Martin World News- anti-virus edition

Are you sick of COVID news?  Me too!  So I looked up places (nations only, sorry, Puerto Rico) that according to WHO had ZERO deaths so far.  There were 21, with a total of 1,685 confirmed cases between them- 414 more than my home of Allen County, IN (with 66 fewer deaths).  So I decided to draw a random list (using a random number generator) of 10 of these nations, and see what's doing there.  Feel free to doubt the numbers if you like- I know I have my doubts about #s 8 and 10...


Mozambique

Well, they may be self-disqualifying, as on May 19th they reported an asymptomatic infected gentleman was brought to the hospital.  Self-quarantining at home after being diagnosed on the 15th, he was rushed to the hospital already unconscious and was pronounced dead minutes later.  It appears to be building up a powerful punch there.


Cambodia

The Dany Deng pig importing concern is asking to get it's licence back, but I'm kinda wondering if it's gonna happen.  They have been busted for violations like putting more pigs in their trucks than allowed and not having the proper health certifications.  The Ag Ministry there said, “On April 21, it promised to not make any more mistakes. But on May 5, the company made the same mistake. Therefore, the ministry had to cancel its licence.”  And that same mistake?  20 pigs more on a truck than allowed (also known as the 5,700 lb mistake) and "fraudulent" health paperwork.  Khov Heng, owner of Dany Deng, blames it on his provincial branch, who apparently can't tell when they've overshot the pig count by 2 1/2 tons.


St Vincent and the Grenadines

I had to look into the headline of police starring in what was called a "Passing-out Parade".  Was this a parade meant to see who would succumb to the heat first, or an after-graduation "morning after the party" hangover deal?

As it turns, I was closer with my second whimsical guess, as it was the 'passing out' of police academy by this year's graduates.  I certainly hope that it didn't involved my speculated over-indulging, as they are required to wear face masks and (thankfully) social distance, and I sure wouldn't want to barf wearing one...

Eritrea

They celebrated their 29th anniversary as a nation on the 23rd, and were more than happy to explain how they managed to do this without a single death so far...

 Eritrea’s approach has manifestly shown that it is possible to do a lot of good work if you count on your people and positively lead the way forward. This people’s approach has paid handsomely by enabling the country to arrest the spread of the virus with zero deaths and full recovery of all infected patients, albeit temporarily as the war continues.

Trust is critical in every government undertaking. And the Eritrean people have responded spectacularly because they believe in their common good and trust their government.

Somehow, I'm persuaded I need to add #4 to my 'skeptical' list...


Papua-New Guinea

Here, we have an "energy crisis", sort of.  Former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was arrested on the 20th, and it took me a bit to sort out the story.  While he was PM, apparently he went to the National Bank to request 50 million kina ($14.3 million) to use to purchase two generators from an 'LR Company' to combat the high incidences of blackouts in certain cities.  The Bank approved, PNG Power said thank you, and everyone was happy- almost.  As it turned, the 50M k was paid to an Israeli outfit (who actually made the generators), and when people began asking why proper procedures hadn't been followed (and why there was no contract FOR the generators, he then went to the executive council claiming he needed K 94M  ($26.9 million)- apparently netting himself and his friends at LR a tidy $12 and a half million profit.

Mongolia


Here's a place actively looking to prevent corruption, by taking away opportunity in Constitutional amendments:

The issue on double deel (holding dual posts in Cabinet and Parliament) was decided by the new amendment to the Constitution. In addition to the prime minister, only four members of Cabinet will be allowed to hold dual posts (in Parliament and Cabinet). However, the amendment will not come into force starting today, according to officials.

The amendment also restricts lawmakers’ direct access to laws that underlie the country's economy, such as the budget and taxes.

Can you hear Washington DC screaming, "HERESY!!!"?

Dominica

The Island's Health Minister, Dr Irving McIntyre, had something to say that a good deal of the USA population (Notably conspiracy mavens and Wal-Mart shoppers) should pay heed to:

“We must not lose focus and become complacent,” he said.  “We are aware of the fact that approximately one-third of cases may be asymptomatic but fully capable of spreading the virus.”

The health minister said it was noticeable over the last few weeks that many people have let down their guard “and this is surely not in our best interest.”

“Some restrictions were relaxed to cater to our mental health and physical activities and not to imply that we are COVID free,” McIntyre pointed out. “We must remember that Covid-19 is spread by a respiratory virus and for this reason, I encourage you to continue wearing your masks and practicing physical distancing.”

Dr. McIntyre said he believes that this is the best way of showing a public spirit of concern for our families, friends, loved ones, the clinically vulnerable and elderly and the country as a whole.

Oh, but it's all "the GOP this, the Dems that".  Sure.

Bhutan

Wow, what a surprise.  In an interview with Forbes magazine,  Director General (DG) of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, Dorji Dhradhul was claimed to have said that Bhutan was ready right now to re-open for tourism.


Truth: “It was the headline of the story that looked like Bhutan will open up for tourism since there is zero Covid-19 death,” the DG said. “From the TCB’s side, this was definitely not our view expressed during the interview.”

According to the DG, based on the council’s assessment and the current situation Bhutan cannot be opened to tourism at least not before November. “Even if we open after November this year, tourism will still take time to pick up especially tourists visiting Bhutan,” he said.

He added tourists would have to go through certain norms like compulsory quarantine and requirement of physical distancing.

“I can see zero tourists coming to Bhutan in 2020 even if we open unless a few high-end tourists decide to come,” he said. “If it opens in 2021, we might get 10,000 more tourists, which is less than what we used to get so far.”

Dorji Dhradhul said that tourist could be expected only by 2022, but we might receive only about 50 percent of what we see today and start receiving full tourists only by 2025.

Note to Forbes:  Howzabout trying "hear what they say, not what you want to hear?"


Rwanda

Literally, a story of being in hot water:

Twenty people were arrested on the evening of Saturday May 23 at the Lebanon Hotel in Remera, Gasabo District where they were found in a sauna and massage room.
Among those arrested are Raymond Bizwinayo, the hotel proprietor, Christopher Tuyishime, the Manager and Alexis Nyiridandi, who is in charge of the Sauna.



Bizwinayo distanced himself from the unlawful acts, arguing that the Sauna and massage services were under different management although they were operating within the same facility.

How do you 'distance yourself' when you are literally IN THE SAUNA???  Maybe he meant 'social distancing'...

And finally...

Vietnam


40 days without a positive test, they say.  No news here.