Democracy in Peril Part One

By Tino Randall

This writing will serve as my account of a government system gone wrong. Where my writing started as a book of events beginning with the Corona pandemic, I changed it to a novel, representing the average American family entrapped into government affairs that would cause immense hardship and economic struggles over a period of unforgettable years

• Language: English
• Publisher: Premier Technologies, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781636250625

Tino Randall

Mr. Randall brings over 20 years experience in the areas of corporate management, business development, and business-to-processes applications. Mr. Randall's technology expertise is in enterprise infrastructure development and integration, client/server implementation, corporate Web development and integration, project management, logistics support and technical writing skills. Prior to the new technology and high-tech experience, Tino managed and supported the U.S. Defense industry (DOD) and related organizations for 20 years on a multitude of programs in project management, site management, software development, systems design, EMP protection designs for the Minuteman and Peacekeeper defense systems, communications and computer systems development and integration, and communications management for Ford-Aerospace, Western Development Labs., Loral Command & Control Systems, and Lockheed/Martin. Tino received a BS in Industrial Engineering in Germany and credits in Computer Science at Phil-Tech, PA.

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PART ONE | CORONA VIRUS -----------

CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 2019

Walter, my wife’s voice entered my still sleepy brain. It’s time to get up. I’ll check on the grandkids. I had been dozing in and out of sleep as was usually the case with me. In contrast to my Emma who could sleep through the night, I am a light sleeper, waking up frequently for a bathroom trip. Depending on my state of awareness while lying in bed, my trips there depended on how much I had to drink in the evening. Taking most of human functions for granted during a life’s journey with body functions a natural cause for mankind, there seemed to be a definite difference between the man and the woman, especially after retirement age. Whether it was an element of having more leisure time on hand or not, I can only state that it impacts one’s awareness. Most man at my age group seemed to have similar issues, mostly noticeable during nighttime hours. Consequently, I lose half of the time that the wife sleeps, generally seven hours. It’s no wonder that I like to hug the bed for another hour, regardless of Emma’s voice penetrating my idle state.

As usually, this time in the morning the bed space on my left was empty. Using my right arm, accompanied by a slight grunt, I gradually pushed my body into an upright position to get a bearing on the environment. Great I muttered, hopping on my feet feeling the warming sunrays touch my body. Another sunny California day.

Here we go, I said, making my way to the bathroom. A few paces later I passed the vanity in the guest room we were occupying during our periodic visits with the family. After a quick glance at the mirror with my face staring back at me, Not getting any younger, I muttered, slightly affecting my generally content mood. The aging effect, being reminded on daily when catching a peek in the mirror, was another function visibly noticeable after retirement. Aging, to most of us, since it was a gradual process was not visibly obvious during one’s lifelong journey. But to family and friends, especially living apart with only occasional visits, it was a reminder that everybody moves through the passage of life.

Walter, I could hear Emma enter the bedroom looking for me. I’m in the shower, I yelled back. Toweling my body dry, I exited in the direction of the vanity counter to shave. Today’s trip to the city is off, she said, approaching my space. Grandkids are sick.

What’s the matter, I said, plugging the shaver into the outlet.

They’re down with the fever. Both are coughing and have a temperature.

That changes things, I said, following Emma to the grandkid’s room. Guess we’ll stay home as well.

We left the bedroom, generally reserved for family guests, mostly us grandparents during our annual visits to California.

What’s the matter, I said, approaching Corey, our grandson.

I don’t feel well, was the wavering response.

Let’s see, I said, reaching out to tough his forehead. I felt heat emanating through the skin and confirmed my concerns, Fever.

Moving to the granddaughter’s room I asked, Where’s Mom.

Downstairs, she sputtered through a coughing spell. You too?

I’m so sick, she complained with a raspy voice.

Okay. You both stay in bed. We’ll make you some tea, I said and promptly followed Emma to the kitchen.

Looking for me, Kate, my daughter’s voice announced her presence, coming up from the basement carrying a basket filled with loosely folded cloths. Been doing laundry, she said. Up early, aren’t you?

Wanted to take the kids to the city, Pier 39.

Sealions?

Yeah, I replied. But the kids are sick.

Kate, our daughter left but reappeared minutes later stating, You’re right, both seem to have a cold. You checked their temperature?

It’s the flu, I offered.

It’s getting to be a habit, she stated, shaking her head while heating up some herbal tea.

Why’s that. I was curious. It wasn’t the first time this season. Kate mentioned it already a couple of times when she called us in Colorado.

They just came out of a cold.

What’s happening in this world, Emma said, voicing her concerns.

I know Mom, Kate said. It’s our schools. They keep spreading the virus. It used to be once a year, she lamented, but now, it seems the flu comes around every few weeks.

It’s why you haven’t called us, I stated.

No use for you both catching it, she said, showing genuine concerns.

It’s the reason we decided to visit this late in the year, I replied.

You have any idea what’s causing it, she asked.

I do, I replied. But you won’t like the answer. I had been observing the sickness trends on an increase for quite some time now but did not want to alert the family. Though I was head of the family clan always ready with an answer, I did not want to brag about my acquired wisdom, unless when asked.

Retired already a number of years from a rewarding career with the defense department, it was there where I’d learned the skills to gain and retain information. Reading and research, I used to preach the family. It’s history that holds the answers. All of it.

Research was something I had learned by demand to excel at the office during my rich and colorful career. I was never satisfied with only one answer. There were always alternatives to solving problems. Where many issues only took one stated fact to resolve, I went the additional steps to learn everything I could about it. It was the basis for my success in an ever increasing speed of a technological evolution that required prompt and accurate answers. When personal computers and the Internet came about, it became the tools of my trade for analysis, troubleshooting, and problem solving.

Where I used to solve any political issue thrown into my lap, a cold and flu virus was something else. There was no cure for it. Not yet, I quietly reflected.

Guess that’s it for today’s trip to the city, Kate said, headed for the kitchen stating, I’ll make us breakfast. Bacon and eggs okay?

Fine, Emma said, asking, what’s your plan for today?

Where’s Ryan, I said, ignoring her question.

Went to the hardware store to get radiator fluid and engine oil.

He’s doing his own car maintenance?

He’s always tinkering in the garage, just like you Dad.

You remembered?

How could I forget. He reminds me so much of you when I grew up.

You’re not complaining?

No. Not at all. This way I can keep my eyes on him.

You’re not getting paranoid, Emma chimed in. Are you?

No. It’s our prerogative to keep track of our flock. Isn’t it?

Woman’s intuition. I know, Emma agreed.

After we finished eating breakfast, Kate left for her kid’s bedroom to server the tea then returned.

I’ll go to make up the beds and do some cleaning, Emma offered.

Don’t worry about it, Kate said. It can wait.

The wife had already left to help out with our daughter’s home chores.

I left for the living room to seek out Ryan’s favorite spot when he wasn’t home to occupy his space. Taking in the comfort of his recliner, my mind, as so many times since I retired ten years ago, when alone was stuck in the past. Unlike Emma, who usually jolts me out of my mental journeys I don’t question my timelapses anymore. With mostly leisure time on my hands, I began to realize that I didn’t like to live in the present world. The world I felt comfortable in was back in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.

It was a time I helped create. It was a time for stability in family, business and workplace when people still appreciated and treated each other with courtesy and politeness. People respected the uniform, as well as prestigious positions they held whether in government, law enforcement or public places. Courtesy and respect was the norm.

I dearly miss the past, especially my career with its nonstop challenges, yet filled with action and adventure. I felt someone shaking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and realized it was the wife. My immediate presence, whether I liked it or not was required here and now in California, 2019, and our yearend visit to the family.

Most times I may appear to be napping to the observer but I was not. It’s the times I let my body rest while my brain kept wandering, and on most occasions looking for answers. Napping has never been part of my daily breaks. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been able to get enough sleep as recommended by most physicians and health experts.

Eight hours, I reacted the first time I’d asked Emma. I was lucky to get three to four hours a night, enough for my resting period. It had not always been the case. I vaguely remember the times in my teens and early adult years where I could put my weary body to bed and within minutes was out, gone into dreamland. But that had changed with my first job. In recollection, it seemed that it was the challenges attached to my career responsibilities and from there on forwards, my brain adjusted to the bare minimum hours I needed to refresh.

What’s changed, Emma had asked.

History, I had explained, after reasoning it out. History, containing a wealth of information just waiting to be explored. It’s history that provided the answers to most of my inquisitive brain. Growing up in post war Germany after WWII, the only entertainment I had access to was the library. It’s when I began to read, not only novels but history accounts dating back to the beginning of mankind. From that time on, I read anything and everything that came across my vision. Ever since, my brain has gone into overdrive and never let up its quest to absorb and learn.

Walter, the distant sound of Emma’s voice seeped into my brain. Are you awake?

Just visiting the past, I answered her call. Emma, whether she liked it or not, after sharing my fulltime presence with her since I’d retired, had gotten used to my mental lapses. When the topic came up all she would say, I don’t care as long as its only dreaming. Promise you’ll never leave me.

Don’t worry, I’d say. My body and mind belong to you as long as we live. I couldn’t imagine living with anybody else but you, Dear. It always seemed to calm her and earn me a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Already living together fulltime for ten year, with both of us retired from business and careers, we have grown close and dependent on each other.

Ryan had just returned from his hardware errand. Find what you needed, I said and offered, can I give you a hand?

Oil change can wait until after lunch. I thought you’d taken the kids to the city.

They’re both sick with the flu, Kate cut in.

No. Not again, Ryan said, furling his eyebrows. It’s beginning to become a habit.

What do you mean by habit, I said, asking to clarify. It’s seasonal isn’t it?

Not anymore, Kate explained. "Colds and the flu have been spreading repeatedly lately. It’s been every couple of months the kids are home sick. Somebody keeps spreading germs and virus.

I didn’t realize it was quite so bad, I said, showing my concerns. What have you been doing for them Healthwise?

The kids?

Yes.

Keep them in bed a few days saturated with cold remedies.

And it’s getting worse, Ryan added.

Can I shed some light on the reason, I suggested.

By all means, Kate said, obviously ready to hear my explanation. I’d like to hear it.

It was something I had been waiting for, to share my reasoning and wisdom. Analysis and problem solving was my expertise. I was in my element when I stated, I don’t know if you’re aware that for the past ten years the Chinese government has taken on the task to build up the economic infrastructure in Africa.

I wasn’t aware, Ryan said, but what’s Africa got to do with it?

What region, Kate added.

The entire continent. If you take a look on the Internet, you’ll be surprised how many cities they have created and modernized. Pick any state."

What state, Kate said, slightly surprised. There are states?

"Fifty-five¹ of them, I readily volunteered. It’s called the African Union."

How come nobody knows about it. Kate said, not entirely believing me.

Look it up on line. It’ll tell you.

I will, she promised. But, still doubtful she wanted clarification. What does it has to do with flu and California?

I’ll come to that, I promised. Both faces were tensely waiting for my explanation while I took my time to savor the rare opportunity to lecture.

You see, I began. Like I’d mentioned, it all began about ten years ago when the Chinese started to tackle an infrastructure Africa never had. Progress, initially was slow and had to wait until their Beltway, Super-Highway they call it, was built to connect all sectors of industries.

What industries, Ryan cut in, and what Super-Highway?

Highways, Railroads, Dams, Power, Ports, Water, Sanitation and more extending from China throughout all states from east to west and north to south.

Wow, Kate explained. I had no idea.

You are not the only ones. Much of the world still doesn’t know. The Chinese are on the move.

What move, she asked.

"To dominate the African continent.

I hope it isn’t the case, she replied.

Why not, I went to explain. Our government doesn’t seem to care what happens to that continent.

Go on, Ryan urged, intensely listening at my revelation.

As I said, it was slow going at first because a number of states did not want to conform and modernize, but eventually saw the miracle of industrialization at work and joined to become part of it.

What about the flu, Kate urged again. How does it fit in?

Well, I picked up the thread. The fifteen-year plan worked better than anybody had expected. The Chinese outperformed its foreign infrastructure agenda financing their internal modernization efforts back home, all with the rest of the world being asleep.

Here we go again, Kate interrupted. Conspiracies and tales.

Not at all, I quickly objected. Let me finish. I took a deep breath to state my point. You cannot imagine the human traffic the project created. The Chinese came by the thousands to work on projects simultaneously across the continent with earned money to spent. And spent they did and still do.

But where, she wanted to know. There is no recreation for the Chinese culture in Africa."

That’s true, I agreed. But they found one. One that is conveniently located on their rout in and out of Africa. It’s Italy. The Chines developed a taste for Italian culture, conveniently located in Milano. It’s their stopover between assignments and periodic home leave. The Chinese have infiltrated Milano like a tsunami not seen before.

What a windfall it must be for the Italians, Ryan remarked. But, I went on, it comes with a high price.

What do you mean, Dad. Kate said.

Spreading the flu like wildfire.

Now I understand, Ryan reacted by slapping her forehead. But what about us. Why California?

There’s a simple explanation. How many Chinese live in this state, I posed the question.

Many, Kate replied.

Where do you think all the colds and flus are originating?

Mostly China, Ryan said, still amazed at my revelation.

And the Orient and Middle East, I finished. It’s how the flu arrives here. The Chinese workers, for the first time in their history as a population, have money to travel and to spent, spreading whatever strange germs they bring with them. You’ll have to understand, I went on, they don’t practice healthcare like us. Besides, they still hold close ties with undomesticated animal sources.

What do you mean, Kate said, obviously disgusted.

Open markets. Wet markets they call it. It’s where germs, microbes and virus are picked up and spread to people.

How ghastly, Kate said, her face set in a grimacing frown.

We live in a different world, I explained.

You think it’s how the flu gets here, Ryan asked.

"How do you think SARS² got here?"

Ah Yes, I remember, Ryan chimed in. Just a few years ago.

"How about MERS³, Emma added. Arrived the same route?" She was used to my dissertations, as she called my sometimes lengthy explanations. But once people realize my scope of acquired knowledge they pay close attention.

Whos’ to say that it’s not another SARS or MERS attacking our children, I said.

Or worse, Ryan offered. Completely new virus making its round.

Could be the case, I said, nodding in agreement. Haven’t heard or read anything yet.

I hope it’s just another common flu, Kate remarked, getting up to check on her kids.

I’ll take care of the vehicle, Ryan said, promptly headed for the garage.

Wait. I’ll give you a hand, I offered and followed. By the way, I asked, assisting with the tools, where’s Lucas these days?

I was curious since I had not seen or heard from him for some time and nobody mentioned my son’s name.

Off with his buddies to climb Mount Shasta.

Does he ever get tired of it?

It’s his calling, he claimed.

Ever since our son graduated from U.C. Berkeley, where he had studied journalism, we hardly saw him anymore. Especially since he landed a job with FOX 2, the recently commissioned news channel serving San Francisco. On top of it, the station sends him on field assignments for days and weeks at a time. That and his mountain climbing passion, I added.

The day ended on a successful note. Ryan and I were able to focus on the task on hand. Since it was his first attempt to perform car maintenance, I offered my advice. Though he was working in the medical field, we were able to talk like most family members. While he had been my son-in-law for many years, we did not bond until this day.

---

¹ The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the African Union, but took some time for the U.N. to accept in 2003.

² Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) appeared in 2002 in China. It spread worldwide within a few months, though it was quickly contained. SARS is a virus transmitted through droplets that enter the air when someone with the disease coughs, sneezes, or talks. No known transmission has occurred since 2004. Symptoms are fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing. No treatment exists except supportive care.

³ Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is viral respiratory illness that is new to humans. It was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since spread to several other countries, including the United States. Most people infected with MERS-CoV developed severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many of them have died.

WINTER 2019/2020

Though it was winter, it was another bright sunny California day. Dad, Kate announced, interrupting my work on the laptop. You were right.

Right about what?

The virus. Check the headline.

Sitting by the table in the living room, the TV was on as with most days. I faced the direction and caught the latest news.

CNN News Flash: "Today, cases of pneumonia were detected in Wuhan, China as reported to WHO⁴. During this reported period, the virus is unknown. The cases occurred between December 12 and December 29, according to Wuhan Municipal Health."

This is bad news, was my initial reaction. From my experience over the past years, a virus originated in China was always bad.

Why do you say that, Kate objected. Not all viruses are deadly. Unlike me, Kate was an optimist. Almost as tall as Emma and me with pleasant facial features, brunette in hair color, she grew up gifted with a confidence level that excelled her through her schoolyears and on into college. Where Emma and I were pretty much in harmony within our own environment when back in Colorado but with split opinions on many issues, Kate to my demise turned out a product of Berkeley, most popular university in northern California, the area she and her family resided. Not that there was anything wrong with Berkeley and their curriculums, the only thing that bothered me was their predominant political affiliation being Democratic, leaning towards socialism. It’s where Kate and I had different opinions.

She always gave an event credit for the better, whereas I was a hopeless skeptic, but a skeptic for good reasons. Where news reporting used to be factual and accurate, in today’s fast paced society, it certainly had changed. It seemed that accuracy and facts were not of importance anymore.

Listen, I said, trying to educate my daughter on past events. I have experienced and survived several major flu cycles that I remember. Though they arrived here in the U.S. under different names like Asian Flu, Hongkong Flu, Texas Flu, Spanish Flu, and Russian Flu, they all seemed to have originated in Asia.

I don’t remember this many, she said, apparently amazed.

You were a child most times, Emma cut in. "I nursed you back to health a number of times.

Addressing Kate once more I agreed, You are right about not all being deadly but did you know that there have been hundreds, if not thousands of Epidemics since modern historical records are kept.

You can’t be serious. she said, turning to leave the room. It was her gesture indicating that I had overstepped the boundaries of facts.

I’ll prove it, I shouted after her with my words lost unheard.

It inspired me to open Google Search⁵ on the laptop to investigate. In minutes, I had the proof I needed and was highly surprised at the sheer numbers. I counted 44 pages of Pandemic and Epidemic entries with a death casualty rate in the hundreds of millions. I flagged the file and forwarded it on to Kate’s computer for her to read.

With grandkids back in school again and daughter and husband at work, Emma and I were facing another day as houseguests to enjoy the day. Set in a quiet residential, I went back to writing while Emma took a walk in the neighborhood.

Writing, since I’d retired had become my latest mission in life. It was not the first time. I’d been on missions, it seemed for most of my careers, which I had several just the same.

The current book project I was working on was one of homelessness. For that to accomplish in a meaningful and timely manner, with San Francisco a major hub for homeless people only a thirty minutes’ drive from here, I felt that we were at the right place. It provided ample opportunities to collect writing materials, received at first hand from homeless individuals spread through the city in clusters of homemade shelters, today, mostly tents. I was ready to close the laptop, fetch Emma and hop into our leased car to head for the city when I caught another CNN news flash, turned prolific in recent days.

"Li Meng Yan, Chinese Coronavirus Expert claims intentional Corona release from Biological experiments Wuhan Lab. Covid-19⁶ outbreak is confirmed to 3 Nov 1019, in Wuhan. It arrived in CA shortly after with Coronavirus cases treated but kept suppressed by authorities."

Since the news item confirmed my initial suspicion about another flu making its sweep around the globe, it immediately caught my attention. I postponed our trip to the city with one thought in mind, I’ve got to get some confirmation on this woman.

As it turned out, it was scanty but had some credibility to the woman’s claim:

• Li-Meng Yan

• Born: 1983/1984 (age 37–38)

• Education: MD and PhD in ophthalmology

• Medical career: Post-doctoral researcher

• Field: Medicine

• Institutions: University of Hong Kong School of Public Health

• Sub-specialties: Immunology

• Research: Influenza vaccine

Wow, was my initial reaction. This’ going to cause quite a stir within the medical profession. I would be proven right in the days that followed with media coverage, not only by CNN but more channels, in addition to newspaper prints and social media flack gone viral.

In an 80-minute presentation in January 2020, YouTube host Wang Dinggang, also known as Lu De, said he heard from an unnamed source who told him China was not being transparent about the outbreak in Wuhan. Wang described his source, who was later revealed to be Li-Meng Yan, as the world’s absolute top coronavirus expert. Although Yan worked at one of the world’s top virology labs, she was fairly new to the field of virology and had not specifically studied the coronaviruses before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Later in the year, between July and August, Yan was interviewed by Fox News, Newsmax TV, and Daily Mail. Yan claimed in interviews that she became aware of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in late December 2019, and that she attempted to communicate the risks to her superiors in late December 2019 or early January 2020.

She stated that the Chinese government and the World Health Organization (WHO) knew about the person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 earlier than they reported or made public, and she stated that the Chinese government suppressed both her research and that of others.

An official statement issued by HKU⁷ on July 11, 2020 confirmed that Yan was formerly a post-doctoral researcher at the institution, but disputed the accuracy of other elements of her account, adding that Dr. Yan never conducted any research on human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus at HKU, and that many of her claims had no scientific basis.

Reading the information projected on the Google browser sparked my immediate interest. Much like recent behaviors of our own government, Here we go again, I muttered. Factual claims and controversial denial. What should one believe?"

I usually did not give much credibility to unknown sources and whistleblowers since their primary interests were mostly fame and personal visibility. They had the tendency to hear some announcement or gossip, take ownership and ran with it, propagating it through social media outlets as gospel truth. But the stated news item, coming from an accredited professional source, deserved some consideration. I would keep my ears tuned in on it in the future.

Sure enough, the disputed controversy escalated in the weeks ahead, providing much news material on the airwaves, when in April 2020, Li-Meng Yan fled to the United States where she co-authored several preprint research papers claiming that SARS-CoV-2 was produced in the laboratory.

According to scientific reviewers from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Yan’s paper offered contradictory and inaccurate information that does not support their argument, while reviewers from Rapid Reviews disputed COVID-19 and criticized her preprints as not demonstrating sufficient scientific evidence to support [their] claims.

Accusations and denials went on with the Holidays came and went pretty uneventful back in the states, with grownups taking a break from work and the children home from school enjoying their Christmas presents, in the world of today, mostly expensive electronic gadgets offered in the marketplace. For Emma and I, retired without many responsibilities left presently visiting the family in California, not much changed from one day to the next. When back home at our own place, I didn’t particularly track the days of the week. I know another week went by when getting ready for the Monday morning trash pickup. It’s my calendar.

For now, Emma, I and the family had one happy moment over the holidays. It was the day Lucas called to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Emma and Kate were overjoyed and wondered, When are you coming home to visit? He had left the family residence years ago leaving the family guessing his whereabouts.

As soon as I can manage, was his usual reply with Emma and Kate worried and concerned. I, on the other hand envied him for his free living spirit, much like when I was roaming the globe. Without hurting Emma’s and our children’s feelings, I felt no remorse for myself nor for my son.

Covid-19 officially arrived in the U.S. 13 March 2020, not through the usual route from the Pacific coast but in New York, from across the Atlantic.

When I heard this latest report, my immediate thought was, Here we go. As if we did not have enough controversy in the country already fighting off political differences, It can only add to it.

I proved right. From here on, much of our internal politics shifted its focus on the virus, away from the political mess of presidential election disputes the country was debating already. It was amazing to watch how quickly the nation became entrapped by the virus, but more so using Covid as partisan ammunition by the various government agencies, not only locally but worldwide as well. It seemed that the entire global population became subject to political hostage taking.

Evening dad, Kate announced her presence, followed by the entrance of Corey and Ellie both greeting us, Hi Grandpa, Grandma.

Hey, I replied, welcoming the family while closing the lid on the laptop. Emma was close by greeting them with a hug. How was everybody’s day?

Busy as usually, Kate said.

Had our first test of the year, Corey stated.

How did you do, I asked.

As usual, he replied.

Don’t be modest, Kate stated. A-student. He’s leader in the class.

Not surprising, I said. You know where you got your smarts from?

You grandpa, he replied with a laugh.

And Grandma, I said with a nod at Emma, then turned to Ellie with open arms, How is my favorite grandchild?

She took the que to rush into my arms, I learned a lot, she proclaimed.

About history?

What’s history, she wanted to know, looking at me with innocent eyes.

It’s where you learn about the past, how we got here, where you came from and much more.

We played games, she said.

Enough dad, Kate jumped in. She knew well what I was getting at.

I’m just asking, I defended myself. She and I did not see eye-to-eye on teaching methods as they had developed in recent years. We had disputed about it in the past on a number of occasions. Where Kate was totally dedicated to curriculums taught in today’s schools, I had my objections mainly about history, my favorite subject. It seemed that educators were not interested in teaching history anymore.

Hi everybody, Ryan announced, stepping into the living room. He’d just arrived from his job. How’s everybody?"

He was greeted by Kate with a kiss to the cheek and Ellie with a hug around his waist. Hi Dad, Corey, muttered non-committedly, turning back to the screen where he’d been watching the evening news.

Anything new, his dad asked.

Teachers are talking about a deadly virus headed our way. You know anything about?

I can tell you what I know, I cut in, readily volunteering."

Not now, Kate said. I’ve dinner ready. She quickly retreated back to the kitchen getting ready to serve.

Maybe later, I said. Remind me. I realized it was family time, as they have practiced for years. Considered visitors since Emma and I departed California years ago, we did not want to intrude on their habitually established unity.

In the days to follow more and more contradictory information on COVID-19 emerged in rapid succession, disseminated not only by the mainstream media, but all sorts of social platforms from Facebook to Twitter with Forums and Video streamers having a field day, in addition to the ever-present, prolifically ready conspiracists.

Most of January was spent by Chinese authorities focused on their public to initially justify, then diversion tactics followed with denial for creating the Corona virus. It was also the month a new personality entered the picture, as announced to the world by CNN:

"The NIH⁸ is in the process of taking the first steps towards the development of a vaccine, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the (NIAID)⁹.

From here on, the world would be captured with hourly reports by the news media on the progress of the Corona pandemic rapidly spreading across the globe, as well as multiple biologically laboratories scrambling for a solution to an ultimate cure.

The impact was dramatic with initial actions taken by Chinese health authorities. It closed the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, better known as Wet Market, after it was discovered that wild birds sold there may have been the source of the virus. There was more ill-fated news:

Chinese authorities also confirm that they have identified the virus as a novel coronavirus, initially named 2019-nCoV by WHO. Next, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission (WMHC) announces the first death caused by the coronavirus. A 61-year-old man, exposed to the virus at the seafood market died on January 9, after respiratory failure caused by severe pneumonia. Also, Chinese health officials confirmed hours later, that a second person has died in China."

It was at this point when we became involved. The United States responded to the outbreak by implementing screenings for symptoms at airports in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. Shortly after, China reported 139 new cases of the sickness, including a third death. On the same day, WHO reported its first situation account, confirming cases of flu outbreaks in Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

January 21 2020, — CDC Confirms First US Coronavirus Case:

A Washington state resident becomes the first person in the United States with a confirmed case of the 2019 novel coronavirus after having returned from Wuhan on January 15, thanks to overnight polymerase chain reaction testing. The CDC soon after deploys a team to help with the investigation, including potential use of contact tracing.

The troublesome news did not stop there. On January 23, the Beijing Culture and Tourism Bureau canceled all large-scale Lunar New Year celebrations in an effort to contain the growing spread of coronavirus. On the same day, Chinese authorities enforced a partial lockdown of transport in and out of Wuhan. Authorities in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou announced a series of similar measures.

When hearing the reports, I shook my head and muttered, It’s going to get worse, much worse.

Sure enough, my intuition came true. It confirmed my initial suspicion for the source of the infection as Wuhan China. From here on the bad news kept on coming around-the-clock with Mainstream media, Newspapers, and News networks keeping the population informed. What used to be daily news turned into News Flash hour by hour. Where in the past news reports used to verify their information sources, in today’s world, it was instant reporting. The results became clearly visible in only a few hours. Fact checking became part of the past. Reports between the various news outlets became distorted, worse yet, contradictory in many instances. Not only did I begin to question their authenticity, Emma also noticed changes. I’m confused, she would state at the rapidly changing Corona status.

Don’t believe the reported statistics, I advised her.

Then she’d question. Who do I believe?

Me, I proudly stated.

How would you know?

I learned mathematics.

I took arithmetic classes in school, she’d boast.

Did they teach algebra, equations and calculus?

No, but I can still count.

Okay, I said, pointing at the TV screen, putting her to the test. What’s wrong with the chart?

Nothing, she said.

I did not want to insult Emma by any means and remained silent afterward. To me, the entire Corona tally was an insulting event as reported. I don’t want to come across as an egotistical idiot and feel obligated to explain the facts.

To begin with, I enlightened her. The daily Covid-19 cases presented by Mainstream Media are all the deaths lumped together. They don’t subtract the asymptomatic and recovered cases. It’s always a total count of cases without explaining that cases are infections and not mortalities. Take a look and compare.

Compare to what, Emma demanded.

The chart here, I offered, handing her the page of statistical data I had just printed on the computer.

• Number of regular annual deaths count = 3,383,729

• Number of asymptomatic count = 3,358,814

• Number of Corona infection cases = 101,589,374

• Number of Corona death total count = 1,111,664

• Number of hospitalizations count = 6,175

• Number of intensive care = 15,000

• Number of total recovered cases = 98,700,697

It presented the totals I had figured out scribbled on the printer page: 101,589,374 (-) 98,700,697 = 2,888,677.

Where did you get the figures?

Mortality rate chart in the United States, 2020 – CDC, I said, waiting for her comments but only received an empty stare.

I then stated, Which leaves 2,888,677 cases.

So what? Emma did not appear very happy because the figures appeared meaningless to her but accepted my results.

So, I explained. The Covid-19 death rate is only a fraction higher than the annual Flu rate people died, and further explained, I don’t mean to belittle people dying each year but Mainstream Media makes it out like a major catastrophe. Yes, I agreed. It’s a Pandemic but not much different from the annual flu season.

Then, why are the cases so inflated, Emma said, accepting my explanation. All we see on daily news figures are new cases projecting hundreds of millions.

To drive people into panic.

I don’t understand your rationale. You better explain.

There’s something drastically wrong with the entire Corona affair. It seems that the government has a plan to take advantage from the pandemic.

Advantage over what, she said, eyeing me with suspicion.

You’ll just have to wait and see what devious plans they have in store for us. I had to let it go here and watch what the next weeks and months would reveal.

I wouldn’t be held in suspension very long. Only days later, the pandemic episode escalated into events that turned every country into a warlike state.

---

⁴ World Health Organization, longstanding Geneva headquarters with 6 regional offices, 150 country offices and other offices around the world, WHO plays an essential role improving local health systems and coordinating the global response to health threats.

⁵ For statistics follow Link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_epidemics#mw-head

⁶ Covid-19, A highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is thought to spread from person to person through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

⁷ HKU - Hong Kong University.

⁸ National Institute of Health (NIH).

⁹ National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

WINTER 2020/2021

What is it Dad, Kate said. I caught her attention just as the movie they were watching started.

I’m going to bed, I said. Talk Radio is calling.

Okay. Good night, Dad. She was still my daughter and I was her dad. We had always maintained a strong connection even when disputing things. Where I was the skeptic by nature she, in contrast, was the optimist.

I’ll be there after the movie, Emma said, giving me a restrained free time of two hours on the radio.

I entered my nightly world of entertainment while Emma remained in the family’s company. Being a light sleeper, with Emma accepting my deficiency for sound sleep, I had learned decades ago that there was a solution to my lack of sleep, at times to her demise. It took Emma many months to accept my habit of listening to nightly radio broadcasts through a set of earphones. Presented in the form of talk radio, broadcasting independently in a nightly diversity of current topics, it was primarily centered around political and economic issues. To the unaware, mostly the daily workforce typically needing eight hours of sleep, this form of entertaining was non-existing. It was people like myself that sought out sources to occupy the mind during our sleepless hours.

I have been listening to Talk Radio since the early 90s, marginally at first then with increased interests over the years. Where I was highly skeptical at first at the presented agendas, I quickly developed a habitual interest. What made it so intriguing for me was the diversity, not only presented by broadcasters but hosts like professionals, scientists and self-claiming experts projecting their opinions and views. For the most part, it was an educational experience projected nightly, presented below the visual surface of daily events.

The negative side of many radio programs presented didn’t matter much. It did not impact the daily lives for most citizens in pursuit of a job and career. It did not reshape the world. What it did was inform the inquisitive individual on matters of uncommon knowledge, generally not detrimental to daily lives.

It has only been in recent years that some sectors, mostly political and social media became aware of its existence to act on, with increasing participation when desired. Whether beneficial to society or not, the presented programs certainly provided ample material for discussion within the radio listening community.

Tonight, as usually, turning on the radio to my favorite station, as expected, the air waves were buzzing with calls filled with speculations about the Corona effects. At this point, the general public was not alerted yet about a possible epidemic. The callers were mostly voicing their opinions in response to rumors surfaced about a security breach at a place in China, specifically Wuhan, the nation’s biological weapons research facility. It was the first time anybody in the free world had heard of the place.

I kept the sound level at a bare minimum level fed through the headset when Emma was beside me asleep. At tonight’s program presentation talks about the escalating Corona affair, I lay alert for hours listening while my mind was assimilating a possible connection to my own experience a few decades earlier.

Back in the 60s through the 80s while occasionally working for U.S. National Defense intelligence located at Ft. Detrick, Maryland, an Army base for our biological weapons research, I spent a number of times there. Situated in the small town, Frederick, I usually checked into the town’s only hotel, the Red Horse. It was a comfortable place, historically clean with a spacious bar and nightclub located below ground.

Around eight in the evening while seated at the bar sipping on my second drink, a Bourbon and Coke, in entered a group of energetically laden people shoving and pushing their way to the bar. I was suddenly surrounded by a group of young men chatting away in foreign languages I was very familiar with, German, Swiss, and Austrian, all demanding drinks. I could sense an immediate tension exerted from all. As far as I could make out, an event happened that day that left the group highly alerted and extremely anguished.

What’s happening, I asked in German the one seated next on the barstool.

Haven’t you heard, he said, eager to tell. We had a security breach in the lab.

I know, was my response. But I don’t know the specifics. Since I am a curious person, I played along to find out.

Some lab technician left Ground Level 4 without getting decontaminated. It spread the Ebola virus throughout the building.

Why all the commotion, I inquired, getting curious. It’s just a flu.

Not just a flu, he corrected me. It’s the most deadly of all viruses. And we are all leaving tomorrow.

It’s that serious?

Too deadly for us, he replied, apparently shaken up.

Where’re you all from, I said, still curious about the commotion.

We’re scientists from various countries working at the laboratory here. I’m from Switzerland. Where’re you from?

Germany, I said. It ended our conversation because he was distracted by some of his buddies discussing their unexpected exit strategy.

From what I could tell, they were dead serious about what took place that day. I did not have to query further. I suspected what had happened.

The place he referred to, familiar to me, was the nation’s leading and highly classified biological weapons laboratory, better known as USAMRIID¹⁰ in the Intel community.

The USAMRIID facility was a sizeable building constructed of four levels of management floors above ground and four levels of laboratories below ground, L-1 through L-4, each depending on the criticalness of research, self-contained and isolated from each other and the outside world. The facility was the world’s foremost biological weapons research facility and deemed Top Secret to the outside world, for obvious reasons.

Days later, I read some local news articles about a possible new flu strain had been discovered, namely Ebola, but was isolated and contained by government authorities.

It was a time before news channels came into being. There was no CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other media with its prolific reporting means of daily News Flashes. The nation was still relatively quiet with a population enjoying the American Dream and kept minimized of critical events. It was a better world compared to today’s fast-paced and hectic lifestyle.

In the news world of today, one could easily get current with daily events by scanning through numerous media reporting networks. I, for one am addicted to political and international news. Most nights laying in the silence of darkness awake, I turn the radio on and select various stations during the night. To my demise, as usually, commercials demanded priority time during which I let my mind wander on events that took place in recent times assessing what had transpired and what we could expect in the weeks ahead. Tonight’s topic was centered on what else? The Coronavirus. To refresh my memory, I recalled a dozen highly important events that left their mark on my brain and took hold on our public lives.

Timeline Highlights (January - March)¹¹

• January 23 - Wuhan Now Under Quarantine

• January 31 - WHO Issues Global Health Emergency

• February 2 - Global Air Travel is Restricted

• February 3 - US Declares Public Health Emergency

• March 6 - 21 Passengers on California Cruise Ship Test Positive

• March 11 - WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic

• March 13 – President Trump Declares COVID-19 a National Emergency

• March 13 - Travel Ban on Non-US Citizens Traveling from Europe goes into effect

• March 17 - University of Minnesota Begins Testing Hydroxychloroquine

• March 19 - California Issues Statewide Stay-at-Home Order

• March 26 – U.S. Senate Passes CARES Act ¹²

• March 27 - Trump Signs CARES Act Into Law

• March 30 - FDA Authorizes Hydroxychloroquine ¹³ to use on the Covid-19 virus.

At this point in time, with national and global focus primarily on Covid-19 and its potential threat on humanity, one could only guess what the immediate future may hold in store for us. One thing was certain, the least one could expect was another Flu pandemic sweep across the globe on top of the Corona pandemic already causing havoc for the country and people.

---

¹⁰ Fort Detrick was the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. As of the early 2010s, Fort Detrick's supported a multi-governmental community that conducts biomedical research and development. The lab is known to research pathogens such as Ebola and smallpox. It is home to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) with its biodefense agency, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). It also hosts the National Cancer Institute-Frederick (NCI-Frederick) and is home to the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR) and National Interagency Biodefense Campus (NIBC). In August 2019, its deadly germ research operations were shut down following serious safety violations, in particular relating to the disposal of dangerous materials including birds and animals.

¹² The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020) and the Coronavirus Response and Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) provided fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries.

¹³ Hydroxychloroquine is used to prevent and treat acute attacks of malaria. It is also used to treat discoid lupus and rheumatoid arthritis in patients whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria. Hydroxychloroquine may work to treat rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus by decreasing the activity of the immune system.

SPRING 2020

The better world as promised, it seemed, did not last long. There were forces at work beyond anybody’s imagination. It was not a gradual approach. It came on suddenly with a force not seen in our lifetime. It was a force that would sweep the entire globe, much like it did with the Black Plague pestilence and Spanish Flu, with mainstream media already set to report major daily highlights in the form of endless News Flashes.

It was daily events occurring with bad news piled on top of bad news from the previous day, seemingly without an end to the demise of a failing economy and struggling population. Where the U.S. population had already made adjustments to the onslaught, the global population was shocked into a reality that might be an endless cycle unless curbed by scientific research. All indications point to a virus manipulated for Gain of Function purposes, in practical terminology, weaponized. Only the future will reveal its cause and ultimate damages.

You catch the news this morning, Kate alerted me as soon as I stepped into the kitchen. Emma and Kate were early risers compared to my sleeping habits. In retrospect, it wasn’t always like it. I used to be up at 6:00 am, rushing to the workplace. However, ever since retirement things changed affecting my lifestyle. Changes came on gradually over a period of weeks with taking my time to get ready for the day but without the daily pressure on the job or immediate task demands. But most importantly, I did not have to commute congested Bay Area freeways anymore or hop on the next flight out to an overseas destination. I vividly remember the daily grind of sitting on freeways stop and go traffic, at times over an hour to get in and out of San Francisco or sit at an airport waiting for a flight connection. Where I still miss the daily interaction with my teams and coworkers, I eventually adjusted to retirement to my faithful companion, Emma.

Not yet, I said. What’s happening?

"WHO¹⁴ announced the presence and identity of the new virus, identified as COVID-19, Kate said. Not only that, they dispatched a team of international experts to Wuhan to assist with containing the coronavirus outbreak."

You believe my concerns now, I said. I couldn’t resist boasting a bit over my intuition I displayed a few days earlier.

You were right, Dad, she admitted. As always.

I’m not bragging about certain things kept hidden from the public, you and the family, I admitted. But there are issues I know more about than the average citizen.

So, I’m classified as an average citizen, she stated.

Let’s not fight, I insisted. You know my past.

I wished that I knew more. I’m always amazed at your knowledge of things.

I had a rewarding career most people never get the opportunity, but it took a lifetime of dedication.

I know Dad. Mom, she said, turned at Emma for confirmation. You always complained to us kids that Dad was married to his job, rather than to you.

Look Kate, Emma said, trying to explain her position. I knew what I was getting into when we got married. He was already deeply involved with Defense Intel when we met. I was intrigued with his work but also looked forward to travelling with him around the world. I accompanied your dad on several trips to foreign places until you came along.

Now it’s my fault, Kate complained.

Please don’t argue. I want to explain my position, then and now.

Is that why you two isolated yourselves to Colorado? It seemed that Kate still had a personal issue about us moving out of state.

Not entirely. We needed some quiet time to contemplate on our future. With Silicon Valley collapsed in 2006, business and job opportunities went away. You know that.

Yeah. You’re right. Let’s have breakfast.

From that day on, much of the daily news carried by Mainstream Media was centered around COVID-19, a Corona type virus identified by WHO, as most severe flu strain ever uncovered. In the weeks, months and years ahead, the country and the world would not be the same again. For how long, it would be anybody’s guess.

It was decision making time for the family, at least for Emma and myself. I could sense trends coming up rapidly. Mask mandates enforced by governments, individual confinements with airline restrictions to follow.

What are we going to do? Emma said, obviously worried about the family, as well as our future.

It all depends on where you’d feel more comfortable in case we come down with the virus, I explained, pointing to worst case scenario. What do You want to do?

Let’s talk it over with Kate.

That only makes is worse, I hinted. You know well what she’s going to say.

I know but we can’t just pack up and leave.

From my perspective, I said in final determination. It’s not up for debate.

That’s pretty cold. Don’t you think?

Look, I politely pointed out, for Emma to understand the circumstances. Our home is in Colorado. It’s where all of our belongings are located and stored. Not only that but I’ll have to turn on the sprinkler system, get ready for yardwork we’ve planned, pick up three months of postal mail, dust, vacuum and chase spiders from the house.

Stop it, Emma sounded off with a frown about spiders.

Besides, I went on. If we stay here, it would be a gross burden on Kate and inconvenience for all. What would you do if travel restrictions where to last years?

I see your point. Emma said, reluctant to submit to my suggestion but giving in to logic.

You won’t be sorry, I said, pacifying her. I’ll bring up our decision after dinnertime.

What do you want to do until then?

Let’s take a drive. I’ll calm both of us. It may be our last for some time. Emma quickly left the room in tears. She always sought out privacy when saddened. All she needed was a few minutes alone to wash away the tears. While I did not take to emotions like Emma, I perfectly understood and maintained my patience.

Ten minutes later we were headed west in our rental car. Where’re we going, Emma asked.

The city. I’d like to see Fisherman’s Warf one more time. We haven’t been there in a while. We could also have lunch at the Cannery.

Sounds good. I like it.

After parking the car near Pier 39, we spent hours strolling the Pier and up and down Beach Street stopping at souvenir shops and stores somewhat awestruck.

The place sure has changed since my last visit here, I commented. Many more stores and restaurants than I can remember.

And people, Emma chimed in. But one thing puzzles me.

What’s that, I said.

No homeless people. What’s with all the hype about homelessness and tent cities?

They are there but the city keeps them away from tourist places and foreign visitors. It’s bad for business. You don’t want to go there.

But I wanted to see it, she beckoned.

Maybe on the way home. I’ll drive you there.

Okay. I’ll remind you.

Fine with me but let’s head for the Cannery. I’m hungry.

After spotting the Jack’s Cannery Bar sign, the minute I stepped into the building I felt at home. It used to be my nightly spot to hang out and to mix with foreign travelers while spending the evening sampling beers imported from any one of 75 countries. It was a special treat for me trying to communicate in various languages making contact with the visitors. It had been years since I’d been in the place after moving to Colorado with the 2008 economic collapse, the last time I was here. Emma had never been to San Francisco. At the time I was contracting in the Bay, she and our children were living in Wisconsin with her family.

Nice place, Emma agreed. I can see why you spent time here.

Wait ‘til you see the menu.

Sure enough, Emma was impressed at the variety of seafood and specialties on the menu. The waiter left with our order of two sampling dishes of seafood fare. Even Emma, generally not