JenniSchiebel comments

Posted in: Japan eyes emergency coronavirus legislation as infections rise See in context

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases rose to 1,001 in Japan

That's since the virus first started spreading in Japan, which was more than a month ago now.

How many of those 1,001 have recovered?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Virus crisis ebbs in China; spreads fear across the West; U.S. death toll at 9 See in context

The number of the infections in the U.S. topped 100 and the death toll climbed to nine. All of the deaths were in Washington state, and most of them were residents of a Seattle-area nursing home.

So in a country of over 300 million people, the number of people infected is but an extremely tiny sliver of the population.

And of the country's nine deaths, all of them were in one state and most of them occurred in a nursing home, whose residents are elderly and presumably sick and thus particularly vulnerable.

In other words, despite what seems to be wishful thinking on the part of certain politically opportunistic election candidates and their media allies, this virus has not become a crisis in the U.S.

I know that the above mentioned individuals would probably like it to be a crisis, as it's their best hope at this point to see the economy derailed and thus unseat the current president. A president who they've hysterically detested since day one.

I guess they'll just have to keep their fingers crossed -- which is their only recourse since most of them don't believe in God and thus don't believe in prayer.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: A disconnect between Trump and health officials on virus See in context

So when he spoke of cases "going down," he was referring not to the U.S. specifically, but to certain cases.

Countries. To certain countries. Correction.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Posted in: A disconnect between Trump and health officials on virus See in context

Trump last week spoke of virus cases in the U.S. “going very substantially down, not up,” as health officials tracked the numbers actually going up

Once again, the media are bending and twisting what he said, in what seems to be a blatant attempt to misrepresent it.

Here's what Trump actually said, in response to a reporter's question about the possibility of closing schools:

*"I haven’t spoken specifically about that with the various doctors, but I would think so, yes. I think every aspect of our society should be prepared. I don’t think it’s going to come to that, especially with the fact that we’re going down, not up. We’re going very substantially down not up, but yeah, I think school should be preparing, and get ready just in case. The words are just in case. We don’t think we’re going to be there, we don’t think we’re going to be anywhere close, and again, if you look at some countries, they are coming down, it’s starting to go in the other direction."*

So when he spoke of cases "going down," he was referring not to the U.S. specifically, but to certain cases. And he's right: in at least some countries, the rate of new cases IS going down. The rate of spread IS starting to decrease.

Am I a big fan of Trump? Not always. But I am a big fan of media ethics and honesty in the press.

I'm a big fan of the media actually being objective, as opposed to just pretending to be objective while in reality they play the part of a certain party's operatives.

And far too many times since Trump became president, the media's treatment of him has been blatantly dishonest. It's one thing if they don't like him. But lying about him is quite another thing.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Posted in: A disconnect between Trump and health officials on virus See in context

The coronavirus is the most likely possible cause for a major economic downturn this year.

And such a downturn is what Trump's opponents need to happen in order to have any hope of unseating him in November.

So I guess they'll just have to keep their fingers crossed.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Posted in: Japanese mothers struggle to cope after virus shuts schools See in context

At least indirectly, if not actually directly, isn't this also affecting a lot of fathers too?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Posted in: Health ministry not helpful for foreigners in Japan seeking virus info See in context

I wonder how many people posting messages here criticizing the Japanese government (and understandably so) over coronavirus response ...

... also want the U.S. government to take over the health care system there.

If the government of a 130-million-people country can't handle just one health issue adequately, why should we trust the government of a 320-million-people country to handle the entire kit and caboodle?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Posted in: Health ministry not helpful for foreigners in Japan seeking virus info See in context

I wouldn't like to be responsible for handling the response to this outbreak. It's a tough situation to deal with. It's easy to sit behind a keyboard and criticize but how many of us would do a better job?

I understand what you're saying, but it's not our job to handle this situation.

And there's nothing wrong with holding to account the people whose job it is to handle it -- if for no other reason than they work for us and we pay their salaries via our taxes.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Health ministry not helpful for foreigners in Japan seeking virus info See in context

Just because the government isn't being helpful in giving information, doesn't mean that such information isn't out there and relatively easy to access.

This story reveals a government-dependency mindset. It reveals a faulty mindset which says that unless government does it, it doesn't get done at all.

There is plenty of helpful information on the coronavirus out there, on medical websites and so forth.

Let's snap out of the "government is our one and only savior" mentality, folks.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Posted in: Japanese deputy justice minister tells Lebanon Ghosn should stand trial in Japan See in context

The president (of Lebanon) stressed the two country's had no extradition treaty, and added that Ghosn entered Lebanon legally through its international airport using his French passport and a Lebanese identity card.

In diplomat-speak, that means, "You're out of your mind if you think we're extraditing him. Get lost."

12 ( +16 / -4 )

Posted in: Angry confrontation breaks out after man coughs on Yamanote Line train in Tokyo See in context

From the "hysteria over coronavirus gets out of hand" file.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Posted in: Hollywood split as Democrats swap glitzy fundraisers for rallies See in context

These Hollywood elites get rich thanks in large part to the healthy economy in which they work -- and those healthy economic conditions are allowed to develop in very large part to the tax & fiscal policies of pro-free-market leaders like Trump.

The nerve of them to want to replace him with someone like Sanders or Warren, whose policies will no doubt still leave these Hollywood stars rich but will economically devastate everyone else.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Posted in: Another death from coronavirus in Hokkaido; in-hospital infection suspected See in context

In the past three months, about 5,000 people in the U.S. have died from the flu.

Almost nothing in the news about that.

One person in the U.S. with prior major health problems dies after contracting the coronavirus -- and the media can't shut up about it.

It's very safe to presume that similar statistics apply to Japan as well.

How many people in Japan have died after getting the flu this winter? Probably an awfully lot more than have died from the coronavirus.

I'm not saying don't take the coronavirus seriously -- but it's getting to the point now where it's being blown way out of proportion.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Posted in: Trump aides defend U.S. coronavirus response See in context

A few things:

The person in Washington state who died, sadly, had other serious health problems prior to contracting the coronavirus.

Some people are saying that Trump and Pence "don't know science" and are therefore somehow unqualified to handle this coronavirus issue. Why? Because they reject the idea that human activity is the prime cause of climate change?

Speaking of climate change, history and science tell us that there have been at least three major warming periods over the last 3,000 years. Obviously these warming periods were not caused by humans going around in cars and jets.

Climate change falls under the branch of science known as climatology. The coronavirus issue is of a different scientific discipline, namely immunology. Rejecting an idea related to climatology does not automatically make a person ignorant when it comes to something under the purview of immunology. It's illogical to think that it does.

People who are calling Trump "anti-science" because he rejects the idea of man-made climate change are typically members of the same ideological camp of people who:

(a) reject the scientific fact that unborn babies are human beings; and

(b) reject the scientific fact that there are two sexes which cannot be changed, and that a man cannot be a woman just by "feeling" like one.

So, I suggest that those folks get their own scientific ignorance sorted out first ... before they go blasting Trump and claiming to be "scientifically superior" to him.

I also suggest that people stop politicizing every single thing in order to try to discredit elected officials with whom they disagree. There should be no politicizing of the coronavirus issue. It isn't like tax policy or some such issue, for which there are differing political views and ideologies.

Such a public health issue should bring a country together, and its people should get behind their leaders (even ones who they didn't vote for) in fighting it.

That certain Democrats are so quick to politicize this issue -- when it hasn't even become a widespread virus in the U.S. yet -- speaks volumes as to their character. And not at all in a good way.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Posted in: 13 missing after cargo ship collides with fishing boat off Aomori See in context

it would suggest that the fishing boat hit the other ship in the side, thus puncturing the cargo boat. What I find difficult to understand is why didn't the fish boat pick up any crew from the stricken ship? ok it might have sunk quickly, but surly they could have got off, either into a life boat, or jumped into the sea, the fishing boat must have known that they had a collision with another boat. I find it sad that the cargo boat crew all have lost their lives

A t-boned ship (no matter how big) will often sink faster than you can believe, especially a cargo ship which probably isn't very watertight.

It happened at night, so most of the freighter's crew may have been asleep. And at night, it would be hard for the crew of a fishing boat (which isn't cut out for rescue operations) to spot any of the freigher's crew in the water.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Afghan women fear Taliban return See in context

Jimizo Today  05:20 pm JST

Let’s hope that in time this younger generation can realize that religion must be kept out of politics if you want to live in a decent society.

That actually depends on the religion. Equating all religions in the world to the version practiced by the Taliban is illogical.

It makes no more sense to lump all religions together as one, than it does to lump all mammals together as one. There are all sorts of mammals, some of which are fine around humans and some that aren't.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Posted in: Man arrested over fatal beating of wife See in context

Chip Star Today  07:14 am JST

A lot of Japanese people don’t know how to deal with their anger in a healthy manner. It couldn’t be because they are taught to bury deep inside, could it?

A lot of people in general don't know how to deal with their anger in a healthy manner.

Why are Japanese people being singled out in your comment, in a manner that would be deemed inappropriate or even racist if directed at other nationalities or ethnic groups?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Posted in: Polanski wins best director at Cesars, prompting walkout protest See in context

Raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with alcohol would mean the immediate end of one's career in just about any other industry.

But not in Hollywood.

Polanski's rape of that girl happened back in the 1970s, and since then he's been showered with accolades and even an Academy Award.

And remember that it was not just an accusation. He had already pleaded guilty, but fled the U.S. while awaiting sentencing. He hasn't been able to set foot in the U.S. since, but Hollywood treats him like royalty anyway.

Disgusting.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Posted in: Biden, Sanders blast Trump amid coronavirus fears See in context

they salivate at the idea of turning it into a political party

... turning it into a political opportunity. (correction)

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Posted in: Biden, Sanders blast Trump amid coronavirus fears See in context

I knew it was only a matter of time (a matter of very short time) before Democrats would start exploiting this situation to bash their political opponents.

They always do that -- with mass murders, with natural disasters, whatever. They instantly start looking for ways to blame them on Republicans.

It's disgusting and it speaks volumes about how low the Democratic Party has sunk in recent years.

There have been but a handful of U.S. cases of a virus from which the vast majority of people recover just fine. But of course, leave it to Democrats to turn it into a major catastrophe ... not because they actually care about anyone who's affected, but because they salivate at the idea of turning it into a political party.

The Democratic Party absolutely nauseates me.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Posted in: Hokkaido declares state of emergency over virus See in context

Imagine if it got to Tokyo or Osaka or another densely populated area

It probably already has.

But since they're not testing everyone, including even people who are showing symptoms, there are probably more cases out there than the government knows about or wants to admit. A lot more.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Hokkaido declares state of emergency over virus See in context

(Hokkaido) has seen a steady increase in the number of patients, with the pace accelerating in recent days

In the same time period, the number of cases in Tokyo has hardly changed, at least according to official statistics.

And if anyone actually believes those official statistics, especially given that they're not approving tests for everyone including even people with clear symptoms, then I have a bridge to sell you.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Posted in: Abe's abrupt call to close schools triggers confusion See in context

I don't understand why Abe is being criticized for an "abrupt" call for schools to be closed.

How else, other than "abruptly," is he supposed to make an announcement like that? "Gradually"???

I prefer to call his school-closure announcement "decisive," not "abrupt."

He's showing the decisiveness and leadership that, just a couple days ago, he was criticized for NOT showing. But now he's being criticized for THAT.

Make up your minds, people. I get it, you don't like Abe, and you'll criticize him no matter what he does.

But at some point, it's totally unfair to hold him to a rigid, unchanging damned-if-he-does-and-damned-if-he-doesn't standard.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Posted in: Hokkaido eyes temporary closure of all schools to fight virus See in context

Also in Hokkaido, the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sapporo (which covers all of Hokkaido) has canceled Masses for the next two weeks, granting a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during that time:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxrYXRlZG9yYXJ1MnxneDo2MTNhM2IyMzgwNzlmNTI0&fbclid=IwAR3d3KzMXNvbme8Je0_1uTq8Y4xkQZ4fmub_Eo9XCTktZsz_6BuwEVaeDOc

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 7 countries restrict entry from Japan to thwart new virus spread See in context

Yubaru Feb. 25  01:29 pm JST

But I do wonder why Israel put Japan on the list

Maybe they're thinking, "Why take a chance? Better to err on the side of caution."

And if that's what they're thinking, I can't say I blame them.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Driver being chased by police car hits and kills moped rider See in context

kurisupisu Today  07:33 pm JST

Whilst dire infringements are worthy of a ticket, I have noticed that the J-cops will ‘never’ allow an errant motorist to proceed with just a warning.

Could this be the reason why the Japanese public (usually law abiding) are loath to stop?

The vast majority of Japanese drivers surely do stop when directed to stop by the police. Why do you seem to think they always run?

There is no excuse. When you see the flashing lights and hear the police car's loudspeaker telling you to pull over, you pull over, period.

If a driver tries to run, and causes an accident, it's entirely and unquestionably the driver's fault. No one else's.

So please, spare the lame excuses.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Posted in: Driver being chased by police car hits and kills moped rider See in context

expat Today  03:22 pm JST

Maybe cops should just stop engaging in car chases and set up road blocks, or use data from cameras to find the suspect. Seems every time they pursue someone, somebody is injured or killed.

No, it doesn't happen every time they pursue someone. It only seems that way because such a rare case is the only time it makes the news.

When no one is injured or killed (which is the vast majority of the time), it typically doesn't make the news.

Total responsibility for this fatality rests on the motorist who should have stopped instead of trying to outrun the police. It rests on him alone.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Posted in: Eye reflection stalker who assaulted idol says he 'would like to do everything he can' for her See in context

Sato himself also spoke at the hearing, saying: “I would like to do everything I can for the victim.”

That's good, but only if he does it from a distance. A very long distance.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan needs foster care rather than institutions: UK experts See in context

Shiyourn Today  11:11 am JST

My wife and I have just completed the training and registration process to adopt or become foster parents here in Japan ... It was hard work but well worth it.

God bless you both for doing that! :)

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan needs foster care rather than institutions: UK experts See in context

juminRhee Today  09:08 am JST

Kurisupisu:

If a potential foster parent has to go through training, why dont potential birth parents have to?

Because birth parents have their children with them from day one. While they certainly will need help and advice at times, in the end birth parents and their children begin bonding from the very beginning.

In contrast, foster parents are taking in children who in many cases may already be several years old, with issues having already developed before the foster parents even meet them. And every effort should be made to help them face those issues with regard to a child with whom they haven't been able to bond since birth.

So, not the same thing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Recent Comments

Popular

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites


©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.