To thine own self be true

Two human constants for sure.
It was inevitable that coronavirus wit and humor (a la Stephen Colbert’s opening monologue from his bathtub) would finally roll out, virally, to take the sting out of life in wartime.

Italy: no country for old men (and women). Coronavirus victims aged 80 or more in poor health could be left to die.

“If a patient aged 80-95 has massive respiratory problems, plus organ failure, then it’s all over.”–Christian Salaroli

Paranoia, free-fall fears, mass illnesses and mega deaths, world-wide nationalism, automatic recession, mass closures and shutdowns, myriad bankruptcies, major stock losses and a possible 1929-style crash.

“Cheer up–it can only get worse.”
–the prophetic Pearl Bailey

“Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.”
–Yamamoto Tsunemoto

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”
–Buddha

“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man’s whole life is a succession of moment after moment.”
–Yamamoto Tsunemoto

“Where words lose their meaning, people lose their freedom.”
–Confucius

“Man’s ingenuity for getting himself into trouble appears to be endless.”
–Lahiri Charan Mahasaya

“It is a good viewpoint to see life as a dream.”
–Yamamoto Tsunmemoto

“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.”
–Okakura Kakuzo

“Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world. It is integral to harmony and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.”
–Xunzi

“An ethical man thinks of others first and himself last.”
— Kobo-Daishi

“You will know who your true friends are when you get sick.”
–Yamamoto Tsunemoto

“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.”
–Confucius

“To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of the idea of what it means to be truly happy or content.”
–Liezi

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations.”
–Patanjali

“When your mind is clear, you can be at peace.”
–Confucius

“Universe exists for the sake of the soul’s experience.”
–Patanjali

“Great is the man who has not lost his childlike heart.”
–Mencius

“Don’t delay in doing what is right.”
–Dhammapada

“Friendship is one mind in two bodies.”
–Confucius

“We classify too much and enjoy too little.”
–Okakura Kakuzo

“Everyone has to build anew his sky of hope and peace.”
–Okakura Kakuzo

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”
–Buddha

With the prediction from the Health Minister that, basically 50% (same as the US prediction) will get coronavirus, it is time for common sense to click in for one and all re. precautions and official advice for daily operations.

The country and cities could end up significantly closed down so one has to think seriously about social distancing and hunkering down for a long period of time (not just two weeks). This will change everything from one not going to work to staying home with kids (because of closed schools and daycare centres). Malls and stores will shut down and we are going to see a lot of business failures. (The market is likely to crash, methinks, as in 1929, possibly.)

Supplies, as in food, medicines, and maybe gas, will be disrupted sooner or later. In cities, there will be more people walking around on the streets and in parks. Mostly, people will stay home, and it may be questionable whether the Internet and Netflix will stay up and running. People will be reading more even if they can’t get to libraries.

One of my recent entries (Feb. 28) on coronavirus is about Neville Shute’s On the Beach, and, if you have not read it or seen the movie version, it might be worth a look as to how bad things might ultimately get (Substitute coronavirus for radiation poisoning).

Obit: Max von Sydow, 90.

when, at 6 pm today (Sunday), two small junior high-looking Asian girls with matching braces showed up at the door despite the Beware of Dog sign.

They were doing charity work for the One organization to address world poverty, especially in Africa and collecting bottles. They both looked very nervous, and I told them to relax and congratulated them on the good work they were doing, setting an example for other of their contemporaries.

Nice ‘kids’ and a nice surprise when least expected. A heartening experience on IWD.

made obvious in 2 back-to-back news items on Global News this morning.

1/Tenants who just moved into low-cost housing have leaky roofs, declining infrastructure already, cockroaches, and other vermin. Kenny has cut funding to these people.

The gap:

2/Meanwhile, a new souped-up private pet medical centre has opened up with surgeons for several specialized operable problems. Guess who can afford pets and these expensive top-tier services?

Henry (Pocket) Richard, 84.

I can’t tell you how excited I was in 1956 to read my name x 2 in the sports pages: H. Richard, and M. Richard (The Rocket–his bro). It would be months after that, that I learned the actual French pronunciation. Legends, both.