Good morning from Sophie who is benefitting from long walks in the fresh Spring air. This morning she finds something in the grass that might once have been animal life. Now it is well on the way to transitioning into a liquid state. She seems delighted. I ponder for a moment why I ever thought a female PON might be more refined than a male one.
The new mayor arrives at the gate. He patiently explains that we now have to fill out forms if we want to go out. . Walking Sophie does not require a permit but a trip in the car to the supermarket does. Without a properly filled out form the police can stop and fine you. E38 this week rising to E150 next. He asks for my mobile phone number so that an emergency organization can be formed to deal with 'eventualities'. I think it best not to ask what 'eventualities' he might have in mind. The cleaning lady calls to say that she's been told to stop seeing her clients. Madame Bay has also been told to remain at home. Sandrine, her hair dresser daughter, has had to close the hair salon. Sandrine and her mother are unlikely to remain happily ensconced together for long.
The travel restrictions are having an effect. The village is quiet at the best of times but now there is a complete absence of noise. No cars. No planes. We can hear all the bells in the neighbouring villages chiming the hour, more or less, in sequence. The sound of the little waterfalls in the valley a constant backdrop. Bird song everywhere. A bit like Christmas Day.
https://twitter.com/shedd_aquarium/status/1239661654629023747
Anyone quarantined at home with kids must be feeling like this : https://twitter.com/gnuman1979/status/1239523796542992387
15 comments:
From what I'm reading, it seems that the dogs are the only ones benefiting from the virus (well, maybe the dogs and Amazon) - lots of long walks going on everywhere. Although it is also true that lots of wonderful things are popping up to amuse the quarantined masses. I saw the penguins last night and slept very well after that.
Those are marvelous Twitter tidbits. How in the world do you find them? I avoid Twitter; it seems like such a cesspool.
I have been thinking it's like a snow day. Or like when our village was flooded, although then it wasn't quiet; the rain and the river sounded like a freight train.
I read an article about how flattening the curve isn't going to work, and that there will be waves of outbreaks until the vast majority of us get it and get immunity. In other words, multiple rounds of social distancing between now and the distribution of a vaccine. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-social-distancing-effect.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
That said, a relative in the U.S. who is a first responder and also an ardent fan of the current occupant of the White House told me that it's all media-driven panic, completely overblown, a hoax, and that the U.S. has it completely under control.
I'm wondering if those unfortunate enough not to own a dog are also allowed out for walks?
I would love to stay home, but I work at a hospital, so it is all hands on deck for us, with more and more serious meetings each day as teams try to prepare for what is about to hit us.
Hari OM
All a bit Armageddon*, ain't it? YAM xx
(*place where the kings of the earth under demonic leadership will wage war on the forces of God)
It's certainly an apocalypse for the small highly seasonal local hotels that were fully sold out for Easter and have now seen all their bookings disappear.
Agree with you on Twitter but there are parts where the light shines. As for the virus the local are getting into the swing of things. At the 8 a 8 the manager could be found standing outside in a mask limiting entrants to a maximum of four. As one goes another enters. When we see how the South Korean numbers for the end of March come out there will be a much better idea of how modern advanced data driven economies do through a lock down. Until then the variance in estimates is either too alarming or falsely low.
No, Bertie, they aren't here in Spain. I've though of renting Inca out !
The weather here hasn't been ideal for outdoor pursuits, so for the moment people probably aren't starting to feel stir crazy. Yesterday afternoon I took Inca a short walk and am about to do the same again, dropping some rubbish off in the bin as we go. I didn't see a soul yesterday, but this morning the sun is trying to break through the grey, so there may be one or two other dog walkers about. We'll take our chances while we can!
I am biting my tongue while saying I am grateful for our first responders. I do not, and never will understand Trump's "fans".
How is your husband and is he going to be able to get back to France in view of the strict travel restrictions that Angus wrote about? Your family is always in my thoughts. Sending virus-free hugs.
It's awful. We were planning to visit Portugal in late April/early May, staying at exactly these kinds of places. I really hate sending the cancellations. We will try to reschedule but in the meantime, what are these places to do?
We don't know yet about travel. Things are changing so quickly. Fingers crossed there will be a flight on Sunday. They are on lockdown in Belgium now, so he isn't able to see his relatives or friends. Terrible timing.
After reading the comments, we're fortunate (or stupid). Schools are still open, and we can go out freely, though not if you have been in contact with anyone sick, and encouraged to stay home as much as possible. So our lives at the moment, are mostly the same. Will go to 'Elderly and Disabled' shopping hour this morning....LOL!
We can go out for essentials like food and medicine, but most things are closed so where would you go. The Canada US boarder closed. Domestic airlines are grounding flights by Friday until May or June. Canada is closed for business. But we are healthy and have books and internet, tonenes of food and living in the country no worries of seeing others on our daily walks. Stay safe.
This tweet is also about staying home with the kids. It's funny.
https://twitter.com/Getthebagcoach/status/1239716925653090305
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