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Wuhan Virus -
While the world waits with baited breath on the health status of Tom Hanks and other ‘celebrities’, here is what is grabbing my attention today. We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

New milestone - 200,000 cases and more than 8,000 deaths. On the rough surface that is a mortality rate of 4%. West Virginia has its first case - now in all 50 states.

China kicked out numerous foreign journalists, most likely to keep them from reporting other than what the party wants reported. Remember, China silenced Dr Li Wenliang, who warned of the virus in Wuhan before the ‘official’ out break. He died weeks later from the virus. The party doesn’t want details like this coming out.

Black Swan -
Recommend keeping an eye on Deuteches Bank Stock. It is Lehman brothers on steroids and red bull. DB was designated by the IMF as the “most systemically dangerous bank” in the world back in 2016. It carries MUCH of the EU’s bad debt. So far DB stocks are hanging on, but any unexpected shudder from other market forces could force it over the brink.

Iran -
Ali Reza Banahyan (also spelled Alireza Panahian), a Hojatoleslam (Shia cleric) and head of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s ‘think tank for universities’, was recently quoted in Shafaq News as saying that the corona virus pandemic is a prelude to the emergence of the expected Mahdi (Muslim Messiah). Meanwhile other govt leaders warn that as many as 3.5 million Iranians could die as a result of the disease.

China -
Chinese state media on Tuesday decided this would be a good time to chat with a panel of “experts” about the possibility of using an electromagnetic pulse weapon (EMP) against American ships that enter portions of the South China Sea illegally claimed by Beijing. This follows last week’s lazing of a US patrol aircraft. Rhetoric like this during a period of international crisis is not the best, but follows China’s propaganda campaign to accuse the US of originating the corona virus plague and absolve them of any part of it. Very clearly put, an EMP weapon would be an act of war if used on a US vessel.

Yemen -
The proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia has shifted slightly in favor of the Iranian backed shia rebels. SA allies UAE and Sudan have pulled out most of their forces and the shia are taking advantage of it. The only thing still in SA’s favor is the intense economic chaos being experienced by Iran, combined with the current corona virus and civil unrest, has harmed their ability to keep the shia rebels resupplied as they were in the past. SA relies on other countries for ground forces as their units are not lead or trained very well. Plus being cash heavy, it is easier to pay someone to die than to motivate their on people make the sacrifice So between the two, things are moving more into a dead lock.

CW2 -
LA county sheriff is emptying his cells and putting criminals onto the street because of the corona virus. This is a trend in dark blue areas of the country, somehow endangering law-abiding citizens thru release of criminals is law ‘enforcement’. It will serve to create greater chaos and panic IF conditions under the corona virus response fall apart -OR- the country gets hit with another black swan event (like a major natural disaster).

Again, everything corona virus but there are other things to watch out for.

Increasing numbers of lock downs and restrictions are so far being taken in stride by Americans. However, we don’t know just what will happen if these restrictions continue for weeks. Past few days it became evident nationwide that the latest panic buying focused on gun and ammo sales. Considering that civil unrest may break out as people go stir crazy being locked up and gangs target stores for luxury items and food, this level of prepardness is understandable. Along those lines, CA Gov Newsum mentioned a potential martial law mission for CANG, not a good thought either.

With that in mind, there are indicators starting to light up for a potential nation-wide shutdown/lockdown if the infection growth trend line doesn’t start to ease after the next 15 days (according to yesterday’s national plan). See also concerns that this fight may well continue into August and even next year. This is no short term issue.

Grocery stores are strained to replenish stocks as the distribution system struggles to catch up to demand. The economic hit this country (and world) is sustaining is unbelievable.

Numerous potential and locally demonstrated successful treatments to reduce the infection time (and even potentially block) for victims. Unfortunately, the FDA is dragging its feet with concerns those treatments may hurt patients (I know - do no harm), OTOH those patients may die without those drugs. Time to toss out the dead wood from FDA.

Black Swan -
Recommend keeping an eye on Deuteche Bank Stock. It is Lehman brothers on steroids and red bull. DB was designated by the IMF as the “most systemically dangerous bank” in the world back in 2016. It carries MUCH of the EU’s bad debt. So far DB stocks are hanging on, but any unexpected shudder from other market forces could force it over the brink.

Saudi Arabia/Yemen -
The Ansarallah forces announced on Wednesday that their air force heavily targeted several Saudi economic facilities, including oil and gas fields.
Yet to be confirmed, but they also claim to be capturing terrain near the northern Yemeni town of Marib City. Yesterday I commented on the loss of ground forces supporting SA, and this appears to be one of the consequences.

CW2 -
On Wednesday, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) released its annual report on “hate groups” for 2019. The report smears conservative and Christian groups as “hate groups” and exaggerates the threats from marginalized racist groups. Leftist groups will continue to use such reports to desensitize their followers into believing that they can do what ever violence they want to because those to the right of them deserve it.