We will meet again

A friend sent this diagram. I think this blog has traced my progression from the Fear Zone to the Learning Zone. Working towards the Growth Zone. 

I am making progress on stopping 'compulsively consuming what hurts me' in terms of incessantly checking the news, and in the spirit of 'evaluating information before spreading something false' I do want to share this funny, beautiful 'Letter to the UK from Italy: this is what we know about your future' by Italian author Francesca Melandri. Lines that made me laugh included "You’ll pull apocalyptic literature out of your bookshelves, but will soon find you don’t really feel like reading any of it." and "Elderly people will disobey you like rowdy teenagers: you’ll have to fight with them in order to forbid them from going out, to get infected and die."

Torrential rain all day today so everyone staying indoors. The rain turns the tree trunks a funereal black, starkly contrasting against the new green leaves. 

On our walk today we saw only four people, two were wearing masks. That is fairly typical for this neighbourhood so couldn't really tell if the new CDC guidelines were having an effect. The guidelines recommend wearing a cloth mask when going out in public places such as a grocery stores, pharmacies, or public transport. Trump, however, emphasized that it was voluntary and that "I don't see it for myself". 

Not really sure what to do about the masks. We are currently managing our life so as to avoid people. We do go out of the house for walks in the neighbourhood, but everyone here keeps a good distance. So technically, I don't think we need to wear masks. But I almost want to wear a mask just to signify that we are not Trump supporters! That we are conscientious citizens. That we are all about protecting you from us, as much as us from you. Just in case, and as a relaxing, Sunday-afternoon, apocalyptic activity we made a t-shirt mask and a coffee-filter mask. Sometimes, what with all the baking and crafting and home schooling, it does feel that we are on some sort of extended homage to the Little House on the Prairie. 

It isn't clear that homemade cloth masks actually do much - there is a very detailed discussion in the New York Times about the best material to use (not rocket science - thicker is better). And there is debate among the experts on the airborne nature of the virus. Some worry that masks will cause a false sense of security and people will relax on social distancing. I do get frustrated with the fluffy recommendations from the Federal government. Back during the 1918 flu pandemic a San Francisco Health Officer actually shot a man for refusing to wear a mask! But there are still so many unknowns about transmission; I must 'recognise that everyone is trying to do their best'. 

Watched the Queen's special address and dang it if it didn't get to me. I began watching with an air of cynicism. But pretty soon I found the cynicism waning. I mostly read the news these days but I'm glad I watched this. Some people do their jobs well. Canadian PM Trudeau's stern morning briefings and the timely and brave decisions by Dr Sara Cody, Chief Health Officer of Santa Clara County (where we live) come to mind as examples of decisive leadership. The Queen performed her role perfectly - to be an example of being in the Growth Zone in that circle figure above. Not sure it was worth the £67 million taxpayer price tag but she 'made her talents available to those who need them' and 'spread hope'. She spoke on behalf of a country to give thanks, to console, and to inspire. She gave voice to the underlying fear that we all carry at the moment - will we meet again? - but recast it in the positive. 

"We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."