Was there Virus Outbreak before Covid 19? - Virus 34

White flowers in the winter

We faced with devastating pandemic during 2020, and even until today. Vaccine roll out, might end this pandemic soon.

Unfortunately, America experienced 30 months outbreak of virus called as Hepatitis A virus (HAV) before this recently pandemic.

The infection started from March 2017, and end at August 2019 which caused 244 deaths of 24,952 cases in 30 states.

The virus infects liver, the very important organ. Then lead to liver inflammation or damage, to disturb organ functions as:

- to process nutrients

- to filter the blood

- to fight infections

Hepatitis A virus is very contagious. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that about 7 thousand people dead per year worldwide due Hepatitis A.

Beautiful color of autumn trees

In addition to virus, liver damage may be caused by some factors such as:

- using of alcohol

- some medications

- certain toxins

- medical conditions

People get infected due to consumed contaminated water and food. Many foods could be contaminated by HAV, just examples:

- shellfish

- salads

- vegetables

- fruits

- orange juice

- ice cream

- cheese

- custard

- milk

- bread

- cookies

- raw or under cooked foods.

Good news that this diseases is preventable by vaccines. All children and teenagers are recommended by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to get vaccines in the USA.

Mini Sago Palm at the Corner - Gardening and Hobby 17

Mini Sago palm, sweet at the corner

I know the word “sago,” its tree could reach 50 feet (15 m) in height after 15 years old.

The species of Metroxylon sagu produces starch called as “sago” or “sagu” starch.

Other two species of palm trees produce sago starch are:

- Arenga spp.

- Maurilia spp

One sago tree could produce 90 to 180 kg starch. The starch is used generally as:

- foodstuffs such as noodle

- textile sizing

- adhesives

The trees are found in freshwater swamp areas of South East Asia and Papua New Guinea. 

Fruit from mini sago palm

Here in America, we have another type of sago, mini sago palm with scientific name Cycas revoluta.

The plant native to Asian regions, include southern Japan. Since its small size, it is popular as one of ornamental plants.

We have grown the sago in the corner of our house, some people do grow its as an indoor plant.

Several advantages of sago plants:

- easy to take care

- grow well outside and indoors

- free of pests

- available in most nurseries.

- may be grown in pot

Mini sago plants grow slowly, and they reaches about 15 feet (5 m) tall after several years. This is another reason why people chose sago plant to put in their garden.

What are Ingredients in the Biontech-Pfizer Vaccine? – Virus 33

Wild plant at our backyard

About 1 million American, especially seniors (above 75 years old) and medical workers relate to Coronavirus have been shot of covid 19 vaccine.

We might wonder what are ingredient of Covid 19 vaccine, Pfizer – Biontech? Based on several sources, here are inside of vaccine:

1) Active ingredient called mRNA

- mRNA stimulates human cells to produce spike protein, similar protein on the surface of Coronavirus

- immune system then create antibodies in respond. We will have immunity to protect our body from Coronavirus infection.

2) Lipid

- this ingredient is like fat, not soluble in water

- Lipid to encapsulate and protect mRNA with “bubble.” Hence, the mRNA is not easily destroyed.

- there are four kinds of lipid in the vaccine, they are: ALC- 0315; ALC- 0159; 1,2- distearoyl- sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine; and Cholesterol.

Autumn leaves colors

3) Sugar

- sucrose is needed to block nanoparticles in the vaccine from clumping up when stored at minus 70 (-70) degree Celcius in the refrigerator.

4) Salts

- to make vaccine to be accepted by human body’s environment.

- four type of salts in the Covid 19 vaccine: “potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate and sodium chloride.”

You might know about “conspiracy theory” of microchip or robot in the Biontech-Pfizer vaccine.

Yes, lipid in the vaccine is nanoparticles because of their tiny size. It is not microchip or robot or micro computer. “Nanoparticles are lipid droplets, the fatty molecular.” 

Why Canadian Geese Honking Mournfully? - Gardening and Hobby 16

Fig 01- Flock of Canadian geese in city garden

The number of Canadian geese is fluctuate from seasons to seasons, quite abundance at Fall and Winter compared to other seasons.

It is because there are two types of geese in the lakes of our city garden:

- permanent geese (local geese), stay forever in the garden.
- migratory geese, just for temporary visits.

The migratory geese came from Canada or Northern America about October, and they stay during winter season every year. Their number much more than local geese.

Our city garden actually locate in the urban areas that might attract the geese to come and stay a while.

Urban areas have several advantages such as:

- abundance of food
- less natural predators

What animals are natural predators of Canadian geese?

Fig 02- Three of Canadian geese

Plenty of natural predators of Canadian geese include their eggs, some of them are:

- coyotes
- raccoon
- skunks
- bobcats
- foxes
- eagles
- crows

Fig 03- Geese and white swan are swimming together

Now, the question: Why Canadian Geese Honking Mournfully?

Based on several observations that the geese are “very emotional” critter. Why they honking mournfully, it is because:

- they loss their mate
- their eggs are stolen.

Sadly, they could out from flocks, and lonely honking mournfully. They may have aggressive behavior.

Previous post:

- Will Confederate Jasmine Crawl Back After Winter? | Tanza Erlambang Update

Late Harvest of Satsuma Orange in the Yard - Food Variety 7

Fig 01- A ripe Satsuma orange

We have just one tree of Satsuma orange, harvest time was between October to November each year.

Due to uncertain weather, the harvest quite late and bad compared to previous years.

However, in many places, Satsuma seasons are between October to early December, and we may see plenty of them sold in the groceries around December.

Farmers sold their Satsuma oranges between December to January both in the farmer markets, and occasionally in the farm.

Prices are varies between groceries and farmer markets:

- about US$ 2 per pound (½ kg) in groceries

- we saw US$ 1 per pound in some farmer markets

- less than USS 1 per pound in the farm.

Fig 02- Some fruits hang on the branches.

Our Satsuma tree produced less and less fruit since few years ago. The main concern is diseases. We called as a “white spot” diseases.

Fig 03- Two fruits of Satsuma

Several other “well known” diseases may infect Satsuma orange trees are:

1) Bacterial diseases

- one kind of bacteria may cause leaves to curl, dry up and then drop. This bacteria infects tree in the winter and spring seasons.

2) Mandarin Rind Disorder

- I saw brown and sunken areas on the fruit skin, look like fungi diseases. Yes, it occurs during heavy rain time of Fall season.

3) Botrytis Diseases

- This is fungi diseases. I always see white or gray spores on the leaves. They appeared when tree is bearing “baby” fruits, before rain seasons (before Autumn).

Finally, have you tasted Satsuma orange?

When Will Kids Get a Covid 19 Vaccine? - Virus 32

 

Santa and snowman, illustration only

People in UK and USA have been vaccinated, then followed by other countries soon. Unfortunately, there is age limit for current covid 19 vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of USA recommended Pfizer – BioNTech vaccine for certain ages only, especially for people of 16 years old and over.

The main reasons that the vaccine are safe and effective for this group (adult age) so far. The question then:

When Will children Get Covid 19 Vaccine?

To answer this question, the kid must follow the clinical trials first in order to find out:

- the right doses

- vaccine effectiveness on kids

- the safe doses.

- the level of immune responses

White Rooster at back yard

It is important for children to get vaccine, because their number is above 20% of population, and like adults, they may get sick of corona virus as well.

The data revealed that more than 1.1 millions kids have been infected by Sars Covid 2 virus in the USA.

There is sense of urgency to start vaccine trial for children. Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony S. Fauci mentioned the trial will likely on January, 2021.

3,000 kids with ages range from 12 to 18 years old are planned to involve in the vaccine testing. Two possible vaccines are:

- Pfizer – Biontech vaccines

- Moderna vaccine

Hope, we know the result soon, no later than end of 2021. 

The Christmas Light Decoration in Neighborhood - Gardening and Hobby 15

Fig 01- Light decoration in front of a house

Some of our neighbors make Christmas light decoration every years. But, it seems not that many compared to previous years.

Pandemic has changed a lot of things. Many neighbors have no light decoration, and even there is no gathering or less celebration for such as Halloween, thanksgiving and might be Christmas celebration in this year.

At previous years, the favorite images of Christmas lights and decorations:

- Christmas tree lights

- light balls

- animals (deer and dogs)

- light on the fences and roofs

We love to walk around to look at near by light displays, and drive by car to watch all light decoration of our more than 100 houses of neighborhood.

Some senior citizens with their grand kids and cute pets seem enjoy by walking to look the decorations and light displays.

Fig 02- Such a beautiful display

Sure, we have favorite homes. Exciting with their owners beautiful works to provide nice Christmas lights. 

Fig 03- A dog and lights in front of a house

In our city, there is a particular neighborhood with 75% houses are decorated with Christmas lights. Few neighborhoods, about 50%, have their houses lit up.

Last year, a small town about 20 mile from our house, has bonfires. I think that it was exciting and fun to look.

Do you love with Christmas lights and decoration?

Merry Christmas everyone.