Wuhan Virus -
See FR threads on the virus for other issues. Below are the news items that grab my attention.
Italy extended lock down to entire country. Israel mandatory 14 day quarantine for all arrivals (note this will mess up Purim and Easter pilgrimages).
BBC reports that 36 Iranians died from alcohol poisoning believing that drinking alcohol would prevent the corona virus infection. . . . . True numbers from Iran are still very suspect.
China is playing up the victim card in its denial of being the source of the corona virus and are demanding formal apologies from countries around the world. Some Chinese party mouthpieces have obliquely suggested that China may stop all shipments of medical supplies to the US in retaliation. They clearly see just how far down our pants have dropped in regards to reliance on ‘cheap’ Chinese products and labor. China also is reporting less than 200 new cases, down from a peak of 4000. On the economic side, China is claiming industrial production back to 80%, though insiders see it more like 40-50%. This still places things at a 4-week or so recovery delay to the global supply chain.
In spite of the democrat stated urgency of the epidemic - Nancy Pelosi and the house drags its feet in responding legislatively to the situation - except to issue rhetoric. Meanwhile, several conservative legislators have self quarantined themselves after contact with an infected individual at a recent convention. Throughout the nation, preparations are being made for school closures, event cancellations, business slow down and teleworking workarounds to quarantines/lock-downs. Sheeple have conducted their second wave of panic buying (first wave - hand sanitizers and masks) water and toilet paper. Some pundents bemoan the ‘hoarding’ of TP. I bemoan the fact that people didn’t have a little extra set aside already. British grocery stores are warning of food riots and should things get out of control here that will be the next wave of panic buying here. Stock up now for at least two week, better stock up for a month.
Saudi Arabia -
SA is beginning trials of 68 Hamas members/supporters arrested in 2019 over attempts to channel funds to the Hamas. Hamas is not supported by SA in the current peace imitative.
Israel -
In spite of gaining in the most recent election, Netanyahu is having difficulties forming a government, possibly resulting in a further unprecedented 4th national election.
Afghanistan -
Troop draw down began in spite of evidence that the Taliban will not keep their end of the bargain for peace.
Iran -
It is reported that Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran is now the man to try to control the Iraq’s politics for Iran. Such operations have been chaotic since the death of Soleimani, increased Iraqi civil unrest and now the rampant corona virus that has killed several senior Iranian leaders. He met with many Iraqi shia militia leaders as well as Hezbollah and Hamas leaders during a recent trip to Baghdad. One of the major goals is still the removal of US forces from the region and the establishment of a land bridge thru Iraq into Syria in order to build up supplies/weapons for an attack on Israel.
Oil War -
Markets stabilized after the combined corona virus - oil war one-two punch. Critical for the US because shale oil costs about $50/barrel to produce while global costs are around $30. In 2015-2016 low prices caused the layoff of 200,000. This has the potential to seriously harm the US economy in the short term.
Russia is in even a more precarious position with much of its economy heavily dependent on oil sales - an extended oil war could seriously damage its economy even further.
good report
thanx
Wuhan Virus -
See FR threads on the virus for other issues. Below are the news items that grab my attention.
The US has surpassed 1000 infections since the first community infection (excluding those brought in from out of country) was reported Jan 21st in Washington State. Feb 26 - 15 cases; Mar 4 - 111 cases and today 1000+ cases. The numbers are indicating that the number infected is likely to be doubling every 4-5 days. Some analysts are indicating that based on the growth of the number of infections that the US is where Italy was 11 - 14 days ago.
Most of the infections are concentrated on the west coast, where the concentration of homeless is also the largest in the country. Once the virus penetrates into that community it will likely spread like wild fire with a high death rate (most have compromised health issues) and with it into the down town workers (homeless coughing and sneezing on everything, spreading to others). This is also putting strain on shelters - having to increase personal space and volunteer worker safety measures.
Iran freed 70,000 prisoners to try to prevent the spread of the virus in the prison system. No Americans were freed however. Iran is the worst hit country after China and Italy with grossly under reported numbers of infections and deaths.
China and S Korea have been reporting rapidly declining numbers of new infections. Both countries instituted harsh quarantines and other restrictions. This policy of containment appears to have worked. In the US and other countries containment has shifted to mitigation - that is accepting that there will be infections, but trying to protect those at highest risk of dying from the disease.
Turkey/Russia/Syria -
Erdogan and Putin managed to put together a cease fire in Idlib. Turkey warned that if the truce is broken it will retaliate.
Israel / Iran / Syria -
A field commander with the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Sayeda Zeinab, was assassinated near the Syrian capital, an Iranian semiofficial news agency and an opposition war monitor reported Saturday. No one has come forward and claimed responsibility, but many suspect Israel.