Seven German News Stories

 1.  German gov't put out a fair amount of information yesterday on long-Covid.  Focus did a update on this.

Shockingly enough, they say there are over 200 symptoms attached to the long-Covid business.

But they've gone and split the long-Covid into three groups: (1) Neurological Symptoms, which affect taste/smell, and brain fog, (2) Respiratory symptoms: lung problems or shortness of breath, and (3) Systemic or inflammatory and abdominal symptoms, which leads back to muscle issues and gastrointestinal problems.

2.  Another public TV scandal brewing?  Well....yeah.  

Focus talked about this in the AM today.  The head director/boss of BR (the Bavarian public TV network) seemed to have two limos, and two limo drivers.  

The two vehicles?  A Audi A7 (luxury vehicle), and a Ford Mondeo (rather plain station wagon).  Odd pick and makes you wonder why two, and how the Mondeo fits as an executive vehicle.

Where this is leading?  I suspect the Governor's Board over ARD is going to hold a meeting and discuss the idea of a top to bottom financial review....over all of the networks.  It would be a rather unpleasant experience, and probably detail more problems/issues.

3.  There was a press conference in Berlin yesterday....with Chancellor Scholz showing up and answering some questions.  More than an hour.....you can watch here off YouTube.

I'll just say this.....he was rattled on one occasion, and came off in a negative way.  Question was regarding his Hamburg period, and possible corruption.  

4.  N-24 had a early AM piece today....talking over Russian Army 'recruiters' now visiting prisons, and looking for potential conscript-material.  

BS-meter?  I'd give it a '3' but probably believe they've reached a stage where volunteers aren't coming in anymore.  

If you were a Russian commander and told that 10-percent of your group were just out of prison in the past month?  It probably would be unsettling.  

5.  On this public TV scandal brewing with RBB's retired director....a new little twist.

She held a dinner in her residence....in the square middle of the Covid period (Feb 2021)....where several guests were invited (strictly forbidden by the Covid rules at the time).  Even though it's 16-odd months ago....it begs the question how this group dinner over-rode the Covid lecture business that everyone got.  

Focus covered this story.

In addition, they are also going back to 2016, and a documentary piece that was commissioned....called 'The Good Goering'.  A lot lacking on this problem, but it seems like someone approved budget items that now appear questionable.  

State prosecutor now involved?  Yeah, and that's probably not good news.

6.  Finally, there's an interesting report off Focus, which I'd recommend, as a read on E-cars and the ability in the future to charge them in your home.

Fair number of people noticed the gov't worry about heating systems triggering black-outs....if people went to using electric heat in their homes.....then triggered them to ask if E-cars arrive in mass numbers....won't they do the same thing?

Well....the simplified answer to this is that the experts say you won't be able to always drive up, and plug in......recharging in the same way as you might fill a car with gas. 

In the future, you would drive home and hook up to something called IMSys (Intelligent Measuring Systems).  This would be smart enough to review the charge required, and draw off the grid in a very low pattern....over several hours.  Your interaction?  You'd get out of the car....plug it in, and hit the 'green' button....then return at 7 AM to drive to work (unplugging).  

Yeah, it means a lot of trust in some computerized system.....that won't fail, and the charge at 7 AM would be sufficient (if not, you won't be going to work).

After reading the summary, I came away....with less trust in the E-car recharge business.  

7.  How far away is the World Cup?

According to the new schedule.....games start on 20 November, in Qatar.