A log lying on the water can never become a crocodile."
A Bambara proverb from Mali sent to bbc by Charles Bird, in Washington State, US.
samedi 27 juin 2020
Coronavirus in Ethiopia: 'Incredible recovery of man aged over 100
BBC NEWS
26 June's 2020
HANA ATSBEHA
The recovery from coronavirus of an Ethiopian man who is believed to be at least 100 years old was "incredible", one of the doctors who treated him told the BBC.
Aba Tilahun Woldemichael's family says he is 114, which would make him the world's oldest man, but there is no birth certificate to confirm his age.
People over the age of 80 are considered to be among the most vulnerable if they catch the virus.
The centenarian, who is an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian monk, is now being looked after at home by his grandson.
"When I was in the hospital I was praying to God asking for my health. I was crying and praying for the whole country to be healthy again," he told the BBC.
Aba Tilahun tested positive for the virus when a random screening process took place in his neighbourhood in the capital, Addis Ababa, and was admitted to hospital before the symptoms showed, Dr Hiluf Abate told the BBC's Newsday programme.
This allowed the medical team to be pro-active with its treatment and closely monitor the old man, he added.
Hiluf Abate
It's really incredible that he survived being so old and we are happy that he has been discharged"
Dr Hiluf Abate
Yeka Kotebe hospital
Yeka Kotebe hospital
Within four days of his admission to the severe coronavirus ward in Yeka Kotebe hospital, Aba Tilahun's condition deteriorated as the virus took hold and he was put on oxygen, Dr Hiluf said.
In all he spent 14 days at the hospital, and was treated with oxygen for more than a week.
He also was given anti-biotics and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone, which has been hailed as a ground-breaking treatment for hospital patients seriously ill with Covid-19.
Ethiopia, which has strict coronavirus restrictions, has recorded more than 5,000 confirmed cases and 81 deaths.
Tumultuous times
Although the hospital cannot confirm that its patient is 114 years old, the medical team says that he is definitely older than 100 and estimates that he is 109.
In his youth, he moved to Addis Ababa from southern Ethiopia when he was young and has lived through tumultuous times in his country.
He witnessed the Italian occupation between 1935 and 1941, the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974, the collapse of the Marxist Derg regime in 1991 and now he has survived Covid-19.
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For years he has lived a simple life as a monk; "Aba" is a title meaning "Father".
But when he was younger he worked as an electrician, house painter and general handyman, his 24-year-old grandson Binyam Lulseged Tilahun told the BBC.
BINYAM LULSEGED TILAHUN
Aba Tilahun's grandson, seen here with his grandfather several years ago, is now looking after him at home
His grandfather was doing well and looked healthy despite his age, however the after-effects of the virus had weakened his voice, Mr Binyam added.
In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, Ethiopia introduced a state of emergency in April that closed schools and playgrounds, banned large gatherings and sporting events, and reduced passenger numbers on public transport. But businesses have remained open.
"We don't touch the queen's bag":
: the day when the head of American protocol came close to the incident
In his book Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make It Work for You, the former head of the American protocol Capricia Penavic Marshall recalls his meetings with Elizabeth II.Events subject to ultra-strict rules.
We do not touch the bag of Queen Elizabeth II. Never.Under any circumstances.This was learned by Capricia Penavic Marshall, former chief of protocol for the US government, in 2011. In a book published Tuesday, May 23, Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make It Work for You (Protocol: the power of diplomacy and how to use it for yourself, editor's note, published by Ecco editions, she tells this time where she accompanied Barack and Michelle Obama on an official visit to Buckingham Palace.
Used to holding the bags of first ladies, presidents and other high-ranking female personalities during summit meetings, she is about to take that of Elizabeth II when the latter advances towards the presidential couple. "When I saw Her Majesty arrive," she tells People magazine, "I made a quick comment to my British counterpart," Oh my God, the Queen is carrying her bag. " And I barely had time to sketch a movement of the left foot when he pressed me against a wall with his two hands, and warned: "We don't touch the queen's bag". ”
Confused, Capricia Penavic Marshall apologizes. The English protocol officer repeated to him: "We don't touch the queen's bag". "I replied" Ok, I will never do it again. But do we at least know what is in it? "" Response from the person concerned: "We do not know what is in this bag. But you never touch that bag. ”
Recognized for her sense of color, her impressive hats and impeccable outfits, Elizabeth II masters the strict rules of royal dress code as much as style.
Coded signals and small gifts
Message received. It was only later that the diplomat expert understood the capital issues at stake around the Queen's favorite accessory: “I learned that it was possible that she was using the bag as a signal.If he is on the top of her arm, that means that the event in which she is participating is going well, and that we must leave her alone. But if it lowers it, it means "let's finish it, I want to leave". It is also said that inside, there would be a cell phone with which she calls her grandchildren: an idea that I love. ”
Lipstick ? Smartphone?Nuclear codes? What is in Elizabeth's bag will remain a mystery. But Capricia Penavic Marshall reveals, in her book, the few privileged moments that she was able to spend with the sovereign. In her capacity as chief of protocol (a position she held for twelve years at the White House), she is the one who oversees the exchange of small gifts between great people of this world. Still in 2011, she must find an idea of present for the Queen of England - who, according to Capricia Penavic Marshall, does not need anyone. "She acts like she is the head of her own protocol.It must be said that she has been doing this for a long time. ” After long discussions with the Obama couple (who will also offer him an iPod), the choice is made on a leather-bound portfolio, in which will be gathered notes, photos or other invitations related to the visit of George V, the father of the Queen, in the United States: “President Obama and his wife have a great affection for Elizabeth II. By doing research, we learned that she cherished her relationship with her father, and that she collected everything related to him. ”
When the moment comes to offer the portfolio to the queen, Capricia Penavic Marshall holds her breath: “While she was turning the pages, I looked at her hoping that she liked it. And I want to say that I saw a little tear in his eyes. She turned to the president and said "Thank you very much for all this."
The Obamas also gave the Queen a flower brooch, which she wore during Donald Trump's official visit to Buckingham in 2019: "I like to think that she was proud to wear this presidential gift and that it thus underlined the unity between the two nations, believes Capricia Penavic Marshall. (…) But only she knows. ” Just as she alone knows the secrets of her handbag
jeudi 25 juin 2020
'Our time is now': I’m running for office because of George Floyd
BBC NEWS
25 June 2020
GETTY IMAGES
George Floyd's death one month ago has prompted global outrage
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers has sparked a movement to close racial divides worldwide.
But for Zina Fizer, who lives and works in the city where Mr Floyd was killed, the flashpoint for what is now a global movement is acutely personal. Watching Mr Floyd's death, "I saw my 24-year-old black son under that man's knee and my heart broke," Ms Fizer said. "I knew I had to do something."
Now, Ms Fizer is joined by a wave of African-American women motivated by the death of Mr Floyd to seek public office this year. If she is successful in her bid for state Senate, she will be Minnesota's first black female state senator.
One month after George Floyd's death, Ms Fizer and three other candidates tell the BBC why they're running, and how they see black women leading this next chapter in American history.
Marquita Stephens, candidate for Minnesota State Senate, District 53
MARQUITTA STEPHENS
"I think this is a movement that has been building over time," Marquita Stephens says
I've been politically active for years, starting in electoral politics straight out of college. I've been asked several times to run for public office myself and in a moment of prayer, I told my God that the next time I was asked, I would say yes.
I knew I had to come forward when I saw the video of the murder of George Floyd and the knee pressing on his neck as he uttered in his last breaths a call to his mother. During those eight minutes and forty six seconds, I knew that I had to come forward.
I think that this is a moment that has been building over time. The moment that we are all in, I think we have seen it before. But this time it was the callousness that was undeniable. And for whatever reasons that this society has made excuses for its behaviour in the past, it could no longer stand on those excuses.
Together, people of goodwill and of good conscience came out in protest in various ways. I came to make a difference in the laws that govern these moments. The structure that was built on systemic racism in this country was built intentionally. And it has to be dismantled intentionally. It has to be rebuilt, taking into account the needs of the people it actually serves.
My major policy aims would be to craft a constitutional amendment that redefines policing in the state of Minnesota. The focus has been on protecting private property over public safety. And secondly, to take full advantage of the exposure Covid-19 has made on the fact that we don't have healthcare coverage for everyone. This pandemic, I think, lifts that issue to the forefront.
I bring a vision that includes all of us. And I'm hopeful that I'm not alone in that. The vision I can't get out of my mind is with Gianna Floyd, with her arms outstretched saying 'my Daddy changed the world'. And I want to say to her 'yes he did', because he changed me.
Zina Fizer, candidate for Minnesota State Senate, District 44
ZINA FIZER
"Minnesota has never had a black woman that's been in the Senate," Zina Fizer says. "It wasn't a time Minnesota was ready. I believe that the time is now."
The moment I decided to run was when George Floyd called out to his mom. I saw my 24-year-old black son under that man's knee and my heart broke. And at that moment I knew I had to do something. Something in me broke. No longer can we just sit here and wait for other people to make changes in our community.
Minnesota has never had a black woman that's been in the Senate. We have four different black women running for Senate. It would be monumental if all four of us were elected to our seats. I think that that's what Minnesota needs to do, just to begin the healing process in our communities. Minnesota is the template. I think the rest of the country will follow suit.
We're in this perfect storm, we're in the middle of a pandemic. We have protests worldwide, civil unrest and it's wind underneath my wings right now.
Why is it such an important time for black women? Because we have supported you. We have encouraged you. So it's like we can be a support, but never the lead. And we haven't gotten any results. It's important for us to take the lead at this point because we actually know what we're doing. We literally and figuratively have birthed the nation. So I think it's time. People are tired and we're tired of the status quo. America needs to be ready.
Laverne McCartney Knighton, candidate for Minnesota State Senate, District 65
LAVERNE MCCARTNEY KNIGHTON
Laverne McCartney initially thought the concept of running for Senate was "far-fetched".
I decided to run for office because of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding George's Floyd's murder for all of eight minutes and forty six seconds. I wanted to know that his call to his mother did not go unanswered.
I was asked to consider running for the state Senate and I initially thought 'that's pretty far-fetched' but when I realized that as George was calling for his mother, that I had a responsibility to answer that call. I decided that it was time for me to step up. As a black woman living in America I realized that my voice needed to be heard. Policy and change can only happen when you're at the table.
I feel so empowered to be among 10 to 20 black women who are taking a stand to be a part of the election process. The status quo can no longer continue. We've just got to change things. I feel this is a key moment in time. Black women are rising. And I mean, in order to really get things done in this country, I think women are the ones who can get it done. And black women in particular because we've been asked to wait our turn. We've been asked to sit this one out.
You know what's stuck in my mind through all of this? The fact that so many people have come together from all races, all walks of life. And the young people who are are rising up and standing in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and with all of the injustices that have just gone on for far too long. And it feels good because we now know that people see us, you know our struggle, you know our challenges and our heartbreaks.
I really believe what has happened here in Minnesota will be a model for the world to see. I really believe Minnesota will work hard to make this right. All eyes are on us.
Alberder Gillespie, candidate for US Congress, District 4, co-founder Black Women Rising
ALBERTER GILLESPIE
Alberder Gillespie has helped other women get elected for years. George Floyd's death made her realise it was her turn.
We have more black women running this year than usual. We put out a call as Black Women Rising to African-American women to say our time is now. We have worked with women for years who've been interested in running for office, had planned on running for office, but probably wouldn't have done it this year, myself included.
But with the pandemic revealing the disparities in healthcare and then we have George Floyd who was killed in our state and, for many of us, in our city. And when George cried out for his mother, I don't think there's a mother anywhere who didn't feel something, but particularly as a black mother. That was the thing that pushed us to this next level. The time is now, we can't wait.
We bring a different perspective to politics as black women. We have the ability and the tendency to look out for everyone. We're connected with people who are closest to the pain in ways that other politicians probably are not.
I feel like we have lived a lifetime in this last month. But the one thing that gives me hope is that when I look out at the protesters, I see a multi-ethnic and multi-generational group of people. And particularly to see the young people show up and protest, that gave me hope because I feel like this current generation will have a different set of expectations for what America should look like.
I don't know if America is ready for the rise of black women but they have to get ready. We can't wait for people to get ready. We know our time is now.
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