Covid Diary as Winter Approaches

 November 19

Another "grim milestone" - 250,000 Americans lost their lives due to Covid. The situation just keeps getting worse. Now daily new infections hover around 180,000 and daily deaths are climbing toward 2000. In California our daily new cases are back to early August highs with daily deaths between 150 and 200. Our county, along with most of California, is back on the purple tier. We've lived with this level of restriction for most of this year. It doesn't affect my personal life and daily routines much. But it's heartbreaking that small business, especially those running personal services, have to shut up again. New York City closed its public schools today to stem the rise in infections. Yesterday, I saw a photo of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. Unadorned, it looked sad, a reflection of our national mood.

In Europe, the curve for daily new infections is flattening in most countries. Their mitigation measures appear effective. Daily deaths in England, France and Italy are about 500 each.

This will no doubt be the last big wave of the pandemic. In the next months vaccines will become available. Today, AstroZeneca (the Oxford vaccine) announced successful results with an older population sample. Widespread infection has the advantage of speeding up trials of therapeutics. Things will soon improve.

Thanksgiving is coming up a week from today. The CDC and Dr. Fauci are urging small celebrations and limited travel. We are planning to prepare a big lunch to share with Premi and Sri.

As if the pandemic isn't enough cause for high anxiety, the political situation still has us on edge. Trump continues to pursue corrupt means to throw doubt over the election results. Georgia conducted a hand recount which verified Biden's win though by a slightly smaller margin. The senate race is heating up. The democratic candidates are hands down more qualified and competent. But that's not what matters in a red state. Trump still denying the Biden team access to the information and means essential for transition. It's shocking that nobody has the power to right this wrong.

November 23

Started the day with good news. The Oxford vaccine has shown success in trials where they experimented with different doses. The lower dose produced 90% success. This is especially welcome as Covid infections escalate in the US. Daily new infections in much of Europe are now on a decline. South America has improved considerably too. In California we hit record high daily new cases a few times last week. But we are 36th in the nation in cases per million. On Saturday Governor Newsom announced a curfew starting at 10:00 PM and ending at 5:00 AM. Striking a balance between the economy and infections is impossible.

Despite the advice of Dr. Fauci and the CDC 2 million Americans were on flights this past weekend to get to their families for Thanksgiving. With festive celebrations coming up, things can only get worse ...

I feel less anxious than I was in July/August because I realize I can cope with the restrictions in place. I'm not worried about running out of essentials and I have the ability to do food shopping at Sprouts and maybe even Trader Joe's as long as I go either at opening time or at closing time.

We had a great weekend, considering the circumstances. On Saturday morning we woke up to a clear blue sky and mild temperatures. After a pancake breakfast we hit the road, driving out of town for the first time since mid-March. The big excitement of the day was a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch out of Vandenberg AFB. At the exit off 101 we were astonished at the backed up traffic. We were clearly not the only ones with this idea! Once we entered Highway 1 it was smooth sailing. In Lompoc we drove down Ocean Avenue until a road block forced us to park in a shopping center lot. From there we marched past flower fields to a very decent viewpoint. Considering the number of cars lining the roads around us and the crowd on foot, we were able to easily keep our distance and enjoy the experience.

It was a breathtaking sight to see this marvel blast into the cerulean sky. The purpose was to launch an oceanographic satellite to measure the rise of sea levels - a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency. What made this even more exciting was that we got to see the booster return to land.

Hours later Stephen and Jacqueline joined us for lunch on our patio. We hadn't seen them for months so there was a lot of catching up to do. They are now settled in their new home and the one they had lived in for 40 years is now empty and about to appear on the market. We have so many precious memories of meals with them in a dining room designed especially for Jacqueline's dream round table. So we now turn to a new chapter to make new memories.

We ended the day with the final 2 episodes of the 2nd season of "The Hour", about a team of BBC journalists researching and reporting on important issues of that time (1957). A talented and endearing cast - sad for it to be over.

Sunday morning was less exciting than the day before but I can't complain about the 6 mile beach walk under a blue sky. Mild temps, few people, soothing scents and sounds - a beautiful start to our day.

In the afternoon Katya and Hugh joined us for tea and cake. They brought along their own tea in a thermos and home made poppyseed cake which they shared with us. We made a cranberry loaf to share with them. Like us, they've become disillusioned with the state of democracy in the USA. The GOP's shift toward uncompromising issues and refusal to respect venerated norms and traditions has moved the country toward a frightening brand of nationalism. The Democratic Party has an increasingly harder time to gain control of Congress and their progressive agenda doesn't have popular appeal. This is mind boggling and distressing. A lot of our conversation was about moving abroad. We weighed the pros and cons of living in the UK and mused about the choice of city and region. What about Portugal? They are currently pursuing the option of maybe a home here and another in the UK.

For evening entertainment we started watching Season 4 of The Crown. Everyone's talking about it so we decided it was time to see how Maggie Thatcher is portrayed and take a trip back to the late 70's and early 80's.

Today, as the work week started, there was much tension while we awaited Michigan's confirmation of Biden for president. One of the two Republicans on the electoral board which included two Democrats abstained, bowing to pressure from Trump and his supporters. Shocking and unprecedented, but the other 3 cast their votes and saved the day. In the late afternoon I was relieved to hear that GSA (General Services Administration) cleared the way for Biden to officially begin his transition.

Now we can turn our attention to other matters, like Thanksgiving coming up this Thursday.

Covid Times Post Election - November 2020

 November 9, 2020

We woke up to the momentous news of Pfizer's successful vaccine candidate. A greater than 90% success rate has been seen in their trial so far. They are in partnership with Germany's BioNTech and their trials are taking place in 4 different countries. The German husband and wife team of Turkish origin were quick to point out that they aren't funded under Operation Warp Speed. Pfizer has been promised federal funds for production after all trial criteria are met. What a great feeling to envision a Covid free future! Twinned with a post Trump era in just over 2 months, things are finally looking up.

November 12

I found myself humming and whistling a chirpy tune when I woke up and performed morning rituals. Unusual for me this year, and I realized it's due to elevated dopamine levels. Anticipating a Biden presidency and a Covid vaccine overshadows all the grimness of the moment. 

The Covid situation is spiraling out of control in the US. Even in California our daily infections are trending up. Nationwide, we are seeing record breaking daily new infections. In some places hospitals are close to exceeding capacity. No help or acknowledgment from the White House. PPE promised for the anticipated winter surge isn't available.

France is in lockdown and they're seeing close to 50,000 daily new cases. Italy is struggling with high numbers too. 

Trump still claiming the election was rigged and he's the real winner. Hasn't conceded. Continues to file lawsuits in states where the margin is slim. The nation's democracy being put to the test. How will this play out?

November 16

Eight months ago we went into lockdown. And right now the Covid infection rate and state of things is worse than ever in Europe and North America. Worldwide 55 million cases have been reported. The USA has now recorded over 11 million cases. Almost every state is experiencing a surge. Hospitals are in danger of running out of ICU units. Governors are reimposing restrictions such as curfews and gym and bar closures. Families are being urged not to travel over Thanksgiving. Locally, statewide and countywide numbers are returning to July and August numbers. In California currently daily new cases are between 8000 and 10,000. Daily deaths between 50 and 80. Our county is sure to return to the purple tier soon. Most depressing!

But, unlike in the spring, we now have an idea what's in store. We woke up this morning to the delightful news that another vaccine will soon be available. Moderna's candidate has demonstrated a 95% success rate in its late stage trial. It won't be available for wide distribution until spring of 2021, but at least we can see the finish line.

Meanwhile, a full week after election results were called, Trump still hasn't conceded. There's much anxiety regarding national threats and urgent domestic matters such as the pandemic and the economy. Biden and Harris aren't given access to the usual stuff to enable a smooth transition. The chaos and rot is sure to continue until January 20, 2021. 

Democrats have a small chance to control the senate due to less than 50% wins in Georgia resulting in both positions going for a run off in early January. The 2 Democratic candidates are solid. Jon Osoff has impressed me with his knowledge, confidence and charm. But Georgia is a red state. Biden won the state - just barely, but the senate race is a long shot. Stacey Abrams has been phenomenal with her "get out the vote" effort. Please, please, please, Georgia!!!

With the transition to fall I've adapted my daily routine somewhat. I still go on a daily run and spend a chunk of the day on writing and reading. But I now have to do gardening chores before dinner prep. It's dark at 5:00, forcing us indoors for too many evening hours. Our meals are different. Soups and stews feature a lot. Fall vegetables appear in our CSA box - yams, butternut squash, leeks, spinach. At Trader Joe's I've been please to find Brussels sprouts on the stalk. Young, tender, they are delightful shredded and roasted.

Our weekend morning walks are more enjoyable with the cooler temps. We went into the backcountry on a new trail - the Snyder Trail which starts on Paradise Road. It was necessary to have breakfast first - carb heavy almond croissants freshly baked (bought frozen from Trader Joe's) - in order to take on the steep climb. The air was crisp - we had to layer up, but we quickly peeled off layers. At first there was plenty of shade, but then the trees disappeared and a hot sun made the climb tedious. So we had to abort our goal of going all the way up to the top where, on a few occasions, we had begun this trail, doing it in reverse - also only half the way. 

Three and a half miles to start the day outdoors, immersed in nature, felt satisfying. 

On Sunday, at Coal Oil Point Beach, we witnessed a king tide for the first time. The first bit of beach was covered with water. Luckily the bluffs above provided an alternative way to access the wider stretch of beach where we were able to get down to the sand. A couple walking past us enthused about cavorting dolphins, but we weren't successful in glimpsing them this time.

The pleasant weather this weekend - after a chillier than normal week - was most welcome. We were able to enjoy drinks and nibbles with our friends Anna and Petar on their deck on Saturday afternoon. It's rare for us to have physical contact with people and when we do it's like a breath of fresh air.

It's Monday and a new pandemic week has begun.

Election Time During Covid

 November 2

On this day before the most critical election of our lifetime we can't allow ourselves to feel optimistic. Even if the polls are right and things go well for a Biden victory at the outset we are terrified of consequences. Cities all over the nation are preparing for unrest. Stores are boarding up with plywood. Both sides are volatile and fiercely desire victory. This is what it must feel like in chronically corrupt developing countries. The majority of Americans long to wake up from our four year nightmare. Now election day may mark the beginning of a new nightmare. Maybe it will all go well. Biden will win by a landslide and Trump will give his concession speech and we can then breathe and pop open the champagne.

November 3

Election day. We're all on edge, waiting for the results. Media warning us it may be days or weeks before we know the result. I think I can handle that. Much prefer every state carefully counting the ballots to a rushed affair and chaotic consequences. So far it appears there's calm around the nation. No reports of unrest yet.

It's a sunny day, mild temps, with signs of fall everywhere.

At 4:00 I'll meet up with my book group to discuss Alta California, a travel narrative of our state with historical context layered into the current account.

November 4

In 2016 Huffpost headlined with "Mourning in America" the day after the most disastrous presidential elections in US history. We've been in mourning ever since, willing time to speed up, desperate to live in a Trump-less future. Four years later, instead of a sweeping landslide to fire the most disastrous president, the race turned out to be scarily close. It speaks volumes about this nation.

Today we're still on pins and needles. When the results started coming in last night we were alarmed at the red electoral band across the country. All solidly Republican states remained loyal to Trump. After an awful night's sleep, tossing and turning, a sickness sloshing in my tummy, we awoke to hopeful news. Mara Liasson, national political correspondent on NPR, stated there's a clear path to victory for Biden. From the current state of things I'm worried that it could go either way though the NYT and CNN are predicting a Biden win. At the moment Trump is ahead in Pennsylvania, but as absentee ballots are counted Biden is closing the gap. It could take days for PA to finish up its count. If Biden wins this state it's one path to victory. Another path would be clinching AZ, MI and WI. Trouble is WI is showing a tight margin and Trump is already making noises for a recount.

We could be in this limbo state for days.

November 5

Starting the day with a headline like this helps cope with the tension that hovers over us. The whole world is holding its breath. Five significant, battleground states are still counting ballots and the difference in every case is razor thin. Arizona has been called for Biden by some news outlets, but ballots there are still being counted. Nevada, Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are hard at work. Every news outlet projects a certainty of a Biden win. Doesn't help my anxious state of mind though. If Pennsylvania finishes its count today and Biden wins it, we'll crack open the champagne.

Yesterday's NYT columnists, in their post mortems of the tight race, shared my disbelief. This election was no repudiation of four disastrous years. How do you explain why half this nation can't be bothered by what we endured? In the middle of a historic pandemic that is outrageously mishandled! Who are these people? They care about their own wallets, their guns and their desire to rob women of their freedom to choose abortion. Nothing else matters to these idiots. The scary realization is that had it not been for the pandemic, the economy would likely have held steady and Trump would have been re-elected. It's beyond shocking.

Another topic dissected everywhere was the polls. Why were they so far off reality? They suggested a landslide and wider margins in battleground states. Didn't happen. Even congressional races didn't go especially well for democrats. The Senate is always elusive - more red states than blue ensures that - but when a Democrat is favored in a presidential race, the democrats are able to wrangle a slim majority. Not this year. We are saddled with Mitch McConnell again! Worse, Biden's agenda will be crippled and in the midterms his inability to deliver will be used against him. The electorate isn't astute enough to see through this deception. Republicans will dominate Congress and so the pattern will repeat.

Meanwhile the USA recorded 108,000 new Covid infections yesterday. The experts are warning us that the pandemic is about to enter its darkest phase. Dr. Fauci's pleas for safety measures to bring the numbers down before winter fell on deaf ears. People everywhere in the world have reached saturation point. They resist the advice of experts, but if the central government supports the experts it's a huge help. Governors struggle on and in our state Governor Newsom's strict measures have made him unpopular. Our state is doing better than most of the country. This week the trend line is creeping up again.

A Biden win will help us get through the remainder of the pandemic. Sanity at the federal level will keep our dopamine levels up.

November 6

Still holding my breath. Progress on ballot counting in the last 5 battleground states going at glacial speed. More good news to start the day. Biden is now ahead in Pennsylvania and Georgia. Nevada appears solid. Arizona tenuous - gap narrowing. So hard to focus on anything else. Though every media outlet conveys a Biden victory the race is too tight for comfort. The best outcome right now would be a decisive win in Pennsylvania and if that happens before the day is over we'll be celebrating.

Trump sank to new lows at a White House press conference, disgorging wild claims of voter fraud and generally condemning the country's election integrity. TV networks, appalled at this attack on our democracy, walked away in the middle of the rant. Trump is pursuing several lawsuits, making demands to stop counting votes, and claiming fraudulent activity at polling places.

The Covid situation would've been the main news. The USA recorded over 118,00 new cases yesterday, and about 1300 deaths. France recorded over 50,000 new infections. In California and in our county new case numbers went up yesterday. There's frustration in the state that theme parks are closed as well as entertainment venues. Counties aren't progressing sufficiently to move to tiers allowing fewer restrictions. People don't want to follow safety guidelines.

November 7

We heard the ecstatic result at 9:30 this morning when we returned from our morning beach walk. Though media outlets conveyed confidence of a Biden victory in the past days it was a tremendous relief when Pennsylvania came through for him. Phew! Our four year nightmare coming to an end. Undoing the damage is going to be a monstrous task but for now we are savoring the moment. A historic moment with the first woman, black and South Asian, as our Vice President. There has been some unrest in a few cities during the week, but not at the level we feared. Today celebrations erupted in cities all over the country. So heartening to see this catharsis. Of course we still have to endure two more months of an unhinged Trump.

Covid news keeps getting worse. In addition to frightening surges, a new, mutated strain has appeared and it may not respond to the vaccines we're waiting on. This new strain migrated from mink farms in Denmark. Millions of minks will be culled. With few travel restrictions out of Denmark this new strain with an altered spike protein has been detected in a few other countries. Not good news at all!