Friday, 14 February 2020


Valentine's Day, 2020 1440

Brenda enquired as to my health earlier. Then a little later asked me to tell her what I would say if I was asked what have we learnt from the epidemic and what should ordinary people do?

I strongly suspect she has been asked that question and wants to pinch anything I may have said to use herself but it did give me a chance to have a little rant!

I pointed out that whenever there's an outbreak the world panics but then that's human nature for you. I did my sums. So far 1488 fatalities in China, most in Hubei province. As a percentage of the 1.4 billion people in China it is 0.0001%. Annually, a quarter of a million people in China are killed on the roads, or 20,000 a month but it doesn't stop people doing it. Yet now the national dress is a pigging face mask! In fact yesterday, as well as being scanned with heat-seeking equipment, at the bakery we had to stand in a disinfecting “wet tray” before entering!

She has just informed me the school has instructed the staff to be ready for work on the 1st March. I can't see it personally even though I hope it happens. I've also stated it would be nice to have my timetable of classes and subjects so I can make preparations. At the moment it is limbo.

1615

Nordine the French teacher is apparently still in France. I would have laid money on him returning so I hope my character assessment doesn't prove to be wrong.

1750

Just went to the jing jo shop. Two days ago I almost didn't need my coat to go out. Today? Jesus! I was actually for the first time, glad of the mask because it kept my face a bit warmer!

All the restaurants and stalls are still closed and tomorrow I need to procure more smokes. Do I potentially waste two or three hours on an expedition to China Tobacco and find that still closed, then have to go to BHG anyway or do I cut out the middleman? I will see how I feel tomorrow but probably a trip straight to BHG. Mind you, if it's a bit warmer the outing will make a nice change.

From your not-so-roving reporter it's goodnight for today!

3 comments:

  1. You should also of mentioned the half million that die world wide of ordinary flu every year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great point but there were so many other examples I could have used that didn't involve bloody masks that I chose road accidents. The fact that people continue to drive regardless I hope drove home (excuse the pun) the idiocy of the reaction to this rather minor outbreak.

    STOP PRESS: Since posting this entry, the Coronavirus Counter website I have been following "resurrected" 107 people by reducing the overall death toll. Earlie inaccuracies have been blamed by the authorities. Take that as you will!

    ReplyDelete
  3. and 60,000 die p.a in USA because of ordinary 'flu.
    W.
    in Wgtn.

    ReplyDelete