A Covid Christmas in California

December 23, 2020

Woke up to distressing news. Again. What else is new this year? Trump dominating the news with his heartless disapproval of the Covid Relief Bill that his party painstakingly tailored to suit his desires. Now he's faking concern and demanding $2000 individual stimulus checks. "Call his bluff!" yell the Democrats. "It's what we wanted in the first place!" Congress has left for winter vacation. All the bill needs is Trump's signature! 

We still have an entire month of this incendiary White House occupant. He delivered a flood of pardons to his corrupt cronies yesterday. How much more harm is he going to inflict on his way out?

Another disturbing news item is the discovery of the South African mutated variant of the virus in the UK. Scientists declare it's even more transmissible, with more genomic changes than the UK variant. What does this all mean? Are there other undiscovered dangerous mutants in countries with less sophisticated sequencing apparatus? In the US, I understand, there isn't a rigorous practice of sequencing the SARS-COV2 virus in new patients.

December 28

Rain at last! Went to bed with the splendid sound of a downpour, the first storm of the season. Waking up to the sight of water outside was a thrill. Anticipating a full day of rain fills us with joy. A brief hailstorm this morning - white pellets bouncing on our garden furniture - surprised us. After 7 dry months, a scalding fall, and a mild entry into winter, we are immensely relieved that our withering bushes and hedges will come back to life.

Trump has finally signed the Covid Relief bill so that's good news, though the delay did have some negative consequences. Three more weeks to inauguration day!

Another bit of good news is that the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine will soon be authorized for use in the UK. The scientists working on this vaccine claim to have arrived at the formula that will make it at least 90% effective against the virus. Phew! Other countries will no doubt follow the UK and a month from now we may be looking at a much rosier scenario than currently.

We are in the darkest period of the pandemic and Dr. Fauci warns that the worst is yet to come. Festive celebrations and gatherings which involved plane travel will translate to increased spread. Worldwide over 81 million people have tested positive for the Covid virus since the outbreak. Over 20 million cases have been recorded in the USA, with over 341,000 deaths. Daily new infections in the UK are now between 30,000 and 40,000. South Africa's numbers are soaring. They reached the worrisome milestone of 1 million cases yesterday and are recording 10,000 new daily infections. Medical experts are sounding alarm bells over the new variants which have now been detected in other countries. The president today announced a return to Tier 3 restrictions and mandated mask wearing.

California's Covid situation remains dire. We are currently recording between 30,000 and 40,000 daily new cases. LA can't seem to rein in the situation despite lockdown. The mayor and his team of health experts are speculating that the UK variant might be the culprit. Genome sequencing is in progress. LA is currently the world's epicenter of the pandemic.

Obviously, we'll never forget this festive season. We managed to make Christmas somewhat remarkable.

Our Attempt at Festive Ambience

On Christmas Eve, a mild, sunny day, we prepared a traditional meal centered around a Trader Joe's festive tofu turkey. Premi and Sri joined us and provided atmosphere and justification for our elaborate meal. I mulled a bottle of wine for the first time ever, thinking we'd need a hot drink to keep us warm outdoors. The heavily spiced hot beverage required some adjustment, but as it aired it mellowed out beautifully.

For dessert we had Christmas cake which I made a week earlier. Brandied fruit and more brandy after it left the oven kept it nicely preserved and moist. Served with créme fraiche it was a hit. We also had mince pies that Daryl labored over the day before Christmas Eve (and more on Christmas morning). I didn't realize how much I'd stuffed myself until later when my stomach felt like a lump of lead.

After lunch I had a video chat with Julia and Fabian in Germany. They were about to dive into their big festive meal all by themselves. Then I chatted with Max in Sydney and Pam in Perth. On Christmas morning - gloriously sunny - we took a walk in our neighborhood to deliver mince pies to dear friends. 

Then, relieved of pressure to cook a big meal, we chatted via Skype to the Ladysmith family. Daryl played Backgammon and chess via Zoom with UK family members. In the afternoon Bruce and Janette joined us for tea and desserts out on our patio. They brought along an exquisite pumpkin pie and sampled for the first time our very traditional Christmas cake and mince pies. We had energetic conversation, shared some laughs and avoided the current heavy topics. 

After they left we took a stroll in our neighborhood, which allowed us to admire the horizon at sunset. Yard signs are still around - comforting to know that we share our neighborhood with our tribe.

We ended the day with the final 2 episodes of an Acorn series we've thoroughly enjoyed - an Italian drama called "Sisters". Ideal winter holiday entertainment!

The next evening we discovered the Netflix series "Mismatched" which hooked us instantly. Avant Garde Indian movie makers exposing us to an unfamiliar, 21st century India where the youth are nothing at all like their parents and forebears. 

And so our sanity remains intact thanks to modern technology and scientists.

Festive Spirit Suppressed by Covid in California

December 14. A historic day in the USA. The Pfizer vaccine has been rolled out. Today front line health care workers will start getting inoculated. Back in the spring when I fantasized about this day I imagined we'd be uncorking champagne and dancing in the streets. But the daunting logistics and practicalities of vaccinating an entire population - a process requiring many months - takes the magic out of this miracle that promises to rescue us. Can't deny that it is most uplifting to know that each day will bring more bright news. More countries beginning their vaccination programs. More vaccines getting FDA clearance. Our individual turns to become inoculated drawing closer. The dismaying daily case numbers and deaths on Worldometers conjure up Dickens' famous lines. It was the worst of times. It was the best of times.

Covid numbers continue to skyrocket in California as well as in the USA. Worldwide, with some exceptions, the situation is also gloomy. Germany isn't succeeding in curtailing its numbers with "lockdown light" so from Wednesday the country will observe its strictest lockdown since the start of the pandemic. Christmas celebrations will have to be small and intimate. I know that things will soon turn around. When will that be? A month from now?

There's another reason that today is an important day in America. Members of the electoral college are casting their votes - a final procedure to confirm the president-elect before inauguration day. The Trump rascals will undoubtedly continue making mischief. We're 5 weeks away from inauguration.

Winter solstice is a week away. Had to don an additional layer on my morning 3 mile run due to the chill. Pandemic restrictions in the winter are so much harder to endure. With so many hours of darkness, a total absence of entertainment outside our home, and unable to entertain or be entertained by friends indoors, we are forced to confront solitude. Daryl and I have each other. We're able to keep sane. It must be hell for people who live alone. Thank goodness 21st century technology provides boundless opportunities for individual entertainment. And it's true that there is no reason at all for boredom. But we are social creatures, gregarious by nature. We thrive on interacting with our species even if its superficial. Now, more than at any previous time during the pandemic, I crave normal life with a manic desperation. Just a few more months. I can do it. And life for me will return to its technicolor splendor. Many in the world can't say the same for themselves. For many the aftermath will be awful -unpaid bills, job loss, grieving for lost ones, living compromised lives due to permanent effects of the disease, PTSD, and a host of other problems that don't even register in my life.

This year has taught me the importance of seeking out mood boosting activities. Bingeing on unhealthy food, though tempting, leaves me depressed! But splurging on fine wine and gourmet cuisine works. Nature immersion and brisk hikes are essential. Sunsets, the hooting of our resident Great horned owl, watching hawks in flight, the crashing of waves on a deserted beach, the sight of dolphins - balm for my soul.

December 17

Every morning this month we've been awakening to dispiriting Covid news. Record breaking numbers nationwide, statewide and countywide in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. California recorded a staggering 61,000 cases yesterday - almost double the previous day's new cases. There were more than 248,000 new infections in the USA with 3,600 deaths. We had 407 deaths in California yesterday. Germany recorded 29,000 new cases and 749 new deaths yesterday. Even South Africa is experiencing a frightening surge. After dropping to 18th place on Worldometers for holding steady at a low infection rate, they recorded over 10,000 new cases yesterday with 166 deaths.

Thankfully, another vaccine, Moderna's candidate is about to get FDA approval for emergency use. We know that things will get better. Other vaccines are expected to become available in early 2021. The tide will turn. But it looks like we're going to have to hunker down in our homes for a while.

Back in the spring when we watched how China was handling the impact of the virus we felt hopeful. They were able to get back on their feet and maintain an essentially Covid free existence. I imagined we'd get there too - though not as efficiently. While Australia, New Zealand and a handful of other countries had success, much of the world fell prey to the microscopic organism that aggressively latched onto hosts in order to create countless copies of itself. Interestingly, some countries escaped serious illness and fatalities. I gather the virus burned through Mexico. The government has been testing for antibodies and so far are finding 1 out of 4 to have been infected. Though many became mildly sick, the country endured a concerning number of Covid deaths.

Earlier in the week there were reports of a mutation of the virus in southern England where large clusters of infections were found. Questions of its transmissibility and change in the spike protein arose and so far not much is known. A mutation is unnerving. Will it respond to our current vaccines? This is why we have to eradicate the virus. Only possible with herd immunity conferred by effective vaccines. But it's necessary for everyone on this planet to understand this.

December 21

The new UK variant of the virus hogged the news in the last 24 hours. London and the regions south of the metropolis are under lockdown. EU countries are closing their borders tot he UK. There's palpable concern about the exponential rise in cases in England, dominated by the new mutation. 

A new variant in South Africa, identified a week ago, has triggered concern too due to its numerous genetic changes, including a change on one of the spikes. Though it spread rapidly within the country this new variant hasn't appeared anywhere else. 

Roll out of the newly authorized Moderna vaccine has been overshadowed by the new worrisome Covid developments. I think we'll always remember this period as a time of simultaneous hopeful and distressing news. We are witnessing the beginning of the end to the pandemic, but that doesn't translate to a less restricted, more relaxed existence.

It's the start of the 3rd week of lockdown in the Southern California region. Covid numbers here are still explosive. LA county is about to run out of ICU beds. New daily case numbers this week are now between 32,00 and 45,000 - a drop from last week, but still frighteningly high. Santa Barbara County's hospitals aren't overwhelmed yet, but our trend lines are the worst since the start of the pandemic.

It's the winter solstice. Today is spookily warm - a high of 80 degrees. It's been mild much of December. Dry too - with no sign of rain. Most dispiriting. But our weekend beach strolls were pretty uplifting.

Heavy surf, crashing waves, flocks of pelicans, a lone Great Blue Heron, blue sky, and a deserted beach - a great way to start our weekend.

Getting onto More Mesa Beach requires effort - an interminable flight of steps to negotiate from the bluff - but so worth it.

On Sunday morning we headed to a different beach - the stretch between Campus Point and Coal Oil Point. It too was surprisingly deserted. Students have probably left Isla Vista for the holidays.

Winter solstice ended with 2 noteworthy events. Congress finally - after months of deliberations - passed a Covid relief bill. $900 billion to enhance unemployment benefits, expedite vaccine distribution, and provide $600 stimulus checks for individuals.

The other big event was a rare astronomical phenomenon. The two biggest planets - Jupiter and Saturn - aligned together with the shortest distance between them and appeared in our sky as a big, bright star - the "Star of Bethlehem"!  

Covid Winter in California

 December 7, 2020

At midnight we in Southern California went into lockdown. We're back to spring restrictions with some exceptions. 

Months ago I was sure the worst had past. I was wrong. We have entered the bleakest phase of the pandemic. Hospitals are in danger of running out of beds and ICU units leaving the governor no choice but to issue a "Stay at Home" order. The state's daily case numbers have exploded this past week. Now the state is recording 25,000 and above daily new infections. On December 4 the state recorded its highest death toll at 204. We are so worn down by this virus. I don't think people are going to go into isolation like they did back in March. We know so much more now and this gives us a false sense of control. Dr. Fauci, medical experts and governing officials fear that with winter celebrations things could easily spiral into a bigger crisis.

Rudi Giuliani has been hospitalized for Covid. Yippee!!

Vaccines are about to rescue us but it'll be at least 6 weeks before the impact will be felt. The UK will be rolling out the Pfizer vaccine tomorrow. There's much excitement around that.

I generally hate being home this time of year. Ever since I retired in 2014 we've spent winter holidays somewhere warm and beautiful. I hoped to escape to Hawaii for the month of January, but it doesn't appear wise to do so at this point. Darn! The best way to keep my spirits up is to divert my attention toward big projects. I've taken on the huge task of scanning our photos from the pre-digital years. I've been enjoying resuscitating memories of adventurous trips as well as home events.

Dec 8

Historic day. V-Day. Today the UK began vaccinating the general public, with over 80 year olds at the front of the queue. 

The FDA is about to green light the Pfizer vaccine so the US will soon start its mass vaccination program.

December 11

Mum's 81st birthday. Had a Skype chat with her. She looks incredibly good but complained about the intense heat in Ladysmith. Luckily for her she has her grandsons to fuss over her.

Here in Goleta, we awoke to a chilly morning. After a week of obscenely mild weather, today I didn't rush out the door for my morning run. This resulted in elevated anxiety from checking out the news. Covid seems out of control everywhere. In California we are recording record new highs in daily infections and deaths. Same is true nationwide. Europe is having difficulty managing its surge, especially Germany where daily new infections are over 20,000 and daily deaths are over 500. South Africa is experiencing a new wave with steep rises in the past week. A nightmarish scenario as we head into Christmas.

Fortunately my morning runs ensure high levels of endorphins. At Stow Grove I've been seeing red shouldered hawks everyday. I've also been listening to Padma Lakshmi's memoir on my run. Enjoying it more than I expected. A talented writer, honest, observant, with an interesting life worthy of sharing with the world.

Festive baking has helped keep my spirits up too. I made Stollen using brandy soaked dried fruit and marzipan so of course it's a huge success. As with all yeast breads and cakes it swallowed up most of a day, so it'll be a year or two before I attempt it again.

 

Thanksgiving in the time of Covid

November 27, 2020

It's the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday. Traditionally the day when the hordes flock to the shops for bargains. Today, we aren't hearing horror stories about crowds pushing and pummeling their way to snatch electronics or whatever the latest craze is. One of a few bright sides to the pandemic!

Yesterday we made a somewhat traditional Thanksgiving meal consisting of Trader Joe's holiday tofurkey roast, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. We shared it with Premi and Sri who brought over home made ciabatta. 

We ate this meal out on our patio early in the day - at lunch time. The weather cooperated - sunny, mild temps, no wind. Yes, it's odd to have a holiday meal at separate tables, spaced out, but we probably had a better day than many around the country.

Election news has calmed down, mercifully. It's wonderful to peruse news websites and the New York Times and find more Biden coverage than Trump. Fifty more days.

With Covid now so out of control in the USA we have no hope of returning to a less restricted life until vaccines are widely available. I'm horrified at the numbers in California - twice as high as our July highs. What happened? We were making such good progress. If Europe can succeed in flattening their curve for the 2nd time, surely we can too.

Weekend morning walks spiked up our dopamine levels as usual. On Saturday after a pancake breakfast, we drove further than usual - to El Capitan - for a change of scene. It's within a state park so we had to pay $10 to park. We had no regrets once we stepped onto the deserted and delightful beach.

Cloudless sky, warm air, and the sound of crashing surf and sea birds provided a dream like setting for a morning stroll. A pair of dolphins close to shore greeted us at the start. A rocky headland forced us up to the cliff along the bike trail where a hawk perched on a tree gave us a curious stare. 

The campground buzzed with a few families feasting on celebratory meals.

Quite the perfect location to escape the reality of a pandemic and a messy presidential transition.

After a short stretch on the paved path we descended back down to the beach to enjoy its magical isolation.

On Sunday morning we hiked on the little trails around Lake Los Carneros. The air was chillier than we'd ever experienced this year. I had to wear gloves! But it was quite a delightful way to start the day.

It's December 2. The day began with the exciting news that the UK has approved the Pfizer vaccine and will start vaccinating health care workers next week. Here, in the US, there's much excitement about vaccines too. Pfizer and Moderna are awaiting FDA approval and anticipate a roll out in a matter of weeks. It's a weird time of the best and worst news of the pandemic. Experts are warning of an impending bleak situation due to family gatherings over Thanksgiving. In California Governor Newsom is grappling with how to avoid a lockdown similar to the one we had in the spring. Hospitalizations and ICU units are filling up. LA county health officials are urging people to stay home. The day ended on a sombre note. A new record of daily Covid deaths was recorded - over 2,800. New cases were over 200,000. Over 100,000 people are hospitalized.

Adding to our misery is another dry winter. Every year as fall transitions into winter I study the weather forecast hoping desperately for a chance of rain. So far we've been waking up to clear blue skies with not even a hint of moisture forecast. Fire danger remains high. This annual anxiety is my least favorite aspect of living in southern California.