humanity

Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of politicians, legislators, activists, women in politics and the everyday voter.

How terrifying is omicron? Scientists are frantically trying to figure out what's going on.
Pei-Yong Shi, a microbiologist, has investigated all of the varieties, including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, "delta-plus," lambda, and mu. So he was prepared for omicron, the variety that elicited universal dread in a way that none of the others had.
By Prasad Madusanka Herath4 years ago in The Swamp
Ugh, Humans
See what I did there? Between the Crumbleys basically pulling a Willy Wonka on their kid ("stop. don't. come back" in the most bored and insincere way possible) and then running away themselves, the usual suspects among the anti-vaxxers & antimaskers, the folks who believe that fetal existence trumps (yes, I said 'trumps' even though I hate it) actual living breathing humans out and about in the world, the fake-concern what-about-the-children types running for school boards and lying (or bullying) their way there, and people who think that 108F is reasonable for Seattle, especially on Blow Things Up Day, I'm about ready to throw hands.
By Jenn Kirkland4 years ago in The Swamp
Omicron cases have been discovered in six additional states in the United States, although Delta remains the most serious coronavirus danger in the United States.
Reuters, WASHINGTON, Dec 3 - On Friday, six additional states in the United States confirmed COVID-19 illnesses, but scientists say the Delta strain will pose a larger threat once winter sets in and Americans congregate for the holidays.
By Prasad Madusanka Herath4 years ago in The Swamp
SARS-CoV-II: A New Hope
Author's preface: Full disclosure. The lead author of the vaccine efficacy paper described below is my current wife and she is a co-author on the manufacturing paper. I did not contribute in any way to either work except perhaps for occasionally acting as a sounding board for my wife's many brilliant ideas. I have said this before and I will say it again here. Not many people get a chance to even meet their heroes. I am so very lucky to have been able to marry mine. Way to go baby. Finally, I am quite proud of the Star Wars reference I managed to work into the title of this article. Very clever. lol!
By Everyday Junglist4 years ago in The Swamp
Do You Get The Feeling That The World Is Spinning Out Of Control?
The Omicron variant of the Coronavirus comes at a time when the world is especially vulnerable, battered as it is by the repeated disruption to economic and social life. Indeed, I would say that the Omicron variant can very well spell the death knell to the nascent economic recovery that most nations worldwide were beginning to experience. Moreover, with so much media hysteria about this variant, it is likely that panic responses would ensue like lockdowns and bans on air travel, being announced at short notice. This is already happening as can be seen in the multiple travel bans that most countries have imposed on the African countries, from where this variant is spreading worldwide.
By Rammohan Susarla4 years ago in The Swamp
Esperanto and why it's problematic
Esperanto is a Constructed language, meaning for all intents and purposes, its a "fake" language. In the sense that it carries no culture, religious or Ethno-historical significance with it. It was created much like many constructed languages with the intent of being a Linguistic experiment, an experiment of creating a language that was easier to learn for as many people as possible. It reduced the stress of learning appropriate grammar, syntax, etc. As Esperanto grew into what it is today, it garnered more and more support from Political circles as a possible lingua franca or "bridge language" for the world. However, this concept although a good idea, I personally don't think Esperanto is a good choice, both Historically and practically.
By Ashyr H.4 years ago in The Swamp
What to know about omicron, the new COVID variant
The United States is imposing travel restrictions in response to a new form of the coronavirus prevalent in southern Africa. The limits, which are slated to go into force on Monday, are being put in place out of a sense of prudence, according to a senior Biden administration official.
By Pathum Dilshan4 years ago in The Swamp
So What's Going On Here?
I have been watching the news since the Covid crisis first started in March of 2020, suffered through the lockdowns and restrictions like everybody else, diligently washed my hands, every time I turned around and masked up.
By Maureen Kellar-Kirby4 years ago in The Swamp
What happened to the outrage over Black Friday?
I’ll never forget the Friday after Thanksgiving, 2011. I was vaguely aware of the pseudo-holiday known as Black Friday, but I had seldom participated. On that day, however, I had to go to a local big-box store to get diapers and baby wipes for my then four-week-old daughter, Catherine. As the sun sank in the dreary November sky over Toledo, Ohio, I noticed traffic in this small Midwestern city had slowed to a crawl more than a mile from the mall.
By Ashley Herzog4 years ago in The Swamp
Rittenhouse: Fools Rush In, and That’s OK
I suppose it’s good to know if your underage son or daughter procures a weapon, seeks out trouble in a nearby town, kills two people, and wounds a paramedic, all will be forgiven — self-defense.
By Gary Janosz4 years ago in The Swamp
Tigary: Humanitarian Crisis!
CAUTION! NEWS: Humanitarian crisis present in the state of Tigray, Ethiopian Region! Culture and peoples in threat of geneocide! Since November 4th of 2020, locals have and are still being starved, attacked, raped, and/or murdered by Ethiopian forces, Eritrean forces, and armed Amhara militias, as per orders of their governments. Countless horrific war crimes have been committed beneath the public's eye for over a year now, and not much has been done to stop it.
By Cara Jean Andersen4 years ago in The Swamp
A Line in the Sand
When you are young, it is possible to believe that adults are there for you; that they are aware of what is best for you; that they are doing the right thing. I thought so for a very long time, all through the great disappointment that was my father, his replacement who could not stand even in his shadow as an example worth following, and many other figures in my life who were always lacking in some way. My moment of discovery came in the most innocent manner and I still recall what it was all about.
By Kendall Defoe 4 years ago in The Swamp