This Too Shall Pass

But WTF!

In 2026, the U.S. has confirmed 2,318 measles cases, more than the previous twenty-five years combined. In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. due to a strong vaccination program. Texas currently has thirty-two cases of New World Screwworm, and New Mexico has one confirmed case. The pest was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, but is quickly spreading, as other states are now preparing to battle a fly that can destroy entire livestock herds. Measles, screwworms, and now explosive diarrhea – what other nightmarish hell is awaiting us this year? Cyclosporiasis cases generally average around 2,800 annually, but the CDC is monitoring 4,100 confirmed cases and as many as 11,500 likely cases across 41 states. The last major outbreak was in 2019 with about 4,700 infections. I’m not positing any linkage but just saying that the same person was President in 2019 as now!

One year ago, gas prices averaged $3.15/gallon; today, according to AAA, the average is $4.11/gallon. Food prices have increased by an average of 3% since last year. The price of eggs has declined, but the price of orange juice is up 26%, and beef prices are 22% higher. The gutting of Medicaid programs has increased the number of uninsured by 1.3 million people this year. An estimated 170,000 additional individuals may become homeless under Trump administration policies. Approximately 250,000 individuals (mostly children) lost WIC benefits in the last year. Over the past year, four million Americans, including at least one million children, have lost SNAP benefits. But all is not lost. Trump and his family have made $4.2 billion since his inauguration. The estimate varies depending on the source and what is included, with some estimates being closer to $10 billion.

None of the above is shocking or new to most of you. It has, however, been heavily weighing on me recently. I really do need to limit my intake of news! Along with work and family-related issues, I have been in a summer slump. I imagine you may also confront this demon occasionally. It is hard to focus on anything when everything is bad. We are in a war (regardless of what Trump wants to call it) that the current leadership has no idea how to end. We have become the pariah of our neighbors. Rather than offer assistance to Canada, the solution is more tariffs. Our European friends have decided that they can do without us – maybe because we keep threatening to take over Greenland. Someone thought it was a good idea to potentially allow Saudi Arabia to have access to nukes. It is simply too much.

And when it is too much, you should have a dinner party. Last evening, seven of us ate too much, drank Champagne, and commiserated with one another. It was lovely. I can steal optimism from some, share the dismay and grief of others, and realize that it is in community that we find peace. Community can look different for each of us – family, work colleagues, or friends – but community is essential. The simple bouquet of sunflowers brought by a guest changed my perspective. Thank you to those six other people from last night – you know who you are. Remember it is together that we survive and thrive – find your tribe.

LeAnn

My lovely sunflowers from last evening.

References and Suggested Reading:

AAA Fuel Prices. https://gasprices.aaa.com/.

Crawley, Mike. “How Trump and His Family Keep Profiting from His Presidency.” CBC News, 22 May 2026. CBC.ca, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-businesses-profit-stock-trading-crypto-investments-9.7207238.

Dunbar, Marina. “More than 1 Million Children Lost Access to Food Benefits after Trump Bill Passed.” The Guardian, 25 July 2026. US News. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/25/food-stamps-children-trump.

From Truman’s Pension to Trump’s Billions - a White House Windfall Unmatched by Any President. 1 July 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70yk07vq0po

“Graphic: How Grocery Prices Have Changed since Trump Took Office.” NBC News, 8 July 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/grocery-price-tracker-inflation-trends-eggs-bread-trump-administration-rcna257424.

“Key Facts about the Uninsured Population.” KFF, 16 June 2026, https://www.kff.org/uninsured/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/

“Measles Elimination Status: What It Is and How the U.S. Could Lose It.” KFF, 7 Apr. 2026, https://www.kff.org/other-health/measles-elimination-status-what-it-is-and-how-the-u-s-could-lose-it/.

“Outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite linked to 4 more states.” PBS, 24 July 2026, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/outbreak-of-diarrhea-causing-parasite-linked-to-4-more-states.

Tomlinson, Sarah. “Colorado Prepares for Screwworms, as the Pest That Was Eradicated in 1966 Returns to the US.” The Conversation, 24 July 2026, https://doi.org/10.64628/AAI.ccurftvhv.

Trump Family Digital Grift Wealth Tracker | The U.S. House Committee on Oversight. https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/trump-family-corruption-tracker.

“Trump Order to Criminalize Homelessness Sparks Alarm.” Penn LDI, 7 May 2026, https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/trump-order-to-criminalize-homelessness-sparks-alarm/

US Sees Highest Number of Measles Cases in 35 Years. 24 July 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36dw75dkw5o.

WIC Participation Declines Leave Vulnerable Families More Exposed as Congress Targets Fruit and Vegetable Benefits – NCCP. https://www.nccp.org/publication/wic-participation/.