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.
Fiction Favorites 
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.
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Good point, Jill. I think this whole Covad19 deal is so overblown. Well all we can do is hang on. Thanks. Have a super Friday.
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Definitely overblown! ❤
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*cough, sneeze, hack. Yeah way over.😷 😂
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This is why I don’t think retirement funds should be connected to something so volatile. It’s too risky in my eyes.
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That is one school of thought. Thanks, Charles
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Good advice.
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But will it be followed? Thanks, Liz.
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Probably not . . .
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😊
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Sound advice, John.
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Thanks, Mark. 😊
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Holding on is usually the best thing to do. Patience is always the key when investing in the market. Have a great weekend John.
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Good advice. Have a great weekend as well, Drew.
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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. 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. Even in China the case rate is .007%. Have a super weekend as well.
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If people do panic – where are they going to go?
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Good point, GP. Where indeed? 😊
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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.”
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Good man. Just keep washing those hands. Thanks, Linda.
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“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.
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Thank you, Dan. The girls appreciated the scritch. 😁
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Excellent advice, John. Co-workers of hubby started spreading rumors about the virus being here in KY – completely untrue. This is how panic starts.
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It sure is. No self respecting virus would dare disturb the beauty that is KY. (That’s where Willett is made for heaven’s sake.) Thanks, Teri.
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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.
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Don’t forget to add automatic weapons to protect the resperators and masks.
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Good idea. I wonder how many of the stolen goods are going on EBay.
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92%
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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!
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I agree. This whole thing is going to be called the Covid19 tantrum when it is all done. Thanks, Mae.
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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!
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Thank you, Gwen.
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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”.
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I know right? Come on folks use some common sense.
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It’s not so common.
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How right you are.
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😉
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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!)
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She knew then. My mom was the same.
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I’ve always been a bit OCD with hand washing, it pays off sometimes:) So true can only control our responses.
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It does pay off, Denise. Thank you.
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I’ve always been a bit OCD with hand washing, it pays off sometimes:) So true can only control our responses.
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Agreed. Time for concern and caution, of course, but panic never helps anything. Happy Friday and have a great weekend, John!
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You as well, Jill.
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Excellent advice and written in verse too! Also, don’t touch your face! We will be fine and your friend is right about the portfolio.
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Yes, leave that face alone.
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“Don’t worry about the value of a portfolio unless you are planning to sell.” – I like that quote. Hopefully it will help me get some sleep tonight.
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I’m sure you can sleep well with the advice.
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This is sage advice right here, John. We can only control our own space – and YES! Wash our hands!
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Drink plenty of fluids too. 🥃. Thanks, Jan
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Perfectly put, John. Here’s hoping common sense gains traction soon.
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Common sense takes more time than irrational reaction so maybe time will help.
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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?
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They do for sure, Dale. Thanks.
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