Fighting global disease threats

The various  influenza viruses in humans. Solid squares show the appearance of a new strain, causing recurring influenza pandemics. Broken lines indicate uncertain strain identifications.

To members and friends of the Providence Committee on Foreign Relations (thepcfr.org; pcfremail@gmail.com):

The next PCFR dinner meeting comes on Wednesday, April 19, with Dr. Rand Stoneburner,  M.D., the distinguished international epidemiologist. Dr. Stoneburner, who has done extensive work with the World Health Organization, among other public health organizations,  will talk about Zika, Ebola and the biggest threat – a global influenza pandemic. He’ll have some graphics.

An arrogant plutocrat for the masses; bees imperiled

How curious that middle- and lower-income Americans who feel with some justification that they have been treated with disdain by an increasingly arrogant and selfish plutocracy turn for leadership to a sleazy, arrogant and narcissistic member of the plutocracy.

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The Zika virus is leading to calls for massive pesticide spraying to kill mosquitoes carrying the virus. The trouble with that is that such spraying will also kill the bees upon whose pollination much plant and animal life depends. Bees are already in decline, a continuation of which could pose an existential threat to humans.