Russia fessed up to the shortcut yesterday and this was reported on the news. Even the WHO is worried about it which is amazing in itself, since they've been asleep at the wheel since before the virus came about. I dare say they are yet to start their promised inquiry into the virus' origins.

They think covid may be spreading through shipping , warehouses, food distribution, processing, The stats point to it apparently.
I wash all my items I buy ,I guess that's all you can do . We need to eat and buy food! So I'm just washing all items I buy. Gee ya wouldn't want to be going into a old folks home at the moment that's 4 sure!

Pete

Actually before we condemn Putin we should look at what is going on here. Our constitution is being trampled on from all sides and the states are the worst offenders.

As for controlling it, I was cynical from day one & claimed that it was a great thing for for the aged care budget by having a more effective way of instead of ripping of pensions, so you have the choice of eating, or freezing to death in winter: getting rid of Granny Now as predicted its going through aged care like Epson salts.

As for infection control, I have said I have worked in Commercial Laundry & Cleaning, Food an Chemical Industry. What I am constantly seeing is the total ignorance of "Bio-security" and "cross infection particularly", in "The Republic of Melbourne" .

It is hardly surprising that its out of control when I see no evidence of anything like vehicles, being disinfected on the way out. Nor do I see any control on footwear etc. In earlier times before disinfection the Doctors would as I have said to many, do autopsies then visit the ward carting disease pathogens back into wards & everywhere else.

What I see is still PPE and ordinary shoes & Jackboots that in most cases won't be disinfected. I have contacted several politicians ABC Sky & others. The only conclusion that I can draw from nothing happening, is that there is no intention of trying to stop it & all we have is control & window dressing and we should not be putting up with this oversight, which to me looks more and more deliberate.

I think conspiracy theories must evolve when you see so many fiasco's, inappropriate actions and oversights.

Actually I don't think Putin is too bad at all.
I think many of the older party members are extreme and do extreme things ,but often Putin makes sense it what he says , particularly regarding USA and nukes . Enough counties have nukes ,it's pointless if you use them it's annihilation for both parties and this what he said to fat Kim. Both USA and Russia have been in that situation since the 60s
I think there been a few times there would of been a war ,but Putin backed off.
The old communist party of the 50s and 60s is long gone and newer party is not as extreme.
If we look at the Chinese C party it's much more of a worry in these modern times.
I've never been to Russia, I wish I had gone years ago when I traveled around the world as it's very interesting. My brother who is 12 years older than me went too Russia for a visit and he told me how interesting he found it to be.,but you can't go everywhere in one life time

Pete

Pete, do you know Putin's background in East Germany?

If you did you would know why he is not inclined to be our friend and why it's not safe to be a journalist in Russia, amongst other things...

Yes, I know his past in the KBG, but I still don't feel the Russian party is as bad as it was in the 60s and I See the Chinese party much more of danger particularly in this part of the world...
Any party that takes away freedom or makes it illegal to follow ones chosen religion is extreme and both the parties mentioned have done that in the past... I really don't think Russia is looking to dominate the world, but China appears to want that at the moment..
Time will tell.

Pete

I believe China have plans on doing things that the Germans and Japs did in reverse order. The Japs and Germans tried to take over the world with force whereas I see the Chinese are covertly buying us and then when ready maybe use force. ( ha I still have my conspiracy hat on ) .
Just remember the 70s and 80s when the Japs were buying us out left right and centre.

The reason that Russia isn't as bad as it was is because they see the CCP for the thieving pricks they are. China claims Russia is an ally but Russia rightly states that co-operation on arms sales to China was simply a standard business transaction. China wanted some planes and boats and Russia provided them and China paid the bill, and then copied it all. In reality its no different to the US selling arms to belligerent nations like Iran, Iraq and Somalia. All three have at various times turned those American guns on US soldiers and sailors.

As can be seen, there are risks with selling weapons to others. Australia and the US have a fairer approach. We buy things like the Aegis combat system off the US and they buy Australia's Nulka missile decoy system which no current anti-ship missile can circumvent. We buy their Mk48 torpedos which are pretty much the most destructive conventional torpedo on the planet and they buy the design to what is now known as the Independence-class littoral combat ship. This relationship is far more productive and long lasting.

Russia is cranky at China for two reasons - the first being the IP theft but also because China has made a territorial claim over the Russian Far East. I'd really like to see China try taking it. The Russians will hand their socks to them.

The 1980s !!!!

Oh queens land , Perfect one ! Japanese the Next !! hah I remember the Ad !!!!

"I'd really like to see China try taking it. The Russians will hand their socks to them."

I certainly hope so. The thought of Russia and China back to back if another world war happens doesn't bare thinking about. They could fight on European and Pacific fronts.

Now at the moment the US has a third "front" with CV-19, and may have a fourth "front" on the east and south coasts if there is a decent cyclone season. Then if the Los Angeles gets the "big one", a fifth "front" on the west coast...

Thinking about Russia, over the last few centuries, one of its aims has been access to an ice free port. This led them to war with Sweden to gain access to the Baltic and the establishment of St Petersburg, and to the importance to Russia of the Baltic states, Lithunia, Latvia and Estonia.

Another access is through the Black Sea, The Bosphorus strait to the Sea of Marmara, the Dardanelles to the Mediterranean Sea. This led to the Crimean War in the 19th century, and to Russia's interest now in Syria which gives them a southern flank to Turkey which controls the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. Not to mention the Anzac's action at Gallipoli when the west was trying to help Russia. If Russia gets access through these straits then it affects the power balance in the eastern Mediterranean from which runs the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean.

Warm water ports are also in the Indian Ocean and Russia's interest in Afghanistan and India over the centuries, and the importance of weather Iran leans to the West or to Russia.

The warming of the Arctic Ocean has added another factor as that route is opening east to the Pacific and west the the Atlantic.

These things are independent of ideology, (Russia has gone from monarchy to communism to oligarchy with a veneer of democracy) though ideology can be used to justify action to achieve strategic aims.

The US with Europe is still the greatest power, but the perception of Russia and China as to how the balance of power is going may cause them to act. The first to the vaccine for CV-19 would be part of this balance. Or if Russia or China feel threatened by their own people and need an excuse to clamp down, or feel threatened economically.

The Confucion Curse is "May you live in interesting times". The times are getting more interesting.

This is also a time to reflect with "VP" day as to what my relatives fought & died for, what's left of that, what's left of their country that's ours & how they have been knifed in the back.

Interesting times , yes it is interesting watching things unfold and fold.
But it is also sad knowing and watching children no longer are socialising and not at school or in the parks playing as they have always done in the past.
Hard times on the old people too ,When they don't have long left to do the things in life they had planned.. now their stuck at home not going out due to covid.
The old folks in the homes must feel like sitting ducks .
For me at 50, it's not too bad, But I'm concerned about my children and the lack of social life and missing out on the things like, family outings ,trips BBQs and generally playing and socialising with others.
Then if we look at people aged 20 to 40 ,they must be worried about how the hell they can get a job or if they can have a family.
But one thing we all know is the world is forever changing and all this will pass in time ,but there seems to be a big change brewing in Asia and personally I can't see it blowing over this time. ...so interesting yes,but a scary roller coaster ride we are all on I feel

When Confucius said interesting he really meant dangerous - it was a curse after all. What is dangerous on the world scene filters down to the likes of us and changes our lives in all sorts of ways not usually to our benefit.

With regard to VP day, my signature STC830 radio was bought in 1938, and Churchill's and Menzies declarations listened to on it by my grandparents in 1939, but also the news of VE and VP days. Just hope we don't have to go through that sort of thing again.

STC ,
A couple of weeks ago I bought some Kriesler stuff off a Guy and he told me this story of his grandfather who before WW2 was right into radios and electronics in the 30s and 40s . He said his Grandfather had a collection of Radios and Ham Radios and all were confiscated during the war here in Australia . His Grandfather joined the RAAF and after the war he had no interest in Radios anymore .I was not aware that they confiscated  Radios etc  I can understand they having to make Ham Radios illegal , But this fellow seemed sure they removed all of his Grandfathers Radios at the time . Perhaps it may of been due to the fact he may build one perhaps .


Pete