Author: Wayne Francis

 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its founding Charter.

The U.N was founded 75 yrs ago, on the 24th of October 1945, in San Francisco, California, United States. The United Nations is an organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly international relations, achieve international cooperation, and help in the harmonization of the actions of nations.

It was formed after the Second World War by 51 countries that aimed for a peaceful world,  prosperous nations, better living standards, and human rights. The Charter of the United Nations was signed on 26th June 1945, in San Francisco, after the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24th of October, 1945. The Statute of the International Court of Justice is an integral part of the Charter.

This charter ensured that there would be no global organization with the convening power or impact of the U.N. The Charter of the United Nations, also known as the UN Charter, is the foundational treaty of the U.N. At first, it was signed by China, France, The Soviet Union, The U.K, The United States of America, and a majority of other signatory states.

By now, most countries in the world are members of the United nations. The charter establishes the purpose, governing structure, and framework of the UN, including its principal organs: The Secretariat, The General Assembly, The Security Council, The Economic and Social Council, The International Court of Justice, and The Trusteeship Council.

The Secretariat is the United Nations’ executive arm, as it is responsible for putting laws into effect. The general assembly is the policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations.

The Security Council is tasked with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving changes to the UN Charter. The Economic and Social Council is responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the judicial organ of the UN. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The Trusteeship Council suspended operations on 1 November 1994. By a resolution adopted on 25 May 1994, the Council amended its rules of procedure to drop the obligation to meet annually and agreed to meet as occasion required –  by its decision or the decision of its President, or at the request of a majority of its members or the General Assembly or the Security Council.

International sloth day was made in 2010 by the AIUNAU Foundation, a non-profit conservation, and wildlife organization based in Colombia that came up ‘cause of the need to contribute to the protection of wildlife, in particular Xenarthra.

Xenarthra is a major clade of placental mammals unique to the Americas. There are 31 living species: the anteaters, tree sloths, and armadillos. Extinct xenarthrans are the glyptodonts, the ground sloths, and the aquatic sloths. They originated in South America during the Paleocene about 59 million years ago.

 The unofficial holiday raises awareness about the life cycle and natural habitat of the Sloth.

Even though sloths live most of their lives upsidedown, they are amazing swimmers.

There are 6 species/ variations of sloth. These are – Pygmy three-toed, maned, pale-throated, brown, Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth and Hoffman’s two-toed sloth. Generally, they are simply known as ‘two-toed’ and ‘three-toed’ sloths’. Some sloths are completely nocturnal, such as the two-toed sloth, but most sloths don’t do a lot day or night. They usually spend 15 to twenty hours asleep, and only 4 – 9 hrs roaming in the woods.

Evidence suggests that once, giant ground sloths known as the megatherium/ the great beast once existed mainly in woodland and grassland environments of the lightly wooded areas of South America. They are estimated to have been around 20ft or 6.1m tall and weighed 4tonnes.

Don’t be slothful and remember to celebrate sloths and appreciate them.

On September 2, 1964, the United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 88-566, authorizing the President to proclaim October 9 as Leif Erikson Day. 

Leif Eriksson Day commemorates the Norse explorer believed to have led the first European expedition to North America, nearly 500 years before the birth of Christopher Columbus. Around 1001 A.D, a group of European sailors left their homeland behind in search of a new world.

 President Calvin Coolidge gave recognition to Leif Erikson as the discoverer of America during his appearance at the Norse-American Centennial celebration at the Minnesota State Fair. This was because of research by scholars such as Knut Gjerset, a Norwegian-American author, historian, and college professor together with Ludvig Hektoen, an American pathologist.  Wisconsin was the first U.S. state to adopt Leif Erikson Day as a state holiday in 1929, mainly thanks to efforts by Rasmus Anderson.

 In 1931, Minnesota also acknowledged this day. Thanks to the efforts of the Leif Erikson Memorial Association of Saskatchewan, the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan proclaimed—through an order-in-council in 1936—that Leif Ericsson Day would be observed on October 9. By 1956, Leif Erikson Day had been made an official observance in seven states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and California) and one Canadian province (Saskatchewan).

In 1963, Senator Hubert Humphrey and Representative John Blatnik, both from Minnesota, introduced bills to observe Leif Erikson Day nationwide. On September 2, 1964, Congress unanimously authorized and requested the President to create the observance through an annual proclamation. Lyndon B. Johnson did so that year, as has each president in the years since, often using the proclamation to praise the contributions of Americans of Nordic descent generally and the spirit of discovery.

Bills have also been introduced in the Parliament of Canada to observe Leif Erikson Day.

World Animal Day was originated by cynologist Heinrich Zimmermann. He organized the first World Animal Day on 24 March 1925 at the Sport Palace in Berlin, Germany. Over 5,000 people attended this first event. Initially, he found a following only in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia. Every year Zimmermann worked tirelessly on the promotion of World Animal Day. Finally, in May 1931 at a congress of the International Animal Protection Congress in Florence Italy, his proposal to make 4 October World Animal Day universal was unanimously accepted and adopted as a resolution.

 Now’s the time for all animal-lovers to show their compassion because October 4 is World Animal Day and we’re planning to take care of these wonders of nature. Animals can’t talk in the conventional way that humans communicate with each other. But this is a day we can all give a voice to the animals who can’t speak for themselves. On October 4, people spanning the globe will come together to celebrate World Animal Day. In any corner of the planet, no matter which country you explore, animals will consistently have a strong impact on the region’s culture.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to help animals, whether it is to feed a stray animal, provide shelter until the owner or a new home is found; to talk to others about the special bond animals have with us; to raise funds for your local animal charity, to raise awareness of World Animal Day, or maybe take your dog an extra-long special walk or snuggle your cat for a gloriously long time! But please remember, although the event only lasts a day, animal suffering continues every day. That’s why they need your understanding, kindness, and help all year round.

Animals are the second-best things in nature, after trees and plants of course. They help preserve the ecosystem and look cute doing it. Even dangerous animals are relaxed in their natural habitat. They are not as dangerous when they are full, bathed, and healthy. Bears, coral snakes, swans, polar bears, and chimps for example. When the above conditions are provided,  they are rather harmless. At least if you don’t irritate them.

WWFRANK

The book is indeed interesting, but I give it 3 out of 4 stars. This is because somewhere in the middle, I get bored. Apart from those few pages, it was overall interesting, fun, and vivid.

While it is not very involved, it has a lot of technical and definitive terms that the average or unskilled reader might find complicated.

I found some new and interesting terms in the book. Thus it may be of use to unskilled readers who wish to expand their knowledge of the English language.

This book takes off with two lords (governors) getting arrested. One of them is killed by the people, and the people are convinced that the other, a powerful mage, is dead.

The king gets another lord to preside over the small town. This lord is humble and honest. He tries to bring change to the town and eradicate their awful memories of the past governors.

A young boy, a new arrival in the small town in the kingdom, around whom the book seems to be mainly centered on, (the book’s title, by Mathew Tysz, is We are Voulhire, a new arrival, and his great uncle’s executor, manage to get their hands on a very expensive and coveted metal said to be stronger than normal/basic steel. Armed with the material they believe not to be of this world, he is about to kick-start his career as a blacksmith.

If you count out the first six months of the first two lords, and the boy’s two-week journey, the book spans 1½ days since the boy’s arrival in Voulhire.

In the end, it seems as if maybe, the lord’s troublemaker son and Galen are going to meet.

I hope they do, and maybe include more details about the great uncle possibly being a mage in future books.

I found this book to be professionally edited. This is because I found no spelling or grammatical mistakes.

The story flows, and ranks are clear. For example, the highest-ranking person wears purple while the lowest ranking one wears black. Only in some instances does everyone wear the same, like in the mianoran knights, a part of the mianoran council, where everyone wears the same type, quality, and color of armor, with only three exceptions in the book.

I recommend this book for those with mastery of the English language, teens, those who wish to master the language, young adults, and recreational readers.

WWFRANK

It’s been 4 months of ‘Covid-19 Holiday’, which I will simply refer to as COViday. The longest academic recess I’ve ever had since joining school, some 11 odd years ago.

Nobody expected such a break; it has made some people and broken others. But as my mum says, ‘In any situation, you can either count the losses or your victories.’ I choose to always count my victories even in the face of failure and disappointment. As a Freshman, the break has had its advantages and disadvantages. I expected to complete my KCSE at 17, but now it seems I will leave high school an adult with a national ID!

Adulthood comes with responsibility, and I’d hoped to accomplish a few things here and there before it finally comes knocking. Someone once said, ‘A few years from now, you will be able to tell who was working and who was not.’ Of course, for some students this Coviday was a good break; a time to fold hands, do away with books, and forget the never-ending assignments.

Some are heartbroken because they will not sit the much anticipated national exams. Others are happy they have been given a little more time to polish up and be ready for the upcoming exams. Others still did not put a pause but have continued with their classes as usual. It all depends on where we stand in the economic continuum. If you are like me, a child from a middle-income family that believes in hard work and facing everyday problems hard-on, you have been at home enjoying your Coviday.

Without organized online classes but with guidance from my parents and the privilege of home Wi-Fi, I have managed to do a few things that I would never have done were it not for the long holiday. Here are a few ways the Covid-19 holiday has been a blessing in disguise: It gave me an opportunity to transition smoothly from Primary to High School. I have done several Whatsapp and Zoom classes that have enabled me to understand some concepts I had not understood in school.

This, coupled with the thorough research I did on various problem topics, has prepared me for better days in highschool. I got a chance to sharpen my internet research skills. I have always done research on topics I did not understand, but what I was doing in primary school is child play compared to what I have learnt during this season especially from Britannica. As I discovered, most of the Form 1 work is just an introduction with advanced studies on the same topics later in Form 3.

This has given me a great foundation for my high school studies. I also do research for my blog and YouTube channel every day, and I’ve learnt quite a lot about world history.

Through internet research, I have learnt how to make crafts, agriculture, and life. For instance, when we were planting flowers in our front yard, I read a lot on how to take care of Cana lilies, agapanthus, hydrangea, golden shower creepers among others. The long break gave me an opportunity to venture into online content creation.

I love writing, and my mum has always encouraged me to write without ceasing. When I joined high school, I wrote a solo verse for the drama team which had gone to the County Level before Coronavirus successfully put it to a halt. However, in February my mum registered a blog for me where I could post my stories. It was not until the Coviday that I decided to get started.

After doing several online classes and interacting with fellow teens from West countries on Youtube, I decided to give it a shot. I created the first video which was received well, then the second.

On my 14th birthday, my parents decided to complete setting up my blog where I can start publishing my work. It gave me the chance to learn a new language. I developed my quest for multilingualism at a young age. My mom did Linguistics for her undergrad and has told me of opportunities lost for failing to fluently speak a foreign language. I started with Chinese but the computer with the program is kaput.

However, recently after mum introduced me to an app that she said teaches better than any tutor she ever paid before. Nevertheless, I did not see its relevance until I went to watch the movie ‘SAAHO’ which required some competence in Hindi. My interest peaked after watching an interesting Korean series on Netflix.

I learn foreign languages online to not only pass time but also to be good in those languages. My hope is that I will be fluent in at least 3 foreign languages by the time I clear high school.GardeningFun is good, and most of the things I have been doing above are fun. But I also have to help at home.

During the lockdown, I not only learnt how to plant grass and flowers but also how to take care of them. I water the front and back yard at least twice a day, and I’m happy the canna lilies we planted are producing new shoots, the arabica grass is thickening, and next, I want to help my mum with the kitchen garden.

Of course, times have not given us enough room to exercise physically, but mentally I solve puzzles and play games. Are you a student who would like to share your experience during the Covid-19 break? Please share in the comments box or leave a message on the chatbox below.

Everyone in a mask and some gloves. At least that’s how it’s supposed to be.

Instead, many have formed anti-mask leagues worldwide. Kind of like back in 1918.

They claim that the masks are irritating and uncomfortable. That is actually true.

Most surgical facemasks are coated with quaternary ammonium before use for pre-sanitization.

Quaternary ammonium compounds can cause toxic effects by all means of exposure.

They include; inhalation

                        Ingestion

                        Dermal application

                        Irrigation of body cavities

                      (Chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com)  

Mostly, people ingest and inhale these compounds. Apart from killing germs, ‘quats’ are lung irritants and can contribute to asthma and other breathing\respiratory illnesses. They also irritate the skin and lead to development of rashes.

                                                   (INCHEM, hunker.com)

The safest way to avoid illness by `quats’ is to properly wear your mask.

This was ignored when a man posted on social media that ingesting strong alcohols kills the virus in your throat and in your belly, the same way sanitizer kills surface germs.

People believed this even after W.H.O. nullified this `fact’.

Experts pointed out that frequent drinking weakens the immune system, making one more susceptible to the virus.

Gregory A. Poland, an expert on infectious diseases and a professor of medicine stated that “there is no direct research I am familiar with that directly links alcohol and CoV. Despite an absence of research, there is presence of harm. ‘’

There is a difference between alcohol consumption and misuse, though the line between the two is somewhat vague.

Kathy Jung, director of the National Institute Of alcohol Abuse and alcoholism ; division of metabolism and health effects (NIAAA) said that there’s really good evidence that short term alcohol misuse can suppress immune function , suppress the ability to defend against the respiratory infection in the short run.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (thecut.com, NIAAA)

In the long term, effects of alcohol misuse are more detrimental and include risk for respiratory infection, and even Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

ARDS is a condition seen mostly in more severe CoV cases.

                                                       (Mayo clinic)

A man, believing that he might have contracted the virus when he touched his face while at the store, drank 91% rubbing alcohol once he got home. He believed that this would help prevent contraction of the virus. Instead, it damaged his brain.

Rubbing alcohol’s real name is isopropyl alcohol.

Iso- means equal

Propan-a prefix denoting the quantity of three and referring to the number of carbons and alcohol meaning a chemical moiety of 1oxygen atom bound to 1 hydrogen atom.

                                       (medpagetoday)

In Iran, at least 27 Iranians died from alcohol poisoning.

Since Iran is an Islam country and consumption alcohol is not available, many turned to industrial grade alcohols, like the ones in sanitizers.

                      (national post)

In Kenya, after CS Mutahi Kagwe allowed pubs and bars with restaurants to reopen, sly Kenyans have found a way to beat government objectives. They had an excuse to misuse alcohol. They would order 2 beers and a sausage or two. This became so popular that if you ordered a Kagwe, everyone understood!

              (nairobinews.nation.co.ke, pulselive.co.ke, capitalfm.co.ke)

Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Kioko `Sonko’ made headlines when he distributed large amounts of alcohol and food to the Nairobians who couldn’t afford to dig into their own pockets. For a reason unknown to the public, he claimed that the particular cognac he was distributing, Hennessy® contained healing properties.

Later on, LMVH Moet Hennessy clarified that neither their cognac nor any other drink was a drug\ preventive measure against CoV.

Mike had endangered a lot of lives when he promoted it on air. He had unknowingly promoted alcohol misuse, especially among the youth and minors. In the long run, crime rate will increase, especially in the streets of Nairobi because of that mistake.                                                                                               (business.humanrights.org, LMVHMoet Hennessy, CNN)