Great Coronavirus Panic of 2020 -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. Check numerous FR threads for more specific corona virus threads. On the good side, daily cases and deaths have clearly been decreasing since April 2, 2020. Better details here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3847472/posts
We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .
Doctors in Northern California say they have seen more deaths from suicide than they’ve seen from the coronavirus during the pandemic. “The numbers are unprecedented,” Dr. Mike deBoisblanc of John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California, told ABC 7 News about the increase of suicide deaths adding that he’s seen a “year’s worth of suicides” in the last four weeks alone. This account parallels a British study that indicates that suicide as well as other issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, are beginning to skyrocket under continued lock down conditions.
Domestic Terror -
FBI is involved in investigating the shooting at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi yesterday and the attack is characterized as terrorism related. The shooter, described as an “arab male” tried to ram a van through the base gate and was blocked by an activated vehicle barrier. The driver then got out and started shooting. He was killed (neutralized) by base security. There are still some reports of a second person of interest at large.
Economy -
According to The Illinois Restaurant Association there were 25,851 restaurants operating in the state in March, and it estimates that 20%, or nearly 5,200 restaurants, will go out of business in the coming months because of COVID-19. Some in the industry say that number is a best case scenario. Similar bankruptcies are expected nationwide in the restaurant industry.
(Bloomberg) — The Mall of America, the largest U.S. shopping center, missed two months of payments for a $1.4 billion commercial mortgage-backed security, the latest sign of the devastating impact of pandemic-related shutdowns on the retail industry. “The loan is currently due for the April and May payments,” according to a report filed by the trustee of the debt, Wells Fargo & Co., which is also the master servicer for the loan. “Borrower has notified master servicer of Covid-19 related hardships.”
I’m reading a lot of debate between economists regarding if the economic damage due to the lock down will cause a deflationary tail spin or hyperinflation - I’m no economist, but we may still be a little early in the game to project from the current conditions.
US -
The US announced yesterday that it is pulling out of the Open Skies Treaty in response to Russian violations. This withdrawal is to be effective in 6 months.
USS Theodore Roosevelt is taking 10-14 days to do re-certification of the air wing and flight deck before returning to Guam to retrieve the rest of the crew. Overall, the Navy’s adjustments to the corona virus and operational impacts could possibly result in vessels spending more time deployed at sea with little or no port calls outside of US bases. The navy reports at least 6 carrier groups are presently at sea.
Hong Kong -
(WaPo)” China’s Communist Party will impose a sweeping national security law in Hong Kong by fiat during the annual meeting of its top political body, officials said Thursday, criminalizing “foreign interference” along with secessionist activities and subversion of state power. The move is the boldest yet from Beijing to undercut Hong Kong’s autonomy and bring the global financial hub under its full control, as it works to rewrite the “one country, two systems” framework that has allowed the territory to enjoy a level of autonomy for the past 23 years. After steadily eroding Hong Kong’s political freedoms, Beijing signaled that the national security law will be a new tool that allows it to directly tackle the political dissent that erupted on Hong Kong’s streets last year.” This law change could also authorize more direct military intervention and supression of any protests. Overnight, Hong Kong stock market dropped by more than 5%, seeing some of it’s worse losses ever.
Hong Kong activists called for a protest march on Friday against Beijing’s plans to impose national security legislation in the semiautonomous city, raising concerns over its freedoms and its status as a global financial hub. Watch for potential violence and renewed unrest.
In response, U.S. senators are introducing a bipartisan bill that would sanction Chinese officials and entities who enforce new national security law in Hong Kong. The legislation would also penalize banks who do business with those entities. President Trump signed a bill last year showing solidarity with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Iran/Venezuela -
The first of five Iranian oil tankers, the “Fortune” is about 24-36 hours out from Venezuelan EEZ. If the US is to intercept, they have about 24 hours to do so. Justification would be enforcing sanctions on both countries.
Israel -
In a move associated with Abbas’ threat to sever cooperation with Israel, PA security forces have started a partial withdrawal from the town of Abu Dis east of Jerusalem Friday morning. This threatens to allow unrest to begin, though it may backfire on the PA since it will not have any elements to ‘protect’ if terrorist activity begins.
Libya -
Fighting for Tripoli continues to be a bloody slug fest. Turkey which supports the UN recognized government, has warned rebels of heavy retaliation if any Turkish positions are attacked. Recent support from Turkey has blunted the rebel assault and Turkish aircraft have been more successful in interdicting supplies for the rebels.
Russia -
Russia’s economy is forecast to contract by more than 8% in the second quarter 2020.
CW2/Civil Unrest -
Monitoring the DC Court of Appeals slap down of Judge Sullivan (Gen Flynn case). This could be the deep states ‘pickett’s charge’.
More lockdown protests scheduled across the country, with today being called by some “Freedom Friday”
I’m still working on my personal review of the matrix.
Wuhan Virus -
Great breakdown of the data here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3847777/posts
Significant developments on my radar . . .
Corona virus related deaths in rest homes/long term care facilities are one of the tragic milestones of this emergency. As the numbers become clearer, they become darker. 81% of coronavirus deaths in Minnesota have occurred in nursing homes and in New York 4,300 infected patents were sent back into nursing homes, infecting and killing thousands more. Nationally, the AP is reporting over 35,500 people have died from coronavirus outbreaks at nursing homes and long-term care facilities, about a third of the overall death toll. Probably the sickest (no pun intended) item was the disgustingly brutal attack by a 20 yr old black corona virus patient on a 77 yr old white male in Michigan. Placing this violent individual into an elderly care facility was bad enough, but being symptomatic with corona and probably infecting others in the facility is unspeakably demonic.
Domestic Terror Attack -
The FBI unofficially announced it Adam Salim Alsahli was the one who opened fire at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Alsahli was a native of Syria who held US citizenship and a 20 yr old college student at Del Mar College, a community college in Corpus Christi. Rumors that Alsahli voiced support for hardline Islamic clerics on social media prior to the thwarted attack. Ramadan is ending and Eid is today (Saturday).
Economy -
Car rental giant Hertz is preparing to file for bankruptcy.
In Dubai, a survey of businesses there indicates 70% of Dubai companies expect to go out of business within six months due to coronavirus pandemic. Dubai has a diversified economy not overly dependent on oil.
Venezuela / Iran -
The clock is ticking down on whether or not the US will intercept the first of five Iranian tankers bound for Venezuela. The first tanker is within hours of reaching Venezuelan controlled waters. Iranian President Rouhani has issued a warning to US against harassing the Iranian tankers bound for Venezuela
Global Terror -
The end of Ramadan seems to be ending relatively quietly around the globe.
CW2/Civil Unrest -
In the face of increasing push back by thousands of Kalifornian churches, Gov newsom has announced he will be releasing ‘guidelines’ for reopening. I don’t expect much but more foot dragging. Liberals are using church closures to punish some of Trump’s strongest supporters - evangelical christians under the guise of the pandemic.
Syria -
A joint Coalition and Syrian Democratic Forces raid killed two top ISIS leaders, CENTCOM confirmed on Friday The Coalition-SDF raid took place on May 17 in Deir Ezzor province, Syria, killing regional ISIS leaders Ahmad ‘Isa Ismail al-Zawi and Ahmad ‘Abd Muhammad Hasan al-Jughayfi.
Hong Kong -
China is moving forward with its new law that will nulify the treaty with Britain over the self governing status of HK. On Friday, Hong Kong’s government (largely hand picked by China) said it would co-operate with Beijing to enact the law, adding it would not affect the city’s freedoms. Protests have resumed inspite of corona virus restrictions that China is exploiting to force the take over.
N Korea -
Back into where is waldo mode. Chinese sources (RUMINT) he is still in Wonson.