Weddnesday, June 10th, 2020
A somewhat overcast day and it stayed that way with a mix of sun and cloud. It feels as if it should rain but doesn’t. It is just hot -34C- and somewhat humid. Nevertheless, I spend the morning working from my garden location, by noon it became unbearable - even for me - and I migrated inside and even turned on the AC. We also moved our walk to evening. I now remember why I am not a runner – I just hate the feeling of sweat dripping and despite only venturing outside around 18:00 we are drenched. Somehow I did tolerate severe sweating during last years’ summer intensive, when I spend eight hours a day for five days running on the mat, the beginning of my Aikido journey, which is now sadly interrupted by the virus.
Seems the walks may be for cooler days only, which is sad as now I need to find some other way to exercise. The squats, crunches and so on are just not enough.
Decided to move back to the garden to write this, it is still hot and humid. This and the earlier walk bring back memories of our years in Hanoi. This is what it was like May through September, every day and the daily rains – unlike here – brought no relief as the temperature stayed the same, day and night. The main difference though, I had unlimited access to a pool. Still hoping one will miraculously open sooner rather than later.
Given news on the virus front it does not appear likely as case numbers have risen sharply in at least twelve States since Memorial Day weekend. Unsurprisingly, the rise in case numbers happens to coincide with reopening of States, which does not bode well for pools opening here.
Overall the US is performing 100 times worse than China in terms of containment and infections. Worldwide there are 7.3 million reported cases and the USA account for 2.04 million of those, with ever rising death tolls, now totaling 114k. The only change: Brazil is now seeing the fastest day to day increase.
The other country hard hit and under populist leadership is the UK, whose economy is supposedly impact most by COVID, but why? This combined with their Brexit aspirations is not good news for the British people; especially in light of little progress on the exit negotiations. The UK may yet drop out without an agreement.
The mask discussion continues with mixed messages from one day to the next. Latest news suggests that medical masks are far more effective than the home made versions we all have. It seems we should all get medical masks after all.
Likewise, the discussion around immunity is back and I find the evolution disconcerting. Firstly, parties with people who are positive so that oneself gets infected and as a result immune? How insane is that? Especially given no one as yet knows if recovered people have and immunity and if for how long. But also the concept of “immunity passports” is highly discriminatory. Surely health data is about as personal as it gets and no, I do not want o share that when booking an Airbnb, an airline ticket or applying for a job. And no one should! I have no problem with being tested for the virus before boarding a plane though. But having immunity does not mean one cannot spread the virus to others either. While not getting ill oneself, one can still infect others unknowingly, and as I have previously noted, who says this is where it will stop. So, I have my doubts about the merits of such a passport.
The other dominating topic is of course the ongoing protests in the USA and the strong connection between the virus and police brutality, both kill twice as many black people as white people. In the supposed greatest democracy one fifth of all peaceful protestors were not only arrested, but also held for over 48 hours in dismal conditions. And of course, it is no surprise, that the overwhelming majority of those arrested and held for extended periods are black people and Latinos. Police not only do not wear face masks but take them of those arrested. No social distancing in the cells, so working hard towards the next spike in Corona. Shocking.