Back in 12 Covid Questions (locked), I pondered whether the central government in China even knew the true origin of the virus given that coverups may have occurred internally as well as externally.  It seems we are closer to an answer on that one, with Wuhan officials alleged to have pulled the wool over Beijing’s eyes.

Australia now has some of the strictest lockdown rules in the world, rivalling even China with restrictions on foreign travel and the return of citizens to the country.  This reflects Australia’s authoritarian streak, a phenomenon I wrote about in pre-Covid days here.

Hector Drummond Magazine has been doing yeoman work in questioning the official corona narrative.  This guest post is a good summary of controversies in scientific advice.  Here’s another on Read More

Got so many links saved up I’m just gunna chuck ’em atcha:

Experts warn that the long lockdown is having a harmful impact upon the aged care residents it is intended to help.  They are missing out on specialist and volunteer visits, declining mentally from being confined to their rooms, and the lack of contact with family means those vulnerable residents with dementia are losing support from their most important advocates.

The strictness of the lockdown matters, but so does the length.  The longer it goes on, the more disruption it will cause.  Countries that have successfully limited infection rates seems to be entering a neverending story of cycling lockdowns with every new outbreak.  Of course, a safe vaccine would solve that problem, but if it doesn’t come for another two or three years then Sweden wins the Covids.

Virus specialists say that allowing people to run without a mask makes no sense.  This is why they are virus specialists, not running specialists.  If only we could get the two to talk.

I saw this headline but sighed and didn’t bother to read the story.  Then iSteve picked it up and I had a look.  Oh, goodness.  It involves Read More

I’ve been reading over my old posts.  There’s the pregnancy scare one, where I promised God I’d never whinge again if only the test was negative.  There were all the Africa ones, where I pledged never to whine about anything ever again after that experience.  This is wisdom.

I’m now up to six cancelled flights.  It’s not the end of the world.  Now that I’m resigned to being stuck here against my will, I’m better able to accept it and plan what to do next.  I’ve got some projects to work on, beers to drink, and beaches to visit.  They’re open now.  I hope to be home by Christmas, but if not, I will instead enjoy one more Christmas here in Surabaya.

Vladivostok is currently under a 6-week, Stage 4 lockdown.  No one’s allowed out except for food, and there’s a 6am-10pm curfew.  Still, those who’ve tested positive and been ordered to stay home at all times are still found to be out and about around 12% of the time when checked on by the KGB, down from 25% last week owing to increased penalties.  I have a pretty good idea who’s doing the sneaking Read More