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Do it the Biden way

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Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

That’s right, President-elect Joe Biden! Lead by example. The picture of him shown by CNN getting his shot of the COVID vaccine should have assured his fellow Americans about his trust in it, and encouraged them to “Go and do likewise”. Maybe Donald Trump is now thinking, “Why did I never think of that?” I don’t know if our own President has also undergone vaccination against the COVID 19, but if he has, he should tell his people about it, or show pictures of him being administered the vaccine. Meanwhile, how many vaccinations against this virus have been performed in our country, so far?

***

There was a time I recall, when vaccinations, immunizations, and other health care measures were rendered free to all school children. Does that still happen now? Is our Health Department still as concerned about the well-being of school children? Unlucky, indeed, are these young students if they no longer enjoy (?) such precautions and attention. Sorry for using the word “enjoy”! Of course, nobody did, But my father did not trust the mass inoculations, he preferred to attend to that need himself with his doctor friends and would write to the school to exempt us.

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And now comes this new and mysterious Coronavirus that China has gifted the world. It took some time before a vaccine against it was discovered, but even so, many are still hesitant to undergo it. In the United States, no less than their president-elect Joe Biden, set himself as an example by taking the vaccine in full view through TV, and I don’t doubt that he set a good example by doing so. Meanwhile, what about our President? Has he had his shot, too, and it was only not publicized? Who will dare to ask him?

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We can only sympathize with the British government over what has happened lately. It has not yet been determined how the reports came out, but what they disclosed was that there is a new variant of the COVID 19 there that is more dangerous than the earlier one identified. This has deterred travelers from other countries from going there, and, very likely, also made other countries hesitant about accepting British travelers. I haven’t gotten any news yet about whether that report about a new variant has been confirmed.

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The DAILY STAR headline yesterday was shocking, but nevertheless reassuring. I don’t think the circumstances need much explaining or justification, though. We all know, and often read in the news or heard over the radio and other media, reports of abusive cops,  many of whom manage to get away with their misdeeds. If there are  any citizens of the country who need to have “clean” records, these are our policemen, who are supposed to be the guardians of our safety, and peace and order. But even in recent weeks, we have had reports of cops who themselves got involved in wrongdoings, which is why the number stated in that report is not surprising.

***

How did that happen? I mean, how did we come to have police personnel who themselves are law breakers? Some blame this on politics, that is, such cops were able to enter the service because of the recommendations of officials themselves or other politicians who owe them favors. But how do these cops qualify for entry into the force? What tests do they have to pass, what trainings to undergo? By tests, I refer to both mental, physical and psychological ones. Are these administered, and by whom?

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I hope it is not like the ones I heard of some time ago where a newly hired employee  was heard boasting that she was given a test, but was furnished the answers at the same time. So she only needed to copy them, hand them over, and Voila! She was hired. It is not the same thing with the Civil Service examination where you have to review, crack your brains and recall what you have studied in school, take the examination with thousands of others who have qualified for them, then wait about a year while praying for success.

***

Meanwhile the United States has earmarked $900 Billion as a sort of subsidy for its people. From it, every man, woman and child will receive $600! Can our own country afford to do that, much less, are our officials, the ones we voted into office, capable of sponsoring that? Oh, of course, that is wishful thinking, but how do you know? The Christmas Spirit might overwhelm our leaders and inspire them to go and do likewise! That would bring the Merriest Christmas ever!

No matter, if that does not come, we wish everyone, especially our faithful DAILY STAR readers and supporters, a “BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS for them and their loved ones!”*

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