Silicon Investor - Booms, Busts, and Recoveries

[Snowshoe] When oranges go bust... Pongamia trees grow where citrus once flourished, offer...

Snowshoe — 7/17/2024 5:10:41 PM

When oranges go bust...

Pongamia trees grow where citrus once flourished, offering renewable energy and plant-based protein
apnews.com

By FREIDA FRISARO
July 8, 2024

An ancient tree from India is now thriving in groves where citrus trees once flourished in Florida, and could help provide the nation with renewable energy.

As large parts of the Sunshine State’s once-famous citrus industry have all but dried up over the past two decades because of two fatal diseases, greening and citrus canker, some farmers are turning to the pongamia tree, a climate-resilient tree with the potential to produce plant-based proteins and a sustainable biofuel.

For years, pongamia has been used for shade trees, producing legumes — little brown beans — that are so bitter wild hogs won’t even eat them.

But unlike the orange and grapefruit trees that long occupied these rural Florida groves northwest of West Palm Beach, pongamia trees don’t need much attention.

Pongamia trees also don’t need fertilizer or pesticides. They flourish in drought or rainy conditions. And they don’t require teams of workers to pick the beans. A machine simply shakes the tiny beans from the branches when they are ready to harvest.

Terviva, a San Francisco-based company founded in 2010 by Naveen Sikka, then uses its patented process to remove the biopesticides that cause the bitter taste, making the beans suitable for food production.

“Florida offers a rare opportunity for both Terviva and former citrus farmers. The historical decline of the citrus industry has left farmers without a crop that can grow profitably on hundreds of thousands of acres, and there needs to be a very scalable replacement, very soon,” Sikka told The Associated Press. “Pongamia is the perfect fit.”

Full story

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[elmatador] Yes, amigo. Switzerland did an Argentina

elmatador — 3/20/2023 1:48:09 AM

[Snowshoe] Look who's lined up for the fleecing... Saudis, Qataris and Norway to see big l...

Snowshoe — 3/19/2023 4:18:56 PM

Look who's lined up for the fleecing...

Saudis, Qataris and Norway to see big losses on UBS deal for Credit Suisse
marketwatch.com

It wasn’t even six months ago that Saudi National Bank paid $1.5 billion for a 9.9% stake in Credit Suisse.

That stake is now worth about $215 million after UBS UBS, -5.50% reportedly swooped in to acquire its fallen rival for more than $2 billion.

And while the Saudis certainly can’t be blamed for the raft of scandals and mistakes made by Credit Suisse CSGN, -8.01% CS, -6.94%, it may be their own missteps that led to the Swiss authorities finally having enough.

The chairman of Saudi National Bank, Ammar Al Khudiary, went on Bloomberg TV on Wednesday and was asked if it would increase its stake. “The answer is absolutely not, for many reasons outside the simplest reason, which is regulatory and statutory,” he said.

Investors panicked, sending Credit Suisse shares down 24%, even though his comments were fairly consistent with what the bank had said in October. At that time, it said it had no current plans to go beyond a 9.9% shareholding, though it did say “any future investment would be appraised individually at the time by carefully considering the merits of such investment based on financial impact, capital treatment and long-term shareholder value creation.”

Saudi National Bank also made clear they weren’t interested in expanding internationally, so the Credit Suisse investment was a “financial opportunity” with potential benefits in serving its own wealthy clients with Credit Suisse products and services.

The Saudis aren’t the only Middle Eastern investor nursing a heavy paper loss. The Qatar Investment Authority has a 6.8% stake in Credit Suisse, its sixth largest position in its portfolio. Olayan Group, which is headquartered in Liechtenstein but whose founder was a major Saudi businessman, is the number-three shareholder.

Another major shareholder is the Norges Bank Investment Management, the sovereign wealth fund of Norway.

[elmatador] I am still following the fleecing amigo. See my rely to MQ

elmatador — 3/17/2023 5:14:00 AM

[elmatador] Remember fleece? As fleece ended, the EU Japan and the US now have to print mon...

elmatador — 3/17/2023 5:13:11 AM

Remember fleece?

As fleece ended, the EU Japan and the US now have to print money to keep the head above water.

Twelve years ago, Elmat was telling it was no longer sustainable.
Switzerland tried to fleece. Not ending well...
Message 34226236

EU praying Switzerland survives not to drag the EU with it
Message 34226223

[Haim R. Branisteanu] To the rest of the readers, vestibular schwannoma hearing preservation scholar....

Haim R. Branisteanu — 2/1/2022 6:45:02 AM

To the rest of the readers, vestibular schwannoma hearing preservation

scholar.google.com

this post is for all those that have access or knowledge of this rare disorder beyond the inner ear part

All nerves in our body are insulated by schwannoma in my case, an sporadic acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) developed which is a benign tumor that develops on the balance (vestibular) and hearing, or auditory (cochlear) nerves leading from your inner ear to the brain, as shown in the top image. The pressure on the nerve from the tumor may cause hearing loss and imbalance.2 Jul 2021

en.wikipedia.org

if any one knows of a remedy to this disease advice highly appreciated.

I am losing my hearing and balance and probably ability to move the face muscle
The Israeli HMO I belong too are trying to get an exception treatment as an oncology patient to starve the tumor of blood and then destroy it all by X-ray due to my age.

Old Chinese remedies are also welcomed - remedies with gamma ray or x rays exist but the procedure must be done smartly as the tumor inflates if directly irradiated and destroys the nerves mentioned above.

Many Israeli medical doctors get mad when you prove your knowledge of the proper treatment and they (the MD's) try to go the shortcut venue, to save the HMO money and the with you if you are deaf or a mutilated face - all boils down to money of the health insurance company!!

Within the Israeli Medical system the are ample of bad guys/women MD's that only care bout how much money they made

Thank you

[elmatador] They come in the morning, a deadly morning. [X] u can’t sell houses u don’t ow...

elmatador — 1/29/2021 12:58:50 AM

They come in the morning, a deadly morning.

[X]

u can’t sell houses u don’t own
u can’t sell cars u don’t own
but
u *can* sell stock u don’t own!?
this is bs – shorting is a scam
legal only for vestigial reasons
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2021

[/X]

[elmatador] Message 33064962

elmatador — 11/29/2020 1:08:39 AM

[elmatador] Toto, how are you my brother? Trying different places to discuss?

elmatador — 10/8/2020 2:45:09 AM

[TobagoJack] . Duplicate

TobagoJack — 10/5/2020 10:20:07 PM

[elmatador] Oh no. That is the most terrible thing to happen. A parent losing his sons. Th...

elmatador — 4/14/2020 3:30:21 AM

Oh no. That is the most terrible thing to happen. A parent losing his sons.

The Amazon jungle has always called green hell. It is the most inhospitable place on earth. It stopped being called so after the environmentalism took off and calling a place you want to protect hell, is not a the best PR idea.

I never met a food that I didn't like.

[louel] He's a cutie , so is his mom Nothing wrong with being happy with your family I...

louel — 4/13/2020 10:52:54 PM

He's a cutie , so is his mom Nothing wrong with being happy with your family In reality those are our most important assets when it comes to support ,comfort Joy.

Lost two of my sons in their twenties. One a certified tower fabricator less than five minutes from home.
The other a medic who went to Manaus Brazil or a three month stretch Christmass of. 05 Came back in a box march 28 years old. Happened suddenly some kind of jungle toxin suspected never verified. the cause after 2 two autopsys one there 2nd in Canada . No bights, abuse, or toxins of any form found.

You'll need a ring here's a S/A dish looks good

[Cogito Ergo Sum] That is also a lesson for America and Britain In fact it is a lesson for all ...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/25/2020 2:22:50 AM

That is also a lesson for America and Britain

In fact it is a lesson for all

The thing that counts with past glories.. and the only thing.. is if you can mold that foundation into something new.. otherwise it is just baggage,,, I recently watched Ottoman on Netflix .. The example of the last Romans and the story of the conquering Ottomans a few centuries later is very instructive...

at least China is in round two... how many make it that far ? :) Putin is trying... but he will implode I think... His plan is wrong...

[Lee Lichterman III] Yes, I have been walking my land whenever the rain stops here in SW Mo. Finding ...

Lee Lichterman III — 3/23/2020 10:53:50 AM

Yes, I have been walking my land whenever the rain stops here in SW Mo. Finding deer sheds and waiting for the morels to pop up. UV and exercise definitely helps. No problems with distancing except when we need to resupply. It's half a mile to the road and nearest neighbor is a mile. He's 84 so we don't visit like we used to just in case.

[Lee Lichterman III] If you scroll down to the bottom there is a list of cases by country ranked from...

Lee Lichterman III — 3/23/2020 9:53:09 AM

If you scroll down to the bottom there is a list of cases by country ranked from highest to lowest and on the right side is cases per 100k.
worldometers.info
Note the low number not only in Africa but Caribbean, Pacific islands, far SE Asia and other tropical climate countries. I am suspecting the cases they do have are imported given the tourism.

[elmatador] Hi Lee, Not sure you had followed the news on this effect of Spring time weathe...

elmatador — 3/23/2020 7:15:26 AM

Hi Lee,

Not sure you had followed the news on this effect of Spring time weather as a factor of lowering the incidence of Covid-19.

It started when Trump mentioned that Covid-19 will subsidize once warmer days start in the northern hemisphere like it does with the common flu.

As you know everything is being politicized and there has been most denials.

Fact is Ultra violet rays are used to disinfection. And when the Sun come north it will not only brings heat, it brings UV. People will not stay indoors where the rays do not reach, but spend more time outdoors.

Viruses do not survive airborne as the water molecules and heat destroy them.

[3bar] Read somewhere week ago Africans had lower # of receptors so it was a genetic ...

3bar — 3/23/2020 5:18:21 AM

Read somewhere week ago Africans had lower # of receptors so it was a genetic advantage . If you were Asian and smoked you had a higher # .

[Lee Lichterman III] Low rates in Africa are probably high heat and humidity. I was looking at the gl...

Lee Lichterman III — 3/23/2020 3:59:37 AM

Low rates in Africa are probably high heat and humidity. I was looking at the global numbers and noticed most tropical regions are also low.

[elmatador] devastatingcoronavirus in Africa Asample of Africa. Over half billion African pe...

elmatador — 3/23/2020 3:25:00 AM

devastating coronavirus in Africa
A sample of Africa.
Over half billion African people:

Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa:
Zero Deaths
350 "Cases"

No wonder TJ is here in devastating South Africa...

[Dr. Voodoo] Met many who experienced similar in Pharma as jobs for raw materials got shifted...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/22/2020 5:25:24 AM

Met many who experienced similar in Pharma as jobs for raw materials got shifted all over the world.

Thinking hard about going back to the mayhem.

I used to make jokes that it was easier to walk into a fortune 500 company in the USA and sell them a trip to mars, than it was to sell them a screwdriver. I sold a lot of trips to mars.

They have perverted the idea of supply chain down to a handful, and now they don't have enough bandwidth when they need it. Same for mask raw materials, etc. This is where the USA made the biggest mistakes. I'm looking at nurses and shortages of hand sanitizer and think WTF did you go to fucking school? This is the kind of thing that is all over the news, and yet, i'm watching the disaster that is US public health implode.

I remember sitting in rooms discussing "let the chinese have all the low value early steps, and we'll keep all the high value end steps, and our jobs!"... LOL

All is not lost. Team USA is still #2 and they will be back at #1 i think before this is all over with,,, but everybody will pay for it.

[elmatador] History does not matter. I wrote that to TJ, in that context The context that ...

elmatador — 3/22/2020 2:31:49 AM

History does not matter.

I wrote that to TJ, in that context
The context that Chinese leaders (Iranians are like that too) stick to a past that never was as a tool to work the masses out.

The masses love the old glories that history teach them. The masses cannot go back to place and time and check the facts but IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD IN THE BOOKS

[elmatador] I am what I am because of the Debt Crisis of the 80s in the early 80's the Bra...

elmatador — 3/22/2020 2:25:30 AM

I am what I am because of the Debt Crisis of the 80s

in the early 80's the Brazilian Economic Miracle went bust.

Brazil had experienced telecoms' engineers, already knew how to operate in chaotic environment and were cheap. Done.

Siemens AG imported us to Nigeria. My colleagues could not adapted and returned I stayed on.

I never returned to Brazil (barred a couple of years early 90s). Still here in Africa.

[Dr. Voodoo] have been lucky... science has gotten me all over the world. dutch, british, f...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/20/2020 7:18:06 PM

have been lucky...

science has gotten me all over the world.

dutch, british, french, spanish, italians,,,, all part of my education and career, in addition to chinese, india, and now thailand..

was stationed for a while at Wyeth,,, had canadian counterparts.

Once asked an old sage why the hell we moved all our manufacturing to Puerto Rico? he laughed,,, in the 70's the oil boom went bust. Puerto Ricans had an educated workforce, already knew plenty of chemistry, same time zone. cheap. Done.

globalism is upon us, global arbitrage of labor is over.

It might even be time for some of these bastages to make an honest living.... but I'm being hopeful.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] That is a perfect example of why learning languages leads to better understandin...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 7:09:21 PM

That is a perfect example of why learning languages leads to better understanding..

In Canada political debates are typically offered in English and French especially federally and in some provinces.. The difference in what is said and what the translator reports is at times astounding (My french is good)

also have some Cantonese and Mandarin :)

[Dr. Voodoo] We won't know until the final scores are in,,, but I'm guessing the message is s...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/20/2020 6:59:42 PM

We won't know until the final scores are in,,, but I'm guessing the message is still focused on french revolution.

scmp.com

[Cogito Ergo Sum] It is ironic that you post that check this propaganda and my response.. .. look...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 6:53:53 PM

It is ironic that you post that check this propaganda and my response.. .. look at the two leaders LOL

Message 32620501

[Dr. Voodoo] :D I am very concerned about healthcare professionals right now. There is a sh...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/20/2020 6:35:13 PM

:D

I am very concerned about healthcare professionals right now. There is a shortage of PPE, and they will be hammered. I am seeing so many things online in doctor/nurse forums that are just scary. The same people that brough us epipens($800 for $10 of epinephrine) are governing our infrastructure policy.

Now is the time to conserve, be mindful and do our best to get through this.

It's a temporary hiccup and the cavalry, hopefully by way of our elected officials will be on their way with helicopters airplanes and buckets of cash and mobilization of manufacturing in the USA to solve this. Now is the time we can finally make shit again. (I'm a process chemist by training,,, and I've watched jobs get destroyed,,, the innovators bloodied, and the survivors promoted to a level of incompetence not seen in my lifetime). And.it's.about.damn.time.

I am currently in Thailand,,, where the score so far is much better. Hard to say. The powder keg is heating up. In BKK post someone was licking elevators etc. Cameras are everywhere--public health was on it in less than an hour-- and sanitized the whole station.

Everyone has masks, the malls are fewer people, like a recession, but railings on escalators are wiped down, temperature taken before entering grocery store. They are PREPARED. Team USA and the CDC will be remembered in this, and I'm really sorry to say it,,, but they have done horrible,,, and I was just last week saying say stand by them. Now baby and bathwater, are so dirty, there is no way to tell.

They had scientists IN CHINA. They are making a huge mess, the infighting with industry over test kits is just one part of this. They have deliberately snuffed out worldwide experts who are trying to help and have done good work. I am a scientist. I work with people around the globe. Most of the studies and information that is being published and quashed by CDC is coming from US trained scientists. It is a shit show. Fauci should be fired immediately,,, Trump isn't making it better. His job is to hire competent people, and enable them. This isn't fucking apprentice.

Children are definitely vectors. I am afraid that we are so collectively stupid in this that we just don't understand what to do. We will learn, like most of SEA.

The geopolitics of this are likewise going to be horrible. I am a supply chain guy too. I know plenty of Chinese who are ramped up in this. We are right now in cuban missile crisis. Someone is going to have to blink soon.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] I was at my part time J6P place of work this morning. We have something in comm...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 4:53:42 PM

I was at my part time J6P place of work this morning.

We have something in common... ex software cowboy from way back.. retired and work nights at HD, do light reno work and have a garden biz in spring/summer/fall..

as mentioned upstream.. My location of HD is doing gangbusters biz all of a sudden with so many folks staying home... Paint, lumber and hardware departments really shining...

QTY limiting is enforced here.. typically two per customer.. Hoarders not tolerated. Beer stores not accepting returns... (some may be able to afford a vacay on empties when this is over LOL)

You look after your fellow human beings too or your ability to survive will be severely curtailed imho. ..

Exactly ...from my profile..

We are all in this together...

[Cogito Ergo Sum] I think we are not disagreeing.. any prevention is better than none... One of ...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 4:45:53 PM

I think we are not disagreeing.. any prevention is better than none...

One of my local grocery stores has cut hours from 7AM - 9PM to 8AM-6PM.. citing longer tire required for health protocols restocking etc.. At first I thought it would mean more concentrated traffic in stores due to less window of opportunity.. I see today they have security at the door and are metreing the number of customers.. so that makes sense...

Local home depot is doing boffo... All the work from homers are doing renos now.. Unfortunately they are getting a lot of parents bring kids to the stores .. not buying anything ... just window shopping patio furniture and letting kids run...

Home Depot to restrict hours in my locale starting tomorrow AM .. Maybe they will need to restrict child entry at stores...

[maceng2] I was at my part time J6P place of work this morning. I am 65+ years old. The Co...

maceng2 — 3/20/2020 9:47:22 AM

I was at my part time J6P place of work this morning. I am 65+ years old. The CoV-19 is causing massive havoc on an economic scale. However the human spirit has stepped up to the challenge in many ways. A lot of the old timers were at work, and I expect some of the 20 years olds goofed off, as it really is great be young and not having to be responsible. For most of the morning I felt as if my sinuses were blocked up, I wanted to sneeze, and cough. When clock off time came ... magically I felt in a superb condition. The power of the mind at work... and it does work. The bosses made the canteen free which was a real smart idea. A lot of the big stores have been stripped bare so working people have been finding it hard to buy food and stuff. Free food, already cooked, is a big incentive coming into work. The work place has more then 30% people absent for a variety of reasons but many of the staff can work from home.

To me this is like the "Hong Kong" variety of flu possibly.

en.wikipedia.org

Not a days work was lost because of anything written in the newspapers or put on the Tee Vee far as I remember, but it was a fairly lethal variety of the flu. This isn't the case with CoV-19.

There will be a lot of angry bosses looking at red ink on the balance sheet, and a major proportion of the public will lose faith in the government and the media if this stuff in the press turns into a damp squib. A non functioning crisis event.

imho of course :-)

I drove home at lunch time and stopped by two stores. They have adapted. They still open and close at the same time. The hoarders are queued up ready to hit them as soon as they open, even at 7:00am, but the management have gotten smarter. They have directed their staff to slowly and continuously fill the shelves as each day progresses. That way, you can turn up at the shop and expect to see produce on sale. Rationing has kicked in too which should have been voluntary in the first place, but I guess some people are still newbies at dealing with a crisis. You look after your fellow human beings too or your ability to survive will be severely curtailed imho.

Is this a responsible picture to stick on the front page of newspapers at the moment? I think not.

[Dr. Voodoo] If you’re inside, dealing with lots of infected, sure. If you’re going out and ...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/20/2020 8:33:10 AM

If you’re inside, dealing with lots of infected, sure. If you’re going out and you don’t have many, it’s better than nothing. Sterilize with peroxide isopropanol, or just put out in the sun for a day.

I 100 % stand by a 75% reduction in viral load by a scarf if have nothing else. The goal is to reduce infections, and that means from the person wearing it, not just to the person wearing it.

Not gunna spend time looking up papers.
I’m just some guy on the internets.

Just trying to give some advice to those who may have no choices. Of course optimal is best.

Not suggesting that if infinite resources or healthcare professional that anyone tempt fate.

The dominant route is more likely droplet. Have discussed already with a whole consortium of nerds.
This is just the Innernets,,, where everyone has everything, and we’re all members of Google NAMF, epidemiologists etc. and virologists.

Stopping there.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] Yes I get that.. but the chain link works both ways.. outgoing / incoming.. de...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 8:09:58 AM

Yes I get that..

but the chain link works both ways.. outgoing / incoming.. depends upon mask quality.. Your scarf will not cut it.. Likely best is a shield to protect your entire face .. ie.. it can enter the eyes...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I like the odds... Little in life is inevitable except for death... Which kind of defines life...

resusing is not great because if virus reside on exterior and are handled.. then mask is now a vector itself, The ball keeps moving on how long it lives on surfaces..

Cummunity spread is still used as a euphemism for we really do not know the incubation period or entirely how it spreads..

I am still amazed at Italy's numbers...

African resistance starting to crack...

[Dr. Voodoo] Social spacing can work because you need to get enough of said virus in you to i...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/20/2020 7:59:19 AM

Social spacing can work because you need to get enough of said virus in you to infect you.

Once supplied with adequate air, the virus gets diluted,, substantially, lowering the amount that can infect.

Viruses are large, once Aerosolized they do not diffuse like oxygen, water or other components of air .

Masks and spears through chain link fences.

If used properly, among normal humans no problem to reuse. If in ER, very unwise.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] If masks do not work.. then Social Distancing is nonsensical... Like gloves.. ...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 7:53:06 AM

If masks do not work.. then Social Distancing is nonsensical...

Like gloves.. which are a bit different but not in this case.. the masks cannot be reused.. folks get a mask.. and reuse it.. that defeats the purpose.. The mask if covered with virus cannot be touched on the exterior ... Same goes with gloves.. you need be VERY careful taking them off and tossing .. In retirement from software I work as a gardener in summer.. The job at times entails handling some nasty $hit... I have lots of gloves.. CAREFULLY removed if touched by any hazard and discarded.. else washed as laundry and resused... daily. Each day starts with a new pair...

Added problem with gloves is you may inadvertently touch your face.. scratch your nose yada yada.. efficacy evaporates...

[Cogito Ergo Sum] Actually a lot of things do not work in a democracy like the US (or Canada even ...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/20/2020 7:44:06 AM

Actually a lot of things do not work in a democracy like the US (or Canada even though we have effectively only two branches.. so less debate) ).. Let us watch how the Cali lock down works out... I am interested as my youngest sister lives there these last 30+ years... (We are Canuck)

It makes sense that the epicenter would be the first to see improvement.. I am baffled though that Italy has more deaths than China.. That is absolutely astounding to my thinking... something sinister or poor hygiene.. (My brother in law will be pissed at me now LOL)

I buddy of mine from Africa.. has a cousin in North Carolina who is a doc.. The doc says folks come in with symptoms which may or may not be COVID.. but simply a cold or more seriously than a cold the flu.. They cannot afford the COVID test so they are given an option.. do not take the test but we will mark you as infected... That would really skew US numbers... I have not seen this reported.. but of course is hearsay.. but makes on think..

[Dr. Voodoo] The Chinese have published a shit-ton of information. Our CDC, just like test k...

Dr. Voodoo — 3/19/2020 5:46:15 PM

The Chinese have published a shit-ton of information. Our CDC, just like test kits seems to be awash in NIH (not invented here), rock stars, and medal hunters.

1.) Fecal Oral, doesn't mean you get it from dirty toilet paper, it's a warning sign the virus persists in the environment. It's getting picked up by touching shit, literally and figuratively, droplet spread from coughing etc.

AND

2.) Its stable as an aerosol. In a plane if your'e next to a spreader, you're gonna get it.

Part of my job is to understand mixing and computational fluid dynamics (in the case of air, it's not much different than liquid). Outdoors, with plenty of fresh air and a few feet of distance a mask isn't doing anything.

It's hard to pick up infections by breathing others breath, unless you're in close contact. Any mask won't work for a true aerosol in close contact frequently. Most masks will work a lot better than nothing. 75% reduction is risk is better than nothing.

The hoarders bought up all the N95's and now Nurse Ratchet is unprotected. It's a shit show. Fucking measles is spread this way, and is just as likely to turn into a pandemic with all the anti-vaxxers running around. Every damn doc in a box, and ER should have a months supply at least. They fucking charge $500 for a liter of salt water... the PBM's can at least protect the help.

I wish I took a picture at the grocery store in thailand today. taking everybody's temperature before you're allowed in the store (good screen to identify people). Most people here are wearing masks. Can't say they won't have an outbreak, but they were among the first to have cases and yet, and don't see an explosion like in USA.

[maceng2] Remember the old advert for CD's and magnetic tape? "Is it Real or is it Memor...

maceng2 — 3/19/2020 3:13:31 PM

Remember the old advert for CD's and magnetic tape?

"Is it Real or is it Memorex"

very effective.

well...

Is it "News" or is it "Fake news"?

I suspect the latter as it fits a certain agenda too easily.

theguardian.com

The Guardian Newspaper is supposed to be left wing but it's usually full of chit these days.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] I am not trying to make light of the situation.. I get my flu shot every year....

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/19/2020 2:52:55 PM

I am not trying to make light of the situation..

I get my flu shot every year.. missed it about a dozen years ago and got the flu and followed by a vicious sinusitis .. Permanent sinus damage. I just didn't make time.. had been getting it for a decade before that year...

My mom as mentioned is mild COPD and 82.. My eldest kid in Oz alone and for the first time as an adult I hear true fear in her words.. She had whooping cough as a kid so is very healthy but slightly compromised as a result...

Wash hands sanitize.. do all that stuff...

They say masks do not help.. but social distancing does.. something smells there ...Of course if you reuse the same mask daily well sure mask is useless... It accumulates virus if presented... Gloves.. touch stuff then rub your face .. sigh.. sanitize and wash a lot... be mindful of your actions..

too much blind herd mentality in this for my taste...

Grocery stores here limiting hours to 6 PM.. most usually 10 or 11 closing.. so what does that do ? HIGHER traffic when open.. counter productive to social distancing of course.. profit saver you betcha.. Just like calling your garbage company Green for Life LOL

These things make people think primarily with amygdala.. eschewing higher brain function.. Politics and religion do that.. This has/is a wonderful study in controlling folks en masse.. Much more will be learned about human behaviour and how to game it than about microbiology...

See China new cases ?

[Cogito Ergo Sum] I am not trying to make light of the situation.. I get my flu shot every year.....

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/19/2020 2:35:13 PM

[maceng2] Ya just gotta get the nod from Bill and co when it's kool to dip in. centerfor...

maceng2 — 3/19/2020 8:25:29 AM

Ya just gotta get the nod from Bill and co when it's kool to dip in.

centerforhealthsecurity.org

Bloomberg and co will start printing nice pictures of spring or whatever in the nooz.

I'm bearish though. These idiots really don't know what they are doing. I am sure there are more nasty surprises on the way.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] Effect of coronavirus on South Arica would be devastating - Ramaphosa No one k...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/11/2020 7:04:40 PM

Effect of coronavirus on South Arica would be devastating - Ramaphosa

No one knows..

So many folks toss out shit.. and hope it sticks so they can do a book LOL

There is nothing cheaper than talk...

Anyone driving on he 401 in Toronto (GTA) takes a HUGE risk daily..

My 81 years old mom just got rear ended on a 50kmph street in Montreal with such force that she was propelled onto the median.. took out a lamppost.. She drives a tiny KIA Soul for Christ sakes.. She was taking her neighbour and friend of 50+ years to her first chemo appointment.. Luckily only a slightly broken sternum.. Friend not injuries.. I do not know all details yet...

So Corona .. FUCK THAT SHIT.. it's nothing but buy the fucking dip... Go and LIVE!!!!

[elmatador] The fugitive [graphic] Fugitive Austrian doc 'hiding in Cape Town' | IOL N...

elmatador — 3/6/2020 6:04:41 AM

The fugitive

Fugitive Austrian doc 'hiding in Cape Town' | IOL News
www.iol.co.za › news › south-africa › fugitive-austrian-doc-hiding-in...

Aug 18, 2004 - An Austrian doctor suspected of fraud and extortion involving millions of euros is thought to be hiding in Cape Town with his teenage daughter.

British sex offender hiding in Cape Town loses extradition ...
www.msn.com › en-za › news › featured › british-sex-offender-hidin...

Mar 29, 2019 - SAPS. CAPE TOWN - A British sex offender who's been hiding out in South Africa for almost two decades has lost his extradition appeal.

SLA Fugitive Found a Place to Hide and Live Openly - Los ...
www.latimes.com › la-xpm-2002-nov-25-me-kilgore25-story

Nov 25, 2002 - CAPE TOWN, South Africa —. For a radical leftist accused of murder and terrorism in America, southern Africa was a good place to hide.

Two U.S. fugitives captured in South Africa - Aug ... - CNN.com
www.cnn.com › WORLD › africa › fbi.most.wanted

Aug 20, 2003 - Two U.S. fugitives captured in South Africa ... custody Tuesday night in Cape Town, police spokeswoman Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said. ... authorities that they may have been hiding in the country, Martins-Engelbrecht said.

[elmatador] Effect of coronavirus on South Arica would be devastating - Ramaphosa speaking...

elmatador — 3/6/2020 3:12:06 AM

Effect of coronavirus on South Arica would be devastating - Ramaphosa

speaking at a conference in Cape Town -near TJ hideout- on Tuesday with the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) and the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association (PGA).

ELMAT: TJ can run but cannot hide...

2020-03-03 21:19

Tshidi Madia

Cyril Ramaphosa says the coronavirus would devastate South Africa's economy should it spread here. (Simon Dawson)

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the economy could be devastated if the coronavirus spread to South Africa.

Ramaphosa said the spread of the disease could particularly effect investment and conferences. He was speaking at a conference in Cape Town on Tuesday with the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) and the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association (PGA).

"It's already affecting more than 72 countries around the world. No doubt, we are going to be a candidate as more and more countries are being affected by this virus," he said at an engagement with the South African National Editors' Forum in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The deadly outbreak has killed more than 3 000 people and infected more than 90 000.

"We are going to be affected quite negatively as it spreads. Worst of all would be the impact on the health of our people," Ramaphosa said.

While South Africa has no recorded cases of the coronavirus, there is reason to worry as it would have a devastating impact on the country should it hit.

Signs of a recession always there

Ramaphosa tied this threat to news that South Africa was in a technical recession, saying this did not come as a surprise or shock as the signs have been there.

"The drivers of this lack of growth and technical recession that we are in now were there for all of us to see; load shedding and the impact it has had on production, both at a manufacturing level as well as with trade," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Statistics SA released new gross domestic product numbers which showed the country's economy had shrunk by 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Ramaphosa said agriculture experienced the biggest slump due to the drought experienced in several parts of the country.

"Drivers of this also point to a weakness in terms of our own economy, and the effect of global uncertainty. Right now, the world is going through a great moment of uncertainty, which is going to have a huge impact on growth."

Not a dictator

When asked how he rated himself, the president said, "very well", after which he explained he remained dedicated to delivering on his mandate to South Africans and building a consensus among those he worked with.

"It is not in my nature to be a dictator."

He said while some have called him weak, he would rather have it that way.

"Some people say you are a weak president because you are not going to agree to the firing of people at Eskom, that's fine."

When asked if he would want a second term, Ramaphosa said that would be up to the ANC collective which voted him into the position at its elective conference in 2017.

"Stay around, you may see this movie again," he said.

[elmatador] As to data release, Xi wanted the data out from the get-go. His underlings read ...

elmatador — 3/2/2020 2:42:26 AM

As to data release, Xi wanted the data out from the get-go. His underlings read him wrong. Happens.

Houston ! The Turkey has landed !

Guess what TJ has done, as soon as he landed in mother Africa, his new Freedom Rock?

He wrote a post praising the Xi Jinping !

To: carranza2 who wrote (153782)	3/2/2020 12:58:07 AM
From: TobagoJack	of 153785

I think had Core Comrade Jinping screwed up, the world would be in much worse shape than it is now, but, as matters stand and events progress, Xi’s work may have all been four naught ... As to data release, Xi wanted the data out from the get-go. His underlings read him wrong. Happens.

[Cogito Ergo Sum] I think it is AMAZING and suspicious that the WHO and others are stressing that ...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/1/2020 6:02:39 PM

I think it is AMAZING and suspicious that the WHO and others are stressing that folks do not need a mask.. What a waste of effort on something that at worst does nothing bad and considering it is necessary for health care workers and suggested for the sick.. Why waste so much time on such a triviality ?

[Cogito Ergo Sum] Community spread.. Nice euphemism for no bloody clue . No real handle on incu...

Cogito Ergo Sum — 3/1/2020 1:43:11 PM

Community spread.. Nice euphemism for no bloody clue .

No real handle on incubation period
Some people carrying it are asymptomatic
No proof only humans spread it. ie are only vector

[X]

That also may mean that there is another vector beyond humans
— Bernard Wong 黃天民 (@TheSpottedCat) March 1, 2020

[/X]

[elmatador] TJ decamped? I think so.

elmatador — 3/1/2020 1:50:04 AM

[elmatador] Nigeria confirms first coronavirus case in Sub-Saharan Africa "The case is an I...

elmatador — 2/28/2020 4:09:54 AM

Nigeria confirms first coronavirus case in Sub-Saharan Africa

"The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February 2020," Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said in a statement on Twitter.

There seems no place to decamp to...

[louel] There is one fact Most flu's originate in China. 99.9% in SE Asia. ...

louel — 2/23/2020 12:23:46 PM

There is one fact Most flu's originate in China. 99.9% in SE Asia. Only one in 1918 was thought to possibly to have started in Europe. During the F/W War many troops were housed in one location. There were 100,000 soldiers on any one day there, and they raised chickens, geese and possibly pigs for food, Oxford said. Those conditions mimicked what naturally occurs in Asia. However further research disputed the claim.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/1/140123-spanish-flu-1918-china-origins-pandemic-science-health/

A bird flu strain also arose in the Netherlands, albeit of a milder strain. The Dutch may have averted an epidemic by slaughtering their entire chicken population within one week.

In 2014 the Avian virus also was detected at big poultry farms in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia Canada. All chickens were destroyed before the virus had a chance to mutate to the human population.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/avian-flu-detected-at-2-more-farms-in-b-c-s-fraser-valley-1.2142188

The problem is, In S/E Asia , China in particular immediately euthanizing the birds does not happen under their communist regime like it does in more civilized democratic countries.

It is commonly accepted birds are the origin of the flu strain. Being kept in close quarters with Humans and a possible lack of cleanliness allows the virus foster and mutate.

Climate plays a role. “Respiratory viruses, like orchids, like the Asian climate, because they have influenza viruses nearly all year round. It’s not seasonal as it is in the rest of the world,” said John Oxford, a flu expert from Queen Mary School of Medicine in London.

Until Asia develops enough to offer their poor a route to higher quality lifestyle the flu will continue to wreak Havoc on the rest of the world. Even more now than before as humans now live in much closer quarters with each other due to air travel. China is but a few hours travel from any point on earth.

[elmatador] The Theater of Power in the land of TJ Message 32564081

elmatador — 2/23/2020 1:03:07 AM