Well, it looks as though the “China as a new virus” headlines will be spreading like wildfire this week. Up to only a few hours ago all of the media coverage was on the fringe. Now we have the Guardian picking up the story. Public Service Announcement. It’s the seasonal flu. Full stop. Suspect that this won’t prohibit score of traditional and social media outlets from pushing out a story line that this is the new Covid 19. Again, this time five years ago everyone here in China was talking about the “mystery illness”. Today, no one is talking about this HMPV.

the Guardian

HMPV: What is human metapneumovirus, are cases surging in China, and should we be worried?

An outbreak of the virus in northern China has prompted some online alarm but experts say the risk of another Covid-like pandemic is low

China Morning Missive Stange one here, but there’s been an uptick in media coverage, primarily out of India oddly, on a flu strain out of China labeled HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus). Unlike the Covid outbreak back in late 2019/early 2020, there’s zero – and I mean none whatsoever – chatter about this anywhere here locally. I do find the timing of the headlines to be more than a little suspicious. It just looks to be nothing more than your average seasonal flu. Just thought I’d send out a quick note on the off chance any of you were seeing the same headlines. Will, of course, keep you all abreast if anything changes. Have a great week everyone!!!

Newsweek

HMPV: China's new virus outbreak explained

As reports of a new virus outbreak circulate, here is everything you need to know about human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Looks like I put a jinx on the Chinese Renminbi. No sooner did I comment on the PBoC holding hard on the $/7.30 level and it quickly broke down soon thereafter. Next week will be very interesting.

China Afternoon Missive It’s been a brutal two days and start to the year here in #China. Stocks have been absolutely battered and a policy that has continued to starve the system of fiscal liquidity is having the expected results. Bond yields continue to fall further. Very, very reminiscent of what went down the same time in 2024. There’s been commentary from certain public groups that policy makers may expand the size of this year’s “ultra-long term” bond issuance. It’s just talk though. It is also now clear that public statements attempting to support markets have lost virtually all their desired effects. China stocks extend declines with bond yields hitting record lows

CNBC

Chinese stock market slump deepens with bond yields hitting record lows as PBOC reportedly signals rate cuts

Economic data on tap appeared thin on Friday, while investors in Asia continue to assess China's monetary easing policy, political chaos in South K...

No question that the Chinese central bank is taking aggressive steps to keep the currency, the Renminbi, hammered in place at $/7.30. This chart shown here is the stuff of managed economies. Unclear, however, how long this will be maintained or if the PBoC ends up deciding to let the dam break. Unlikely though as any material push through above 7.30 could result in heightened capital flight. I do have the conviction that nothing will change in the FX pairing prior to the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday (kicking off on Jan 28th). Stability, wherever possible, is the name of the game for the very near term.

This is the real “number go up” technology. #impressive

This is a fantastic video. Well worth the full 20 minutes. “If you wish to understand the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” Nicola Tesla And a very Happy New Year all!!

Here’s my litmus test for America ….. When we return to trolling in the unrelenting way we did by taking “God Save the King” and changing the lyrics into the banger we all know as “My County, ‘Tis of Thee” aka “America”.

Wife and I just arrived in Egypt. Happy Christmas to all and I’ll be back blathering on about #China in the New Year.

Can we all just agree on this one point. The coolest people in the entire world are on Nostr at this very moment. I say we close off all further applications to join. Full stop.