The Fairy Princess was very sad to read about Manhattan Theater Club cancelling their production of Qui Ngyuen’s POOR YELLA REDNECKS that was scheduled for this coming May.
Hopefully this is a reschedule and not a true cancellation – because adding insult to injury would be having a Vietnamese American story being cancelled because the POTUS chose to ineptly mishandle the COVID-19 crisis, while choosing to ramp up racism against AAPIs.
Not only are we being attacked in the streets, but we are being erased from the stage – and that is just…
Wait, don’t believe TFP?
AHEM…
WE’RE GONNA DIE by Young Jean Lee, (Broadway’s only Asian American female playwright) closed early at Second Stage.
CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND at Signature Theater by Lauren Yee closed early.
ENDLINGS by Celine Song at NY Theater Workshop closed early.
THE HEADLANDS by Christopher Chen at LCT3 closed early.
SUICIDE FORREST by Haruna Lee at Ma Yi closed early.
The RAGE PLAY by Nandita Shenoy never got a chance to open at the Abrons Center.
Sondheim’s ASSASSINS at East West Players is looking to reschedule.
Right now, CAMBODIA AGONISTES by Ernest Abuba is still on for their May 18th start, at Pan Asian Rep, but really, who knows?
Quite a list.
Anyway, it a HUGE blow to AAPI’s who have long been overlooked on our stages, to then have the stories (Some centered around community issues, some not) unable to be seen – it is infuriating.
Plus, let’s face it – none of the people calling us names, attacking us cares to tell us apart – so does it matter to an ignorant racist that you happen to have heritage from a country other than China?
No, it doesn’t.
So we are ALL going to have to walk around as if armed from now until the foreseeable future, and be extra careful with our kids and elders – and that is just exhausting.
TFP hates it.
She is also very sad to know that so many are suffering and passing from COVID-19, and that AAPIs are still getting blamed for it. Meanwhile, AAPI are not immune from it, and are losing their lives to it – and it is JUST A VIRUS.
It’s just a virus.
It could have happened anywhere the circumstances were available for it to jump species.
ANYWHERE animals and humans interact.
So. Much. Ignorance.
However it is not all bad there is some light at the end of the tunnel
@TheaterWit is going to make it’s production of Mike Lew’s TEENAGE DICK available on Vimeo for specific dates and times.
The McCarter Theater Center in Princeton, NJ will be producing, for their 2020-2021 Season, both TIGER STYLE by Mr. Lew in January and the musical, ‘BHANGIN IT –book by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott.
All super cool.
And may TFP just mention that TIGER STYLE is a play.
TIGER KING is an insane docu series about big cat animal abuse on NETFLIX and neither of them have anything to do with one another, so don’t get it twisted.
Also, Tigers and Lions oh my should not be in captivity. Private zoos are hideous.
KIM’S CONVENIENCE just ended their season in Canada, so that means the USA will get it here on NETFLIX …wait for it – TOMORROW!!!!!
TFP finds re-watching episodes in this time of forced closeness, oddly comforting.
AND NOW THERE ARE MORE!!!!
KILLING EVE on BBC America moved up it’s release date by two weeks – and waaay better performers in it that just are ACTING like they kill people and stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer…who are just ACTING….as opposed to people seeming to have done away with their former spouses….
ALLEGEDLY!
Ok Peeps, writing this every day is kinda a lot, but here ya go…something to keep you busy.
When this is over, you must take the pledge – you must buy a ticket to a play by an AAPI Playwright.
Make it happen – grab yourself a ticket, make a pledge to see people’s work.
You need it.
They need it.
We are all going to need as much ‘escape’ as possible, given the way this virus is replicating.
Please accept TFP‘s condolences for any losses you may have suffered during this time, her heart is with you,
The Fairy Princess is lapping the crazy pole in four inch heels while she has laundered, cleaned and baked all the things… except bread, which…too many carbs anyway.
She has no concept of how yeast works – so she is very glad bread is not high on the list of personal needs.
Coffee however..
She is ready for this to be over, because you try and corral a kid, in the home, for several weeks at a time while teaching college courses and –
However it is NOT over, not ANY time soon – so we just keep self isolating. Let Essential Service people have the space they need to deal with those that are ill – and stay out of the hospital unless you need a respirator.
Meanwhile TFP’s kid never wants to go back to school – and it seems he might get his way, pardon while she searches for her sanity.
We do not pay teachers enough.
For real.
Nor, do we pay Paramedics – she has just watched the head of the Paramedic Union reassuring people on the news that if you call them, they will come – and yet – should any of them pass away from contracting this virus – their death benefits to their families will only continue for 3 years after they pass – unlike the rest of the Policemen, Firemen etc.
Not right.
Anyway, if you are not adept at sewing, but still concerned about Health workers getting what they need, you may consider donating to
Here is their GO FUND ME page – this is the collective brain child of TFP‘s buddy, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, who last year created a comic book anthology to help Puerto Rican Hurricane Recovery, and his friends Dr. Sanjeev Sriram, Bob Bland, Kristin Mink, and Saira Rao.
They have found a manufacturer that can get them the N95 masks – FDA approved – for $2 a mask – the goal being to get 2 million masks to essential workers, asap.
If you look on theGo Fund Me page – you can find their mission statement and all related information – this is a big one, Folks – you should do this.
Even if you are not sick, do it for those who are.
On to Entertainment –
TFP wants you to know that RUSSELL PETERS and PAUL CHOWDHRY both have comedy specials on Amazon Prime right now, and they are hilarious.
Also on Prime is a new series called THE FORGOTTEN ARMY which is about the men and women who fought for Indian Independence, as part of the Indian National Army.
Very cool, bilingual series – it is INTENSE!
Something a bit more fun – MADE IN HEAVEN – also on Amazon Prime – a series about wedding planners in Delhi – it is not a reality show, it is scripted, and alternately comedic but ultimately drama, drama, dramaaaaaaa!
Moving now to a Martin Scorsese Produced film – REVENGE OF THE GREEN DRAGONS, with Kev Jumba, Harry Shum Jr. Justin Chon, Leonard Wu, MC Jin, Celia Au, Eugenia Yuan, Ron Yuan, Carl Li, Jon Kit Lee, Phil Nee, Billy Magnussen and Ray Liotta – and many more.
Directed by the Andrews – Lau and Loo, and is available on NETFLIX.
If docu- series are more ‘your thing’ then check out MINDING THE GAP, about young skateborders on Hulu
Equally as interesting is this interview with MINDING THE GAP‘s Director, Bing Lui as to why he had to ‘join’ the film.
Ok, one supposes one must keep some things for tomorrow – however, keep in mind, if you are able to shelter at home, and not overly concern yourself over the loss of a salary for a week or two – then you are lucky.
TFP hopes you stay healthy.
Heads up, shoulders back – keep exercising – you can do it.
Also – if anyone gives you shade, or goes further – tell them KISS YOUR FAN TAN FANNIE
The Fairy Princess would like to extend her condolences to the Actors, Nico Santos (Superstore, Crazy Rich Asians) who lost his Step-Father, Sonny, to COVID-19, and to Yuji Okumoto (Karate Kid 2, American Yakuza) whose In-Laws, Liz and Robert Mar, were both taken by the virus.
TFP would also like to acknowledge the passing of Actor, Garret Sato, (Only The Brave, Hawaii 5.0) and extend condolences to his wife, Stacie Lee Sato.
May their memories be a blessing, and may they all Rest In Power.
By now, it is universally acknowledged that America was ill prepared for a virus this dynamic to spread with such power, and many States remain on ‘lockdown’ orders to stay at home.
As we are all ‘trapped’ in this situation – please acknowledge that there may be people in your life that are unable to remain at home, because they are essential workers in the Health, Armed Forces, Civil Forces, and the Grocery Supply chain – and the best thing you can do for them is to STAY HOME and slow the spread of COVID-19.
If you are in the enviable position of working from home, and not being financially stressed – please consider that people in the Entertainment Field and related areas – that you know – Restaurants, Small businesses, Cleaning Services and so on – may really be feeling the stress due to no income currently and no income for the near future.
Make sure to check in with them and if you can offer assistance, please do so through The Actor’s Fund or, hey, just Venmo them their rent.
Obviously only if you have the means to do so.
Now for some things to watch that may help you be able to get dressed today – first off – a little bit of music from Telly Leung, Rich Ceraulo, and Alvin Ing from the 50th Anniversary Concert of FLOWER DRUM SONG.
TFP loves Broadway people, check out their ‘clap back’ at the New Yorkers who yelled at Trevor Noah for singing out the window – re-edited and lots of fun, from the people who are/were in the show:
It is great that in this time of trouble, PBS is opening up it’s GREAT PERFORMANCESlibrary for streaming, and it is free – so if you are a theater nerd like TFP, you will not want to move from your device as you peruse all the shows that are available.
Of particular interest to TFP’s crowd may be the full production of THE KING & I with Ken Watanabe and (TONY Winner) Ruthie Ann Miles, HAMILTON’S AMERICA with Philippa Soo, and in a rather ‘irksome‘ moment, a concert production of SOUTH PACIFIC…. with no Pacific Islanders.
Perhaps if you have given up working out and want your blood pressure to just RISE?
Honestly perusing the GREAT PERFORMANCES – particularly looking at those from the Opera World, it is shocking how other than orchestrally, there is not a ton of AAPIs in the content available. Which makes TFP appreciate her fellow AAPI Artists just a bit more, because when you go to a website to see the ‘best of the best’, and you clearly are not included quite that much…what is this saying?
Would have liked to have seen ALLEGIANCE, SOFT POWER, FLOWER DRUM SONG, BOMBAY DREAMS, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM included, but alas, it seems it is not the case – however, plenty of musicals, plenty of plays, plenty of time in purgatory while we flatten the curve.
Shows you can watch on Network TV, where you can see some AAPIS include:
CBS – ALL RISE, MADAME SECRETARY, HAWAII 5.0 (Announced cancellation), NCIS, S.W.A.T, STAR TREK DISCOVERY, BIG BROTHER
NBC – PERFECT HARMONY, SUPERSTORE, SNL, NEW AMSTERDAM, CHICAGO MED,
ABC – THE GOOD DOCTOR, GREY’S ANATOMY, STATION 19,
FRESH OFF THE BOAT (Series Ended)
FOX – The Resident
CW – LEGACIES, BATWOMAN, NANCY DREW, THE OUTPOST, BURDEN OF TRUTH
Yes, other than H50, and ALL RISE, you are not going to see more than one AAPI on a show. It should be acknowledged that only Kristin Kreuk on the CW in BURDEN OF TRUTH is ‘carrying’ the show on her star power as a headliner.
Therefore BACK TO INDIE FILMS WE GO….
WEST 32nd, Directed by Michael Kang has a Grace Park after BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and before H50, PLUS a John Cho before SELFIE, STAR TREK and SEARCHING.
This film is available on DVD on Amazon.
21 & OVER features more Justin Chon, and why NOT?
The night before his Med School interview, Jeff’s friends take him out for a serious night of partying… Avail on NETFLIX
Now we go to the darker side with Karyn Kusama’s psychological thriller, THE INVITATION.
This is what happens when your Ex hosts a dinner party, and you accept the invitation.
Clue – DO NOT ACCEPT THE INVITATION!
Reader, he accepts the invitation.
Make sure to check out Michelle Krusiec in this.
Continuing in the tradition of psychological thrillers directed by Females, Jennifer Phang has given us, ADVANTAGEOUS, starring Jacqueline Kim, as a woman who must submit to a experimental procedure.
That is all TFP is going to say.
Reader, this is supposed to be set in a dystopian future but UNDER HIS EYE, we are kinda there now.
This is also available on NETFLIX.
If you like your Fashion Challenge shows heavily Asian, please check out NEXT IN FASHION on NETFLIX!
TFP loved it!
Hosted by Alexa Chung and Tan France, this fashion emergency has all the drama of Project Runway, but in the hands of experienced designers who just need that last big push.
It is Asian AFpeople – in all the diaspora glory that is our current culture – and you should for sure, check it out from your couch.
Finally, SINGAPORE SOCIAL has entered into the reality genre – and it is JUST as EFFED up as any other reality show out there – again, on NETFLIX – NETFLIX is killing it, eh?
Asians being messy AF is what this should be called, but grab the popcorn and take sides, folks – you can relax with this one, cuz it is not hard on the brain.
If you are looking for a series that is a bit twisted – TFP is suggesting HUNTERS on AMAZON PRIME, where you can catch Louis Ozawa Changchien in all his Nazi Hunting Glory – and this show really seems to be, POC and Jewish Folks are going to rid the world of white supremacy…and if there was EVER a show HITTING THE POINT WITH A ‘EFFIN MALLET – it is this one, check it out:
There you go – stuff to see…mix it up…keep your loved ones that do not live with you in your abode at a social distance and hold it down, hold it down – you can do it!
The Fairy Princess posted a blog yesterday about what you, dear Reader, can do to quell the pandemic panic you are feeling in self isolation – and then, she thought of some more things – so here we go –
First off, The New York Youth Symphony (which has a large AAPI contingent) has been practicing social distancing and social distance practicing as an orchestra – they are confined, but not out – so before you read this blog, please promise to watch this video in it’s entirety while you BREATHE…
In a display of hope, community and resilience, 71 members of the orchestra come together virtually with Music Director @mikerepper from their isolation points across the country to perform Mahler's Symphony No. 1. This video was edited by our own NYYS violinist, Raina Tung. pic.twitter.com/RvhOeOvrh5
— New York Youth Symphony (@NYYouthSymphony) March 27, 2020
No, TFP cannot center it – it’s a tweet – let it go – all of this is about letting it go.
Speaking of letting it go – AAPIS are going to have to say bye to the revised production of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at NY’s City Center. This production was to have starred Tony Nominee, Ashley Park as Millie, and was being advised by CAMBODIAN ROCK STAR scribe, Lauren Yee – so this is upsetting, yes.
However, they are cancelling the rest of their 2019-2020 season, including their 5 borough community production, ON THE MOVE, and the rest of their summer. Not just the Asians – so…pandemic mode, be forgiving.
TFP would like to thank NY City Center for taking this huge step – and yes, it totally stinks, but she understands, and hopefully, a revamped production will show up next season!
Congrats for taking Governor Cuomo’s mandates seriously.
Best thing to do isorder a candle, and settle in for the long haul.
Now for more things to watch while you are at home – and forgive TFP if she does not expect oil paintings or gourmet meals while you are confined – if you do it – GREAT!
Yay for YOOOOOUUUUU – if you happen to have a small child you are trying to keep off screens but who keeps grabbing screens because screens are everywhere….and today you are just letting it ride because it is Saturday and you can do NO more – then – perhaps do the best you can….
First up, and we are going back a ways – have you all seen TIGER HUNTER (2016)?
It is on NETFLIX, available now.
Taking place in 1979, engineer Sami is excited to leave his village in India for a job in Chicago, but he soon runs into issues when pursuing his American Dream.
Also on NETFLIX comedy specials by Ali Wong, Ken Jeong, Ronny Chieng, Jo Koy – should keep you laughing for at least an hour.
A film TFP enjoys is SEOUL SEARCHING from 2016 – about Korean American teens who head back to Korea for summer camp and wind up getting in a whole lot of trouble. Look out for one of Justin Chon’s early breakout performances as the badass KoreAm who is a rebel – think literally ANY teen film in America – and then put Asians in it.
It’s a laugh riot from start to finish – and KoreAms especially are going to love it.
Be prepared for co-option, which is explored, but can be jarring – and questionable moral choices – again, just like any other American teen film.
It is a win. ( A salty, insane, diaspora win)
In a time when AAPIs are getting attacked – and we are – and not ‘just’ Chinese Americans but all because, well, white people have no idea, the idea of self defense may resonate with you, in which case, you can check out THE SENSEI from 2010.
Written and Directed by Diana Lee Inosanto, it riled up the martial arts community and caused the team to get death threats – because the right to defend yourself from hatred, and self-hatred is…challenging to some.
Set during the rise of the AIDS crisis, an HIV Positive Female Martial Arts Instructor goes home to make peace with her family, only to take on a student who is being bullied for being Gay and needs to know how to defend himself.
TFP was an Associate Producer on this film – but that is not why she is sharing it, perhaps the time of THE SENSEI has come again.
The Fairy Princess is so tired of all the ‘winning’ we seem to be doing as a country – we now havemore cases of infection than the country where the virus first appeared, and that says a lot about the ineptness of our leadership – except, everyone’s Zaddy Crisis Manager, NY Governor, Andrew Cuomo.
You’re doing GREAT, Sweetie!
So, there you are – self isolating – AS YOU SHOULD BE – and going out for solitary activities and/or groceries, and that is it – but…you are bored.
Perhaps you have Netflix and Chilled yourself into a coma?
Perhaps you have a small child you have to teach at home during this crisis and you now want to give every teacher a million dollars and send them back to school because you just CANNOT take it ANYMORE?
Perhaps working from home without pants was fine for the first few weeks, but now you miss your pants – which is something you never thought you would think in your life?
In any case, you need momentary breaks – and TFP has compiled a few for you, so that you can get away and get happy – or as happy as you are going to get during this crisis – and no, TFP does not expect you to write a book, create award winning drama, or come up with a new style of au gratin potatoes – that is some bullshit.
In any case – here are some things you could ‘catch up on’ while you are just me, myself, and I-ing –
ALEC MAPA, BABBY DADDY is available to watch on SHOWTIME
A riotous special about the ins and outs of adoption as a Gay Parent, it will make you laugh as hard as it makes you cry about the state of the Foster Care System today in America. TFP was lucky enough to be in the audience for this taping – she stans it.
Broadway’s JAYGEE MACAPUGUAY, (School of Rock) has just put together this short film – The Language Lesson, based on the Filipino Song Cycle, “On This Side Of the World” – which mirrors her pride in her heritage and her hopes for the future – directed by Garth Kravits and choreographed by Karla Puno Garcia.
TFP‘s recommends the webseries, JADE DRAGON, a faux docu series about a struggling Chinese takeaway in the UK.
Lots of British East Asians doing ‘their thing’ – being funny – written by Rebecca Boey , directed by Joseph Brett, starring Daniel F. York, Rosie Revan, Rebecca Boey, Anna Long Brophy, Stephen Hoo, and William Harry – it is a fun way to spend some time.
Not just to recommend things that can be streaming on the internet – have you all seen FAMILY KARMA on Bravo TV?
In terms of reality shows, this one is lining up to knock it out of the park – Feuding Aunties! Kids who are not Married and in their Thirties! Divorce! Rumors! Diwali! Hot Cast!
It is LOADED, and TFP is obsessed:
Come ON!
Also available on Network TV – NBC – now it will be ‘on demand’ is the show, PERFECT HARMONY which features a diverse cast and music as a main component – and who does not love that?
Lynn Chen‘s Directorial Debut film – which she wrote as well – will be available on Apple TV beginning May 26 ‘on demand’ – hopefully quarantine won’t go that long, but if it does – here is the trailer, and something to look forward to:
But to ‘prep’ for May 26th, you could go watch the previous two films, Dave Boyle’s SURROGATE VALENTINE (2011) and DAYLIGHT SAVINGS (2012) – and then you will be ready!
Again, with Lynn Chen, as an Actor – and a cast of very funny AAPI Actors comes, GO BACK TO CHINA, a film available on iTunes as of March 6th – about a spoiled rich Chinese American, whose Dad decides to pull her funding unless she comes back and works at the Family factory in China for a year.
Starring Anna Akana, Kelly Hu, Lynn Chen, Richard Ng, Kendy Cheung, Michelle Lukes, Akemi Look, Brittany Finamore, Ines Laimins, and Aviva Wang – you can view it right in your own home!
Alan Yang‘s new film, TIGERTAIL is coming out on NETFLIX (a format which has been beyond responsive to the AAPI audience and their need for content – Ali Wong, Jo Koy, Always Be My Maybe) and now….
What is it about? – According to Netflix – ‘A Taiwanese factory worker leaves his homeland to seek opportunity in America, where he struggles to find connection while balancing family and newfound responsibilities in this multi-generational drama from writer-director Alan Yang.’
Starring Tzi Ma, Christine Ko, Hayden Szeto, Hong-Chi Lee, Kunjue Li, Fiona Fu, James Saito, with Joan Chen.
It will debut on April 10th – again, something to look forward to
Please remember that you can also catch up with AKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS on demand, on Comedy Central, as the season has ended now – here is a great interview with show runner, Teresa Hsiao, on the past season.
Remember, this show has a guaranteed second season! So if you missed it, you can pick it right up.
Starring: Akwafina, BD Wong, Lori Tan Chinn, Bowen Yang
If you think you cannot watch these shows and not be an über critical ass- we all trash talk one another – TFP is an expert on being on the receiving end of THAT- you CAN.
You can watch all of these talented people and not be dismissive.
Just remember, years ago – AAPIs would not even have been considered for shows/films like this – just asBD Wong states in this interview, TFP was told the exact same thing – multiple times – that Asians were not funny, and/or charming/charismatic enough to be anything other than bit players.
TFP was told this. To her FACE.
So she has tried to show you here – that statement is simply not true.
There are a variety of AAPI performers with talent and a sense of humor- and they have been walking against the wind a long time. The least we can do is turn on the TV or stream their work.
All the sh*t people talk about others – to elevate themselves, to make themselves feel safer, or more confident – it simply is not true.
Facts are facts. Science is science.
This virus could have happened anywhere in the world that humans and animals interact.
Keep your heads up, Kids – walk around like a badass – and wash your hands.
The Fairy Princess DOES NOT have COVID-19 – despite her being of Chinese heritage, and she says that simply to remind you that
Viruses do not adhere to boarders – where one starts is not where it ends.
WASH YOUR HANDS FOR 20 SECS at least!
Social Distance is staying 6-10 feet away from people
Stay home as much as you can
Hoarding supplies when we do not have a supply chain issue is stupid/selfish
Most people who contract the virus will recover, although we do not know if that means that they will then become immune from a re-infection
This is transmitted via airborn droplets – not by race, not by blood, not by sexuality
Now, TFP has been ‘fighting’ – that is correct, she said ‘fighting’, the recognition fight for a long time.
By that, she means, she has been fighting for the right of Asian heritaged people (and btw, let us remember she has fought for not ONLY for AAPI people) to be visible on our stages and screens for nigh on…eight years come July. That is eight years of showing some of the best that humans can be – operating and creating art on the highest levels, and eight years of seeing some of the most racist crap to ever grace the stages and screens of the world.
Lucille Ball was quoted as saying she could walk into any living room in America and be welcomed with open arms – and that is what TFP wanted for AAPIs.
This virus and the resulting attacks on AAPI people falls in part, at the feet of the Entertainment industry for NOT embracing diversity, for NOT including AAPIs as main characters on a variety of shows, and for NOT having a variety of types of APPIs on our televisions.
They have not seen us, they have been, as Oscar Hammerstein wrote, “carefully taught’ not to see ‘us‘, and racial attacks during a pandemic is the result.
As we have NOT, for the most part, been seen by the mainstream of America, it does become easy for prejudiced people to dismiss us AS Americans– to ‘other‘ us – and the Entertainment industry – Creatives, Casting, Executives – has been complicit in enhancing the bias that ‘we’ are not ‘real Americans.’
When her pal, Filmmaker/Writer/Actress Lucy Sheen getsharassed on public transport, with a man feeling comfortable enough to whisper in her ear, TFP recalls that though PARASITE won the multiple Oscars – not one of the Actors in the film received recognition or three picture deals from any studio.
CRAZY RICH ASIANS was hot for a summer, but did not lead to a huge bump for any of the actors save Henry Golding and Gemma Chan.
TFP could cite a million examples – but when the President goes on television and repeatedly calls COVID-19, “The Chinese Virus“, it perpetuates racism towards AAPIs. The only way ‘we’ could have repudiated it and challenged it was by having a multiple and varied representation in place well before this POS POTUS got there – and we did not.
Now, there is a Facebook group regarding attacks on AAPIs – every day she sees the numbers go up – let us be clear – though it originated in China – the chance of your average American being able to discern who is and who is not of Chinese origin in next to nil.
They are going crazy attacking everyone- particularly people who look vulnerable- the elderly, women, young kids…
Therefore, AAPIs of all shapes, colors, genders – we all need to be prepared.
We cannot be walking around without the B.D.E. – Big. D*ck. Energy.
You have to move like you are going to punch a mofo OUT, like out of nowhere you can pull a roundhouse kick, and you are going to have to walk TOUGH, my People.
This is some base level intelligence that we are dealing with – and the only way to survive is to be aware of who is around you at all times.
Do not look down, maintain aggressive eye contact and make them think you are a martial arts expert – walk like you expect trouble.
TFP does not want anymore senseless attacks on AAPIs in America – and if you call yourself an Ally – then she expects you will say something at the same time you are DOING something to stop the attack – you are witnesses.
Don’t just film it – stop it.
RESTING BITCH-WHO-WILL-KICK-YOUR-ASS-FACE is our new normal.
Make it happen, TFP has faith in you.
TFP has also – since the advent of HIV and so many of her friends and co-workers getting infected and dying – been a huge reader on the subject of viruses. Some might say, obsessively so.
She did not just pick up THE HOT ZONE and read it, dust off her hands and say “welp, problem solved’, she has been actively reading about viruses since the 1990’s.
She reads the CDC website on occasion.
Which is why she is ‘not surprised’ by the current situation – it was always going to come, the issue was going to be would ‘we’ the United States, be prepared for it.
Obviously we are not – because we have a person in charge who seems to be ‘sundowning‘ every news conference. He put someone in charge of it whose talents are better suited to being a televangelist, meanwhile his Senators, instead of warning people about how to prepare, aredumping stock left and right as early and as sneakily as they can.
The United States is not prepared.
We had been prepared under President Obama, and we would have been under President Hillary Clinton, but we have the Electoral College, so she was not POTUS despite being 3 million votes ahead and now we are not prepared.
TFP is not a virologist – she is not a part of the CDC – however she has done a lot of reading about viruses, and this is what she has learned from people far smarter than herself so she wanted to share some of their videos and what she has picked up over the years.
She hopes this will calm you.
To begin with, Viruses are looking for a host.
All viruses want a host that they can exist within. This is basic biology – they do not want to ‘die’, they want to live in symbiosis with their host. Finding the right ‘host’ will also have the virus finding a lot of ‘wrong’ hosts, and if that host is unable to bear the virus, in the first wave of infection – the host may die.
Most of the people who contract the COVID-19 virus will live, because that is what the virus is designed for – to find a living host. Many people will die, because that is also part of a virus that is respiratory in nature, and anyone that has a weakness is particularly vulnerable.
Most lethal viruses are not of human origin. They come from another ‘source’, aka species and likely they have lived within that source for a while, and then a ‘trigger’ happens, and where HIV has lived quite steadily in monkeys for a while, or while coronavirus occurs naturally in bats, the virus gets an opening to jump species, and it does. Usually there is a ‘secondary’ host for the virus and it is that host that ‘actually’ transmits it to the humans.
Flu naturally occurs in birds. People and birds have lived with one another for thousands of years and thus, the flu we get now is a watered down version of what it once was. Unless you go back to 1918, when a quarter of the world was killed by a virulent flu that had people drowning in their own body fluids, because for some reason, nature went back to the ‘pure’ form.
Did the practice of eating wild game contribute to this virus?
Almost certainly.
Did the practice of ‘wet markets’ – where live animals are sold for consumption and/or pet ownership contribute to this virus being able to jump?
Very likely.
You have a ‘market’ where you have panicked animals, in cages, from all over the world, possibly trading viruses among them, then they ‘nip’ a finger of a human, or they are consumed – and BOOM – there is your ‘jump’.
These ‘wet markets’ exist throughout the world – and it is not just Asia that has them. North America and Latin America also – it is a market that sells live produce.
Back in 2009 in the USA we had ‘Swine Flu” – which was basically a recombination of the flu that birds get, the flu that humans get, and then it found itself back in pigs.
Did we call it “San Diego Flu” because that was thepoint of origin?
No, we did not.
Did we call it “The 10 Year Old Flu” – because the first patient was 10 years old?
No we did not, that would not have been accurate and every parent of a 10 year old would have lost their mind.
It was named for the animal most likely responsible for the transmission to human hosts.
Which is why calling COVID-19 “The Chinese Virus” is racist.
It implies only Chinese people pass it, when in actuality, anyone that has it, is able to pass it.
It is an airborne transmission, and the ability to infect can be undetected, until it reaches a ‘vulnerable’ host. There have been just as many, if not more cases in Italy, and no one is attacking Italians or refusing to eat pasta.
However infection from an Italian citizen is generally more likely for Americans than one from a Chinese citizen, given that we pop back and forth to Europe like we are going to the market – not to mention, it was just Fashion Week.
Viruses can be anywhere, and pandemics can start anywhere there is human/animal interaction.
It is only by circumstance that the virus originated overseas. We have plenty of chances here in the USA to start a pandemic, and scientists have been screaming about it for years.
YEARS.
Right here in the American South for example, there was a pig farm in the USA who spilled excrement into the Mississippi River and now there are fish with holes right through them – meanwhile people continue to bathe and swim and wash their dishes in the river – that was just as likely to cause an infectious virus, and it very well might.
We have in America “farmed fish’, where thesanitation is deplorable and they are eating their own feces as well as, on occasion, taking a nibble of others of their species. We have deer that are being shot and consumed that are not always screened for Chronic Wasting Disease, we have cow meal that until recently was being made of cow parts and which has a ‘human form’ it is possible to contract- leading to Mad Cow Disease.
The point is – wash your hands.
The point is – do not be racist.
The point is – self isolate/quarantine/social distance until they figure this out.
The point is – check in on your elderly or imuno-compromised neighbors and see if they need help.
The point is – panicking is not beneficial to your mental health.
TFP is really concerned not just about transmission, but about how people are going to economically survive this period.
If you have the ability to be financially generous, please look for places to give – meals for medical workers, vemo a financially vulnerable friend, give to a charity.
If you belong to a Union, see what they are going to do to help their members, and consider contributing.
We are going to get through this – if you are lucky enough to not contract it – good for you.
If you have contracted it, TFP sends you her very best wishes for a full and complete recovery.
If you have lost someone close to you to COVID-19, TFP sends you her deepest condolences and this hug.
Finally, TFP asks you to keep in mind that is it kindness that will ‘save’ us – not toilet paper.
fairyprincessdiaries 
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