Faceblocked

A reminder that that desperate-for-attention old guy, The Donald, is still desperate.

Ah, all that “Donald stuff” mercifully feels so far away.

These days, blue herons inhabit my life and imagination. Pic taken soon after sunrise.

News blues

More crazy, only-in-America bribes for vax. This time, get the vax, win a shotgun…. 

***

More than 225 000 senior citizens have so far received their Covid-19 vaccine shots in KwaZulu-Natal. (This includes my mother. ) 

Healthy planet, anyone?

The argument for a carbon price? We are paying a price for fossil fuels, but that price is not paid by those that burn the fossil fuels – we need to change that. 

It is a mistake to believe that we are not paying for emitting greenhouse gases. Even if we do not pay a monetary price for carbon emissions we do pay a very large price, the consequences of climate change.
Without a monetary carbon price it is those who have the smallest emissions that suffer the largest costs from climate change. A carbon price, in contrast, means that those who cause the emissions also pay for them.
A key reason why voters are not in favour of carbon pricing is that many believe it won’t actually reduce emissions, but empirical research and theory show that this is wrong: pricing carbon emissions – either via a carbon tax or a ‘cap and trade’-system – is effective. It shifts production and consumption from carbon-intensive goods and services to low-carbon alternatives and does reduce emissions.

***

Jane Goodall: If We Don’t Make Peace With Nature, Expect More Deadly Pandemics. The famed primatologist spent the quarantine broadcasting to the world about the threat of climate change, zoonotic disease and biodiversity loss. 

“…this pandemic has emphasized [the need to] develop a new relationship with the natural world and animals. If we don’t somehow get together and create a more sustainable greener economy and forget this nonsense that there can be unlimited economic development on a planet with finite resources, and that the GDP isn’t God’s answer to the future, then it’s going to be a very sad world that we leave to our great-great-grandchildren. Their children may have no planet left.”

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

I sit in my berth and enjoy the sounds – birds chirping as they flit thither and yon – and the gentle rays of sunlight stoking the water, and reeds, and river vegetation, and the blue heron on its lookout, shown above.
Despite the uncertainty about my houseboat’s current state of maintenance and evaluating how much to invest in this aging entity, I can’t think of anywhere Id rather be than aboard. Perfection: rocking gently in a boat on a river home to birds, otters, wildlife….
Not that things are, well, ship shape.
My current slip neighbor (before he was slip neighbor could have become a quasi-friend/acquaintance) plays high volume hip hop music… and reggae. Reggae? These days, the beat quickly becomes tedious. It’s contextualized, however, by the non-unpleasant wafts of pot/dagga emanating from his houseboat.
Hip hop? Not for me…to the extent that I may accept the harbor master’s invitation to move my houseboat to the “new dock”. The downside? That dock hosts The Trumpie family and their houseboat flies a Trump 2024 flag.
My Sophie’s choice? Hip hop lyrics or Trumpie conspiracy agit-prop.
More examples of not-ship-shape:
The lack of running water moved from mysterious to solve-able problem. It’s tedious and time consuming to solve although also appeals to my sense of rising to a challenging.
Backstory:
This boat hosts a water storage tank, but like the onboard wiring, it’s disconnected. Electricity and non-potable water are supplied directly from the dock. Usually, water transports via hosepipe onto the boat and through faucets in sinks in galley (kitchen) and head (toilet). After moving in last week, I’ve not had running water, instead drinking only bottled water and hauling buckets of non-potable water over the deck from the river.
Yesterday, Nate, recently met boat expert, advised I inspect the boat’s under-carriage for the root of the lack-of-water problem.
That 3-foot-high space under the boat formed by the shape of the two pontoons is my least favorite part of the boat. Naturally, that’s the location of the rusted metal stopper that had crumbled on a residual section of redundant underwater hose. Dockside hosepipe water flowed straight into river water.
The difficulty: the water under the boat is deep and requires constantly kicking to stay afloat.
Aside from my presence panicking cliff swallows as they nest under the boat, working alone under the boat is creepy. I imagine underwater monsters, or freshwater sharks, or hungry seals grabbing me…. I’d disappear, poof! But… best not to dwell….
Solving the water leakage problem requires swimming, climbing onto/off the boat, switching on/off the dockside faucet…and much kicking, kicking, kicking to stay afloat while attempting to plug the hose.
My onboard toolbox is limited. Luckily, during a recent trip to the hardware store, I’d picked up a metal screw-to-tighten gasket. That, carried in a small bag along with a perfectly proportioned cork from a bottle of wine, and a screwdriver, I kicked, kicked, kicked in the deep water. I inserted the cork into the redundant hosepipe and screwed down the gasket.
First try: water ran through the galley and head sink faucets – then abruptly stopped. Re-entering and kicking, kicking, kicking in deep water under the boat, I discovered the water pressure had blown out the cork from the hosepipe. Luckily corks float.
I hauled out, walked to the dock, turned off the water, then reviewed the toolbox for appropriate hardware. Finding nothing suitable, I cut the cork in half, and, re-immersed to kick, kick, kick under the boat, I inserted the half-cork and prepared to tighten the gasket with the screwdriver. Alas, I dropped the gasket. It’s down there, somewhere in deep water – perhaps entertaining underwater monsters, freshwater sharks, and hungry seals.
The upshot? Still no running water. Deep gouges on my index finger knuckle from the screwdriver banging the cork into the hosepipe. Tired legs from kicking, kicking, kicking…
As we say in ye olde country: tomorrow is another day.
Moreover, I’ve a sore throat and the sniffles. I must find a location offering free Covid tests.
The good news?
Nate found the outboard motor works better than it looks. Hooking up the new battery I’d purchased in August 2019 but never used, the motor started right up and Nate lubricated it with my newly purchased WD 40. He also advised on gasoline and additives required for the 2-stroke motor, and advised on constructing the Sea Eagle inflatable before I spend money on fixing the smaller outboard motor. Most importantly, he suggested the steel pontoons may not require immediate – and expensive – haul-out and maintenance at a boatyard. That’s a savings of around $2,000 /ZAR 27,000.
Most exciting, Nate will spend a couple of hours teaching me and my daughter to pilot the boat. Yay!

Bliss - sort of

Quarantine is not so bad. I spend my days floating on a houseboat on a calm river in gorgeous countryside, not engaging with people. (A houseboat-load of unbowed Trump supporters live nearby and fly a “Trump 2024” flag.) 

This is the life – well, other than, y’know, that darned inconvenient pandemic….

Worldwide (Map) 
June 3, 2021 – 171,746,400 confirmed infections; 3,693,300 deaths
   Vaccinated worldwide: 2,002,900,000 

February 25, 2021 -128,260,000 confirmed infections; 2,805,000 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 112,534,400 confirmed infections; 2,905,000 deaths

US (Map) 
June 3, 2021 – 33,308,000 confirmed infections; 596,000 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 30,394,000 confirmed infections; 551,000 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 28,335,000 confirmed infections; 505,850 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal) 
June 3, 2021 – 1,669,300 confirmed infections; 56,610 deaths
February 25, 2021 - 1,547,000 confirmed infections; 52,790 deaths
February 25, 2020 - 1,507,450 confirmed infections; 49,525 deaths

News blues

The made-for-America culturally appropriate bribe-for-vax effort continues. West Virginia gives “away guns, trucks, cash as COVID-19 vaccine lottery prizes; hunting licenses and scholarships will also be among the vaccine incentives offered in the state.” 
Ah, Americans, adept at giving away democracy and one’s fellow humans’ well-being for trinkets.

***

India and Indians have a lot on their plate right now.
India's government is promising to vaccinate the whole of the adult population by the end of 2021, although its biggest vaccine maker has been struggling to meet demand ... Problems, problems, problems plague the vaccination program  as a second wave of Covid-19 overwhelms the healthcare system. Hospitals struggle to cope and critical drugs and oxygen are in short supply.  Moreover,

Cyclone Tauktae has flooded hundreds of villages and cities on India's western coast. 
Strong winds and torrential rainfall destroyed homes and uprooted trees and electricity poles. At least 12 people have died.
Meanwhile, 90 people are missing after a barge sunk off the coast of Mumbai city in the wake of the cyclone. The Indian navy has rescued 177 people so far.
The storm weakened after making landfall late on Monday but authorities have advised caution as strong winds are still sweeping coastal areas in Gujarat state.

Peru and Peruvians have it bad, too, as the rate of Covid deaths more than double… making it the country with the world's highest death rate per capita….
The official death toll is now more than 180,000, up from 69,342, in a country of about 33 million people. 

Healthy planet, anyone?

Unwelcome guests and alien invaders:
South Africa: The hidden threat to food, water and wild places 
California has its share of aliens and invasives, too … 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

After owning my houseboat for two years – and due to lockdown, etc., inhabiting it only for six months - I know I must have the pontoons cleaned and maintained. But the cost of professional maintenance – piloting the boat to the boatyard for haul out and labor - is beyond my pocketbook. 

I must delve into the arena of creative maintenance. Until necessity drove me, I avoided swimming under the boat between pontoons (the space between water surface and boat is about 3 feet). It’s creepy. (I’m too much of a South African to not feel queasy in tight, watery spaces with long strands of freshwater weed brushing against my legs… reminds me of shark-fear while swimming off Durban beaches.) Yesterday I screwed up my courage and explored the pontoons and found, to my pleasure, that they’re not as algae infested as I’d expected. Alas, there are small rust patches on areas of the iron/steel/non-aluminum frames that hold the aluminum pontoons. There’s rust on the iron/steel/non-aluminum foundational structure of the boat, too. The latter will be time consuming and expensive to correct – scrape, seal, repaint – but it is something I can do. Scraping and cleaning the pontoons? Hmmm, not something I can do without guidance, direction, help – and funds for haul out.
The elderly 85 HP Evinrude outboard motor that ran well when I departed 18 months ago has not been started or run since then. I must find “someone” who can prep, lubricate it, check the engine before I can try restarting. But who?
For now, I must forgo my interior decorating ideas – installing a shower, revamping the impractical kitchen counter and sink, scraping and repainting the decks and overall structure….
Ah, the inescapable downside of owning an elderly boat.

Observations of a single woman in the traditionally male world, particularly in California's Sacramento Delta):
The people who seek and can afford the boating lifestyle tend toward the uber-male persuasion – and are not urban-dwellers (indeed, they’re skeptical of urban-dwellers).
Eighteen months ago, only one other single (older) woman lived on a boat in this marina. (Today, I’m quarantined and, back then, she liked privacy so I’ve not explored whether she still lives here.) The other women seen here back then were coupled with men who piloted the boats, maintained the boats, talked about boats while the "little ladies" supported male activities and cooked, cleaned, and rode shotgun in the male-piloted boat…
I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was someone men chuckled about behind my back: a woman who, clearly, knew nothing about boats (true); clearly, who’d expect favors from the superior male species (false). Moreover, since I’d purchased my elderly houseboat from a gay couple, two women who, likewise, “knew nothing” about boats (also false, they know a lot) … I was probably gay, too.
How to sum up my attitude to this male-heavy environment? Oppressive. Isolating. Constrictive. And, this makes me more determined to learn as much as I can, reach out to the reachable, and enjoy my chosen life on the river….

***

Temperatures dropped precipitously in KZN. Snow at higher elevations. Frost, too. Cold. Cold. Cold. Thank the gods I escaped in time. I worry about my son-in-law becoming dispirited. So far, he’s coping.
California and Californians head towards summer:
Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm; temperature 104 F/40 C.
June 3: sunrise 5:44am, sunset at 8:25pm; temps heading into the upper 90s.

Jabbed

Sunrise - looking east

Sunrise - looking west

News blues

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday that his country will return to stricter lockdown measures in the face of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases that indicate the virus is “surging again” in Africa’s worst-affected nation. 
Positive cases in South Africa in the past seven days were 31% higher than the week before, and 66% higher than the week before that, Ramaphosa said in a live TV address. He said some parts of the country, including the commercial hub Johannesburg and the capital city Pretoria, were now in “a third wave.”
“We do not yet know how severe this wave will be or for how long it will last,” Ramaphosa said.

Watch/listen to President Ramaphosa’s recent address on the upcoming third wave (28:13 mins) 

***

The Lincoln Project:
Memorial Day (1.:25 mins)
Their Party  (1:14 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Yesterday, Memorial Day, after spending a day in a small houseboat fully exposed to 104 F/40 C weather, I doubted my ability to survive heatwaves in the future. Turns out, these days, more people are suffering and dying from heat-stroke.
“A new study blames climate change for 37% of global heat deaths.” I wasn’t a casualty yesterday, but…: Scientists say even more people die from other extreme weather amplified by global warming such as storms, flooding and drought. 

More than one-third of the world’s heat deaths each year are due directly to global warming, according to the latest study to calculate the human cost of climate change.
But scientists say that’s only a sliver of climate’s overall toll — even more people die from other extreme weather amplified by global warming such as storms, flooding and drought — and the heat death numbers will grow exponentially with rising temperatures.
Dozens of researchers who looked at heat deaths in 732 cities around the globe from 1991 to 2018 calculated that 37% were caused by higher temperatures from human-caused warming, according to a study Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change .
That amounts to about 9,700 people a year from just those cities, but it is much more worldwide….

Gulp!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Home! Gained a day! Vaccinated! Quarantining on my houseboat.
I arrived at the local Safeway pharmacy Sunday morning to receive the first of two Pfizer vaccinations. My appointment was at 9:30am and I was the only person in line. I filled out documentation, rolled up my sleeve, took the jab, waited for signs of adverse reactions, and, feeling none, departed.
That was it. Second jab June 20.
Documentation handouts included the information that the vaccine is “unapproved”. Odd that millions of humans around the world clamber to introduce an officially “unapproved” substance into our bodies. (Gosh, I miss the days of Donald Trump asserting a dose of “light introduced into the body” killed Covid, “like a miracle”. Ah, the good olde days! Not!

***

While nervous about driving on the “other” side of the road again, I collected my vehicle from a friend’s house. Then, within the first 50 feet behind the wheel, I did was not look both ways… and 4 cyclists coming from the left almost slammed into me! One of them yelled, “You f***ing idiot.” 

I concur. I made a f***ing idiot move, erroneously over-estimating my ability quickly to adjust to a series of long and arduous flights, re-gaining a day, and hopping into a vehicle without adequate preparation. The good news? I was superably careful on the road after that.

***

Alas. My houseboat: covered in spiders and spider webs, dust and debris, cliff swallows’ nests, algae, and the inside jammed with a deflated recycled Sea Eagle inflatable I’d purchased before departing a year and a half ago. Frankly, it was an eyesore.
And small. A tight space after my mother’s large house.
And no running water. “Management” had, during my absence and without informing me, moved the boat from a covered slip into an uncovered slip. The shore/slip-based hosepipe, transporter of water into the boat, wasn’t connected. No splitter hardware – until I purchased one from a local hardware store. Luckily, after I suffered a 3-day long bout of vomiting, etc., after drinking hosepipe water contaminated, I learning later, with agricultural and other waste, I’d stocked up on dozens of bottles of drinking water. (A moral conundrum: I “disapprove” of purchasing plastic water bottles, but I approved of drinking water and not vomiting so I’ve a “boatload” of plastic water bottles.)
Still have a long way to go for onboard livability but the spiders have been put on notice: vacate the premises. For now, I’m winning the battle of the boat reclamation – under extreme conditions.
I departed South Africa in early winter and emerged into California’s early summer, Memorial Day, May 31, sunrise 5:46am, sunset at 8:23 pm – and temperature 104 F/40 C.
The cliff swallows, incoming migrants from South America, start their twittering at about 4:30 am. Wonderful sounds of birds, insects, fish on water’s surface as Life beyond Human “does its thing.” A precious gift that I cherish.
The San Joaquin River refreshes, too.
And, the site of my jab – upper left arm – went through the usual: some tenderness and swelling – now gone.
Quarantining for 20 days has its benefits: a clean houseboat; swimming again, several times per day; blue herons and night herons, turtles, home rocking gently with the gentle tides….
It’s good to be here.

Blue heron (tall, left) and night heron.

Going mobile

New week. New life! 

The Who says it for me – Going mobile 

News blues

I’m off! Johannesburg, Paris, San Francisco  houseboat in Californy!
…where, ironically, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will offer $116 million in prize money for coronavirus vaccinations.  Maybe I’ll get lucky!

The state’s reopening is pegged for June 15, and on that day a drawing will be held to award 10 vaccinated people the top prize.
Another 30 people will win $50,000 each, with those drawings starting June 4. Anyone 12 and older who has received at least one shot will be eligible. And the next 2 million people who get vaccinated will get $50 gift cards.
Ohio this week announced the first $1 million winner of its “Vax-a-Million” contest, as well as the first child to win a full college scholarship. Colorado and Oregon also offered $1 million prizes.
New York is raffling 50 full scholarships to children 12 to 17 to public universities and colleges in the state, selecting 10 winners each of the next five Wednesdays.

So, we live in a world, now, where, if you can’t trust people to “do the right thing” – vaccinate against a pandemic – you pay ‘em. 

Capitalism wins! 

Meanwhile… tracking Covid-19:

• Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide 
• South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information… 

***

The Lincoln Project: You look  (0:45 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Getting darker here…
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 28: sunrise 6:44am; sunset 5:08pm.

Privilege

Worldwide (Map) 
May 27, 168,418,000 confirmed infections; 3,499,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 143,503,705 confirmed infections; 3,056,000 deaths
Tracker for worldwide vaccination rate >> 

US (Map) 
May 27, 33,190,300 confirmed infections; 592,000,000 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 31,862,100 confirmed infections; 569,500 deaths

SA (Tracker) 
May 27, x1,645,600 confirmed infections; 56,100 deaths
April 22, 2021 – 1,568,500 confirmed infections; 53,900 deaths

Down memory lane with a post from one year ago - April 23, 2020: “Try it; what have you got to lose?” 

***

Tracking Covid-19:

• Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide 
• South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information… 

News blues

Half of U.S. adults now fully vaccinated against COVID-19…and more than 60% have received at least one dose, the CDC reported. 

***

Experts suggest limiting gatherings as SA's Covid-19 positivity rate breaches 10%. It was the first time since mid-November that the positivity rate breached 10% on an upward trajectory 

***

Locally, the vaccination programs continue. Lines are long – up to 4 hours in some areas. I’m amazed at how many South Africans display diehard skepticism about taking the vaccination. On the other hand, South Africans experience “the government” as being particularly inept if not downright dangerous. I’m happy that I’m privileged enough to avoid having to make the decision here and have the option to be vaccinated in California.

***

The Lincoln Project: Conspiracy  (0:55 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Broke the news of my pending departure to my mother… and introduced her to my son-in-law. I explained he’d visit her while I’m gone and take care of the dogs and the house.
She looked him over, then asked about the tattoos on his knuckles: the words “give” and “take.” He explained it was his way of ensuring he’d never be hired for a “mainstream job”. Then he added, “Well, these days, tattoos are mainstream so I’m not sure that reason is valid anymore.” My mother was fascinated. Right in front of her, talking to her, visiting her in the future, was a person with tattoos! Imagine!
She proceeded to explain that tattoos are alright on men, crinkled her nose in disapproval, and added, “but not on women.” Clearly, women should never be tattooed. We nodded to her implied assessment: not ladylike!

***

I’m a pre-travel bundle of nerves. I’m certain that something will go wrong to ensure my travel plans, er, crash and burn, that I’ll be forced to remain in SA, that taking care of my own life and responsibilities in the States can’t succeed, that my houseboat will sink before I can stop it….
These are tough thoughts for a control freak.

***

Had my pre-flight Covid test: elongated super Q-tip tickled my throat and each nostril. Voila. Done. Results by tomorrow. Then, whoosh! Off to Californy!

***

Only two more days of early darkness – then, whoosh, back to California – and spring on the river!
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 27: sunrise 6:43am; sunset 5:09pm.

Getting there...

News blues

In today’s hyper-capitalist US, if common sense, backed up by stringent science, doesn’t work to convince people to get vaccinated against a too-often fatal malady, then pay ‘em to get vaccinated!

Health officials in Ohio have reported a surge in the amount of people getting their first COVID-19 vaccination shots, a week after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the $5 million "Vax-a-Million" lottery. 
Just days after DeWine said the state would award five vaccinated residents $1 million each in order to raise vaccination percentages, the Ohio Department of Health reported more than 113,000 people received their first dose of the vaccine.
Based on preliminary data, the department said the recent period showed a 53% week-to-week increase (May 13 to 18) compared to the time period before the announcement, where 74,000 people received their first dose (May 6 to 11).

On the other hand, if it works why knock it?

***

Tracking Covid-19:

• Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide 
• South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information… 

***

The Lincoln Project:

Last Week in the Republican Party  (0:49 mins)
Their Party (0:35 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

A feel-good story from Australia as water returns rivers: After the deluge: Australia’s outback springs to life as mighty rivers flow again 

***

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

After weeks of questioning whether it’s a good idea to ask my son-in-law to caretake my mother’s house and all that that entails while I’m gone, he arrived last night. (He’s never traveled here before. Winter here won’t bother him: he’s from Alaska.)
I drove to the local airport to pick him up. Since I’d not driven alone before to this airport, I used Google maps to guide me…and still I got lost! It’s a left/right dyslexia thing. And, after warning him about not driving along unknown roads on a whim, I drove both of us along an unknown road – for miles. After we consulted Google maps, I righted the car and we arrived home only 2 hours late.
Today we begin his speedy acculturation into life in KZN and how to find his way around after I’ve departed.
That is, if I actually depart. I’m still having trouble with my tickets. This time, the airline claims I did not pay so they can’t issue a ticket. I did pay, last Friday, at about 10:00am (long before their noon deadline). This is the third time I paid for this return flight.
Anyway, after introducing mu son-in-law to Martha (domestic worker) I’m looking forward to introducing him to the local monkey troop, the stream and pond, the dogs, my mother, and whomever I can make his transition easier. He’s excited. I’m grateful.

***

Only four more days of early darkness – then, whoosh, I’ll head back to California – and spring on the river!
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
March 29: sunrise 6:07am; sunset 5:58pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
April 25: sunrise 6:23am; sunset 5:30pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 26: sunrise 6:4xam; sunset 5:1xpm.

Prelude to flight

News blues

As cases, hospitalizations and deaths steadily dropped this week, pre-pandemic life in America has largely resumed. 

New coronavirus cases across the United States have tumbled to rates not seen in more than 11 months, sparking optimism that vaccination campaigns are stemming both severe COVID-19 cases and the spread of the virus….
As the seven-day average for new cases dropped below 30,000 per day this week, Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out cases have not been this low since June 18, 2020. The average number of deaths over the last seven days also dropped to 552 — a rate not seen since July last year. It’s a dramatic drop since the pandemic hit a devastating crescendo in January.

***

Tracking Covid-19:

• Tracking Covid-19 vaccinations worldwide 
• South African experts to follow for up-to-date and accurate Covid information… 

Healthy planet, anyone?

Biden’s Climate Chops Face A Big Test On Old-Growth Forests.  Which is it going to be, Joe?

The Biden administration is pushing an aggressive environmental agenda, pledging to both slash greenhouse gas emissions at least in half and to conserve 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. Those commitments include broad language about the need to “invest in forest protection and forest management” and to “fight climate change with the natural solutions that our forests, agricultural lands, and the ocean provide.”
But President Joe Biden and his team have said little, if anything, about old-growth forests — typically defined as those at least 150 years old and largely undisturbed by human activity. These forests sequester massive amounts of carbon in trees and soil, and scientists say protecting the few that remain intact will prove key to meeting climate and biodiversity targets. That includes the 2,000 acres its own Forest Service is primed to move forward on after issuing its final record of decision in January.
Retired forestry professors Jerry Franklin of the University of Washington and Norm Johnson of Oregon State University helped write the forestry plan that made this area available for potential harvest. Adopted in 1994, the plan sought to curb the decline of northern spotted owls due to clearcutting of old-growth forests while continuing to allow for commercial timber production.
More than two decades later, Franklin and Johnson are speaking out against this and other plans to cut down mature forests, citing the climate and extinction crises. Our scientific understanding of such ecosystems, including their ability to store huge amounts of planet-warming carbon pollution, has improved immensely since then, the two wrote in a recent opinion article. 

***

The Franklin Project: Join the movement  (0.33 mins)
Visit The Franklin Project website >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Vervet monkeys. They’re considered anything from admirable to a pestilence in KNZ. The troop that co-occupies the landscape around here is both admirable and a pestilence, depending on what they get up to on any one day.
Overall though, even as I ensure the doors are locked against monkeys entering the house and causing havoc, I appreciate their presence. It is, after all, their land – and continent – as much as humans’.
Vervets range throughout much of Southern and East Africa - from Ethiopia, Somalia and extreme southern South Sudan, to South Africa.
Turns out, the US state of Florida, too.
For about 70 years, a colony of about 40 vervets has lived along Dania Beach in urban south Florida. Until recently, no one was quite sure where they came from.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) say they have traced the colony’s origins to the Dania Chimpanzee Farm. The South Florida SunSentinel reported recently that there’d been a monkey escape from the farm in 1948. Most, but not all, the monkeys were recaptured. The rest disappeared into a mangrove swamp, where their descendants live today.
The FAU researchers traced the monkeys’ genetics and concluded they were brought to Florida from Africa. The monkeys were sold mainly for medical and military research.

Go, monkeys, go! >>  

***

Big week coming up. Lots to do leading up to driving to small, local airport to take a 45-minute domestic flight to Oliver Tambo then to Paris then to San Francisco. 

After 1.5 unplanned, unexpected years here and a pandemic, this time next week - I “should” be back in California. And eagerly accepting the first of two Pfizer vaccinations the day after I arrive!

What a concept!

***

I'm escaping not a moment too soon. Nights are getting colder with longer hours of darkness here…
Feb 26: sunrise 5:47am; sunset 6:33pm.
March 2: sunrise 5:50am; sunset 6:29pm.
March 16: sunrise 5:59am; sunset 6:13pm.
April 1: sunrise 6:09am; sunset 5:54pm.
April 15: sunrise 6:18am; sunset 5:39pm.
May 1: sunrise 6:27am; sunset 5:24pm.
May 15: sunrise 6:35am; sunset 5:15pm.
May 23: sunrise 6:41am; sunset 5:10pm.