Post Quarantine Times

May 25

Santa Barbara recorded only 3 positive coronavirus cases on May 24. Single digit daily cases all week, but LA county, in the yellow tier, has been doing better than us for a while. 

During the week of May 16 to 23 the USA dropped to an average of 25,000 new positive cases. Today 50% of the adult population is fully vaccinated. 

The UK is still seeing around 2,500 new cases. South Africa is hovering at just below 3000 new daily cases. Still unsure about traveling to England in August.

May 27

Today's leading Covid news addressed the lab leak theory. US experts are exploring the possibility of a virus escape from the Wuhan Coronavirus Research Lab as the cause of the pandemic. However, they feel more strongly that the origin was zoonotic (from a bat to an intermediary host).

Cases continue to decline - now hovering between 20,000 - 25,000 new daily infections. But it's still a struggle to convince people to get vaccinated. The anti-vax movement is robust and the large percentage who receive information through their network aren't budging. Confirmation bias hindering our progress.

Over 3,000 new cases in the UK - 70% due to Indian variant. South Africa's numbers climbing - they recorded over 4000 on May 26. India's recorded numbers on a decline, but rural areas where the virus is spreading rapidly aren't equipped with testing facilities. Global daily cases on a decline largely due to Europe's excellent vaccination progress. Situation in Latin America still out of control.

On a different note - Brood X, the 17 year periodic cicadas have emerged in the North East of the USA. Photos and videos of their mating cries are everywhere.

June 1

It's the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend. What a contrast to last year! Before the start of the holiday weekend there was a tone of excitement and optimism. Newspaper photos of the crowds waiting to board flights at airports were portrayed as a celebration. No finger-waving and head-shaking like last year. 

We, too, were swept up by the mood. We had our first overnight guests since March 2020. The joyful presence of our LA friends, Rayann and Marlene, elevated the weekend to something special. We shared special meals, heartfelt conversations, and went on a jaunt to Lake Los Carneros. The highlight was Saturday dinner on our patio. Premi and Sri joined us. Premi's vegan ceviche kicked off the meal. A chilled Rosé teamed well with it. My zucchini tart, the centerpiece, was matched with a robust Paso Robles red blend provided by Rayann. Dessert was Premi's fragrant, creamy carrot halwa. Indeed, it was a celebration of so many things.

On Monday we joined Stephen and Jacqueline for lunch at their new home in a residential compound. We hadn't experienced their legendary hospitality for a good, long while. What a delight to sit out on their shaded patio (with a view of a green cliff) and over a multi-course meal - in the traditional European style typical of them - hit as many current topics as possible! Four hours of conviviality reinforced this new, exciting phase we've entered.

Before the weekend ended Daryl and I worked off the calories we'd stuffed into our bodies on the pleasant San Antonio Creek trail which starts at Tucker's Grove. The last hours of daylight were ideal for this trail. Lots of shade, perfect temperature and a fair amount of elevation gain. Quite an endorphin rush.

Before going to sleep I surveyed the Covid landscape. The USA recorded just 8,100 new cases on Memorial Day. Yes, it was a holiday weekend when fewer tests are conducted, etc. Still. The UK recorded close to 4000 new cases. The India variant is stirring up trouble everywhere, especially in previously successful Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, regions in China, Taiwan. Also learned that WHO has started assigning Greek letters to name the recent variants of concern to prevent stigmatizing countries. It appears that India has past its peak and is now on a decline. Same is true of Brazil. Europe is on a successful path - like we were months ago. I'm hopeful that they're on a one way road to success.

Last week Governor Gavin Newsom joined the lottery offer bandwagon as incentive to energize vaccinations in this state. Cash prizes of large sums of money will be awarded to individuals selected in a random drawing of all vaccinated Californians. Will it work? I haven't yet come across information on what effect the announcement has had. I'm guessing much thought had gone into this and maybe we'll have enough excitement to push the percentage up enough so that we can stabilize this comfortable situation we are currently enjoying.