#vaccine confidence index

[fantasticglittersalad]

Shiv Kumar Sehgal:How to Ride the Bull: LRO's Guide to the Indian Stock Market in 2023

Shiv Kumar Sehgal was interviewed by the Financial Times of India on October 7, 2022, and he revealed his secrets to success in the Indian stock market. He also gave us a glimpse of what to expect in 2023, and how to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Why India is a Hot Spot for Investors

　　The Indian stock market performed exceptionally well in 2022, outshining most global stock markets. It benefited from a combination of factors, such as:

　　· A recovery in domestic demand, driven by the advancement of vaccination, the easing of lockdowns, and the improvement of consumer and business confidence.

　　· An effective inflation control, achieved by the Reserve Bank of India’s prudent monetary policy and the government’s fiscal discipline.

　　· A surge in foreign capital inflows, attracted by India’s favorable growth prospects, low interest rates, and stable exchange rate.

　　· A boost in manufacturing relocation, facilitated by the government’s initiatives to improve the business environment, infrastructure, and innovation.

　　As a result, India’s Bombay index Sensex (denominated in rupees) rose by 4.4% in 2022, hitting a record high.

　　But can the Indian stock market sustain this momentum in 2023? According to Shiv Kumar Sehgal, the answer is yes, but only if we look at the big picture.

How to Analyze the Indian Stock Market from a Macroeconomic Perspective

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal believes that the key to investing in the Indian stock market is to judge from the macroeconomic perspective. He said that the Indian economy is expected to maintain a high growth rate in 2023, thanks to the following factors:

　　· The continuation of the vaccination program, which will help contain the spread of the virus and reduce the health risks.

　　· The implementation of the government’s fiscal stimulus and structural reforms, which will enhance the public investment, social welfare, and productivity of the economy.

　　· The recovery of the global economy, which will increase the external demand and trade for India.

　　The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that India’s real GDP growth will reach 5.9% in 2023, up from 5.1% in 2022. The Reserve Bank of India also stated that the Indian economy has recovered from the impact of the epidemic and the GDP growth rate in 2023 is expected to be 6.1%. The growth of the Indian economy will be beneficial to the performance of the Indian stock market, especially those industries related to domestic demand, such as consumption, finance, medical care, etc.

　　How to Pick the Winners in the Indian Stock Market from an Industry Analysis

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal also shared his industry analysis and recommendations for the Indian stock market. He said that the main industries of the Indian stock market include finance, information technology, materials, industry, energy, consumption, etc. Among them, he highlighted two industries that he thinks will have the most potential in 2023: finance and information technology.

　　· Finance: The financial industry is an important part of the Indian stock market, accounting for approximately 31%. The performance of the financial industry is affected by India’s economic growth, credit demand, interest rate levels, asset quality, capital adequacy ratio and other factors. Shiv Kumar Sehgal expects that in 2023, the financial industry will continue to benefit from factors such as economic recovery, credit expansion, low interest rate environment, improvement of non-performing loans, and regulatory support, and will have strong profitability and attractive valuations. He suggests investors to focus on the leading banks and non-banking financial companies, such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bajaj Finance, etc.

　　· Information Technology: The information technology industry is another important industry in the Indian stock market, accounting for approximately 13.6%. The performance of the information technology industry is affected by global digital transformation, technological innovation, outsourcing demand, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors. Shiv Kumar Sehgal expects that in 2023, the information technology industry will continue to benefit from the investment of global technology giants, the competitive advantages of Indian software services, the transfer of Indian manufacturing, the depreciation of the rupee and other factors, with high growth potential and profit margins. He suggests investors to focus on the leading software and hardware companies, such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, etc.

　　Other industries, such as materials, industry, energy, consumption, etc., will also present different opportunities and challenges based on their respective industry characteristics and market environments. Shiv Kumar Sehgal advises investors to do their own research and analysis before making any investment decisions.

　　How to Prepare for the Risks and Challenges in the Indian Stock Market

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal also warned that the Indian stock market is not without risks and challenges in 2023. He said that investors need to be alert to and respond to some of the possible scenarios, such as:

　　· A resurgence of the pandemic, which could disrupt the economic and social activities and dampen the market sentiment.

　　· A rise in inflation, which could force the central bank to tighten the monetary policy and increase the borrowing costs.

　　· A geopolitical tension, which could escalate the conflict and uncertainty in the region and the world.

　　· A market correction, which could trigger a sell-off and a volatility in the stock prices.

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal estimates that the target point of the Nifty50, the benchmark index for the Indian stock market, is around 20,100 points by the end of 2023, implying a moderate return of about 7.5%. He said that investors should not chase the short-term fluctuations, but focus on the long-term trends and fundamentals.

　　How to Take Action Now

　　If you are interested in investing in the Indian stock market in 2023, you should not miss this opportunity. You can start by following these steps:

　　· Subscribe to LRO Investment Advisor Limited, the leading investment advisory firm in India, and get access to their exclusive research reports, newsletters, webinars, and podcasts.

　　· Contact LRO’s team of experts, who will provide you with personalized guidance and advice on your investment goals, risk appetite, and portfolio allocation.

　　· Open an account with LRO’s partner broker, who will offer you the best trading platform, execution, and fees for the Indian stock market.

　　Don’t wait any longer. The Indian stock market is waiting for you. Join LRO today and ride the bull in 2023.

#Awesome #Design #Photography #Themeforest #Magazine

[consultationassistant]

How to Ride the Bull: LRO's Guide to the Indian Stock Market in 2023

How to Ride the Bull: LRO's Guide to the Indian Stock Market in 2024

　　Have you ever wondered how to invest in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world? Do you want to know which industries and companies will benefit from India’s economic recovery and structural reforms? If so, you are in luck. In this article, we will share with you the insights and predictions of Shiv Kumar Sehgal, chief analyst of LRO Investment Advisor Limited, who has been investing in the Indian stock market for over a decade.

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal was interviewed by the Financial Times of India on October 7, 2022, and he revealed his secrets to success in the Indian stock market. He also gave us a glimpse of what to expect in 2023, and how to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

　　Why India is a Hot Spot for Investors

　　The Indian stock market performed exceptionally well in 2022, outshining most global stock markets. It benefited from a combination of factors, such as:

　　· A recovery in domestic demand, driven by the advancement of vaccination, the easing of lockdowns, and the improvement of consumer and business confidence.

　　· An effective inflation control, achieved by the Reserve Bank of India’s prudent monetary policy and the government’s fiscal discipline.

　　· A surge in foreign capital inflows, attracted by India’s favorable growth prospects, low interest rates, and stable exchange rate.

　　· A boost in manufacturing relocation, facilitated by the government’s initiatives to improve the business environment, infrastructure, and innovation.

　　As a result, India’s Bombay index Sensex (denominated in rupees) rose by 4.4% in 2022, hitting a record high.

　　But can the Indian stock market sustain this momentum in 2023? According to Shiv Kumar Sehgal, the answer is yes, but only if we look at the big picture.

　　 　How to Analyze the Indian Stock Market from a Macroeconomic Perspective

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal believes that the key to investing in the Indian stock market is to judge from the macroeconomic perspective. He said that the Indian economy is expected to maintain a high growth rate in 2023, thanks to the following factors:

　　· The continuation of the vaccination program, which will help contain the spread of the virus and reduce the health risks.

　　· The implementation of the government’s fiscal stimulus and structural reforms, which will enhance the public investment, social welfare, and productivity of the economy.

　　· The recovery of the global economy, which will increase the external demand and trade for India.

　　The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that India’s real GDP growth will reach 5.9% in 2023, up from 5.1% in 2022. The Reserve Bank of India also stated that the Indian economy has recovered from the impact of the epidemic and the GDP growth rate in 2023 is expected to be 6.1%. The growth of the Indian economy will be beneficial to the performance of the Indian stock market, especially those industries related to domestic demand, such as consumption, finance, medical care, etc.

　　How to Pick the Winners in the Indian Stock Market from an Industry Analysis

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal also shared his industry analysis and recommendations for the Indian stock market. He said that the main industries of the Indian stock market include finance, information technology, materials, industry, energy, consumption, etc. Among them, he highlighted two industries that he thinks will have the most potential in 2023: finance and information technology.

　　· Finance: The financial industry is an important part of the Indian stock market, accounting for approximately 31%. The performance of the financial industry is affected by India’s economic growth, credit demand, interest rate levels, asset quality, capital adequacy ratio and other factors. Shiv Kumar Sehgal expects that in 2023, the financial industry will continue to benefit from factors such as economic recovery, credit expansion, low interest rate environment, improvement of non-performing loans, and regulatory support, and will have strong profitability and attractive valuations. He suggests investors to focus on the leading banks and non-banking financial companies, such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bajaj Finance, etc.

　　· Information Technology: The information technology industry is another important industry in the Indian stock market, accounting for approximately 13.6%. The performance of the information technology industry is affected by global digital transformation, technological innovation, outsourcing demand, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors. Shiv Kumar Sehgal expects that in 2023, the information technology industry will continue to benefit from the investment of global technology giants, the competitive advantages of Indian software services, the transfer of Indian manufacturing, the depreciation of the rupee and other factors, with high growth potential and profit margins. He suggests investors to focus on the leading software and hardware companies, such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, etc.

　　Other industries, such as materials, industry, energy, consumption, etc., will also present different opportunities and challenges based on their respective industry characteristics and market environments. Shiv Kumar Sehgal advises investors to do their own research and analysis before making any investment decisions.

　　How to Prepare for the Risks and Challenges in the Indian Stock Market

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal also warned that the Indian stock market is not without risks and challenges in 2023. He said that investors need to be alert to and respond to some of the possible scenarios, such as:

　　· A resurgence of the pandemic, which could disrupt the economic and social activities and dampen the market sentiment.

　　· A rise in inflation, which could force the central bank to tighten the monetary policy and increase the borrowing costs.

　　· A geopolitical tension, which could escalate the conflict and uncertainty in the region and the world.

　　· A market correction, which could trigger a sell-off and a volatility in the stock prices.

　　Shiv Kumar Sehgal estimates that the target point of the Nifty50, the benchmark index for the Indian stock market, is around 20,100 points by the end of 2023, implying a moderate return of about 7.5%. He said that investors should not chase the short-term fluctuations, but focus on the long-term trends and fundamentals.

　　How to Take Action Now

　　If you are interested in investing in the Indian stock market in 2023, you should not miss this opportunity. You can start by following these steps:

　　· Subscribe to LRO Investment Advisor Limited, the leading investment advisory firm in India, and get access to their exclusive research reports, newsletters, webinars, and podcasts.

　　· Contact LRO’s team of experts, who will provide you with personalized guidance and advice on your investment goals, risk appetite, and portfolio allocation.

　　· Open an account with LRO’s partner broker, who will offer you the best trading platform, execution, and fees for the Indian stock market.

　　Don’t wait any longer. The Indian stock market is waiting for you. Join LRO today and ride the bull in 2023

#business #shiv kumar sehgal

[hillrobbins18]

Integrating Technology Into The Meteorology Classroom: A Summary Of The 1993 Northeast Regional Unidata Workshop In: Bulletin Of The American Meteorological Society Quantity 75 Concern 9 1994

And though he’s formally retired from clinical work, Dr. Stoute’s altruistic ambitions are far from over. His focus on fairness, fairness and neighborhood make him a Preventist. The sequence of occasions giving rise to those proceedings commenced following the plaintiff's return to his weekly clinic on 1st July, 2020 after the hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 emergency. The plaintiff alleges that, in breach of the March 2017 agreement and with none appropriate notice, the Mater unilaterally withdrew nursing assist from his clinic. As a outcome, his ability to deal with patients attending his clinics was impeded. dr gregory facebook It is seen as THE largest hit of the struggle - actually by way of a play that tackles the struggle itself. That is the play ‘The Better ‘Ole’  which premieres on the Oxford Theatre, which has been a Music Hall which gets reclassified as a theatre, for this manufacturing - and that opens on the sixth of August 1917. Making the choice to hunt help for you or your family just isn't simple. I provide a safe area to discover, focus on and process essential points that have an effect on the lives of you and your family members. particular person or household, may not necessarily be helpful to you. Dr Williams supplies the highest stage of take care of his patients and for him it remains immensely satisfying, each personally and professionally, to have the flexibility to help sufferers regain their confidence by restoring their hair. Along with the relaxation of the Farjo team, he strives every day to make use of the newest techniques and applied sciences in the subject of hair restoration surgery on his sufferers to help additional Farjo as world leader in phrases of hair transplant surgery quality, innovation, analysis and schooling. At 67, he’s settled into what he calls a “whole new career” as an administrative clinical chief at DentaQuest, managing high quality control for the company’s provider network as director at its Texas office. The Fletcher group investigates the impression of host-immunity on TB vaccine efficacy. A main focus of the group is understanding immunity of people living in high TB incidence nations. In addition, the Fletcher group investigates immunity using the mouse mannequin and goals to develop animal fashions of TB illness higher in a place to predict TB vaccine efficacy in medical trials. Even although I’m on the executive aspect now, serving to Medicaid patients and suppliers at DentaQuest, there are nonetheless alternatives out there which would possibly be avenues for learning. I haven’t retired from that aspect of my profession. There’s at all times one thing new on the market to explore. Moving ahead, as EVs take over as the principle consumer of batteries, cells are beginning to be redesigned for autos. All producers are working on greater working temperatures, and on quick charging, however it'll take time for the expertise to be optimized. In Biogeoscience and Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland whereas working in the laboratory of Soil Biodiversity. Dr. Singer is a biologist that specializes in the variety, the ecology, and the biogeography of microeukaryotes. His previous postdoctoral tenures in São Paulo (Brazil), Ottawa (Canada) and Madrid (Spain) led him to learn new approaches to understand microeukaryotic world. His current postdoctoral research on the University of Angers, France is concentrated on identifying drivers of the spatio-temporal distribution of estuary foraminifera with the target of developing a foraminifera-based estuary quality index. A graduate of the University of Malawi—The Polytechnic (1992), he possesses a master’s degree in renewable power from the University of Oldenburg in Germany in 2000, and a PhD in environmental engineering specializing in energy and surroundings from China University of Geosciences in 2013. Alvarez, R., Canillas, G., & Machado, R. Application of Narrative Therapy with Female Adolescents in Los Angeles County High Schools. Assessment and Treatment of Intimate Partner Violence with LGBT Clients. Poster session offered at the annual assembly of the International Summit and Training on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, San Diego, California. Assessment and Treatment of Intimate Partner Violence with Gay Male Survivors. Poster session introduced on the 8th International Congress and thirteenth National of Clinical Psychology, Granada, Spain. Being a psychologist is my second career. My first was as an elementary college instructor. When I was an elementary school instructor, I noticed that the psychological well being of the scholars that I taught greatly affected their capacity to learn. Perón served as president till he was ousted by a military coup in 1955, but his ideologically fragmented political party persisted (often underground) even after he was pressured into exile. He returned to Argentina for a final term as president from 1973 until his demise in 1974. Argentina is a microcosm of just how malleable populism has been in Latin America and how readily populists can win energy. There have been excessive right-wing populists in energy, corresponding to Perón in Argentina and José María Velasco Ibarra, president of Ecuador five occasions between the Nineteen Thirties and the Nineteen Seventies.

#dr gregory hough south africa #dr greg hough south africa #dr gregory #dr greg hough #greg hough #dr gregory hough #dr gregory images #dr greg hough images #dr gregory facebook #dr greg hough facebook

[aakarshita04]

"From Frankfurt to London: Examining the Fluctuations of Europe's Major Stock Market Indices"

European stock markets have been the driving force behind the continent's economic growth for decades. From the FTSE 100 in London to the DAX in Frankfurt and CAC 40 in Paris, these indices represent the collective performance of the largest and most influential companies in Europe. As the European economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, it's important to take a closer look at the performance of these leading stock indices and what it means for the region's future.

The FTSE 100:

The FTSE 100, also known as the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index, is one of the oldest and most widely followed stock indices in Europe. It consists of the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and is seen as a barometer of the UK economy. In recent years, the FTSE 100 has been dominated by blue-chip companies in the finance, oil and gas, and mining sectors.

Despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit and the ongoing pandemic, the FTSE 100 has managed to maintain its position as one of Europe's leading stock indices. In 2020, the index suffered its worst year since the financial crisis, declining by almost a third due to the pandemic. However, it has since recovered, rising over 20% in 2021 as the UK's vaccine rollout and economic recovery boosted investor confidence.

The DAX:

The DAX, or DeutscherAktienindex, is the leading stock index in Germany and one of the largest in Europe. It tracks the performance of the 30 largest and most liquid companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and is widely seen as a barometer of the German economy. The DAX is dominated by blue-chip companies in the industrial and technology sectors, including car manufacturers like Volkswagen and BMW, and technology giants like Siemens and SAP.

Like the FTSE 100, the DAX was hit hard by the pandemic in 2020, declining by over 30%. However, the German government's strong response to the crisis, combined with the country's robust manufacturing sector, helped the DAX recover quickly. In 2021, the index rose by over 20%, outpacing the FTSE 100 and cementing Germany's position as a leading player in the European stock market.

The CAC 40:

The CAC 40, or CotationAssistéeen Continu 40, is the leading stock index in France and one of the largest in Europe. It tracks the performance of the 40 largest and most liquid companies listed on the Paris Stock Exchange and is seen as a barometer of the French economy. The CAC 40 is diverse, with a mix of blue-chip companies in the finance, energy, and consumer goods sectors.

The CAC 40 experienced a similar decline to the FTSE 100 and DAX in 2020, declining by over 30%. However, the index has since recovered, rising over 25% in 2021 as the French economy continues to recover from the pandemic. The French government's response to the crisis, combined with a strong showing from the country's financial and consumer goods sectors, has helped boost investor confidence in the CAC 40.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the performance of Europe's leading stock indices, the FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC 40, is a clear indication of the strength and resilience of the European economy. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these indices have managed to recover and continue to provide a valuable barometer of the region's economic health. As the European economy continues to recover and grow, it's likely that these leading stock indices will continue to play a key role in driving the region's economic growth.

[financialsmatter]

In 2023, Be Sure to Ask Your…

As we close out the madness of 2022 this week, we suggest you begin 2023 by making sure to ask your professional advisors some very pointed questions. This should be very revealing as to the quality of advice you’ve been receiving in the past…as well as an indication of what you should expect going forward in 2023. And, based on the answers you get, you may want to consider other advisors. Since medicine has been at the top of controversy chart over the last few years let’s start with your doctor(s). For those who still wonder about the integrity of medicine in today’s corrupt world, be sure to ask your doctor if a drug with 1,291 known side effects – listed on 32 pages of documents – including blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks is right for you. And with all of the major stock indexes being down this year – some very substantially down – ask your financial advisor if they still think all the Index ETF’s (especially the S&P index) are a good place to be in 2023. READ:  The Difference Between Guns and ETFs Is…  December 11, 2021…as part of our 2021 year-end advice. And if your advisor (Hopefully not your Cousin Eddie) gives you some BS about “historical averages with the indexes…” then you should ask:  “If that’s true then why did my ETFs do worse than the indexes?” Chances are they probably won’t have a good answer to that question. And that should give you another reason to start looking for a new advisor in 2023. Be Sure to Ask… With the onslaught of 87,000 new IRS agents – also armed with semi-automatic assault weapons – be sure to ask your accountant how to avoid the governments desperate hunt for taxes and stay alive in the process. And ask your lawyer if they plan on getting involved in any class action suit against Big Pharma, (Cough! Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, etc. Cough! Cough!) and/or the entire Medical Profession, and any agency that promoted the clot shot, myocarditis inducing alleged vaccination. But let’s not forget politicians. Be sure to ask ALL of your representatives why they supported the $1.7 Trillion Pork-Filled Omnibus Bill – which included an additional $45 Billion for Ukraine to secure their borders – but they refused giving $5 Billion to Trump to secure our border. And feel free to share the answers you get with us. Why? It helps us in providing you with quality information in preparation for the Political Chaos of 2023. But instead of worrying about 2023, learn how to prosper AND thrive in Turbulent Times (HERE). And you have until tomorrow at midnight to take advantage of our 50% off special (HERE). Enter the code Save 50 at the checkout and it will automatically apply. Share this with a friend…especially if they like to ask questions. They’ll thank YOU later. Remember: We’re Not Just About Finance. But we use finance to give you hope. **************************************** Invest with confidence. Sincerely, James Vincent The Reverend of Finance Copyright © 2022 It's Not Just About Finance, LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Read the full article

[mi6-rogue]

Lack of effectiveness of Bebtelovimab Monoclonal Antibody Among High-Risk Patients with SARS-Cov-2 Omicron During BA.2, BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 Subvariants Dominated Era

Preliminary report; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariants are expected to be resistant to Bebtelovimab (BEB) monoclonal antibody (MAb) and the real-world experience regarding its effectiveness is scarce. This retrospective cohort study reports a data analysis in Banner Healthcare System (a large not-for-profit organization) between 4/5/2022 and 8/1/2022 and included 19,778 Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) positive (by PCR or direct antigen testing) patients who were selected from Cerner-Electronic Health Record after the exclusions criteria were met. The study index date for cohort was determined as the date of BEB MAb administration or the date of the first positive COVID-19 testing. The cohort consist of COVID-19 infected patients who received BEB MAb (N=1,091) compared to propensity score (PS) matched control (N=1,091). The primary outcome was the incidence of 30-day all-cause hospitalization and/or mortality. All statistical analyses were conducted on the paired (matched) dataset. For the primary outcome, the event counts and percentages were reported. Ninety-five percent Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals for percentages were computed. The study cohorts were 1:1 propensity matched without replacement across 26 covariates using an optimal matching algorithm that minimizes the sum of absolute pairwise distance across the matched sample after fitting and using logistic regression as the distance function. The pairs were matched exactly on patient vaccination status, BMI group, age group and diabetes status. Compared to the PS matched control group (2.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7%, 3.7%), BEB MAb use (2.2%; 95% CI: 1.4%, 3.3%) did not significantly reduce the incidence of the primary outcome (p=0.67). In the subgroup analysis, we observed similar no-difference trends regarding the primary outcomes for the propensity rematched BEB MAb treated and untreated groups, stratified by patient vaccination status, age ( https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.06.22283183v1?rss=1%22&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr Read more ↓

[don-lichterman]

Entertainment Is Playing a Big Role in Americans’ Vacation Plans

Entertainment Is Playing a Big Role in Americans’ Vacation Plans

After more than two years of doing without in-person events—or abiding by mask mandates, attendance caps, and vaccine and/or testing requirements imposed on large gatherings—Americans are ready to return to incorporating live entertainment events into their travel plans. Allianz Partners’ 14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index has shown that a majority of Americans (60 percent) are planning to…

View On WordPress

#14th Annual Vacation Confidence Index #Allianz Partners USA #Americans #concerts #coverage #crowds #Daniel Durazo #Engagements #entertainment #event ticket insurance #Event Ticket Protector #fans #festivals #Film #in-person #Ipsos Public Affairs #live events #music #policies #polls #Research #screenings #shows #sports #studies #surveys #ticketed events #tours #travel insurance #travel plans

[zephfair]

Man’s Best Friend

Rated T for language and talk about sex. It’s supposed to be fluff, crack and comedy. It goes along with the last three posts on my Tumblr.

Warning: There is lots of talk about different dog breeds and insults between K and Ronan mostly talking about neutering.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam heard about Gansey’s dog in the halls of Aglionby before he even officially met Richard Campbell Gansey III himself.

“Dick Gansey’s dog is such a bitch,” said a guy with his uniform out of order in nearly every way and wearing a pair of white framed sunglasses indoors. “He should be put down.”

“Definitely has rabies,” one of his sycophants agreed to the amusement of the others.

“Should have his balls cut off. Gotta neuter them when they’re young or they hump everything in sight,” another said to the hooting laughter of the rest.

“Don’t think they have shots for what’s wrong with him,” sunglasses-inside sneered. “And I don’t think the humping is a problem.”

So right from the beginning Adam was confused about why Aglionby’s golden boy Gansey wouldn’t vaccinate or neuter his pet. And why the lower dregs of Aglionby society would even care about it.

It had to be some sort of special pedigreed dog, Adam mused the next time he brushed past Gansey in a crowded hall, safe in his anonymity to stare at Gansey’s own pedigreed face longer than socially acceptable.

He could immediately imagine a beautifully turned out, prize-winning German Shepherd striding at Gansey’s side, perfectly at heel, attuned to obey Gansey’s every command. Or a purebred Doberman pinscher, strong and protective, offering extra security at Gansey’s side night and day, trained to attack with just a single word.

Gansey’s dog had to be something like the boy appeared himself—noble and loyal, intelligent and handsome.

Gansey certainly wouldn’t have any use for a mutt, the Heinz 57 variety that was a mix of every kind of dog Adam had ever known slinking around the trailer park. While they could be good-natured and even friendly at times, they certainly weren’t trained or obedient or even cared to listen to commands. While one might bestow a little affection once in a while in return for a handout, the only training they ever received was on the end of a boot when they didn’t get out of the way and cower fast enough.

No, there was no way Gansey would have a sorry mutt in his possession who would only piss on his tires and bite the hand that fed it.

Although that thought soured Adam in a way he didn’t want to examine more closely, he continued to watch Gansey and listen to the scuttlebutt about him. He didn’t have to try hard.

What he heard after that only convinced him that Gansey wasn’t a very responsible pet owner.

“Keep your fucking dog on a leash, dude,” one of the upperclassmen yelled at Gansey while Adam watched him and his shadow Lynch stalk across the quad. “He bites.”

“You wish, asshole,” Lynch snarled back, flipping him off for good measure.

The senior who’d yelled was suddenly alone as his friends prudently took a step or two back.

“Maybe you should consider a collar and tag at least,” the senior blustered. “With your name and number in case he gets drunk at a party again and can’t find his own way home.”

Gansey held up his index finger, like he was going to count off points, but he only had to make one. “Mr. Murphy, I believe it is? I don’t appreciate you telling me what I should do with what’s mine,” Gansey said quietly but with such authority in his voice that the senior was cowed and Adam lusted, intensely, for the power of that confidence. “And if my dog requires a collar or leash, that is my decision.”

Then he turned and walked away, conversation over, issue ended. Lynch hung back for a second to give the thoroughly embarrassed senior a toothy grin that ended with him snapping his teeth in order to see the kid jerk back and swear.

Adam’s imagination wandered that afternoon while his hands worked on an engine at Boyd’s. Gansey’s dog got drunk? What the hell did that mean? Who in their right mind would give alcohol to a dog?

Even if Gansey had some questionable dog ownership ways, he did seem like a faithful friend even if Adam couldn’t believe who he’d chosen for his very best friend.

Ronan Lynch was… Lynch was… Adam strove for the words to describe him. Where Gansey was polished and pedigreed and had the mot juste at all times, Lynch was savage and unfiltered and the most apropos words that came out of his mouth were curses and swears. He was strikingly handsome, all tall and rangy with light eyes under glowering black brows. He was the dark and gloomy rain cloud always following closely behind Gansey’s brilliantly sunny smiles.

Lynch was the biggest reason Adam didn’t reach out to Gansey in one of their shared classes, not just that his secondhand clothes looked especially shabby beside Gansey’s and his accent sounded thick even when he tried to clip it when he answered questions in class. No, Lynch was better left alone, and Gansey right along with him.

Maybe Gansey’s dog was the exact opposite of Lynch, something super friendly to counteract his prickly standoffish persona. It might be a bigger breed, something outgoing and amiable, tongue hanging out while it jumped up to greet any and all strangers.

Oh lord, maybe Gansey was a cliché and had a Labrador or a golden retriever. Something loving and goofy, a dog that would curl up beside him while he studied then chase tennis balls when Gansey let him outside. Something that would always be ready to cuddle or play.

Or even a Labradoodle which Adam had seen on TV and personally thought combined the most ridiculous traits from both breeds. But they were beloved by children and white families, so it would fit. Maybe he’d brought the Gansey family dog along from home.

Adam even wondered where the wonderful Gansey dog would sleep. Did Gansey have a special kennel for him? He would never have an outdoor doghouse or cage arrangement. No, Adam was sure Gansey’s dog would have his own special luxurious bed but was more likely to just share with Gansey so he could curl up at night and rely on his faithful friend to keep him company if he ever had insomnia.

Then came the day before what Adam would later think of as the moment his life invariably changed in all the most weird, wonderful and wacky ways. He was pushing his bike across the parking lot after school when Gansey and Lynch swung into the preposterous orange Camaro. Adam winced when it coughed to a start, engine finally turning over, but idling roughly.

Adam was already diagnosing the potential causes when white sunglasses Kavinsky and his friends stopped at their own nearby cars and shouted, “Dick-Dick-Dick, you gotta muzzle your dog, man, if you’re not going to snip his balls off. He’s getting out at night, fighting again.”

And he gestured to his crotch which made his entire gang behind him laugh.

The engine of the Camaro revved once and the tires peeled a little as Gansey started off at speed. Lynch stuck his head out of the car’s open window the whole way even as they drove down the street, stuck both hands up with middle fingers extended and waggled his tongue in the direction of the jeering.

“Chain that bitch up,” Kavinsky yelled after them, miming it with his own tie.

That interaction left Adam with even more to think about. He just couldn’t imagine Gansey with any kind of dog other than one that might be fierce under pressure but never violent. Surely there was no way he’d have a pitbull or some kind of dog used in fighting? Adam thought that was utterly disgusting. No breed of dog was inherently vicious; bad handling and treatment by humans made them react that way.

Maybe Gansey’s dog was just something high energy that needed more exercise, a greyhound or border collie. Something that needed work and motivation to keep active to run off all that energy.

The very next day was when Adam finally gathered all his courage and stopped to help Gansey and the broken down Camaro. It was a strange meeting—Adam was shocked that Gansey already knew who he was—and a strange conversation, one that accurately predicted a lot of their future conversations if he’d only known it at the time. Even while Adam pointed out the most pertinent problems under the Camaro’s hood, he’d glanced at Gansey looking in vain for evidence of dog fur.

Gansey seemed to take a liking to Adam’s company and sought him out during free periods and lunch, extending invitations to hang out after school that Adam usually had to decline because of his jobs. Still, Gansey took it in stride and soon shared his research into his search for Glendower, and Adam ate it up, nearly giddy with the realization that this boy seemed to value his thoughts and nodded carefully when Adam shared his opinions.

But Adam was used to being on his own, and sometimes he just needed to find a quiet corner to finish an assignment or review his notes right before a quiz.

He found a bench on the outer edge of the quad, its back up against a hedge, that usually provided some solitude and warmth from the slowly cooling fall sun. He was sitting there one afternoon when a group of freshmen congregated around the bench on the other side of the hedge, only the tops of the taller ones’ heads visible from Adam’s side. But he could hear every word clearly.

“C’mon, Watt, you know you want him,” one said loudly and the others laughed even louder.

“All I said was I think Gansey’s dog is really cute,” said a smaller voice.

“That means you like him,” one said in that annoying sing-song voice bullies use when they thought they were being funny.

Adam didn’t think it was funny and neither did Watt who piped up, “You’re just jealous because you’re nowhere near as cute.”

The group let out a loud “Oooo” and Adam was suddenly struck with the vision of Gansey’s dog being cute. That wasn’t something he’d even considered before. What if it was something tiny and silly like a miniature poodle or a Pomeranian or, God forbid, a Chihuahua. What if it was a white fluffy thing Shih Tzu or Bichon Frise? Would Gansey ever carry it in his messenger bag?

Then Adam heard the boys shush each other and fall unnaturally silent. It wasn’t until a shadow fell over his notebook that he looked up to see Lynch looming over him. Adam squinted up at him but didn’t speak.

“Gansey wants you,” Lynch finally growled, jerking a thumb over his shoulder in the general direction where Gansey was waving.

“Okay,” Adam said and gathered his things while Lynch just stood there, silently watching him and judging, Adam was sure. When Adam brushed past, he heard Lynch sniff at him but Adam bit his tongue and didn’t call him on it.

This was their new dynamic now. Gansey seemed to enjoy their time together and wanted to meet up more than Adam actually had time for. And it seemed like no matter where Gansey was, Ronan lurked nearby, hovering around Gansey, circling Adam with distrust, not seeming to want to leave Gansey alone with him.

Gansey’s new friendship was almost overwhelming to Adam, if he hadn’t been so ashamed of enjoying the new and first-ever camaraderie. Gansey was earnest and persistent and, Adam laughed to himself, dogged in his pursuits. Perhaps his rumored dog was a terrier, loyal and relentless.

It still didn’t explain why Adam never spotted a wayward hair or fur on him and his impeccable shoes were never chewed.

When Gansey finally invited him over to the old abandoned factory where he lived on an evening when Adam could actually fit it into his schedule, Adam accepted while Ronan snorted loudly then stalked away.

Adam had the whole day to think about it. He was nervous—as nervous about going to Gansey’s home (and Lynch’s but that was a whole other set of worries) as he’d been about his first day at Aglionby. He wanted to, had to, make a good impression if he wanted to remain friends with Richard Campbell Gansey III and even improve their relationship.

One of the worries was thinking about meeting Gansey’s dog. Gansey spoke about everything else that struck his fancy, but he’d never once brought up his pet. Or attack security dog. It made Adam nervous and he spent his entire English class thinking about getting bitten, eaten, mauled or having to fight with Gansey’s dog.

Even as he rode his bike from Boyd’s to Monmouth that afternoon, he tried to run through possible scenarios. Most dogs he’d met either jumped up in greeting or went right for the crotch sniff. Adam was okay with either. He knew better than to go right in for a belly rub or head scratch but to offer a hand gently for welcoming smells. He was sure Gansey would’ve taught his dog tricks and Adam was ready to be lavish with praise.

After all, he’d always had a soft spot for dogs.

Then he figured it was never too early to offer a bribe, so he wheeled into the gas station two blocks from Monmouth and found he had just enough change in his pocket to buy a plain Slim Jim. Surely making a good impression on Gansey’s dog in the form of a processed beef snack stick would help him maintain a good impression with Gansey himself.

He leaned his bike against the wall of Monmouth, wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and pounded on the outer door. When no one answered, he remembered what Gansey had said and let himself in, holding on to a rickety railing to climb the stairs to the big door on the second floor.

This time he took a deep breath and knocked again, waiting to hear alert warning barks or frightened angry yips, the sound of nails skittering on the hardwood floor as they bounded toward the intruder.

Instead, there was a shout then a heavy tread then Lynch was jerking the door, sliding it open just wide enough for his body to show. He bared his teeth as he said, “Parrish.”

“Is that Adam?” he heard Gansey say excitedly. “Let him in.”

And suddenly, everything fell into place.

“Oh. My. God.” Adam said. Ronan’s head tilted at his loud exclamation, and Adam just had to say “Oh my God” again at his expression.

Ronan barked “The fuck?” but he stepped back when Adam stepped forward, as Gansey called out again, “Lynch, let him in. Come. Sit.”

“This is for you,” Adam blurted out and shoved the jerky treat against Lynch’s broad chest. Lynch looked confused but reached up and took it so Adam could pass into the huge room and focus on Gansey, smiling and eager to show off his latest research into Glendower.

It wasn’t until more than a year later, the last February that Adam would ever have to be in high school, when Ronan climbed back into the BMW from paying for gas carrying two sodas and a Slim Jim. He offered Adam a soda then put them both into the cup holders and dropped the jerky onto Adam’s lap.

“What’s this for?” Adam said but Ronan only shrugged.

“Paying you back.”

“Huh?”

“The first thing you ever gave me was one of these. I’m paying you back.”

Adam started to snicker then broke out in a hearty laugh when he started to think back on those first weeks at Aglionby. Ronan leaned back and looked a little hurt that his thoughtfulness was being mocked.

“You remember that?” Adam finally choked out, wiping his eyes.

“Yeah. It was special. The first thing you ever gave me. I thought you hated me.”

Adam couldn’t resist when Ronan was looking so vulnerable, his cheeks pink, his eyes not meeting Adam’s. “Aaaw, did you save the wrapper? Do you have it pressed into your diary?” Adam teased.

“Jackass,” Ronan spit out and he grabbed the jerky back.

“Aw, come on, Lynch, that’s some pretty romantic shit.”

“It was just so unexpected,” Ronan finally said. “You were finally coming to visit us and you just suddenly yelled the Lord’s name in vain and then slapped me with a Slim Jim. If I hadn’t already thought you were weird, that would’ve done it.”

“Weird,” Adam scoffed and leaned over to kiss Ronan’s cheek but he jerked back.

“You were totally weird. Still are.”

“Maybe. But you like weird.”

Ronan couldn’t disagree with that. “You ever gonna tell me what was going through your pretty, weird little head that night?”

Adam couldn’t stop the big grin that came over him. “You’re not going to believe it. Or like it.”

When Ronan insisted that he would, Adam told him the story. Ronan made some disbelieving grunts and covered his face with his hand at one point, but Adam made it through without interruption.

“It wasn’t until you opened the door that it just clicked. And I realized that Gansey didn’t have a dog-dog, he had a you.” Adam reached out and cupped the back of Ronan’s head, pulling him closer so Adam could say softly, “There was much less crotch sniffing and face licking than I was worried about. At least that night.”

Ronan nuzzled his face into Adam’s neck and mumbled, “I’ll show you crotch sniffing and face licking,” but Adam could feel how hot his cheeks were with embarrassment so he laughed again. Ronan bit him in retaliation.

“Oh man, now I gotta go get your shot records from Gansey. How do I know you don’t have rabies?” he joked and squirmed when Ronan licked wetly up his neck to his ear.

“If I did, you’d have it by now,” he growled and nipped Adam’s earlobe. “You know what they say about sleeping with dogs.”

As Ronan moved on to suck at Adam’s jaw, Adam patted his shaved head. “At least you don’t shed,” then he yelped when Ronan bit his cheek. “Come on, now. Let’s get back to the Barns. I’ll give you a treat,” he cooed in a particularly annoying baby talk voice.

“And?” Ronan demanded.

“And I’ll give you all the belly rubs you want,” and when Ronan pulled back to start the car, Adam didn’t even try to resist rubbing his head again and saying, “Good boy.”

The glare he got then and the exceedingly slow and thorough foreplay he received later were totally worth it.

~~~~~~~

I tried to work in as many dog breeds as possible. I love dogs, canine and Lynch both. But if I had to picture Ronan as a dog, it’s absolutely this one. You can’t convince me that he wouldn’t be as melodramatic, independent, smart and stubborn as a husky. And vocal. Which reminds me, does anyone else see the brothers Lynch in this?

#my fic #pynch #the raven cycle #adam parrish #gansey #ronan lynch

[schnitzelbutterfingers]

The Forgotten One (Ethan Ramsey x F!MC)- CHAPTER 3

a/n: first, i wanna wish everyone a happy thanksgiving from my family to yours! please take the time to thank everyone you are so grateful to have in your life, especially god, for letting us live and for all the blessings he gives us. do not take anyone for granted.

next, so sorry for the holdup!! finally, chapter 3 is here! we’ll see what abby feels about the attack, her and ethan conversing, and a surprise ending. read, like, and let me know your reviews! forgive me if there are any spelling mistakes or grammar errors. let me know if you wanna be added to my taglist and as always, enjoy (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥

summary:  Louise Ramsey, the mother of the famous, brilliant diagnostician Ethan Ramsey, is back into his life. However, Louise holds many secrets, dangerous secrets, that could harm him, Dr. Abigail ‘Abby’ Chacko (my MC), and the very few lives he actually cares about. It is up to Ethan, Abby, and their friends to save each other from what is about to come.

pairing(s): dr. ethan ramsey x f!mc (dr. abigail ‘abby’ chacko) || dr. sebastian chacko x dolores hudson (YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT)

warning(s): angst, and then it’s pure fluff, and then a surprise ending (you’re gonna die die dieeee :)))

word count: 4289

catch up here :)

______________________________________________________________

Abby’s POV

When she wakes up it is with a headache, a throat ache and side pain. When she looks more closely at her nose, she sees an oxygen tube through them. When she looks more closely at her surroundings, she realizes she is in a hospital bed.

Lying down. Wearing a sky blue hospital gown. With an IV through her accessory cephalic vein. 

Jumping Jehoshaphat, what happened this time?

Abby spent many times in the hospital during her childhood. Most of them were due to the number of cuts and bruises she got from her father, in which some of them were very serious injuries. One time she was admitted to the hospital because...

No, Abby. Don’t relive through that phase. It’ll wound you more.

There are many types of pain. Many of her pains were physical, but some of her pains were emotional. By far, she can tell the emotional pain is the hardest to get over with.

Sure, she has been cut with a knife, raped by many of her father’s friends, and whipped with a belt. To her it was normal, and she had gotten used to it. To others, the pain is insufferable. 

Heartbreak hurts. Too much. It can rip people from the inside out, and change them. For better or worse.

Her father caused her many heartbreaks. In return, she studies, skipped five grades, graduated from high school when she was 13, and graduated from Hopkins when she was 21. Some might say she took it too far, but she knows it was just what she needed.

What she needed to prove to her father that pain doesn’t break her. 

What she needed to prove to her horrid patients that she is not dumb.

What she needed to prove to the whole world that she is not as young and innocent as everyone thinks she is.

Death, betrayal, and pain were her three companions, with some delectation in between. She cherished those jocund moments.

And she thanked God. Seb. Jazmin. Ethan. Herself. For all the hard work. 

But what happened right now? Why is she in this bed? 

It feels as if she has fallen into a cactus, her heart being punctured by tiny pins and needles. It’s starting at the bottom of her stomach, and it’s slowly growing. 

The anxiety.

The depression.

It feels like some kind of vaccination, where the shot doesn’t really hurt but the aftermath feels disastrous, cataclysmic. It’s leaving her breathless, as if she is running away from a ghost from her past. It is leaving a certain kind of exhaustion on her.

It’s heartbreak. But why? Why does she feel heartbreak? What could have possibly gone wrong-

Everything. Everything is going wrong. Bingo. She knows what is happening. But she can’t even speak the name out loud. It’s petrifying her. Really well.

 Louise Ramsey. 

Ethan’s mother who claimed to come for him and Alan.

Louise Ramsey.

The one who tricked them, including her.

Louise Ramsey. 

The one who stabbed her. The one who she trusted. 

The one who she believed had a change of heart didn’t have a change of heart at all.

She fooled everyone. She’s a liar. She is manipulative. She is every dark sin written across this universe. She is the next generation of Sat-

Wait. Wait a long moment.

Oh no. Oh no no no no no.

How is Abby supposed to tell this to Ethan of all people? How is she supposed to let him know his own mother tried to harm her? 

But she had to.

Moisture is falling from the tip of her index finger, even if the bed sheets feel cool. Sweat is dripping from her forehead, even if the hospital room is air conditioned. An imaginary shock travels through her body. The sharpness of the pain is unequivocal and indisputable that it sends shockwaves through her bloodstream. If it wasn’t for the bed, she would have crumpled to the floor.

She is currently holding the bed frame with a white-knuckled grip.

The young doctor scratched her arm nervously, mindful of the IV, as she let that horrifying memory fly through her.

Louise stabs her in the side, blood spilling to Abby’s legs and on the floor. She couldn’t say anything, words failing to come our of her mouth, every second making it harder to breather. She starts to lose consciousness, hearing the sounds of the patients in the room screaming for security.

Louise whispers into her ear, “The game has begun.” 

The last thing she sees is Louise running towards the exit and nurses coming towards Abby, before her world evades into darkness. 

That’s what happened. That’s why she’s in the hospital bed, feeling like crap.

That’s why she feels heartbreak, of all the emotions she can feel. She has heard of brother cheating on brother and father cheating on his wife. But a mother disowning her own husband and son, but then comes back only for her to clown them? 

That goes all the way back to Rebekah and Jacob in the Old Testament of the Bible, if you ask me.

She is back to the question on how she is supposed to tell Ethan. 

Does he know? If he knows, how does he feel? Does he feel depressed?

She sure hopes not.

When something happens to Abby, he always blamed on himself. Whether it was his fault or not. She reminisces on when Ethan apologized and was filled guilt when he found out about the trial.

Or when he came back from the Amazon. He didn’t really apologize for that, but the regret and remorse lurking beneath his eyes was the only thing she needed to know. To know that he was feeling guilt. Dismay. Lamentation.

Or when he opened up his bottled-up feelings concerning his mother. He said that he wasn’t planning on ‘dragging’ her into his mess. 

Or when she was in that decontamination room. She remembers his words clearly, words that were etched into her heart.

I wished I hadn’t asked you to stay away.

Or now.

If he knows. 

She knows what will happen if Ethan blames himself for this. He will be a different person. He will start becoming cold-hearted to people he cares about. He will push her away. Again.

Because he tends to believe that it is all his fault that accidents happen to the people he cherishes the most. He thinks that he is a curse. A malediction. An imprecation. She remembers the night when they connected for the first time. What he said.

This is The Ethan Ramsey. The man who can save anyone except the people he gives a damn about. Not Dolores. Not Naveen. And not you.

She was torn by what he said. Not because he said he couldn’t save her, but because he couldn’t love himself. 

The young doctor hopes he already knows what happened. Who stabbed her. She couldn’t even bear the thought of seeing his face crumble. The man who was stoic. The man who every one recognized as an imbecile. The man who every single doctor is head-over-heels in love with.

Ethan told her to tell him everything. Everything that makes her angry. Everything that makes her sad. Everything that makes her happy. 

If he doesn’t know what happened, she will tell him. She promised him that.

*Flashback*

It's normal for Abby to have a panic attack. Keeping her inhaler with her was vital for her to go through the day. Especially this week.

It’s been one week after the incident. That incident. That incident that took two innocent lives. Danny and Bobby. It’s all her fault. 

If Danny was alive, him and Sienna would’ve been a couple, loving each other. Now, she sees a Sienna whose eyes are haunted. Grave. Not filled with any giddy or joy. She doesn’t see her smile anymore, the once blushed cheeks with her beautiful grin that shows off her dimples, gone. Lost. Thrown away.

If Bobby was alive, he could’ve bought his daughter the new car. It was what he always wanted to do. Instead of enjoying his time with his daughter in her brand new car, he’s under the cold earth. 

Rafael is now going under therapy, but he also feels less confident from Rafael the paramedic. She misses the way he smiles. He does smile now, but there is no joy beneath his eyes.

And for Abby, she is not okay. She wishes she died. But she knows she couldn’t. There are people rooting for her. Her brother. Her mother. Her friends. Ethan. Ethan.

When she was informed that the gas in her body was maitotoxin and there was no cure, she accepted her fate and was ready to die. She glanced at Ethan, and his expression wasn’t betraying anything. But the eyes held more feelings than ever. They were pleading. They said, “Please don’t give up.”

She then realized that if they can find a cure within one day, she’ll try and survive. If not for me, then for Ethan and all the people I love, she thought.

Abby starts passing through that hallway. That one hallway. That one hallway that changed her life. No, that one room. And then, she passes through that room.

It’s clean, all the seals, the beds inside with new blankets and pillows. But she can’t see any of that. She can only see her, Rafael, Danny, and Bobby in that room. She sees Bobby dying. She sees Danny being taken away. She sees Rafael and herself being unable to breathe. 

Suddenly she runs away. She can’t take it anymore. You stupid, why would you even come back to the hospital when you’re not ready yet? she scolds herself. Because of Farley. Damn it.

Abby is flooded by her own thoughts when she accidentally runs into someone. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I-”

Only to know that someone is the one. 

She hears his baritone voice calling out to her, finding comfort and solace in it. 

“Abby? What’s wrong? Are you alright?” Ethan wipes something off her cheeks, and she realized that she was crying the whole time. She was so lost in her emotions that she didn’t a single drop falling down to her right cheek. 

“I-” The young doctor tries to speak but couldn’t. She can’t breathe.

“Rookie!” Ethan quickly drags her to the nearest supply closet. He asks her where her inhaler is. 

“Left... pocket...”

He hastily grabs and places it into her mouth. 

“Deep breaths, rookie. Deep breaths.”

She does as she is asked and takes deep breaths. After a few long moments, her breathing level starts to go normal. 

“Rookie, you weren’t ready for your first day back, were you?”

Abby starts to argue. “Of course I am! Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you panic attack right now seems to prove otherwise.”

She sighs. He’s right. She wasn’t even ready to set foot into the hospital. The only reason she did was because of Farley’s rash, and she thought it was life threatening.

Ethan sighs, breaking her from her thoughts.

“Go home, Abby, you’ve had a long day.”

Abby is about to snipe back when he stops her by raising his hand.

“On second thought, I’ll take you to my house. We’re gonna take a day off.”

“But Ethan, we both have patients-”

“Who will be taken care of by the other doctors in this hospital. If you think I’ll be leaving you anytime soon, you’re wrong.”

Hearing his words makes Abby feel lighthearted. She is stubborn just like him, but he’ll always be there for her.

After getting a confirmation and a wink from Naveen, they are in the car. It’s 1:00 P.M., and Abby sees couples sitting on the chairs in the outside booths of a restaurant, smiling, one couple holding hands. She dreams of these moments with Ethan, but their relationship is still uncertain.

The car stops at a red light, and she turns around to look at Ethan, who is lost in thought.

“Ethan, are you alright?” she asks him, concerned.

The mature doctor cracks a dry smile towards her. “I should be asking you that.”

“Ethan...”

“Abby... are you having suicidal thoughts?”

Abby was astounded by his question.

“Ethan! Why would you think that?”

“I’m just asking. If you ever feel that, come talk to me immediately. I can’t...”

It hit her on what Ethan was thinking about. He doesn’t want her to leave. As much as the question made her a little frustrated, she couldn’t help but think about what he was feeling throughout the whole ordeal n the decontamination room.

Abby takes a deep breath. “Ethan, I’m not suicidal. I never have been. I was just uncomfortable, that’s all.”

Ethan looks at her deeply into her eyes. She can literally feel him searching for any lies at her statement, his body relaxing when he didn’t find any. 

When he stops the car, she realizes that they’re here. Before Abby can take off her seatbelt, Ethan’s hand on hers stops her from doing anything. She looks up with a questioning expression.

Ethan speaks in a very stern but concerned way. “If you ever have anything irritating or frustrating you-” he kisses her on the forehead.

“Anything that brings you pain-” He kisses her on the nose, making her scrunch it.

“Anything at all, that makes you want to cry out-” He kisses her on both cheeks. 

“You come and tell me. Promise me” He finally kisses her on the lips.

As the final words come out from Ethan’s lips, she wonders about how she is so lucky to have him. Tears were burning in the back of her eyes, but this time, they were tears of gratefulness. To Ethan. For being her best friend. She cracks a smile.

“I promise.”

*Back to present*

“Hello? Ma’am? Doctor?” she is interrupted from her thoughts by a male nurse. When she checks his tag, his name is Caspian Chapman, and he has a light British accent. She hasn’t seen him before. Abby suddenly feels embarrassed. Who knows how many times, he called her like that.

“Hi, I am so sorry,” she says shyly. “I was lost in thought. Were you speaking to me this whole time?”

Caspian gives her a wide smile. “Nope! I just came in! My name is Caspian, and I will be your nurse! I am new here so...” he trails off.

The young resident laughs, despite the pain on her left side. “Haha, don’t worry! I’m not one of those Karens! Now tell me, how long will I be staying here?”

“From the stab wound you received, you will probably be admitted here for a week.”

Abby inwardly groans, wanting to just go home. Of course this would happen. Even if she’s disappointed by the news, she knows that it is vital for her to recover.

“So, did the stab wound affect my liver or...” she winces at her left side.

Caspian sighs. “You are correct. They brought you to surgery quickly, or who knows what would have happened.”

“Wait, how did you know I’m a doctor?” 

Caspian smiles again. “Are you kidding me? You are Dr. Ethan Ramsey’s protege and in the diagnostics team! Not only that, you helped him save Dr. Naveen Banerji! You are also popular on Instagram. Anyone would kill to be in a spot and reputation like you.”

Her cheeks grow red. 

“I suppose so...” she trails off. 

The new male nurse speaks. “Anyways, I should let Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Banerji, and your family know that you are awake! They will be at relief.”

Wait, what? Ethan is here? Naveen is here? My family is here? They must’ve found out the harsh truth. 

As Caspian turns to leave, Abby stops him. The nurse turns around.

“Yes? Is something the matter?”

“I just wanted to know if they knew who stabbed me.”

Caspian grimaces. “Yes, they are well aware. Do you not wish to speak to them?”

Oh no. Ethan knows. What will she do? Should she call in her family first? No Abby, he'll think that I’m mad at him! She inwardly slaps herself.

Okay, Abby, deep breaths.  She took a deep breath, held it for three seconds, and exhaled. 

“Can you do me a favor and call in Eth- Dr. Ramsey first?”

“I will,” he replies back.

______________________________________________________________

Ethan’s POV

He is terrified. Terrified to go and see her. Terrified to talk to her. But he has to. He has to let her know he loves her. He has to let her know that he can’t live without her. He feels a hand on his shoulder. Seb.

“Ethan, buddy, remember what I said. Tell her you love her. Make yourself happy. Make her happy. And she will never blame you for anything that happened. She’s a very reasonable girl.”

He looks into Seb’s eyes, and sees that there is something he didn’t tell him. Some kind of sadness, but there is happiness mixed in. He will find out later.

The older doctor turns around and sees the support written in their faces. Seb. Jazmin. Naveen. They are smiling broadly.

Naveen claps him on his back. “Now go get your woman, Ethan.”

Ethan smiles back. “Thank you, guys.”

He took a deep breath and opened the doors.

There she is. Abby. At once, she turned her head around, and at once,  dusky brown met ocean blue. She looks tired, her body a little weak, but she still gives him a wide smile that sends his heart swooping forward. Oh, he has it bad. 

“Ethan. Hey.” Abby welcomes him and pats at a seat on her bed. He, however, was hesitant to do so.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you...”

She rolls her eyes. “Ethan, I was stabbed, not hit by a truck. Now, be a good boy and sit on the bed.”

He does as he is asked, sitting on the edge, eyes never leaving hers. “How do you feel?”

“My side’s kinda sore, but I’ll survive... How are you?” she asks hesitantly.

“W-What do you mean?” he stutters. Ethan Ramsey never stutters.

“...I know who the perpetrator is, Ethan.” So she does know.

Before Ethan can say anything, Abby replies. “I know you are blaming yourself for what your mother did. But I will say it again and again until it gets through that smart head of yours. It’s not your fault, do you hear me?”

His eyes are shining with tears, his heart all the way up to his throat.

“Abby... I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He blinks, and a droplet fails to stay in his eyes, escaping from the confinement.

The young resident suddenly sits up, wincing a little at the abrupt movement. Her eyes are full of alarm.  “Ethan, c'mere.”

And he does. He hugs her tight, mindful of her side, his nose nuzzling his neck. Abby wraps her arms around him and strokes his hair. The motion gives him a sense of peace. His eyes drop a few more tears. I will tell her.

“Abby, I love you.” She tenses. Before she says anything, he cuts her off. 

“No, Abby, please listen to me. I’ve loved you since the first day you’ve stepped foot into this hospital. I love how you’re always a colossal pain in my ass. I love how your eyes sparkle every time you hear good news. I love how your dimples pop up when you smile. I love how you bite your lip when you think about something. I love everything about you. Your courage. Your admiration. Your passion. I love you body. I love you face. And i now know, that I never want to let you go again.”

When Ethan pulls back and cups her face, he can see the tears glistening, failing to hold still and dropping down onto her cheeks. She half-sobs and half-laughs.

“Ethan, I love you, too.” And that is all he needs to hear.

He kisses her cold lips gently and pulls back, finding his sense of relief. She, in return, kisses his forehead. He promises to himself one thing: he’ll never let her go again.

______________________________________________________________

Seb’s POV

Seeing them crying of happiness makes him smile, his heart feeling elevated with joy. They deserve this joy. They both’ve been through a lot lately, and confessing their love for each other was their first step towards recovery.

“Psst! Seb!” Amma. Behind her is Naveen.

“How is it going there?”

The surgeon smiles triumphantly. “Our plan worked.”

Quiet cheers came out of their mouths. 

“Finally!” Naveen sighs. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for months. Ethan’s too damn stubborn for his own good.”

Seb laughs quietly. “That he is.”

Amma scratches his wool sweater. He just realized the feeling of itch on his skin because of the wool. And he can’t wait to take it off. But they won’t be leaving Abby’s room for the next two days. Not him, at least.

“Will it be alright if we go in and interrupt them?” Amma asks hesitantly. “I have an urge to hug my daughter after the incident.’

“I am sure that will be alright.”

Amma knocks the door. After hearing an acknowledgment, all three of them walked in. 

“Hi Ethan, is it alright if I hug my daughter? I do not mean to waste any of your-”

Ethan looks at her incredulously. “Why would you ask me if you want to hug your own daughter? I don’t mind at all.”

The famous doctor looks at Seb with a questioning look, who shrugs.

Mother rushes forward and hugs Abby carefully, sobbing as she kisses al of her face. The resident sighs.

“Amma, look at me.” Abby forces Jazmin’s face to her. “I. Am. Fine.”

“Sorry, Ladoo, your mother was just very worried when we got the call. I won’t try to cry, alright?”

The Chacko smiles easily. “now that’s what I wanted to hear from you. My Amma is strong.”

Abby sighs and looks at Seb and Naveen, smiling cheerily. “Who’s next in line for cuddles?”

Seb comes forward, finally at ease when he kisses her forehead gently. He hugs her as tight as he can, the injury preventing him for hugging her more. 

“Please, for the love of Pete, please never scare us like that again.”

She laughs lightly and cuddles closer to him. “I’ll try not to.”

Seb looks up and sees Ethan with a light smile on his face. He finally feels light, free.

He then hears Jazmin’s stomach grumble lightly. Abby laughs hearing this. “Why did you guys not eat? All of you need to get food. Now.”

“I’m not gonna leave you this time around,” he replies. 

Seb’s sister groans. “I knew you would say that.”

The surgeon has an idea. “How about I get all of us some burgers from a nearby restaurant? Since I doubt Ethan’s gonna like what he gets from the cafeteria.”

The famous attending shrugs and then grins easily. “You know me so well.”

“Only for you.”

Abby is on a strict water diet for two days, so he considers buying a cup of chocolate pudding for her. As he leaves the room, he sees Naveen hugging Abby, which brought some emotions to the Chacko. Naveen is like the father he never had before.

Seb is really joyous and filled with triumph at the love confessions between Abby and Ethan. He only wishes it could happen to him.

But it can’t. Because he lost the love of his life last year. Due to a seizure. While she was giving birth. All of their promises. All of their hopes and dreams. Gone. Forever 

I miss her... I miss her a lot.

Suddenly, he hears a whistle. A familiar whistle. It sounds like her. 

When she was alive, they used to whistle a lot. it was a form of their communication. The whistle that heard now was a way of saying, “Turn around.”

No, Seb, he thinks. You’re just letting yourself get too emotional. Stop hallucinating.

But then he hears it again. And it’s behind him. A little far away from him. 

He’s afraid to turn around. He can’t move. 

He forces himself to turn around, like the whistle had told him to.

And then he sees her. He sees her. He actually sees her.

No way, it can’t be... Suddenly, Seb speaks.

“...Dolores? Is that really you?”

She smiles. That smile. He missed that damn smile. Her face and hands are covered with small bruises.

And she talks. “Yeah, Seb. It’s me. Dolores Hudson. I’m alive. I really am.”

______________________________________________________________

Mystery Man’s POV

I give Louise some cash that she was looking forward to. 

“Great, thanks!” she says with a smile.

“Anything for my wife,” I reply, with an emphasis on the word ‘wife’.

She rolls her eyes. “Ugh, don’t call me that. I married you to destroy them, not to love you. Now where’s that manicure you promised?”

Louise is annoying as hell. Sometimes I wonder how her former husband Alan dealt with her. What a man, I think. 

She gives me a mischievous grin. “Now give me a kiss.”

I groan, and I quickly give her a kiss, not wanting it to last for long.

Then, I feel a vibration in my pocket. It’s my phone. I pick it up.

It’s one of my guards. And I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I bark him an order. Blood rushes through my veins, and for the first time in a long time, I feel fear.

I hang up the phone and look at Louise, whose eyes held confusion. I decide to answer her questioning glance.

“Missing captive alert. Dolores Hudson has escaped.”

______________________________________________________________

a/n 2: hope you liked that ending!

a/n 3: i know dolores died of a seizure while under an emergency c-section, but in this au, i refuse to believe so :)

tags:@missmiimiie​ @aylamwrites @starrystarrytrouble​ @udishaman​ @caseyvalentineramsey​ @queencarb​ @choicesstan1​ @newcolonies​ @arcticrivers​ @angela8756 @takemyopenheart​ @rookie-ramsey​ @ohchoices​ @ohvamsey @ohramsey @natureblooms24​ @drariellevalentine​ @maurine07​ @lucy-268 @thanialis

@openheartfanfics

@choicesficwriterscreations

#pixelberry choices #choices stories you play #open heart #open heart choices #pixelberry #pixelberry open heart #ethan ramsey #playchoices #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey fanfiction

[billehrman]

The Opening Trade Revisited

The Reopening Trade Revisited

The Delta variant, Hurricane Ida, shortages, and supply line issues are penalizing growth in the third quarter but not our view of the other side. It may ensure higher growth in 2022 than previously estimated as governments boost spending from previous plans and monetary authorities remain overly accommodative longer, with the Fed postponing tapering until next year. We expect our economy to regain momentum in the fall and the global economy to pick up steam next year. Recent economic data points here and abroad confirm the near-term slowdown, but the solid underlying longer-term fundamentals have not changed.

The financial markets continue to hit new highs, but there has been constant rotation from growth to value and back to growth again. We believe that the next move will be back to value/economically sensitive companies as governments react to the slowdowns by accelerating spending plans, mainly infrastructure, while monetary bodies maintain their overly accommodative policies longer delaying tapering, pointing to the recent pause in growth. While we will continue to own an outsized technology position as we are still in the early innings of elevated spending levels as companies must boost productivity to control costs and remain globally competitive, we have begun to add to economically sensitive/value companies who will benefit from accelerating global growth and trillions of new infrastructure spending. Liquidity trends remain strong, so we would take advantage of any corrections by adding to positions.

The key to the economy reaccelerating remains to getting our arms around the Delta variant by vaccinating all the unvaccinated. It appears that Dr. Gottlieb may be right as the number of cases/deaths is peaking in the south, where the outbreak occurred first. Unfortunately, cases/deaths are still increasing in the North and West, but he expects them to peak in a few weeks. More than 5.39 billion doses have been administered across 182 countries at a rate of roughly 41.6 million per day. In the U.S., 372 million doses have been given so far at an average rate of 918,000 doses per day. It will take less than five months to vaccinate 75% of the world population fully. Moderna filed for U.S authorization for a booster shot, indicating that it raised antibody levels 40-fold in clinical studies. We expect the FDA to approve booster shots within a few weeks, and Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J will have over 7 billion doses available worldwide to handle everyone and all contingencies. Even if a new variant pops up, we expect vaccine modifications could be completed very quickly. We see no reason that vaccines should not be mandated for all, as we have done in the past for other pandemics.

While we did not hear from Fed members this week, they face challenges ahead. In the last few weeks, the economy has softened considerably as the Delta variant spread. Also, pandemic unemployment benefits end in September for 7.5 million people. They will not even discuss tapering until the delta variant spike is under control and they see the impact of reduced government support on spending. While we do believe that most of the inflationary pressures will be transitory, shortages and supply line issues may extend well into 2022, testing the Fed’s resolve.

We are getting more confident that the $1 trillion-dollar plus traditional infrastructure bill will be on President Biden’s desk within a month as it will be political insanity for Pelosi and the Dems to hold it hostage to the $3 trillion plus social infrastructure bill after all the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Here is what is included in the traditional infrastructure package: $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects; $39 billion to modernize public transit; $66 billion for passenger and freight rail; $65 billion for broadband infrastructure; $17 billion for ports; $25 billion for airports; $7.5 billion for zero and low emission buses and ferries; $7.5 billion for electric chargers; $65 billion to rebuild to grid plus another $50 billion to make it more resilient; and $21 billion to clean up Superfund and brownfield sites. The House will address the larger bill under reconciliation. And suppose Democratic Senator Joe Manchin sticks to his guns, urging a “strategic pause” on the $3.5 trillion bills wanting a far smaller reconciliation bill that America can afford and needs to spend. In that case, it is dead in the water as is. We expect a far smaller bill with less tax bite to keep America competitive and the entrepreneurial spirit alive.

Economic data points have been a mixed bag over the last few weeks: employment rose only 235,000 compared to an estimate close to 750,000; TSA airport screenings dropped to the lowest level since March as travel and fares are dropping; high-frequency charts show a weakening economy from Delta; pending home sales fell 1.9%; the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey fell to +9 from +25; airline booking for Labor Day is 19% below 2019 levels; consumer confidence fell to a six month low, and total productivity increased by only 2.1% while manufacturing productivity increased a more robust 8% in the second quarter.  On the other hand, U.S manufacturer's gauge of factory activity rose to 59.9 as the backlogs index increased to 68.2; the new orders index stood at 66.7; unemployment insurance claims fell to 340,000, and construction spending increased by 0.3%.

Economic data points abroad also show weakening trends due to the Delta variant, shortages, and supply line issues. China’s weakness stood out as the government took extreme actions to eradicate the virus: the non-manufacturers purchasing managers index fell to 47.5 in August from 53.3 with specific weakness in services down to 46.7; the manufacturers' index slipped 49.2, down from 50.3. In addition, Japan’s August Manufacturing PMI fell t0 52.7 while confidence in the Eurozone economy dropped to 117.5 as order books deteriorated and retail sales weakened. On the other hand, Europe’s factory backlog hit a record high as companies struggled to meet demand due to shortages and supply line constraints. India’s economy grew 20.1% in the second quarter but has slowed since then due to covid such that growth forecasts have been reduced to 9.5% for the fiscal year ending March 2022. Finally, Australia’s final Markit Manufacturing came in at 52.0 vs. 56.9 last month.

Investment Conclusions

Global growth has slowed over the last month due to the outbreak of the Delta variant, shortages, and supply line issues. We believe that governments and monetary authorities will respond quickly to support their economies just as the variant peaks. Growth, on the other side, will be more robust than initially projected. The market remains one step behind emphasizing growth over value/economic sensitivity. It is time to rotate again and invest in the re-reopening trade, as we did late last summer. We will continue to hold most of our tech positions as we remain in the early innings of above-average tech spending that we discussed last week. We also added to defense positions after Afghanistan.

The time has come for our government to pass a much-needed traditional infrastructure bill that strengthens the very core of America and rewards investment/risk-taking.  If we have learned anything from the pandemic, we need to shorten supply lines and support research to remain an economic powerhouse. And we must always be there for our friends.

[jennymanrique]

How communities can heal post-pandemic

Experts warn that even if the United States reaches the elusive herd immunity, closing the growing inequality gaps separating low-income communities of color from the rest of the country will require more work.

Health care and education disparities. Lack of affordable housing. Racism and police abuse. Job loss. These are just a few of the inequity gaps — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic — that face low-income communities of color. Professionals who work with them directly say closing those gaps will require a complicated healing process.

“We know COVID is the disease that has revealed our illness as a society: the valleys of inequality that pre-existed COVID have been flooded with the tsunami of the disease,” said Manuel Pastor, University of Southern California Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity and Turpanjian Chair in Civil Society and Social Change, speaking at a May 7 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services.

Many mixed-status families that included undocumented immigrants were locked out of federal assistance until the March 2021 passage of the American Rescue Act, Pastor said. Now they are “kind of reluctant to tap in, because they’re worried that may count against them if there’s eventually a route to legalization in the future.”

Two-thirds of California’s undocumented immigrants have been in the country for more than a decade and are waiting for Congress to work out their path to citizenship. COVID has affected them like no other population because lack of insurance, mistrust and fear have prevented them from accessing health services.

“Every state relief program should try to think about what it can do to be fully accessible to undocumented Californians,” said Pastor, who also sits on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Last summer, the California Healthy Places Index indicated that the virus was going to devastate Blacks, Latinos and Asians, but the state did not bring COVID tests to those communities. Without data on positivity rates, counties couldn’t determine how safe it would be to reopen.

California decided to allocate 40% of vaccines to the 25% of communities that scoring worst on this index. Local mobile clinics receive doses, mobilize trusted messengers and run campaigns to encourage vaccination.

Still, the initial vaccine rollout was “a recipe for racial inequality,” added Pastor. Doses were available to anyone of a certain age category or occupation, but the older populations are overwhelmingly white while younger populations belong to communities of color.

“It could be argued that everyone in that age category had an equal shot at getting the vaccine, as long as they had a computer (to make the appointment), high-speed Internet, a job where they could take three hours off in the middle of the day to chase down a vaccine, and access to a car, rather than mass transit,” said Pastor.

Education is another gap area for communities of color. They’ve experienced a tremendous loss in learning and, despite the reopening of schools, are the most reluctant to come back. Black and brown families who suffered from the virus in their homes are afraid to send their children to places where they may be infected, and the digital divide has accentuated students’ difficulties in keeping up with their homework.

In Los Angeles County, 13% of K through 12 white children lacked a computer with high-speed Internet, but for black and Latino children, the figure was around 40%, Pastor said.

He added that the pandemic also has disproportionately affected the incomes of communities of color. While it has not caused a 2008-like recession, which hit the economy evenly, we’re facing a “micro recession.” Stock markets and property are up, so the wallets of people with annual incomes of more than $100,000 are unaffected, but those at the bottom of the labor market have lost income, employment and wages.

Mental health is yet another area of disparity, Pastor said. “The level of mental health trauma is high and we need to have culturally sensitive mental health resources available. We need to destigmatize the issue, make it be seen as something that is social and at the community level, not just your individual failing, so people feel confident accessing those resources.”

The Community Coalition, founded in South Los Angeles by Congresswoman Karen Bass, is one example of fostering post-pandemic healing by having multiracial, multigenerational communities generate the solutions they need.

Leslie Johnson, Vice President of Organizational Development at Community Coalition, told the briefing that it launched a website in English and Spanish that allows residents to check on their emotional health, instituted a teletherapy program with licensed therapists of color, and held healing circles in local parks to address “the devastating impact (of COVID) all around on physical, financial and mental health.”

She added that targeted funding and having elected officials understand these kinds of interventions are essential: “Racism is the true pandemic that we are fighting against. COVID-19 has exacerbated a lot of pre-existing conditions in our community that are fostered by institutional racism and white supremacy. We must call for solutions that are bold, not just at the individual level but at the systems level.”

Community Coalition has raised funds to buy personal protective equipment, made direct cash payments to families to help cover rent and utilities, provided laptops and hardware to students and installed Internet hotspots. It also offered Pfizer vaccinations in a local park, including nighttime appointments so people wouldn’t have to miss work.

Los Angeles will receive about $1.3 billion from the federal government from the American Rescue Plan. With its share of those resources, The Community Coalition will make loans to women business owners, help people with rent and mortgage payments and utilities, and increase youth employment opportunities.

Originally published here

Want to read this piece in Spanish? Click here

#English #Post pandemic #Covid-19 #Coronavirus #income inequality #african american #Latinos #mental health #economic inequality #unemployment #asian american #loss of income #loss of wages

[aakarshita04]

Risks to the US Economy

It is very likely that one of the biggest risks to the US economy right now is the spread of the Ebola virus. The virus is spreading rapidly, and a new strain has emerged that is evading the current vaccines. This has caused experts to warn that if the government does not act quickly, this could result in a large number of deaths. In addition, the stock market has been declining recently, and there are indications that inflation will increase in the coming months.

Inflation

While inflation is generally a positive if not necessary element of the US economy, its continued growth poses a risk. This has prompted the International Monetary Fund to cut its forecast for global growth.

While the Federal Reserve has aimed to maintain the consumer price index at two percent, the pace of rate increases is putting the economy at risk. The Fed is expected to raise the target rate to 4.50% to 4.75% by early next year.

According to Fed officials, inflation is set to hover around 3.5 percent by the end of this year. Still, some Wall Streeters are predicting it could drop to historically low levels.

Inflation is a big deal for consumers. They may have to make cuts in pay or wait to buy a home. When inflation is high, the dollar loses its purchasing power.

A recent study from the OECD said that inflation is a serious problem in the US. It notes that the cost of goods and services has steadily increased over the past several decades.

As the economy continues to grow, companies are raising prices to cover costs. This has resulted in an imbalance between supply and demand. Companies will need to weigh the tradeoff between losing market share and raising prices.

Some economists argue that the cost of goods and services is too high. They claim it is a symptom of an economy that is below capacity. However, many economists believe that moderate inflation is necessary to drive consumption.

The personal consumption expenditures index is a more delayed metric than the consumer price index. This measure of consumer spending is a good indicator of the economy's direction.

Price increases have slowed in the past couple of months, but they still remain steep. Official data shows housing prices are climbing at a faster rate than before.

Consumer spending, which has been in a slow recovery mode, appears to be getting back on track. Many Americans have received large stimulus checks and are experiencing relief from rising living expenses.

Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks are a serious threat to the US economy. It is difficult to say how big the impact of cyberattacks will be. But the economic implications are significant.

Cyberattacks are the deliberate attempt to break into an information system. A typical attack may involve a nation-state actor gaining access to a network and stealing intellectual property or other valuable data. Attackers also exploit weaknesses in computer systems or firewall configurations.

As technology advances, attacks become more sophisticated. This is due in part to hackers' ability to time an attack to better exploit a system's vulnerabilities. However, an attacker's success depends on a lot more than just a well-timed attack.

An attack on critical financial infrastructure can be devastating. An attack on a bank holding company can disrupt the firm's data and lead to a loss of confidence in its security. At worst, an attack on a multiple large financial institutions can devastate the confidence of the entire industry.

Critical manufacturing industries are another major target. These industries' equipment, including nuclear facilities, centrifuges and blast furnaces, are vulnerable to hacking.

Another area of concern is cyberattacks on the US power grid. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved mandatory grid cybersecurity standards. While they do not include a comprehensive assessment of cybersecurity risks to the grid, experts have recommended that FERC consider changing the standards.

Among the key targets of cyberattacks are the energy sector and transport. There are also threats to the Internet, telecommunications, and public sector services.

Cyber-enabled economic warfare is a growing threat. This threat involves nations using cyber capabilities to induce financial instability.

One of the most damaging attacks, a Stuxnet computer virus, targeted the industrial control systems of the Iran nuclear program. Although Iranian hackers did not achieve their goal, the damage caused was still significant.

Another concern is the growing use of ransomware against enterprises. Ransomware can result in catastrophic losses of data. In addition, ransomware can disrupt critical business functions such as due diligence and recovery.

With so many interconnected digital technologies, businesses must take precautions to keep their networks secure. Fortunately, there are some simple steps to prevent an attack.

New strains of the virus evading current vaccines

A new strain of the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 has emerged, and it's causing havoc around the world. The variant, which is known as the Omicron variant, has the highest degree of immune evasion of any COVID-19 variant. And it's also the most antigenically distinct from the index virus.

These new variants have caused havoc on the global stage and continue to evolve despite the large scale rollout of licensed vaccines. In addition, they have become more transmissible, and they cause waning immunity in vaccinated individuals. Therefore, the path forward for the pandemic will involve doubling down on our commitment to saving lives. We will need to make tests and treatments available to everyone.

Luckily, our federal government has the resources and the network of researchers to keep track of the evolving variants and respond to them in a timely manner. It's also been able to provide lifesaving supplies and technical assistance to countries that are experiencing outbreaks.

For example, the Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index is tracking the perceived risk of COVID, including the risks associated with new variants. The index has been operational since mid-March 2020, when the pandemic first started spreading across the country.

Despite the evolution of the virus, the current COVID-19 vaccines have been very effective in reducing the number of severe cases and deaths. They are based on the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2. This means that they still have the potential to be effective against a variety of different variants.

While the Omicron variant has become the focus of much attention, the Delta variant was the other major player driving the global outbreak. This variant was twice as contagious as the original coronavirus. Since it began circulating in the United States in Summer 2021, it has spread to the Midwest and the Rocky Mountain region.

However, it's important to remember that the protection of the Omicron variant declines quickly after the third dose, and its protection against infection and symptomatic illness is a fraction of what is seen with the other variants. If we want to be able to protect ourselves against more variants in the future, we need to develop and roll out new variant-specific vaccines.

Falling stock market

The US economy has faced a number of risks in the last few years. But one of the biggest is the risk of a falling stock market.

The stock market is a powerful force for the economy. Consumer spending drives the economy, and a rising stock market means that consumers are more willing to spend. However, the stock market is also subject to volatile changes that can affect the consumer's spending plan.

A falling stock market has the potential to lead to the next recession. There are a few reasons why. Many of them are related to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy.

Inflation is a major concern for regular Americans. Increasing inflation can mean higher prices, which can feed back into wages. This will lead to more unemployment. So the Fed is trying to tame inflation by raising interest rates.

Stocks have soared since September, but now the market is beginning to lose ground. Investors are jittery ahead of a key Fed meeting.

Fears of a future recession have prompted many investors to take action. These actions include moving into bonds or rebalancing investments.

In the past, there have been powerful rebounds after deep market dips. While this is not always the case, it is a measure of the strength of the economy.

Although the 1929 stock market crash did not cause the Great Depression, it did show underlying weaknesses in the economy. It was a wake-up call to the American public. People began questioning whether the United States was an exceptional nation or not.

The economic impact of the 1929 stock market crash was devastating. People lost their life savings. And thousands of banks were forced to close because of dwindling cash reserves.

In addition, there was a lack of appropriate economic safeguards. Without the proper banking system, the depression would have spiraled out of control.

Another risk to the US economy is a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. If Russia wins the war, the US may experience further turmoil.

The S&P 500 is on track for its first negative week in three. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq has been dropping more than two percent a week.

[capital-streetfx]

ASIAN MARKET:-

Mainland Chinese stocks were down by the early morning. The Shanghai Composite was down by 0.62% to 3,395.68. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was down about 0.48% to 28,734.75.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei average. Nikkei 225 is trading up 0.07 per cent at 29,642.06 on  Thursday, while the  Australian Index S&P / ASX 200 rose  0.51 per cent to 7,058.71. South Korea’s Kospi was up by 0.38% to 3194.08.

EUROPEAN MARKET:-

The FTSE MIB climbed up by 0.15%  to 24,606.50 In the cash markets, the DAX futures Germany was trading 0.26%  higher at 15,250.25. CAC 40 futures in France climbed up by 0.17% to 6,219.60, while the FTSE 100 futures in the U.K. rose by 0.35% to 6,962.41, at the time of writing.

US MARKET:-

In the U.S. on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.16% at 33,730.27 the S&P 500 was down 0.41% to 4,124.86 and the Nasdaq 100 was up 0.99% at 13,857.35.

FOREX MARKET:-

In the Forex market, GBPUSD  rose 0.05% at 1.3784. The USDJPY was down 0.01% at 108.91. The USDCHF was down 0.01% at 0.9224. EURUSD was up 0.05% at 1.1984, EUR/GBP was up 0.03% at 0.8694, at the time of writing.

COMMODITY MARKET;-

In the commodity market, U.S. Gold futures rose 0.63% at $1,747.45. Elsewhere, Silver futures rose 0.41% to $25.628 per ounce, Platinum rose 0.76% at $1,184.90 per ounce, and Palladium was up 1.12% at $2,711.50.

Crude Oil was up on Wednesday ; Brent crude oil was down 0.12% to $66.50 barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (CLc1) fell 0.10% at $63.10.

CRYPTO-CURRENCY MARKET:-

In the Cryptocurrency Markets, BTCUSD is at $63,070 down 1.89%, Ethereum at 2,471.18 up 4.16%, Litecoin at 275.541  down 0.25%, at the time of writing.

TOP STOCKS TO WATCH OUT TODAY:

SAP up 0.56% at 114.120, Apple Inc. down 1.79% at $132.03, Facebook down 2.24% at $302.82, TESLA Inc. down 3.95% at $732.23, Moderna up 6.89% at $160.03., Goldman sachs up 2.34% at $335.35, Sony up 1.12% at 12,205.

Economic news:

USA MARKET

The U.S. economy picked up speed going into the spring on the back of growing confidence among consumers, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it is on track for stronger growth and hiring in the coming months.

Economic activity between late February and early April was buoyed by increased COVID-19 vaccinations and strong fiscal support, and the labor market also improved as more people returned to work, the U.S. central bank said in its latest “Beige Book,” a collection of anecdotes about the economy from its 12 regional districts.

The pace of hiring rose the most in the manufacturing, construction, and leisure and hospitality sectors.

“Reports on tourism were more upbeat, bolstered by a pickup in demand for leisure activities and travel which contacts attributed to spring break, an easing of pandemic-related restrictions, increased vaccinations, and recent stimulus payments among other factors,” the report said.

Overall, outlooks were more optimistic since the last report in March, the Fed said.

Hospitality contacts told the Atlanta Fed they had “solid bookings for the remainder of spring and through the summer months and beyond,” according to the report.

Among the most notable areas of improvement was tourism, with a number of districts pointing to signs that the sector hit hardest by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic last year was getting back on its feet.

Perhaps for no district was the tone of commentary around tourism as improved as it was for New York.

Three months ago, New York Fed officials used the Beige Book to describe tourism in New York City as “exceptionally weak.” Wednesday’s report said “tourism has continued to trend up,” with air travel rising sharply and hotel occupancy rates finally climbing above 50%.

That improvement appeared to bolster conditions for the region more broadly. While most districts said the pace of growth in their regional economies was moderate, the New York Fed said its economy “grew at a strong pace for the first time during the pandemic, with growth broad-based across industries.”

That occurred despite an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, the New York Fed said. “Moreover, business contacts have grown increasingly optimistic about the near-term outlook.”

EUROZONE:-

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday he shared concerns over a growing lobbying scandal involving former leader David Cameron who tried to get ministers to help out the now failed supply-chain finance firm Greensill Capital.

Though Cameron’s strategy ultimately failed, Johnson has launched an independent review to look at allegations that lobbyists have an “open door” to his government.

Cameron’s role has raised questions about access to ministers by former colleagues, particularly on behalf of Greensill.

The government said on Tuesday a former procurement chief was allowed to take a part-time role advising the company in 2015 – when Cameron was prime minister – while remaining a public official, or civil servant.

The reports have fuelled accusations from some lawmakers that Johnson’s government operates a so-called “chumocracy” where contracts are handed to friends – a charge denied by the government, which says that Cameron’s lobbying did not yield his desired objective.

Asked by opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer whether lobbying rules were fit for purpose, Johnson told parliament: “I indeed share the widespread concern about some of the stuff that we’re reading at the moment.”

He said civil servants should have experience of the private sector but he cast doubt over whether the boundaries in the case of the former procurement chief had been “properly understood”.

Asked about his contacts with Cameron, Johnson said he had not been in contact with the former premier since the case was reported and that he could not “remember when I last spoke to Dave”.

Johnson launched the review on Monday after the Financial Times and Sunday Times newspapers reported that Cameron contacted ministers on behalf of Greensill, including sending text messages to finance minister Rishi Sunak and arranging a drink between banker Lex Greensill and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Greensill was brought in to advise the government while Cameron was prime minister from 2010 to 2016. After leaving office, Cameron became an adviser to Greensill’s now-insolvent company.

On Sunday, Cameron said in a statement he did not break any codes of conduct or government rules and that ultimately the outcome of the discussions on Greensill’s proposals on a loan were not taken up.

The Treasury Committee in the lower house of parliament said it would launch an inquiry into Greensill’s failure and how Sunak’s finance ministry responded to the lobbying efforts.

“The Committee will focus on the regulatory lessons from the failure of Greensill Capital and the appropriateness of HM Treasury’s response to lobbying in relation to Greensill Capital,” the committee said in a statement.

#forex analysis #technical analysis of the financial markets #technical analysis #stock market technical analysis #analysis

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil services confidence in March slumps to lowest since last June, says survey

The fall in Brazilian services sector confidence accelerated in March to its lowest since June last year, a survey showed on Monday, as the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic darkened the outlook for businesses and consumers.

The Getulio Vargas Foundation's (FGV) services sector confidence index fell 5.6 points to 77.6 points in March, the third consecutive decline and the lowest since June's 71.7.

The index remains well above last April's record low 51.5, but on the other hand it is falling further below the pre-pandemic level of 94.4 in February last year.

"The picture is still highly uncertain, making it difficult to envision a recovery in the coming months as long as there is no acceleration in the vaccination process and improvement in the pandemic numbers," FGV economist Rodolpho Tobler said.

Continue reading.

#brazil #brazilian politics #politics #coronavirus #covid 19 #economy #mod nise da silveira

[rizu7552]

Vaccine hesitancy and healthcare providers While most people vaccinate according to the recommended schedule, this success is challenged by individuals and groups who delay or refuse vaccines. The aim of this article is to review studies on vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers (HCPs), and the influences of their own vaccine confidence and vaccination behaviour on their vaccination recommendations to others.The search strategy was developed in Medline and then adapted across several multidisciplinary mainstream databases including Embase Classic & Embase, and PschInfo. All foreign language articles were included if the abstract was available in English.A total of 185 articles were included in the literature review. 66% studied the vaccine hesitancy among HCPs, 17% analysed concerns, attitudes and/or behaviour of HCPs towards vaccinating others, and 9% were about evaluating intervention(s). Overall, knowledge about particular vaccines, their efficacy and safety, helped to build HCPs own confidence in vaccines and their willingness to recommend vaccines to others. The importance of societal endorsement and support from colleagues was also reported.In the face of emerging vaccine hesitancy, HCPs still remain the most trusted advisor and influencer of vaccination decisions. The capacity and confidence of HCPs, though, are stretched as they are faced with time constraints, increased workload and limited resources, and often have inadequate information or training support to address parents’ questions. Overall, HCPs need more support to manage the quickly evolving vaccine environment as well as changing public, especially those who are reluctant or refuse vaccination. Some recommended strategies included strengthening trust between HCPs, health authorities and policymakers, through more shared involvement in the establishment of vaccine recommendations.Previous article in issueNext article in issue Abbreviations GPgeneral practitionerHCPhealthcare providerHPVhuman papillomavirusMMRmeasles mumps and rubellaSAGEStrategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation Keywords Vaccine hesitancyHealthcare providerVaccination 1. Introduction Vaccination is often cited as one of the most effective ways of controlling infectious diseases [1]. However, while most people vaccinate according to the recommended schedule, this success is being challenged by individuals and groups who choose to delay or refuse vaccines [2]. Examples of reluctant individuals include parents delaying vaccinations for their infant, teenagers (or their parents) who choose not to vaccinate against human papillomavirus (HPV), pregnant women deciding not to vaccinate against flu or pertussis, the elderly choosing not to vaccinate against flu or shingles, and even HCPs not vaccinating against influenza.Over recent decades, some patients have become more critical about healthcare advice and some resist (or are hesitant to accept) recommended vaccinations. HCPs have had different responses to this changing environment. Some practices have dropped patients if they refuse vaccination [3], [4] making the case that it puts their other patients at risk, while in other practices, some physicians agree to delay vaccination or administer partial doses, in order to protect the trust relationship with their patient, although recognising there is no clinical evidence to support such an approach [5].The vaccination decision-making process includes people who agree to be vaccinated immediately, because they see it as the norm, and those that take their time weighing up the pros and cons of vaccination, talking with family, friends or members of their community, searching the internet, and asking their HCP for advice. The importance of HCP’s vaccine recommendations in the decision making process has been well documented [6]. HCPs are one of the strongest influencers in vaccination decisions. In a study in six European countries, the general practitioner (GP), pharmacy and local hospital were listed as being the most trustworthy sources of health alerts or information about medicines [7]. However, there are some HCPs who feel ill-equipped to answer questions or engage in difficult conversations with those who are reluctant to be vaccinated.There is a growing body of literature on the issue of vaccine hesitancy, with the most important reasons identified varying by country, region, sub-population, vaccine, and contextual influences. Despite variations in reasons for hesitancy across geographies and vaccines, there are common themes that emerge globally [2], [8]. The World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation convened a working group to investigate the nature and scope of vaccine hesitancy and they have created a model of determinants of vaccine hesitancy organised around three domains: 1. ‘Contextual influences’; 2. ‘Individual/social group influences’; and 3. ‘Vaccine and vaccination-specific issues’ [2]. All three domains include the influence of others on vaccine hesitancy: Domain (1) ‘Contextual influences’ includes influential leaders and individuals; domain, (2) ‘Individual/social group influences’ includes personal experience with and trust in health system and provider; and domain, (3) ‘Vaccine and vaccination-specific issues’ includes the role of healthcare professionals.Given the documented importance of HCPs’ influence in the decision of their patients to be vaccinated, the aim of this literature review is to explore existing research specifically on vaccine hesitancy among HCPs, and consider the influences of HCPs’ own vaccine confidence and behaviours on their vaccination recommendations to others.2. Methods 2.1. Search strategy and selection criteria The search strategy was developed in Medline and then adapted as required by differential indexing across several multidisciplinary mainstream databases including Embase Classic & Embase, and PschInfo. The strategy included an extensive list of keywords (Table 1). The search was run across all databases on 26th October 2015.