Week beginning 12 January 2022

A Western Australian writer, Liz Byrski author of At the End of the Day, and Jane Cockram, another Australian, are featured this week. Both books are uncorrected proofs sent to me by NetGalley for review.

Liz Byrski At the End of the Day Macmillan Australia, 2021.

Liz Byrski has once again given voices to people who for a long time have been silenced. She answers the question, can romance really be created around people in their seventies? Indeed it can, and while romances are an important feature of At the End of the Day, there is more. Although ageing has increasingly become a focus of fiction, Byrski enhances her depictions of the two ageing main characters in this novel by giving them backgrounds that expand the way in which they are developed. Miriam Squires (Mim) and Mathias Vander meet on a plane flying from London to Australia. Both harbour a past that incapacitates them, physically and emotionally. Mim’s physical difficulties are apparent; Mathias’ physical manifestation of a blow from his past appears only when he is under extreme mental stress. However, both are emotionally inhibited, a flaw that each intuits in the other, finding the distance it imparts engaging rather than repelling. Full review Books: Reviews

Jane Cockram The Way From Here HQ Fiction Harlequin Enterprises (Australia), 2022.

Velazquez’s version of the story of Martha and Mary, where Martha is busy in the kitchen and Mary sits at the feet of Jesus listening, and the accompanying adulation of Mary’s attitude in comparison with that of Martha has always struck me as unfair to Martha. So, with this prejudice I come to the story of a thoughtless, lively, living in the moment sister who is compared to her advantage with her organised sister. I found Susie an almost intolerable character in the early part of this novel. Her assumptions about her attractiveness to men and patronising attitude to Mills (as Camilla is known to her family), her behaviour that brooked little opposition, the letters that she almost demanded Camilla read and act upon in the event of her death made her an uneasy character for me to identify with, have empathy with, to want to get to know better. See full reviewBooks: Reviews

Articles which appear after the Covid report: An example of Health Measures Report and Assistance – ACT Health; Cindy Lou comments on recent eating out; Leah, walk (with a lovely gesture from a Canberra resident) and lolling; New York Times on tourism with an environmental aspect; CNN on the Capitol Riot; Excerpts and photos from Speeches on Voting Rights speeches from Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden in Georgia; CNN, Congress and filibuster.

Covid in Canberra after the end of lockdown

As with everywhere else in Australia the number of cases of Covid has risen well beyond previous experience because of the Omicron variant.

New cases recorded on the 6th and 7th January were 992 and 1246. On the 8th January 1,305 new cases were recorded. There are now 4,941 active cases in Canberra and 3,112 negative tests have been recorded.

As a result of the Omicron spread hospitalisations have increased; the vaccination program has been accelerated; a new clinic has been opened and additional mandatory public health measures have been introduced to slow the spread. The rapid antigen test is now accepted to confirm Covid 19 cases, and a PCR test is no longer required. There is a dedicated web site with information for people who have tested positive.

January 9 new cases results – 1,039 and, a drop in recorded cases with 938 on the 10th. Patients in hospital on 9 January are twenty seven, with four in intensive case and ventilated. On the 10th January hospital numbers increased by one, with four still in intensive care but only three are ventilated.

January 11 – 1,508 new cases, and one death; January 12 – 1,078. ACT residents over twelve who are fully vaccinated : 98.6%; ACT residents aged 18 and over who have received their booster: 25.6%. There are now twenty three people in hospital, with three in intensive care and two ventilated. Children under twelve are now receiving their first doses of vaccine.

An example of the ACT Health information (at 9 January, 2022). It would be interesting to have examples from other states and countries to compare the way in which Covid information is being communicated.

Did you get a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result?

You no longer need to get a PCR test to confirm you have COVID-19.You can usually safely manage COVID-19 at home if you:•

. are under 65

• have had at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (for adults)

• do not suffer from any chronic health conditions, and • are not pregnant Most cases we are seeing in the ACT have a mild illness and will recover in a week at home. Some people may not have any symptoms at all.

Please call COVID Care@Home as soon as possible if you meet any of the criteria below that may mean you are eligible for specific treatment:• over 20 weeks pregnant• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person over 55• aged 16 years and over and unvaccinated/only had 1 dose • significantly immunocompromised.

ACT Health will have a form available shortly for you to tell us if you have had a positive RAT result. Registering will enable us to connect you to the care and advice appropriate to you.

In the meantime, please record the date of your positive RAT result and follow the advice for people who have tested positive for COVID-19, including isolating for 7 days and telling your household contacts they should complete a RAT or PCR test and isolate for 7 days www.covid19.act.gov.au/covid-positive

If you develop severe symptoms (particularly severe headaches or dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pressure or pain), call triple zero (000) straight away and tell the ambulance staff that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Further information and advice is available below:• People who test positive to COVID-19 www.covid19.act.gov.au/covid-positive • People who have been exposed to COVID-19, including advice for household contacts www.covid19.act.gov.au/covid-contact

• COVID-19 testing, including where and when to get tested www.covid19.act.gov.au/testing

• Quarantine information www.covid19.act.gov.au/quarantineCOVID-19 vaccines go through many tests for safety and effectiveness and are then monitored closely.Source: World Health OrganizationGet Vaccine Info

Cindy Lou’s recent eating experiences

A Sunday morning walk through Haigh Park to the Braddon eating places is always a delight. This Sunday was particularly pleasant, with a simple but delicious breakfast at Lonsdale Street Café. My skinny, weak latte (not to everyone’s taste , I agree) was perfectly made – and prompt, although the café was fairly full. Sharing the fruit toast was made easy, with the offer of additional utensils and table napkin. The service was prompt, efficient, and friendly. Although I would always like more butter with my toast, the one portion went a long way as the toast was hot. It was also thick and soft inside with a crisp crust. A lovely start to the day.

I visited Eight /Twenty for a very different type of breakfast. Fortunately while my companion ordered, I had observed the huge amounts being taken to other tables, so decided upon a coffee. Of course, I then picked at the meal next to me. A piece of toast (crisp and hot) with the flavoursome beans made a very pleasant light breakfast. Even with that depredation upon the meal, some had to be left behind! The coffee was good – my weak skinny latte and my companion’s more acceptable flat white. The service was pleasant, although a little slow on this extremely busy Christmas holiday occasion.

The popularity of the Braddon cafes is well deserved, as on Christmas Day it is possible to find a lovely breakfast spot. This has changed from several years ago when McCafe (not to be sneered at, the coffee and muffin on a Christmas Day 2015 forage for sustenance was terrific) was the only venue open.

I visited Blackfire again for an impromptu lunch. Our arrival just an hour before closing time was handled with efficiency and friendliness. At no time were we hurried, or made to feel that time was short. Although we were asked to choose a dessert if we wanted one, reflecting the imminent closing of the kitchen, we remained feeling welcome customers – and of course, we’ll return. Perhaps we’ll be kinder to the staff next time, and make our decision to eat at Blackfire a little earlier.

Edgar’s at Ainslie provided me with a huge meal – delicious fish and chips which competed with those I have eaten in Fremantle surrounded by seagulls and in sight of the ocean. Edgar’s provides a very different scene, but one which I enjoy, winter or summer. Edgar’s provides great cover and warmth from the Canberra winter, and in summer, lush vegetation in pots, with the blinds out of the way to provide for through breezes. My meal was splendid – crisp batter, succulent fish, and very nice chips. I would have liked a salad, and unfortunately no side salads are available. However, I shall continue to enjoy the fish and chips on occasion, and make sure I have some fruit when I get home. On other occasions I shall order either the courgette or smoked trout salad, both of which are also delicious – and infinitely healthier!

Leah has disappeared from the Covid series as I am no longer recording Covid Lockdown walks. She still enjoys her walks but deserves acknowledgment for another of her qualities – lolling with a touch of grandeur .

Hadrian’s Wall, in Northumberland, England, was chosen for the “52 Places” list. Andy Haslam for The New York Times.

“52 Places,” our annual list of global destinations, looks at spots where visitors can be part of the solution to problems like overtourism and climate change. It highlights where endangered wild lands are being preserved, threatened species are being protected, historical wrongs are being acknowledged and fragile communities are being bolstered.

Visiting a Canadian park run by an Indigenous tribe helps keep a culture alive. Traveling to a fabled city in Morocco supports efforts to educate and empower women. Touring Normandy’s moody coast on a bike is delightful, and the carbon saved is a bonus. Take a look at the full list.

Thursday 01.06.22

By AJ Willingham and Alexandra Meeks

Rioters protesting the results of the 2020 election rally at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Capitol riot

What’s happening today: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced several events at the Capitol that will commemorate today’s anniversary, including a prayer, a moment of silence on the House floor and a conversation led by two historians aimed at preserving narratives of the attack. Lawmakers will also share their accounts, and President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks later today. 

More than 100 activist groups are planning nationwide vigils and gatherings as part of a “Day of Remembrance and Action.” The events will encourage people to demand more protections for democracy and voting rights. 

Former President Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a press conference today, but canceled after advisers warned the event could be detrimental to him and other Republicans. 

Security around Washington will be tight today. Federal officials have seen an increase in violent rhetoric on domestic extremist forums leading up to January 6, though no specific or credible threat has been identified.

Where the investigations stand: A House select committee to investigate the attack was formed last July, and isn’t planning to release a report until this summer. However, over the last few months, the committee has issued more than 50 subpoenas to individuals and organizations — including some of Trump’s closest allies. Here is a partial list of those called to appear so far. The committee has also acquired texts and other communications that they say illuminate the actions of Trump and other leaders as the insurrection unfolded. During the committee’s first and only public hearing so far, law enforcement officers gave harrowing testimony of their firsthand experiences during the attack. Here’s more on what else the committee has done, and what its strategy is for 2022.  

GALLERY: The January 6 Capitol riot in photos

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is in the middle of the biggest investigation in FBI history. About 700 people have been arrested for their roles in the attack, and hundreds more are still at large. Prosecuting them all could take years, and some legislators are growing impatient with the investigation’s pace and perceived lack of aggression. However, Attorney General Merrick Garland said yesterday that the Justice Department “remains committed to holding all January 6th perpetrators, at any level, accountable under law” no matter how long it takes. 

How January 6 has changed everything

It’s hard to quantify the impact of the insurrection, which has altered our political discourse, our social relationships, our technology and the lives of survivors. 

It has put us in more danger. The director of an intelligence group that analyzes the global violent extremism community says the extremist momentum that drove the insurrection “has not diminished — it has spread in all directions.” One related example: About 9,600 threats were made against lawmakers in 2021, according to the chief of the Capitol Police — a dramatic uptick. 

It has traumatized us. Law enforcement officers who survived the attack have tearfully shared the enduring trauma of that day. So have lawmakers, reporters, and others who were at the scene. Sadly, at least four officers who were working the day of the insurrection have taken their lives this year. Even our own memories of the attack are under assault as misinformation and lies persist. One expert says when people deny the hard realities of the insurrection, it puts the populace in danger of seeing such violence as the “new normal.”

It has made us question how we communicate. Lawmakers have tried to rein in social media giants like Meta, the parent company of Facebook, because of the role the platforms allegedly play in allowing misinformation and violent plans to circulate unabated. 

And we think it will happen again. Experts have warned another major threat to our democracy is a very real possibility, and the public seems to agree. One recent poll shows we expect this to happen again, with 62% of Americans saying they expect the losing side in future presidential elections to react violently.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Voting Rights Speech in Georgia

President Joe Biden and Voting rights Speech in Georgia

5 Things Tuesday 4 January

Congress

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced the chamber will take a vote on whether to change the Senate’s legislative filibuster rules. The filibuster is a common delaying tactic meant to drag out debate and make it harder to get things done. In recent months, Democrats have discussed various changes to the filibuster rule to avoid stalling legislative decisions on key issues like voting rights and the debt ceiling. Schumer has said the tactic has become weaponized in the Senate, and the body must evolve to be more efficient. However, any major changes are unlikely to pass due to widespread  resistance from Republicans and Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Schumer says he is hoping for a vote by January 17.