The media are reporting on the possibility that the coronavirus emanated from a laboratory in Wuhan
Reports in the main stream media are working on the possibility that the coronavirus actually emanated from a laboratory in Wuhan.
According to an article in The Telegraph the Wuhan Institute of Virology identified the covid-19 virus. There is however mounting speculation that the virus was released either purposely or more likely by accident from that very same laboratory. The Chinese government is of course denying the allegations, but can they be believed?
They failed to warn the WHO of the true extent of the outbreak in December and January, and as you would expect of a totalitarian regime, they will not admit to failings at the Wuhan Institute. The virus will no doubt be followed by the continued spread of Chinese misinformation.
The true awfulness of this pandemic is beginning to sink in.
It is apparently one hundred days since China submitted the first report of a covid-19 case to the World Health Organisation. How the world has changed since. As we approach the end of the third week of lock down, there is no prospect the restrictions will end anytime soon. There is some suggestions that no significant decisions will be made until Boris Johnson is well enough to lead the country again.
I went into the local Co-Op earlier to pick up provisions. For the first time since the crisis began I had a real sense of dread. There was no control over numbers entering the store and inside people were just milling about as normal. They were all getting too close for my liking, and I could not get out quick enough.
A friend's mum died over the weekend. She was being cared for at a care home, and whilst frail, she was otherwise well. However, it seems she contracted the virus, presumably from one of the carers, and succumbed very quickly. Because she had the virus she was on her own, her family was not allowed to be with her at the end. Now the family does not know where the body is. There will not be a funeral. Her body will be cremated. In due course the family will be told when and where they can collect her ashes. I can't imagine how my friend is coping at the moment.
The true awfulness of this pandemic is beginning to sink in.
That was unexpected. President Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his efforts to bring North Korea to the negotiating table.
The news footage of the leaders of North and South Korea greeting each other like old friends last week was remarkable, and something most never expected to see. Prior American governments have adopted a policy of containment which proved to be quite useless. In that period, North Korea worked on its nuclear programme, much to the concern of its neighbours. Is it any coincidence that since Trump adopted a forceful approach to the problem, that the North Korean leader has decided to offer the hand of friendship?
Trump was ridiculed for talk of his big red button, for his diplomacy by Twitter, but I suspect it had the desired effect. In tandem with the efforts of the Chinese, the Korean Peninsular has stepped back from the brink of war.
I can't imagine the liberal intelligentsia will change its attitude to Trump. He may confound the critics, but he will never have the appeal Obama enjoyed. However, he remains popular with his core voters and I suspect that they will carry him to victory should he stand at the next election. Assuming of course the skeletons in his cupboard don't finally catch up with him.