For the first time, I went out wearing a mask and it’s becoming very common here in the U.S. I think it’s much more common in most of the rest of the world and who would’ve thought that the Chinese would have been fashion trendsetters when they started wearing them years ago after another Corona Virus was circulating there. I even saw a Pilgrim in Spain wearing one in 2017. I guess it’s the new normal.
I’m hopeful that there may be some seasonality to CoVid-19. While Italy and Spain may have reached the top of the bell curve naturally, here in the U.S. the peak seems to be coming a bit sooner than I’d seen a week to ten days ago. Here in Dallas the projected peak is a couple days sooner than even a week ago. Now this may be totally wrong, or it’s skewed by the lack of testing or, maybe, as it’s beginning to warm up, maybe that’s contributing to the change. For now, though, we can’t let up. Some interesting links if you like numbers or want to know how much Google spies on you: http://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america (covers most countries and https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/
I was reading on the Casa Ivar blog and someone posted some pictures from a book written in the mid-50’s called The Great Pilgrimage of the Middle Ages by Vera and Helmutt Hell. I think it’s long out of print, but I find it fascinating. There are approximately 170 photos with detailed information about most. As I look at these images, I’m instantly transported back in time. Then, I remember how they appeared when I first saw them.
I liked the book so much; I found a retired library copy printed in English on Amazon. It was less than $6 so, I bought it. I suggest that if you liked your Camino or just love history, you try to find one to look at. It also offers a glimpse of Franco’s Spain in the early to mid-50’s. It could easily have been 50 years earlier.
A very warm and humid day here in Dallas. I hope we get to enjoy spring before we finally have to stumble out into the dog days of summer.
Be safe, stay healthy.