Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020
It is definitely autumn now. The air has become cooler, even if temperatures during the day reach 26C, it still feels cool. The light is changing and today I noticed the first red and yellow leaves. I am saddened by summer’s departure as every year, but this year even more so as it will reduce the scope of possible activities. I do enjoy the changing season and have always found the positives of autumn and winter.
Over the coming weekends I think we ill plan to go apple picking and visit a pumpkin patch. The season of fires starts and next up is baking our annual selection of Christmas cookies. If only it were possible to entertain friends in the house too – alas it is not. I have a suspicion that firepit ill see a lot of use in the coming weeks. Three months until the shortest day of the year, after that the days will get longer again. I am already looking forward to that. For now, we shall have to deal with the onset of darkness.
Fortunately, the park where we practice is next to a large, very well-lit parking lot which we have been using for the past two weeks. However, I might need to invest in another hoodie or sweater for outdoor practice as evenings are getting colder and I do not own any sweatpants or track suit. It irks me to acquire more things as actually I am trying to get rid of stuff. Once Jennifer leaves for Manila I will start dealing with the basement!
Jennifer’s departure is a sad story; not so much because she is going to the Philippines, but because it is unclear when she can come back or if there will still be a job for her if she only comes back in a few months. The timeline is completely beyond our control as the State Department is just not issuing any visas; even if the embassy in Manila is, her new employer still needs to go through the State Department. Firstly, Jennifer needs the job. She is supporting ten people in the Philippines. Secondly, Zahra really needs her help. Thirdly, I feel bad for terminating her. I just do not need and cannot afford her anymore, now that no one travels. It is a frustrating situation for all of us. This whole Corona business is just very unpleasant for all.
In the USA the Virus was never was brought under control, merrily curbed a little, to begin with. Now it is on the rise again. The third spike. National Geographic has some great data, broken down by State. It is also trying to make the number of US dead more fathomable:
More than twice as many Americans have succumbed to the virus than Americans have lost their lives in all wars since WWII together.
Since February an American has died every 1.5 minutes.
The total number of dead Americans equals passengers of 1450 planes.
That is huge! Over 2 million people have lost a first degree relative to COVID-19.
Of the total 31.5 million reported case, 7.09 million are American.
Establishments with highest infection risk: restaurants, bars and gyms. And most recently infections following long haul air travel have increased. This does not bode well for our plan to decamp to Europe for Christmas. All of this is further evidence for what we have know for a while now: the virus is transmitted through air. Why else would the world be wearing masks? I find it hard to believe that this is even making the news still.