One has to admit that this is a catchy title. The beginning of it anyway. I woke this morning after a wonderful rest – All Praise to Allah. I busied myself before morning prayers by reading texts from friends and acquaintances – those achieved through the wonders of Instagram and Whats App. All of this people I have met – except for one or two. I have met scores, hordes, of people since I picked up my lone self and went to London in 2014. I meet people because I am alone, do not have a husband, or kids, or a girlfriend that I have to pay attention to. Therefore I speak to people around me and they speak back. I recommend it highly. Or, if you have a husband make sure he is an alcoholic, that he sleeps in morning and gets drunk early, but does not pass out until you have had many hours of undisturbed sleep. Did lots of traveling during eighteen years of marriage to the drunk but was essentially traveling alone. In the declining years of the marriage I wrote a Mac book using photographs and a dialogue of my experiences on a Norwegian Fjord trip. Husband #3 read it, and was insulted, the following conversation ensued. As I recall it was after I left him.
He: I read your book on Norway. I was with you on that trip and you do not even mention me.
Me: It was because you were not around. I went on the shore excursions, you slept. I met and spoke with people, You either read a tired newspaper or spoke to your gin. You were actually not on that trip with me.
Well, I do not think I was that forceful at the time, he was most controlling even after my departure.
I did digress but back to the title. NEFF, from Marin, reached out yet again, brining me news from the United States which enables me to compare and contrast the two places. She is absolutely invaluable. I wrote that this marvelous hotel has given me access to the Crew Lounge, complete with a microwave and a big refrigerator so that I can cook for myself once in a while. It is a blessing – I love this place.
She: That’s good to hear that you are well and safe. Nice you have a partial kitchen set up because eating out daily is too much. I am still detoxing from all the rich food eating out in Abu Dhabi. I over did it in the first week, fois gras, Peking duck and a buffet. But then I couldn’t escape all the fried foods either!.
But then she turned to more serious matters.
She: Lots of our friends, clients, neighbors, business contacts have picked up omicron. Now the CDC is recommending 5 days to quarantine if you are positive and have no symptoms.
Me: I shall have to ask Granddaughter how long she was told to quarantine. It will be interesting to compare.
She: I’m sure you know the Supreme Court over sided the White House mandate for employees over 100 to vaccine or go through ongoing testing. Without Congress passing federal laws (which will never happen) this place will lead the world in deaths. I predict that by the end of April the death toll will surpass a million.
Me: No I did not know of the ridiculous, insane, partisan Supreme Court decision. How depressing, backward and inane. I once studied the effect of the bubonic plague on the world. It was immense. The subject is fascinating. I think I wrote about it on the blog. I must do a search.
By the way I have subsequently contacted Granddaughter.
Me: Grand daughter was quarantined for two weeks by the health mandates in existence here,
Why in the world the CDC said what they did is beyond me. To reassure people and keep the economy going, I suppose. But it will just add to the spread of the disease.
She: (With so much caring and unbelievable sensitivity sent a video of Joni Mitchell singing
Both Sides Now,) I cried and cried as I listened to it. Shall try and get it attached to the blog. Otherwise Google it yourself please. That is if you want to hear it. Otherwise do not bother,
Then she sent a link. Infant becomes youngest person to die of COVID -19 in Riverside County. If you want it, please look it up yourself. I do not know how to transfer from WhatsApp to here. Continued lessons at the Yas Mall Apple Store is sure to enable this one day.
Me: Thanks for the news of the death. I am sure the mother not vaccinated otherwise the antibodies would have been present in the child. I am sure I read that vaccination has been recommended for pregnant women by scientists. I did not pay that much attention as it is highly unlikely that I am going to get pregnant.
There was no mention of whether or not the mother had been vaccinated. Too bad, so sad. That might encourage others and do something to curb the stop rather than the platitudes of health officials and politicians. What is a platitude? Wikipedia nails it, proving that yet again I used the right word.
“A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, often used as a thought-terminating cliché, aimed at quelling social, emotional, or cognitive unease.[ The statement may be true, but its meaning has been lost due to its excessive use.[Platitudes have been criticized as giving a false impression of wisdom, making it easy to accept falsehoods: A platitude is even worse than a cliché. It’s a sanctimonious cliché, a statement that is not only old and overused but often moralistic and imperious. … [P]latitudes have an aphoristic quality, they seem like timeless moral lessons. They therefore shape our view of the world, and can lull us into accepting things that are actually false and foolish.”
I began new research on the bubonic plague and was fascinated to learn this.” The most popular theory of how the plague ended is through the implementation of quarantines. The uninfected would typically remain in their homes and only leave when it was necessary, while those who could afford to do so would leave the more densely populated areas and live in greater isolation.”
Of any of you need some background on the plague Wikipedia is here to help you. “The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic occurring in Afro-Eurasia from 1346 to 1353. It is the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, causing the death of 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.” Wikipedia
And more information. “It moved west, through India, Syria and Mesopotamia. In 1346 it struck a trading port called Kaffa in the Black Sea. Ships from departing Kaffa carried trade goods and also carried rats, who carried fleas, who carried Yersinia Pestis”
Does black plague still exist? Apparently it does. “Bubonic plague still occurs throughout the world and in the U.S., with cases in Africa, Asia, South America and the western areas of North America. About seven cases of plague happen in the U.S. every year on average. Half of the U.S. cases involve people aged 12 to 45 years.”
How riveting to read that quarantine, isolating oneself is what made for survival in those bleak times. With a sudden start realize that is what I have done – isolated myself from the USA to a place of safety – vaccinations and constant testing are mandated. No pesky United States Supreme Court to get in the way of the health of citizens and prevent the death of millions. I came to the UAE with plans of going Expo in October of 2021 and, except for a trip back to the USA to pack up and get out there, I have remained. Vaccinated, tested constantly but for $13.81 at the Yas Mall I can afford it. But not if I were in the US of A. More from NEFF.
She: The public health system on a federal level is designed to NOT make pcr testing accessible and mandated for any workers, like it is in the UAE. For example, my health care insurance will not allow a self initiated pcr test more than once in a 90 day period. Also if you want to pcr test at the SFO Airport there is only one test available and you have to wait in person to receive. Luckily I have a pcr kit at home but it is costly and its results not acceptable for travel, for example.
Me: I know about SFO testing and the nightmare it imposes. I did not even bother to try and get reimbursement from my health insurance. It is a huge hassle and not worth the effort to get reimbursement for $275.00. Here in Abu Dhabi Airport, you arrive and get a free PCR. The difference is amazing!!! I cannot think of a safer place to be – at an Abu Dhabi airport hotel.
I do laugh. A PERFECTLY safe place.
Photograph of me in utter, complete and serene safety. I am pictured with the man in charge of security here. It was a candid shot, we were talking and he was holding my hand. He has a nickname of course. It is SASS. Safety Awesome Sheikha Security. Hahahaha 😂. The photographer is a wonderful woman. She, also an employee, is SAPP. Super Awesome Photographer Professional. Perhaps the Joni Mitchell song – depends on my wondrous Blog Master and Computer Guru Chris.
