female partners. A very interesting study in stereotype gender role switch.
Season 4 was the final season before this series was cancelled. All 4 seasons are available on Netflix.
Our Souls at Night , NR, 2017
The reunion of Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. Our Souls at Night is set in Colorado and begins when Addie Moore (Jane Fonda) pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters (Robert Redford). She asks for a sleeping companion. This is the story of a late life relationship that seeks forgiveness for past mistakes. Heartwarming and worth the time.
Modern Love, Amazon Prime TV Series Based on essays from NY Times on love. There are different stories each week, different characters. Poignant, well written. 
5/21/20