T Stands For Did You Know?

This post was inspired by two of my favorite internet friends who are not altered book or journal artists.  Sandra Cox provides a bit of trivia once a week called Did you know? and my dear friend R0! whose name to which I always add an exclamation mark because she's so awesome, ends many of her In the know posts with Just one more thing.  That is what inspired today's T post, which is a very different post than I'm used to sharing.

Today I'm once again at my dining room table,

contemplating whether to make some hot chocolate or have more eggnog.

In front of my mug is a spread I have prepared in my Scraps altered book.

It tells the story of the nCoV SARS coronavirus.  In case you can't read it, or need it translated:

Did you know when the novel coronavirus (nCoV) pneumonia now commonly called COVID-19 broke out late in 2019, Chinese scientists set out to sequence it.  It wasn't long until they cracked the code.  When they did, they shared the code with the world via the internet for all to see and use.  It saved time and many drug companies and universities set out to find a way to neutralize it.  Today we now have a vaccine that has, with some reservations, been given the green light to give to people across the globe.  As more data become available, we will know how safe this vaccine truly is (or is not).

 As you can see, we're cracking the code.  I'm hoping for the best, because we need to get this pandemic under control.  For those who think this vaccine was such a quick turn out, they should remember coronavirus scientists and virologists have been studying and working on a vaccine since SARS hit in 2003.  It's not like they whipped this up in a few months with no forethought. 

Further, because I  believe this message has meaning, I'm joining Tracey of Hotchpotch Creations our host this month at Art Journal Journey with her theme What is the meaning of? 

Too bad our current president decided to pass on ordering the vaccine back when he had a chance.  Now more of these vaccines will go to Europe and Canada than to the states.  EDIT: Regardless of Trump's "Executive Order," he cannot control what Pfizer chooses to sell.  You don't have to believe me.  See this article here and this one here. Here's what the NYTimes has to say about the Executive Order:

The executive order by itself appears to have no real teeth and does not expand the U.S. supply of doses, according to a description of the order on Monday by senior administration officials. But it provides Mr. Trump with a talking point to rebut any criticism about the limited initial supply of the vaccine.

The order is being issued “to ensure that the United States government prioritizes getting the vaccine to American citizens before sending it to other nations,” according to a draft statement. The decision by the White House to issue the executive order was reported by Fox News.

Sadly, it is my belief we've backed ourselves into a corner because of our reckless behavior and mixed messages coming from the White House and this current administration.   It appears we now have no other choice, but to vaccinate our way out of this mess we've allowed to get out of control.

Be aware, by the time first responders and nursing home residents receive their two doses, it will be time for essential workers, school personnel, and the elderly to receive their two doses.  By then, it could be May or June before we mere mortals see this vaccine.   The more data that becomes available to us, the sooner we will be able to make an informed decision. In the meantime, wear a mask, wash your hands often, wear a mask, disinfect everything, wear a mask, and please practice social distancing.  

 

I thought I would also show, much to my surprise, I haven't killed the poinsettia yet.

By now you more than likely know the rules.  Please share your own drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  It's now time for me to climb off my soap box and prepare my drink of choice.