Life in the Age of Corona
A Daily Diary
Friday, June 3rd, 2020
Horseshoe Crabs
Woke up to a beautiful sunny day in the little studio attached to the house my friends rented in Rehoboth for a few days. It is so nice to be away from home, have a change of scenery. We are very grateful to be welcomed by our friends to join their little outing.
We had a leisurely start to the morning with breakfast in the garden before packing up to head to the beach. Boardkill was the place of choice as they allow dogs. We made our way to the end of the little road and opted to access the beach from Florida Avenue, far enough away from the concessions and the restrooms to afford us with plenty of space from other people. First action at the beach after spreading out was an open water swim. Had to swim way out as the tide was low and I otherwise would have touched the ground with each freestyle stroke, so started off with breaststroke to get out. Did about 30 minutes of free before making my way back to shore on the back. Where I joined the girls playing frisbee in the surf. I don't think I have playe dfrisbee in years, but it was so much fun carshing into the water lunging to catch it.
Hung out at the beach until the horseflies got to me so went for a long walk instead, before heading into the water once more. By three we all had had enough sun so drove back to the house to shower and chill. For dinner I made baked potatoes, a salad and steak marinated in a Bourbon Steak Sauce I had picked up in Shenandoah. Instead of on the gas grill I opted for a frying pan and stove after D and A had almost blown themselves up with the gas and a match seeing the igniter did not work.
After dinner we headed down to Dewey beach with a bottle of wine (orange juice for the girls) to enjoy the sunset and moon rise. It was a beautiful night on an almost empty beach. Some people at the far end had fireworks and we saw three wishing lights float up into th eskies. Most people did wear masks in the streets and kept their distance – certainly on the beaches, complying with the rules. Otherwise everything seemed like normal, virus free life, which sadly included youngsters partying in bars.
One of the things I had no inkling about are horseshoe crabs. There are tons littering the shores of Delaware beaches. I always thought they looked ancient, and turns out they are. They are also critical for vaccine development. Apparently, their blood, which is blue, has very sought after qualities. As a result, once a year they are milked for it before being returned to sea. Sadly, many do not survive this process and as a result their population has seen a significant decline, from 1.3 million to roughly 385k in recent years. Surely humans must be able to find a more sustainable way to do this. We are a terrible species, killing all others to our own detriment.
As numbers are rising to 10.97 million globally and 2.78 million in the USA the usurper of the WH complaints he is not getting credit for economic recovery. I wonder why that is? Maybe because there is everything but containment of the Virus and the economy is not coming back either? In fact when comparing economic indicators to last year, it becomes evident that the economy is in a deep hole. Despite some jobs coming back in both May and June, unemployment remains at a record high, as do lost taxes, lost sales, lost pretty much everything. At the same time the virus is spiraling out of control in the USA. What a sorry state of affairs.
I cannot really feel compassion for anyone testing positive or be hospitalized after attending Trump’s indoor rally. Here is one of who knows how many to come.
What is wrong with people? Not only do they have Corona parties, but invite people testing positive and take bets who will contract the virus first. Neither these students nor the rally attendees should receive treatment form overstretched hospitals.
After the initial battle against the virus in April doctors have found the time to undertake forensics research the results of which are critical in treating COVID-19 patients. Amazing what science can do and what we can learn. The autopsies conducted suggest a cocktail of different medications, including blood thinners, anti inflammatory and anti platelet medications may be helpful in treating the virus. And reading this, I want to get this virus, even less. Possible treatments now offer a glimpse of what America first looks like: hoarding a drug. Unless the Virus is successfully combated everywhere, no one is safe. And not to allow generics to be sold to European countries is just outrageous. Imagine Europeans developed the first viable vaccine and would refuse to let America produce or use it...
In the meantime the Moron in Chief is turning the USA into a shithole country The Atlantic reports. At the same time a location very close my heart, termed as a shithole country by the agent orange, is fighting its own battle. Residents of townships in South Africa are facing serious risks of virus spread. After the super strict lock down enforced by the government, which had many South Africans suffer, this is super sad to read. Not sure when we will be able to go back. However, some airlines are preparing, adjusting to the new realities we have to live with. New normal includes offering pre departure testing, with Frankfurt taking the lead. They have the capacity to conduct 300 tests an hour with results returned after 6-8 hours or against an extra fee even after three, including a "certificate". There is something to be said for making these tests mandatory rather than voluntary though. This makes me hopeful for future travel.
