When will the pandemic end? Will it mutate? Die? Resurrect?Come again, with greater force?
Cornelius Hamelberg
The ramble begins here.
It’s not funny. EU : senior citizens will probably have to stay home till the end of the year
I have already been under lockdown for over a month. The glorious Swedish summer will have to be experienced like pantheist poets who look out of the window and recollect some emotions in tranquillity. Our summer plans, some time in Helsinki, Estonia and then Ireland, now all in ruins.
I fear that under this kind of considerable pressure – being locked in, there will come a time when the spirit will rebel!
In the realm of words, some philosophers talk about a First Cause, whilst in the same realm of words, this time holy words, the men of the cloth love to identify that First Cause as Jesus and as proof they quote these words from the Gospel/ Truth/ Message of Hope according to St. John :
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that hath been made.”
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” - down here on the organism known by us, as planet earth, one of the objects in our solar system
A couple of years ago on the long road journey, mile after mile, parallel with the Caucasus Mountains, even before we arrived at St John's Basilica at Ephesus, I could intuitively understand how John could have written what he wrote, in that kind nature environment, two thousand years ago. Ditto the kind of atmosphere on the island of Patmos could have been the right environment for St John to write his Revelations, the last book of the “New Testament” and the foreboding that life on this planet world would soon be coming to an end.
Fast forward: Yesterday, in a musical mood, Oga Falola made this request:
“let us celebrate with them (all our Christian brothers and sisters) in this moment of death and resurrection, the affirmation of the divinity of Christ:”
(Thus, leaving out all of the Muslims, since they believe that (1) Allah is One. (2) Allah does not have a son. (3) Since Jesus did not die on the cross, all talk of his alleged resurrection is superfluous.)
The Jews have their own beliefs about Resurrection , and there is much talk in Islam about the last day etc.
When I read Oga, the Rev Toyin Falola’s message about “this moment of death and resurrection, the affirmation of the divinity of Christ “, I thought that he was going to follow it up with John 3: 16, which says, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” But one still does not know to what extent his earlier perception has changed since that day, when his character was immersed in a situation fraught with danger and fear, said, ( in “Counting the Tiger's Teeth: An African Teenager's Story”,
“I was worried, nervous in that moment that the end of history was in sight, that the end of the world was near. I would be gone to join my father in heaven, a place of no return. Soon we would all be dead. Our struggles were for a better life, but the end was death. If the dog was dead, we all would follow, slaughtered like him, to be decapitated, brutalised, violently killed. Only, unlike the dog, we had notice, and we prepared for the fatal and violent end. Let it come. We were eager to invite death.”
Well, about the resurrection story, if it was stated today, that those who believe in him, will not perish but have everlasting life, and those who believe in him and die of the coronavirus will resurrect immediately, for everyone to see and believe Needless to say, there would be mass conversions of the unbelieving Thomases. Maybe, all the folks in New York, New Orleans, Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, maybe even Sokoto would hop into the nearest river, to get baptised - Pastor Adeboye and T.B. Joshua would be working overtime and around the clock…
Alas! Some of the theologians and other men of God are busy disputing whether the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a wakeup call or punishment from God, they quote the Gospel According to St. John, that “ All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.” Others say the Coronavirus is from the devil. In the meantime, they are all praying for a miraculous cure from God Who is Good and not from the devil´, the evil guy.
Right now, every Tom, Dick and Sleepy Joe is busy criticizing Trump, saying that he should have acted earlier. As I heard Jeffrey Kofman say on Dateline London, yesterday, the US Presidential Election will not be between Trump and the presumptive Democrat Candidate, it will be between Trump and the Corona virus, i.e. how he handles the problem, between now and November.
Meanwhile, in the realm of science the science detectives (bloodhounds) are keen to trace the genesis of the Coronavirus to its source to some material first cause, so to speak. They seem to believe that it all started in China.
Last night I read this devastating take, in the Times of Israel: Xi Jinping’s China did this
I thought of sending it to Oga Kenneth Harrow, to consult his opinion. I wonder what he thinks about this Times of Israel article…
I scoured the net for IGWE by the Akaso Cultural Society of the Kalabari ( I have it on Vinly ) - it’s real music.
So is Baden Powell
Anthony Akinola
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Cornelius Hamelberg
Sir Anthony,
Why should you say such a thing? I am neither flattered nor flattened or floored. I would take such words from a less generous spirit as nothing less than mockery and from an Oxford shit-man speaking modern Elizabethan it should mean nothing less than “brilliant nonsense” or just happy nonsense, or “poppycock” , some puppy nonsense.
My discipline is saying the Shema in the morning and at night before I go to sleep. Otherwise, I don’t have any discipline to speak of and I have never had any, apart from studying the conjugation of certain Latin verbs, and now the new discipline is nothing but forced confinement - ok, not exactly forced, it’s voluntary; at the same time, I have no choice, so I have to submit: Stay home. It takes some discipline and self-control for any street urchin to stay home. I thank God that it’s not “solitary confinement” – at someplace like Robben Island, because at least here at home there’s my Better Half to make some palaver with and a lot of reading to catch up with. I thank Oga Falola for some of the music he’s posting. So far, the most interesting has been King Sunny Ade. Here’s some Easter music from South Africa : Inyoni Iya Phapha ( The bird has flown)
How are you yourself, Sir? Man must live. Everlasting life after we survive, Amen, but first we have to survive. How are you coping with the fearful virus?
The eight-day long Pesach will end on Thursday, the Orthodox Christians’ will celebrate their Easter on Sunday, April 19 and before then I hope to have read “God’s Revelation to the Human Heart” a 51-page book by Fr. Seraphim Rose. My mentor in this regard is a former concert pianist ( classical music)
My youngest daughter is a theologian. If only we could take solace and refuge in this ancient Chinese thought that there was a time when nothing existed! Call it nihilism if you will but if the coronavirus were to have it’s own way on this planet, we may well be heading back to that time. The second worst thought is that ( so they say) the next depression will make the Great Depression something like heaven. That this time money will lose its value completely. Even the pastors will have to start farming…
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Gloria Emeagwali
What is the real policy over there?
On Apr 14, 2020, at 4:13 AM, Cornelius Hamelberg <hamelberg...@gmail.com> wrote:
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Anthony Akinola
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Cornelius Hamelberg
Dear Gloria in excelsis Emeagwali,
As you may have noticed, you have now become “Dear Gloria”. That’s a great promotion. That’s progress. This is what the dreaded Coronavirus is doing to some of us, it’s one of the Coronavirus’ more positive social effects. Of course, the already anti-social types, the Boko Haram people, for example, don’t need any further encouragement about practising the so-called “social distancing” – no hugs etc., in fact, they are liable to become even more vicious in their interpersonal relationship by practising the opposite of social distancing. That’s why, if such people are not quarantined, they will become a menace to society. BTW, if my wife sees” Dear Gloria” she’s going to poison my coffee.
Whether we like it or not, the rest of us have suddenly all become more aware of our mortality and this includes those who in the special Easter spirit of resurrection and ascension put their hopes in Jesus, fervently believing in everlasting life after death. This awareness of how fragile we are is causing us to be more caring about one another, wherever we are.
Gloria in excelsis Emeagwali and The Glory of Love…
This article by Niklas Rådström posted in today’s Dagens Nyheter, captures the mood of the Swedish nation: When the pandemic is over, we will be here for each other
Earlier in the day, I phoned to ask Baba Kadiri’s advice on how to approach your question, “What is the real policy over there?” – because believe it or not Baba Kadiri is a great Swedish nationalist and that’s why in answering your question I must avoid stepping on his toes.
Briefly, Sweden not being a totalitarian state, the authorities have been giving us advice and encouragement to follow that advice, for our own good and for the good of the nation and the rest of the world. There are two choices open to every country and region of the world: it’s either lockdown or herd immunity, or, no matter the circumstances, a judicious combination of both strategies.
Here’s the latest: Sweden : strategy for the Coronavirus
So far, the idea has been that if you are a senior citizen and you have any symptoms you ought to stay at home. if the symptoms get worse, then you phone for an ambulance. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you ought to stay at home – out of harm’s way, because there are people going around who have been infected but don’t know that they are infected. The scientific idea behind the ”flock immunity” is that if 70% of the population/flock is infected, that will stop the virus being transmitted within that population. On the whole, we are a very disciplined, well informed and obedient lot in this country. My Better Half is glued to the TV every day, starting at 1400 hrs when there is a press conference linking our collective fate to the Coronavirus.
When we go out for our daily 4-5,000 steps walk , Dalen is like a Ghost town. It seems like everybody is staying home. I haven’t seen mu grandson Malcolm for month! His father brings us food supplies twice a week.
Unfortunately, some of the African brethren (as always) think that they are stronger than the Oyibo and more resistant to whatever can be thrown their way, especially the East African and Southern African brethren. One was telling me today, “I am not afraid of the Coronavirus!” The same type who the doctor tells, “You need complete rest for two months” and is out playing footsie and big booty after two weeks.
Today, every Swede that I know is acting in the spirit of the Alfred Nobel Peace Prize, and there are of course those who are working assiduously with the intention of being awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine – for coming up with a vaccine that will enable our lives to return to normality. I talked to an Iranian-Swedish scientist just two days ago - at this point they are working on some diagnoses…
Just imagine how happy Trump would be if the Islamic Republic of Iran will be the one to declare, “We now have a vaccine! “
I think that Trump would send Mike Pompeo, pronto, to Tehran to clinch the second deal of the century, except that Supreme Leader might say, “Nice try, Mike, but no cigar!” He might even make some ridiculous demands, such that he will only talk to Barack Obama and Vali Nasr
This article by the Dagens Nyheter correspondent in Africa should interest the USA- Africa Dialogue Series : Chinese aid is part of a power struggle in Africa
Please Stay safe!
There’s also Joao Gilberto
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/usaafricadialogue/97059D94-4C5B-407F-815F-1CD7B9846ED3%40gmail.com.
OLAYINKA AGBETUYI
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More info Dear Gloria in excelsis Emeagwali,
As you may have noticed, you have now become “Dear Gloria”. That’s a great promotion. That’s progress. This is what the dreaded Coronavirus is doing to some of us, it’s one of the Coronavirus’ more positive social effects. Of course, the already anti-social types, the Boko Haram people, for example, don’t need any further encouragement about practising the so-called “social distancing” – no hugs etc., in fact, they are liable to become even more vicious in their interpersonal relationship by practising the opposite of social distancing. That’s why, if such people are not quarantined, they will become a menace to society. BTW, if my wife sees” Dear Gloria” she’s going to poison my coffee.
Whether we like it or not, the rest of us have suddenly all become more aware of our mortality and this includes those who in the special Easter spirit of resurrection and ascension put their hopes in Jesus, fervently believing in everlasting life after death. This awareness of how fragile we are is causing us to be more caring about one another, wherever we are.
Gloria in excelsis Emeagwali and The Glory of Love…
This article by Niklas Rådström posted in today’s Dagens Nyheter, captures the mood of the Swedish nation: When the pandemic is over, we will be here for each other
Earlier in the day, I phoned to ask Baba Kadiri’s advice on how to approach your question, “What is the real policy over there?” – because believe it or not Baba Kadiri is a great Swedish nationalist and that’s why in answering your question I must avoid stepping on his toes.
Briefly, Sweden not being a totalitarian state, the authorities have been giving us advice and encouragement to follow that advice, for our own good and for the good of the nation and the rest of the world. There are two choices open to every country and region of the world: it’s either lockdown or herd immunity, or, no matter the circumstances, a judicious combination of both strategies.
Here’s the latest: Sweden : strategy for the Coronavirus
So far, the idea has been that if you are a senior citizen and you have any symptoms you ought to stay at home. if the symptoms get worse, then you phone for an ambulance. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you ought to stay at home – out of harm’s way, because there are people going around who have been infected but don’t know that they are infected. The scientific idea behind the ”flock immunity” is that if 70% of the population/flock is infected, that will stop the virus being transmitted within that population. On the whole, we are a very disciplined, well informed and obedient lot in this country. My Better Half is glued to the TV every day, starting at 1400 hrs when there is a press conference linking our collective fate to the Coronavirus.
When we go out for our daily 4-5,000 steps walk , Dalen is like a Ghost town. It seems like everybody is staying home. I haven’t seen mu grandson Malcolm for month! His father brings us food supplies twice a week.
Unfortunately, some of the African brethren (as always) think that they are stronger than the Oyibo and more resistant to whatever can be thrown their way, especially the East African and Southern African brethren. One was telling me today, “I am not afraid of the Coronavirus!” The same type who the doctor tells, “You need complete rest for two months” and is out playing footsie and big booty after two weeks.
Today, every Swede that I know is acting in the spirit of the Alfred Nobel Peace Prize, and there are of course those who are working assiduously with the intention of being awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine – for coming up with a vaccine that will enable our lives to return to normality. I talked to an Iranian-Swedish scientist just two days ago - at this point they are working on some diagnoses…
Just imagine how happy Trump would be if the Islamic Republic of Iran will be the one to declare, “We now have a vaccine! “
I think that Trump would send Mike Pompeo, pronto, to Tehran to clinch the second deal of the century, except that Supreme Leader might say, “Nice try, Mike, but no cigar!” He might even make some ridiculous demands, such that he will only talk to Barack Obama and Vali Nasr
This article by the Dagens Nyheter correspondent in Africa should interest the USA- Africa Dialogue Series : Chinese aid is part of a power struggle in Africa
Please Stay safe!
There’s also Joao Gilberto
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/usaafricadialogue/97059D94-4C5B-407F-815F-1CD7B9846ED3%40gmail.com.
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
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Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM
Talking about policy. The policy here(Arugo Motor Park Owerri) is that if your throat itches and you have dry cough, chew "bitter kola" (with alligator pepper if you like) and if you have headache and fever, drink "dongoyara" or any other herbal mixture. If you have respiratory problems, drink hot "pepper soup".
We have been surviving this way, everyone is healthy here.
CAO.
Cornelius Hamelberg
Sir Anthony,
I am fondly trying to imagine your woolly Wole Soyinka look
You, banned
The barber also banned
Banned from vising you.
My deepest apologies for not receiving your compliment in good faith. I attribute it to an upbringing in which veneration of the elders and knowing one’s place was of the essence. Hopefully, that home training will never desert me.
Lord Olayinka Agbetuyi renewed my license when he said, “At least some are making the effort to make the listserv the fun it’s supposed to be instead of wishing each other dead for the sake of an argument.”
Yesterday, in discussing the vituperation that occasionally erupts in this forum, the contending parties each in his own corner,
in one corner our man in Atlanta, Cyberspace, choleric, hyperbolic, big grammar, big gob, big bomb, big bombast, big bomb blast, going for Brother Buhari’s jugular, waving his flag on which is printed his motto ”The First Amendment” - reminiscent of the White Supremacy Summit at Charlottesville and the Black is Beautiful Reception Committee in place, ready for any eventuality and waiting, just in case (of which meeting Trump said, “ There are good people on both sides”) forgetting that Jesus said, “Call no man good, save our Father, God, Who is a Heaven” - call no man good, not even Joe Biden or that Apartheidist South African son-of-bitch in the movie Lethal Weapon who was waving his passport in which it was written “Diplomatic Immunity” -
and in the Scandinavian corner acting as Brother Buhari’s defence attorney, our hero in Ösmo waving his Swedish-Nigerian flag on which is written “Freedom of Speech” –
well, I was discussing with the latter about the latest event and in response to something I said, he retorted, “Do you think Professor Falola is older than me? “
to which I replied, “No, but he is our King!”
I’m also wishing you and your family, and our King and his family, and Baba Kadiri and his family, and Professor Farooq Kperogi and his family, all the great things and may we all survive the coronavirus because it’s all about SURVIVAL
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Anthony Akinola
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Cornelius Hamelberg
Coronavirus OPINION: Are Swedes naive or the only adults in the room? - The Local
Much more worrying: AFRICA: UN report warns more than THREE MILLION people could die ...
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Harrow, Kenneth
kenneth harrow
professor emeritus
dept of english
michigan state university
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2020 9:01 PM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - When will the pandemic end? Will it mutate? Die? Resurrect?Come again, with greater force?