Replies

Catching up

Wuhan virus -
Numbers, numbers and more numbers. I think that those who say this is nothing other than a bad cold/flu need to look at what is happening in Italy. The cases requiring hospitalization are crashing the system. This crash in now starting to hit the New York area. I expect it to continue into other major metro areas.

Many voices out there claiming that martial law is being implemented in California and other states. This is not correct and is fear mongering. Constitutional law and common law has not been replaced by military authority or rules. Lets not let rhetoric over print reality. Use discretion when reading reports of military on the streets- in California for instance, the Guard is backfilling food banks that are normally staffed by senior citizens who are at home being in the highest risk group.

Analysis: This next week will be pivotal to see if the growth trend is going to break good or bad. There are rumors of national level restrictions that may be implemented if there is no slowdown in growth using measures implemented by states. Given the tremendous hit this would cause on the economy, I think the President would be very reluctant to make such an order..

Hamas/Israel -
Hamas is throwing tantrums about slow receipt of money from supportive arab states. They have threatened to launch rocket attacks on Israel to force them into bomb shelters and make the corona virus situation grow by forcing people into confined/close situations. I don’t think anything will come of this threat but shows some of the arab thinking involved.

Syria -
Cease fire is generally holding in Idlib province. Minor skirmishes.

Iran -
More leadership dying from corona virus. Senior General of Quds forces recruiting died yesterday.

N Korea -
The two missiles launched a couple days ago are believed still to be SLBM prototypes. Some considered a new MLRS, but if so, they are far larger than your normal rocket.

CW2 -
Antifa mouthpieces in social media are still encouraging followers to loot stores to bring down capitalism. This has not panned out in any recognizable manner.

Criminals are being released in numerous blue cities/counties to allegedly “protect” them from corona virus. This is resulting in localized spikes in crime as I’m sure these criminals are practicing proper social distancing. . . . .

Wuhan Virus -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

In spite of demands from leftists like Pelosi to nationalize the private sector to produce needed medical items, the President has expressed reluctance to do so. He state private industry is stepping forward on their own to meet demand, so why should the government try to run things, noting nationalization hasn’t worked for socalist nations around the world, most recently Venezula.

The President recently tweeted that he doesn’t want the cure to be worse than the problem itself. At the end of the 15 day period (a reference to his 15 day plan) a decision will be made which way to go. The end of this 15 day period is April 1 or 2.

Black Swans -
Multiple actions disrupting global economics in the midst of the corona virus pandemic. Of note:

Oil prices plunged overnight as Putin reportedly said he’s not done with his price war with SA. Prices dropped to about $20/barrel. This is on top of the largest drop in oil demand in history due to the corona virus.

Gold: Last week physical gold/silver prices ‘decoupled’ from the paper prices. Spot silver was a low as $12/oz, but good luck finding physical silver at anything less than $20/oz. Drop in metal prices largely on paper as stock market losses were attempted to be covered. Switch to physical metals have essentially sold out most dealers. Add to this the report that three Swiss gold refiners are shutting down due to the virus and some mints are reducing their production all due to the corona virus is spurring the physical metals spiking.

CW2 -
Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to release “vulnerable” inmates from city jails to prevent the spread of the corona virus pandemic into local lockups. This is a trend seen in blue cities around the country. The question many are beginning to ask is why? Jails/prisons are essentially ‘isolation’ from general community and to release them into the open community will do more to expose them than lock up in a jail. It is highly unlikely that they will obey shut in orders either, as some communities have seen a spike in crime following releases.

Mouth pieces of Antifa are now calling for open anarchy/violence/protesting in response to corona virus sheltering in place and other restrictions. This is in addition to what I’ve reported last week concerning the calls to mob/loot stores and force capitalism to crash. While still in rhetoric mode, these pronouncements are seeding their followers to prepare for action. Under present conditions, such violence could trigger local, limited martial law in some blue cities.

Seeing lots of posts about hundreds of military vehicles on trains being moved around US. This is how the Army moves its gear folks! It is totally NORMAL. Happens all the time but always pops up in conspiracy circles when instability occurs etc.