It’s the start of a new week. A couple of news stories have my attention today.
A Hack
Let’s start with the hacked petroleum pipeline between Texas and New York. The Colonial Pipeline carries nearly half of the East Coast’s fuel supplies. It was shutdown over the weekend because of a ransomware attack.
The New York Times is reporting that the company is developing a system to restart the pipeline, but it is uncertain when it will be fully up and running. A spokesperson for Colonial says they will open things up again, “only when we believe it’s safe to do so.”
The question remains how might the shutdown affect the supply and price of fuel. Only time will tell.
Fox News is reporting there is a belief that Russian hackers are behind this. The White House is considering executive orders to strengthen cyber security in the United States.
Vaccines
On the Covid front, we may be getting to the point where anyone who wants a vaccine has already received it. Those who haven’t feel pretty strong about not getting it, too. A poll from The Economist and You-Gov says 79% of those that say they aren’t getting the vaccine say nothing will change their minds.
A Falling Sky
Finally, look out below. That out of control Chinese rocket landed in the Indian Ocean over the weekend. Near the Maldives. NASA is blasting China over this. NASA Administrator Senator Bill Nelson says, “Spacefaring nations must minimize the risks to people and property on Earth of re-entries of space objects and maximize transparency regarding those operations.
CNN reports that Nelson went on to say, “China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris.”
It is an issue that needs attention. As more and more rockets leave Earth, we need better safety measures to make certain what goes up comes down the way it is supposed to.
So, I guess the Chinese rocket is now “off” my radar.
I’m with you on the COVID shots. People will only get them when something happens to them that makes it better than not. For instance … our pastor and wife believe in holistic medicine, doctors and all. A few weeks ago he got the worst strain of COVID and was sicker than sick. He spent a couple of days trying to find where the shot was being given, until I discovered his reason … thinking the shot would help heal him sooner. Finally convinced him he had to wait 90 days after he tested negative. I made him promise he will get it then. We’ll see. His wife has been having other issues and ended up in the hospital. Don’t think she had a discussion with them about holistic medicine. Just sayin’. Any way … I love your narratives, thanx for writing them. Oh, I can’t help you with China. Sorta put them in the category of mosquitos … “unnecessary”.