This is the third week since the Governor of California ordered residents not to leave their homes.
After his decision almost the entire United States has followed the same path. We can go out for a longer walk, go out shopping, who has to walk the dog (only on a leash). There is no police here on the streets, people are obeying the rules and sitting mostly at home. Although some popular parks, the beaches were unfortunately closed because of too many walkers.
Stores that were considered non-essential were closed. Which, of course, is a disaster for entrepreneurs. As regular customers of the Five Little Monkeys toy store, we received an e-mail about the desperate financial situation of its’ owner, asking them to order toys in these difficult times. After a few days, Dean could no longer place an order because the store was so overwhelmed with new online orders.
I noticed that an internet site was launched for people who lost their jobs. It is to facilitate finding a new job. I really hope it will help, because so far in California only on Monday, they applied for unemployment benefit 150 thousand people!
We order take-out from local restaurants from time to time. We shop online for home food delivery or on-site delivery to the trunk of the car. Toilet paper is stil not available everywhere.
The neighbors try to help each other, for example, organize such well-known actions as decorating windows with rainbows for children walking around the area, putting up teddy bears, clapping for healthcare professionals. At 7pm our neighbors ring bells every day to thank the healthcare professionals. Moms, friends exchange texts what’s going on (thanks xxi!), Moms ask how they manage grocery shopping in certain stores.
We gave instructions on how to shop online to our senior friends from Berkeley. May this atmosphere of mutual willingness to help and full mobilization and patience not end.
Schools, preschools will be closed until summer holidays. It is possible that our kindergarten will be opened, but only for 12 children, because the rules allow it. The kindergarten also exempted tuition fees for this month, but asks parents for donations during this difficult time. I think Maja and Róża will stay at home for a long time.
In California, there is also a lack of medical equipment, but nevertheless, but the highly praised Governor and other officials inform about everything, e.g. how much they plan to organize beds, how many respirators are needed. Retired physicians are mobilized and nurses hired. Different halls can become hospitals, hotels – homes to the homeless.
These numbers of potential sick people, people hospitalized in intensive care units, the number of masks and beds needed are quite scary, but I have the feeling that someone is in control and does not conceal the facts. Nurses have already been on strike in San Francisco because they think they don’t have enough protection against infection.
Unfortunately, there are still few tests for the presence of coronavirus, but it is supposed to change soon.
I also have the impression that the data of people who are infected or deceased is very protected. Information is provided only about the age, sex of the sick, and whether these infections are associated. Occasionally people are informed who have died. Recently, a policeman in the prime of life from Santy Rosa.
In our county (and in all neighboring ones) the numbers of people infected with the new coronavirus are constantly increasing. I will give you the latest data from Berkeley: 27 infected people, 12 healers, and 6 had to be hospitalized, and 3 of those people were hospitalized at ICU. It is not known how many tests were carried out.
We mainly stay sit at home, organize activities for Rose and Maya. Sometimes it is easier, sometimes harder, once just as normal as it is with young children, but girls generally do not complain about the lack of preschool and other outdoor attractions. My mother sends us stories, which she records in Cracow. Fortunately, Rose and Maya are already at such an age that they are happy to play a little by themselves.
We don’t have a lot of obligatory online classes. I know that in Berkeley there is a problem with these classes in public schools, but it seems to me that they will be solved soon (handing out chromebooks, preparing plans, Internet access for all students).
The Governor of California knows the realities of his state and has long exempted all students from compulsory exams.
Apparently there are small signals that the quarantine of California and neighboring state Washington is having positive effects, or maybe at least offering little relief for hospitals. And that’s what we stick to for now. Today I did not go out for a walk, I will try tomorrow, although I do not know if I can leave the house with a mask / scarf on my face …
Thank you folks for those deliveries, you are our heroes!
Piper Jovi 3/31/2020
Neighborhood evening get together- 6 feet apart
