Key West Lou / JAPAN HAS STOPPED COVID DEAD IN ITS TRACKS

Japan has stopped COVID dead in its tracks. Japan’s death rate is 5 percent that of the U.S.

COVID deaths in Japan are 18,000. Fourteen out of every 100,000 persons. Whereas, the number of deaths in the U.S. has just passed 800,000. Works out to 242 of every 100,000 persons.

Last week, Japan averaged 113 new infections a day. The U.S., 120,000 per day.

Three reasons. A vaccine rollout was a success, masks wearing considered a good idea by the people, and social restrictions at large gatherings were followed.

Nothing new. Vaccines, masks and be careful at large gatherings. Same game plan as in U.S. Except the Japanese people listened to their leaders.

Smart ass types as in the U.S. non existent.

There is presently a surge world wide. Predicted to get even greater. Most taken sick are infected with the Omicron and Delta variants.

Japan’s population is 126 million. Eighty percent of of its people are vaccinated. Includes even children 5 years old and up. The U.S. has just reached 60 percent. Sixty percent out of well over 3 million persons.

Vaccination the #1 weapon and preventive weapon. Wake up America. Those fighting vaccines and mask wearing are dangerous to themselves and others. The U.S. will never be even close to controlling COVID unless dissenting Americans get off their high horses and pay attention to the experts.

More COVID news.

Cornell University has closed its doors. Only offices and some labs remain open.

The recent surge hit Cornell big time. More than 900 students afflicted in a very short period of time.

Note Cornell is located in upstate New York. The New York area presently impacted by the surge. My hometown Utica an hour or so driving time away. Utica has been hit. Hospitals short of beds and medical staff.

A contributing factor is the cold. Upstate New York is a freezer this time of the year. Snow and very very low temperatures. COVID thrives in cold weather.

Cornell opted to close down just before final exams. Final will be taken from home online.

There is an oddity to the Cornell situation. The student population was overwhelmingly vaccinated, including booster shots.

The attacking virus are of the Omicron and Delta variants.

Cornel reports those afflicted with the Omicron variant are not significantly ill. Something we have been reading about in locations where Omicron has previously struck.

Key West’s cigar business booming in 1899.

In the week ending 12/6/1899, 14 cigar companies shipped a total of 1,042,500 cigars.

My blog has a significant Filipino following. I wish to report on a religious holiday. A Catholic one. Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi is a joyous yearly celebration. A nine day Advent novena. This year it begins tomorrow 12/16 and runs through 12/24.

Catholic Churches are lit with parol, a star shaped lantern. Parol originated in the Philippines and resembles the Star of Bethlehem.

Novena services are filled with tempo vibrant music.

Simbang Gabi began in 1668. Spanish missionaries from Mexico introduced Filipinos to the religious service as part of the evangelization of the Philippines.

Services were held pre-dawn so fishermen could finish their work day and farmers who were beginning could attend.

Today Simbang Gabi services continue to be held in the early morning. Today’s Filipinos walking through the pre-dawn darkness to attend Simbang Gabi.

I wrote in yesterday’s blog re the horrendous tornados that hit 6 States. I zeroed in especially on Mayfield, Kentucky. Little left of the community.

I acknowledged my lack of tornado knowledge indicating I might err in some instances.

I did err. Not badly. One or two mistakes.

Let me correct myself.

Hurricanes are classified in categories. Tornados by the Fujita Scale. The Scale runs from F1 to F5. F5 being the fastest moving.

Some weather experts suggest there should be an F6 because of the increased velocity of tornados. So far, the move has not been accepted.

An F5 represents wind speeds from 261-318 mph. A hell of a lot faster than a category 5 hurricane which is 150 mph.

Hurricane wind speed is measured as it passes over an area. Not tornados.

Tornados are not measured till some time after a tornado passes. Why I could not figure out. A lot of tornado info out there.

I wrote about Mayfield, Andrea Mitchell and a Professor Michael Mann.

Andrea had Professor Mann on her show monday. Mann is a Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State. He is recognized as one of the world’s premier tornado experts.

Mayfield’s speed has been “projected” by Mann at 300 mph. A guess at this time. Others have measured it from 165 mph to some number in excess of 300.

Mann suggested a 300 mph tornado would wipe a town out. Mayfield was wiped out. He further advised that a 300 mph tornado would throw debris in the air to 35,000 feet. Note 35,000 feet is where commercial airplanes travel.

I have covered/corrected my yesterday errors and repeated some information from yesterday’s blog. Mea culpa.

Enjoy your day!

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