April 1, 2020 — Many emergency room workers remove their clothes as soon as they get home — some before they even enter. Does that mean you should worry about COVID-19 transmission from your own clothing, towels, and other textiles?
While researchers found that the virus can remain on some surfaces for up to 72 hours, the study didn’t include fabric. “So far, evidence suggests that it’s harder to catch the virus from a soft surface (such as fabric) than it is from frequently touched hard surfaces like elevator buttons or door handles,” wrote Lisa Maragakis, MD, senior director of infection prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System.
for the complete article: webmd.com/lung/news/20200401
The Reflecting Pool was designed by architect Henry Bacon as part of the Lincoln Memorial complex and the broader 1901 McMillan Plan for the National Mall, which envisioned a grand axial layout connecting key monuments. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1923, shortly after the Lincoln Memorial’s dedication in 1922 The pool measures approximately 2,030 feet long and 167 feet wide, with a depth ranging from 18 inches at the edges to 30 inches in the center, holding roughly 6.75 million gallons of water Its long, narrow rectangular form was inspired by classical sacred pools, creating a reflective surface that mirrors the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the surrounding landscape
Structural Challenges
The pool was originally built on marshland supplemented with dredged material from the Potomac River, without a proper underlying support structure. Over decades, the heavy structure gradually sank into the soft ground, leading to leaks and water loss of up to 500,000 gallons per week by the 1980s. Temporary fixes, such as pouring concrete into the bottom, were insufficient, and the pool’s structural integrity continued to deteriorate.
Restoration and Modernization
A major restoration project began in November 2010 and lasted 18 months, costing over $30 million The reconstruction involved draining the pool, removing most of the original structure, and installing over 2,100 timber pilings sunk into the ground to stabilize the basin The water system was modernized to circulate water from the Tidal Basin, replacing the previous potable water supply, and paved walking paths were added to prevent erosion The restoration preserved the pool’s reflective quality while ensuring long-term structural stability.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The Reflecting Pool has been the site of numerous historic events. Most notably, it framed Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington, hosting over 250,000 people. It has also been central to presidential inaugurations, civil rights demonstrations, memorial services, and public celebrations, including the 2009 Obama inauguration. Its reflective surface not only enhances the visual impact of the Lincoln Memorial but also serves as a symbolic mirror of American ideals, continuity, and civic engagement
Legacy
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool remains a vital ceremonial and aesthetic feature of the National Mall, blending classical design with democratic symbolism. Its history reflects both the engineering challenges of building on marshland and the cultural importance of public spaces in American history, making it a landmark of both architectural and social significance
Sources: daveslocker.net, wiki, history.com, image from mallhistory.com
Mon, Jun 23, 11:00 AM PDT to Wed, Jun 24, 11:00 PM PDT
What
Hot conditions with high temperatures between 85 to 95 are expected and low temperatures between 55 and 65. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
Where
Eastern Kitsap County, City of Seattle, Downtown Everett / Marysville Area, Eastside, Foothills and Valleys of Central King County, Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties, Foothills and Valleys of Snohomish and Northern King Counties, Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties, and Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area.
When
Until 11 PM PDT Wednesday.
Impacts
Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
Additional Details
Temperatures will peak on Tuesday in the upper 80s to low 90s, but remain in the upper 80s on Wednesday.
Summary
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. For sheltering information and other human services in your area, dial 2 1 1 during business hours or visit wa211.org anytime.
Mon, Jun 22, 11:00 AM PDT to Wed, Jun 24, 11:00 PM PDT
What
Hot conditions with high temperatures in the 80s today and Wednesday, with highs in the lower 80s to lower 90s on Tuesday. Low temperatures in the mid-50s to lower 60s. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
Where
Eastern Kitsap County, City of Seattle, Downtown Everett / Marysville Area, Eastside, Foothills and Valleys of Central King County, Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties, Foothills and Valleys of Snohomish and Northern King Counties, Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties, and Shoreline / Lynnwood / South Everett Area.
When
From 11 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT Wednesday.
Impacts
Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.
Summary
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. For sheltering information and other human services in your area, dial 2 1 1 during business hours or visit wa211.org anytime.
On June 22, 1944, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill, an unprecedented act of legislation designed to compensate returning members of the armed services—known as G.I.s—for their efforts in World War II.
As the last of its sweeping New Deal reforms, Roosevelt’s administration created the G.I. Bill (officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) hoping to avoid a relapse into the Great Depression after the war ended. FDR particularly wanted to prevent a repeat of the Bonus March of 1932, when 20,000 unemployed veterans and their families flocked in protest to Washington. The American Legion, a veteran’s organization, successfully fought for many of the provisions included in the bill, which gave returning servicemen access to unemployment compensation, low-interest home and business loans, and—most importantly—funding for education.
June 21, 2018, is the longest day of the year in most time zones in the Northern Hemisphere. Here are 11 facts you might not know about the June solstice.
In the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the longest day of the year in terms of daylight, the June solstice is also called the summer solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, it is the shortest day of the year and is known as the winter solstice.
2. First Solstice of the Year
Solstices happen twice a year – in June and December. The June solstice happens around June 21, when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. The December solstice takes place around December 21. On this day, the Sun is precisely over the Tropic of Capricorn.
Solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning Sun and sistere, meaning to come to a stop or stand still. On the day of the June solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. At that moment, its zenith does not move north or south as during most other days of the year, but it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again.
The opposite happens during the December solstice. Then, the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky – Tropic of Capricorn – stands still, and then reverses its direction towards the north.
…all over the world. Technically, the June solstice is the exact instant of time when the Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer. In 2018, this will happen on June 21 at 11:07 UTC.
Even though most people consider June 21 as the date of the June solstice, it can happen anytime between June 20 and June 22. June 22 solstices are rare – the last June 22 solstice in UTC time took place in 1975 and there won’t be another one until 2203.
…depending on who you ask. Astronomers and scientists use the date of the June solstice to mark the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. For meteorologists, on the other hand, summer began almost three weeks ago, on June 1.
In many Northern Hemisphere cultures, the day is traditionally considered to be the mid-point of the summer season. Midsummer celebrations on or around the Northern summer solstice are common in many European countries.
7. The Earth is Farthest from the Sun
One might think that since it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is closest to the Sun during the June solstice. But it’s the opposite. The Earth is actually farthest from the Sun during this time of the year. In fact, the Earth will be on its Aphelion a few weeks after the June solstice.
The Earth’s distance from the Sun has very little effect over the Seasons on Earth. Instead, it the tilt of Earth’s rotational axis, which is angled at around 23.4 degrees, that creates seasons.
The direction of Earth’s tilt does not change as the Earth orbits the Sun – the two hemispheres point towards the same direction in space at all times. What changes as the Earth orbits around the Sun is the position of the hemispheres in relation to the Sun – the Northern Hemisphere faces towards the Sun during the June solstice, thus experiencing summer. The Southern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun and therefore enjoys winter during this time.
Even though the June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, most places do not see the earliest sunrise of the year on this day. The earliest sunrise happens a few days before, and the latest sunset takes place a few days after, the June solstice.
In the Southern Hemisphere, where this day marks the winter solstice, the earliest sunset happens a few days before the solstice, and the latest sunrise occurs a few days after it.
This happens because of the imbalance between time measured using clocks and time measured by a sundial. Read more
9. Not Usually the Hottest Day of the Year
In fact, the hottest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere usually comes a few weeks or sometimes months after the solstice. This is because it takes time for the oceans and landmasses to warm up, which again allows for higher air temperatures. This phenomenon is called the delay or lag of the seasons.
The June solstice is the only day of the year when all locations inside the Arctic Circle experience a continuous period of daylight for 24 hours. Due to atmospheric refraction, however, the midnight sun is visible for a few days before and on the June solstice from areas as far as 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of the Arctic Circle. As one moves further north of the Arctic Circle, the number of days with the Midnight Sun increase.
On the Antarctic Circle, there are 24 hours of nighttime on the June solstice. Just as with the Northern Hemisphere, any location south of the Antarctic Circle has Polar Night several days before the June solstice.
11. It’s Celebrated Around the World
The June solstice holds a special place of celebration in many cultures. People around the world celebrate the day with feasts, picnics, dance, and music.
ce suggests that it’s harder to catch the virus from a soft surface (such as fabric) than it is from frequently touched hard surfaces like elevator buttons or door handles,” wrote Lisa Maragakis, MD, senior director of infection prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System.
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