Springing Out of Covid Captivity

May 13 

The CDC stunned us all on May 13 when it announced that vaccinated people can ditch their masks. Everyone's going, "Wha--wha--what?" Sure, we must still cover up in a crowded situation, healthcare setting, or public transportation, but this is a turning point. A year of imploring the nation to wear a face covering has instilled something in us. Somehow, letting go of this tangible piece of fabric feels a bit radical. City and state ordinances have to be heeded, so, in California, we continue to mask up at Trader Joe's and the Farmer's Market for another month. But outdoors - at beaches and parks - we're seeing bare faces again.

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, at an MSNBC town hall on May 12, in addressing vaccine hesitancy, dazzled me with her brilliance. I came across this lead scientist of the Moderna vaccine last summer on the CNN website. She was the first bright spark after lockdown, assuring us that an effective vaccine was on the way. I hadn't seen what she looked like until the other day when I caught the second half of the town hall streaming live on YouTube. Dr. Fauci and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy were among the panel of experts available to address concerns. I was impressed at their patience and respect toward the guests who asked questions. Then Kizzy Corbett came on. A striking black woman, young, full of self-confidence, with a sparkling personality. She described the research she'd been working on for years that led to the mRNA vaccine. And I wondered why this amazing scientist isn't splashed all over the media.

The battle to persuade the hesitant to get vaccinated is on. Governors have come up with incentives. Most notably, in Ohio 5 vaccinated residents will win a one million dollar lottery. Businesses are doing their part. Free Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Free beer. McDonald's displaying messages on cups.

May 16

My goodness! The backlash to the CDC's mask guidelines has been something. How to implement this? How to catch unvaccinated cheaters? The pivot has bewildered everyone. Six weeks ago we were told we're looking into the eye of the B1.1.7 hurricane. A month ago, the director, Dr. Walensky pleaded for adherence to safety protocols. Their warnings must've worked. There was indeed a slight surge in April, but vaccination efforts kicked into high gear right then. A steady drop in Covid numbers began, and despite the emergence of another frightening variant from India - the B1.617 - Dr. Rochelle Walensky tells us vaccinated people can revert to pre-Covid times. The decision is science based, data driven. More importantly, Covid numbers are low. On Worldometers today, a Sunday, the USA recorded 17, 834 new infections. The lowest since March 25, 2020. The exit doors are now visible!

Comfortable with outdoor dining

Life out of captivity is super. Leslie hosted our first in person book group on May 14. We were ten people around a table dining on potluck contributions. Socked in by heavy fog in the past 2 weeks, we had to be indoors. A beautiful evening - which felt simultaneously normal and novel. Conversation hopped from topic to topic - our skills a bit rusty. But we relished our moments together and felt so grateful for our privilege as Americans. In fact, Linda's sister, Ann from Florence, Italy, was with us because she had flown here to get vaccinated.

It's great to be relaxed about dining at a restaurant again. For now we opt to be seated outdoors -especially as it's spring time. This week we pigged out on the creative offerings of Masala Spice, an Indian restaurant a mile from home. It felt poetic since this was the last place we'd dined at before lockdown in March 2020.

India is still in crisis mode. Now, an extremely severe cyclone is walloping the west coast of the country. The B1.167 variant on a rampage in that country has become a concern in the UK. It appears to dominate over the B117. What havoc is it going to cause just as the UK is preparing to loosen protocols? Globally, new daily infections are on a decline. Let's hope this trend holds forever.

Eclipsing Covid news is the conflict in the Gaza strip. In retaliation to rockets fired by Hamas, Israel launched air strikes. Two vastly unequal powers militarily. The Palestinians at the losing end.

May 20

The sun appeared this week and today spring warmth has returned. Mum in South Africa received her first Pfizer shot today at the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital. The country opened up vaccinations to its senior population on May 17 and amazingly just 3 days later she was able to show up without an appointment and get her shot. Let's hope things go smoothly and rapidly as winter approaches there.

Just found out that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire. Thank goodness! An 11 day nightmare over. But the root causes - ousting Palestinians from East Jerusalem and other places - haven't been addressed and this has to be a priority in the coming months.

At this stage of the pandemic my motivation to keep this blog is falling. So I want to record current Covid numbers. The USA - now in 4th place on Worldometers, below Argentina - recorded 28,500 new infections. In California there were 1,477 new cases. South Africa is experiencing hotspots and they recorded 3,500 new cases. The UK recorded 2,600 new cases - a slight rise due to the B1.617.2 variant.

Looking ahead I'm guessing the wealthiest countries will emerge out of the pandemic within the next 6 months. The developing world will need resources from the USA and Europe to deal with their disasters. After India, Latin America is in bad shape. It seems like they've been in this state all through the pandemic. Outside intervention is badly needed.