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| @Laguna Niguel Smart & Final: April 2020 |
It has been a very challenging Month in many ways. Although it was a month of reflection and engagement, it was also a month that saw how our World as we knew it ended thanks to a Virus.
I had the pleasure to be supportive of the initiatives at the Daily Outsider as our team pulled together guidance from the WHO, the CDC, The State of California and the Orange County Department of Health. Schools and Government Buildings in my hometown, Laguna Niguel, have been shut down. It will be a long road back to recovery--I am hopeful that the Daily Outsider will play its' part as we emerge from the Shutdown and start thinking about #LifeAfterCorona. We have been busy with on-going editorial work throughout the platforms as we have tried to be uplifting in spite of the profound challenging times we live in. It has also been a busy month with my Virtual Education Activities & my Doctorate as well.
I had the chance earlier in the Month to join a Zoom Meeting sponsored by Coro. The head of the LA Economic Development Corporation gave a devastating picture of the shutdown--90% of Los Angeles International Airport being shut down. This devastation has continued with massive unemployment numbers--but the most tragic story has been the number of infected with COVID-19 and the number of our fellow Americans who have died--so far over 60,000. Unfortunately, the clamor in the conservative media has been challenging to be witness to--with one of the President's Chief Supporter even calling for a peaceful rebellion. I also joined the Virtual Earth Day Celebrations as Ed Begley Jr. and His Daughter hosted a Virtual Worldwide event--and also caught comments by World War Zero hosted by John Kerry. I look forward to continued engagements.
Beyond the shores of the United States, I continued my work & assessment regarding Iran. It was disheartening to see how the regime showed how it had no regard for for the ordinary faces in Iran-as it clamoured to open the economy as COVID-19 continue to ravage the Country. The head of Tehran's City Council, blasted official figures of the dead in Iran--and then there was an announcement earlier today that just at Tehran's Main Cemetery, some 13,000 people were buried as the regime continued to lie and mislead trying to potray an image of normalcy. Tehran's Main Cemetery is under the municipality of Tehran--yet the head of the Council got in trouble. I want all to realize that the head of the Council, Mohsen Hashemi, is the eldest son of Hashemi Rafsanjani--the former President who was killed on orders of Khameini. This is as the plight of the people continued to be heartbreaking--and yet the regime clamored for the opening of religious sites and celebrated the launch of what they deemed to be a satellite. What it turned out was a reverse Webcam as noted by the Commanding General for the US Space Command. What was even more agitating was that the Supreme Leader (Supreme Guide) Of the Country opened up a page on his site for people to contribute even though he controls billions in assets. Furthermore, he gave his "assent" for some funds to be released to the Government and also gave his "assent" for privatization--which is another scheme for the Government to fleece the people. Tehran's Stock Exchange is continuing to increase even though there is no fundamentals to support such an increase. As I was assessing the daily analysis, I saw a report that the average age of addicts in Iran had fallen to 8 years--this shows that another generation is being lost to the Revolution as the previous four generations. This is as the rights of women continues to be trampled--which is one of the darkest periods over the past 41 years--underscored by this report on Iran International as one of the Detainees, Sepideh Gholian, noted torture by women prisoners in Iranian Prisons.
One of the most disheartening of messages I caught this on Iran International as the Wife of Reza Pahlavi, the eldest Son of the late Shah of Iran, went to Greece to see first hand the plight of Iranian Refugees which was produced by Iran International:
By lending her support, Yasmine Pahlavi highlighted the plight of these Iranian Refugees who were living in horrible conditions In Greece. This is not about when anyone is a Royalist or not--as I noted in a note when I released this to my Facebook Storyline-- but it is about treating humans in a righteous and fair way. Right after this premiered on Iran International, I saw reports of a She was joined by one of the leading Iranian Entertainers, Arash--Although the narration is in Farsi, the scenes are just horrific to see. I also saw rays of hope as I saw a new Cafe opened up by a refugee. As I saw this hope, I also saw a statement from the head of the local labor federation in Northern Iran as he noted how his members could not even afford to pay for bread--in a country that is one of the richest in the World in terms of resources.
As I was working to wind down the month, I released this to my Instagram Page in support of Donate A Photo to reflect upon #LifeInTheTimeofCorona , celebrate the history of Iran and to honor the victims of Ukraine Flight 572 which I also released to my Facebook Wall below:
This month also saw disheartening news--the Orange County Fair was cancelled. However, it was a welcome development because it was about people staying safe and healthy as we continue to deal with #LifeInTheTimeofCorona. Businesses have adapted to the realities. Our local Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize a gradual reopening and Mayor Davies of our City sent forth a letter lending support to it. It was also great to see the City working on and creating the Economic Development Tool Kit--as the Chamber also spearheaded a #LagunaNiguelStrong Campaign which I had the pleasure to join by ordering a shirt which I showcased earlier this week:
It has been gratifying to make the rounds to visit local businesses to do my small part to be supportive and to uplift them fully embracing all they asked to do to practice social distancing--It is also good to have seen a uptick exemplified by a bit more cars in the streets.
This was also a month that I had a chance to catch a very tough movie:
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04/21/2020 02:04 PM PDT
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the OC COVID-19 Testing Network, which offers COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday, April 21, 2020 to Orange County residents who meet the criteria detailed below.
Calvary Chapel WestGrove: Food Pantry*
Christ Cathedral: Food Bank
Cool Water Ministries: Mobile Food Pantry*
Families Forward: Drive Through Food Bank
Food for Christ at the Rock: Drive Through Food Bank
Mariners Church: Food Pantry*
Saddleback Church: Peace Community Resource Center Food Pantry
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church
Salvation Army Orange County: Drive Through Food Distribution
The Salvation Army of Southern California*
Second Harvest Food Bank Drive Through
Southwest Community Center
South County Outreach: Appointment Only Food Pantry
Tustin Drive Through Food Drive
As I was working away on these month-end thoughts, I reviewed comments by President Trump as he went after "Democratic" States, blamed China and threatened Tariffs without taking a bit of responsibility even though he was informed about this. But what I took comfort in was this I captured from the Persian Gulf that Radio Farda featured as it was Persian Gulf Day:
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I could not help but take comfort in this courtesy the team at the Daily Stoic that provides an absolute admonition to us all:
Here’s the Stoic’s answer: It doesn’t matter. Because you don’t control when you live. What history will think of this period compared to other periods is meaningless. The only thing that counts is that you’re alive right now.
We don’t choose when we live, we choose how we live. That’s it. You didn’t ask for this moment. Maybe you’d prefer things to be different. Well...they aren’t. And you’re going to have to make do. Understand this and you will be wise. Adhere to it and you will be successful.
How can we make the most of right now? That’s the question. How can we live well within—or in spite—of what’s happening? That’s our job. You think Marcus wanted to live through the plague or Epictetus in a time where slavery existed or Seneca during Nero’s rule? Nope. But they figured it out. They made it work.
There are also two key dates to note-first the advent of the Web that allows us all to be on and to the voice as we have been thanks to some great visionaries:
I also note that tomorrow is Labor Day around the World--and the Month of May has a very important day-Mothers Day:
As I conclude I wanted to remember all the fallen of COVID-19 and ask that the almighty grant solace to their loved ones. I also salute all the Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Workers , the Grocery Clerks, the UPS & Fed-Ex Drivers, the Uber Drivers, the Lyft Drivers, The Public Transport Workers, Law Enforcement Officers, Fire Fighters, Soldiers and all others workers who have been at the forefront of keeping us alive, fed and protected during this Pandemic.
I know #WeWillGetThroughThis and emerge stronger. I close out my #RandomThoughts with the following Visual #RandomThoughts From my archive I released on my Twitter Feed throughout the Month as I say loudly--Onward:
There are also two key dates to note-first the advent of the Web that allows us all to be on and to the voice as we have been thanks to some great visionaries:
The World Wide Web was born 27 years ago today (April 30, 1993).— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) May 1, 2020
It begin as a @CERN project called ENQUIRE, initiated by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee.
When @timberners_lee first proposed the World Wide Web in 1989, his boss responded: "vague but exciting" pic.twitter.com/fSlPuOS0Us
I also note that tomorrow is Labor Day around the World--and the Month of May has a very important day-Mothers Day:
As I conclude I wanted to remember all the fallen of COVID-19 and ask that the almighty grant solace to their loved ones. I also salute all the Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Workers , the Grocery Clerks, the UPS & Fed-Ex Drivers, the Uber Drivers, the Lyft Drivers, The Public Transport Workers, Law Enforcement Officers, Fire Fighters, Soldiers and all others workers who have been at the forefront of keeping us alive, fed and protected during this Pandemic.
I know #WeWillGetThroughThis and emerge stronger. I close out my #RandomThoughts with the following Visual #RandomThoughts From my archive I released on my Twitter Feed throughout the Month as I say loudly--Onward:
