The view today of the tall marigolds on the deck.

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“An overwhelming majority of Americans say the US response to coronavirus makes them feel embarrassed.” Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/7-in-10-americans-embarrassed-us-coronavirus-response-cnn-poll-2020-8

“Oleandrin, the coronavirus 'treatment' reportedly touted by Trump, comes from a plant so deadly it's been used to poison people. The substance is derived from the oleander plant, a highly poisonous shrub known for its use in real-life homicides as well as fictional murders. Oleandrin has been recommended as a "cure" by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who has a financial stake in the company developing the oleandrin product.” Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-oleander-trump-coronavirus-treatment-deadly-plant-poison-2020-8

Even touching the Oleander plant results in skin irritation or possibly dermatitis in those who are sensitive. "Nerium oleander is one of the most poisonous plants known, with all parts of the plant being toxic. Ingestion of just one leaf can cause heart attack and death," notes Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

“Dangerous Oleander Extract Not a COVID-19 Cure— It would definitely end up killing people" https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/publichealth/88126
However, “Phoenix Biotechnology director Andrew Whitney has said if he can't get oleandrin to market as a drug, he'll push for it as a dietary supplement.” Dietary supplements in the US are not regulated. Obviously some people are willing to kill to make a profit. COVID (along with a gullible public) gives the greedy an excuse.

Local News that made the National News: “August 19, 2020 at 11:09 a.m. CDT
A youth wrestling tournament is expected to attract thousands of wrestlers and spectators from 40 states to an indoor arena in Kansas City, Mo., despite a rising number of novel coronavirus cases in the area and warnings about indoor events being ideal places for the virus to spread.” The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/19/thousands-expected-indoor-wrestling-tournament-kansas-city-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/

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I only grow plants, where the dogs can reach, that are safe to eat. Marigolds could cause some tummy upset, but they're not going to cause serious illness for even a small dog.

Many, many years ago (through my interest in horticulture), I learned about the extreme toxicity of Oleander plants. The flowers are pretty, but they are not a plant I'd want in my garden. I also read (in murder mystery novels) about parts of the plant being used to kill people through poisoning. How strange - and frightening - that "the My Pillow guy" (backed my the current US president) is suggesting that Americans willingly ingest Oleander as a miracle cure. It's just like the president's scary idea of people taking disinfectant (like Lysol) internally. I hope no one is foolish enough to try this false (and dangerous) idea to ward off COVID-19. I may not be a medical expert, but poison is poison. Hopefully, Oleander does NOT now make it to store shelves as an unregulated "herbal supplement." But these days in America, anything is possible.

Meanwhile, I still find it hard to believe that the Marigolds I grew from seed are now 3 feet tall!!! I've never seen Marigolds so tall before. And to think, that they were supposed to not exceed 8 inches. Guess I didn't end up with the seed I thought I was buying back when America's lockdown first started. This Stay-at-Home stuff often puts people in the position to have to settle for whatever they get. But pandemic or no pandemic, I sure won't buy seed from that same company next year. My 12 inch "dwarf" Zinnias from them are also 3 feet tall and still growing taller.