China's New Menu Change!

Welcome back folks, to the continuous journey of me trying not to report on the godforsaken Covid-19 we all know and see everywhere. This week's installment consists of the consumption of cats and dogs in China, or what will now be the lack of. Shenzen, China may become one of the first places in mainland China to outlaw the consumption of cats and dogs. The main reason behind this ban is due to the (now recognized) respect towards the bond between a human and their pet, considered the “consensus of all human civilization”. Despite this recognition, I believe this article swindled me into subtly mentioning the coronavirus. Morality aside, this ban on furry friends is also a response to the overwhelming spread of the virus throughout the world. I figured the timing was too good to be true for me.
Until next time.

Shenzhen could be first city in China to ban eating of dogs and cats

anyway here is my dog!

(relevant enough for me to put him on here)

Actual GOOD News About the Coronavirus

Despite my desperate attempts to try and not write about the great pandemonium that is the Coronavirus (since it was swallowing up every Asian news outlet), I gave in and drank the Kool-Aid. Personally, I find it exhausting watching more and more stories of the spread, the increasing body count, and the newly-formed racism arising from the matter, causing many Asian businesses (despite the Coronavirus originating in China) to lose business at an astonishingly swift rate. I have had the owner of a certain Bahn-mi spot I go to thank me for my business-- it's safe to say that the coverage has been nothing short of equal parts dangerous and depressing.
In Hangzhou, China (as reported by a Filipino news outlet), a four-month-old patient miraculously recovers from the infamous Coronavirus, being the youngest patient to survive such circumstances. Despite the news story being a brief two sentences with what could be a stock photo, it was quite refreshing. Some may argue that in the world we live in, bad news and tragedies are cathartic and necessary in order for us to push for change and a better world. Personally, I'd argue we need a balance between the two. I feel in order for us to push for change, it is rewarding to see the results as well, knowing the work leads somewhere.
Anyway, maybe the Coronavirus isn't the worst we've seen yet. Stay tuned for some more hopefully better news?

Baby with novel coronavirus recovers

Nepal Finally Believes That LGBTQ+ Exist

Nepal's next census (that will occur in 2021) will now count in LGBTQ peoples for the first time ever. The way the survey will be conducted is by having the usual options-- male, female-- but not including a third option, "other (sexual/gender community)". After the gender identity question, there will be no questions asking to identify sexual orientation. Nepal will be joining with Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh which also legally recognizes transgender peoples, also including enuchs and intersex people as a third gender.
This change will not only show in population, but will provide better access to education and healthcare for people that identify under the LGBTQ community while also helping them benefit from social security schemes like the police or the army. This will also be considered one big step for the socially conservative Himalayan nation towards progress. Although change seems to be coming, unfortunately, it is still reported that about 900,000 LGBTQ peoples are still harrassed in Nepal to this day. Change may also not show immediate results due to the fears, confusion, and concern around the stigmas placed on this community.
LGBTQ people to be counted in Nepal's census for the first time

Indonesian Woman Won't Go To Jail After All :')

It was determined this week that a woman would not need to serve jail time after being arrested for Blasphemy. The woman is named Suzethe Margaret and a video of her went viral on social media back in July which led to her arrest. In the video, Margaret is seen entering a mosque without shoes on (a very disrespectful thing to do in a mosque) and with a dog; dogs are considered to be "impure" in some Muslim traditions. Margaret enters clearly in distress and proclaims herself to be Catholic as well as mention that her husband is to be married in the mosque later that day which was later proven to be untrue. Margaret then accuses the mosque of converting her husband to Islam as the dog runs around. For a majority-Muslim population, it is clear as to why Margaret would be arrested under the means of Blasphemy.
Despite charges being pressed on Margaret, a panel of judges in Bogor--the same town in which the mosque was-- decided due to Margaret's condition, she could not be held accountable for her actions. Based on Margaret's 2013 medical records, she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

As for the dog, he was hit by a car and died shortly after the incident :(

Indonesian Woman Spared Jail