China in the news
Did you know that, according to the CCP, China has only lost a little over 4,600 people to Covid? (Expert estimates place the number at closer to 1.7 million). China (and the CCP) is one of the last holdouts that believes Covid is a pandemic that can be eradicated. To accomplish this eradication, China is quick to implement little/no notice lockdowns that can last weeks. Sometimes leaving people with little food or in unusual living situations.
None of the above is surprising. Why do I bring it up? The Olympics is set to visit Beijing, China through most of February next month. There are going to be things to watch for besides the athletic competition.
First, CCP propaganda about Chinese life with Covid is going to crash like head on trains with truth and the world media. I expect black outs and surveillance of foreign media by the CCP. I expect to see American media kowtowing to the CCP in media coverage. I expect at least a handful of athletes to do or say something that will cause the CCP to threaten doing something untoward to either the athlete, the media willing to cover it or the country the athlete represents.
Second, The CCP policy of lockdowns and social distancing are going to be at odds with maybe the largest super spreader event of 2022. People and numerous Covid variants could be imported into Beijing and/or then exported back to their home of origin. And then you have the athletes. People in their prime that are going to aggressively compete. Athletes, most of whom after they compete, are going to party like bunny rabbits on x in the year 1999.
So yes, I expect the Beijing Olympics to be eventful on many fronts. I just hope it is not eventful because American athletes protest first world problems in the U.S. on the podium while standing in one of the most authoritarian regimes in history.
Omicron studies in the news
Studies out of South Africa and Israel are indicating that Omicron is bypassing MRNA vaccines including people with 4 booster shots. I say that not to scare people but to inform. Do not assume any shots you currently can receive will make you immune to Omicron.
Animals with Covid in the news
We have known that animals can contract Covid for well over a year now. National geographic had an article mid Dec 21 that listed over 350 animals they know can contract Covid. My takeaways? Dogs, cats, hamsters, cows, pigs, rabbits and more can catch Covid. The list of mammals that can’t catch Covid may be shorter, if there are any. It seems birds don’t get Covid. The news that caught my interest were over 1,000 mink in Denmark that were culled for Covid. In Hong Cong, there were over 2,000 hamsters that were culled due to Covid. Culled is a nicer way of saying they were killed. WTH… Why are animals that got a virus most likely from humans that will recover by an overwhelming percentage be killed? This isn’t like mad cow disease that is fatal.
Testing hysteria
O. K. I don’t really understand this testing hysteria that seems to have taken over in the U.S. Don’t employers provid tests, if required, for work? What would I do differently if I test positive vs negative. If I feel ill and am running a fever, how does a test result change my behavior. Whether it is a cold, flu or covid, aren’t the results the same. With a fever, I am contagious and should self isolate myself. If I feel bad enough, I go to the hospital. Being in line for hours with people that believe they have Covid sounds more like a super spreader event than anything else. It doesn’t help that CDC Director Walenski said this week that Covid tests don’t prove if you are contagious.
Be safe.
Random Thoughts 