Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Sunday, November8th, 2020

A Walk in the Park

The short summer respite continued today. Another day with temperatures at 24C and I made the most of it.

I was up very early. As a result I dragged EM out of bed at 9:30 and made her come to the COVID test site with me. It was a weird experience as I had expected a drive through site, but no, the place was on the 7th floor of a building in a shopping mall. We went in, saw no signs whatsoever, left, drove around the mall just to return to where we had started as we double checked the email and realized there was a name on there of an organization inside the building.

The process was surprisingly simple. There was no line. We had to fill a simple form and were admitted to have a cotton swap stuck up each nostril for five seconds, which was then bagged to be send of to a laboratory. Only downer, it will take 4-5 days to get results. Surely there must be a way to do this faster.

Once that was done I dropped EM at home and went back to the nail spa so they could finish yesterday’s job as I had to rush to the pool. I was the only customer that early in the day and like yesterday, I was impressed with their precautions. Everyone masked, all doors open, plexiglass screens between patrons and therapists. The owner was telling me how hard business was because of COVID so I decided to have my eyebrows plugged as well.

From there I headed straight to the pool to flush my respiratory tracks with chlorine. The pools are so chlorinated that my swimsuits lose all their color after a weeks use and disintegrate after about two months. I am convinced swimming is absolutely COVID safe – one breathes into the water, the ceilings are super high and ones nostrils and throat are forever filled with chlorinated water disinfecting whatever one may have inhaled, so an ongoing disinfection so to speak.

After a shower back at home I met with someone I had dated last year. Lovely person who lives by himself, has worked from home until he was fired for being on medical leave after a stroke. He is also immune compromised, so very careful. Still given my weekend plans I was not taking any risk, so mask on during the entire 90-minute hike through the state park and him walking 10 feet behind me. There were very few people we encountered on the trail and most of them wore masks as well, so I think it was a very safe outing. It was beautiful for sure. While most of the leaves had fallen, depriving us of their magnificent color display, it was sunny and warm. The leaves rustling as we walked, creating their own music to our steps. We did about 7km, quite a bit uphill so I expect my thighs to be sore in the morning, but worth it.

Back home I made salmon and corn on the cob for diner or a late lunch before we embarked on the Christmas cookie making. We have at least five kinds to make and started out with two today. The first set is done. The dough for the second is chilling in the fridge and will be baked tomorrow. I am confident we shall manage to complete the baking in time for our annual Christmas party on December 5th, which this year will be very different to the previous 20 or so years.

Firstly, there we will invite far fewer people, limiting invitations only to people we have socialized with during the pandemic, Secondly, it will be outside only. Thirdly, people invitations will be issued in slots so as to minimize the number of people at our house at any point in tie and lastly, I will ask everyone to wear masks when not drinking or eating. It is hard to believe I am thinking about Christmas at this point in time; especially given temperatures. It so does not feel like winter yet, for which I am grateful. The virus has taken all spontaneity from life. Everything has to be carefully planned. Like me hanging out with my brilliant friend who has an autoimmune disorder. A test today, another one on Tuesday or Wednesday, quarantining in between.

I am so glad EM is taking this seriously and has agreed to totally quarantine until she heads of to her camping trip this weekend. Even her friends know she is quarantining this week, all to keep my friend safe, who, if experience is anything to go by, may not even show up. Or show up for a few hours when I am hoping for an entire weekend. There is nothing I can do, just be grateful for whatever time I get.

The news is dominated by the presidential election. Both Vice President-elect Kamal Harris and President-elect Joe Biden gave very moving speeches last night. What decent human beings they both are and Kamala is inspirational. I hope they can unify the country and move it towards progress. Fortunately Joe Biden has 24 years of experience with the system, so even if the GoP are obstructive he may be able to get things done. I am holding my breath until inauguration day on January 20th, 2021, so much may yet go wrong until then; especially given the orange Cheeto’s refusal to concede.

With all the election mayhem the virus has all but disappeared from the news. It has not disappeared from our daily lives. Of course, we continue to wear masks when in public. Of course, we restrict our social interactions. And of course numbers are increasing with the USA reporting 126k new cases today, bringing the total up to 10.28 million cases. 234k Americans have died. Globally 50.1 million cases have been reported.

What a world we live in.