Covid Trends Looking Hopeful

February 15, 2021

Though we aren't into fluffy holidays like Valentine's Day we actually had a beautiful day with minimal effort. Sunny, mild weather was ideal for a long beach stroll. Refugio Beach has become our favorite choice because it's never busy and we can completely relax. The tide was at its lowest when we arrived late in the day and this allowed us to walk further than we'd ever done. A massive dolphin pod put on a show, enhancing the glorious setting. We could've walked all the way to El Capitan, but daylight was rapidly fading. Sunset at around 5:50 was magnificently romantic, capping a memorable 5 mile stroll.

At home we drank chilled, fizzy Crémant with a meal of plant based cutlets, roasted broccolini, and pasta tossed in sautéed leeks and spinach. The dessert was decent too - apple pie and ice cream. For evening entertainment we started Season 2 of "My Brilliant Friend". Season 1 made a huge impression on us. Such an exquisite execution with a stellar cast.

I shopped at Trader Joe's a few days ago for the first time in two months. What a thrill to glide up and down aisles and re-acquaint myself with old favorites! Made me realize that a return to normal life, when we're able to go wherever we want, will more than make up for sacrificing international travel for another year.

Everyday I browse the latest articles in The Atlantic. There's always so much good stuff available. Yesterday I enjoyed reading a discussion held by a group who've been reporting on Covid for the magazine. The theme was whether we can now be optimistic that things will keep improving. The takeaway was that if current safety protocols remained there will be dramatic improvement toward a post-pandemic future. However, red state governors are already loosening restrictions and removing mask mandates. Then, there are the variants. Some experts are predicting the B117 will become dominant in the USA in March.

We'll know much more in March.

Mum updated me this morning on South Africa's vaccine handwringing. They're attempting to sell the AstroZeneca supply they'd received from India, an April expiry date lending urgency. They will roll out the Johnson and Johnson candidate next week and are hopeful about continued new supplies to allow them to vaccinate everyone before the end of the year. Their protocols during the December surge appear effective gauging from continued positive trend lines.

Mum also remarked on a spike in the price of ginger and garlic. Everyone there believes these condiments offer Covid protection causing a capitalistic supply/demand situation. Mum was pleased to have acquired a bulk amount of ginger from a door to door vendor from the farming area of Weenen. She's been drinking turmeric stirred into diluted milk everyday too.

There's been much media hype in South Africa around Ivermectin for treating Covid. Here, in the US, nobody is saying much about this drug due to a lack of conclusive or compelling studies. Licensing and patenting laws have prevented production of Ivermectin in South Africa and this has led to a blackmarket. Now they are being warned of probable harmful ingredients in the products acquired via the blackmarket.

February 17

This pandemic period is unfolding like a suspenseful plot driven novel. Tension never lets up. Good news always accompanied by some new stressful development. This week, as our Covid infections decline and increasing numbers of people are receiving their vaccine shots, a severe snowstorm has crippled a large swathe of the country. Texas is especially badly hit, due to damage to its power grid. Much of the state is without power right when they are in the midst of freezing and below freezing temperatures. Vaccinations have to be halted. Vaccine deliveries have also been hampered, slowing down the process nationwide.

The West Coast has been spared from that nasty storm system. Instead, our days are warm and sunny. The air is infused with spring scents - blossoms and blooms typical of late February. Asparagus season has just started and it's on our menu tonight. 

No sign of rain, though, and that is dispiriting. We'll have to accept that this will be another dry winter. Five of the last 20 winters have been dry. We ought to reconcile ourselves to the unpleasant reality that this part of California is more desert than we'd like to admit.

A happy news item today was the smooth landing of a news Mars rover called Perseverance. We watched the live reactions of the NASA/JPL team while it happened and their joy boosted our moods. A reminder of what life is like when it isn't dominated by the pandemic or by politics. 

South Africa received its shipment of Johnson and Johnson vaccine and immediately went to work jabbing health care workers. Because it's officially a trial they didn't have to wait for approval from government regulators. If the researchers are satisfied with this candidate they'll move forward with full implementation of their phased program.

It's a great feeling to be on the other side of our 2nd wave, to see infection rates drop to manageable numbers. A practical effect is that I can shop at grocery stores in person again. I'll still choose to go at opening time when it's quiet. I'll still be cautious in my daily activities. A month from now life may be a whole lot better. But it could well be worse. Lower numbers lead to loosening of protocols which quickly returns us to an unsafe state.

There's discussion about opening up schools. Such a tricky issue. Of course it's best for kids and for parents and for society for schools to open up. Teachers ought to have inoculation priority over the 65 to 75 year olds. That demographic is retired and can stay home safely. I guess it will be ongoing battle to determine how to prioritize who gets the vaccine next.