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.
Wuhan Virus -
Great breakdown of the data here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3848020/posts
Significant developments on my radar . . .
Phylogenetic mapping of corona virus variants based upon tens of thousands of samples indicates that there are as many as 19 variants in the US alone. This will make the development of any vaccine questionable at best. For those who’ve paid attention to the standard flu vaccines over the years will note that by the time a vaccine hits the streets, the virus has mutated and the vaccine is essentially worthless (health providers will say it does ‘help’ a little.)
In a huge turn around Dr. Anthony Fauci said “staying locked down for a prolonged period of time” is not the right approach, and “most of the country” is reopening “in a prudent way.” Fauci said, “I don’t want people to think that any of us feel that staying locked down for a prolonged period of time is the way to go.” Fauci has been out of the spotlight the past couple weeks after openly disagreeing with the president on reopening the economy when he said it should be kept shut down longer - which the president replied was unsatisfactory. Some observers and analysts consider Fauci maneuvering to protect his image as a pandemic hero, but his record clearly is that of a corrupted bureaucrat.
The CDC just came out with a report (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/planning-scenarios.html) to offer a real estimate of the overall death rate for COVID-19, and under its most likely scenario, the number is 0.26%. Officials estimate a 0.4% fatality rate among those who are symptomatic and project a 35% rate of asymptomatic cases among those infected, which drops the overall infection fatality rate (IFR) to just 0.26% If one factors out the exceptionally high nursing home related deaths and focuses on the ‘healthy’ population, this number drops to about 0.1%.
Economy -
Some economists are observing that the growing rent defaults are inflicting a hard hit to landlords. An estimated $7.4 billion in rent for April hasn’t been paid, or about 45% of what’s owed, according to a recent analysis by CoStar Group, which also found that just a quarter of of expected rent payments have been received by landlords. In a particular bad position are mall owners who prior to the shut down were dealing with low rated of occupancy. With remaining occupants not paying rents, the stability of those owners is becoming questionable and if prolonged much further, wide spread resultant bankruptcies and closures would be expected.
Venezuela / Iran -
The first of five Iranian oil tankers reached Venezuelan territorial water without incident. Expect a lot of gloating and chest banging by both nations.
India/China -
Tensions have increased since last week’s fist fight between the two militaries. Starting in the third week of April, over 5,000 Chinese soldiers have intruded into Indian territory at five points in Ladakh — four along the Galwan River, and one near the Pangong Lake.
CW2/Civil Unrest -
The Oregon Supreme Court on Saturday issued a deadline to the Baker County judge who this week granted a preliminary injunction nullifying Oregon governor’s emergency coronavirus orders: Either throw out the injunction by 5 p.m. Tuesday or explain why he should not do so. Gov Brown appointed 6 of the 8 justices.
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals (three judge panel) ruled Friday on a lawsuit brought by the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista, California, earlier this month. It upheld Newsom’s church ban. On sign of California (or other churches for that matter) backing off demands that Newsom loosen the restrictions or they will start meeting on their terms by May 31 (Pentecost Sunday)
Leading in many discussions is the potential for the abuse of contact tracing the will lead to forced incarcerations and deprivation of rights. Many on the left as well as those who’ve drank the faustian koolaid of pandemic think there will be no abuses. Even from the short history of this pandemic response - abuses have been rampant and wide spread. Civilian push back to already onerous emergency ‘regulations’ may be pushed even farther if these ‘tracers’ gain traction - and rest assured the tracing plans are nation wide.
Hong Kong -
Yesterday thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets and were met almost immediately by police using tear gas, water cannons and arresting protest leaders. I anticipate that this is just the start of a long, hot summer of protests.
N Korea -
Kim Jong Un has made his first public appearance in about three weeks, presiding over a central military committee meeting. Some are already questioning the photos because no one in the room is wearing a mask. Photos of individuals outside the room (and not with Kim) have masks. This is causing more speculation about a body double. This meeting had discussions about increasing ‘nuclear war deterrence’ and taking measures to increase the firepower strike ability of artillery. The military was also placed on “high alert”, which is interesting since it is almost always on such an alert level.