November 24, 2021

Hiking in the Massanuttens – Cowering to Xi Jinping – A welcome show of non-subservience – Booster shot reactions – Evening statistics

Yesterday I led a hike for the Vigorous Hikers that I had led nearly a year earlier: a double loop, with both loops starting from Elizabeth Furnace.  I varied it, however, by starting the first loop up Sherman Gap and descending by way of Shawl Gap, and I was glad afterwards that I did.  The last mile of the ascent up to Sherman Gap is both steep and rocky, and its current covering of fallen leaves made one’s footing very uncertain.  Descending along the milder gradient of the Massanutten Trail from Shawl Gap was much easier than going down Sherman Gap would have been.  The second loop, also, was in the counter-clockwise direction instead of clockwise, going along the Massanutten Trail to Meneka Peak and descending along the Tuscarora Trail.  This option enabled us to have lunch at the Buzzard Rock overlook, which is one of the highlights of the hike.  The forecast had been for cloudy weather, but it was clear for the most part and there were many views of the valley from the ridgeline through the bare branches of the trees.  Several of the hikers elected to do the first loop only, which is 9 miles with about 1750 feet of elevation gain.  But the remainder who persevered and completed the second loop made good time, and everyone was back at the parking area by 3:30. 

ChIna is, most appropriately, forcing its business partners to master the art of kowtowing.  JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently remarked that the Chinese Communist Party and JP Morgan were each celebrating its 100th year, adding, “I’d make you a bet we last longer.”  He currently is groveling, apologizing for the jest and castigating himself in public for hinting that the CCP’s lifespan is anything less than infinite.  Doubtless his continued self-abasement and his protestations of gratitude for the unkindness it displays towards him will eventually convert its haughty disdain into condescending acceptance and pave the way for smoother business relations.  It does appear that our president is able to provide at least a measure of backbone in his dealings with the mainland.  Biden has invited Taiwan to the democracy summit to be held on December 9-10, disregarding the shrill protests of Xi Jinping’s government; and while this falls short of endorsing Taiwan’s independence, it is at any rate better than nothing.

The CDC is claiming that fewer people have been experiencing severe reactions from their booster shots than from their second doses.  That has not been so in my case.  Setting aside the question of whether my digestive upset on the day following the booster was a direct consequence of receiving the booster or simply a coincidence, my arm was more tender and the soreness lasted longer than was the case with either of the initial two vaccine shots.  However, the CDC appears to be assuming that the booster is same brand as the initial vaccine, which again was not so in my case.  My first two shots were of the Pfizer vaccine, whereas the booster was Moderna – which combination is said to be slightly more effective than getting both the two vaccine shots and the booster from the same source.   There have been other stories from various acquaintances of severe reactions from booster shots, but it is all anecdotal; one would like to see some verifiable data on the subject.

Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 259,681,148; # of deaths worldwide: 5,191,314; # of cases U.S.: 48,968,090; # of deaths; U.S.: 798,215.