Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Monday, April 27th, 2020

Motivationally Challenged

A mixed Monday, at least weather wise, as if the day cannot really make up its mind what it wants to be.

That is somehow what my day felt like, neither here nor there.

Of course, in “real life” aka when one goes out and about, I have also had days like that, where just nothing very exciting is happening. Thinking about my day as I write, just makes it so much more obvious that it was a truly uneventful day.

I have recently been invited to join a FB group “View from my Room” which I find thoroughly enjoyable. People form all over the world are posting a photograph depicting the view a window of their dwelling. Some add a story, some just days under lockdown. Everyone adds a location and people respond in the comment section with their location and sometimes a word of encouragement or astonishment or a thank you (especially to nurses and doctors). It is a very nice experience to see the world connect, bringing people closer together.

Seems like Europeans are also moving closer together again as more and more countries are outlining ways from lock down to “normalcy”. Italy’s prime minister outlined lockdown easing measures today.  This I believe is an example for the world to watch on a road back. That Germany is conducting similar measures, despite ~ 2500 reported new infections per day, I find irresponsible. EVen more so with back up to 1 (from 0.7); meaning one infected person infects one other person.

While many other countries are outlining roadmaps to release restrictions, Sweden, who has imposed none so far, is moving in the opposite direction. Their experiment has apparently not gone too well. Really, I want all countries to be extra cautious before opening up as the last thing I can or want to imagine is a second months long #stayhome period. Like pretty much everyone else, I am anxious to get back to some semblance of normal, some of my activities.

And I have plans for the summer. I want to be able to travel. Germany, Madrid and Lisbon were on my list. I am still holding out hope for Germany and maybe Lisbon.

Not at all sure though what will happen to EM’s university tour. I have a sense it may be a much reduced tour; possibly Germany, Ireland and Holland. Not sure if Bologna or Madrid will be in the cards still.

Total reported infections today are at 3.09 million, with 210k dead. Growth numbers are definitely slowing down in speed, so that is a good thing.