Coronavirus -- Unanswered Questions

"Develop a Vaccine and Vaccinate"

Said and done -- by the previous administration and continued by the present illegitimate administration (More later, probably).  But there were always questions and, some, still remain. 

1. Wear face masks and maintain two-metre distancing.  Sufficiently done, but with much complaining.
2. Close all public venues, i.e., stores and restaurants ... and hair salons, except grocery stores.  Sufficiently done, and physical fighting developing. 
3. Distribute vaccines ... months behind schedule, with uncertainty of second doses.
4. And politically-inspired conspiracy theories :

• Bats in and out of a wet-market near to the Wuhan laboratory ... proven unlikely.

•  Bungling, incompetent scientists at the Wuhan laboratory ... highly likely. 

•  A coronavirus being "weaponized" and, now, proven to be highly efficient.

• Funded by the US government (See Dr. Fauci). 

•  "Why on Earth would China weaponize a virus within their own country liable to kill their own people?"  (Dr. Fauci)  Obvious answer, long-range cruise missiles, etc. 

•  Note;  All staff at the Wuhan laboratory are PLA personnel supervising civil scientists from China, US, and Europe. 

 Let us pray.  🙏 

A World Order

There are signs of a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel for the  mysterious coronavirus pandemic, and some amongst us are redirecting our thoughts to the increasing threat of Chinese world dominance.  

This morning, I found myself moving my viewpoint.  I remembered studies of the global population rate of growth — to be more accurate, the decreasing rate of growth.  Global demographic trends indicate a serious change in world order by the 22nd century.  I know … dust to dust, etc. 

Thus, perhaps, the Chinese world dominance idea needs to be rethought. There is a very obvious decline in the rate of population growth in China … certainly, if we ignore the rape of Uyghur women by Han Chinese [Sorry, I couldn’t resist that].  But, I don’t wish to focus on the human rights issue, at this moment.

A serious declining rate of population growth is well documented, not only in China, but also in Japan … and many countries globally.  There is just one exception — Islamic countries.  Muslim birth rates are exceeding forecasts by unusual numbers for religious and political reasons. 

The extraordinary picture that I wish to share with you, now, is one where an Islamic muezzin can be seen screaming from the rooftops of Buddhist temples, and also from the steeples of Christian cathedrals.

Yes, a change in the world order — religious and political — that we haven’t really envisaged. 

Japanese Sexism

 Why Japan can't shake sexism

A short while ago, Yoshiro Mori, the Tokyo Olympic boss, made global headlines when he stated at a Japanese Olympic Committee meeting that women talked too much.  A week later, he resigned, and was replaced by a, younger, female executive.  

Companies criticised Mr Mori’s comments, but some of them have less than 1% female board members — something that needs to change — but to what affect.  Could this be just the tip of the iceberg.  

The topic of gender equality keeps making headlines in Japan, for all the wrong reasons. Indeed, just a few days after Mori resigned, the ruling party hit the news again by announcing that, while it was willing to allow women to attend its all-male board meetings, they would not be allowed to speak.  

These incidents coincide with a steady drop by Japan in global gender equality rankings; the World Economic Forum describes the country’s gender gap as the largest amongst advanced economies. 

An entrenched division of labour has impacted population growth. Some women, faced with the prospect of giving up work or stepping off the career track when they have children, are having fewer children, or none at all. Japan’s birth rate is currently at a record low. Its marriage rate is also plummeting – one factor there is that men worry they can’t support a family on just their salary. 

Japanese society’s unspoken etiquette: in general, people don’t get into arguments, particularly with their elders. Japan is a country where people find it difficult to speak out regardless of your age or gender, it is said, If you do, you could be seen as selfish. 

It’s the Japanese concept of “reading the air” – kuuki o yomu  in Japanese. Even if you find someone’s remarks sexist, many choose not to confront the issue, so that the situation doesn’t become awkward. In the past, even if these leaders were criticised, they were able to apologise. 

I must close, for the moment, with a related comment that is not discussed or debated.  The Japanese ancient culture is quite unique and, in my view, should be preserved.  Dropping Japanese demographics will introduce, so-called, multiculturalism.  Should there be some concern that within a few more generations, the clam, serene, Buddhist temple culture will be replaced by the amplified voice of a muezzin. 

Have you noticed how the unaddressed subject of immigration appears everywhere.

My Personal Virus Pandemic

How far back in time do we need to go to see a picture of my personal story of vaccination.  It is interesting what one remembers about World War II.  Dad was in Germany, or was it Belgium, probably both.  Mum was at home juggling the coupons in the ration books, and I was playing with our white terrier dog — interestingly, I can’t remember that we ever went for a walk.  Food was grown in the garden, and there was a milk and a butcher’s shop.  I remember rabbits hanging from the ceiling, and the butcher saying that it was easier if the rabbits were alive when he skinned them, at least that’s what he told me.  Later, the milk was delivered by a man wearing a blue and white apron that he wore in the shop, sometimes he had a battery-powered van … the milk was topped with cream in those days.

Vaccinations were commonplace then.  Supposedly, there were good reasons for vaccination;  measles, smallpox, polio — all with blunt needles, unlike today.  Even when I joined the Royal Air Force it continued … there were more overseas appointments at that time.

Wow, have I digressed (again).

Later, when teaching in China (PRC) in 2002,  there was an epidemic of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).  There was very little panic — we were confined to campus for one week, and I don’t remember face masks.  In fact, I had forgotten about it until CoviD-19 arrived in Canada. 

My Covid-19 Theory

I have a theory.  As someone who always takes advantage of the yearly influenza vaccination, I believe that each time the body’s immune system develops protection from disease, although a specific disease is the purpose of the vaccine, the immune system, to a lesser degree,  can effect other diseases.  Therefore, although the flu is a coronavirus-like disease, vaccination against it may have a protectional ability with the CoviD-19 disease.  I don’t have access to the data, but it would interest me what percentage of those who died had a current flu vaccination — not to mention the overall health of the victim.

My theory becomes important when there is further examination of the vaccines — not the manufacturer, per se, but in comparison by disease.  Specifically, in my experience, the flu vaccine.  In 2020, my pharmacist said that he was giving me the 2019 vaccine because the 2020 variant had run out.  This must, importantly, cause a question of immediate efficacy.  Being healthy, it seemed to have been effective for me.  BUT the flu virus is fairly stable in comparison to Covid-19.  There are minor differences in the molecular composition of each vaccine, and these differences will become less in the future (An example of the expedited research and development).  Nevertheless, already the virus has morphed into other forms that complicate efficacy (To be continued).

Therefore, face masks become part of long-term care … for everyone.

China -- America's True Enemy Within

 

"China maintains controlling interest in over 2,400 American companies, including some of the very largest."

Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo