Gidday TT
Grad a brew around the campfire....
We might have all pray harder.
There is global repercussions and is fear of a looming War coming. From the perspective of being outside the USA. With the virus hitting America hard ,who we have for last 75 year held America as bastion of democracy and freedom is faltering. Many smaller democracies are worried about China growing assertiveness in the Pacific region. There is in the region that we are repeating appeasement like in the 1930's to fascist regimes with political ambitious of global expansions. Some thing will give....
This virus has had an impact on global economy. Even in the remotest of places of the Pacific now away from civilization people on very remote islands are at risk. Some business was perilous before the virus took hold.
Here is one of the last known cargo island trading vessel sailing the remotest of Pacific islands. Most of all island very few of us even know exist. Remote isolated places almost like being on another planet..
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She trades around the Marshall islands bringing supplies of fuel rice, canned food and sundry items. Most is in trade for barrels of copra oil. Voyages take 2 - 3 months visiting islands and atolls that is hard to believe people actually living on them. Some of the islands is the only vessel they see and contact with the outside world.
The business makes money selling the coconut oil from these islands to pharmaceutical companies . But since the epidemic the coconut oils was worth over 1000 dollars per ton has fallen to 800 dollars thus making ends meet even harder. Technically they have lost 20% of their income If it was not for the cost savings of free wind saving fuel costs and subsidies from charities groups the business would not be viable. She sails from Hawaii to islands about 4-5 times a year. The collection of Coconut oil is the only source of income. The vessel is seventy years old. It one of last of its type.
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Right now with the virus if the sailors after two months at sea. Go enjoys themselves with R and R? They have to get tested again before sailing because in the region there is absolutely no medical services on those remote scattered islands. Their existence is perilous at the best of times because many of these atolls are subject to hurricanes and to tidal waves. Remote some only see that vessel 2 times in one year. To trade oil for meager supplies we all take for granted. There is a very basic subsistence existence on those islands.
While we amigos dream of treasure, there are others out there dream of a different treasure, stuff we would not think twice about.
I think its time for a brew amigos....
Crow