Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Friday, July 10th, 2020

Aerosol Evacuation

After a busy morning headed to the dentist for what I was hoping to be the final trip. As it turns out it is only for this tooth and another one will need attention – sigh.

It was like the previous three trips, mostly. However, in an effort to maintain safety the practice has invested in a Aerosol Evacuation unit. It is a machine that sucks up any air exhaled while the dentist is at work passing it through a Hepa and then a UV filter before emitting clean air. Seems they acquired it a few days ago. Amazed at what science invents! After the temp the new crown feels rather big and edgy and chewing was very strange, what a bit of luck I had made squash for lunch which are nice and soft.

We had a lane booked at 2pm so enjoyed a nice swim before heading to Alexandria for a two hour sail. It was a great day to be on the water. The sun dipped in and out of clouds, so it was not too hot, and we had bursts of wind in between a reasonably steady breeze, which made for some speedy sailing. The wind died down as we were making our way back to port, as a result it took us a good thirty minutes to cover the last 400 or so meters.

Now I am back in my garden with the laptop on my lap (which I guess is why it is called laptop) reviewing today’s news, which is not pretty. The Virus has now infected over 12.4 million people worldwide and is rampant in the USA where infections increased by another 57k during the past 24 hours to reach 3.24 million and the dying continues, with rates increasing now in th US again in the wake of rising new infections on track to reach 200k by autumn.  Meanwhile Florida in denial is leading in new death as Disney Resorts and Theme Parks reopen are set to reopen tomorrow; to further the spread of the Virus no doubt. But the rest of this country no less of a mess when it comes to policies to mitigating the virus spread.

Very few States continue to be on a positive trajectory, Maryland, where we live is one of the few seeing a steady decline in infections. Six months into life with the virus testing in the USA is still chaotic at best. There are not enough tests, not enough PPE, not enough swaps, simply not enough of anything needed to conduct testing.

Did these people not listen? Or just not do anything?

Comments

11.07.2020 01:00

Dave

Dentists aren't open in Canada yet. The situation in the U.S. astounds me.