Covid Diary in Mid Spring

April 2, 2021

The good news is that over 3 million vaccine shots are administered in the US each day. A third of the nation has received at least one shot. Close to 20% are fully vaccinated. In my region there's definitely the sense that the end is in sight. After a traumatic January in California I've noticed more responsible behavior regarding face coverings and distancing. Now our local Covid picture looks more promising every day.

The bad news is that the virus mutants of concern have gained a foothold in parts of the US, leading to a 4th wave in these regions. Though the experts are passionately urging caution and patience, it's obvious that this wave won't be as serious as the winter surge. There's an expectation of things getting worse in parts of the US through April. More deaths, hospitalizations and Covid headaches. Humans, we've learned, are impatient, obstinate and selfish. Ultimately, vaccines will win the race. The month of May will be merry.

Outside of America the pandemic rages on. Europe's 4th surge. India at almost 100,000 daily new infections. Brazil a disaster. But South Africa is doing surprisingly well, with new infections hovering around 1000 a day. In fact, no new restrictions were imposed over Easter weekend, much to everyone's surprise. However, their vaccination program hasn't really kicked into gear yet.

It's Good Friday today - a normal day in the US. I made hot cross buns yesterday. The spicing and fruitiness were perfect, but the texture much too dense. I used a combination of whole wheat and white flour and I should've allowed more proofing time. But right out of the oven with tea, they were a treat. And then for breakfast this morning what could be better than warmed, buttered hot cross buns? In the afternoon Premi and Sri showed up with hot cross buns that Premi had made. They were huge, airy and conventional looking. We munched them with tea on our patio. I was too embarrassed to offer them any of the ones I'd made!

April 5

Another quiet Easter weekend. A highlight was a 6 mile beach stroll on Saturday morning right after breakfast (more hot cross buns). Thick fog, cool temperatures and low tide provided the incentive to head out to More Mesa. Delightfully quiet, we just kept walking until pressing home chores forced us to turn around. The fog dissipated and the sun became brighter and more intense on the stretch across the unshaded field. A perfect spring day.

In the early evening Bruce and Janette joined us for a convivial meal on our patio. Fine champagne, rosemary flavored cauliflower soup, a roasted beet salad, falafel, chocolate cake and pleasant conversation. Bruce's book Switched is launching this week. Particularly exciting because he took on a new concept and because his beloved departed Riley, inspired the story. What a timely tribute to his adored dog!

April 6

Caught this iris before it vanishes

Clivia - one of my favorites

Gardens in our area are at their best in the spring time, regardless of how little winter rain we've had. The long dry stretch from May to December is considerably less colorful!

Tomato plants are taking root in our vegetable planters, and in a week or two the seeds we've sown will emerge into seedlings and will need thinning. I'm loving the extra daylight after dinner for garden chores. Now I have more daytime hours for reading and writing.

The Covid landscape out here where we live is almost as bright as spring blooms. California now has the lowest positivity rate (1.7) in the nation! We were the global epicenter of the pandemic in January, so this is a drastic improvement. Now every adult is eligible to receive a vaccine. Today, Governor Newsom has announced that the economy will open fully on June 15. Of course, unpredictable factors could mar our progress. However, on May 4, I'll be two weeks past my 2nd shot and sufficiently inoculated to venture out into the world.

April 7 - Today the CDC informed us that the B117 variant, as expected, is now the dominant strain in the US. Depressing! 

The latest on the AstraZeneca vaccine is that it likely linked to rare instances of blood clotting. Mostly women under 60 were affected, but risk factors haven't been determined. Now, in the UK, under 30's will be offered an alternative vaccine. It's unlikely that the US will use this vaccine since we have more than adequate supplies of Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson. Thank goodness!

I'll remember this phase of the pandemic as one of disorientation arising from the mixture of daily optimistic news coupled with distressing news.