Three Months In- Global Pandemic

I had this whole thing I was writing earlier this month, carefully editing, adding, subtracting, rewriting, trying to restart myself and commit to this blog as a recording of my time here. However, I’ve decided to scrap the original text considering how fast the coronavirus situation is developing in Europe. Italy’s been on lock down, now Spain, and France has just added the closures of bars, cafes, and other social gathering sites on top of schools when President Macron made his speech this past Thursday. Tabacco shops are still open along with grocery stores. Panic buying has increased over the last week, but I didn’t see such behavior when I did some grocery shopping this past Friday, the 13th. This is in the city vs the suburbs of course where the reaction is more in line with what I’ve seen back in the US. Will there be enough supplies available for people in stores this week? France is just beginning its journey along with the US. Will there be enough testing available for the people here? The numbers have only just started its exponential growth pattern here meaning everyday is seeing a doubling of confirmed cases. Even if there’s lack of testing, it’s all about keeping our distance from the outside world momentarily until it runs its course. This weekend was originally about completing some of the prep work and doing one final round of grocery shopping to top off a few essentials for staying indoors coming up. Now we’re going to go with whatever we have. I’ve done what I can in bolstering our supplies and hopefully it’s enough. Wish I had gotten that extra pack of eggs, bottle of dish soap, and extra cheese, but we’ll live… for now. We take our temperatures daily, check on family and friends through Facebook, escape with a movie or two, and try to channel our anxieties in a more productive manner. I saw the term “rage baking” from a friend’s post and seeing others present their recently created cakes and cookies. While it is a productive way to spend your time at home. I can’t help but chuckle while thinking, “eat your feelings.” My husband is in the process of baking a loaf of sourdough.

The tone of the news on TV, online, and the general reaction in person among Parisians is divided. Social culture is as important to daily life as the cigarettes. Is it denial? Lack of information? Both? Maybe it’s simply the attitude to live normally without fear of death. If you’re going to die, why not die doing what you want to do- living your life on your own terms. Whatever the reason is for each individual, the problem is not knowing if you’re infected and could be spreading it to everyone and every surface you touch. By the time you feel symptoms, if you have any, can you recall every person you’ve been in contact with? Parents, grandparents, children, friends, and business owners who become potential vectors of a very contagious disease. By the way, it’s voting day for France and I learned about a current outdoor party over at Oberkampf. At least rigorous steps have been taken to insure the safety of the voters at the polls according to one French friend.

Worldwide testing varies greatly and the countries who’ve been hit first and hardest have the most tests per million. This is just surreal. It’s been surreal since the beginning seeing China’s reaction to the virus as it built huge hospitals within days just a couple months ago. The growing images of people wearing masks on the screen and in the metro became a growing concern, but when should it turn into action? When would we hear officials say something? Whether or not the news coverage was downplayed, we’ve had signs to prepare us and our ability to handle the situation. Return to the present. The number to call for medical emergencies, 15, is being stressed and ICUs are starting to fill up. We await more news of possible, eventual, lock downs and experience the same situation as Italy and Spain as Europe and still not everyone is on board with the reality of the situation. Lastly, there is now confirmation of reinfection after surviving it the first time. We’re feeling ok for now and won’t know for the next few days. Average time for symptoms is 5 days, but it could be 2-14. It’s time for some Netflix. Last night we picked an episode of Rick and Morty that happened to involve various diseases of the human body. Today we’re going with Back to the Future 3, a much safer choice. Once the bread is out of the oven and cooled… bread and butter. We made pizza for brunch yesterday.