Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Saturday, November 7th, 2020

Results

What a perfect day on many levels. Firstly, it was yet again gorgeous almost summer like weather with temperatures around 24C. Secondly, I spend the day in a perfectly pleasant way, and thirdly, after five days of anxiety there is a president elect.

Because of the perfect temperature today practice in the park was fantastic. As we were moving around the leaves rustled under our feet creating their own beautiful song. The sun was shining, the sky a brilliant blue and even at 10:00 it was warm enough to get by in a light cotton shirt. I am finding though, that a swimsuit is not a good bra replacement and does not help with posture while practicing Aikido.

Of course, the plan had been to head straight to the pool after practice. However, the Aikidoka suggested lunch on the patio of the dojo-cho which with the brilliant weather was too tempting a prospect. So of I went to join. Checking the app I found a lane open at 17:15, as I did not want to be in a rush I cancelled my 12:45 booking and opted for the later lane. That proved to be a good choice as we sat chatting until about 15:00. I went of to drop all of the shoes, clothes, and bedsheets we had decided to part with to the Lupus donation center, before heading to the nail studio to pretty up for my possible meeting with my brilliant friend next week as I will not be leaving the house - safe for a swim - for the whole of next week; self-isolating to ensure no virus exposure after getting tested tomorrow morning.

The nail people were done just in time for me to make my lap lane. At home I showered, lathered myself with body lotion and proceeded to deal with the chores, which no one else seems to deal with in this household; namely emptying the dishwasher. In parallel I am cooking a chicken broth.

Take a whole chicken, sellery, carrots, some peppers, juniper berries and plenty of salt and pepper and let simmer for several hours, and voila, a perfect broth.

As we were leaving the park fireworks went of and there were a lot of horns honking. They called Pennsylvania and Nevada at 11:26 for Vice President Joe Biden making him and his running mate Kamala Harris President / Vice President elect! Arizona and Georgia are still counting ballots, but even without those States the Democratic candidate has 290 electoral college votes, 20 more than needed. While Joe Biden is not overly exciting, but an old hand in Washington DC< kamla="" harris="" is.="" she="" is="" absolutely="" awesome.="" she="" will="" be="" the="" first="" woman="" o="" become="" vice="" president.="" she="" is="" also="" the="" first="" balck="" and="" the="" first="" indian="" decendant="" to="" hold="" this="" office="" and="" her="" usband="" will="" be="" the="" first="" male="" spouse="" of="" a="" vice="" president.="" those="" are="" a="" lot="" of="">

I still worry that the GoP will come up with some means to steal the election, but for now it is good news. Not that Joe Biden will be able to change much unless the two Senate seats to be re-voted in Georgia on January 5th will go to the Democrats. I for one will most certainly donate to that cause and check if I can call people to urge them to go and vote. Hopefully most of the Trumpsters cannot be bothered.

Generally, this is a country deeply divided. With70 million Americans voting for Trump and against any form of decency. There are many concerned voices that Trump and his evil spawn will continue to rile them. Given their single source of information, Fox & Friends, it is hard to see how any of these people can be included in a united America. This will be the Democrats main challenge. Also losses in Congress translates into only a small majority. As a result it is crucial for Democrats to learn to become a united front if they hope to achieve anything at all. And even then, they are currently faced with a Senate dominated by Republicans, whose majority leader has already expressed his uncooperativeness; potentially even blocking Biden cabinett nominees. So much for working for the country! 

The only way to change this would be to flip the two Senator seats in Georgia; hence my dedication to support them.

The Virus is of course not impressed by either the perfect weather or the election. The USA saw 132k new infections in a single day. This includes the WH chief of staff and four other staffers who have been reported to have tested positive for COVID-19. I cannot find a single bit of compassion especially since he appears to have known this on election night and still worked the room in the WH East wing, potentially infecting some 400 selected guest. They would all get what they deserved.

Global infections are at 48.9 million of which the USA accounts for 9.85 million. The incoming administration will have a herculean task in stopping the spread since the current administration is not going to be doing anything at all. Sadly insanity is not limited to the USA. There are insane people everywhere. With thousands protesting Corona restrictions in Leipzig. I do wonder though if there is a relationship between nationalism and Corona rebellion. The former Eastern German states are known for their nationalistic tendencies, and precisely those States are the most vocal against lockdowns and other restrictions such as wearing a mask. This is eerily similar to Trump supporters, who are nationalists and virus deniers.

Despite the sad Virus news, a great day.