There was only one real story in the world news this week – coronavirus. I am not an expert of infectious diseases, but let me say up front that while I think the threat is real, I think the U.S. will avoid the worst of it. While the disease is less dangerous than previous strains like H1N1 or the Avian flu, the fact that it is not more lethal can make it more difficult to detect, and therefore more likely to spread. In response to the epidemic, the stock market has taken the worst beating since the great recession in 2008. This is more of a reaction to the number of companies that rely on foreign markets for labor and sales growth. My advice is to ignore the political rhetoric and take the precautions that are recommended by the CDC. We have encountered these threats before and we will get past this one as well. My son and I both have chronic sinus issues, and are susceptible to colds and sinus infections. I’m a big believer in steam and hot tea as deterrents to infection. Beyond that, I don’t plan to alter my plans a whole lot at this point. Stay healthy!
By definition, unintended consequences are the results of an action different from what was expected or planned. They are often referenced in relation to changes in policies. I have heard the term used for years, primarily related to government policies. Still, I didn’t realize until recently that much has been written on the subject, and most experts believe that there are three categories of unintended consequences:
I once read that sports are a universal language. Regardless of ethnicity or what language you speak, almost everyone speaks sports. No place has that been more evident than the Olympics, where every four years, we are moved by images of athletic rivals from around the world shaking hands and embracing each other in moving displays of sportsmanship.
Happy Easter! The blog will resume on April 7, 2024.