Yesterday I focused on Ukraine President Zelensky. I have used this spelling, but two years ago ago, when he first attained that position, several other versions were mentioned: Zelenskyi, Zelenskiy and Zelenskyy. Well, more and more I now see Zelenskyy, and that could be because this appears to be the "official" spelling. And who knew how to pronounce his name? Note that Kiev also switched to Kyiv only more recently, and now I know how to pronounce it.
Note yesterday I also pointed out how China was allowing Hong Kong to embarrass itself by being so free. From the
New York Times:
Another big reason for this uptick is government mistrust. Nearly 40% of Hong Kong's population is not vaccinated. More than half those over 70 are not. This is the group that is dying. Further, those who got inoculated received Sinovac, made in China, which is not as effective.
What happened above jolted the national leadership, for it
locked down Shenzhen (
12.5 million) and the entire Jilin Province (
24 million). Two days ago China had just under 2000 new cases, with slightly less than 1500 yesterday. Those are only at a rate of 1.4 new cases/million population and 1.0 new cases/million. Hong Kong? Yesterday, 3540 new cases/million, and two days ago, 4237 new cases/million. Recapping yesterday, in new cases/million:
- USA 52
- South Korea 6038
- Finland 4794
- New Zealand 3115
- Germany 1213
- Hong Kong 3540
- China 1
Part of China's super caution is that, while the Omicron variant is so contagious, the BA.2 subvariant is even more so. They have a vulnerable populace. Note that countries like South Korea, New Zealand and Finland all well fought off the earlier COVID-19 strains. But Omicron made a difference. The reason why Europe is facing this new wave is because of this latest Stealth Omicron.
Should the U.S. also begin to take serious shutdown steps?
- The latest analysis shows that 12% of cases last week in the country was BA.2.
- However, our wastewaters showed the fraction is now up to 33%, and this is an early indicator of the current reality.
- Of those unvaccinated, almost half have already contracted Omicron. This leaves the other half in danger. Plus, anyone fully vaccinated and boosted also is scarily vulnerable.
- On the plus side, this Stealth Subvariant is not as lethal, and further, if you have been boosted, the odds are very, very high that you will only show minimal symptoms.
- Good reason for those unvaccinated, especially elders, to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible.
- About locking down the country like a significant part of China? Nah.
As this map shows, Japan will just begin the Sakura season in a few days:
But can you visit Japan today? Nope, only business travelers and students can enter with the proper documents. There is a 3-day quarantine, except for certain countries like the USA, where COVID-19 is controlled. What are the odds for the country opening up for tourists?
- March 5%
- April 35%
- May 60%
- July 85%
Of course, why go to Japan when you can enjoy the Sakura where you live. Washington, DC has similar dates with Tokyo, and the expectation is high this year that the peak of the 2022 season will fall between
March 22-25. That
graphic to the right is from WUSA in DC:
- There are 3700 cherry trees.
- Original planted in 1912.
- 36 million visitors come to the National Mall.
The average peak over time is actually on April 4th, with the earliest on March 15 in 1990 and latest April 19 in 1958. If you can't make it this year to the Nation's Capital, there is a BloomCam.
Actually, you can see cherry trees all over the USA, even in Hawaii. Macon, Georgia calls itself the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World. They have over 300,000 Yoshino trees.
Of course, you already know that these blossoms are not limited to the U.S. and Japan. The flowering in South Korea might be even more fabulous, and there is a list that picks the
top cities:- Tokyo
- DC
- Paris
- Kyoto
- Amsterdam
- New York City
- Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia
- Dublin
- Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
- Portland, Oregon
I think I've been to all of them, although maybe not Martha's Vineyard. And not to leave out the Southern Hemisphere, cherry blossoms bloom from late September to early October in New South Wales,
Australia.
And in July, go to Brazil. Here is the Botanical Garden of Curitiba.
Not as impressive, but after nurturing my plumeria plant for almost four years, I got my very first bloom, with two other clusters close behind.
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