Current Events May 2022

Current Events May 2022

COVID -

This data is from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deaths-worldwide-per-million-inhabitants/.

The number columns here are COVID deaths per million people for May 1, 2020 and 2021, and April 26,2022.

sorted by 2020
India              1    154    378
Brazil            30   1912   3119
Germany           80    993   1616
Canada           116    642   1023
United States    206   1742   2995
France           360   1539   2046
United Kingdom   404   1882   2575
Spain            525   1673   2194

sorted by 2021
India              1    154    378
Canada           116    642   1023
Germany           80    993   1616
France           360   1539   2046
Spain            525   1673   2194
United States    206   1742   2995
United Kingdom   404   1882   2575
Brazil            30   1912   3119

sorted by 2022
India              1    154    378
Canada           116    642   1023
Germany           80    993   1616
France           360   1539   2046
Spain            525   1673   2194
United Kingdom   404   1882   2575
United States    206   1742   2995
Brazil            30   1912   3119

So how has the US done? As of 2021, 3x the death rate of Canada, 2x the death rate of Germany, not too different from France, Spain, United Kingdom.

But as of 2022, still 3x the death rate of Canada, 2x the death rate of Germany, but considerably worse that France, Spain, UK.

Of course COVID is not over. But the US death rate from COVID has gotten worse in the last year compared to the rest of the world.


DHS Disinformation Governance Board -

Now paused, I don't know what that means. But I just want to know what are/were the people that created it going to say when a Republican takes over.


Investing -

Not good. And worse, bond values are falling almost as fast as stocks. So what is a safe place to put money? Percent changes Jan 1 to May 20 2022 shown.

    S&P 500             FXAIX -17.7%
    dividend stocks?    VYM   -5%
    60/40 funds?        VBIAX -15%
    40/60 funds?        VWINX -8.3%
    intermediate bonds? DODIX -8.5%
    short term bonds?   FNSOX -4%
    CDs                 (3%, 3 years looks good)?
    gold?
    real estate?
 

Subtract inflation from all of these numbers.

The answer - I have no idea. I think I like dividend stocks going forward. Not for the stock value, but for the dividends.


Wind -

I can't remember a windier year. I can't talk on the phone while taking a walk. I can't hear music from my phone without turning it up so loud that I can't stand it. Is this a permanent weather feature?


Ukraine War, Infant Formula Shortage, High Gasoline Prices, Inflation -

I have no idea what to say.


Abortion, Roe v Wade -

The battle over abortion has destroyed our political system. The two sides are completely polarized and this has polarized the two parties and what each stands for. The concept of compromise has been canceled. We are no closer to finding a mutually accepted answer than we were fifty years ago.


The Next President -

Just one comment, given that this is a non-political blog.

I will NOT vote for anyone to be president who is over 70 years old.

(I guess I have one more chance to run.)