Concern, not panic

Outbreak..not the movie

Ebola first appeared in humans in 1976 in Central Africa and South Sudan. Is natural hosts are believed to be fruit bats. In parts of Africa these are eaten as a market delicacy.  The virus was named after the Ebola river,  round which the first cases appeared.
In an age where air travel facilitates the movement of infected people , the recent outbreak is not spreading particularly in countries with poor medical standards and facilities but threatening to harm the economies of Africa in general and perhaps the rest of the world. That is the view of both the IMF and World bank.
The IMF, under Christine Lagarde,  has announced ,  in a departure from its normal policy of discouraging budget deficits,  it would be appropriate for those countries at the epicentre of the outbreak to increase their deficits to contain the virus. The World Bank who normally encourages private investment to improve facilities is also an agreement under the circumstances.
Ebola is highly infectious but less contagious as it is not an airborne virus. It is infectious in that a single virus can cause death,

Improved screening in the West as well as an increased awareness of the situation has seen, so far, the spread contained to a minimum number..hope it continues.

Retreat?

Hong Kong

Reports are that the student numbers are thinning out while civil servants have returned to work. Some students say they are satisfied that talks with the government will take place. So far so good? Or is this is pause that refreshes?

Financial people

They're only human

Bankers are a breed apart. They're a bit like policemen, they never lose that feeling that they have a duty to themselves and the world to remain unchanging and steadfast in their pursuit of happiness in their chosen careers.
It's true to say that money is, unfortunately, a man-made abstract concept which is used as a standard by which to measure people.

Accumulation of wealth and possessions cannot simply reflect a person's character, surely?

One older member of the credit committee which used to assess loan applications was so sensitive of the word "risk" that the very mention of the offensive word  in any application led to an automatic thumbs down from on high. Thereafter It would take a couple of swift snorters from the mahogany drinks cabinet to restore the old boy's equilibrium ready to face the rest of the day.

One Manager I worked for was definitely a nut case of the first water. After a particularly violent argument with the wife he became so displeased that he locked her in the bathroom and fed her by lowering a food tray through the skylight above the bolted door. She lasted three days before a concerned neighbour became anxious at the wife' s seeming disappearance and arranged a rescie operation. Needless to say no charges were laid which in today's liberated world in inconceivable.

Bankers lend you an umbrella when it's dry and want it back when it rains. They are also not very fond of surprises. Anyway, enough said on this subject....

Stamping out

Guns and viruses

One of the issues among many, that is facing the U.S. is the question of gun control. Despite his willingness and promises President Obama has made little, if any, headway with the issue as he  tries to reduce the reliance of U.S citizens on their weapons. It will almost certainly take an absurdly long time for Americans to give up their God-given right to own and use firearms. The laws applying to the purchase of firearms are as loose and flexible as to be risible,
The other issue that is causing some concern is the importation of the Ebola virus by a resident returning from Liberia . The number of people with whom he has come into contact is rising but so far nobody else has succumbed to the illness. Hopefully, this is it... but as always, it ain't over until the fat lady sings!

Free and easy with democracy

The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision.George Eliot

Sydney Morning Herald (3rd October) reports that Prime Minister Tony Abbott will kill off a plan proposed by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry that would require women wearing head and facial coverings such as burqas to be separated from the public at Parliament House. 

So far, there have been no announcements from the PM's office. 

How far are we prepared to go to  "protect" democracy?