May Starts Merrily for Me

 May 3

When I looked at Facebook today I was amazed that not a single ad for face masks appeared. Wow, it really is a transition time. Unlike anything I've ever experienced. Now that many in my orbit are fully vaccinated life is different. On the last day of April Premi and Sri dined with us at the same table out on our patio where the light and temperature provided charming ambience for this big moment. Then, after a scrumptious dessert of rhubarb tart from Gypsy Hill Bakery - run by a Londoner out of her private kitchen - when it got chilly, we continued our energetic conversation indoors, in our living room. It felt wildly special. This simple act that we used to take for granted in the before times, deprived of for 14 months, took on new meaning.

Two days later we ferried a meal of Spanish tortilla, grilled zucchini and blueberry cobbler over to our friends Anna and Petar who live a mile from our place. In the past 12 months we visited them weekly, sitting at separate tables spaced out on their deck enjoying wine, chitchat and satisfying mountain views. On Sunday, May 2, we were able to sit at the same table and enjoy a meal together. We sure missed that intimate, convivial social experience.

Another huge moment was when I swam for the first time in 14 months on the first day of May. A warm, spring Saturday morning ensured a delightful welcome. When my fitness center re-opened in June 2020, it was dramatically redesigned for outdoor workouts in accordance with Covid protocols. So, even though Santa Barbara remained in the strictest purple tier through much of the pandemic, GVAC, in limiting its membership, was able to stay open. Gyms were deemed high risk so I kept away. Until now. The pool area is now surrounded by cardio machines and weights arranged under shade awnings. A soak in the jacuzzi followed by pool laps never felt as heavenly as it did on that first day back at the gym. My upper arms hurt afterwards. It delighted me.

California's Covid numbers are as low as they were last spring - below 2000 new daily cases and fewer than 50 daily deaths. In the US the 14 day average of new daily cases now hovers at 50,000, a big decline from 2 weeks ago. A few states are still struggling with increases. Oregon has some hotspots, which surprises me. We've learned and continue to learn that things can change. It is reassuring that health officials are projecting optimism. The biggest Covid concerns in the US are about persuading people to get their vaccine shots. Everyone has an opinion on how to do this, but the general feeling is that a large enough percentage won't budge. Herd immunity may not be a realistic goal.

Every morning we wake up to distressing news of India's crisis. The Modi government celebrated too early and are paying dearly. Election rallies and the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage turned out to be super spreader events that produced the 2nd wave that India had astonishingly avoided until now.

I can't believe a third of the year is over. And what a messy process the global vaccination process is turning out to be. If Americans are more co-operative with health officials, and get things under control here, it would free up the government to provide much needed help to the developing world.

May 5

On NPR's Morning Edition I felt sick to hear a report of thousands of expired AstraZeneca vaccine dumped by a few African countries due to their inability to deploy and disseminate their supplies. This, while an India in crisis is in dire need of these life-saving vaccines! What a tragic situation! And here in the US unused vaccine supplies have to be trashed too due to stubborn resistance. Health officials are scratching their heads, struggling to figure out how to persuade half the adult US population that vaccines are the only exit strategy from the pandemic.

Along with distressing stuff is plenty of good stuff. Daryl and I strolled on State Street for the first time since it was transformed to be pedestrianized. Utterly delightful it was, especially because the Tuesday Farmer's Market lent its vibrancy. Calmly sauntering among masked locals, it was spring's bounty on full display that hogged our attention. Purchasing rhubarb, apricots, Harry's strawberries (the best in the universe), and cherries were as stress free as the before times. The many new and atmospheric wine bars, breweries and restaurants with big outdoor seating areas are reasons State Street will undoubtedly become a weekly ritual for us.

After absorbing State Street's charm we joined Stephen and Jacqueline for a meal at Zaytoons. Our first sit down meal at a restaurant since last March. It's quite the hot spot in town, largely because of their Mediterranean style  courtyard. Tables, each with its own fire centerpiece, spaced out and surrounded by planter box hedges for added intimacy, a central fountain, and gorgeous landscaping provide an unbeatable setting. Stephen and I splurged on their "Spring Fling" cocktail - elderflower, cucumber and vodka - to celebrate this moment. Over a shared Vegetarian Feast( composed of Middle Eastern mezzes) we caught up on all that had happened since we were last together - many months ago.

The first days of May have really exposed how rocky this part of the pandemic journey is turning out to be. In particular, while wealthy countries are hurtling toward normal, the developing world struggles on.