Age of pandemics?

News blues…

From a South African perspective, an overview of Covid-19 with a focus on Long Covid and its effects. COVID-19: Our entrance into an age of pandemics. (16:45 mins)
Takeaway? “We need, as a world, to take on and be prepared for those next pandemics….”

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Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide 

Healthy futures, anyone?

Study of tree rings dating back to Roman empire concludes weather since 2014 has been extraordinary and recent European droughts 'worst in 2,000 years'

The series of severe droughts and heatwaves in Europe since 2014 is the most extreme for more than 2,000 years.
The study analysed tree rings dating as far back as the Roman empire to create the longest such record to date. Scientists said global heating was the most probable cause of the recent rise in extreme heat.
The heatwaves have had devastating consequences, causing thousands of early deaths, destroying crops and igniting forest fires. Low river levels halted some shipping traffic and affected the cooling of nuclear power stations. Climate scientists predict more extreme and more frequent heatwaves and droughts in future. 

Read more >> 

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In China, a massive sandstorm has combined with already high air pollution to turn the skies in Beijing an eerie orange, and send some air quality measurements off the charts.
Air quality indexes recorded a “hazardous” 999 rating on Monday as commuters travelled to work through the thick, dark air across China’s capital and further west. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Today, as I review one purchase offer for my mother’s house, another couple will tour the place and, potentially, make a competing offer.
It’s good (to appear ) to have options. I feel lighter in spirit.
The auction house pickup vehicle will arrive tomorrow morning to carry away yet another batch of material. I’ve still a long way to go to clear the garage and assorted sheds of miscellany (tools, planks, roofing, bags of coal (huh?), ropes of various sorts and gauges of wire….). Today is the day to finish preparations.
Alas, the gardener who, under ‘normal’ conditions is a natural ally to help with this task, remains ill.
About a month ago, he called in sick. I suspected Covid, but no, a doctor diagnosed either an ulcer or gastro enteritis – then settled on the latter.
Gastro “usually” resolves within a week, two at most. Our gardener – 38 years old - has been ill for 5 weeks. He’s lost at least 10kg/20lbs, his formerly round face is emaciated, his eyes dull, and he complains about weakness and pain in his knees and legs.
His prescribed medication is not helping. He shows few signs of regaining his health.
I sent him home early yesterday, after proposing a plan to which he’s agreed: he’d travel to the clinic and “insist” on an appoint for Wednesday. I’d pay for the appointment (amazing how much public health care here costs in both money and time…). Today, he’d arrive at the house an hour later than usual, help me sort goods to auction then he’d depart; that he’d not work tomorrow, instead get in line to wait for his doctor’s appointment. The friend for whom he’d usually work agreed to pay him for a sick day.
Let’s hope the doctor can pinpoint the ongoing, debilitating malady.
From my selfish point of view? What can go wrong, will go wrong. The gardener’s illness has dovetailed with the sale of this house – just when the house and garden ought to look its best, it is overcome with late summer weeds, long grass, and piles of “stuff” carried from my mother’s former life….

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Days getting shorter, nights getting longer:
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 9: sunrise 5:55am; sunset 6:21pm.
March 14: sunrise 5:58am; sunset 6:15pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.