Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF

~ John W. Howell

 

Photo of Lucy and Twiggy
“I can’t hear you Little One. You are too far away.”
“It’s okay Lucy. I was just saying what a lovely Friday this is. Plenty of shade with a little dappled sun. So peaceful.”
“What?”

 

Another Friday is upon us, and it does seem like the week passed quickly. Well, I hope that is a good thing for you. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it is nice to get to the weekend. But, on the other hand, at my age, to feel the weeks fly can be disconcerting. Such a condition can be compared to riding in a driverless car’s back seat, watching the speedometer climb past the speed limit. Who do you call?

As we ease COVID restrictions here in the US, some sobering numbers are being registered in the rest of the world. The WHO reported the official worldwide death tool in 2020 of 1,813,188. So far this year, more than 2,000,000 people worldwide have died.  These statistics point out a disparity in the ability of vaccines in the poorer countries. In the US, 53% of the population is fully vaccinated. A bit short of the herd immunity goal of 70% but enough to drastically cut the number of cases reported. Also, the number of deaths has declined significantly. Let’s hope the rest of the world can get the vaccines before another outbreak causes more hardship.

Still plugging along on my WIP. My characters just finished a scene with Lucifer (No, he hasn’t changed. Still evil.)and are now in California in 1849 to see what the Gold Rush was all about. I wish them well there since the place is loaded with ruffians. Certainly not like today.

Today’s John Ku talks about the pandemic. I hope you all have a super weekend.

The Pandemic by John W. Howell © 2021

It seems to be over,

For the richest of countries . . .

What about the poor ones?

93 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF”

  1. The world is in a sorry state. It’s nice to see some rich countries giving money to Covax, but it’s not just money that’s needed – it’s vaccines. Rich countries like US, UK, EU etc should help poorer countries develop vaccine manufacturing facilities by fully waiving IP rights and supplying experts to help in the process. Then money is needed to train people to give the vaccine and to strengthen infrastructure to allow for its rapid roll-out. This needs to be a global effort. Nations, trading blocs, Trade areas – all meaningless. And whilst we’re at it, let’s put at least a temporary stop to all these wasteful, pointless and destructive conflicts!

    Liked by 4 people

      1. That’s a good start, John, and it’s good to see other countries stepping up to help. Sadly, the UK’s effort seems restricted to offering to give away whatever we have left next year when we’ve finished our roll-out. Not only is that a year too late; it’s needed now; but I’m afraid it displays the kind of attitude the third world accuses us of – tossing the dogs the table-scraps that we no longer need.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. Ooh, is it a quiz, I like those. Is the answer Ghostbusters?
    I agree time flashes past at an astonishing rate, it’s disconcerting. I agree also about the vaccines, so many deaths worldwide we should be doing all in our power to get vaccines to the poorer countries as soon as possible. I’m glad to hear the U.S. has now goa grip on Covid and the deaths are slowing up.
    Have a great wekend John.
    Hugs

    Liked by 3 people

  3. It’s not over in Cornwall, yet. Our infections rose by over 900% in a few days. Seems to be slowing again but still going up. Happily, the death rate is down, so fingers crossed. Lots of folks arguing about was it the G7 summit or the protestors or plain old tourism? I’m staying well out of that one!

    I feel so much for the poorer countries, many of which have also suffered some catastrophic weather events recently too.

    Great Haiku today, John, and I’m with you on the time passing thing. I cannot believe we’re staring the end of June in its beady eyes right now.

    Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you for your comments, Harmony. I keep thinking that as long as people continue to cluster and are not fully vaccinated, there are going to be outbreaks. I guess there is nothing we can do about the time passing but hope there will be some help for countries needing vaccines. I loved your comment about beady eyes. Have a super weekend as well.

      Liked by 2 people

  4. When I look at the calendar, I have a hard time believing that we are almost into July. I can’t understand why the rich countries aren’t helping the countries that still have high rates of infection. Compassion goes out the window when issues become political. Enjoy your weekend, John.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Seems Lucy does the only right: sleeping. I just wonder why she only chooses one corner of the rug. 😉 Best wishes, and have all a beautiful weekend. Don’t worry too much, here in Germany they are already discussing further future variants and countermeasures. ;-( xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Lucifer may or m ay not show up in my series as well, John.

    Great minds create alike after all.

    We’re not out of this Covid19 nightmare yet in Canada and I’m feeling it economically and emotionally.

    Thank Heavens for friends like you.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. So true, Boss. The disparities are magnified in times like these.

    As for Twiggy, she has quite the vocabulary. She must be looking over your shoulder when you write . . . dappled? Impressive.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Twiggy is so very zen today… must be because she is in the perfect spot for her. I’m thinking Lucy likes the sun way more 🙂

    As for Covid. Here, in Canada 75% of the population has had at least one dose while only just a bit over 20% is fully. Jeez. Still, our PM has vowed to donate vaccines to places like India so I’m glad to see us doing our part. We had a get-together with friends (five of us went to high school together and have known each other for 45 years – how fabulous is that?) In our gang we all got the two except for one couple who are working on it. We ironically have a shortage this week (maybe coz we’re busy giving it away?)

    Have a fabulous Friday, John!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Hi, John! I think one of the biggest problems with the poorer countries is lack of storage for the vaccines. Even if the US donates a number of vaccines they’re going to need proper storage for them until they’re able to distribute them all. It’s a sad situation that needs to be resolved ASAP.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Great reflection and haiku, John. Having just arrived in AZ, I’ve regularly surprised by the absence of face masks — anywhere. Folks are enjoying their new-found freedom. Hopefully, we’re turning a corner on the COVID beast. Have a great weekend. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  16. So many troubles across the globe. The death toll numbers are staggering. How awesome that you’re making progress with your WIP. I know it will be another awesome John Howell story! I still think Twiggy has the right idea laying in the shade. 🙂 Happy Friday!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Was always going to be hard on the poorer nations, John. Then again Brazil (Bolsonaro) is a disaster area and it is supposed to have the means to do better. Pleased to hear you are still writing hard. Your lawn is the perfect length and shape for a cricket net. Cricket is a game we play this side of the pond. It’s a bit like baseball.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Yes, that’s a good question there at the end.
    It also makes me wonder a lot about the 1918-19 flu. 50 million people are supposed to have died. In a time where there were fewer people than there are today and in a time when it would have been much more difficult to count. I keep questioning this figure in my head.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I wish the vaccine had a world wide effort for those who want it in rich and poor countries. We were so lucky to have it so available here.
    Happy to hear you are visiting the gold rush in your book and that Lucifer hasn’t changed 😉 Have a good weekend, John!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I’m hoping and praying the day will come when the entire world will be able to put this awful virus and all its variants, behind us.

    Congrats on your WIP progress, John. I look forward to visiting the gold rush!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Some countries have not even administered one dose of the vaccine. We in the US are so fortunate to have them easily available. The Gold Rush would have attracted Lucifer for sure. Love the sweet photo of Twiggy. Cheers for the weekend, John! Yes, at this age they go by too fast.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. The worldwide statistics are so tragic, John, and here is the US, where the vaccine is plentiful, people are choosing not to take it. What a first world problem. Enjoy the shade with Twiggy and slow down time a bit this weekend. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  26. We still have our share of ruffians in California, but I still love where we live in the middle of the redwoods and close to the ocean. Two weeks ago, my next-door neighbor passed of Covid. He was only 52 and left behind a wife and twenty-year-old son. It’s good that deaths have slowed, but it still seems like there are far too many senseless deaths.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Words to ponder, John. I just read Diana’s comment and what a good point she made. But I won’t vent about it either, but I will say that my family is joyfully fully vaccinated. It’s comforting, especially with the Delta variant spreading. As to the weekend, I greet it with open arms. Enjoy yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Pingback: Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF – Love Alone

Comments are closed.