Yet another journey

News blues

In the US, Covid 19 information – even misinformation - has been supplanted by other pressing news such as recent presentations by the January 6 Select Committee and the unraveling of the US Supreme Court. The UK’s Guardian, however, continues to present Covid info, even if that news is increasingly dire:

During May and June two new variants, BA.4 and BA.5, progressively displaced the previous Omicron subvariant, BA.2. They are even more transmissible and more immune-evasive. Last week a group of collaborators, including me and a professor of immunology and respiratory medicine, Rosemary Boyton, published a paper in Science, looking comprehensively at immunity to the Omicron family, both in triple-vaccinated people and also in those who then suffered breakthrough infections during the Omicron wave. This lets us examine whether Omicron was, as some hoped, a benign natural booster of our Covid immunity. It turns out that isn’t the case.
We considered many facets of immunity, including the antibodies most implicated in protection (“neutralising antibodies”), as well as protective “immune memory” in white blood cells. The results tell us it is unsurprising that breakthrough infections were so common. Most people – even when triple-vaccinated – had 20 times less neutralising antibody response against Omicron than against the initial “Wuhan” strain. Importantly, Omicron infection was a poor booster of immunity to further Omicron infections. It is a kind of stealth virus that gets in under the radar without doing too much to alert immune defences. Even having had Omicron, we’re not well protected from further infections.

Read more >> 

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The Lincoln Project: Last week in the Republican Party - June 28, 2022  (2:15 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Sydney, Australia, struggles with unprecedented flooding – and portends “our” future.   But, don’t worry. “Someone” will come up with “something” to prevent climate catastrophe. (Just not the US, or its corporate-supported political parties or its Supreme Court.)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

A shake-my-head-in-disbelief moment: Donald Trump, Jr., someone I avoid due to his, well, pathetic cluelessness. Yes, I “feel bad” that he has Don Sr., as a father, a “lifestyle” that encourages his weaknesses, is saddled with substance addiction, and has no idea of what a fool he appears. He’s a lethal combination of stupid, unconscious, human embarrassment, and weak and rotten character. Put succinctly in others' words, Donald Trump, Jr., “Where white power and white powder meet.”  Or, my version, Donald Trump, Jr., “Where white power, white powder, and white matter" meet.”

Then, there are human beings that are the opposite of lil’ Don.
Meet my best friend, Mary. Or, as she wants to be known, Meso Mary.
On May 27, 2022, Mary visited her doctor to discuss an old injury that wasn’t responding to chiropractic treatment. After her doctor ordered an x-ray, Mary mentioned she’d noticed one or two short, dry coughs when her daily yoga exercises compressed her chest (e.g., downward facing dog, cat…). 

Her doc said, “Since you’ll be there anyway, let’s get x-rays....”
A day after the x-rays, a thoracic surgeon called and requested Mary have a CT scan, referencing “anomalies” on the chest x-rays.
Tomorrow, Independence Day – aka 4th July – in the United States, is a good day to introduce Mary and accompany her on an unexpected journey.

Grim

News blues

© Michael Ramirez/Creators  @ramireztoons
Commentary on the divisions facing the United States…
Click to enlarge.

Apologies to readers for the grim nature of content shared in this post. Problem is… grim trends on our planet are the current name of the game. 

Trends are grim. Trends are real. Trends reflect the realities that face the planet’s creatures – you, me, and all the animals, plants, insects, sea- and water creatures, all of us
Grim indeed.
The Covid pandemic has simply highlighted how ill-prepared “we” are to both comprehend and deal with these trends.
On the subject of Covid, scientists are closer to understanding the neurology behind the memory problems and cognitive fuzziness that an infection can trigger >> 

On war – and culture war

As the US veers from democracy to fascism, Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works, deconstructs a two-minute video that was shown at Trump’s public appearance on Jan 6 and that helped incite the Jan. 6 rioters.

IMHO, this is an important presentation that clearly points out the symbolism and tropes employed to tweak anybody inclined towards Trumpism, “Stop the Steal,” Qanon, MAGAworld, etc.
Watch – and learn! >> (18:30 mins) 

PS: I’m reading Jason Stanley’s book How Fascism Works and can attest to its readability. It’s not pompous nor aimed at the professorial and pontificating classes. It’s a book for ‘regular’ folks with curiosity and a desire to understand.

Ukraine – photos of war, death, destruction >> 

Healthy planet, anyone?

The US Supreme Court voted to curb the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. This comes amid a period of increasingly extreme weather around the world. More than 40 million Americans were under heat advisory last week.
Kristie Ebi has been researching the health risks of climate change for decades and warns of the rise in “Mass Casualty” events as a result of climate change >>  (17:15 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

When the s**t hits the fan, I pull on my socks and athletic shoes and go outside to enjoy the awesome surroundings. I appreciate the luxury of 1) having the socks and shoes to pull on, 2) living modestly on a public park on the beach, 3) having the physical ability to get outside, 4) the understanding and sensitivity to recognize what will be lost unless our so-called “leaders” discover and appreciate such luxuries, too. (I won’t hold my breath. It breaks my heart.)

Turn the tide

Worldwide (Map) 
30 June, 2022 - 546,208,900 confirmed infections; 6,334,200 deaths
24 June, 2021 - 179,530,600 confirmed infections; 3,890,200 deaths
25 June, 2020 - 9,409,000 confirmed infections; 482,190 deaths

US (Map) 
30 June, 2022 - 87,410,900 confirmed infections; 1,017,470 deaths
24 June, 2021 - 33,578,000 confirmed infections; 603,000 deaths
25 June, 2020 - 2,381,540 infections; 121,980 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal) 
30 June, 2022 - 3,993,050 confirmed infections; 101,750 deaths
24 June, 2021 - 1,861,100 confirmed infections; 59,260 deaths
25 June, 2020 - 111,800 confirmed infections; 2,205 deaths

Post from 25 June 2020, “Mindboggling numbers” 

News blues

CDC and FDA approved vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech in children older than 6 months. Vaccinations begin this week >> 

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As if dealing with continued waves of Covid-19 isn’t enough, the U.S. is facing a new outbreak — monkeypox — that highlights just how close the U.S. public health system is to its breaking point >> 

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Dr. Fauci, the US's top infectious disease expert, has been struck by a phenomenon that appears to be becoming more common in the latest stage of the pandemic—rebounding bouts of COVID-19 after a course of the antiviral drug Paxlovid >>

Interview with Dr Fauci >> 

***

On war

More than 100 days of war in Ukraine – photo essay >> 

***

The Lincoln Project:
He wanted to help  (0:25 mins)
Weapons  (1:35 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

Ocean Rebellion activists in Lisbon as UN declares ocean emergency. 
Photograph: Carlos Costa/AFP/Getty Images

Speaking at the opening of the UN ocean conference in Lisbon, Portugal, attended by global leaders and heads of state from 20 countries, UN secretary general António Guterres said: “Sadly, we have taken the ocean for granted and today we face what I would call an ocean emergency. We must turn the tide.”

Nearly 80% of the world’s wastewater is discharged into the sea without treatment, while at least 8m tonnes of plastic enters the oceans each year. “Without drastic action, the plastic could outweigh all the fish in the ocean by 2050,” Guterres warned.
“We cannot have a healthy planet without a healthy ocean,” he said in his opening remarks.

Read more >> 

***

Back in South Africa, energy parastatal Eskom passes the buck…

South Africa’s electricity crisis worsened on 28 June when Eskom announced it was moving from Stage 4 to Stage 6 load shedding … with Stage 4 being implemented again from 10pm to midnight.
“Load shedding will then be reduced to Stage 2 until 5am on Wednesday morning. From 5am until 4pm on Wednesday load shedding will be implemented at Stage 4. Load shedding 6 will then again be implemented at 4pm to 10pm tomorrow evening,” the power Utility said on Tuesday afternoon. “This is due to the unlawful and unprotected labour action, which has caused widespread disruption to Eskom’s power plants. This has compelled Eskom to continue taking precautionary measures to conserve generation capacity and safeguard plant from damage. There is a high risk that the stage of load shedding may have to change at any time, depending on the state of the plant,” it added.

Hmmm, “due to the unlawful and unprotected labour action”? So not gross incompetence and negligence?
Moreover, one needs a sophisticated tracking system to stay ahead of Eskom’s load shedding schedules.
Just to clarify, in “my” area (suburban KZN) Stage 4 load shedding means no electricity from 4am to 6:30am, and noon to 2:30pm, and 8pm to 10:30pm. That is 7.5 hours per day without electricity.
Stage 6 load shedding means, no electricity from 4am to 8:30am, and noon to 4:30pm, and 8pm to 10:30pm. That’s 11.5 hours per day without electricity.
Stage 8 load shedding means, no electricity from midnight to 2:30am, and 4am to 8:30am, and noon to 4:30pm, and 8pm to 12:30am. That’s 16 hours per day without electricity.
(Darn, those pesky “unlawful and unprotected labour actions”….)
Read more >> 

***

Every year, an estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic end up in our oceans, threatening coastal economies and endangering marine life. Fenceline communities near plastic production and disposal facilities are disproportionately impacted by pollution to their air, water, and land. And it's only going to get worse, as plastic production is expected to triple by 2050. Right now we have a real chance to make change in California with Senate Bill 54, which would require producers to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware by at least 25% by 2032.

Use your voice today and tell your legislators to pass SB 54 to protect our communities, ocean, and climate from single-use plastic pollution >>

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Today, dozens of brown pelicans feeding in shallow water off the beach.
This time of year, packs of adolescent Canada geese follow a handful of adult “babysitters” into the water, then onto and along the sandy beach, then onto the green lawns to graze. Feathered friends; a lovely sight.
After the heat of Texas, San Francisco Bay Area and my small island town are havens of temperature moderation: sunny 72 F/22 C degrees.
Perfect.

OMG! Re-evaluation happens

News blues

The following is a very important point of view shared honestly by someone who was instrumental in the radicalization of current anti-abortion dogma. Please watch!
Evangelical Christian Minister Rev. Rob Schenck courageously admits he lost his way with his fervent anti-abortion views and how such views  were co-opted by cynical Republican politicians. 

While many people - particularly women - were harmed by his extremism, Schenck admits, and worked through, his  erroneous worldview, In this interview, shares his path and his course-correction: “Fmr. Pro-Life Leader on Abortion Ruling: Our Movement Has Lost its Soul” >> (18:15 mins)

***

The Lincoln Project:
This was planned (1:25 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Texas. I just returned from a four-day visit to the over-heating state. Between 10:30am and 6:30pm, the heat is, literally, unbearable for humans and other mammals. 

What's more, masks-as-protection-against-Covid are rare in the Houston conurbation.
Texas is a reminder that it's difficult to assess where things  – social, cultural, economic, political, and climatic – are headed, not only in Texas, but globally. 

I fear things are headed nowhere good or life-affirming.

What are we humans doing?
Alas.
(Then again, the transformation of someone like the Rev. Rob Schenck (interview above) does offer some hope. I hope.)

***

SF Bay Area:
Sunrise: 5:49am
Sunset: 8:34pm

KZN, South Africa:
Sunrise: 6:54am
Sunset: 5:10pm

Mitigation

Worldwide (Map) 
June 23, 2022: 541,213,610 confirmed infections; 6,323,900 deaths
June 24, 2021: 179,530,600 confirmed infections; 3,890,200 deaths
June 25, 2020:     9,409,000 confirmed infections; 482,190 deaths

US (Map) 
June 23, 2022: 86.636.310 confirmed infections; 1,014,850 deaths
June 24, 2021: 33,578,000 confirmed infections; 603,000 deaths
June 25, 2020:   2,381,540 infections; 121,980 deaths

SA (Coronavirus portal) 
June 23, 2022: 3,986,900 confirmed infections; 101,650 deaths
June 24, 2021: 1,861,100 confirmed infections; 59,260 deaths
June 25, 2020:    111,800 confirmed infections; 2,205 deaths

Posts from:
June 23, 2021, “Moon rising” 
June 23, 2020, “Silver linings” 

News blues

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines now available for children older than 6 months >> 

***

Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibody responses among both people who had previous Covid-19 infection and those who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, according to new data from researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, of Harvard Medical School.
However, Covid-19 vaccination is still expected to provide substantial protection against severe disease, and vaccine makers are working on updated shots that might elicit a stronger immune response against the variants.

Findings include, alas, that ‘COVID-19 still has the capacity to mutate further’ >> 

***

On war

Ukrainian High School Grads Pose For Heartbreaking Photos In War-Torn Homeland >> 

***

The Lincoln Project:
Lady Ruby  (1:45 mins)
Clear and present danger  (0:35 mins)
Last week in the Republican Party - June 21, 2022  (2:05 mins)

Healthy planet, anyone?

The week in wildlife – in pictures >> 

***

The year 2020 was the hottest ever in the US city of Phoenix, in the state of Arizona. Imagine, 53 days topping 110 F (43 C) - the hottest, driest and deadliest summer on record. During that time, more than 200 people died from extreme heat – a jump of 60% in heat related deaths.
Heat mitigation - focused on trees and infrastructure, led by an urban forester - is now the name of the game for Phoenix city planners. This, however, is easier said than done.

Phoenix… published a tree master plan in 2010, pledging to increase canopy cover to 25% by 2030 (from an estimated 11% to 13% at the time). The city is not on track to meet that goal, and the target may eventually be revised to reflect the city’s broader sustainability and equity goals such as targeting under-shaded neighborhoods and public transit routes where people walk and wait.
David Hondula, the recently appointed director of Phoenix’s heat response and mitigation office, said, “Trees are an important part of the plan which residents have been asking for for years, but they aren’t a cure-all for the city. But if we could have 30% of a 20-min walking path shaded, it would provide health protection for most summer days”.

Read more >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

I love Oakland, a human-sized city. It has a mix of lovely old buildings, from “gridiron” to art deco and much in between. It is also trying to address congestion and the often negative influence of an influx of wealthy tech companies, yet maintain its humanity and address the socio-economic “diversity.”
Here are pix of one set of bicycle-ride programs, from Cycles of Change, to Bike Share, to Bike Share for All….

Bicycles ready for riders.
A rider pays a small fee, unlocks a bike, and rides.

The payment system works like any
parking lot or public transit payment system. 

***

Solstice 2022! 

SF Bay Area:
Sunrise: 5:47am
Sunset: 8:34pm

KZN, South Africa:
Sunrise: 6:53am
Sunset: 5:09pm

Solstice

News blues

© M. Wuerker, Politico 

After crowing about the wonderful weather in my town on the San Francisco Bay over the last few days, I take back my words. Today, Tuesday – summer solstice, 2022 was hotter than one usually experiences in this location: 98 F.

With a dome of heat over the San Francisco Bay Area, temperatures ... [soared] on the first day of summer, increasing the risk of heat illness and wildfires...
[Today was] slated to be the hottest day of the week with many interior valleys hitting anywhere between 100 and 105 degrees… warning that the "elderly, sick and homeless are most vulnerable" in the hot conditions.
…
[The weather service said] near-critical fire weather conditions are also expected due to the combination of dry offshore winds combined with lower humidity values. "This concern is greatest across the North Bay hills where the breeziest winds should exist".
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a Spare the Air alert for Tuesday with unhealthy ozone, or smog, expected to build up [and cautioned] "Limit your driving to reduce air pollution…”.
Read more >>

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Covid has disappeared from the news in the US. The UK Guardian, however, still publishes US Covid statistics. The news is not promising:

 Guardian News, June 21, 2022

***

On war

Russians casually slaughter three young Ukrainian men 
Photo essay: Mariupol – before and after

How to cope?

News blues

Covid schmovid. 

The pandemic moved into our lives, caused havoc ... and now we’ve adjusted. 

Sure, people, lots of ‘em, are still becoming infected, but hardly anyone bats an eye at Covid news anymore. 

An infected person is expected to “get over it” and, in America, that’s the name of the game for most things. (Well, except for Donald Trump-related things. Those just seem to go on foreverrrr!)
Now the glittery object attracting the American attention is the heat wave.
No, of course this heat wave is not in any way connected with the change in our planetary climate due to over-reliance on fossil fuels, plastics, pharmaceutical over-use, etc. 

Heavens, no! 

This heat wave is a standalone phenomenon. Ask any Republican politician – and many Democratic politicians, too. After all, nothing is connected to anything on this planet. 

Nah, climate change is all made up by the “radical left media”. 

That hundreds of homeless people died in recent extreme heat has to do with them not “pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.” Why should hardworking Americans fork out dough to care for the homeless?

Bah humbug!

America has no plan to deal with climate change - despite statistics indicating that excessive heat causes more weather-related deaths in the U.S. than hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes combined with the homeless the most vulnerable >> (Why does the richest country in the world have homeless?)

And the heat wave ain’t over yet. A second wave of stifling heat could break over 100 records as heat dome shifts eastward. The persistent heat dome which imposed oppressively high temperatures on the northern Plains and Midwest over the weekend will begin to shift further eastward this week, ending a short reprieve that many states in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic have had in recent days.
Read more >> 
The cost of staying cool in the sweltering heat and humidity that’s hitting large parts of the U.S. also presents high energy costs. "For low-income families, this is catastrophic." >> 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

The heat dome that’s killing Americans across the northern Plains and Midwest and moving east didn’t affect “my” portion of the country. The San Francisco Bay Area’s weather has been truly wonderful: warm, breezy, hospitable.
Having experienced consecutive days of 111 F weather last year, however, I can attest to the physical distress caused by excessive heat. This, despite living on my houseboat where I could leap into the river from the decks when the temperature overcame my fragile humanity. 
Without shelter or the ability to cool, hot weather is a death sentence.
I fear what future weather will do to living creatures of this planet.