For the U.S. and Texas particularly, we’re now entering the 3rd week of enforced isolation. We’re not experiencing the severe lockdown which for many of my European brothers and sisters is their new norm.
We can go outside but the parks are closed, people are ignoring that edict though. Most food stores are open, and any shortages are self-inflicted, people buying dozens of rolls of toilet paper is crazy. Some restaurants are trying to stay open by making meals for pick up and delivery. I don’t know how sustainable that is for a small business.
Finally, the rules are more or less uniform in Texas, the Governor, not wanting to upset his wealthy Republican backers in Collin County didn’t want to mandate closings from Austin, he finally relented because locking down Dallas County while Collin and Denton counties (10 minutes north) were not made no sense. We still have no leadership in Washington D.C., we’re our own worst enemy.
As I look out, there’s very little traffic, there’s no place to go. Business is grinding to a halt and if this lockdown continues, I expect the economic impact for the average American to be significant and long lasting.
We still have no idea how many people are infected as we still don’t have tests available except for the most grievously ill. Trump is talking about drugs which were designed for malaria as a potential treatment even though they’ve never really been tested for efficacy against this virus. But then, not long ago, he said this (pandemic) will pass like a miracle. The man is intellectually, morally and socially deficient.
I don’t know anyone who’s been diagnosed as positive yet but, I know a couple on mandatory isolation because of potential exposure, best of luck to you my friends.
On the bright side, we had a virtual birthday for my friend Leighton. We set up a Zoom meeting, we played Evil Minds, chatted and had a few beverages. It worked pretty well, and we hung out for 2.5 hours. You should try it.
I heard from my friend Chris that her trip to Spain is now officially cancelled. She was looking forward to taking another group of students to walk the Camino. Maybe next year.
For anyone who’s reading this, I hope you don’t feel alone. It’s very trying times but we’re all in this together even though it may not feel like it sometimes. I’m reminded of a saying which is often mis-attributed to Winston Churchill that appeared in England during WWII, “keep calm and carry on”. So, that’s what I shall do.
Coming soon, the first global virtual Camino reunion, stay tuned.