One concerning aspect of the Euros as well as other large sports events are the audiences now permitted to attend, in close proximity, often shouting & singing, without facemasks. This week, almost all cartoonists in Germany picked up on that.
🧵 Cøvid-conscious people: Pls see that reports on waves/outbreaks make no difference bcs most are no longer afraid of it. They think you get it & get over it. The news blackout on its overall, long-term, delayed damage is so complete, even new research on it doesn't get through.
2/ Denial & trivialisation are the perfect mix for those who want to return to pre-2019. That's why they're so fully & completely accepted. People don't now believe the data, research, threat bcs they don't *want* to & no fact will be strong enough to offset that feeling.
3/ On Côvid, we're walking the Brexit path: emotion / belief remain stronger until people are (ready to) see & admit the damage.
Unglaubliche Szenen in der Apotheke. Ich muss mich erst mal setzen. Wo fang ich an?
2/ Mit 2 Rezepten für Antibiotika & post-KrebsOP Enzyme in die Apotheke. Tür weit auf (immer eine Erleichterung), 3 Apothekerinnen & Kunden, alle ohne Maske. Als ein Schalter frei wird, gehe ich 😷 rein.
Neben mir ein älteres Ehepaar. Beide Fatigue, Halsschmerzen, Magenprobleme.
3/ Er so schwach, dass er sich am Schalter abstützt bis die Frau faucht "Haben Sie denn keinen Stuhl für ihn?". Es wird ihm einer gebracht. Mir wird langsam mulmig.
Die Apothekerin ist freundlich, aber sehr zurückhaltend. Sie fragt die Symptome ab & schlägt Wick MediNait vor.
Continuing on with my lose thread of threads about migration (see yesterday: family migration), let's talk about skilled migration.
I think there's a bit of confusion & still quite a bit of underappreciation going on there.
Where to start?
2/ Twice in the last few weeks the car we rely on (we really do) was stranded due to unavailable spare parts. A rear light, a magnetic valve - these aren't rare parts to break. And still, neither the maker (in various countries) nor any online shop was able to help.
3/ I quizzed the maker today on why it was such a problem. They said, after COVID & initial disruption after the outbreak of war against Ukraine there's 3 reasons: shortage of lorry/transport drivers, closure of spare part production sites across Europe, Chinese production delays
🧵Migration also means spouses, fiancé(e)s, (adopted/step) children, & parents. All these people joining or accompanying loved ones. They might not bring an immediate economic benefit. They do, however, bring great enthusiasm for their new home & they make or preserve a family.
2/As a former Australian family migration officer, I assure you they also go through rigorous testing. Is the relationship genuine? Can they support themselves? Are they without criminal conviction? Are they healthy? What are their plans, their funds, their language knowledge?
3/ They spend thousands (& I mean, thousands) on the application, certified documents, translations, doctor's appointments, they send photo albums & videos & stacks of bills of living together, uncertain what it will take for a stranger to accept their relationship as 'genuine'.
🧵I remember early in the pandemic when all were to stay at home, my mum suggested I could take a walk by the river. Now, that all were indoors, it would be safe. I replied, yes, but what if everyone does that? Ignores the rules designed to keep everything fair and everyone safe.
2/ Solidarity & consideration are cornerstones of every society. You can't police everyone all the time. (Even if you could, what kind of community would that be?) Our systems can't work when people opt out when they feel like it, don't care about being caught or about others.
3/ Paying one's taxes is another example. Our societies fund services for all from them. Streets & schools, public transport & playgrounds, hospitals & bin collection, police, public administration, libraries, theatres. We don't always use all. We pool together for everyone.