Dear Daily Disaster Diary, Jan.04 2025

 There`s a lot of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven`t the time to enjoy it.

- Josh Billings

What to know about the highly-contagious norovirus surge

Be Prepared: Norovirus and Flu Prevention Guide

Norovirus and seasonal flu are common illnesses that can cause significant disruptions to daily life. Understanding how to prevent and manage these diseases can help protect you and your community. Here’s an in-depth guide to staying safe, healthy, and informed.

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Norovirus: The Highly Contagious Stomach Virus

What is Norovirus? Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal distress. It is responsible for an estimated 19 to 21 million illnesses annually in the U.S. Outbreaks are most common between November and April.

Symptoms:

• Sudden onset of nausea and vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Stomach cramps

• Fever and body aches (in some cases)

How It Spreads:

• Direct contact with an infected person

• Consuming contaminated food or water

• Touching contaminated surfaces

Prevention Tips:

1. Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Wash hands with soap and water frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.

   • Note: Hand sanitizers are less effective against norovirus.

2. Clean and Disinfect Surfaces: Use bleach-based cleaners on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, and light switches.

3. Proper Food Handling: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Cook seafood to a safe temperature.

4. Avoid Contaminated Water: Be cautious of untreated water sources.

5. Stay Home When Sick: Minimize contact with others for at least two days after symptoms subside.

Additional Considerations:

• Norovirus can survive on surfaces for days or weeks.

• Crowded indoor spaces, such as cruise ships, schools, and nursing homes, are high-risk areas.

Number of patients in hospital with flu in England quadruples in a month

Seasonal Flu: A Recurring Respiratory Threat

What is Seasonal Flu? The flu is caused by influenza viruses that affect the respiratory system. Annual flu seasons typically run from October to March or April.

Symptoms:

• Sore throat

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Fever

• Fatigue and body aches

• Cough

• Diarrhea (in some cases)

How It Spreads:

• Through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks

• By touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face

Prevention Tips:

1. Get Vaccinated: The flu vaccine is the most effective way to reduce your risk. Immunity peaks 1-2 weeks after vaccination and lasts for 5-6 months.

2. Practice Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

3. Wash Hands Regularly: Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

4. Avoid Close Contact: Maintain distance from sick individuals and stay home if you’re ill.

5. Clean Frequently Touched Surfaces: Use disinfectants on objects like smartphones, keyboards, and remote controls.

6. Wear Masks in High-Risk Settings: Masks can help reduce the spread of respiratory droplets.

Additional Considerations:

• Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting adequate sleep can boost your immune system.

• Fresh air and clean indoor environments can reduce the risk of transmission.

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General Guidelines for a Healthy Season

Handwashing:

• Wet hands with clean water.

• Apply soap and scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds.

• Rinse and dry with a clean towel.

Healthy Lifestyle:

• Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

• Engage in regular physical activity.

• Manage stress effectively.

• Consume a nutrient-rich diet and stay hydrated.

Hygiene Tips:

• Regularly clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and handrails.

• Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Ventilate indoor spaces to ensure fresh air circulation.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

• Severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, persistent fever, or dehydration

• Symptoms that worsen or do not improve after a few days

Sincerely,

Adaptation-Guide

WE ARE READY! ARE YOU?

Dear Daily Disaster Diary, Jan. 03 2025

He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.

- Benjamin Franklin

Big Banks are “Quiet Quitting” Their Climate Promises | Big Take

Follow the Money: The Fight for a Livable Planet Amidst Power and Corruption

The exodus of major U.S. banks from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) underscores a grim reality: the battle to combat climate change is increasingly less about science and solutions and more about money and power. 

Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs—pillars of global finance—have recently departed from the NZBA, a subgroup of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). 

Their retreat reflects mounting opposition to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, bolstered by political winds favoring fossil fuels and deregulation.

The Backdrop of Bank Exits

These departures come amidst a Republican-led crusade against ESG initiatives. States like Texas, West Virginia, and Florida have sought to penalize institutions for adopting ESG principles, portraying such measures as a war on fossil fuels. 

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, has even dubbed these efforts a "climate cartel," accusing financial institutions of collusion to enforce radical ESG goals.

But let’s not pretend the banks’ exits are purely about external pressure. Legal and governance risks tied to decarbonization mandates have long been a thorny issue for NZBA members. 

In 2022, both Morgan Stanley and Bank of America expressed concerns about potential lawsuits if they divested from high-emitting sectors. Canada’s major banks echoed these fears, wary of alienating oil and gas clients critical to their economy. 

These legal threats and political backlash are convenient scapegoats for financial institutions reluctant to disrupt their profit streams.

The Real Fight: Money and Power

At its core, the climate crisis isn’t a battle over data or evidence; it’s a fight against entrenched economic power. 

As writer and activist Bill McKibben observed, winning the argument for climate action isn’t enough when the fight is rigged by those who control the purse strings. 

Financial institutions wield immense power to drive change, yet their allegiance to short-term gains often outweighs their commitment to a sustainable future.

It’s tempting to blame political figures like Donald Trump or industry leaders for this inertia. But the truth is more insidious: global systems are designed to prioritize profit over people. 

Climate initiatives falter because they challenge the status quo, threatening industries and economies built on exploitation. 

And while grassroots movements like McKibben’s “Third Act” have made valiant efforts to hold banks accountable, the sheer scale of the opposition—fueled by billions of dollars—renders these actions a David-versus-Goliath struggle.

A Call to Billionaires and Everyday Activists

Consider this: Forbes lists 2,781 billionaires worldwide. If even a fraction of these individuals committed to funding meaningful climate initiatives, the financial landscape could shift. 

Their wealth could counterbalance the inertia of banks and governments, creating a market-driven push for sustainability. 

Yet, the majority remain silent, their resources tied up in ventures that perpetuate the very systems accelerating climate disaster.

Until such transformative actions occur, the burden falls on individuals to demand accountability. Every customer and investor has the power to influence financial institutions by prioritizing pro-life, pro-planet values. 

Tell your bank to divest from industries that kill nine million people annually through pollution. Make sustainability a non-negotiable condition for your patronage. It’s not a solution that will topple corruption overnight, but it’s a start.

Fixing Corruption: The First Step

The last thing most of us want is to spend our lives fighting to save a planet ravaged by cronyism and greed. Yet, as Trump aptly put it, “The fix is in.” Any meaningful climate action must first address systemic corruption. 

Without transparency and accountability, any progress risks being co-opted by those who stand to profit from inaction.

The climate crisis isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a moral imperative. The fight for a livable planet is inseparable from the fight against corruption. 

Until we align our systems with values of equity, sustainability, and justice, we’ll remain stuck in this vicious cycle—winning arguments but losing the war.

Sincerely,

Adaptation-Guide

WE ARE READY! ARE YOU?

Dear Daily Disaster Diary, Jan.02 2025

 The true grandeur of humanity is in moral elevation, sustained, enlightened and decorated by the intellect of man. 

- Charles Sumner

Propaganda/Edward Bernays/ Book Summary

A Journey Through Decay: Reflections on the USSR and Modern Russia

In her memoir, Return to the Future, Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset chronicled her harrowing journey through the Soviet Union in 1940 while fleeing to the United States. 

Her observations offer a raw portrayal of life under Stalinist rule, depicting a society suffocated by decay and totalitarian control. 

She wrote vividly of "waste everywhere, a pervasive, rotten, overpowering stench at every turn," particularly in the waiting rooms of the Trans-Siberian Railway, where Stalin's imposing visage dominated the walls. 

The conditions were unendurable: filthy bedding in Vladivostok reeked so profoundly that sleep was impossible, and hotel accommodations were described as "a pure zoo," teeming with lice, fleas, and bedbugs.

A memorable anecdote involved a worker asking whether Europe was familiar with electricity—credited in Soviet propaganda as Lenin’s invention to benefit the proletariat. 

Undset prophetically predicted that the Soviet regime had perhaps two generations before its eventual collapse. Yet today, one might observe that the Russian populace remains subject to a similarly numbing influence, as propaganda and repression perpetuate societal stagnation.

The Persistence of Fear and Compliance

Two years into Stalin's reign of terror, Undset noted an atmosphere of adaptation and pervasive fear. Contemporary parallels abound. Russian liberals in exile argue that many Russians feign allegiance to the regime out of a rational fear of severe punishment. 

This outward compliance, they suggest, conceals an inner retreat rather than genuine ideological commitment. However, the cracks in the societal facade are increasingly visible.

The return of pardoned prisoners recruited from penal colonies to fight in Ukraine exemplifies the ethical disintegration of modern Russian society. 

These individuals—some of whom are cold-blooded sadists, serial murderers, and sexual predators—are now reintegrated into communities where their past victims or their families reside. 

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, described this program with the chilling term "blood atonement." By participating in a criminal war, these individuals are deemed “cleansed” and restored to society.

This normalization of moral aberration reveals a societal descent into an ethical vacuum. Allowing such individuals to live unencumbered among the general population signals a breakdown of collective morality, a normalization of the unthinkable. 

Even those willing to justify atrocities against Ukraine acknowledge the monstrosity of welcoming convicted serial killers back into civilian life. 

In modern Russia, there are no more red lines—boundaries have dissolved into a moral void, leaving nothing to constrain the possibility of evil.

The Totalitarian Grip on Society

The state’s grip on its citizens is tightening in myriad ways, from proposals for partial abortion bans to restrictions on emergency contraception. 

Fertility is framed as a civic duty, an imperative response to the military's devastating losses. Sexual activity, stripped of autonomy and framed as a patriotic obligation, exemplifies the regime’s intrusion into the most personal spheres of life.

Such measures might seem absurd, even farcical, were they not enforced with the brutality of an unyielding regime. 

The Russian state operates like a "pathological idiot," as one observer put it—a force so lacking in nuance that its unchecked aggression hints at systemic implosion. The state’s external aggression, particularly the war in Ukraine, stems from an existential fear of internal collapse.

The Corrupting Language of Propaganda

Modern technology has amplified the state's ability to desensitize its populace. Where soldiers once died on distant battlefields memorialized in heroic paintings, today’s wars are documented in grotesque detail by smartphone cameras. 

This "war porn" floods social media platforms like Telegram and spills into mainstream television, normalizing violence and dulling societal empathy.

This public consumption of atrocity reflects the numbing effect of propaganda, which manipulates language to dehumanize, justify, and obscure. 

Fear of punishment for dissent coexists with an insidious self-deception: many Russians have internalized the lies and become desensitized to the pervasive moral decay. 

Over time, this erosion of critical thought and self-reflection leads to widespread moral apathy—a state where truth, integrity, and justice become irrelevant.

A Society at a Crossroads

Undset’s chilling portrait of the Soviet Union’s decay resonates today. The moral, social, and political dynamics of contemporary Russia suggest a nation at a dangerous crossroads. 

The corrosive effects of propaganda, fear, and repression have hollowed out societal ethics, leaving a fragile structure held together by denial and complicity.

Yet history teaches that such systems are ultimately unsustainable. Whether through internal collapse or external pressure, regimes built on lies and fear cannot endure indefinitely. 

The question remains whether the Russian people will reclaim their agency and rebuild their society on a foundation of truth and moral clarity—or whether the cycle of decay and desensitization will continue unabated.

This reflection is a somber reminder of propaganda’s destructive power to manipulate reality, erode morality, and enslave the human spirit.

What Life In The Soviet Union Was Like

Sincerely,

Adaptation-Guide

Dear Daily Disaster Diary, Jan. 01 2025

 The pillars of truth and the pillars of freedom - they are the pillars of society.

- Henrik Ibsen

Fake news and "The Death of Truth"

"If the Nazis had had social media at their disposal in the 1930s, we would be speaking German all over the world!"

- Adaptation-Guide

The Truth in 2025: Building Psychological Defense

2025 is poised to be a pivotal year. It may mark a turning point in global affairs, and we must prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead. 

A significant aspect of this preparation involves fostering psychological resilience. Let’s discuss “The Truth” and how to fortify ourselves against disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda.

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Understanding Psychological Defense

Foreign powers and entities, both inside and outside, use disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda to manipulate public opinion. 

Their goal is often to sow mistrust and weaken our collective resolve. In this digital age, where attempts to influence occur daily through online platforms and social media, your first line of defense is your brain. 

A sharp, healthy mind is essential to recognize and resist these tactics.

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Brain Health and Nutrition

Scientific evidence underscores the connection between diet and brain health. Research published in the journal Nature last year demonstrated a strong link between dietary choices and mental well-being among over 180,000 adults in Britain. The findings were clear:

• Healthy diets enhance mental health and cognitive function.

• People consuming balanced diets have more grey matter in the brain, associated with better attention and memory.

To boost your brain health in 2025, consider the following dietary tips:

• Gradually add nutrient-dense whole foods to your meals:

  • Fruits and vegetables

  • Whole grains

  • Beans, nuts, and seeds

• Include flavonoid-rich foods, such as:

  • Berries, red grapes, and cherries

  • Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and celery

  • Kale, arugula, and soybeans

  • Tea (black and green)

A healthy diet supports not only your physical well-being but also your cognitive and emotional resilience.

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Navigating Online Disinformation

Attempts to influence public perception occur daily, often with the intent to destabilize and manipulate. These include:

• Spreading lies, false narratives, or partially true stories taken out of context.

• Creating fake images, videos, or voice recordings.

• Eliciting strong emotional reactions to intensify worry or suspicion.

As a citizen, your best defense is to remain skeptical. Here’s how:

1. Stay vigilant during crises.

   • Disasters often prompt truth breakdowns. Misinformation spreads rapidly.

2. Be cautious before reacting.

   • Avoid making decisions based on unverified news.

3. Stick to trusted sources.

   • Reliable news outlets and official government updates are key.

4. Fact-check rumors.

   • Use resources like FactCheck.org and Snopes.com to verify claims.

5. Avoid spreading unverified news.

   • Don’t like, share, or retweet until you’ve confirmed the information.

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How You Can Contribute to Resilience

Building collective resilience against disinformation requires deliberate action. Here’s what you can do:

• Be mindful of content that evokes strong reactions.

• Share only verified information from reliable sources.

• Cross-check information with multiple credible outlets.

• Seek official verification for significant events.

• Educate others about the importance of critical thinking.

In Principle: Fight Bad Information with Good Information

The spread of disinformation is a challenge we all face. By cultivating critical thinking, supporting brain health through proper nutrition, and maintaining vigilance online, we can stand resilient against attempts to influence and divide us. 

Together, we can defend “The Truth” and ensure a stronger, more informed society.

In Finland, classes in recognizing fake news, disinformation.

Sincerely,

Adaptation-Guide

WE ARE READY! ARE YOU?

Famous last words.....December 2024 Part 1

If Russia could sell propaganda by the pound, it would be the richest country in the world!

-Adaptation-Guide

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

The Funeral Pyre of American Democracy: A Nation in Collapse

 

An Unfiltered Look at the End of the American Dream

The United States of America is broken beyond repair. This is not hyperbole. It is not pessimism. It is the grim reality we must confront. 

The rot runs too deep, the wounds too gaping, and the will to heal too absent. For centuries, America prided itself on its democracy, freedom, and opportunity. Now, it limps along as a plutocracy cloaked in the rags of a republic, a failed experiment in self-governance.

I grieve for all who died needlessly during the pandemic—victims of former President Donald Trump’s criminal negligence. 

A million lives lost, reduced to statistics in the service of political theater. 

I grieve for those who will perish in the ever-worsening climate disasters, the floods and wildfires that rage while leaders squabble over fossil fuel profits. 

I grieve for those who will succumb to preventable diseases as public health is gutted and vaccines become partisan battlegrounds. The future is bleak, and for many, survival now means retreating into personal sanctuaries while the nation crumbles around them.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Trump’s ascent didn’t mark the beginning of America’s demise, but it was its grim crescendo. 

His reign of incompetence and vengeance has gutted democratic norms and institutions. When his reign inevitably collapses—whether by time or indictment—there will be little left to rebuild from. 

Our democracy, once a beacon, is now a charade. The foundation is hollowed out by decades of greed, fear, and systemic corruption. 

Succession isn’t just a fantasy anymore; it may be the last viable path for those states desperate to preserve some semblance of freedom.

The MAGA movement, emboldened by Trump’s lies and bolstered by an electorate that prioritizes grievance over governance, now dominates the landscape. 

Trump has the Senate, the Supreme Court, and legions of sycophants. The Project 2025 manifesto—a blueprint for autocracy—was handed a mandate. 

The authoritarian regimes of Putin, Xi, and Kim are undoubtedly celebrating as America dismantles itself, brick by brick.

Democracy as we knew it is dead. The "American dream" has become an American nightmare. The electorate, drunk on propaganda, has chosen chaos. 

A million pools closed to avoid integration; now, the whole nation burns rather than share opportunity with women and people of color.

The environmental catastrophe awaiting us will bleed us dry. Climate change is not an abstract threat but an existential one, and yet we are paralyzed. 

Economic devastation and mass suffering will follow. The Pax Americana, which kept global conflicts in check, is over. The world, once stabilized by America’s might, now faces chaos as our power wanes and our enemies take full advantage.

Let’s face it: Americans are complicit. You reap what you sow. Decades of electing leaders more interested in tax cuts for the wealthy than investing in education or health care have led us here. 

Your FDA prioritizes corporate profits over public health, your public schools are designed to perpetuate inequality, and your justice system exists to funnel the disadvantaged into prisons. 

You’re not a democracy; you’re a plutocracy. A dystopian capitalist machine where freedom is an illusion sold by billionaires.

The blame doesn’t rest solely with Trump or the Republicans. Democrats have failed, too—unable or unwilling to fight the systemic decay with the urgency it demands. 

As Rachel Maddow said, we need to fight like pirates. But fight for what? When democracy’s corpse lies cold, is there even a point to resistance? Mourning is natural, but hoping for resurrection is folly.

This isn’t just a requiem for democracy; it’s a call to action. To survive, to adapt, to rebuild something better. There is no shame in leaving. There is no shame in mourning. 

But if you stay, if you fight, do it with the clarity that the America you knew is gone. Build a new world—one that prioritizes human rights, where everyone has a home, clean water, and fresh air. 

A world where education is a right, not a privilege. A world that values people over profit.

America has chosen self-immolation over transformation. For now, let us grieve. But tomorrow, let us decide whether to fight for what remains or forge something entirely new from the ashes.

WE ARE READY! ARE YOU?