Hi Colleagues,

This interesting graph from the Economist is very reassuring for now.I think we have had enough of this pandemic and it is time we look forward to a new season with hope.Some of you have had the the two doses of the vaccine and should be ready for the dawn of a new era as we welcome and share our traditional new year greetings.With best wishes for the New year and continuing good health in the years to come. Eddie.

Hi Colleagues, It has been an uncertain time since the pandemic commenced in December 2019.To date, first February 2021,53 million people world wide have received a dose of a vaccine.This is out of our world population of 7 billion.Interesting times, as countries compete to get a vaccine in the hope of achieving ” herd immunity.” When?.Already,it has been noted that in Manaus which in April 2020 had a naturally acquired immunity of aroud 68% is now showing a recuurence of infections with the ” new mutations.”.These aside, I have spent most of last year reading and one of the books that I want to share with you is Yuval Harari’s 21 lessons for the 21st century.Harari, is in my view one of the leading contemporary philosophers with an astounding knowledge of history and loads of common sense.This book will make one rethink the future,because the future is already here.!!The book was published in 2018 and he did not predict the pandemic( but we all knew it was going to happen someday) , His view of what is to come is real and compelling to understand.Some of you may have already read the book, and ,if you have please share your opinion in this forum.This book is a must read for our children and especially our grand children for they are the ones who will live into the 22nd century.I firmly believe, that this book should be translated into as many languages as possible in order that at least half the 7 billion on this planet can see the future and plan for it..It is best to throw away the “unnecessary stuff” that is rammed down the throats of unfotunate students in most third world countries and read this book in order to “learn to think”, for this is what education should be.!!.He believes that the old school teaching of the 3 Rs( reading, writing and Aritmetic) is not the answer in preparing for the future .It requires, the 4 Cs( critical thinking,communication,collaboration and creativity) for survival.Hope you will enjoy the read as much as I did. Eddie.