2020 and Half Way Through the Rat Race?

I find it ironic that this year is the Chinese Year of the Rat and that the rat was the winner of the race between all of the other Chinese zodiac animals, by riding along on the ox's back until jumping off ahead when nearing the finishing line for the race.

Next year will be the Chinese Year of the OX, and ironically in the west Xs and Os represent kisses and hugs.

It just seems like all the news this year is about race and how the rat race has been halted by a virus.
Maybe the Eastern Curlews can teach the 2020 rat race a lesson about the planet we all live on?

Eastern Curlew's 10-day flight to China stuns bird enthusiasts calling for greater habitat protections

Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
 at French Frigate Shoals

Let's hope 2021, the Year of the Ox is full of much better news as far as the Earth's rat race goes.
Maybe Pipers have a bigger message for the planet right now than owls, hey Mike?-)

Piper Laurie, a Spazzy Cat and a Movie That Probes the Stranger?!