Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell

 

 

Here we are another week in the history books. The week was marked with some unexpected results in the Democratic Super Tuesday primary. Also, the Federal Reserve cut the interest rate on Fed funds by half a point. This was the first such cut since 2008.

No matter the results of the primary and the low cost of borrowing the Coronavirus keeps on coming. As long as it remains a mystery of containment the financial markets are going to continue to be uncertain. An old sage once said to me, “Don’t worry about the value of a portfolio unless you are planning to sell.”

I take comfort in that advice since I have no plans to sell anything. Hopefully when I do have plans to sell things like Coronavirus will be long forgotten. In the meantime, keep calm and wash your hands.

Today’s JohnKu takes another look at fear with the idea of putting it into perspective. I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Fear II by John W. Howell © 2020

The news is not good,

Markets falling, deaths rising . . .

Control your own space.

 

Avoid larger groups,

Continue to wash your hands . . .

Don’t look at your stocks.

 

You have no control,

Over markets and disease . . .

You can control panic.

 

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

54 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF”

  1. Great thoughts, John! Lately, it seems as though panic is more contagious than the virus. I think people forget how many die from the flu each year. I’m not selling or watching either! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Compared to the flu figures so far this season, Covid19 is way behind … influenza since winter 2019 began = 32 million flu illnesses and 18,000 total deaths, and this happens every year. I know the coronaviruse is an unknown, but still … this mass panic and stockpiling strikes me as useless. Like Jill says above, panic is more contagious. Great words and Haiku, John. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I had an appointment with my eye doctor in Houston on Monday. When he came into the exam room, he reached out to shake my hand, just like always. “So,” I said. “you haven’t given into the panic?” Giving my hand an extra shake, he grinned and said, “Nope. And neither should you.”

    Liked by 1 person

  9. “You can control panic.”

    That’s important to remember, John.

    I’m reminded of an episode of M*A*S*H – where Col. Potter says, “the first thing people do in a situation like this is panic.” One of the other characters replied, something like, “it’s good to know I’m doing this in the proper order.”

    I hope you’re rolling into a good weekend. Give the girls a scritch.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I can’t believe the way people are acting over this. Someone has been stealing supplies from the hospital, because “Must have all the masks.” They made a run on the auto parts stores and bought all the painting respirators too. I’ll need to remember some of this for future stories.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Definitely words of wisdom, John. I’m trying to put the stock market out of my head. I wish the stupid press would stop fanning the flames of the Cornoavirus. It’s one matter for health providers to be prepared, but the general public needs a massive chill pill!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. All great points, John. When living abroad years ago, there was a notable scare and within hours, stores were emptied. Since then, I’ve been leary of people’s reactions in a crisis. I like your conclusion of a “Covid19 Tantrum.” Right on!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. That last line, that one. . .

    “you can control panic”.

    I think the population should be heeding this instead of behaving as if we’re inside an episode of “Walking Dead”.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Such GOOD advice, John! I work at home, yet I’m washing my hands ALL the time. Always have, frankly (probably because I grew up with a mom who majored in bacteriology, ha!)

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I’ve always been a bit OCD with hand washing, it pays off sometimes:) So true can only control our responses.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’ve always been a bit OCD with hand washing, it pays off sometimes:) So true can only control our responses.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Perfect trio of haiku, John.
    And, like Jill said, people forget just how many die from the “common” flu. Stop panicking, people and just wash your hands. As you should do all the time.
    The media sure do like to bring the levels up way beyond the necessary levels, don’t they?

    Liked by 1 person

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