AMERICAN TO U.S. -- PIP WATCH -- RUMORS

AMERICAN TO U.S.   

In an earlier post I noted an American teacher, John McGory, originally from Westerville, Ohio (a community north of Columbus near where we bought our first house) who was living in Wuhan China had blogged about his experience living in the city where the Coronavirus emerged.   He had been unable to exit the city on the first evacuation flight.  He described with photos the vacant streets of Wuhan, possible issues getting food, his concern for free expression limitations in what he could safely write about the situation due to Chinese laws. 

John’s last blog post at American Speech Company the end of January revealed he was uncertain as to the circumstances of his future life there, if he would have to remain, what that might mean,  or if he would be able to leave.  I expected to follow any further posts he might write, but there were none. 

Finally, on February 4^th I found McGory’s updated post on Amazon where his book is listed.  He describes the frantic experience when the second evacuation plane he had arranged to take was cancelled in a post titled:  “Humans not statistics”  as he prepared for another evacuation flight.

“Real information remains scarce while rumors explode.”  He noted:  “We have to get our own transportation to an airport 40 miles away in a city with numerous army-patrolled stops along the way.  The Chinese want to know everything about the drivers taking us to the airport.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they put them in isolation for two weeks.   I’m trying to keep a wait-and-see attitude about the flight tonight.  Hope and fear, both cruel imposters, are best avoided.”

John made his flight touching down in San Diego at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Wednesday, February 5^th with 166 other passengers as reported in the Los Angeles Times.  We do know those passengers are quarantined to monitor for Coronavirus symptoms.  I have been unable to locate any more current reports about John McGory's status.

Monday, Feb. 17th Up Date:
John McGory continues to be free of the Coronavirsus when tested in San Diego he reported in an interview I heard on the radio this morning.  He happily looks forward to going to Ohio when he's cleared to leave Miramar Air Station.

PIP WATCH

Freezing weather in our Big Bear Mountains is reported to have likely delayed the Bald Eagles two eggs expected beginning to hatch with pipping from inside the shell from around Valentine’s Day until possibly today(Sun.)  or  coming weekdays.  The 5x4x3ft nest has been subjected to some high winds in the 120ft Jeffrey Pine Evergreen tree at the 7000 feet elevation – thought to be the highest known Bald Eagle nest.  

Live Cam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB

The eggs are on pip watch for signs of the eggs beginning to crack open which is a slow process of many hours once it starts.  I recall when we had regular and bantam chickens, ducks, that we weren't supposed to help them out of the egg shell.  If the baby bird doesn’t have the strength to continue pecking their shell open to emerge independently, they likely will not survive.  

If an egg has not been fertilized the parents may continue to sit on it, sometimes up to more than 2 months or until it begins to disintegrate.  Reportedly there is no reason to be concerned about these eggs until the 42^nd day after they were laid which would be Wednesday the 19th if they haven’t begun to show pip signs.

Some nasty Ravens have periodically been unsuccessfully harassing the brooding parents to lure them from the nest in order to get to their eggs.  Whichever parental guard bird is off the nest is seen swooping about in the sky chasing the Ravens away. 

RUMORS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

I hope people in the U.S. avoid being influenced by any Coronavirus alarmist false rumors.  There have been rumor problems deteriorating into a few racist discrimination incidents in Southern California, but efforts are ongoing to eliminate them.      

Social media sites are also reported to be a primary source of circulating false rumors, creating hysteria and conspiracy theories on all sorts of topics. Even in chat room sites those with moderators must screen out such sincere but uninformed comments as well as those of individuals who deliberately do so for effect.  Such responsible screening seems to be more than some sites will assume responsibility for doing.  

Unfortunately our very own President has been guilty of spreading untruths and conspiracy theories since before he was even a candidate for the office he now holds and has continued doing so.

Foreign infiltration on some of these sites has especially focused on our political and controversial social issues with bot comments created to inflame all points of view intended to incite us against each other.  If only we would not succumb to such efforts to undermine our democratic republic and would instead unify in peaceful tolerance of our differences. 

We might wonder if the benefits of social media outweigh the deficits due to those who abuse it. What do you think?

WORLD UPSIDE DOWN

What a world in which we live with massive unpredictable changes turning life upside down for too many people.  

"The Neighbor's Window" -- An emotionally moving glimpse of life with a turn  -- Academy Award Nominated Live Action Short Film 20 mins. you can view for free here:   https://vimeo.com/376861194

Note:  This film’s snapshot of life takes place in the comfort of modern day life in a big city, quite unlike what many are experiencing around the world.

I think of all the peoples who have been displaced from their country due to fighting, other life-threatening, devastating circumstances in their land, who are seeking a peaceful life in a new country but find the challenges they face finding acceptance overwhelming. 

I am eternally grateful to live in the U.S.A. and mightily treasure this democratic republic’s freedoms from autocracy and theocracy that depress many in the rest of the world.  We are encountering political forces attempting to weaken our system in that regard.  This makes me especially attuned to recognizing those seeking to alter the nature of this great country in which I reside -- determined to ensure a strong majority to protect our freedoms.    

Some unfortunate people around the world we hear little about now, but will hear more in the future, are those losing their homes due to the effects of climate change with oceans rising, tides flooding beach residents’ houses and businesses.  My own country’s shores will experience this, too, though maybe not in my lifetime.

Here in Southern California the rain we typically receive this time of year so far is not occurring. Our promising water accumulation from the end of last year dwindles with each passing rainless or snowless day as our totals are now only one-quarter inch above normal.  Concerns continue that we not return to recent years drought conditions necessitating water rationing.  Increased destructive wildfires are a risk as we consider the devastation Australia is experiencing.   

Adding to environmental issues is the present health emergence of  the Coronavirus in China which has been associated with wildlife marketing there.   The World Health Organization has issued a Global Health Alert for this escalating medical emergency which has now also been specifically designated to be a Public Health Concern in the U.S.   

We can hope this virus will not mirror that of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic after WWI actually thought by some to have originated in China according to a Stanford University study.  My mother described that flu in the U.S. taking a significant toll on friends, neighbors of all ages in her quite uncongested rural Great Lakes state farm community where homes were scattered miles apart from one another. Reportedly 2-5% of the world’s population died.  Some still get the facts wrong about this flu as noted in The Conversation.

  

Last week with the Coronavirus rapidly spreading, a plan was announced for the U.S. Embassy staff and some others to be evacuated by plane from Wuhan, the virus’ city of origin, to nearby Ontario International Airport.  Los Angeles TV stations aired video of preparations to accommodate the arrivals who were to be quarantined there for two weeks.

Within a day or so of the evacuation plane’s scheduled U.S. arrival L.A. news reported the flight was redirected to March Air Force Base where the 200+ evacuees would be examined and stay for three days, then if cleared for release they could leave, but would continue to be followed for symptoms.  They could choose to remain on the Base for the entire 14 days for medical monitoring as some evacuees have suggested they might do.  

After the plane's March AFB arrival one of the evacuees reportedly attempted to leave the base prematurely but was prevented from doing so.  He was subsequently ordered to remain there the full 14 days. 

There have been a few Los Angeles area news reports in the beginning which have later not been in verifiable factual official accounts.  In fluid changing situations occasional misinformation can occur.

A succinct New York Times Coronavirus report current as of 2/02/2020 provides further details.

My earlier Internet searches for additional Coronavirus information resulted in my finding John McGory’s American Speech Company’s blog in which he describes Wuhan with photos.  John is originally from Columbus, Ohio, is 65 years of age.  He had to relinquish his seat on the evacuation flight due to passport problems as reported by UK’s Daily Mail news so he remains in Wuhan. 

I anticipated following John’s blog reports but have not seen any since January 27^th.  I’m left to wonder about the circumstances he may be experiencing including if he has food which is becoming scarce, if he may have been evacuated elsewhere, whether his reports might be censored since laws limit free speech in China, or a worst case scenario that he has become ill.      

Follow your stable reliable trusted news sources for current updates on the Coronavirus where you live and do not fall prey to other purveyors of sensationalism, rumor and alternate facts or false truths.