Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

Feeling Priviledged

Public debate about the origin of the virus is increasing. There are more and more articles circulating which suggest it either “escaped” a lab by accident or that it may even be manmade. If the latter, who ever created it was unbelievably stupid to not at the same time create a vaccine or treatment. Also, it begs the question, for what purpose would anyone design a virus?

The public discussion has been advanced by Nobel Laureat Luc Montagnier claiming the virus was man made. Other scienctists suggests that this is not the case. Turns out it is actually reasonably difficult to reverse engineer a Corona Virus.  None the less there is an ongoing debate on whether the virus was really spread by bats form the Wuhan wet market or – and this seems to be a more likely scenario – scientists were experimenting with Corona Viruses in a nearby lab and it escaped through some accident involving a lab worker. This seems to be more credible than the theory of it being a “designer virus”, yet again scientist consider this to be highly unlikely. This has not stopped the, the State of Missouri from filing a law suite against China. Never mind that nation states have legal immunity even in the United States.

At least most of the world believes scientists, while the trend in the US appears to be to fire them if they do not follow the moron in chief. Funnily enough though agent orange and his friends over at FOX have recently stopped the use of the term Hydroxychlorine (down from over 100 mentions to less than 13). Might it have anything to do with the fact that it has – if anything – proved to be ineffective and at worst deadly in the treatment of COVID-19? And there is now very diverse guidance on reopening the economy. Florida has already opened beaches and such like, Georgia is reopening businesses theaters etc. as desired by the president. A number of States are set to follow and States with no stay at home orders begging South Dakota holding two dirt track auto racing events with crowds for instance South Dakota. All seemingly following Trump’s wishes, just to one day later be heavily criticized by same. It is rather confusing.

Globally numbers continue to rise, albeit at a slower rate. As of today 2.65 million cases are reported. US numbers are increasing by roughly 30k day on day, which is scary.

I am glad we #stayhome, even though we did do our "every ten day" outing for a grocery run. Today to Trader Joes on Wisconsin Ave. The store was opened only nine months ago and is twice the size of other TJs. They only allowed twenty people into the store at any one time. Lines for people waiting outside were spaced two meters apart and the entire store is now a one way route through the aisles, which I rather like, but than that is how I have always navigated every grocery store; working my way to each aisle at a time. As a result I invariably end up getting items not on my list, but it is also an inspiration for the upcoming weeks menu.

Came across this article on cauliflower.  Seems this is a very versatile veg. I have done cauliflower risotto as well as pizza base of cauliflower, but will try some of the other options. Generally, cooking has become rather elaborate and especially on weekends a favorite past time. Will try my hands on sushi on Saturday and chicken satay with peanut sauce on Sunday!

Aren’t we lucky that we do not need to go hungry, have a warm and cozy house and a garden. That we have a lovely Hood to walk in?

Feeling privileged.