This was brought home to me again recently when talking to a Kazakh friend of mine in Shanghai about Avarian “Bird” disease currently threatening China. All this very intelligent and educated man could offer as to why’s and where’s was intonation “too many people, too many people”

This ‘analysis” may sound simplistic to scientists and medical experts who attempt to understand and contain spread of this disease but, sometimes, simple analysis is best.

China has huge problems as a result of population pressure. People need to be fed, employed, clothed, warmed, transported and made to feel secure. As P.R.C. officials have said on countless occasions, in part justification of it’s Human Rights record, is that idea of widespread unrest and lawlessness in a country with population size of China’s is unthinkable.

China is starving for fuel, it is short of many resources, it is sinking in it’s own pollution, hygiene is poor and it’s environment and natural resources are being degraded at a rapid rate. The threat of Avarian disease, SARS or any number of untold other diseases is very, very real.

Add to this challenge of having 56 ethnic groups within it’s boundaries and large representations of major world religions, often than not, very different in ideology and outlook to each other.

The sum result is an unbelievable challenge for any government and, one that you can not help but think, would be beyond capabilities of a totally democratic government in Westminster style.

As commentators and analysts, especially those of us with a Human Rights bent, we can so easily fall into trap of, for want of better words, “China Bashing”. That very comfortable zone where it is easy to provide criticism but rarely put forward solutions.

Ruth is matriarch of a dear and loving family, though she doesn’t see them as often as she would like.

“Since children moved from Parma to start their own lives, it’s hard. They are so busy …”

Ruth was primary care provider for her husband Henry until he passed away in 1997. Ruth has spent most of her life as a care provider, always giving. She was eldest of five children, ‘… in those days, it was expected that daughters help with younger ones and with household chores…’ she reminisced with me as we leafed through family photo album.

Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been living alone since 1997. She is in good health, however daily chores around home were becoming increasingly difficult. She decided to hire help. Ruth turned to her church bulletin and found a ‘Home Care Company’ advertised.

“The ad was in church bulletin, I assumed this was a good company,” her voice cracking from pain and embarrassment this service eventually caused her.

Ruth is not alone in fact that she is widowed and lives alone. According to ‘2002 A Profile of Older Americans’ published by Administration on Aging (http://www.aoa.gov/aoa/stats/profile/4.html) 41% of women age 65 and over, are widowed and live alone.