Friday, February 12th, 2021
The day started with a dry run for a webinar at 07:30 today and I was not happy with my presentation. I have decided I shall write a full script to talk through next Thursday, also to avoid the “ehs” and “ahms”, especially given I will be on at 06:00! I sahll have a very early night on Wednesday to be fit, dressed and with make-up by 5:45.
The rest of the day was spent on a script for my training on applying tech in supply chain finance. I wanted to write a commentary for all 25 slides and create case studies, but was derailed by IT issues. Seems that none of my files have synchronized into the cloud for who knows how many days. The master folder in the cloud is missing all sorts of documents and my replica is missing almost all the documents in the cloud. Mysteriously I have a new replica of the cloud folders in my personal cloud rather than the shared cloud. There is no explanation as to how it got there, but it is there and now appears to be my default drive.
I frankly do not care much which section of the cloud the data resides in, as long as no data is lost. The cloud basicallycontains knowledge of twelve years of work. Anyway, I found myself dealing with IT and data migration for the better part of two hours after which I did not have the energy to finish my narrative. Looks like I shall need to put in a weekend shift as I have made arrangements with a colleague to do a walk through on Tuesday. I am bit computer fatigued tonight!
The outdoor drive in graduation is also not making much progress. No one has responded to my suggestion to book the Wolftrap parking lot. I have resolved to spend some time this weekend to file an application with National Park Services anyway, just to secure a location. Worst case I will drop US$120 for nothing. Best case this will ensure our seniors have a graduation ceremony. It does mean though I need to wrap my head around logistics as NPS needs a detailed plan of how it will all work. A challenge given COVID.
Also, EM and I made up last night. She was rather contrite after reading yesterdays blog and is making an effort to be part of our two person family again. Sometimes a rant and a rave may just be needed.
Meanwhile there continues to be light at the end of the tunnel. Numbers continue to look good with “only” 88k new infections reported over the past twenty-four hours to bring the US total to 28 million. Dr. Fauci believes the US will be able to offer a vaccine to everyone by April and to those under 18 by September. Currently vaccine roll out is slowed by limitations on the production side (mainly inputs missing) but also vials and syringes. I believe Bill Gates had predicted this, as have others. I am still hopeful though that the current administration can address this, despite the lack of preparedness they have inherited from the previous administration. Especially the shortage in syringes may prove fatal. Japan is about to waste millions of doses for lack of syringes. Surely there must be a way to strike a deal. Can one country not trade syringes against shots? This way everyone would benefit.
Vaccines have created a new political and ethical dilemma as more and more people are vaccinated. The question arises what vaccinated people may or may not do. On the one hand everyone who has had a shot is expecting to regain civil liberties curbed by governments, on the other hand this would create different classes of citizens, with people unable to opt to be vaccinated as shots are in short supply and governments dictate eligibility.
Scientists worry about mutations and their effect on vaccines, especially if people are infected before the vaccine is fully effective, say in between shots, these people may become breeding ground for new variants resistant to the vaccines. This could be an endless race. Maybe all the more reason to focus on a single shot vaccine.
Given vaccines are in short supply, how about handing them out to good citizens first? All the States with mask mandates who contribute to fighting the spread should receive more doses.
Those not inclined to wear masks can go to the end of the line.