Tuesday 17 March 2020

How I really feel about COVID-19.



You may think that I've been a bit flippant about COVID-19 of late, but that's simply the way I am; I prefer to see the 'amusing' in even the most grim of circumstances.

However, things are now beginning to get serious, and I suppose I shall have to follow suit.

Yesterday morning I went shopping, not to strip the supermarket of everything edible or antiseptic, but to buy basic needs. There was no shortage anywhere (other than hand gel again), and I did a normal shop for one week. I didn't buy that much; above was my (our) meagre list.

At the same time I also filled the Compact Royce with petrol, and bought a bottle of Gas.

It was then that my only problem made itself known. Most non-food shops have now been closed, and I needed some special Chainsaw petrol. My last container is almost empty, and I had to replace it; we heat ourselves with wood, and as it comes in one metre lengths it has to be sawn. It's not a problem mixing my own petrol/oil, but I would have preferred to buy (the very expensive) ready made stuff. A minor inconvenience.

We are now beginning our period of self-isolation. As we are both over-70, we are advised to stay home as much as possible for the next FOUR MONTHS. Obviously this is impossible, but we shall try to oblige. We will still need to visit the baker, the pharmacy, and the plant/seed shop (if indeed they're open). We will also need to walk the dog, cut lawns, and hang out washing, etc. Staying indoors is not an option, in fact it's actually impossible.

Imagining that all non-food shops will now be closed indefinitely, what will we find when (or if) they should ever open their doors again? Could stores/shops really survive being closed for months on end?

The Périgord region of France relies heavily on Summer tourism, and no doubt this too will suffer. How many Gite owners will now find any June/July/August tenants, knowing that all the shops, cafés, and restaurants will be closed; and movement restricted. I feel very sorry for those who rely on an income from holiday cottages, but not so much for those who may go bankrupt before even opening the doors of their rusting empty shipping containers.

I am not over pessimistic about the future; I do believe that there has been a lot of exaggeration about. I don't wish to detract from the seriousness of the situation, but all we can do is to take it day by day. The Great Flu Epidemic of 1918 killed over 20 million people worldwide; I don't see anything on that scale happening in 2020.

Today is Tuesday 17th March.... I wonder how the world will look in a week's time?

53 comments:

  1. We are on day three of self isolation. Stay healthy.

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    1. Our President (Macron) has now said that if we wish to go outside, we need to download a form from the net, and fill it in with the reason for our going. It's become beyond a joke; if it ever was one!

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    2. I’m getting seriously worried about Toy Boy Napoleon’s state of mind. He called the populace out to vote and the next day he put himself in charge of close the borders plan and left thousands of skiers stranded in the Alps instead of giving notice of his decree to Le Grand Nation last Thursday as he ought to have done so that all French residents and visitors could get on the right page. As long as the supermarket has a good stock of frogs legs and snails you’ll it starve. C’est la vie?

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    3. Here 200,000 people phoned the number for the covid-19 test hotline (one assumes they all had coughs) and couldn’t get an answer. We only have 8 million souls in the country. It’ll get a lot crazier before sanity prevails.

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  2. It's crazy over here in the UK. My local large supermarket was completely out of fresh meat yesterday along with the usual toilet roll, handwash and baked beans. I wasn't buying extra - just trying to shop for my elderly parents as they're isolating. Folk are just greedy!

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    1. Our local Leclerc supermarket was fully stocked yesterday. No-one seems to be panicking, although with the latest pronouncements I think this could soon change.

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  3. Is petrol the kind of thing you can order on line? Or is that too dangerous to be shipped? Am assuming you need a small amount.

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    1. I shall drain some from the car, and do my own mix. It's not a disaster; I'm only moaning because I was expecting to buy some yesterday.

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  4. Here in n.w. Italy bureacracy wins even in times of crisis. We have a form from the Minister of the Interior to fill in each time we leave the house, even to walk a dog!! A sense of humour and a glass of wine helps!! - Ro.

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    1. That sounds like here. I've just looked on the net, and can't find anything. I was thinking of going out to breathe some fresh air, but without the form (in triplicate) I fear being shot!

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  5. If I wrote down, in answer to your header's question, how I feel about the Virus, it'd be a page turner of epic length. Instead I'll keep it (relatively) short.

    Apart from some of the obvious inconveniences which present themselves I think of the psychological impact restricted movement will have on some people. The one I can't get my head round is depriving old folks in care homes. Can you imagine it? There you are, one and a half foot in the grave anyway, not master of your own destiny any longer, the only thing you (may) look forward to a visit from "outside", your doting son/daughter, whoever. Now nothing, nada, zilch. Doors closed. Only prison, so I imagine, is worse. And that is to "protect" THEM and their half foot still out of the grave.

    As I have said before, you, Cro, are lucky in that you live so far out no one will "police" your every step out of your front door. And I am lucky (am I hearing myself say this?) that I live in England. An England so lax we can, largely, still do what we like. Not that I am saying that events aren't cancelled - they are. And eggs are hard to come by. And anyway, hollow laugh, I myself am "impervious", naturally, because it's me. The arrogance breath taking.

    On a practical note, what about your son and the boys? How will they be affected once they move on (considering how many borders have come down in the last few days)?

    U

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    1. My son and family have decided, for the moment, to stay here. He should have gone to Thailand to survey the work on his new house, but that too has been put on hold. It's 99% lockdown here.

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    2. Children here have been told to stay away from grandma and grandad.

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    3. Here too. I think Europeans are all collaborating.

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    4. Ursula there has been a suggestion in Scotland that care homes get residents "face time" online with their family..not as good as the real thing, but it would be some contact

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    5. Yes, GZ, face time on line is better than nothing. And, I suppose, one could write letters.

      One element so many older people missing, never mind the virus, is that of touch. Actual touch. Even only a hand on your arm.

      A few years ago there was this tiny little, probably ancient, man. Shrunk. Though sparkly eyes. Every so often I saw him at the corner shop. We talked - here and there. And then, one day, he propped himself up, on his toes, and planted a little kiss on my right cheek. A butterfly greeting.

      He has, as one does, died since.

      U

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  6. This is all beginning to look like one of those awful disaster/horror/sci-fi films. I am reminded of that incredibly sad animated film "Where the wind blows" if you saw it many years ago?

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    1. A Horror Film indeed. However, if we didn't listen to the news etc, we'd hardly know anything was afoot. Out here in the deepest countryside, everything seems as normal.

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    2. Same here. If I hadn't heard the news conference last night I would still be wondering what all the fuss is about.

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    3. When I went on my early morning walk with Billy, the rest of the world seemed very unimportant. It's only when you return home that you come back to earth.

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  7. It's surprising that there was no alcohol on your shopping list. I guess that was all on the other side:-
    Pernod (1 litre) x 3
    Châteauneuf-du-Pape (6 box) x 2
    Remy Martin Cognac x 5
    Kronenbourg 1664 (24) x 6

    (Enough to keep you and her ladyship going for a few days)

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    1. How very astute of you Mr Pudding, my paper is obviously too transparent. Yes, all you mention, plus a couple of cases of 'throwing wine'.

      I'm pleased to add that Lady M has just returned from the village with a 5 litre container of chainsaw petrol.... What a clever lady.

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  8. We'd booked a week in a cottage in Scotland in June. Yesterday managed to change it to October. There was a very long telephone queue.

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    1. Well, I hope you manage to get there in Oct. At the moment it looks as if this business could go on indefinitely. Horrible.

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  9. That's what I'm wondering. What will the world look like in a weeks time? In the meantime our lives go on more or less the same. It has been cold the last few days so we have enjoyed being inside and lighting the fire. When the temperature goes up we will no doubt enjoy the garden, coffee on the balcony and walking on our deserted roads.

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    1. We've been having some lovely weather recently; very spring-like. I even planted my Red Onion sets this morning!

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  10. The thought police are bravely at work. People, including the US President, should not say ‘Wuhtan Virus’ or ‘Chinese Virus’.

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    1. Good point, Gwil. Just as the Spanish Flu shouldn't have been called Spanish since it originated in ... (don't ask). How to give swine and nations a bad name. But, as today's mantra - on various blogs - goes, we are all in it together. Pull the other one. Some being more equal than others. Main thing to keep your distance from the slitty eyed ones, so I was told - and did NOT the other day when a young Chinese couple and I, strangers to each other and barely a meter apart, side by side, admired a rainbow over this South Coast's city scape. Symbolic? End of the rainbow. Well, I had it coming, didn't I . . .

      U

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    2. Passing the buck has always been a popular pastime. Personally, if I don't call it COVID-19, I prefer Mad Bat Disease.

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    3. But China virus accurately describes its origin. It also accurately describes the origin of severvel types of bird flu. Perhaps PC people should have a word with China about cleaning up its act!

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  11. I just carry on regardless. I am far too busy to watch the news.

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    1. Good policy, Northsider. After all, when the worst comes to the worst the sirens will be ringing. Only the deaf won't hear them.

      U

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  12. We are, in the UK, at least allowed to go outside for exercise, fresh air, walks etc - as long as we keep well away from other people. Also, into the garden,obvs. Are you really that visible when in your garden?

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    1. No, there's no-one here. I've been working in Haddock's this morning; didn't see a soul.

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  13. As the virus spreads around us and we are warned that two weeks from now we will be in the thick of it with no real end in sight, fear grips me, not for my welfare, but for my family. It all came so fast. We certainly are not prepared and our brain damaged leader now has awakened and doesn’t have a clue what to do.

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    1. Luckily the UK has Boris, who seems to be in control. Here in France Macron is going for overkill. Trump appears 'confused'.

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  14. Yes, very interesting to see how things will be in one week. China managed to shut the virus down. Transmission from your younguns is a risk.

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    1. Certainly the graph shows a reduction in China's deaths etc. They must be getting something right.

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  15. "The Great Flu Epidemic of 1918 killed over 20 million people worldwide; I don't see anything on that scale happening in 2020." I agree but we have a far greater understanding a century later of the nature of the beast. I suspect if absolutely nothing were to be done one might have that sort of death toll.

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    1. I'm sure that's so. Very important that we follow the advice of those who know what they're talking about. Boris seems to have good advisors.

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  16. Cro, yes we have to face the realities of what is happening...the elephant in the room..but keep on writing about the rest of life too.

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    1. I said my bit for the moment. As you say, time for other subjects.

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  17. Cro I have the pdf version of the attestation de déplacement if you would like it. I can email it to you if you send me your email address on my blog (I won't print it).

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    1. I've now found it, and have printed off a few. What a load of nonsense it is. I have to go out briefly this morning, so will take a blank with me (to be filled in if necessary). Thank you for your kind offer.

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  19. Four months is quite a long time. Our shelter in place protocol is not as stringent as yours. We don't need to fill out a form prior to going outside, for example. We are simply advised to stay home for the next few weeks. However, as you've written, things are changing day to day. Be well. x

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    1. It certainly seems a tad draconian. Four months takes us beyond mid-July, which is full-on Summer. Are they expecting us not to use the pool etc? Nothing has been said!

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  20. I think that we have been very lucky here in Canada - in that we've had time to see what was happening - plan - and also get used to the idea that big changes were coming.
    The first big shock was last Thursday when they announced that schools would be closed for an additional two weeks her win Ontario after March break - that caused a wee bit of panic for the parents who would have to deal with it all. Other things have come each day and really, I think we had become to expect it all.
    First the schools - then all public venues & entertainment centres - if you are out of the country get home NOW - work from home if possible - last night all bars & restaurants told to close or just go to take-out or delivery - this morning a state of emergency was declared in the province and more things closed or hours limited including the church where I work - we were expecting it. I'm now at home until at least March 30 but more likely April 13th.
    Here we get daily updates from the govt. & health dept. from the city, the province and the federal govt. The politicians are there but much of the talking is left up to the Health officials. They have been serious but calm and as informative as possible and I think they have done a good job.
    Grocery stores are open - in fact malls are open but on limited hours (but I'm sure they will close next as many of the larger stores have already closed for at least 14 days and people just aren't going out). Transit is still running and I can go out but we are asked not to unless its for groceries, to see a doctor, or in some cases to go to work. I may go out for a walk on Sunday as I can walk along the river without running into many people but otherwise I intend to stay indoors.
    I saw an interesting poster on someone's blog today - it said "Our grandparents were asked to fight a war - we're being asked to sit on a couch" - kind of puts it in perspective.
    PS - not sure about the UK's policies - they seem counter productive to what everyone else in the world is doing and no one seems to be self- isolating - a bit worrying to me.

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    1. It all sounds very similar to here. Basically everything is closed other than food stores and pharmacies. What a state of affairs. It wasn't that long ago that we were all eating Turkey without a care in the world.

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  21. 4 months!!! I sure hope that’s overkill. We’ve been told to stock up for 2 weeks. I do realize it could be longer, but hopefully not 4 months. With the warmer weather coming and self-isolation, we should be able to flatten the curve before that... at least I hope so. Grocery store shelves are pretty empty around here... (but we do have coffee and peanut butter!)

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    1. With Coffee and Peanut Butter you will survive. I can't think of any recipes off hand, but If I do I'll let you know!

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