Icy in my Neighborhood during Recently Snow Storm

Fig 01- Snow in the jogging track area

Hundred millions people across America have experienced “deadly” snow storm. Temperature below zero Celsius degree during second week of February 2021.

Almost all southern states to brace more icy and frigid temperature than normal February each year, the states include:

- Texas

- Louisiana

- Mississippi

- Alabama.

Our city, Baton Rouge, temperature reached -8 C (18 F) degree. This is our first time experienced to face lower temperature in the Southern state.

The storm caused several problems in our neighborhood and city:

- power outage

- no water supply

- roads block

- grocery stores are closed

Fig 02- Ice on all branches of tree

Many our neighbors have no electricity more than 50 hours since Monday, 15 February 2021.

Fig 03- Branches fall down on the street.

No signs of light until Wednesday afternoon, 17 February 2021. We don’t know until when.

Few neighbors had to leave because it was too cold inside and they don’t have a fire place inside their houses.

Since our neighborhoods have different grids, we and several neighbors are lucky to have light and water supply during snow storms and until today.

How about with your cities? Have your cities snow storm?

Can Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine Contain New Covid 19 Virus Variants? - Virus 37

Kit Kat Chocolates for Valentine’s day, just illustration

We have at least 3 new dangerous variants of Sars Cov 2 viruses (Covid 19) so far:

- UK variant, identified as B.1.1.7

- South Africa variant, called as 20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351

- Brazil variant, known as P.2

As reported by BBC News (February 9, 2021), the scary facts that South Africa halted the employing of UK’s AstraZeneca – Oxford vaccine, because the vaccine didn’t effective against new virus variant (20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351).

I have posted about AstraZeneca – Oxford vaccine compared to other two American vaccines, Pfizer – Biontech and Moderna vaccines. Please find at:

- Is AstraZeneca Covid 19 Vaccine Suitable for Poor Countries? - Virus 31

The good news that another American vaccine, Johnson & Johnson has “good” efficacy to contain South Africa variant with one shot only, after proved by clinical trials.

Effective rate of Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccine in 3 important places (regions):

- 72% in the USA.

- 66% in Latin America, include Brazil

- 57% in South Africa

Hence, a Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccine is “estimated” able to give protection against Covid 19 virus and its new variants.

Do you Consume Raw Radish? - Food Variety 10

Beautiful red Radish

I just noticed this “pretty” vegetable in the grocery recently. I though the Radishes were fruit, but they are “root” vegetable.

Look like tomatoes in terms of color (red), shape (round or irregular) and size from far distance.

The Radish is one of members from Brassicaceae family, among other vegetables include in this family are:

- kale

- cabbage

- kohlrabi

- Brussels sprout

- mustard

- collard green

- horseradish

- turnip

- rutabaga

Radishes with their leaves

Based on information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) link (dpi.wi.gov..) that radish was native to China.

In the ancient times, this root plants then distributed to the regions or countries such as:

- Egypt

- Greece

- Rome

Radishes is low calories food, about 19 calories pe cup (128 gram). They are believed rich in:

- vitamin (C and B2)

- minerals (calcium, potassium and manganese)

Many people consume raw radishes by slicing them, and then mix with others vegetable for salad.

Some people cook radishes to lower their hot spicy flavor, so people can eat a lot of this vegetable.

Do you eat radish? Raw or cooked?

May Covid 19 Reduce Men’s Fertility? - Virus 36

Plants in front a house, just for illustration

Men’s fertility mainly relates to sperm accounts, sperm movement and semen quality (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

It is believed the male fertility is decreasing globally due to many causes, include:

- exposure to pesticides

- obesity

- smoking

- stress

- exposure to chemical substances

- certain infections and illness

- lifestyle factors

Then, the question: May Covid 19 Reduce Men’s Fertility?

Yes

Based on study published in the Journal Reproduction, then reported by CNN on January 29, 2021

One of corner in the city garden

People who infected by Sars Cov 2 virus (corona virus) may affect on their fertility.

Based on primary observation to groups of fertile men with and without corona virus infections, then, the result shows that virus lead to impair of:

- sperm quality

- semen quality

The more serious infections, the lower sperm quality, thus higher possibility to reduce men fertility.

Even this is early observations, the findings make researchers to concern.

Take care!!  

Chocolate Covered Strawberry from Neighborhood – Food Variety 9

Fig 01- Strawberries covered by chocolate decorations

From internet searches, the prices of Chocolate Covered Strawberries are very varies. No price below US$ 1 each.

The most common prices range from US$ 15 to US$ 25 per a half dozen (6 pieces). Quite expensive for me.

Our neighborhood sells Chocolate Covered Strawberries with little bit lower than market prices, but still expensive for me:

- a half dozen (6 pieces) for $12; and a dozen (12 pieces) for $24

- a half dozen (6 pieces) for $15 infused with alcohol; a dozen (12 pieces) for $30 infused with alcohol.

I wonder, why are Chocolate Covered Strawberries so expensive?

The reasons might relate to:

- public perception as a “luxury” goods.

- highly demand

- chocolate is shorten life, thus, must be removed from store shelves quicker.

Fig 02- Chocolate covered three strawberries

Chocolates are good to keep them in the refrigerator, but it is no problem for 10 hours at room temperature.

Fig 03- several designs of chocolate covered strawberries.

In addition to strawberries, other fruits are suitable as well to be covered by chocolates.

Slices of some fruits which could be covered by chocolates:

- figs

- pears

- banana

- mango

- any other sweet fruits.

Have you tasted chocolate covered strawberry or any other fruit? What do you think?

Why is Cat Vomiting Frequently? - Gardening and Hobby 18

A cat in front door, just illustration

As a cat owners, we experienced with our cats vomiting, but we may wonder: why do they vomiting frequently?

There are many issues relate to cat vomited, some of them are:

- eating a houseplant

- ingesting a toy piece

- hairball in the stomach

- allergy and sensitive to certain foods

- undigested foods, because of quickly consuming.

It is said that vomit is normal for cat. However, it is not normal if cat changes their behavior and has vomited very often.

We may judge the level of “the seriousness” of vomit is based on its content and colors:

- yellow and foamy lead to hairballs

- thick yellow bile mean that there is serious health problems such as kidney and infection. 

A cat plays outdoor

We should find medical help immediately, if our cats have frequently yellow vomits and shown the following behaviors:

- suddenly loss or increase appetites

- lethargy

- unusual behaviors.

- show discomfort.

What do you do if your cats have shown vomiting frequently?

Virulence of Covid 19 Variants in Japan – Virus 35

Pretty Bougain villae bonsai

When I am writing this post, there are very said facts about Covid 19 in the world and other countries. 93.8 million cases, and 2.01 million deaths in the world

Top 5 countries with cases and deaths (from several sources as of January 16, 2021) are following:

- 23.6 million cases, and 393,000 deaths in the USA

- 10.5 million cases, and 152,000 deaths in India

- 8.39 million cases, and 208,000 deaths in Brazil

- 3.84 million cases, and 63,558 deaths in Russia

- 3.32 million cases, and 87,295 deaths in UK

However, the threaten of new variant of Covid 19 virus creates the condition even worst while inoculation of vaccines just start in many places.

First, the UK’s variant, then South Africa, and lately was from Japan. The question then :

How dangerous those new variants?  

Red chili from backyard

What we know about UK and South Africa Covid 19 variants until now:

- much more dangerous than original strains

- more transmissible

- mutations occurred to “spike protein”

What we know about Japan Covid 19 variants until today:

- Japan strain comes from Brazil

- higher infectiousness

- mutations not only to spike protein, but also on the variant ability to evade of our immune system memory.

Good news that the Biontech-Pfizer vaccine ables to fight effectively the UK and South Africa Covid 19 (Sars Cov 2) variants.

However, studies are underway to observe whether any vaccines will work to fight virus variants in Japan.

If not, we might need to upgrade our current vaccines. Hope, we will know soon.