“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?
Fiction Favorites 
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!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Hear, hear, Keith–on all counts!!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see you are a dreamer, Keith. Perhaps you’re not the only one. The US has pledged 500 million doses. Let’s hope they get to the right places.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There does come a time when investments in other than the near term are needed. I think that time is now. Thanks, Keith.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree with you, David, on the vaccines. Ghostbusters is as good an answer as I can think up. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m still wondering who is managing the 500 million doses that Biden promised for other countries. Thanks, Jill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The concept of world health still needs some work, John. It’s sad to read stories from some countries. Stay safe, take a tip from Twiggy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan.Our dogs should run the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on DEEZ – NOW: —-> BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing Michael 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, John! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no idea why Twiggy picks the corner of the limestone paver. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol – Sorry, I was wrong. It’s Twiggy.😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy the weekend. Really good poem. Wonder about that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You as well, Charles. Thanks. 😁
LikeLike
I can’t believe how we’re already at the end of June. Just thinking yesterday that some places (Hobby Lobby) will be putting out Christmas decorations soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. Michaels too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best we can do is habg on and stay safe.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She has a fixation with the word dappled for some reason. She loves the dappled sunlight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s quite the author herself
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find it strange how many people refuse to get the vaccine. They’re volunteering as Petri dishes to help the virus mutate into something more frightening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guess they don’t think it can happen tp them. I wish them luck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sure, give the stuff away meanwhile a shortage at home. Makes sense to me. You are lucky to have such friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. Let’s just say there are times when Canadians are not in love with our PM – quite a few times, actually.
And I am very lucky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are right, Vashti. Storage is a problem for some. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guess the folks there believe it is over. Today there were 18 cases in Prescott. The seven day average is eight. cases. I hope they take care. And you do as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jan. Happy Friday to you as well. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think maybe I’ll take up cricket. Thanks, Guy
LikeLike
Good for you, John … still plugging away at the next novel. My writing hours have shrunk in proportion to “Monkey time,” ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘This, too, will pass’! We can hope!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can hope I guess. Thanks, Billy Ray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When ou find an answer let us know.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise. Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mae. I’m hoping this will all be behind us as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jo. Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana. I don’t understand why anyone would not take the vaccine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t either. And I’ll avoid the impulse to rant about it! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sunbath, dogtails & Friday bar – simple joys at the Twiggy Resort! Hurrah! 🙂 🥤🥤🥤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed, Dear Maria. 🍸🍸😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Thanks, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Continued prayers for our world, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like throwing a bucket into the ocean sometimes but good to keep up.
LikeLike
I hope you and the girls have a nice week-end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You as well Deborah. I saw you and grandchild on the board on Instagram. Was that Lake Tahoe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that was Lake Tahoe. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yowzaa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely a good reminder, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Barbara.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poignant, you’ve expressed thoughts from my own mind field!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great mind fields think alike. I do grow alfalfa when mine’s not busy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol!
Fools seldom differ! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great corollary. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The poor and neglected, a thought provoking poem, John. On another note, it would be nice if Father Time answered the phone, once in awhile, and agreed to slow down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Put his feet up and have a Molson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF […]
LikeLike