csmonitor--2020-09-09--British government bans gatherings of more than six

The British government has sought to tighten its grip on the coronavirus in England , banning gatherings of more than six people and launching a new public information campaign .
The new limits on social gatherings in England are set to stay in place for the “ foreseeable future , ” potentially until or even through Christmas , British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday .
Mr. Hancock said the new limit , which covers both indoor and outdoor gatherings and will come into force on Monday , Sept. 14 , 2020 , will provide “ more clarity ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent sharp spike in new coronavirus cases .
One reason cited for the pick-up in cases is that many people have been confused over the past few months since the lockdown started to be eased over the myriad of guidelines on gatherings .
Scientists say a clear message is crucial in containing pandemics .
Though there are exemptions , such as for schools , workplaces , and “ life events ” like funerals and weddings , the government is hoping the new limits will be easily understood and followed , especially as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – 100 pounds ( $ 130 ) for a first offense , up to a potential 3,200 pounds .
The ban on gatherings of more than six people was announced late Tuesday , following the spike that has been largely blamed on party-going young adults disregarding social distancing rules .
The other nations of the U.K. – Scotland , Wales , and Northern Ireland – have not followed suit though they also have their own different limitations on gatherings .
Stephen Griffin , associate professor in the school of medicine at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ welcome and timely ” but that “ it would be wise for all the nations to co-ordinate in their response , and to learn from each other where various approaches have been successful.
” The British government , which has sole responsibility for health matters in England , said the new limit was needed after the number of daily laboratory-confirmed positive cases hit nearly 3,000 on Sunday .
The figure dipped Tuesday to 2,460 .
Mr. Hancock said he hoped that the new rules , coupled with local actions being taken in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will “ turn this around ” before Christmas .
“ Our first line of defense is social distancing so this will be in place for the foreseeable future , ” he said .
Mr. Hancock said the new limitations on gatherings will be complemented by tighter rules for the hospitality sector .
He said pubs and restaurants will be legally obliged to take the contact details of every customer for purposes of the government ’ s test and trace program .
More details are set to be announced later Wednesday when Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking weekly questions in the House of Commons .
Mr. Johnson ’ s Conservative government has faced strong criticism for its mixed messages since it started easing the coronavirus lockdown in late spring .
It spent much of the summer encouraging people to eat out to help the hard-pressed hospitality sector and is now urging workers to return to their offices to help hard-hit businesses in city centers .
In a further attempt to provide clarity , the government launched a new public information campaign to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ Hands .
Face .
Space ” campaign is intended to hammer home the message to the public to carry on with hygiene and social distancing measures in the months ahead .
“ Following these simple steps could make a significant difference in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and help protect you and your friends , colleagues , and family from the virus , ” said Chris Whitty , the government ’ s chief medical officer .
The U.K. has Europe ’ s worst death toll from the virus , with nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
The actual toll is believed to be far higher as the government tally does not include those who died without having been tested .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .

The British government has sought to tighten its grip on the coronavirus in England, banning gatherings of more than six people and launching a new public information campaign.
The new limits on social gatherings in England are set to stay in place for the “foreseeable future,” potentially until or even through Christmas, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday.
Mr. Hancock said the new limit, which covers both indoor and outdoor gatherings and will come into force on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, will provide “more clarity” to people and is aimed at damping down a recent sharp spike in new coronavirus cases.
One reason cited for the pick-up in cases is that many people have been confused over the past few months since the lockdown started to be eased over the myriad of guidelines on gatherings. Scientists say a clear message is crucial in containing pandemics.
“It’s super simple,” Mr. Hancock told BBC radio.
Though there are exemptions, such as for schools, workplaces, and “life events” like funerals and weddings, the government is hoping the new limits will be easily understood and followed, especially as those flouting the rules could be fined – 100 pounds ($130) for a first offense, up to a potential 3,200 pounds.
The ban on gatherings of more than six people was announced late Tuesday, following the spike that has been largely blamed on party-going young adults disregarding social distancing rules.
The other nations of the U.K. – Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – have not followed suit though they also have their own different limitations on gatherings.
Stephen Griffin, associate professor in the school of medicine at the University of Leeds said the new limits are “welcome and timely” but that “it would be wise for all the nations to co-ordinate in their response, and to learn from each other where various approaches have been successful.”
The British government, which has sole responsibility for health matters in England, said the new limit was needed after the number of daily laboratory-confirmed positive cases hit nearly 3,000 on Sunday. The figure dipped Tuesday to 2,460.
Mr. Hancock said he hoped that the new rules, coupled with local actions being taken in a number of towns and regions, will “turn this around” before Christmas.
“Our first line of defense is social distancing so this will be in place for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Mr. Hancock said the new limitations on gatherings will be complemented by tighter rules for the hospitality sector. He said pubs and restaurants will be legally obliged to take the contact details of every customer for purposes of the government’s test and trace program.
More details are set to be announced later Wednesday when Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosts a press briefing after taking weekly questions in the House of Commons.
Mr. Johnson’s Conservative government has faced strong criticism for its mixed messages since it started easing the coronavirus lockdown in late spring. It spent much of the summer encouraging people to eat out to help the hard-pressed hospitality sector and is now urging workers to return to their offices to help hard-hit businesses in city centers.
In a further attempt to provide clarity, the government launched a new public information campaign to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, particularly in indoor environments during winter. The “Hands. Face. Space” campaign is intended to hammer home the message to the public to carry on with hygiene and social distancing measures in the months ahead.
“Following these simple steps could make a significant difference in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and help protect you and your friends, colleagues, and family from the virus,” said Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer.
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The U.K. has Europe’s worst death toll from the virus, with nearly 41,600 deaths within 28 days of testing positive. The actual toll is believed to be far higher as the government tally does not include those who died without having been tested.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-09-09--Why Native Americans fight to be counted in 2020 census

When Lauri Kindness was growing up , her hometown on the Crow Indian Reservation had an arcade , movie theater , gas stations , and family cafe along streets shaded by towering cottonwood trees near a bend in the Little Bighorn River .
Today , there ’ s only a small grocer and a propane dealer among the deserted lots scattered through downtown Lodge Grass .
Ms. Kindness is back here after more than a dozen years in the U.S. Army , including four combat tours , and she wants to help her people .
One essential step , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the once-a-decade U.S. census , which will determine how much federal money flows in for housing , schools , health care and other dire needs .
Reaching a full count on most reservations now looks nearly impossible .
Less than a month before the Sept. 30 deadline , just a fraction of people have been counted on Crow land , where the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll .
President Donald Trump 's administration has pushed the Census Bureau to speed up the timeline for the count , and the Republican-controlled Senate failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue into next year .
That has exacerbated concerns by civil rights groups and others of hard-to-count communities getting missed , especially people of color like Native Americans .
So Ms. Kindness , an activist for a Native American nonprofit , spends her days sweating in a mask and face shield under the merciless summer sun , urging drivers to fill out the forms at drive-thru census sign-up stations , including in Lodge Grass , known among the Crow as Aashbacheeitche , or Valley of the Chiefs .
“ Our ancestors fought for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , ” she said .
“ At the end of the day , if I ’ m tired and exhausted because I ’ ve made just a little bit of an impact on somebody ... then I feel good .
The fight was worth it.
” With millions of federal dollars for impoverished Native American communities on the line , tribes are racing to avoid being undercounted – again – in the 2020 census .
Only 24 % of residents of Montana tribal areas had been counted as of Sept. 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
There are more than 300 reservations nationwide , and almost all trail significantly behind the rest of the country in the count .
There have long been geographic and cultural challenges counting people on Native lands .
But the pandemic has dealt a devastating new setback , with lockdowns keeping census takers away as Indian Country has struggled with disproportionate numbers of infections and a lack of internet access that prevents people from filling out the questionnaire online .
“ We ’ re probably looking at a historic undercount , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Census National Advisory Committee .
“ It ’ s not going to be enough time.
” Missing a single family of four in Indian Country translates to $ 14,000 a year in lost federal funding , he said .
Census data also is used to determine representation in Congress and could give two Western states , Arizona and Montana , another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives .
In Montana , an undercount of a few thousand people could mean the state misses the threshold , leaving it with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans are far from the only U.S. community of color facing a potential undercount , and a group of cities , counties , civil rights groups and the Navajo Nation are suing to extend the deadline .
A judge in California over the weekend issued a restraining order that stops the Census Bureau from winding down its operations until a federal court hearing next week .
Advocates like Lycia Maddocks with the National Congress of American Indians are pushing for Congress to step in and allow more time .
She ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count among friends and relatives in the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe in the desert along the Mexican border .
“ It ’ s going to have a devastating impact to Indian Country , ” she said .
“ It will have lasting effects over the next 10 years .
That ’ s a fact.
” Like many reservations , Crow in Montana has wide-open spaces – it ’ s almost twice as large as Delaware with a population of about 8,000 tribal members .
Many older people speak the Crow language .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ double the rest of the country .
The distances , language barriers and wariness of giving up details about sometimes-crowded living conditions have long made it difficult to get an accurate census count , especially given a distrust of the federal government rooted in a history of broken treaties .
“ There ’ s always that old stereotype of the census man being somebody that you can ’ t trust , ” said Lance Four Star , a resident of Montana ’ s Fort Peck Indian Reservation who works with Ms. Kindness at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play out on reservations nationwide .
In the 2010 census , 5.2 million people identified as Native American .
But the Census Bureau estimated those living on reservations were undercounted by 4.9 % , twice as much as any other group .
Most people filled out this year ’ s census online , another challenge in tribal areas where many homes don ’ t have internet access .
Then came the pandemic , which hit tribes hard .
In Montana , more than 20 % of confirmed COVID-19 cases are among Native Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population .
The country ’ s largest reservation , the Navajo Nation , at one point had the highest infection rate in the United States .
The devastating spread of the virus on reservations has led to extended lockdowns , curfews and strict rules against outsiders .
The Census Bureau had planned to send workers to reservations and other rural areas to drop off paper questionnaires during the critical spring months , but the pandemic delayed that plan until summer , when many tribes were still grappling with the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribal members to increase trust in the process .
The pandemic made that harder , too , said Fred Stevenson , a tribal expert with the Census Bureau .
Lockdowns delayed in-person counting efforts , and census activists canceled door-to-door events on tribal lands , turning to social media instead .
Ms. Kindness still keeps up her efforts online and in person , leveraging her extensive social network .
“ Come down and sign up .
Tell all your BFFs , ” she said on the phone during a lull in the drive-thru @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hustle your bustle .
Move your moccasins.
’ ” Response rates are now climbing , but not fast enough .
Ms. Kindness said she ’ ll keep working until the deadline .
“ This is near and dear to my heart , ” she said .
“ We have to stand up and try to be seen and have our voices heard.
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .

Matthew Brown, Iris Samuels, and Lindsay Whitehurst

When Lauri Kindness was growing up, her hometown on the Crow Indian Reservation had an arcade, movie theater, gas stations, and family cafe along streets shaded by towering cottonwood trees near a bend in the Little Bighorn River. Today, there’s only a small grocer and a propane dealer among the deserted lots scattered through downtown Lodge Grass.
Ms. Kindness is back here after more than a dozen years in the U.S. Army, including four combat tours, and she wants to help her people. One essential step, she said, is an accurate count on the once-a-decade U.S. census, which will determine how much federal money flows in for housing, schools, health care and other dire needs.
Reaching a full count on most reservations now looks nearly impossible. Less than a month before the Sept. 30 deadline, just a fraction of people have been counted on Crow land, where the coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll.
President Donald Trump's administration has pushed the Census Bureau to speed up the timeline for the count, and the Republican-controlled Senate failed to pass an extension allowing it to continue into next year. That has exacerbated concerns by civil rights groups and others of hard-to-count communities getting missed, especially people of color like Native Americans.
So Ms. Kindness, an activist for a Native American nonprofit, spends her days sweating in a mask and face shield under the merciless summer sun, urging drivers to fill out the forms at drive-thru census sign-up stations, including in Lodge Grass, known among the Crow as Aashbacheeitche, or Valley of the Chiefs.
“Our ancestors fought for a reason – for us to be here,” she said. “At the end of the day, if I’m tired and exhausted because I’ve made just a little bit of an impact on somebody ... then I feel good. The fight was worth it.”
With millions of federal dollars for impoverished Native American communities on the line, tribes are racing to avoid being undercounted – again – in the 2020 census. Only 24% of residents of Montana tribal areas had been counted as of Sept. 1, woefully lagging the national rate of 85%. There are more than 300 reservations nationwide, and almost all trail significantly behind the rest of the country in the count.
There have long been geographic and cultural challenges counting people on Native lands. But the pandemic has dealt a devastating new setback, with lockdowns keeping census takers away as Indian Country has struggled with disproportionate numbers of infections and a lack of internet access that prevents people from filling out the questionnaire online.
“We’re probably looking at a historic undercount,” said James Tucker, vice chairman of the U.S. Census National Advisory Committee. “It’s not going to be enough time.”
Missing a single family of four in Indian Country translates to $14,000 a year in lost federal funding, he said.
Census data also is used to determine representation in Congress and could give two Western states, Arizona and Montana, another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In Montana, an undercount of a few thousand people could mean the state misses the threshold, leaving it with a single voice in the House.
Native Americans are far from the only U.S. community of color facing a potential undercount, and a group of cities, counties, civil rights groups and the Navajo Nation are suing to extend the deadline. A judge in California over the weekend issued a restraining order that stops the Census Bureau from winding down its operations until a federal court hearing next week.
Advocates like Lycia Maddocks with the National Congress of American Indians are pushing for Congress to step in and allow more time. She’s been home in Arizona, helping boost the count among friends and relatives in the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe in the desert along the Mexican border.
“It’s going to have a devastating impact to Indian Country,” she said. “It will have lasting effects over the next 10 years. That’s a fact.”
Like many reservations, Crow in Montana has wide-open spaces – it’s almost twice as large as Delaware with a population of about 8,000 tribal members. Many older people speak the Crow language. Its poverty rate is 25%, double the rest of the country.
The distances, language barriers and wariness of giving up details about sometimes-crowded living conditions have long made it difficult to get an accurate census count, especially given a distrust of the federal government rooted in a history of broken treaties.
“There’s always that old stereotype of the census man being somebody that you can’t trust,” said Lance Four Star, a resident of Montana’s Fort Peck Indian Reservation who works with Ms. Kindness at Montana-based Western Native Voice.
Similar factors play out on reservations nationwide. In the 2010 census, 5.2 million people identified as Native American. But the Census Bureau estimated those living on reservations were undercounted by 4.9%, twice as much as any other group.
Most people filled out this year’s census online, another challenge in tribal areas where many homes don’t have internet access.
Then came the pandemic, which hit tribes hard. In Montana, more than 20% of confirmed COVID-19 cases are among Native Americans, who make up only 7% of the population. The country’s largest reservation, the Navajo Nation, at one point had the highest infection rate in the United States.
The devastating spread of the virus on reservations has led to extended lockdowns, curfews and strict rules against outsiders. The Census Bureau had planned to send workers to reservations and other rural areas to drop off paper questionnaires during the critical spring months, but the pandemic delayed that plan until summer, when many tribes were still grappling with the virus.
Bureau officials also hoped to hire local tribal members to increase trust in the process. The pandemic made that harder, too, said Fred Stevenson, a tribal expert with the Census Bureau.
Lockdowns delayed in-person counting efforts, and census activists canceled door-to-door events on tribal lands, turning to social media instead. Ms. Kindness still keeps up her efforts online and in person, leveraging her extensive social network.
“Come down and sign up. Tell all your BFFs,” she said on the phone during a lull in the drive-thru effort. “Tell them: ‘Hustle your bustle. Move your moccasins.’”
Response rates are now climbing, but not fast enough. Ms. Kindness said she’ll keep working until the deadline.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“This is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “We have to stand up and try to be seen and have our voices heard.”
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-09-10--The subtle sexism behind words such as ‘feisty’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is one feisty woman , according to the news media .
Vox.com reported that she “ looked feisty ” in the 2020 Nevada Democratic debate , and The Washington Post in 2016 referred to her and Hillary Clinton , the Democratic nominee for president at the time , as “ feisty grandmothers.
” At first glance , feisty seems like a compliment .
Merriam-Webster defines it as “ having or showing a lively aggressiveness : spunky , ” while Oxford Dictionaries chooses “ lively , determined , and courageous.
” Feisty , along with spunky and plucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even while it ostensibly praises .
As Oxford Dictionaries points out , feisty is typically used for people “ who [ are ] relatively small or weak , ” who might not be expected to display a lot of energy or courage .
As activists and politicians from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Senator Warren could attest , this is a label often pasted onto women .
Author Katha Pollitt argues that feisty is “ the one-word version of ‘ You ’ re so cute when you ’ re mad , ’ ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this connotation arose .
It comes from feist , a breed of small hunting dog popular in the Southern United States .
These animals spend a lot of time barking , yapping , and wiggling – cute and funny , but not serious and impressive .
Men are rarely considered feisty , unless they are older .
Bernie Sanders often gets called feisty too , as if the media is surprised that he cares passionately and speaks forcefully in his late 70s .
The definition of spunky is “ spirited , ” or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Scottish spunk , “ spark of fire.
” But it too has been cutified .
If grandmothers are the archetypal feisty people , then small young women , such as gymnast Simone Biles , are considered spunky .
Plucky is also reserved for “ little ” things that have courage beyond what might be expected of them .
It ’ s often applied to women , as with the trope of the “ plucky heroine ” who solves a mystery , finds a treasure , or succeeds at a job , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , prides itself on being “ a plucky nation , ” and in the 19th century , young lads were plucky too , so the term doesn ’ t have the same connotation as the others .
Some newspapers have acknowledged that these words can be subtly sexist , as well as ageist .
The Guardian in Britain banned feisty when used to describe women , while the Women ’ s Media Center encourages journalists not to use “ gendered terms such as ‘ feisty , ’ ‘ spirited , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use them on a male candidate.
” What to say instead ?
Jane Curtis , the centenarian activist recently profiled in The Christian Science Monitor , calls herself and other women in her life “ tough.
” That seems about right .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is one feisty woman, according to the news media. Vox.com reported that she “looked feisty” in the 2020 Nevada Democratic debate, and The Washington Post in 2016 referred to her and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president at the time, as “feisty grandmothers.”
At first glance, feisty seems like a compliment. Merriam-Webster defines it as “having or showing a lively aggressiveness: spunky,” while Oxford Dictionaries chooses “lively, determined, and courageous.”
Feisty, along with spunky and plucky, is an adjective that subtly undermines even while it ostensibly praises. As Oxford Dictionaries points out, feisty is typically used for people “who [are] relatively small or weak,” who might not be expected to display a lot of energy or courage. As activists and politicians from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Senator Warren could attest, this is a label often pasted onto women.
Author Katha Pollitt argues that feisty is “the one-word version of ‘You’re so cute when you’re mad,’” and the word’s etymology suggests how this connotation arose. It comes from feist, a breed of small hunting dog popular in the Southern United States. These animals spend a lot of time barking, yapping, and wiggling – cute and funny, but not serious and impressive. Men are rarely considered feisty, unless they are older. Bernie Sanders often gets called feisty too, as if the media is surprised that he cares passionately and speaks forcefully in his late 70s.
The definition of spunky is “spirited,” or “courageous and determined,” from the Scottish spunk, “spark of fire.” But it too has been cutified. If grandmothers are the archetypal feisty people, then small young women, such as gymnast Simone Biles, are considered spunky.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Plucky is also reserved for “little” things that have courage beyond what might be expected of them. It’s often applied to women, as with the trope of the “plucky heroine” who solves a mystery, finds a treasure, or succeeds at a job, despite being out of her depth. Britain, though, prides itself on being “a plucky nation,” and in the 19th century, young lads were plucky too, so the term doesn’t have the same connotation as the others.
Some newspapers have acknowledged that these words can be subtly sexist, as well as ageist. The Guardian in Britain banned feisty when used to describe women, while the Women’s Media Center encourages journalists not to use “gendered terms such as ‘feisty,’ ‘spirited,’ ‘opinionated’ UNLESS your outlet would use them on a male candidate.” What to say instead? Jane Curtis, the centenarian activist recently profiled in The Christian Science Monitor, calls herself and other women in her life “tough.” That seems about right.


csmonitor--2020-09-10--Working from the road: ‘Van life’ trend gets a pandemic bump

“ The pandemic is really accelerating it , ” says Jonathon Day , an associate professor at Purdue University ’ s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management .
“ People are keen to travel [ and ] frustrated with being stuck at home .
When they ’ re traveling , they want to control as much as they can.
” The pandemic interrupted vacationing , socializing , and freely interacting with others , but van life offers a way to have new experiences and feel part of a community .
And for many like Ms. Mickler , the appeal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a van parked on open land .
She is having a van custom-outfitted for this new lifestyle – joining the ranks of a growing “ van life ” community across North America .
It was pretty simple : “ If I ’ m going to buy a house anyways , why don ’ t I buy something that ’ s mobile ?
” Mary Mickler is looking to roam .
She works as a nurse in Arkansas , and always planned to put down roots .
But after the pandemic began , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an option – spending three-month stints working in hospitals around the country .
For Carly Kraft , Justin Bartlett , and their dog , Maggie , a new and more mobile life is coming into view .
As musicians with bands and day jobs in technology , the couple recently purchased a “ skoolie ” – a school bus – to convert into a camper-meets-tour-van .
Eventually , they hope to live in it and tour the country playing music .
For now , they ’ re staying in West Virginia as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early phases of demolition .
The pandemic has in a way propelled them into pursuing a longtime dream .
“ We didn ’ t want to be tied down to any specific place [ and ] we wanted to be able to tour America playing music , ” says Ms. Kraft .
Her job and Mr. Bartlett ’ s were in-person before the pandemic , but now they ’ ve both been told they ’ ll be working remotely indefinitely .
For them , that was ideal .
“ COVID provided the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And even though they don ’ t have much experience with creating a home on wheels , “ there are so many forums online , there are so many Facebook groups , and people are just incredibly helpful , ” says Ms. Kraft .
A niche community before the pandemic , the number of people devoted to “ van life ” is now growing rapidly .
For many , this lifestyle has appeal as a relatively safe way to travel and to prize experiences over home ownership .
The pandemic interrupted vacationing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , but van life offers a way to have new experiences and feel part of a community .
“ The pandemic is really accelerating it , ” says Jonathon Day , an associate professor at Purdue University ’ s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management .
“ People are keen to travel [ and ] frustrated with being stuck at home .
When they ’ re traveling , they want to control as much as they can.
” The trend comes in many flavors .
Sometimes exotic destinations like Bermuda are marketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes the nomadic life is coupled with full-time work ; sometimes it ’ s more of a part-time lifestyle – finding respite in rolling vacations or weekend getaways .
But a common thread is the goal of blending quietude and community in a mobile lifestyle .
And Dr. Day sees van life as a subset of a larger trend during the pandemic : Local travel and road trips are parts of tourism showing a strong recovery , as opposed to travel by plane or to crowded places like big cities .
Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to roam .
She works as a nurse in Arkansas , and always planned to put down roots .
But after the pandemic began , she started to rethink travel nursing as an option – spending three-month stints working in hospitals around the country .
It was pretty simple : “ If I ’ m going to buy a house anyways , why don ’ t I buy something that ’ s mobile ?
” She found an outfitter in her town and is having a van custom-outfitted before she hits the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her travels land her in a spot she loves , she ’ ll settle down there .
Or , she ’ ll return to Arkansas .
Ms. Mickler is keeping her future open .
For now , the “ off-grid ” aspect and peacefulness of spending time in her van parked on open land is appealing .
Travelers across the board want to spend time with loved ones , are prioritizing nature and avoiding crowds , and are pursuing relaxation and peace of mind , finds an Aug. 24 update from Destination Analysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Relaxation is always important in travel , ” but it ’ s valued differently right now , and people are seeking peace of mind through nature , says Erin Francis-Cummings , the firm ’ s president and CEO .
“ The wariness of other people is a big consideration , ” says Ms. Francis-Cummings .
“ Sprinter vans – that ’ s an easy way to achieve these things.
” The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans , along with some similar competitors , are more affordable than recreational vehicles but large enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not every community rolls out the welcome mat .
Van life is growing “ to the point where it ’ s getting [ to be ] an issue in popular destinations , ” and cities like Squamish , British Columbia , are passing bylaws to ban van life within town limits , say Antoine Gagne and Isabelle Richard , who were interviewed by email from their life on the road .
Three years ago , the Canadian couple quit their engineering jobs , sold their house , and hit the road in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been loving “ van life ” since , blending remote work maintaining their website , faroutride.com – a go-to resource for people interested in converting vans – with mountain biking and other adventures .
The website has seen nearly double the traffic since the pandemic .
For a time they rented an apartment in British Columbia , partly because of travel restrictions within the province .
“ As opposed to what you would think , it ’ s easier to isolate in an apartment than in a van .
Indeed , we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store and access facilities when in our van , ” they wrote .
Amrit Bhavinani always loved camping and cherishes the memories that come with it – like the time a bear looted his family ’ s provisions for s ’ mores .
When the virus held his travel plans at bay and grounded his work in events and online marketing , confining him to his home in Atlanta , Mr. Bhavinani started his own livestreamed show on StreamYard , Camp Quarantine , as a way to connect people , encourage outdoor activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he yearned for more person-to-person interaction .
And in June , Mr. Bhavinani realized the pandemic may continue to alter life for some time , so he purchased a van .
He ’ s found a new community in van-lifers .
“ Everyone wants to help each other ” with their van projects , he says .
“ I ’ m reconnecting with people ... and seeing things that I definitely otherwise wouldn ’ t have.
” Many millennials are purchasing vans , but so are retirees , and rental demand is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , marketing manager at Warner Vans of Utah , an authorized Sprinter dealer .
For Rafi Caroline in Houston , van life has long been appealing , but his wife is training as a physician – not the most conducive to life on the road .
They like to travel , but are avoiding planes right now , so using a van for weekend getaways is a good solution .
Plus , their dog can join them .
Mr. Caroline worked from home before the pandemic , but now that his wife is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he plans to use his van as an office during the day .
Since he and his wife aren ’ t planning on living out of their van , it ’ s more of a luxury item .
“ It makes sense , because otherwise I would have to rent an office space.
” It ’ s also appealing to have a change of pace , says Dr. Day of Purdue University .
“ This notion of the pandemic being Groundhog Day and being stuck in your home , doing the same thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out and explore a little bit with a camper or a car ” is popular .
National and state parks have had strong attendance since the pandemic , so “ I think there ’ s a real need just for people to get short breaks and still be safe .
The van sort of gives you the ability to do both.
” Ms. Mickler from Arkansas , who considers herself a “ people person , ” is excited for what the future may hold .
“ My favorite thing is meeting strangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Mickler .
“ I can ’ t wait for the people I will meet in that way .
”

“The pandemic is really accelerating it,” says Jonathon Day, an associate professor at Purdue University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “People are keen to travel [and] frustrated with being stuck at home. When they’re traveling, they want to control as much as they can.”
The pandemic interrupted vacationing, socializing, and freely interacting with others, but van life offers a way to have new experiences and feel part of a community. And for many like Ms. Mickler, the appeal is also about the peacefulness of spending time in a van parked on open land.
She is having a van custom-outfitted for this new lifestyle – joining the ranks of a growing “van life” community across North America.
With its social distancing protocols, the pandemic has tested people’s resiliency while living in relative isolation. Here’s how one growing community is finding some release – by getting homes they can take on the road.
It was pretty simple: “If I’m going to buy a house anyways, why don’t I buy something that’s mobile?”
Mary Mickler is looking to roam. She works as a nurse in Arkansas, and always planned to put down roots. But after the pandemic began, she started to rethink travel nursing as an option – spending three-month stints working in hospitals around the country.
For Carly Kraft, Justin Bartlett, and their dog, Maggie, a new and more mobile life is coming into view. As musicians with bands and day jobs in technology, the couple recently purchased a “skoolie” – a school bus – to convert into a camper-meets-tour-van. Eventually, they hope to live in it and tour the country playing music.
For now, they’re staying in West Virginia as they outfit it themselves, and are in the early phases of demolition.
The pandemic has in a way propelled them into pursuing a longtime dream.
Why We Wrote This With its social distancing protocols, the pandemic has tested people’s resiliency while living in relative isolation. Here’s how one growing community is finding some release – by getting homes they can take on the road.
“We didn’t want to be tied down to any specific place [and] we wanted to be able to tour America playing music,” says Ms. Kraft.
Her job and Mr. Bartlett’s were in-person before the pandemic, but now they’ve both been told they’ll be working remotely indefinitely. For them, that was ideal. “COVID provided the perfect storm,” says Ms. Kraft.
And even though they don’t have much experience with creating a home on wheels, “there are so many forums online, there are so many Facebook groups, and people are just incredibly helpful,” says Ms. Kraft.
A niche community before the pandemic, the number of people devoted to what many call “vanlife” is now growing rapidly. For many, this lifestyle has appeal as a relatively safe way to travel and to prize experiences over home ownership. The pandemic interrupted vacationing, socializing, and freely interacting with others, but van life offers a way to have new experiences and feel part of a community.
“The pandemic is really accelerating it,” says Jonathon Day, an associate professor at Purdue University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “People are keen to travel [and] frustrated with being stuck at home. When they’re traveling, they want to control as much as they can.”
The trend comes in many flavors. Sometimes exotic destinations like Bermuda are marketed as places from which to work remotely. Sometimes the nomadic life is coupled with full-time work; sometimes it’s more of a part-time lifestyle – finding respite in rolling vacations or weekend getaways. But a common thread is the goal of blending quietude and community in a mobile lifestyle.
And Dr. Day sees van life as a subset of a larger trend during the pandemic: Local travel and road trips are parts of tourism showing a strong recovery, as opposed to travel by plane or to crowded places like big cities.
Mary Mickler is one of the people looking to roam. She works as a nurse in Arkansas, and always planned to put down roots. But after the pandemic began, she started to rethink travel nursing as an option – spending three-month stints working in hospitals around the country.
It was pretty simple: “If I’m going to buy a house anyways, why don’t I buy something that’s mobile?”
She found an outfitter in her town and is having a van custom-outfitted before she hits the road in January.
She figures that if her travels land her in a spot she loves, she’ll settle down there. Or, she’ll return to Arkansas. Ms. Mickler is keeping her future open. For now, the “off-grid” aspect and peacefulness of spending time in her van parked on open land is appealing.
Travelers across the board want to spend time with loved ones, are prioritizing nature and avoiding crowds, and are pursuing relaxation and peace of mind, finds an Aug. 24 update from Destination Analysts, which tracks travel and tourism data.
Courtesy of Isabelle Richard and Antoine Gagne View caption Hide caption The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van owned by Isabelle Richard and Antoine Gagne shows a "vanlife" penchant for customizing the interior to make the most of tight space.
“Relaxation is always important in travel,” but it’s valued differently right now, and people are seeking peace of mind through nature, says Erin Francis-Cummings, the firm’s president and CEO.
“The wariness of other people is a big consideration,” says Ms. Francis-Cummings. “Sprinter vans – that’s an easy way to achieve these things.”
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, along with some similar competitors, are more affordable than recreational vehicles but large enough to be called a home on the road.
Not every community rolls out the welcome mat.
Van life is growing “to the point where it’s getting [to be] an issue in popular destinations,” and cities like Squamish, British Columbia, are passing bylaws to ban van life within town limits, say Antoine Gagne and Isabelle Richard, who were interviewed by email from their life on the road.
Three years ago, the Canadian couple quit their engineering jobs, sold their house, and hit the road in a Sprinter van. They’ve been loving “van life” since, blending remote work maintaining their website, faroutride.com – a go-to resource for people interested in converting vans – with mountain biking and other adventures. The website has seen nearly double the traffic since the pandemic.
For a time they rented an apartment in British Columbia, partly because of travel restrictions within the province. “As opposed to what you would think, it’s easier to isolate in an apartment than in a van. Indeed, we need to go more often to the grocery store and access facilities when in our van,” they wrote.
Amrit Bhavinani always loved camping and cherishes the memories that come with it – like the time a bear looted his family’s provisions for s’mores.
When the virus held his travel plans at bay and grounded his work in events and online marketing, confining him to his home in Atlanta, Mr. Bhavinani started his own livestreamed show on StreamYard, Camp Quarantine, as a way to connect people, encourage outdoor activity, and raise money for charities.
Courtesy of Isabelle Richard and Antoine Gagne View caption Hide caption The backdoor view of the van owned by Isabelle Richard and Antoine Gagne. They're able to store equipment for a favorite activity on their travels – mountain biking.
But he yearned for more person-to-person interaction. And in June, Mr. Bhavinani realized the pandemic may continue to alter life for some time, so he purchased a van. He’s found a new community in van-lifers. “Everyone wants to help each other” with their van projects, he says. “I’m reconnecting with people ... and seeing things that I definitely otherwise wouldn’t have.”
Many millennials are purchasing vans, but so are retirees, and rental demand is up substantially too, says Janet Pace, marketing manager at Warner Vans of Utah, an authorized Sprinter dealer.
For Rafi Caroline in Houston, van life has long been appealing, but his wife is training as a physician – not the most conducive to life on the road. They like to travel, but are avoiding planes right now, so using a van for weekend getaways is a good solution. Plus, their dog can join them.
Mr. Caroline worked from home before the pandemic, but now that his wife is working and studying remotely as well, he plans to use his van as an office during the day. Since he and his wife aren’t planning on living out of their van, it’s more of a luxury item. “It makes sense, because otherwise I would have to rent an office space.”
It’s also appealing to have a change of pace, says Dr. Day of Purdue University. “This notion of the pandemic being Groundhog Day and being stuck in your home, doing the same thing every single day – the ability to get out and explore a little bit with a camper or a car” is popular.
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National and state parks have had strong attendance since the pandemic, so “I think there’s a real need just for people to get short breaks and still be safe. The van sort of gives you the ability to do both.”
Ms. Mickler from Arkansas, who considers herself a “people person,” is excited for what the future may hold. “My favorite thing is meeting strangers and hearing their stories,” says Ms. Mickler. “I can’t wait for the people I will meet in that way.”


csmonitor--2020-09-10--In Gaza, surge of coronavirus spurs fears and a jolt of pragmatism

Gidon Bromberg , Israel director for EcoPeace Middle East , advocates steps to help Gaza ’ s power and water supplies and sewage treatment .
“ COVID should be a wake-up call that these things shouldn ’ t be just on the discussion table , ” he says .
“ Progress needs to be made.
” But there has been one important silver lining .
The outbreak ’ s rising numbers prompted Hamas and Israel to wind down weeks of escalating strife .
Some observers say the pandemic should spur Israelis , Palestinians , and international officials to find ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost Gaza ’ s economy and infrastructure .
“ Look what corona did in the U.S. and Europe , where there is a system and a government that can support the people , ” says Mohammed Aziza , an NGO fieldworker in Gaza .
“ The problem is not just the coronavirus .
It ’ s the infrastructure , the water , the medical system , the electricity.
” Ironically , the conflict between Hamas and Israel helped protect Palestinian residents of the blockaded Gaza Strip from the coronavirus pandemic as it spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , COVID-19 slipped the confines of quarantine centers for returning travelers and penetrated the territory ’ s densely populated neighborhoods , raising alarms .
For nearly a decade and a half , Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have suffered under a suffocating blockade by both Israel and Egypt .
Yet ironically , as the coronavirus pandemic spread around the globe this year , their isolation helped spare them a public health emergency .
In late August , however , Gazans joined the rest of the world , as COVID-19 slipped the confines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penetrated the densely populated neighborhoods where the territory ’ s 2 million citizens reside .
That development has heightened worry that the Gaza Strip – with its infrastructure , economy , and health system all hobbled by relentless conflict between the territory ’ s Hamas rulers and Israel – stands hopelessly underequipped to fight a virus that has already burned through countries that are considerably more resilient .
“ Look what corona did in the U.S. and Europe , where there is a system and a government that can support the people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can support all of the people in Gaza , ” says Mohammed Aziza , a fieldworker for Gisha , an Israeli nongovernmental organization that advocates for Palestinian human rights .
“ The problem is not just the coronavirus .
It ’ s the infrastructure , the water , the medical system , the electricity , ” says Mr. Aziza , who lives in the town of Deir el-Balah .
“ We were all in shock , because we didn ’ t expect that it would sneak into Gaza , ” says Hana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City whose family has stopped entertaining guests or going to the beach to comply with social distancing rules .
“ I hope things will go back to normal , but we are afraid that the situation will not stay the same , ” she says .
“ The map of the spread is not known .
Every day it ’ s a new area.
” Years after the United Nations warned that Gaza would become unlivable by 2020 without improved infrastructure and basic services , international officials and residents say the dire health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever resilience was left in the territory .
Aside from Hamas ’ battle with Israel , the militant Islamic group has bad relations with Egypt and a 13-year feud with the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank .
The virus was first reported in the Strip in March among Palestinians returning from abroad , with individuals confined to special quarantine camps .
But in the last 2 1/2 weeks , the number of new daily cases has climbed steadily to 195 , for a total of 1,551 cases as of Thursday , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hamas has enforced strict lockdowns in hot spots in the north , subdivided the coastal territory with a system of checkpoints , and closed schools , mosques , and flea markets .
Residents say Hamas has resorted to harsh tactics such as beatings , water cannons , and dirt barriers to keep people off the streets and confined to hometowns .
But there has been one important silver lining .
The outbreak ’ s rising numbers in Gaza ( and Israel ) prompted the two sides to wind down weeks of escalating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern Israel , and retaliatory strikes into Gaza .
And to help mediate a cease-fire , the government of Qatar boosted its monthly aid to Gaza from about $ 25 million to $ 45 million – though that falls well short of the additional aid that Gaza currently needs .
“ The deal [ between Hamas and Israel ] was done after the spread of COVID-19 was discovered .
It was an important factor , ” says Mkhaimar Abusada , a professor of political science at Gaza ’ s Al-Azhar University .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation if you had to deal with the spread of COVID in addition to the escalation with Israel.
” Some observers say the pandemic should spur Israelis , Palestinians , and international officials to act on long-discussed compromises that would boost Gaza ’ s economy and infrastructure in return for finding a way to disarm militants there and end cross-border attacks .
Containing the virus is an interest shared by the Palestinian Authority , Hamas , Israel , and Egypt , says Eitan Dangot , a retired general who used to head Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories .
“ Maybe there ’ s an opportunity to build trust between both sides , ” he says .
Though the pandemic prompted Israel and Hamas to de-escalate for now , Gazans and Israelis alike fear the opposite is still possible – that rising unrest in Gaza over the virus prompts Hamas to lash out at Israel to preserve its power .
“ I ’ m afraid we are going to collapse , and we will lose control in the street .
If the government loses control , it could opt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swairjo Tholfakr , a doctor who owns a Gaza City pharmacy that has been closed for two weeks .
Even when the shop reopens , Dr. Tholfakr says , he will have few medicines to offer .
“ There ’ s no medicine in the hospitals and no medicine in the free market , ” he says .
“ There is no money for people to buy their own medications.
” The territory also lacks basic medical equipment with which to fight an outbreak : There were only about 70 beds in intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , and the number of ventilators has doubled to 100 ; testing kits are inadequate , and contact tracing is nonexistent .
The COVID-19 challenge is compounded by a broken sewage treatment system , daily electricity outages , a 53 % poverty rate , and the fact that only 10 % of houses have direct access to safe water .
“ We have to manage an acute situation on top of chronic long-lasting misery , ” says Bassem Naim , who served in the past as health minister for the Hamas government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel , Dr. Naim also complains about public-sector wage cuts by the rival Palestinian Authority in the West Bank .
“ The medical staff is exhausted .
We are working without salaries ; we have had three big wars , and continuing aggression .
They are exhausted physiologically , socially , and financially.
” When the coronavirus first arrived in the spring , Israel sent several test kits to Gaza through third parties .
In recent months , the U.N. has helped obtain additional medical devices .
On the other hand , fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian Authority to leave the territory for medical treatment in Israeli hospitals or in the West Bank – further stressing the local health system .
The World Health Organization recently said it would help negotiate the crossings .
One factor that could complicate the crisis is that Gaza ’ s population skews young : Nearly two-thirds of Palestinians there are under the age of 24 .
Growing up amid an atmosphere of repeated conflict – Hamas and Israel fought three brief wars between 2009 and 2014 – might give Gazans a fatalistic attitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived my entire life under occupation .
Talking about fear is like talking about food .
In every Gaza house , there is a story of a martyr , or a dream that is dead , ” says Issam Odwan , project manager at a nonprofit that promotes creative writing .
“ If people are not dying because of bombs , they are dying because of the lack of medical equipment or the economic situation , ” he says .
“ How can people be afraid of COVID-19 , when they have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gidon Bromberg , the Israel director for EcoPeace Middle East , says to help fuel local power plants and provide power for sewage treatment , Israel and the Palestinians should work to hook up the territory to Israel ’ s offshore natural gas fields and upgrade the capacity of existing power lines into Gaza .
For the time being , Israel could provide additional water through a pipeline that has already been built but is not in use amid unresolved questions over who will pay for it .
“ COVID should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be just on the discussion table .
Progress needs to be made , ” Mr. Bromberg says .
“ If COVID gets out of control , you are going to see reactions in Gaza that could be horrific ; you could see hundreds of thousands of Gazans trying to walk to the fence out of fear of staying in Gaza.
” Last week , in a display of pragmatism , a delegation from the Palestinian Authority visited Gaza for rare talks with local Hamas officials , says Shira Efron , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies in Tel Aviv .
After years of talks and failed aid efforts in Gaza , it might take a severer crisis to shake Israel , Hamas , the Palestinian Authority , and the international community into action .
“ As long as Hamas is in power , it ’ s very clear that Israel has its red line .
The international community is fatigued , and it doesn ’ t see to what end it ’ s investing .
Qatar is the only player that is investing , ” she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the trajectory of Gaza.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our pandemic coverage is free .
No paywall .

Gidon Bromberg, Israel director for EcoPeace Middle East, advocates steps to help Gaza’s power and water supplies and sewage treatment. “COVID should be a wake-up call that these things shouldn’t be just on the discussion table,” he says. “Progress needs to be made.”
But there has been one important silver lining. The outbreak’s rising numbers prompted Hamas and Israel to wind down weeks of escalating strife. Some observers say the pandemic should spur Israelis, Palestinians, and international officials to find ways to act on long-discussed compromises that would boost Gaza’s economy and infrastructure.
The impoverished Gaza Strip lacks many resources to battle the coronavirus pandemic. But the recent surge of cases has had a bracing effect, bringing Hamas and Israel to step back from escalating hostilities.
“Look what corona did in the U.S. and Europe, where there is a system and a government that can support the people,” says Mohammed Aziza, an NGO fieldworker in Gaza. “The problem is not just the coronavirus. It’s the infrastructure, the water, the medical system, the electricity.”
Ironically, the conflict between Hamas and Israel helped protect Palestinian residents of the blockaded Gaza Strip from the coronavirus pandemic as it spread around the globe. But in late August, COVID-19 slipped the confines of quarantine centers for returning travelers and penetrated the territory’s densely populated neighborhoods, raising alarms.
For nearly a decade and a half, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have suffered under a suffocating blockade by both Israel and Egypt. Yet ironically, as the coronavirus pandemic spread around the globe this year, their isolation helped spare them a public health emergency.
In late August, however, Gazans joined the rest of the world, as COVID-19 slipped the confines of quarantine centers for returning travelers and penetrated the densely populated neighborhoods where the territory’s 2 million citizens reside.
That development has heightened worry that the Gaza Strip – with its infrastructure, economy, and health system all hobbled by relentless conflict between the territory’s Hamas rulers and Israel – stands hopelessly underequipped to fight a virus that has already burned through countries that are considerably more resilient.
Why We Wrote This The impoverished Gaza Strip lacks many resources to battle the coronavirus pandemic. But the recent surge of cases has had a bracing effect, bringing Hamas and Israel to step back from escalating hostilities.
“Look what corona did in the U.S. and Europe, where there is a system and a government that can support the people. There is no system like that here that can support all of the people in Gaza,” says Mohammed Aziza, a fieldworker for Gisha, an Israeli nongovernmental organization that advocates for Palestinian human rights. “The problem is not just the coronavirus. It’s the infrastructure, the water, the medical system, the electricity,” says Mr. Aziza, who lives in the town of Deir el-Balah.
“We were all in shock, because we didn’t expect that it would sneak into Gaza,” says Hana Salah, a freelance journalist in Gaza City whose family has stopped entertaining guests or going to the beach to comply with social distancing rules.
“I hope things will go back to normal, but we are afraid that the situation will not stay the same,” she says. “The map of the spread is not known. Every day it’s a new area.”
Years after the United Nations warned that Gaza would become unlivable by 2020 without improved infrastructure and basic services, international officials and residents say the dire health consequences of the pandemic could dramatically eliminate whatever resilience was left in the territory. Aside from Hamas’ battle with Israel, the militant Islamic group has bad relations with Egypt and a 13-year feud with the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters View caption Hide caption A Palestinian girl fills a container with water from a public tap during a lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip Sept. 10, 2020.
The virus was first reported in the Strip in March among Palestinians returning from abroad, with individuals confined to special quarantine camps. But in the last 2 1/2 weeks, the number of new daily cases has climbed steadily to 195, for a total of 1,551 cases as of Thursday, according to local health authorities.
In response, Hamas has enforced strict lockdowns in hot spots in the north, subdivided the coastal territory with a system of checkpoints, and closed schools, mosques, and flea markets. Residents say Hamas has resorted to harsh tactics such as beatings, water cannons, and dirt barriers to keep people off the streets and confined to hometowns.
Silver lining: De-escalation
But there has been one important silver lining. The outbreak’s rising numbers in Gaza (and Israel) prompted the two sides to wind down weeks of escalating strife: cross-border incendiary balloon attacks on southern Israel, and retaliatory strikes into Gaza.
And to help mediate a cease-fire, the government of Qatar boosted its monthly aid to Gaza from about $25 million to $45 million – though that falls well short of the additional aid that Gaza currently needs.
“The deal [between Hamas and Israel] was done after the spread of COVID-19 was discovered. It was an important factor,” says Mkhaimar Abusada, a professor of political science at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University. “You would have a much more disastrous situation if you had to deal with the spread of COVID in addition to the escalation with Israel.”
Some observers say the pandemic should spur Israelis, Palestinians, and international officials to act on long-discussed compromises that would boost Gaza’s economy and infrastructure in return for finding a way to disarm militants there and end cross-border attacks.
Containing the virus is an interest shared by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Israel, and Egypt, says Eitan Dangot, a retired general who used to head Israel’s administration of the occupied Palestinian territories. “Maybe there’s an opportunity to build trust between both sides,” he says.
Though the pandemic prompted Israel and Hamas to de-escalate for now, Gazans and Israelis alike fear the opposite is still possible – that rising unrest in Gaza over the virus prompts Hamas to lash out at Israel to preserve its power.
Khalil Hamra/AP View caption Hide caption Hamas police officers stop vehicles during a lockdown imposed following community spread of coronavirus cases beyond quarantine camps in the densely populated Gaza Strip, Aug. 27, 2020.
“I’m afraid we are going to collapse, and we will lose control in the street. If the government loses control, it could opt for a clash with Israel,” says Swairjo Tholfakr, a doctor who owns a Gaza City pharmacy that has been closed for two weeks. Even when the shop reopens, Dr. Tholfakr says, he will have few medicines to offer.
“There’s no medicine in the hospitals and no medicine in the free market,” he says. “There is no money for people to buy their own medications.”
Equipment shortage
The territory also lacks basic medical equipment with which to fight an outbreak: There were only about 70 beds in intensive care units before the start of the crisis, and the number of ventilators has doubled to 100; testing kits are inadequate, and contact tracing is nonexistent. The COVID-19 challenge is compounded by a broken sewage treatment system, daily electricity outages, a 53% poverty rate, and the fact that only 10% of houses have direct access to safe water.
“We have to manage an acute situation on top of chronic long-lasting misery,” says Bassem Naim, who served in the past as health minister for the Hamas government. In addition to the conflict with Israel, Dr. Naim also complains about public-sector wage cuts by the rival Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
“The medical staff is exhausted. We are working without salaries; we have had three big wars, and continuing aggression. They are exhausted physiologically, socially, and financially.”
When the coronavirus first arrived in the spring, Israel sent several test kits to Gaza through third parties. In recent months, the U.N. has helped obtain additional medical devices. On the other hand, fewer Gazans received permits from Israel and the Palestinian Authority to leave the territory for medical treatment in Israeli hospitals or in the West Bank – further stressing the local health system. The World Health Organization recently said it would help negotiate the crossings.
Fatalistic youth
One factor that could complicate the crisis is that Gaza’s population skews young: Nearly two-thirds of Palestinians there are under the age of 24.
Growing up amid an atmosphere of repeated conflict – Hamas and Israel fought three brief wars between 2009 and 2014 – might give Gazans a fatalistic attitude toward the pandemic.
“I have lived my entire life under occupation. Talking about fear is like talking about food. In every Gaza house, there is a story of a martyr, or a dream that is dead,” says Issam Odwan, project manager at a nonprofit that promotes creative writing.
“If people are not dying because of bombs, they are dying because of the lack of medical equipment or the economic situation,” he says. “How can people be afraid of COVID-19, when they have been living with death for so long?”
Gidon Bromberg, the Israel director for EcoPeace Middle East, says to help fuel local power plants and provide power for sewage treatment, Israel and the Palestinians should work to hook up the territory to Israel’s offshore natural gas fields and upgrade the capacity of existing power lines into Gaza. For the time being, Israel could provide additional water through a pipeline that has already been built but is not in use amid unresolved questions over who will pay for it.
“COVID should be a wake-up call that these things shouldn’t be just on the discussion table. Progress needs to be made,” Mr. Bromberg says. “If COVID gets out of control, you are going to see reactions in Gaza that could be horrific; you could see hundreds of thousands of Gazans trying to walk to the fence out of fear of staying in Gaza.”
Last week, in a display of pragmatism, a delegation from the Palestinian Authority visited Gaza for rare talks with local Hamas officials, says Shira Efron, a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. After years of talks and failed aid efforts in Gaza, it might take a severer crisis to shake Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and the international community into action.
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“As long as Hamas is in power, it’s very clear that Israel has its red line. The international community is fatigued, and it doesn’t see to what end it’s investing. Qatar is the only player that is investing,” she says. “You need something much bigger to change the trajectory of Gaza.”
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our pandemic coverage is free. No paywall.


csmonitor--2020-09-10--Gold is up. Dollar is down. Is inflation back on the worry list?

Declines in prices and wages would echo the Great Depression of the 1930s .
But some analysts say the Fed must also remember the opposite problem : a high-inflation era like the 1970s .
The new policy stance “ is inviting trouble down the road , ” says Desmond Lachman at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington .
Gold , long seen as a hedge against runaway prices , is trading within 5 % of its all-time high .
The dollar , another safe haven , is down .
In August , Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation during economic expansions .
The Fed ’ s goal is partly to affirm its commitment to supporting economic growth – better achieved when the risk of a damaging deflationary spiral can be taken off the table of public expectations .
As of mid-summer , the U.S. economy showed little official sign of higher inflation .
Consumer prices were up just 1 % from a year ago .
But by some other indicators , the whiff of inflation is in the air .
The whiff of inflation is in the air .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era , some signs point to a future period of rapid rises in consumer prices .
One is the price of gold .
Long seen as a hedge against runaway prices , the yellow metal is trading within 5 % of its all-time high .
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett , who in the past has downplayed the precious metal , recently bought shares in a gold-mining company .
Another signal is the U.S. dollar .
While still viewed by many as a haven from financial storms , its value has been sagging versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Rochelle Jones , a young worker and student living near Washington is seeking alternatives to the dollar as a safeguard of her own financial future .
Already a buyer of cryptocurrency before the coronavirus pandemic , she ’ s now buying investments in gold as well .
What ’ s triggered these concerns is America ’ s central bank , the U.S. Federal Reserve .
It has won widespread praise for its recent moves to stave off a pandemic-led recession with echoes of the Great Depression of the 1930s .
In so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it is setting the stage in the long term for the opposite problem : a high-inflation era like the 1970s .
“ I think they ’ ve done a great job in saving us from a depression , ” says Desmond Lachman , a monetary policy expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington .
But , “ I think that that is inviting trouble down the road.
” His specific criticism : a subtle policy change last month , where Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the bank would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation during economic expansions .
As the central bank to the world ’ s largest economy , the Fed acts as a kind of chauffeur .
If the economy is growing too slowly , it pushes down the accelerator by lowering official interest rates .
Reducing the cost of borrowing typically causes businesses and consumers to take on more debt and spend more , which boosts the economy .
By contrast , if the economy is growing too fast , and prices look to skyrocket because there ’ s too much demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the gas by raising interest rates .
For now , America ’ s most widely watched inflation gauge , the consumer price index , shows little momentum .
In July , the index showed average prices for goods and services rose only 1 % from a year before .
Pressure on consumer prices is similarly minimal in other industrialized nations .
Yet both now and before the pandemic , at least a fifth of U.S. forecasters saw monetary policy as “ too stimulative ” – a far higher share than those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About three-fourths view current policy as “ about right.
” ) One risk is the potential for higher inflation .
Another is that opening monetary spigots , while aimed at supporting the “ real economy ” of consumers and businesses , could potentially also fuel destabilizing price bubbles in assets like stocks .
“ The rise in gold might be associated with people not being sure what currency to go into , ” Mr. Lachman says .
“ You used to think that the dollar was stable .
That was the go-to place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re not sure.
” The Fed ’ s dual mandate from Congress is to seek price stability and full employment in the U.S. economy .
Both those goals are best achieved when a severe boom and bust , like the housing bubble and global financial crisis of the early 2000s , can be avoided .
The Fed ’ s recent policy shift on inflation serves to affirm its commitment to supporting economic growth – better achieved when the risk of a damaging deflationary spiral can be taken off the table of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of … a vicious circle in which it ’ s very hard to escape a low interest rate , low inflation , low growth environment , ” says Greg Daco , chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New York .
With short-term interest rates already near zero , “ these tweaks to the monetary policy framework are aimed at avoiding falling permanently into that trap.
” Around the world , central banks are largely operating in sync on that objective .
But they could use some help in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , struggling businesses , and revenue-starved local and regional governments .
“ If you ’ re in a canoe and only one person is paddling , the other person has to paddle , ” says William Spriggs , an economist at Howard University who also works for the AFL-CIO labor federation .
In fact , he sees the new Fed stance on inflation in the United States as designed in part to encourage such action by Congress .
“ It was necessary for the Fed to reassure everyone that there was space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” without worry that the Fed would feel impelled to counterbalance such efforts by raising interest rates , Professor Spriggs says .
“ What the Fed is saying is , ‘ No .
… We ’ re not doing that.
’ ” On Thursday , however , prospects for a stimulus deal before election day dimmed considerably as Republicans and Democrats remained far apart on the scale and scope of an emergency package .
Mr. Spriggs and other experts say the Fed ’ s shift is more than just a crisis response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in central bankers ’ outlook .
In the current era of globalized labor markets and what some call a “ savings glut , ” inflation hasn ’ t been the menace it was in the 1970s .
The result may be that stimulative policies can stay in place longer than was considered appropriate in the past , redefining “ full employment ” upward during economic expansions .
While helpful across the job-market spectrum , this shift could especially expand opportunities for less-advantaged workers to build their careers , skills , and savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his Aug. 27 speech .
One passage in essence acknowledged the Fed should pay more attention to economic conditions for African Americans and others who haven ’ t shared equally in economic gains .
“ Maximum employment is a broad-based and inclusive goal , ” Mr. Powell said .
“ This change reflects our appreciation for the benefits of a strong labor market , particularly for many in low- and moderate-income communities.
” The shift is a win for American workers broadly , says Mr. Spriggs , a board member for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the generally warm reception of the Fed ’ s policy adjustment , critics still have a list of concerns .
In addition to inflation or asset bubbles , one question is whether the sheer scale of central bank intervention is sustainable .
The Bank of Japan , the European Central Bank , and the Fed now hold a stunning $ 21 trillion in bonds and other assets , largely purchased in efforts to support their economies .
That figure has risen by about $ 6 trillion so far this year , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 .
Will those economies get healthy enough to sell those assets back to investors anytime soon ?
Helen Popper , an economist at Santa Clara University in California puts in a word for patience rather than panic .
“ When they need to unwind these positions , they are going to have to pace it , right ?
But there ’ s nothing about it that says that they have to do it in any dramatic way , ” she says .
For now , central banks are justifiably less concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scourge that eroded prices , wages , and business solvency in the Great Depression .
“ We need to keep treating the wounds and give [ the economy ] a chance to heal , ” Professor Popper says .
“ It ’ s important not to overdo it , but it ’ s also important not to get policy fatigue .
”

Central banks around the world have taken dramatic steps to support economies during the pandemic. The balance between stimulating growth and guarding against inflation isn’t an easy one.
Declines in prices and wages would echo the Great Depression of the 1930s. But some analysts say the Fed must also remember the opposite problem: a high-inflation era like the 1970s. The new policy stance “is inviting trouble down the road,” says Desmond Lachman at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington.
Gold, long seen as a hedge against runaway prices, is trading within 5% of its all-time high. The dollar, another safe haven, is down. In August, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled a policy shift toward being more tolerant of inflation during economic expansions. The Fed’s goal is partly to affirm its commitment to supporting economic growth – better achieved when the risk of a damaging deflationary spiral can be taken off the table of public expectations.
As of mid-summer, the U.S. economy showed little official sign of higher inflation. Consumer prices were up just 1% from a year ago. But by some other indicators, the whiff of inflation is in the air.
The whiff of inflation is in the air.
As improbable as it sounds in this low-inflation era, some signs point to a future period of rapid rises in consumer prices.
One is the price of gold. Long seen as a hedge against runaway prices, the yellow metal is trading within 5% of its all-time high. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who in the past has downplayed the precious metal, recently bought shares in a gold-mining company.
Why We Wrote This Central banks around the world have taken dramatic steps to support economies during the pandemic. The balance between stimulating growth and guarding against inflation isn’t an easy one.
Another signal is the U.S. dollar. While still viewed by many as a haven from financial storms, its value has been sagging versus other major currencies in recent months. And Rochelle Jones, a young worker and student living near Washington is seeking alternatives to the dollar as a safeguard of her own financial future. Already a buyer of cryptocurrency before the coronavirus pandemic, she’s now buying investments in gold as well.
What’s triggered these concerns is America’s central bank, the U.S. Federal Reserve. It has won widespread praise for its recent moves to stave off a pandemic-led recession with echoes of the Great Depression of the 1930s. In so doing, however, some analysts worry that it is setting the stage in the long term for the opposite problem: a high-inflation era like the 1970s.
“I think they’ve done a great job in saving us from a depression,” says Desmond Lachman, a monetary policy expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington. But, “I think that that is inviting trouble down the road.”
His specific criticism: a subtle policy change last month, where Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the bank would be more tolerant than in the past of inflation during economic expansions.
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Karen Norris/Staff
Pumping the accelerator
As the central bank to the world’s largest economy, the Fed acts as a kind of chauffeur. If the economy is growing too slowly, it pushes down the accelerator by lowering official interest rates. Reducing the cost of borrowing typically causes businesses and consumers to take on more debt and spend more, which boosts the economy. By contrast, if the economy is growing too fast, and prices look to skyrocket because there’s too much demand for goods and services, the Fed eases off the gas by raising interest rates.
For now, America’s most widely watched inflation gauge, the consumer price index, shows little momentum. In July, the index showed average prices for goods and services rose only 1% from a year before. Pressure on consumer prices is similarly minimal in other industrialized nations.
Yet both now and before the pandemic, at least a fifth of U.S. forecasters saw monetary policy as “too stimulative” – a far higher share than those who saw policy as too restrictive. (About three-fourths view current policy as “about right.”)
One risk is the potential for higher inflation. Another is that opening monetary spigots, while aimed at supporting the “real economy” of consumers and businesses, could potentially also fuel destabilizing price bubbles in assets like stocks.
“The rise in gold might be associated with people not being sure what currency to go into,” Mr. Lachman says. “You used to think that the dollar was stable. That was the go-to place when times were difficult. But now you’re not sure.”
The Fed’s dual mandate from Congress is to seek price stability and full employment in the U.S. economy. Both those goals are best achieved when a severe boom and bust, like the housing bubble and global financial crisis of the early 2000s, can be avoided. The Fed’s recent policy shift on inflation serves to affirm its commitment to supporting economic growth – better achieved when the risk of a damaging deflationary spiral can be taken off the table of public expectations.
Many economists concur.
“There is a risk of … a vicious circle in which it’s very hard to escape a low interest rate, low inflation, low growth environment,” says Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New York. With short-term interest rates already near zero, “these tweaks to the monetary policy framework are aimed at avoiding falling permanently into that trap.”
Around the world, central banks are largely operating in sync on that objective.
A one-paddle canoe?
But they could use some help in the form of more relief from governments to support unemployed workers, struggling businesses, and revenue-starved local and regional governments.
“If you’re in a canoe and only one person is paddling, the other person has to paddle,” says William Spriggs, an economist at Howard University who also works for the AFL-CIO labor federation. In fact, he sees the new Fed stance on inflation in the United States as designed in part to encourage such action by Congress.
“It was necessary for the Fed to reassure everyone that there was space for a fiscal [government] response,” without worry that the Fed would feel impelled to counterbalance such efforts by raising interest rates, Professor Spriggs says. “What the Fed is saying is, ‘No. … We’re not doing that.’”
On Thursday, however, prospects for a stimulus deal before election day dimmed considerably as Republicans and Democrats remained far apart on the scale and scope of an emergency package.
Mr. Spriggs and other experts say the Fed’s shift is more than just a crisis response. It’s also a long-term change in central bankers’ outlook. In the current era of globalized labor markets and what some call a “savings glut,” inflation hasn’t been the menace it was in the 1970s.
The result may be that stimulative policies can stay in place longer than was considered appropriate in the past, redefining “full employment” upward during economic expansions. While helpful across the job-market spectrum, this shift could especially expand opportunities for less-advantaged workers to build their careers, skills, and savings.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/File View caption Hide caption U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks in Washington, March 3, 2020. Last month, he said "maximum employment is a broad-based and inclusive goal," which "reflects our appreciation for the benefits of a strong labor market, particularly for many in low- and moderate-income communities."
A more inclusive central bank
Chairman Powell was overt about this in his Aug. 27 speech. One passage in essence acknowledged the Fed should pay more attention to economic conditions for African Americans and others who haven’t shared equally in economic gains.
“Maximum employment is a broad-based and inclusive goal,” Mr. Powell said. “This change reflects our appreciation for the benefits of a strong labor market, particularly for many in low- and moderate-income communities.”
The shift is a win for American workers broadly, says Mr. Spriggs, a board member for a regional Fed effort on inclusive growth.
Despite the generally warm reception of the Fed’s policy adjustment, critics still have a list of concerns. In addition to inflation or asset bubbles, one question is whether the sheer scale of central bank intervention is sustainable.
The Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, and the Fed now hold a stunning $21 trillion in bonds and other assets, largely purchased in efforts to support their economies. That figure has risen by about $6 trillion so far this year, and is up about $17 trillion since 2007.
Will those economies get healthy enough to sell those assets back to investors anytime soon?
Helen Popper, an economist at Santa Clara University in California puts in a word for patience rather than panic.
“When they need to unwind these positions, they are going to have to pace it, right? But there’s nothing about it that says that they have to do it in any dramatic way,” she says.
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For now, central banks are justifiably less concerned about inflation than the risk of deflation – the scourge that eroded prices, wages, and business solvency in the Great Depression.
“We need to keep treating the wounds and give [the economy] a chance to heal,” Professor Popper says. “It’s important not to overdo it, but it’s also important not to get policy fatigue.”


csmonitor--2020-09-10--False smiles and lush locations pervade ‘The Glass Kingdom’

If your taste in fiction runs to psychological thrillers with elaborate prose and exotic locations , “ The Glass Kingdom ” is worth a read .
Sarah Mullins , a California transplant to New York City , sets up an apprenticeship with a famous New York novelist whom she admires .
Sarah , however , turns out to be a confidence woman of sorts , who begins this relationship to forge a cache of letters purportedly written by the novelist ; she plans to sell them to a collector in Hong Kong for $ 200,000 .
But because the collector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarah must fly to Hong Kong to collect the money .
After leaving Hong Kong , she lands in Bangkok for “ muddled and emotional reasons.
” There she settles into a once elegant but now decaying four-tower apartment complex named the Kingdom .
At the complex ’ s pool she meets the mysterious Mali , a British-educated financial assistant .
Mali invites Sarah to a “ girls ’ night out ” at a friend ’ s apartment in the Kingdom .
Here she introduces Sarah to Ximena , a Chilean chef at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel manager .
The ladies are aware that Sarah is maintaining some sort of façade but can ’ t quite figure her out .
Unlike Dostoevsky ’ s Raskolnikov , the protagonist in “ Crime and Punishment , ” Sarah is not wracked with guilt despite having committed the crime of forgery and theft .
If anything , she comes across as plagued with ennui .
Her listlessness is puzzling , given that she made such elaborate plans to get the money in the first place .
She ’ s like the dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to do when it catches one .
Her character isn ’ t particularly appealing , and one wishes that she would be more decisive – even if it ’ s just committing to something other than just being there .
I mean , if you had $ 200,000 in cash and were living in Southeast Asia , wouldn ’ t you at least want to travel , buy fancy clothes , and live it up ?
The novel ’ s other characters also have ill-defined backgrounds .
Their physical descriptions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know their backstories and add flesh to the bare bones of their existence .
Their amorality , however , is never in doubt , including Natalie ’ s adulterous husband , Roland , who visits local bars looking for pretty girls ; Mali ’ s Japanese lover , Ryo , whose background is never defined ; Goi , the scheming apartment-block maid who has a passkey to different units and is not above making a fast buck ; and Pop , the Kingdom ’ s version of a resident handyman , whose innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the narrative ’ s final scene .
What really shines is Osborne ’ s prose in observation and atmosphere : “ That night [ Sarah ] slept badly .
From out in the dark , at around three in the morning , there was what sounded like a gunshot , which echoed with an ominous arrogance and then , a moment later , seemed impossible .
A gunshot to kill a dog , or a man playing with a gun in his garden ; but it could not be either .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the back of her eyes .
No siren came to investigate the shot ; there was only the wind howling around her half-decayed windows .
Unable to go back to sleep , she turned on the lights and went to the second bedroom , where she kept the suitcase filled with cash .
She took it out of the closet , laid it flat , and opened it , a ritual of self-reassurance she had been meaning to perform for a while now.
” Osborne , a British novelist who currently lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city and its inhabitants .
Referred to by some as a modern Graham Greene , Osborne explores the ambivalent natures of his characters against the backdrop of one of the world ’ s exotic megacities .
You can almost feel the oppressive heat when the air conditioning in the Kingdom goes out .
You can hear the rain as it hits the glass roof of the Kingdom and see the changing evening sky .
His verbal paintbrush does more for the city of Bangkok than it does for his characters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an escape from the ordinary , “ The Glass Kingdom ” fits the bill .

If your taste in fiction runs to psychological thrillers with elaborate prose and exotic locations, “The Glass Kingdom” is worth a read.
Sarah Mullins, a California transplant to New York City, sets up an apprenticeship with a famous New York novelist whom she admires. Sarah, however, turns out to be a confidence woman of sorts, who begins this relationship to forge a cache of letters purportedly written by the novelist; she plans to sell them to a collector in Hong Kong for $200,000.
But because the collector refuses to come to New York, Sarah must fly to Hong Kong to collect the money. After leaving Hong Kong, she lands in Bangkok for “muddled and emotional reasons.” There she settles into a once elegant but now decaying four-tower apartment complex named the Kingdom.
At the complex’s pool she meets the mysterious Mali, a British-educated financial assistant. Mali invites Sarah to a “girls’ night out” at a friend’s apartment in the Kingdom. Here she introduces Sarah to Ximena, a Chilean chef at a French restaurant and Natalie, a hotel manager. The ladies are aware that Sarah is maintaining some sort of façade but can’t quite figure her out.
Unlike Dostoevsky’s Raskolnikov, the protagonist in “Crime and Punishment,” Sarah is not wracked with guilt despite having committed the crime of forgery and theft. If anything, she comes across as plagued with ennui. Her listlessness is puzzling, given that she made such elaborate plans to get the money in the first place. She’s like the dog that chases cars but doesn’t know what to do when it catches one. Her character isn’t particularly appealing, and one wishes that she would be more decisive – even if it’s just committing to something other than just being there. I mean, if you had $200,000 in cash and were living in Southeast Asia, wouldn’t you at least want to travel, buy fancy clothes, and live it up?
The novel’s other characters also have ill-defined backgrounds. Their physical descriptions are somewhat satisfying, but one yearns to know their backstories and add flesh to the bare bones of their existence. Their amorality, however, is never in doubt, including Natalie’s adulterous husband, Roland, who visits local bars looking for pretty girls; Mali’s Japanese lover, Ryo, whose background is never defined; Goi, the scheming apartment-block maid who has a passkey to different units and is not above making a fast buck; and Pop, the Kingdom’s version of a resident handyman, whose innocent veneer falls apart in an unanticipated twist to the narrative’s final scene.
What really shines is Osborne’s prose in observation and atmosphere: “That night [Sarah] slept badly. From out in the dark, at around three in the morning, there was what sounded like a gunshot, which echoed with an ominous arrogance and then, a moment later, seemed impossible. A gunshot to kill a dog, or a man playing with a gun in his garden; but it could not be either. She lay awake sweating, her pulse rising to the back of her eyes. No siren came to investigate the shot; there was only the wind howling around her half-decayed windows. Unable to go back to sleep, she turned on the lights and went to the second bedroom, where she kept the suitcase filled with cash. She took it out of the closet, laid it flat, and opened it, a ritual of self-reassurance she had been meaning to perform for a while now.”
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Osborne, a British novelist who currently lives in Bangkok, paints a vivid picture of the city and its inhabitants. Referred to by some as a modern Graham Greene, Osborne explores the ambivalent natures of his characters against the backdrop of one of the world’s exotic megacities.
You can almost feel the oppressive heat when the air conditioning in the Kingdom goes out. You can hear the rain as it hits the glass roof of the Kingdom and see the changing evening sky. His verbal paintbrush does more for the city of Bangkok than it does for his characters. But if you’re looking for an escape from the ordinary, “The Glass Kingdom” fits the bill.