Viral Vicissitudes

Trials and Tribulations: 'Vexinations' - Part 2 (Where We're Going and How We'll Get There) Back to the Future:  Starting with yesterday's news (literally), followed by a few steps back in time (just enough to gain appreciation of what some unsung heroes working behind the scenes on our behalf have accomplished), and on to what we hope, yearn for in the next several months...                                              Newsweek, November 28, 2020 (Health Section): "Why Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine could be more important than Pfizer in ending pandemic..." An article chronicling not only the development of this third vaccine of major world interest, but more specific 'attributes' this one may have which may in turn play a different part (perhaps in coordination with the others) in curbing the pandemic in many low and middle income countries in particular. This, due in pa...

Trials and Tribulations: 'Vexinations' - Part 1 (Where we're at, how we got here) Parallel Lines: Almost in direct proportion to the number of COVID cases diagnosed early in the pandemic, appeals were being made to government, scientific organizations, and yes, 'Big Pharma', to bring us a vaccine, bring it fast, and do whatever it takes; we were individually and collectively vexing for and about   a vaccine...vexing that continues to this day and will likely persist beyond this pandemic. Well, the day has almost arrived, we are told, the day that an effective and safe vaccine will start its distribution, first to those most at risk and those on the front lines, then to the masses. Most people don't seem to care much for the incredible complexity, millions of dollars, and millions of hours with which a legion of dedicated researchers have endeavored literally through the night in order to create a vaccine (does "I don't care much about the details, just...

COVID Calculus, Pandemic Parabolas            Countless  individuals, youngsters as well as oldsters, have complained to me that they detest or otherwise "suck at math". Many times this is due to the way in which this core subject is taught -- detached from other branches of  logic and knowledge, and at other due to the mild trauma they experienced when trying to memorize times tables in early elementary at warp speed (boring!), only to be told a few years later "take your time, be accurate" -- talk about mixed messages, it's almost enough to make one dislike the subject. This expressed frustration has risen exponentially  with the significant increase in remote/virtual teaching formats the past several months (math teachers themselves have also expressed more frustration than other teachers). However, another psychological  factor is the lack of awareness of how routinely these same individuals are utilizing math in their daily lives, s...

How do I find you on this Thanksgiving--feeling rebuffed, chuffed, or stuffed?        According to the "Search" of my own blog, I have made the topic of feelings  and thoughts one of the most frequent considerations of my weekly posts (what do you expect, I'm a psychologist). Starting early in the pandemic, I offered and 'provoked' you with different angles on some mainline feelings (e.g., anxiety, sadness). Obvious but worthwhile, in my humble opinion. As you have no doubt caught on, I am also given to the use of alliterations...anytime, anywhere (today I resort to simple rhyming). Another favorite past time in my office and in my writings is to enlarge an individual's emotional vocabulary and right here, right now, I present a few words relevant to not only our recent daily experience throughout the pandemic, but especially to give pause on this particular day, which has been set aside for a common purpose, where we break bread and give thanks together, even...

Viral Vernacular, COVID Communication "Language is a reflection of the world around us and 2020 has been dominated by the global pandemic"           -Helen Newstead, Collins Dictionary language consultant, as reported by BBC on 11-23-20 Time honored traditions: My most recent post (11-22) was a reflection on a year-end tradition that will undoubtedly take on special significance for all of you. Another tradition at this time of year for many dictionaries, institutions that study language and communication, and worldwide wordsmiths, is to consider various words that have come into prominence as well as those that we may wish to banish. To say the methods by which we communicate as well as the content have been altered by COVID would have to be itself one of the understatements of the year. I have written here a few times regarding how our exchange and expression of intimacy in particular has been altered, admittedly diminished in some ways, but not eliminate...

"Auld Lang Syne": None too early, not too late... Year(s) Gone By: With Christmas carols from the 24/7 radio stations featuring the standards from Burl Ives and friends still resonating in our heads (don't blame me, it was already there) and boxing day accomplished (longer lines this year due to the "six foot" stickers accentuated with Christmas decals, no doubt), we can once again warm our vocal chords with hot cider and other libations, in order to be properly prepared to all sing together (whatever together means to you this year) 'the song everyone sings but nobody knows'. This year it will undoubtedly be sung with a unique combination of melancholy, disgust, and gusto--three noteworthy sentiments among others from our collective pandemic political psyche of 2020. Here, I offer a brief review of the true meaning behind the song we will likely sing (and probably butcher, especially if you dare to go beyond the first verse), and the special significan...

Let the Games Begin! (after the vaccine arrives, that is): The Pandemic Pentathlon         You already know (assuming you have followed this blog even intermittently) my penchant for presenting opportunities for you to challenge yourself, both mentally and physically. The Olympics is a supreme example of both. The International Olympic Committee indicated a few days ago that they are now confident that the already delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics will take place as 'originally rescheduled', 246 days from now...with spectators! This is partly based on the confidence they now have that a vaccine is arriving...any day now.  All in a day's work:  One of the more challenging events of the summer Olympics is the pentathlon, an ultimate exercise in cross training, calling upon many mental and physical attributes. The ancient version consisted of running, jumping, spear-throwing, discus, and wrestling (all of which you can do in your back yard, assuming your neighb...

A Pandemic Political Panorama: There's No Place Like...Part 2 A Global Glance: In yet another attempt to assuage your PESF ('Post Election Stress Fatigue') I am bringing you my own version of "Breaking News"! Through a brief glimpse of just a few headlines from the past few days, I hope you will conclude that our problems here at home, while notable, problematic, and in need for remediation, pale in comparison with those elsewhere. That we are indeed fortunate to be living in this place and time.  Clashes between police and protestors in Bangkok: ongoing protests against the monarchy, what a multitude of citizens continue to believe is tyrannical in nature... New Moldova president pledges 'balanced ties' with West, Russia: Oh. oh, another 'Russian Connection'... Kenya's ethics committee probes minister over slur... slurs, did they see our debates?! Chinese journalist facing jail for Wuhan reporting: What, no first amendment rights?!   A call fo...

In Cahoots! (With a little help from my friends) A Friend in need... "With a Little Help From My Friends", written by Lennon and McCartney, but sung by Ringo Starr (there's your Jeopardy tidbit for today), first appeared on their 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band". With all due respect, my favorite rendition is that by Joe Cocker, especially that from Woodstock in 1969 (upon reflection, I wonder if that is what inspired me to obtain this 3 album set as my very first vinyl purchase, and still wonder whether Cocker's trademark gravelly voice and spasmodic movements were enhanced by the rarified air at this historic music festival). In any case, the producers of "Wonder Years" shared my affection, making JC's version their intro music, which we enjoyed consuming for five years, from 1968-1973. Wonder Years, In Cahoots: A staple of my household growing up during the years depicted in the Wonder Years was overhearing my father ear...

There's No Place Like... Spoiler Alert: This is another post intended to provoke you to think beyond our own borders--the borders of your yard, your community, and even our national borders. To remind ourselves, that, in the midst of continued restrictions and our concurrent 'stay in place' (aka at home), there are literally millions of others who would readily trade places. Thus, there's no place quite like: Ethiopia:   Besides the presence of COVID, plenty of other reasons to avoid Ethiopia as a travel destination for the near future. Especially the northern region and specifically Tigray, given the military action that has displaced thousands from their homes. They would gladly trade places with you if you want to swap air B&Bs...when was the last time you even looked at this part of your globe, let alone consider a leisurely trip there? Nagorno-Karabakh Region: A hotly contested area by Armenia and Azerbaijan (want to buy a vowel?), another area you would not wa...

Character in the midst of COVID: Who DOES This?! What kind of CHARACTER, indeed. Who, you ask, puts their life on the line to protect the rest of us? And with a business like manner, as if they just came to the office to put in another day. Who doesn't look for accolades but rather shuns them and insists on spreading credit among the team of people who have come together for a common cause. Who DOES this?!  Yesterday, one such worker was interviewed, which came very close to the following replay:                    Interviewer: "Weren't you afraid; weren't you placing yourselves in peril?"                                                Respondent: "Well, we ..." (quietly refusing to take credit for any heroism and focusing instead on the critical importance of the task at hand)        By now man...

Pandemic, Political Polemics: We've Been here Before  On Turning 80: It seems like just yesterday (well, it was actually September 6th) that I (well, this blog) turned 40. Given this occasion, I wanted to send a brief note of appreciation for you, the readers, many of which have given me notes of encouragement and appreciation yourselves for something of interest you have picked up here. And to my friends and family, who have endured many annoying moments where I punctuate a conversation with something like, "Oh, wait, I have to write that down, it would make a great post..." I appreciate your indulgence and patience. Because there's more to come, even if the vaccine that was announced yesterday does come to fruition later this year, or early 2021. A p olemic utilizes contentious rhetoric intended to support a specific position by forthright claims and undermining the opposition, mostly seen in arguments about controversial and/or passionate topics (like politics and ...

Building Blocks, Dominoes, or Legos: It's (mostly) up to you        Among other props I frequently rely on in my office are three blocks within grabbing distance, to bring into your view, whether we are face-to-face (not lately) or zooming along in conversation about your life challenges. They are colored blue, red, and yellow (just a coincidence, not symbolic of anything, as these were three blocks I found as leftovers from some set around the house that escaped an earlier cleanout), and labeled " Sleep/wake ", " Appetite/eating ", and " Energy/exercise ". When in good order and arranged strategically (whether stacked on top of one another or side by side, can you visualize?) they become a decent foundation for other life functions of a more discretionary nature, for other things you may choose to pursue; lacking any one of these you lack a firm foundation. When stood on their ends they can also be viewed as dominoes. That is, the kind that you carefu...

Forging Ahead, Foraging Behind....the Pandemic: A Call for COVID Contrasts        Who among us have not had to put a goal or two on pause, re-evaluate it, or perhaps abandon it altogether, due largely to the pandemic circumstances we continue to find ourselves in? As I indicated in a previous post ("Feeling Blue?"-June 14th), if you had not already experienced a degree of sadness due to a loss of contact, opportunity, or income, you were the exception. If you are even an occasional reader here you are also aware that I frequently utilize this space as a call for action--literally. Herein is a renewed call for two types of action that, at first glance, appear to be at odds, but are actually in harmony. That is, we need to redouble our efforts and forge (or 'surge' in the midst of a second COVID surge) ahead to realize our goals, while also taking intermittent 'time outs' on the way (e.g., foraging), in order to sustain our own 'viral vigor' as well as t...

Coming of Age in the Crucible of COVID Through the Years - Cheers, Tears, and Jeers: Starting with the "Lost Generation", intervals of birth years have been characterized in part by the the major events and conditions in which they found themselves (i.e., crucible) . Each has been historically profiled in various ways, including their collective accomplishments as well as their perceived shortcomings, the latter frequently through parody and otherwise lighthearted chiding. The following is a list of the generations which have been profiled to date and just a few characteristics/milestone events, in the service of brevity and space (assuming the reader already appreciates the overlapping and fluid nature of each generation to the next):                                                                        ...