Storm in a teacup

News blues…

Bheki Cele, SA Minister of Police,
under his signature Trilby hat.
Image: Esa Alexander 

Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, looks like a man who loves his work and has fun doing it. Yesterday, he warned creative South Africans about the sale of alcohol during Lockdown Level 3:

The non-sale of alcohol is the non-sale of alcohol - do not put alcohol in teapots in your restaurants or in bottles ... We know your tricks, don’t invite the police to come and check whether there is really Rooibos [tea] in there or there is something else in the teapot.

Further advice from Cele  >> 

***

More pithy advice from the front lines of the Battle against Covid:

“Some of us will die, but those left behind should continue the fight… Your chances of survival when arriving at a hospital will decided whether you are admitted to ICU or receive oxygen.” 

***

Eskom may have stumbled upon a load shedding schedule that least annoys South Africans: coincide load shedding with curfew.
Perhaps it’s the intense heat of the last few days, but electricity supply has been unreliable and We the People find ourselves suddenly in the dark. Electricity simply goes off – and comes back on – and goes off – and comes back on… Surely this defies the intention behind a schedule?
Yesterday, we learned at 3pm of a load shedding event from 22:00 to 5:00, aka 10pm to 5am.
Curfew extends from 21:00 to 6:00 for all medical, security, and essential workers.
Has Eskom hit upon perfect timing?
Perhaps Bheki Cele – and his Trilby – is working with Eskom to persuade South Africans to adhere to curfew? Stay home and drink Rooibos tea?

Healthy planet, anyone?

… and yet another climate-change-related crisis, this one a fatal freshwater skin disease in dolphins:

Dolphins are increasingly dying slow, painful deaths from skin lesions likened to severe burns as a result of exposure to fresh water, exacerbated by the climate crisis.
Researchers in the US and Australia have defined for the first time an emerging “freshwater skin disease” reported in coastal dolphin populations in the US, South America and Australia.
While cetaceans can survive in fresh water for short periods, sudden and prolonged exposure – such as when an animal becomes trapped, or the salinity of their habitat is affected by heavy rainfall – has been found to cause a form of dermatitis.
This progresses into ulcers and lesions that can affect up to 70% of the animal’s surface area, with the severity of a third-degree burn. 
“Their skin is just as sensitive as ours, and possibly even more so – it would be incredibly painful,” says Dr Nahiid Stephens, a veterinary pathologist at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, and co-author of the paper published in Scientific Reports journal. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

It’s been a long day of waiting for news on my mother’s health.
She underwent surgery to insert a metal pin into the neck of her femur (where upper leg bone fits into hip socket). The surgeon reported that all went well, and she could be returned to the Care Center as soon as today, tomorrow at the latest. All depends upon the negative result of Covid test. (The test was conducted on Monday, the day of her injury, and we’re still awaiting results.)
I’d be happy with delayed results keeping her in the hospital another day. I know, theoretically, that hospitals are the best dispensers of assorted infections, but they’re also not the Care Center where my mother is comfortable enough to complain ad nauseum. In hospital, a new environment, she’d have to work up the nerve to complain. Every day of her not complaining is a day of healing.

***

Jessica, The Dog, is depressed. Her pleasure at returning to the house, her old stomping-sniffing-roly-poly ground, has been accompanied by what looks like depression. She spent all day yesterday – 34C/95F temperature – in a part of the garden she once resorted to only when she was miffed or depressed.
Jessica is a dog sensitive to human – and dog – moods and emotions. As with many creatures with high degrees of sensitivity, Jessica shares - perhaps over-shares - her own emotionality.
She is, however, slowly settling.
I’ve decided – and the Care Center agrees – that Jessica should stay at the house until my mother is mobile enough for Jessica to return there. To all adhering to the philosophy of Common Sense, my mom is recovering from a fall and surgery and is in no shape to get out of bed to feed and walk the dog. Alas, there’s my mother’s version of reality: “Of course I can take care of Jessica. I want her back!” She’ll be unhappy without me!”
I dread telling my mother of this decision. Perhaps I should try to manipulate her into thinking she made the decision?
Manipulation is not in my comfort zone. I tend to take the direct approach – usually to my detriment. But I'm desperate. Perhaps, if I rose to the occasion I'd learn a new skill? Learning to manipulate also may increase my own psychological range.
At the very least, it would break the monotony of Lockdown.

Vigilance demanded

News blues…

President Ramaphosa’s update to the nation on South Africa’s Covid status: (38:00 mins)
Key takeaways:
More than 1 million infected and more than 27,000 dead, a rate of 50,000 new infections since Christmas Eve; new cases dire in KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape
New variant – 501.V2 - is well established in SA and it appears to be more contagious than first wave; it’s also fueled by super spreader events -
We’re all paying price for the lack of vigilance people displayed during the holidays: not masking, not sanitizing, not maintaining social distance, and hosting/attending public events that increase the risk of transmission
Alcohol contributes to risky behavior; also drives up trauma cases in hospitals; fewer restrictions on alcohol creates increased trauma cases in hospitals and puts unnecessary strain on hospitals already full; health care workers exhausted - and more than 41,000 health workers infected
A doctor wrote a letter stating: “We’re all going to pay for your inability to be responsible with our lives”
NCCC recommends Lockdown level 3, from midnight, to:

• Minimize risk of super spreader events
• Limit activities of infected persons showing no symptoms; decrease unsafe interactions; increase implementation of social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizing, and regular symptom checking
• Redirect scarce resources
• This includes all indoor and outdoor gatherings are prohibited for 14 days from midnight
• Funerals cannot be attended by more than 50 people
• Businesses must determine social distancing guidelines and limits
• Curfew: extended form 9 pm to 6am, nobody allowed outside during curfew except for medical, security, and essential workers
• Most businesses must be closed by 8pm
• Everyone must wear a cloth mask over nose and mouth in public. Adjusted level 3 makes every individual legally responsible for wearing a mask in public – compulsory for everyone and failure to do so will be considered an offence that could lead to arrest, fine and/or prosecution with up to 6 months in jail.
• Sale of alcohol: this industry is important but out priority is to save lives and protect health care system: every medical related item and person is needed to save lives so alcohol sale is prohibited except for some exceptions. This will be reviewed in next few weeks if there’s a sustained decline in alcohol-related incidents.
• Businesses may operate as long as health protocol are adhered to, except for alcohol related business.

Restrictions are in effect until January 15, 2021 when they will be reevaluated on the basis of state of pandemic
Hotspots subject to additional restrictions:

• Eastern Cape and Garden Route
• KZN: Durban,
• West Rand and Joburg
• Western Cape and Karoo
• North West
• Limpopo
• Beaches, dams, lakes, pools, closed to the public
• Parks: some open
• Minimize travel within districts and minimal social contact.

Vaccine update:
SA is part of global access – COVAX – with ZAR 283 million contribution already made. SA will be among first group of African countries to get vaccine, probably in the second quarter of 2021;
Need to build partnership between govt and business to augment resources to achieve herd immunity
Public must observe highest degree of vigilance and protect others
Avoid 3Cs: closed spaced, crowded area, contact with others

Play your part to defeat this pandemic
Instead of parties at new year, spend time with close family – no fireworks but light a candle for those who have lost their lives and the sacrifices made by all.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Late this afternoon I learned my mother, residing (unhappily) in the Care Center, had “fallen in the passageway.” This, after I’d visited her earlier in the day and found her fuzzy, confused, and focused on my brother, his well-being, his location, and his absence.
I drove to the Care Center to pick up the dog and arrived just as the ambulance was pulling out of the parking lot. I flagged it down and was able to talk, briefly, at my mom (she was in no shape to talk to me). I told her I would relate events to my brother and ask him get in touch with her… and that I was taking Jessica back to the house.
Due to surging Covid infections, the ambulance EMTs didn’t know if there would be a bed for her at local hospital - or where they’d take her if there was no bed.
I had to trust that they knew what they were doing.
I picked up Jessica’s food – the dog was freaked out – and talked to the Sister on duty. Apparently, mom – foggy as she was – got up, did not ring for assistance and used her walker to head down the passageway (to the bathroom?). She moved aside in the passageway to accommodate another resident and fell. Her leg was clearly damaged as it was at an unnatural angel.
We got Jessica in the car and I drove home.
Jessica looked very uncertain after she arrived. The other dogs were cautious and one, an officious beast at the best of times, looked ready to attack. That’s all I need: dog fights, dog emergency care at the vet, more dog hassles….
Last night, at 9pm, the hospital-based surgeon, phoned. My mother, he said, has what looks like a broken hip. Then he asked, “Is she usually this confused?”
I explained the events of the last week, mentioned that her regular doctor had taken her off her chronic blood thinner meds just last week in case of a fall.
The surgeon said he had no information at all on my mother’s medical history. Nothing in the way of background had accompanied her admission. All he had received was, "Elderly woman, fell, hurt her leg and may have hit her head."
In other words, the Care Center had sent her off without documentation. I know documentation exists as I’d filled out pages of forms on her medical history forms when my mom was admitted to the Center. Yet she had nothing to guide her medical care at the hospital. Moreover, shock and confusion meant she could provide nothing meaningful.
Covid mandates that no one can visit patients. So, my mother, scared, confused, has a broken hip that requires surgery that she cannot undergo until the surgeon contacts her GP to learn more about her medical history. She also requires a Covid test before she can be fully admitted to the hospital. And she’ll require another Covid test before she can be discharged back the Care Center.
After talking to the surgeon, I phoned the Care Center to request an appointment with the matron. Alas, the matron is “on leave and won’t be back until next week.”
“Well, who is in charge now?”
“Sister Liz.”
“No, I need to talk to someone with higher status than Sister Liz.”
Turns out no one is available.
I gave my email address and asked that a Trustee contact me.
Sending my mother off to hospital with no safeguarding documentation is a dereliction of care.
Emergency surgery on someone just recently off blood thinners could be fatal.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve let some things slide at the Care Center. For example, my mother was able to take too many pills last week - after the Center had said their care givers would dispense her pills to her.
True, my mother is stubborn, stuck in her ways, imperious, and sometimes quite unpleasant (I’ve been on beneficiary many times). But, Care Center personnel’s failure to provide minimal vigilance cannot be overlooked.

Countdown, 1

This strange and challenging year comes to a close with strange and challenging events…. Do We the People of the world have the will, the know-how, and the selflessness to steer a different direction for our mutual survival?
That is the question....

News blues…

South Africa surpasses milestone of 1 million cases of Covid infections. 
The world surpasses 80 million infections.
The US surpasses 19 million infections, almost double the infection numbers of India, the country with the next highest rate at 10 million.

***

• The president of the United State has, over his term, siphoned off more than US $10.5 million into his personal business.  
• As of Dec. 27, 2020 the same president of the United State has played golf 306 times since becoming President.  This, after chastising Obama for golfing far fewer times over two terms in office. 
• The same president of the United States has overtly ignored a raging pandemic, and potential mitigation measures. As of today

…there have been nearly 19 million recorded COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and more than 331,000 deaths nationwide.
December marked the deadliest month in the United States since the coronavirus pandemic began, with more than 63,000 COVID-19 deaths recorded nationwide during the month so far. 
April held the previous monthly record for the highest number of COVID-19 deaths, with at least 55,000 reported. The U.S. saw a steep incline in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the spring, followed by a sharp decrease over the summer. Those numbers began to increase again in the fall and have continued to surge into the winter.

*** 

© Meidas Touch

The Trump administration highlights the weakness of the American political bureaucracy. 

For now, the systems is holding (the dismissal of Trump’s claims of election fraud) but it is teetering. 

Trump has shown how to successfully manipulate a system whose “checks and balances” are designed to forestall such manipulations. 

With Joe Biden, the “go along to get along guy,” there is no reason to assume the next administration will do anything to check the flagrant abuses of Trump and his enablers.
The US system may be designed for checks and balances, but it depends solely on the combined and concerted will of Congress to ensure the system works. 

There’s no reason at all to expect the will of the current Congress to implement consequences and strengthen democracy.

On the positive side, at least humor remains. Thank you, Meidas Touch.

  

Healthy planet, anyone?

Hopeful directions:

The Air Company, based in New York, makes vodka from two ingredients: carbon dioxide and water. Each bottle that’s produced takes carbon dioxide out of the air. It has been chosen as one of the finalists in the $20m NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE, which aims to incentivise innovation in the field of carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

More news of hopeful directions >> 
On the other hand, “'It's as if we've learned nothing': alarm over Amazon road project.” 
Our planet is in desperate need of common sense, logic, and a change of direction. 

We’re running out of time….

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

It was too hot yesterday for outside activities. Turns out if was also too hot for inside activities. For several hours in the afternoon, Eskom failed to supply electricity. Eskom’s designed-to-inform app failed to inform, too.

Short and sweet Sunday

News blues…

Yes, SA's new coronavirus variant - 501Y.V2 – is rapidly displacing others; yes, data suggests it is highly transmissible; yes, according to experts it is “the dominant lineage of the second wave,”; yes, it likely transmits more easily; yes, younger people are more infected and [sicker] with it than any other variants. And, yes, hospitals are struggling and oxygen is in short supply. The latest SA news  …
What else do we need to know to convince us take all necessary precautions? Stay home. Wear a mask when away from home and keep your distance from others. It may not be enough, but think of it as not just you you’re protecting, it’s our entire community….

***

Meanwhile, even some conspiracy theorists, skeptics, and just plain nutty Americans are getting on the vaccine bandwagon.

Ever since the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine began last spring, upbeat announcements were stalked by ominous polls: No matter how encouraging the news, growing numbers of people said they would refuse to get the shot. The time frame was dangerously accelerated, many people warned. The vaccine was a scam from Big Pharma, others said. A political ploy by the Trump administration, many Democrats charged. The internet pulsed with apocalyptic predictions from longtime vaccine opponents, who decried the new shot as the epitome of every concern they’d ever put forth. But over the past few weeks, as the vaccine went from a hypothetical to a reality, something happened. Fresh surveys show attitudes shifting and a clear majority of Americans now eager to get vaccinated. 

In polls by Gallup, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Pew Research Center, the portion of people saying they are now likely or certain to take the vaccine has grown from about 50% this summer to more than 60%, and in one poll 73% — a figure that approaches what some public health experts say would be sufficient for herd immunity. 

Perhaps the spell of Trump, Trump-fever, is breaking? At last.

Healthy planet, anyone?

• Discovery of 'cryptic species' shows Earth is even more biologically diverse 
• How humans and small gardens help wildlife 
• Nature photos of the year 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

We’re moving from the rainy season to the swelter season. Today will be 34C/94F with 82 percent humidity. 

After decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, I sometimes wonder about my ability to handle weeks of KZN summer.

Holiday madness, 3

© National Geographic. 

Mother and daughter came up with a way to hug each other for the first time in two months. They hung a clothesline and pinned a drop cloth to it in the yard in Wantagh, New York. Then they embraced through the plastic.
“In spite of everything that we’re facing, we still look for ways to connect….”

News blues…

South Africa’s health minister criticises the travel bans, saying there is 'no evidence' new SA variant is more dangerous. 
Given the reluctance humans show, each day, for adhering to safety measures and preventing the rapid spread of Covid, I wonder why the health minister equivocates? A surging pandemic with a new, potentially more transmissible variant, is not the time to allow humans wiggle room, Minister Mkhize. Clamp down!

***

Are concerns regarding South Africa’s new coronavirus variant justified? 

Healthy planet, anyone?

Sensational! Volcanos for the holidays.
Hawaii: Kilauea Eruption Day Four - Rising Lava Lake Update (Dec. 24, 2020)  (3:50 mins)
Italy: Eruption of Mount Etna – in Italian, no subtitles but spectacular views. (Dec 23, 2020)  (2:30 mins)
Japan: Sakurajima Eruption Accompanied by Lightnings (Dec 22, 2020) (3:10 mins)

***

Lithium the new coal?
We human display an unerring knack for getting it wrong. Even as we prefer to pretend the opposite, we know the disaster our passion for coal and oil has foisted on our small planet. Yet, here we are, chasing another disastrous passion. This time, lithium:

Lithium is a key active material in the rechargeable batteries that run electric cars. It is found in rock and clay deposits as a solid mineral, as well as dissolved in brine. It is popular with battery manufacturers because, as the least dense metal, it stores a lot of energy for its weight.
Electrifying transport has become a top priority in the move to a lower-carbon future. In Europe, car travel accounts for around 12% of all the continent’s carbon emissions. To keep in line with the Paris agreement, emissions from cars and vans will need to drop by more than a third (37.5%) by 2030. The EU has set an ambitious goal of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by the same date. To that end, Brussels and individual member states are pouring millions of euros into incentivising car owners to switch to electric. Some countries are going even further, proposing to ban sales of diesel and petrol vehicles in the near future (as early as 2025 in the case of Norway). If all goes to plan, European electric vehicle ownership could jump from around 2m today to 40m by 2030.

Read “The curse of ‘white oil’: electric vehicles dirty secret >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

My plan for re-introducing my reclusive mother to her fellow Care Center residents flopped. I’d purchased enough mince pies – a raisin, sultana fruit tartlet – for all of A Wing’s residents’ morning tea. I’d expected folks to gather, as usual, in the lounge. I planned to offer the treats and suggest folks drop in and visit my mother who is struggling to adjust to her new environment.
Alas, of the residents remaining in the Center (many left to spend the day with family) all took tea and mince pie in their rooms. No re-introduction was possible.
Perhaps just as well. My mother fell asleep before tea. She slept until after lunch. I took The Dog for a walk, waited, then departed. I returned to visit and conduct another dog walk later that afternoon.

Holiday madness, 2

Week 40
Day 274 Friday, December 25 - Holiday madness, 2

© Zapiro.com

Humor to save our sanity…

Happy holidays! Enjoy the humor/humour:

Don Caron: SIGH IN THE NIGHT - A Parody of Silent Night (2:42 mins) 

***

This virus that’s known as Corona
Has spread from New York to Pomona
So to keep myself healthy
But not become wealthy
I’ll just stay in my house all alona

***

• Which Christmas film was 30 years ahead of its time?
  Home Alone
• Did you hear that production was down at Santa’s workshop?
  Many of his workers have had to elf isolate!
• Why didn’t Mary and Joseph make it to Bethlehem?
  All Virgin flights were cancelled.
• Why are Santa’s reindeer allowed to travel on Christmas Eve?
  They have herd immunity.
• Why did the pirates have to go into lockdown?
  Because the “Arrrr!” rate had risen.
• Why couldn’t Mary and Joseph join their work conference call?
  Because there was no Zoom at the inn.
• What do the Trumps do for Christmas dinner?
  They put on a super spread. 

***

Meidas Touch: You're a Mean One, Mr. Mitch! (1:33 mins) 

***

Holiday madness, 1

Worldwide (Map) 
December 24 – 78,674,530 confirmed infections; 1,730,000 deaths
November 26 – 60,334,000 confirmed infections; 1,420,500 deaths
October 29 – 44,402,000 confirmed infections; 1,173,270 deaths

US (Map)  
December 24 – 18,455,660 confirmed infections; 326,100 deaths
November 26 – 12,771,000 confirmed infections; 262,145 deaths
October 29 – 8,856,000 confirmed infections; 227,675 deaths

SA (Tracker) 
December 24 – 974,260 confirmed infections; 25,660 deaths
November 26 – 775,510 confirmed infections; 21,2010 deaths
October 29 – 719,715 confirmed infections; 19,111 deaths

News blues…

Highest ever single-day increase in Covid-19 cases, with more than 14,000 recorded in SA in 24 hours. With more than 400 deaths recorded in 24 hours for only the third time, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize warns that current restrictions need to be reviewed. This is the highest single-day increase in cases. The previous highest total was 13,944 recorded on July 24.

***

As The Donald continues his “pardon-a-thon” and ill-uses the presidential pardon system to nullify his cronies wrong-doing, other whacka-doodleitude continues: 

• A San Jose salon owner is refusing to comply with Santa Clara County's health order and keeping his doors open to customers despite risk of citation or worse. "I refuse to close," James Griffiths, the owner of Salon Blu, told NBC. "If they’re not having a real shutdown, I’m talking about the grimy little liquor store down here, the gas station, Home Depot, Starbucks, if they don’t shut them down then I’m not shutting down." 
• An elderly man hospitalized in Southern California for treatment of COVID-19 was fatally struck by a roommate who became annoyed when the victim began praying. The 82-year-old victim was struck with an oxygen tank on Dec. 17 while housed in a two-person room at Antelope Valley Hospital and died the next day. 
• Soon-to-be-ex-President Donald Trump reportedly suggested more than once that he wouldn’t mind seeing a granite image of his own visage on South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore next to Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington; but since that seems to be literally impossible, some insiders are now saying he has lowered his sights to something more attainable: putting his name on a major airport. Anonymous White House sources said that Trump once asked what kind of “paperwork” would have to be done to make Trump International Airport a reality.

***

Humor could save us:

Fauci on a Couchi  (1:33 mins)
The Kiffness If you go down to the beach today… (1:44 mins) (Not a perspective I fully endorse but I appreciate The Kiffness.)
’Twas the night before Christmas  (7:30 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

This segment of this blog is designed to 1) raise awareness about how pandemics will continue to be a feature of life as long as We the People – and our leaders-in-denial – refuse to recognize how out-of-control consumption risks our planet, ourselves, 2) offer positive examples of people and countries grappling with how to create and institute a healthier planet and people.
With lockdown going on for longer than anyone would have guessed, it becomes harder to offer readers positive examples. Today’s offering addresses bullet 1:

To prevent future pandemics, we must stop deforestation and end the illegal wildlife trade. Do you agree? Of course you do, because what’s not to like? The buck stops with the evil other. The question is, will doing those things solve the problem? And the answer is, probably not. They will help, but there’s another, potentially bigger problem closer to home: the global north’s use of natural resources, especially its reliance on livestock.

Read “Time for some home truths about deforestation” >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

My plan for Christmas lunch with my elderly neighbor almost came adrift yesterday. She’s not been out of her house for 10 months, due to health conditions making her high risk if she contracted Covid. I visit her every 7 to 10 days, enjoy a cup of tea and cookies, catch up on and share the latest neighborhood gossip, and refresh my Afrikaans language “skills”.
Our plan to enjoy lunch together hatched, unhatched, then repeatedly hatched, unhatched upon prevailing circumstances. (My mother’s moods, plans, and actions highly influential.) Our plan appeared definitely unhatched when my neighbor’s neighbor, with whom she visits every morning, was tested for Covid. Results were expected yesterday, but due to overwhelm at the testing lab, the holidays, etc., results were delayed. We agreed to scrap our planned get-together, but I’d cook the meal anyway and deliver her portion through her (sanitized) window.
This morning, however, we learned the results of the test: negative.
The plan’s back on!
I’ll pop the roast in the oven, leave Martha (domestic worker) to oversee it, drive three containers of dog food - giblets, pet mince, and rice – to the Care Center, visit my mother, and feed and walk the dog. After that, I’ll drive to my neighbor’s house, pick her up to bring to the upper security gate (that involves a lot of unlocking, tugging and pushing since the automatic opener is malfunctioning due to flooding), and, carefully, walk my neighbor to the verandah. (None of the latter would be necessary if she could negotiate the long staircase leading to the house. She can’t. Nor could my mother…which is why my mother isn’t here for Christmas lunch.
Word of warning: when you reach 80 years old, do not purchase a house with 20 stairs, a landing, then 5 more stairs. It might make your dogs “happy” to have a large garden but 25 stairs are guaranteed – despite your denial to the contrary - not to serve you, the human, well for long.) 

Meanwhile, for today, let the lunching begin!