October, 17th, 2020
Wow, 220 days of this. That is a full working year, as in 220 workdays to a calendar year. 220 days is how long we have been working from home, staying home. Not seen our family, had cautious social interactions, have not hugged or kissed anyone outside of our household. 220 days that we have not led a normal life.
Between March 11th and May 29th, we stayed home only venturing out for grocery runs and a daily walk around the neighborhood. Since June, when lockdown restrictions were lifted, we have cautiously socialized. Initially with one family only. Later our circle has expanded to meeting others, but always only outside, always at a distance and in very small groups. No dinner outings, no movies and nothing indoors except with our single pod family, now expanded to three (Anna’s, Julia’s and Jake’s) where it is the kids more than the parents who are a pod, but indirectly of course all of are through the kids exposed to one another. So we set rules for the girls, who cannot be with anyone else (unless masked, outside and six feet apart – the mantra we all know how to sing by heart).
Certainly, since lockdowns have been eased our life has changed and returned to some form of normalcy. We are no longer paranoid to run errands and go shopping. Over the summer we have had some lovely outings to surrounding swimming holes and met with some friends (in very small groups, outside), and the Aikidoka are practicing twice a week outside with weapons and socially distanced. Also, I did have three dates, none of which were of great interest, but not free of risks.
My “social circle” are indirectly the families of EM’s three friends, directly my girlfriends Becky and Heather, the Aikidoka I practice in the park with, Carsten & Harika, Luc & Tina, Scott & Shakila, Sebastian & Christina, Hanh Nam & Dung, all people with whom we have met for socially distanced meals. As well as Marc & Maureen with whom I enjoy the water and Barbara, Marsha, Ania and Iza of the book club. While far fewer people in my life than at any other point in time I am grateful to have them. I am also seeing who is not worth retaining; sadly, this includes someone I had thought of as a friend but who not so much as called once in three months. On some level this pandemic has brought out the people who really care for me versus the hangers on. In comparison to the first three months we have some semblance of a life back and I am grateful for that. I dread the onset of winter when socializing will become so much harder, but I have prepared as best I can, so am hoping for the best.
The biggest singular risk will be our Christmas party. I shall stagger attendance, have it all outdoors and only have those over we have been seeing over the past 4 months, ensuring all my guests can be socially distanced. Today was a perfect day in many ways.
The weather was beautiful, sunny, warm just a pleasant day to be outside. After my morning ritual of coffee in bed while checking social media and reading the news feed I left for Aikido in the park. This was followed by lunch with the Aikidoka in a pretty little deli with lovely outside seating. From there I made my way to the pool. One the way home I picked up some dill and proceeded to make various salads for tomorrow’s picnic. A beetroot salad with walnuts and dill, the classic Caprese, figs wrapped in proscuitto, cheese cubes as well as apples in lime. In the meantime, a student came by to rake the abundance of leaves my trees are shedding. I dyed a strand of my hair to a vibrant purple before settling down to write today’s blog. I never thought the day would come when I would appreciate this seemingly boring day in life as something pleasantly normal.
The girls have returned from their trip to Shenandoah, surprisingly early actually. EM was home by 16:00. The first thing she asked was if could use the car to hang with Julia later. Admittedly, I was a bit surprised given they had just been together for twenty-four hours. This request was topped by the ask for Julia to spend the night. It seems her father is not feeling well, and she has some beef with her mother so does not want to go there. I am not sure what to do or say. There are several things going through my mind.
Firstly, she will need to sort things out with her mother. I do not think she can avoid her forever and even if, given I know her, I would not want to be the instrument that aides her avoidance of conflict.
Secondly, I am not sure how wise it is for someone who may be exposed to a family member who is to come into our house given things are what they are. Apparently, she is in her room at her fathers with a mask on and windows open and so far only for two hours since they returned form their little trip.
Thirdly, EM and I have plans with Anna and Danielle for tomorrow which I do not want to see jeopardized. Especially after I spend the afternoon making the picnic for tomorrows outing. After mulling it over for a bit I have decided that ME must first finish her homework and her chores. She can then drive over and pick up Julia. They can hang outside by the firepit. Julia can stay the night, but in Jennifer’s room in the basement and she will need to patch up with her mum somehow as of course this is not a situation that can go on for weeks in the event that her father is seriously ill.
On that note infections in the USA continue to increase. Today saw 5k more than yesterday with 70k new infections reported, bringing the US total to 8.3 million while the world counts 39.5 million. A dismal record and infections increase not only in the USA, but in Europe also. This has spurred a very thorough piece on the Swedish approach to managing the Virus outbreak which finds that Sweden is not managing it well at all.
Meanwhile scientists find there may be a correlation between blood type and severity of the virus. People with blood Typ “0” are less likely to experience a severe infection, while people with blood types “A, B or AB” tend to show stronger symptoms. What a bit of luck that I, along with 80% or so of the world population have blood type “0” .
Now that would be something, here is to girl power!