Friday, July 03, 2026

Shelter In-Place COVID-19 Blog June 2026

California issued shelter in-place orders on Tue Mar 17, 2020. I have been logging the highlights and lowlights. June might be the month I spent the most hours out of the house post-pandemic.

Tue Jun 2. I voted by submitting my mail-in ballot at the West Valley Library.

Wed Jun 3. Shopped at Costco and Costco Business Center. I got gas at Chevron.

Mon Jun 8. Shopped at Lucky first thing in the morning. The store was dead.

Sun Jun 14. Ate lunch at Chicken Meets Rice. Shopped at Costco.

Tue Jun 16. Shopped at Kohl's first thing in the morning.

Fri Jun 19. Shopped at Safeway.

Sat Jun 20. Ate lunch at The Olive Garden.

The Director Of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released documents on Dr. Anthony Fauci and COVID-19. The documents included declassified documents Fauci with a conflict of interest as an outside reviewer. Fauci downplayed or diverted the lab-leak theory of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China. The lab was the location of the COVID-19 virus. Fauci funded research into coronavirus in Wuhan. And Fauci lied to Congress. Further, the document stated the CIA knew the Wuhan Institute Of Virology staff became ill in late 2019. Also, China cleaned the Huanan Seafood Market which destroyed clues how the pandemic began.

Sun Jun 21. Ate a quick lunch from Nijiya.

Wed Jun 24. Visited the dentist for routine cleaning. Errands at Safeway and Lucky. Walked inside the new Campbell Library.

The COVID-19 study blocked by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) was published by JAMA Network Open. The study analyzed the 2025-2026 vaccine effectiveness for adults aged 18 and over with good immune systems during fall and winter 2025. The risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 declined by 55%. The risk of emergency visits or urgent care visits declined by 50%. The CDC blocked the publication in Apr 2026.

Fri Jun 26. Shopped at Lucky first thing in the morning.

Sun Jun 28. Shopped at Nob Hill

Tue Jun 30. Shopped at Lucky.

The Department Of Health And Human Services announced terminating emergency use authorization declarations for certain drugs and medical devices used to treat COVID-19. The declaration for drugs ends Jun 29, 2027. The declaration for medical devices ends Dec 26, 2026. The declarations were issued in 2020 to accelerate access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Throwback Blog: Work Sat Jan 10, 2015

Blogger's Note: Throwback blogs are blogs from my past. I start posting past blogs reflecting what I wrote. It's like my "A Second Look" blogs for which I give myself feedback.

Today's throwback blog is titled Work Sat Jan 10, 2015 written on Jan 10, 2015. I was a Data Entry Specialist contractor at a tech company making network servers. I supported a Senior Quality Reliability Engineer. I share my thoughts remembering the time in bullet format.

*I didn't take any vacation time during my six months. I worked on Dec 26, 2014. The company was closed on Dec 24-25, 2014.

*I never ate frozen hash browns for breakfast after my contractor was satisfied thereafter.

*I could have purchased a Calm Radio lifetime subscription for $300.00. I didn't pay because I thought Calm Radio goes out of business. Calm Radio still exists.

*A mistake I vowed never to repeat was waking up late. I must sleep early on the night before I work the next day.

*The language tone convinced me today I was unprofessional. Nobody cared about my commute. The commute text sounded like I complained too much. However, my job was data entry. The job was unexciting.

*The co-worker who was fired didn't know the Excel VLOOKUP function. Only God knew how she was hired. The interview process is more sales pitch or selling oneself and less knowledge and experience. My intuition tells me today's interview system incompetent workers are hired even though the interview exams should eliminate the unqualified candidates.

I forgot to mention security was present during the firing.

*"I met with the SAP administrator for a meeting explaining the SAP export problems. He explained he must follow a procedure including submitting an IT ticket and informing his management. I anticipated a long wait for the SAP enhancements. I'm required to test the enhancements in the development side."

There were procedures. Procedures were procedures. There were rules. Rules were rules. His department didn't revolve around my SAP export problems. I waited.

*". . . there are too many job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. Many job openings don't require lots of experience."

There are too few job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. I still believe many of the few job openings require little experience.

Wed Dec 31: I ate Safeway bagels for the first time working at the company. I purchased frozen hash browns for New Year's Day breakfast. I stored the hash browns in the coffee room freezer.

The audit continued today. Be slow. Be calm. I listened to music from calmradio.com. I checked my Facebook from time to time before lunch.

Thur Jan 1, 2015: Happy New Year. Company was closed.

Fri Jan 2: I arrived to work at 8:45am. I forgot to shave. The building was dead. I was ready to upload the audits from one of the vendors. It should be a smooth export to the SAP database. I spoke too soon. There were problems with the upload and there was a minor error on the interposer template. I emailed the SAP administrator documenting the problems with screenshots. I troubleshooted and corrected the interposer template. I listened to podcasts throughout the day. I listen to more podcasts and less music at work.

The cafeteria closed minutes after I ordered chicken tenders. One out of three stations and the salad bar were open.

Mon Jan 5: I experienced trouble waking up. I was ready physically. I wasn't ready mentally. My mind needed more rest. It was worth the additional rest waking up at 7am instead of 6am. I arrived to work at 9am.

I ate my granola bar in the coffee room. I small talked with the engineer I don't know his name from another department. The conversations included movies and our Christmas holiday.

I saw facility workers installing two cigarette receptacles at the court yard walking to the cafeteria.

My engineer emailed me more RMAs from another vendor to enter in the SAP database. The additional RMAs and the SAP export problems gave me optimism my contract is extended beyond four months.

Tue Jan 6: Another 9am-6pm workday. I was ready physically. I wasn't ready mentally. My mind needed more rest. The morning commute took 30 minutes. I experienced my first red light after El Camino Real. My prior morning commutes the intersections between El Camion Real and before my left turn were 100% green lights.

A co-worker was fired in my work area. It was the first time I was present during a firing. My past company firings I was informed after the employee exited the building. I gave her the extension cord I borrowed and I gave her my contact information. Other co-workers gave her their contact information. She was escorted by someone in human resources. A facilities worker pushed a cart to assist in taking her belongings. The three workers exited using the service elevator.

I met with the SAP administrator for a meeting explaining the SAP export problems. He explained he must follow a procedure including submitting an IT ticket and informing his management. I anticipated a long wait for the SAP enhancements. I'm required to test the enhancements in the development side.

My evening commute took 24 minutes. It was the first time my evening commute was shorter than my morning commute.

Wed Jan 7: Another 30 minute morning commute. I woke up at 7am for the third time in a row. I was awake mentally. I was still tired physically. I went to bed earlier last night. I must be adjusting from my holiday sleep schedule. I contemplated skipping the gym. No skip. I worked out at the company's gym.

Another worker entered the elevator area 3-5 seconds before me arriving to work. He held the elevator door open when I entered the elevator area. My thanks. I pay it forward the next time I'm ahead of another worker entering the elevator area.

Thur Jan 8: I was motivated to wake up at 6am because I want a 20 minute or less morning commute. Today's commute was 17 minutes.

My engineer told me more background story on the RMAs missing data points. He said the problems with the RMA data and the server component database existed before he started at the company. I thought about his story minutes after I sat at my cubicle. I realized why some job openings require lots of experience. One reason is the successful candidate must solve problems on day one. I'm guessing my engineer was hired because he has the experience to solve problems in quality control. On the other hand, there are too many job openings in today's tough job market requiring too much experience. Many job openings don't require lots of experience.

I exited the building at 5:15pm. There was still daylight. Daylight is getting longer.

Fri Jan 9: I continued with the audits. I continued listening to podcasts. I continued listening to KNBR 680AM at 3pm. There's no timetable when I complete the audits in full.

My engineer went home early because he had an appointment. He worked at home for the rest of the day.

Friday, June 26, 2026

Slow Down The Weekdays

Many people say they want the week to end quickly on Mondays. They want Saturday tomorrow. Many people change their desire on Saturday. They want the weekend to end slowly. They want another Saturday tomorrow. These people must change their desire from quickly to slowly on Monday.

Today's Information Age life is too fast. There is too much every day. We want more time. We need more time. More time is impossible. There is always 24 hours a day. No more. No less. Planet Earth can't rotate slower.

People must say they want the week to flow slowly. Take a deep breath. Be patient. Take your time. Do everything one at a time. No need to run to complete one responsibility. Walk to complete all responsibilities. Repeat on weekends. If people slow down and choose their responsibilities wisely, then stress levels decrease.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

People Fail Intentionally Or Unintentionally

Today's blog is an update on a past blog.

Update On A Past Blog

I write another thought on the blog I Did It Right written on Nov 14, 2013. I wrote I lived life correctly no matter the good times and the bad times, the successes and the failures, and the good lucks and the bad lucks. The blog was another reminder of growing up. I can't control everything. Never stop learning. Correct mistakes. Be grateful. Forgiveness.

I complete the plan. I follow the instructions. I adapt the system. I perform my job. I work everything correctly. Learning is finished. Training is completed. I'm sincere. I'm honest. The end result is failure.

There are 32 NFL football teams. Two of the 32 teams play for the NFL championship at the Super Bowl. The two teams' coaching staff create a plan. The two teams' players follow their instructions. The systems are established. All players know their jobs. They practice hard. One team wins. The other team loses. One team is successful. The other team and the 30 other teams not playing in the Super Bowl are failures.

An oversimplified hiring process for an open job position. 500 people apply for the job opening. 20% of the applicants qualify. 100 people remain. 20% of the applicants exceed the job requirements. 20 people remain. The hiring manager selects 6 candidates to interview. One candidate is hired. The other 499 people are not hired. The other 499 people fail for whatever reasons.

People can do everything correctly. People do fail. The people include me. The people include the reader. Most projects fail. Most businesses fail. Most relationships fail. Most people fail. Success is relative. Failure is absolute. Although, successful people can be wrong. Successful people can be lucky. Life is weird. Life is unfair.

There are false losers. I wrote about These Young People Are False Losers on Aug 7, 2022. These young people experience bad breaks and bad luck.

Monday, June 22, 2026

The School's Specialty Is Teaching ABCs And 123s

I think back from my kindergarten to my high school senior year. I listen to family stories their children attending K-12 schools. A school's specialty is education. There is nothing more. There can be less. Anything else is a bonus. The supplemental support is available on school campus such as counseling, college advice, nutrition, library services, and medical. School computers meet any minimum standards at best. Expectations should be low. The students receive a public education as a government service funded by the tax dollars. Students who want stronger supplemental learning or supplemental help should look outside the school campus.

Teachers are not the best at their subjects. Otherwise, the teachers aren't in the education field. If the teachers are the best, then they get promoted to an incompetent higher position. The Peter Principle applies in the education field. Likewise, the promotions include counselors, deans, administrators, principals, janitors, and school support staff. Furthermore, if a teacher teaches their students how to learn from making mistakes, the teacher must quit teaching school. Find a better job.

I have an understanding some students blame any teacher, support staff, or administrative staff for not solving their problems. They're not the best. It's the education system. Times have changed. Students and parents bear more responsibility to solve their own problems. Fortunately, in today's Information Age, there are online resources and information. Good luck.

Finally, what's today's public reaction if they saw the 1980s Public Service Announcement commercial Reach For The Power, Teach Teaching PSA, 1988 or 80s Teacher Commercial today? The commercial is not a representation of today's Information Age youth. The youth may be vomiting.

Update On A Past Blog

I Wasn't A Dumb Child After All and I Wasn't A Dumb Child After All. The two blogs were written on Apr 17, 2019 and Aug 3, 2013, respectively. The Apr 17, 2019 blog I realized my poor short-term memory falsely convinced me I was dumb. I learn. I forgot. I must be dumb.

The Aug 3, 2013 blog I blamed my parents because they were poor teachers. Let's be objective. Some people can't teach. Both my parents can't teach.

I wanted to learn. I wanted to succeed. I was motivated. Unfortunately, nobody taught me the skills to learn and to succeed in my childhood. I wanted to do well. I didn't learn flexibility. I didn't learn adaptability. I didn't learn frustration tolerance. I didn't learn problem solving. I worried too much. Nobody taught me to stop worrying too much.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Real Ramond Mar Correct Choice Is Still

The open choice continues today. The same choice real Raymond Mar is available. There's no change. I'm still a strong choice. Today's blog is an update on a past blog. I reflect past blogs on Raymond Mar from latest to earliest.

Update On A Past Blog

The statements against me dwindled from the The Real Raymond Mar Please Stand Up blog written on Dec 5, 2021. The real George Costanza is temporarily real. Nobody controls bad luck. I'm catching up narrowing the falling behind gap. I compensate my inherited weaknesses such as poor short-term memory and prone to hot temperatures. I'm reading faster. Recent successes are earned.

I Choose Raymond Mar Today written on Apr 9, 2020 is a yes 2,260 days later. The choice was a no beforehand.

Here's an update pic of me from the blog Raymond Mar 2015-2019 Looking Better written on Jan 5, 2020. I'm an example of a person who looks better aging.

The odds on favor are increasing. The payouts are higher. People who placed bets Bet On The Real Raymond Mar Coming Soon on Oct 4, 2014 being patient the long-term rewards pay off. I continue job searching, learning Python, reviewing Excel, working out physically, learning life skills, and completing housework. There's nothing to lose.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Wisdom I Shall Learn Tomorrow I Actually Learn Today

Blogger's note: Today's blog is posted at both Innovating Common Knowledge and Finding Raymond Mar.

The following wisdoms I shall learn in the future. One month later. One year later. Two years later. Or three years later. I learn the wisdoms today. I'm wiser beyond my years. My regular readers shall read these blogs soon.

1. Selective Maintenance. We choose what we maintain ourselves. We decide how we maintain ourselves. There is no correct way. There is no incorrect way.

2. A Nothing Person Doesn't Need Permanent Indoor Residence. The person is a nobody. He or she doesn't need a house or an apartment. Live in a car. Live outdoors.

3. Highest Grades For A High School Education Is A Lie. Grade point averages are important for college applications. Otherwise, high school grades are nothing in real life. A high school student with a 4.0 grade point average is nothing in real life. College life is another league. The workplace is another league. High school education ill-prepares high school graduates for real life. Moreover, the value of a high school diploma has been decreasing for decades.

4. There Is Love And War Every Minute. Love is who we want to be. War is who we really are. A single person is at war with himself or herself if he or she is not in love.

5. Depressed? You Might As Well Clean The Residence. A zero cost temporary cure is cleaning. Cleaning is an example of staying busy.

6. More People Fall Down Through The Cracks. More people are going to be unsuccessful through no fault of their own. Blame the systems.

7. Lonely With A Purpose. More people are lonely by choice. Finding good people to become friends or to become lovers has been getting harder at any age and recent generations. These people take their chances being alone.

8. Innovate Infinitely Is A Lie. The people who question infinite innovation are correct. The innovation returns are diminished the innovation should stop. Incompetence is front and center.

9. Smart People Are Stressed Out Or Smarter Not To Be Stressed Out. Why are some smart people stressed out? These people may not be as smart as they think.

10. No Complaining When Arrived Early. The early bird didn't complain getting the worm first.

11. It Works Out Most Of The Time. The sun rises in the morning. The moon rises in the evening. Life finds a way to make it happen for better or for worse.

12. The Theory Money Buys Happiness. The theory is true. Money. Buys. Happiness. Anyone who disagrees needs a brain scan.

13. Dependent On The Miracle. More people are dependent on the miracle to become successful in today's Information Age. I'm concern most of the miracle successes the receiver screws up.

14. I Forgive Myself For Being Stupid. Better late than never. I forgive all my past stupidity my fault and somebody else's fault. First party, second party, and third parties are forgiven.

15. The Bad Is The Truth. Truths don't care about feelings.

Update On A Past Blog

The Pareto Principle is the 80/20 rule or 80:20 rule. The law of the vital few. The principle of factor sparsity. 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes for many outcomes. Economist Vilfredo Pareto wrote about the 80/20 teaching at the University of Lausanne in 1906. Pareto showed that approximately 80% of the land in the Kingdom Of Italy was owned by 20% of the population.

The Preto Principle reminded me of the blog Today I Want To Talk About The Numbers Greater Than Zero And Less Than Or Equal To One written on Jun 17, 2020. I said, "My life is better if I have 20% more good luck." I also said, "It's my intuition and it's my opinion the world is a better place for everyone when there are small changes." A 20% positive change can affect 80% of a person's life. The short summary is any percentage change can become bigger changes than anticipated. A 20% change is one numerical percentage change.