According to a Pew Research Center global study of 230 countries and territories, 84% of people in the world are affiliated with a religion. Most of the 16% non-believers reside in China and Russia, where religion is actively discouraged.
It is thus believable that most of Humanity thank some form of God for their blessings. I don't express my feelings to anyone in particular, but appreciate the efforts of friends, family, colleagues, teachers, freedom fighters, medical profession and certain organizations.
What can Americans be thankful about? He has his supporters, but the majority are relieved that Donald Trump is no longer PUS (President of the United States). This makes TV news channel watching now a bore, but I'll take that over the end of democracy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed around 2.7 million so far, and this number could reach 5 million by the time it's over. However, history has seen worse (and remember, the population has increased):
- Traffic accidents have killed more than 60 million, and continue to do away with another 1.35 million each year...but we still drive.
In humanity's history, at least 150 million have died in wars, and this total could well have been a billion...but we continue to have wars. As rough as it was for the U.S. in World War II, notice how little we were hurt relative to other countries:
HIV/AIDS Pandemic: While the peak was in the 2005-2012 period, 36 million have died since 1981. The origin was in the Congo.- Spanish Flu of 1918-20: 20-50 million died.
- Black Death of 1346-53: 75-200 million died from the Bubonic Plague.
- Plague of Justinian in 541-2: 25 million died from the Bubonic Plague.
The good news include this COVID-19 pandemic largely being cured by vaccinations, there are no major wars anywhere, deaths from HIV/AIDS are declining and the USA is back with the world to combat global warming.
Further, the Cherry Blossom season began in Tokyo, nearly two weeks ahead of schedule. Here, Ueno Park at night.
Spring is here. Usually today is the first day, but it came earlier this year too. Yesterday, which was the day the Sun shone directly over the Earth's equator, bringing equal minutes of daylight and darkness. Easter will come on April 4, and it's guaranteed that the northern hemisphere will get warmer and warmer. Even the southern hemisphere is okay, as Fall just began. By the way, did you know that the three largest cities in the Southern hemisphere are in South America? #1 Sao Paulo (18 million), #2 Argentina and #3 Rio. That's because both India and China are wholly in the northern hemisphere.
Myself? I'm still planning to go around the world, at least once, and maybe twice. Perhaps beginning as early as October, but for sure in January of 2022, depending on pandemic conditions. Will know better in July, but for those planning to join us, it would be smart to make your reservations now because they will become difficult to get by then if all is well. You can always get your deposit back if you cancel by a certain date. My blog weekly updates the itinerary.
Otherwise, my life is golfing, TV-watching and eating. The Honda Classic in Florida is a gas, if you're sadistic. The fickle fate of luck and skill is epitomized by Matt Jones and Aaron Wise, especially the later, who was six strokes ahead of the pack yesterday, then dropped three behind Jones at the end of the day. As of this moment, they are one stroke apart, at #1 and #2, but any lead means nothing at this Jack Nicklaus-designed course. While the 15th, 16th and 17th holes are lovingly termed the Bear Trap, where 1,515 pro shots have drowned since 2007, the whole course can be painful. I think I heard that just for this tournament this weekend, the lost water balls added up to 255. It would not be a surprise if neither Jones or Wise actually win, for there are seven less than 6 strokes back, with 9 holes left. Or either one prevails by 6.
My University of Hawaii men's volleyball and baseball teams are doing well. Volleyball #1 at 7-0, all games so far played away from the state, while baseball has a ten-game winning streak, 3-0 against a really good Long Beach State team, with one game remaining today.
Next, lunch is a hot dog to continue watching the above, with Pork Tofu and a chu-toro sashimi plate for dinner. I've ordered Kentucky Fried Chicken tomorrow for lunch and Kalua Pig and Cabbage for dinner. My challenge is to see how I can best enhance these dishes. With beer, sake and a bottle of Butter Chardonnay, I have things well in hand.
My cocoon, also known as 15 Craigside, indicates that 97% of residents received their second shot of Moderna a month ago, and 91% of employees, much better than the rest of the nation and world. Still not one COVID-19 infection among residents, and I guess we're now all safe. My Honohonos and Anthuriums are right in front of me, and they too want you to count your blessings.
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