Are you a worrier?

My column in Mindanao Daily, BusinessWeek Mindanao and Cagayan de Oro Times

OPINION

By KLAUS DORING

 February 1, 2020

---

SHARE

Like

Tweet

LIFE is better than ever, so, why so many people seem to be unhappy? Whenever I hear people saying that everything is bad, I think of my late grandmother, born in 1899 (!) into a really awful world in Germany and its surroundings. Yes, I wrote about it already several years ago.

 The so-called "Golden Twenties" between the two World Wars (now 100 years ago!) have been everything but golden for her, my relatives and millions of people. "Lola" never complained, even during the sorrowful time in the former East Germany, the "German Democratic Republic". Lola reached the ripe old age of almost 86.

We hardly count our blessings. I really count them daily. And praise the Lord for everything!

Most people enjoy counting their crosses. Instead of gains, they count our losses. Actually, they don't have to do all that counting - computers do it for us. Information is easily had.

Just remember this: Opportunity doesn't just knock - it jiggles the doorknob, and "your friend" - the worrier, is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, aren't they? We have time and opportunities to do almost anything. So why haven't we done it? We have the freedom of bondage or restraint, every one of us in his or her very special way - but, we're still our old inferior selves.

The job is boring! I don't find a good job! The house is an unpleasing mixture of tidy and dirty things. It's a mess! I am not in the mood to arrange my garden. I can't afford a gardener. That's life. How sad! No, it's not MY fault. Of course not!

The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. No wonder, if you look around right now. Yes, I confess, I am also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me! Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their separate concerns and act in concert, so that politicians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever being surrounded.

The over-bearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, the person, who wants to domineer and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who might claim to be a friend. But he isn't! Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver, and I'll make him spit out.

Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead our woes? Worrying itself is pointless. Of course,  no society has achieved perfectly rules of law, never-ending education or unique responsible governments. Let's seek out the worries but avoid the worriers, because they try to avoid liberty.

Federal Foreign Office Press release 31.01.2020

Foreign Minister Maas on the evacuation of Germans from Wuhan

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas issued the following statement in Berlin today (31 January): We now have all the permits from the Chinese authorities that we need to evacuate our citizens. As I speak, a Bundeswehr plane is setting off for China, to fly the German nationals out. I am relieved that we have got to this stage, that an end will now be put to the difficult situation in which our citizens find themselves in Wuhan, that the people who want to leave can now be flown out by us. We’re talking about over 100 people. None of them has been infected. None of them is even suspected of having the virus. To guarantee the health and safety of the population in Germany, the people who have been evacuated from China will be quarantined for two weeks on Bundeswehr premises in order to be absolutely sure that none of the evacuees is carrying the virus. I would like to thank the Chinese Government for working together with us on this. My thanks also go to the Crisis Response Centre, the authorities involved and our consular teams in China. We hope that everyone who comes back will be in good health and will stay that way - regardless of the fact that they will be monitored by medics here.

FIND OUT MORE AT DIPLO.DE

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in U.S.

[A] Mayor Sara Duterte in US Capitol as IVLP will kick off this week together with other 271 international visitors from 105 countries who will participate in 26 diverse and fascinating projects by the US Department of State.  

Davao de Oro donates 6.1 M for the victims of earthquake in Mindanao

Davao De Oro Province---A total of 6.1 Million pesos financial assistance from the Davao de Oro province under the leadership of Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy was formally turned-over to the province of Mindanao particularly in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur which were hit by the series of earthquake late last year.

The said budget was approved during the joint Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) - Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting chaired by Governor Uy with his Executive Assistant Dr. John Edward Coloma, Planning and Development Officer Romeo Celeste and PDRRM Officer Joseph Randy Loy.

The joint meeting was held at the provincial capitol last January 7, 2020.

On January 21, 2020, Governor Uy personally turned-over the financial assistance amounting to P3.9M to Governor Douglas Cagas of the province of Davao del Sur and to the local chief executives of the City of Digos and eight (8) municipalities namely; Bansalan, Matanao, Magsaysay, Malalag, Hagonoy, Padada, Kiblawan and Sulop which was affected by the 2019 earthquake.

Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib and his team also joined the turn-over of the financial aid to Gov. Cagas.

While on the same day, the P2.2M pesos was formally turn-over to Governor Nancy A. Catamco of the province of North Cotabato together with the chief executives of the City of Kidapawan and the municipalities of Magpet, Tulunan, Makilala and Mlang.

Hon. Jose Nelson Sala Sr. representing Gov. Uy with the provincial government heads of Davao de Oro led the turn-over of cheques to Gov. Catamco.

"Two months after the devastation, we continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato until they totally recover," said Governor Uy.

(Rey Antibo, ID DDO)

DONATIONS--A total of 6.1 Million pesos financial assistance from the Davao de Oro province under the leadership of Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy was formally turned-over to the province of Mindanao particularly in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur which were hit by the series of earthquake late last year. On January 21, 2020, Governor Uy personally turned-over the financial assistance amounting to P3.9M to Governor Douglas Cagas of the province of Davao del Sur and on the same day, the P2.2M pesos was also formally turn-over to Governor Nancy A. Catamco of the province of North Cotabato together with the chief executives of the City of Kidapawan and the municipalities of Magpet, Tulunan, Makilala and Mlang.(Photo by. M Lasaca, PS DDO)

ERSTER BESTÄTIGTER FALL IN BAYERN

Schon 106 Tote und rund 4500 Infizierte in China – jetzt hat das Corona-Virus auch Deutschland erreicht. Das bayerische Gesundheitsministerium hat bestätigt, dass sich ein Mann aus dem Landkreis Starnberg (Oberbayern) mit dem Corona-Virus infiziert hat.

Der Patient befinde sich nach Angaben des Landesamts für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL) „klinisch in einem guten Zustand“. Er werde medizinisch überwacht und sei isoliert untergebracht.

Die engen Kontaktpersonen des infizierten Mannes würden „ausführlich aufgeklärt und über mögliche Symptome, Hygienemaßnahmen und Übertragungswege informiert“, teilte das Ministerium ferner mit. Das Risiko für die Bevölkerung in Bayern, sich mit dem Erreger zu infizieren, werde vom zuständigen Team des LGL sowie vom Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) „derzeit als gering erachtet“. Weitere Details wollen das bayerische Gesundheitsministerium und das LGL am Dienstagvormittag bei einer Pressekonferenz bekanntgeben.

Virus-Alarm in China – jetzt reagiert die Bundesregierung. Ein Krisenstab entscheidet, ob Deutsche ausgeflogen werden.

Die Sorgen vor der weiteren Verbreitung des Corona-Virus haben dem Dax auf Talfahrt geschickt.

Das bayerische Gesundheitsministerium und das LGL wollen die Öffentlichkeit am Dienstagvormittag bei einer Pressekonferenz informieren. Der Ministeriumssprecher betonte: „Das Risiko für die Bevölkerung in Bayern, sich mit dem neuartigen Coronavirus zu infizieren, wird von der „Task Force Infektiologie“ des LGL und vom Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) derzeit als gering erachtet.“

Das neue Virus stammt ursprünglich vermutlich von einem Markt in Wuhan, wo es wohl von dort gehandelten Wildtieren auf den Menschen übersprang. China hat im Kampf gegen eine weitere Ausbreitung drastische Maßnahmen ergriffen: In der Provinz Hubei wurden mehr als 45 Millionen Menschen weitgehend von der Außenwelt abgeschottet. Fern- und Nahverkehr wurden gestoppt.

Nach derzeitiger Einschätzung von Experten verläuft die neuartige Lungenkrankheit offenbar in den meisten Fällen mild, möglicherweise sogar ohne Symptome. Von den in China registrierten Todesfällen gehen die meisten nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen auf ältere Patienten mit schweren Vorerkrankungen zurück.

Der neue Erreger ist dem Virus hinter der Sars-Epidemie 2002/2003 sehr ähnlich. Damals hatte es nach Daten der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) zwischen November 2002 und Juli 2003 lediglich neun Nachweise in Deutschland gegeben. Todesfälle gab es hier nicht.

(C) Bild 2020

CAN YOU STILL ...

... ROAR WITH LAUGHTER?

"If I only knew how!" A friend of mine contacted me yesterday after watching the news and read his daily paper.

Another said, "This is hardly the time to do so." Understandable, if I consider his very personal situation. Anyway, it seems we have no more time and no reason for laughter. That can wait until tomorrow, or better until the day after tomorrow. Anticipation is better... .

Sure, the today's new really don't allow us even to smile... .

But keep in mind: our enemies laugh up their sleeves, and most of the time we miss to recognize the fortune still smiling at us. But hold on: he who laughs last laughs longest. Remember?

American neurologist Henri Rubenstein says, laughter lowers high blood pressure while aiding digestion and fostering sleep. Well, give me even a simple smile and believe in what  experts say: "Good humor can help the gravely or terminally ill to hear their ordeal".

Of course, if we look around us these days, we might really don't roar with laughter or split our sides laughing. Or even more then this! Have you heard about the incident at the Danish Imperial Theater in Copenhagen/Denmark sometime during the 1980's, when a spectator dropped dead of heart attack while watching the movie "A Fish Called Wanda" starring John Cheese of my favorite Great Britain's Monty Python Comedy Team? Sure, a heart attack is indeed not funny, and honestly, I still love to watch this movie on VHS.

Well, even if we think we don't have reasons to laugh,we should try to express mirth spontaneously, and we should try to be merry or gay. We still have reasons to start with the softest form of audible laughter - the vocalized smile. This is what I learned and experienced from the first moment on while travelling in Asia since 1978, and being an expat living in the Philippines since 1999 for good. Keep smiling - even you are overloaded with huge problems.

Experts also say,  good humor works because it helps people feel easier in mind. The French psychotherapist Sylvie Tenenbaum stressed, that, in her patients, laughter often signals the dawning of a wholesome awakening to reality. Gallow humor might be dubious in the eyes of others. But try to sing out loud, try to cry, but try to laugh!

As a devote Christian,  I do love reading the bible. Ecclessiastes 3:1-4 say: "There is a time for everything ... a time to be born and a time to die ,,, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh!"

Worth to think about it - even in times like now!

Coronavirus: Could it damage the global economy?

By Andrew Walker

BBC World Service economics correspondent

• 26 January 2020

• Share this with Facebook
 
• Share this with Messenger
 
• Share this with Twitter
 
• Share this with Email
 
• Share

Related Topics

• Coronavirus outbreak

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

China is struggling with a new virus that has already killed more than 20 people.

It is a serious health issue. The World Health Organization has called it an emergency for China, though not for the world, not so far at least.

Inevitably, it will have economic consequences. But how severe and how far will they spread?

Economists are very wary about putting any figures on it at this early stage.

But it is possible to identify what form the impact will take and to look at the economic damage done by previous similar episodes, notably the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome - better known as Sars - in 2002-3, which also began in China.

It is within China that there already is some economic damage. Travel restrictions have been imposed in parts of the country at a time [the Chinese New Year] when many people travel. So the tourism business is already being hit.

Transport hub

Consumer spending on entertainment and gifts will also be affected. For entertainment, many will be reluctant to take part in activities outside the home that could lead to exposure to the virus. Many people are sure to have cancelled plans of their own volition to avoid risks of exposure to the disease.

The impact is magnified by the fact that Wuhan, the city where it began, is an important transport hub.

Travel restrictions are also a problem for any business that needs to move goods or people around. Industrial supply chains will be affected. Some deliveries may be disrupted and some will become more expensive.

There will be lost economic activity as a result of people not being able or willing to travel to work.

Recovery rate

There will also be a direct financial cost from treating patients borne by health insurers (public and private) and by patients.

Outside China, much will depend on the spread of the disease. If there are outbreaks elsewhere some of the same effects may be apparent, although almost certainly on a much smaller scale.

The extent of these effects will depend to a large degree on how easily transmissible the virus proves to be and the death rate among those infected. Encouragingly many people so far have made full recoveries, though there have been tragic exceptions.

It is often the case that economic problems are quickly reflected by financial markets, where traders' views about what assets are worth are affected by their expectations about future developments.

Vaccine chance

On this occasion that have been some negative consequences for stock markets, particular in China. But they have not been large. Even the Shanghai Composite Index is higher than it was six months ago.

There are some businesses who could gain, such as drugs makers. What is immediately available is symptom relief. In the longer term there might be profitable opportunity in developing a vaccine against the virus.

Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer at Johnson & Johnson told the BBC that his teams had already done the "basic work" on a vaccine. He thought it could be available in about a year.

There has also been a surge in demand for surgical masks and gloves to protect against becoming infected. Shares in Chinese companies that make these items - drugs and protective equipment - have seen some sharp price rises.

Quick recovery?

The best historical example to give guidance is probably the Sars outbreak.

One estimate suggested a cost to the global economy of $40bn (£30.5bn).

Jennifer McKeown of Capital Economics, a London based consultancy, suggests that global growth was a full percentage point weaker in the second quarter of 2003 than it would have been without Sars. That is quite a substantial hit, but she also says it made up the ground quite quickly afterwards.

She says the picture is complicated by other factors that affected global growth at the time but she concludes "it is very hard to pick out any lasting damage to global GDP (economic activity) from Sars, which was an unusually severe and widespread virus".

One-time Big-time held in Banag-banag Elementary School

The 1st Davao de Oro Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st DDO PMFC) under its Force Commander PMaj Khristopher Sabsal of the Davao de Oro Provincial Police Office (DDOPPO) together with the members of the Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) chaired by Judge Cresenciana DC Cruz and Madam Sholai Lim as vice chair (representing the Council of Women) successfully holds a "One time, Big time" activity at Banagbanag Elementary School, Banagbanag, Montevista Davao de Oro on January 24, 2020.

 The one day event is an initiative of the Advisory Council to render services for free such us free legal counseling, free medical and dental services, Late registration for Birth Certificate, Free massage, nail care (manicure/pedicure) free haircut, feeding, symposium on Violence Against Women and Children and giving of tooth brush kit.

The beneficiary of the activity are the students of the said school and the students from the Child Development Center (CDC) of Banagbanag together with their parents and the people of Barangay Banagbanag.

The activity is in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Montevista, Barangay LGU, private partners and stakeholders and the Department of Education.

 (Rey Antibo, ID Davao de Oro) 

Davao De Oro unveils its new seal and hymn ...

... during the 2020 State of the Province Address

Davao De Oro Province--- Davao De Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy delivers his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on January 20, 2020, at the new session hall of the Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

Making it accessible to the Davao De Oro constituents and even to the world, this year’s SOPA of Governor Uy is made accessible again as it was fed via livestream  on the province’s Facebook Page. Particularly, the 11 municipal Local Government Units (LGUs) prepared a hub where local officials, Non-Government Offices (NGOs) and employees converged as they watched the live streaming.

Governor Uy  delivers the achievements of the province's 4PS+ Program which stands for Planet (Environmental Management and Disaster Preparedness), People (Social Protection and Human Development), Prosperity (Economic Development), Peace (Peace, Justice, and Security), and Plus (Good Governance).

The event was attended by various public officials from the barangay up to the provincial level, brigade commanders and important guests.

 “I am very much impressed with the progress of our province for the past years, I have seen a lot of improvements and developments in different aspects like for example in the 4PS+ program and it is very worth note-taking that it is the product of the unity of our provincial leaders,” said Jorlan Bon Sacay the Sangguniang Kabataan Municipal Federation President of Davao De Oro.

One of the main highlights that day is the unveiling of the new seal of the province together with the new hymn. Davao De Oro as a province reborn has its new seal which is softly hued in gold and brown. Denoted as a province of golden opportunities; the seal symbolizes unity among its constituents and prosperity that the province gained for the past years. The hymn was sung by the Davao De Oro Minstrels, Garbo De Oro champions and teachers from the Department of Education Division of Davao De Oro.

The new seal of the province has a total of 9 elements furnished in colors of gold and brown. The elements are the; Ring which is the symbol of commitment and solidarity; Dove to symbolize both peace, and the Almighty to whom all blessings and endowments emanate; Eleven (11) Sunrays that stands for the dawn of a brand new beginning and the unfolding of a golden chapter for the province and also to its 11 municipalities; Mountain that represents the verdant mountains standing tall around the entire province of Davao de Oro; Waves which stands for the seas that signify tranquility and dynamism; Eleven (11) People Holding Hand symbolizes the culture of convergence, or bayanihan, of all 11 towns in the province; Grains (Wheat) represents the bountiful harvest and rich natural resources in the plains and valleys subsumed within the province; Industry (Factory) the symbol for the booming industries that spur the province’s economic growth and the 1998 which is the year that the Province of Davao De Oro was officially declared independent from Davao Del Norte

The color gold represents the province’s abundance of gold reserves, maintaining golden standards as well as wealth and augustness. On the other hand, the color brown represents timeliness and preservation of the province’s name and its people. (Jasteen Abella, ID DAVAO DE ORO)

Office of the German Honorary Consul Mindanao in Davao City

Feeling great and blessed @ my new Office of the German Honorary Consul for Mindanao in Davao City after being on service for almost three years already.

Ich fühle mich so wohl und gesegnet in meinem neuen Büro des Honorarkonsulats für Mindanao in Davao City nach mittlerweile fast drei Jahren im Öffentlichen Dienst.